Brynna

Did you ever have a project that stalled for the silliest of reasons?  Yeah, I thought so.  I have had this little cardigan knitted up since the end of August, and it has languished on top of the cedar chest because I just couldn't bring myself to work in the ends.  All fourteen of them.  I know, I know,  I'm just a sloth.

The pattern is Brynna, by Chic Knits.  The yarn used was Rowan Wool Cotton, a 50/50 blend of merino wool and cotton.  Put up in 50 g. balls, 123 yards per ball.  This yarn was an absolute delight to knit, and I kind of wish I had more.  Kind of, because I am still trying to find a place for all the containers of yarn that made the move.  Discontinued color, which I thought was a lovely caramel brown, but apparently the folks at Rowan called it pumpkin.  I just can't get away from orange, even when I try.  Body was lengthened and sleeves were made longer than the pattern's cap sleeves, but shorter than the 3/4 length pattern variation.  I made it to work as a little transitional topper, and I think it fits the bill. 

Waiting on the sidelines -- Dansez Pullover from the book "Knit To Flatter" by Amy Herzog.  The knitting portion of the program is done, and it lies in four pieces, waiting to be seamed together and the ends run in.  It was knit from a coned yarn (Stretch Cotton by Silk City Fibers) so it probably doesn't have more than 14 ends to run in either -- so we'll see how long it takes me to get around to that one.  I'm hoping publicly mentioning it is done except for assembly will embarrass me into actually doing it.  Ha!

Wearin' O' the Green

OK, it's not March, but green has jumped to the forefront here at Mingling Yarn.  First up:  a crochet summer cardigan.  This is one of my own 'designs' -- which basically means I plugged a couple of simple stitch patterns into a very basic shape.  The yarn is an oldie from the stash - Italy Baby by Plymouth Yarn.  It's 100% cotton in a fingering weight.  The sleeves are 3/4 length and done in a simple mesh stitch.  The body of the cardigan is another simple stitch from a Japanese stitch compendium - Crochet Patterns Book 300.

 

 

 

 

Then we have a jaunty green beret.  This one is from ancient stash.  Koigu KPPPM (Painter's Palette Premium Merino) plus some coordinating KPM (Koigu Premium Merino).  The top is done in the KPPPM, the underside in the solid(ish) color.  This is a pattern from Interweave Crochet, Winter 2008 - Pinwheel Beret.  The only modification I made was to make the 'plate' portion a bit bigger than the pattern called for - in other words I increased more than called for.  Dead easy pattern that gives a nice result.  It was a bit of a bore, doing all that sc, but I worked on it during the move, so boring fit the bill.

Here's a view of the underside -

 

 

Somewhere...

...in one of those boxes is the fabric I want for a pair of Style Arc Barbara pants that I would like to sew.  Guaranteed that it will be in the very last box that I look in. 

Phase II of the move has been completed, and there are now only 60+ boxes left to unpack.  Piece o' cake!  Finding a place to actually put the stuff from those boxes -- not so easy.  Sigh.

A New Beginning

Getting settled in the new digs -- and here's the space where the sewing/crafting magic will happen (or not).  The former owner had an office space here, as is probably evident.  Not entirely conducive to good sewing ergonomics, but it will do for now.  Still many items from the old sewing room to be transported to the new, but I have enough here now to start sewing. 

In an attempt to ease back into the sewing groove I'm starting out with a Style Arc pattern, Gorgeous Gore Skirt.  Only two pattern pieces (cut multiple times, of course) and fabricated from an ITY knit -- just the thing for cool, effortless sewing.  Photos to follow.

Silence...

...is the element in which great things fashion themselves together.  (Thomas Carlyle)

Or, it's what happens when you're trying to fashion a multi-part interstate move!  We're in the thick of it now, but hope to be back to more regular posting soon.

There has been sewing -- Style Arc Willow pants, two separate versions.  There has been knitting -- style number 6 (openwork back tee) from Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2013 issue.  There has been crocheting -- a lacy, 3/4 length sleeved cardigan, my own design, done in a lovely spring green cotton.  Alas, no photos of any of it -- hopefully once we're settled in the new place. 

In the meantime, I'll leave you with this thought -- use up that stash!  Whether it's fabric or yarn -- it's a real pain in the *@#* to box up and move all that stuff.    Keep cool, keep stitching, and we'll see you in Maryland.  :)

Once more, with feeling

Once again, the Style Arc Stacie jean jacket.  Fabric is a cotton pique from Gorgeous Fabrics.  Cuffs, collar and flaps are faced with a Liberty Tana lawn print.  Snaps are from Snap Source.

 

 

 

This is version 4 -- not pictured previously is one in red twill that was made for my youngest daughter.  And now, Stacie will be retired, at least until next year.  

Heartbeat Redux

I wasn't sure I really wanted to post this, but just in case there is a lesson here for someone else...

Quite a while ago I knit this sweater, a design from Just One More Row.  I had some frustrations with it -- all concerning the fit.  It's actually a very easy sweater to knit.  Here's the deal -- this is presented as a pattern that can be made in any size, any gauge.  To quote the instruction booklet "This unusual sweater begins at the center neckline and is knitted out to any size.  Vertical side panels fine-tune the fit."  Yardage information is provided for knitting a yarn at 5 st per inch in sizes ranging from 32" to 64".  There is a photo of a cute little top, shown on a flat mannequin (uh oh, could that be a clue?). 

So, here's my beef:  Yes, you probably can knit this sweater to a circumference of 64".  But will it fit any other aspect of your body, without adaptation, except the circumference?  Will it look like the photo illustration?  Because here's the thing -- this sweater is built geometrically.  As it increases in width, it increases in depth.  Unlike most human bodies.  Those of you who sew, and wear larger sizes, may be nodding your head about now.  How often have you lamented the fact that sewing patterns are (mostly) graded this way?  Just because you need extra circumference doesn't mean you are also 6 feet  tall.  And just because you need extra girth you may not need the extra length between your shoulder and bust or waist.

The first time I knit this sweater I knit it with positive ease.  A family of four could have lived in it comfortably.  My mistake, and one I make frequently -- adding too much ease.  This version has negative ease.  Its total circumference is 36".   That's not tiny, but it's also not incredibly large, as modern chest sizes go.  And yet -- even at 36" -- it was way too deep at the neckline for (my) wearing comfort.  The designer suggests working additional neckline edging to counteract this problem.  My neckline edging is 4 times wider than that shown in the pattern photo.  Due to my narrow shoulders, I would really prefer it to be wider, but it was beginning to look disproportionate to me so I stopped.

So, what did I learn?  Besides the fact that once a design has slapped me around I should probably not ask for a re-match?  Well, I think I can reliably say that this design is probably not meant (as shown) for those of narrow shoulders and larger bust -- unless you like the look of a yoked sweater -- because that's how deep that neckband is going to be.  And if you need a sweater with a circumference  that's a bit larger?  Be prepared to do some adapting to fill in those front and back necklines.  Unless, of course, you like a navel-revealing look!

Sigh, when will I learn?