splityarn

positives and negatives

I really wasn't sure how I'd feel about a pullover sweater when I began knitting Wicked. I'm such a dedicated cardigan girl, that I had concerns I'd feel trapped. It's not so much a claustrophobic thing (because obviously I can wear t-shirts aplenty) as not being able to cool down whenever I want. The biggest selling feature of a cardi is that someone who is always too hot can just unzip or unbutton a bit to regulate her temperature.

As it turns out, Wicked works nicely for me. I wore it all yesterday afternoon post-photo shoot and didn't feel trapped once. The silk in the Brooks Farm Fourplay gives it a lighter, drapier feeling than straight up wool would and the short sleeves and wide neckline don't make me overheat.

In the end I went pocketless and I'm ok with that. The last thing I want is to add some poochiness where I don't need it. Overall, I think Wicked v.2 is a winner. Just remember, if you knit it, heed my warnings and knit it with plenty of negative ease. I knit this one two sizes below my measurements.

Project details on Ravelry

one stripe for each

Last May, the Husband and I flew up to Boston for a vacation. At the time we had no inkling that we would move here 6 months later, so we tried to make the most of the week. Like with any trip, I wanted to hook up with some knitters and have a social evening getting to know people that I'd only known previously online. Elisa was one of those knitters. She's funny, sweet and dude! she gave me handspun yarn. Definitely a kindred spirit. I wish she hadn't moved to California before I moved to Boston, because I'm sure we could have been fantastic partners in crime. I get the sense the two of us could have got into a lot of trouble if we lived in the same city.

A few weeks ago I took that gifted handspun and combined it with some Brooks Farm Tierra Blend and knit myself a striped 1x1 rib scarf. The creamy coloured Tierra Blend is loosely spun and works perfectly with the pinks and greens of the handspun. The result is a thick and gooshy scarf that looks like stockinette. It's soft and fuzzy and perfect for Spring. The absolute best part is I get to wear a scarf that's the product of two friends. One stripe for each of us. Thank you Elisa, I couldn't have made this scarf without you.

Project details on Ravelry.

oh look, it's another brown hat

The Coronet toque I knit before we almost moved to Minnesota has seen a lot of wear this winter in New England. The Cashmerino while soft is not holding up as well as I'd like. It's fuzzy, pilly and disheveled looking. As we move into slightly warmer Spring temps, I wanted to knit a new hat that would keep me from looking like a ragamuffin.

I picked up a couple balls of Rowan Calmer on sale a month or so back from A Good Yarn. In one evening of knitting (and using less than one ball) I cast on and finished Grumperina's Odessa. No beads on this version, I only had purple in the stash.

More details on Ravelry

central park hoodie

Pattern: Central Park Hoodie by Heather Lodinsky for KnitScene.

Yarn: 7 skeins of Rowan Scottish Tweed Aran in colour 032.

Needles: Size 8 US (5.0mm) Bamboo

Size: 44". I wasn't quite spot on gauge, so I knit the 44" knowing it would work out to a 46" finished product. I was in between sizes anyway, so that worked out well with no math adjustments to be made.

Started: December 29th, 2007
Finished: February 9th, 2008

Modifications:
I knit the body about an inch longer than written and the arms about 3 inches longer. My sweaters have to reach my knuckles otherwise I'll constantly be pulling on the sleeves.
I knit the hood as written, but I kitchenered the seam up the middle. The button band was to be knit in two sections and seamed at the top to match the hood, but I just picked up and knit it all at the same time on two long circs.

Final Verdict: It's a little shloompier than I'd like. If I were to make it again, I'd definitely add in some waist shaping. As it is, it's kicking hot to wear, so it will end up being more of a jacket type thing than just a cardigan. 

Ravelry project details

twist and shout

Twist is done! Finished! And I couldn't be happier. I really dragged out the last 10% of this sweater. I suppose it's because if I took my time and only worked on it here and there, I wouldnt rush the finishing. I am usually so desperate to complete a project and start the next that I don't take my time with the final details. And really, if I've put two months into a project, why not put as much care and attention into the last few days as I did at the start. The other reason I took so long may have been anticipation of a mourning period of not having it to work on anymore. At any rate, it's complete, it's comfy, super warm and I think the fit is great for what I'd imagined.

Pattern: Twist by Bonne Marie Burns of Chic Knits

Yarn: 6.25 skeins of Cascade 220 in colour 9458. Two of the plys are brown, two are black. Hands down my favourite colour combo in the world. Most of my wardrobe fits into the brown or black category and now I can wear this sweater with all of it.

Needles: Size 7 US (5.0mm) Bamboo

Started: November 8th, 2007
Finished: December 26th, 2007

Modifications: I knit the body about an inch longer than the pattern and the arms about 3 inches longer. Changing the number of stitches to pick up on the button band to account for extra length was giving me fits, so I picked up three and skipped one. It took all the math out and didn't make my head hurt. Buttonhole placement was worked according to the formula in the back of Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques.

Final Verdict: I'd like for it to be about an inch longer, but I can block it out next time it has a bath. It's warm though and so far I love it. Bring on the cold weather.

Ravelry project details

another wardrobe staple

The first sweater I knit for The Husband was such a roaring success that I was definitely going to knit him another. He wears that first one so much that it's challenging to get it out of rotation long enough to wash it. Enter Husband Sweater #2. It's another Elizabeth Zimmermann, this time the seamless raglan. If I want to knit something that the Husband will actually wear, it has to be basic; clean lines, nothing too busy, no bright colours. This one fits the bill nicely.

At one point today while he was wearing it, I smoothed the sweater down on his shoulder and gazed admiringly. He chuckled and said, "I'm never sure if you're doing that because you love me or the sweater." Truthfully, it's a lot of both.

 Pattern: The Seamless Raglan from Knitting Without Tears
Yarn: 5 skeins of Cascade 220 in colour 4002
Needles: Size 8 US (5.0mm) Bamboo
Started: September 29th, 2007
Finished: November 4th, 2007
Modifications: None, but I followed Techknitting's advice with the transition of ribbing to stockinette. I think it's made a big difference to how the cuffs lay. On the last row of ribbing, I slipped all the knit stitches instead of knitting them. The cuffs look great and the fabric doesn't flip up at all. I'm going to do this with all my ribbing from here on in.
Final Verdict: I should have knit the body about an inch longer, but other than that, it's pretty dang good.

Ravelry project details

in the meantime

Husband Sweater #2 is off the needles and blocking slowly in the guest room. The Husband is impatient to wear it and I'm impatient to get some finished object photos. Sadly we're both going to have to wait until Saturday morning when there's some decent daylight (and when the effin' thing is finally dry.)

In the meantime, I've kept myself busy knitting up a quick Alpaca Neckwarmer. I think this one took longer to block than it did to knit. Speedy! A proper modeled shot will have to wait until Saturday as well. All my efforts this morning came out myspace-like (mostly rack and hardly any FO.) It's time to invest in a new tripod and camera remote. Santa?

Pattern: Yarn Abuse's Cashmere Neckwarmer
Yarn: One skein of Elsebeth Lavold Chunky AL. 50% Alpaca, 50% Wool
Needles: Size 11 US (8.0mm) bamboo
Modifications: I was knitting at a slightly smaller gauge than called for in the pattern, so I cast on 19 instead of 15.

Ravelry project details

eighth socks finished

The only Christmas knitting that I'm going to do this year is finished. One pair of socks for the father in law. The pressure to really crank out a lot of handknits (albeit self-imposed) is a bit much, so I'm officially putting myself on an every-other-year schedule. Sorry family, no knits for you.

Pattern: 6 x 2 rib with the Yarn Harlot's basic sock recipe from Knitting Rules
Yarn: Indigo Moon fingering weight, bought at Three Bags Full in Vancouver.
Needles: Size 2 US (3.0mm) KnitPicks DPNs
Started: August 10th, 2007
Finished: September 17th, 2007
Final Verdict: When the Husband tried them on, I realize that they're too long in the foot. They're just for wearing around the house in the cold Cape Cod winter though, so I don't think it's a big deal. Merry Christmas FIL, forget that you saw this post!

Ravelry project details

seventh socks finished

Pattern: Mona Schmidt's Embossed Leaves Socks from Favorite Socks
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM
Needles: Size 1.5 US (2.5mm) KnitPicks DPNs
Started: April 4th, 2007
Finished: August 18th, 2007
Final Verdict: Sorta meh. The cast-on used in the pattern is weird and non-stretchy and created a wobbly ridge that irks me. After you turn the heel you're supposed to break the yarn and start knitting one needle back and that seemed goofy to me too. Why create another end to weave in if you don't have to? I did it on one sock to determine if there was a benefit to doing it, but I didn't find one.

I like the lace pattern, but if I were to knit these again, I'd do a regular cast on, non-twisted rib cuffs and an eye of partridge heel. If I'd modified the pattern to suit what I like in socks, these wouldn't have taken 5 months to knit up. Should have listened to my gut.

Ravelry project details

hanami is finished

I realized today that I haven't had a knitting FO since May. Time to fix that.

The Project Details

Pattern: Hanami Stole by Melanie Gibbons, Pink Lemon Twist

Yarn: 2 skeins of Handmaiden Seasilk in Ebony bought on eBay. I wish I'd had the option to buy this in person as the two skeins are different colours. The basketweave section has a pale pink running through it and the blossoms ended up with more orange than pink. If I'd noticed it sooner, I would have knit them with opposite skeins.

Needles: Size 4 US Addi Lace Turbos.

Started: May 21st, 2007
Finished: August 8th, 2007

Modifications: I only knit 4 repeats of Chart G, I skipped the ruffled edge and finished with a beaded bind off instead.

Final Verdict: The yarn substitution worked out perfectly. It has a beautiful drape, sheen and crispness to the stitches. Blocked out it is 21" x 70". The only drawback to the Seasilk is the smell. It's faint, but if the project spent any amount of time in a ziploc (for travel) the silk smell hit you full on.

To see the full length flat pic, click here.