A little February in May

I posted about this finished project a long time ago, but had to show you some pictures of M actually wearing it. The Elizabeth Zimmerman February Baby Sweater:

 

 

 

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Double Trouble

These have actually been done for awhile but waiting on buttons. The original ones I ordered were too small and I had to order new ones.

I picked this pattern out before I knew the twins' genders so the colors are very gender neutral. 

The project traveled with me to Ireland and all over before I stopped traveling. 

Pattern : Small Things Sweater by Carina Spencer

Yarn: Rowan RYC Cotton Jeans

Needles: Size 8 for body and Size 6 for cuffs

Made for: Baby Girl and Baby Boy H

Size: Newborn

Started: July 1, 2012 and September 1, 2012

Completed: December 30, 2012

I chose to do the Grow With Me cuffs that can be folded over to adjust as they grow.

Overall, I was very happy with this pattern, and I like how the heathered yarn fits the project. It won't be long now before they will be here and wearing some of these knitted items!

You can also glimpse the beautiful cradle my cousin made me in some of these pictures!  We have many talented crafty people in the family.

In the Zone and Even Seasoned Knitters Make Mistakes

I am officially in baby knitting zone. Here is a new project I started. The pattern is Pembroke and it is a vest I am knitting in Knit Picks Comfy. I love the deep blue color and Comfy is so soft!

I think little boys in vests have an irresistible preppy adorable look and therefore it is only fitting that I should make a vest for my son.

I cast on this project after I realized I couldn't begin a Fruit Cap I was planning to match one I already knit for baby girl. I ordered the color yarn I wanted from Webs, but when it arrived I realized instead of Tahki Cotton Classic, I ordered Tahki Cotton Classic Lite which is actually a sport weight and not the DK weight of the contrasting yarn I already had in my stash. Doh! Rookie mistake, but new yarn is now ordered and while I await its arrival I needed a new project, and cast on the vest.

Here is the infamous yarn.  It will go in my stash for another project down the road.

February Baby Sweater

Until recently, I have not blogged in a very long time, mostly because I had not been knitting much at all.  But now that I have twins on the way very soon, I have been on a mission to finish old projects and get some items done for them.  This will be for Baby Girl (We are having a boy and girl).

Pattern: Baby Sweater on Two Needles from Elizabeth Zimmerman's
Knitter's Almanac
Needles: I wrote down US 2.5, but I think I actually used closer to a US 5 but I can't remember for sure.
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport colorway Grass

Started: December 18, 2010  
Completed: December 16, 2012

 I used modifications made by PAKnitWit as described here. Namely:
-Widening the neck hole by Casting on 62 stitches.
-Work 8 rows in garter stitch. 
-Work the first increase round as follows: K7, (M1, K6) 8 times, M1, K7 (71 sts)
-I also Slipped the first stitch of each row for a neater edge and only worked 3 buttonholes, as many other have.

Blocking really gave some shape to this sweater and I am pleased with the results.  And as always I love working with Shine Sport.  It is just so soft and has such a nice drape!

Sidetracked

Just a quick one today. Those of you who are EZ fans should recognize this one.

And yes, this means the baby Mary Janes are on hold for a bit. I just couldn't get excited about them with those Size 0 needles and K1 P1 ribbing. This new project was a welcome diversion and I have already made quite a bit of progress in just one day.

Another One Bites the Dust

I have been frantically working on Lotus Blossom Tank over the last several weeks. I am not sure if it is the weather (I love the brisk fall days) but I have really been on a knitting kick over the last month.

I am not sure why I liked this pattern, as like many others, I found the pictures in the original pattern to be ill-fitting in a boxy sort of way.

I have worked the modifications that Lickety Knit describes on her blog. These modifications make the tank longer and give it a much more feminine fit.



The only additional modification that I made was to make the armholes a full inch smaller than the pattern called for (versus the 0.5 inch modification that Lickety Knit made), to make the armholes 7 inches instead of 8 on the 39 inch size. In keeping with the smaller armholes I picked up slightly less stitches for the armhole edging (86 stitches per armholes) and 32 stitches for each side of the neck. I solved the disconnected flap that is formed by the picked up neck edging by knitting it together at the junction with stitches from the top of the knitted on front edging.


Although this pattern took me awhile to complete, it is actually a very quick knit, and once my summer knitting hiatus was complete (reading a book was just more appealing to me when sitting by the pool), it knit up rather rapidly.


Pattern: Lotus Blossom Tank by Sharon Shoji
Size: 39 inches
Made for: Me
Yarn: Artful Yarns Cliche, 7 skeins
Needles: US Size 4 for body, US Size 3 for front neck bind-off, and US Size 5 for first 9 rows of the pattern.
Started: April 29, 2010
Completed: November 19, 2010

The yarn is a linen/cotton/acrylic mix, and I love the color and thought the fiber content perfect for a summer tank, but it was prone to splitting. I got a great deal on this yarn at Slip Knot in Newtown Square, when the yarn was discontinued.

I worried that the 39 inch size might be a bit big for me, based on comments from some other knitters, but it ended up being a pretty good fit. I could have tried to modify it the be a custom size, but going down a full size would have likely been way too small.

Sorry for the indoor photos, but I couldn't stomach an outdoor photo in a tank top with the recent cold weather.

All I have left on my needles right now are two pairs of socks, so it will be time soon to pick my next big project. I am thinking of doing an easy Elizabeth Zimmerman sweater that would provide hours of stockinette which although boring, does allow me to give my attention to other things at the same time (namely reading a book). I have a perfect yarn whose beauty lies in the variations of thick and thin, but could not easily be used for say lace or cables for the same reason.

I also have enough yarn for two other sweaters that could be more patterned. Plus some shawl options! I need to think about what I want to do next.

In the meantime, I may be starting some baby knitting for friends soon. I love starting new projects!

Bell Sleeves Waiting for a Zipper

Par for the course, Bell Sleeved Jacket has been finished for awhile now and waiting for a zipper. I have even worn it a few times. But alas no pictures were taken until the zipper was in it's place (and that place is not on my bookshelf collecting dust where the zipper has sat for months)!

Well, the final task is done and here are the photos to prove it.

The yarn was something I picked up on sale at knit picks and I love the color and stitch definition, but it is a little itchy. Not such a problem as this is a jacket, and will almost always be worn with a long-sleeved shirt underneath. It should see a lot of use this fall and winter.






This was my first attempt at a Vogue Knitting Pattern, and I do have to express my dissatisfaction with the many pattern errors that were not even listed in the Errata. I also was shocked that the pattern's largest size was only a medium!?!? I added stitches on each side to make what I call a medium plus size. I kept all other sizing the same (I am petite, but a needed a bit more room through the bust).








Pattern: Bell Sleeved Jacket, Vogue Knitting Holiday 2006
Size: Medium Plus (modified medium)
Needles: US Size 7
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes - Color Hush 15 skeins
Started: January 2008
Completed: November 6, 2010

I Dream in Green

After a relatively unproductive summer of knitting, the cool weather has me in a fiber-friendly mood. I have been working on Lotus Blossom Tank over the last few weeks.

Too bad this is a summer top. I always seem to be a season off when finishing projects!

I am hoping to have this completed by the end of the weekend.

In preparation for summer....

I have started Lotus Blossom Tank, a pattern from The Best of Interweave Knits: Our Favorite Designs from the First Ten Years .

I am using yarn I bought from my LYS, Slip Knot that I got on sale and couldn't pass up. It is Cliche by Artful Yarns.

I only have 7 skeins of the yarn, and after completing almost 1 repeat, I am a little worried it may not be enough. A Ravelry search for yardage used by other knitters put me at ease a bit, but I am also planning to do the modifications described by Licketyknit, which includes adding lace repeats and length to the stockinette portion.

We will see. I am hoping the switch after Row 9 to smaller needles will eat up less yarn.

On making progress

Remember this? 

I am on the collar of Bell Sleeve Jacket, and have been making steady progress while enjoying the HBO series Rome over the last few weeks.  I love Netflix.

I am hopeful that this sweater will be done in time to get some use out of it while it is still cold.   Almost there!

On a roll.....

The result of more seaming and finishing....



Pattern: Gavyn by Amanda Blackford
Made for: Baby C
Size: 1 - 2 years
Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Solids; Colorway: Royal Palm
Approximately 0.5 skein (710 yards per skein)
Needles: US Size 9
Started: August 21, 2009
Completed: January 9, 2010

Because this is knit in an Aran/Worsted weight yarn, it is a very quick knit. I actually finished all of the knitting in just a few sittings, but again, it sat waiting for me to seam in the arms from the time I finished knitting in August until now.

The Bernat Cotton Yarn is so soft and I like this earthy green color.

The Gavyn pattern is one of the few sweaters I have found that is truly meant for a baby boy. Most baby sweaters are really meant for baby girls and are too frilly for boys.

I am quite pleased with how it turned out and will probably knit this sweater again as it is enjoyable and easy and looks great!

Seam away

It has become apparent to me that I avoid seaming to the detriment of my unfinished projects. Remember when this was blocking back in August? Yes, August. I just finished seaming it up and sewing the ribbon and buttons on yesterday. It only took me 5 months to get to it.



I finally had to forbid myself to knit anything else until I buckled down and took care of this long overdue task.

And although I really don't like seaming, I love the end result of seaming and love watching the raw seperate pieces turn into a beautiful finished product.

Pattern: Smock Coat by Debbie Bliss from Simply Baby
Size: 12-18 months
Made for: Baby G.
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport; Colorway - Fedora
10 Skeins
Needle: US Size 2 and 4 Addi Turbos
Started: October 12, 2008
Completed: January 9, 2010

Shine Sport is so increadibly soft and I love the end result of this jacket, but the seed stitch was a little tedious at times.

Sneak Peak

Here is a sneak peak at a secret project....

I love working with this soft cotton yarn.

A leap of frog and a lot of unfinished business.

Here is a recent finished project of mine. This frog hat was knit for a coworker's child so that she could match dad's outfit for Philadelphia's Mummer Parade.

Pattern: Frog Hat (Free Cascade Yarns Pattern)
Yarn:
Filatura Di Crosa Baby Zarella 1 ball each in colorway 1 & 15, plus some scrap worsted weight black yarn
Needle Size: Size 8 for Cast-on and Size 6 for body of the hat
Size: 6 months





Next are two projects that probably you probably won't see for awhile, as I am trying to finish a secret gift project, and have many other projects on the needles that need to be finished.

This one is a pair of Mary Janes from pattern 18305 in Dale of Norway Baby Designs/ Dalegarn #183 knit with what else but Baby Ull

Next is the Smock Coat from Debbie Bliss' Simply Baby Book knit with Knit Picks Shine Sport.

Since it is the beginning of the new year and I had set a few goals for myself last year, I decided to revisit those goals and see how I did and make some new knitting goals for 2009.
In 2008 I kept my knitting goals simple due to my crazy school schedule. They were:

1. Try fair isle - I already have some yarn and all the tools I need.
2. Finish at least 1 sweater
3. Delve further into lace knitting : I plan to try the flower basket shawl, and have yarn to do at least 1 more shawl (maybe a Niebling)

Well I did try fair isle with my snowflake socks, and actually had some success. Unfortunately these socks remain unfinished, but as I will discuss later in the post I have a plan for my unfinished business.

I did finish 1 sweater with my FLS, but I also have an unfinished Bell Sleeved Jacket to complete. I just couldn't resist the bandwagon for the FLS!

As far as the lace knitting goes, I finished my Branching out Scarf and started a Flower Basket Shawl, but alas this project too remains in the unfinished category. I have delved into some worsted weight lace, such as FLS, and my current secret gift project as well. As for Niebling, well.....I purchased a Niebling pattern (Lyra) while I could get my hot little hands on it at a reasonable price. Maybe someday I will knit it.

Okay, so I tried out a lot of my resolutions, but have had a little trouble with follow through.

My knitting resolutions for 2009? Well number 1 is no surprise, but here they are:

1. Finish my unfinished business. I have many projects on the needles that I need to finish before I get swept up in all that new project fever. In order of how I will do this
a) Secret Gift Project (70% complete)
b) Snowflake Socks (65% complete)
c) Bell Sleeved Jacket (65% complete)
d) Flower Basket Shawl (20% complete)
e) Baby Mary Janes (10% complete)
f) Smock Jacket (10% complete)

Of course, I always like to have about 3 projects on my needles at all times anyway, so there may be some overlap. Usually I have 1 lace project, 1 sweater or bigger project and 1 small project like socks that is very portable on my needles at all times to fit different knitting situations.

2. Socks. I have developed a habit of collecting skeins of sock yarn. Everywhere we go, I find the local yarn store and find a skein that reminds me of the place we visited or that has a simply beautiful dye job. I need to get in the habit of using these skeins to make even more beautiful socks to keep my feet warm.

3. Knit my man a sweater. Gasp! I have been married for over a year, and have not knit my husband anything except a hat. Although my husband is generally not into sweaters, I did find a pattern that appeals to him in the Best of Interweave Knits book called Cambridge Jacket by Ann Budd. I think it is about time to knit my man a sweater. (And maybe some Dashing mitts as well).

4. Shop from my stash. I have a lot of yarn. Probably not as much as some of you, but even so. I currently have enough yarn for 3 sweaters in addition to the yarn to finish the sweater on my needles. I also have enough yarn to knit about 9 pairs of socks, and 3 shawls. I also have a lot of skeins that would be great for smaller projects.

5. Try Mobius knitting. I have had my eye on the Cat Bordhi Mobius Cowl for awhile, and already have a skein of variegated yarn picked out for it.

6. Try Entrelac knitting. I may start with a pair of socks, but I also have the Forest Path Stole in the back of my mind.

7. Knit more, now that I have the time.

There are a lot of other things I want to accomplish, but for now this seems like a reasonable list of goals. I look forward to a year of knitting in 2009.

Sea Shrug

I finally blocked and seamed up the baby shrug for Charlee, a coworkers child. This was a really quick project. The actual knitting only took a few days.

Pattern: Baby Shrug from Debbie Bliss Simply Baby
Size: 12-18 months
Needles: 7 for the body, 6 for the edging and 8 to bind-off.
Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy 3 Skeins
Color: Sea Foam

The Comfy is delightfully soft, but does show tension variations unmercifully. Thankfully, this was evened out with some blocking.