Monday, January 24, 2022
Tinking (Un-knitting)
Friday, December 18, 2020
Copper Queen, Attempt Two
Continuing with Copper Queen. I was unhappy with it because it was too short, a little snug, and the bottom kept rolling up and obscuring the colorwork.
Added a 4th round of increases to get to size Large stitch count for the colorwork pattern: K4, [(RLI, K9) 23 times], RLI, K5. 240 sts.
Am also going up one needle size to US10 (moving to Europe so I thought I'd be specific 😁) for the colorwork and changing the hem from reverse stockinette to 1x1 ribbing to help it flare more (regauging).
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Partially Frogging Copper Queen
Finished Copper Queen this evening. Its a cute little ponchette with a southwest-themed intarsia border, (I love all things Southwest). It's a little snug and the bottom rolls up like crazy. I should have taken a pic before frogging.
I've ripped back to one row before I want to add the increases, then in the video I'm putting the stitches back on the needle as I rip back the last (bad) row.
But I have a plan. I'm ripping back to add another round of increases to bring to size Large (240sts), then knitting to 12 inches in length from cast on (instead of 9") before starting the colorwork. Also plan to finish with k1p1 ribbing because the reverse stockinette rolls up over the intarsia no matter what you do. (But it IS cute, so I gave it a try.)
4th round of increases: K4, [(RLI, K9) 23 times], RLI, K5. 240 sts.
BTW, the intarsia part took several evenings, because it grew monontonous. (angry face)
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Moving to Germany!
And even more exciting is the fact that after living in small town Battle Creek, Michigan which has no yarn store, and the state of Michigan, which has about 5 stores spread out all over the state, I am moving to Stuttgart, which has three stores!!! So excited!!!
Saturday, November 28, 2020
Thank you gift for the heart surgeon that saved my son's life
I decided to knit the surgeon a sweater, hoping that he would appreciate something made from the heart and hands, as his skilled hands saved my son's heart. The pattern is Arkansas River Pullover by Irina Anikeeva, published in Interweave Knits Summer 2018. I used the suggested yarn, Blue Skye Fibers Woolstok Worsted and enjoyed knitting it up. I used the Italian Cast On for the ribbing and the Tubular Bind Off for the collar.
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Berroco House Cardi Party Knit Along - Finished!
Here's my Ravelry page for pics.
A funny thing happened after I assembled the cardi. I discovered that I wished I had reversed the inset panel pattern on the front. I like the wrong side better!
I used the Italian tubular cast on for the ribbing, which is my current favorite for 1x1 ribbing.
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Cardigan Knitting Hacks
I am enjoying the Berroco Cardi House Party knit along on Facebook. Which brings the question to mind:
What are your favorite sweater/jumper knitting hacks?
Here are two of mine:
When casting on, leave a tail 2-1/2 times the length of the piece's seam on that side. Then you'll already have yarn attached and ready for the seam and it's one less end to weave in. Just pin it out of the way so you won't accidentally knit with it. Look at schematic to determine what that seam length is for the size. Works for back, left front, and sleeves. (Don't bother for the right front of a cardi, that's cast on at the cardi opening not the seam edge.)
When possible, work the edge stitch in garter. It helps tame the curl, makes a sturdy edge, and leaves a visual reference for where to seam. Not good for long cardis, garter stitch has a shorter row gauge than stockinette and will shorten the edge length.