"Hope" in cranberry red - My Christmas sweater a year in the making

I decided to knit myself a red sweater to wear during Christmas around this time last year. I settled on Wendy Bernard's "Favorite Cardigan" from her book Custom Knits. I picked Knit Picks' Andean Silk in cranberry red and got started right after the yarn arrived in the mail. The problems began immediately when I couldn't get gauge. Even though the yarn is advertised 4.5 - 5 stitches per inch, it is more like 5.5 - 6 stitches per inch. Okay, I'll adjust and simply knit a bigger size on slightly bigger needles. I knit until right before it gets divided for the sleeves and realized the big cables running down the fronts looked small and silly because of the size of the yarn. Sigh. Not wanting to waste the yarn, I began looking for another pattern.

One of the neatest things about Ravelry.com is the ability to search for sweater designs for specific yarn thicknesses. And that is how I settled on "Hope", which is a pattern from an Australian magazine. I got gauge and began knitting the small. It was looking really nice, but when I was able to try it on a few rows after I divided for the sleeves, it was too big. Aaaaarg!!! Again I frogged it and stared over, this time using the XS. I didn't have any other problems but decided while knitting the sleeves that I preferred them long to 3/4 as per the pattern. I did use an alpaca, wool and silk blend after all. Why be warm only down to my forearms? Problem was, the color cranberry was backordered until May! It was way past Christmas by this point, and even winter for that matter.

If you've read through that saga, you now know why this took me a year to complete. And why my knitting year has not been going so smoothly, as I've previously blogged about. But no matter, it is now finished and I LOVE IT! It's the prettiest thing I've ever knitted and is done in time for this winter and Christmas.

I learned several new and very neat techniques with this design, including the cable cast-on method and using short rows to make the back longer then the front. (Both learned about by watching U-tube instruction videos on the internet.) It is my first round-yoke sweater and first long sleeved FO also. This sweater is knit from the top down, including the button bands. It is a fantastic pattern without one mistake. I really enjoyed making it, despite my many setbacks.

Up next is the popular "Tree Jacket" from Zephyrstyle.com. I purchased this pattern at least a year ago and am finally getting around to it. I'll be using Tahki Yarns Truffles in cream, bought online from Webs. Hopefully it will arrive early this week. I'm itching to get started on a new knitting project.

Sugar tank in white

I started this simple little tank back in June when my boys were in swimming lessons and I was keeping myself busy while I waited in the heat. Then I worked on it here and there on car trips and doctor's waiting rooms. After my dr.'s appointment on Tuesday I decided the nurses probably think I get nothing accomplished, so finished it up quickly. Tada! Another knitted FO for 2010.

This pattern is called Sugar Tank, and is a free download from Ravelry.com. I knit it with Queensland Collection Sugar Rush yarn, made from sugar cane. Interesting, right?

This was NOT on my list of must-make items. I actually went in to my local yarn store for some lace weight non-scratchy yarn in white to make a summer cover-up with. The sales lady said, "Oh, look at this lovely new yarn made from sugar cane viscose. The drape is really great, and would look wonderful in the pattern you brought." Never mind the fact that I wanted lace weight and it is sport weight. So I let myself be talked into buying something other then what I went there to get, and the wrap I knit it into wasn't very lacy at all. Or I guess I should write half a wrap because it never was finished. This is partly why I'm only on my second knitted project for the year and it's already August.

I actually do really like this lacy tank top, and who can't use more white tops in their wardrobe? This was my first time making I-cords (used for the straps). How easy! What was I so intimidated about?! The only changes I made were to use size 4 needles for the lace portion and size 3's for the top. Also, I knitted 12 inches total for the lace portion and 6 inches for the top.

Here's a few close-ups so you can see the lace pattern:


I'm about to cut out the dress portion of a suit I've had planned for years. It's a very involved project so I probably won't have much to report on in the next few weeks.

Sleeveless Slinky Ribs in rose pink

First let me just write that even though it's been 7 months since I posted a knitted FO, I have been knitting the entire time. Well, as often as I usually knit at any rate. It has been a terrible year for me for this craft. You name it, it has happened - ordered yarn that turned out not to be the weight advertised; getting gauge and knitting an entire lace yoke only to have it turn out too big; running out of yarn for the sleeves and having to wait 3 months for it to be restocked; getting talked into a sport weight yarn at my local yarn shop when I went in there for lace weight; etc, etc. BUT I have not given up as I love knitted garments and am determined to improve my skills and knowledge.

Without further ado, here is my very first knitted FO for 2010. It is "Slinky Ribs" from the book Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard. I LOVE her patterns as they always turn out looking like the example picture and are put together interesting ways and knit in one piece. You'll notice that mine does not have sleeves. Well, it was suppose to, but I must not be very good at short rows because the one sleeve I knit was a hot mess. Especially at the underarm. Now I realize I would not be parading around with my arms up, and that most people would never see the sloppy underarms. But I would know it wasn't perfect and consequently it wouldn't get worn. You may think I need therapy, but I think knowing my quirks is a good thing.

To finish the armholes I simply copied the neckline finish. One of the best things about this design is that the ribbing comes down to the midriff area - at least that is the way I made mine - and this keeps the silhouette nice and fitted. Although I'm a little done with time consuming ribbing at the moment.

I am really not a pink-loving person and own maybe two pink tops and randomly one suit. However, this yarn was given to me by a step-aunt. Free yarn - who can say no thanks to that? It is Sirdar Opium Cotton with Silk, an older yarn I'm sure. No telling how long it was in her stash. The content is 58% cotton, 37% acrylic, and only 5% silk. I'm guessing that 5% was only thrown in there so they could call it "cotton with silk". But hey, the label claims it's machine washable so no complaints from me!

These cute little ball buttons were purchased from JoAnn's.

Surprisingly, this sweater is the perfect match to these orphan capris made last summer. Yes they look funny pinned to Her Highness. Use your imagination, people!!!

I do have a white sweaterknit cardigan completed, but that will have to wait for another day.

Oh, and it's my sister's birthday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELISA!!!

Hurray, it's got a butt!!!

I finally received my custom dressform in the mail, the day before we left for Florida. How torturing was that? (If you'll remember from this previous post, it arrived back in March without a derriere, and I had to send it back to the manufacturer to be fixed.) The first thing out of my son's mouth after I dragged the heavy box inside was, "Does it have a butt?" Why yes, this one does! Here she is, no name as of yet.



I checked all of her measurements, and she is absolutely perfect on top, and just a little small on the bottom. It's hard to pinpoint because I currently can't try these clothes on and pinch out the ease, but I think my lower back is more padded then she is. At any rate, I certainly am not sending it back again. What a hassle.

I dressed her up all day yesterday - how fun! - with first putting her in one of my best fitting dresses.

You can see in the back how the fabric deflates right at and above the rear end. I'm thinking of buying a shapewear half slip and padding her up. Perhaps I could find some silicone butt enhancements to use. Any tips or suggestions?

She's already been put to good use. I put my recent yellow linen jacket on her to starch the collar. It had some weird rippling going on right at the front that I wanted to get rid of, and used the high-tech technique of stuffing rolled up socks under the collar and spraying it with starch.

Then she got to try on the sweater I started knitting while driving on vacation. The stitches I picked up along the neckline look terrible to my eye, and I'll be redoing that, but otherwise it's a perfect fit. Whew, that's always such a relief.

I'm sure you'll all want to know the details about it - where I got it from, price, experience, etc., but I'm holding off doing a full review until I get the final bill. This has indeed been a strange experience. I had to jump through a bunch of hoops to get her, but I totally think it was worth it.

Amanda's Not-So-Shrunken Cardigan - in eggplant

Another knit is finished! I'm getting closer and closer to my 2009 goal of 6 knits for the year. This pattern is Wendy Bernard's "Marilyn's Not-So-Shrunken Cardigan". In all honesty it wasn't even on my radar to make. But then I saw Lynn's awesome pink cardigan made this past summer, and I had to have one. I already had this yarn in my extremely small stash from last year and the printed gauge was the same, so I went for it. By the way, I made this fun white blouse in January. Isn't it the perfect top for wearing under this sweater? I love the look!

The yarn is Knit Pick's Merino style 100% wool and it is super warm. I feel like I have discovered a new thing in wool sweaters. They just don't seem to sell them much in Texas, or perhaps they've been out of my price range. Anyway, I hate to be cold, even with our light southern winters, so wool sweaters are great to have on hand.

This pattern is suppose to be looser - hence the name - but I wanted something more form-fitting. I separated the sleeves from the body at 9" diagonally from the CO edge, instead of the called for 10". I just knew this would be a perfect fit. When I finally tried it on after I had done the bottom ribbing, I thought it was a bit snug. Hmmm. I guess I'll check my gauge now. Instead of getting 22 stitches per 4 inches per the pattern, I was getting 24 stitches! Duh! Totally a rookie mistake. I ended up knitting a wider button band and putting the ruffle directly on it. It was still snug, but not too bad.

And then do you know what happened?! I washed it and blocked it and the thing grew to the perfect size!!! Huh? Is this normal behavior for wool fibers? Do you knitters out there expect your wool to grow and knit sweaters smaller because of it? I'd really like to know, because while I know a lot about the behavior of fabrics, I know nothing about yarns.

Aren't these ruffles cute? Thanks, Lynn, for sharing your great modifications. I found the perfect buttons at JoAnn's. After I made both button band and buttonhole band and tried to close it, the buttons kept popping out. I had to go back with needle and thread and whip-stitch around the buttonholes for reinforcement. I'm just learning new knitting techniques left and right with this one!

I chose this purple yarn because I love the color but don't have anything like it in my closet. I also have some wonderful matching fabrics built up to make coordinating garments with, if I ever get finished with the wardrobe contest.

Rusted Root in lavender

This pattern is from Zephyrstyle.com, and it's my second FO in a row from them. All their patterns have been top notch and without a mistake to be found. I loved this one for its lacy leaves panel down the front and cute puffed sleeves.

It was so fun to knit! (I actually mostly finished it within two weeks of starting, but got the bind-off row too tight on both sleeves and neck trim. That took another two weeks for me to get around to it.) I am now in love with knitting lace. It really keeps it interesting when you have to do different stitches every other row. I did do slightly more decreases on the waist shaping then suggested, and also put in some increases as I wanted this to stop right at my hips.

This yarn is Bristol Yarn Gallery Somerset color 106, with 85% pima cotton and 15% silk. The pattern suggests Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, but as I used that last time and it is a little itchy to my sensitive skin, I decided to go with a different blend. It is super soft and drapes beautifully. I love this sweater, in case you can't tell. Isn't this lace gorgeous?! I'm so proud.

These sleeves look way more puffed on the model. The problem is, I have non-spaghetti arms. They aren't muscular, just fleshy. I had to do a very loose BO on the trim which makes it stretch out a bit when worn.

Okay, almost done with McCall's 5523. It's completely sewn (in one day!!!) but I'm having some fit issues - slightly too big in the waist and slightly too tight in the hips. Nothing that can't be fixed. Although I am pretty distracted with the U.S. Open at the moment...

Fuschia lace-top sweater

I've finally finished some knitting! I got stuck for a few months on the white sweater at the end of this post. I don't give up very easily so I worked and worked to make it fit. What a horrible pattern. Anyway, here's my latest FO. This brings my project total for 2009 to 2, which is not exactly in keeping with my 2009 goals. I guess I'd better hustle to get them all in. Yea, it probably won't happen.

This is the Green Gable from Zephyrstlye.com. It was started July 4th and completed on Friday, so took a little over a month for me. I used the recommended Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, which is 80% cotton and 20% merino wool. Granted I have sensitive skin, but it feels just a bit itchy to me. I'll definitely wear it, but I think I'll be staying away from any wool for sweaters next to my skin.

This is a very simple design, and great for beginners.

I love the lace at the neck. It was just a little challenging and gives some interest to the neckline.

I just purchased a yard of this stretch sateen from Denverfabrics.com and plan to make some type of matching bottom.

Next up is Rusted Root, also from Zephyrstyle.com, in a beautiful light purple. I've opted for a yarn that's 80% cotton and 20% silk, and have already gotten to the bottom of the sleeves. I'm so inspired by this challenging pattern that I want to keep going and going. Maybe I will make my 6 FO goal for this year after all.

Brown "Fad-Classic" knitted vest

Here's my new sweater!

This is the "Fad-Classic" from Knit and Tonic. This yard is O~Wool Balance, which is 50% organic merino and 50% organic cotton. You may remember the yarn from this post, October 2008. I was trying then to make a sweater vest in a different pattern, but it turned out really big. I'll be the first to admit I don't know that much about yarn. Fabric, yes, yarn, no. I was thinking I wanted something a little warm but not stifling for my temperate Texas winters. And I wanted to match the brown stripes in this shirt. I think I paid a little too much for organic fibers when I really don't care that much about organic. (I think organic is great, I just don't like paying more for it.) And then the fabric the yarn creates has zero drape! So after the first failure with this yarn, I made the vest in the smallest size (32 inch bust) with size 7 needles (the pattern called for size 6). And worried and worried until I could finally try it on.

Perfect fit! And the perfect amount of warmth for what I consider a cold day (in the 50's). Hey, I'm a southern gal, born and raised. :)

The front:

The back:

This is a very simple pattern, but the textured stitches really slowed me down. I started this December 7, 2008, frogged it a week later because of wonky stitches, abandoned it over Christmas, picked it up after New Year's, and finally finished it February 8th. Not too bad in my book. I'm trying to complete something knitted every 2 months.

Here's a close-up of the trim picked-up-and-knitted around the neck. I'm super proud of myself for learning how to do this so cleanly. Now I won't be afraid of this technique ever again!

Up next is the Bell-Sleeved scoop-neck top from GlamKnits by Stefanie Japel. I love Stefanie Japel's designs, I just feel like her patterns often have lots of errors and the sweaters are altered for the pictures, so you never know what you'll end up with. I can state this because I'm working on my 3rd sweater of hers. Here are a few pictures from the book:

This model is standing up, but you can't see the top of the shoulder, which I think is probably cinched up. This sweater is super low, and I modified it to be higher for me.


Here the model is actually laying down. She looks gorgeous, but I can't tell at all how the sweater hangs.

Here's my current progress:

I'm through with the yoke, raglan set up, and darts. Look at this dart close-up:

This was also called for on the center back. Um, I don't remember having a third boob on my back! So I had to frog the darts out and redo the back with more rows between the decreases. Sorry for so much complaining. It's just that I'm a newbie at this knitting thing and having to redesign a pattern isn't that easy for me. I'm hoping this turns out well. It's my own fault for choosing a pattern that's so new not many people have made it or posted it at Ravelry.com.

Pink mock-turtleneck tube vest

Here it is, just in time for Christmas... my latest sweater! What?! Doesn't everybody want a sleeveless pink sweater to wear for the holidays? When I started this 2 months ago, I was making it to wear under a short sleeve jacket for fall. Well, fall passed me by quickly and I didn't like it under the jacket after all. I really love it, though perhaps won't get much of a chance to wear it for a few months or so. But you never know. I'm living in south Texas and there have been years I've worn shorts on Christmas. Okay, quit blabbing and show the pictures already:

This is the 'Perfect Periwinkle Turtleneck Tube Vest' from Fitted Knits. I used 6 balls of Universal Yarn's Panda 100% Bamboo yarn, and I used every bit of that. This would have been done way sooner were it not for my troubles with lifted increases. I knitted and frogged the front and back several times, and then went to the local yarn store for help. I was doing it correctly, but for some reason was getting huge holes only one one side. Very frustrating! I ended up doing M1L and M1R instead of the lifted increases. Then all that ribbing on the bottom got super boring. I finally just powered through it to get it finished.

I'm SO proud (relieved) of how well it fits!

I did start a new knitting project, Knit and Tonic's Fab-Classic, in that brown yarn from this sweater vest. However, with my slow rate of completing projects, I guess you can expect to see that in two months. Darn my pokeyness!

Bummed

This is my Back-To-School U-Neck vest from Fitted Knits that I started way back here, minus the neck edging. This turned out really big, which is why I'm so bummed. I kept thinking it would tighten up once I got the trim on it. And since it is knit bottom-up, I couldn't really see how large it was until the shoulder seams were sewn together. So, 5 weeks spent knitting down the drain. I'm so new to this that I haven't figured out how to pick yarn either. This doesn't drape very nicely. I don't know if it's because it's too big or what. The one thing that's slightly comforting is that I can unravel the yarn and use it for something else. Since I already bought matching fabric to make a complete outfit, I'm going to try using this yarn for Mina's Tuxedo Vest from Custom Knits, pictured below. I'm planning to extend the ribbing to hit right below my belly button. I certainly have plenty of yarn.

But, I'm sick of looking at that brown color, so I'm starting my next project. It's the Turtleneck Tube Vest, also from Fitted Knits.

I picked the pink to match a recently sewn jacket that I love but don't have anything to wear under. I've got the first 2 inches out of 4 done for the neck and am loving this bamboo yarn. It's so soft and has a great sheen. I'll show you the complete outfit once I'm done with this turtleneck. Pray for me that I don't end up with 2 knitted wadders in a row. I'm going to be so depressed if that happens.