Category: knitting

Fits and Starts

I got a new jumbo plying head for my spinning wheel, and finally got to trying it out this weekend. It’ll definitely take some getting used to, and it takes quite a bit of muscle to keep it going!

Fiber is another Targhee Top from FatCatKnits that I bought at Rhinebeck. The jumbo flyer pulls quite a bit, so it might be more suitable for thicker yarns than this one – I had a bit of trouble getting enough plying twist. But I think a good bath and roughing up will even things out and plump up the yarn. Here’s the finished skein, not washed yet:

I’ve gotten down to the waist of my garter stitch wrap cardigan, though you certainly can’t tell from this blob!

For some simple knitting to keep in my purse, I started a new pair of socks for Dale – I didn’t knit him any new ones this winter and the older ones are getting worn out. Unfortunately I can’t remember what yarn this is, and there were no tags! I’m pretty sure it’s naturally dyed, and I got it at TNNA some years ago. It’s got a nice tight twist that should make for hardwearing socks.

My colourwork raglan has been joined for the yoke, finally! The rounds are getting shorter, and I’m nearly to the top now. I keep going back and forth on what I’m going to do with the neck, but I should really get that sorted now.

Last week:

Today:

March 9, 2016
A Monday-like Tuesday

Let’s catch up a bit!

New Project: Top-down raglan

I don’t think I shared here that I started a new sweater for myself, inspired by Ann and Kay’s “Bang out a sweater” knit along. I’m not knitting Mary Jane’s (lovely) Stopover, but instead one of my own design. It’s a top-down raglan wrap cardigan, worked in garter stitch – the grown-up version of my Mermaid Cardigan! I’m using Fleece Artist Blue-faced Leicester DK in a lovely deep brown-black, with hints of blue.

I’m past the yoke divide now, but this one hasn’t been getting as much attention as I would like – I have 2 other sweaters to finish before the end of the month for a deadline!

I did a little more spinning.

2016.5

Fibre: FatCatKnits Superwash Targhee Combed Top, colour way: Barn Country 40
Structure: split lengthwise, singles spun end to end, basic 2 ply.
WPI: 14-15 WPI
Yardage: 391 yards, 113g

New Pattern: Polonium

And I have a new pattern out as well! Polmonium is an easy, elegant hat and mitt set worked in super soft Miss Babs Caroline. The largest size set can be made with just 1 skein!

One last thing: cake! I made this hummingbird cake (banana, pineapple, and pecans) for my grandma’s 86th birthday, which we celebrated yesterday. I really wanted it to look nice for her, so I piped roses on top – it came out great. I didn’t have quite enough frosting to do roses on the sides as well, so I just smoothed it out and added some chopped pecans around the bottom edge.

I used this recipe from Joy of Baking, but changed up the frosting a bit – I used equal parts butter and cream cheese, and a good amount of heavy cream (along with powdered sugar and vanilla). YUM!

February 16, 2016
Swans Island Spring patterns

I knit these adorable kids’ projects back in…June? I submitted three ideas and Swans Island wanted them all! Luckily kids’ sweaters are much smaller and faster than adult ones. As always, all patterns are available through my Ravelry shop. Links to each pattern page are below!

Mermaid cardigan is a seamlessly knit bottom-up wrap cardigan, worked in stretchy garter stitch, with integrated I-cord edgings and a fun contrasting pocket. I love the colours they sent me to work with – the Magenta and Curry go so well together! I also really love that they had another size knit up in different colours.

I definitely remember working on the Riptide Hoodie while we were in Amsterdam in June! Riptide is a unisex, bottom-up seamless pullover with a split hem, seed stitch body, and stockinette yoke and hood. The sleeves are worked in the round, and joined to work seamless set-in sleeves. The henley placket makes it easy to get on over the head, and the generous hood is shaped using short rows for a great natural curve. How cute is this kid?!

Schooner Dress is, you guess it, also seamless! This long tunic or dress would be perfect over leggings and a tee for all sorts of running around. It’s knit in the round from the top down, with some short rows at the beginning to lower the front neck. There’s a cute detail at each colour change, and an optional seed stitch pocket. The little cap sleeves could easily be extended for more coverage, and the sleeves and neck are all edged with tidy I-cord.

I definitely worked on this one in Amsterdam as well, I distinctly remember trying to work out the short rows (ripping, reknitting, ripping, taking notes) while watching random Dutch tv in the hotel.

All of these patterns are worked in Washable Wool sport weight which is organic merino that can go in the washing machine! It is so so soft and knits up beautifully. I have some other Swans Island fingering weight in my stash, but this was the first time I’ve actually knit with their yarns – it won’t be the last.

January 28, 2016