Blog Redesign & More FOs!

My sister, with some help from my boyfriend, was kind enough to redesign my blog. I'm really happy with how it turned out. It's very helpful to have a sister who understands my taste in most things. I hardly had to give her any input at all.

And now that my blog is pretty and updated, I felt compelled to finally take more photos of my finished projects. The first is a mug jacket which utilizes smocking stitch. It's a fun and beautiful stitch to work with and the designer has a great tutorial for it.


pattern: Mug and French Press Jacket
yarn: Elann Peruvian Highland Wool
needles: US 6

I thought it would be fun to have a knit bowtie. After many attempts, I finally managed to tie it on properly, and realized it made me look like a caterer. And then I thought I should have knitted the bowtie in pink and look like a member of Party Down. If you haven't seen this show, it's definitely worth watching.


pattern: Bowtie
yarn: not sure
needles: US 2

The next two projects were ones I improvised to use up yarn in my stash. The first is a garter stitch hat which uses increases and decreases to shape the hat so it covers the ears.


pattern: my own
yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
needles: US 10

For the second project, I made a cowl using Indian cross stitch, which I found in A Treasury of Knitted Patterns. The tricky part was figuring out how to knit it in the round while keeping the pattern continuous and not having an obvious end of round seam.



The pattern seemed like it would be very airy and not suitable for winter weather. But since I knit it with a bulky yarn, the cowl collapses on itself and becomes quite cozy. It also makes the stitch look like a basket weave pattern.


pattern: my own
yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
needles: US 15

Playing Catch Up

It's been quite a while since I've updated this blog, but that doesn't mean I haven't been knitting. In fact, I've completed quite a few projects, which I will try to share with you over the next couple of days. This first set is mainly accessories and small items I made to use up yarn in my stash.

This bird's nest is purely decorative since my birds were quite terrified of it. I had to sprinkle some of their favorite seeds in the bottom in order to take photos of them near the nest. Izzy is the bravest, so she ate most of the seeds while Sophie watched from a safe distance.
I used a variegated yarn I've had in my stash for over six years. The nest was improvised using single crochet.

This bookmark was the most difficult project I've ever made, but I'm happy with how it turned out. I omitted the tassel because I thought it detracted from the bookmark's elegance. It does need to be starched but I wanted to take a photo before I did that in case I screwed it up somehow.

pattern: Fancy Filigree Bookmark
yarn: DMC Cebelia cotton size 30
hook: 1.3mm

This tiny cauldon by Tiny Owl Knits is my first felted project. It isn't actually that "tiny," but I couldn't get it to shrink more.
pattern: Tiny Cauldron
yarn: Patons UpCountry
needles: US 15

I also decided to knit myself some slippers to wear around the house. I found two patterns I liked. This first pair turned out a little snug, but I really like the way they look.

pattern: Tootsies Toasters
yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice
needles: US 10

The second pair was only written for a women's size 9. Since my feet are size 6.5, I adjusted the pattern by working the sole for only 56 rows and picking up 72 sts around to work the sides.

pattern: Ballet-Style Slippers
yarn: Red Heart Classic Solid
needles: US 9

And since I love scarves, I had to knit myself this drop stitch cowl. It's the first time I've tried that technique. I love how the cowl turned out, and the yarn is one of my all-time favorites.
pattern: Drop Stitch Cowl
yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Bulky
needles: US 15

Another technique I had never done before was to make pom-poms and tassels. I thought this capucine hat pattern was really cute and it covers the ears, which is always important in winter hats. I apologize for the not-so-great quality of the photo.
pattern: Capucine
yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky
needles: US 8

I have 12 more projects to share, including 3 of my own design, plus a knitting program my boyfriend wrote for me. Hopefully I'll have everything photographed and posted in the next week or two!

Stash busting has begun!

About two years ago I learned how to make beaded jewelry, specifically using the peyote stitch, through this great website called Communiteach. Basically, you can find people who are willing to teach you something you want to learn in exchange for you teaching them something they want to learn. I got to learn beading, and I taught knitting. I finally finished the bracelet and sewed on snaps, which was the most annoying part. But I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.


It's not a great photo, but I think it shows my favorite two features of the bracelet - its iridescence and fluidity. I don't really wear jewelry, but I really enjoyed the process of making it. And this is kind of true of the things I knit as well. I really enjoy the process of making stuff a lot more than having the final product. And this may factor into why I have had so many unfinished projects hanging around while I start new ones.

One of my stash-busting projects I made recently was this crocheted bookmark, which I probably won't use very often, since I don't read that much anymore. It was the first time I worked with such a small crochet hook and fine thread. That made it a little difficult, but the pattern itself was pretty easy and quick to make once I got the hang of it.


pattern: Fan Bookmark
yarn: DMC Cebelia cotton size 30
hook: 1.3mm

Another stash buster were these knit jar covers. Since I'm a little bit of a hoarder, I have several jars, some of which I use as vases. And this seemed like a cute and useful way to use up yarn. I also decided to learn the magic loop technique so I wouldn't have to use double pointed needles. It's a great method and I highly recommend it.


pattern: Recycled Glass Jar Covers
yarn: Patons UpCountry & Lion Brand Vanna's Choice
needles: size US 10.5 & 8

Another FO, one more to go!

I knit this mini cardi from Fitted Knits about four years ago, but didn't have the buttons. It was a fairly quick and easy knit. But it's too small, so i don't think I'll be wearing it any time soon.


pattern: Bold and Bulky Mini Cardi from Fitted Knits. Also available free at Lion Brand.
yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
needles: size US 9, 10.5 & 13

Finishing UFOs

I've decided to finish all of my projects, knitting and otherwise, that have been hibernating before starting new ones. And then I'm going to try to knit and crochet my stash before buying more yarn. I don't have too many UFOs, so this shouldn't be too difficult to do.

I think this is the first sweater I knit, and it went fairly quickly. But there was a lot of finishing up to do -- sewing seams, buttons, pockets -- so it ended up unfinished for about six years. In that time, it got attacked by moths, so I had to patch a hole on the back, which was quite annoying. But now it's done and I have a nice sweater jacket to wear in the fall.


pattern: Parka
yarn: Patons UpCountry
needles: size US 10.5 & 11

Knit Lace Bolero

This is my first knitting project this year! I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. But I feel like the weather has gone from cold to unbearably hot overnight, so I don't know if I'll get to wear it. I could barely get the pictures taken, since it's pretty uncomfortable wearing a sweater in 80 degree weather without air conditioning.



pattern: Drops 119-27
yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran
needles: size US 7

Back to blogging

I've been really lazy about finishing projects and posting on blogger. I knit this cowl over a year ago and never bothered to photograph it, until now. My birds were kind of annoyed at me since they were trying to nap while I was moving around to take the photos.


pattern: Big Herringbone Cowl
yarn: Patons UpCountry

Better Late than Never

It's been a while since I've knit anything, and even longer since I've posted. Anyway, here is my first pattern published in a book, More Knitting in the Sun! It's a modified version of my ruffled mini skirt pattern, redesigned for girls sized 4-12, with an additional ruffled tier. The skirt is knit in stockinette stitch in the round from the waist down. Increasing and decreasing create the ruched ruffles.

SIZES
4 (6, 8, 10, 12) to fit waist 21.5 (22.5, 23.5, 24.5, 25)"

YARN
Classic Elite Yarns Provence (100% mercerized Egyptian cotton; 205 yd /100 gm): Color 2627 French Red; 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) skeins

NEEDLES
Size US 5 [3.75 mm]: circular, 16"
Size US 10 [6 mm]: circular, 24"

NOTIONS
0.5"-wide elastic, 20 (21, 22, 23, 23.5)" length
stitch markers
scrap yarn
tapestry needle

GAUGE
20 sts and 28 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st on size 5 needles
15 sts and 19 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st on size 10 needles

New Pattern: Boysenberry

This adorable waist-length cardigan was brought to my mind by the designs of the 1950’s, when accentuating a tiny waistline was the fashion. The allover lattice pattern and seed stitch accents are simple and striking. The collar flows into the front bands, which are folded back and sewn at the waist edge, creating two small pockets. The pockets may not be truly useful for holding anything other than your hands, but for me, that’s all they really need to do.

The pattern is available at Tangled Magazine or Ravelry for $6.50.

SIZES
To fit bust size 32 (36, 40, 44)"

YARN
Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport (100% wool; 184 yd [168 m]/1.76 oz [50 gm]: Color 157 boysenberry; 7 (8, 9, 10) skeins.

NEEDLES
Size US 5 [3.75 mm]: straight
Size US 3 [3.25 mm]: straight

NOTIONS
2 stitch markers
2 stitch holders
tapestry needle

GAUGE
24 sts and 38 rows = 4” [10 cm] in lattice pattern on size 5 needles
13 sts and 24 rows = 2” [5 cm] in seed st on size 3 needles

Arabella Pattern

It's officially spring and the weather has been great. But it's never too early to start knitting your next sweater for winter. Or you can knit this sweater in a lighter yarn such as cotton and wear it during cool summer nights or early fall.

Arabella takes advantage of the gathering effects of smocking and ribbing to cinch in the waist of the sweater. The square neckline complements the diagonal lines of the smocking, while the slightly blouson sleeves add an element of curviness in contrast to the neckline.

This is the second pattern I am self-publishing. It is available as a PDF for purchase through Ravelry for $7.00. I hope you like it!

SIZES
Finished bust size 27 (30, 34, 37, 41, 44, 48, 52)” / 68 (77, 86, 95, 104, 113, 122, 131)cm
Length 19.75 (20.75, 21.5, 22.25, 22.75, 23, 23, 23.25)” / 50.5 (53, 54.5, 56.5, 58, 58.5, 58.5, 59)cm

YARN
Cascade Yarns Wool 220 (100% Peruvian Highland Wool, 220 yards [201 meters]/100 grams): Color 9429 Mossy Rock; 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) skeins.

NEEDLES
Size US 5 [3.75 mm]: straight and 16” circular
Size US 7 [4.5 mm]: straight

NOTIONS
8 stitch markers
2 stitch holders
tapestry needle

GAUGE
18 sts and 26 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st on size 7 needles
20 sts and 29 rows = 4” [10 cm] in k1, p3 rib on size 5 needles

Ruffled Mini Skirt Pattern

Spring is here and it's the perfect time to knit yourself a mini skirt with a fun flirty ruffled edge. This skirt is knit in the round from the waist down so you can try it on as you go. Since I hate seaming, the elastic waistband is encased as you knit the skirt. Two options are providing for finishing the ruffle, one of which also requires no seaming.

SIZES
The waist measurements are for a low waist as opposed to true waist, so pick the measurement closest to where you would wear the skirt.
To fit low waist: 24.5[27, 29, 31, 33, 35.5, 38, 40]inches / 62[69, 74, 79, 84, 90, 97, 102]cm
Length: 12.5[12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5, 15, 15.5]inches / 32[32, 33, 34, 35.5, 37, 38, 39.5]cm

YARN
600[630, 670, 700, 730, 760, 790, 830]yd / 550[580, 610, 640, 670, 700, 730, 760]m Jo Sharp Soho Summer DK Cotton

NEEDLES
1 24-inch US #5/3.75mm circular needle
1 24-inch US #6/4mm circular needle

NOTIONS
24.5[27, 29, 31, 33, 35.5, 38, 40]inches of 1.5-inch wide elastic
10 stitch markers
safety pin or other individual stitch marker
contrasting waste yarn 42[44, 46, 48, 51, 53, 55, 57]inches long
tapestry needle

GAUGE
18 sts and 25 rows to 4 inches stockinette stitch on US #6 needles

This is the first pattern I'm self-publishing. It is available as a PDF for purchase through Ravelry for $5.00. I hope you like it!

Buttons

My friend Sharon (Ravelry user coffeecrisp) sent me these awesome buttons that she made. She also made a ring of the same design, but I decided not to include a picture of my short, stubby fingers. She's thinking about selling these on Etsy, so keep your eyes peeled.

Now I need to create some patterns worthy of such attitude.

Spring Fibertarian!!

The spring issue of The Fibertarian, which features two of my patterns, is live! The first pattern, Lacey Tunic, features a cowl neck, empire waist, and lace pattern. The second pattern, Bat Wing, is a striped bat wing sweater, which is knit in four pieces and then sewn together.

Spring+Summer Knitty!!

The spring+summer issue of Knitty, which includes my second published pattern Petrie, is live! This pattern is a simple tank top with a cowl neck, named after Mary Tyler Moore's character on The Dick Van Dyke Show, Laura Petrie. I love cowl necks so I wanted to incorporate one in my next design. Since spring was coming up, I decided a sleeveless top would be most appropriate.

The top above is knit with Berroco Pure Pima cotton. The first incarnation of the top shown below, was knit with ColourMart silk yarn, which I think has better drape. But I think both yarns work well with the pattern.

Thanks to my sister and her boyfriend for the amazing pictures shown on Knitty!

Sneak Peek

Go to The Fiber Republic! You'll see the cover of the forthcoming spring issue of the Fibertarian, which features one of my patterns.

When the issue goes live, the patterns will be available for free!

ruffled skirt and new blog design

I came up with a new knit skirt pattern featuring a ruffled edge in anticipation of spring.



pattern: my own
yarn: Jo Sharp Soho Summer DK Cotton
needles: size US 6

Also, my boyfriend has been bugging me to make my blog prettier for a while now. So here it is!

modified quadrat

Ravelry user mimizuku made my Quadrat sweater with modifications which I think really improve the sweater. I love her version.

You can see more of Mimizuku's knitting on Ravelry or her blog.

more fingerless mitts

I decided to brave the tons of snow in order to take a picture of these beautiful fingerless mitts.


pattern: Cafe au Lait Mitts
yarn: Rowan Wool Cotton
needles: size US 3

more knitted gifts

Here are some more last minute holiday gifts I knit.

pattern: star crossed slouchy beretyarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted
needles: size US 11

pattern: aran gauntlets
yarn: Morehouse Farm Merino 3-Strand
needles: size US 7

pattern: humanity wristwarmers
yarn: Rowan Pima Cotton DK
needles: size US 5

pattern: garter-cuff gloves
yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino
needles: size US 4

knitted gifts

I spent the holidays with my family in New York, knitting a bunch of last minute holiday gifts which my sisters were kind enough to model.

pattern: chunky cabled beanie
yarn: Patons UpCountry Wool
needles: size US 11

pattern: an unoriginal hat
yarn: Patons UpCountry Wool
needles: size US 11

pattern: turn a square hat
yarn: Cascades Yarn 220 Wool & Noro Silk Garden
needles: size US 6 & 7

pattern: quant headband
yarn: Noro Silk Garden
needles: size US 8

I also went to the Lion Brand Yarn Studio to see the fiber artist Nathan Vincent which was a fun talk.