It's been awhile

I'm going to try to keep up with blogging. I stopped back in April and then I think just got overwhelmed by all the projects that passed without blog attention. So, I'm going to start up again with my recent knitting adventures and occasionally add in some other good knits since April.

Most recently I finished the Baby Cables and Big Ones Too sweater by adding neck modifications a few days ago. I was very pleased with my mod.

Before the mod, the neck was a wide boat-like neck which looked nice in other women's sweaters, but I don't like this neck for me because it shows a lot of the shirt you wear underneath and doesn't feel sturdy on the shoulders and neck.

BEFORE


I picked up stitches on either side of the neck, knit them in garter stitch while knitting on the new strip to the front and back sides, then picked up stitches all around the neck and knit in stockinette for a rolled brim. There are written instructions to my modifications at the end of this post.

AFTER


Pattern: Baby Cables and Big Ones Too by Suvi S.
Yarn: part of a 1250g cone of 100% New Wool from Hunters of Brora in Scotland
Needles: US 8 throughout and US 6 (for neck mods)
Started: December 11, 2008
Completed: December 21, 2008




I got some nice pictures of the sweater outside, on the sunny day after most of the snow melted.


In about 6 hours from now I'm driving with my mom and step-dad to Tulsa, OK to see one of my brothers and my niece I haven't met (my other brother's daughter, he's over in Iraq) So, I scouted out some cute baby patterns on Ravelry to make for her. I have to pick a bunch of yarn from my stash to take with me so I can have whatever I need for the pattern I choose. I downloaded podcast episodes of Cast On and Lime & Violet to entertain me in the car with my knitting. I'll have a lot more knitting to share soon, especially with this nice long holiday break from school.

Here are the neck modifications...

Neck Modifications 12/28/08:
Pick up and knit 18 sts (RS of sweater) at the side neck edges using US sz 6 needles. Knit back and forth in garter stitch by doing the following…

next row (WS): Pick up the next stitch from the front of the sweater or back (dependent on which side is worked first) and knit it together with the first stitch of the row and then knit to last stitch and knit it together with a picked up stitch from the front or back of sweater. (18 sts)

next row (RS): Knit one row, decreasing one stitch at each end. (16 sts)

Repeat those 2 rows 3 more times (10 sts) The last row knit was the RS.

Repeat that process on the other side. When the other side is caught up, pick up stitches along the front and back and continue to knit on the RS, knitting the picked up stitches from the front and back and the other side’s 10 sts. Continue to work in the round for about an inch in St st on US sz 6 needles to create a roll brimmed neck edge.

I ended up with about 80 sts or so. Then, choose a flexible bind off. I used sz 8 needles for the BO.

I’m sure I could have started with a smaller amount of neck sts at the beginning of this project, but this modification afterwards looks just fine. The garter stitch rows on either side of the neck run perpendicular to those rows on the front and back instead of connecting all around like the rest of the yoke, but that doesn’t bother me. It’s a little design feature. This sweater feels much sturdier now and more secure on my shoulders.

scarves and gauntlets

I recently got a profile on Ravelry. I LOVE it!! So, I have been uploading most of my knits and finding other people's projects I like for inspiration.

I found two scarves I really liked and knit non stop to finish both within three days. I sprained my ankle badly a week ago so there's not much else I can do. (an excellent excuse for knitting)

One of the projects I found was the purl ridge moebius scarf by Cat Bordhi
Size 8 US circulars
Araucania Atacama 100% Alpaca






I have the book Knitting With Balls which I really like and after finding projects from other people's Not So Rugged Scarf I took a second look at that pattern and really liked the idea. I guess it's the simplicity of these scarves that are pleasing and calling me to knit. I won't even get to wear them until Fall arrives. Oh well. It's never too warm to knit.

I chose Kidsilk Haze and Rowan Yorkshire Tweed 4-ply both in brown instead of the recommended yarns.
size 8 circulars
I cast on 272 sts and started knitting away making up when I switched yarns.
I will probably do this project again for a friend or two. I love knitting stockinette or garter st lengthwise.






I made these gauntlets a couple weeks ago for Christopher as well.

Noro Silk Garden
sz 8 needle

I just started knitting a rectangle because I liked the yarn and then they turned into arm warmers. I had 42 sts wide going so I continued until they went up to the elbow, then sewed them together and left a thumb opening. eeeeasy



That's all for now.

felted bag

During the last few days, I used up most of the leftover yarn from my patchwork quilt.
This stash bust resulted in an awesome felted messenger bag.


I knit the front, back, and flap in one stockinette rectangle and then knit the two blue garter rectangles for the sides.
I also knit an extra long strap in garter stitch and several stockinette stitch felted pockets.



At first I sewed the sides to the bag body and tried to felt them, but the bag shape and proportions didn't turn out as planned. So, I cut it back into the original pieces and felted everything again so it would be more even. Then I sewed everything together.
I ended up having to tack and tie a few things on the bag to get the right shape and size that I wanted for everything. I am pleased with the result.



Yarn: Rowan Yorkshire and Scottish Tweed chunky (pockets: Noro Kureyon and Tahki Donegal Tweed Homespun)
Needle: US 11
Pattern: my own ( I have a few scribbles and calculations written down, but it was mostly done on the needles)

garments

I finished knitting this short sleeved cardigan for Klose Knit out of Malabrigo Worsted.

Pattern: Knit Simple magazine Fall 2007 (US 8 needle)



Also, I finally completed the Noah sweater by Sarah Hatton
I started knitting the front last Fall and I finished the front, back, and one sleeve over winter break.
Within the last week I picked it back up and made the other sleeve, pressed and sewed it all together, and did the garter stitch neckline.
I am really pleased with the result and fit of my first sweater (besides a sweater vest) and there are still a few chilly days for it.

Pattern: Noah by Sarah Hatton from Rowan Magazine no. 41
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca color #6295

a few new knits

I made another French Market Bag/basket from knitty.com for Klose Knit. I used Malabrigo chunky instead of aran weight yarn and size 13 needles. It turned out a lot bigger than expected, but now it can hold more things.

Before Felting


After Felting


I used some felted tweed I had to knit a patch for my jeans. I have plans for a felted tweed sweater, but I probably won't get to that until next Fall.



I finished a pair of socks for my friend Mindi using Universal Yarn's Deluxe Worsted LP 100% wool
pattern: http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/socksthreesizes.htm

a few random knits

I'm working on a few big projects at the same time (felted basket, cotton pants, a couple socks) so I don't have as many new knits to show, but I finished two twisted rib watch caps

Here's one I made with Jamieson's Shetland wool chunky.
online pattern: http://www.royea.net/twistedrib.html



I love Mr. Bean episodes and movies so I made this teddy bear from a random online pattern for a Mr. Bean teddy bear!
I used Rowan Pure Wool dk and Elizabeth Lavold's oh so soft Classic AL for the hands
pattern: http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/toys/beanbear.htm




Here are some fingerless gloves I did last Fall and finally got around to wearing them. They're not my favorite, but they are pretty functional.
The pattern calls for a flap to go over the mittens, but I'm not crazy enough about the yarn to knit anymore on these gloves.
I used Filatura di Crosa 127 Print

Store Samples

Here are the samples I made last semester for Klose Knit http://www.klosekniturbana.com/

Pink Mittens knit with Steadfast Fibers wool yarn


Convertible Mittens using Rowan Pure Wool dk and Kidsilk Haze stranded together with Plymouth's Boku on the wrist and finger brim. The Kidsilk Haze made a much richer color and they are incredibly soft.


Earflap hat with large cable detail on the front. Knit with two strands of worsted handpainted yarn. The pattern is from Rowan's Autumn/Winter Magazine no. 40. I love the knitting and photography in that magazine, especially the Kindred Spirit section.


Twisted Rib neck warmer


"Fake Isle" hat from magknit.com It's a great pattern. I knit it using Plymouth yarn's Boku and the black is a Gedifra wool I believe.