My First Sweater- Part 4

This isn't exactly the most exciting week, picture-wise, but I finished the body. I did an extra cable repeat to make it a little bit longer. The knitting is still going quite quickly. I"m looking forward to seeing it blocked. I went down one size because I heard it ran big and the store sample was only a little (one size) not a lot (two sizes) small for me. Let's hope it still fits.

Next week- sleeves

Fearless Knitting Goal #2- Complete

My first pair of toe up socks! The heels are messy and you can see the yarn overs, but I'm sure I will get better at that with practice. I have no idea why I waited so long to try this sock construction.

Pattern: Halema`uma`u Socks by Debbie O'Neill
Yarn: Handmaiden Fine Yarn Casbah Sock in color Loopified
Needle: size 1.5 circular
Date Started: April 18, 2009
Date Finished: April 24, 2009
Comments: Pattern and yarn were from The Loopy Ewe's second anniversary kit. I made these socks in less than a week. I think that is a new record. I also learned a lot of things: Judy's magic cast on, short row heel, and Elizabeth Zimmerman's sewn bind-off. I had some tension issues- I really needed a 1 or a 0 needle but I didn't have one.

My First Sweater- Part 3

Last Monday was my first class. I just want to take a minute to say how wonderful our teacher Ashlee is. We are all at different skills levels in the class and she was very good at giving us each the personal attention we needed. I already had my gauge swatch done, so I started right away. Ashlee taught me how to increase by knitting into the stitch below. This is such an awesome technique!

This week I cast on and started the body. I finished the decreases.

I messed up one of the cable rows (you can see it in this photo), but I do not think it is too noticeable, so I left it. Overall, I'm finding this pattern fairly simple. The cable chart involves a little bit of attention, but I get into a rhythm with the long stockinette stitch that is quite relaxing. So far, so good! Sweater knitting does take forever though. I feel like I would have at least one sock in the same amount of time. Stitches-wise, it probably is the same.

Next week: Finishing the body.

Some Fearless Knitting

This week I was inspired by:

1. Socks from the Toe Up
2. My new Casbah yarn
3. An episode of the Knitmore Girls podcast where they talked about not saving your good things "until the Pope comes"

So I cast on for my first pair of toe up socks. I watched this video of Judy's Magic Cast On, and viola!
I had to rip out the toe a few times, but now I'm almost to the heel. That will be the next challenge, and then I'll be home free. This Casbah yarn is so wonderful to work with- it's soft and not splitty at all, plus I am loving the way the colors are pooling/striping.

I'm having a little trouble with gauge. The pattern says to use 2s. I'm using 1.5s and I really need to go down a size or two, but I wanted to use magic loop and I don't have a smaller Addi. When I'm doing the Casbah sock I got the yarn and pattern for yesterday I will definitely have to go buy a smaller needle. I was always such a tight knitter, but it appears I am loosening up.

Now, my intention was to do a pair of plain vanilla socks for my first toe up socks, but I felt a little silly with two skeins of the same yarn in my stash. When I remembered what the Knitmore Girls said about not saving yarn for special occasions, I decided to go for it. I am glad I did. This pattern isn't hard, but it is just interesting enough to keep me knitting.

Edited: I did the heel today and as long as I followed the directions, it was fine. I have little holes that I will need to tighten up, but all in all I am very happy with my first attempt at a short row heel. I'm sure the holes will disappear with practice.

A Stash Enhancing Week

Despite my resolution to actually use the yarn I have, I invested in some stash this week.
First up, some Malabrigo Lace in Green Sapphire. I cannot even explain how soft and yummy this yarn is. It is going to be a Whisper Cardigan.

Next is the Don't Be Blue Kit from The Loopy Ewe. I got this for not getting into their sock club. Yes, that's Casbah. I love the color, and of course anything with cashmere in it is going to be wonderful.


Last, but certainly not least is the book Socks from the Toe Up (Amazon link) by WendyKnits. I have been looking forward to this book since I heard about it last summer. I think it will be the perfect way to achieve my 2009 Fearless Knitting goal of making toe up socks. Incidentally, the pattern for the Don't Be Blue Kit is from Wendy herself.

I'm trying to resist the urge to cast on all these projects at once.

Blocked and Photographed

I'm a little ashamed to admit that I finished the shawl back in February. I finally got around to blocking and photographing it. This was such a pleasure to knit. The yarn was so soft. The pattern was very well written. If you are a beginning lace knitter, I definitely recommend this pattern. Susan walks you through each step and the pattern is easy without being boring. I see myself wearing this a lot in the library next winter.

Pattern: Forest Canopy Shawl by Susan Lawrence
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas 100% Alpaca Sport Weight
Needle: size 8 circular
Date Started: October 25, 2008
Date Finished: February 6, 2009
Comments: It really didn't take me three and a half months to knit this. It got put on hold for quite awhile.

I Am in Love

I saw this pattern on Ravelry Monday night and I have to make it. It is the Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig (knitbot). Hannah also designed the Whisper Cardigan from the Spring 2009 Interweave Knits. I did not really like the Whisper Cardigan, but I am seriously in love with the Featherweight Cardigan. So much so that I went and immediately went and bought the yarn for this project: Malabrigo Lace in Sapphire Green (from The Loopy Ewe if you are curious). Yummm. I should not start my second sweater before I have completed the first, but I know that I am not going to be able to resist.

I've Decided

I'm going to George Washington University in the fall. I'll be working on my PhD in Public Policy and Administration.

My First Sweater- Part 2

What is the most important step to starting a sweater? Swatching of course!

Here is my swatch after washing and blocking it. I used size 8 needles and got the right stitches per inch, but my row gauge was way off. I tried going up to a 9, which got the row gauge, but way off in stitches per inch. I have read it is more important to get the stitches per inch (do you think this is true?). I will just have to remember to make it longer. I was planning on doing that anyways, so it shouldn't be a big deal. I will ask my teacher if I need to worry about the decreases.

A little about the yarn: I am using Cascade 220. So far, I really like the stitch definition of this yarn. I think it blocks out fairly nicely. I will have to be careful about keeping my tension even. It is a little scratchy, but that is in comparison to all the super-soft sock yarn I have been using lately.

Next week: Casting on

Easter Sunday To Do List

First of all, Happy Easter to all of you who celebrate it. I wish I could say that I got to spend the day relaxing with family, but that is not the case. My family is far away and it's almost the end of the semester, so I am too busy to take (another) day off. So this is/was my plan for the day:

• Go to church. Done. The minister started his sermon with a blond joke. The church I went to last year did a "Dear Angel" segment. I guess they try to be creative here.
• Clean my apartment. Done. There is no longer a (half?) week's worth of dishes in my sink.
• Catch up on job stuff. Done. I haven't been doing enough of this lately.
• Taxes. Ick! I started this a few weeks ago, so hopefully it will not take too long.
• Make another swatch for my first sweater. My row gauge is way off on my first swatch, but my stitches per inch is almost dead on, so I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do.
• Finish my first Marlene sock by Cookie A.
• Do a cost/benefit analysis between PhD program A and PhD program B. Call anyone I can think of to discuss it. Try to make a decision.
• Work on presentation for Tuesday.
• Respond to all the emails I've neglected this week.
• Dinner/dessert with friends (?)

It is already 4 and I have only done the first three tasks, so I better get moving. I hope you had a good weekend.

Ishbel

This is the first case of a yarn telling me what it wanted to be. I've had this yarn in my stash since the summer, but just couldn't find the right project for it. Then Ishbel came along. I am so in love:
I've already worn this scarf/mini-shawl several times. I wasn't sure about the size and shape, but it looks so nice under a jacket or alone. Plus, it was perfect for the slight chill in the Northern California air in mid-March.


Pattern: Ishbel by Ysolda Teague
Yarn: KUAS Yarns Fingering Weight Peruvian Wool in color Gentle Sea-Waves (KUAS reading the classics club)
Needle: size 6 circular
Date Started: March 11, 2009
Date Finished: March 16, 2009
Comments: Love, Love, Love. I'm already imagining making more of these for myself and for Christmas gifts. It's a great way to use sock yarn for a non-sock project. Go make one yourself ASAP!

Spring 2009 Magazine Reviews Part III: Interweave Knits

I think this is the last installment in my Spring 2009 magazine review series. Have no fear, this is not another negative review. I really like this issue of IK. In fact, it is the first issue of IK I have bought.

The thing I like most about this issue are the sweaters. If I saw them in a store, I would buy many of them. I do not know if it is the color or the waist detailing, but I love the Millefori Cardigan by Andrea Pomerantz. I've read that the pattern is a little fussy, but it would be sooo adorable with a jean skirt and cute sandals.
*Photo is from http://www.interweaveknits.com/preview/2009_spring.asp#Millefiori-Cardigan

Next up is the Diminishing Rib Cardigan, also by Andrea Pomerantz. This one has been pretty popular on Ravelry. I think the waist detailing would be very flattering on all body types. I have read some concerns about a lack of a closure, but I think that is what makes the pattern so unique. I like the idea of pairing a neutral color with a very bright camisole. This would look especially nice over a summer dress.

*Photo is from http://www.interweaveknits.com/preview/2009_spring.asp#Diminishing-Rib-Cardigan

I also liked both of the wrap sweaters, Connie Chang Chinchio's Silk Cocoon Cardigan and Soap Bubble Wrap. The shawls are also quite nice, but too intricate for my present thesis/end of semester mindset.

Overall, I am quite happy with this issue of IK. Unlike some of the other magazines, these designs are beautiful without being too difficult.

Spring 2009 Magazine Reviews Part II: Knitty

I do not think it is hyperbole to say that a new issue of Knitty is one of the most anticipated events of the knitting world. Amy Singer, the genius behind Knitty, seems to be constantly updating servers to try to deal with the inevitable traffic crashes when she releases a new issue.

The Spring 2009 issue was released in the beginning on March. I know this might make me a pariah in the knitting world, but I did not like it as well as most previous issues. Before you dismiss me, let me say one thing. I think the reason that I did not like this issue is that I do not like the trend towards increasingly complex patterns. These patterns distract from pretty yarn and take forever to knit. That is not to say that I do not admire very technically difficult patterns. These types of creations are works of art. They are just not something I would knit.

The pattern I like most is the Santeney Vest by Marleen van der Vorst. It seems very wearable and a great addition to one's spring wardrobe. My concern is that it might hug the curves and rolls of someone like me a little too much. Therefore, I plan to wait to see some finished objects on Ravelry before I put it in my queue.

Do not tell my mother because she might start hoping she will get grandchildren someday after all (something that is DEFINITELY NOT in my 5+ year plan), but I think my other favorite patterns were the childrens' patterns. The little girl modeling Topaz by Yumiko Sakurai is too cute, and so is the pattern (below).
*Photo is from http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring09/PATTtopaz.php

I think the subtle color work is just enough to add interest, both for the knitter and anyone admiring the garment, but while still being age appropriate. You would not be worried about the child getting dirty in this piece or falling down and ruining hours upon hours of complex stitch patterns or lace. The other children's pattern that I love is Steggie by Julia Farwell-Clay (below).

*Photo is from http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring09/PATTsteggie.php

Seriously, how can you not want to run out immediately and buy yarn for this pattern? I admit that only a dinosaur-obsessed child will want to wear it, but if you find the right recipient, I am sure it would become an instant favorite.

The last pattern that intrigued me was Cachoeira by Kristi Geraci.
*Photo is from http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring09/PATTcachoeira.php

When I saw this side shot, I immediately thought "Cookie A." It is not a Cookie A. sock, but I was not that far off because I believe Kristi is her knitting BFF and blog co-author. This is one of those patterns that I highly admire for its technical difficulty, but I do not know if I would ever make it. It is much too pretty to be hidden under pants and in shoes.

Overall, the Spring 2009 issue of Knitty is not what I consider "knitable". There are cute patterns, but either because I do not have the patients for intricate patterns or because I do not know any children who could be recipients, I do not know if I will make any of the patterns. As always though, I am looking forward to the surprise patterns and the Summer 2009 issue.

My First Sweater- Part 1

I'm going to be doing a new weekly feature, My First Sweater. I'm taking a class at my LYS, Knitting Etc. to make Loppem by Norah Gaughan. It seems appropriate that my first sweater should be designed by this amazing and prolific knitter. Over the next two months or so I will be taking you through the whole process of making my first sweater.

Knitting Etc. had a sale over the weekend, so I picked up my yarn and the pattern. The store sample and the pattern used Cascade Venezia Worsted and Berocco Palace, respectively. I looked through Ravelry, and a lot of people used Cascade 220. I decided to purchase it in a lovely blue color because a.) I wanted a blue sweater and the store did not have a blue I liked in Venezia and b.) I decided it would be better for me to be economical on my first sweater. Here's a peak:


Next week: Swatching

FO: More Socks

I named these "My Midterm Got Moved so I Deserve Yarn Socks". These are some of my absolute favorite colors, and they knit up so quickly.

Pattern: 7 Stitches Per Inch Socks by Ann Budd
Yarn: Colinette Jitterbug
Needle: size 1.5 circular
Date Started: March 12, 2009
Date Finished: March 29, 2009
Comments: This is one of my favorite yarns. I made them a little short because I was worried about the low yardage, but I still had some left over. I had some trouble with pooling. There are some big brown patches by the ankles that I'm not happy with, but other than that, I think the pattern is nice.