wonder-pole.

Knit in less than a week, this will definitely be one of my favourite sweaters going forward. Simple but interesting construction to keep it a little spicy, this cardigan is surprisingly flattering. I have to admit, I was a little sceptical when I read peoples’ comments about how flattering this sweater was – I am a convert!

It really is as flattering as they say – it hugs where it should and drapes where it should.

Pattern: Opposite Pole by Joji Locatelli
 

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool (Worsted) in colour Mercury
 

Needles: 5.5mm
 

 

Those who know me, know that my two favourite colours are grey and yellow. So what could be better than a comfy yellow t-shirt under this cozy, chunky-ish knit … my favourite scarf of course!
 

 

Yup, I`m in love! I made no modifications to this cardigan. The only thing I would do differently next time is knit the next size up sleeves. I chose the bust size 36-38” and while that is perfect, I just always need that extra inch or so in the upper arms.
 

 

However, because this is a little bulky, I would not want any more bulk in the sweater body itself. The length is perfect. The oversized collar is awesome – have I mentioned how much I love big collars?!
 

 

While this project was all about stash-busting and I started it on a whim when I was home alone last Tuesday night (yup, it was a 7 day knit!), I kind of want to knit it again … and again … and again …
 

 

Lovely pattern, Joji – I really enjoyed this one!

a little Christmas blessing.

A very close and dear friend of mine welcomed their first child into the world last week after a harrowing few hours. Thankfully, baby and Mom are doing wonderfully. The family will be spending Christmas at home with their family in a town in South-Eastern BC called Cranbrook. It’s a gorgeous town that thrives on resource-based industry nestled in the Rocky Mountain trench. So it is cold. Very cold. Beautiful. But cold.

I couldn’t send little Kate home with her dear parents without a new winter toque to brave the snow and ice! What kind of a friend would I be?!

Pattern: Alfalfa Baby Hat by Kate Gagnon-Osborn

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rios, colourway 139 Pocion

Needles: 4.00mm

I just love this toque. I still think it looks like a gnome hat – it is just so adorable. TinyTuna’s head has grown since I made his but the toque still fits (although snuggly). It will be a little big on Kate but she’ll grow into it very quickly – she is the same size Tiny was when he was born (and the same length, weird, huh?).

The Rios is perfect for this pattern as it is interesting enough too highlight, rather than detract from, the pattern of increases and decreases. You can see in the two photos below, if you read the pattern and study the photos carefully, that I changed the decreases slightly and worked them as follows:

Knit to 3 stitches prior to marker, ssk, K1, sm, K1, k2tog.

I did this because if you look at my original toque, the ssk and k2tog pull apart when they are stretched over the baby’s head. It is not terrible but now that he has grown, they pull apart really profoundly. I do not like the look of them so I thought adding the 2 stitches between them would help with ease.

As you can see in the photos, it worked perfectly:

I will mention, though, it made working the decreases in the crown a little tricky as I had to move things around a little bit but I will definitely work this the same way next time. I have one more half-skein on Rios in my stash that will become a second slightly bigger alfalfa for Tiny. I am thinking about knitting it on 4.5mm for the extra room he now needs.

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?

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?

weaving baskets.

I had the pleasure of testing this sweet little baby coat, which I was able to work up last week. It was a pleasure to work up.

Pattern: Woven Basket Baby Coat by Lisa Chemery (due to be released at the end of the month)

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool in Natural Mix (1.2 balls)

Needles: 6.00mm and 6.5mm

Lisa asked me to make the 0-3mos size which worked out perfectly as Tiny Tuna is 12 weeks tomorrow. He’s at the top end of the sizing but I think this will fit him through October then I will put it away for *hopefully* a future child :)

The woven basket pattern was easy to learn – it really makes the coat. I love how she worked the buttons into the band. Very genius.

The construction of this coat is a classic raglan but because you start with the hood, when you cast off at the bottom, you feel that the bulk of the project is finished. There are some little details – like a slight tapering of the hood – that really make this project special.

Isn`t that the perfect fit!

The sleeves are tapered slightly which is really nice – no bulky, baggy cuffs! I also added an extra row of buttons because I had 6 and I thought why not use them all instead of just 4.

I left off the pockets – I can always add them later or to larger versions (I will definitely be making this again).

Thank you for the opportunity to test for you, Lisa – it was a pleasure!

chevron.

Simple but effective. I started this when we were discharged from hospital – it’s much easier to knit for a little one when you know the gender! This is gender neutral but I have to admit, it was easier to choose colours after I’d met tiny tuna. I rummaged through my stash, chose my favourite colours and cast on with the yarn held double. A perfect project for sleep deprivation and constant interruptions :)

Pattern: Chevron Blanket by Purl Soho

Yarn: Knit Picks Palette in colours Masala, Sweet Potato, Turmeric, Cornmeal, White, Phildar Preface Grey, Pumice Heather – yarn held double

Needles: 6.00mm

I think for this post, I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

subtle.

Before I post about this newest FO, I wanted to say thank you all so much for your feedback and ideas from my last post! You were all very helpful & I have decided to go with Atelier. After reading through your comments, I asked my mom (who’s not a knitter but is an artist) what she thought. She agreed. The competition between the variegation and the lace in a sweater is a little too much. Again, thank you :)

This subtle little cardigan has been brewing for a while. I made one for my sister-in-law in January 2010 for her birthday. She still wears it all the time and I have to admit, I had a tough time giving it away. Thank goodness it went to a good home!

Pattern: Abalone by Beata Jezek

Yarn: Knit Picks Palette ‘Oregon Coast Heather’ held together with Frog Tree Brushed Suri 005

Needles: 6.00mm

There isn’t much to say about this cardigan – it came together incredibly quickly. It’s a little baggier than I wanted but I’m not going to redo anything. It will be very cozy in the winter!

I knit the ST st portion of the cardigan to 17”, then added 4” in garter border per the pattern. It actually washed and blocked a little longer but I’m happy with the length – with skinny jeans and boots this winter, it’ll look great.

Everything about this cardigan is subtle – from the gentle i-cord edging to the colour of the yarns held together to the unassuming garter stitch. Yup, I’m very happy with it!

In baby news, there’s nothing! We had to rush off to the vet today because as Charlie & Charlotte were playing, his eye came down on the corner of the coffee table very hard, leaving a small laceration and of course unknown other injuries. He’s fine but it meant we had quite an exciting day! And now … of course … we are all exhausted :)

I hope you are enjoying a relaxing summer – and enjoying beautiful weather that’s not too hot for knitting :)