Posted on April 27, 2018 in Knitting & Crafting
Awhile back, I made my friend Mark a cowl and for his May birthday, I would knit him a hat in time for the Australian winter. I had three skeins of this Briggs & Little yarn creating two mens’ hats and one cowl from it. I love a nice blue. The knitting of this project did not take three months, but I did put it aside for some socks in between. I modified it to be smaller cast on and I hope it’s warm and snug.
Two by Two, started January 24th 2018, finished April 10th 2018.
Pattern: Two by Two by Anne Gagnon
Made for: Mark, 55cm head circumference.
Yarn: Regal by Briggs & Little – Worsted – 100% Wool (249 meters / 113 grams) – 1 skein
Needles: US6/4.0mm 40″/100cm circulars
Modifications & Notes:
- German Twisted CO 96 sts
- Knit to 8.5” before decreases
- Had 24sts between markers for dec
Cost of Project: The skein cost about $3.99
Would I knit it again? Maybe.
Posted on March 27, 2018 in Knitting & Crafting
My second finished project of the year! This was suppose to be my 2018 Winter Olympics knitting project but I don’t think I can knit a pair of socks in two weeks like I use to back in 2010. It was a stretch, but I have learned my lesson. It’ll be easy scarves or hats for next Olympics challenge.
Since I bought two skeins of this yarn for P’s socks, I had more than enough leftover for a pair for me. I wanted a fairly easy pattern for the challenge and I prefer ribbed or plain knit socks now since I use my wool socks when I run outdoors. This pattern has been in my queue awhile and I think I almost made it earlier. However, I was not satisfied with the way it was written. The heel turn was unclear which would make it confusing for a beginner or novice. I was able to wrap and turn as I normally would, but it’s not a good heel. Secondly, the toe was not good for magic looping so I changed that as well. The stitch count after the heel also meant I had to shift the stitches too. Something I never like with magic loop, but that’s more on me than the pattern.
Snow Queen Sock, started February 9, 2018, finished March 25, 2018.
Pattern: Snow Queen Sock by Emmy Coplea
Size: US 6.5/UK 4/EUR 36
Yarn: Lang Yarns Jawoll Aktion Color – 132.0370 – 75% Wool, 25% Nylon (420 meters / 100 grams)
Needles: US 1/2.25 mm – 40″/100cm long circulars for magic loop
Modifications & Notes:
- Shortened leg
- Modified heel turn
- Changed toe to be standard dec 4 sts every other row until 16sts
Cost of Project: Each skein was about $12CAD.
Would I knit it again? No.
Posted on February 1, 2018 in Knitting & Crafting
The first of six knitting projects I want to finish in 2018. This Bandana Cowl was made quickly for my partner to use, but I’ve been using it as well. If I make a third one for me, I’d make it tighter at the neck and generally smaller so it can be more of a true bandana for me.
Bandana Cowl II, started January 15, 2018, finished January 24, 2017.
Pattern: Bandana Cowl from Purl Soho
Made for: P
Yarn: Briggs & Regal Little – 100% Wool in Royal Blue – used 0.63 skein or 156.7 meters (171.4 yards), 71 grams
Needles: #9/5.5mm 40″/100cm long circulars
Modifications & Notes: The same as the last one.
Cost of Project: The yarn cost about $4 before taxes.
Would I knit it again? I already did and probably would again
Posted on January 19, 2018 in Knitting & Crafting
Having knit almost 30 pairs of socks in the last ten years, I had never actually knit a pair of socks for a man. My father didn’t really want a pair and his wearing of the knit hat has been sporadic at best. Other than him, there was no man in my life to knit socks for until recently. This was the Christmas present I gave my partner. He selected the yarn in a wonderful wool shop in Toronto on a trip. I bought two balls of the yarn knowing that there was a good chance his socks would need it. The leftovers I will make another pair for myself and a sock yarn square too. He received these socks gratefully and wore them on Christmas day.
First Man Socks, started October 19, 2017, finished December 12, 2017.
Pattern: Toe-up Socks by Leah Mitchell from More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts / Geschenke aus dem Wollkorb
Made for: P
Size: US11/UK10 – Foot circumference: approximately 9.25”, Foot Length: 10.5”
Yarn: 1.05 balls of Jawoll Aktion Color by Lang Yarns – 75% Wool, 25% Nylon –
420 meters / 100 grams – each ball includes matching nylon thread
Needles: US1/2.25mm 40″/100cm circular
Modifications & Notes: Lots of mods as I really only used the pattern for the stitch count and the ribbing.
- Judy’s magic cast on 24 sts
- Fleegle heel – Inc for gusset after 7”/18cm until 74 sts on it (37 on both sides)
- Leg about 4”/10cm
- Jeny’s Stretchy BO
Cost of Project: Two balls of the Jawoll cost $24
Would I knit it again? This is a basic toe-up sock with ribbing so not this exact pattern, but another similar one definitely.
Posted on October 11, 2017 in Knitting & Crafting
This nice blue hat was made for my partner for his summer birthday. He selected the pattern amongst a number of hat patterns I showed him in early spring. He was a fan of M Cousteau growing up.
This popular pattern has been in my queue awhile. Looks great and I made a lot of mods from the pattern including using an worsted/aran yarn and another needle size. I tried 120sts on 3.5mm and it was too big. I hoped the 100sts would not be too tight and it fits well for a toque. The only thing I may change next time is that the double decreases do look abrupt at the top when you aren’t wearing it. I am not sure how I’d alter it. Other than that, easy peasy lemon squeezy.
Yarn is workhorse and very twiggy. Also love using a Canadian producer.
Jacques Cousteau Hat, started June 2, 2017, finished June 15, 2017.
Pattern: Jacques Cousteau Hat by Lalla Pohjanpalo
Made for: P – 23” Head circumference
Yarn: Briggs & Little Regal – 100% wool – 46 Royal Blue – 272 yards/249 meters – 113g – 1 skein
Needles: US6 4.0mm – 40”/100cm circular
Modifications & Notes:
- German Twisted CO 100 sts on 4.0mm
- Knit K3P2 for 8”
- Decrease: sl1, k1, psso
- First dec row: K21 in pattern, dec, pm; k32 in pat, dec, pm; k23 in pat, dec, pm; p2.
- Knit in patt until 2 sts before each marker, dec, slip marker, repeat
- Knit dec for 2” then double decrease row: K in patt until 4 sts before each marker, k2tog, sl1, k1, psso, slm, rep – until 12 sts remain
- Break yarn, pass through sts
Cost of Project: $4 for skein
Would I knit it again? Yes and maybe decrease slightly earlier and/or make it taller.
Posted on September 10, 2017 in Knitting & Crafting
These were birthday socks for a best friend. One of the only people I knit for. She received a pair of Thuja about seven years ago and requested socks again last year for Christmas.
Originally, I started this project January 2, 2017 and worked on it slowly until June using Marks & Kattens Fame Trend sock yarn. That sock yarn was terrible. It kept knotting itself and I had to keep untangling it as I went. When I finally reached half of the foot, the yarn broke and the knots became untenable. I binned it.
I restarted with one of the loveliest yarns I’ve used in a long time. I forgot I had used the Hazel Knits Artisan Sock on another project until I finished this. This particular skein was wonderful particularly after the terrible M&K yarn. The colourway is vibrant. It is soft yet tightly wound and durable. I can’t wait to make more of my own socks with it.
Pattern is easy and simple. It goes very well with self striping or variegated yarns. Very good knit overall.
Vanilla Latte Socks, started June 26, 2017, finished July 23, 2017 (probably not the actual day I finished them but I forgot to note the real one).
Pattern: Vanilla Latte Socks by Virginia Rose-Jeanes
Made for: S
Size: US 8/UK 5/EUR 38.5 – Foot length is around 23cm/9 ¼”
Yarn: Hazel Knits Artisan Sock – 90% Merino 10% Nylon – 365.8m/400 yds – Braeburn – 1 skein
Needles: US1/2.25mm – 40”/100cm – 2AAT on Magic Loop
Modifications & Notes:
- German Twisted CO 64
- K3P1 fpr 1”
- Leg for 3”
- Slip stitch rib heel
Cost of Project: $28CAD
Would I knit it again? Yes.
Posted on February 2, 2017 in Knitting & Crafting
With so much leftover from the Lion Brand Fishermaen’s Wool, I decided to make myself a hat to match my cowl.
Cabled Dad Hat, started November 16, 2016, finished November 2, 2016.
Pattern: Cabled Dad Hat by Alexis Winslow
Yarn: Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool – 100% Wool – much less than one skein.
Needles: US 6 – 4.0 mm and US 7 – 4.5 mm long circulars
Modifications & Notes:
- German Twisted CO 96 instead of 120
- 1×1 Twisted Rib for 3.5”
- Knit the main rep almost 7.5”. I should have knit more because I didn’t realize how fast the hat decreases. Not a big fan of how the hat decreased as the pattern has them too quickly and on dec rows, right after another.
- If the hat were the original 120, it would have been too big. I do think going up to 5.0mm would have been good to make it a smidge bigger.
The modifications resulted in a slighter tighter band if the band is flipped over. The best thing is that when left unflipped, the hat fits my hair bun wonderfully. I think I could have made the rib 4″ which would have been very slouchy, but my hair would have fit nicely in there.
Cost of Project: This was one third of the skein which cost $7 a skein years ago.
Would I knit it again? Yes.
Posted on December 13, 2016 in Knitting & Crafting
I wanted to make and send a gift to a dear friend of mine in Australia. He told me that it does get cold enough in Sydney to warrant scarves so I decided to make up a small cowl for him. Unisex and not too bulky. Fit was good. If it were met, I’d have made it tighter but he couldn’t try it one as I made it.
Nice, simple pattern that I would make again.
Bandana Cowl, started November 6, 2016, finished November 11, 2016.
Pattern: Bandana Cowl
Made for: Mark and sent to Australia.
Yarn: Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool – 100% wool
Needles: US9/5.5mm
Modifications & Notes: This pattern was made for thicker yarn. Next time, I would add one row between the first few decrease rounds for the point to be less pointy.
CO 97 German Twisted CO. Adapted heavily from happygolightly’s Bandana Cowl on Ravelry.
Set-up Round: Purl all stitches.
Round 1: K47, S2KPO, knit to end of round. (95 stitches)
Round 2: P46, S2KPO, purl to end of round. (93 stitches)
Round 3: K45, S2KPO, knit to end of round. (91 stitches)
Round 4: P44, S2KPO, purl to end of round. (89 stitches)
….
beginning the short rows:
Row 5: K48, wrap and turn.
Row 6: P7, wrap and turn.
…..
Set-up Round: K20, place marker, k49, place marker, knit to end of round.
……
knit 3 rounds after the first decrease.
* decrease round
then knit 2 rounds and repeat from ! 3 times.
** decrease round
then knit 1 round and repeat from !! 6 more times.
Cost of Project: This yarn was part of 2 skeins I bought to make other things and have gotten a couple of small projects from it. I’d say this was $2 in terms of percent in yard or even less.
Would I knit it again? Yes. I was even considering making one for myself.
Posted on December 4, 2016 in Knitting & Crafting
Sport Spice Man Socks, started June 12, 2016, finished July 20, 2016.
Pattern: Spice Man – Basic toe-up, all sizes
Size: US 6.5/UK 4/EUR 36
Yarn: This is some clearance yarn I bought years ago. It had a simple label indicating that it was Needful Yarns Perform Sock Yarn – 50% wool and 50% CoolMax – a wicking fibre. No other info on gauge, washing, or yardage.
Needles: US1/2.25mm 40″/100cm circulars. My standard sock needles.
Modifications & Notes: Since this is a basic sock pattern, modifications are necessary and encouraged. I wanted to learn this heel for the first time.
- Using my standard 2.25mm for sock knitting; with this yarn, it results in a tighter gauge about 40sts over 10cm rather than the 32sts/10cm in the pattern – prefer tighter gauge sock yarn especially for my sport socks
- 2AAT on long circular, but this did not work out as I had to do heels and heel flap separately
- Really like the heel flap and the gusset; would definitely use the techniques again except I’d have to do it separately when I got to the heels
- Knit leg for about 3” and cuff for about 1”
Lessons Learned: Another heel flap and gusset technique for toe-up
Cost of Project: $2 for the yarn!
Would I knit it again? Sure.
Posted on November 27, 2016 in Knitting & Crafting
This is the first of four knitting posts. Two of which I finished months ago so the commentary will be short on some of them.
I recently started a new job which is great. However, is the most strenuous one I’ve had in awhile. As a result, I have less time and energy for reading, but knitting is more manageable. I have tended to knitting when work or school was occupying. I am aiming to stashdown as well. Hopefully more knitting posts to continue in 2017.
A number of years ago, I made my first pair of legwarmers. I never wore legwarmers before that, but they are became very useful. I wear skirts and dresses through the winter and legwarmers are invaluable for that since I live in Canada. I use my legwarmers at least once a week if not more in the winter and I only had the one pair. When I read that other knitters had issues with this yarn felting, I knew the alpaca would make great legwarmers.
Posted on February 12, 2016 in Knitting & Crafting
I really enjoyed this pattern overall. It only had two rows and was very easy to knit with while watching movies or TV. I didn’t feel pressured to finish it and loved going back to it. I don’t always wear my Stephen West shawls, but I’ve enjoyed knitting everyone of them.
Shortened mine from the pattern because I had read many people ran out of yarn. I went to about 12″ rather than 14″ before doing the final garter rows. I did four garter rows instead of the six. Finished off with an Icelandic bind off which was new to me and stretchy. I’ll use it for socks next time.
The yarn is lovely. It didn’t bleed very much and the photos don’t capture how nice it is. It was soft and knit up so well. No issues with knots, abrupt colour changes, or ply issues. I’d definitely use Fleece Artist again.
Pogona, started December 16, 2015, finished February 3, 2016.
Pattern: Pogona by Stephen West
Yarn: Fleece Artist Merino 2/6 – 350.0 meters (382.8 yards), 125 grams – in Sangria
Needles: US6/4.0mm
Measurements: Post blocking 18”/46cm from centre stitch to BO edge. Wingspan: 46”/117cm which is ten inches less than the original, but mine is longer at the centre.
Modifications & Notes:
- Alternate cast-on method from KarenK (The No-Garter-Tab Method): Cast on 3 sts. Row 1: K 3; Row 2: K1, M1 (using backwards loop increase), K1, M1, K1 (5 sts); Row 3: K 5; Row 4: K2, M1, K1, M1, K2 (7 sts); Row 5: K3, P1, K3; Row 6: K3, YO, K1, YO, K3 (9 sts); Start with Set-up Row 1 (WS) in pattern
- Slipped slevedge. Slipped first stitch of every row and knit tbl on the last stitch.
- Used KFB instead of YO at the edge stitches so that my rows would be: Sl1pwise, K1, KFB… KFB, K1, Ktbl
- Going from purl to knit: Purl st through the back loop. I didn’t find any benefit to this one.
- 12” before garter rows.
- Do 4 garter rows rather than 6.
- Paired lifted increases
- Icelandic bind off
Tools/Notions: Many stitch markers.
Lessons Learned: Icelandic bind off.
Cost of Project: $16CAD for the yarn.
Would I knit it again? Yes, but doubtful I would. Recommended pattern for easy project.
Helpful Links:
Posted on September 11, 2015 in Knitting & Crafting
These socks took me eight months to finish and then I delayed photographing them for another three months. All in all, it took me about a year to get this post up. I am not knitting as much as I use to be. When I started these socks, I hoped it would get me back into it. In the past, I could finish a pair of socks in two weeks even while working full-time. I blame myself for picking this pattern. The twisted stitches made these socks very slow. It’s too bad as these were my first pair of socks from this book.
Katsura, started September 2, 2014, finished June 2, 2014.
Pattern: Katsuara by Judy Sumner from Knitted Socks East and West
Yarn: Froehlich Wolle Special Blauband – 50g/225 yards – 2 skeins – #74
Needles: US#1/2.25mm – 100cm circular
Modifications & Notes:
- Judy’s Magic CO 2AAT on ML using La-Rink and La-Link for toe increases.
- Fleegle Heel
- Yarn came with reinforcing thread so I used it for toes but forgot the heels
- K2P1 ribbing
- Jenny’s Surprisingly Stretchy BO
Cost of Project: Yarn was Random Act of Kindness gifted from Ravelry. Thank you. Cost of book was around $10-15CAD probably.
Would I knit it again? No.