Why I Knit the Same Sweater Twice

...or, when you sense something's wrong with your knitting, frog it. Don't keep going on telling yourself it'll be fine, when a little voice in the back of your head keeps saying it won't :)

So last summer I started Buttercup with 7 skeins of Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy - six skeins of one dyelot and a seventh of a different, noticeable darker dyelot. I told myself it'd be okay, and started the top-down sweater with the one odd skein. After starting the second skein the difference was very noticeable and I frogged the sweater with plans to make it again this summer. (You can see my original post here.)

I decided to try the sweater again this summer. In a fit of brilliance (not!) I decided that instead of using the one odd skein by itself in the first half, I'd alternate rows with another skein. Let me just say, bad idea. I somehow convinced myself it was okay and finished the sweater.



You can see the striping in this photo. Also, the neckline was too low for my taste - it just looked weird with a shell under it. I like my sweaters to be about 15" from the underam to the hem. After trying it on, I decided that even though the sweater was about 2" short of that, it felt okay, and bound off. Another bad idea. It was too short, ending at the widest part of my hips, not flattering at all.



I decided to try again, with only the six balls of yarn, and using option B of the pattern, which has a higher neckline. I also decided to make the body length 15", and not go by the try-on length. I'm so glad I tried again, because I love this sweater!



Pattern: Buttercup by Heidi Kirrmaier
Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy, color 14, 6 skeins
Needles: US 4 & US 5



This is the second time I've used this yarn, and I love it. It's a bit rough to work with, but it wears incredibly well, and makes a very comfortable sweater.



I finished this in late summer and didn't get a lot of time to wear it before fall, but I hope to enjoy it next year.

And I'm so glad for this lesson that I was able to use this past weekend. I was working on my Tree Jacket and made a mistake which I realized a few rows afterwards. I tried to brush it off, but finally decided to rip a few rows and fix the mistake. I'm so glad I did, because the mistake would have thrown off the pattern of the whole sweater yoke.



I'm absolutely loving this knit, and the Cascade Venezia - it's sooo soft and silky smooth!

FO: Ariann

Ariann is finished. And I'm sure she'll be a favorite.



Pattern: Ariann by Bonnie Marie Burns
Yarn: Cascade 220, color 4008, 5 skeins
Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) & US 7 (4.5mm)
Mods: Lengthened the body by about 2", worked buttonholes every 3".
Ravel It!



I started this sweater in late January, and then got sidetracked with other projects. I just wasn't feeling very enthusiastic about it, but after finishing a couple of other projects, I picked her up again. And I'm so glad I did.



The pattern was enjoyable and the two-row lace repeat was very easy to memorize. The seamless construction is a huge plus, and it was just plain fun to work on. I love the garter stitch collar on it as well.



I think I'll probably be making another one of these - my Mom asked for one after seeing mine:)

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Vest-uary...and Socks

March is finally here! The weather's getting warmer, and we can tell spring is finally coming!

I joined the Vest-uary group over on Ravelry last month, and was able to complete my vest in just 12 days. Yay for no sleeves! I used the Leftovers vest pattern from Knitty, and several leftover worsted weight yarns. I'm not sure about it though - I feel a little wacky and clownish when I wear it.



Pattern: Leftovers from Knitty, Winter 2004
Yarn: Leftover worsted weight wool, mostly Cascade 220. The ribbing is Reynold's Soft Linen held double.
Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) & US 8 (5.0 mm)
Mods: Lengthened the body to 15", short-rowed the shoulders.



If I were to make it again, I'd probably try to come up with a pattern for the stripes instead of just randomly choosing them, and use fewer colors. But, maybe this is fine. I love Kristen's Staccato Hoodies, after all. Oh, and please ignore the weird face I'm making in the above photo. My sister and I need to work on timing photos better :)

I also made a pair of socks last month out of (what else!) Noro:)



Pattern: Garter Rib Socks from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch
Yarn: Noro Kureyon Sock, 1 skein, color s185
Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)

And, I was given my first award! Thanks Beate!



I'm going to pass this on to:

Octopus Knits
Sam at Sticks, Strings & Crafty Things
Amanda at Jolie House
and
Hilary at The Yarniad

FO: Noro Striped Socks

They're finished! Actually, I finished them November 23rd, but have neglected blogging about them.



Here's the specs:

Yarn: Noro Kureyon Sock, color s164, about 3/4 of a skein
Pattern: Wendy's Fingering Weight Toe-Up Socks with Gusset Heel
Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
Mods: None!

I really enjoyed knitting these socks and it's going to be hard to give them away (they're a gift). But I have enough yarn left over for a pair for myself. And no, I didn't find a way to stretch the yarn :) I used the yarn leftover from these socks plus a new ball for this pair.



Next up, my NaKniSweMo sweater. I didn't manage to finish it by the end of the month, but it's almost done and I hope to block it later this week.

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 :)

On Taking Notes

I'm not so good at taking notes for my knitting projects. But I think I have some motivation to take better notes now.


top row, l - r: cascade 220 the heathers for a veste everest, cascade 220 for an ariann, rowan felted tweed for a tangled yoke cardigan.
bottom row, l - r: rowan 4-ply soft for an apres surf hoodie, rowanspun dk for a cabled spiral pullover and reynolds soft linen for a $1.50 cardigan

These are swatches for five sweaters and a vest that I knitted about 4 or 5 weeks ago. I though for sure I would remember if I had to go up or down needle sizes for the swatches, but I forgot what I had done for a couple of them. Thankfully, I did remember what sizes I had used and I won't have to knit the swatches again, but from now on I hope to take better notes!

On another note, fall is here to stay (I think!) and I've finished the Equinox Yoke Pullover. I hope to have the photo shoot this week.



And, I've started the Veste Everest. It's quite a bit further along than in this photo, and I hope to finish it this weekend.



Hope you're all enjoying the fall weather!

A Finished Project and Some New Ones, Too

I finished a pair of socks a few weeks ago that I never blogged about.



This is my second pair of socks with Noro Kureyon Sock and I'm sure it won't be the last. After having to frog my Meida's Socks, I just wasn't into the sock knitting for a while. But the Kureyon Sock took care of that.



I made a ribbed sock this time instead of plain stockinette. I'm a tight knitter, and the last stockinette pair I made is a bit tight on my foot - I have to do some coaxing to get the sock over my heel. To those of you who make plain stockinette socks, is this just how they are, or do I need to go up a needle size?



Pattern: Madder Ribbed Socks from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush
Yarn: Noro Kureyon Sock, 1 skein, color S95
Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)

I also started some new projects.

First, the Flower Basket Shawl in Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool.



I finished the first Bird-In-Hand Mitten:



I've started the second mitten, but I've only done a few inches of it.

I started the second toe-up sock of the pair that I started in April, which I've just turned the heel on.



I decided to try the Meida's Socks again, this time knitting a little looser and on US 2 needles instead of US 1's.



And, the project that I've put everything aside to work on, the Equinox Yoke Pullover.



Both sleeves and body have been completed and joined, and I'm working on the colorwork part of the yoke now. I'm hoping to finish it this weekend. It's going pretty quickly and it's so much fun to work on a fall sweater again.

I've got a few more thins that didn't make it into this already long post that I'll save for next time. I think I'm finally getting back into a blogging rhythm!