Posted on June 29, 2012 in Knitting & Crafting
Even though I started Girasole before this, I wanted to participate in a Veera KAL in the Sweater Odyssey group on Ravelry. I have wanted to make this ever since I saw it on Veera’s projects, but I did not know it would be so big and use so much yarn. I ran out of yarn so the sleeves are shorter and tighter, but more notably, the right panel is over 4″ shorter than the front. It works out in that two of the front panels would be hot. I just throw the left over the right and can pin it with a shawl or kilt pin.
I am not crazy about this cardigan. It disappointed me especially when I liked it so much, but I must say the colour of the cardigan is lovely! It is baby alpaca that I got on sale for this project too.
Paris, started May 25th 2012, Bound off June 25th 2012. 
Pattern: Paris by Veera Välimäki
Yarn: Inca Gold Baby Alpaca by Susan Andrew Collection – 6 balls – 1200yards/1100m.
Needles: #4/3.5mm long circular
Modifications: I did the sleeves before finishing the right front. I decreased two stitches the sleeves every five rows to make them around 50 sts (I can’t remember). Sleeves were knit to 9″ in total. Did not sew pockets.
Tools/Notions: N/A
Cost of Project: Yarn was on sale, cost around $34.
Would I knit it again? No.
Posted on May 30, 2012 in Knitting & Crafting
As you can see above, that is not Girasole, I cast on for Veera Välimäki’s Paris this weekend. I was motivated by the Sweater Odyssey Ravelry Group’s Veera knitalong. It’s a great little group, and I had the yarn and pattern all ready for it.
It is more or less a rectangle with sleeves. I really liked it when I first saw this on Veera’s projects. I’ve already knit five Rain Knitwear designs; she’s one of my favourite designers.
The yarn is 100% baby alpaca by the Susan Andrew Collection. It is the same weight as the recommended Drops Alpaca. I do love alpaca and this one is nice and sticky. I have a knack for finding purple yarn on sale. I will not lie as I have four purple sweaters now, all from yarn on sale. Most of my projects come from discounted yarn though; I do love a bargain.
Even though it is all basic stockinette, there is something soothing about its mindlessness that is allowing me to get my knitting mojo back. Must remember to keep it simple when I am trying to get out of a knitting funk.
What is on yours needles today?
Happy Knitting!
For more WIPs, visit Tamis’s Amis.
Posted on April 11, 2012 in Knitting & Crafting
Progress on my blue Garter Yoke Cardigan:
Taken on the new iPad 3 and Instagram since I wanted to test both features.
I finished one sleeve yesterday. While I was doing the body, I didn’t want the sleeves to take up my remaining yarn so I put the body on hold (it’s beyond the waist shaping now) and started the sleeves. That way, I can make this a fairly long cardigan. I am really liking this royal blue from Patons Classic Wool.
Let’s be honest, I’d have finished this sweater in less than two weeks given my situation. I’ve been very slow with it and spent a few days not even knitting a bit. I know knitting hasn’t been on my radar as much lately because of that and the fact I haven’t been on Ravelry much. I was a bit sick the other week and distracted with other things. I also haven’t been watching shows or movies that much and I almost always knit during those times. I don’t really sit and knit; I’m usually watching something while doing it. Even with lace!
In any case, the Crazy Zauberball I mentioned a few weeks ago, I bought as a birthday present to myself. Yay! Except I have no idea what I will do with it yet.
I’m nearly done this cardigan and due to my lack of knitting mojo, I haven’t really been excited for my next project. Maybe I will take a break and knit some hexipuffs. I haven’t done that since last year; I can make a couple and then plan my next project.
Do you ever feel you lose momentum during projects and why?
Check out other WIPW at Tami’s Amis.
Posted on March 21, 2012 in Knitting & Crafting
I have resolved to blog more about knitting so I will be doing Tami’s WIP Wednesday and Finished Object Friday when I can. Lately, I haven’t been knitting too much and to be honest, the last project I did, I hated. Rarely do I hate the end result as much as I did this Andrea’s Shawl I was working on. It wasn’t the pattern’s fault really, mostly it was one of the yarns. Anyway, I have something else on my needles now.
The Garter Yoke Cardigan from Knit.1 Fall/Winter 2008. I wanted to make this for a long time. I can’t even remember why. I finally got a copy of the pattern. Here’s my tiny amount of progress:
I started this project last week, and I usually knit faster than this, but I’ve been doing other things lately so I haven’t been knitting as much.
I am using Patons Classic Wool. I got it on sale at Michaels the other week. I noticed that Patons changed their yardage so now you get twenty less yards per skein. Three of the skeins I got still have the old yardage, but this change is Patons way of adjusting for higher wool prices. I don’t dislike Patons, but to be honest, I do feel I should just save up and buy better wool. When it goes on sale, it is very cheap and affordable, but now with the shortened yardage, I will probably not buy this yarn for pullovers anymore.
I have been struggling not to buy yarn these days as there has been a Crazy Zauberball calling my name. I shouldn’t since my yarn stash is overflowing. I can’t live beyond my yarn means especially given my tenuous situation. Is the yarn calling and you must say no?
Since I am a knitting monogamist, that’s it for me this week. The weather is warmer so I am less sitting around knitting and more cleaning and exploring.
Have a good rest of the week.
For more WIP Wednesday posts, go to Tami’s Amis.