Interweave Knits Winter 2008

Yay, it's out! There are several patterns I like in this issue. The new issue of Twist Collective is pretty great, too.

Pre-Blog Sweater: Ribby Cardi

This is the Ribby Cardi from Chic Knits. I made it about a year ago using Cascade 220 tweed. It's very warm, but did not receive much wear last year. I've worn it once this year, and I think it'll get more wear this year than last. It was a great, fast and easy pattern. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Wheat Ear Cable Yoke Sweater

I've been taking photos of several pre-blog projects for Ravelry. I'm glad of that now, because they make excellent blogging material when you didn't take photos on a particular day, and you want to blog.



This is my Wheat-Ear Cable Yoke Sweater designed by Pam Allen from Interweave Knits Summer 2007. (Ravelry Link Here.) This was one of my favorite sweaters last year, and I'm sure I'll be wearing it a lot this winter as well.

Trying Again

Well, I missed a few days there. I hope I can blog every day for the rest of this month!

I finished the sleeves for my Cabled Spiral Pullover and have started the front and back. I'm knitting them both at the same time flat as the pattern states. I took the photo above last week and have made more progress since then. This was at the end of the first ball of Rowanspun DK. I was able to get a sleeve and 2-1/2" of the front from it - great yardage!

Halfway There

I finished the first of my Noro Striped Socks a couple days ago. I think it's one of the neatest things I've made so far. Can't wait to finish the pair.

Third Norovember Project

I'm enjoying Norovember and knitting with Noro Kureyon Sock quite a bit. This is my third pair of socks, the Oak Ribbed Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush.

Anxious...

...to cast on for my February Lady Sweater. I've swatched for three sweaters, but I just might cast on for this one first - after I've finished the Cable Spiral Pullover and Dollar-and-a-Half Cardigan! Knitting Decisions!

This is Araucania Nature Wool, one of my favorites. The colors are beautiful, the yarn is great to work with, lots of yardage (242 yards!) and a great price - how can you beat that?

Rib and Cable Socks

Here's my second Norovember project, the Rib and Cable Socks from Favorite Socks by Nancy Bush. I'm using Noro Kureyon Sock in color s182.

Norovember

Besides being NaKniSweMo, this month is also Norovember.

Like many others, I enjoy knitting with Noro yarns, especially their sock yarns. So, I've cast on for some socks.



These are Wendy's Fingering Weight, Toe-Up Socks with Gusset Heel. I'm making them striped using a new ball of Kureyon Sock in color s164, and the leftover ball from these socks. I'm enjoying them quite a bit.

Sleeves

After I finished my Veste Everest there was some time before NaKniSweMo, so I cast on for the Dollar-and-a-Half Cardigan. I read on a blog a while ago about knitting two sleeves at one time on a circular needle to avoid second sleeve syndrome. After reading that, I've always cast on for the sleeves first when I'm making a sweater, and it really does help the sweater to at least feel like it's going faster.

I was able to finish the sleeves for the Dollar-and-a-Half Cardigan on October 31st.



I then cast on for the sleeves of my NaKniSweMo sweater, the Cabled Spiral Pullover by Norah Gaughan from Knitting Nature.



I'm using Rowanspun DK in Mist. I'm used to knitting with worsted weight yarn, so this is going a little slower than usual. Hopefully I'll finish the sleeves this weekend.

The Socks That Wouldn't End

Pattern: Universal Toe-Up Sock Pattern from Vogue Knitting The Ultimate Sock Book
Yarn: Regia Bamboo Color, color 19745, 2 skeins
Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
Modifications: None



I started these socks in April. Because of the very dull 1 x 1 ribbing on most of the sock, coupled with the fact that I wasn't really enjoying the yarn, itt took a while for me to finish the first one and even longer to finish the second one. I'm so glad to be done with this pair!



Have a great Friday!

FO: Veste Everest

Pattern: Veste Everest by Veronik Avery from Interweave Knits Fall 2005
Yarn: Cascade 220, The Heathers, Color 2437, 4.25 skeins
Needles: US 4 & 6
Ravel It!



Modifications: I made the bottom ribbing 1-1/2" and added about 3" to the length of the vest. I also knit it in the round up to the armholes.



This was a very enjoyable pattern, and not having any sleeves to knit made it go by very quickly. I really enjoyed using this heathered shade of Cascade 220, also.



So, you know I haven't been blogging very regularly. This month is NaBloPoMo, and, even though I missed the first five days, I hope to blog every day for the rest of this month. See you tomorrow!

FO: Equinox Yoke Pullover

It's finished! And I love how it turned out.



I've wanted to make this sweater since seeing it on the cover of Interweave Knits Fall 2006.



And, even though I look like I feel so-so about this sweater in the above photo, let me assure you I do not. I just am able to make some weird faces in photos at times.

So, the details:

Pattern: Equinox Yoke Pullover by Michele Rose Orne from Interweave Knits Fall 2006
Yarn: Cascade 220 Wool - Color 3462, purple, 4 skeins, and one skein each of 8884 (dark burgundy), 4147B (pale yellow), 8401 (medium gray-green heather), 7829 (medium red), 7824 (orange red), 8400 (dark gray-brown heather), 8010 (light tan heather), 2453 (red-brown heather), Berocco Ultra Alpaca 6275
Needles: US 6 & US 4



So, modifications. I knit the sleeves in the round, and cast on eight less stitches than specified in the pattern (they were coming out huge). I also knit the sweater in the round, using the instructions for holding the underarm stitches from the Cactus Blossom Pullover in Knitscene Fall 2007. I did a few extra decreases at the neck because the neckline was a little wide for my taste.



I hope you all have a gret weekend! I'll be casting on for my Norovember & NaKniSweMo projects - more on that next time :)