Pattern, patterns, patterns

I have to admit it. I can’t stop myself from accumulating more pattern.  In my ravelry queue, magazines, websites, everywhere.  Never mind that I’ll never get a chance to knit most of them.  I can’t help browsing for more patterns.

So I thought I’d share some of my favorite places for patterns.

• ravelry – the social knitting site is a great resource and there are lots of free patterns
• Drops Design – my personal favorite
• Knitty – free knitting magazine

That’s just a few, and all of them can be found on ravelry, if they have been added there.

Garnstudio Drops is one of my favorite. All their patterns are eventually published to their website for free (there’s a time delay, not sure how long). And let me tell you there are lots of them and very nice patterns too. They span quite a variety, ladies, mens, kids and babies garments, felting, accessories, items for the home, and lots of socks, hats, gloves. They offer a lot of traditional Norweigen patterns but also lots of contemporary ones as well.

Here’s a sampling of some of the ones I’d like to knit.

You can click on each image to go to the pattern.  You can probably tell that I love cardigans.  It really is necessity here in southern California.  Wool pullover just aren’t wearable.  It is usually hot outside but cold and air conditioned in my work building so I usually where cardigans.

Project Lust

Like many a knitter, I thrive on planning of new projects.  I always have a long list of things I want to make.  Guess how many items are in my Ravelry queue? Only 235. Don’t even ask how many are in my favorites.  If I spent as much time knitting as I do project cruising on ravelry, then my stash would be considerably smaller.

So here’s a few things I plan to make.

From Twist Collective Lorelei

Lorelei by Tonia Barry

I’ll make this in Valley Yarns Northfield in the deep sea colorway.  I’ve noticed the every yarn that I’m getting lately is either blue or teal.  I found the pattern yarn Kollage cornucopia on sale for $1.99, but there wasn’t enough quantity in any of the colorways.  The corn yarn does sound interesting and the machine wash and dry care is appealing.  Maybe another time.

Another one from the new Twist Collective

Vine Yoke Cardigan by Ysolda Teague

I plan to make Vine Yoke in Valley Yarns Amherst in Balsam. I knew this would be a popular project and it is indeed in the ravelry top 10.  It is knit sideways and uses short rows.  It should be an interesting project.

Another designer that I really like is  Sweaterbabe
The only think is that she seems to knit her yarns at a very loose gauge. I’m guessing that this is for the drape but I’m concerned that the sweater will stretch out too much. There are several that I plan to knit.

Cables and Flowers Top Down Cardigan by Sweaterbabe

I plan to make this one in Louet Riverstone Bulky in a blue gray color. It is hard to see in the picture of the cardigan but there are flower details at the bottom of the cardigan.

Flutter-Sleeved Blousy Lace Cardigan by Sweaterbabe

I haven’t  decided on a yarn for this one but I must have something in my stash that would work for it.  I’d definitly make it longer though.  I don’t and shouldn’t wear a cropped sweater.  Possibly Blue Sky Alpacas cotton.

Of course, this isn’t the end of my queue.  Go check out my ravelry queue if you like fiberjunkie

Finished Objects (FOs) Elfin and Valpuri

I finally have some FO to show for all my knitting and yarn.  I finally finished Elfin for my Mom’s birthday. Other than the frills (rowan’s work for ruffles), it was an easy knit.  The frills were another story.  I just didn’t get off to a good started and ended up casting on the 1st frill 3 time before getting it right on the 4th go.  Needless to say there are 6 frills total to knit (2 for each side) and CO stitch counts range from 257 sts to 609 sts!  I didn’t , have a good pointy needle to start with and that made it especially slow.  Despite the softness of Kid Silk Haze, I have to say it was not at all my favorite yarn to knit.

Pattern: Rowan Magazine #34, Elfin, ravelry

Designer: Kim Hargreaves

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed, bilberry

Rowan Kid silk haze, majestic

Size: s

Needles:  US #6 body, US #4 (ribbing), US #5 frills

Modifications: No frills at sleeve cuff, ribbing instead

Kim Hargreaves is one my favorite designers.  I’ve always like this sweater so when my Mom requested that I make it for her, I rushed out to the LYS to buy the supplies.  Then why did it take me so long to finish?  Those frills and the pieces to assemble.  I started this almost 4 years ago! It is finally finished, kind of.  For some reason, the sleeves turned out too big in width causing some puckering where the sleeve is set in.  Much as I’d like to ignore this, I think I’ll have to rip off the sleeves and reknit them smaller.

A note to anyone who uses Felted Tweed, it definitely grows with blocking.  I’m not the most disciplined swatcher and when I swatch, I rarely wash and block my swatch.  I really should as some yarns really change gauge when blocked.

My plan is to rip out the sleeves and knit them top down.  I haven’t tried any sleeves top down, but it is infinitely more appealing to setting in a sleeve (not my favorite thing).  I’m planning on following direction in Customs Knits by Wendy Bernard.

FO #2

Pattern: Valpuri

Designer: Berroco

Size: 40″

Yarn: GGH Samoa, 9 balls

Needles:  #8 US

Modifications: None really except winging the cables on the front decreases.  If you’ll notice mine aren’t symmetrical. I should have made it longer though.  I did add the ribbing all the way down the front (by accident).

I’m working on Rosamund from IK in Red Heart Bamboo Wool in peacock.  I’m really loving this yarn.  It is nice and springy with a good twist.  It has some shine from the bamboo.  This is the same yarn as Moda Dea Bamboo wool but in a different put up of 50 gm.  It knits to 5 sts per inch.  I like the yarn so much that I managed to add some to my stash from Herrschners sale.  If you didn’t know Moda Dea brand is no more.  So you will probably find there yarns for great prices on clearance.  I recommend the wool bamboo and washable wool.  Both nice yarns.

Rosamund

Rosamund

Here’ s the IK picture of  Rosamund. Not sure if I want longer sleeves or not.  I probably don’t have enough yarn for longer ones.  I plan to eliminate the side shaping and possibly make it more A-line.  I doubt that I’ll were it closed.

It uses reversible cables.  Basically cables knit in 1×1 rib.

So far it is fun but taking longer than expected. I need to find some buttons for it.  I’m thinking some that blend in with the color would be best.

Black Friday Haul

Due the economy, we’re slimming down our holiday shopping considerably.  So for me, there wasn’t any plans for big Xmas shopping on Friday.  However, I was pulled into the lure of the craft store sales.

I stopped at Michaels’ and Joann’s.  At Michael’s, I purchased two boxes of icicle lights for out side the house (my husband’s request), and 2 skeins of Patons Kroy sock yarn in black.  It was on sale and I don’t have any black sock yarn (isn’t that reason enough?)  After looking at the label, I see that this seems to be bit thicker than most sock yarn with only 166 yards per 50 gms.  I’m thinking of pairing it with a handpaint for some mosic socks.  They also had a new yarn to me: Patons kroy cotton stretch.  Looks pretty nice, but I didn’t buy any.

The next stop was Joann’s.  My objective was buttons, specifically for my sweaters (to be knitted or finished).  I didn’t even know that they were 50% off.  I came home with a slew of buttons, 20 gauge wire for the mini hangers for some mini sweater ornaments from Berroco that I plan to knit and some snaps.  I even went back again on Saturday (with yarn snips in hand to match colors) for some more.  All totalled, I spend $25 at Joann’s and $18 at Michaels’.  What a deal.

Here’s a list of button and projects:

Bianca cardigan – Ella Rae Shibu mauve, dichronic buttons Ravel it   

 

Renaissance White Cardigan – Rowan Wool Cotton in still, antique gold buttons   Ravel it

 

Drops Cardigan – Cascade Lana D’oro in blue/grey, blue & white buttons  Ravel it

Small half round white buttons for ?, maybe the Brilliant Retro Cardigan by Teva Durham Ravel it

 

Long black & silver buttons for some yet undermined sweater with an asian flare

Green buttons which were intended for the Wool Cotton but didn’t match.  I’ll save them for a future project.

Black buttons for some unknown future project.

Overall I think shoppping for button is almost as fun an shopping for yarn. The only issue I had was that the buttons were well picked over and many style’s didn’t have enough left for what I needed.  I’m not complaining because who can beat 50% off then another 20% on top of that.  Did I mention that I love button shopping?

Vacation Knitting

I’ve just returned from vacation on a whirlwind camping trip from San Diego to Zion National Park (UT), Glacier National Park (MT), Waterton National Park (Alberta, CAN), and Banff National Park (Alberta, CAN).  On the return to San Diego we drove through Alberta and BC and then down Rt 5 through WA and OR.  We stopped for a very brief visit in Santa Rosa to visit my Grandparents and then through the San Jochiam Valley through LA and back to San Diego.

 I have to say I had a good bit of car travel time to working on my knitting (4000 miles!).  This time I was conservative in what I brought along.

Here’s what I worked on during the trip:

Regia Crazy Color 6-ply socks in a basic 4×1 rib – FINISHED

Single cable scarf in Blue Sky Alpaca worsted hand-dyes — FINISHED

Tiger socks – started but I still have to cuff to complete.

Although I tried, I didn’t come home with any souvenir yarn.  In fact, I never encountered any yarn stores.  We did pass a quivik outlet that sells garments made from quivet but I didn’t even know we passed it by and the stores didn’t have any yarn anyway.

 In an any case, I guess I had renewed passion for sock knitting and feeling a bit miffed from not finding any yarn on vacation, I ened up buying a bunch of Fleece artist and OnLine yarn from Little Knits.  I now have enough for 7 pairs.

More FOs

I have more finished items to show off.  I finally got my but in gear and finished weaving all the ends of Mesilla.

Pattern: Mesilla from Knitty

Yarn: GGH big easy in green (7), orange (1.5) , dark brown (2.5)

Size: 40″

Needles: #9 KP options

Gauge: 4sts = 1″

Notes: I completely ran out of green about 6 rows short.  I got the yarn on sale and was unable to find any online seller who had this color.  I decided to work with what I had. Originally, I planned to use just brown and green, but then decided to add a 3rd color and ordered 2 balls of orange.  There are a few problems with the final fit.  The armholes are too big (should have done fewer increases).   The neckline is too low (that might been okay if I had the right armhole depth).  Other than that I love the sweater and the yarn which is GGH big easy,  multi-plied mercerized cotton yarn.  I have more in my stash — med brown for a lace or cabled sweater from Rebecca and yellow for a lacy top.

I think I still want to add the embroidery to the front.  The colors are rather bright. When my dh saw me working on this sweater this is what he said, “Is that for YOU?”  He was referring to the colors as I usually where a more subdued palette.

 Top down construction is really nice to work.  I’ll have to knit some more designs from my Fitted Knits book.

 The next FO is Dee from Rowan Linen Print Booklet.

Pattern: Dee from Rowan Linen Print Collection

Yarn: Rowan Linen Print, color moody (16 balls)

Size: XL

Needles: KP options #9

Modifications:  I changed the bottom from plain ribbing to a drop stitch rib like the sleeves.  I changed the  neckline from a mock turtleneck to a shallow scoop neck.  The gauge is also slightly different than called for.  It just seemed too loose.  I knit a 14 sts = 4″.   Overall I’m really happy with my final sweater.  It fits well.  The neckline is just right and I love the drop stitch ruffles.  I wasn’t completely happy with my seaming of the set in sleeves, but someone who knows knitting said it looked fine, so I’ll just believe them.  I found that basting the sleeve in place was a big help.  I just basted with yarn wrong side to wrong side and remove stitches as necessary.  I use grafting for the vertical sections and mattress for the horizonal.

I’ve started a new project:  Valpuri, a cabled short sleeved top from Berroco.   Here’s a progress shot:

I’m using GGH Samoa in persimon that I got off of ebay. This yarn is just wonderful to work with.  It is a 50% cotton and 50% acrylic blend.  I really love the ggh cotton yarns.  There are just great to knit.  I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll have enough yarn.  I only have 9 balls.  This is the back and I’m a few inches short of the raglan shaping.  I was already there but then I realized I missed an increase row (even though I had marked the row). It was going to  bother me if I didn’t got back and fix it, so I ribbed back 3″.

On another note.  I’d heard that the store Tuesday Morning carrries yarn.  So I had an opportunity to be close to a store and I stopped in to check out the yarn.  The offering was quite meager consisting mostly of furry yarn.  However I did find a number of balls of Berger du Nord charisma, a wool silk blend.  I located 5 balls in a blue variegated, 5 balls in pink/orange variegated and 5 balls in a red brown color for $4.50 per ball.  I decided to pick up the 5 balls of blue for knitting Alene lace cami by White Lies Designs from Knitty Gritty.  I also found a stand up knitting back for $3.99. 

The bag is quite narrow which you can’t really see in the photo, but it is just perfect for a single projects.  Love it.  I’m almost tempted to go back and buy another one.

From an ebay vendor I picked up some coiless safety pins.  These may not be the brass ones offered by the knitting shops but they are much cheaper and I ran out with a single project with the others I purchased.  I’m not much of a marker kind of knitter but using these for row markers is great for keeping track of incr/dec and matching front to back.  I also like them for the seaming.  My advise — use row markers, they are very useful. 

I’m In! – Ravelry

 

I’m been waiting not so patiently for my Ravelry invite to arrive.  I decided to go check out the site and they have a queue checker for invites.  Well, my invite was sent out on June 17^th and I must have missed it. I feel now like an exclusive club members as other wait patiently to receive their invites.

I signed in and started adding stuff.  A few projects and stash.  I stayed up too late but I know I have lots of info to enter into Ravelry.

Gwennabe is languishing until I get more yarn.  I’ll probably need to order from Joann’s, if I can’t find any locally.  I’ve already decided what to do if the dyelots are too off.  I’ll remove the bottom ribbing and use that yarn to finish the short row section of the top and then use a contrast color for the bottom and top ribbing.  I think I’ll go with a cream color but I may change my mind.  I didn’t notice any difference in 2 different dyelots of TLC cotton plus in the past, but you can never be sure.

I’m having second thoughts about the Silk and Pearls Cami.  Is this something I’ll ever wear?  Will it look okay on me.  Will the pearls or beads for the straps be uncomfortable?  Can this top be worn with a t-shirt underneath?  I’m thinking that Rowan Pia might be a better choice for this yarn.

Now that I wanted to start the Laced T-shirt (aka Krista) from Knitting Lingerie Style, I can’t find the yarn.  Where did it go?  I’m not sure if it will work gauge wise but I plan to swatch and see.

Again the junkie in me takes over and I placed 2 ebay bids for yarn.  I do not need more yarn.

Rowan Plaid and book, I’ll likely be outbid and I really don’t need a heavy wool sweater in San Diego.  The other for 10 skeins of karabella Zodiac.  There’s a number of projects in Runway Knits that I want to make with the Zodiac, as well as a few other patterns.   I haven’t actually seen this yarn in person but it looks like GGH Big Easy in a smaller gauge.  As I suspected, I ended up winning the Karabella zodiac (after all there weren’t any other bidders).  I would have preferred a solid color but the variegated blues is very pretty. 

Unfortunately, I just don’t think that this will work with patterns from Runway knits that I want to make.  I might be a good choice for the Fitted keyhole top or I may look elsewhere for a pattern.  

I was just thinking, do I make most projects from books, magazines, paid patterns or free patterns. What about you?

 Doing a quick tally, by far I’ve made more free patterns than anything else. Some are from manufacturers website, on-line magazines like Knitty, and from blogs.  So why do I keep buying the pattern books? I think the pictures draw me in.  Never mind the same sweater will never look the same on me as it does that size 4 model.

Upcoming Sally Melville Class

At the knitting guild meeting this week, I signed up for a Advanced Shaping class with Sally Melville.  I know SM mostly from her recent Knit and Purl stitch books that are very popular.  I’ve looked at the books but decided that the loose fitting mostly boxy knits are not my style and I probably wouldn’t make anything out of them.  I found it a bit ironic that she was teaching a shaping class.  However, I’m sure she has a lot to teach me and I’m very interested in shaping. 

 Most of the garments that I’ve make lately include shaping (waist and or bust).  I’ve added short rows to garments with varying degrees of success.

 In any case I’m looking forward to taking the class in September.

Gwennabe Tank

I started a new project with leftover from my Seaberry Shell.  I’m using TLC Cotton Plus in kiwi.  I fear I may run out of yarn and need to buy more.

However, my stop at Beverly’s crafts was unsucessful.  They were out of the kiwi color.  I plan to keep knitting until I run out and get some more later.

I first saw this on Gwennabe on Crafster. It is a good place to look around and share patterns or just get some ideas.

Here’s a picture of it:

I had to make modification for mine, since I am not the same size as the designer. I used the same number of stitches but my gauge is ~22 stitches = 4″. I hope to finish this weekend, if I have enough yarn. I’m sure I’ll need more yarn or another solution for the tie.

Seaberry Shell (aka Gooseberry Shell) 

Pattern: Seaberry Shell, IK

Yarn: TLC Cotton Plus triple stranded, kiwi (9 skeins)

Size: 44” with change in gauge

Needles: #11 Plastic circs

I’ve liked this top ever since I first saw it in VK.  The issue came out before the Twinkle yarn line was available.  I decided I had to make this for myself (against my better judgement).  I want a cheaper alternative to the silk and cotton yarn.  I choose 3 strands of TLC Cotton Plus in kiwi to get a gauge of ~13 sts = 4”.  The fabric is stretchy but not lacey. The yarn is a worsted versus the DK weight of the Twinkle Cruise.  By the way I think that the Twinkle Cruise is the same yarn as Classic Elite Patina (now discontinued).  Classic Elite is maker of the Twinkle yarn line.

Fortunately, the size range was large enough for me to find a suitable one for myself.  I chose the 44” size but my gauge was just a bit smaller than the pattern.  I was going for a finished measurement of ~40”.  I figured bulky and baggy would be a bad combination and went for negative ease for a fitted tank.

I make a few modifications.  I decreased  additional stitches for the armholes and made them longer too.  This changed the stitch counts at the shoulders.  I was trying to make the shoulders narrower but this also make the armholes too big.  I was able to add a garter edging to the armholes and the fit ended up just right.  I also added short-row shaping to the bust.  I think it was 4 sts on each side a few stitches in from the ends.   I tried more short rows but it added too much fabric to the front of the garment.  I finished off the sweater with a large white pearl button that I had in my stash of thrift store buttons.  Perfect.

As it turns out it fits but it doesn’t look good on me (no big surprise).  Bulky knit and bulky girl = TOO BULKY.  I like the garment and I had fun knitting it. This is too bad because I love the Twinkle sweaters.  I purchased Big City Knits and like several garments in the book.  I’m dying to make the twiggy tunic but I free that too would not be very becoming on me.  That one might look better at a loose gauge.  I have some TLC Cotton plus in tan set aside for Twiggy.

My mother saw the tank and remarked how much she liked it. She asked if she could try it on.  I told her it wouldn’t fit her (she wears a size 8 and I wear a 14). I finally gave it to her pleas and it actually looked good on her.  I certainly had more ease but it looked a lot better on her than on me.  I said, “You can have it!”  I think she though I was joking.  She said that she would borrow it.  I said, “No, please take it”.  I’m was more than happy to find a appreciative home for Seaberry. Even the things I make for myself, I give away.

   

SWS Vest

I gave up making a clapotis from the Patons SWS.  After knitting a child size Pinwheel jacket, I realized that this yarn was too grabby and hairy for all those dropped stitches. I had 6 balls (2 different dye lots) to make a vest.  I wanted a deep v-neck vest.  I planned to wear a shirt underneath.  I used two pattern from Rebecca as the basis.  One for the stitch counts and shaping and the other for the neck and armholes.

 

Pattern: Vest using Rebecca patterns

Yarn: Patons SWS, natural earth (2 dyelots), 4 balls

Needles: KP options #9

I came out pretty well and fits.  The only things I would change next time, make it a bit longer.  I tried it on but I swear it shrinks when you seam it together.  Also I picked up the too few stitches around the V-neck and it pulled in a bit too much.  It also wouldn’t hurt is my cast off was looser.   Being a V-neck I don’t have any problems fitting it over my head though.  For the moment I’m leaving it as it.

One thing I discovered about this yarn is that it is scratchy to wear against your skin.  I haven’t tried washing it yet though.  It feels soft when knitting but it definitely has the itch factor. None of this for next to skin for me. I definitely wouldn’t want a scarf out of this.

Finishing and Russian Join

I’ve been  unhappy with the results of my finishing.  One of the problems I’ve been having is joining cotton yarn.  I’ve just been joining is and them weaving in ends later.  Unfortunately on a sea of stockinette, you can see it from the right side which really bugs me.  You can tell where a end had been woven in.

I go too really great tips from Tonia at the guild Knit@Nite gathering.

1. For weaving in ends:  split the yarn into 2 for 4 section and weave in each piece for 2-4”
2. Russian join:  take ½ the plies from each end of yarn and lope together, bending end back on itself.  Thread the end on a sharp needle and thread back through the strand.  Repeat for the other end.  Now you have a strong invisible join with same thickness as a strand of yarn.  Then you take the extra ½ plies from each strand and weave them in.

I have to admit I haven’t tried this yet but I plan to finish off my Mesilla with the weaving in technique. I may even undo some of the ends and do this.  Due to yarn shortage I had a number of joins in the middle of the garment.

 Another weaving in tip I read that comes from Elizabeth Zimmerman is to take a sharp needle and sew through strand (not under).  I think this would work well for woo – mohair – alpaca but I’m not sure about for cotton. I promise to work on my finishing.