Blocking: Synthe Sweater

Home from travel and my sweater off the needles, my Synthe got a bath and is drying in the 70 degree windy spring weather.

I left my markers in both the body and sleeves, just in case I am not happy with the finished/blocked measurements. There are only two increase rounds in the body as I wanted to maintain a straighter body line versus the called for a-line in the pattern. I also did not weave in the ends, partly for that same reason but also because I finished this in the dark and didn’t want to lose them.

I will let this dry and then try on before I either make final finished or rip back for changes. It did soften with the first wash and hoping that continues as this yarn is quite rustic. Now I just need this to dry faster!

Happy Knitting!!

Flatland Knitting

My Luminous Hat saw some work in our recent travels. This time in the flatlands of western Kansas. Spring has sprung and the winds are whipping out here!

This skein from Another Crafty Girl is flashing and pooling between the teals and blues. And I am not minding the square needles either. They feel a little different but keep the stiches nicely. I think I am three-ish inches into the hat. Another three inches and I can turn the brim (if my patience lasts that long).

Happy Knitting!!

Casting Off Synthe

Spring break travel was just the concentrated time I needed to get through the body of my Synthe sweater. I am casting off now!

We took a couple of days this past week to see my sister in Colorado. Not a bad way to work over 300+ stiches on my needles. The views did not disappoint! I did decide to add some length to the body not contemplated in the pattern. I didn’t want the sweater to end at my widest part.

I’m really hoping I don’t regret the extra length post blocking. My swatch didn’t grow terribly but I have been fooled by swatches before!

Happy Knitting!!

Vaas Decreases

My Vaas Hat is ready for decreases!

I could knit Malabrigo forever. It’s just the perfect feel while knitting and in the finished object. I powered through the body of the hat and installed the DPNs for the decreases. After over 50 versions of this “recipe” I can do these decreases on autopilot.

I should have a finished hat soon! Happy Knitting!!

Cast On: Luminous Hat

We are gearing up for travel, spring sports and lots of time in the backyard. I also need to start earning points for SSK 2025. This all added up to a new cast on!

I grabbed my new square needles and a skein of Another Crafty Girl Merino Worsted in Luminous color to start my basic beanie recipe. It’s 88 stitches on a US 8. If I can get this done then I can earn points for my knitting retreat this summer.

I am liking the square needles. I don’t know that my hands get any less tired but they do feel nice in my fingers. This project is going to live in my purse/backpack for “in between knitting” needs.

Happy Knitting!!

Synthe Sleeves

Over the weekend and thanks to one gymnastics class and full evening of bounce house fun, my Synthe has sleeves!

I didn’t have US 9 needles on short circulars to make the sleeves so I decided to make due with US 8s. I also almost completely ignored the sleeve instructions. My arms are full near the shoulder and then taper past the elbow.

I worked almost six pattern repeats from the body and then added three decreases across the next six repeats. I then worked five more plain repeats before doing one last decrease at the “cuff” and then cast off. These are going to 3/4 sleeves. The yarn is very rustic and I don’t want to feel the fabric on my wrists. For SURE I am going to wear and undershirt under this garment.

Happy Knitting!!

A Vaas Brim

I had a four hour public meeting to sit through last week so my Vaas Hat made a reappearance. Good thing too, as I finally got the brim turned and attached.

This yarn doesn’t photograph super well but it is a very lovely green. My eyes lean hazel and green some days and my complexion is quite fair. I can’t help but think this would look lovely on me when it’s finished!

Now I need to find more knitting time to get this hat finished!

Dividing For Synthe

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

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

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?