First some background: You may recall that my last two trips to New York City have included stops at Kinokuniya Book Store, the well-stocked Japanese language book store in Manhattan. I don’t know a lick of Japanese, but I do know that their crafting books are phenomenal, and I figured that one day I would have the knitting confidence to take on. the challenge of “winging it” through one of the patterns. Japanese knitting pattern writing is different than American or European styles, but even without a word of English, it is possible to decipher the charts and the schematics and construct the garment.  This is what I am trying to do…

The Japanese gansey pattern from the Let’s Knit Series – Men’s Knits. I talked myself in to the challenge when I saw that it is essentially a box construction: drop shoulders, no shaping in the body.  The stitch pattern is fully charted… simple enough, right?  Luckily, I have a good friend who knows some Japanese and is also a knitter.  She sent over some tips for knitting, and I was able to get a rough idea about gauge and sizing based on swatches.

Kris choose this deep red wool in the stash and I cast on for the sleeve. I decided to start with the sleeve to measure the gauge and make my calculations from there. I am past the elbow now and have started the gansey chart for the sleeve.  I am trying the length and width on Kris’s arm and so far it seems to be working well.  Maybe “cutting my teeth” on this pattern will allow me the confidence to try some of the other beautiful patterns in the books?

Terra Cardigan :: reverse stockinette with pockets

Pattern: Rebecca 34 magazine – #13 pattern
Yarn: The Fibre Company Terra in “Nettle” colorway
Needles: Size US 8

As I stated on my Ravlery notebook, all Rebecca patterns need some “hand holding” and this one was no different. The problem with this one was the armholes and the sleeve length. The armholes were very deep in the pattern as written, and I ended up doing some extra seaming to fix this in the end. Also, the sleeves were pretty long to begin with, and got even longer after blocking.  This was my 5th Rebecca pattern, so I always go in knowing that I have to rely on common sense and “knitter’s intuition”.

Since I finished this one the week before Thanksgiving, I have worn it nearly everyday.  It is perfect to pull on as I head to the mail box or out on a dog walk.  I have worked with Terra before (I wrote up that pattern for the Sherbrooke Cowl using it back in 2008) and it is a very nice yarn.  It did stretch a lot in blocking, which worked out because I wanted a longer cardigan.  However, if you are going for a more form-fitting garment, it is worth noting that when you use this yarn.

]]> http://lollygirl.com/blog/2011/11/28/nakniswemo-wrap-up/feed 14 http://lollygirl.com/blog/2011/11/19/winter-is-coming http://lollygirl.com/blog/2011/11/19/winter-is-coming#comments Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:41:11 +0000 lolly http://lollygirl.com/blog/?p=3666

Making plans for winter sweaters is the highlight of my knitting year. With a million pattern choices (and a growing number of great ones everyday) it takes times to find the ones that you really want.  You match them up with yarns in the stash, or take a trip down to the LYS.  While I reserve the right to add or subtract, I am fairly certain that both of these sweaters are going to be on the needles in the coming weeks.  The Super Soul Cardigan by Mary Jane Mucklestone has been in my queue for a good while – I loved the geometric stranding and the pockets on this cozy cardigan.  Once I cast on, I will be using Berroco Vintage DK in navy for the main color, straw for the contrast, and I may pop it up with one more color – a wine red.  Mmm. Can’t wait. I’ve been dreaming of more colorwork (it never really stops…) and this will fit the bill nicely.

Kris’s anniversary sweater (this will be the 8th year and 8th sweater!) is always a cause for excitement. This Brownstone is my first BrooklynTweed pattern. I have some yummy grey Bartlett Yarn 2-ply in the stash that would work nicely… but I will admit that the Shelter that the pattern calls for is calling me too. Maybe I will just do two? I plan on some light modifications. I see this as a nice sweater to add to the growing repertoire! (See Kris’s other anniversary sweater here on Ravelry).

Winter is coming! (yes, a Game of Thrones reference, and stating the obvious seasonal shift), but I couldn’t be more happy – I do love this season most of all.

]]> http://lollygirl.com/blog/2011/11/19/winter-is-coming/feed 9 http://lollygirl.com/blog/2011/11/13/late-comer http://lollygirl.com/blog/2011/11/13/late-comer#comments Sun, 13 Nov 2011 14:29:28 +0000 lolly http://lollygirl.com/blog/?p=3649 You may remember my NaKniSweMo forays of the past (National Knit a Sweater Month) – I have participated a few times in the last few years, always able to come in right under the deadline of November 30th.  I got a late start this year, but I am hopeful that I can still pull it off.

This is my 3rd or 4th sweater from the German pattern magazine, Rebecca.  For several years, the magazine was also published in English, but when some harder times hit, they went back to their German-only format with a English insert pamphlet. It is nice to have a bare-bones translation, but knitting with a Rebecca pattern is an exercise in trust – and common sense.  You just have to have a feeling that it is going to work out, and if it looks weird, well, maybe you should just “do your own thing” for awhile.  This little philosophy has worked for me so far.  Hope it continues through this cardigan!

This pattern (while hard to see on the model because of the fashion styling with the big belt and the scarf) seemed like a cute stylish piece for the wardrobe.  I was especially drawn to the pockets. It took awhile to wrap my head around the whole idea of how this pocket was going to work, but once I knit it, and used that “knitter’s intuition”, it worked out well!  Still have to do the finishing details to add on, but this here is my first pocket. I am chuffed!

I am using The Fibre Company’s Terra yarn in the Nettles colorway.  This “nubby” yarn is working well with the reverse stockinette.  The fiber has some alpaca in it too, so it will be a cardigan to wear this winter.  I am waiting to see if I will have enough yarn to complete… I don’t want to cut corners, so one or two more skeins might be necessary.  In the meantime, I am knitting what I’ve got and hoping it will suffice.  If not, I should have enough time to order a bit more to finish by the end of the month!

What are you knitting on now?

We took the dogs to the reservoir where Kris caught this particularly hilarious gem - a blue heron “relieving itself” so gracefully as it flies through the air (we’ve had several good laughs about this one!)

I just so happened to have a finished sweater to photograph as well…

Pattern: Nesselrode from Berroco #288
Yarn: Dalegarn Sisik
Needles: US 5 and 6
Ravelry Notebook Page

The sweater flew off the needles in less than a month.  The simple construction coupled with the cable and lace element on the front make this a great go-to sweater for the upcoming fall and winter.  The pattern is meant to be oversized and comfy, but I didn’t want the “potato sack” appearance, so I erred on the smaller oversize look.  I’m happy with the way it turned out.  I’m happy that this sweater brought my knitting mojo back in full force (I have plenty more to share in some catch-up posts!)

Do you have some comfy fall knits planned?

Another finished adult-sized garment for the year.  Grand total of 2.  Hmmm, need to up the ante.

This cardigan, Jingu from Berroco #308 collection (Ravelry notebook link), was a simple knit with a fun detail:  the drawstring neckline.  This is just the kind of knit I needed to get back into the groove – and it worked!  Because now I want to KNIT EVERYTHING.

Yarn was Berroco’s Vintage DK – a great acrylic/wool blend that has NO squeak or unnatural sheen. I’ll definitely keep this yarn in mind for future projects because it has a nice hand, drape, and even with the acrylic content, blocked well.

Beads for the drawstring were a little splurge – carved wooden beads and antler (gathered AFTER they are shed) beads from Beadazzled in downtown DC. My knit night friends helped me choose these, and they are what makes this one special. Now, just to make sure those special beads don’t get in the way when I am cooking…

I will definitely share the before/after photos once we are done with the project.

In order to cope with all the changes around here over the last few months, I found comfort in one of my favorite things: simple stockinette.

Kris’s sweater for 2011 – later than my traditional “anniversary” sweater that I aim to finish the first week of January (when we have our anniversary) – finally done.  Several months late.  You could say that my timing was off.  Since I finished this in mid-March, he got to wear it exactly one day before it was relegated to the “WINTER” side of his closet.  It is wool and alpaca, so, I can’t blame him.

Pattern:  Oxford Pullover from RYC Classic Alpaca Book 13 (Ravelry link)
Yarn: Cascade Lana d’Oro (wool/alpaca) colorway 233 (discontinued)
Needles: Size US 3 / 5

The pattern was very straightforward – can’t really be more simple than a crew neck.  I really liked the yarn and the texture, and it really bloomed nicely with a blocking.

…and the steps that Kris is so nonchalantly lounging on?  Those are 100% his handiwork.  After we finished the upstairs portion of the house, he took on the staircase and landing.  The old stairs were carpeted and he had to do a lot of “shaving” to cut the foundations to fit well with the wood planks, nosing, and rise.  He really did a great job!

Last year’s effort was the most ambitious yet (the Dale of Norway Liberec pullover on size 1 and 3 needles…) so this year, I decided to take some pressure off.  Plain ol’ stockinette crew neck.  Most importantly, it’s a Kris-pleaser, and that is what really matters!

The pattern is the Oxford pullover (Rav link), a Rowan RYC pattern.  I am using it as a template, and subbing the yarn with Cascade Lana d’Oro.  This yarn is working up into a wonderful fabric.  It’s a wool/alpaca blend in this slate blue.

Knitting is a bit sporadic, but I am hopeful to finish this by our 9th anniversary on January 5th. It seems doable at this point – one sleeve and half of the front done… and several holidays where I can curl up with it in front of the fireplace.

: : :

I had a few friends over last weekend for yarny swap.  What you see here is my kitchen table FULL of yarn (and that wasn’t even all of it…).  It was a fun excuse to get together.  And while I got rid of several things, I think my stash actually got bigger!

Knitting (Sarah), spinning (Amy), chatting up

and wearing lovely knits! (Jessie and Pia show their Damsons)

]]> http://lollygirl.com/blog/2010/12/13/december-means/feed 16 http://lollygirl.com/blog/2010/09/27/long-time-coming-eyja-pullover http://lollygirl.com/blog/2010/09/27/long-time-coming-eyja-pullover#comments Mon, 27 Sep 2010 04:27:43 +0000 lolly http://lollygirl.com/blog/?p=3085 The summer was pretty quiet on the knitting front.  One hat and two shawlettes over 4 months time.  It’s not terrible, but for me, it’s less than normal.  However, I had a great summer of travel, hiking, reading, gardening, cooking… so, it’s nothing to “sneeze” at.

By mid-September, I started to feel the urge to knit again – the “mojo” was dormant.  Seeing the beautiful fall collections helped, but it wasn’t until I devoted time to actually finishing something that the desire came flooding back in.  Happy to report that knitting mojo is at a very high level right now – thanks in part to this little number:

Eyja Pullover

Pattern: Eyja from Lopi 26
Yarn: Briggs and Little Regal (green + purple), Gala Wools (yellow) Davidson Mill (ivory)
Needles: Size US 7 and 8 circulars
Ravelry Notebook :: Flickr Photostream

Started back in the hot hot heat of July – and finished when the temperatures have mellowed out a bit (hopefully they will stay that way!) The pattern was one that I wanted to make for years, and I finally cast on.  There are several modifications:  pullover instead of a dress, slight omission in the colorwork pattern’s first yoked row (did not do the small crosses across the bustline), and a slightly different cuff and neckline.  The original calls for an eyelet lace, and I opted for a simpler look – a hemmed sleeve cuff, and a regular ribbed crewneck.  I am happy with my choice, and especially happy the sweater turned out so well.  When I first put the yarns together – I was worried that it was a bit garish.  I think the results are just what I wanted:  colorful but not “loud”.

Happy to get my groove back just as the season is starting to change… what knitter doesn’t love sweater weather?

…and if you are planning to go to NY Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck in a few weeks, keep your eye out for this sweater   This’ll be my first time, and I am pretty darn excited.

]]> http://lollygirl.com/blog/2010/09/27/long-time-coming-eyja-pullover/feed 28 http://lollygirl.com/blog/2010/08/30/eyja-coming-together http://lollygirl.com/blog/2010/08/30/eyja-coming-together#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:48:19 +0000 lolly http://lollygirl.com/blog/?p=3040 Oooh, those colorwork yoked sweaters really are my favorites.  Something about the simple construction that just makes me smile.  There was Aftur, and then Jacquard, and the Védis Vest, and the most recent Liberec sweater for Kris … and the newest (in progress) addition:  Eyja!

Body done and sleeves complete to the armholes – time to yoke up!  I pulled out my long circular needle and counted around the 300+ stitches.  Sure beats the 600 stitches I had going on for Kris’s sweater on size 2 needles earlier this year.  Puts things in perspective!

I am making a small change to the colorwork chart, but I doubt it will be that noticeable.  I am also planning to add one more color – a deep purple – for a 4 color yoke instead of the 3 colors in the pattern.  Hoping it won’t be too *loud*.  I realized as I was knitting the body together that the majority of yarns for this sweater (minus the ivory) were bought in Canada.  The main color, the dark teal, was purchased in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia at Hands On Crafts (my fun day with Ingrid and Annie!) and the mustard yellow was purchased in Vancouver, British Columbia earlier this year while visiting Christa at Three Bags Full.

Can’t wait to start this colorwork!

PS: Looking for a little pattern inspiration?  I am doing a crafty bookshelf sale – check out what I have here!