Tag Archives: sweater

May 30, 2013 · 5:51 am

Cardigan time!

Over the last few weeks I’ve seen so many beautiful finished projects posted, especially for sweaters and cardigans,  that I’m hurrying to finish what I have on the needles so I can cast on something.  I have three projects in mind but not sure which one to cast on first.

I’m a huge fan of Thea Coleman, a.k.a. Baby Cocktails and have wanted to knit two of her designs since I saw them.  One is Dark and Stormy, a shawl collared cardigan with just enough cables for interest.  I plan to use my stash of MadelineTosh Mo in the color Wolf.

Courtesy of Thea Coleman

My next favorite is Cassis, a top down cardigan with a reversible collar, along with a touch of lace along the front and down the back.  I plan to use my stash of MadelineTosh DK in Firewood.

Courtesy of Thea Coleman

I’m also a huge fan of Carol Feller and recently saw Iced, a bulky weight cardigan,  knitted up in Berroco Peruvia Quick at Purl in the Pines in Flagstaff. I love bulky weight projects as they tend to go fast for me.  For this project, I purchased enough of the Peruvia Quick in the color Dragon.

Courtesy of Carol Feller

I also have to share a few new designs that just hit Ravelry that I absolutely love!

Do you enjoy knitting cardigans or sweaters?

If so, who is your favorite designer and what is your favorite design?

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January 9, 2013 · 5:39 pm

Yarn Along: Work in Progress and Of Course Reading!

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well.  So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?  ~ Ginny from Small Things

 

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I’m still reading The Map of Time: A Novel  by Felix J. Palma and I have to say that I’m really loving it!  I also purchase the audio book of Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati.   I think I might enjoy listening to this book a bit more than reading it.

I’m just about finished with my Top Down Swing Pullover!  I have one sleeve to go and then I will have a brand new sweater to wear before it gets way too warm here in Phoenix.  I’m also working on clue 2 of my TTL Mystery Sock KAL by Kirsten Kapur of Fans of Through the Loops group online at Ravelry.  I love the pattern so far and can’t wait to start my second sock later this week.  Honestly, knitting two socks at the same time is way much easier!

So, what are you currently reading or listening too?

Do you have a fun new project on the needles?

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!

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December 31, 2012 · 5:05 am

Casting On and Casting Off: Completed and On Going WIPs

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas spent with friends and family. Ours was very quiet, which gave me the time to knit and catch up a few WIPs.

It only took me six months, but I am happy to report I finally finished my Calla Lilly Tweeds and finished my goal of knitting 4 pair of socks for the year!  It really felt good finishing up a very old WIP.

Pattern:  Harris Tweed Socks by Ali Green pattern

Materials:   For this project, I used two skeins of Paton’s Kroy Socks FX in  Calla Lilly and two 16″ circular needles size US 1½ (2.5 mm).

Modifications:  I casted on 64 stitches in place of 60 stitches for a more comfy pair of socks.

I’m now working on my Top Down Swing Pullover designed by Diane Soucy and have almost reached the bottom to start the ribbing.  This sweater is going to be wonderful for the weekends and I look forward to wearing it soon!  For this project I’m stash busting and using my Patons Classic Merino in Denim Marl.

You may recall I mentioned that I was  spinning my stash of  FatCatKnits Merino Wool in the colorway Much Verde and my stash of   Cupcake BFL  in Winter Lake. I finished both and now have started to ply these two bobbins together.   I love the way the colors are blending and I think once plied I’ll have a nice tweedy looking fiber that will be nice for a shawl.

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What have you been able to finish up for the year?

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December 12, 2012 · 4:15 am

Yarn Along: Work in Progress and Of Course Reading!

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well.  So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?  ~ Ginny from Small Things

yarn along

I finished the  Buccaneers by Edith Wharton and have to say that I really enjoyed the book.  I’m now reading Katherine Howe’s The House of Velvet and Glass, a book set during the time of the Titanic.  So far this book has captured my interest and I look forward to reading it over the next week or so.

I casted on a new project, the Top Down Swing Pullover designed by Diane Soucy.  I’m proud of myself on the project as I’m using stash yarn – 6 skeins of Patons Merino in Denim Marl.  So far this is proving to be a very easy knit and I think I’m in for another quick project.

What have you been reading or listening too?  Any fun projects on the needles?

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!

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December 9, 2012 · 3:54 pm

Casting On and Casting Off: It’s done!

I’m so excited, I’m done with my Mom’s Acer Cardigan!!!   Just sewed on the buttons and now have it blocking a bit.  I really like how it turned out and would knit the pattern for me.  The color looks a little splotchy but that’s due to the wetness of the sweater.  I will post an updated photo next weekend with my Mom wearing it!

Mom's Acer

Now what to knit?  I’m thinking about another cardigan, but this one for me.  Haven’t quite decided upon a pattern yet and now that I have a very tempting offer from my dear friend in England, I might be spinning for a cardigan.  What an adventure that would be :)

I casted on the mate to my Calla Lilly Tweeds this afternoon with the intention of finishing before the end of the year! Not only would be nice to finish my sock knitting goal, it would be great to have a new pair of socks to wear.

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!

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October 17, 2012 · 6:51 am

Yarn Along: Work in Progress

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well.  So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?  ~ Ginny from Small Things

 

I haven’t been too dedicated to my reading lately and to be honest cannot seem to finish Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati.  So with that being said, I’ve put this book aside for a while and will find something else to read.

As far as knitting, I’m still working on my Aidez and I’m happy to report that last night I finished one full repeat of the pattern.  I must say that I really like how it is starting to look.  I did make one modification and decided to knit a left cable and right cable instead of the cross stitch cables simply because I did not like the look of the stitch in this yarn.

Happy Knitting!

 

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July 19, 2012 · 5:54 am

All about the Owls!

I have noticed lately that Kate Davies pattern, Owls, is a very popular design online at Ravelry.  I seems that everyone, well maybe not everyone,  is knitting one or has knitted one, either with commercial yarns or handspun.   Even Katie over at the Electric Sheep  (a.k.a. Hoxton Handmade) has made one, which has inspired me!

This pattern is popular for many reasons, but the main reason it’s easy to knit, it’s created in bulky weight yarn, which makes it a fast knit, and it’s quite adorable!  I’ve also been told by knitting friends that Kate’s designs are very well written and easy to follow, making this a huge plus in my book!

I think this might be a fun project for my fall knitting and I will be able to use my stash of Cascade Eco Wool in a very soft gray for this project.  But I cannot cast this project on until I finish my Vodka Lemonade , that has been patiently waiting in my knitting basket to be finished.

Courtesy of Kate Davies

This pattern has spurred inspiration for  owl socks, hat, mitts, baby items and more.  One pattern that I thought would be fun to knit, is Owlie Socksby Julie Elswick Suchomel of Rhino DyeWorks.  Julie also designed a fun pair of Owlie Mitts to match!

Courtesy of Julie Elswick Suchomel

So, have you knitted an Owl sweater ?  Do you want to knit one?

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!

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May 9, 2012 · 6:16 am

Yarn Along ~ Knitting with a bit of reading !

Two of my favourite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs.  I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well.  So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading?  ~ Ginny from Small Things

 

I’m currently working on two knitting projects, Vodka Lemonade by Thea Colman of Baby Cocktails and Oaklet by Megan Goodacre, a.k.a. the Tricksy Knitter.  I’ve been working on the cardi at night and the shawl in the morning, which is really working at nicely.   Now that I’ve finished the collar and have started the sleeves, I really love how my Vodka Lemonade is starting to look.  My Oaklet is coming along nicely too and I really like the deep dark browns in the yarn.

As far as reading, well that’s been going slow as I’ve been outside enjoying the weather and working in the yard.  So, I’m still reading the Poyson Garden by Karen Harper.  I really have been enjoying this book and hope to be able to finish it by the weekend so I can dive into Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon .

Happy knitting!

 

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May 7, 2012 · 4:45 am

Pattern Spotlight: Skipperdee !

As you can tell, I’m madly in love with cardigans, especially when they are knitted all in one piece.  I was so excited to see a lovely new bottom-up design hit the Ravelry pages this past week and had to share.

Skipperdee designed by Julia Farwell-Clay of Moth Heaven has created a gorgeous cardigan that has a lovely cabled design edging the top and the cuffs.

This cardigan was inspired by a long standing interest of mine in all those beautiful sideways cable sweaters, and my frustration with the way they fit me. This cable will not bind at the shoulders, and the sweater fits and feels great on the body, whether buttoned up or not. ~ Julia Farwell-Clay

Photo ©Caro Sheridan – Used by permission by Julia Farwell-Clay

The Facts:   I truly love that this project is seamless, worked flat and then joined at the yoke with the arms worked in the round and then completed all in one piece.   I also love that Julia has provided finished bust sizes that range from 33 3/4″ to 54 3/4″, making this cardigan perfect for just about all shapes and sizes.

Knitters will enjoy very well written easy to follow instructions that includes a chart for the cable stitch design found on the cuffs and the yoke.    Julia has also included detailed notes on special stitches used for her design, as well as excellent finishing techniques, abbreviations and a sweater schematic showing all measurements.  This project is perfect for an intermediate to an advanced knitter.

Materials:  For this project you will need  6 to 11 skeins of Spirit Trail Verdande ( 75% Superwash Merino, 15% Cashmere and 10% Bombyx Silk) or  approximately 1,320 to 2,420 yards of  any worsted weight that will match the gauge of 19 stitches and 28 rows to equal 4″ over stockinette, a size US 5 and a size US 7 needle,  8 buttons that are 3/4″, stitch markers and a darning needle for weaving in the ends.

You can find more of Julia’s designs online at Ravelry and on her website, Moth Heaven.  You can also find her online at Twitter.

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Today is Julia’s birthday, so she is celebrating by offering one free PDF Download of her new design, Skipperdee to one lucky blog reader.

To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment, and do be sure to leave a means of contact if your email does not automatically attach to your comment, for example your Ravelry ID or Twitter ID.

This giveaway is open to all ~ meaning, it’s open to international blog readers too !

The  deadline to enter is Saturday, May 12th at 4:00pm Arizona Time.  The winner will be selected by a  random number generator and will be announced on Sunday, May 13th .   Please note that the winner will receive their PDF download of this pattern directly from Julia via Ravelry or via email.

So who wouldn’t want to win a free copy of this wonderful new design!

Thank you for entering ~ this giveaway is now closed!

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March 25, 2012 · 1:08 pm

Casting On and Casting Off: Baby time knitting!

I’ve been slacking this week in my blog posting but I’ve been busy knitting a few baby items for a dear friend who is expecting a precious baby boy very soon.

So with that said, I just casted off a delightful and quick knit designed by Debbie Bliss called the Ribbed Baby Jacket.  It was fun to review all the finished projects (over 3,500 completed) to see all the variations of this pattern.  For me, I decided upon a stripe for the collar to give a bit more contrast and make it look boyish.  Since I had plenty of yarn left over, I also made a matching hat, using the basic construction of the Train Track Baby Hat by Heather Tucker.  I really love how my little projects turned out! Both of these patterns are super easy to follow and get a two thumbs up from me.

Project Details: Instead of knitting a solid cardigan, I opted to add stripes in the collar, which gave it a bit more interest.  I also did the same thing for the matching hat.

Yarn:  1 skein of Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Denim and 1 skein of Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Grey Heather

Needles:  1 set of size US 8 (5.00mm) DPNs

 

Today I’m casting on the adorable Well Dressed Bunny designed by Barbara Prime, of Fuzzy Mitten.  I’ve loved this pattern, as well as the many others Barbara has designed, for a very long time.  Is this not the cutest bunny every!!!   For this fun project I’m using my stash of King Cole Merino Blend Aran in Putty (soft oatmeal heather) and a pair of size 6 (4.00mm) knitting needles.  I want to make the outfit too like the one in the photo below.

If this project turns out well, I might have to make another one and I just might have to make the Siamese Kitty!

Courtesy of Barbara Prime

 

I’m still working on my Simple Raglan Cardi and it’s really looking good.  I plan to make it much longer than the original pattern and I think I will make the sleeves a bit longer too.  The lace insert really has made a difference in the overall appearance of this cardigan and seems to mellow the color of the yarn I’m using, which is very  strong but soft (if that makes sense).

Until next time…. happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!

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