I've now knitted two complete repeats of pattern. The gauge is perfect. Over pattern, I've knitted 5.5" above the ribbing.....
".... But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep ..." (Robert Frost)
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Saturday, October 13, 2018
13 October 2018
I've finished one full row repeat of the Nora Gaughan knot pattern. My calculations were correct (whew!) and the take-up gave me the correct width. I'm not so worried about the row gauge because I have to knit to length anyway.
The fingering weight of the JaggerSpun Heathers in color Dewberry is an easy color to work with and shows the stitch detail well.
Now it's just on with knitting to finish the back. Five more row repeats of 31 rows will get me to the underarm.
I've finished one full row repeat of the Nora Gaughan knot pattern. My calculations were correct (whew!) and the take-up gave me the correct width. I'm not so worried about the row gauge because I have to knit to length anyway.
The fingering weight of the JaggerSpun Heathers in color Dewberry is an easy color to work with and shows the stitch detail well.
Now it's just on with knitting to finish the back. Five more row repeats of 31 rows will get me to the underarm.
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
3 October 2018
You can call me crazy but my wife kept commenting on how beautiful the sweater was that I knitted for my brother. How could I refuse offering.....
The sport weight Heathers by Jagger Spun was going to be too heavy so I knitted a pattern sample using fingering weight Heathers.
I started knitting with the needle size that I used for my brother's sweater and that just wasn't working. So down a needle size and that worked perfectly. You can see how I continued to knit a gauge swatch just changing the needle size.
Armed with my new gauge (11.2 sts/inch) I made a guide for what I need to knit. Just a rough sketch for where I'm going. Oh, and yes, she wanted a cardigan. I haven't worked out how to knit the pattern on both sides of the 'button band', but I have some thoughts. I will be knitting the front edge band double wide in stockinette stitch, with a turning stitch, and folding it to the inside and sewing it down. That way the front edge of the sweater will be stabilized and the bands will have some body.
With the exception of the back, what I will do is all guess work. I'm not afraid to backup if necessary and change what I'm doing to make it work.
This will be an interesting journey. Stop by the shop and see how it's going. Want to give it a try? Let's talk.
You can call me crazy but my wife kept commenting on how beautiful the sweater was that I knitted for my brother. How could I refuse offering.....
The sport weight Heathers by Jagger Spun was going to be too heavy so I knitted a pattern sample using fingering weight Heathers.
I started knitting with the needle size that I used for my brother's sweater and that just wasn't working. So down a needle size and that worked perfectly. You can see how I continued to knit a gauge swatch just changing the needle size.
Armed with my new gauge (11.2 sts/inch) I made a guide for what I need to knit. Just a rough sketch for where I'm going. Oh, and yes, she wanted a cardigan. I haven't worked out how to knit the pattern on both sides of the 'button band', but I have some thoughts. I will be knitting the front edge band double wide in stockinette stitch, with a turning stitch, and folding it to the inside and sewing it down. That way the front edge of the sweater will be stabilized and the bands will have some body.
With the exception of the back, what I will do is all guess work. I'm not afraid to backup if necessary and change what I'm doing to make it work.
This will be an interesting journey. Stop by the shop and see how it's going. Want to give it a try? Let's talk.
3 October 2018
Okay, I'm getting up on my soap box.
That said, when knitting a gauge swatch, DON'T cast-on the number of stitches that should give you 4". You CANNOT determine the gauge from a wrinkled piece of material with no margins. You need a clear area of knitting to measure without trying to 'tame' the edges.
You should cast-on at least 12 to 20 more stitches than you would have for a 4" area and knit at least 6" vertically.
So, if you are to get a gauge of 20 sts to 4 inches (5 sts/inch) then cast on 30 to 32 stitches and knit for 6".
If your gauge isn't working then DON'T ravel the yarn. Knit two rows to put a garter ridge across your knitting, change your needle size and keep on knitting. Now you can compare what is happening when you change the needle size.
What ever you do, DON'T ravel out your gauge and immediately re-knit a gauge using the same yarn. You've stretched out the yarn by knitting it and your gauge will not be accurate.
Now I'm stepping off my soap box. Thank you for reading my rant.
Okay, I'm getting up on my soap box.
That said, when knitting a gauge swatch, DON'T cast-on the number of stitches that should give you 4". You CANNOT determine the gauge from a wrinkled piece of material with no margins. You need a clear area of knitting to measure without trying to 'tame' the edges.
You should cast-on at least 12 to 20 more stitches than you would have for a 4" area and knit at least 6" vertically.
So, if you are to get a gauge of 20 sts to 4 inches (5 sts/inch) then cast on 30 to 32 stitches and knit for 6".
If your gauge isn't working then DON'T ravel the yarn. Knit two rows to put a garter ridge across your knitting, change your needle size and keep on knitting. Now you can compare what is happening when you change the needle size.
What ever you do, DON'T ravel out your gauge and immediately re-knit a gauge using the same yarn. You've stretched out the yarn by knitting it and your gauge will not be accurate.
Now I'm stepping off my soap box. Thank you for reading my rant.
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
29 August 2018
It's finished!
This was a challenge but the finished product was worth it. I did have to ravel back several times to fix errors but that's what happens when you're not paying attention. The JaggerSpun, Heathers was a dream to work with and wet finished with a really soft hand. It took almost two cones of Heathers 3/8 (which translates to sport weight) for a size 42 which would be about 2600 yards of yarn. Knitting with cones was a pleasure and eliminated ends that needed to be worked in. All I need to do now is add my label and an abalone shell tab and I'm set to give this as a gift. Whew!
My journey is summed up on our Ravelry page: John's Sweater.
If you'd like to try this, stop by the store and talk.
It's finished!
This was a challenge but the finished product was worth it. I did have to ravel back several times to fix errors but that's what happens when you're not paying attention. The JaggerSpun, Heathers was a dream to work with and wet finished with a really soft hand. It took almost two cones of Heathers 3/8 (which translates to sport weight) for a size 42 which would be about 2600 yards of yarn. Knitting with cones was a pleasure and eliminated ends that needed to be worked in. All I need to do now is add my label and an abalone shell tab and I'm set to give this as a gift. Whew!
My journey is summed up on our Ravelry page: John's Sweater.
If you'd like to try this, stop by the store and talk.
Friday, July 20, 2018
20 July 2018
Two new yarns have hit the shelves:
It's easy to make striped & patterned projects with Heritage Prints! This self-patterning, super-soft yarn is a machine washable blend of superwash merino and nylon - a soft yet sturdy combination! Patterns and stripes emerge all on their own as you work. This yarn is great for a one skein project, socks, Mitts. There are 437 yards per ball.
There are free patterns on the Cascade Yarns website:
Melilla Fingering is a new color changing yarn that contains a generous helping of silk and has long transitions through eight colors per colorway. Use it to add interest to simple designs or to accentuate modular or geometric design components. There are 437 yards of yarn per ball. Great for a single ball project.
This fingering weight version of the yarn is so new that Cascade hasn't even put it up on the website as of yet. Patterns will be available soon. Here's an idea of what the yarn looks like knitted. I don't even have samples of the new colors - it's that new!
Two new yarns have hit the shelves:
It's easy to make striped & patterned projects with Heritage Prints! This self-patterning, super-soft yarn is a machine washable blend of superwash merino and nylon - a soft yet sturdy combination! Patterns and stripes emerge all on their own as you work. This yarn is great for a one skein project, socks, Mitts. There are 437 yards per ball.
There are free patterns on the Cascade Yarns website:
Melilla Fingering is a new color changing yarn that contains a generous helping of silk and has long transitions through eight colors per colorway. Use it to add interest to simple designs or to accentuate modular or geometric design components. There are 437 yards of yarn per ball. Great for a single ball project.
Sunday, July 15, 2018
15 July 2018
Well the back and one sleeve are done. The sleeve required maintaining pattern as the increases were worked. I thought that was going to be a big problem. Despite the weirdness of a partial pattern it worked well. It may not make seaming easy but that will be a future problem.
These two pieces used 395gm of JaggerSpun Heathers which works out to most of one cone of 1490 yds. I have another cone that I've started using for the front so there will be plenty of yarn left to work the complete sweater.
It takes four repeats (vertically) to the under arm. I'm on the third repeat for the front. This looks like it will be done in time for a birthday... whew!
Well the back and one sleeve are done. The sleeve required maintaining pattern as the increases were worked. I thought that was going to be a big problem. Despite the weirdness of a partial pattern it worked well. It may not make seaming easy but that will be a future problem.
These two pieces used 395gm of JaggerSpun Heathers which works out to most of one cone of 1490 yds. I have another cone that I've started using for the front so there will be plenty of yarn left to work the complete sweater.
It takes four repeats (vertically) to the under arm. I'm on the third repeat for the front. This looks like it will be done in time for a birthday... whew!
 |
| These pieces have not been blocked. |
Friday, June 22, 2018
22 June 2018
I'm still plugging along, as time allows, on the sweater that I'm knitting for my brother. The pattern looks difficult but really isn't if you've ever knitted a cable.
Now that I've corrected the chart that Berroco made for Nora Gaughan's pattern it is much easier to knit and follow the pattern. I will say the hardest part of knitting this sweater is maintaining the stitch pattern while decreasing or increasing the stitches.
I've finished the back and the arm scye wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I just followed the recommended decreases figuring if I follow the decreases for the arm cap they will match. So here goes ......
I will warn that the length of the sleeve recommended in the pattern will be too long. Just look up any sleeve length in a similar pattern. I will be working to 17" and in order to have the correct number of stitches I'm increasing each side every right side row.
If anyone is interested in knitting this pattern you are welcome to a copy of my modified chart, but you need to come to the shop to get it.
Questions about the sweater or my sanity, stop by and ask questions.
This sweater is being knit from coned JaggerSpun Heathers, color Smoke. The yarn gauge is 6 sts/inch. My gauge, over pattern, is 9.2 sts/inch. It will take more than one cone for a man's 42". It's so nice to knit with not having to worry about running out of yarn in the middle of a row.
I'm still plugging along, as time allows, on the sweater that I'm knitting for my brother. The pattern looks difficult but really isn't if you've ever knitted a cable.
Now that I've corrected the chart that Berroco made for Nora Gaughan's pattern it is much easier to knit and follow the pattern. I will say the hardest part of knitting this sweater is maintaining the stitch pattern while decreasing or increasing the stitches.
I've finished the back and the arm scye wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I just followed the recommended decreases figuring if I follow the decreases for the arm cap they will match. So here goes ......
I will warn that the length of the sleeve recommended in the pattern will be too long. Just look up any sleeve length in a similar pattern. I will be working to 17" and in order to have the correct number of stitches I'm increasing each side every right side row.
If anyone is interested in knitting this pattern you are welcome to a copy of my modified chart, but you need to come to the shop to get it.
Questions about the sweater or my sanity, stop by and ask questions.
This sweater is being knit from coned JaggerSpun Heathers, color Smoke. The yarn gauge is 6 sts/inch. My gauge, over pattern, is 9.2 sts/inch. It will take more than one cone for a man's 42". It's so nice to knit with not having to worry about running out of yarn in the middle of a row.
Thursday, May 17, 2018
17 May 2018
I decided to knit a sweater for my brother but nothing I do can be simple. I found a great stitch pattern for a sweater designed by Nora Gaughan. The sweater that Nora designed is called John's Sweater and it is a Ravelry pattern.
I decided the yarn used is too heavy for my brother so I went from a aran weight to sport weight yarn. After working a sample my gauge (over pattern) was 9.2 sts/inch. Just a bit of adjusting is necessary to make this work with the JaggerSpun Heathers yarn that I want to use. To make my life easier, I'm knitting from a cone of Heathers. I just get to knit and not worry about having to work in ends.
When you have a moment, stop by and I will show you the progress and explain how I'm making this work.
Nora's design works up from the 'ribbing' right into the cable pattern. It is a well thought out approach.
Now if I can just get this done by Christmas......
I decided to knit a sweater for my brother but nothing I do can be simple. I found a great stitch pattern for a sweater designed by Nora Gaughan. The sweater that Nora designed is called John's Sweater and it is a Ravelry pattern.
I decided the yarn used is too heavy for my brother so I went from a aran weight to sport weight yarn. After working a sample my gauge (over pattern) was 9.2 sts/inch. Just a bit of adjusting is necessary to make this work with the JaggerSpun Heathers yarn that I want to use. To make my life easier, I'm knitting from a cone of Heathers. I just get to knit and not worry about having to work in ends.
When you have a moment, stop by and I will show you the progress and explain how I'm making this work.
Nora's design works up from the 'ribbing' right into the cable pattern. It is a well thought out approach.
Now if I can just get this done by Christmas......
17 May 2018
I have busy knitting the Mentolat Shawl kit designed by Jocelyn Tunney. This shawl is knit using Manos Del Uruguay using their soft hand-dyed Silk Wool. Simple to knit and doesn't require concentration. I'm knitting the largest size (85" long and 17" wide) but there are two other lengths (41" and 69") if you would like a shorter shawl.
The picture is a bit distorted because I didn't have a ladder to stand on. I'm finishing the last partial triangle that will square off the end on the left-hand side. Hard to see but the last color is magenta.
There are eight colorways to choose from. I should be finished with this model soon. Stop by and try it on. It is cuddly soft.
I have busy knitting the Mentolat Shawl kit designed by Jocelyn Tunney. This shawl is knit using Manos Del Uruguay using their soft hand-dyed Silk Wool. Simple to knit and doesn't require concentration. I'm knitting the largest size (85" long and 17" wide) but there are two other lengths (41" and 69") if you would like a shorter shawl.
The picture is a bit distorted because I didn't have a ladder to stand on. I'm finishing the last partial triangle that will square off the end on the left-hand side. Hard to see but the last color is magenta.
There are eight colorways to choose from. I should be finished with this model soon. Stop by and try it on. It is cuddly soft.
Thursday, April 26, 2018
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Thursday, January 18, 2018
18 January 2018
The Urth Uneek fingering weight hand-dyed yarns is here. This is an extrafine superwash merino with nylon. What is remarkable is that this self-striping patterning is from hand-dyed yarn! The colors are beautiful, rich jewel tones that really don't come across on a computer screen. The hand on this yarn is very silky-soft.
I got it for socks:
but it can be used for shawls:
It does knit with an interesting pattern when just knit:
The yarn is sold in skeins of 435 yards and is knit on 1 - 3 US with a gauge of 7 - 8 sts/inch.
This really is a beautiful yarn to see and touch. I am really excited about this new product.
IT HAS ARRIVED!
The Urth Uneek fingering weight hand-dyed yarns is here. This is an extrafine superwash merino with nylon. What is remarkable is that this self-striping patterning is from hand-dyed yarn! The colors are beautiful, rich jewel tones that really don't come across on a computer screen. The hand on this yarn is very silky-soft.
I got it for socks:
It does knit with an interesting pattern when just knit:
The yarn is sold in skeins of 435 yards and is knit on 1 - 3 US with a gauge of 7 - 8 sts/inch.
This really is a beautiful yarn to see and touch. I am really excited about this new product.
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
17 January 2018
We been working hard to come up to models for the folks who bought the "So Fond of Rainbows" 20 skein yarn pack. It was decided that the original sweater pattern needed much modification. That's exactly what we've been doing since the P J Party. We are knitting the pattern in two ways. One is cuff to cuff (as is the pattern but with a reasonable armhole depth) the other is side to side. Either version needs you to calculate a sweater that will be custom made just for you.
Here's the cuff to cuff:
Here's the side to side:
Either sweater design requires an accurate stitch and row count. The stitch and row count is up to you. You have to decide what you like in a gauge. My gauge is 7 sts/inch and 9.5 rows/inch on a 3mm needle. I like the fabric that this gauge yields.
I've chosen the side to side model because I can have a shoulder seam and there are several sleeve options open to me.
These decisions, and more, will be yours to make on Saturday January 27, at 10 in the morning. See you then.
Questions? Give me or Lyn a call.
We been working hard to come up to models for the folks who bought the "So Fond of Rainbows" 20 skein yarn pack. It was decided that the original sweater pattern needed much modification. That's exactly what we've been doing since the P J Party. We are knitting the pattern in two ways. One is cuff to cuff (as is the pattern but with a reasonable armhole depth) the other is side to side. Either version needs you to calculate a sweater that will be custom made just for you.
Here's the cuff to cuff:
Either sweater design requires an accurate stitch and row count. The stitch and row count is up to you. You have to decide what you like in a gauge. My gauge is 7 sts/inch and 9.5 rows/inch on a 3mm needle. I like the fabric that this gauge yields.
I've chosen the side to side model because I can have a shoulder seam and there are several sleeve options open to me.
These decisions, and more, will be yours to make on Saturday January 27, at 10 in the morning. See you then.
Questions? Give me or Lyn a call.
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