I did a fair amount of knitting in January. Most of which was fueled by the many new knitting podcasts I've been watching.
FOs
Sunnyside baby cardigan
This was my first garment and I used it as practice before casting on a cardigan for myself. I just wanted to make sure I understood the general construction before knitting miles for a full sized sweater. It turned out really cute and I wish I knew someone with an appropriately sized baby that I could use as a model. I do need to pick out some buttons for it.
Croeso, Lace & Cable Shawlette and Christmas cowl
These were two projects that I made with new yarns. The cowl is made out of Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn (40% Wool, 25% Silk, 25% Nylon (Polyamide), 10% Mohair). I altered the pattern a bit. I cast on 300 stitches and did the lace motif for the entire cowl. The original pattern alternated lace with stockinette.
The shawl was made with a local yarn I found while visiting my parents in Vermont. It is from Fairy Tale Farm and is a sport weight (60% Romney, 40% Friesian Lambswool). I did run out of yarn about 6 rows from the end, but it was just more repeats of the lace/cable motif so I'm not too heartbroken.
WIPs
10 Stitch Blanket
So many of the bloggers/podcasters I follow are doing a cozy memories blanket to use up left over sock yarn. I liked the idea, but I don't knit socks fast enough to have a lot of colors and I, at this time, don't want the hassle of having to put together little swap packages. So, I figured that this blanket would be good because it would allow me to use up all of my yarn. I knit this pattern previously out of worsted weight acrylic yarns and it came out really nice. This is going to be a long term project, but I'm excited to have a nice blanket at the end.
Celtic Myths shawl
I'll admit, this was cast on for two reasons. One, to use up stash so I can buy new yarns and two, because I have a thing for cables. I'm not much of a lace knitter, but I'll do cables for ages. Nothing much to look at yet, as the body of the shawl is plain stockinette and then there's an applied cable border. I have a feeling this might be a long work in progress but I'm excited to have the finished object eventually.
Abalone Cardigan
I figured this pattern would make for a good first cardigan. The pattern is written in percentages of stitches so it is very easy to alter to the fit you want. You first figure out your gauge, figure out how wide you want it, and then do the math. It has been a nice change of pace to be knitting with size 7 needles and worsted weight yarn after knitting with fingering for ages. No picture yet, as it is just 4 inches of stockinette and it is just one big yarn jelly roll. I'm using what most people use for their first sweaters - Cascade 220. I'll make sure to post project pictures along the way.
Hat Heel Sock
This is the first pattern I selected for my 12 Sock KAL. I picked out this pattern because of its unusual construction. I wanted to pick sock patterns that would have me try at least one new technique so I don't get bored by just constantly knitting plain vanilla socks. This pattern has a new to me cast on technique (Figure Eight cast on) and a generally new construction technique. The pattern really explains it best, and is free, so you can take a look at the construction before deciding if you'd be interesting in giving it a go. I found the first sock kind of hard to work and very fidle-y since I had a hard time getting my stitches to work the way I wanted them too. The second sock went much better and I actually like a lot about the construction. I have a feeling I'll be doing a full pattern review once I'm done with the pair.
Spinning
Not much spinning to speak of, I did finish the second 4oz of my Three Feet of Sheep but still have to ply it, which I'm putting off for the moment. I then started spinning some Gotland top that I had sitting around. I got a new flyer for my Ashford Kiwi spinning wheel - the Kiwi Super Flyer kit. After I assembled it, I'll admit, there was a bit of a learning curve. My yarn kept breaking and I was really close to just putting the old flyer back on. However, I stuck with it and I now have the new flyer figured out and I'm spinning like I want to.
Entertainment
As I mentioned above, I've been watching a good number of knitting podcasts. I first discovered knitting podcasts last year when I found Knitting in Circles on YouTube. Unfortunately, that podcast ended this past summer and it didn't really cross my mind to look for other podcasts to listen to. Then, by the magic of YouTube suggested videos, I watched my first episode of Yarngasm and I just fell into the pit of knitting podcasts from there. These are the ones I'm currently subscribed to on YouTube:
Well, that's all for this post I think. Happy knitting!
FOs
Sunnyside baby cardigan
Croeso, Lace & Cable Shawlette and Christmas cowl
The shawl was made with a local yarn I found while visiting my parents in Vermont. It is from Fairy Tale Farm and is a sport weight (60% Romney, 40% Friesian Lambswool). I did run out of yarn about 6 rows from the end, but it was just more repeats of the lace/cable motif so I'm not too heartbroken.
WIPs
10 Stitch Blanket
So many of the bloggers/podcasters I follow are doing a cozy memories blanket to use up left over sock yarn. I liked the idea, but I don't knit socks fast enough to have a lot of colors and I, at this time, don't want the hassle of having to put together little swap packages. So, I figured that this blanket would be good because it would allow me to use up all of my yarn. I knit this pattern previously out of worsted weight acrylic yarns and it came out really nice. This is going to be a long term project, but I'm excited to have a nice blanket at the end.
Blanket in progress.
My small stash of left over sock yarns
Celtic Myths shawl
I'll admit, this was cast on for two reasons. One, to use up stash so I can buy new yarns and two, because I have a thing for cables. I'm not much of a lace knitter, but I'll do cables for ages. Nothing much to look at yet, as the body of the shawl is plain stockinette and then there's an applied cable border. I have a feeling this might be a long work in progress but I'm excited to have the finished object eventually.
Abalone Cardigan
I figured this pattern would make for a good first cardigan. The pattern is written in percentages of stitches so it is very easy to alter to the fit you want. You first figure out your gauge, figure out how wide you want it, and then do the math. It has been a nice change of pace to be knitting with size 7 needles and worsted weight yarn after knitting with fingering for ages. No picture yet, as it is just 4 inches of stockinette and it is just one big yarn jelly roll. I'm using what most people use for their first sweaters - Cascade 220. I'll make sure to post project pictures along the way.
Hat Heel Sock
This is the first pattern I selected for my 12 Sock KAL. I picked out this pattern because of its unusual construction. I wanted to pick sock patterns that would have me try at least one new technique so I don't get bored by just constantly knitting plain vanilla socks. This pattern has a new to me cast on technique (Figure Eight cast on) and a generally new construction technique. The pattern really explains it best, and is free, so you can take a look at the construction before deciding if you'd be interesting in giving it a go. I found the first sock kind of hard to work and very fidle-y since I had a hard time getting my stitches to work the way I wanted them too. The second sock went much better and I actually like a lot about the construction. I have a feeling I'll be doing a full pattern review once I'm done with the pair.
Halfway done with the foot of the first sock
Start of the second sock
Spinning
Not much spinning to speak of, I did finish the second 4oz of my Three Feet of Sheep but still have to ply it, which I'm putting off for the moment. I then started spinning some Gotland top that I had sitting around. I got a new flyer for my Ashford Kiwi spinning wheel - the Kiwi Super Flyer kit. After I assembled it, I'll admit, there was a bit of a learning curve. My yarn kept breaking and I was really close to just putting the old flyer back on. However, I stuck with it and I now have the new flyer figured out and I'm spinning like I want to.
About half way through the second 4oz section
This is the first 4 oz of the 3 Feet of Sheep.
This is what is currently on my wheel. A nice medium grey color. I really like the look of natural fibers.
Entertainment
As I mentioned above, I've been watching a good number of knitting podcasts. I first discovered knitting podcasts last year when I found Knitting in Circles on YouTube. Unfortunately, that podcast ended this past summer and it didn't really cross my mind to look for other podcasts to listen to. Then, by the magic of YouTube suggested videos, I watched my first episode of Yarngasm and I just fell into the pit of knitting podcasts from there. These are the ones I'm currently subscribed to on YouTube:
- Yarngasm
- Brooklyn Knitfolk
- Tiny Paper Foxes
- Knitting Expat
- Andre Sue Knits
- The Dyer's Notebook
Well, that's all for this post I think. Happy knitting!
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