Cast On: Crown Town Hat

I finally decided to get my Crown Town Hat cast on.

The only thing holding me back was was winding the dang yarn. So I finally did that. I know my gauge on US 5s with this dyer so I am choosing the adult medium size in the pattern. I got my cast on done and working in the round without a twist. I think I am deciding that I will do the colorwork on the inside of the brim.

Happy Knitting!!

Swatching: Autumn Gold Sweater

I am so close to finishing my Rainbow Radiate and I want to be ready to cast on another sweater (or two).

I really like the fit of top down yoked sweater based on how my shoulders are structured and my bust size. I did a deep dive through my Ravelry queue and a pattern search and I came up with Autumn Gold by Veera Valimaki.

I chose some Berroco Vintage DK in a light grey from deep stash. I was a good knitter and knit a swatch in the round. I am very lucky that on the first try with the recommended needle size that I got gauge. So I need to wind some yarn and get my pattern marked up for knitting!!

Third Sleeve Attept

So these are the sleeves I am not happy with. They are extremely boxy and square. I used some stitch markers to mark where I want the sleeve taper to really get going.

I ripped back to the marker and added 8 more decreases before the ribbing then used one needle size down to work the ribbing. The new sleeve is on the left and the old version is on the left. The difference is night and day!

Stay tuned for final FO photos!!! Happy Knitting!

Not Quite Done

The hem of my Rainbow Radiate is finished and I popped it on for a test fit.

I LOVE how the body fits and I think I am done fiddling with the body. However, my second attempt at sleeves still isn’t right. The sleeves are too wide and bunched around my wrists. I need more decreases to take out the excess fabric and slim down the ribbing.

Time to rip them back again…..happy knitting!!

Mending Day

My pile of mending and odds and ends have been growing. I have two toys to fix, a hat needing a pom pom and some gift knits that need tags.

I finally reached the part where I got annoyed enough to get my sewing kit out and addressed all the needs. PB was excited to get Tigee back and I am now ready for an upcoming baby shower. But no one was happier than Duke to get his lovey back….sans ear this time 🙂

Happy Mending!!

Taking Out A Few Rows

I had some dentist waiting room time with each kid. So I am really focusing on my Rainbow Radiate. I brough my smaller size needles and put in the sleeves to rip back and redo.

I went 7 rows back into the stockinette and I’m going to start the ribbing here. I also think I will sneak in a couple extra decreases to cinch the cuffs in. The yarn ripped back very nicely considering it was a tweedy yarn. I am bit worried that I didn’t go back far enough. I will see after the final try on….

I should have a finished sweater soon!

Hats And Sunburns

Summer time also means major pool time for my kiddos. I took the liberty to put my pasty skin in the sun with some 70 SPF and knit on a chaise lounge.

This Dream State Musselburgh is my project I grab for auto pilot knitting when I don’t want to think or not sure what I want to work on. I think I added two stripes in this pool visit? My kids did occasionally press me into service to go down the family slide or watch them perform cool tricks.

I unfortunately protected my legs so hard that I ended up burning my shoulders and chest. Lessons were learned! Happy Summer!!

Blocking Test

My Rainbow Radiate is SOO CLOSE. And this yarn is part superwash so I decided to do a quick wash and block to understand it’s fully true size.

I put some try it on tubing through the live stitches and did a basic wash in Soak. It looks so lovely in the sun and dried very quickly in the hot summer sun! And boy am I glad I did this, look how much it grew!!

I went from high waist top to almost full sweater. For the hem I am going to add a couple more decreases and start the 2×2 ribbing. The sleeves are also too long and I forgot to go down a needle size on the ribbing. I think I will rip those back a wee bit and take out 6-10 rows.

Happy Knitting!!

Summer Knitting

It’s summer here and in full swing with activities. That means late nights, cold beverages and easy dinners. Last night the kids requested grilled cheese and tomato soup.

That meant I could multitask! I popped on a podcast and knit while I made sure to not to burn the sandwiches. This is my Dream State Mussleburgh hat and I’m plodding along. This hat doesn’t have a “place” as it doesn’t live in my work bag or purse. It kinda bobs along to miscellaneous activities.

Happy Knitting!!

Spa Knitting

I decided to do some self care this week with a long over soak and massage. I risked it and took my Siren Beanie out to the soaking tub.

I didn’t knit the whole time but I did add 10 or so rows. I had to keep drying my hands and my yarn was a teeny bit humid/damp. But It was relaxing nonetheless. Sometimes self care means combining some of my favorite things. What is your favorite combo?

Happy Knitting!!