First successful sweater - done!

I need to update this blog more often!

Here is my most recent project - the "Fugly Funnel Neck" sweater, sans funnel neck.

Pattern: Funky Funnel Neck Fun, Yarn Girl's Guide to Simple Knits.
Needles: 10.5 circular
Yarn: Bernat Soft Bucle
Notes: Chunky boucle yarn originally bought for a blanket, until I realized it didn't match my couch at all. So I decided to make a plain, baggy, around-the-house sweater for when it's chilly. It's ok that it's ugly, because it is WARM and my first finished sweater. Now that I've got the beginner's jitters out of my system, I can move on to better things.

Seaming wasn't so bad, but was challenging with this particular yarn. There was very little visible stitch definition, so I sort of had to wing it. But it turned out just fine.

I don't think I would use this pattern for a sweater I actually intended to wear outside of the house without some modifications. The smallest size swims on me, and there is no waist shaping. Good for lounging around the house, or an 80s-themed Flashdance party, not so good for everyday wear.

PS - I did not sew it up as a funnel neck, but instead folded down the neckline as a boat neck.

New coat = excuse for knitting!

I obviously need a new scarf, hat, gloves, etc. to match my new winter coat. Actually, I have two new winter coats, so that's double the knitting. I'm not complaining :D

Here's the first coat:

And to match, I knitted a lace cap at this weekend's Philly SnB:

It still needs to be blocked and there is a wee end sticking out that I forgot to weave in before wearing to work this morning. Also, I knit it a little shorter than I should have because I planned on crocheting the bottom edge (as the pattern calls for), but then I realized I'm not too great at crocheting the edges of knit items! So hopefully it will block a little longer to fit my head, or I'll have to figure something else out. It's a cute hat, but needs to be a little longer.

Next on the agenda - mittens!

Another blunder!

I am not having a good knitting week at all am I?! I took a break from my sweater for a day and worked on a felted cloche hat. But somehow I messed up the top bind-off. I won't say it's the reason, but I guess the glasses of wine and subtitled movie didn't help. I thought felted might hide the mistake, but no. I may try to felt it again and see if it is wearable, but I'm guessing it's not. Ugh!

My first sock(ish)!

On Sunday I took a sock knitting class at my LYS. I've been wanting to knit socks for the longest time, and sock yarn makes me drool. So it was high time that I had someone teach me. In class, we learned to knit a chunky "mini sock" on big needles. I sort of messed up and did far too many rows on the heel turn (I knit faster than the other students, so I just kept going until they caught up, oops) so I have a weird instep thing going on. But otherwise, it's a sock! Knit by me! Yes!


Also useful - I was diagnosed in class...as a tight knitter. I never knew.

I also picked up some yarn to make an adult sized pair of socks for the pattern they provided (also using chunky yarn and big needles). I attempted to knit the first sock Sunday evening, but had holes in my gussets, so I ripped it all out in frustration. I started again today at lunch, so maybe the second time will be a success.

My other purchase - some pretty powder pink laceweight for a shawl I have planned for my next project. Yum. Can't wait to start!

Note to knitters: Do not knit while intoxicated

Here is one example of what may happen:

Haha! As you can see, everything was going fine, until that last vodka cranberry kicked in. I didn't even notice the blunder until I finished binding off and all I could do was laugh. At least it's only a stash-busting washcloth.

Pattern: Little shells
Needles: 9 straight, I think
Yarn: Sugar 'n Cream
Notes: This is my favorite washcloth pattern. The lace is easy enough to do while not really paying attention (well, in non-drinking situations apparently) and has a lovely drape. The sunshine yellow is also very pretty and cheery.

Felting is fun

Pattern: Amanda's Squatty Sidekick
Needles: 10.5 circular
Yarn: Cascade 220
Notes: Overall a fun pattern to knit, and very easy. I liked that it gave me more practice picking up stitches. The finished and felted bag is cute, but I'm not sure I'll use it much. For some reason I'm digging the look of the Sophie bag from MagKnits a bit more. I still need to attach a button, as the one I'd intended to use is a bit too small.

Here is is pre-felted:

Success! (sort of)

I've decided it's time I finally take the plunge and try a sweater. Scary! After scouring the web for an easy-looking pattern, I decided to try the Anthropologie-inspired Capelet, which is worked top-down. Because this was really just an experiment to see if I could do it, I used cheapo acrylic yarn originally bought for a blanket. I haven't even finished the capelet, as the sleeves are still on waste yarn, but the fact that I followed the pattern and got the basic shape is encouraging. Now I have the confidence to start my first "real" sweater--one that I would actually wear.

Here's a pic of the unfinished sweater:


Pattern: Anthropologie-inspired Capelet
Needles: 11 circular
Yarn: Caron worsted acrylic, double-stranded
Notes: A very easy-to-follow pattern, and quick at that! I did this in two sittings (I never finish anything in one sitting). The cheap yarn was not fun to work with, especially double-stranded on bamboo needles. But that was my own fault for being cheap and not wanting to buy yarn for the experiment. The one thing I don't like about the sweater is that it is shorter in the back and longer in the front. If I make it again, I'll extend the back.

Interweave Knits Summertime Tunic, pt. 2

Here it is, finally complete after blocking and adding the ribbon. I'll admit it is a tad too large, but wearable. My biggest problem is with the back, which I think is a bit too wide. I may end up wearing it underneath a cardigan, because I don't think the front looks that bad, but I'm unhappy with the back. (You may need to click on the photos for them not to look distorted - I'm still getting this blogger thing).




Pattern: Interweave Summertime Tunic
Needles: Size 4 and 6 circulars
Yarn: Valley Yarns Longmeadow, 5 skeins in Lettuce
Notes: The pattern was quite easy to follow, though a tad boring (inches upon inches of stockinette). Not a bad choice for a first garment. I liked working with the yarn - it's very soft and feels nice to work with and to wear. If I made this again, I'd do the smallest size.

Ribbed gauntlets

These were born from a need to stay warm at work while still being able to type. They were also my first bona fide double-pointed needle project (other than a hat, which had been started by a friend). The yarn was a joy to work with and the final result is much prettier than I can photograph.


Pattern: Handknit ribbed gauntlets from Capistrano Fiber Arts Studio
Needles: 2.5 dpns
Yarn: Koigu KPM fingering weight yarn

I'm sure I'll be making these again. It's a simple and basic pattern that leaves room for embellishment. Some sort of ribbon might be nice. Hmm...

Thrift scores

Not too long ago, I came across a bag of yarn in my local thrift store. The store usually has the random bag or skein of yarn, but it's typically ratty-looking acrylic that is easy to pass by. On this particular day, the bag of yarn I found looked somewhat promising. At the very least, it had some interesting yarns inside. I could see a skein of homespun mixed in with some eyelash yarn. It was $2.99 for the bag, so I figured I would take it home and see if I could use any of it.

Once home, I opened the package to see if any yarn was salvageable. Goodness! I got quite a deal! For less than three bucks I got ten skeins of yarn, including:

1 ball Sensations Bellezza Collection - Margherita in Color 3
1 skein Lion Brand Homepun in Barrington
1 ball Trendsetter Voila Print in Color 14
2 skeins Sensations Oceania in Orange Multi
2 skeins Lanna Gato Amsterdam in Color 2718
2 skeins Trendsetter Savvy in Color 4972

and...

1 hank Noro Big Kureyon in Color 2.


The Noro alone makes the purchase well worth the money. In fact, much of the yarn had price tags of $10...$12...even $20 on them. Unfortunately I'm not much for the eyelash yarn and don't think I'll make anything with it. I'll hold onto it for now just in case.

I've already made a scarf from the Trendsetter Savvy, which I intend to donate to charity. The novelty yarn isn't my style, but maybe it will make someone else happy.


I'm in the process of making a simple shawl from the homespun, to keep at work for the extra chilly days (I swear they keep the temperatures below freezing -- I already have a scarf and fingerless gloves at my desk).

As for the Noro, well, I'll have to think of something special to make with that.

Lemon Sophie

I've decided to jump right in and start posting, and I'll work on making the blog look pretty later. Otherwise, I'll obsess over aesthetics and never get to the blogging!

Here's my most recent FO, completed last night: Lemon Sophie.


Pattern: Sophie from MagKnits
Needles: 10.5 16" circs
Yarn: Cascade 220
Mods: I think I made the handles two inches shorter, but that's it.

Notes: It's my first felting project, and also my first time picking up stitches and doing i-cords. Overall, a very quick and easy knit. Instant gratification. Also, felting is fun!