Flatland Knitting

My Luminous Hat saw some work in our recent travels. This time in the flatlands of western Kansas. Spring has sprung and the winds are whipping out here!

This skein from Another Crafty Girl is flashing and pooling between the teals and blues. And I am not minding the square needles either. They feel a little different but keep the stiches nicely. I think I am three-ish inches into the hat. Another three inches and I can turn the brim (if my patience lasts that long).

Happy Knitting!!

Casting Off Synthe

Spring break travel was just the concentrated time I needed to get through the body of my Synthe sweater. I am casting off now!

We took a couple of days this past week to see my sister in Colorado. Not a bad way to work over 300+ stiches on my needles. The views did not disappoint! I did decide to add some length to the body not contemplated in the pattern. I didn’t want the sweater to end at my widest part.

I’m really hoping I don’t regret the extra length post blocking. My swatch didn’t grow terribly but I have been fooled by swatches before!

Happy Knitting!!

Vaas Decreases

My Vaas Hat is ready for decreases!

I could knit Malabrigo forever. It’s just the perfect feel while knitting and in the finished object. I powered through the body of the hat and installed the DPNs for the decreases. After over 50 versions of this “recipe” I can do these decreases on autopilot.

I should have a finished hat soon! Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Luminous Hat

We are gearing up for travel, spring sports and lots of time in the backyard. I also need to start earning points for SSK 2025. This all added up to a new cast on!

I grabbed my new square needles and a skein of Another Crafty Girl Merino Worsted in Luminous color to start my basic beanie recipe. It’s 88 stitches on a US 8. If I can get this done then I can earn points for my knitting retreat this summer.

I am liking the square needles. I don’t know that my hands get any less tired but they do feel nice in my fingers. This project is going to live in my purse/backpack for “in between knitting” needs.

Happy Knitting!!

Spring Gifts

I got an unexpected gift card from a neighbor as a thank you for helping them this winter. I decided to convert that into yarn goodies!

I swung by Yarn Barn and picked up two new to me colors of Malabrigo Rios in Azules and Volcan. I am thinking I will be making a KU themed hat…..

I also tried two new US 8 needles to add to my collection. I picked up KnitPro Dreams in 16 inch circular and Addi Rocket2 (square needles) to try for my next hats.

It was a nice boost to my dopamine and it got me out for a walk in the sunshine. Spring has sprung! Happy Knitting!!

Synthe Body

I am in the slog of the body of my Synthe. But I have made measurable progress!

I am several skeins in now and have zero fear of running out as I have 12 in my stash. I will definitely have yarn leftover unless I make this a dress. I have added one rounds worth of increase and totally ignoring the pattern. I don’t want an A-line shape as its not flattering on me. But I also don’t want negative ease either.

It’s my plan to work in three total increase rounds before the hem for a gentle increase to fit my hips, which are larger than my bust. This sweater is still incredibly light with this woolen spun yarn. Should end up warm and lightweight!

Happy Knitting!!

Spinning Clouds

I have been lacking craft motivation lately. I haven’t felt like doing much now that we can be outside again. To break up my doldrums, I pulled some cashmere cloud from my spinning stash to put on the wheel.

This is the Cumulus fiber from Oink Pigments that I picked up at SSK 2024. It’s 80% merino and 20% cashmere so its BUTTER soft. I split the fiber in 1/2 and I will make a 2-ply. I want something drapey and soft to make a cowl of sorts?

The fiber is spinning quite lovely. Some parts are coming out solid colors and others are marled depending on how I draft the fiber. My muscles are out of shape so I am only spinning 20 minutes at a time to get back in shape and reduce the strain on my hands. I did my default short forward draw so my hands are getting a workout.

Happy Spinning!!

Synthe Sleeves

Over the weekend and thanks to one gymnastics class and full evening of bounce house fun, my Synthe has sleeves!

I didn’t have US 9 needles on short circulars to make the sleeves so I decided to make due with US 8s. I also almost completely ignored the sleeve instructions. My arms are full near the shoulder and then taper past the elbow.

I worked almost six pattern repeats from the body and then added three decreases across the next six repeats. I then worked five more plain repeats before doing one last decrease at the “cuff” and then cast off. These are going to 3/4 sleeves. The yarn is very rustic and I don’t want to feel the fabric on my wrists. For SURE I am going to wear and undershirt under this garment.

Happy Knitting!!

A Vaas Brim

I had a four hour public meeting to sit through last week so my Vaas Hat made a reappearance. Good thing too, as I finally got the brim turned and attached.

This yarn doesn’t photograph super well but it is a very lovely green. My eyes lean hazel and green some days and my complexion is quite fair. I can’t help but think this would look lovely on me when it’s finished!

Now I need to find more knitting time to get this hat finished!

Dividing For Synthe

My Synthe sweater is moving right along despite how many stitches I am adding each round.

I had to stop several times and measure frequently to make sure I was getting proper length. My gauge is close but not 100% correct. I really like when patterns have measurements and schematics. This pattern, at my gauge, required a full extra repeat of the pattern to get my full yoke depth.

I have divided for sleeves and worked an inch down past the divide. And then I think I will start both sleeves. It is easier to turn a small sweater than a full body!

Happy Knitting!!