Summer Sweater Knit-A-Long, Update 3

Yea!  Hurrah!  I'm almost done with the two fronts of my Peterborough!! (Celebration ensues).

But, of course, with progress comes more modifications.  As I was knitting the first front piece, I realized the original pattern called for another rib band across the waist in the front.  I had not read through the entire pattern before starting (again) and did not realize this was part of the design (I partial blame the photo with the pattern that hides the ribbing with a belt - but then again, I should have checked what I was getting into before starting).

I didn't really like the ribbing in the front and hadn't planned on it.  However, if I omitted it, I would have to do more decreases on the front pieces than I had done on my back.  Luckily, I realized I could work in the additional decreases that I needed along the Stst edge by the cabled collar.  This actually solved two problems - I could add in the additional decreases and still match my back piece AND I could create a slight v-neck on the collar that would pull this itchy wool yarn a little bit away from my neck. 

I ended up doing 5 decreases at the lace edge.  I'm hoping with a good blocking, they will be unnoticeable in my stitches.


Next up - the sleeves.  There's nothing really interesting to say about sleeves.  I'm planning to knit them in the round, instead of flat, by casting on only 60 sts.  Hopefully, I will have them both done by September 1!!

Yarn Bombing the 'Burgh

from http://knitthebridge.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/the-bridge-goes-up/
photo by Annette Sandberg

I'm decidedly NOT a fan of yarn bombing.  This latest craze of covering anything and everything with knitwear just seems like a waste of good yarn to me.  Sorry.

However, I am very impressed with the Knit the Bridge project in Pittsburgh.  A local community group got permission from the city to cover one of the city's (many) bridges in knitted panels.  The finished result is really amazing.  Check out all the photos here. 

I lived in Pittsburgh for 9 years and loved it.  And this project reminds me of what I loved so much about the city.  There is a real sense of community among the people there, especially artists.  There's always something fun, exciting, and creative going on.  I miss it!

Congrats to the artists and community members involved in this project on a beautiful and successful yarn bombing.  You've made a convert out of me!! :)

And on the subject of knitting - I've recently added a new article on my Hubpages:  The Best FREE Websites for Knitters & Crocheters.  Check it out :)

Summer Sweater Knit-A-Long, Update 2

This post could be subtitled "Ah, Bugger!!!"

Well, I've finished the back section of my Peterborough for the Summer Sweater KAL.  While working on the back of my sweater, I was granted the opportunity to re-familiarize myself with one of the most important tenets of knitting:  ALWAYS READ THROUGH THE PATTERN BEFORE BEGINNING!!!

Alas, I had not.  I thought I could cast on for a larger size in the hips and just do more decreases to make the chest and shoulders a smaller size.  But I didn't realize (and didn't read) was that for the back rib band, the pattern calls for more increases as you start the band, and then decrease stitches as you finish the band.  This screwed up all my math and calculations.  And I had already knitted half of the back of my sweater :(

I was able to remedy this by doing *no* increases before starting to knit the back band, and doing more decreases as I was finishing the band.  And the math worked out. Yea!!

So, I'm moving on to the front sections of my cardigan, along with the lace and cable collar.  As with all things, this collar is proving more difficult than expected.  But more on that in my next post.

If you haven't seen it yet, check out my latest free knitting pattern - the Crossroads Textured Shawl.  This is my first shawl pattern and I'm pretty pleased with it :)

Til next time...

New FREE Knitting Pattern: Crossroads Textured Shawl

As promised, here is my latest free knitting pattern:  the Crossroads Textured Shawl.  I really love how this came together.  I intentionally designed a shawl that was simple enough to wear with just a top and jeans, yet can be dressed up to wear to a special occasion or a more dressy outfit.

It might be difficult to see in these small photos, but this

 shawl features a striped design (though it can be knit in a solid color) and a beautiful textured edging. (The shawl pin I made myself.  More info and a link to the tutorial can be found here.)

I hope you like this shawl pattern!  Now back to knitting my sweater for my KAL  :)

Summer Sweater Knit-A-Long

I've joined my first knit-a-long, sponsored by Shannon from luvinthemommyhood.  A knit-a-long (or KAL) for those who are unfamiliar, is when a group of people get together to knit the same item (or type of item) at the same time.  This is an online knit-a-long through Shannon's website and Ravelry, and (obviously) a sweater knit-a-long.

This KAL came along at just the right time for me.  I was planning to start my next sweater project anyway :)  I had bought a bag of Ella Rae Classic Wool in purple at SAFF.  I bought this yarn for another project, but have gone back and forth with it and finally decided to knit a cardigan.

I finally settled on Peterborough by Norah Gaughan (from her Berroco Vol. 8 booklet).  This cardigan might just be perfect for me.  I love the cabled collar with just a little bit of lace detail.  I think it will be very wearable with a lot of different outfits.

I'm going to try to keep my modifications to a minimum:

1.  I'm shortening the overall length from 28" to 25".

2.  Because of this, I'm raising the back ribbing belt to 11" from the bottom cast on edge.  I want it to sit at my natural waist.  

3.  I'm also casting on for a bigger size in the hips, then doing more decreases to make the chest and shoulders smaller.

I'm going to post regular updates on my progress here as part of the KAL.  Wish me luck :)

Oh, and I'll be posting a new knitting pattern for my first shawl in the next few days.  Be sure to stop by and see!

New Knitting Pattern: This Way Up! Chevron Cowl

Here is my latest FREE knitting pattern - This Way Up! Chevron Cowl.  

 
This pattern is a quick and easy peasy knit, and perfect for a great gift and/or using up some of your stash yarn.  The pattern consists of only two rows and you can make the color chevron blocks as wide or as narrow as you want, or just knit until you run out of yarn :)  I've made mine long enough to double around my neck and hang a bit, but you can change the length to suit your style.


The pattern is available on my Hubpage, along with my other knitting patterns and articles, and other craft tutorials.  I hope you enjoy this pattern!

A New Obsession: Shawl Pins

I recently finished knitting my first shawl - the beautiful Luster Shawl by Amélie Bernier (which I love, love, love).  I have, however, found that it is almost impossible to wear a shawl without some type of clasp to hold it together and in place.  So I started looking online at various styles of shawl pins, and realized I already had the necessary materials and could make a few shawl pins on my own.

Above are the fruits of my creative labors :)

The top pin is a geometric wire and bead design that anyone can make with some simple supplies
(a bead and some wire) and a pair of needle nose pliers.

The middle pin is a beautiful  beaded stick pin that can also be worn as a hair ornament.  This stick pin is made with a polymer clay stick and a bead, then decorated with acrylic paint and some copper wire detail.

 

The last is a polymer clay pin and stick, kind of a traditional design in a bright color combination.

  

All of these pins are easy to make with some creativity and some time.  The tutorials for all these pins are on my Hubpage, or you can follow the links below:

Wire and Bead Shawl Pin
Beaded Shawl Stick Pin or Hair Ornament
Pretty Polymer Clay Shawl Pin and Stick