scholarly.

He is not particularly scholarly at this point as most of the time he is more interested in his hands and toes … and trying to eat them … but this is one gorgeous cardigan never-the-less!

Lisa has done it again :) I had the pleasure of testing this sweet little cardigan over the past couple of weeks and enjoyed every minute of it.

Pattern: Storytime Scholar Cardigan by Lisa Chemery *pattern to be released soon!

Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers in colour 2452

Needles: 6.5mm for the body and sleeves, 6.00mm for the collar and button band

This is a very sweet little cardigan. I love the colour on him, too. The length is perfect for the cooler weather as well since everything rids up on him at this point.

Can you see Charlie’s nose there in the corner? I am not sure if he was busy sniffing Tiny or the newly-washed-in-lanolin-and-must-be-tasty sweater … hmmm

There are a few things about this little sweater that I just love – the garter stitch elbow ‘pads’ are just darling and the 1x1 ribbed pockets are a wonderful finishing touch.

My favourite aspect of this little sweater, though, is the collar/button band – it is the reason I wanted to test knit this for Lisa. I completely fell in love with it at first sight. I just looove the combination of 1x1 rib and garter. What a wonderful idea!

It looks even more wonderful on him! I just love the subtle transition and the perfect shawl collar that it creates:

I know that I will get some questions about the yarn I chose to use. I was stash busting (again) and did not have enough of any Aran weight in my stash. Cascade 220 is a light worsted so the fabric that was produced on 6.5mm needles, while gauge to the pattern, is quite light weight and a little frustrating to seam (there is a small amount of seaming to finish the pockets) – but I expected this as I had knit with Cascade at a loose gauge before. I would have gone down another needle size if I knit this again for the button band as the garter is quite stretchy but other than that I am happy with the finished sweater. The nice thing about Cascade is that while light, it fluffs up nicely when given the chance so it worked nicely for this but if you like more substantial knitted fabric, this might not be the best choice of yarn for your project. It does not get very cold here in Vancouver so this will be perfect for Tiny through his first winter. Right, Tiny?

Right, Mommy!

Finally, here is a photo of the finished sweater minus Tiny:

Next, onto holiday knitting. I`m almost finished! Are you doing any holiday knitting? Have you finished? How is it going?

gnomes.

This is a wonderful and fast knit – especially when I only have 30 minutes here and there to pick up my needles! M is calling this his ‘gnome’ hat – it kind of does look like a gnome shape …

Pattern: Alfalfa baby hat by Kate Gagnon Osborn

Yarn: Malabrigo Rios in 856 Azules

Needles: 4.00mm

Kate’s shaping that she worked into the pattern is amazing – it really fits around his head perfectly. It’s brilliant!

And simple. I knit this in worsted weight as I also wanted it a little bigger – he’ll outgrow it too quickly otherwise.

I had a very grumpy little one on my hands while photographing him – but he likes his toque. He smiles when I put it on him.

I will definitely be knitting this again – probably on 5.00mm needles for a bigger size. He seems to have a big head :)

What brilliant knits have you been working on?

winter swell.

Due to a few different things – namely running out of yarn and Tiny being born – this took a while to finish! I was stash busting and realized halfway through the first sleeve (after finishing the body) that I would not have enough yarn to finish. Tiny was born within a day or so of my realisation and of course, this sweater went onto the back burner … for good reason! haha I am glad it is finished now, though.

Pattern: Nanook by Heidi Kirrmair

Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers in 8401 Grey

Needles: 5.00mm circs

My favourite aspect of this sweater are the back yoke increases. They were interesting to work and the result is gorgeous.

A brilliant pattern by Heidi, the only modification I made was to separate for the sleeves 1.5” shy of the pattern. I did not want a lot of bulk underneath my winter jacket. I am glad I did this because I have small shoulders and it fits perfectly with this small modification.

I also lengthened the body slightly. Size M1 (36” bust) gives me a 0” ease fit but due to the garter, it’s more like +1-2” of ease, which is perfect. The buttons are handmade and wooden. M actually chose them – I think they are perfect on this cardigan.

This cardigan is also super cute unbuttoned – I have been wearing it mostly buttoned since the weather has cooled here substantially. It will also see lots of wear in the shoulder seasons though since it is cute unbuttoned!

Overall, it is a great fit. It was a great project. I would love to make it again in another colour. The Cascade was absolutely perfect for this sweater.

What great projects have you finished lately?

muslin-ing.

There have been exciting things happening here at Casa del Welford. As I have mentioned, I have been delving into sewing again. Thoroughly, I am enjoying it.

Like swatching in knitting, I decided to make a muslin for the Minoru Jacket (by Tasia of Sewaholic). I was torn between a size 10 and size 12 based on the pattern measurements. I cut a size 12 figuring I could always cut a size 10 if it was markedly too big even after adjustments. Since this is a jacket and I want to be able to wear a sweatshirt or this underneath, it needs a lot of positive ease so I decided to stick with the size 12.

Based on the pattern, as well as my own body, measurements the fit is perfect. I didn’t bother with the collar when I cut the muslin. Neither did I cut the front plackets. What I was most concerned about was the depth of the raglan sleeved yoke and the placement of the elastic waistband. In making the muslin, I did learn the sleeves are way too long for even my long arms so I eliminated 2 inches (and cut a size 10) when I cut the ‘real’ version.

The raglan is perfect with a sweatshirt beneath (I didn’t photograph this as my favourite one is the same colour as the muslin). The elastic waistband, however, will be too low. I marked the new placement for the ‘real’ jacket. As well, I’ll have to raise the inside pocket on the lining.

Without raising the waistband, the back neck to waist is too long for me. I’ll reassess when I get to this step in the pattern – wish me luck! We’ll see if my measurements work out …

Now onto the fun part :)

What are you working on? Is it challenging and enjoyable? Mindless and relaxing? Exciting and new? Happy stormy November!