Tag Archives: grey

WIP Wednesday: Sophisticate

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Remember this cozy cardigan from long ago? Yep, it’s finally getting some knitting time since it fell to the bottom of my WIPs back in November.

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I finished the waist shaping and bottom hem in no time back in October/November. Then it fell to the bottom of my priorities. I know exactly why,. I like my sweaters to go past my waste. But I didn’t measure carefully enough when I was working the stockinette body section. I switched to garter and was several rows in when I realized it was short. Instead of ripping back I worked 3 inches of the garter border at hem instead of the pattern written 2 inches. I made the sleeve to match so all in all I don’t mind the deviation. And at least it won’t make me look like a short torso freak.

I picked it back up these past few days and I finished one sleeve and started the other. I’m making modifications from the original pattern. It is written for a totally tapered sleeve. Which is fine for a garment you don’t intend to wear anything but foundation garments under. But I want to wear this as more of outer sweater/jacket. So I’m omitting some of the decreases around the elbow.

You can see in the photo sort of what I did. I worked the first four decreases, then worked four repeats without, and finally worked the last four decreases. These makes it loose fitting on my arms and bell out slightly at the cuff. This way I can fold up the cuffs I’m working or cooking. I’m praying to the knitting gods I can make the second sleeve match (I took notes, fingers crossed).

I hope to finish this one by the end of the year, but if I don’t oh well. It’s my sweater so who cares? This is Stashbustin’ #38 for the year if you are keeping score.

Happy Knitting!

Snails Pace Sweater

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WIP update on my Stashbustin’ #38 sweater, Sophisticate!

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At my last post, I had just divided for the body and separated the sleeves. Since then I have only completed the waist decreases section.  I’m afraid I have a case of the “too many WIPs” and this sweater is suffering.

I manage a few rows here and there. So I’m showing you guys to keep myself honest. I don’t want this to fall to the bottom my knitting pile. I really want to wear this sweater this winter.

Anyone else have a case of the “WIPs”?

WIP Wednesday: Sophisticate

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I have a BA in accounting, an MBA, and I’m a full time working accountant…but apparently this week I can’t count or read for comprehension.

My Sophisticate or Stashbustin’ #38 is finally making forward progress. I’ve completed the yoke and divided for the sleeves.

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But getting to this point has been a battle. I thought I was following the increases according to the pattern. I did a stitch count at a couple of pattern repeats before the end and I was WAY closer to the end total then I should have been. Now I probably missed making some marks on my pattern as I completed a row. And I probably worked too late into the evening after a glass of wine. I literally couldn’t count to save my life. So I’m claiming total responsibility.

So I put my big girl panties on and did some quick stitch calculations. This was made a little difficult as the pattern only indicates how many sleeve stitches and how many total stitches I should have. But I’m supposedly smart so I figured it out. And just fudged the pattern to get where I needed to be. And after some re-knitting I completed the raglan increases.

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It used “firmly” backwards loop cast on stitch. Not my favorite but it looks ok. But I really had to keep the loops tight to avoid holes.

Now, enter stupid error number two. I got off a section and started to complete the men’s sweater directions instead of the women’s. I knit two extra inches of stockinette that upon realization of my error I frogged those two inches….I could not follow directions to save my life. This time because of movie watching with my hubby.

But I digress. I’m off and running on to the waist shaping instructions. No wine, no late nights, and I’m making clear and dark pattern notes. At this rate I should have a sweater by spring, lol.

Happy WIP Wednesday 🙂

A Grown Up Sophisticate

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Remember the secret project I mentioned I started at my friends wedding? Well, I finally made enough progress to merit an update. Albeit, a small one at that.

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After making a few baby sophisticates, I decided I deserved one in my size! This is Sophisticate by Linden Down and will be #38 in my stash-busting efforts. I had just not quite enough Caron Simply Soft in Grey Heather….so I had to hunt down two more skeins in my dye lot.  Having conquered that, I grabbed my needles and cast on!

I’m making the medium size and I’m still in the yoke section. I have a feeling that this will feel like it’s taking forever after making the mini size!

Happy Knitting!

FO Friday: Baby Sophisticate

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My Little Old Man Sweater is done!!! (Stashbustin’ #26)20130822-161629.jpg

I cannot get over how adorable this is!!! And SUCH a quick knit. This would be a great pattern to pull out for a last minute gift. I made this whole thing from start to finish in about 7-8 hours working time?

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I used Caron Simply Soft in Grey to make the 6 month old pattern size. I used about 118 grams of yarn so just under a full skein. The pattern was very well written and organized. It helped me learn my very first wrap and turn!! I highly recommend this pattern for someone wanting to learn sweater construction. It’s top down raglan style and SOOO easy!

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The mommy to be who specially requested this got to pick out the buttons. She went with off white (slightly pearl-ish) 1 inch buttons. Not what I would have picked, but I’m not about to argue with a pregnant lady, lol! But I do have say they do come off as very grumpy old man…

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Only a few more weeks until we get to meet the little guy to fill this sweater! Well and maybe a couple more months before he is big enough to fill this, lol.

My only thought now is….how do upsize this pattern to make myself one?

WIP Flash

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For this WIP Wednesday I thought I’d do a little WIP flash!

First up, my Baby Sophisticate (Stashbustin’ #26) is flying off the needles!! I have the body complete and the sleeves done! I even put my big girl knitting pants on and used dpns for the sleeves instead of magic loop. I had to frog a few places but the Simply Soft yarn is holding up well.

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This is turning out to be the perfect “old man sweater” for my friends. I still have to pick up and knit the button band and shawl collar. I have never done the wrap and turn short row construction that the pattern calls for. But the author gave excellent directions so I think I got this! This has been my obsessive at home knitting project. I may have to crank out a few more of these for my emergency baby shower/present stash.

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Next up is my spiral leg warmers! (Stashbustin’ #24)

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I now have 22 inches complete on leg #1. This is currently my “travel/purse” knitting so progress is slower. But I just love the feel of this yarn as I work with it. I have to admit that sometime I stop knitting and just fondle the knit fabric…. gotta love Knit Picks yarn!

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These have absolutely no practical purpose, but I can’t wait to wear them. I have a feeling that these will be one of those rare projects that is fun to knit and to wear!

Happy Knitting and Happy Wednesday!

Coming Clean

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Time to come clean….

Remember this?

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Yep this if Florelei shawl in Cascade Sunseeker yarn or my Stashbustin’ #22. I started this waaaay back here. Then I filled you in my all my progress here.

Well, I feel obligated to inform you that it still looks like this. This pattern is great but represents a serious skills challenge for this shawl chart newbie. This summer has just been so packed with fun and activity I haven’t had the time nor inclination to sit back down with this. And now I’m in the throws of knitting for fall craft fairs for the next three months.

So in all honestly, I am going to let this project hibernate in my craft room. Right on top of my yarn cabinets where I can clearly see it. And come this winter when the snow is falling softly outside I will pull this project out and kick it’s shawl behind. I don’t care that it’s a shawl and I should be making sweaters. I know that I need some fortitude and peace to work this project out. And so it will have to be.

Have you ever had to put a project in long term time out?

Update: Stashbustin’ #25

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Baby Sophisticate is rocking and rolling! This is Stashbustin’ #25 in my queue of projects.

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This pattern is amazingly easy! Why did I wait so long to get started? A few hours and I’ve already divided for the body! Gotta love worsted weight yarn on size US 8 needles. And this project definitely soothes my recent bout of baby fever… 🙂

I predict a FO in my very near future!!

Status Update: Chevron Baby Blanket

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Finally some progress on stashbustin’ #7!

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This pattern by the Purl Bee is addictive! This is my second go round with this pattern and its just as good as the first. This is my “calm before bed knitting”. I work a few rows every night and I’m almost done with my third stripe!

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This pattern makes me think of the Peanuts cartoon for some reason. I find peace and the ability to meditate while working on it. It’s really helping me deal with my Grandmothers passing. Slow and steady progress as row after row of stitches form on my needles. Nothing complicated, just garter stitch beauty.

I’ll be sad when this blanket is finished but I can’t wait to see the end result!

Now I am off to pack for another weekend family event (a much happier one). My other grandmother is turning 80! We are going to let our hair down and stuff ourselves silly! So I’m off to land of little to no cell coverage and no wifi, see you on the other side!!