twylem.

It is overdue but it is finished! I started this test knit back in early February. It was moving along very quickly but we had some weekends of rough teething (we are officially up to 3 teeth!) and my knitting was laid to the side. Do you experience a lull in momentum on a project when you constantly have to put it aside? I know I do.

I have wanted a new black cardigan for a long time – unfortunately this is going to be way to warm for a summer-over-the-shoulders-cardigan but it will be perfect for the rest of this winter and then the fall. It is almost more like a jacket due to the collar.

Pattern: Twylem by Vanessa Smith

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Worsted in colour black

Needles: 5.5mm for the yoke, collar and body; 5.00mm for the sleeves; 4.00mm for the belt

I really wanted to test this because of the super cool collar. The construction was interesting – I loved working the top-down collar with the yoke, then picking up and working the ribbing. It makes the collar bulky. I think that was very smart that it isn’t double layered all the way to the bottom of the cardigan – it would have been a lot of heavy fabric and warmth.

The seaming on this is minimal – the collar join at the back of the neck is a 3-needle bind-off. But the one seam is the double collar edge to the lower single ribbing. It was challenging to figure out how to seam it to get a clear line all the way across. Vanessa’s tutorials are fantastic and the finished edge looks perfect.

While I was knitting this I lost 10lbs. So by the time I got to the sleeves, it was too big. I did decide to size down the sleeves, though, and knit the 34 1/4” size sleeves instead of the 36” sleeves. I’m glad I did as it actually helped with the rest of the sweater even though it is too big. I should have knit the 34 1/4” instead of the 36”. It’s only 2” but in this case, for me, it made a big difference. And here I was concerned about whether I should knit the 38”! It would have been huge!

That’s the difficult thing about knitting while you are pregnant or just postpartum – everything for me felt too tight and now that I am getting back to my pre-pregnancy size, everything is too big! It is a small problem to have but when knitting sweaters, it is a little frustrating :)

How have you been doing with fit ‘issues’ lately?

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!

Fourteen in Twelve.

Happy New Year!
 

I hope the holidays have been wonderful thus far for you and your family/friends. We celebrated the new year in Tofino, our favourite place to go for quiet and restoration. Unfortunately, we had to cut the trip short and head home today (rather than Thursday) because tiny tuna came down with croup. He sounds worse than he is but after some sleepless nights, we decided to head home. The place we stay, though, put on quite an impressive fireworks show on Long Beach to ring in the new year and we were able to see it all from our ocean-front cabin. That was great!

While I was thinking about the year 2012, a few things came to mind that have defined the year:

• Although our dear friend’s cancer returned (which he continues to battle), they celebrated each other & decided to get married,
• We welcomed our first child into our family, and
• After much trepidation, my brother & sister-in-law decided to try something new and move to Vancouver Island.

At the beginning of 2012, I set a goal for myself to knit twelve sweaters. Amazingly, I ended up knitting fourteen! This was partly due to the month off in June while tiny tuna continued to ‘cook’ and decided he wasn’t ready to be born!

I thought I would quickly reflect on each since I learned much this year about my knitting.

1. Gamine. I was so excited about this vest & knit it in a big frenzy. The buttons I chose for it though are too heavy … and I haven’t changed them yet so this hasn’t been worn as much as I had hoped. Lesson learned: Fix what you don’t like (if you can) as soon as possible!

 

2. Hooray. This is a super cute cardigan but I didn’t love it … right from the start. After wearing it a few times, I figured out why: It’s ever so slightly too small so I’m constantly pulling at it. Lesson learned: Knit with (+)ive ease! I prefer a slightly looser fit!

3. Tinder. I absolutely love this cardigan. I’ve worn it a ton – it’s pilling under the arms and I’ve had to shave it a few times. The change in gauge and size meant it was exactly what I wanted; therefore, I ended up loving the results!
 

4. Truffle. Hmmm. I just love this jacket. It makes me feel warm and wonderful when I wear it. It’s incredibly warm, though! I’m also mad-proud of it as there were countless design elements that I had to work out and re-knit over and over. I learned an incredible amount from this jacket, including appreciating the pricelessness of a dress form!
 

5. Inuit Jacket (Drops 109-8). Again, I changed the pattern to work it up the way I envisioned. I love the results but it’s hot hot hot. Way to warm for an average day here in Vancouver … my favourite thing about this jacket/cardigan? The buttons and hood.
 

6. Audrey. This was a quick knit that I felt very inspired by at the time but I haven’t worn it. I’m not actually sure why. I love the yarn and the finished results … I just haven’t thought of it. Lesson learned: Figure out what I will wear something with/for before casting on! Yarn/cardigans sitting in the closet make a lot of work for naught.
 

7. Creature Comforts. This was tedious to finish – the cable chart felt like it was never going to finish but the results? Totally worth it! I love the finished project … although I haven’t worn it yet. I think mostly because I wear my Tinder so much!
 

8. Gathering Stripes. This pullover is super cute. But it’s way too big. I never took the time to sew the seams, either and I need to. Lesson learned: Finish things right away! Before I burn out on them (and move on to other projects!)!
 

9. Acer. By far my most favourite cardigan I have ever knit. The combination of yarn and pattern was just absolutely perfect. I’m thinking about making another one in 2013…
 

10. Abalone. This was all about stash busting. I held two yarns together to create a soft, grey-ish hue that compliments much of my wardrobe. It is a little too long – I think next time, I’ll shorten it by about 2”.
 

11. Atelier. Oooh this is such a beautiful pattern. The yarn was beautiful too. But for whatever reason, I just didn’t love the yarn knit up. It’s just too busy for me. I was sooo excited about this pattern too. Lesson learned: You can’t make yourself love something!
 

12. Woodstove Season. My first test knit ever! I love this cardigan. I wear it a lot – it’s warm and comfy. The yarn has held up really well thus far and I’ve actually bought some more that was on sale to make another worsted weight sweater I’ve had my eye on for a while.

13. Nanook. Love love love this sweater. I’ve worn it a ton. I will be making it again with a couple of changes: Mostly a little bit more room in the yoke. I like the boat-neck quality of mine but I think just a little more ease will suit my tastes.
 

14. Patrick’s Vest. This was a quick knit for my brother … who has lost weight and it’s now too big for him. Herumph. Thankfully, it still looks good and he’ll be able to wear it to muck around in!
 

In a lot of ways, while I love knitting sweaters, I think working on a few that I really love and wear is important at this time in my life. My time has become, as many new moms find, a bit of a precious commodity! What do I most want to spend my time making? Items for my family and myself that will be worn, used and loved. I hope your crafting adventures in 2012 were as enjoyable as mine.

Thank you for another wonderful year!
 

Cheers and many best wishes for 2013,

rachel

muck muckin’.

My brother loves to muck around. Along with his wife, my sister-in-law, he just moved to Vancouver Island where the weather is colder than here on the mainland – mostly because they protect us from the Pacific Ocean storms! I decided that for Christmas I would knit him a simple sweater vest for when he’s working on those projects outside that he needs a little extra warmth without the bulk and annoyance of sleeves.

Pattern: My own inspiration based on more-than-I’d-like-to-admit photos of men’s sweater vests online.

Yarn: Cascade Ecological in various colours from my stash

Needles: 6.00mm

I love stripes but I decided to do big block stripes instead of 2x2 striping (or some variation of 1-3 rows before changing colours). I like and dislike the results. Because I made the vest a typical mans length (15”), I was only able to work one blue stripe. Maybe it looks like it was meant to be that way?

Unfortunately, this is too big for my wee brother who seems to have lost weight. I knit a 40” chest but it’s about 3-4” too big. Lets hope he bulks up again in the Spring when he can get out and bike!

Can you believe that the most difficult thing about this sweater was the v-neck? And it wasn’t the actual working of the v-neck that was difficult but the exact placement!

Many of the men’s vest patterns start the neck shaping at the same time as the armhole shaping but when you look at commercial sweaters (Banana Republic proved a timeless resource!), the neck shaping starts about halfway up the armhole to create a smaller opening and a more classic fit. I decided to follow this approach and I’m really glad I did!

The neck opening is neither too big nor too small. Thank goodness!

Overall, I am really happy with how this turned out. I hope it sees at least some wear! I’ve promised him another sweater that he and K saw in a window while they were travelling … they’ve taken a photo for me to design off of and I’m looking forward to the challenge. It even has a zipper! I’ll keep you posted ;)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, dear readers!

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.

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?