Splitting For Radiate Sleeves

Posted on by
6

Thanks to the long holiday weekend and lots of grandparent babysitting, I managed to knit through the yoke of my Radiate sweater and split for sleeves.

I even slipped on an extra knitting needles and tried this sweater on. Even unblocked it falls appropriately in all the places. The neck was higher than I anticipated but other wise the bust and armscye fits nicely. I’ll have to be careful with blocking this super wash yarn so that I don’t make it too big.

Now I have like 14 to 17 inches of sweater body to knit. Lots of round and round in stockinette! Happy Knitting!!

Socially Distant Crafting

Posted on by
7

It may be hot as Hades outside but my mom and I still managed some chatting and crafting time outdoors where we could social distance in the shade over the holiday weekend. Other than the humidity, it really was a beautiful day and my parents have the most beautiful deck and views.

I might have over-packed my WIPs again. I brought my Radiate sweater, Retro Rainbow Socks and the Rainbow Fluff Habitation Throw. I put a little work in on all of them while sipping a perfectly ice cold coca cola.

Happy Knitting!!

Bring Me All Your Butter

Posted on by
3

We spent what we hope was a responsibly safe 4th of July with my parents. We kind of have made our own little “bubble” and see few people but each other up close and within breathing distance. Everyone in my family is getting really good at cleaning…even the littles. And we stayed up WAAAAY too late shooting big fireworks and chasing fireflies.

So Sunday morning, after the 4th of July, I found myself awake with PB with the rest of the house was snoozing. So PB and I raided the fridge to make breakfast. Being good hearty Midwestern folk I made a well rounded country breakfast. I turned leftover baked potato into hash browns, used up the last of the sausage gravy, cooked off some thick sliced bacon and fried a perfect medium egg in butter.

Forget yarn….bring me all your butter!!

Hiding Outdoors

Posted on by
4

Happy three day weekend to all my American friends. The eve of 4th of July is upon us. Working for a local municipality means I get a three day weekend, huzzah!

My children are inside either watching a movie for quiet time or taking their afternoon nap. I snuck outside to be alone and to knit. I mowed the grass earlier and wanted to admire my handiwork.

Nevermind it’s a million degrees, I packed my Radiate pullover and some liquid re-hydration and sat under my patio umbrella. I realize this the first time I have been alone in like three weeks. Like truly ALONE and it is a glorius re-charge for this introverts soul.

Time to crank the tunes and see how many rows I can get done on this sweater! Happy Friday and Happy Knitting!!

Spinning Tequila Sunrise

Posted on by
6

As predicted I couldn’t help myself and my newest fiber jumped right on to my spindle. I mean how could I not? After all, I used an entire child nap time/free time to carefully pre-draft the whole 4 ounces of fiber!

This 100% Corriedale is a new to me fiber. It drafts like a dream and really feels very soft after drafting. But it’s spinning up much thicker than my last merino project. Maybe its the fiber, maybe I’m rusty? Either way I’m letting the fiber tell me what it wants to be and I’m just enjoying the process.

Happy Spinning!

Perfecting Pre-Drafting

Posted on by
2

The brand new braid of Corriedale was staring at me from my home office desk. And I just couldn’t help myself. During PB’s nap time, I used my mom free time to prep this fiber for spinning. With a podcast playing in my ears, it was a pretty zen way to spend an hour or so.

I split the braid in half lengthwise and then just gently pre-drafted each half. I took a photo after I finished the first half so you can see how much it fluffed up! It really lets the air in and softens how the fibers feel. I’m guessing it won’t be long before this jumps on the spindle! I think my plan will be spin each half as singles and start from the second one from the opposite end of the color progression.

Happy Spinning!

Happy Mail Day

Posted on by
10

My unabashed self caring buying continues. This week I had a couple of packages show up on the same day from two indie small businesses. It made for a happy mail day indeed! Today is also my 13th wedding anniversary so I’m going to count these as presents from the hubby, hehehehehe.

First up is an adorable bunny stitch marker from Hannah of The Corner of Craft in the UK. I think this will go right on to my Radiate as a progress marker!

Next up is some fiber and yarn from BlueBerry Chick yarn in South Carolina. I got her some Corriedale in her limited edition Tequila Sunrise color. And then I picked up some gradiate sock yarn minis in her Pansy fade.

I’m thinking the fiber is going to skip stash and go right on to my drop spindle. It is soooo summery that I just think it’s destiny.

Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Radiate

Posted on by
2

I finished my Weekend and dove right in to my Radiate pullover by Joji Locatelli. It helps that yarn was already caked up and I had swatched. I am knitting the XL size and in pretty much two sittings I had progressed to where I am incorporating the second color.

This pattern utilized slipped stitches to create visual interest and the line, as the pattern suggests, radiate down from the yoke. My camera is kind of blowing out the Hedgehog Fibers blue color but I am loving it. I was worried the highly variagated yarn would too much but so far I think it looks fantastic.

The best part is that the pattern isn’t overly complicated and I can read my knitting enough that I can just knit knit knit and it doesn’t take too much brain space. This project is definitely my addictive project right now, its kind of the only thing I want to work on!

Happy Knitting!!

FO Friday: Weekender

Posted on by
17

I am beyond proud and excited to show you my first proper adult (and properly fitting) sweater! My Weekender is blocked, dried and thanks to portrait mode on my iPhone is got it’s final photographs!

Pattern: Weekender by Andrea Mowry

Yarn: Malabrigo Rios in Fresco y Seco

Needles: US 8s and 9s

Mods: I added two inches of length to the body. And I knit custom sleeves where the decreases started at the elbow

I am probably one of the last knitters on earth to knit a Weekender. But I can see why it is so popular. It is an easy sweater to wear and to knit. I used just over five skeins of Rios, roughly 1,108 yards or 528 grams. I knit the 48.5 chest size with the modifications listed above. I am SUPER happy with my decision to alternate skeins. I think there is a some flashing and pooling but it’s consistent over the entire garment so it looks purposeful.

It is quite literally 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) right now in Kansas. I DO NOT need a worsted weight sweater so into the cedar chest this project goes! But this finished object has really revved up my garment mojo. I’m already casting on my next sweater that I will share with you on Monday.

Happy Knitting!

Glacial Shawl Progress

Posted on by
5

I just can’t seem to find the motivation to work on my One Perfect Skein Shawl. I knit a row or two occasionally as I get pulled away to work on my sweater wips or my blanket. I really really love the yarn and the color is amazing.

I passed the first eyelet row and working towards the next one. The pattern is very well written and easy to memorize. There is no excuse for not making more progress but I’m going to keep this in my WIP bag and keep adding a little love here and there. It will eventually get done. I’m the boss of my own deadlines and knitting!

Happy Knitting!!