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.

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.

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!

Josephine Top

I finished the Josephine Top, and I've worn it quite a bit.



This is the first time I've made a garment on size 4 needles, and I really like the thinner material you get with the thinner yarn. The Karabella Vintage Cotton was really nice to knit with, too - soft and silky. Definately a cotton I'd use again.



I finished the front and back, and then let them sit for a couple weeks before doing the finishing. I wish I would have done it right away - I could have worn it a few more times when the weather was warmer. We had our first real fall day today - I don't think it got above 65 degrees - and it's soooo nice! Almost cold enough to wear fall sweaters.



Here's the Specs:

Pattern: Josephine Top from Interweave Knits Summer 2007
Yarn: Karabella Vintage Cotton, color 320, 6 balls.
Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm)
Modifications: The empire and a-line top styles do not look good on me so I made changes for the fit. I cast on the number of stitches required for the 36" bust, and increased to the number required for the 40" bust when I got to the bodice. I also continued the textured lace pattern to the armholes, and switched to the textured purl stitch pattern just before I began the armhole shaping. I was hoping this would work out well, and I'm so glad it did.

And, here's one more photo - thanks to my sister Priscilla for doing the photo shoot with me.