Thank you gift for the heart surgeon that saved my son's life

In October 2020 my son was involved in a hit and run accident while riding his motorcycle. He was hit broadside by a vehicle that didn't stop, and the driver has never been found. My son arrived at the hospital with a torn aorta, which we later found out was an injury with only a 30% survival rate. At the time of the surgery, we were so shocked and numb with all of his injuries and planned surgeries that we failed to grasp the significance and miracle that he survived the night. We also feel that we didn't properly thank the surgeon because, again, we were just so overwhelmed.

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.

Berroco House Cardi Party Knit Along - Finished!

I participated in the Berroco House Cardi Party Knit Along (I may have that name wrong). It was a lot of fun to see what patterns and yarn everyone selected and their reasons why. I was fortunate enough to have some Berroco Vintage Chunky in my stash leftover from another project, and found a free pattern Alpine, that worked.

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.

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.

"Stay at Home" Order Gives Extra Time to Plot and Plan

Staying at home has given me some extra time to get back to hobby fun. I have had an idea percolating in the back of my mind for some super cute summer placemats. And now, after our enforced isolation, I think we'll be entertaining family and friends quite a bit this summer to enjoy our relationships. This idea has been percolating because I like to learn something from a design, so I am investigating short rows. I even bought the yarn for it years ago, some I'm also de-stashing! :) Stay tuned!

Also, I have received many questions on the curl stitch in Summerbelle, so I may enlist the help of my kids to video the creation of the stitch (you'll smack yourself in the forehead when you see it). I'm so old that that last sentence was originally written with the word 'film' instead of video.

Summerbelle V2.0 Just published

A new version of Summerbelle, Summerbelle 2.0, was just uploaded to Ravelry. I completely rewrote the directions, sizing, and charts, and added an optional buttoned shoulder for babies with large noggins. I also updated the specified yarn with two new choices, as the previous one was discontinued.

new sizing
new charts
new buttoned shoulder
new yarn selections

Woohoo! Hope you enjoy.

Siobhan is Kicking My Ass

I finally finished the sleeves! I was doing the happy dance of completion even as I double-checked that the sleeves would fit into the armscye. They fit! Found a new problem, though.

The neck is WAY too small!!!!

I am really kicking myself that I didn't notice as I was blocking the lace fronts to the dimensions specified in the diagram that a 2" neckline drop is CHILD SIZED. From the photo, it clearly should be 3-1/2 to 4 inches to accommodate the edging and not strangle the wearer. Sigh.

I do confess, instead of following the directions to add a garter edging later, I added a knitted-on ribbed band because I hate garter edgings in most cases. But I put those stitches on holders (see pic) and followed the neck decreases as written. Which would have worked, had they started 2 inches sooner.

So, now I'm looking at my blocked fronts, which I had to stretch the bejesus out of because, hello, linen and lace, and I just want to run screaming into the streets, possibly naked. And the more I stare at that ugly, ugly pic, the more I think those collar points are going to roll forward no matter where the neckline is, which will piss me off. Because this sumbeech is getting worn A LOT after two months work of work!

The solution is to rip back to the armholes and begin a sloped vee-shaped edging to the cardigan. But I'm angry, and giving it the silent treatment for now.

Wow! Four years!

My move to another state really disrupted my whole knitting life. I had to close down websites, say goodbye to a design job I loved at Hobby Lobby, and dive into a new state, new friends and new adventures. Finally, I am organized and re-energized to knit.

I have a new knitting design but it needs test knit and the yarn for the three sizes will be a little pricey. So I'm waiting for a good sale and/or the right time. It's a men's chunky cabled pullover with a shawl collar. It was a special request from my husband, who with me spends a lot of time in freezing cold ice rinks watching our boys play hockey.

I have also completely revamped Summerbelle and will be publishing it as soon as a sunny day for pictures appears.

Also simmering are some quick holiday gift designs.

And, gulp, I finally bought yarn for Siobhan in Jean Frost Jackets by Jean Frost. I couldn't swing the Euroflax sportweight, so I am hopeful that my substitute yarn, Fibra Natura Flax in Blue Spruce (close to emerald green, but a little more blue) will be just as gorgeous as the picture in the book.

OTN: contract knitting job, a Michael Kors Cabled Tunic in luscious, I-could-never-afford, Louise Harding Grace Silk & Wool.