Tag Archives: knitting

Dividing For Synthe

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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!!

Cast On: Vas Hat

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My hat mojo may be waning but it sure does make for good travel and meeting knitting. After finishing my Scandia Hat, I had not “on the go” knitting available. So I grabbed a skein that was already wound and got started on a basic beanie.

I have used a LOT of Rios over the last year so I am pretty confident in my gauge. I based on my normal 88 stitches on US 8 needle. I was not in the mood for ribbing today so this hat will have another stockinette brim.

I did get myself a fancy pedicure to brush away the winter doldrums! Here’s hoping soft yarn and clean toes will get me all the way to spring!

Happy Knitting!!

Swatching Rainbow Radiate

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I have been excited about working my Synthe and I have had this thought for many years to make another Radiate. This time with a rainbow yoke. I wear my previous version a ton and would love to have more sweaters in my rotation.

I have several skeins of grey yarn that are rainbow speckles. I have two skeins of 316 Dye Studio House DK and four skeins of Wichita Woolery Tweed DK. They are different but close enough I can alternate skeins to make this work. And the kicker is a Hue Loco Phyllis DK in a rainbow sampler set to work the yoke.

I swatched in the round and cut my strings. After a bath and block I measured and I am bang on stitch gauge but my row gauge is off. I will have to adjust my project when I am working sections that are depended on length. I have more rows than the pattern, not unusual with Joji patterns as she is a loose knitter. I can deal with this as long as I pay attention and use measurements.

I can’t decide if I will start this one after or concurrently with Synthe. Do I need two sweaters?

Finished: A Scandia Hat

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I think I zoned out in my winter doldrums and next thing I knew, my Scandia Hat is done!

Pattern: My own basic beanie “recipe” with 100 stitches

Yarn: KnitCircus Divine DK in Pet Rock Speckle

Needles: US 7s

This hat ended up using 75 grams of yarn so that was 195 yards used. It fits my large noggin so I have not decided if I am going to keep or gift this one. The yarn turned out lovely with a nice mix of dark and light speckles. KnitCircus knows how to dye yarn! I must admit I am feeling my hat mojo waning. I am feeling more sweater-y.

Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Synthe

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I finally knuckled under and cast on my Synthe sweater. My swatch told me I was on gauge and I am making the 44 1/2 size.

This starts at the neck and appears to not have a neckline. Just cast on and get straight to stockinette. The pattern shows no rolling but I don’t have confidence in my version. I may have to add some reinforcement to my neck opening.

So far the knitting is fast as the stitch count is still increasing. The yarn, Brooklyn Tweed Shelter, has a lot of veg matter in it that I am picking out as I go. I am not alternating skeins yet but I may do that as I get to the main body. My biggest hurdle is keeping the stitch markers from opening and falling off.

Happy Knitting!!

Finished: Touchdown Beanie Chiefs #2

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Happy Friday and welcome to my next finish. My Chiefs Touchdown Beanie #2 is done!

Pattern: Touchdown Beanie by Katie Carlson (Rav link)

Yarns: Treasure Goddess Warmth Worsted in Ruby Daggers, White Sand Beaches, Poseidon’s Trident

Needles: US 4s and 5s

I am super glad that I shorted the ribbing on this hat. I JUST had enough red yarn to close up the crown without altering the decreases. I have a tiny ball of yellow and a lot of white left. This is the size medium and it does look a bit shorter and squatter than the previous one but still fits an adult sized head. On my head I can’t roll the brim but my kids can.

I should note that this pattern contains charts for other teams and one for Swifties, if that is your jam. This dyer’s worsted is on the skinnier side compared to something like Malabrigo Rios. I would be cautious and definitely check gauge if you substitute yarn. But it is an excellent pattern all around.

Happy Knitting!!

Weaving Or Darning?

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Not much sleep has happened with all the coughing so I had a lot of time to finish not only the colorwork but also the crown of my second Chiefs Touchdown Beanie.

I also chose to block this hat a wee bit before weaving in my ends. I just wet it under the kitchen sink and let dry on my Styrofoam head overnight. And then when dry turned the thing inside out to attack my ends.

I wove the ends in for several stitches and then doubled back on itself to lock them in place. I was careful to look at the front side to make sure I liked how things were laying before locking them. Having the head on the inside made this feel a bit like darning, lol. I will have to remember this trick in the future!

Happy Knitting!!

Second Attempt At Colorwork

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Duke and I snuggled in for this latest cold snap to start the colorwork on my second Chiefs Touchdown Beanie.

We’ve been hit with a bout of COVID in the house so I don’t have a lot of witty repartee to share today. I think some hot tea, re-run TV and knitting will do just fine.

Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Touchdown Beanie Chiefs #2

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I did in fact decide to cast on another Chiefs Touchdown Hat with my leftovers from the kit I purchased.

I did opt to make a medium size this time instead of large, so as not to tempt the yarn chicken gods. I had training all day today and I powered through ribbing and the second two color additions. Stopped short of starting the chart for the pattern as I need concentration.

I also hedged a tiny bit and worked 1/2 an inch less of ribbing to conserve my use of the red color. I am eager to start the colorwork again now that I have had some practice. I know what kind of tails I need to leave and where I tended to knit too tightly or made errors on the chart.

This should be a quick finish! (Famous last words…) Happy Knitting!!

A Scandia Brim

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Another day and another “mom carpools to some practice ” kind of vibe. Today I am progressing on my Scandia Hat and a diet coke for motivation.

I knit enough stockinette to finally turn the brim. And I have finally gotten over the grumps for twisting this hat brim in the first place. This fabric looks really nice in stockinette with the speckles popping against the grey background.

It’s all round and round until I need decreases. This yarn needs a good bath too. It’s not the softest at the moment and I have a suspicion that it’s got excess citric acid holding around from setting the dye. At least I hope so!

Happy Knitting!!