Cool It Now

Lots of blue happening around here lately. I didn't intend for it to happen, but there it is. Fine with me, seeing as San Jose is blazing hot lately. Duality Delta is coming along rather quickly in a navy cotton multi-strand. Delta explores the idea of symbiosis, where two different organisms cohabitate for mutual benefit.



Ever since I re-opened the shop my personal knitting has all but ceased with the exception of some leg warmers I've been working on here and there. I've wanted a pair for some added insulation on cold bike rides, but the one I finished so far has been handy for warming this ankle injury I got (wasn't used to the grip teeth on these new bike pedals I got, went thrashing around like an idiot, and twisted my ankle).

Anyway, want more cool hues? Check out these new additions to my stash:

Reflect Alpha

The Reflect series is a somewhat evolved form of Pyramid where a diamond forms in the central section. There are two differences: the stitch at the brim now matches the crown, and banding sections outline the diamond shape in a contrasting stitch. Within these new parameters I suppose Pyramid could still happen, but just under a new name.

In terms of fiber, Reflect will be where all the merino is at, as well as the higher-end shetland wools. If I ever get any appropriate colors, cashmere will be used on these as well. I hope to develop Reflect as the lightest knit weight in the best recycled fibers I can find.



Reflect Alpha was knit using a four thread multi-strand merino wool recycled from two different sweaters: a men's polo by Club Room, and a women's sweater from Banana Republic. Despite the different brands these thread weight yarns were identical in color and weight. I held four strands together to achieve the appropriate gauge and couldn't tell the two apart.

I still haven't decided which color merino to use for the Bravo. A cool charcoal gray, or a brownish warm gray? Hmmm....

Etsy Shop Listing

Self Edit

I'm really not sure why I've put this off for so long. Over the past few years I've been half-assing my logo in an attempt to get 'something' up and be done with it. Maybe I just didn't want to subject my personal brand to the same critical examination as my past clients. Or maybe it was out of laziness, who knows. In truth it was a refreshing change from all the knitting. Applying the creative process to my own content has been liberating in a way. I always used to do this for someone else.



Logo design is all about coming from a conceptual place which is why I like it so much. It starts (for me anyway) with a list of words. What's the gridjunky brand about? Is there a recurring creative theme? What words characterize your skill set? From about twenty or so words, mine ended up being: 'Organic' & 'Convergence.'

Nature inspires me, I know that's a cheesy cliche, but it's true. Nature is exploding with patterns. Like right now. I find that fascinating. A lot of my projects are an acknowledgment of these 'organic' patterns.

I'm not a scientist or a teacher or any other hero of earth. I'm just a creative person, so I recognize and demonstrate nature differently. 'Convergence' is a reference to the connections between organic pattern recognition and the creative process. It's also a reference to the merging of different skills -such as design, photography, writing and knitting- into a cohesive brand.



The symbols I came up with revolved around a trefoil design which I feel represent both convergence and the cohesion of organic structure. The decrease patterns of my hats are a play on this design as well. The final logo consists of a 'g' and a 'j' nested together in a trefoil shape. I still have to work out some stroked variations, but I'm happy with the result.



Hmmm... now I need new business cards.

Duality Charlie

A while back when I posted about Duality Bravo I was kicking an idea around with knitdad about disintegration. I didn't quite go all the way in that direction on Duality Charlie, but it was the starting point for me, conceptually.

Instead I explored the concept of 'completion.' Many organisms follow a development cycle into maturity, and this idea of completion refers to the end of that cycle. I wanted to demonstrate the inertia of biological maturation up to the point when it slows and stops. I guess it was my way of finding a more positive concept to work from than disintegration which tends to suggest decay and death. I'll just have to save that one for later.

Unlike the previous versions, this Duality is quite large. This was due to the sheer size of visual transition that needed to be demonstrated. Generally speaking, growth cycles progress gradually, but end more abruptly than they start. This worked out rather intuitively, as triangular scarves like this get downright obscene in length near the end. This one ended with 487 stitches. Measuring approximately 30in(76.2cm) down the center spine, and 69in(175cm) across the top, it's the biggest Duality yet, and chances are this is the size I'll be aiming for from now on.

The yarn is a five thread multi-strand in 100% cotton that I recycled a while back. The sweater I recycled was barely worn, so the resulting stitch definition on Duality Charlie turned out nice and crisp.

Color is at play here too. The Alpha was an oatmeal white, Bravo was olive drab, and Charlie is khaki. It's time for Duality to go dark again.

Skew Delta

Way back when I was working on Carve Alpha and Bravo, I started diggin' the interior ribbing that was developing. For Skew Delta I flipped that rib pattern inside out, flanking garter stitch columns with stockinette.

I used a lace weight lamb's wool, doubled up on size four needles. The color is a heathered beige which works up a warm gray reminiscent of a sand storm.

The listing will go up in my shop for spring launch on Earth Day, April 22nd.