Drifted Pearls

Completed: January 2010

Pattern: Drifted Pearls, by Jennifer Lang

Yarn: Rowan Lima (84% baby alpaca, 8% merino, 8% nylon), #882, 2.5 x 109yd/50g

Notes: This is a lovely pattern, and the suggested yarn, Lima, is really soft and scrumptious. In retrospect, though, I would have chosen a yarn with better stitch definition for the cable and bobbles. I probably would have also only made it 10” wide, rather than 12”. As several other people did, I lengthened the stockinette section by a couple of inches.

Pi Topper Chemo Cap

Completed: January 2010

Pattern: Pi Topper Chemo Cap, by Corey Laflamme

Yarn: GGH Bel Air (90% merino wool, 10% nylon), #09, 0.5 x 142y/50g

Notes: The pattern was easy to follow and made for a very nice hat.

Lizzie

Completed: September 2009

Pattern: Lizard, by Amy-Lynne Mitchell

Yarn: Spud & Chloe Sweater (55% superwash wool, 45% organic cotton), #7507, 2.5 x 160yd/100g

Notes: I wanted to make a stole for my friend. Since her name is Liz and she likes lizards, I wanted to include a graphic and thought this dishcloth pattern would be just right. Basically, I just added a bit of garter and some eyelets to the bottom edge, followed the pattern, added a bunch of stockinette to the middle, and then repeated the lizard motif and edging. Easy peasy! The finished stole was about 5' x 1'.


This was my first time working with the Sweater yarn. The colors are rich and beautiful, but some of the color does come off in the wash–so be careful. The feel is nice and soft, not plasticky like some other superwash yarns.

Flutter Scarf

Completed: June 2009

Pattern: Flutter Scarf, by Miriam Felton

Yarn: Alpaca with a Twist Fin (70% alpaca, 30% silk), #3001, 0.5 x 875yd/100g

Notes: This is a lovely, straightforward pattern. The middle section is very easy to memorize, so it made for a portable, pick-up-anytime project. I only did a total of 80 repeats of the first chart, rather than 100, but I still ended up with a decently sized 52" scarf. I haven't weighed it out, but I think there will still be enough yarn left from this skein to yield another scarf.

Shifting Sands Scarf

Completed: March 2009

Pattern: Shifting Sands Scarf, by Grumperina

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted (100% merino), #504 Rattan, 2 x 216yd/100g

Notes: This is a beautiful pattern. I used it as my on-the-go project because after 1 or 2 repeats, you can easily memorize the pattern and see where you need to be. Plus, if you cable without a needle, that makes the project even more portable.


I cast on 42 sts for a slightly less wide scarf. When I got to my second skein, I precut some yarn for the fringe, and then I just kept knitting till I ran out of yarn. I ended up with a 6” x 62” scarf, not counting the fringe. Yes, the ends do curl a bit, but this is easily resolved once you block it and put on the fringe.

Juno Regina

Completed: August 2008

Pattern: Juno Regina, Knitty Fall 2007

Yarn: Malabrigo Lace (100% merino), #Azul profundo, 1.5x 470yd/50g

Notes: This is a beautiful pattern. I made no modifications at all! Although I'm usually a stickler for such things, the asymmetry between the two ends doesn't bother me at all. And the yarn? It's scrumptiously soft and the color is rich. 'Nough said!

Little Leaf Scarf

Completed: June 2008

Pattern:Little Leaf Scarf, Classic Elite Make It Modern booklet, by Pam Allen

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Wool Cotton??

Notes:
This is a cute project, but as many others have pointed out, you really need to pay attention to the size. The pattern calls for the main section to be 13-1/4”–and that’s not including the tapering that comes before you make the leaves themselves. This would have been far too big for my 12” neck. The fit you see here is from making the main section only 11”, but if I had to do it again, I’d probably make the main section 2” less than my neck measurement to get a fit closer to what is modeled in the pattern booklet. If you make it, remember to keep trying it on as you go!

I also made the slit smaller than indicated in the pattern–this makes it a bit more fiddly to put on, but once on, I think it looks better and stays better.

I consider myself a fairly decent pattern reader, but the way the leaf construction was described made me scratch my head for a bit before I figured it out. Also, it wasn’t clear to me why the pattern calls for the middle ribbing section to grow asymmetrically from the cast-on edge. I think it makes more sense to have the same length from the cast-on edge in both directions so that the transition is hidden, whether you choose to wear the leaves on your right side or your left.
Some people are bothered by the puckering on the seed stitch leaf, but I actually like it. If you push in the center and the side edges, making kind of a calla lily shape, it looks cute and stays put.

Mesh Scarf

Completed: December 2007

Pattern: Jimmy Beans Wool Breast Cancer Support Scarf

Yarn:

Rowan Cashsoft DK #SH504 (50% extra fine merino, 40% acrylic microfiber, 10% cashmere), 1 x 50g balls (130m);

Rowan Natural Silk Aran (73% viscose, 15% silk, 12% linen), 2 x 50g balls (65m each),

Filatura di Crosa Baby Kid Extra (80% mohair kid, 20% nylon), 1 x 25g ball (268y);

Queensland Collection Kathmandu DK #419 (85% merino wool 10% silk, 5% cashmere), remnants

Notes: The most time-consuming part of this scarf is finding the yarn, but that was a fun task! I loved finding different yarns in similar colors in different parts of the LYS and seeing how they look paired together. I did also experiment with using a tan-colored tweedy yarn (the Kathmandu Aran) because it complemented the light aqua really well, and there are even flecks of tan in the Silk Aran. But it didn't work out well since it made the stitch pattern look...I don't know...too busy or odd or something. I think you either need to stay will all the same colors or else use all different colors as it didn't seem to work blending a single skein of one color with 3 skeins of a different color. I did use the tan a little bit for the fringe. The scarf itself was very quick to knit--I cast on and cast off on the same day, so it's perfect for gift-crafting.

All of these yarns feel great! The scarf is warmer than you might imagine a lacy scarf to be because the mesh on the part that gets wrapped around your neck essentially collapses down, so you don't have just a bunch of holes around your neck.


The pattern could hardly be simpler. It is thoughtful in that it asks you to cut yarn for the tassels first. And then you just knit and knit till you run out of yarn, and then you bind off. That way there's no guessing about whether you have enough for tassels or not. I'll have to remember that little tip for future reference.

Bangles

Completed: December 2007

Pattern: Tutorial at See Mi Knit

Yarn: Rowan Calmer #475 (75% cotton, 25% acrylic), remnants

Notes: Very fun, very easy. As usual, the knitting went quickly, but it languished in my project basket for awhile because I didn't feel like seaming it up. In retrospect, though, the seaming was fairly painless and I should just get over the aversion. I got the bangles at one of those accessory stores in the mall--I think it was at Icing. It was a light fabric-covered thing. I was worried that I'd have so find some way to anchor the knitting so that it wouldn't twist around to where the seam was showing, but I tried putting it on and taking it off several times, and it didn't seem to be a problem, so I left it alone.

The project did highlight for me the fact that I have a problem with uneven reverse stockinette stitches that flank the cable. If you know of any good solutions for this, let me know!

Wavy 2

Completed: December 2007

Pattern: Wavy, Knitty Winter '04

Yarn: Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran #156 (85% merino wool 10% silk, 5% cashmere), 3 x 50g balls (100m each)

Notes: This is a very easy pattern to memorize, but you do have to pay attention to what you're doing so you don't get off track. I love how the waves created by the 3x3 ribbing add extra loft and warmth. Oh, and it really reminds me of the peacefulness of Japanese rock gardens!

Noro Striped Scarf 3

Completed: November 2007

Pattern: 1x1 rib, as per Jared Flood's tutorial

Yarn: Noro Kureyon #213 greens/blues/grays (100% wool), 1 x 50g balls (100m each); Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran #156 (85% merino wool 10% silk, 5% cashmere), 1-1/2 x 50g balls (100m each)

Notes: This is just like Striped Scarf #2, except that I used Kureyon instead of Silk Garden. The hues in this particular colorway are much more vibrant, but there was one section that I had to cut out altogether because it was too similar to the dark aquamarine Kathmandu I used. I really enjoy making these for gifts (obviously), and there's not much more to say than that!

Noro Striped Scarf 2

Completed: November 2007

Pattern: 1x1 rib, as per Jared Flood's tutorial

Yarn: Noro Silk Garden #203 greens/blues/grays (45% silk, 45% kid mohair, 10% lamb's wool), 1 x 50g balls (100m each); Queensladn Collection Kathmandu Aran #156 (85% merino wool 10% silk, 5% cashmere), 1-1/2 x 50g balls (100m each)

Notes: I cast on fewer stitches for this than for the first one I made--25 instead of 35, and I was able to get a reasonable-sized scarf-- 5" x54"--with just 2 balls, 1 of each yarn. I forgot to work the slipped stitch edging, so the edges are not as nice on this one, but I still like it just fine! It's pretty conservative, as far as scarves from self-striping yarns go, which suits my taste and the receipient's. I like having the the repeating stripe from the dark aquamarine Kathmandu Aran to ground the color changes of the Noro.

Lace Pattern Scarf

Completed: September 2007

Pattern: Pattern Leaf Scarf, Vogue Knitting Spring 2005

Yarn: Rowan Kidsilk Haze #bleach (70% super kid mohair, 30% silk, 1 x 25g ball (229yds); Jaeger Albany (100% mercerized cotton), remnants

Notes: There are some mistakes in this pattern, which is really a shame since it should be pretty straightforward. The leaf pattern is not properly centered, but that is easy to fix. You have to pay attention because after you complete a leaf, you end up decreasing by 2 stitches, and the pattern never tells you to compensate for this. You have to remember to increase the number of stitches on your own. Other than that, the other change I made was to make the background stitches in garter rather than in stockinette to avoid pesky rolling.

Noro Striped Scarf

Completed: August 2007

Pattern: 1x1 rib, as per Jared Flood's tutorial

Yarn: Noro Silk Garden #267 browns/grays (45% silk, 45% kid mohair, 10% lamb's wool), 1-1/2 x 50g balls (100m each); Noro Silk Garden #84 reds/oranges (45% silk, 45% kid mohair, 10% lamb's wool), 1-1/2 x 50g balls (100m each)

Notes: This was a great knit. It's so easy to pick up whenever and wherever--watching TV, talking on the phone, waiting at the Starbucks drive-thru. Even though it's 1x1 rib, there is a sense of continual fascination to see how the colors unfold and play against each other, and I didn't really get bored. Oh, and I love that there is minimal finishing required--only a few loose ends to weave in and it looks fine without blocking. I ended up with a 5-1/2" x 72" scarf.

Kinda Kusha Scarf

Completed: July 2007

Pattern: Based on the Kusha Kusha Scarf, Habu

Yarn: Habu A-20 #1 (69% silk, 31% stainless steel), 1 x 0.5 oz cone (277 yd each, and used every last bit); Habu A-33 #40 (100% wool), 1 x 1 oz cone (747yd each, and used about half)

Notes: This was one of those knits where you can really just enjoy the process yet come out with a great product as well! Even though it's only stockinette, the fibers really make it. I can understand now why so many people have fallen in love with Habu products. I didn't do all the needle changing that is recommended in the pattern, though. It's basically a long rectangle with some solo sections of the silk stainless at both ends done on size 6 needles, and the middle section is the silk stainless plus merino done on size 8's. When I first finished knitting it, I was hesitant about felting the scarf. When I finally mustered up the courage and plunged it into the water, the beautiful white silk stainless turned a dingy light gray, and my heart sank. So I was really really conservative in felting it. After it dried, though, I decided to be brave and tossed it back in again for a more thorough felting, to make it look more like the sample I had seen in my LYS. And this is what I got, and I really like it. The final size is about 4-1/4" x 38".

Now, when I first started seeing this on blogs, I was struck by the beauty of the scarf, but I was also worried that it would feel like you were strangling yourself with a wire sculpture if you were to try to wear it. Actually, it's quite comfortable. The stainless steel gives it just a bit of structure, so the scarf is malleable. The only thing is that if I made the scarf again, I would probably get an extra cone of the stainless and make it longer (the cone of merino is only about half-used).

Dr Bag

Completed: July 2007

Pattern: Doctor Bag, Knit 2 Together

Yarn: Manos del Uruguay #26 (100% wool), 3 x 100g hanks (138yds each, and I had plenty left over)

Notes: This was a fun knit--the herringbone pattern made it interesting, but not complicated. I made a number of modifications to this pattern:

Used yarn single-stranded yarn on size 10 US needles, rather than double-stranded. This resulted in finished dimensions of 13.5" long x 5" wide x 7.75" high. Compare this with the original dimensions of 19.5" x 6.75" x 10.5".

Made the herringbone pattern a 24-row instead of a 16-row repeat

Omitted the rods at the top of the bag, since they were not needed for a bag this size

Made the seams on the inside rather than the outside

Used interfacing to add stability

Cut the front, bottom, and back lining all together as one piece, leaving only the side lining pieces that needed to be seamed

I was going to pick out some cool graphic print for the lining, but my local selection was limited, and so I just ended up getting regular lining fabric instead. All in all, I'm very pleased with this bag, and it's a good size for me. More details on the construction along the way are on the main blog.

Scarf Askew

Completed: June 2007

Pattern: Scarf Askew, Magknits

Yarn: Rowanspun DK #736 (100% wool), 2 x 50g hanks (218yds each)

Notes: This was easy and relaxing, but also mindful--you do have to pay attention so that you don't mess up the pattern. Also, to make the end of the scarf look like the beginning, you should purl 2 rows before binding off, rather than knitting 2 rows the way the instructions say. I was able to get a 7" x 78" scarf with the yardage I had. I chose not to add any tassels, so the finishing was very easy: only 4 ends to weave in!

The yarn is discontinued, which is too bad, because it was good to work with. It has a slightly felted feel and has interesting nubs of different colors (blue. yellow, even orange) throughout. The yarn is light, as the scarf is meant as a present for someone in a not-very-cold climate.

Clementine Shawlette

Completed: March 2007

Pattern: Clementine Shawlette, Interweave Knits Spring '07

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Pure Silk #27005 (100% silk), 3 x 50g balls (125m each). This is really lovely, though it does have a fair bit of a fuzz "halo" around it. I don't have experience with other 100% silk yarns, so I don't know if this the nature of the yarn or a matter of quality.


Notes: This is made in 2 symmetric pieces and is then grafted together. I substituted this yarn for the Blue Sky Alpaca Silk (50% alpaca, 50% silk) that the pattern calls for. There is slightly less yardage on the Pure Silk, plus I used a size 5 instead of a size 4 needle (just because I don't have size 4). I had 3 hanks of the Pure Silk and I wanted to see if I could get away without using a 4th. Since I didn't know how long to make things, I started out by using one full hank to make each side. I then used a center-pull ball--the outside end for one side and the center-pull end for the other side at the same time. This did help me to evenly distribute the yarn, but it also resulted in a tangled, super-coiled mess towards the end, even though I was trying to be really careful. My shawlette is shorter--only 48", but this is a Christmas gift for my petite aunt, and that length will be plenty, so I did not need to get a 4th hank. I might have been able to squeeze out another inch, but it woudn't have been worth it. If you want to do the full measurements that the pattern calls for from this yarn, get a 4th hank, just to make sure.

The pattern was beautiful and very quick to learn. I had a lot of fun knitting this. I'm not really thrilled about my grafting, though. I've never done Kitchener stitch on a lace pattern before. In the area where there are a lot of yarn-overs, the grafting caused a dimple. Blocking helped some, though it still look awkward.

Wavy

Completed: December 2006

Pattern: Wavy, Knittty Winter '04

Yarn: Malabrigo #Geranio (100% merino wool), 2 skeins x 3.5oz (215yds each). This is such a yummy yarn and beautifully kettle-dyed!

Notes: Fun, easy pattern! This got me back into the swing of knitting after a long hiatus.

Sophie

Completed: February 2005

Pattern: Sophie, Magknits Warm '04

Notes: This was my first felted project--a quick, fun knit!