This one was a very speedy knit, and knocked one gift-knit off the list
Pattern: Man (or anyone) Cowl (rav link)
Yarn: Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice in Navy.
Needles: Addi Turbos, US8s.
Alterations: None.
Impressions: The pattern is well written and easy to follow. I was a little worried that the yarn was not soft enough to wear around the neck, but a washing and a trip through the dryer did the trick. I just hope the recipient likes it!
And it's finally done!
Pattern: Cap Sleeved V-Neck Vest #24 from Tahki Yarns Spring/Summer 2007 Collection.
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease, violet. Used four skeins.
Needles: Addi Turbos Circs US7s and US5s (ribbing).
Alterations: I re-wrote the stitch pattern as to take advantage of having to purl less. I purl a lot slower than I can knit, so this allowed for faster knitting :)
Impressions: I really like this tunic. It was a pretty easy pattern, and a great "mind-less" knit. The pattern is well written and easy to follow. I was a little worried that the sleeve edges might be too big, but it ended up not being a problem. It fits really well!
Pattern: It's a Wrap by Indygo Junction, shorter length.
Fabric: I picked up this fabric at Sowing Sisters in Carlsbad. It is a cotton batik and I used three yards.
Alterations: Instead of hemming the side edges and bottom, I opted for serger rolled hems. Much easier and much quicker to execute.
Cost: The fabric was $8.99 a yard, but I was lucky enough to have purchased it during the Sowing Sisters 40% off sale, so it came to $16.19; I had to get three spools of the same color of thread to use in the serger for the rolled hem - $1.59 x 3. I already counted the pattern cost from the first wrap'd skirt I made, so it is now a stash pattern. Total - $20.96!
Impressions: Another pretty cute and very comfortable wrap skirt. It was perfect for the luau we went to!
The rolled hems on this skirt gives it a little bit of a different look than the first one, and it was a lot faster to sew together. I think the next one I make I may consider putting in button holes in the waistband... this would make it easier to tie together.
I have knit a few shawls, but all of them had been previously gifted. Not this one - the first shawl that I knit just for me:
Pattern: A Curved Shawl with Diamond Edging, in Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby.
Yarn: Tess' Silk & Ivory. I used about 120 grams of the 150 gram hank, leaving about 150 yards left over.
Needles: Addi Turbos Circs US7s and Clover DPNs US8s. I diverted from the needle size called for in the pattern since I increased the weight of yarn used. The US7s were used for the main body, the US8s for the border.
Alterations: Because I changed the yarn and needle size I decided to shoot for a finished shawl that was approximately the same dimensions as that in the pattern. Lucky for me it meant knitting less repeats of the first chart and having less repeats to complete for the border chart.
Impressions: Initially I was extremely frustrated by my original choice in the yarn and needles I decided to use for this pattern. After deciding to make the change in yarn this pattern was a pleasure to knit. One of my favorite details is the picot bind off, and see many applications for it.
The pattern's finished shawl dimensions are 21" deep by 62" wide. My shawl finished at 22" deep by 65" wide. I couldn't be happier. The best part is I get to keep it!
Here's one last shot of it lounging out on the grass:
I really love these socks:
Pattern: Embossed Leaves Socks, by Mona Schmidt. Published in Interweave Knits, Winter 2005.
Yarn: Elann's Baby Cashmere in Serengeti Sand (#3724). I used 3 balls, leaving one left over.
Needles: KnitPicks Double-Points, US2s (3.0 mm).
Alterations: I completed a total of six sixteen-row lace repeats instead of the seven indicated for the pattern. My foot size is smaller than the size for the pattern. This change worked out perfectly.
Impressions: The pattern is very well written and easy to follow. I really like the twisted rib on the cuff and the effect of the star-type decreases for the toe - this created a very smooth line and, of course, a lovely toe!
The baby cashmere yarn was a joy to work with. The fabric is quite soft and wonderful... a pleasure on the feet. The resulting socks are very lovely and I imagine that they will get a lot of wear from your's truly :)
NOW to decide which socks to make next!! I picked up some Socks that Rock in Carbon Dating at the last Stitches that I'm just itching to play with... but what pattern to use?! Does anyone have any suggestions??
After use of a fan, a couple days of drying and a try-on, it's finished!
Pattern: Bonsai Tunic, by Norah Gaughan. Published in Interweave Knits Spring 2007
Yarn: Berroco Bonsai in Satsuki Green (#4149). I used 9 hanks plus some of another, leaving almost three left over.
Needles: Addi Turbos, US7s and US5s. I had to decrease my needle size due to gauge.
Alterations: Instead of the bind-off sequence for the neck shaping, I decided to give short row shaping a go. I really liked the resulting final bind off at the edge - nice and smooth, no stair-stepping effect. This made the seaming of the back extensions from the front portion a breeze.
Impressions: Considering this tunic only took two weeks to fall into the FO list, I guess you could say I really liked knitting it! The resulting fabric of the yarn after blocking was impressive. The garment has a very good drape with a silk-like hand. I'm curious to see how it will hold up during wear as it seems heavy while holding up the garment by the shoulders, but not heavy while wearing. It actually feels really lightweight, something that I can definitely wear during the warmer months. Also, there does not seem to be any stretching in length due to this heaviness during wear, something that I've seen in knit silk garments.
I'm not sure how I feel about the I-cord tie. I could do with or do without it really. I guess it will depend on my mood when I wear the garment. I really liked how the pattern was written and the resulting piece. This tunic definitely falls into the must wear category at the moment :)
Yes, I did it! Gatsby Girl is complete:
Needles: Addi Turbos, US3s and US2s. I had to decrease my needle size due to gauge.
Alterations: I changed the buttonhole size because they were too large when crochet'd as indicated. I also crochet'd on the buttons instead of sewing them on, this was really-really easy!
Impressions: I loved knitting Gatsby Girl! The yarn is super plush and comfy. I had the plys split on me here and there, but this was really quite ignorable because of the yarn's loveliness. The pattern is well written, easy to follow, and was interesting enough to keep my attention. Seaming and finishing did seem to take forever, but well worth it. I'm a bit sad that the neckline on mine is not as form fitting or tall as shown in the pattern picture, but I'm over it because I really do love this top! AND I got it done before heading to Stitches West - Woohoo!
After spending the last few evenings sewing in zippers (yes, plural), the Homme sweater for DH is finally done!
And let's not forget the model shots:
It is a perfect fit and he just loves it! Yeah! Too bad it is still quite warm in San Diego... we are not sure when he will have the opportunity to wear it out-and-about.
Pattern: Phildar's #418, Homme #77
Yarn: Phildar Sport Laine in Black.
Needles: Addi Turbos, US7s.
Alterations: I added a single crochet edge to the zipper openings prior to sewing in the zippers. Other than that, I made no other changes.
Impressions: The resulting sweater turned out fantastic, and I couldn't be happier or more proud of myself. DH is a very happy recipient and just loves the cut and style. On the flip side, I discovered that I am not a fan of knitting black garments.... especially in a wool and acrylic blend yarn. I am especially not a fan of knitting stitch patterns that do not show up well with the yarn used (the ribbing in this sweater is actually a twisted rib, it's just really difficult to tell). Hence it took me over a year to finish (I started this sweater in October 2005).
I told DH that I would knit him another sweater... but that he has to give me a year to get it done :)
I finalized all the knitting and beading gifts a few days before Christmas Eve!
Pattern: Falling Water Lace Scarf, published by Bonnie Sennott.
Yarn: Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere yarn. I have 13 grams left over.
Needles: Circular Crystal Palace US4s.
Alterations: None really. I knit it exactly as written except for the change in needle size. I knit on it until it was 80" long pre-blocking. That was about all I could take.
Finished Dimensions: 86" long x 4.5" wide.
Impressions: The yarn was a pleasure to knit with... it just doesn't get any better than cashmere! The pattern is straight-forward, and would probably make a good beginner lace project.
Pattern: "Tiny Bamboo" stitch pattern from Vogue's Stitchionary Volume 1, with slip-stitch edges and added fringe.
Yarn: Elann's Peruvian Sierra Aran, in Chestnut. Used a total of 4 skeins.
Needles: Addi Turbos, US8s.
Alterations: None as I made up the pattern.
Finished Dimensions: 79" long with fringe, 72" long without fringe x 5.25" wide.
Impressions: I really liked the stitch pattern, it was easy to execute without being boring. The yarn was not as soft as I thought it would be with the 20% alpaca content, however I would consider it for outerwear projects and other scarves.
I also whipped up some elastic-corded beaded bracelets. These are fun to make, not to mention pretty quick to put together.
All in all I would say everyone loved their hand-knit and beaded gifts! I started in May, finished a few days before Christmas Eve, and ended up with nine handmade gifts to give. Now to decided what to make as gifts for next year :)
I suppose the scarf was not all that mysterious as all the guesses to the contest were correct! I was working on the Vogue Holiday 2006 Weave Scarf... it is featured on the cover.
Anyway, I finished it up a few days ago:
Yarn: Elann's Pure Alpaca in Garnet. I ended up using two whole skeins and about 75% of four skeins.
Needles: For garter stitch edges - KnitPicks DPNs, US2s. For cords, Brittany DPNs, 5" long, US5s.
Alterations: After reading about this pattern on Lauren's blog, I decided to take her alteration and knit each cord to 70" long instead of the specified 90". The finished scarf ended up a little bit short of that indicated in the pattern... but I'll take the 62" long and call it a day :)
Impressions: This scarf is not complicated. The juggling of the cords towards the end became a bit of a challenge, but the project was perfect for the Thanksgiving trip and as "under the weather" knitting. I messed up on weaving the cords not once, not twice, but three times. The fourth try was the winner! I guess I should not have been enjoying that glass of wine while attempting this task.
I really liked working with the Pure Alpaca yarn from Elann. It is pretty darn soft and lofty. The garnet color is rich and fantastic. I would be concerned about making a garment with this yarn though as it seems to have a tendency to stretch and distort. If I was to consider knitting a garment with this yarn, I would first research other's experiences prior to committing to it. I would not give it a second thought for scarves and shawls - this yarn is perfect for these projects.
THE CONTEST:
One of my cats plays fetch with paper balls... yes, she fetches like a dog. And when she really likes her toys she puts them in her water dish (we never said she was the smartest kitty on the block). So I figured the fairest way to determine the winner of the contest was to let Diony decide...
The investigation of all the paper balls - "what are these" she says:
"Oh my gosh... there are so many... it's hard to decide" :
"I think I like this one" :
After some batting around, she made a b-line toward the water dish:
And I couldn't catch it before she dropped it in!
So, the winner is (yes, it's wet!):
Kris! Congrats! Give me 'til after the Holidays to make your bag :)
