Arrowhead Lace Cardigan

ZOMG these increases are hard to follow. I mean, I’m getting what it’s supposed to do, but my brain hurts.

March 10, 2016

I may have done some cock-eyed increases in the shoulders over the last few days, especially since I did a bunch of knitting at an all-day mandatory training. Might keep going anyway.

March 23, 2016

I agonized for days (while sick no less) whether to go with the increases as written, try for another set, or even rip back and reknit with my “old style” (ie, 4.25mm) #6 needles. The pattern says it’s approximately a “L or European 42”, which research says _might_ be too small?

But during a bout of insomnia on Monday morning, and after looking at it again, measuring everything again, etc, I decided to just go with pattern as written.

April 6, 2016

Yesterday cast off the body, today started on a sleeve.

April 11, 2016

Overall, I’m pleasantly surprised at how fast this was to make. I finished off the sleeves with garter instead of ribbing, because I wanted them to bell instead of contracting. Wondering if I ought to have done with the same with the bottom? Had just enough yarn for this pattern; either the sleeves or the body could’ve been just a smidge longer but I like leaving myself extra if I can. Really looking forward to wearing this once it’s finished drying!

June 27, 2016

Update after a few months of wearing off and on: I like the shape a lot, but the wool is a little heavy and the underarms have felted a bit.

One Row Handspun Cowl

This was my spare project to knit in meetings for a month or so. I finished it off on the first day of being sick for a week.

The pattern looks really great with the thick&thin handspun yarn and the variegated coloring.

It’s sort of a cowl; there wasn’t enough yarn for a real scarf, but as I was finishing I remembered owning a brooch/shawl pin with a stone in a coordinating color! So I didn’t sew the ends together but left it loose to use the pin.

Oh, Helen!

It only looks like it took a month because I had it on pause for a couple of weeks while working on another project. Originally started as a gift for an aunt, but these are the Wrong Colors. Instead, gave to EAN.

Slipped stitches on the ends looked a little odd to me, maybe shouldn’t have? (It was my idea, not in the pattern.)

Orange mittys

Made shorter than pattern (more like 7.5-8” vs 8.5”) to make sure I had enough yarn for seaming up. (And for giving to EA for possible future sock darning.)

Lady Jessica

The top of the collar goes really fast, and then of course the ruffles/increases slow it down. Still, a fast knit that ended up with a cute piece.

Would still like to at least wash if not fully block, also I need to find the right ribbon.

The Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief

Surprisingly quick for a shawl-type project, and easy enough to follow to be able to knit in meetings. Absolutely positively needs some blocking (see comparison between the two photos!); I soaked then dried on a towel with just a bit of shaping. After that it lies quiet nicely. I don’t know if I’m going to keep it though, which is mostly about the yarn: somewhat on the scratchy side, and not the most flattering color for me personally.

New Era mitts

Don’t know if I’m going to keep these, as they aren’t really my style. May end up gifting, or even hold onto to sell someday? Also: still need buttons & weaving in ends, but should really consider completed.

Lazy Green Cowl

Made with some mystery yarn that I found in a free box across the street from Ralph’s. (I think it’s wool or a wool blend.) Something for inbetween projects to keep my hands busy.

Ended up being shorter than I probably would’ve liked, and I stitched it into a cowl. (If you know me and want a green cowl, let me know.)

Autumnal Mitts

I made these as an auction or door prize item for a scholarship fundraiser employee lunch at The Evergreen State College. 😀

At this gauge it’s a bit large/wide for my hands, but would fit most, I think.

Minor modifications:

  • Only two repeats before starting thumb gusset (seems to make it look more unisex) and one repeat after finishing the thumb gusset.
  • At the end of the gusset increases, knit row 8 in pattern and through the gusset. Then knit row 1 in pattern, m1L before the marker, transfer the thumb stitches to waste yarn, m1R after the thumb stitches.

I’d used a smidge of the yarn for another project; with what I had left, it was exactly enough yarn. Probably not enough if I’d done all the repeats in the pattern. Maybe with a full skein? But hard to say for sure.

Seeta fingerless gloves

Overall: it’s a really fast pattern because it’s almost all stockinette & slipped stitches. It took me a bit to get the hang of how to do the pattern exactly, but once I got it…

Having now worn them once, I think they’d be more comfortable on my hands if I’d done 1/2 a pattern less; they feel a little long. Also, the pattern has a sort of smocking effect, which makes it a little shorter on the outside than on the inside. I don’t know if this could have been mitigated by draping longer lengths for the passed over yarn. It’s also possible that this effect will be reduced over time by wear.

Cast on at knitting group on Saturday and got several pattern repeats in, but decided on 1/11 that I needed to start the patterning over again. Ripped back to end of ribbing.

January 14, 2016

Started thumb gusset on right hand.

January 19, 2016

Finished the right hand (except thumb) at D&D on Saturday, then cast on left hand. This morning got to gusset of left hand. (Already!)

January 21, 2016

Finished the left hand on the bus, about to start on thumbs.