Posted on July 14, 2008 in Knitting & Crafting
My second entrelac project after Danica. I really like the technique, but I think of the two projects I liked Danica more. I bought this odd ball yarn with the intention of making a Calorimetry with it, but I made one of those earlier in the week for a friend and the Quant entrelac was a-calling. I am unsure if I will wear it since it is flashy and not actually that warm; I have never really loved headbands. It is cute objectively speaking.
Quant, started July 10th 2008, finished July 12th 2008 
Pattern: Quant by Star Athena, Knitty Winter 2007
Yarn: Wisdom Yarns Sonnet #715 (50g 93yds/85m) – 1 skein
Needles: #7/4.5mm HiyaHiya long circs
Modifications: Since I did not have enough yarn and was afraid of running out, I knit only 12″ instead of the 15″ called for and then blocked like mad. I used mightbekatrina’s mods to make it symmetrical at the end:
Ending with Section 1:
Set up: (RS) pick up 5 stitches along triangle edge (6 total), pass last one back to ssk as usual. Turn.
Row 1: (WS) p to last 2 st, p2tog
Row 2: (RS) sl1, k to last st, ssk
Repeat these 2 rows until 1 st remains.
Repeat this procedure for the other two triangle ‘holes’. 1 st will be left on the needle. Turn.
(WS) Pick up 17 more stitches along the edge: 5 in the first triangle, 6 in the other two. 18 sts total.
Row 1: (RS) k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1
Row 2: (WS) p all sts
Repeat these 2 rows until 6 sts remain.
(RS) ssk, sl1, k2tog, psso, k1 (or any other 3 st decrease you like). 3 sts .
Work in I-cord to match the other side. BO.
Cost of Project: $4 for yarn.
Would I knit it again? Yes, and maybe try using DK weight yarn.
Posted on July 4, 2008 in Knitting & Crafting
Often, I’ll see a pattern and just want to make it for no other reason than that I want to. I find I don’t even necessarily care for the end result, but I want to make it and use the pattern. This is what happened with this pattern that I saw a year ago. It is an experiment mostly to try out knitting with wire. Now that I have, I’m not too keen on doing it for awhile. It is difficult, but it was educational. I doubt I’ll wear this cuff often since it looks a bit bulky on me personally and may not exactly be my style. My cuff looks nothing like the one in the book.
Sterling and Bead Cuff, started July 1st 2008, finished July 4th 2008
Pattern: Sterling and Crystal Cuff by Annie Modesitt from Lace Style
Size: It is about 2″ of wire and 2 1/2″ with the beads tall
Yarn: Bead Smith Bead Silver Wire with Copper Core 26ga and 28 square beads
Needles: 3.75mm metal DPNs
Modifications: I did one less repeat, did not use crystal, and didn’t really follow the finishing instructions.
Tools/Notions: Marker for the round, beads
Cost of Project: $13
Would I knit it again? No.
Posted on July 2, 2008 in Knitting & Crafting
My first toe-up socks. Originally I started toe-up Jaywalkers but I ran into problems so I decided to just do those another day top-down. I like toe-up socks because you can try them on. This is a very easy pattern to knit as well. A good candidate for a first sock pattern. It’s also one of those patterns that goes well with all sock yarn. As for toe-up vs. top-down, I wouldn’t say I love one technique over the other yet, but I do love sock knitting in general. Same goes with the heels, I like the short row heel I used.
Anastasia Socks, started June 16th 2008, finished July 1st, 2008
Pattern: Anastasia Socks by MintyFresh
Yarn: DGB Confetti 100 Cotton (100g/418 yards – 35% cotton 49% wool 16% nylon – #15.04) 1 skein
Needles: US#1/2.25mm 100cm metal Hiya-Hiya circs – Magic Looping
Magic Cast Oned 28 sts so I could avoid using a short row toe. I hate provisional cast ons where I must pick up from scrap yarn. As a result, I love the Magic CO and will use it for all my toe-up socks unless another good non-provisional CO comes along. A tip for increasing from 28 to the 60 is using a YO and then knitting it through the back loop in the second knit row. I find this achieves a better increase than M1A or KFB.
Modifications: Magic Cast On and miscocrafty’s short-row heel (which involves picking up two wraps and passing them over k st)
Lessons Learned: Magic Cast On, short row heel, and EZ’ sewn BO (which I think I learned before, but don’t know for what)
Cost of Project: $12 approx.
Would I knit it again? Maybe, but not for awhile. The pattern says to knit foot until 1.5″, I think one can start it at 2″ before heel. There is some room in the foot. I could have probably knit another 0.5-1″ of leg too, but I’m always scared of running out of yarn.
Helpful Links:
Posted on June 16, 2008 in Knitting & Crafting
Even though I had start this twice and it gave me some trouble towards the end, this is the most beautiful thing I have made yet.
Once I frogged back my first attempt after several mistakes of not being careful, it went extremely well through the knitting. I flew through the pattern doing up to line 55 of Jared’s chart (or 101 in the Extended/normal chart). I love the colour though the Cascade 220 dye can run quite a bit in the wash.
When I hit the bind off row, my troubles began as I realised that I did not have enough yarn. I had to buy more yarn, but I could not rip back to add a repeat because I had placed my life line way too far down. That discouraged me quite a bit because I thought I had enough yarn by going down a needle size and not doing the repeat. I accidentally broke the Emily Ocker cast on when I was weaving in, but I fixed it so it is not too troublesome. I did not enjoy the blocking too much, and only stretched it 9 inches.
The camera does not capture the colour adequately; it is very lovely turquoise aptly named Caribbean. The edge/BO rnd was difficult to block and looks a bit unkempt, so I avoided taking photos of it. I may iron the edges lightly at some point. As usual, I blocked with a bath of Eucalan Lavender.
Hemlock Ring Blanket, started May 19th 2008, finished June 13th 2008
Pattern: Hemlock Ring Blanket adapted by Jared Flood
Size: 45″ blocked. 36″ unblocked.
Yarn: Cascade 220 Wool – #8907 Caribbean – 100g/220 yards – 3.1 skeins
Needles: US#9/5.5mm 40″/100cm bamboo circs with magic loop
Modifications: Emily Ocker Cast On, I often ssk instead of sl1k1psso, and with the BO rnd I k2tog, O, ssk.
Tools/Notions: Stitch markers, lifelines, and row counter are all necessary.
Lessons Learned: Emily Ocker Cast on.
Cost of Project: approx. $28
Would I knit it again? Yes! I would make it bigger. I would love to make this in Cascade Eco wool. It is not sold widely in Canada, but one day though.
Helpful Links and Tips: I used The Rainey Sisters‘s PDF of the pattern as it is updated with the errata and uses ssk. It uses Jared’s chart, and additionally, I paired it with the Hemlock Ring Knit Along Yahoo Group‘s Extended Chart which has helpful numbers of YOs and stitch counts (though there is a small error in the one I got). Being a member of Ravelry’s Hemlock Ring Doily Throw Knitters group also gave reassurance.
Posted on May 28, 2008 in Knitting & Crafting
I first started this project with the recommended 3.25mm needle, but since I was using a worsted weight rather than the recommended DK, it was way too tight. I moved up to 3.75mm, but it still is tighter than most mittens. Oh well, I can wear it and they are warm due to the lopi. I do like stranded projects, and I would be willing to do these mittens again with the MC as a light colour as the pattern calls for.
Squirrel and Oak Mittens, started April 26, 2008, finished May 18, 2008
Pattern: Squirrel and Oak Mittens by Adrian Bizilia.
Yarn: Ístex Létt-Lopi (100% Icelandic Wool 50g/109 yds) – less than one skein of Ash and Chestnut
Needles: #5/3.75mm 40″/100cm circulars.
Modifications: Change in yarn weight, needles, and dark colour MC.
Cost of Project: $20 for yarn and needles
Would I knit it again? Yes, but with original DK yarn weight. Also, normal light coloured MC.
Posted on May 13, 2008 in Knitting & Crafting
Often, I go through periods of knitting washcloths. Like most knitting projects, finding yarn will inspire, and I found out my LYS had all this brandless purple cotton chenille. I never tried knitting with it until this project, and I have already cast on for another project. Having said that, the chenille shed when I was weaving the ends for this cloth. It’s soft, but this pattern has to much ends to weave, and I’m not too keen on the chenille either. I do like knitting cloths though, even if I never use them. I will someday, and I like the practicality of using knitted items not only to wear but around the house.
Reverse-Bloom Flower Washcloth, started May 5, 2008, finished May 8, 2008 (+1-2 days blocking)
Pattern: Reverse-Bloom Flower Washcloth by Cindy Taylor from Weekend Knits.
Yarn: Unlabeled 100% cotton chenille 98g – less than one skein.
Needles: US 6/4.0mm 16″ circs and DPNs
Cost of Project: $4 for yarn.
Would I knit it again? No, too many ends to weave in.
Posted on March 13, 2008 in Knitting & Crafting
The tension of this hat is a bit odd, and it ends up being too large on most people. I got gauge, and it was even a little big than I liked on my large head. Still, a simple pattern that uses short rows. If you’ve never wrapped and turned, this is good for beginners especially since short rows feature in a lot of shaping of socks. I hate seaming though, but if it covers my ears, so that’s a plus. Not a lot of forehead coverage though.
Amelia Earhart Cap, started March 5th 2008, finished March 9th 2008
Pattern: Amelia Earhart Aviator Cap by Flor
Yarn: Patons Classic Merino Wool (100g 204m/223yds 100% wool) in Natural Chestnut – less than one skein
Needles: #7/4.5mm bamboo circs
Cost of Project: $5
Would I knit it again? Yes, but on smaller needles and/or DK yarn.
Posted on March 8, 2008 in Beauty & Skincare, Knitting & Crafting, Photography
One of my best knit items yet. Last summer, I tried making Evelyn A. Clark’s other popular pattern Swallowtail Shawl and ran into a lot of problems so it has been hibernating. I am ready to tackle it again after this wonderful project. Popularized by Brooklyn Tweed’s version of aran lace, I decided to do some stashbusting with my Patons. This was one of my most enjoyable knits; it’s easy to knit up and remember. It’s also very classy and great pattern for gifts. Usually, I make a few noticeable mistakes and due to my never ripping back policy, I don’t fix them. With this project, I made one or two mistakes, and I don’t even know where they are. Even the invisible/provisional CO worked out, and I hate provisional COs. The heavier yarn makes the knitting flow better. Good signs for my lace future; other than Branching Out, I’d never done a real big lace project until now. I am going to be making BT Hemlock Ring Blanket as well. Hopefully it’ll turn out as beautiful as this project.
Shetland Triangle, started February 26th 2008, finished March 5th 2008
Pattern: Shetland Triangle by Evelyn A. Clark from Wrap Style
Size: approximately 65″ wide x 35″ long blocked (unblocked, it was 10″ less wide)
Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino (100g – 204m/223yds – 100% wool) in 00240 Leaf Green – 2 skeins and a bit
Needles: #9/5.5mm 100 cm bamboo circs and 7.0mm circs for BO
Modifications: Subbed yarn from 2ply lace weight to worsted weight, skipped last two rows of edging chart, 10 body repeats instead of 8 in pattern. Brooklyn Tweed apparently did nine repeats with 400m aran yarn. Doing nine reps would probably be enough with 2 skeins of this wool if you don’t mind using stretchy and bouncing merino. I BO on a 7.0mm using this lace nameless BO I found on Ravelry forums: “k1, k1, sl. both stitches back on left needle k 2 tog. through back loop, [k1, sl both stitches on left needle and knit tog. through back loop,] rep across row.” It looks okay so I may or may not use it next time.
Tools/Notions: 4 stitch markers
Lessons Learned: The aforementioned nameless BO
Cost of Project: $15 (though I only used a tiny bit of the third skein)
Would I knit it again? YES! Good for gifts, and I would love to make this in a silk/wool mix or with non-merino wool fabric such as alpaca. I’d prefer to stick to the heavier weight yarn rather than lace with this project.
Posted on February 29, 2008 in Knitting & Crafting
My first Noro experience! It was on clearance and a steal at $6 a skein. It was scratchy, but I soaked it in Eucalan bath for blocking and I’m not one that is averse to textured fabric.
The pattern is quick, reversible, and easy to memorise. I highly recommend it for any colourful yarn you may have to use. Two skeins of Noro yielded less than 50″ scarf, but I was able to block about 20″ out of it.
Drop Stitch Scarf, started February 23rd, 2008, finished February 24th, 2008
Pattern: Drop Stitch Scarf by Christine of Frazzled Knits
Size: 67″ x 7″ blocked.
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden (45% silk 45% kid mohair 10% Lambswool) 50g 100m in #233 (discontinued) – 2 skeins
Needles: #8/5mm bamboo straights
Cost of Project: $12 for yarn.
Would I knit it again? Yes.
Posted on February 17, 2008 in Knitting & Crafting
See my vest!
When I first saw this pattern in the book, I was not that into it. First of all, this is my first real sweater vest. I haven’t ever owned or wore vests even though my style can be described as sometimes being on the preppy side (love those blouses). Also, I do not like u-necks; I’m a v-neck girl. My decision to make the vest came when I realized that the wool would be affordable, and the patterns in this book do seem fitted and relatively easy. With that in mind, I made a few mods to the vest to my style.
I lengthened the ribbed body by an inch, lowered the neck, did 3 repeats of the bust increases of 5, made the straps 11 sts instead of 14, used three needle BO instead of seaming, and I used 4.0mm needle (I didn’t have a 3.75 circ) to do 2 purl rounds on the edgings on the neck and the armholes. My gauge swatch was over by half a stitch, but it ended up still working out. I’m often between 34-36 in bust any way. In the end, I only used 2 full skeins of the Patons which means it was a cheap and relatively fast knit.
Even though it turned out okay, I won’t knit this again. The ribbing and the bust increases were fine, but I found out that I sort of suck at reverse shaping and decreasing. The straps are not symmetrical at all, and I ran into problems with the back shaping and the edgings too. It was not as fun towards the end, and I rather try knitting other vests. I think I will wear this, but not sure how often.
It also was my first time wash blocking. I bought some Eucalan in Lavender to wash this and future knits. After I soaked it, I put it in a pillowcase and ran it through the Delicates Spin cycle and that saved a lot of time in drying. I love Eucalan, and I wish I had bought it earlier. My knits came out soft and smelling wonderful.
Back-to-School U-Neck Vest, started January 24th, 2008, finished February 15th, 2008
Pattern: Back-to-School U-Neck Vest by Stefanie Japel from Fitted Knits
Size 34″
Yarn: Patons Classics Merino Wool (100% merino wool – 223yds/204m – 100g) in #00231 Natural Chestnut – 2 balls
Needles: 4.5mm/US#7 100cm/40″ bamboo circs (Magic Looping as usual) and 4.0mm/#6 16″ circ for edgings
Modifications: Lengthened ribbing, narrowed straps, three needle BO for straps, lowered neckline, 2 purl rounds for edging
Lessons Learned: Three needle BO, LLI and RLI, and some general shaping.
Cost of Project: $12 for yarn.
Would I knit it again? No.
Posted on January 24, 2008 in Knitting & Crafting
Chevron Socks, started December 15th 2007, finished January 22nd, 2008.
Pattern: Chevron from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch.
Yarn: Wisdom Yarns Marathon Socks – San Diego (75% Wool 25% Nylon 100g 400m/437yds)
Needles: Hiya Hiya stainless steel 40″/100cm US1/2.25mm circs
Modifications German Twisted cast on, and Magic Loop.
Lessons Learned: German Twisted Cast On, Forethought heel.
Cost of Project: $4 for the yarn!
Would I knit it again? Unlikely.
Pattern Notes and Comments: This yarn was in clearance for only $4! I still have a lot left because I got very bored doing the first leg. It’s a rather short cuff as a result. I’m not crazy for the yarn colours which is why I wanted to use something like chevron to make it interesting. I hate provisional cast on. The forethought heel was not difficult, but it wasn’t fun either. The pattern is not a stretchy one which will be good to wear in these cold winter days as it really hugs my foot. It is rather mindless knitting for awhile which can be both good and boring. I love my Hiya Hiya needles though. Also, I love this book. It has so many wonderful sock patterns. I’m probably going to knit a pair of socks in February as well.
Posted on January 20, 2008 in Knitting & Crafting
Tudora, started December 30th 2007, finished January 17th 2008.
Pattern: Tudora by Cheryl Marling from Knitty, Winter 2007.
Yarn: Cascade 220 (100% Highland Peruvian Wool – 100g/220yds) – Cranberry – less than one skein
Needles: US6/4.0mm 16″ circs
Modifications: One row button hole
Tools: Cable needle, button
Lessons Learned: One row button hole
Cost: $2 button + $8 yarn (not really since it was less than one skein and I’m going make another hat out of the leftovers).
Would I knit it again? Yes.
Pattern Notes and Comments: Love this yarn, and the historical theme of this piece. I want a toggle button, but the store I went to had an iffy selection of those so I went with this nice silver button. This is a very quick knit; it took me awhile because I ran out of yarn. Guess now I’ll have to make another hat. I also put off buying the button for weeks. A cable needle was used most of the time, and sometimes, I did it without. With large cables, I’m not as good than without a cn. I can not wait to wear this when it gets a bit warmer. It’s more of an autumn/spring piece since this would be too flimsy for Canadian winters. It’s -14ºC today without wind today. It’ll smashing in the Fall though.