stitchingmystressaway.com

Ever have a pattern/project you’re working on that just takes a long time and have no idea why?

Sure. EVERY Knitter has at least one!

I finished a project that was about a little bit over a year in the making. No idea why–the pattern is wonderful and the yarn is luscious. But hey…it happens, right?

Pattern: Botanical Lace Cardigan by Margaret Atkinson from the Twist Collective, Spring 2009
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Brooks Solo Silk
Colorway(s): Burgundy
Needle(s): US 4 – 3.5 mm, US 5 – 3.75 mm & US 6 – 4.0 mm
Casted On: July 6, 2009
Casted Off: July 26, 2010
Modifications: This pattern didn’t have a great deal of shaping so I improvised a little with changing needle sizes. The lower third of the sleeves, I used 6s, second third I used 5s and you guessed it, last third I used 4s. This made for a nice flare at the end of the sleeve. I also lengthened the sleeves and the cardigan, something I often do because I’m tall

I think if I were to knit it again, I’d probably use 6s in the chest area. It’s a little tight there but it’s not something I’m stressing over. Shoot, it might stretch out a little more with time. Who knows?

I certainly love the yarn. Brooks Solo Silk is a little rich for my blood but it was a “Why Not?” purchase at Rhinebeck a few years ago. I was a little concerned about what I’d do with 1200 yards of it–the yarn is sport/DK weight so it’s not enough for a full fledged sweater. And it might be a just a little too thick for a shawl. So when this pattern came out, I thought it was a great combination. Turned out I was very right.

This is the start to a great many lace cardigans and sweaters. I love ‘em. Can’t get enough of ‘em!

And YAY for getting a year-long project done!!

I won’t speak for all knitters but I’ll certainly speak for this one–We view babies as our own Barbie dolls, only way way cooler.

I have kept in touch, thanks to Facebook, with Good Counsel’s Class of 2000’s Best Dressed Female, Cassie Martell, now Cassie Diehl. She gave birth to this enormously cute cute kid. I’ve always ohhhhhhhhed and awwwwwwwwwed every time she or her hubby posts pics of lil Madison on Facebook. This kid is So. So. Photogenic.

So….I start to get the itch to make something for a lil bebeh. A lot of my friends have kids approaching the toddler age. No. I wanted an instant gratification project. So I think to myself “Why not make something for lil Madison??” and I did.

Behold Maximum Bebeh Cuteness:

Had NO IDEA the yarn almost exactly matched the color of her eyes. I can only wish I was that clever. But how awesome is this?!

Pattern: Elenka by Inna Alesandrova from Knitty, Summer, 2009
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Cotton Ease, Lion Brand & Cascade 220
Colorway(s): Light Blue and Purple, respectively
Needle(s): US 6 – 4.0 mm
Casted On: July 6, 2010
Casted Off: July 10, 2010
Modifications: This is very very minor but I just did single crochet stitches as opposed to double crocheted stitches for the border. Not really a big deal

This project was exactly what I thought it would be–instant gratification. Kids grow so so fast so I’m not entirely sure how much use lil Madison will get from this dress, but I know that lil Abby has turned her dress I made for her when she was about a year old into a tank top so there’s always that idea too.

This project was also a little bittersweet. I took the picture above right outside my apartment and went back inside and heard my cell going off–It was my mom calling me to tell me my dear granny had her fourth stroke. You look up the words “kind soul” in the dictionary and you will see my granny. Mom went down to Atlanta to be with her for her last few weeks, I sent this to Cassie. Yesterday she passed on and is now with my grandpa. They’re both in heaven now–he’s reading a Tom Clancy novel…Granny’s bitching about the squirrels in her tomato plants (she was kind to everyone but squirrels ) and they’re both watching the Atlanta Braves game. Needless to say I’ve been pretty sad. Seeing this new picture of Madison certainly did bring a smile to my face when I thought nothing could, so Thank You Cassie.

Well up next I’ll be showing of pictures of a cardigan that has been in the works for over a year!

I finished my first Christmas present for Rose–Slip Jigs from this March’s Rockin’ Sock Club. When I first got the skein, I wasn’t a big fan:

Then I thought of Rose and these are so her colors. So I started a Christmas present very early.

Pattern: Slip Jigs by Irishgirlieknits from the 2010 Rockin’ Sock Club
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Socks that Rock, Mediumweight
Colorway(s): My Wild Irish Girlie
Needle(s): US 1 – 2.25 mm
Casted On: April 10, 2010
Casted Off: July 11, 2010
Modifications: I didn’t do any. I followed the pattern exactly as written, even did the heel flap.

But if I could change one thing, it would be the toe. There are a lot of stitches between the decreases making the toes a little…bunchy. But then again, the slip pattern does go up the side of the socks so I am not entirely sure how I could edit the  pattern.

It was a fun knit though. I know Rose will love these socks to pieces. One Christmas present down, plenty more left to do. I’m trying to get a head start on Christmas knitting, if you can believe it, because I will be spending a better part of  September and October  running around like a chicken with her head cut off because of our wedding

are finished!

Pattern: Skew by Lana Holden from Knitty, Winter 2009
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Socks that Rock, Lightweight
Colorway(s): Eggplanted
Needle(s): US 1½ – 2.5 mm
Casted On: April 18, 2010
Casted Off: July 4, 2010
Modifications: Like with my previous Skews, I changed to a higher needle size after the Inner Ankle knitting. I also lengthen the leg portion so that I can have the longest socks I could.

I just love this pattern. It’s not so often that I finish my first pair of socks and immediately start thinking of the second pair of socks in that pattern. I think I’ll need a little break from this pattern for a while, at least, but I still want to make MORE SKEWS …hehe

It’s interesting with this pair of socks–The left sock was knit with smaller needles. I was nervous about a 72 stitch count sock on 1.5 or size 2 needles. I have to practically beat it into submission to get it on because it’s so tight. Then this project was put on hold for a little bit. I picked it back up again a few days ago and knit the second socks a little looser and that goes on with NO problem whatsoever.

I did make a very fortunate mistake on the second sock, which resulted in a slightly wider heel. In the “Heel Shaping” portion, it states:

(Note: there will be 15 sts between second ankle marker and heel marker throughout heel shaping.)

By accident, I had 17 stitches between the two markers and followed the directions from there. Opps. But YAY for a little bit of a wider heel. I planned that all along. Really. I did.

Really, ladies and gents, try this pattern out. It’s a fun leap of faith knitting project as my buddy Heather stated in her blog just this morning. (Heather’s new to the blog world. Go over and welcome her )

This weekend has been a great one. Busy too. I’m going to plop right now in front of a chic flic and knit ridiculously warm items in this 90 some degree heat.

My office is right near our break room and I heard my coworker Iliana talking about wanting a handknit hat.

Oh Really?

I won’t go into details here but she has helped me a lot with some situations of late so OF COURSE I wanted to make a hat for her. I express my love, appreciation and thanks through handknits so this was perfect! So I made her….

Pattern: Syncopated Caps by Kate Gilbert from Interweave Knits, Summer 2007
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Crystal Palace Yarns Mini Mochi & KnitPicks Palette
Colorway(s): Rainbow and Steel Grey, respectively
Needle(s): US 3 – 3.25 mm
Casted On: June 6, 2010
Casted Off: June 10, 2010
Modifications: None

However, if I were to make this hat again, I’d probably lengthen it a little more. Do you notice above that the hat covers maybe a third of my ear? Well, it was the same for Iliana so I was a little disappointed about that. Next time I will lengthen this hat–There are rows where you: K2 in CC (rainbow) K1 in MC (grey) consecutively for four rows. Next time I think I’d do it for five or maybe even six rows.

Despite that, I still loved making this hat–Making something stranded with multicolored yarns is always thrilling.

Hopefully after Iliana wears this hat a few times, it stretches out a little more. She’s from Miami so she’ll use this hat if DC gets a little breeze

I finished Kelmscott. And What a great pattern that is!!

Pattern: Kelmscott by Carol Sunday from Twist Collective, Winter 2009
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Wool (5 skeins)
Colorway(s): Great Lakes
Needle(s): US 7 – 4.5 mm
Casted On: April 28, 2010
Casted Off: May 30, 2010
Modifications: I’ve come to the realization that I have gumby arms so, of course, I added about three inches more to the arms than what the pattern instructed. Other than that, none, really.

How much did I love this pattern? Let me count the ways….

• There was a nice mixture of repetitive stockinette but a very interesting lace motif at the same time
• The collar, which is often a drag to make, was a fun accessory that complimented the rest of the cardigan quite well.
• At first, I thought knitting lace on both the wrong and right sides of the fabric was going to be confusing. I won’t lie- there were times when that was in fact, true but I got used to it

The yarn I used as well–Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Wool–is an absolute dream to knit with. Soft without pilling. Warm but not overbearing. Nice quality yarn without breaking the bank. Love the yarn. Will definitely go back to Fibre Space in VA to get some more.

The Buttons

I didn’t have much difficulty making this puppies. Sure they were a little annoying but I got the hang of it and popped out four. I might change them though, looking at this picture. The cardigan doesn’t look bad or sloppy but I would like the cardi to close complete. So I might get some nicer buttons or I might just move the current ones over a little. I do like the idea of having buttons that are covered in the same yarn I used. This feature couldn’t be used with every cardigan but I think it compliments this pattern very well.

This was a very fun knit. I certainly look forward to more Carol Sunday Patterns in future Twist Collective Magazines and I am eying up some more Shepherds Worsted for maybe the Blackberry Cabled Cardigan Who knows?

Have a great weekend, everyone. Be Safe.

Ok let me first say that, yes, STD has a not so great connotation but it was brought to my attention that I might have confused readers in my last post. I am planning a wedding and while doing so, a STD will refer to Save The Date cards. Get it? Do we have an understanding?

Now that they’ve been sent to our invite list, can I show you the most awesome save the date cards my friend Lara made for us?

How awesome are they?!?!

The week I got the draft from Lara, I was bummed out about a certain part of our wedding (long story) and I received the draft on a Friday afternoon and just yelped from excitement. These totally got me out of my funk because this card is SO us! And my God, I had no idea I was a head tilter till I saw this and took a closer look at pics of me.

Annnnnnnyway, Lara had to get spoiled. I show my love through knitting, of course. May I present….her socks.

Pattern: Maelstrom by Cookie A. from Twist Collective, Autumn 2008
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Shelridge Farm Soft Touch Ultra Solid Colors
Colorway(s): Iris
Needle(s): US 1 – 2.25 mm
Casted On: April 20, 2010
Casted Off: May 9, 2010
Modifications: The pattern called for six repeats of the leg pattern. I went for ten and even with that, the sock was a little short. Here’s hoping that didn’t make much difference to Lara who is shorter than me?

I love this pattern and always knew I’d make a second pair after I finished my first. It’s interesting enough to keep your attention but is also not too complicated that you have to refer to the pattern after every row.

Knitters often don’t get handknit gifts themselves. Why is that? We don’t hesitate giving each other yarn but we don’t make things for each other? At least I don’t but I’ll admit that I really must change that Anyway, Lara was quite pleased to receive them and I was so happy to make them for her. My family and friends absolutely love the save the date cards. So original. So Us. And they include our wonderful girls. They can’t be forgotten We got all that and more. THANK YOU LARA….AGAIN

And speeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaking of socks, I recently got a copy of Think Outside the Sox and I just can’t get enough of it! I love an overwhelming majority of the patterns in the book. Go check it out at the library or get a copy at your LYS. It will not disappoint.

I’m watching Julie and Julia. What a cute movie. I have to say I really relate to Julie’s character–she is someone who doesn’t really know what she wants to be when she grows up and I can so get that. I am wickedly jealous of people my own age who know exactly what they want and are doing it. Anyway, she picked up this blog project to cook her way through Julia Childs’ book as a challenge to herself. It got me thinking about Knit and Crochet Blog Week. Teeheee I haven’t been doing this every other day but I am doing it, a little behind but I am doing it….true to Laura fashion

Day  Four:

Is there a skill related to your hobby that you hope to learn one day? maybe you’re a crocheter who’d also like to knit? Maybe you’d like to learn to knit continental, knit backwards, try cables or attempt stranded colourwork.

OK as snobby as this might sound, I think I’m fairly grounded in my skills. Sure I would like to try entrelac but it’s a huge priority. not a big scratch to itch.

This said, I could really use some improvement in my skills. I love using both hands while doing stranded colorwork but that can sometimes and often lead to tension issues

So sure, I’m afraid of very little as a knitter but that still doesn’t mean I can’t improve.

And speaking of tension issues, here is my latest of FO….my “beret.” Note the irony.

Pattern: Selbu Modern by Kate Gagnon Osborn from her blog
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Louet Gems Sport Weight
Colorway(s): Burgundy & Steel Grey
Needle(s): US 1 – 2.25 mm  &US 2 – 2.75 mm
Casted On: April 7, 2010
Casted Off: April 21, 2010
Modifications: None, really.

I knew something was up when I started the decreases for the crown.

But you know, I can have a sense of humor about this. Sure, it’s a pattern for a beret but oh well…fits me wonderfully like a hat.

See, this beret was meant for my buddy Lara. She’s a knitting buddy of mine who offered to do our Save the Dates cards for our wedding. As a thank you, I thought “Hmmm I wonder if she is a beret person.” I wanted to give her a personal thank you gift because God knows she gave us such a personal gift (HOLY SHIT ARE THE STDS THE BEST ONES EVER…more on that when we send them out). I don’t really think I have the head for a beret but always wanted to make one so why not use Lara as a guinea pig? But no. Even with blocking it didn’t spread out. So while it would have been great to give this to her, I fear that while this fits me like a very comfy hat, it might fit her like an overgrown sloppy hat. There are a great many other things I can make for her, right?

So Yay, Laura has a new hat for winter.

Now that you’ve read my contribution, why not check out other blogs that are discussing this same topic?

Okaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay, maybe I can’t blog every day.

Every other day…I can still do that. And even if I don’t complete it with the rest of this event, that’s ok. These topics are interesting regardless of whether or not it’s part of a blog week or not.

Day 3’s topic is One Great Knitter

Write about a knitter whose work (whether because of project choice, photography, styling, scale of projects, stash, etc) you enjoy. If they have an enjoyable blog, you might find it a good opportunity to send a smile their way.

With this topic, I’m going to talk about two famous knit designers and some of my wonderful knitting buddies.

I have a weakness for lace sweaters, can you tell? I can identify a Carol Sunday (first row) pattern without any text near the garment and the same thing goes for Connie Chang Chinchio (second row). I just love their patterns. They are fancy and feminine but also are garments that can be worn with jeans as well.

Then as far as personal knit buddies are concerned, man there are a lot, many of which I’ve found through the Ravelry community. One of these special people is Lindsey with her wicked sock skills She’s fearless. And not to mention a damn good photographer too.

These next two ladies are a group of women I like to call my sweater consultants. They are Ms. Darsana and Ms. Stephanie. They pop out garments very fast, if you ask me. And they’re a great source of knowledge when I come across sweater questions and, trust me, that’s a lot!

Darsana's gorgeous Olive Slip Dress

Steph's Lorelei. I kind of want it

Thank you, all of you

Be sure to check out the other entries for today’s topic!

Miss me?

Yes I know this blog has felt neglected and I can’t help but pet it and assure it that I’m ok.

Believe it or not, I’ve been thinking of ways to increase blog posting, especially in light of the fact that I have a horrible case of startiritis :”> I saw my friend Lindsey’s Blog about Knit and Crochet Blog Week and I thought “This is it!” So I decided to participate. Maybe a day late but hey, I’ll do this a day late to make up for yesterday.

So today’s topic of the day is Inspirational Patterns:

A pattern or project which you aspire to. Whether it happens to be because the skills needed are ones which you have not yet acquired, or just because it seems like a huge undertaking of time and dedication, most people feel they still have something to aspire to in their craft. If you don’t feel like you have any left of the mountain of learning yet to climb, say so!

I have two patterns that inspire me–one dealing with lace and the other stranded colorwork. I feel I have the skills to knit these two patterns but it is the additional factors that often make me postpone a project.

My first inspirational pattern is Anne Hanson’s Irtfa’s Faroese Lace Shawl

It is safe to say, this does not make for Metro knitting! And that is totally fine and even makes the project all the more exciting but it’s a time commitment. I get the urge to knit it then it gets postponed because of smaller projects. Doesn’t take much to be considered smaller in comparison to this gorgeous shawl, now does it. I do have the yarn for it. It will get knitted one day:

My next inspirational pattern is the Autumn Rose Pullover

Taken from KnitPicks

I won’t say a knitting project like this would bring me anxiety–goodness no! This sweater looks like a lot of fun to make. Steaks don’t intimidate me nearly as much as they used to. It’s just that there is a lot to think about all at once with this aside from the usual tension issues that come with stranded work and obviously following what might be considered a complicated coloring pattern at times. There is also increasing and decreasing in said colorwork pattern, making sure the circular motif on the body matches up with their mates on the sleeves and making sure you start the center steak for the collar in a place on your chest you feel comfortable with. Those are things I can just think of looking at the photo right now! Are these intimidating issues that will deter me from making this sweater? Absolutely not. But far be it from me to want to brush up on some miniature fair isle projects before I start one that I would want to wear to work! That said, I have started swatching for it already….just sayin’  

Be sure to check out the other entries for today’s topic!