Day: December 21, 2008

crafts · knitting · patterns

What now? (help me choose!)

stitchywitch43 Comments

Thank you to everyone who commented on my FOs yesterday – your feedback really means a lot to me!

I’m glad that Christmas is almost here – soon the rush will be over!  We’re going to my in-laws for two days after Christmas (then I have to go back to work, though Marc is off until Jan 5th.)  I’m trying to decide on my next projects.  I did start a new sock, something that is easy to work after the cozy cable socks!

This is the “Gentleman’s Fancy socks” pattern from Knitting Vintage Socks. The yarn is Colinette Jitterbug in Velvet Damson, which I got as a present last Christmas – I thought it was time to use it up!  I actually started several patterns, but this yarn is such a dark blue that nothing really showed well.  I especially loved the pattern for “Child’s French Sock,” also from the same book, but I want to make it in a lighter color (green, I think.)  Anyway,  these will be really pretty when they are done, which shouldn’t take long because the pattern is so terribly easy.

My next sweater is a harder choice.  I have three patterns I’m thinking of, with yarn for each… I’m soliciting opinions, so vote for your favorite!

Blooming Cardigan from Interweave Winter 08.  I’m going to make it without the belt, and in a more fitted size.

Wisteria in Araucania Nature Wool.  I’m knitting to a smaller gauge to get a smaller size than the 37″ bust small, and I’m nervous about that…

Amelia from Knitty Winter 08 in Madelinetosh worsted.

So… which one should I make now?

crafts · finished objects · knitting

FO: Climbing Vines Pullover

stitchywitch18 Comments

Pattern: Climbing Vines Pullover, Interweave Knits Winter 08

Yarn: Dream in Color Classy in Chinatown Apple, 2.75 skeins

Needles: US 8 and US 7

Notes: I think Interweave Knits suffers from several problems lately, but after knitting this pullover I’m not sure that dowdy designs is one of them.  I was attracted to the lace panel in the magazine, but honestly I thought that the sweater looked pretty dowdy and awful on the pretty model in the magazine.  First of all, she was wearing a long sleeved button down shirt under it, which creates unflattering lines, and then the sweater she was wearing was too large for her.  I am wearing this sweater with three inches of negative ease in the bust.  That may seem like a lot (it did to me) but to be honest this is one of the few pullovers I own that I feel fits like my storebought sweaters.

I knit the front by hand, and knit the stockinette portions of the back and sleeves on the Bond.  After knitting them I transferred the hem stitches to size 7 needles, and knit the ribbing by hand.  To be honest, I cannot tell the difference between the handknit and machine knit portions.  For the most part I found the pattern to be clear and easy.  I did shorten the body by 1 inch in length (I like pullovers at 14″… the pants I’m wearing are very low waisted, it is not too short.)  I also did one extra set of decreases for the waist, since I wanted this to be formfitting.  The neckline as written is quite wide, but I really like wide necklines, especially if (as in this case) holes in the lace require the wearing of a tank underneath.  It does not fall off the shoulders – it is merely pulled to one side in these photos.  However, if you don’t like a wide neckline you might want to consider altering this.

I liked knitting with Classy much more this time than my last experience.  I don’t know if this is because of the color, or because I wasn’t knitting garter stitch.  I did find some vegetable matter in the yarn, which surprised me, but it wasn’t very much, and it wasn’t large splinters or anything.

This was a very pleasant experience, and I am glad to find the Bond useful for the purpose I wanted it – to knit the boring bits of some sweaters, and free me up to enjoy the rest (the lace panel here was quite enjoyable.)  I’m not sure how much faster is was, since I it’s a bit cumbersome to knit a piece, and I tended to knit a piece and then stall for a few days on the next, but at least during that time I was able to work on other things by hand.  I’m very interested now in seeing how the other sweaters in IK might look in more appropriate sizes.  For instance, the cover sweater from the winter issue, the Blooming Cardigan, is clearly huge for the model.  I’m thinking it might be far nicer in the smallest size (and without the belt) so I may make that soon.

As usual, I had to get the Sarah Jane seal of approval.

She is mildly amused.  I have promised her a sweater of her own, and I will interpret her cries as cries of joy!