WIP Wednesday: Simple Raglan Cardi

Update for Stashbustin’ #11

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(Sorry for the photo it was late and I had no natural light)

I’VE FINALLY DIVIDED FOR THE BODY! It actually looks like a sweater!!

This is my first top down/raglan sweater attempt. And I’m perty darn proud. I may have made a few mistakes but only I will know they are there. The pattern has been pretty easy to follow, rav page here.

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I love the yarn over detail at the shoulders. I am now left to complete 4 1/2 inches of stockinette body, 2 1/2 inches of body ribbing, both sleeves, and the ribbing along the front edges. I still have aways to go but I love this project and I’m addicted!

So far it it fits without needing to alter the pattern, fingers crossed!

What’s your current project addiction?

Yarn Urges

Knit Picks knows me all to well. They keep sending me advertisements and blogging about their new yarn Billow. Billow is creamy soft cotton that is spun thin/thick that gives it a bit of slubbiness. I want so badly to get online and order enough to make a small shawl or cowl. Okay truth time, maybe I really want to order a whole bunch and make another blanket. Everyone seems to rave about this yarn and I just want to try it sooooo badly.

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(Photo courtesy of Knit Picks)

I have thus far resisted. I would like to say it’s because I’m de-stashing and being fiscally prudent. But it’s more due to the fact that my credit card was involved in the security breach back in Nov/Dec 2012 at Knit Picks. Knit Picks was hacked and customer’s information was exposed. I would never have known this but I happen to read their blog and noticed it there. It would have been nice to get an email, especially since I had ordered during the time period in question. And my card did end up getting fraud on it. Someone in Illinois (I live in Kansas) tried to use my card number to purchase gas, a hotel room, groceries, and something on Groupon. The card company flagged this quickly and shut off the card. I was not out any money. No harm no foul…..but I’m still hesitant about ordering. I’m not saying Knit Picks is bad or at fault, for the record I love Knit Picks and their yarn!!! And they say they have fixed the vulnerability….

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(Photso courtesy of Knit Picks)

I really really want to try this new yarn! I’m just nervous about my personal data. Any guesses on which urge will win, lol?

Happy Knitting

Update: Stashbustin’ #11

Stashbustin’ #11

I have finally cast on for my Simple Raglan Cardi. I was a patient knitter. I read the pattern, took my measurements, knit a swatch, measured said swatch for gauge, washed and blocked the swatch, marked up the pattern for my required size, re-measured just to be sure, and FINALLY cast on my sweater. This is my first really foray into a fitted garment for myself. I have made generic shrugs and other easy garments before and I’m finally brave enough to try.

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As you can see from the photo, I don’t have much progress. But it’s a start!!! And I just love love love the feel of soft cotton under my fingers and on my needles. Being as this is a top-down construction, I intend to try it on as I knit to ensure proper fit. Sure, this entails putting it on and taking off waste yarn in order to check fit. But isn’t it worth it to get a garment you will actually wear?

Keep you posted on my progress!

Happy Knitting!!

Stashbustin’ #11

Stashbustin’ #11 – Simple Raglan Cardi

I have 7 skeins of Dusty Blue Lion Brand Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton. I splurged awhile back and bought a whole bunch on clearance at Michaels. And I have made two lovely cowls from this stash so far, Mere’s and mine. It’s a very soft yarn to work with and it washes nicely (with a little extra special care). I have really enjoyed working with it lately. So I decided to keep going.

A quick search on Ravelry and I found a simple top down raglan style cardigan and I fell in love. This will be my first top down raglan. I am the master of my own knitting and it will be scary, but I know I can do it (Elizabeth Zimmerman says I can)!! And I’m bound and determined to do this correctly. I am starting with swatching for gauge.

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I made a pretty large-ish swatch. I got almost spot on gauge on the unwashed swatch, 17 stitches to 4 inches on the larger of the two needles in the pattern. I then gave the swatch a good soak in some Eucalan and then pinned and blocked to dry.

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I am going to be a good girl and wait until tomorrow when it’s completely dry to measure again for gauge. I really want the finished garment to fit appropriately. In the mean time I’m marking up the pattern to get ready for this knit.

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I really don’t want to get off pattern so I measured for my size and highlighted the appropriate directions. Even went as far as blacking out all the other directions. I’m nothing if not thorough and I don’t want the reason this sweater gets wonky is because I can’t read! Hopefully I can have the blocked swatch measured and providing that goes well cast on the sweater this coming weekend. Keep you all posted!

Happy Knitting

FO: Rachelle’s Cowl

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Another new pattern! I was so inspired by Mere’s Cowl that I wanted one of my own. This design is of similar construction as Mere’s but with a little different twist.

I started with a simple knit stockinette section and then incorporated the same eyelet section as Mere’s. This was a SUPER fast knit, especially with the stockinette sections. The stockinette section does make the edges roll, but I kinda don’t mind that style? I like that it kinds of rolls up on itself it makes it super comfy and warm and cozy. The knit band and lace section is repeated four times to create 48 inch long by 8 inch wide finished object.

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I wore this to work last week and I got LOTS of attention and compliments. The only downside is that due to the rolling property it does need a light blocking after a few wears, just to keep the shape. I really love it though. I have launched it as a free pattern on Rav, find the link here!

And for you non-Ravelers, the pattern is also listed below:

Rachelle’s Cowl

Materials

– Lion Brand Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton – 2 skeins Mustard (approx 3.00 oz or 103 yds each)

– US size 8 circular needle (16”)

– Stitch marker

– Tapestry needle

Cowl

CO 150 sts using loop cast on method, careful not to twist. Place marker

1: Join in the round, place marker and knit one round.

2-4: Knit

5: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

6: Knit

7: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

8: Knit

9: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

10: Knit

11: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

12-14: Knit

15: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

16: Knit

19: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

20: Knit

21: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

22: Knit

23: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

24-26: Knit

27: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

28: Knit

29: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

30: Knit

31: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

32: Knit

33: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

34-36: Knit

37: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

38: Knit

39: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

40: Knit

41: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

42: Knit

43: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

44: Knit

45-47: Knit

Cast off LOOSELY in purl.

Weave in ends.

Resulting cowl is 48” long approximately 8” wide.

Knit and enjoy!

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* Pattern numbering amended 3/9/13

Movie Theater Knitting

I hate sitting still doing nothing. And I married a man who loves movies. See my dilemma? Insert movie theatre knitting projects. I generally favor ruffle scarves and stockinette projects.

In the last month the husband has taken me to see Flight with Denzel Washington and the Oscar nominated Life of Pi. I cast on a simple stockinette tube to make a case for my workout mat.

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Round and round she went in circles. Made with Sugar N Cream cotton in bright pink. I knit until I had a tube 2 inches longer than my mat and then started simple K2tog decreases to taper the end. I also threw in a few yarn overs in the 5th row to make eyelets to feed through a cord for a closure. Finished off with a garter strap for carrying.

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I could feel the stitches on my needles and therefore no need to have light to work. The tube was almost completely made in the theatre. The finishing bits I did complete at home with the aid of light. It stretched a bit in the strap but I don’t mind. It still keeps my mat from getting gunky. I also love that it’s washable cuz it takes quite a beating as I drag it back and forth to the gym.

What do you knit in the movies, or do you?

FO: Meredith’s Cowl

After many trials and tribulations, I have a FO! And I’m very proud.

Mere’s present is finished. The two skeins of Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton in Berry Jam really fulfilled my wine inspiration. This unique cowl is worked in alternating bands of seed stitch and then YO lace work. It is worked in the round on 16″ circulars US size 8. It was a tight fit on the needles but I made it work. Thanks to my husband for tromping through two feet of snow to take pictures of this for me!!!

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As promised, I am launching this as a free pattern on Ravelry. You can find the pattern here!

And for those readers who don’t use Ravelry, I have posted the pattern below:

Meredith’s Cowl

Materials

– Lion Brand Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton – 2 skeins Berry Jam (approx 3.00 oz or 103 yds)

– US size 8 circular needle (16” or longer)

– Stitch marker

– Tapestry needle

Cowl

CO 150 sts using loop cast on method, careful not to twist. Place marker

1: Join in the round, and Knit to marker. (set up row)

Seed Stitch Section

2: *K1, P1, repeat from * to end

3: *P1, K1, repeat form * to end

4: Work row 2

Lace Section

5: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

6: Knit

7: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

8: Knit

9: *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end

10: Knit

11: *K2tog, YO, repeat from * to end

Repeat rows 2 through 11 twice more.

Cast off LOOSELY in purl.

Weave in ends.

Resulting cowl is 48” long approximately 6” wide.

Knit and enjoy!

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Mere’s Cowl: A Do-Over

Ok…..designing something fromscratch is both fun and aggravating. Mere’s cowl is kicking my knitting butt. I literally have started it three different times….and frogged each version.

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Guess the fourth time is the charm? (Aided by a large glass of wine last night….) I’m rocking and rolling now, hopefully have a FO soon!!

The snow hasn’t started, The Blizzard of Oz, part II is headed our way. I hope I can make it to and from work today. Pray or cross your fingers for me. Ill try to update on the snow later today, providing I survive and we have power…..

Happy Knitting!

A Present for Mere

A very dear friend recently asked for a soft lightweight cowl in red. So I pursued Ravelry and just didn’t find anything worthy of Mere. She has gorgeous pale skin with dark cocoa colored hair.

Mere and I share a love of wine, so I pulled two skeins of Lion Brand Natures Choice Organic Cotton in variegated reds and browns. The reds remind me of the different colors of red wine and the browns will pop against her hair.

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And away I went! I cast on about 210 sts and I plan on working back and forth between lace sections and stockinette sections. If this design works out I hope to launch this as a free design here on my blog and on Ravelry.

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This is my purse/public knitting project, so I hope it will go quickly! I can’t wait to see Mere wearing it. She is gorgeous in anything but I love that she adores my hand knits!

Happy Knitting!

Stashbustin’ #10

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I’m crazy….I have WIP-itis! I was so in love with my finished Zig Zag Baby Blanket and the beautiful chevrons I had to cast on another. This time I’m opting for chevrons more like the ones from my Waves N Ripples Blanket. I like the solid fabric feel, not that the lace detail isn’t lovely. I think solid fabric is just more suitable for a blanket. (Just my opinion…don’t shoot the blogger)

I’m improvising the design using soft pink and bright white cottons. This blanket is definitely destined for a baby girl. I have so many WIPs that I’m not sure where it falls in the queue, lol. But for now it’s in my “couch” knitting spot!

Happy Knitting!