WIP Wednesday: Antrose

Embolded by my swatches and encouraged by a dear friend, I finally cast on for Antrose!

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I’m working the garter ribbed collar. It’s back and forth, so no purls but lots and lots of knits! I opted to use lifted M1R and M1L increases instead of the KFB increases. With my tension and style….they just look better to me.

I have to admit, I had never done the Long Tail Cast On before (even though patterns clearly called for it). So I put my big girl pants on and went to YouTube….ITS SO EASY! Here’s the link I used. It so clean looking and makes such a nice stretchy edge! I did have to take several swings at it before I let out enough yarn in the beginning to make all the cast on stitches, lol.

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Now, just a few thousand more stitches before I have a finished sweater! I’m liking the Lion Brand Heartland yarn….although it can be “splitty” at times. And have tinked a few stitches and I could see how this yarn wouldn’t stand up to prolonged frogging. But it’s very soft and creates a nice fabric.

What’s on your needles this Wednesday?

Yet Another Sophisticate

I seem to be addicted to baby sweaters lately….baby fever anyone?!?

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Pattern: Baby Sophisticate – Free by Linden Down

Needles: US 8s

Yarn: Lion Brand Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton in Pistachio (190.6 yards, 157 grams, or 1.85 skeins)

Size: 12 months

Mods: I knit short sleeves by working the garter rib right after separating for the sleeves. I also knit the button band solid with no button holes. I just wanted something that would look great thrown over a long tee to keep baby snugly!

Into the baby shower stash this goes! I love this pattern, but I will admit by the end of this project I was ready for a different pattern….

Happy Knitting!

A Rye Update

I would like to start this post to give some love to a great project going on over at at Knitting Sarah, and that is Socks with Sarah KAL!! I’m not personally participating yet as I have a lot on my plate with CMA study material, a full day job, and a husband….but you guys totally should!!!

So in honor of #SockswithSarah, I give you an update on my Rye Socks…

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These socks haven’t seen much monogamous knitting time, but at least I’m almost to the first heel flap. I’m loving how the purl sections make the pattern pop! This pattern is free and was written by TinCanKnits. It’s a great pattern with great instruction…especially for first time sock knitters! Not to mention this worsted weight yarn goes crazy fast!

I picked a bright color to brighten up this cold and grey winter. Now if I could only knit more monogamously or faster….my feet could be warm!

Happy Knitting!

A Teeny Tiny Sophisticate

Just a quick post today… 

A dear friend requested a light cardigan for her 14 month old. It has been quite cold this winter and she worries about keeping her baby bear warm!

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Knitting to the rescue!!!

Pattern: Baby Sophisticate – Free by Linden Down

Size: 12 months

Needles: US 8s

Yarn: Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton in Berry Jam (I used just over two skeins of yarn, or 211.2 yards, or 174 grams)

Time: I whipped this out in a couple of evenings 

Mods: I chose to knit short sleeves because this little tornado gets her hands into EVERYTHING and Mom is always rolling up her sleeves anyway.

Now I’m off to work and to spend some serious hours studying for my CMA exam!

Happy Knitting!

FO Friday: Spiral Leg Warmers

Tah Dah!!!! This WIP is finally a FO!!!

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Pattern: Spiral Rib Leg Warmers by Purl Bee

Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Worsted in Lady Slipper

I used approximately 462 yards, 212 grams, or just about 4 1/2 skeins. This was a long hibernating WIP, so we won’t discuss how long it took to finish 🙂

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Mods: the pattern is written for small size only….so I swatched and did the math. I ended up casting on 68 stitches. Based on my, ahem, athletically muscled legs these can definitely be quantified as “large” size.

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This was Stashbustin’ #24 back in 2013 for anyone keeping score.

TGIF and Happy Knitting!

Swatch For Antrose

Time out….time for a yarn substitution! I had swatched my original yarn choice, Knit Picks Brava Worsted in grey for my Antrose sweater. And I didn’t like it….like at all. So I pulled some Lion Brand Heartland (aran weight) in a light tan/brown and swatched to see if I could get gauge. I even washed and blocked them like a proper knitter. Here they are dry and ready to go!

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I was shocked that my gauge was actually closer with this aran weight (which is still 10 ply like worsted but still tends to be finer/smaller). I got both gauge going both directions!

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And just to be double sure….I knit one repeat of the pattern chart. There are chevrons that run up the middle of the sweater.

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Slightly looser gauge than stockinette, but I can mitigate that by keeping my “charted” stitches tighter as I switch back and forth between purls and knits.

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The color in my swatch pictures doesn’t really show the “true” color. So I trooped my swatches off to the husband’s bathroom (it has great light) and snapped a photo to give a better idea of the color.

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A couple of knitters/followers suggested using a contrast color for the chart/chevron portion. But after swatching…I find I like the simplicity of the monochromatic look. Now if I only could find the time to start the darn thing! My studies have just eaten up all my free time! All I feel like I have time for are small projects like hats and baby sweaters… #firstworldknittingproblems

Happy Knitting!

WIP and FO Object Wednesday: Appi Slopes #2

My friend squealed over the sight of my first Appi Slopes hat. And the pattern is quite addicting, so I cast on another. It just flew off the needles!

Project: Appi Slopes (#2) by Melissa Mall

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Needles: US 4

Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Sport in Duchess Heather

I used 196.8 yards or 60 grams. That is just about 1.2 of the teeny skeins.

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I did one mod this time. With all the trouble I had with seeing the brim closed last time, I elected to knit the brim together before moving to the stockinette section. My Rav notes on this are here.

It worked okay….but the plastic brim made it hard to knit around the first few rows and my stitches at the join are wonky looking. BUT….it’s very stretchy and flexible. I’m calling this one a draw.

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(Sorry about the photos…it’s dark too fast this time of year. So I took these in my guest bath because it has the best light I can manage in the house)

This was #4 for 2014 Stashbustin’

Happy knitting!!

Taming The Beast

I LOVE Ravelry….but it’s a slippery slope! My project queue has been clogged, congested, and outdated. Never fear! I pruned the list from 150+ to less than 100 projects 🙂

See here!

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I used some guidelines:
1. Nothing under DK weight unless it’s a special sport weight project. I just don’t feel the love of tiny yarn on small needles
2. I still have to love the photo of the project in question
3. All projects must have “tags” so I can use the tabs feature to sort through faster (seriously if you don’t use this … START NOW ITS AWESOME)
4. Sweaters, sweaters, and more sweaters

Easy peasy! Please feel free to peruse my list! And if you like, link your queue in the comments. I love to see what other knitters drool over 🙂

Now…..to tame my favorites list….

A Blackberry In Winter

A LONG time ago, my first attempt at following a pattern was the Strawberry Cocoon from Bernat Free Online. And I did it!! I made a strawberry (sorry no photos) that took forever….

And in a fit of knitting success inertia, I cast on another, this time for a Blackberry! This was probably 2010 or so? Guess what I found in my craft room…

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I had the leaves and most of the body done. It’s a lot of P3tog bobbly things…

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So along with finishing my Spiral Rib Leg Warmers from deep in my WIP pile, this blackberry needs to be done!! Several problems:

1) no idea where I left off in the pattern

2) my tension has changed A LOT

3) this thing is knit flat and I much prefer in the round these days!

I shall persevere…providing the knitting gods are kind to me! Come heck or high water….ye shall be done!!

Have you ever found a WIP you forgot about?

FO Friday: Appi Slopes

My first FO for 2014 Stashbustin‘!!! This was SUCH a quick knit.

2014 Stashbustin’: Project #2

Pattern: Appi Slopes Hat by Melissa Mall

Yarn: Knit Picks Cottom Simply Sport in Prussian Heather

Needles: Size US 4s (I went up a size from the pattern to get guage)

I used 196.8 yards or 60 grams of yarn. I started on 16 in circs and finished on dpns. I find myself getting more comfortable with this! I knit this hat in a matter of a couple of evenings. Super easy and great TV knitting.

I did encounter one issue. At the end I seamed all the way around inside the hat to secure the brim…and I lost all the stretch. This hat wouldn’t fit a toddler let alone my gigantic noggin. So I ripped that out and just put small “tacks” about 1 inch apart around the inside to secure the brim. That way the ribbing would still stretch. Fits like a dream. I even tested this out last weekend whilst shoveling snow. Great fit, love the brim….but the cotton isn’t terribly warm. Upside….totally washable after it got all sweaty from scooping snow!

And lastly….the photos…

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(Side view)

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(Front view)

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(Back view)