Friday, December 16, 2011

Fiber Arts Friday: The Fiber Fool and Nourishing Knits

I met Kristi Schueler a few years ago on Twitter.  Hubba and I were living in New Mexico and planning our return to Colorado.

Kristi was a knitwear designer based in Colorado.  I was smitten.  :-)

After Hubba and I got settled in our Colorado home, Kristi and I realized we were almost neighbors.  We met a couple of times.  She helped me overcome my fear of cables.  I was still smitten.  :-)

She invited me to join her knitting group.  I was intimidated.

I came a few times when my travel schedule allowed.  I was at ease.

Kristi wrote a book.  I want to tell you about it.

As a matter of fact, a few of us will be talking about it.  Today is the first post in a blog tour highlighting Nourishing Knits.  Kristi will be announcing a couple of giveaways over on her blog today, so you will definitely want to check that out.


Nourishing Knits is jam packed with delicious recipes and beautiful knit designs.  I have had the pleasure of being on the receiving end of some of these test recipes and the name for one of the patterns came from a suggestion I made.  :-)

The Alpaca Dog has been a taste tester as well.  One night, he knew there was something in my bag for him as soon as I walked thru the door... He devoured it and begged for more.  This dog doesn't generally care for treats, so let me tell you...  If you get this book for nothing else, get it for the Bow Wow Biscotti.  Your best friend will thank you.  :-)


It's pretty easy to write about something that's fantastic.  The trouble is finding the one piece I wanted to focus on.  I have 5 or 6 of these designs in my queue.  Not just the favorites.  They're in my queue.  That means I will make them.  It's only a matter of time.

The one I've been thinking most about knitting next are the Challah socks.


I am a new (and excited) sock knitter... and Kristi helped me overcome my fear of cables... and the socks in the book are made from alpaca.  So really, I do think this is the perfect choice.  :-)


I have selected a charcoal/green Malabrigo to knit this pattern.  I hear Malabrigo is lovely to work with, and now that I've wound the skeins into cakes, I'm getting excited. :-)


I'm about half-way into the first cable repeat for the first sock.  I am trying to follow only the charts, but I am cheating a little and looking at the written out instructions every now and then.  Since I don't have a lot of experience with charts, I want to make sure I'm reading the marks correctly.

I do have to say that I like following the chart in the round... it means I'm always reading it from right to left.  :-D

And I love seeing the roots of cables forming...


I am enjoying these socks so far and am looking forward to some dedicated sock knitting this weekend.  :-)

If you don't already know Kristi, follow her.  You'll learn something.  You'll be inspired.  You'll have good food too.  :-)


The Fiber Fool on Twitter
The Fiber Fool Blog
Designedly, Kristi on Facebook
Designedly, Kristi on Ravelry

And of course, be sure get your copy of Nourishing Knits soon!

Photos courtesy of Kristi Schueler

Then once your finished checking out all of the Nourishing Knits goodness, please also check out the other fiberistas who have linked in for Fiber Arts Friday.

14 comments:

pinkundine said...

Good luck with the socks, I bet they are going to be wonderful :)

I keep meaning to try alpaca sock yarn, but I need to use up some stash first!

Chrissy said...

That sock pattern looks fantastic. I'm sure you will get the hang of cable charts in no time. They are great for checking you are doing the right things, as the chart looks like the cable in front of you. It makes it easier to spot errors!

Heather Woollove said...

The Challah socks are going to be awesome, Kathryn!
How nice to have such a wonderful fiber friend, too! XO-

Melissa Plank said...

Your socks are looking promising, I love when you begin to see the pattern emerge and develop! Both the book and the special issue from Interweave are on my Christmas wish list, thanks for the tip about the book it looks like a goodie!

Voie de Vie said...

And of course you've got to go with the pattern that's sticking in your head the most. :)

Thanks for the intro to the book. I'll be certain to check it out.

Vivian said...

The biscotti sounds delicious, I'll definitely check out your friends blog!

Look forward to seeing your cable socks.

Kate (KnitsInClass) said...

Those socks are going to be beautiful!
Thanks for sharing about the new book - looks like a good one.

Melissa said...

I haven't heard of Kristi so thanks for sharing....now I'll need to get this book on my Christmas list.

AllyB said...

Thanks for the introduction to your friend. I'm looking forward to getting to know her work. Your socks are looking good. I love a good cable pattern. Thanks so much for your comments on my blog. You always make me smile. Happy Fiber Arts Friday to you!

trudi@maudeandme said...

Love the charcoal/green -beautiful

Spinster Beth said...

Malabrigo is awesome to work with. It doesn't split and the colors are beautiful.

Cable roots are one of my favorite things :-)

WonderWhyGal said...

Thank you so much for bringing attention to this book. I haven't been on Twitter in forever and I am pretty sure I follow her but now that I'm not chatting...I lose touch.

Hooray for the new knit and I am going to get me that book.

Kristi aka Fiber Fool said...

Thanks for being such a lovely host, Kathryn!

Alittlebitsheepish said...

It sounds like a wonderful book and the yarn you are using looks gorgeous