I think a picture is worth a thousand words….
I have taken the #sockswithsarah call for a few stitches a day to heart. I have managed a row here and there over these past few days when I have not felt my best. And little by little I have made some small progress. For the original post on these socks, check here.
Think I can call myself the little knitting engine that could?
Happy Knitting
I bit the bullet and joined the Socks with Sarah KAL over on Ravelry! There are some SERIOUSLY cool socks rocking over there!!
For my next KAL project I decided to take a twist on my last set of socks.
Pattern: Rye by Tincanknits
Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Worsted (100% merino and should make WARM socks!) in Squirrel Heather
Needles: US 4 and 5 dpns
Size: Large
Mods: I’m going to omit the garter ridges on the top of the foot and up the cuff. Don’t get me wrong they are gorgeous! I really like the fit of this sock and want a basic “vanilla” sock right now.
Have you ever modified a sock to fit your “flavor”?
My friend squealed over the sight of my first Appi Slopes hat. And the pattern is quite addicting, so I cast on another. It just flew off the needles!
Project: Appi Slopes (#2) by Melissa Mall
Needles: US 4
Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Sport in Duchess Heather
I used 196.8 yards or 60 grams. That is just about 1.2 of the teeny skeins.
I did one mod this time. With all the trouble I had with seeing the brim closed last time, I elected to knit the brim together before moving to the stockinette section. My Rav notes on this are here.
It worked okay….but the plastic brim made it hard to knit around the first few rows and my stitches at the join are wonky looking. BUT….it’s very stretchy and flexible. I’m calling this one a draw.
(Sorry about the photos…it’s dark too fast this time of year. So I took these in my guest bath because it has the best light I can manage in the house)
This was #4 for 2014 Stashbustin’
Happy knitting!!
My first FO for 2014 Stashbustin‘!!! This was SUCH a quick knit.
2014 Stashbustin’: Project #2
Pattern: Appi Slopes Hat by Melissa Mall
Yarn: Knit Picks Cottom Simply Sport in Prussian Heather
Needles: Size US 4s (I went up a size from the pattern to get guage)
I used 196.8 yards or 60 grams of yarn. I started on 16 in circs and finished on dpns. I find myself getting more comfortable with this! I knit this hat in a matter of a couple of evenings. Super easy and great TV knitting.
I did encounter one issue. At the end I seamed all the way around inside the hat to secure the brim…and I lost all the stretch. This hat wouldn’t fit a toddler let alone my gigantic noggin. So I ripped that out and just put small “tacks” about 1 inch apart around the inside to secure the brim. That way the ribbing would still stretch. Fits like a dream. I even tested this out last weekend whilst shoveling snow. Great fit, love the brim….but the cotton isn’t terribly warm. Upside….totally washable after it got all sweaty from scooping snow!
And lastly….the photos…
(Side view)
(Front view)
(Back view)
Remember my Spiral Leg Warmers from 2013? Ha, neither did I until I found them hibernating in my craft room. I put them away sometime in August or so. They were Stashbustin’ #34 for last year.
This project was hiding in one of my favorite yarn holders…and I want that yarn holder for a 2014 project. Solution = finish the dang things! I only have 6-7 inches of pattern left to knit. (The second leg is a lot farther along than in this photo) How hard can that be? I hope to have them wrapped up by the weekend so I can have my favorite pink yarn case back!!
And on the plus side I can have some cute leg warmers to wear to the gym so I don’t look like the crazy lady wearing shorts or yoga pants outside in January! Not to mention….wouldn’t these look fab with some black leggings and boots?
Happy Knitting!
I read too many knitting blogs for my own good, but sometimes I read about projects that I just fall in love with. Enter, Antrose by Shannon Cook
(Photo credit to Nicholas Kupiak and the Antrose Rav page)
My bread and butter when it comes to sweaters is a top-down raglan. I have a unique body shape and I like to try sweaters on as I knit. This way I can make alterations if I don’t like the fit. And this sweater is all that and more.
Top down with a reversible funnel neck. Lots of easy plain stockinette with great chevron details thrown in. Just enough to make you pay attention and not get bored. And worsted weight yarn should fly off the needles!
This will be my #5 stashbustin’ project for 2014. I have some Knit Picks Brava worsted in Dove Heather. A lovely cream/neutral color to be sure. I recently dyed my hair several shades darker and I have been craving some neutral pieces to set off my new hair.
Well, I’m off to swatch! Happy Knitting!
I did a bit of monogamous knitting the last couple of days. And so I actually have a FO to show you!
Well it’s done…but despite my best math and knitting know how it’s not quite right. Don’t get me wrong, the pattern is great! It’s written for small size only with directions/percentages given to help you “upsize” your garment. I should have been more meticulous…
Here it is anyway….
I completed this sweater in a little under a month. I used 3 skeins of Knit Picks Brava worsted in Wine knit up on size US 8 needles. I simple adore the color! (In math terms I used 657 yards or 300 grams of yarn)
I did my calculations and cast on 80 stitches and increased up to 149 total for the body section. I then knit 17 inches of stockinette up to the arm holes. Then I separated and knit another 7 1/2 inches of height for arms shoulders.
Now looking at the FO, here is what should have happened:
This was supposed to have been a gift for a very lovely, elegantly tall, and slender friend. This sweater doesn’t have a snowballs chance in you know where of fitting the intended recipient in any flattering manner. So into my closet it will go after some additional aggressive blocking. I would like it to hit past my butt at least.
Instead my friend for her birthday shall get some local Kansas wine from grape vines that I helped to plant. That’s sort of like knitting her a sweater right? Sigh….
P.S. this is one of my last FO from my 2013 Stashbusting efforts! It’s #45 and I hope to have a post with my final year end stats soon!
Remember the other sweater I was going to finish on Christmas vacation? Yeah well, this is that I got done on my Abalone…
I finished up the last of the stockinette body section (right at 17 inches) and promptly separated for the sleeves. God bless stitch holders!
Now I get to work just under 8 inches of arm/shoulder sections. They are worked separately and then seamed together using a three needle bind off. I’m well on my way to meet my January 15th deadline. And this the second to last project I need to finish for my 2013 stashbustin’ projects, yippee!!!
Now if you will excuse me, I have some quiet knitting and coffee sipping to do before I head off to my big kid job!
Check out the view from my desk at work….
Who’s ready for 2014? This girl!!
Nothing like a little fiber dreaming whilst you work 🙂
I fell in love with a photo for a pattern on Ravelry. One of those kismet situations where I was instantly hooked. Take a look, it’s Abalone by Beata Jezek…
(Photo is from the Ravlery page and all credit due to beatka’s flickr photo, it is amazing!)
I’ts a open front short sleeve worsted weight cardigan. It would be amazing over a long sleeve tee or even a simple tank top. I just HAD to make this. It’s even a free pattern. Only one problem, it’s only written for size small and I need a slightly bigger cardigan. Not to worry I perused the completed projects section on the pattern page and checked out other knitters modifications. The author included percentages for each section so you can back into your number stitches based on swatching and doing the math.
Based on my scribbles, I am going to cast on 80 stitches instead of 54. And I will work to 149 total stitches instead of 98. As swatch as my witness, I hope this works. I just love the color and the yarn! I am using Knit Picks Brava Worsted in Wine.
Now I’m off to grab my needles and cast on, Happy Monday!
Michele plays with yarn, food, and music in Portland
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