One Full Sleeve

I am taking sleeve island by storm! the first sleeve of my Super Simple Summer Sweater is complete and I have a great start on the second!

The sleeves took less yarn than I anticipated which makes me feel more comfortable about finishing the second sleeve. I’ll be able to use the same two skeins that will give the sleeves a consistent color look. I left the lightbulb stitch markers in so that I can match the decreases.

I purposely did not complete the bind off. I want to finish the sweater and try it on to see if the sleeves are too long or to short. I left some tiny balls of yarn tucked in the sleeves so that I can finish later. Not having the body complete, I didn’t want to risk it. I’d rather leave it open that unpick a bind off, lol.

On to the second sleeve! Happy Knitting!!

Slow Sleeve Progress

I am cruising along on my first sleeve of my Super Simple Summer Sweater (Joji pattern). I managed to add in four more decreases during PB’s weekly gymnastics practice.

I can see some color striping and differences in the sleeves versus the body. But with this type of kettle dyed yarn, I don’t expect perfection. So far the decreases are fitting my robust upper arms just fine. It’s fitted without being stretched tight.

I am now more confident that I will get two sleeves out of the two cakes of yarn with leftovers enough to help finish out the body. I should be able to eek out long sleeves and a longer body, win win!!

Happy Knitting!!

I Decided To Sleeve

I pondered and pondered on my Super Simple Summer Sweater…..

I decided to sleeve. I just couldn’t risk running out of yarn. I felt at the end of this that I wouldn’t be happy with short sleeves. I could maybe have lived with 3/4 but this is a cozy worsted sweater. I wanted to be warm up to my knuckles.

I took one ball of the dye lot from the yoke and one ball from the second lot and have started helical knitting sleeve number one. I am using my Chia Goo tiny circular set so I can just go round and round. So far I’m working the decreases as written. Will report back as to how that works later!

Happy Knitting!!

One Custom Sleeve

One sleeve is now complete! My Catbells Cardigan is looking more and more like a functional cardigan.

I did deviate from the pattern in regards to the sleeve. As designed the arms were to snug in my upper arm. So I knit straight for awhile and then mixed in my own decreases. I used light bulb stitch markers to keep track of where I put those in order to duplicate on the second sleeve. I also made the cuff a week bit longer so the sleeves would go all the way to my knuckles.

I have even started the second sleeve and I’m about halfway done with the decreases. I am just about out of my original dye lot of yarn. I *think* I will have enough yarn to finish the second sleeve. That does mean I will need to use my second batch/dye lot of yarn to make the hem and pockets. Honestly, they look close enough in color that I don’t think anyone will notice.

Happy Knitting!!

Sleeves!

I feel like I finished a marathon and I have most of my Catbells cardigan is done! I am finished with 24 inches of patterned body.

I didn’t have my needle set with me over the last weekend so I couldn’t start the ribbing just yet. But I didn’t want to lose steam so I decided to start the sleeves. I did have my Chia Goo mini set in my project bag so I could work the sleeves in the round.

This is actually my second start of the sleeve. I accidently picked up the stitches with the sweater inside out. Oops! I do plan to deviate from the pattern on the sleeves. I have larger upper arms and really want to customize for a good fit.

Really hoping this means I am *this* close to finish this long lingering WIP. I started this sweater in June 2021….

Happy Knitting!!

Splitting For Radiate Sleeves

Thanks to the long holiday weekend and lots of grandparent babysitting, I managed to knit through the yoke of my Radiate sweater and split for sleeves.

I even slipped on an extra knitting needles and tried this sweater on. Even unblocked it falls appropriately in all the places. The neck was higher than I anticipated but other wise the bust and armscye fits nicely. I’ll have to be careful with blocking this super wash yarn so that I don’t make it too big.

Now I have like 14 to 17 inches of sweater body to knit. Lots of round and round in stockinette! Happy Knitting!!

Winging It On Sleeve Island

I have officially reached sleeve island on my Weekender sweater!

I picked up the pattern recommended number of stitches at the arm hole and knit an inch or so to where the pattern wanted me to start decreasing. Then I stepped back and looked at my sleeve and looked my arm….and looked at my sleeve and back to my arm. I’m confident the sleeve will fit my upper arm as it is now but I’m just as confident it will not fit if I work the pattern decreases as written.

My arm and shoulders are a little robust from hauling around a 31 pound toddler who still likes to be carried and snuggled. My arms taper more sharply at my forearms to my wrist. So based on this I have decided to wing it for the sleeve shaping. I’m going to just knit and keep trying the sleeve on as I go. I’ll start my decrease at or just below the elbow. I dug out some locking stitch markers to start marking my decreases to help me remember how to knit the second sleeve.

I am also pleased to be using my Chia Goo mini twist set that I got last Christmas so that I can knit the sleeves on a tiny circular. This way I can just zoom along and not fuss with changing DPNs or creating ladders.

I’m really happy with this sweater and hope to have this done very soon. Though it is now officially 100 degrees Fahrenheit here in Kansas so I won’t get to wear it until the Fall. Oh well, sometimes it’s just about the process right?

Happy Knitting!!

I Win At Sleeves

Sound the trumpets because I have FINISHED THE KNITTING OF MY WORSTED BOXY!

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I stayed up embarrassingly late last night just to finish the second sleeve. I’m going to need a second cup of coffee to make it to work but it was totally worth it! And I was watching “I Mom So Hard” on Amazon video and laughing until I cried and my husband asked if I was okay. If you are mom, seriously check it out! But trigger warning it does have strong language and adult humor. It might not be for everyone.

The arms of my sweater can often feel tight. So I picked up a few extra stitches and worked the instructions for the next size up in the pattern. It worked great because now the sleeves are snug but not bindingly tight.

Now I’m off to weave in my ends and get this ready for a blocking/bath this evening after dinner. Soon this sweater shall be mine!!

Happy Knitting!!

Two Sleeves!

I win at sleeves!! The second sleeves of my Autumn League Pullover is complete.

It was pretty easy to count rows and decreases to make sure my second sleeve matches the first. They may be a row off or a stitch or two different depending on how close you compare them. I copied the cuff “mistake” on the second sleeve by keeping the larger needles. They may be wrong…but darn it they match! I’m just so happy to have them both done.

In a fit of productivity I even picked up the neck band (in the correct sized needle I may add) and got the working yarn attached. I’m hoping to bang out the collar pretty quickly. Happy Knitting!!

A Knot Of A Problem

I started the second sleeve of my Autumn League Pullover this week and I encountered a small problem. (P.S. Don’t you just love and hate my obnoxious mom yoga pants? My husband does and I wear them in public on purpose…bwahahahaha!)

A knot in my skein! This is commercial yarn and I know up to two to three knots in a skein is considered normal. But I still hate them. If I knit them in I always seem to get the knot in a spot where I feel it or it works it way to right side of the work where everyone can see.

I pulled out my took kit and decided to fix the problem. I cut the knot out and then loosened the four plys on each end of the yarn. I then cut two of the four plys off each side and used my tapestry needled to do a Russian join.

It looks kind of wonky here but once I get it knit into the fabric you likely won’t be able to tell at all!

I really really really want to get off sleeve island on this sweater. Wish me luck!