Blog Week in Review 5/19-5/26

Before I get to the Blog Week in Review, can I take a chance to talk about my current WIP? I’m sort of designing it as I go, and I kind of love it. I’m making the Chrolla Hat out of some Knit Picks Chroma fingering, a self-striping, single-ply yarn. The colors are electric, and they seem to be working really well with the somewhat repetitive pattern. I love the stitches that I picked, and it’s been going pretty quickly considering the fact that there are over 200 stitches and the stitch pattern is pretty intensive!

a lace mesh and cables and everything nice in the world

Right now, I’m almost to the point that I’m going to start the decreases. I’ve already decided not to make the crown too pointy as I’m trying to go for a beret kind of look, but what I can’t make a decision about is exactly how I want to do it. Right now, I’m thinking that I’ll decrease starting with the meshy part in between cables, but I don’t know if I want to do it from one side so the decreases spiral, or over both so the cables come together a bit more evenly (squarely?). Do you have any thoughts? I’ll probably pick one, but put in a lifeline before I start so it will be pretty easy to pick up once I decide that I don’t like it

I feel like my baby’s growing up!

Anyways, before we get to the main event, I just wanted to do some shameless pleading for test knitters. Right now my Swirch Hat only has one tester, and I would really, really, REALLY appreciate a couple more eyes on the pattern to make sure all of the numbers work out and everything. If you are at all interested, please check out the page on the Ravelry Free Pattern Testers group. Thanks!

And now, for the moment you have all been waiting for, the Blog Week in Review! This week has been incredibly inspirational, so I have a lot to show you guys! As always, if you would also like to participate in the Blog Week in Review, please click on the Mr. Linky below and add your site. I’m really excited to see what inspires YOU!

I don’t know if it’s the weather or what, but I have a bunch of baby knits to show you. First, Knitted Bliss talked about her trials in trying to get her kitten hat to fit her newborn. Adorable pictures abound (both with and without the hat), and it’s pretty much just adorableness!

Being Careful not to Twist (great name, btw) is showing off her new baby vest, which, beyond the adorably baby pink colors, has a row of elephants running across the bottom. Everyone, say it with me- awwww!

I don’t know if this counts as a baby knit or not, but Rip It Good’s Bouncy Rabbit is incredibly adorable. I haven’t been hit with the urge to knit a toy since my disastrous adventures making a sock monkey, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate something as cute as this.

To get away from the baby-theme, Chronicles of a Fiber Engineer’s Hat for a Sister-In-Law is beautiful and lacey and everything you would want in a gift from a knitter. Just, sigh, beautiful.

I love Minding My Own Stitches‘ new shawl. I don’t even know how to describe the color (beyond purple-ish)…I just know that I like it! And the yarn sounds like a knitter’s dream (whatever Karakul is, I’m sure that it’s soft and yummy!).

And if you want to see four (yes, FOUR!) pairs of fantastic finished socks, you have to head over to Knitting in Color. Combined with the fact that they are all made with wool-less yarns, and I can’t help but be impressed.

FO Friday: Locke

It has been a long time coming, but I finally (FINALLY!) have a finished sweater to show you. Can I introduce you to my newest love, the Locke Cardigan? It’s taken several months (almost exactly 3, according to ravlery), but she is finally finished. Just in case you’ve forgotten, this is the Locke St. Cardigan from Glenna C’s Urban Collection make out of about 13.5 skeins of Knit Picks Swish DK (100% Superwash Wool).

Modeled shot! Boy, was that timer hard to work with. Maybe I should invest in a tripod?

Almost from the start, I knew this was a match made in heaven. I got gauge with the suggested needle size, and cast on right away. Of course, it was slow going. DK weight on US 6′s doesn’t exactly knit up quickly, and the pattern had you start with the sleeves, which are hardly the most exciting part of the pattern. Still, if I knit it again I would still do it that way. The cables are slightly simpler on the sleeves, so it felt like I was just dipping my feet into the crazy-ness before I jumped on to the fronts and back.

the front

But the slow going kept my attention for almost a whole semester, and this is what I got out of it. I did almost no modifications, although I did run into a couple of problems. I’m not sure what happened, but my sleeve caps were much smaller than the corresponding side on the fronts. Of course, I didn’t notice that until I was sewing them in (lesson to myself- always block both before AND after you sew), so I ended up having to unpick the BO on the sleeve caps and add a little more length. When I tried it on right after there was some strange puckering in the sleeves, but I paid special attention to that when I blocked it, and I think that mostly went away.

Can you see that puckering? No? That’s because of the MAGIC of BLOCKING!

The other problems that I had were probably mostly my fault. Usually, I like my sleeves a little bit long (I like the ends to brush the bottom of my thumb), so I didn’t really pay attention to sleeve length. Boy, was that NOT a good idea. Luckily, they are almost a perfect length when I fold the ribbing back on itself.  The other thing that I wish that I had changed has to do with the collar. The pattern suggests that, if you want a deeper collar, you should just add on extra short rows. I had PLENTY of yarn, and I considered doing it at the time, but I didn’t (maybe I was just ready to get the cardigan done with?). If I ever feel like it, I may pick out the last couple of rows and add some extra shaping on the collar…hmmm.

Close up on the cables on the back

But besides those little things, I freaking love this sweater. The cables are intricate and luscious, and it fits pretty well. It’s not so tight that I won’t wear it, but it’s not loose and baggy, either. Just the proper balance of ease! Of course, now that it’s almost June and 80 degrees outside, I’m going to have to put Locke away from a couple of months. Darn it.

buttons!

For more FO Fridays, check out Tami’s.

WIP Wed: Welcome to Hat Town

So I’ve been keeping up with my summer goals pretty well, I think. Specifically, I’ve been working on the two designs that were accepted into the Knit Picks Independent Designer Program. It’s going pretty well!

First of all, there’s Swirch. I was thinking about combining both traveling cables and ribs, and I was fooling around for a while until I came up with this swatch:

Swirch swatch- alliteration!

Since the swatch came out pretty good in leftover Swish DK, I figured that would be what I made the hat out of. For a superwash wool, it feels soft and wooly, which I really, really like. Plus, the finished hat is going to be slouchy, and the elastic properties of wool will make sure it doesn’t just fall down your head, which is always a plus. And the name? Swish + Slouch= Swirch (sort of). Anyway, I like it, and I guess that is all that matters. The pattern is currently up for testing, so if you would like to give it a try PLEASE check it out in the ravelry free pattern testers group. Please. Right now my sample is still blocking (there may have been an incident where I left it out in the rain), but here’s what it looks like!

Swirch sample… blocking

The next design is also a hat. This one is something that had been running around in my head just a little bit longer. Ever since it came out, I’ve wanted to get my hands on Knit Picks’s striped Chroma yarn. When they came out in a fingering weight version, I knew it would be perfect for a light-weight hat…also slouchy! I was still on the cable kick, but I was thinking that, instead of putting the cables on a standard purl background, I could try to experiment with some mesh lace. Thus, this swatch was born.

Swatch!

Although settling on a lace pattern was pretty easy, it took me a while to decide which cable to use. At the begging, I was leaning more towards a 3×1 cable (center), but I think it’s just a little too matchy-match with the stitches that are passed over in the lace. It was getting a little lost, especially when you add in the color repeats. Instead, I chose the 2×2 over 6 rows (left). I think it stands out much better- it’s dense enough to provide a different texture than the lace, but not so dense that it looks like a larger version of the lace.

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God, those stripes are pretty.

So far, I’ve gotten through the ribbing and about half an inch of patterning. Still, I did decide to make the largest size (which I usually do, just to make sure that there is enough yarn) and it’s been a pretty enjoyable knit. I’m looking forward to it taking some time to chug through- it’s been a while since I’ve had an interesting long-term project! Oh, and my tentative name is Chrolla, a sort of feminine take on Chroma. Thoughts?

For more WIP Wed. posts, check out Tami’s.

Summer Goals

So, I’m finally getting settled into some sort of routine after an especially hellish finals week. Ok, so after that, I needed another week to recover. But I think things are back to normal. I have a little less than a month before I start my summer internship, so I thought I would set myself some goals.

First, I need to work on some designs. I already have yarn support from Knitpicks for two hats (one of which you’ll see Wed.), and there’s an idea for a bolero/cropped sweater thing in my head. The sweater might not get done anytime soon, but I want to get the sketch down on paper sometime soon.

Corona Sweater

Second, I am WIP busting. Specifically, there are two projects that have been sitting in my stash for a couple of months now, and I need to decide what I am going to do with them. First, I have a Corona Sweater made in Knit Picks comfy. I modded out the hood, so I think this might make a great winter-time sweater. Still, my gauge may have been off, and it’s a little tighter than I expected. Still, at this point all I have left is to sew up the sleeves and graft the underarms and it’s done. It can’t hurt to finish it up before I make my final decision on what to do with this.

cable detailing on the collar of corona

There’s also my heavily modified version of the Gemini Cardigan that has also been sitting around, mostly finished, for a really long time. It might be too long, but I’ll never know until I really get it on. First, I’m going to sew the sleeves in, and then we’ll take a look at the button band. I made it up as I went along, creating a separate button band and shawl collar. I’m not too sure it works. Once I get the sleeves in, I may just rip the collar and button band out and just start from scratch. We’ll see.

gemini cardigan, which I called the cobblestone cardigan in my pattern notes, for some reason

I also have the Locke Cardigan to finish, although I’m just waiting for it to finish drying before I sew in the ends and add the buttons. After I finish all of these projects, I might just get a chance to finally make the Zest Cardigan in Knit Picks Pallette I’ve been planning on doing forever. And then maybe a shawl out of my Dragonfly Fibers Dragon Sock yarn. Oh well, a girl can dream!

Dragon Sock- The bright sun took out a little bit of the depth of colors, so it’s actually MORE beautiful than that, if you can believe it!

My last goal is to start planning now for holiday presents. I’m going to make a list of knit-worthy people, and start thinking of projects for them now. In some cases, I already have ideas. In others, it will probably take me six months of ruminating to figure out what I want to do

Blog Week in Review: 5/12- 5/19

Did you guys notice that this is the second week in a row that I’ve forgotten about posting? Let me tell you, life has been crazy here. There’s been almost no knitting progress. I’ve swatched for two designs (which I’m sure you’ll see later this week) and, luckily, my Locke St. Cardigan is blocking on my floor. Hopefully, within a couple of days, it will be ready to wear. Lets not think about the fact that I won’t WANT to wear it for another three months.

Locke Street Cardigan in Knit Picks Swish DK

The other thing that’s been taking up a lot of my time? My parents (who I’m currently living with during summer break) got a new puppy! Mocha may be pretty freaking adorable, but she’s also a handful. She’ll get into anything, so you can’t really leave her alone if you are on Mocha duty. Plus, she’s not really potty-trained at all, so you have to let her out very, very often. None of this bodes very well for me finding enough time to sit down and knit.

Mocha!

Still, even though I haven’t gotten a lot of knitting done, there are some other bloggers out there with a lot to show. Here’s the blog week in review!

Stitched Together’s Rue’s Wings Shawl is a test knit, but that doesn’t stop it from being GORGEOUS. The yarn worked really well with the pattern. Plus, it’s named after Rue from Hunger Games, which just makes it freaking awesome all on it’s own.

My Sister’s Knitter’s Pink Post may be blinding, but it really shows off her fantastically adorable new pair of socks. I just love getting a crazy colorway of yarn and making an increadibly bright pair of socks. There’s nothing better!

I am so jealous of how quickly crocheters seem to knock out baby blankets. Usually, I’m pretty loyal to knitting, but something like Knitting Sandwich’s Zen Circle is possibly the only thing that could convince me to learn how to crochet.

Autumngeisha had two fantastic FO’s this week. First, I love her Candy Ribbon Cowl. She designed it herself! I think that I am going to have to take a look at that pattern, at least to figure out how she did that contrasting color dealing. Second, the Birds on Branches shawl that she test-knitted really is awesome, too. I love the striping, and how it seems to match so well with the lace edging. Congrats!

And finally, Craftivore’s Ambergris sweater is nothing short of gorgeous. Ok, so her photos are taken along a breathtaking stretch of coastline, but her lace and cabled sweater definitely holds it’s own in the pictures.

As usual, I would love to have you join me in my Blog Week in Review. Please click on the Mr. Linky to link to your blog, and I encourage everyone to click on it to see who else joined!

Review: Interweave Knits Summer 2012

Ok, so I’ll admit it: I got the magazine well over a week ago. But at the time, I could only spare a couple of seconds to flip through it, and then I had to focus on studying. And then I had to pack everything up to move out of my dorm room in a couple of hours, which means that I have basically no idea where most of my stuff is. But I did find the newest mag!

First of all, can I start by saying that I don’t usually find very much to like in the spring and summer mags? I’m not very into light garments, but this one had some ideas that really caught my eye. It was a pleasant surprise.

Greta Headband

First, the sterotypical headband. Still, I like the detailing on this one, and if I ever have a reason to make a knitted headband, this will probably be it. The stitch pattern and gathered (twisted?) detail will probably keep it pretty interesting. It’s certainly a step up from a simple garter stitch band, which is what I’ve had to do in the past.

Sakura Tee

Can I say how pretty this is? I’m not sure that I’d actually make it- if it’s warm enough for me to go sleeveless, it’s probably too warm for what looks like worsted-weight yarn, even if it is lace made out of cotton. Plus, the sleeves would NEVER sit normally on me. But the front panel sure is pretty to look at.

Planche Vest, Pianissimo Mitts, and Coquette Vest

Now, I actually am considering making the Coquette Vest (right). It’s done out of much more practical lace-weight (although it might take FOREVER), and I think it might look pretty good with a t-shirt underneath it. It looks like it’s pretty fitted (and the description also talks about a “strong hourglass shape”), so it might be something that would work with my shape. This might be the one thing from this mag that I actually make (there’s usually at least one)…we’ll see.

Seaglass Shell

Like the Sakura Tee, I just had to show you this shell. I mean, I’d never wear it (I don’t know about most professional settings, but a lace back panel is a big no-no for teachers), but it sure is pretty to look at.

Popsicle Dress

The other garment I’m considering making is the Popsicle Dress. OK, I do think that knitted dresses are generally pretty stupid, but I really like this one. It could just be the colors, but it’s really catching my eye. And THIS is something that I could wear to work, especially with a little sweater and a couple extra inches on the hem.

Needle Guide

Moving away from patterns, my favorite feature (and the only one I actually read) was the Tools of the Trade segment, which this time focused on needles. While it did cover the basics (metal needles are more slippery, circulars are good for knitting in the round, etc.), it also went more in depth, especially when reviewing brands. I really appreciated the comparison of different types of interchangeables. It was nice to know that other people (or at least the reviewers) have problems with their joins becoming untwisted while knitting.

Well, that’s it for me now. I will definitely be back with a WIP Wed. post. It’s definitely going to be one of my designs, although I’m not sure which one. I guess we’ll just see!

Blog Week in Review- 5/4 to 5/12

I’ve been incredibly busy moving home, but I thought that I had a couple of minutes to pull together a blog week in review. It is pretty short…sorry! I don’t even have time to pull together a Mr. Linky, but if you are also doing a blog week in review, please let me know in the comments.

Project Stash just rolled out two new shawls that you have to see; they’re beautiful. First there’s her golden Wholehearted Shawl, and then her purple Brilliante.

Next, Yarn on the House’s Atelier cardigan is very cute.

Finally, Tumped Duck just rolled out a Roller Coaster scarf. It’s her own design, and I really enjoy the reversible stitch pattern.

Blog Week in Review and a FO!

Just as I predicted, I grafted the toes on my socks together this morning. I don’t have much to say for them, other than the fact that they’re made from Candy Skein Yummy in the Arctic Mint colorway (that was the January colorway of the month) using the Bubble Stream pattern. I just love them, and they fit really, really well. Since I don’t have too much to say, why don’t you look at the pictures in between all my featured blogs. Sound good?

One sock, two sock, red sock, blue sock!

Can you guys tell that my brain is a little fried right now? I gave myself most of yesterday evening and this morning off after finishing a pretty rough paper, but now I’m back into the groove of another one. I don’t think my brain actually had time to recover…right now I’m up in the attic lounge of my dorm. Considering how busy our library gets during finals, I figured it would be my best chance of getting a whole table to myself. Judging from the fact that the other two tables are occupied by one guy eating Qdoba while studying and another person who is taking his afternoon nap with his head on his textbook, I don’t think I’m wrong.

From the side. I know it looks like it is slouching a little, but I think it’s just how I’m pointing my foot.

And now, before I forget, Blog Week in Review! I’m going to keep this pretty brief, because I do have to pick a couple of books up from the library today and my battery is at about 20% power.

First up, the Yarn on the House’s finished Flukra shawl is everything that lace should be: light, airy, intricate, beautiful. I could go on and on, but you should really check it out yourself!

Next, Peacefully Knitting’s Cotton Raglan Cardigan looks like a perfect cover-up for cool spring and summer nights. I’m a little jealous about her seasonal correctness: I can’t ever seem to finish pieces in time to ACTUALLY use them for the right season. This year, I vow to knit a pair of mittens BEFORE it gets cold. Promise!

Looking down from above. Artsy!

Knit York City just made a Pomme de Pin Cardigan, which I actually really like. The light-weight lace with long sleeves would probably have been perfect for the weather here a couple of weeks ago. Woops.

Learner’s Per-Knit is showing off a finished pair of jay-walkers. I know just about everyone in the world has done this pattern, but I can’t seem to get enough of looking at it. Plus, her yarn choice is really perfect, and if Blue Hands Fibers wasn’t out of business I would probably be browsing their online shop right now.

Now I look like a ballet dancer!

Well, that’s it for me! Mr. Nappy in the corner just woke up, so I guess that is my cue to try and get out of here. If you would also like to participate in my Blog Week in Review, PLEASE click on the Mr. Linky below and add your blog. I would love to see it, and I bet other people would, too!

Review: Slipped Stitch Studios Needle Nook

So, as promised, I’m reviewing my new Needle Nook from Slipped Stitch Studios. Before I start, I just wanted to say that I am in no way affiliated with Slipped Stitch Studios. I had to pay for my Needle Nook fair and square, including shipping! That said, it was pretty reasonably priced. $13.50 plus $3.25 came out to just under $17, and that shipping was really, really quick. I think it got across the entire country in three days!

Nook in Action.

Onto my description. You guys are going to have to forgive me, because I don’t know very much about sewing terminology, beyond the fact that this baby is really, really well constructed. You can’t see any of the seams, inside or outside, and there have to be several layers of fabric. My super-sharp US 1 DPN’s could even get through this fabric, and I’ve had them poke me through my heavy-duty LL Bean camping backback, my Vera Bradley quilted purse, and basically anything else I’ve tried to keep them in. There are three snaps on the inside, with two on one side and one on the other to accommodate for shorter DPN’s. I probably don’t need to, but I always end up using all three. They do make a very satisfying snap!

Inside and Out (love the polka dots!)

Slipped Stitch Studios does her products in a TON of different fabrics. It was a tough choice (second choices were a more abstract pattern and sock monkeys on pogo sticks), but I finally settled on the penguins wearing knitwear, which is just plain adorable. The inside lining makes a pretty contrast, and I really appreciate that detail. Also, I don’t even remember if it said this online, but she added a zipper in between the two layers to make a side pocket. Unfortunately, my zipper is a little broken, but it still works very well. Definitely not worth the trouble of returning it! The only thing I don’t like about the pocket is that it covers the whole nook, not just a certain area. The yarn needle that I slipped in there ended up in the opposite corner as the zipper, but I found it with a relatively quick feel around.

Broken Zipper. It’s usable, and the fabric covers it up so you can’t really tell unless you’re looking. I’ll live.

In the end, I would definitely recommend this product for those of you who make socks on DPN’s as often as I do. As long as I actually use this, I’m sure there will be no more accidental self-stabbings! The flaws in the design and definitely outweighed by the construction and attention to detail. At just under $17 after shipping, this thing is practically a steal!

Bubble Sock No 2!

And if you’re here for a progress report on my Bubble Socks, I’m about halfway through the foot of the second one. As long as nothing changes, they should be done by my next post. Or are those famous last words?

Bubbleiscious

I bet you can’t guess what I’ve started now. Oh yeah, it’s another pair of socks. And I haven’t exactly *just* started them. In fact, I already have one sock completely finished. Here it is!

Finished Sock number 1

I think I talked about this pattern a couple of weeks ago in a blog week in review… I think. Anyway, I saw them SOMEWHERE and fell in love! For those of you just tuning in, they’re the Bubble Stream Socks, and they’re actually a free pattern, which is pretty cool, considering how original and awesome they are. I’m using some Candy Skein Yummy (15% Merino, 25% Nylon) in the Arctic Mint colorway, which was the January color of the month. It is gorgeous; it’s probably even brighter in person than in this picture, if you can even believe it.

Closer up on the stitch pattern

I am so, so, so in love with this pattern and the yarn. They go together much better than I could have hoped! I love how the first little mock cable bubble stretches across the foot to “eat” the rest of the pattern. It definitely made me want to keep going to decrease just one more knit, or one more purl, and I couldn’t just leave half of one bubble there, now could I?

Sock Number 2!

As for mods, there really aren’t that many. You may remember that I really, really prefer knitting my socks toe-up, but I just didn’t have the energy to convert this pattern. I didn’t want to lose the cool foot, and my brain is just way too all over the place to create some nifty solution. Instead, I bit the bullet and followed the pattern.

Ok, so I didn’t follow the pattern completely. I just got rid of the whole contrasting color. Unfortunately, I didn’t read the pattern well enough and accidently forgot to convert the k1 rib to a “alternate k and p every other row” like the pattern calls for. Still, I think the rib makes them a little more elastic on my leg, which is probably a good thing. I also made them anklets instead of tall socks, as I am want to do. I do wish I had made them just a bit taller, though. Oh well,  I guess that means I can probably get another pair out of this fantastic yarn!

What am I???

Some of you might be asking “what are those adorable penguins doing in that picture?” This is a dpn holder from Slipped Stitch Studios! From now on, it’ll probably just be called Penguins. It’s really perfect for socks. I definitely promise to do a bigger review eventually, but, for now, please go check out her etsy shop. She has a bunch of knitting-related bags and tools, and, if they’re anything like mine, they’ll be great and adorable!