I was going to write a big long touching thing about who Ken is, why I adore him and why you should all worship him as I do. Since there is no way I could ever hope to write of all the wonders that are Ken and do him real justice, I’ve decided to leave it at this. Ken is my best friend.
That’s us (or it’s mostly us…I don’t know who’s nose is on my face). We are wearing matching sweaters, (Alice Starmore, “Little Rivers”) that we knit as wedding gifts. Ken learned to knit several years ago…for the singular purpose of knitting me socks. He wanted me to have the pleasure that I’d given him. (I don’t worship people for nothing)
Once Ken decided to move on from socks, he showed unusual focus by choosing to specialize almost completely in the “little rivers” pattern. There was the one above, then one for himself, then one for Lene. At this point, subjected to what you can only imagine was merciless teasing from yours truly, he took a brave leap away from knitting “Little Rivers” sweaters and knit this for me…
It’s Alice Starmore’s “Little Rivers” WRAP. He also spent some time trying to work out “Little Rivers” socks. He’s knit other patterns since, but I think it’s safe to say that he is still quite fond of that pattern. Happy Birthday dear one, and thanks for all the knitted stuff. (Your cake is in the oven)
The Scarf, ratses and other questions…
A few things from the comments yesterday.
Melissa asks where ratses come from, and what I do with them. Rats are the by-product of my own particularly anal retentive form of lock washing. I like to preserve lock structure, and I’m way past anal retentive and into obsessive about having all the locks point in the same direction when I’m carding. Usually I card the rats, but with this lovely shetland I could just flick open the tips and cut end and spin from the lock. For the record (Ken, I’m talking to you) the “tails” are naturally occurring, there’s always part of the lock that I don’t quite manage to hold onto in the water and that slips down when I lift the rats out of the water. While I really liked being called “tricksy harlot” I don’t deserve it this time. I’ll try harder.
Julie, you have sharp eyes, part of the scarf is yellow. This was some of the first yarn that I spun and I thought that the yellow colour that was in some parts of the fleece would wash out. Not only did it not wash out, it’s never going to. I’m using it for test driving patterns. Speaking of the pattern, does the “lopsided” nature of the bottom lace bother anybody other than Ken? (I can ignore Ken…..)
Yarn Harlot
Happy birthday to your Ken! My Steve has been learning to knit, and he is quite enamored of cables (although his first project will be a felted bed for his kitties). How wonderful and blessed you are to have such a thoughtful and caring partner!
While my Ken is indeed thoughtful and caring, and often my partner in crime, his life partner and mine would be most offended if I didn’t clear up the misunderstanding. Ken and I are best friends, close as can be, but not life-partners. (At least not the way you are thinking!)
While your scarf is lovely, I think I would like the lower lace motif to run vertically, rather than horizontally. It would eliminate the lopsidedness, which does kinda bug me. Then you could put the prairie points along the curved bottom edge. This whole endeavor might require a fair bit o’grafting though. The other thing I thought of was whether it was possible to invert the fan/shell pattern midway so that both ends had that curved edge. Happy birthday to Ken, that’s a great photo!
hmm, until you said something I never noticed any lopsidedness
Stephanie…there’s another, easier way to wash locks that doesn’t give tails. Judith MacKenzie taught us to wash locks in a crockpot. You tie the locks around the middle, put them tip down in the crockpot w/ hotwater and Dawn (or soap of choice) and heat on low for a couple hours. If you want more info, I can do demo on my blog…let me know. Oh..and happy birthday, Ken…he has good taste…I like Little River’s too!
Stephanie, send your friend to my house for his “birthday present”. God, what a hottie.
He also writes extremely well, I enjoyed reading through is ideas. Thanks for introducing me to his site.
Happy birthday, Ken, and thank you for knitting so well and so much for our Stephanie! Beautiful work!
I love the Little Rivers pattern. What good taste Ken has 🙂
Holy Jeez, you two are gorgeous!
Isn’t it a fine thing to have a dearest friend, especially when he has decent knitting taste.
Happy Birthday, Ken. I also enjoy your writing.
And anytime you want, you can knit me a Little Rivers ANYTHING, since Steph and her daughters continue to ignore my whinging for what they’re knitting and spinning.
Oh, and Steph? Enough with the ratses already.
They make me want to hurl.
Sorry.
Wait a sec- I forgot to add that I LIKE the bit of asymmetry on the scarf.
It looks, well…artistic.
Happy Birthday to Ken 🙂 What a wonderful tribute you wrote for him too! absolutely beautiful 🙂
Happy Birthday to Ken!
This is my first visit to your site. You knit such beautiful things!
Just echoing the “stop with the rats” sentiment. I literally almost squealed in work when I saw them. Ugh!
And what a great picture of you and your friend! Happy Birthday to Ken!
wow. happy birthday to your dear, amazing friend Ken.
i like the sweaters, but that wrap (gasp!ohmygoddess) is what i shamelessly covet.
so…does this Ken have a brother?
does he knit, too?
; )
Real men do knit!I think it is rather sexy.Dh is trying but maybe I will show him you blog and he will do more of it.Now am I right in saying Ken is newfie?My man is from the rock too.
Lovely pic of you two,you all look so much in love ;0)
What a great looking pair you two are! And what a great looking pair of sweaters! How great that you have such a good friend to share your knitting and your life with.
Thanks to all for the birthday wishes!
Thanks much for the kind offer, Joe, but I’m asking that people donate to Flowers for Al and Don in lieu of gifts… 🙂
Thank you for the link re: lock washing. I either spin fleece in the grease (messy) or ship it off for cleaning and processing ($$$). Time to explore alternatives! Lovely photo. Lovely rivers!
nice