Midway through March

March Break (spring break) is almost done and I've been doing a fair amount of knitting.  Being home during the day leads to that!  I've finished my Without A Paddle Sweater in Berroco Vintage Chunky.  The shaping for the front is problematic (see my Ravelry Page for details) but I think I'll get a fair amount of wear out of it given the style and yarn choice.  Not too warm but still bulky, so I can wear this into late winter/early spring. 

Looks lovely on my mannequin, which is a decorating piece and not a dressmaking form so it gives the gist of what I've made but isn't a true representation.  You can see the 'bumps' from the turns on the side, just under the bust.  More traditional short rows would have been better here.  The original yarn is Canoe, which has alpaca content and a bit of a halo.   Perhaps with that finished fabric these stitches might blend in a bit more.  I chose not to afford to knit it in Canoe, so the fabric is more flat and shows this a bit more.  I do like how the decreases swirl for the yoke, and think I can press out the bumpy stitches.  The yarn has an acrylic content so blocking may not do it.

Socks and a new pullover are on the needles, but more to come when they're further along.

In Progress

I've been knitting a lot this month too - trying to keep myself focused on knitting but also have a lot of time to sit at various sports practices and games/meets/events.  Small project knitting is definitely getting done!

First up, I finished my 3 Colour Cowl (without the cashmere) by Joji Locatelli that was my Holiday cast-on.  Easy travelling project, fits in a purse or bag and is easy to follow, pick up and put down during sports events while sitting on very uncomfortable bleachers. Ends have been woven in and it's blocked now but still looks similar to this:

I also finished a bulky fair isle hat for a colleague at work.   I used a Caron x Pantone braid from Michaels, as she has very sensitive skin and also likely wants to wear this without worrying about taking care of a pure wool fibre.  I knit the hat in less than 3 hours during the 2019 Superbowl.  Game was quite boring unless you love strategic defense in a low-scoring game, but that meant I could focus more on the hat than the tv screen.  This yarn was great to work with.  It's affordable at $10 CDN for a 'braid' of 5 colours, and I purchased it on sale for 50% off.  Whole project was less than $5.00 and I'd knit another at full price.  The pattern is free on the Yarnspirations website.  In the debate about cost versus luxury fibres, I come out as a 'omnivore knitter' (more on that in another post) and use all kinds of fibres, including those easily found at a 'box' store like Michaels.

Speaking of Yarnspirations, I also like the patterns I find there.  They've started carrying Sugar Bush Yarns which are more expensive (for good reason - lovely yarn!) but a few patterns are free on the site.  I started Without A Paddle, a cropped pullover but am using Berroco Vintage Chunky in a dark purple colour instead, as I can buy it from my LYS at a price point that works for me.  It's meant to be knit in Canoe, a chunky wool/alpaca blend that is tweedy.   Mine won't be tweedy but I do like the way the Vintage Chunky knits up.  It's a bottom-up sweater with a yoke construction, so I'm done the body and am ready to knit the sleeves, then join them to do the yoke:

I have a few other projects on the go, or almost done but I'll save those for other posts as they have their own stories to tell.

Finished Tee

I finished my Nasreen sleeveless striped top from the Summer 2018 issue of Pompom Magazine.  I love the construction, which is modular with some seams (which I don't mind at all).  The yarn is Berroco Remix Light.  It's light and almost sport-weight in the way it knits up.  It's also 100% recycled fibers.  I love the way it drapes when it's blocked and I know it will get a lot of wear in spring, summer, and early fall.

The boat neck is a little less 'me' than other necklines, and even though I made it longer by an inch, it's still shorter than the 'tunic length' described and modeled in the magazine but given the modular construction I didn't want to add length to the striped section so only added to the bottom ribbing band.   Very pleased with how this turned out.

start with the end in mind - goals for 2018

I've started 2018 with projects that fit my goals for 2018.  I love setting goals, making plans, determining what I want to do over a longer period of time.   Some goals are quantifiable, others involve learning new skills and others connect to the quality of a handmade wardrobe:

1.  Improve colourwork skills (speed, quality of work) - I'm going to knit stranded mittens over the year as part of the Skeindeer Knits 2018 KAL.  My first pair are done, just need to be blocked a bit, Herati from Pompom Quarterly:

2.  Focus on using more colours in my garments and accessories - I'm knitting a Bindrune Cardigan from Pompom Quarterly using 3 colours of Lopi, to add more colour to my garments.   I'm also almost done Nuuk from Laine Volume 1 in an autumnal orange colour.  Up next will be #18 Broken Rib Pullover from Vogue Knitting in a dark mauve colour:

3.  Knit shawls and hats all year for gifts, to reduce the need to knit for others in November and December (ongoing goal).  I've started with Jodi Shawl and hope to knit the Tread Hat by Shannon Cook before I start my next pair of mittens.

None have firm deadlines except the holiday gift stash and my goal to knit a pair of mittens or a hat each month.  As usual, I hope to use the stash I already have for lots of things, and the patterns from books I've purchased.  Lofty goals perhaps, but I'm starting projects with these goals in mind.

VK35

I enjoy knitting because I like to make my own clothes.  I like to knit garments and accessories.  I don't like to knit baby items, household items, or toys.  I've tried, but none bring me a sense of satisfaction in the way knitting my own clothes does.  I grew up in a household where clothes were made (mostly sewn), and I've inherited that interest in sewing.

More importantly, I've inherited an interest in fashion from my mother who studied textiles and design at university.  She taught Family Studies (Home Economics, then) at secondary school with a focus on sewing and even taught courses on fashion design.  She made fine tailored clothing out of fabric that was purchased on 'road trips' to nearby cities with textile mills, or in large stores in Toronto.  My interest in clothing is not just about frugality or slow fashion; it's from the idea that I can quite literally create my own sense of style.

Vogue Knitting magazine serves as an inspiration point.  Many items, as knitted or styled, wouldn't fit in to my wardrobe at first glance.  But the trends, colours, styles and ideas from the runway serve as inspiration for me.  In 2017 the magazine celebrated 35 years.  As a Knit-Along, a Ravelry group hosted a VK35kal.  The challenge:  knit an item from at 2017 issue AND at least one item from an issue ending in '7' (e.g., 1997, 2007).  I don't have a large back catalogue, so choosing patterns to knit was a bit difficult.  I joined in quite late with two projects:

From 2017:  #1 Sleeveless Turtleneck  knit in Berroco Vintage Chunky

From 2007:  a free pattern, Charming! Cape by Vladimir Teriohken

I'm not sure... I love the turtleneck, it's my style, my fit.  The cape is a stretch outside my comfort zone.  It's knit in super-bulky (and super economical) Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick, which is what the pattern calls for.  I'm leaving it for a bit to see if I'll wear it... if not, it will be frogged and re-knit into something else.

The challenge motivated me to rethink my wardrobe from a fashion viewpoint.  I don't want to "Knit All the Trends" (no thanks, neon from the '80's - did that first time around!), but I do want to be current and to push myself to wear things that are not just a remake of a previous thing.

So off to plan 2018... and to peruse the VK magazines I do have to see what might come next!  More on that to come!

cold and bright

The lovely people at Berroco Yarns have send me a package:

This prize includes enough yarn to knit Amy Christoffer's Bindrune from PomPom Quarterly Winter 2017 issue.  I selected a light gray for the body, a camel colour for the background colourwork, and the garnet red for the contrast colour.  I love the cozy look of the sweater, and think I can dress it up or down.  This will be one of my Christmas holiday projects - hope to finish it by January 8th (first day back to school)

The package includes the PomPom Quarterly issue, so I now have other brightly coloured projects in mind for the short and cold winter days:

Dipyramid, a two-colour stranded hat in DK weight yarn by Emily Green (above), and Orianna (below), a pullover that combines cables and colourwork.

All of the patterns are knit in soft, yet bright, colour combinations.  I hope to finish the cardigan and hat over the 2-week holiday break.  The pullover may have to wait... as I dream of spring!

in between

Feels like the fall rush of starting cozy things has passed, but the rush to finish by Christmas isn't quite here yet.  In between means settling in to finish things I've started and plan for what comes next.  Some things are done, like my Jaded Sleeveless Turtleneck from Vogue Knitting Fall 2017.  It's modeled with bare arms - lovely but highly unlikely to be worn that way by me here in Canada!  I love the finished product, and it's my kind of garment.  Layers, cozy neck, bulky knit, texture...

I've also finished my Girl From the Grocery Store shawl by Joji Locatelli.  Ends are woven in (although not in this picture!).  The yarn is Canadian, Merino Slim by FleeceArtist.

Rye Cardigan by Thea Coleman has buttons and is blocked.  The neckline is a bit wide for me, and it slips slightly to the right, making the front look assymetrical by an inch or so.  I am not off-kilter, so it must be my blocking or finishing.  It's not seamed.  I think I'm better with pieces that I can seam when it comes to fit and finish.  Still like it though!

In progress are a poncho from Knitscene Winter - Hvil.  It's a gift for a friend for her birthday.

The other is a very colourful shawl by Andrea Mowry - Goldfinch.  I'm knitting it for a KAL with my LYS in SweetGeorgia Superwash Sport (green), Cascade 220 sport (pink) and Mineville Project yarn (speckles). The pink is a bit brighter than I usually choose but the pattern is fun to knit with lace, short rows, and stripes (oh my!).

back to school

Every summer I forget how little knitting time I have when I'm working full time, running a household, and parenting two very active and athletic kids.  My knitting slows to an almost-halt as the school year starts.  Still, I've managed to almost finish two WIPs:

I knit a Campside shawl by Alicia Plummer to give as a gift this year to a teacher.  She's into camping and has taught my child for two years now, so she's knit-worthy!  It's more blue than gray, and just needs the ends woven in.

I've also finished the knitting for my Rye cardigan by Thea Colman (Baby Cocktails), from the Berroco Portfolio Volume 1 collection.  I need to seam the sleeves (I knit them flat), sew on buttons and block it.  Hope to finish today!

I had problems with the symmetry of the decreases - didn't notice until I was almost done so I've left it for now but may rip back.  I think the error was in when I decided to keep the bramble pattern or not, leaving fewer stitches in the texture panel on one front compared to the other.  We'll see how much it bothers me when it's done.

Up next is another Lowlands Hat which uses grafting in garter stitch which is this month's technique for A Year of Techniques.  I'll be knitting a pattern I own using stash yarn, as I've done each month.  The patterns in the book (just published) are gorgeous but I'm challenging myself to knit what I have. At least for this series of projects!

I am also casting on a Joji Locatelli shawl:  The Girl in the Grocery Store using Fleece Artist Merino Slim in a purplish gray colour and a cream with the purplish speckles.   I have other shawls in the queue including a MKAL with Sweet Georgia Yarn that starts in mid October.

Now if I could just knit more and work less, I'd get it all done!

more techniques

I'm moving along with the Year of Techniques hosted by Arnall-Culliford.  So far, we've covered Helical Stripes, Intarsia, and Pinhole cast-on.  I finished my Amstel Hat that started top-down with a pinhole cast-on, using Berroco Ultra Alpaca:

June's technique is knitted-on edging.  In keeping with my plan to use stash yarn and patterns I own, I'm knitting the Hydrangea Neckwarmer from the book Brave New Knits.  I'm done the main body, and have started the edging.  This is a new skill, but not a difficult one.  The pattern calls for a provisional cast-on for the edging, but I will seam at the end.   The yarn is variegated and pattern is lacy, so a small seam in the edging won't be noticeable.  It was less awkward than the provisional one in the original pattern.

I'm enjoying the challenge of learning (or practicing) new things, but am happy that I've stuck with using pattern and yarn I own.  It's so tempting to buy new patterns and yarns.  This allows me to search through my books and patterns for things I may have overlooked before, and match with yarns to knit things I may not have considered before.  Can't wait to see what July brings!

More knitting (less everything else!)...

A month since posts... I do so  much on my ipad, and can't quite figure out how to post images and create a blog post on that device.  I'm looking into it as I know I'd post more often from that device than the laptop.  Laptop signals "work" for me, while I use my iPad for "fun" things.

I broke out the sewing machine last month and made a top:  Sorbetto by Collette Patterns (a free top pattern).  I also made a "One Hour Top" by Fancy Tiger Crafts but the photo is on Instagram and I'm on my laptop.  Too many technological devices?!!

On the knitting front I've made a lot of small accessories, finished a KAL, and then got very distracted by a Mystery KAL.  

First, I finished a cowl using Noro Gingo and a pattern from my LYS.  It's more colourful than the photo shows, with mauve and green and gray:

I also knit a cowl using Briggs and Little Durasport, also in gray.  It's a bit scratchy but I'll wear it a lot in the fall.  Pattern is from PomPom Magazine, called Striated:

I also got sidetracked by a first birthday gift for my nephew.  I used stash yarn and a free pattern by Joji Locatelli called "Lolo's Vest".  Mine is more colourful than the original, as I didn't have enough of the red or the gray (my original plan) so added in some blue:

I also cast on a hat using the 'pinhole cast-on' for my Year of Techniques project this month.  This month's pattern is a cute knitted mouse.  I live with pre-teen boys and a lot of sports gear... and I am not keen on knitting toys (although these  may get knit one day!).  I'm trying to knit all of my 'technique' projects using stash yarn and patterns I own, so I chose some leftover Berroco Alpaca and cast on an Amstel Hat:

I'm no further along than this, as I am very distracted by my "Starting Point" MKAL with Joji Locatelli.  SPOILER picture is about to come up, but it's only clue one and a bit of clue two, so not really a big surprise anymore as clue 3 was released.  I'm not sure about the colours now that I"m knitting, as it's a lot more colourful than I usually knit.  I knit bright things (like the hat above) but usually in a monochromatic, solid colour.  The mix of colours is very far out of my comfort zone.  This means it will get worn with a lot of gray and black, I imagine!  

Yarns:  Zara (mauve), Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine (orange), Sweet Georgia Toughlove sock (variegated), Sweet Georgia Bulletproof Sock (Blue), Alegria (gray):

More on this when it's done, as I don't want to give too much away.  I'm trying to keep up with the pace of the KAL, so I have a few days to do a LOT of knitting - the project uses close to 2000 yards in 4 weeks....  

All of this knitting means less of other things.  Like housework, school work, reading, etc.  I'm okay with this, but my house is looking a little dusty and my report cards loom ahead!  

Intarsia

As mentioned previously, I'm following "A Year of Techniques" using patterns and yarn from my library and stash.  I finished my cowl with intarsia and LOVE it.  Love the colour, loved knitting the pattern, love the yarn, love it.  I think it will be perfect for spring, when the wind can be cool despite the sun (which I hear will shine again soon).  I used a new cast-on, learned intarsia with garter stitch (easy!) and grafted the ends together with garter Kitchener stitch (new skill) so really this was 3 new techniques on one go.  I also knit it ahead of my deadline (May 1st) so I'm very proud of myself for following through with my commitment to finish KALs at or near the deadline.

Pattern:  Ice Maiden Cowl by Sybil R (on Ravelry)
Yarn:  Malabrigo Arroyo (variegated) and Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light (burgundy)

Next technique involves sock yarn.  I've never knit socks (aside from a worsted pair of house socks) so I'm hoping to learn something new.  I rarely pay much attention to sock patterns that come my way (in magazines, in books, on websites) so I will have to think about what I can reasonably knit.  For now, I'll wear my new cowl and hope for a breezy, sunny but cool day!

a year of techniques

Mason Dixon Knitting and Arnall-Culliford Knitwear have launched a year-long project and (eventual) book called A Year of Techniques.  The premise:  each month starting in March 2017, a new technique and pattern are launched.  Purchasing the book gives you access to each pattern via pdf, with a printed copy (or digital) available for shipping at the end. 

Exciting?  Yes!  Affordable? ... not for me.  With the Canadian dollar and shipping from England factored in, the book alone will cost $33.00 plus shipping (so likely closer to $60).  I would love to own the book but am also mindful of all of the other patterns I already own and the accompanying stash of yarn I seem to have accumulated.  Instead, I am going to do a 'shadow' year of techniques, selecting patterns I already own that incorporate the technique of the month.  If I don't have a pattern with the specific technique, then I will choose one that can be modified to incorporate it. 

First up was 'helical stripes' - essentially one stripe chases the other, never catching up to eliminate jogs or seams.  The pattern is for arm warmers, so I cast on using gauge for fingering weight yarn and knit up some generic armwarmers with a thumb gusset and ribbing at top and bottom.  Yarn is Noro Silk Garden sock.

April's technique is intarsia, with a gorgeous shawl by Bristol Ivy, Brambling Shawl.  I have a pattern for a garter stitch cowl called Ice Maiden.    Mine will be less icy and more 'red wine', but garter and intarsia together is fun!

I am using stash yarn for this - Malabrigo Arroyo and Ultra Alpaca Light.  Feels good to dig into the stash and try new things at the same time.

I also have a cardigan on the go for a Baby Cocktails KAL.  It's Rye, knit with Ultra Alpaca Tonal.  I love the stitch pattern and it's going quite quickly.  One sleeve done, another about a third of the way.  Great tv knitting with a 4-row pattern that's easy to memorize and 'read' on the needles.

 Also hoping to finish last year's summer tee - started about a year ago.  Lots on the go, but I am hoping to finish all by mid May, just in time to start the next technique!

progress

It feels good to finish.  I most enjoy the planning part of knitting:  pouring over patterns, selecting yarn, looking at other peoples' work on Ravelry, Instagram and blogs.  I lag in the middle, when the new-ness wears off and the pattern is 'rote'.  Finishing is harder than starting. 

So this March Break I was determined to finish.  It feels good to finish!

Top:  At Last (long vest)

Middle:  Mrs. Mysterious (Mrs. Watson) - my entry in my LYS annual Yarn Challenge

Bottom:  Sambuca (BabyCocktails pattern)

I also realize now that I've knit the body, that my Clio will need to be frogged.  I knit the small size, and am not happy with the fit.  Not enough ease, and I don't love it enough to start over from the start... so it's time to frog it and let the wool become something else. 

This means all that I have left to finish is my spring tee, and a pair of mitts.  I'm hoping to have the mitts done this weekend, and be ready to reassess my spring knitting plans by the start of April.  In the meantime, both of my Mrs. Watson shawls are featured on the Berroco Blog this week!

my own 'march madness'... on the needles

I have finished one of my short row projects:  Mrs. Watson. 

I'm very happy with the finished project, and the Ultra Alpaca Light is wonderful to knit up.  The shawl is on the small side, so I'll need a pin to keep it in place.  I wore it one day and had to fiddle all day to keep it wrapped. 

My other projects languish as I continue to be distracted by new ideas, new accessories, and the inability to focus on finishing anything bigger than a mitten.  My sweaters are also not portable, and I have been out more than home lately.  March Break (Spring Break - a week off school) means that I will have time at home.  I'm determined to finish or make significant headway with my projects that are still on the needles.  Many have appeared here before, some months or even years ago.  One, the long vest, has been on hold for so long I forget what needle I used for the parts that are done (note to self:  enter the needle size on Ravelry!).  To be done: 

All are in various stages, so I will knit away for the next 10 days, starting this weekend, and aim to finish the Sambuca and the Long Vest, and finish at least one of the Vanishing Point mitts.  I hope to start one of the Clio Sleeves, and perhaps knit a bit more of the Spring tee body.  Ambitious, perhaps, but I need to finish things (literally and figuratively) as I feel I'm starting lots and making little progress.  This is true for lots of areas of life right now, but I can control the knitting if nothing else!

I also have a mystery project on the go for my LYS' annual Yarn Challenge.  More to come on that once it's in the store window! 

short rows season

I seem to have selected projects with short row shaping to start the year.  My first, Sambuca, is more of a 'finish this year' project, with short rows to create a longer hem:

I just have the second sleeve and neck finishing to do and then it's done.

My next project is Clio.  It's the most challenging sweater I've ever knit in terms of construction.  It starts with two strips of cable that become the top of the shoulder.  Stitches picked up on either long edge become the start of the front and back shoulders, with short rows and backwards loop to connect the two pieces to become front and back.  Then all are joined to make the body.  Complicated at first but I'm almost done the ribbing at the hem:

Finally, I've started Mrs. Watson as part of the Berroco Yarns KAL.  It's a shawl with a leaf pattern knit in short rows, love the contrast of colour and shape:

I'm enjoying the shawl a lot, mostly because it's different every section.  I am hoping to finish all three before March Break (March 10th).  This may be too ambitious!