Pullover #2: Aunt Fred

 

Yes, it's true. It's the TENTH month of the Year of the Pullover, and I've finally finished another pullover!

Pattern: Aunt Fred, by Pamela Wynne, from The Rhinebeck Sweater

Yarn: Quince and Co. Chickadee; Cypress (6 skeins) and Leek (4 skeins)

Needles: US 5 and 7 (2 sizes up from pattern suggestion)

Ravelry

 

This is the first sweater I've knit from The Rhinebeck Sweater, though I ultimately expect to knit almost all of them. I actually bought the book for Pumpkin Ale, which is still my dream sweater, but it doesn't fit into Year of the Pullover, so it will wait until next year.

I finished most of this sweater in July, but wasn't happy with the collar, so I ripped it out and redid it.
I'm still not happy. The instructions for the short rows are a bit vague, and I'm not sure I've done it correctly. The edge seems tight. The seam at the base of the collar looks rather messy too, but I made a good faith effort to do it neatly, and don't see any way to improve it.

I originally purchased 5 skeins of the main color, and as I got close to the end, panicked and ordered a sixth. When I started the collar, instead of using the rest of the fifth skein, I started right away with the sixth so I wouldn't potentially run out in the middle. So whether I actually needed a sixth skein is unknown, but I was happy to have it.

This sweater was my first adventure in steeking, which you can read about here. I'm happy to report no unraveling or other steek-related issues!

Overall, I'm happy with the sweater, but still need to lose some baby weight before I can actually wear it.

So, where does that leave me for Year of the Pullover? I'm still working to finish up my I Heart Aran, and have started Artichoke French, another great sweater from The Rhinebeck Sweater. Can I squeeze 2 more pullovers into 2014? Wish me luck!

Bound Off: Sprig

Have you checked your calendar recently?

No?

Then I have the sad duty to inform you that, somehow, tomorrow is the last day of June.

2014 is half over!

And what do I have to show for Year of the Pullover so far?

Well, I'm proud to say that I've finally finished a pullover!

Pattern: Sprig, by Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting, from Botanical Knits 2
Size: 36.75
Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh DK in Isadora, 4 skeins
Mods: none
Ravelry link

What a beautiful, beautiful sweater. The construction of this pullover is so inventive, you just have to go with it. Starting the asymmetrical neckline seems utterly bizarre when you cast on, but it all works out in the end.

Most of the sweater is stockinette, with some waist shaping, so it's great for car knitting or when you need something mindless and soothing to focus on.

Knitting on the collar and sleeve cuffs is the fun part, and it goes quickly too!

As usual, I loved working with Madelinetosh yarn; it's soft but sturdy, and colors are just gorgeous. This dusty rose is going to look so good with a pair of well-loved jeans and brown riding boots.

Assuming I ever fit into any of those things again.

If you've been paying attention, you'll know that I'm not modeling this sweater because I'm currently nearly 8 months pregnant; the dress form is optimistically set to my pre-baby measurements.

I followed the instructions for the 36.75" bust; the actual measurement is closer to 35". I can't remember if I did a gauge swatch, so we'll assume I didn't.

Just a little more motivation to lose that baby weight.

I opted for the button loop closure for the sleeves, and now I need to find, either in my stash or on Etsy, two perfect buttons.

(I guess technically the sweater isn't done without buttons, but far too much is at stake in the button decision-making process to rush it!)

I'm thrilled with the sweater, and can't wait to cast on my next project from Botanical Knits 2--my hard copy of the book arrived just last week (there's just something about having a paper copy, isn't there?) and I've been leafing through it excitedly.

But first, I've got a lot more pullovers to finish. Only 6 months of Year of the Pullover to go!

2014 Year of the Pullover: WIPs

I can hear you wondering, "Whatever happened to that Year of the Pullover Kristen was so excited about?"

You'll be pleased to know, I have not one, not two, but THREE pullovers currently on the needles.

First up, Aunt Fred.

Yarn: Quince and Co. Chickadee, Cypress and Leek

This one is moving surprisingly quickly for a stranded sweater. Of course, I'm not even close to the tricky part: steeking. I'm so happy with the colors I chose, and the yarn is squishy, soft and delightful.

Next, Sprig.

Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh DK, Isadora

I've made significant progress on this one. I've finished the entire body, including the fun collar, and am now working on the left sleeve (the pattern indicates knitting the sleeves before the collar, but I didn't want them flopping around in the way while I finished the neckband). This is the very first time I'm trying magic loop, and I don't know why I waited so long. I think the word "magic" threw me off; I assumed something called "magic" would be extremely complicated, but it's not. I can see using this technique for all sweater sleeves from now on!

Lastly: I Heart Aran

Yarn: Knit Picks Andes del Campo, Dove Heather

As you can see, I just started this one, but despite being knit in pieces, I expect it to move fairly quickly in heavy worsted weight (I could modify to knit in the round, but I do find side seams give sweaters more structure). This will be a great cozy fall/winter sweater, I can just tell.

Any pullovers on your needles?


P.S. Don't forget, tomorrow, May 19, is the last day to use coupon code MAMA14 in my Ravelry shop to get 50% off Javi, Hugs and Smooches, Nevado or Cielito!

Wittle Wednesdays: Kelbourne Woolens Baby Collection

It is Wednesday, right?

Sometimes I'm not even sure anymore.

I know it's April.

Or, I'm pretty sure.

Wittle Wednesday this week is dedicated to a knit I finished a while back, but didn't have a baby to use to showcase. I decided to go ahead and post it, because I wanted to talk about Kelbourne Woolens Baby Collection too.

This sweater was originally started for JJ, and then by the time it was done, it was too small. So it will be going into storage for baby #2.

(Did I mentioned that baby #2 is a boy? It's a boy! Another boy!)

The pattern is Beatrix, and can be found in Kelbourne Woolens Baby Collection, a delightful  set of practical and timeless baby knits, all featuring the beautiful Fibre Company yarns.

This pattern calls for Acadia. I happened to have a little, so I used it for the contrast color, and used up some Knit Picks City Tweed DK for the main color.

I knit the 6-12 month size, and I think 12 months would probably be pushing it. Based on just this sweater, I would guess the patterns might run a bit small, but you can remedy that by actually measuring your baby, and not just winging it. 

The entire piece is knit in garter stitch, so it's full of squishy goodness, and the body is knit in one piece, with mitered shaping on the front.

 It has just one button, so I picked a decorative one I had in my collection.

I love the grown up-looking collar on this piece, and can't wait to see it on a squishy baby this fall!

Photo courtesy of Kelbourne Woolens

This is the first piece I knit from the KW Baby Collection, but won't be the last. There are some great patterns in here. Like Collette:

 Photo courtesy of Kelbourne Woolens

Pretty girlie, but in the right colors and sans the hearts, I think it will work for a boy.

And Nellie is the cutest little unisex jumper:

Photo courtesy of Kelbourne Woolens

 Many of these patterns are fairly simple and straightforward, which is the beauty of it all: as a new or expecting mom, you often don't have the energy or brain power for something complicated. At your best, you might be able to work simple patterns like these out on your own. But on 3 hours' sleep, you just want someone to tell you what to do.

My only concern with this collection is that, while the Fibre Company's yarns are absolutely beautiful, many of them are delicate and perhaps not baby/kid friendly. So I would suggest taking that into consideration when deciding whether to knit your projects in the recommended yarns (perhaps for special occasion pieces?) or to opt for heartier yarns.

If you enjoy baby knits, I highly recommend this 13 pattern collection. You can buy the ebook through Ravelry for $15, or grab a print copy on Amazon for $13 + shipping.

Mommy and Me: A Story in Sweaters

You might remember, I finished JJ's Coolbreeze Cardigan back in December, and then my sweater had to undergo surgery before I could wear it.

And then, for whatever reason, I procrastinated about putting the buttons on.

Well, first I couldn't find the buttons. But then once I found them, I still took my good old time putting them on the sweater.

I don't know.  I guess I wasn't in a rush given that, after all the work to make the coordinating sweaters, I knew mine wouldn't fit. Because: pregnancy.

Interesting thing about subsequent pregnancies--the body remembers. It's like, "Oh, hey, I just did this. May as well get on with the task of expanding to epic proportions immediately."

But I did finally decide to just sew the buttons on and finish the project once and for all.

 

And, of course, it doesn't exactly fit.  But it looks kind of ok as an open front cardigan for the time being. I think I can keep using it until Spring arrives--if it ever does (I'm looking at you, snow forecast for Tuesday!).

So of course, buttons accomplished, I needed to FINALLY get the mommy/baby matchy match sweater photos I wanted.

  

JJ was less than amused, probably because his sweater barely fits him anymore.  Also, you'd think the photographer (AKA: CP) might mention that my hand is blocking most of JJ's sweater. But no.

 There's a smile. And now his sweater can be washed and put back in the closet for baby #2.

Shortly after taking these photos, I drove myself out to the Homespun Yarn Party, but that was a complete bust. After driving around for 15 minutes looking for parking until I found someone leaving to stalk (and I don't mean to get a parking space close to the entrance--I mean to get any parking space at all), I made my way inside to find an ENORMOUS line. I estimated at least a 45 minute wait to get in--and that was just to enter the room, not to buy any actual yarn. I stuck around for a few minutes to see how fast it was moving--and it wasn't. So that was it for me--I drove the 40 minutes back home, completely wasting most of my Sunday afternoon. Boo.

Pullover #1: Sprig

I've decided to stick with my original decision to make 2014 the Year of the Pullover. Even if they never fit me (and let's hope that's not true), they'll fit my sister, my mom, or someone.

First up, Alana Dakos' Sprig:

Photos courtesy of Alana Dakos

In this fresh green color it looks quite springy, but I'm planning an early fall sweater, and picked up some Madelinetosh Tosh DK in Isadora, a muted dusty rose:

 

I've got deadline knitting to do, but I still think I'll swatch for this tonight--it's been ages since I've actually finished a big non-design project, I'm hoping this will jump start the sweater knitting mojo. Especially since, despite me declaring it to be Spring, we're facing 8+" of snow on Monday. Ugh.

Anyone else Pullover-ing for 2014? What's on your list?

Sweater Surgery: A Success Story

The last time you saw my Warm Breeze Cardigan (that would be Tanis Lavallee's Coolbreeze Cardigan), it looked something like this:

Major sweater fail. Monumental fail. So much fail.

I set the sweater aside for a bit while I pondered how to best remedy this situation.

I really couldn't stomach the idea of ripping out the ribbed cuff (ugh), the colorwork (double ugh), adding 4" to the sleeve, and then reknitting said colorwork and hem.

I knew if that was my plan going forward, this sweater would languish in WIP purgatory forever.

So I came up with a daring new plan.

I would cut the cuff and colorwork portion off, knit the sleeve to the right length, and then graft them back on.

Sounds pretty simple, right?

Actually, it probably sounds terrifying, but it actually was pretty simple.

 A quick snip just above the colorwork . .. 

 Slowly unraveled, placing the cuff stitches on waste yarn as I went . . .

And tada! Sleeve stitches back on the needles, ready to work.

I knit the necessary 4", and then set about kitchenering the two pieces back together.

  Looking a little rough at first . . . .

 A few stitches seem to have been put on the needle backward, but oh well . . .

 Just needs a little blocking, I think . . .

 And voila! Sure, it's not perfect, but I doubt anyone's going to come up to stare at my sweater sleeves.

A wearable sweater!

Pattern Debut: Penny

It's finally here!

My very first adult garment is hot off the presses! Introducing, the Penny Vest:

Penny is part of the brand new Knit Picks Gloss collection, 6 new designs featuring Knit Picks' Gloss yarn, a lovely soft blend of merino and silk.

Penny, a sleeveless vest that can be worn alone or layered during cooler months, features lace columns and an inset lace panel at the neckline.

Just a hint of cabling decorates the arms:

Shown here worn loosely as a sleeveless top, Penny works equally well worn with less ease and layered over a white button-down for a preppy look. True story: the original inspiration for this vest was Penny's Cheesecake Factory uniform on the Big Bang Theory, which features a tightly fitting vest with a deep V-neckline!

However you decide to wear it, this piece will add a subtle cozy touch and a hint of lacy elegance to any outfit.

You can pick up the entire Gloss DK collection right now for just $8.99, buy the Gloss DK e-book for $9.99, or purchase Penny as a stand alone pattern for $4.99!

I also invite you to preview the collection and check out the Penny pattern page over on Ravelry, because hearts = love!

Wittle Saturday Wednesday Bound Off Sampler . . . Post

The speed at which the days slip away from me is astounding. I intended to come here and post this on Wittle Wednesday, yet here it is Saturday, and I'm just now sitting down at the computer. But, since I have no Saturday Sampler post prepared, I guess I can just go ahead with JJ's sweater.

My little booger angel turned 10 months old on Monday! So incredible to be closing in on a year already.

He's crawling, chasing the cats, pulling to a stand on anything stable (and not-so-stable), cruising, walking with his walker and determined to crack his head open the instant I turn my back.

To celebrate, I made him wear his finished Coolbreeze cardigan--with sleeves of equal length!--and pose with Christmas lights, which he did not appreciate at all.

Oh well. Just the start of a never-ending parade of things to be done to make mommy happy.

For JJ's sweater, I used a brick red for the main color, and started the chevron pattern with the lightest color and worked back to dark brown. I should've also used the lightest color on the sleeve ribbing, but I wasn't sure I would have enough to finish my cardigan, so I opted for brown.

(And since I still have 4 inches of sleeve to add to my cardi, this was probably a wise choice.)

This was a very straightforward pattern, though as I recall, I thought something was a little off on the final yoke decrease round, it didn't quite seem to fit the established pattern, but I figured it out quickly. The colorwork section is easy to memorize, and though there are LOTS of ends to weave in, it's easy to wind them through and around the slipped stitch strands on the wrong side.

Is this safe? I'm calling child services!

I knit the 12 month size, and barring any major growth spurts (knock on wood), it should last through the winter. Now, in the midst of all the Christmas knitting, I must fix my own cardigan so we can get at least ONE measly photo of us in our coordinating sweaters.

Yippie!

Wittle Wednesdays: Gavyn Pullover

I finished this sweater up a couple months ago, and JJ has finally grown into it! He wore it on a cool day last week (actually, it was so chilly, he should probably also be wearing a jacket!), so I snapped a few photos so I could show it off.

Pattern: Gavyn, by Amanda Blackford
Yarn: Neighborhood Fiber Co. Studio Worsted in the Rock Creek Park colorway
Needles: ??
Rav link

There a few big pluses for this sweater--it knits up quickly in worsted weight, and the combination of knit and purl boxes is quite stretchy, so it should fit for a while. Through the winter, hopefully.

Unfortunately I can't recommend the sweater without noting that the pattern was a bit troublesome. There were some errors and confusing patches that I was ultimately able to work through--since it's a fairly straightforward construction--but it wasn't as clear as a knitter would expect.

Still, it's a free pattern, and a cute sweater, so if you're up to a little fussing and head-scratching, you can make it work.

This was my first time working with Neighborhood Fiber Co. Studio Worsted (though I'm dying to get my hands on some Lincoln Park), even though she's a local dyer. I think I'll be using it again! The yarn is sturdy, but still fairly soft (not as soft as, say, Malabrigo, but I have a feeling it will hold up 10 times better). And I love the large skeins--400 yards. I even have enough left over for a matching baby hat.

If I could just find the time to knit it!

Wittle Wednesdays: A Winner

Someone adorable is 8 months old today! So, since he was the inspiration for the Javi sweater, I think I'll go ahead and announce the giveaway winner. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, the winner of the Javi sweater kit is . . .





SarahAnneKnits!

She'll receive a copy of the pattern, along with Wool of the Andes Sport yarn in the color combo of her choice, and buttons to finish the sweater. Sarah, please email me at mediaperuana at gmail.com so we can coordinate!

Thanks to everyone who entered this giveaway, it was lovely to hear so many nice comments about the sweater.

One commenter expressed an interest in seeing this as an adult sweater--I'm already thinking about it! I'm imagining a closer fit, thinner stripes, and something more "grown up" with the sleeves. I'll keep you guys posted.

Another commenter had nice things to say about JJ's hair in the pattern photos, so I feel obligated to show you what JJ's hair usually looks like:

OK, that's actually his bed head, but his hair is slightly wavy, and gets disheveled ridiculously easily. The results of brushing are very short lived.

But I digress . . .

Thanks again to everyone who entered the sweater kit giveaway--and as a special thank you, I'm offering a promo code for my Ravelry pattern store. Purchase the Javi pattern, and get any of my other patterns FREE. Use code "JAVI." Good through October 10.

I've got one more pattern making its debut in October, so please check back soon to read about my very first adult sweater!