icelandic star

 

Someone has been wanting to feature in all my knitting photos lately ;-)

I finally finished this ill fated cardigan I started a few months ago. A few days after I posted that photo I was almost done with the body when I noticed that there was a subtle color difference between the two red skeins I had used. Subtle, but immediately noticeable ... It just so happened that I had brought 4 of the red skeins from Iceland, and then purchased a fifth when I decided to start this cardi. Of course they were different dyelots, so the colors didn't match exactly. So I ripped the body all the way back to the colorwork (did I mention that I was d.o.n.e with the body at this point ? *sigh*) and started it again with another skein. The odd colored skein I used for all the ribbings and on one of the button bands.

If that was not enough, I almost ran out of the red yarn at the end, and had to scrape all the bits and pieces I had to do the finishing. Also, I had to re-knit the button bands twice, because my first attempt came out too long and all wobbly. The first time I tried it on I almost cried because it was too small and it wouldn't close properly. But then the wonders of a good blocking turned into the right size. 

Definitely this was the most troublesome cardigan I ever knitted.

The good part is that I love the end result a lot. These are some of my favorite colors all together, and it's a cozy, nicely fitted cardi which I think I'll wear a lot next winter.

The Lett-lopi is a bit scratchy to the touch and I wouldn't wear against the skin, but over a top is just fine. Also, it blocked beautifully and is incredibly warm.

Pattern: Icelandic Star by Sarah Hoadley (from Interweave Knits Winter 2009)

Yarn: Istex Lett-Lopi

Needles: 5 mm

Size: 32.5

(more details on the project page at ravelry)

wip :: icelandic star

The herringbone pullover is blocked but I still need to sew the buttons on, maybe this weekend I'll be able to take some photos to share. I have to say it's looking so much better now, I'm always marveled at how much a good blocking can accomplish.

And I started a new project, another pattern I had on my queue since the end of 2009 apparently, and using the yarn I bought in Iceland the year before. What drew me to this project were the colors, I just love this combination of red, blue, grey and golden yellow. The Lett-Lopi yarn seems scratchy but when knitted up it looks wonderful (and feels softer somehow).

I'm knitting the smallest size, which might be a mistake, but the next size up seemed too big. I'm a loose knitter anyway, and I think the yarn might stretch a bit with blocking if needed. I'm not planning any changes, maybe except making it a bit longer, I hate it when my cardigans end up too short. And after a lot of hesitation and reading all project notes on Ravelry I decided to follow the pattern as is (i.e. , knitting it flat)  despite many suggestions that purling colorwork is a nightmare and that it would be easier to knit it in the round and then steeking it. Well, I'm done with the bottom colorwork now and I have to say that the purling rows were almost quite as easy as the knit ones. But I purl the Portuguese way (with the yarn around my neck) so I was able to hold one color on my right hand and the other with my left, which made it fairly straightforward.

And the week after next we're going to Lake Garda in northern Italy. A. has a conference there so we decided to make it into a mini vacation for the whole family. We're visiting Trento, Bolzano, driving around the Dolomites and then spending a few days in Riva del Garda. So any suggestions for good places to eat and any decent yarn shops are very welcome, please :)

entrelac tee

Pattern: Betty's Tee
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed Aran, 3.5 skeins
Size: 33 (to give a 32)
Ravelred here

summer cardi

It's usually said that for every dress a girl buys she should also get a matching cardigan. This dress I made two years ago and only now have I managed to knit a little summer cardi to match. Better late than never, right ?
Changes: didn't have enough yarn so made the sleeves shorter and only one set of ruffles (and used the same yarn and needle size for the ruffles). The button band was made by picking up stitches along the edges and knitting in garter stitch for 8 rows.

Pattern: Maple Street Cardigan by Cecily Glowik MacDonald (Interweave Knits Fall 09).
Yarn: Schachenmayr Nomotta Punto (5 skeins)
Needles: 4.0 mm
Ravelry link

to do list

Today I realized that all the knitting magazine winter issues are coming out and I haven't even tackled half of my project list for Fall. For the past weeks I've been working relentlessly on both my Cloud and Heather Hoodie Vest, but got distracted when I decided it was time to start on some Christmas gifts. Nevertheless, I'm just this close to finishing them (ironically I'm missing half a hood on both) so next comes the difficult decision on what to start next.

Now, my knitting queue is probably 100 projects long (and I won't even bring up my sewing queue), so here's what's most likely to happen:



:: Vivian, because I happen to love hoodies and cables, and this combination is just perfect ! Plus, it looks so intricate and I love a good challenge. I already have the yarn for this one, so it's probably the next one on my needles.

:: Coraline (also by Ysolda Teague, I just love her designs), which is actually a work in progress since last year but has been hibernating for several months. I would really like to finish it, but I'm lacking the patience for what seems to be an infinity of stockinette stitch in tiny, tiny needles. Maybe during the holidays, I'm hoping...

:: Selbu Modern hat. I think I'll probably start this one at the same time as other projects, since I actually want to make it in a couple of different colors. The same goes for the Veyla mittens. These are my must have accessories for this winter !

:: Low Tide Ripples. I don't have a yarn choice for this one yet, and it's been difficult to find a suitable substitute online. Nothing I have on stash seems right, so I'm waiting to see what I can find on one of my next trips early next year.

:: Herringbone Pullover. I love herringbone designs, so this sweater really appealed to me when I first saw it. I want to knit the exact same colorway, it's just so pretty. I'm already picturing this with a pair of brown tweed pants for winter (which I still have to make, but that's another story)

:: Carnaby Street Pullover. Not exactly sure what it is I like about this one, but I just do. I'll probably make it full sleeved though. I'm thinking maybe dark blue or deep red with brown buttons ?



Finally, can I say how much I love this cardigan from the new Interweave ? And I just happen to have a bunch of icelandic yarn on stash, so I think this might jump to the front of the queue after all.

Enough to keep me busy ? I definitely think so ...

Minimalist cardi

I've been meaning to knit this since last year, then changed my mind because I didn't think the style would suit me. But after I got this lavender yarn some months ago I started re-thinking that idea and finally decided it would be a nice match.

The yarn was a dream to knit with (I'm sure it's going to pill terribly after some use, but it's so soft right now I don't care) and the pattern is quite straightforward and easy. The final result is not too bad, not something I'm crazy about but I like to dress in layers so it fits perfectly into my wardrobe.




Pattern: Minimalist cardigan, by Ruthie Nussbaum (from Interweave Knit Fall 2007)
Yarn: Debbie Blish Cashmerino (9 skeins)
Needles: 4 mm
Size: 34 ''


Changes: Not many. Just lengthened the body by an inch or so (it lenghtened even more after blocking), and didn't make the sleeve increases. And if I'd ever do this again I would probably add some slight waist shaping .

the corset pullover

Ufff .. so I decided I just had to finish this piece before going on vacation tomorrow, and it actually just took a few hours last night while catching up with a couple of my favorite series.

I'm sooo glad it's done, this will be my last project in cotton for a long time and next summer I'll probably just stick to a small piece or two - it really gives me no pleasure to work with anything non woolly.



That said, I just noticed that I've omitted a few things, including the lace edges at the necklines which was unintentional. Maybe I'll end up making them one of these days, but for now I'm thrilled with this result.

Other changes, which I decided to do after seeing all the other finished items on Ravelry: lengthened the body quite a bit, and decreased the number of stitches on the center panel (so it wouldn't be falling off my shoulders all the time). Totally forgot to make the first section of short rows and ditched the cinch straps altogether. Despite all my complaints about cotton, this yarn is actually nice, very soft and didn't stretch much after washing.




Pattern: Corset Pullover, by Robin Melanson, from IK Knits Spring 03
Yarn: Schachenmayr Nomotta Punto (9 skeins)
Needles: 4.5 mm
Ravelry link here




Ok, now I have to go and finish my packing... see you back in a week or so !

*stash*

(more about my recent stash increase, it seems I have enough to keep me busy all winter, right ?)

Here is my current wip ... still lacking a sleeve which I haven't had the patience to tackle so I've started some new Fall projects instead, the excuse being that I needed a new project to take on our upcoming trip to Italy.

And because knitting is all the crafting I've been doing lately, here's some recent purchases that I can't wait to use. Notice a certain color predominance ? I'm so glad that purple is so fashionable this season ...

The (aprés surf) hoodie

All my crafting efforts recently were focused on this, so I'm really glad and proud it's now finished. This was my first lace project, and although enjoyable it also took much longer than I thought. It did turn out very nice, and because of the yarn, it's very, very comfy to wear.






Pattern: Aprés Surf Hoodie, by Connie Chang Chinchio, from Interweave Knits Summer 08
Size: 31.5
Yarn: Rowan RYC Cashcotton 4 Ply, color Vivid (6 skeins)
Needles: 3.25 mm
Ravelry link here




Changes: Gauge was somewhat off (I think 24 sts instead of 26) but it turned out a perfect 32 size which is what I intended. I lengthened the body a bit by knitting an extra pattern repeat before starting the decreases and I didn't switch to the smaller needles for the hood. And the neckband is only one inch tall instead of the suggested 1 1/2 inches. Apart from that, the pattern is very well written and constructed, and this piece is already a favorite in my wardrobe.

Ribs and lace tank

Pattern: Ribs and lace tank, from Interweave Knits Spring 2007
Yarn: Garnstudio Muskat (5 skeins approx)
Needles: 3.25 / 5 mm
Ravelry link






Changes: Not sure how it happened but somehow I got confused with the gauge needed for this pattern and ended up buying a thinner yarn than called for. So I knitted one size up than I normally would and used smaller needles too

Wanted to make it shorter, so I only made 2 repeats of the bottom lace pattern. For the bust I simply used Svetlana’s instructions instead because I liked hers so much better, but I grafted the straps as in the original pattern.





This was the last summer item on my knitting list, and I've moved on to fall items already. Which means finishing the Aprés Surf Hoodie and the Corset Pullover. Both are still knit in cotton like yarns, but have sleeves which means probably perfect for wearing in October around here ...

hot + cold

It's been a scorching day here today, and after a lot of frogging and re-knitting I'm finally done with the Frock Camisole, my first piece of summer knitting this season. I wasn't so sure this color would work out for me, but now it's done I actually like it.




Pattern: Frock Camisole, from Interweave Knits Spring 07
Needles: 4mm
Yarn: Rosários 4 Bambolin (65% cotton, 10% linen, 10% bamboo), 3 skeins


Changes: A lot of them. Because I wanted to use this yarn from my stash, my gauge was completely off. Also, I wanted it less baggy than the original model, so I ended up CO less stitches than I was supposed to, and less for the back than for the front. Added one more decrease on the sides, and reduced the strap length. Also, I didn't make the purl stitch in the middle front, it just didn't look right to me.









And just before leaving for Iceland I knit up two quick items to take with me, and so glad I did. A second Koolhaas hat and a matching neck warmer. The hat turned out really nice, and my yarn choice this time was much better than the first one. The neck warmer was a first, but I'm totally convinced now. Especially when you don't want long scarves getting in your way when hiking and so on. Besides, it's much smaller and easier to pack.


Patterns: Koolhaas, by Jared Flood and Cashmere neck warmer, by Happy Living
Yarn: Schachenmayr Extra Merino Big






I have to say, that having cast on for several summer projects lately I've reached the conclusion that I'm more of a fall/winter knitting kind of person. I love knitting with wool, but with cooler yarns not so much. So I've been working on the remaining sock instead, and pretty much procrastinating with the rest ... I guess this just means more socks to come in the near future, so if you have any favorite patterns you think I should try, please do share :)

tilted duster

Hello, how was your weekend ? The concert on saturday was amazing, 3 and something hours of very good music by the Cure, and I was jumping and dancing like crazy the whole time. I don't go to that many big concerts these days so this one was especially worth it.

I did finish a lot of things this weekend, and the first I want to show you is the Tilted Duster. I'm totally in love with this piece, everything about it is perfect, the fit, the yarn, the color ... Talking about color, this was extremely difficult to photograph, and I'm not entirely sure that the color is shown accurately here, but that didn't stop me from taking a lot of photos, as you can see...




Pattern: Tilted Duster, by Nora Gaughan, from Interweave Knits Fall 07
Yarn: Katia Fine Top, used double stranded (9 skeins)
Needles: 4.5 mm
size: 32






About the pattern and some technical details ... it is a very snug fit but I had to make very little changes to suit me. I used some discontinued stash yarn I had and was terribly afraid to run out of it before the end, so I decided to knit the whole body first before doing the sleeves just in case. I figured it would be better to have 3/4 sleeves than a shorter skirt (of course, in the end I did have some leftover yarn so all that anxiety was for nothing). Anyway, I made it to the 4th row of the 10th repeat on the skirt and decided the length was fine this way. Also, I made the collar about one inch shorter. And finally the sleeves were done as in the pattern except I added 4 extra rows before starting the final bind off otherwise I think they would've been too small.



For this garment the blocking did wonders. My curled up edges disappeared almost completely, and the skirt drape improved a lot. I did redo the seaming of the sleeve caps twice (my first try was quite pitiful), and the placement of the buttons about a zillion times but now I'm just very happy with the final result. I do have a feeling I'm going to wear this a lot, so I'm hoping this yarn stands the test of time (and frequent usage).