WIP Wednesday: Sprout Cardigan

Posted on June 4, 2014 by atangledyarn84

I have had the urge lately to use some of the “special” and/or “new” yarn in my stash. My pull towards projects of late has been more fiber based than pattern based.

Case in point: awhile back I purchased a sweaters worth of Berroco Comfy Chunky in a pumpkin color. It’s a bulky acrylic blend with a VERY soft feel. My pregnancy brain has not lent itself to very complicated patterns so I perused my Rav queue and found this lovery: Sprout Cardigan by Classic Elite Yarns!

(photo credit to @Classic Elite Yarns)

I printed the pattern and pulled out the yarn. I opted for a long tail cast on and slipped stitch edges for a smooth look. Not to mention both will help with seaming later.

I’m using my US 9 Knit Picks Nickel inter-changeables. This yarn can be a bit “splitty” if you untwist it as it made up of multiple single plies. The sharp points to my needles help quite a bit. I’m working on the first piece and this garter stitch is great for TV knitting and car knitting!

I’m super excited for this sweater this fall. I’m hoping it will be a figure friendly addition to my wardrobe as my bump is HUGE in October and then as I transition back to my pre-baby body. I just can’t get over how cute this is belted!

Happy Wednesday!

Did You Say Park?

Posted on June 3, 2014 by atangledyarn84

No explanation needed…

Pardon us while we head to the park before work 🙂

More knitting to follow tomorrow!

False Starts but Eventual Progress

Posted on June 2, 2014 by atangledyarn84

I have blogged about my desire to knit Jellybean a baby blanket before. I initially as going to use some Bernat Cottontots (a sadly discontinued yarn) from my stash. I pulled all my skeins from my stash and played with color combos. But given the yardage requirements for each hexagon….I just couldn’t come up with plan I was in love with. False start #1

So I hit Ravelry trying to see if I could grab up some Cottontots solids from other Ravelers. I must have sent out 10 message and got zippo in responses. People really want to hang on to this awesome yarn and I don’t blame them! So I expanded my horizons and took a look at Bernat Handicrafter Cotton. I was able to snatch up three mega skeins from a wonderful Raveler who was de-stashing. I eagerly waited for the package to get here! But once I got the yarn in my hands as wonderful as it was…..it wasn’t the colors I had imagined. And I just couldn’t bring myself to compromise on color. False start #2

So finally I hauled my ever expanding pregnant but down to my LYS. I’m ashamed to admit that despite opening in March….I hadn’t set foot in it yet. The shop is charming in style and the staff very friendly. But I was very disappointed with both yarn brand selection and color options. The yarn was segregated by weight but it didn’t always have the same brands from weight to weight. But as a businessperson/accountant I can understand keeping stock to a minimum until you get a feel for what sells. Especially given the small space they have. But my inner knitter was a little miffed, lol.

But I digress. I didn’t walk out empty handed. I found some Universal Yarn Cotton Supreme. It’s 100% cotton but has a very soft hand. I ended up choosing a tan, pale green, teal, and bright yellow to match my crib decor. I was in love at first squish!

And it knits up beautifully! Check out my progress:

FO Friday: Barley

Posted on May 30, 2014 by atangledyarn84

It’s been EONS since I have had a FO to show. I finished my first hat for Jellybean!

Pattern: Barley by Tin Can Knits

Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in Wine

Needles: US 8

Size: infant

This was a PERFECT pregnancy brain project. Easy to follow directions and a quick knit for that instant gratification! I only used 27 grams or 60 yards of yarn. After a good wash and block this hat should have enough stretch to get Jellybean through next winter!

I even have enough yarn to cast on for an adult size version so the hubby and I can have a hat to match Jellybean. (I’m more excited than the hubby if you can imagine that!)

Happy Knitting!

Halfway There!

Posted on May 29, 2014 by atangledyarn84

I’m officially past 20 weeks of pregnancy! Can I get a woot woot?

I’m normally not a “post a public photo of my baby bump” person. Just a personal preference I guess. But since this is a milestone I thought I’d share one of me and my most comfy/cute work outfits.

I’m still having a lot of symptoms: nausea, dizziness, sleeplessness, headaches. And the anti-emetic I was taking was only minimally helping not mention causing additional and unpleasant side affects. I had had enough. I couldn’t even eat an evening meal without becoming ill for Pete’s sake! Not to worry, both baby and mom are very healthy despite the symptoms. Just a very grumpy and uncomfortable mommy! (I shouldn’t be shocked as all the women on my mom’s side have very healthy but very not fun pregnancies)

So after putting my foot down with my OBGYN, I was given a new medication to try that causes pronounced drowsiness but not the unpleasantness of my original medication. HUGE IMPROVEMENT….I only take it at night. But I can make it through the following day without much discomfort AND I have been eating dinner again!

I couldn’t help but share this photo. Chloe likes to snuggle the baby bump at night. We settle down on the couch and she falls asleep on my belly. Oh boy, I hope Jellybean doesn’t mind snoring because boy howdy is Chloe loud when she sleeps! I have been feeling Jellybean move around a bit. I CANNOT wait until he/she kicks Chloe through the belly while she is snoozig. Would serve Chloe right!!

Happy Thursday!!

WIP Wednesday: Everlasting Bag Stopper

Posted on May 28, 2014 by atangledyarn84

Pregnancy has DEFINITELY slowed down my knitting mojo. Between un-fun symptoms and pregnancy brain….I just can’t handle my normal volume or pattern complexity. But I hate having idle hands. So I perused my Rav queue and found a basic in-the-round cotton market bag.

Pattern: Everlasting Bag Stopper by Amy Singer

Yarn: Lily Sugar’n Cream in Yellow

The bottom of the bag is worked back and forth in garter stitch on very small needles (US 5s) and then you pick up around the edges of your rectangle to begin working in the round.

Then you switch to larger needles (US 10 1/2) and begin the lace section. This pattern is ULTRA easy to memorize. And who doesn’t love working in the round and not having to mess with purls, lol!

The only part of this project not knitted is the handle. The pattern calls for coordinating grosgrain ribbon or other strap material to be sewn to the top edge of your finished bag. Not sure which way I am going to go with this project.

Any suggestions?

Internet Wisdom

Posted on May 27, 2014 by atangledyarn84

I work in a professional office with some awesome people. But some days the ridiculous questions I get just make me want to boop people on the forehead like the V-8 commercial. And this past week I found this gem on the internet somewhere:

No clue who to give photo credit to but it’s definitely not me, lol. This image was just too awesome not to share!

Good Friends Are Hard To Find

Posted on May 26, 2014 by atangledyarn84

I have the best friends in the world. I haven’t had the most symptom free pregnancy thus far. And to be honest it is exhausting and frustrating. But I got the most amazing pick me up the other day. Check out the awesome care package I got from a dear friend from college:

I HIGHLY recommend this gift for any pregnant lady in your life. It’s sweet and yet practical and I would guarantee it to make their day!

Have you ever done anything cool for an expectant mom or couple? I’d love to hear about other neat ideas!

Review & Giveaway: Knitter’s Pride Karbonz Interchangeable Needles

Posted on May 22, 2014 by atangledyarn84

Excellent review and a giveaway! Check it out!!

Woolen Diversions

I’ve officially become enamored with a new-to-me knitting tool: Knitter’s Pride Karbonz needles. These needles are made from carbon fiber and have slick nickel-plated brass tips.

Oooooh, shiny.

As you may have noticed over the last few months, I’ve been slowly transitioning from the colorful Knit Picks Harmony needles I’ve used almost exclusively for the last few years to sleek, black KP Karbonz needles. It began when I realized I was mending far too many holes in my socks and needed to tighten my gauge. However, I wanted to knit with size 0 (2.0 mm) DPNs that didn’t feel like bendable, careful-or-they’ll-snap-in-half toothpicks. So I ordered some Karbonz DPNs and loved them.

Current sock in progress. Click for project page.

And I thought — maybe the Harmony’s are NOT the be-all-end-all of knitting needles. I first learned to knit on Susan Bates metal needles but have been fiercely anti-metal since…

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WIP Wednesday: One Sock Down

Posted on May 21, 2014 by atangledyarn84

My #sockswithsarah progress has been slow but progressing. I finally finished my first plain rye sock.

I’m using Knit Picks Swish Worsted in Squirrel Heather using the Rye pattern by TinCanKnits.

And to avoid SSS or second sock syndrome I’ve already cast on the mate!

Are you following along with Socks With Sarah?

My Tangled Yarn Knitting Adventures

Ramblings from an obsessed knitter