FO Friday: Diplodocus Sweater

July 29, 2011July 30, 2011remilyknits Leave a comment

I recently had the good fortune to test knit this adorable sweater for Kate Oates (of Tot Toppers). If you like this pattern, think about joining her KAL (starting August 1st). If you buy the pattern before the KAL starts, you’ll get it for a mere $4!

Project: Dino Sweater Test Knit

Pattern: Diplodocus

Designer: Kate Oates

Available: discounted to $4 until August 1st, buy now and save! 🙂

Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Tonal in Blue Yonder, Deep Waters, and Springtime

Like every single other thing I’ve test knit for Kate, this pattern is well-written and thoughtfully designed. Simple things like adding a button to the neck on the smallest size (baby heads are big!) make all the difference. The sweater begins with the neck, and short rows are worked across the back to make the neck scoop down in front. The colorwork dinosaurs are worked without increases (thank goodness). After the dino yoke is complete, the sleeve stitches are held while the body is worked in stripey rounds. Although Kate provides a gorgeous striping chart (I followed it exactly), she also encourages the knitter to be inventive — stripe as you like! 🙂

You can see how much my 6yo son likes his new sweater … he wore it in June, in Massachusetts, for several days in a row. The size 6 did come out a tiny bit big for him — but then again, he is a smallish 6yo, so please blame the knitter (not the pattern).

Back:

Closeup:

Front:

Cast-On Monday

July 11, 2011remilyknits Leave a comment

While on vacation I finished several projects, which meant I could cast on new projects! I brought several yarn+needle combinations with me, including leftover Swish DK in Hollyberry and Marble Heather that my youngest son picked out for his requested cowl. He wanted it to be “half red and half grey,” and I wanted it to be cabled (so it would stand up better). I conjured up a way to knit it without seaming …. and it was so fast and easy I finished it while on vacation! I’ll write up a pattern and test knit it later, but here is the prototype of my Two-Color Knit-Flat In-The-Round Cabled Cowl:

I also had with me yarn and needles destined to be Bertha’s Mad, Mysterious Mobius, but then the Beginning Lace Knitters chose Rough Seas as there July KAL, and I couldn’t resist! My Stroll Tonal in Gypsy was too perfect for words, so I gave up the mobius (at least for now) and cast on my Red Seas Shawl:

As of today, I’ve finished the body and done three repeats of the lace edging (I’m weighting my yarn after each repeat — I’ll make it as big as I can). I have to say, there are a LOT of problems with this pattern — confusing parts, mis-count stitches, missing rows, poorly-formatted charts with several different types of errors — BUT, the finished shawl is so pretty, it’s worth the effort to muddle through the pattern + helpful notes to figure out how to get it done.

FO Friday: Silky ZigZag Shawl

June 24, 2011June 19, 2011remilyknits 1 Comment

Last week I finished my “purse project” — a portable project that I carry with me and work on in tiny increments when I have time on my hands. I bought a skein of Tonos Pima Silk after reading a review in Interweave Knits, and I totally love it. The hand-painted colorway is subtle and intriguing. The soft, soft yarn is lovely to work with and lovely to behold in the finished item. I’ll talk more about the yarn in an upcoming yarn review post.

Project: Silky ZigZag Shawl

Pattern: ZigZag Shawl

Designer: Marion Bulin

Available: FREE! on Ravelry

Yarn: Misti Alpaca Tonos Pima Silk

I let the yarn determine pattern choice for this project. I wanted something with a lot of stockinette and uncomplicated structure so that the hand-painted colors could take center stage. However, it couldn’t be TOO boring to knit, or it would never get done! I also wanted a pattern that was flexible, so I could use as much of the skein as possible.

The ZigZag Shawl fit all my requirements! It is worked from point to point, and is easily adapted to be larger or smaller. I knit until my skein was half gone, then decreased down. I have a tiny bit leftover, which is perfect. The wide swath of stockinette is beautiful, and the garter-stitch edging helped speed the knitting along and helped me keep track of the increases and decreases.

Yarn Shop Review: Unforgettable Yarns

June 22, 2011June 19, 2011remilyknits Leave a comment

On Thursday, June 16th, I attended the Grand Opening of Unforgettable Yarns, a new yarn shop that is set up in the corner of the Andover Bookstore. They promised snacks, yarn tasting, snacks, and discounts on all purchases … how could I say no? My knitting group usually meets on Thursday nights, so we decided to go to the yarn shop opening instead. As it turns out, only two of us were able to make it, but I think we both had a good time.

I had stopped in earlier in the week for a covert sneak peek, so I knew a little bit about what to expect. The bookstore has devoted a corner of the first floor to yarn. There is a full wall plus a large bookcase filled with a good selection of workhorse yarns by Cascade Yarns, plus a shelf full of Noro yarn (Taiyo, Kureyon, and Silk Garden). They also have a rack of needles and notions, plus a variety of knitting books (including many of my favorites).

I have to say, I didn’t know how fun a yarn tasting can be! There was a long table set up with caked yarns on paper plates. Jars of knitting needles and an invitation to knit was all I needed — I knit a little with the Ultra Pima cotton, Cascade 220 Superwash, Cascade 220 Heathers, and the hand-painted Heritage sock yarn. The 220 superwash is sturdy and serviceable. I can see myself picking up a ball or two for a last-minute baby project. The 220 Heathers are GORGEOUS. I actually bought two skeins on spec when I dropped in last week to scout the shop.

I chose this pinky-coral colorway, and plan to make a Ruffled and Ruched Scarf with it. Pretty, no?

I really liked the hand-painted sock yarn, but (frankly) I really, really don’t need any more stripey fingering-weight yarn in sock quantities. I had a 3×5 card in my pocket with three possible projects on it, two of which were light sweaters. I really want to start making more tops for myself, so I focused on those. I ended up buying some of the delicious Ultra Pima.

After hemming and hawing, and with help from my friend Heather (who has an excellent eye for color), I settled on a pretty violet-blue-purple. I’ll be making a Ruched Yoke Tee for me!

This isn’t a huge yarn shop with a wide selection …. yet! But, I did overhear one employee say that if it was more profitable than cards, it could take over that space. Also, the owner talked about a lot of cool classes that will be coming up, so overall I think this shop has a lot of potential. I plan on making regular purchases, to show my support. Hooray for local yarn shops!

Cast-On Monday

June 20, 2011June 19, 2011remilyknits Leave a comment

This week I cast on (and finished) a wrist-strap cozy for my new i-Pod Nano. I’ve been using it every day since I finished it — love it!

I also cast on (for swatching) for a Ruched Yoke Tee (for me!) made from Cascade Ultra Pima. I bought this yarn on sale at a new yarn shop, Unforgettable Yarns, that has sprung up in a corner of the Andover Book Store. I swatched with a bit of this yarn at the Grand Opening and it is soft and shiny and purely lovely in every way.

Cast-On Monday

June 13, 2011June 13, 2011remilyknits Leave a comment

This week I added two new projects to my needles. One is a design project that was accepted for publication through Knit Picks IDP, and the other is a test knit for one of my favorite designers.

The new project of mine is a “practical” shawl — worked mostly in garter stitch with superwash worsted-weight yarn, it should be warm and cozy, and knit up quickly, too. I’m using the Danish wrap-style shawl as a basis for the shape. To make it pretty and fun to knit, I’m adding a bit of lace here and there — but not so much as to make it un-practical, or slow down a knitter too much. Knit Picks granted my every wish when they accepted the pattern, and then gave me Swish Worsted in Blue Violet:

I’m lucky enough to be on Kate Oates (of Tot Toppers) test-knitter list. Periodically she puts out photos and descriptions of patterns she needs tested, and it is a tribute to her and her designs how quickly the tests fill up! Lately I’ve been too slow to respond, and have missed out on testing a number of great patterns, but this time I got lucky! If you read Kate’s group on Ravelry, you already know about her knitpon — a chance to pre-order her fall collection for only $33. Today (Mon 13th) is the absolute last chance to take advantage of this deal — check out the awesome patterns:

See that stripey boy’s sweater in the top row? That’s the pattern I’m test knitting. I ordered some great Wool of the Andes in the new Tonal colorways, and I’m already halfway through the body. It looks great on my youngest boy, who is very into dinosaurs. Here’s my pretty yarn, in Blue Yonder, Springtime, and Deep Waters.

Cast-On Monday

June 6, 2011June 5, 2011remilyknits 2 Comments

In the spirit of 52 in 52, I’m changing up my Monday posts. Instead of Ravelry Mondays (which, I admit, I have been a slacker about), I’ll post every Monday (or thereabouts) with a list of what I’ve cast on during the week previous.

This week I have only one new project added to the needles. It’s a design project, so I can’t tell you too much! I’m using this yarn (KP’s Stroll Tonal in “Springtime”):

The project is a twisted-stitch sock pattern based on a sweater I saw (and loved!) at Canobie Lake Park on Mother’s Day:

I’ve cast on and ripped out about half a dozen times already, but this final iteration is going like gangbusters. Once I get the leg done, I’ll start thinking about where I might submit the pattern idea for publication.

FO Friday: Zino Square Lace Shawl

June 3, 2011May 31, 2011remilyknits 1 Comment

This week I’m featuring another of my pattern sample projects for Plymouth Yarns: a square lace shawl made from Zino, a long-repeat color-changing yarn. The shawl is worked in the round from the center out, with a cool open/solid lace pattern that really suits the yarn. I especially like the border, which shows the long color repeats well. (My quickie photo (below) is shown before blocking.)

Project: Zino Lace Sample Knit

Pattern: Square Lace Shawl

Designer: Plymouth Yarn Design Stuido

Available: ask your LYS

Yarn: Zino

Lo, the gorgeous blocked shawl:

This was by far the largest sample I’d knit for PY — it took a lot longer than a pair of armwarmers or a little vest. It was also more complex–this was the project where I really learned how to work with the designer at PY, because I ran into problems/questions and we went back and forth a couple times before we settled on the right solution. Ultimately it’s her design, so naturally I want to serve that … but my job is to make sure the pattern adheres to her vision as I knit, so when I find things that don’t work, I stop and ask for direction. Sometimes, I even have something useful to contribute.

FO Friday: Electric Kool-Aid Acid Socks

May 27, 2011May 27, 2011remilyknits 3 Comments

The March 2011 Rockin’ Sock Club kit from Blue Moon Fiber Arts was extremely colorful, to say the least! The colorway had a great name: Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.

Two great patterns, as usual, made it extremely hard to choose … but ultimately I decided on one and got to work. I love how the basic p1, k3 rib can get so excited with a slipped stitch here and there.

Project: Mar 2011 RSC Socks

Pattern: Intrepid Traveler

Designer: Gail Marracci

Available: to club members now (join up! it’s fun!) and to the general public in 2012

Yarn: BMFA Socks That Rock Lightweight in Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test

I’m proud to say I finished this kit’s socks *before* this month’s kit has even shipped! Even though they weren’t a “priority” project, they trucked right along. Inexplicably, the two socks pooled and flashed differently. This colorway is so wild, it really doesn’t matter.

Fantasy Queue: Summer 2011 Interweave Knits

May 18, 2011May 18, 2011remilyknits Leave a comment

I received my Summer 2011 issue of Interweave Knits a few weeks ago, and although I read it right away, I’m only just now getting around to making up my fantasy queue. Let’s make this interactive though — tell me true, dear reader, which pattern would you make from this issue, and out of what yarn?

Things I want to try (from articles and ads):

Addi Turbo “Natura” tips — bamboo Addis? I did not know such a thing existed!
Lion Brand “Wool Stainless Steel” fiber — sounds really fun and interesting.
Square needles — everyone keeps talking about them, so I must try them.
“Fern” by Universal Yarns — the “TARDIS” pattern on a pullover, cool!

#1 — Torch Lily Tee (p.36)

I like the collar detail, and tiered columns of lace on this deceptively-simple tee. I’m also intrigued by the suggested yarn — 100% silk, worsted weight, but tweedy? Heichi sounds really cool. If I had money to burn, I’d go ahead and get some Heichi in “Fountain.” More realistically, I think I’d try swatching in Shine Worsted (maybe “Platinum”?) and see if I liked the effect.

#2 — Dockside Cardigan (p.75)

I love the gentle curve of this slip-on cardi. I know I’d probably die from knitting the lo-o-o-o-ng ribbed edging (twice!), but it would definitely be worth it to have this pretty and useful item in my wardrobe. This begs to be made from KP’s Stroll Tonal sock yarn — I’d hem and haw and then go with “Thunderhead” (my favorite of the new Tonal colorways).

#3 — Swirl Skirt (p.76)

Let’s pretend for a moment that I could pull off wearing this skirt … it is SO cool. Such nifty construction: bias! short rows! Cotton yarn and wool yarn in the same project! Cats and dogs, living together!With all that going on, I’d stick with the recommended yarn (and swatch like a crazy person).