tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67284432209956161732024-03-18T18:10:12.793-04:00The Knitting Needle and the Damage DoneThe knitting blog even a non-knitter can read without pain.Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14882469292993325370noreply@blogger.comBlogger893125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-64505037579769196432024-03-05T18:18:00.001-05:002024-03-05T18:18:28.504-05:0012 Months; 13 Projects<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibonDzCkWH_0DuVxtA1FZe85_membVjeSVE8ckf7ewLGIGohEzXqesVNzvou3WSe_dAUdRXvvPr66E9Lu22128O6kkcPh4yP6c3-TUp7NXcQVoYxh2Qz5QqjzUYI7jpAPHjLfjedmJZPc14sFLK6PAzDy2eldHh_l0LvG9ogw4dgaXb9YscUWiFli1Pq4/s4608/2023-03%20Baby%20Rae's%20booties.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibonDzCkWH_0DuVxtA1FZe85_membVjeSVE8ckf7ewLGIGohEzXqesVNzvou3WSe_dAUdRXvvPr66E9Lu22128O6kkcPh4yP6c3-TUp7NXcQVoYxh2Qz5QqjzUYI7jpAPHjLfjedmJZPc14sFLK6PAzDy2eldHh_l0LvG9ogw4dgaXb9YscUWiFli1Pq4/s320/2023-03%20Baby%20Rae's%20booties.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here at last is my round up post of all my 2023 knitting projects. I'm late getting it done and posted, of course, but not as late as last year, when I didn't post my 2022 project post until July 2023, so I'm counting this early March post date as a win. I also completed thirteen projects in 2023, which is quite an advance on the seven or eight projects I've been doing each year of late years. Let's get started on our review of them, shall we?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4jw9AgzV5r2WjPK62to4UGZrEQTMyxFWbY1eQUwwxptlrrfmB5pN-UAxJPHvWaYl4UH04-RgeWJHS0rPrX-8wcy4fQKmiQTV1E8t6hyphenhyphenU2K7EqVUBydIKiF-w3T8D4LxFXjH-OLVzqIuPcM0OKnjJKBsyrpDttDEPsxfNULaiXa6KGTwArixcOqDlu7U/s4608/2023-01%20Greg%20moose%20hooves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4jw9AgzV5r2WjPK62to4UGZrEQTMyxFWbY1eQUwwxptlrrfmB5pN-UAxJPHvWaYl4UH04-RgeWJHS0rPrX-8wcy4fQKmiQTV1E8t6hyphenhyphenU2K7EqVUBydIKiF-w3T8D4LxFXjH-OLVzqIuPcM0OKnjJKBsyrpDttDEPsxfNULaiXa6KGTwArixcOqDlu7U/s320/2023-01%20Greg%20moose%20hooves.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the fall of 2022, when I dropped by the office of a professional associate and friend named Greg, I was amused to see his moose collection had grown since what it had been in the spring of 1994, when as a 20-year-old college student, I first met Greg and did a six-week work placement as an editorial assistant in his office as part of a Book & Magazine Publishing program I was taking at Centennial College. We've stayed in touch through the nearly 30 years (!!!) that have passed since then, and he has always been very kind to me and helped me out many times by giving me freelance work, referrals for freelance work from other organizations, references whenever I've been applying for work, sage advice, and the occasional lunch, which he always insists on paying for. That six-week college work internship was unpaid, but he gave me some paid work during that time. When I got my first job in publishing he was one of my references, and after I was hired, the manager who hired me told me, "Greg is a great reference for you -- he RAVED about you." When I was applying for a full-time job last August he was one of my references for that, and he said to me, "I told them that when you worked on that big ESL modules project last year, you were the most effective of the 85 editors I had working on it." Alas, I didn't get that particular job, but a year and a half later that piece of high praise never fails to have a bolstering effect on me whenever I think of it.</div><p></p><p>But about the moose. Having "a thing" for a particular animal, and collecting items on that animal theme, is definitely "a thing" in North American culture, and in Greg's case he has a thing for moose. Back in 1994 he had a few toy moose and other moose-themed items in his office. On the day I visited his office in the fall of 2022, I saw that he had a dozen or so stuffed moose lined up in the windowsill by his desk, and while they were almost all commercially made, one was crocheted. While walking home that day I got the idea of knitting a toy moose for Greg as a thank you gift for everything he has done for me over the many years since I first met him. I have always thanked him verbally for everything he has done for me, but it was long past time I thanked him in some sort of concrete way. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsOllz_HP6KWzHPwKvV-NXs93Wk7Z4FYXnfx0qqXXe1g4sQrMu0124yxhxla-1duffsWdNEJpBdDwD-ihJIacm79TwASb9Bd_43G2eV8otXqZpIbvDwoE9M8GVhzDnWFlTXX-_GyulFVg4Skk1StITa9DWFhyBAsypaVJhFsh9rHfbO2PDyN11Eaujg/s640/juniper%20moose.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsOllz_HP6KWzHPwKvV-NXs93Wk7Z4FYXnfx0qqXXe1g4sQrMu0124yxhxla-1duffsWdNEJpBdDwD-ihJIacm79TwASb9Bd_43G2eV8otXqZpIbvDwoE9M8GVhzDnWFlTXX-_GyulFVg4Skk1StITa9DWFhyBAsypaVJhFsh9rHfbO2PDyN11Eaujg/s320/juniper%20moose.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>That evening, I searched Ravelry for a cute moose pattern, and very quickly zeroed in on the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/juniper-moose">Juniper Moose, designed by Rachel Borello Carroll</a>, for the obvious reason that it's adorable, though it didn't hurt that it's also a free pattern. The one modification I decided to make was to nix the wreath, as I thought it had a somewhat Christmassy look that wasn't culturally appropriate for Greg, who is Jewish. But the moose definitely needed to have a substitute accessory of some kind, so I decided I would make it a scarf instead. </p><p>I searched through my stash to see what I had that would be appropriate for this project, and soon came up with two colours for the moose and two more for the scarf that I thought worked well together. I didn't have any safety toy eyes on hand, but when I looked in my button tin I found two black plastic shank buttons of a kind that I've often bought to use as the eyes for stuffed toys. I also had a bag of polyfill stuffing. I even had a suitable gift bag to put the moose in when it was done. This project would cost me nothing but time and effort. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6Yqu-89QXXSadC2j8T1BGqdamMWr79s8nrWJ64TImsaQ5QoKFOWEap4XuunoQpZIKUJk-qg7TEIjAl3YRD43_wjdun0oeT9DuleLUyW0CsdO6kR2rU2k2emdp45Mm5c9SgHn2UAuCK8nu77JaVOWMMMNZWx6wuFM9Hx_Aw_GOTmK0J8fvn3JIPhqfw/s4608/2023-01%20Greg%20moose%20naked%20&%20ashamed.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6Yqu-89QXXSadC2j8T1BGqdamMWr79s8nrWJ64TImsaQ5QoKFOWEap4XuunoQpZIKUJk-qg7TEIjAl3YRD43_wjdun0oeT9DuleLUyW0CsdO6kR2rU2k2emdp45Mm5c9SgHn2UAuCK8nu77JaVOWMMMNZWx6wuFM9Hx_Aw_GOTmK0J8fvn3JIPhqfw/s320/2023-01%20Greg%20moose%20naked%20&%20ashamed.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The finished moose toy, which I completed in January 2023. I don't really like making toys -- I find them aggravatingly fussy to work on -- but this one had clear directions and came together pretty quickly. The colours of yarn I used aren't as pleasing as the pretty caramel and white the designer used for her sample moose, and the brown yarn was a worsted when it should have been a bulky, but then I needed to work with what I had if reasonably could, and the result is acceptable. But you can see what I meant when I said this moose needs an accessory. He looks naked without one, and even appears to be rather embarrassed about it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvpvaxgEtrFOiCV20uYSndyYIHgeqYpeBiscKgJnoA9ix2xIptZiwnq98QbcooPLTAYjb10739QrGlBI8YfuqUhS0ZCmhyWH7mER2wE_5zzel9JFt__FBus-YUVPDiT0geVMFvr8jw-vZ7DPdYeZqGQ6DAPn1GqndPiMR_HjfnvZWQxexIJjYYoYR-w/s4608/2023-01%20Greg%20moose%20scarf.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvpvaxgEtrFOiCV20uYSndyYIHgeqYpeBiscKgJnoA9ix2xIptZiwnq98QbcooPLTAYjb10739QrGlBI8YfuqUhS0ZCmhyWH7mER2wE_5zzel9JFt__FBus-YUVPDiT0geVMFvr8jw-vZ7DPdYeZqGQ6DAPn1GqndPiMR_HjfnvZWQxexIJjYYoYR-w/s320/2023-01%20Greg%20moose%20scarf.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The scarf. I used a teal blue and a rust, and also some of the grayish taupe I used for the moose's antlers and hooves. The three colours worked well together and including one of the moose's body colours gave the scarf a visual link to the moose. I used a rib stitch to make the scarf reversible.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HyfcnDqnH7b0ejs-Z1QJbU3-nuYIoBj6QWeFc3JZb0jEFf-elGmggY51zghcgbPSyureeuj7LvWw0--oO9cJOCoYtmJim1fl1WLXK2hZpOgwe8rzoSzAJmNWSkrjvsPL74CpjK2T7jdxeDcmb7eI2Y9ianVya81fKXrTr8uC-q6Ob063MD7MYaQnKA/s4608/2023-01%20Greg%20moose%20with%20scarf.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HyfcnDqnH7b0ejs-Z1QJbU3-nuYIoBj6QWeFc3JZb0jEFf-elGmggY51zghcgbPSyureeuj7LvWw0--oO9cJOCoYtmJim1fl1WLXK2hZpOgwe8rzoSzAJmNWSkrjvsPL74CpjK2T7jdxeDcmb7eI2Y9ianVya81fKXrTr8uC-q6Ob063MD7MYaQnKA/s320/2023-01%20Greg%20moose%20with%20scarf.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>The finished and accessorized moose. I was reasonably pleased with this project, and it made a nice surprise gift for Greg, who exclaimed, "I see antlers!" when he first peeked into the gift bag. The moose is cute and even a little sporty-looking. He looks as though he shops at the Gap and wouldn't at all mind stopping by your backyard to hang out, kick around a football, and maybe have a few brewskis. But then when one stands up to 6.5' tall at the shoulder and weighs up to 1600 pounds, one can shop anywhere and hang out anywhere one wants, or say, trash a person's car if they look at one funny. It's all in a day's experience for a Canadian moose, and getting used as a thank you present is even more so. </p><p>This project was made entirely of stash yarn, and I used up a total of 75 grams of yarn on it. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYnPzLlqliR4_D-TzHgQlxg9lNZpSIenXxhiA1ncbPUwJnIXJDqSvr8KCb6PAhNZt_QC4d2qGn6ytM9P1YR2mgIne5WBomVgQDOhEtG027WyiLAQ-jJ2Y86BbLsQYZ9nOos1L5S337SlzoGZOpyZSco2-TaTVvP9r1eiKbjXU6HzogQTGOnu-UjUfzA/s640/cabled%20yoke%20sweater.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="444" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYnPzLlqliR4_D-TzHgQlxg9lNZpSIenXxhiA1ncbPUwJnIXJDqSvr8KCb6PAhNZt_QC4d2qGn6ytM9P1YR2mgIne5WBomVgQDOhEtG027WyiLAQ-jJ2Y86BbLsQYZ9nOos1L5S337SlzoGZOpyZSco2-TaTVvP9r1eiKbjXU6HzogQTGOnu-UjUfzA/s320/cabled%20yoke%20sweater.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><p>Back in 2012, one of my knitting projects was a red worsted cardigan. The yarn I used for it came from a red hoodie I'd made circa 2010 and had only worn a few times because I found it too bulky and unflattering. I thought I'd get more wear out the cardigan. However, this proved not to be the case because the cardigan's collar didn't sit right and the sleeves were too long. I always meant to fix those things, but never got around to it. One day in the fall of 2022 as I was tidying up my sweater cupboard, it struck me that rather than fixing that sweater (which, after all, I didn't need) I could take it apart and use the yarn to make something I would otherwise have to spend money on: a sweater for my grandniece Cauliflower's 14th birthday present in summer 2023. The red would suit Cauliflower quite well, the sweater(s) had been so little worn that the yarn was still good as new, and I'd be sure to have enough given that I was going down two sizes <i>and</i> had an untouched 100 gram skein of the yarn in my stash to boot.</p><p>I searched Ravelry for a suitable pattern and came up with the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cabled-yoke-pullover">Cabled Yoke Pullover, from Patons</a>, which you can see depicted above. It's classic enough to be a safe choice, detailed enough to be interesting, and also a free pattern. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_BlzRSU2BV8whncmOod1yrkaC4cyFzrw-tu_rS7H_CKjZ-rcQeX6ny-Cng1Afu4FbZ78AksHIlFmtucF4IMvFZ2_zPkR8mX_VBPBzrix-tJ1LLv_CEa09MN-i-37hdwExHnpluRm1BxccxaIptBkcMJYb9ZjKrzEDljCP53H5MIagElJTJIvPo3eJg/s4608/02-2023%20Caleigh's%20pullover.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_BlzRSU2BV8whncmOod1yrkaC4cyFzrw-tu_rS7H_CKjZ-rcQeX6ny-Cng1Afu4FbZ78AksHIlFmtucF4IMvFZ2_zPkR8mX_VBPBzrix-tJ1LLv_CEa09MN-i-37hdwExHnpluRm1BxccxaIptBkcMJYb9ZjKrzEDljCP53H5MIagElJTJIvPo3eJg/s320/02-2023%20Caleigh's%20pullover.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>The construction of the sweater was rather interesting. The directions say to knit the cable shoulder strip first, seam it together at the ends, pick up stitches around the top of the cabled strip to make the collar, then pick up stitches at the bottom of the cabled strip to knit the body of the sweater. My version, which I made in a woman's size extra small/small, knitted up relatively quickly and without incident, and I was contented with the result. This sweater used up 673 grams out of the 900 grams of red worsted I had started with. </p><p>And then I realized I still had 227 grams of the red yarn left. What should I do with it?</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHWuV7n49k_2O2FhqjlPJVqHhaRFLj21VOa-o6J2uHYnWics-hbRZTAJBMMaiv_O5vaj0fmITgwTUPUmuI1M76-gMaYb9FyjXDGjf5sgw5gqwA7LeFqRqEKxqkjpBSfuVwAfPveIhaZF5l4FyNpeqTfmAkdfwnAWc5Z911u5dFk6R3u-UpUCO86L6EAU3/s640/slouchy%20hat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHWuV7n49k_2O2FhqjlPJVqHhaRFLj21VOa-o6J2uHYnWics-hbRZTAJBMMaiv_O5vaj0fmITgwTUPUmuI1M76-gMaYb9FyjXDGjf5sgw5gqwA7LeFqRqEKxqkjpBSfuVwAfPveIhaZF5l4FyNpeqTfmAkdfwnAWc5Z911u5dFk6R3u-UpUCO86L6EAU3/s320/slouchy%20hat.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p>Two hundred and twenty grams is more than enough to make a hat, and I thought Cauliflower might like a matching hat for her sweater (she can wear it for her figure skating lessons), so I searched Ravelry for a suitable tam pattern in worsted. I looked specifically for a cabled design that would work with the pullover. I chose the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sweet-and-slouchy-hat">Sweet and Slouchy Hat</a>, designed by Kim Haesemeyer. I was able to check a copy of the book the pattern is in out of the Toronto Public Library and work from the book. </p><div>Initially I thought I'd make two of these tams: one for Cauliflower, and one for me. There was enough yarn for two tams and it'd be nice to get all that red yarn finally used up. But then I began to think about what I would wear the red tam with, and when I couldn't seem to imagine it working with any of my coats or outfits, I decided that I was unlikely to ever wear it and therefore shouldn't make it. The rest of the red yarn can remain in my stash until I have a genuine use for it.</div><div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfN9XAiYxxh3-XSe8Bb-a-KDt_--C5bKpiJxvdV9IemK-bCtFok7uMjOav2-cAs9s2eqUzZMozf-BthYQt9sKgsHpH5L7vUssi9Ips2doKyioOjUXdzQhfHMkBnpWswlXnbLloOsbMZGPs2ZS7eyHm_EzcQZWyRD-AD95fYfRdxW10J37atIxa0M7gNCTk/s4608/2023-02%20Caleigh's%20tam.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfN9XAiYxxh3-XSe8Bb-a-KDt_--C5bKpiJxvdV9IemK-bCtFok7uMjOav2-cAs9s2eqUzZMozf-BthYQt9sKgsHpH5L7vUssi9Ips2doKyioOjUXdzQhfHMkBnpWswlXnbLloOsbMZGPs2ZS7eyHm_EzcQZWyRD-AD95fYfRdxW10J37atIxa0M7gNCTk/s320/2023-02%20Caleigh's%20tam.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the finished tam. Ironically and exasperatingly, after deciding not to make this hat twice, I <i>did</i> end up knitting it twice, because the first time I made it, I was less than ten rows away from completion when I switched to DPNs and realized that I had knitted the entire thing on the wrong size needles, and that it was too small. Such a stupid error, but it's the kind of bone-headed mistake I make when I'm tired.</div><div><br /></div><div>This hat took 90 grams of yarn, bringing my total yarn stash decrease for this project to 763 grams.</div><div><br /></div></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFR1BeRUCY_PlSwY2ceGxXzYXJxBDq25pobXg92OHfKjLTkGFKVp5Rtbjb0Yd7hjqtqsFU3tyJRpvjwZ2e2mbedSgxkCSMycg4KkQtASMjUcBA3c1_yIIcB7yFzSamtuLmWEkueRkubExnjHoYNQPKONCUXKZKUVU-WcxwSk3jK3c9vYrxWOvBOd_wCA/s4608/2023-03%20Baby%20Rae's%20booties.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFR1BeRUCY_PlSwY2ceGxXzYXJxBDq25pobXg92OHfKjLTkGFKVp5Rtbjb0Yd7hjqtqsFU3tyJRpvjwZ2e2mbedSgxkCSMycg4KkQtASMjUcBA3c1_yIIcB7yFzSamtuLmWEkueRkubExnjHoYNQPKONCUXKZKUVU-WcxwSk3jK3c9vYrxWOvBOd_wCA/s320/2023-03%20Baby%20Rae's%20booties.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>One day in mid-February 2023, I received the happy news that I was to have a new grandniece in May 2023. With only three months' notice, it was clearly time to fire up the knitting needles. By the time I went to bed that night, I had the baby's birth gift planned and knitting patterns selected for it. I decided I would make Baby Swan a baby blanket and a pair of matching booties, and also buy her a storybook. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEuNfUfem37gr1CsCKzBZLKs-YZbjyQMt3geYQ3PxiVZsX-cRGIVshiKWYgJBxBQtBUNJpFcyysCpVUzSHBvNn5XTXga1WstNtD1-BbrWvQsrDHgG4QTfdC6_TgzbyKje4NMcZ4tQleNHucqWaXpRV1_aCVEG5F3eYynTcNrqPjuE2Ozh-ysYoV0iLOQ/s640/dreamland%20blanket.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="640" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEuNfUfem37gr1CsCKzBZLKs-YZbjyQMt3geYQ3PxiVZsX-cRGIVshiKWYgJBxBQtBUNJpFcyysCpVUzSHBvNn5XTXga1WstNtD1-BbrWvQsrDHgG4QTfdC6_TgzbyKje4NMcZ4tQleNHucqWaXpRV1_aCVEG5F3eYynTcNrqPjuE2Ozh-ysYoV0iLOQ/s320/dreamland%20blanket.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>For the baby blanket, I selected the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dreamland-adventures-baby-blanket">Dreamland Adventures Baby Blanket design by Mary Triplett</a>. It's a very pretty and not especially time-intensive knit. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpL7rk1jvLi4-iTGpySNDesikR2YEav1cXcgqIxwLpBA7-0Kzg0BkDUnq8T_OrPSavXaNexaSsFrIiJ-1dE8FymoTSWkgz3dkLpx_eCLC0-oG0tWYe2bDyQ4x8DaOX1PqxORhsn6_KtjA9C7mZhcQavr7DTidCbcvJPfeh2-Foj-LVLbIqqOjmprHxw/s640/baby%20booties.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="413" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpL7rk1jvLi4-iTGpySNDesikR2YEav1cXcgqIxwLpBA7-0Kzg0BkDUnq8T_OrPSavXaNexaSsFrIiJ-1dE8FymoTSWkgz3dkLpx_eCLC0-oG0tWYe2bDyQ4x8DaOX1PqxORhsn6_KtjA9C7mZhcQavr7DTidCbcvJPfeh2-Foj-LVLbIqqOjmprHxw/s320/baby%20booties.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><p>Then I searched Ravelry for a baby bootie pattern that would be a good complement to the baby blanket design. The <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/b29-2-my-fairy-booties">My Fairy Booties design by Drops</a> seemed to fit the bill, as the teardrop lace stitch on the anklet and the garter stitch in the feet and at the top are quite similar to the teardrop lace and garter borders of the blanket. And it's a free pattern.</p><p>When it was time to shop for yarn, I went to Michaels and looked for a DK weight yarn with some natural fibre content that was machine washable and dryable. They only had one brand of yarn that fit my criteria, and it only came in three colours, only one of which was at all attractive, so I only had one real choice, but hey, I only needed one suitable yarn, and it was on sale for 25% off. The yarn was <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/loops--threads-luxe-merino-solid">Loops & Threads Luxe Merino</a> in Bridal Rose, or what I would describe as a shell pink, which is slightly warmer and richer than the standard pastel baby pink. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8zhWaJ94CZ7C8ZzwvgbxASY9xiEvXtOy5z8gVY_v-nyxP8Wak_XtRLuFGtOQd78R_XR2D0kzs0khNWs48qrfBCjMwYXT67MD9ISp1i88P8-vuk4oAqqFXueoH_iMqLtoRhyp5n18LvlmI5cewwBVZGqv6t1Ojhu6Bc1LJNBjhZROrSZ1TnPXoezaqQ/s4608/2023-03%20Baby%20Rae's%20blanket%20&%20booties.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8zhWaJ94CZ7C8ZzwvgbxASY9xiEvXtOy5z8gVY_v-nyxP8Wak_XtRLuFGtOQd78R_XR2D0kzs0khNWs48qrfBCjMwYXT67MD9ISp1i88P8-vuk4oAqqFXueoH_iMqLtoRhyp5n18LvlmI5cewwBVZGqv6t1Ojhu6Bc1LJNBjhZROrSZ1TnPXoezaqQ/s320/2023-03%20Baby%20Rae's%20blanket%20&%20booties.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The completed baby blanket. This knitted up fairly easily. I had some difficulty reading the patterns because my old printer didn't print them well, but that's on my printer, not on the designer, who had provided *three* versions of this design's chart in her pattern in an impressively all-out effort make it as clear and readable as possible.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcAaOggbbtlM-S1KNVGa6s_33x3yo5Op51epeuuQE4DgP3RbYvIRLYUSFR6XoGbBerbLyR_bWDau_YgoVv84XjmRCYRGQPJVb2iPJAkp0_mhvh_GdYohlGSu8saugJC8yt6Q1hxdodmxdCijGE8a-Mw-xhpi2D4t46juC30qFOnZyNMHfpzEC2N9olA/s4608/2023-03%20Baby%20Rae%20present%20detail%20shot.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcAaOggbbtlM-S1KNVGa6s_33x3yo5Op51epeuuQE4DgP3RbYvIRLYUSFR6XoGbBerbLyR_bWDau_YgoVv84XjmRCYRGQPJVb2iPJAkp0_mhvh_GdYohlGSu8saugJC8yt6Q1hxdodmxdCijGE8a-Mw-xhpi2D4t46juC30qFOnZyNMHfpzEC2N9olA/s320/2023-03%20Baby%20Rae%20present%20detail%20shot.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>A close up of the baby booties. They have a crocheted picot edging on the top that I had to buy a 3 mm crochet hook for, but then it doesn't hurt to add another size to my set of crochet hooks. When I went through my ribbon cannister to see what I had that I could use for the ankle ribbons, I didn't have any pink ribbon whatsoever (not surprising, as I never wear pink and don't often work with it even as gifts for other people), but I did have some cream ribbon that looked well with the pink yarn. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had a few qualms about how frou-frou this baby blanket and booties are, and how it would look in my nephew's household. From what I'd seen of my nephew and his wife's house via photos on Facebook, while it's nice and well-kept, it has a very plain and spare aesthetic, with very little colour or detail, and there's nary a bit of pink, lace, or ribbon in sight. But they have since then had a baby girl, I'm sure there's some sparkly pink princess stuff in their house by now, and if this is the most frilly thing they ever receive for Holly, she'll be nearly as sensibly turned out as her parents and her big brother. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This yarn came in 150 gram skeins, which I wasn't thrilled about, because it makes it difficult to buy an appropriate amount of yarn. I had 110 grams of yarn left when I finished this project. Had I been able to buy the yarn in 50 gram skeins, I would have had just 10 grams left. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cbfxP_TuGSKPo52cFuy_YSff69fx--hv73wdM7MdZdOHvOeXpcrZtyoLYrBnmGgRFmxvvksIOwOeh0aZgQfMNgS5wzPWxHpgD615D5Y0hLL1l5iFNwy-IaV2eO-tQQ43cGDJLfmL4rzh-AkNMrUrNNJYKGZ-bmq9DJ-KlIIPW-q-VuWUha_nSISoRg/s4608/04-2023%20Baby%20Rae's%20dress%20detail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cbfxP_TuGSKPo52cFuy_YSff69fx--hv73wdM7MdZdOHvOeXpcrZtyoLYrBnmGgRFmxvvksIOwOeh0aZgQfMNgS5wzPWxHpgD615D5Y0hLL1l5iFNwy-IaV2eO-tQQ43cGDJLfmL4rzh-AkNMrUrNNJYKGZ-bmq9DJ-KlIIPW-q-VuWUha_nSISoRg/s320/04-2023%20Baby%20Rae's%20dress%20detail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The baby blanket and booties weren't the only baby things I made in 2023. I also had a baby-sized Christmas present to knit. I do like knitting baby clothes. The projects are so cute, and they are so small that they can be both quickly finished and often made from a few skeins from one's stash.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZKKbskjxhShMwdzwjCk--YYYH4co3siK42mJFv9arHf_4pD2c7kMKsy8FaOu5oupV-RCgDRqDhtOMB3c4XJMd6FfZRScIpZqO2dNV7TRyZI89sHnicPsGjnJYAba5MAYBswp2vVPenZOgCyTr72rvMT8GKb1xgnoV4c2uKGZ24T88Kh8Lm8KN7z-cw/s640/nandi%20dress.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="461" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZKKbskjxhShMwdzwjCk--YYYH4co3siK42mJFv9arHf_4pD2c7kMKsy8FaOu5oupV-RCgDRqDhtOMB3c4XJMd6FfZRScIpZqO2dNV7TRyZI89sHnicPsGjnJYAba5MAYBswp2vVPenZOgCyTr72rvMT8GKb1xgnoV4c2uKGZ24T88Kh8Lm8KN7z-cw/s320/nandi%20dress.png" width="231" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For Holly's Christmas present, I turned to Ravelry to find a dress pattern. I found the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nandi">Nandi pattern, designed by Triona Murphy</a>. It's quite cute and also very sensible. I have a whole box of worsted odds and ends, and after looking them over, I selected a skein of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/bernat-super-value-solids-new">Bernat Super Value Solids</a> in Forest Green (this was one of two skeins left over after I made my sister a <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-abominable-snowman-afghan.html">Christmas afghan and matching throw pillow</a>) and a skein of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/loops--threads-meandering">Loops & Threads Meandering</a> in Dark Salmon. The salmon was a DK, but I liked the combination of the green and salmon so much that I made it work by knitting with two strands of the salmon. </div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWD-xymA_7TpmwBn1PeN2Ojxeu8_F0-iuBqOySPhTdgN48p75rbpiQE5_76qCUyse90uQoBCfeLSMM3DrMxLGWquZ-rjXJvEkvPz2PYz4cz9NY5lo7k2UHbaluxtY9SRRshcWFZw3l6fltcJGn25dDdacEjwxvtZTEZ0ioaHq0pJgWfxLxgDWGxDkYPw/s4608/04-2023%20Baby%20Rae's%20dress.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWD-xymA_7TpmwBn1PeN2Ojxeu8_F0-iuBqOySPhTdgN48p75rbpiQE5_76qCUyse90uQoBCfeLSMM3DrMxLGWquZ-rjXJvEkvPz2PYz4cz9NY5lo7k2UHbaluxtY9SRRshcWFZw3l6fltcJGn25dDdacEjwxvtZTEZ0ioaHq0pJgWfxLxgDWGxDkYPw/s320/04-2023%20Baby%20Rae's%20dress.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>The completed dress, made in size 6 to12 months. I try to learn something new with each knitting project. This project involved a few new knitting experiences for me. I am not sure if I've ever used the mosaic technique before, and I enjoyed trying that out. I don't believe I'd ever used a yarn double to increase its weight before either, and that's a good option to keep in mind. But the most valuable lesson I learned from this piece was that I finally figured out how to pick up wrapped stitches without having them show. The trick of it is that when you're knitting the wrap and a live stitch together, you must make sure that the wrap stitch is on the wrong/under side of your work. You might have to rearrange the stitches on your needle to get them in the correct orientation, but that's easy enough to do.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QOK8Q5HNHFxpTg-q4ImAs8v9CaT2iazASpNgE7J7Xdslc0oZQL-zE37UyjSoEgLFv4-oedEnR-KnOvD3s6kflHY4WTZjC-z58n1rqiBODD6nUlw3MeU579pX9d1I-t0X9wesjjy7FYul4NWzLELZbT7qcLN1_oy3zp6CeJMFTpqq1vU_s_mFUqCh_A/s4608/04-2023%20Baby%20Rae's%20dress%20button.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QOK8Q5HNHFxpTg-q4ImAs8v9CaT2iazASpNgE7J7Xdslc0oZQL-zE37UyjSoEgLFv4-oedEnR-KnOvD3s6kflHY4WTZjC-z58n1rqiBODD6nUlw3MeU579pX9d1I-t0X9wesjjy7FYul4NWzLELZbT7qcLN1_oy3zp6CeJMFTpqq1vU_s_mFUqCh_A/s320/04-2023%20Baby%20Rae's%20dress%20button.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>For the single button on the back of the neckline, I found a button in my button tin, keeping the material cost of this project at $0. (I did have to buy the pattern.)</p><p>For this stash yarn project, I used 30 grams of salmon and 167 of the green, or a total stash decrease of -197 grams.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2slALLiX_TeO_MFHXNMmu8QlIp26MYwvZueQ1LqUlIZSBYeucLOW0E88xjeuov5hTU8yUquJwiEtviRot6YnSbnhokZeqkzXVJhe9AUvO5xH8yeQVupkwqWFdFGfqjkoSNFe9Djb16ziIb6pOLdCKSCfqOasvPJ6syrUTKOGXkzeTvA8Af5haPioLw/s4288/2013-11%20dinosaur%20sweater.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="4288" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2slALLiX_TeO_MFHXNMmu8QlIp26MYwvZueQ1LqUlIZSBYeucLOW0E88xjeuov5hTU8yUquJwiEtviRot6YnSbnhokZeqkzXVJhe9AUvO5xH8yeQVupkwqWFdFGfqjkoSNFe9Djb16ziIb6pOLdCKSCfqOasvPJ6syrUTKOGXkzeTvA8Af5haPioLw/s320/2013-11%20dinosaur%20sweater.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Back in 2013, I made my grandnephew Bug the sweater you see above, in a size six months, using the Diplodocus pattern, designed by Kate Oates. I just put together some odds and ends of white, kelly green, and navy worsted from my stash to make the sweater for nothing, but the colour scheme could hardly have worked better. I also bought Bug a little stuffed toy at Toys R' Us that was supposed to stand in for a dinosaur, though it was actually a Disney brand anthromorphic alligator character that was standing on its hind legs. My family was kind enough to agree that it looked very like a dinosaur.<div><br /></div><div>The dinosaur sweater and dinosaur-passing toy were such a cute and well-received gift that I decided to reuse the pattern and theme for Bug's cousin Sawyer's 2023 Christmas present. I checked my stash hoping I could put together some odds and ends to make the sweater for nothing again. I wasn't quite as fortunate this time. While I had 70 grams of an unlabelled rust wool, and 50 grams of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/cascade-yarns-cascade-220-superwash">Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash</a> in Turtle that I thought worked well together and would be usable for the contrast colours, for the main colour I had to buy a skein of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/lion-brand-wool-ease-solids-heathers-twists">Lion Brand Wool Ease</a> in Linen for (with the use of a Michael's coupon) $6.32. But that's still pretty inexpensive.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSf36kvunrM1kB-ZJnN7wCfA1IFWyJNRQHCfIgxoIKIlJBaByb7cOewU99nva-0ODCpTI9qpasyYV0WWysjUz00sw8-zrPOQKimG-FLKhhTyhywUSJ8Hb1oS4-flLuBZ_EatCMOL3NxTUyK3TyURrOQDKdHvf98B7SJHefzzkBapH_dkgC31mW9RX4w/s4608/04-2023%20Sawyer's%20sweater.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSf36kvunrM1kB-ZJnN7wCfA1IFWyJNRQHCfIgxoIKIlJBaByb7cOewU99nva-0ODCpTI9qpasyYV0WWysjUz00sw8-zrPOQKimG-FLKhhTyhywUSJ8Hb1oS4-flLuBZ_EatCMOL3NxTUyK3TyURrOQDKdHvf98B7SJHefzzkBapH_dkgC31mW9RX4w/s320/04-2023%20Sawyer's%20sweater.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Here's the completed sweater in the Sawyer version, in a size 2. This colour scheme is attractive too, and will suit Sawyer, who has blond hair and hazel eyes. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-JOZrlWvW_fanx5vAf0sZ_3lVeZU9SWk9QIK_zaeJIo-xKZAO_elX116gLS9jGjq8AGw-KYlqTs6kN0GOxZEnlQw52bU6CpYnMxRnnnKnUk4lhVvTyGTfuzOEYMaATZyF7xuDIsn5G2-LC1zdfcFI0QUODLxT8FHDGNHJyd2Os5Ju6KEYmlnbKxisw/s4608/04-2023%20Sawyer's%20sweater%20&%20dino.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-JOZrlWvW_fanx5vAf0sZ_3lVeZU9SWk9QIK_zaeJIo-xKZAO_elX116gLS9jGjq8AGw-KYlqTs6kN0GOxZEnlQw52bU6CpYnMxRnnnKnUk4lhVvTyGTfuzOEYMaATZyF7xuDIsn5G2-LC1zdfcFI0QUODLxT8FHDGNHJyd2Os5Ju6KEYmlnbKxisw/s320/04-2023%20Sawyer's%20sweater%20&%20dino.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>This time around Toys R' Us had no dinosaur or even dinosaur-adjacent toy that was suitable for a toddler, so I ordered this one online. </div><div><br /></div><div>This project used 40 grams of the rust and 40 grams of the olive stash yarns, and all of the new linen yarn, so that was stash decrease of 80 grams for this project. </div></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4KZ_aESmQJKQcNMdXAXrkirbIwZutx3M7EJ892jUcfqbAj9jY7RNNR8gTZfrxwMxRIn4uyxpDprH7XFgHKTJrtlzc8MzEZZa8qOzsuZDvR9aERf9UW_LQ6a1drtNb0aZ8qtsqdclRIZG9ncGS3HgHyqOuDi1ebcDs1AhmNvg210SFCUpCfv1gqiGdQVN/s4608/2023-08%20Curtis's%20sweater%20detail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4KZ_aESmQJKQcNMdXAXrkirbIwZutx3M7EJ892jUcfqbAj9jY7RNNR8gTZfrxwMxRIn4uyxpDprH7XFgHKTJrtlzc8MzEZZa8qOzsuZDvR9aERf9UW_LQ6a1drtNb0aZ8qtsqdclRIZG9ncGS3HgHyqOuDi1ebcDs1AhmNvg210SFCUpCfv1gqiGdQVN/s320/2023-08%20Curtis's%20sweater%20detail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My grandnephew Bug celebrated his tenth birthday in the summer of 2023, and of course there had to be a sweater made to mark the occasion... the tenth I have made him in his life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt1Zs31zK3xKr4C5pWjjbMDC71mZ5IycWpK-wlWPai-OeKQK1lpGAsKMzyWYAKBUF_P3Eqf2XHkWfsrk3VkMD9mFeG-_SlT3V4b2kFvoennIKqWR-Un932lk9WKJ-DnzYPjWP3uH2BQE2j8qcUbWuBksHOaVHrMi5BJoiNxfMgTj5FJAJlKd3Pn7P7PV9/s640/BdF%20sweater%20for%20Curtis.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFt1Zs31zK3xKr4C5pWjjbMDC71mZ5IycWpK-wlWPai-OeKQK1lpGAsKMzyWYAKBUF_P3Eqf2XHkWfsrk3VkMD9mFeG-_SlT3V4b2kFvoennIKqWR-Un932lk9WKJ-DnzYPjWP3uH2BQE2j8qcUbWuBksHOaVHrMi5BJoiNxfMgTj5FJAJlKd3Pn7P7PV9/s320/BdF%20sweater%20for%20Curtis.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><p>When I searched Ravelry for a suitable pattern for a ten-year-old Canadian boy, I quickly narrowed the search down to this one, which is the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/452-pull-col-rond-zippe---m0224">452 Round Neck Zip Sweater</a>, from <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;">Bergère de France</span><span style="color: #0000ee;">. </span>I</span>t's a free pattern. It's more contemporary in style than the patterns I usually go for, but I thought it rather sharp, and it looked so good in the sample shot that I decided to replicate its colour palette rather than selecting one myself, something I don't often do. The one thing I didn't like about the design was the zipper, which looked rather crude to me, so I decided I would make Bug's version with a buttoned placket.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once I'd selected the pattern, I searched my DK stash box to see if I had some of the contrast colours on hand. I did indeed have more than sufficient amounts red, cream, and charcoal yarn on hand that would work as the accent colours. I had no black (I never wear black and seldom work with it, even when making gifts), and I had to buy the main colour yarn. From Romni Wools in Toronto, I purchased 300 grams of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/estelle-yarns-double-knit">Estelle Double Knit</a> in shade Q65503, which I would describe as a sort of slate gray, and 50 grams of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/garnstudio-drops-karisma">Drops Karisma Uni Colour</a> in shade 05, which I would describe as black. And I also bought a card of three buttons from Fabricland. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MsGX1U3awcLKHb6l2lQWTb2Cc4iR-z3BNWrAgNXn5vKrCToqtLLS_9hv1xMSJYswMEHGAXmTkfb1SB1H0aPoUeYVYU_lep5krHDHY3Pp3YpDg4HekhsqvaKHj2PD_gOTgGPi3lFNXt-SDMzPDqeG5UJHzlb7l5PRKuCNebFLXz_u49od9KJtDSFrzazv/s4608/2023-08%20Curtis's%20sweater.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MsGX1U3awcLKHb6l2lQWTb2Cc4iR-z3BNWrAgNXn5vKrCToqtLLS_9hv1xMSJYswMEHGAXmTkfb1SB1H0aPoUeYVYU_lep5krHDHY3Pp3YpDg4HekhsqvaKHj2PD_gOTgGPi3lFNXt-SDMzPDqeG5UJHzlb7l5PRKuCNebFLXz_u49od9KJtDSFrzazv/s320/2023-08%20Curtis's%20sweater.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>Here's the finished item, in a size 10. This was quite a straightforward knit, even with the added complication of my having to wing the button placket modification. The body pieces are just stockinette, and the sleeves are mostly just a simple stripe pattern with the chevrons added in duplicate stitch. </p><p>I did run into one snag in that I had not enough gray yarn for this project. I used a little more than the designer intended to do the placket, of course, but I wouldn't have had enough even if I had made the sweater with a zipper as the pattern directed. And I needed just 10 grams of the extra 100 gram skein I had to buy, sigh. To make this sweater, I used 10 grams of charcoal yarn, 10 grams of cream, and 10 grams of red that all came from my stash. I had 90 grams of the new gray yarn and 30 grams of the new black yarn left, so that's a net stash increase of 90 grams for this project. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaCI3hzhJH8X9Gra_NtgGkWhzv_yQO193reniSVSCjJ66QEsR2fPZPKPRS6n9I-N5pVSuT6hnhnskJ4ASMTAPHk4uSyPjw3-QvGY5DkWkyoclvHsp4QOdC7g50X4yphqWcnCHQFzqx773CB70_UK-QuRPMFUIGNRoZ_6aScrA0gD3QrxE5ZwI3au8tXi9/s4608/2023-09%20striped%20summer%20dress%20detail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaCI3hzhJH8X9Gra_NtgGkWhzv_yQO193reniSVSCjJ66QEsR2fPZPKPRS6n9I-N5pVSuT6hnhnskJ4ASMTAPHk4uSyPjw3-QvGY5DkWkyoclvHsp4QOdC7g50X4yphqWcnCHQFzqx773CB70_UK-QuRPMFUIGNRoZ_6aScrA0gD3QrxE5ZwI3au8tXi9/s320/2023-09%20striped%20summer%20dress%20detail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Usually I can remember how I came up with the idea for a project: whether I had a genuine need for the item, or I had supplies on hand I wanted to use up, or I came across a pattern I loved. I can't remember the origin of my seventh project from 2023. Did I come across the pattern I loved for this one first, or did I decide I wanted to use up some yarn I had on hand before I found the pattern, or did I initially decide I needed a cotton summer dress in plum? In this case, it could have been any of the three. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXtc6k-BzUuk3UZ-pI6-Exi-uxhAiV_JYoog8VUVB5rDj4ZVv77QS4cP4UtBugTmXG_-clcc4heKLV-e-n1wVsGImg1-rA8l_8CfE_pVzn_DR-F9Zwttr5kySE4j42PjbY-ZJQ_3ciALEx1lIslE4oWHBsIwaUhGOuBIdTbe2MZ4n2DOJYmiBO2SXtI77/s640/striped%20summer%20dress.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="345" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXtc6k-BzUuk3UZ-pI6-Exi-uxhAiV_JYoog8VUVB5rDj4ZVv77QS4cP4UtBugTmXG_-clcc4heKLV-e-n1wVsGImg1-rA8l_8CfE_pVzn_DR-F9Zwttr5kySE4j42PjbY-ZJQ_3ciALEx1lIslE4oWHBsIwaUhGOuBIdTbe2MZ4n2DOJYmiBO2SXtI77/s320/striped%20summer%20dress.jpg" width="173" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>However it came about, I definitely wanted to use the design you see photographed above, which is the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simply-striped">Simply Striped design by Arenda Holladay</a>, to make myself a striped cotton dress. The shaping is flattering and classic and the dress is one that could be worn in a number of different settings. The only thing I didn't like about it were the three-quarter length sleeves, as that's an unflattering sleeve length on me, but that was easily remedied.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As to the yarn, I had the contrast colours on hand.<a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-best-laid-stash-busting-plans.html"> In 2017, I knitted a green and cream cotton shawl for myself</a> that I never once wore (I am simply not a shawl person, and there's no use my pretending otherwise), and sometime in 2021 I decided I would resign myself to inevitable and take it apart and use the good quality cotton yarns that had been used to make it to make something that I would use. I really liked the idea of a plum dress with cream and green stripes. It took me about a year and a half after that to find the right yarn for the main colour. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've become a devotee of plum in recent years. To be clear, I should probably begin by describing what I mean by plum, because what I call plum is probably more commonly described as magenta. It's a shade that's neither purple nor pink but occupies its own territory between the two. Some years ago I had a cognac brown leather Fossil wallet with a plum-coloured lining. While initially I wasn't thrilled with the lining colour of the wallet, I would see it every single time I opened my wallet, and it began to grow on me. I don't usually wear purple because it's a cool colour and it doesn't suit me, but plum is a warm shade that does work on me and with the autumn colours in my wardrobe. I began to think I would very much like to have some items of that colour in my wardrobe, and to keep an eye out for it when shopping. It's not often that I find anything in plum, because it isn't a common shade. Usually the things I find are too pink or too purple. It didn't help that my plum-lined Fossil wallet got stolen out of my backpack by some shithead one day when I was shopping in Value Village in March 2019 -- it had been so helpful to have a colour sample of that shade in my bag to whip out and show sales associates when necessary. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Anyway, all this is to say it wasn't easy to find some yarn for this project. But eventually I found something that would work, and purchased 500 grams of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/sirdar-snuggly-replay-dk">Sirdar Snuggly Replay DK</a> in Currant Fun for this project. It was a lighter shade than I really wanted, but I liked it well enough, and it went with the green and cream yarns I had set aside for the contrast yarns. Which, for the record, were 100 grams of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/cascade-yarns-ultra-pima">Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima</a> in Sage, and 100 grams of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/berroco-modern-cotton-dk">Berroco Modern Cotton DK in Sandy Point</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ihQbQJKbKynu7jLARYaXGdNjd4-tmok21fqFBvqVnKTqiZYBgbG08Xdu1JeiznZjdWb8WBKNg93gLN5U2tZT53XwG8woSHrIQJcVE3xvvSNcsIh6ug53yxGr6aKYc32uxAteBrMuYZkEbAm4w9x9fg4fz-Qc9uW9J4Qfc4NZ03lLqusW2Lk-0RruJpUE/s4608/2023-09%20striped%20summer%20dress.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ihQbQJKbKynu7jLARYaXGdNjd4-tmok21fqFBvqVnKTqiZYBgbG08Xdu1JeiznZjdWb8WBKNg93gLN5U2tZT53XwG8woSHrIQJcVE3xvvSNcsIh6ug53yxGr6aKYc32uxAteBrMuYZkEbAm4w9x9fg4fz-Qc9uW9J4Qfc4NZ03lLqusW2Lk-0RruJpUE/s320/2023-09%20striped%20summer%20dress.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p>The finished dress. As mentioned above, I shortened the sleeves, and I also moved the waist shaping down a bit so it would sit at my waistline. I also changed the stripe pattern so that it involved more and narrower stripes. I ran short of the cream yarn, scoured the yarn stores of Toronto for more, and when none of them had any skeins of that yarn in that shade, ultimately had to order another skein from The Creative Knitter in Fort Erie, Ontario. (The shipping cost was more than the price of the yarn, sigh). When I finished the fourth stripe of green with just 15 grams of that yarn left and that wasn't going to be enough to knit a fifth, I finished off my stripe pattern with two stripes of cream and a coordinating second stripe of cream on each of the sleeves. I'm happy with the effect, and with the dress as a whole. Stripe patterns are more interesting if they're irregular in some way, and this is quite a flattering as well as a practical, comfortable dress for me to have in my wardrobe. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I used just under half of the plum yarn I bought for this dress, returned five of the ten 50 gram skeins I bought to Romni Wools, and have just 5 grams of plum left. I used 85 grams of the green yarn. I used 100 grams of the cream stash yarn, and have 60 grams of the new skein left. So, that's 185 grams of stash yarn used, and 65 grams of new yarn left to tuck away in my yarn stash boxes, which is a net stash decrease of -120 grams. </div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKljNER6rg731ueQc-uWi4cqJE2lZ9Olofs3iNTae50Ue3ZthCQn2Hhy8DJ6GmQYJd4aWwONE7VbIbO06TekcKEkSKAKfKpm4Xqb_tl5puMT7fA92GF-wvEkEjr_VQKx6nAckum5TGLaNuDs2-t0R_OpaGZ7X5u0-8VvAxUr_iO1UMK-MLLWJQZx6xJFR/s320/color%20me%20pretty.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="213" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKljNER6rg731ueQc-uWi4cqJE2lZ9Olofs3iNTae50Ue3ZthCQn2Hhy8DJ6GmQYJd4aWwONE7VbIbO06TekcKEkSKAKfKpm4Xqb_tl5puMT7fA92GF-wvEkEjr_VQKx6nAckum5TGLaNuDs2-t0R_OpaGZ7X5u0-8VvAxUr_iO1UMK-MLLWJQZx6xJFR/s1600/color%20me%20pretty.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p>When I searched Ravelry for a nice pattern for Olivia's Christmas sweater for this year, I ended up selecting <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2017/02/a-darn-good-birthday-present.html">the very same pattern</a> I had used in 2017 for my grandniece Cauliflower's eighth birthday present: <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/color-me-pretty-sweater">Color Me Pretty, by Elena Nodel</a>. It is a very pretty design, and I already had it in my library, so why not? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I did go with a different colour palette. Olivia's colouring is very different from Cauliflower's. I gathered together odds and ends of eight different colours of yarn (teal, rust, dark blue, tangerine, aqua, peach, dark green, and orange) from my DK stash box that I thought worked together, made a yarn sampler from them, and took it to Romni Wools during their Boxing Week sale in 2022 with the idea that a blue or a green yarn would go well with the contrast colours I'd picked out. I purchased 400 grams of a nice muted sea blue yarn for it. Then in August, when I took the bag of yarn out to begin work on it, I realized I'd bought worsted instead of DK. I've never made that mistake before and I certainly hope I never do again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I returned the 20% off blue yarn to Romni Wools and bought 350 grams of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/garnstudio-drops-karisma">Drops Karisma</a> in Light Olive for the main colour at full price. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPme5t8w2rwBwiF2-MeZTLOEkI62sdCE2ERfiEibschJUMk_Y-Scoebb0G4ctkU7KoMhA-x4Z2ngGJPSYuah6cbudv_MspxSVDPm2e0j3LwBXSJIda6d-W_QwH5S6kZ4NyPFQijvEIRRIde13Ggq_vzbup-1jjqg7tpxZ4VHy8alILggshsRgVEORCNChX/s4608/2023-10%20Olivia's%20sweater.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPme5t8w2rwBwiF2-MeZTLOEkI62sdCE2ERfiEibschJUMk_Y-Scoebb0G4ctkU7KoMhA-x4Z2ngGJPSYuah6cbudv_MspxSVDPm2e0j3LwBXSJIda6d-W_QwH5S6kZ4NyPFQijvEIRRIde13Ggq_vzbup-1jjqg7tpxZ4VHy8alILggshsRgVEORCNChX/s320/2023-10%20Olivia's%20sweater.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The completed sweater, in a size 8. I think the colour scheme works pretty well and will be flattering on Olivia, who has brown hair, hazel eyes, and a slight olive cast to her skin. This design is a good way to use up some odds and ends of various colours, because if you're using eight different colours, you will only need to do two or three rounds in each colour. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstqT6sZkBMpSNFnzkr0ZFQ1jJGLdpsKfSYErEDXpuDtEQd0Hb2vvxEiPDDmBKj8a94-8wbxkwwryWwbQy_gXyqT7Ep_-aKgZtAawjIUnRS_Zdy3TkkTk_So1uhwVQx51cB9MIP_F7we6rqWq60mH4w6FbeVD_aO944ab9WZCHwkVdbEUpzSLQGGMmsIiN/s4608/2023-10%20Olivia's%20hat.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstqT6sZkBMpSNFnzkr0ZFQ1jJGLdpsKfSYErEDXpuDtEQd0Hb2vvxEiPDDmBKj8a94-8wbxkwwryWwbQy_gXyqT7Ep_-aKgZtAawjIUnRS_Zdy3TkkTk_So1uhwVQx51cB9MIP_F7we6rqWq60mH4w6FbeVD_aO944ab9WZCHwkVdbEUpzSLQGGMmsIiN/s320/2023-10%20Olivia's%20hat.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The matching hat. Which I predict Olivia will be more excited about and wear more than the sweater. She doesn't care about clothes at this point -- when she's opening her gifts from me, she just takes the sweater or dress out of the gift bag and turns around to hand it to her mother without so much as a second glance or even unfolding it -- but she does really enjoy the accessories I make for her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I used 5 grams each of the rust, dark blue, aqua, dark green, and orange, and three grams each of tangerine and peach, and 20 grams of teal, or 51 grams of stash yarn. (Or so I estimated as best I could when studying the wavering needle on the decades-old thrift shop plastic Weight Watchers scale I was using to weigh my yarns until I received a brand new digital food scale for Christmas 2023). I had 30 grams of the newly purchased olive yarn left, so that's a net stash decrease of 21 grams. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OzqnPckXszJigcAAyRflHvpTlLSTDfSmMhbNL7C7tiqM96Hqz5FRhXc91crDw1dUCSEqvV4yTybDrDnfuffLnRMBwO8plS3GnMSN66s2eHSPZEmCtb6Fzh0ZcxYs5ESZRtHIh6K9wPC_NXuIZF7lpQsqbH4pSdPiEgNlLC-fjIOekG84rXKYnXtljFwa/s4608/2023-11%20brown%20felted%20slippers%20detail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2OzqnPckXszJigcAAyRflHvpTlLSTDfSmMhbNL7C7tiqM96Hqz5FRhXc91crDw1dUCSEqvV4yTybDrDnfuffLnRMBwO8plS3GnMSN66s2eHSPZEmCtb6Fzh0ZcxYs5ESZRtHIh6K9wPC_NXuIZF7lpQsqbH4pSdPiEgNlLC-fjIOekG84rXKYnXtljFwa/s320/2023-11%20brown%20felted%20slippers%20detail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />In the spring of 2023, when I was putting away my winter footwear and getting out my summer sandals and flip flops, I discovered that there were holes in the soles of the much-worn <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-boiled-and-stabbed-slippers.html">felted slippers that I had made in late 2016</a>. I sighed and added "new slippers for me" to my already overly long list of 2023 knitting projects, deciding also to prioritize them and get them done by October, as they were something I actually needed. <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1aHZu7sQsCxsofoG__f7lWspEYFgxSon5qYk0FHCU9dpm_gxHH4g0QMXsV9FuJ5XJXNIAqlZ312rlk2_UuhkvywiflDHLUj1Yl7hnNbg41b2VbjHJ9GV7N7R4r3dFIaxEzb5cRrJ3qihhg4fvax7jy-lRZ4sF0IEBs7FexxunSmAfCsmHF8Ux93V0wGdk/s500/felted%20slippers.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1aHZu7sQsCxsofoG__f7lWspEYFgxSon5qYk0FHCU9dpm_gxHH4g0QMXsV9FuJ5XJXNIAqlZ312rlk2_UuhkvywiflDHLUj1Yl7hnNbg41b2VbjHJ9GV7N7R4r3dFIaxEzb5cRrJ3qihhg4fvax7jy-lRZ4sF0IEBs7FexxunSmAfCsmHF8Ux93V0wGdk/s320/felted%20slippers.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I did an extensive search of slipper patterns on Ravelry, and ended up deciding that <span style="background-color: white; color: #1b1001; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 15.84px;">the<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/french-press-felted-slippers"> </a></span><span style="color: #d88812; font-family: Cardo;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15.84px;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/french-press-felted-slippers">French Press Felted Slippers</a></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1b1001; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 15.84px;">, by Melynda Bernardi, which I had used to make my previous pair of slippers, was still the pattern I liked best and that I was just going to make myself a new pair. I'd already purchased the pattern, it is a design with a certain amount of style (that is, as much as one could expect from a pair of woolly slippers), and my first pair had both kept my feet warm as toast and lasted for over six years. I could hardly do better than that. </span></p><p>But I <i>could</i> do better in terms of colour choice. I had liked my old slippers, but had always regretted making them in a khaki green. In winter, I wear dark brown yoga pants (I own five pairs of them), or olive green khakis or corduroys around the house, and the old pair had really only gone with the latter. In August 2023, I visited Romni Wools, looking for a dark brown worsted yarn that would go with all my around-home trousers. They didn't have anything in just the right shade in a worsted, but in their bargain basement I found some bulky-weight Linie 231 Filz-Wolle in 12 Chocolate Brown that I thought would do -- I would just have to felt the yarn more to get it down to the right size. Knowing I would probably need more of a heavier gauge weight yarn than the 150 grams of worsted the pattern specified, I bought four 50 gram skeins of yarn to be on the safe side.</p><p>When I began knitting the slippers, it soon became clear that 200 grams of yarn I had weren't going to be sufficient. I had to go back to Romni and get two more skeins -- I think they only had three left. When I was finished knitting the slippers, I realized that I should have made the soles with three strands of yarn instead of only two. But this was a mistake I didn't bother to correct, as I wouldn't have had sufficient yarn for it, even if I did go back to Romni and get that one remaining skein -- assuming it was even still there. The two-strand sole was pretty thick as it was anyway, given the yarn I'd used, not to mention of a comically large size. But I must admit that I simply didn't want to redo the soles. It was a relief to have finished the knitting, as I don't like big needle knits. </p><p>Then came the felting process, another thing I don't enjoy. I have a front loading washing machine with a Fort Knox-like auto locking system, so I thought I couldn't use my washing machine to felt things, but must do it manually. The last time I made these slippers, I did it in a pot on the stove, and it took me five and a half hours to felt them. This time I did some reading up and watching of YouTube videos on felting in advance. I started out using hot water in a cooking pot as the YouTube felter had done, thinking I could at least sit down during the process, but I didn't like that I had to keep refreshing the water as it cooled. I ended up going back to the method I'd resorted to for my last slippers: I agitated the slippers in a large pot of water which I kept simmering on the stove, occasionally rinsing them in cold water at the sink to shock the felt into shrinking. This time it took me a gruelling four hours and twenty minutes, during which I endured frequent splashes of hot water (it wasn't hot enough to burn me, though it was hot enough to be painful), but I thought was at least an improvement on the last time, and this time around I'd also done more felting in less time because the slippers had been larger to start with. My hands ached so much afterwards that I had to get up in the middle of the night and take ibuprofen, and it took me four or five days to get the brown stains off my fingernails, but it was a relief to think that the felting process was done and I wouldn't have to do it again for years.</p><p>With the slippers ready to assemble, I took one of the straps with me to Fabricland to buy buttons for them. It was a pleasant and easy task, I was in the home stretch of finishing slippers I really needed but that I hadn't enjoyed making and then... I lost the felted strap somewhere in the store, and simply could not find it again. And hoo boy, did I look. I must have spent well over an hour looking for it. I retraced my steps through the stores repeatedly. I emptied out and went through the contents of my shoulder bag and the one shopping bag I had with me three separate times. I went through my coat pockets, even taking off my jacket and shaking it in case the strap had slipped down one of my sleeves or something. I told the staff I'd dropped it and they looked for it themselves with a commendable thoroughness and customer service zeal. One young store employee even got down on her hands and knees and crawled around in the yarn area, where I'd been browsing, looking for it. But all of our efforts were for naught. <i>We couldn't find the damn strap.</i> Finally, too tired to look anymore, I gave up, purchased the buttons that had matched the strap while I had it, left my name and contact information with the store staff in the forlorn hope that the strap might yet turn up, and dragged myself home. I waited a few days, and when I didn't hear from Fabricland, I resigned myself to the inevitable, and made a new strap.</p><p>At least I had enough yarn left over for the third strap, and it took me less than fifteen minutes to knit a new strap and darn in the ends. Then came the felting part, which took about an hour, but then I hit yet another snag in the process when I realized the new strap and the remaining original strap were two very different shades of brown. I ended up stewing the slippers and the straps in a pot on the stove for five or six hours, which almost corrected the colour of the new strap. There was still a slight shading difference between the straps, but by that point I was too fed up with the whole process to care. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7y8OGqMjbuCLlOHJ0Dj72hhulR7CZh_O6fzGee5XOAJR0y1e43nq9mEETT_bpIueBA6N-coYf22_HBCbQoAiqhUedOaDneYn58L7dlnx94LbaKiWWQzdWFSnDl5sZVMTqDKi07SMwHDbTSKp7zQYIMd-oZJC8WUMxjHsNYj6qMTj-9i9QHB4oZx_3EPF1/s4608/2023-11%20brown%20felted%20slippers.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7y8OGqMjbuCLlOHJ0Dj72hhulR7CZh_O6fzGee5XOAJR0y1e43nq9mEETT_bpIueBA6N-coYf22_HBCbQoAiqhUedOaDneYn58L7dlnx94LbaKiWWQzdWFSnDl5sZVMTqDKi07SMwHDbTSKp7zQYIMd-oZJC8WUMxjHsNYj6qMTj-9i9QHB4oZx_3EPF1/s320/2023-11%20brown%20felted%20slippers.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />The completed slippers in a size 8. (The colours didn't photograph that well, and the buttons actually go better with the yarn than one would think given their appearance in this photo.) After all the trouble I had with them, I'm reasonably pleased with them. I think next time I make these slippers I will go with a worsted. These fit fairly well, but they are a lot bulkier than my old slippers. <p></p><p>I do have a few thoughts on how to make the felting process easier on me next time. First of all, I am going to experiment with using my washing machine to felt whatever material I'm working with, because I've discovered that I can work around the machine's auto lock by unplugging the machine whenever I want to check on or remove the items, as long as I don't let the machine go into spin cycle. If machine felting doesn't work for me, I will use the deep stock pot I recently bought from a thrift shop for the manual felting process, which should prevent or at least reduce the painful splashing. And lastly, in future I vow to be VERY careful with my samples when shopping for notions, especially if the sample is actually a needed piece of the project. </p><p>This project was made from newly purchased yarn and I had just 20 grams of yarn left when it was completed, or a stash increase of 20 grams.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSw1Ztmf6l0ZjDofd4SnV0pMyjGnJrpfjssfobL84fspGQOgc9-cyk6n8SsskCsBEfumAr3cCvkFddQRg3vcVPGN0u7r4zbjSSr9UhF1Pqz7zFxCkNrcEIyQu_QEONThbSZa5n9YgVgyGa2C40Um_oMQk8mgzuRMfkKMYE4XQqMivgzYbiJIVAXF9obvu6/s4608/2023-12%20Mum's%20owl%20socks%20detail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSw1Ztmf6l0ZjDofd4SnV0pMyjGnJrpfjssfobL84fspGQOgc9-cyk6n8SsskCsBEfumAr3cCvkFddQRg3vcVPGN0u7r4zbjSSr9UhF1Pqz7zFxCkNrcEIyQu_QEONThbSZa5n9YgVgyGa2C40Um_oMQk8mgzuRMfkKMYE4XQqMivgzYbiJIVAXF9obvu6/s320/2023-12%20Mum's%20owl%20socks%20detail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>Awhile back I had a look through the owl patterns in Ravelry's pattern database to see what useful gift ideas I could come up with for the owl aficionados in my family. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTcflu7y7XZaMokaKmh9PJGip1PV8vWhKJV_U4kcFT-0Ys85AY6m4b3mratj_0czyv4YNg4PTSkENmvjEsMVBgI0caGZc8tu1Oln9LRiOguIGa4gTX7HkOTUXod2iWp5XXDkJP1NwrEROnEleHmndmXDOcIfMkrBStTGC0rYucgD9WxdR95i5MG3kd33V/s500/owl%20socks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="500" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTcflu7y7XZaMokaKmh9PJGip1PV8vWhKJV_U4kcFT-0Ys85AY6m4b3mratj_0czyv4YNg4PTSkENmvjEsMVBgI0caGZc8tu1Oln9LRiOguIGa4gTX7HkOTUXod2iWp5XXDkJP1NwrEROnEleHmndmXDOcIfMkrBStTGC0rYucgD9WxdR95i5MG3kd33V/s320/owl%20socks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/owlie-socks">The Owlie Socks</a>, designed by Julie Elswick Suchomel, stood out to me as a cute and suitable pattern. In 2023 I decided to knit my mother a pair for Christmas. As I've talked about before on this blog, my mother is very difficult to buy presents for, but she likes practical gifts and owls, and she would certainly like and be able to use a pair of warm black owl socks. </p><p>For the yarn, I selected a skein of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/berroco-vintage-sock">Berrocco Vintage Sock</a> in Cast Iron, or what I would less poetically describe as black. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrriH0rv_XXiDsCNoprxppcHMzxp2PmnQ6lxXSx2EgoZ8zSnpYUoNBaxF-JMExJMINXVCC_trF2myT6be97nTYzTQivX8pG_hkG9y0YZ27_ND2dc4hyf9fYFBoyoI3TFux4ZLr9UNt8N4BdMSncXcMQuKBRYfsG12jttJ9JsqY-Xf8uVOE5cWsq0Sn_Xz8/s4608/2023-12%20Mum's%20owl%20socks.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrriH0rv_XXiDsCNoprxppcHMzxp2PmnQ6lxXSx2EgoZ8zSnpYUoNBaxF-JMExJMINXVCC_trF2myT6be97nTYzTQivX8pG_hkG9y0YZ27_ND2dc4hyf9fYFBoyoI3TFux4ZLr9UNt8N4BdMSncXcMQuKBRYfsG12jttJ9JsqY-Xf8uVOE5cWsq0Sn_Xz8/s320/2023-12%20Mum's%20owl%20socks.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />The finished pair of socks. I reluctantly opted not to put beads on this pair of socks as in the sample photo. The beads do add a lot to the design, but beads also add a lot of weight to a knitted item and they feel cold against the skin in winter weather, and at 85, my mother prioritizes comfort and practicality over the aesthetic value of something no one else is even going to notice. <p></p><p>My mother liked the socks when she opened them on Christmas Day, though she commented they were "too thick" for trouser socks and that she'd save them for cold days. </p><p>This project was knitted entirely out of new yarn purchased specifically for this project, and there were 30 grams of yarn left, so that's a stash increase of 30 grams. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidon8W88ukGnzZnFDm4miujl8e8J5jZfh-I11Lpj7z4u4LFoTriG_cqFzIIbUamODW-M_XgLV8txYF0HfTj1Hgna2jDGt_PEMTBjvHmOoz_pIc8MULpNbur9HzqSBvpCU89iDjELhplNI01m-L8v0ocJz4wT_PPE_-uAr62Hkc5ijyXt_uXPWbeWk4zx-3/s4608/2023-12%20Rainbow's%20ballerina%20outfit%20detail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidon8W88ukGnzZnFDm4miujl8e8J5jZfh-I11Lpj7z4u4LFoTriG_cqFzIIbUamODW-M_XgLV8txYF0HfTj1Hgna2jDGt_PEMTBjvHmOoz_pIc8MULpNbur9HzqSBvpCU89iDjELhplNI01m-L8v0ocJz4wT_PPE_-uAr62Hkc5ijyXt_uXPWbeWk4zx-3/s320/2023-12%20Rainbow's%20ballerina%20outfit%20detail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In July 2023, I gave my honorary niece Olivia <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2023/07/introducing-miss-rainbow-sparkle.html">a knitted doll and an accompanying wardrobe of seven little doll outfits</a> as part of her seventh birthday present. Olivia named the doll Rainbow Sparkle Unicorn-Animals, and routinely dresses her up in one of her outfits every morning and then changes her into her striped onesie and teddy bear slippers every night before taking her off to bed. What I'd like to do is freshen up Rainbow's wardrobe a little every year by giving Olivia another outfit for the doll every birthday until she's ten or so. In 2023, I made two more outfits for her doll, one of which I will give her in 2024 and the other in 2025. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5J4ftGfAUWDwBzZifThujvYi2zcLKLhzAaxcbBfmDkTLxdWeMeMW8XR-hYEUjqlvamxp_KFOvC6y7QMqMYJ0YmAOGqerVLFIN96DKBjzyNKWLzOJrblu1Mt0Co86GCr4yEOF4RfhHW3JhAcQEMNDbPWTBwPdeIbNOzMwx0Hlgj-q8uuR59xXpcqsX8wVD/s640/ballerina%20doll%20outfit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="639" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5J4ftGfAUWDwBzZifThujvYi2zcLKLhzAaxcbBfmDkTLxdWeMeMW8XR-hYEUjqlvamxp_KFOvC6y7QMqMYJ0YmAOGqerVLFIN96DKBjzyNKWLzOJrblu1Mt0Co86GCr4yEOF4RfhHW3JhAcQEMNDbPWTBwPdeIbNOzMwx0Hlgj-q8uuR59xXpcqsX8wVD/s320/ballerina%20doll%20outfit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Sarah Gasson's Knit A Teddy pattern collection offers so many varied and irresistibly cute outfit designs that it was difficult to choose among them, but as soon as I saw the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ballerina-knit-a-teddy">ballerina</a> outfit I knew I just had to make it. It's so cute!</p><p></p><p>I'm not so much a fan of pink, though I'm aware that pink, white, and black is the classic palette for ballet wear. For Rainbow's ballerina outfit, I chose a 100 gram skein of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/james-c-brett-double-knitting-with-merino">James C. Brett Double Knitting with Merino</a> in cream and a second 100 gram skein of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/wendy-with-wool-dk">Wendy With Wool DK</a> in a sage green. Cream and light green are a fresh, pretty combination, and it's not like Rainbow will have some ballet teacher on her case insisting that she cannot deviate from the designated uniform for the class. </p><p><br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8dBzJlj0eGYppuCw1NT40KTDbD4jCYpGMuS5DrYeaz6grSIpUBWH02IvgIzDK_5mieGBc60JQ1yycDRCmmaBOtY1-hpxipSBXfs8o9aWHDrxGwwZ_xbNP6rtK2N-IN_9lggeQH18_tXpRXJDLY4Bouc_lFqJAT5B1eOSzRUV6Tc_YvcsXQNzQ_sjmFGn/s4608/2023-12%20Rainbow's%20ballerina%20outfit.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8dBzJlj0eGYppuCw1NT40KTDbD4jCYpGMuS5DrYeaz6grSIpUBWH02IvgIzDK_5mieGBc60JQ1yycDRCmmaBOtY1-hpxipSBXfs8o9aWHDrxGwwZ_xbNP6rtK2N-IN_9lggeQH18_tXpRXJDLY4Bouc_lFqJAT5B1eOSzRUV6Tc_YvcsXQNzQ_sjmFGn/s320/2023-12%20Rainbow's%20ballerina%20outfit.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>The completed outfit. I wish I had Rainbow here for a few minutes to model it for me, since it would show to much better advantage on her than it does lying on my desk, but oh well. This little ballet tutu, surplice sweater, ballet slippers, and headband were fun to make and only took me about a week. The one thing I had some technical difficulty with was sewing the tutu onto the leotard. I could not seem to figure out how to keep my line of sewing stitches on the same horizontal row of knitted stitches, and I must have made five separate attempts to attach the tutu and gotten it on crooked every time. In the end, I wove a length of green yarn through the stitches of the row above the one I wanted to stitch the tutu to, used the green yarn as a guideline while sewing on the tutu, and then pulled out the length of green yarn when I was done. I wish I'd been quicker to come up with a plan to keep my stitches even. </p><p>The other thing I would do differently if I were to make this ballerina outfit again would be to find a nicer, and probably crocheted, flower pattern for the headband. This knitted one looks a little rough and ready.</p><p>However, the outfit is very cute as a whole and I am looking forward to giving it to Olivia. I can see Rainbow doing pirouettes in her little ballerina outfit already. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I had 25 grams of the cream yarn left and 51 grams of the green yarn left over when I finished this project, so that's a stash increase of 76 grams for this project. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gq82iVSiFHksgp2B6kOqUWtlKJDeOckyaMFTuFzFuCBgqwBPwqLNeRnYKzHX0FPgh7nG0We3K2DdFiMUPhe3XzyFPWOytasRpFxKN5wQxZSw6nAgkQ2wWRuJnZxg0pdJSYqJzv3sZq-n5jaR-jTLPnCrWCmDYTCn6SQiqvMxQeslz9yPIwLVlHdXOs9C/s4608/2023-12%20plum%20pullover%20detail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gq82iVSiFHksgp2B6kOqUWtlKJDeOckyaMFTuFzFuCBgqwBPwqLNeRnYKzHX0FPgh7nG0We3K2DdFiMUPhe3XzyFPWOytasRpFxKN5wQxZSw6nAgkQ2wWRuJnZxg0pdJSYqJzv3sZq-n5jaR-jTLPnCrWCmDYTCn6SQiqvMxQeslz9yPIwLVlHdXOs9C/s320/2023-12%20plum%20pullover%20detail.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This project plan began when I decided I wanted a plum sweater to go with a velvet skirt I made for myself some years back. This sweater is the second plum-coloured thing I made for myself in 2023, and it was only after I'd finished the first project (<a href="https://modwardian.blogspot.com/2023/09/a-passion-for-plum.html">a striped summer dress</a>) and was well into working on this one that I learned that <a href="https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year/2023#:~:text=Viva%20Magenta%20is%20brave%20and,Year%20is%20powerful%20and%20empowering.">Viva Magenta was Pantone's Colour of the Year for 2023</a>. My 2024 project list is all set to go, so I looked up Pantone's Colour of the Year for 2024 to find out if I was unwittingly in accord with it too. The 2024 colour is <a href="https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year/2024">Peach Fuzz</a>. All I can say about that is there is one project out of the twelve I have planned for 2024 that uses a little peach yarn. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMf-Y8lh0y1fcbL6bHfCNTWAkxslsBwbmQOsV2pkCXxW1V7UQzGbmMKyhwIm5U_FZrcCbj9jSCiWD3Xg8R4GZgUV-ovCVig6kqJ12YrjPSpo9h1AtkvDC7vjD78OtbuG-VHBNk7459Ly-By5wiyNqa2MZVQvgcTAaa33jh6w_yE80SeMw2xYAjMeoqP21/s320/VK%20sample%20shot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="227" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMf-Y8lh0y1fcbL6bHfCNTWAkxslsBwbmQOsV2pkCXxW1V7UQzGbmMKyhwIm5U_FZrcCbj9jSCiWD3Xg8R4GZgUV-ovCVig6kqJ12YrjPSpo9h1AtkvDC7vjD78OtbuG-VHBNk7459Ly-By5wiyNqa2MZVQvgcTAaa33jh6w_yE80SeMw2xYAjMeoqP21/s1600/VK%20sample%20shot.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><p>For a pattern, I turned to one of my slightly battered back copies of Vogue Knitting. The design you see above is from Vogue Knitting's Fall 1992 issue. It's <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/03-diamond-cable-pullover">Pattern #03, the Diamond Cable Pullover</a>, designed by Michele Woodford. I liked its lush texture and its collar. I didn't love the long, oversized, rectangular shape that was the prevailing silhouette in women's fashion in the early 1990s and that only someone with a model-type build could carry off, but of course I could easily reshape and resize the sweater. I often reshape knitting patterns anyway, and this kind of reshaping is often necessary when one is using vintage knitting patterns. Proportions change, and what was considered a stylish shape in one era can look simply dated, frumpy, awkward, and/or unflattering in another. If you knit up a vintage pattern exactly as it was written, you may find you're not happy with the result, but a simple tweaking of the length and shape can update the garment into a piece that retains whatever qualities you found attractive in the original version <i>and</i> that looks current and flattering. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The lovely, luscious-looking yarn used to make the sample sweater had been discontinued. I had to spend some time looking for a suitable yarn for this sweater. I wanted a plum yarn with a halo, such as a mohair or an angora, as I didn't think the stitchwork of this particular design would look nearly as good in a matte yarn. This wasn't easy -- there's very little selection when it comes to yarns and materials in plum. But eventually I found something that me my criteria: <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/garnstudio-drops-brushed-alpaca-silk">Garnstudio Brushed Alpaca Silk</a> in shade 9, or Lilla. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had to come up with my own estimate for how much yarn I was going to need. To do so, I searched the Ravelry database for similarly sized projects in Brushed Alpaca Silk to see how much yarn they had required. I concluded that I probably needed seven 25 gram skeins, or 175 grams total, but should get eight skeins or 200 grams of the yarn to be on the safe side. I purchased seven skeins at Romni Wools in December 2022, and put in an order for an eighth skein. Four months later I received a call from a Romni employee saying that the colour had been discontinued and that my order was cancelled. Uh oh! But I'd begun the project by that point -- I had a sleeve knitted and several inches of the back done -- and I reminded myself that I had thought seven would likely be sufficient, so I decided to forge ahead with it and deal with a yarn shortage situation if and when it arose. Happily, it did not: I was able to easily finish the sweater with the seven skeins I'd bought. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBOYh44fXXbP8UF3qL32sTSkec6esADOOuoyBdjmTDdstsSD67O_D7219lmbm2U3eGGWVZx2NDo0HVSglufLR4ESQXuHDW6EiVDdQPA3zBKP1VWRnvJWPiG0EvCjGXTDiit_i2XSUSIlSKhL8hhIhFsMc367DOhSzNHk82mDriDbmCWUxnKtoWyOjNLcU/s4608/2023-12%20plum%20pullover.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBOYh44fXXbP8UF3qL32sTSkec6esADOOuoyBdjmTDdstsSD67O_D7219lmbm2U3eGGWVZx2NDo0HVSglufLR4ESQXuHDW6EiVDdQPA3zBKP1VWRnvJWPiG0EvCjGXTDiit_i2XSUSIlSKhL8hhIhFsMc367DOhSzNHk82mDriDbmCWUxnKtoWyOjNLcU/s320/2023-12%20plum%20pullover.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The completed sweater with the velvet skirt. I made the sweater in a size 38, shortened the length to 23" (as opposed to the 28" inches the sample shot was!), added waist shaping, and added armhole shaping to raise the dropped shoulders. I have almost no neck and high turtleneck collars are not my friend, so I shaped the neckline of the front to be an inch lower and 1.25" wider than the pattern specified in an effort to achieve more of a cowl neck. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm pretty pleased with the result, which is a nice update of the original design. The yarn is less opaque than I would like, but I can always wear a camisole underneath it, and the sweater does go very well with the skirt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwH2m82YRqhRkVoGbZIBQb6RlXEnUbeVsycG5nEND15k54gckvMfA2O4JjiEL-tiLk_-AftfBNUf9J4BZSz-a9i5QhHyVmcZs0J_DrwV6zAZTnEihHSjQR389nCrZI5r4tGcZHbMIwDch8F6LA_AAlzNwlH9dsXdw4kPOAPRfHgBT33zIqJbl_u7s_Eif/s4608/2023-12%20plum%20pullover%20buttons.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwH2m82YRqhRkVoGbZIBQb6RlXEnUbeVsycG5nEND15k54gckvMfA2O4JjiEL-tiLk_-AftfBNUf9J4BZSz-a9i5QhHyVmcZs0J_DrwV6zAZTnEihHSjQR389nCrZI5r4tGcZHbMIwDch8F6LA_AAlzNwlH9dsXdw4kPOAPRfHgBT33zIqJbl_u7s_Eif/s320/2023-12%20plum%20pullover%20buttons.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p>I had my concerns about whether I'd be able to find suitable buttons for this project, but Fabricland's button section came through for me as it nearly always does. </p><p>This yarn was newly purchased for this project, and I finished with 10 grams of it to spare, so that's a stash increase of 10 grams.</p></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1w5TYa3B1mNiujD9wFJt3JgSwJrRaNxT92Ric10XZxssOJ6kh6OgpsSKIUtgukzdZ9Zu3U0rkxK5damToMtc88P2sWr7O7cnHp7Fy38cX1_c6uNFB9Njq_e8VCqjUmJsNKq8er0HD_4JuO3mOggVnGBadEkodAnlsWi8MVNM5pljUIUdp93Ae3dtr3Dx/s640/witch%20doll%20outfit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1w5TYa3B1mNiujD9wFJt3JgSwJrRaNxT92Ric10XZxssOJ6kh6OgpsSKIUtgukzdZ9Zu3U0rkxK5damToMtc88P2sWr7O7cnHp7Fy38cX1_c6uNFB9Njq_e8VCqjUmJsNKq8er0HD_4JuO3mOggVnGBadEkodAnlsWi8MVNM5pljUIUdp93Ae3dtr3Dx/s320/witch%20doll%20outfit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Now, for the last project of my 2023 rundown: the second doll outfit I made for Olivia's doll. When I was going through Sarah Gasson's library of doll outfit designs to pick out the ones I want to make in future, the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/witch-knit-a-teddy">Witch</a> outfit was an automatic yes. I love witches, the outfit is fun, and Olivia would surely enjoy having a Halloween costume for her beloved Rainbow Sparkle Unicorn-Animals. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tUrJVhtkQBJYqBYyl-ox6vNWoB9XCa8eBcQpnjLK2aPBsK9QQEUZm2_pP6AEytp-kpzrViOxp_gVpRUB2sWzq-NkOpBQ7VEWxuX2A6EWFDJqS7agnyyBqNo059Y47OvCyo5ZdnoaalEEfljvqHYGrwHbol3XO_AjP103xu6iSFHUMbHzITs4G5mLwLZU/s640/wub%20chub%20cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="640" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tUrJVhtkQBJYqBYyl-ox6vNWoB9XCa8eBcQpnjLK2aPBsK9QQEUZm2_pP6AEytp-kpzrViOxp_gVpRUB2sWzq-NkOpBQ7VEWxuX2A6EWFDJqS7agnyyBqNo059Y47OvCyo5ZdnoaalEEfljvqHYGrwHbol3XO_AjP103xu6iSFHUMbHzITs4G5mLwLZU/s320/wub%20chub%20cat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Then I decided that if Olivia was going to dress up her doll as a witch, Rainbow really ought to have a familiar. A cat seemed the obvious choice, as Olivia's family has three cats and she is cat-obsessed. I searched Ravelry for a suitable small cat toy design, and ended up deciding on the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wub-chub-cat-ornament">Wub Chub Cat Ornament</a>, by Button Willow Knits. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As for the yarn for these two projects, I looked in my stash and found that I had 70 grams of a tan DK that would make a good broomstick, 50 grams of assorted odds and ends of cream DK that would do for the trim on the dress and the paws, chest, and muzzle of the cat, and 40 grams of black DK that could be used for the dress and cat, though of course I would need more than that. I went to Michaels and bought three skeins of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/patons-north-america-astra-solids">Patons Astra</a> in Black and, when the only orange DK in stock proved to be an ugly Dayglo/pylon type orange, one skein of Patons Astra Hot Lilac for the accent colour on the witch outfit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pRkso2GQrHHU-6roSzk6qoKdpYD72Z8nXBXlHR9KEz-SaEk3IVz-17UsBhIc7UL_XqeB9pdK1OdQzoi_U_h_gsYDQvJc8TILRfNklNRuf1i1EYQE-rjOOsSsupZYc-HtUeyuChH2FiaHtaVAui2w1CUFbH6xa_gs6O0QJf0w5YygHSrlkquO1dpCN2iW/s4608/2023-05%20witch%20doll%20outfit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pRkso2GQrHHU-6roSzk6qoKdpYD72Z8nXBXlHR9KEz-SaEk3IVz-17UsBhIc7UL_XqeB9pdK1OdQzoi_U_h_gsYDQvJc8TILRfNklNRuf1i1EYQE-rjOOsSsupZYc-HtUeyuChH2FiaHtaVAui2w1CUFbH6xa_gs6O0QJf0w5YygHSrlkquO1dpCN2iW/s320/2023-05%20witch%20doll%20outfit.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The completed witch outfit on Ms. Rainbow Sparkle Unicorn-Animals. It turned out pretty satisfactorily. I think the one change I made to this ensemble was to use a wooden dowel rod instead of a straw for the broomstick. It should stand up better that way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I really was very close to getting the witch ensemble done in time to give it to Olivia in July 2023 -- I just hadn't assembled the cat. But I didn't want to give Olivia the doll's witch outfit without the cat to go with it, so I held it back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizs8RThmay2OnJIzlw_oYNl18n1a6ESzTh-L8dUSVvU9t1drjW_veL6PSfL4bZ5VOTiREY4-DI9by87vIp2n-Vow6KlSfx0G0UB6y3z7DUh1sNB8ufB2N7EmDph9NbPFEc6n6pW00hh2RDaTe5uDpp6ybX8_AgeDuhMxo-PPJXBtK2pRck8H8HSze3P1dX/s4608/2023-12%20black%20cat%20for%20Olivia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizs8RThmay2OnJIzlw_oYNl18n1a6ESzTh-L8dUSVvU9t1drjW_veL6PSfL4bZ5VOTiREY4-DI9by87vIp2n-Vow6KlSfx0G0UB6y3z7DUh1sNB8ufB2N7EmDph9NbPFEc6n6pW00hh2RDaTe5uDpp6ybX8_AgeDuhMxo-PPJXBtK2pRck8H8HSze3P1dX/s320/2023-12%20black%20cat%20for%20Olivia.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The completed cat. I can't believe how long it took me to make myself finish this thing. I had done all the knitting by the end of June 2023, and then all the pieces sat in a little plastic bag in my workbasket with me putting it on my to do list every day for months until I finally finished assembling it in March 2024. I don't really like making toys to begin with, and this one involved a lot of especially fiddly details, so it was difficult for me to make myself sit down and work on it. I also made the most unwelcome discovery that my embroidery skills, which I've always thought of as basic, actually rank below that in a class I can only describe as "they suck". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I didn't want to go to the expense of buying plastic cat eyes, so I embroidered the eyes using some green embroidery floss I had on hand. I couldn't make the claw embroidery stitches look right despite five or six attempts, so I didn't do those at all. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The result, while not great, isn't so terribly bad for a toy for a eight-year-old, and at least Rainbow is going to be a properly equipped little witch with her very own broomstick and black kitty cat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When I was finished this witchy ensemble project, I found I had used up 25 grams of the tan, 33 grams of the cream, and all of the new black yarn plus 26 grams of the stash black yarn I had. I was left with just 10 grams of the new lilac yarn. That's a net stash decrease of 74 grams, which isn't so bad for a little project like this. </div><p>And that's it for my 2023 projects. When I tally all my stash additions and decreases, I find I have a net stash decrease of 954 grams for the year, which is decent. </p><p>My 2023 project list was eighteen items long. I knew from the outset I would never be able to complete all of those projects (there was a multi-coloured afghan on it! and a multi-coloured fingering weight pullover!), though I did hope to finish sixteen of them. I suppose thirteen is not so terribly far below that goal, especially when I did put quite a lot of time in on finishing up that doll and its seven outfits last year, and then counted it as a 2022 project. My 2024 list has thirteen items on it, and I am aiming to get those done. As of this writing, I am a good 80% of the way through the second project on my 2024 knitting list, so I am more or less on track. </p><p>I've resolved that going forward, I'll be making every effort to keep my annual knitting list down to twelve projects or less. This should be doable given that I am cutting back on how many things I make for myself -- just three of the thirteen projects I made this year were for me. I have some other needlework projects on hand that have been sitting around for years that I'd like to get to, and I also don't like feeling hurried and behind schedule -- that's not what knitting should be about! </p>Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-16337567489016469892023-07-25T19:38:00.003-04:002023-07-26T10:27:57.830-04:0012 Months; 8 Projects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFfGmjlWqHcanOme5EzDAhp8JI9qQtfpcd3KoWUxfmo1h7OAzEZVEk00n7WXydCBGVT7_T0qp9dOrEdy-lR7BiH4laFAexuZuNxrpaqDSMR3oqMfUouLyyxczAxmVqtymSCcw6cq5TGme7lHJro3Ae0FhyUkpGwci3qI1MzxI1WiPsg6zGJ51tnsJFB8/s4608/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20Scottish.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFfGmjlWqHcanOme5EzDAhp8JI9qQtfpcd3KoWUxfmo1h7OAzEZVEk00n7WXydCBGVT7_T0qp9dOrEdy-lR7BiH4laFAexuZuNxrpaqDSMR3oqMfUouLyyxczAxmVqtymSCcw6cq5TGme7lHJro3Ae0FhyUkpGwci3qI1MzxI1WiPsg6zGJ51tnsJFB8/s320/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20Scottish.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Okay, so it's July 2023, and I'm finally getting around to posting my 2022 knitting project round-up post. I did eight projects in 2022, and as I think you'll agree when you reach the end of this post, the eighth was a doozy. New Year's Eve 2022 found the eighth project perhaps 95% finished, but those finishing details were such a pain that I kept putting the project aside for anything else for months.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, it is finally done, and my write-up of it (which took me a day to write!) finally added to this post, so let's have a look at the eight knitting projects I completed in 2022. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfMmRihzKXzqeEAKnT4scsrH0W5SXSmLR2pzs_wNSOcA7apl1EUHbUUO3itQ192uRb5HJEoBqgUnYRLlsarGOe-Zy8SCIV_L2IQ-zXF_IVsUzRqm7liyZ5X5kyRjjK9noxLmWdVrPjLvWtD0JeMzW_q2iURSvkIMDHEC2LthWGQUzwVMPBFIlfnqJRA/s640/everyday%20pullover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="423" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfMmRihzKXzqeEAKnT4scsrH0W5SXSmLR2pzs_wNSOcA7apl1EUHbUUO3itQ192uRb5HJEoBqgUnYRLlsarGOe-Zy8SCIV_L2IQ-zXF_IVsUzRqm7liyZ5X5kyRjjK9noxLmWdVrPjLvWtD0JeMzW_q2iURSvkIMDHEC2LthWGQUzwVMPBFIlfnqJRA/s320/everyday%20pullover.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On New Year's Eve 2021, when I was making plans for the coming year (and with me, making plans means making to do lists), I was looking over my gift list and realized I needed to plan a Christmas 2022 gift for the grandnephew who was to be born in February 2022, and despite (or perhaps because of) the effects of a tumbler and a half of homemade Bailey's, that evening seemed like the perfect time to plan a sweater for the little guy. What better pandemic-style solo New Year's Eve could I have?</div><p style="text-align: left;">I browsed patterns on Ravelry, and selected the one you see depicted above, the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/everyday-pullover-sweater">Everyday Pullover Sweater</a>, designed by Raya Budrevich. I've made it before (for my grandnephew <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2015/02/bugs-birthday-sweater.html">Bug's second birthday</a>), and I remembered it as a quick and easy knit that I'd been satisfied with. Then I checked my stash to see what yarn I might have that would work for this project. I found some chocolate brown worsted (the ball band for which was long gone), and most of a skein of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/red-heart-soft-solids--heathers">Red Heart Soft</a> in Leaf. I thought the two colours worked together and there would be enough of both to get the job done. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvc9HeZpIJmMW4MQj4ekSGkiynFvcZwmut5cLWFj84X9Fx_p05Eiylg_QJ1I23bGp2lUiryusvoBuF3RO1agrmwf5sk45QaFfbhSp0wWelEJ_JHeeN0hQwr6c052GyDyXPDuSjBOnC4Zjof9hBEV0raYN0eJNteyD3CWNLd-ysjdrzHesQ4vAqILkGnw0/s4608/01-2022%20Sawyer's%20pullover.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvc9HeZpIJmMW4MQj4ekSGkiynFvcZwmut5cLWFj84X9Fx_p05Eiylg_QJ1I23bGp2lUiryusvoBuF3RO1agrmwf5sk45QaFfbhSp0wWelEJ_JHeeN0hQwr6c052GyDyXPDuSjBOnC4Zjof9hBEV0raYN0eJNteyD3CWNLd-ysjdrzHesQ4vAqILkGnw0/s320/01-2022%20Sawyer's%20pullover.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here's the finished product, which I knitted in a size 12 months in January 2022. Sawyer turned ten months old in December 2022, and he would have been able to wear it all the rest of the 2022/2023 winter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgX6xDggJQTSBWdPr-k9fynd3npCnqsrUY8N7uozo520fC7u9VNuJOPtcrYujqZnji5qM4t7XgkvX7n421tyzyErAM7NQxahMZJ4mN6O6o16ud8lzyJLpTSDpfqA5JYz6jRVD7A8fmXMAsoQCLZB94zw87hTj9P8ICYaKe6GdvxomI18KigoTNkVp_/s4608/01-2022%20Baby%20Rae%20pullover%20&%20teddy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgX6xDggJQTSBWdPr-k9fynd3npCnqsrUY8N7uozo520fC7u9VNuJOPtcrYujqZnji5qM4t7XgkvX7n421tyzyErAM7NQxahMZJ4mN6O6o16ud8lzyJLpTSDpfqA5JYz6jRVD7A8fmXMAsoQCLZB94zw87hTj9P8ICYaKe6GdvxomI18KigoTNkVp_/s320/01-2022%20Baby%20Rae%20pullover%20&%20teddy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also gave Sawyer a teddy bear I had sewn for Christmas 2022. It amuses me that the bear and the sweater go so well together when I didn't plan for that. In the pictures my nephew sent me of Sawyer wearing his sweater and holding his teddy bear, Sawyer looked like a particularly well-accessorized baby. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This sweater took 30 grams of brown yarn, and 110 grams of green yarn, with a total net stash decrease of -140 grams. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddXlYasU8gbIL7L7ryscxaDdNP14WkOJUbXS4hWWBPYx4d7okDalrdgBkqKkPt6oCU54W1m0UYyQZdxza_vKC_djFyiwgq0iLP_sKxRvttm_rRtqqyteipyIWjTDg_x4o8I6erFx_Br1XPF3Rq2I0cKf2fgnGGz4UM3U19RevriKBoTvi2RIFtRvB/s640/hockey%20skate%20booties.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddXlYasU8gbIL7L7ryscxaDdNP14WkOJUbXS4hWWBPYx4d7okDalrdgBkqKkPt6oCU54W1m0UYyQZdxza_vKC_djFyiwgq0iLP_sKxRvttm_rRtqqyteipyIWjTDg_x4o8I6erFx_Br1XPF3Rq2I0cKf2fgnGGz4UM3U19RevriKBoTvi2RIFtRvB/s320/hockey%20skate%20booties.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>When, in August 2021, I first began searching Ravelry for patterns for a baby blanket and booties for my nephew's expected son, I thought something hockey-related would be a fun idea. Luke loves hockey as much as most of the Canadian men I have known do, which is to say to an extent that is beyond all reason. During a hockey game in late 2007, when Luke was 20 years old, he got hit in the face with a puck, and it smashed four of his teeth. Luke then proceeded to remain on the ice, playing and spitting out fragments of teeth, until the game was over. Surely my needlework skills could produce a softer, gentler tribute to his love of hockey that would be much easier on his dental work. I had initially even toyed with the idea of making a Maple Leafs baby blanket for the baby in tribute to Luke's favourite team, but I would have had to design one myself, which I wasn't particularly interested in doing, and besides, Sawyer is an Albertan. I didn't want him to be a social outcast or a laughingstock among all his baby friends. </p><div>Among the hockey-related patterns to be found on Ravelry were a few designs for hockey skate booties. There were both knitted and crocheted examples of that design concept, but though I don't enjoy crocheting, there was no denying that the crocheted version was the best one. Generally speaking, crocheting is stiffer than knitting, but while knitting tends to be the better choice for clothing because it drapes better, crocheting often takes the lead when it comes to shaped objects like toys, because crocheting holds its shape better. The sample knitted hockey skate booties looked so limp and floppy compared to the crocheted ones. I set my teeth, resigned myself to crocheting my grandnephew's booties, and went with the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/newborn-hockey-skate-booties">Newborn Hockey Skate Booties</a>, designed by Jamie Louise, and pictured above. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgp-p5ziYXozUOdSPfoI1RpFb16uoEcik6tq7vy_Ll7qmpDH6_EkNiGLyR_WejhvONVuICd_F_rhgjaHgIKkIKZk1XH4TykWw4rtMUHz_4BXYV3NbnufQECkCp8dznzLjyLPiYFeZH_ah8UJ142rPLdUKqce8dzO2IAXYg3bYbQ8HfHF6ddwOx-fO/s4608/02-2022%20hockey%20skate%20booties.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgp-p5ziYXozUOdSPfoI1RpFb16uoEcik6tq7vy_Ll7qmpDH6_EkNiGLyR_WejhvONVuICd_F_rhgjaHgIKkIKZk1XH4TykWw4rtMUHz_4BXYV3NbnufQECkCp8dznzLjyLPiYFeZH_ah8UJ142rPLdUKqce8dzO2IAXYg3bYbQ8HfHF6ddwOx-fO/s320/02-2022%20hockey%20skate%20booties.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>When I checked my yarn stash, I was pleased to discover that I had black, gray, and white worsted yarns on hand that were suitable for this project. I no longer have the ball bands for any of the three yarns I used, but they were run-of-the-mill acrylic worsteds. I did have to buy a 3.75mm crochet hook, but now I'll have that size hook in my crochet hook collection for the next time I need one. I made the booties over the course of a few evenings in February 2022. You can see the result above, and I think they turned out well. Luke got a kick out of them. </div><div><br /></div><div>These booties, which were made entirely out of stash yarn, weighed in at 50 grams when finished, so that's a stash decrease of -50 grams. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikWP5G4Qec4-stgfE5Eb-x7RuCudK1AxfqHWmHh_x84ZNnLmuQIKtsPJo6NZB48-ZqMqF8IujMvu25VHpBqLuj1jLG7NCkmhcTQgKUAENTD0bLbKtoV9Xc9v1jVaZNGXREI45BJHg7du0ShvNM60ZHbDq39hwTcHHoeasNeECcsx3OX1QyxW4WOhQCA/s900/Celine%20Dion.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikWP5G4Qec4-stgfE5Eb-x7RuCudK1AxfqHWmHh_x84ZNnLmuQIKtsPJo6NZB48-ZqMqF8IujMvu25VHpBqLuj1jLG7NCkmhcTQgKUAENTD0bLbKtoV9Xc9v1jVaZNGXREI45BJHg7du0ShvNM60ZHbDq39hwTcHHoeasNeECcsx3OX1QyxW4WOhQCA/s320/Celine%20Dion.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One day in March 2020, while idly scrolling through my Twitter feed, I saw a tweet authored by my friend Christine in which she'd posted the photo composition you see above of Celine Dion in two very unfortunate outfits that were reportedly styled by a friend of hers, with the query, "... if your friend does this to you on purpose, are they really your friend?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I must admit that if a friend of mine tried to get me to wear any of these outfits, I'd question their understanding of me and my taste, their motives, and possibly also their sanity. I've made a number of pieces of clothing for Christine over the years (by my count, and if I'm not forgetting anything: four sweaters, a suit jacket, and a jersey dress), and couldn't help thinking complacently that all of those pieces definitely looked better than... what you see in the photo above. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZs-pNiYw0HsyEAN1_lLHmGGdCRtV6XoQbtGvg_yhSSYVjAvrFV2FCJkcbblrrViOgnYLGoszRntKtJWYkY9RfISpCbq_uUjAXOKi4vSlnX8v_MBkuAAAEoXVWd56E_IvYru5OXdPjD0ieoKNlZ1G0X7SWyOGTE1d4rF8mLFLj9Tfu2e5h5QGHU9QNsA/s537/tweet%20exchange.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="537" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZs-pNiYw0HsyEAN1_lLHmGGdCRtV6XoQbtGvg_yhSSYVjAvrFV2FCJkcbblrrViOgnYLGoszRntKtJWYkY9RfISpCbq_uUjAXOKi4vSlnX8v_MBkuAAAEoXVWd56E_IvYru5OXdPjD0ieoKNlZ1G0X7SWyOGTE1d4rF8mLFLj9Tfu2e5h5QGHU9QNsA/w536-h356/tweet%20exchange.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our little exchange of tweets on the matter got me thinking that it had been so long since I'd made Christine anything -- I believe she received the last item in 2010 -- that she had probably worn out all the things I'd given her, and I really ought to make her something new. I added "sweater for Christine" to my knitting project list and picked out a pattern for it, but I didn't get to it that year, nor in the following year. In late 2021, when I was working on a <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-tartan-suit-that-wasnt.html">tartan table set</a> for my friend Lindsie and deciding that it would be her 50th birthday present, I also determined that I would definitely get Christine's sweater made in early 2022, and that it would be her 50th birthday present. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWSm13SdvEYh8IP5VyKmbIjTY9dcZiw96AtLbYkuO7o28IMUlQDJGpUbi-oD5ahQVQoyOZzoOVC4mXgsMPptUvf9BbBdtQdZjjkaKiivhmu-pZ1NuOLRRd3S3OeztnpGRSnA0221SCoaxIr2NGGN5yz3HlViuhyY27eLEtp8-MX08dEznEKuxdk6q8w/s640/veneto%20sweater.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="640" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzWSm13SdvEYh8IP5VyKmbIjTY9dcZiw96AtLbYkuO7o28IMUlQDJGpUbi-oD5ahQVQoyOZzoOVC4mXgsMPptUvf9BbBdtQdZjjkaKiivhmu-pZ1NuOLRRd3S3OeztnpGRSnA0221SCoaxIr2NGGN5yz3HlViuhyY27eLEtp8-MX08dEznEKuxdk6q8w/s320/veneto%20sweater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The sweater above is the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/veneto-sweater">Veneto Sweater, designed by Handmade Closet</a>. It's a lovely design and it struck me as being perfect for Christine. I could just picture her in it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As for the yarn selection, Christine's favourite colour is cranberry red (two of the four sweaters I have made for her have been that colour), so I decided this sweater would be a cranberry red with, if possible, a variegated yarn in warm cream/tan/light brown tones for the contrast colour. Christine is blond with a tan skin and brown eyes, and such a colourway would suit her very well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It took a few yarn store visits to find what I wanted, but I eventually purchased 300 grams of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/sandnes-garn-sisu">Sandnes Garn Sisu Superwash</a> in Cardinal (shade 4228) from EweKnit, and one skein of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/pro-lana-golden-socks-fjord-4-fach">Pro Lana Golden Socks Fjord 4-Fach</a> (shade 181). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbbc4C0rOIByuRUuJ92QWoZz2avoHZammQOXAfDfSbCat49un8XIGCXWAsa6tSEi5yHGhyRSsSwU7i-8CsUA5osGuZrgA1DuZc64rlYPg5TSYB_bLq5Y2OBSij4zmBuyrSuVPsfpKlmwzLC4jF8n7psxwQCrYMrdmXhVezp5Ttgi0nBPWzQd1oZUl5w/s4608/2022-04%20Christine%20pullover.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbbc4C0rOIByuRUuJ92QWoZz2avoHZammQOXAfDfSbCat49un8XIGCXWAsa6tSEi5yHGhyRSsSwU7i-8CsUA5osGuZrgA1DuZc64rlYPg5TSYB_bLq5Y2OBSij4zmBuyrSuVPsfpKlmwzLC4jF8n7psxwQCrYMrdmXhVezp5Ttgi0nBPWzQd1oZUl5w/s320/2022-04%20Christine%20pullover.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>Here's the sweater, which knitted up without difficulty. I made it in a size 3, which has a 36" bust. I did make the body longer than specified in the pattern. Christine isn't tall (I'd estimate her height at 5'3"), but she has a proportionately long torso, and the 20.5" length called for by the pattern would be too short on her, so I added one inch to the yoke length and two to the body length. I also added waist shaping. I've never measured Christine, but all of the pieces I've made for her have fit quite well. With knitwear, one can usually just eyeball the size.</p><p>This sweater was knitted from newly purchased yarn, and I had 30 grams of the red yarn and 60 grams of the variegated contrast yarn left over, which is a net stash increase of 90 grams. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPW9P8ptwEqFL07kgV2sXKlzwAZkTOVw_TQc8duqGX-kFM5KXa5VmR1hXJKQ-idLnWfQBmBJfPOr44eKHpWRRJ77FmDwiWOc2zs1TMBxUzoMa0G2kybwQkl4kkl04lgM02KT0N_F2MSgOFzZiM6YSRrN38Y8BYHMkYXH4USFE5x0HaGFpXqRomG-r/s4608/03-2022%20Olivia's%20purse%20materials.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPW9P8ptwEqFL07kgV2sXKlzwAZkTOVw_TQc8duqGX-kFM5KXa5VmR1hXJKQ-idLnWfQBmBJfPOr44eKHpWRRJ77FmDwiWOc2zs1TMBxUzoMa0G2kybwQkl4kkl04lgM02KT0N_F2MSgOFzZiM6YSRrN38Y8BYHMkYXH4USFE5x0HaGFpXqRomG-r/s320/03-2022%20Olivia's%20purse%20materials.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>My fourth project of 2022 was an addition to my initial list of 14 projects. In the spring, when I was making my honorary niece Olivia a dress for her sixth birthday present, I decided I didn't like the idea of making it the purse out of the jersey fabric I'd used for the dress. It was a very stretchy fabric, and would require interfacing and interlining, which is a pain when one is making such a small item. I looked through my yarn stash to see what I had in the way of coordinating yarns that might be used for a knitted purse. I had a turquoise and a lime that were very similar to the stripes on the jersey. I did not have a fuchsia yarn, and would probably have reverted to the idea of a sewn purse rather than go to the trouble and expense of having to track down and buy a skein of yarn in that shade, but happily it occurred to me to check my box of embroidery floss. It turned out that I had some embroidery floss in a very similar shade, so the knitted purse concept was a go. </p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HVX8O6QhOdDEea1HWdenNJ08yY1DVFBVB7HfXLJdTfCVcclpyZAWFbqdM3XMc1MnPIzct20kiOyEEpLz302s_Xbzn3y3s-iR2vWktCAW1K6P5Zievs71a-5qioFi3CiQ3Njcx1ei3IHqgsVaP_G9_vSZkMmuSr0KD0mjOLMMA6u7dng7N2jhxjrQ/s4608/2022-05%20Olivia's%20dress%20&%20purse%20detail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HVX8O6QhOdDEea1HWdenNJ08yY1DVFBVB7HfXLJdTfCVcclpyZAWFbqdM3XMc1MnPIzct20kiOyEEpLz302s_Xbzn3y3s-iR2vWktCAW1K6P5Zievs71a-5qioFi3CiQ3Njcx1ei3IHqgsVaP_G9_vSZkMmuSr0KD0mjOLMMA6u7dng7N2jhxjrQ/s320/2022-05%20Olivia's%20dress%20&%20purse%20detail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> When knitting the purse, I used the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/squircle">Squircle</a> pattern I have used a number of times before, and went with a reversal of the dress fabric's colourway: lime, with turquoise and fuchsia stripes in duplicate stitch. The lime yarn is a very soft yarn, so to give the purse a little more structure, I cut a circle of very stiff interfacing the size of the bottom of the bag, knitted a second bottom, and then stitched the second bottom inside the bottom of the bag, slipping the interfacing circle in between the two bottoms mid-process. The resulting purse coordinated pretty well with the dress, which you can see in <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2022/05/fuchsia-turquoise-and-lime.html">this post</a>. <p></p><p>This little project used up 30 grams of stash yarn.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzByZrm9ARg8Np8PaM-0kcgXpgC-nJJLW2FchzBYnSib3TPNP_bJkU2AqvW7IyE9-tEzYeTRlpZsMEIu5Vx0QuWU3E5A7dFKjYR9JA_ZakBGLSRnVfzn4AlXGToKE3aCkoyfNode5HH655ITPn46si7xRrOFyFF-NEZUDySIInMpvn3nSj9Ydq2VchA/s4608/2022-06%20Olivia's%20sweater%20detail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzByZrm9ARg8Np8PaM-0kcgXpgC-nJJLW2FchzBYnSib3TPNP_bJkU2AqvW7IyE9-tEzYeTRlpZsMEIu5Vx0QuWU3E5A7dFKjYR9JA_ZakBGLSRnVfzn4AlXGToKE3aCkoyfNode5HH655ITPn46si7xRrOFyFF-NEZUDySIInMpvn3nSj9Ydq2VchA/s320/2022-06%20Olivia's%20sweater%20detail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This next project was another that I planned on New Year's Eve 2021 in between swigs of homemade Bailey's. (Don't tell <i>me</i> knitters don't know how to party.) I'd picked out a pattern for my honorary niece Olivia's Christmas 2022 sweater the previous August, but when I was writing up my yarn shopping list for the coming year on New Year's Eve, I checked my stash to see if I had anything suitable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbmCfLzdborrZAcXhCVOxzYeS07QNwiONxpz4MMnO_nwmyHMv3VeJDw6xIE2g1LWY65BJ7mMla1sfL6QcTfPU1vyVaDa-F8_gTD6qyVqqWjylmxTzg3UW1-nAeiNIV8n0tVSwUAycZnhlmIdkY7JEjv9tvpu1qevWbv6j79LUNDxW_QnfmaK3OVyg6A/s640/Olivia's%20sweater%20pattern.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbmCfLzdborrZAcXhCVOxzYeS07QNwiONxpz4MMnO_nwmyHMv3VeJDw6xIE2g1LWY65BJ7mMla1sfL6QcTfPU1vyVaDa-F8_gTD6qyVqqWjylmxTzg3UW1-nAeiNIV8n0tVSwUAycZnhlmIdkY7JEjv9tvpu1qevWbv6j79LUNDxW_QnfmaK3OVyg6A/s320/Olivia's%20sweater%20pattern.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sverrigsgade">Sverrigsgade</a> pattern, designed by Sanne Bjerregaard. It's a free pattern, it's quite strikingly attractive and visually interesting, and as multi-coloured striped patterns tend to be, it's an excellent stash buster. I love the colourway used in the sample pattern, and had rather hoped to replicate it, but after a look through my stash, I wound up going with the alternate palette I found there. When it came down to my paying what is for me a considerable chunk of money to buy the ideal yarn for this project, or using the suitable and attractive no-cost yarn from my stash, it was an easy call. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had in my storage box of DK yarn 200 grams of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/premier-yarns-anti-pilling-everyday-dk-solids">Premier Anti Pilling Everyday DK</a> in Almond that I'd bought online from Mary Maxim in 2021 to make what would become my eighth project of 2022, and that proved not to be the right shade for my purpose when it arrived. I would have returned it, but the Mary Maxim customer service person told me it would cost me more to send it back than the refund would be, so I sighed resignedly, kept it, and simply ordered more in the right shade. I decided those two inadvertently purchased skeins would work quite well as the main colour for this design. I also had small amounts of red, wine, dark green, and kelly green DK yarn left over from other projects that I thought worked together well and went fairly well with the almond, and so would do for the contrast colours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H0u1aSPm30Q3rMOW7v1we2v97SyHVH7ZGsnOHkw1z1qadoWXmARjMwofK9lbGOk81gcEr4-NxwvRCrd7_ehk4GFnNPgnLqFWwjH2NSbWYhRV463-edMrdb8nz2FCxwtqVSdYpWxj-uH-bFBfGQZ1Rvt6G-69AsTIpc22GNaOLOzqpO88yIjn_-8HKQ/s4608/2022-06%20Olivia's%20sweater.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6H0u1aSPm30Q3rMOW7v1we2v97SyHVH7ZGsnOHkw1z1qadoWXmARjMwofK9lbGOk81gcEr4-NxwvRCrd7_ehk4GFnNPgnLqFWwjH2NSbWYhRV463-edMrdb8nz2FCxwtqVSdYpWxj-uH-bFBfGQZ1Rvt6G-69AsTIpc22GNaOLOzqpO88yIjn_-8HKQ/s320/2022-06%20Olivia's%20sweater.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The completed sweater in a size eight. I'm pretty pleased with it. The colourway isn't bad at all for something put together out of odds and ends while not entirely sober. It has a Christmassy look, which is a plus for a Christmas present, but not so much so that it can't be worn all winter. It will also suit Olivia's colouring of brown hair, olive eyes, and faintly olive-tinged fair skin quite well. This pattern is well-written and knitted up without any problems. I <i>was</i> keeping an anxious eye on the red yarn, as I feared it might run out before the sweater was done, but it went the distance. I went with neutral buttons on the shoulder, as I couldn't seem to match any of the contrast colours in the sweater to anything on Fabricland's button racks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When calculating the stash decrease/increase of this project, I counted the almond yarn as newly purchased yarn. I used 130 grams of the 200 grams to make the sweater, which meant there was a stash increase of 70 grams. But I used up 45 grams of red yarn, 60 grams of the wine, 50 grams of the kelly green, and 60 grams of the dark green while making this sweater, and those were all certainly stash yarns. Those stash yarns I used totalled 215 grams, and 215 grams less 70 grams is a net stash decrease of -145 grams. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOL9t9YQs-xh2KxA2cp886NEvlUgRA32vJTfjWIAbeusbgs_aljx0m7lF_7NCq81UTVcZinG4j1-uBGfXCCF4208gbQ49Th-9rlx1N9uoLVT5k4tElKzZwY5Opzn571uZ6HHJE-zYkReDlUjOllFn-dkCv8iuj0AdGOXIeFagEuRvPvLovJEU3luNPDg/s4608/2022-07%20Curtis's%20sweater%20detail%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOL9t9YQs-xh2KxA2cp886NEvlUgRA32vJTfjWIAbeusbgs_aljx0m7lF_7NCq81UTVcZinG4j1-uBGfXCCF4208gbQ49Th-9rlx1N9uoLVT5k4tElKzZwY5Opzn571uZ6HHJE-zYkReDlUjOllFn-dkCv8iuj0AdGOXIeFagEuRvPvLovJEU3luNPDg/s320/2022-07%20Curtis's%20sweater%20detail%201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>My grandnephew Bug turned nine in July 2022. Like a good knitter and a passable great-aunt, I began planning his birthday present sweater well in advance. Ravelry tells me I added the pattern I used for his sweater to my queue on August 26, 2021. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUynR4bmhpCZBiIbwAmCctNAiUY1YBrR9hIvVuZa7bi1jvbNXeLYHWDXQG8zcBzTop_WCPz6g3Xh80zNMtf5_-dnP2iwwQUxCmgcPQYblpN83s1FC0J9qHwtdZ1nmZO8r0qeaqIJGCbY6BQCCp1TG8Kwt2ysKL_FnehbwFUpEiR_VIBb8I2DaP0L99gw/s320/sweater%20for%20Curtis.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="213" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUynR4bmhpCZBiIbwAmCctNAiUY1YBrR9hIvVuZa7bi1jvbNXeLYHWDXQG8zcBzTop_WCPz6g3Xh80zNMtf5_-dnP2iwwQUxCmgcPQYblpN83s1FC0J9qHwtdZ1nmZO8r0qeaqIJGCbY6BQCCp1TG8Kwt2ysKL_FnehbwFUpEiR_VIBb8I2DaP0L99gw/s1600/sweater%20for%20Curtis.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The design I chose was the one you see pictured above, the imaginatively named <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/1208-02">1208-02</a>, by Sandnes Design. I've had my eye on this pattern since Bug was a preschooler and have always thought it had quite a bit of style. In December 2021, when Romni Wools was having its annual December sale, I bought the yarn for the project: <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/garnstudio-drops-karisma">Drops Karisma</a> in Vert Mix (colour 50) for the main colour, and Light Pearl Gray (colour 72) for the contrast. I had to go with marbled gray buttons for the placket as the blue proved impossible to match. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMBwGg9N1da6cTiGZUrIs4XfpGwNQUUNTIYxB2eORuZVW2Ed4h19XxSPxJH66yueHiMMTibdrOk4gLIM7cZ0-KuHS-sJ-GG7bgnGEd79gp7TULklZgbmy5szgniabL5uOSkYTPCbDlodknkZyjmcOzZ5sEgf2MnKFn8egk59AVDASMKYwsaFYGmR2HA/s4608/2022-07%20Curtis's%20sweater.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMBwGg9N1da6cTiGZUrIs4XfpGwNQUUNTIYxB2eORuZVW2Ed4h19XxSPxJH66yueHiMMTibdrOk4gLIM7cZ0-KuHS-sJ-GG7bgnGEd79gp7TULklZgbmy5szgniabL5uOSkYTPCbDlodknkZyjmcOzZ5sEgf2MnKFn8egk59AVDASMKYwsaFYGmR2HA/s320/2022-07%20Curtis's%20sweater.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And here's the finished product, made in a size 10. The pattern wasn't the best written and I wound up having to redo the sleeve cap, armhole, and shoulder shaping a few times -- as well as recalculate and rewrite the directions -- before I got it right. But eventually the sweater was completed and I was pleased with the result. Bug received his birthday present in August, at my parents' 60th wedding anniversary party. He put it on to model it for us and then refused to take it off, despite repeated urgings from his mother, for what must have been close to an hour, even though the temperature couldn't have been much under 30 degrees Celsius. But hey, it was a brand new sweater and we all told Bug how handsome he looked in it, so who can blame him. (I've known many a grown man to be more susceptible to flattery than Bug was being that day.) It was a little big on him, but not unwearably so, and I consider that ideal as it means he can probably get two years of wear out of it rather than just one before he grows out of it. My niece told me at Christmas 2022 that the sweater had proved to be a favourite of Bug's and that he had worn it often.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The lovely tweedy blue colour did really suit Bug. He has light brown hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, and blue is very much his colour. This was the ninth sweater I'd made him in his life and seven of the nine were blue or partly blue. I keep telling myself that I need to make Bug's sweaters in a variety of colours, that he'll get tired of always getting blue sweaters, but then I go yarn shopping and see a beautiful blue yarn that would look soooo good on him, and I just can't resist. Oh well, I have used a variety of shades of blue and different designs, and I doubt Bug feels like he's getting the same sweater from me every year. </div><p>This project was entirely made of newly purchased yarn, and the yarn left over from it constitutes a stash increase of +50 grams. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L8c0Ft58GBf5TsaBf4ak2m4HepZqrFyhCLhMsBP3hEWp5UMjHU3UPZKr7XPeI444Dw1xQsDLzXHzmVuArMaSwSE4rlScI49Lq_k57GVtUcrnFj9KBcKQhTjZNvqM_tzFAYOKmsKoWc83qFzcZKI8vSXiIz-WtQhN5gI18mw9RnK0A0WOKftSAwraTQ/s4608/2022-09%20brown%20cotton%20top%20detail%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L8c0Ft58GBf5TsaBf4ak2m4HepZqrFyhCLhMsBP3hEWp5UMjHU3UPZKr7XPeI444Dw1xQsDLzXHzmVuArMaSwSE4rlScI49Lq_k57GVtUcrnFj9KBcKQhTjZNvqM_tzFAYOKmsKoWc83qFzcZKI8vSXiIz-WtQhN5gI18mw9RnK0A0WOKftSAwraTQ/s320/2022-09%20brown%20cotton%20top%20detail%201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p></p><p>Several years ago, after being forced to discard a worn-out brown cotton thrift shop top that had been a very useful, reliable piece while I had it, I decided that I'd replace it with a hand-knitted brown cotton top that I could wear with a number of my skirts, shorts, and trousers in summer. I searched Ravelry for a suitable pattern in a fingering weight yarn, couldn't find one, and promptly decided I would just have to design one myself. I envisioned a sleeveless top with a stockinette body and an Art Nouveau-style panel of stitchwork running up the front.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnTmSm72UhQS8oe9bVoSkX1ACN7Uz3Ny0uRoC05vwj4o0-vcqwygjrSWB1HXEm_hoWMx4EeTLAXgLTydkP5OXmfCTi06RQG4IApGR9G8KfApMx9hplzHAZQY6Bky4CMZAcGGCxQJneKPvVk3WzZk1tQSCBKs83nDiM42iRcgEBXmgS2ZS2xS3iIOcLw/s4608/2022-09%20brown%20cotton%20top%20yarn.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnTmSm72UhQS8oe9bVoSkX1ACN7Uz3Ny0uRoC05vwj4o0-vcqwygjrSWB1HXEm_hoWMx4EeTLAXgLTydkP5OXmfCTi06RQG4IApGR9G8KfApMx9hplzHAZQY6Bky4CMZAcGGCxQJneKPvVk3WzZk1tQSCBKs83nDiM42iRcgEBXmgS2ZS2xS3iIOcLw/s320/2022-09%20brown%20cotton%20top%20yarn.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Then I needed yarn. I looked at similar projects on Ravelry to get an idea of how much yarn I needed, and concluded that this project would call for about 200 grams, and that I should get 250 grams to be on the safe side. But I had some difficulty in finding the dark brown cotton fingering yarn I wanted. I checked all my usual go-to yarn stores (Romni Wools, Ewe Knit, Michaels, Mary Maxim, Spinrite Factory Outlet), and none of them had a cotton fingering in the shade of brown I wanted. Brown can be a difficult colour to work with, as it comes in so many shades. I often can't find the kind of rich dark chocolate brown that I use as a base neutral in my wardrobe, and even when I can, it often comes in an unfortunate tone -- purplish, pinkish, or greyish -- that does not look right with the other, autumnal-tone items from my wardrobe. But I was sure that the yarn I wanted must be out there somewhere, and I turned to Ravelry's invaluable yarn search function to find it. Eventually I tracked down a yarn that was just right: <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/knit-picks-comfy-fingering">Knit Picks Comfy Fingering</a> in Coffee. I always find ordering online to be a bit of a crap shoot, because I can't be sure the yarn I order will have the right colour tone and a nice feel to it, and so I placed my order with some trepidation, but upon arrival, this yarn proved to be exactly what I wanted. The colour was just right and it was a lovely yarn to work with and, true to its name, comfy to wear. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpYmG5q5pjOkOIDdWmq7ddqQVCIhzTUGIsyMpZC40hudInYDA5m5n6j81Dn3cZNX3lCEKMA6YRGpSqwj_ZIKV7hrTEleaIsdUIEF82L2g4kd_JENlDMS6nziSemPhg4UKBOKusADaMyGQcHDyniLp_ei707G0QP5206oaeEEJ7eRhEt0sXTKWB8Erdw/s500/Japanese%20knitting%20stitch%20bible.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="370" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpYmG5q5pjOkOIDdWmq7ddqQVCIhzTUGIsyMpZC40hudInYDA5m5n6j81Dn3cZNX3lCEKMA6YRGpSqwj_ZIKV7hrTEleaIsdUIEF82L2g4kd_JENlDMS6nziSemPhg4UKBOKusADaMyGQcHDyniLp_ei707G0QP5206oaeEEJ7eRhEt0sXTKWB8Erdw/s320/Japanese%20knitting%20stitch%20bible.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><p>Then I had the yarn, a vision of what the top would look like, and good intentions... and the yarn just sat there from the time I received it in June 2019 until June 2022. At that point I decided I wanted to wear the top to my parents' 60th anniversary party in August with one particular skirt of mine, and that it was time to get cracking on this project. Realistically, I wouldn't have time to fuss around and create my own stitchwork pattern for the front panel, but I had five different knitting stitch reference books, and surely I could find a suitable stitch pattern in one of those. Accordingly I went through all of those five books. I looked for something that had an Art Nouveau feel to it. Eventually I settled on pattern #1 from the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/japanese-knitting-stitch-bible-260-exquisite-patterns-by-hitomi-shida"><i>Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible</i> by Hitomi Shida</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN16g6suvRmUyXimC30ReWWA8JnOrpdZtRcB1ORoeWXhhkxydopEjrptYZUJPC7CViJJzoW6DrjxQdUg7Vhc0c3JcdnEoyUoCkg7HhtSrsb1QG7VCjVAFoJ017xTxcSdllPloxdJHyfOH-t7l-yv9uWAGEyxkwx0tC9-grvct2nyQn8G5EiHqgfZeV_Q/s4608/2022-09%20brown%20cotton%20top.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN16g6suvRmUyXimC30ReWWA8JnOrpdZtRcB1ORoeWXhhkxydopEjrptYZUJPC7CViJJzoW6DrjxQdUg7Vhc0c3JcdnEoyUoCkg7HhtSrsb1QG7VCjVAFoJ017xTxcSdllPloxdJHyfOH-t7l-yv9uWAGEyxkwx0tC9-grvct2nyQn8G5EiHqgfZeV_Q/s320/2022-09%20brown%20cotton%20top.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>And here's the completed top. It took me much longer to knit than I hoped, though I suppose that's to be expected when there's no pattern and one is just figuring out the mechanics as one goes along. The back, which is plain stockinette, knitted up very quickly and without issue, but I had some difficulty figuring out some of the instructions for the lace panel for the front. There was one particular stitch arrangement I just couldn't seem to figure out from the instructions. After a week of being effectively stalled in one place, I got the hang of it and began to progress again. I finished the front, did the seaming, and then I knitted the neckband, only to find I had picked up too many stitches for it, so much so I didn't even bother to try it on. I ripped the neckband out and did it again, and this time discovered that while the neckband was fine in itself, I had made the neckline too low for my or anyone else's comfort. It wasn't indecent, but I am 49 now and it is time for me to start covering it up and putting it away. I took out the neckband and the shoulder seams and ripped the front back to where I began the neckline, and added another repeat of the lace pattern before shaping the neckline and reknitting each side to the shoulders. I re-seamed the shoulders and put the neckband in again, then moved onto the armhole bands, where again my first attempt involved too many stitches. I ripped out and redid it with 112 stitches instead of 128, and this time it worked, so from then on it was clear sailing to do the other armhole band and weave in the ends of yarn. I am pleased with the finished piece. The shaping is good, the lace panel is very pretty, and the yarn I used is perfect. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid23hGl1a4Z9z3y0J2jts2wpYjLCNLEjfZDfVTOlsLU7jHjKXQDZYO65PBYKKcL-dYWLHbOGKO0JdF1sfGgdDfDFv6gaiNw65yr_WpGTR0O4YX_7DEekV11AIGG4CWqcrbkVQPMxVnSQC8czJvEJaaHjg087xw5UVeLWCXBsiaNCs1odT8iQsrga1MiQ/s4608/2022-09%20brown%20cotton%20top%20outfit.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid23hGl1a4Z9z3y0J2jts2wpYjLCNLEjfZDfVTOlsLU7jHjKXQDZYO65PBYKKcL-dYWLHbOGKO0JdF1sfGgdDfDFv6gaiNw65yr_WpGTR0O4YX_7DEekV11AIGG4CWqcrbkVQPMxVnSQC8czJvEJaaHjg087xw5UVeLWCXBsiaNCs1odT8iQsrga1MiQ/s320/2022-09%20brown%20cotton%20top%20outfit.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>The jersey print skirt that you see in the photo above used to be a dress, which I had originally made circa 2005. Thirteen years later the dress had become dated and too young for me and I no longer wanted to wear it, but as documented in <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2018/10/skirting-unsatisfactory-dress-issue.html">this post about three skirts that I made out of former dresses</a>, I loved the fabric so much I couldn't bear to throw it out, and in 2018 I cut it down into a skirt that I can wear until it's worn out. I am so happy to now have this knitted top to wear with it, as they work very well together. I had hoped to wear this outfit to my parents' diamond anniversary in August, but with all the difficulties I ran into, and given that I was also concurrently working on Bug's birthday sweater, which had to take precedence, it was not finished in time. Instead I paired the jersey skirt with a <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-dress-form-vs-me-top.html">dark brown silk top I had sewed for myself in 2018</a>. That combination made a nice outfit too, even if cotton would have been better than silk for such a warm day.</p><p>This project took 190 grams of yarn, which left me with a stash increase of 60 grams. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLImlyRsVpUNOiR7Q9KoZX0UsnuT6TeTsFNG_UQtrBSpL8LyTumo7r1EhaecVGdx0K9DVN1GnA0gU1JDi1fgvL0GPfZNAG8qNgR-P8xw6gQFWiGhxVYzgwRTVNScN_b1zNWORANS28g1Bebp_8sDhnq4mvnJdn4yXvm3tYJrBud5mwSHLcuou-5DDOrf4/s4608/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20Scottish.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLImlyRsVpUNOiR7Q9KoZX0UsnuT6TeTsFNG_UQtrBSpL8LyTumo7r1EhaecVGdx0K9DVN1GnA0gU1JDi1fgvL0GPfZNAG8qNgR-P8xw6gQFWiGhxVYzgwRTVNScN_b1zNWORANS28g1Bebp_8sDhnq4mvnJdn4yXvm3tYJrBud5mwSHLcuou-5DDOrf4/s320/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20Scottish.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And now we come to the eighth and last project of the year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shortly after my honorary niece Olivia was born in 2016, I came up with the idea of making her a doll and a little wardrobe of outfits and accessories for the doll. I decided to save the idea until she was old enough to really enjoy and appreciate having a doll like that, and I designated four as the ideal age. Olivia turned four in 2020, but I didn't get to the project at all that year. In 2021, when Olivia turned five, I began doing some work on the project, but I didn't get that far. In early September of 2022, when Olivia was nearly six and a half, I began working steadily on the doll project with the idea that Olivia would get it for Christmas that year, but though I spent four months straight working on it, the end of the year found the doll knitted but not assembled, and three of the outfits not quite finished. It wasn't until June 2023 that I finally finished making the doll and her wardrobe of seven outfits, and then in July 2023, I visited my friend Lindsie's home for two days for the first time since October 2019, and gave her seven-year-old daughter the doll and its accompanying accoutrements. I suppose seven isn't such a bad age for such a gift -- Olivia should still have about three doll-enjoying years ahead of her -- and at least the thing finally got done. </div><p></p><p>All through my doll-making endeavour, I thought of the doll provisionally as "Little Olivia", with the expectation that Olivia would want to name her doll herself. I looked forward to seeing what that name would be, and was gratified when Olivia promptly named her doll... wait for it... Rainbow Sparkle Unicorn-Animals. Lindsie tried unsuccessfully to get Olivia to go with a nice Scottish name, such as Isla, but while that would have been a pretty and suitable name, Olivia's choice is peak seven-year-old girl in a way that makes me crack up whenever I think of it. And, now that Miss Unicorn-Animals is finally finished, duly named, and enjoying life with her mommy, let's take a tour through the process of making her and of her completed wardrobe. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OvtvzAuB1U1E-74ymuIaGrKrlF6wpYtD9-KjJNCtlxi_NCXNZR0XYF1sjwRrPTeFD6EhFCnJnuKOJmupsAOeTATf9btvLFzMqs9olCiRxBbN_eqMYvEBBP5NSPSJepw1uODkxynRWF1FbU7FYVJYgAbycW0LXahmnM0tQ0FhCWrR0Cx_P7kAm4u7VjpB/s640/sarah%20gasson%20doll.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OvtvzAuB1U1E-74ymuIaGrKrlF6wpYtD9-KjJNCtlxi_NCXNZR0XYF1sjwRrPTeFD6EhFCnJnuKOJmupsAOeTATf9btvLFzMqs9olCiRxBbN_eqMYvEBBP5NSPSJepw1uODkxynRWF1FbU7FYVJYgAbycW0LXahmnM0tQ0FhCWrR0Cx_P7kAm4u7VjpB/s320/sarah%20gasson%20doll.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>When I was in the early stages of planning this project, I kept an eye out for suitable knitted doll patterns and ideas for its wardrobe. I set up a Pinterest board entitled "Little Olivia and Her Wardrobe" to keep track of the cute knitted dolls and doll outfits and other ideas I came across. When it came time to plan more definitely, I searched Ravelry for knitted doll patterns. Its database contained some real cuties, but I soon zeroed in on the "Knit a Teddy" constellation of designs by Sarah Gasson. Gasson has designed an <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/knitables-ravelry-store-2/patterns?page=1">entire collection of stuffed dolls, bears, cats, bunnies, etc., with numerous outfits designed to fit them all</a> (the stuffed toys are all the same size through the body and the patterns have options for adding tail and ear openings if one is knitting for a stuffed animal). The dolls are darling, with hair that can be styled in multiple ways, and the outfits are amazing, with outfits for every day as well as a number of theme outfits. One can start by knitting <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/girl-doll-knit-a-teddy">the basic doll</a> and then proceed to make any number of outfits. If you want to make a cheerleader, firefighter, nurse, doctor, paramedic, police officer, soccer, golfing, graduation, elf, fairy, bride, superhero, princess, Christmas, or Halloween outfit, Sarah Gasson has you, or at least the stuffed toy you've made, covered. </p><div>Prior to beginning this project, I'd been wanting to make a doll and a wardrobe for it for awhile. Whenever I did my weekly tour of the thrift shops in my neighbourhood, I would often see an array of those "collectable" porcelain dolls (i.e., of the type intended more for display than for playing with) on the shelves among the knickknacks, and I would think about how much fun it would be buy one, take it home, and then research, design, and make some period accurate wardrobe for it as a gift for one of the little girls in my life. And then I would remind myself sternly that I have very limited physical and mental energy due to my chronic fatigue issues, that I'm not making a living, that its costs would add up, that there is so much that needs doing around my house, and that I don't like sewing or knitting in the very small scale at all, and I keep walking. But then the same scenario would play out again the next week.</div><div><br /></div><div>This particular doll and wardrobe project seemed like an acceptable way to scratch that "I want to make a doll wardrobe" itch. I'd only be working on it in the evening when I don't have the energy to do much else anyway, and it wouldn't take much research, or much money. It would be easy and fun to plan it and come up with little creative touches for it, it wasn't on such a small scale that I would mind working on it, and it would be a good way to use up my boxful of odds and ends of DK yarn. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I bought the Sarah Gasson doll pattern, and some of the outfit patterns, and got started. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK8wIL78Li5cRvJui6oKg8Da5BDrbG8NeJ_1xVHrrUX0ptaDT0iE07NVLtpYYDdNgybOmXoS_mg36qGmOdBApy9aP1p7FK52QaEzcMa5oqkuip5zAsxNZsHvw7aDbYr4rLQkD5UcDdNBBwhkoxA2BBUpZpqNr1_07wjGbnAfvB-gT9pgoJSiTIc7WESgN/s640/striped%20dress.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="640" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK8wIL78Li5cRvJui6oKg8Da5BDrbG8NeJ_1xVHrrUX0ptaDT0iE07NVLtpYYDdNgybOmXoS_mg36qGmOdBApy9aP1p7FK52QaEzcMa5oqkuip5zAsxNZsHvw7aDbYr4rLQkD5UcDdNBBwhkoxA2BBUpZpqNr1_07wjGbnAfvB-gT9pgoJSiTIc7WESgN/s320/striped%20dress.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div>The above photo is the sample shot from the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pink-stripy-dress-knit-a-teddy">Pink Stripy Dress</a> design. I wanted this doll to have some everyday type outfits as well as some theme outfits, and this was one of the first of its everyday outfits. </div><div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6Ut7JxC2zJukxQ4gghf7gsfuSAhMe3JjJdlBrZBMILGvAC5FF50Prckln1lvWQo33Lnn668uYJggEW7MI5hcP1clnJIqFMQnFUZ9amunZRWD1HR4cF6hVFjx2bUKzuWnZD4LKE31BrUxzAsPY1A7kxPs7eQNOHM_eoDBaRkvcd9e17wqneP2b1lA0oLj/s4608/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20striped%20dress.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6Ut7JxC2zJukxQ4gghf7gsfuSAhMe3JjJdlBrZBMILGvAC5FF50Prckln1lvWQo33Lnn668uYJggEW7MI5hcP1clnJIqFMQnFUZ9amunZRWD1HR4cF6hVFjx2bUKzuWnZD4LKE31BrUxzAsPY1A7kxPs7eQNOHM_eoDBaRkvcd9e17wqneP2b1lA0oLj/s320/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20striped%20dress.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I wanted the doll, or Rainbow as I suppose I should call her, to look as much like Olivia as possible. Little girls mother their dolls, and they tend to especially like having a doll that looks like them. This doll's facial features being set by the pattern, I could only make the doll look like Olivia by simulating Olivia's colouring. As I said above when talking about Olivia's Christmas 2022 sweater, Olivia, who is a strikingly beautiful little girl, has gorgeous long brown curly hair with lots of blond and lighter brown highlights, as well as a slightly reddish tone to it, olive-coloured eyes, and a slight olive tone to her skin. I used two different shades of brown yarn for Rainbow's hair and tried to choose skin and eye colour yarns that were as close to Olivia's colouring as I could get them. The result, while not photo realism accurate, wasn't bad. Lindise commented that the doll really did look like Olivia.</p><p>I goofed on the hair by knotting it much too thickly over the back of the doll's head. The pattern called for 50 grams of yarn to be used on the hair, and I used 110 grams of yarn. I suppose it's not such a bad thing for Rainbow to have what we'll call very luxuriant hair, but it's not as easy to style the doll's hair when it's this thick, so if I make another doll like this one, I will not put as much hair on it. </p><p>The body of this doll was knitted from a single 100 gram skein of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/premier-yarns-anti-pilling-everyday-dk-solids">Premier Anti-Pilling Everyday DK</a> in Linen, which I purchased for this project. (As mentioned above when I was describing Olivia's Christmas sweater, I ordered 200 grams of the same yarn in Almond first, then decided it was way too yellowy to work as the doll's skin tone, but I counted that as new yarn for the Christmas sweater project so I won't add it to the tally for this one.) For the hair, I used up 40 grams of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/sirdar-country-style-dk-45-40-15-blend">Sirdar Country Style DK</a> in 530 Chocolate that I had in my stash, and when that proved not to be enough to cover the back of the doll's head, I bought two 50 gram skeins of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/debbie-bliss-rialto-dk-solids">Debbie Bliss Rialto DK</a> in 23005 Brown. The eyes were done with a unmeasurably small amount of green yarn of unknown make that I had in my stash, and I used embroidery floss that I had on hand to do the eyelashes and mouth. When the doll was done, I had 25 grams of the new linen yarn and 35 grams of the new brown yarn left, and when I subtract the 40 grams of stash brown yarn I used, I find that this project added 20 just grams of yarn to my stash. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrDqVjeAYBjLxyBbov9Da91SsGO3GEpNkp00nabU-0ONsqEEAZXqg_LVxICtxKoXrw1nG4DRw_s1ytoUZuUXinFc0fn915CTZY5MyxHnRRCCjKw1v2tpEcEROQIPMlNQKyqk32Vokw75neuPFL5ADNUMgWHHoPKtpQij1_-f7PJ2QDHybsDpzAoAMak2B/s4608/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20flower%20detail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrDqVjeAYBjLxyBbov9Da91SsGO3GEpNkp00nabU-0ONsqEEAZXqg_LVxICtxKoXrw1nG4DRw_s1ytoUZuUXinFc0fn915CTZY5MyxHnRRCCjKw1v2tpEcEROQIPMlNQKyqk32Vokw75neuPFL5ADNUMgWHHoPKtpQij1_-f7PJ2QDHybsDpzAoAMak2B/s320/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20flower%20detail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>This striped dress, bloomers, and shoes outfit was made entirely from stash yarn. I made the dress from spring green and coral yarns, which used up all the coral. I then made the bloomers and the shoes in the same green with cream trim, and to pull the outfit's colour scheme together, I crocheted a cream flower with a green centre, and tacked it to the waistline of the dress. </p><p>I forgot to weigh my odds and ends of stash yarn before I began this outfit, but it weighed 120 grams when completed, so that is a stash decrease of -120 grams.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYb563P7AQ4-JIE-qoPp1OSVyKWseaqQML25Utcv8-8Qn8YW8ADXo2nzyu46EOaUZ-3D2nTcKbP2ggc7n8m3I3Up64v8gRfZProSlfcXCmBs2A4Fns6ThUtYT2P6DqXfAWfTivEgWnHT9RwegJdc0eESxHaT9tH0aJRn8qzEj66vKaEbLh-qjW-Zwb6m9/s640/pinafore%20outfit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYb563P7AQ4-JIE-qoPp1OSVyKWseaqQML25Utcv8-8Qn8YW8ADXo2nzyu46EOaUZ-3D2nTcKbP2ggc7n8m3I3Up64v8gRfZProSlfcXCmBs2A4Fns6ThUtYT2P6DqXfAWfTivEgWnHT9RwegJdc0eESxHaT9tH0aJRn8qzEj66vKaEbLh-qjW-Zwb6m9/s320/pinafore%20outfit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The second "everyday" outfit that I picked out for Rainbow (after some deliberation, because there are so many cute outfits one can hardly choose) was Sarah Gasson's <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flower-pinafore-knit-a-teddy">Flower Pinafore</a> design. <br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Gdp5K-cl9Aylu6z3EzWChz18OuOefrATdkgXov2m2eEE19GxV3q-WAwIGEzDSXc5VpKQypVWJ2UjYCtg5XqzGBI0M3amgIIHmvwS8hx7p_VUgPzD9CA2ujrqBjO3Vpl6WUKqx9HgZsMFiHKHQOnbb4qjz_pHoA_lpo59ty1ggpm4CytfsWWg4nPyNOSz/s4608/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20pinafore.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Gdp5K-cl9Aylu6z3EzWChz18OuOefrATdkgXov2m2eEE19GxV3q-WAwIGEzDSXc5VpKQypVWJ2UjYCtg5XqzGBI0M3amgIIHmvwS8hx7p_VUgPzD9CA2ujrqBjO3Vpl6WUKqx9HgZsMFiHKHQOnbb4qjz_pHoA_lpo59ty1ggpm4CytfsWWg4nPyNOSz/s320/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20pinafore.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I planned this outfit around an unidentifiable skein of dark green yarn that had been sitting in my DK yarn box for years and years. I had some red and some assorted cream yarn that went well with the green, so I went with that.<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZJABXfIBvJwBFeIyijqjshSrwDsmPsWq4bfEvB3l6lcUq1ll0CwOa09uumS1emTq7FVvH_63J1oOYKkkB-iXCdf1Fz3d7HHGuIBt5IY36qMbvhuasWTiP603qWi0RxIBRhlCO28FjyZk4JFABQ7RL7fFLpbTXQTBVZhhjxTJwX9YTeKEnRDd-m_G6LhE/s4608/2022-12%20doll%20heart%20sweater.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZJABXfIBvJwBFeIyijqjshSrwDsmPsWq4bfEvB3l6lcUq1ll0CwOa09uumS1emTq7FVvH_63J1oOYKkkB-iXCdf1Fz3d7HHGuIBt5IY36qMbvhuasWTiP603qWi0RxIBRhlCO28FjyZk4JFABQ7RL7fFLpbTXQTBVZhhjxTJwX9YTeKEnRDd-m_G6LhE/s320/2022-12%20doll%20heart%20sweater.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>A shot of the sweater and bloomers by themselves, since the sweater design isn't visible under the pinafore. Fortunately Olivia will be able to mix and match her doll's outfits somewhat.</p><p>This outfit was made entirely from stash yarn, and weighed 180 grams when completed, so that's a stash decrease of -180 grams. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAIFaqfLVkoXRx9cIYqh4NToojevgIkLkRaFQ3X8OKHSGuHLn1pa9TMAHIX5CS7UtZnlc4aKXfF7dbO-UQypMN9a3bBGRKi-1d7hWzR0bVpzVegfYU1bSqokUvQNMim2_5x-12fQdfe5SGw7e0NdPA63-51QmrKXgqKatHXy_ZunsOHeIXsZMqqsQVTOZ/s640/scottish%20outfit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="640" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAIFaqfLVkoXRx9cIYqh4NToojevgIkLkRaFQ3X8OKHSGuHLn1pa9TMAHIX5CS7UtZnlc4aKXfF7dbO-UQypMN9a3bBGRKi-1d7hWzR0bVpzVegfYU1bSqokUvQNMim2_5x-12fQdfe5SGw7e0NdPA63-51QmrKXgqKatHXy_ZunsOHeIXsZMqqsQVTOZ/s320/scottish%20outfit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Olivia's father's last name is Wallace, he is of Scottish ancestry, and he and his family are quite into their Scottish heritage. They talk about it frequently at family gatherings. I asked Lindsie if they do face-painting and kilt-lifting at their family gatherings as William Wallace's men do in <i>Braveheart</i>, and she said, "Thankfully, no." When it comes to embracing his heritage, Lindsie's father has only gone so far as taking up the bagpipes, and marching in town parades, all kilted up, with whatever little bagpipe regiment he's in. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I saw the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/highland-dress-2">Highland Dress</a> design among Sarah Gasson's collection, I decided it should be one of Rainbow's outfits, because it would be a nice way for Olivia to celebrate her Scottish heritage. It's adorable as is, but when I made it I did end up making some tweaks. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5HJp0fmkM7PxyKjh2IM7rooNKubmLU_B5hxsAW85Uy1SdHo-NVVbflkBCo7X1UeVIEQmKKjiAT2GQjgENfkBveV8m81ueyZea11Dd7C-W6Bz49xG4kPrMUvI7FcmEzFKAejEdz4DxvweKf6tLn2Q_nJTesZSEQgTEr8RLHG_HctoBpEUX8IRFPY_r7YW/s340/wallace%20tartan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="340" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5HJp0fmkM7PxyKjh2IM7rooNKubmLU_B5hxsAW85Uy1SdHo-NVVbflkBCo7X1UeVIEQmKKjiAT2GQjgENfkBveV8m81ueyZea11Dd7C-W6Bz49xG4kPrMUvI7FcmEzFKAejEdz4DxvweKf6tLn2Q_nJTesZSEQgTEr8RLHG_HctoBpEUX8IRFPY_r7YW/s320/wallace%20tartan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p>The first change I made was to the tartan pattern itself. I thought it would be nice to make the doll's kilt, sash, and tam in a Wallace tartan if I could. I googled the Wallace tartan, and found that I could get the kilt's tartan design quite close to the modern dress Wallace tartan you see pictured above by simply changing the colours from red, green, and white, to red, black, and yellow. <br /></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIdQS0EQIU-2VpKfFD7FTpNJh1-5qllWifKuG7nJ6GVWn0rDcFkN5YGct5Wu_bGFr2NR2npFIa8gC7ZceeFyPLCY-1Jgzehj69rzZmclor5_IozFOnURWfLtbVSNTH-Xs1iEBnw7kjKEuhuGGEycO6PMC82L_BISWYQ0abi68up14vriZmCK68A6tjUKD/s4608/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20tartan%20pin.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIdQS0EQIU-2VpKfFD7FTpNJh1-5qllWifKuG7nJ6GVWn0rDcFkN5YGct5Wu_bGFr2NR2npFIa8gC7ZceeFyPLCY-1Jgzehj69rzZmclor5_IozFOnURWfLtbVSNTH-Xs1iEBnw7kjKEuhuGGEycO6PMC82L_BISWYQ0abi68up14vriZmCK68A6tjUKD/s320/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20tartan%20pin.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div>I was pleased with my version of the Wallace tartan. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tweak number two was the result of my thinking, wouldn't it be cute if the kilt had a little kilt pin in it? Some online and in person comparison shopping later, I concluded I couldn't buy a kilt pin of the right size unless I bought a hundred or so of them, so next I looked into the possibility of making a single kilt pin of the right size. In the end, I made one in fifteen minutes using <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqJKW1qPdYc&ab_channel=ArtbeadsVideos">this very helpful video tutorial</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>I haven't worn a kilt since my elementary school uniform days, so I did some more googling on the topic of correct kilt pin placement. From what I understand, a kilt pin is supposed to be worn clasp down on the right side, and two inches from the bottom hem. I adhered faithfully to the first two stipulations, but had to cheat on the "two inches from the bottom" rule because that would have put the kilt pin more than halfway up the doll's kilt. </div><div><br /></div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2mwcyZJOdxb3bV3g68P_VhPP6H7oOP0gp77T9lX4bBnoYVPwKX5vVvTS_0ppozy6RkQkQfoS7IAqhVBvUbJJs5n91R2GGcpKBqAjRRhNDuaZ-ElD5kor3IcTtlBl4qKw1LC5toWu5B9S_MBZvnVs3IoTAi64SNrKJUTEdGY7AgRIJycdrBUMR-rXhduS/s4608/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20Scottish%20jabot.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2mwcyZJOdxb3bV3g68P_VhPP6H7oOP0gp77T9lX4bBnoYVPwKX5vVvTS_0ppozy6RkQkQfoS7IAqhVBvUbJJs5n91R2GGcpKBqAjRRhNDuaZ-ElD5kor3IcTtlBl4qKw1LC5toWu5B9S_MBZvnVs3IoTAi64SNrKJUTEdGY7AgRIJycdrBUMR-rXhduS/s320/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20Scottish%20jabot.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Tweak number three came about because I didn't have any silver or gray yarn suitable for the buttons, didn't want to buy a whole new skein of it when I needed such a tiny amount, and didn't particularly like look of the crocheted ones anyway. I used some tooled metal buttons from my button tin that I thought were just perfect for the jacket.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tweaks four and five happened when it occurred to me after I'd made the bow tie that Sarah Gasson's design was the masculine version of traditional highland dress. I did a little googling to find out what the feminine version entailed. Did women even wear sporrans, sashes, and bow ties in traditional highland dress for women? According to my googling results (and I could easily be wrong about any of this!), in traditional highland dress, women don't wear sporrans or bow ties, but they do wear sashes and shawls, and sometimes lace jabots. I nixed the sporran and the bow tie that the pattern called for, made the sash, and cobbled together a lace jabot out of a few scraps of lace I found in my ribbon cannister, using some photos of lace jabots that I found online for reference. I thought the result was, if not up to lace jabot industry standards, pretty decent as a finishing touch on a doll for a seven-year-old.</div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_GsK8dqSDciy14fBaXBWRUCUAqbtzzq0sgdlxzgB71C5OWJXpsLsrxQh0iOq3DsXkB9KgXw616YKY5leX5PsaEES6E-a18gWaf8YFK7TpvXW3jgLfijSWrZhHwYmrYB89JyalQ5hbeyc4Cbulr_3nuMEV0WX2dePT3CmrXShHk9oQfTpNYaogs7zmRZX/s4608/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20Scottish.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_GsK8dqSDciy14fBaXBWRUCUAqbtzzq0sgdlxzgB71C5OWJXpsLsrxQh0iOq3DsXkB9KgXw616YKY5leX5PsaEES6E-a18gWaf8YFK7TpvXW3jgLfijSWrZhHwYmrYB89JyalQ5hbeyc4Cbulr_3nuMEV0WX2dePT3CmrXShHk9oQfTpNYaogs7zmRZX/s320/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20Scottish.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The finished highland dress outfit. Olivia will be able to take Rainbow along when she goes to see her father play bagpipes in her town's parade, and sit her up at the table when she and her parents are hosting a Wallace family gathering. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I was visiting Lindsie and we were watching Olivia with her doll, Lindsie asked me which of the seven outfits was my favourite. I said I didn't know if I had a favourite, but that the Scottish outfit was the one I was proudest of. It wasn't until I was writing this post that I realized that I totally forgot to make the flashings for the socks, which is seriously undercutting that sense of pride, sigh. Well, I suppose if it bothers me enough, I can make some, take them with me when I go visit Lindsie in October, and sew them in at that point.</div><div><p>For this outfit, I used some white yarn I had on hand, and I also purchased some skeins of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/patons-north-america-astra-solids">Patons Astra DK</a> in Cardinal, Black, and Maize Yellow. I had 40 grams of the black left, and 10 grams of the yellow. I used up the remaining red in one of the other doll outfits, so I won't count that in my tally for this outfit. But I have no idea how much white yarn I used, because it seems I forgot to weigh it before I started work. I have a note on one of my patterns that says a completed sweater of this type weighed 50 grams, so I think it's safe to say that I would have used at least 60 grams of white to make the shirt and socks for this outfit. I'm going to estimate that this outfit resulted in a net decrease of -10 grams </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SRRpZH7rhgsT-ve3mRZ51GkLSr2DhHbDc6CoOHZHiVOX6HlcsE7Rd3np_SF3ViIAQOVhn7yXFVkN7FsDyj4oxlY-2NJ8mMU4952HOyH6TEqS1ysuW7wxnGsVgm-KQaeJfSY70MBQEzTFsF04YdUlrJ4CGoqACG-J869rt-jCI72CUp1zLVTQytcs25r8/s640/Christmas%20outfit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SRRpZH7rhgsT-ve3mRZ51GkLSr2DhHbDc6CoOHZHiVOX6HlcsE7Rd3np_SF3ViIAQOVhn7yXFVkN7FsDyj4oxlY-2NJ8mMU4952HOyH6TEqS1ysuW7wxnGsVgm-KQaeJfSY70MBQEzTFsF04YdUlrJ4CGoqACG-J869rt-jCI72CUp1zLVTQytcs25r8/s320/Christmas%20outfit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And we come now to another too-adorable outfit of Sarah Gasson's. This is the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/christmas-jumper-knit-a-teddy">Christmas Jumper</a> design. How freaking cute are those little Timberland-style boots? And this is one of those (rare!) knitting design samples that has such a perfect colour scheme that I just have to replicate it.<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgiXbWXbc2PNEmU09Jpflsgyy5oTYOV84n9jRG8O7yI2FUsIy9_h3pMfO_5PkzQ_HRvP9hbHzH8qzRJFa4fZchRCFGnRry8inyBrx1WGecqYhzBzxLIntovuk3wq2dtzIYA2FrQ5naoOMXJC8KEmyNrDKnXSFITKnHgDatmQkB87Z3LrhioQ_cyZXw7vz/s4608/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20Christmas.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgiXbWXbc2PNEmU09Jpflsgyy5oTYOV84n9jRG8O7yI2FUsIy9_h3pMfO_5PkzQ_HRvP9hbHzH8qzRJFa4fZchRCFGnRry8inyBrx1WGecqYhzBzxLIntovuk3wq2dtzIYA2FrQ5naoOMXJC8KEmyNrDKnXSFITKnHgDatmQkB87Z3LrhioQ_cyZXw7vz/s320/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20Christmas.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>My version of the Christmas outfit, with which I am very pleased. For this outfit, I used the remaining red yarn from the Scottish highland dress outfit, and I bought more <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/patons-north-america-astra-solids">Patons Astra DK</a> in Cardinal, Navy, and White. For the reindeer face and antlers and the boots I used tan and brown yarns from my stash.</p><p>When I was done this ensemble, I found I had used 15 grams of the brown, 10 grams of the tan, and that I had 25 grams of the new red and 5 grams of the new navy left. (Whatever white yarn I had left went into an upcoming outfit.) So, that's a +5 gram stash increase. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEZ3nxg5rPTOlckfw5Aut6G00zZ_RM0dredMuppoCFy490w-m6uHnlMqFkaeRbyG-9zry7tBGZYICl9bDdD_weNnYyeyKOicp5vA-ZaJ7zjB8gR6yjgntQFmojR1nr9NvitkNGK4kK7oaPnJWp8eR7W8Lfk24HnSCnPiKRCN2uOt-dV4PG6tNu_-BKGTn/s640/princess%20outfit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEZ3nxg5rPTOlckfw5Aut6G00zZ_RM0dredMuppoCFy490w-m6uHnlMqFkaeRbyG-9zry7tBGZYICl9bDdD_weNnYyeyKOicp5vA-ZaJ7zjB8gR6yjgntQFmojR1nr9NvitkNGK4kK7oaPnJWp8eR7W8Lfk24HnSCnPiKRCN2uOt-dV4PG6tNu_-BKGTn/s320/princess%20outfit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This is the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snowflake-gown">Snowflake Gown</a> ensemble from Sarah Gasson's collection. I decided to make this one because one of my nicknames for Olivia is "Princess Olivia of Bolivia". (No, Olivia is not any part Bolivian and yes I am aware that Bolivia is a democratic republic -- I just happen to like the rhyming aspect of it.)</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WZMC4QRrrTMvgBkxFZZXzGvYa90Zcqi923-rajgEGkakDBmG3PN6fdIN1lIXx17UO6ZxrjVMTWGt-pcLGwFQHhBzTGJ0eG2M1Y2Xm2467-T_UcB3iQTNS-lInUrf6LEEW0Fuqe-A5IT3G7OmiyQtN2Ltqr79arAXvKDoeO01h0CebnaC47msZps1DfzS/s4608/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20princess.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WZMC4QRrrTMvgBkxFZZXzGvYa90Zcqi923-rajgEGkakDBmG3PN6fdIN1lIXx17UO6ZxrjVMTWGt-pcLGwFQHhBzTGJ0eG2M1Y2Xm2467-T_UcB3iQTNS-lInUrf6LEEW0Fuqe-A5IT3G7OmiyQtN2Ltqr79arAXvKDoeO01h0CebnaC47msZps1DfzS/s320/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20princess.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had to improvise a new colour scheme for Princess Rainbow's outfit out of the offerings at Michaels. I thought a white and a pretty soft second colour would be a nice combination, but they didn't have many options. A lot of the inexpensive acrylic colours are downright crude and ugly. After some traipsing back and forth through their aisles, I bought <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/loops--threads-baby-cuddles">Loops & Threads Baby Cuddles</a> in Lilac, and <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/loops--threads-snuggly-wuggly">Loops & Threads Snuggly Wuggly</a> in White. I also used a very small amount of a light green yarn from my stash for the device on the bodice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The tiara is supposed to be sewn to the doll's head, but I didn't want to do that, as the tiara would definitely not go with all, or for that matter any, of Rainbow's other outfits. Instead, I knitted the tiara twice and stitched it together at the ends, turning it into a crown that could be worn and taken off. I also raided my beading box and found some amethyst chips and some purple stone beads, and sewed them onto the crown. I wish I had found a more artistic arrangement of the gems on the crown, but again, and as I often reminded myself while working on this project, this is just a doll for a little girl, not a PhD level dissertation in costuming. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I used up the white I had left over from this project on my last two projects and I had just 20 grams of the lilac left, so that's a stash increase of +20 grams for this princess outfit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpsvHnb59x3EHpokVwsWMzDEISDc1IFvQ9bE5nKXjqgGAis0_R5p5Cz9Sp4rMpwsTQwRMzgLWbUPHsS_wpi3EpKH18k9zP1JpBLjtCfp75LAYiF4oq84T_KUTW-OFhhofYmldRs8LsEOzfTvgS2KNm7za-S2WApwKJDUayogo-s6h5IcWGMPeQEJX98HI/s640/onesie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpsvHnb59x3EHpokVwsWMzDEISDc1IFvQ9bE5nKXjqgGAis0_R5p5Cz9Sp4rMpwsTQwRMzgLWbUPHsS_wpi3EpKH18k9zP1JpBLjtCfp75LAYiF4oq84T_KUTW-OFhhofYmldRs8LsEOzfTvgS2KNm7za-S2WApwKJDUayogo-s6h5IcWGMPeQEJX98HI/s320/onesie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Almost from the beginning of this project, I planned to make the doll some sort of nightwear, such as a nightgown and cap, so that Olivia would be able to put her baby properly to bed at night. When I saw this <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/onesie-knit-a-teddy">Onesie</a> pattern in Sarah Gasson's Ravelry store, I knew it had to be one of my selections.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13w1hH4ITdWdfsU4EcraBgrtuDWLxqQZcDZ5XBy-MXe-esgEaKDQ18rvCoNCordlmXmihJobyuxtIzaVePZ6XrO2iSgd7iTSOM1gf7w-_7oBWhYC8iJGzujmOWD9i4holjUtIJofCq3S6IU6FyviE7f0jJ8yBV34zGg07LxLG9VDtj05Lc587lIdmmcC-/s4608/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20onesie.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13w1hH4ITdWdfsU4EcraBgrtuDWLxqQZcDZ5XBy-MXe-esgEaKDQ18rvCoNCordlmXmihJobyuxtIzaVePZ6XrO2iSgd7iTSOM1gf7w-_7oBWhYC8iJGzujmOWD9i4holjUtIJofCq3S6IU6FyviE7f0jJ8yBV34zGg07LxLG9VDtj05Lc587lIdmmcC-/s320/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20onesie.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For this pattern I used the white I had bought for some of the outfits you've already seen, and some medium blue, light blue, and old rose I had in my stash, as well as a very small amount of cream yarn and a little dark brown embroidery floss for the detailing on the teddy bear slippers. I had to be a little creative about making the odds and ends of yarn I had picked for this onesie suffice to finish the job. My first attempt at striping this sleeper had me running out of colours so quickly I knew halfway in that I'd never be able to finish, so I ripped out what I had done and began again with a more white-dependent stripe pattern. When it turned out that I didn't have enough of the old rose and light blue left to stripe the sleeves, I made them plain white.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm pretty happy with the result, and so was Olivia. When I was visiting Lindsie for those two days, Olivia undressed Rainbow and changed her into her onesie and slippers before carrying her off to bed on both nights, and then she would have her doll dressed for the day in one of her other outfits by the time I came downstairs in the morning. Lindsie told me via email that Olivia has continued to do this since my visit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For this project I used 15 grams of medium blue, 20 grams of light blue, and 30 grams of old rose, so we'll call that a stash decrease of -65 grams.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11p3NHrjjDYIpBzltFtptUmKbJHglg3sTHWZkzI-NUk2EeDQE9WMyWU22iPzNBWkbVvZNcNI-a0iQX3UdmBjOWHxbYO25nGk2ZyeJkURhKnbv9SVZuOlvnu7ArMV4C0pZehaUDQbK-LrNeqyir60e6mfYqsmulehdvgceB94MrW8EpbXTU_3pM8d_7Ra3/s4608/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20Valentine.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11p3NHrjjDYIpBzltFtptUmKbJHglg3sTHWZkzI-NUk2EeDQE9WMyWU22iPzNBWkbVvZNcNI-a0iQX3UdmBjOWHxbYO25nGk2ZyeJkURhKnbv9SVZuOlvnu7ArMV4C0pZehaUDQbK-LrNeqyir60e6mfYqsmulehdvgceB94MrW8EpbXTU_3pM8d_7Ra3/s320/2022-12%20doll%20outfit%20Valentine.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>This was the last outfit I made. For this one I used the basic sweater, pants, and slippers instructions from my other patterns, and improvised the rest of the design. It was intended to be a sort of Valentine's Day outfit, but it's not so theme-oriented that it doesn't work as just a cute outfit for every day. Again, I had to be a bit creative to make the yarn I had suffice, which is why the pants look a little on the skimpy side. I wish I'd made the last few rows of knitting on the slippers in rib instead of garter, as it would have made their fit more secure.</p><p>For this outfit I used the last of the white I bought for the other doll outfits, and (at a guess, because I don't seem to have documented this) 45 grams of blue yarn and 15 grams of burgundy yarn from my stash. I had nothing but a handful of scraps of the three colours left when I finished, so that's a -60 gram stash decrease.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuYu_wfSHb0_cDDNsnLXmKVo9VDSAf_Nhj_NumFP2S_bgNojrQJb7P-UPkU7HpXYeSKTKt9xLnW4Fe98G7_jA7NniM1BeEmRXWM5mk51Q2zYOZxmjqnNAPvp2Jf4EsyV92yrwnJerW-4R1G_MbYCAKYlsVB0Skauqnso3LTZEWfnxNOKC_EfJo_ucxD8q/s4608/2022-12%20doll%20tote%20bag.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuYu_wfSHb0_cDDNsnLXmKVo9VDSAf_Nhj_NumFP2S_bgNojrQJb7P-UPkU7HpXYeSKTKt9xLnW4Fe98G7_jA7NniM1BeEmRXWM5mk51Q2zYOZxmjqnNAPvp2Jf4EsyV92yrwnJerW-4R1G_MbYCAKYlsVB0Skauqnso3LTZEWfnxNOKC_EfJo_ucxD8q/s320/2022-12%20doll%20tote%20bag.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Another idea that occurred to me early on in the project planning phase was that Olivia would need a place to keep all of her doll's clothing and belongings. My first thought was that I would get her a little wooden box, and paint and decorate it in such a way that she could still enjoy using the box after she'd outgrown the doll. I kept an eye out for a suitable box when doing my weekly thrift shop tour, and eventually bought one. But once I began working on the doll's wardrobe, it soon became clear that the box was far too small for such a purpose, so much so that I don't understand how I ever could have thought it would be adequate. (I stowed the box in a drawer in the attic for a few years, with the idea that I would be using it for some other project eventually, and I have since indeed come up with a good use for it, which I'll be posting about by the end of this year.)</p><p>With the box idea ruled out, my next thought was that I would make Olivia a tote bag for her doll's things, which was an even better idea than a box because she could so easily carry it around with her. And I knew immediately what fabric I wanted to use for it. Back in 2021, I had <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-lovely-orchard-quilt.html">made Olivia a quilt</a>, and when I went fabric shopping for that project, my first choice of fabric was the one you see depicted above. I thought those interlocking Os in an olive green colour made it the perfect fabric quilt for her. To my disappointment, there wasn't enough of the fabric left on the bolt for the quilt. I did find another pretty fabric for the quilt that I was happy with, but that disappointment was clearly still lurking in my mind, because when I came up with the idea for a tote bag, I was so glad that I had a chance to use that perfect first fabric for something else for Olivia. Back to the fabric warehouse place I went, and I dug around determinedly until I found the interlocking Os fabric. </p><p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5xjzKnKdpN-lJny9aox6vpAoxTmld_Oe70VrVHcW3PRiS2Gq0e4t4-uR4buM0JIVQsxYxlGUVyOh05GBHT7RJthxdXR3hbJvJ9NT6v-qIou-cXV15IjOFUyPvWH5ZDT9dCUucJ1rwQKnXQ88Lk1qF626gLl1QbhYWXnRr7N1zuXBLA0Cl3ivvwNkZi5p/s4608/2022-12%20doll%20&%20wardrobe.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5xjzKnKdpN-lJny9aox6vpAoxTmld_Oe70VrVHcW3PRiS2Gq0e4t4-uR4buM0JIVQsxYxlGUVyOh05GBHT7RJthxdXR3hbJvJ9NT6v-qIou-cXV15IjOFUyPvWH5ZDT9dCUucJ1rwQKnXQ88Lk1qF626gLl1QbhYWXnRr7N1zuXBLA0Cl3ivvwNkZi5p/s320/2022-12%20doll%20&%20wardrobe.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And here is Rainbow Sparkle Unicorn-Animals with all of her things packed and ready to go to meet her mommy for the first time. I put each of the outfits in a separate zippered plastic bag so that Olivia would know what items were intended to go with what other items, although I don't expect they'll stay that way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> This was a decent stash-busting project. Let's review the numbers:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><ul><li>doll +20 grams</li><li>striped dress outfit -120 grams</li><li>pinafore outfit -180 grams</li><li>Scottish outfit -10 grams</li><li>Christmas outfit +5 grams</li><li>princess outfit +20 grams</li><li>onesie and slippers -65 grams</li><li>Valentine's Day outfit -60 grams</li></ul><div>According to my math, that's 390 gram stash decrease. Not bad at all, and I definitely saw the difference in my DK stash box, with a number of odds and ends that had been sitting there for years finally used up. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was a seriously time intensive project on a scale I will almost certainly never attempt again. I think this project must have taken a total of six months of my knitting time. Admittedly, I am toying with the idea of making my grandniece Holly a doll like Rainbow in a few years, but she'll only get two or three outfits with it, <i>not</i> seven, and then maybe I'll make her one outfit a year to add to her collection until she's ten or so. And... I will be making Olivia more outfits for Rainbow, but again, it'll be just one a year, and only for a few more years. I also no longer pine over the porcelain dolls I see in thrift stores in the same way, so I consider that itch to be successfully scratched.</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And that's the end of my 2022 projects. I didn't do so badly to (almost) complete eight projects given that the eighth one essentially constituted eight projects. And when I tally up the year end stash increase/decrease, I find my yarn stash decreased by -555 grams. Not bad!</div>Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-35445077491855681752022-03-09T13:01:00.010-05:002022-03-19T00:32:50.228-04:0012 Months; 7 Projects<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFye_QdwxbTWeg3AsGyeuAWJmc-rBLjDo7d7p7Kd65sa7H1XkzMXlG7zOHorYFuPvzLn-y-Ah0TxigA3Saa-gmZH6uLq0ANM5EXJrL4HE5U2Nh7osk3JHijCRxc7BJkQ3AWxgz9yOvYcagdgU9o9qLiBTrygyOeZGWQ3V_2R4wXLg3iHqKbKYKEHHS=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFye_QdwxbTWeg3AsGyeuAWJmc-rBLjDo7d7p7Kd65sa7H1XkzMXlG7zOHorYFuPvzLn-y-Ah0TxigA3Saa-gmZH6uLq0ANM5EXJrL4HE5U2Nh7osk3JHijCRxc7BJkQ3AWxgz9yOvYcagdgU9o9qLiBTrygyOeZGWQ3V_2R4wXLg3iHqKbKYKEHHS=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another calendar year has passed (over two months ago, but oh well), which means it's time to do another round up post of my knitting projects, something I have done annually most years since launching this blog. (My 2018 and 2019 round up posts still aren't done, but I do intend to get them done eventually, and meanwhile you can check out all my other annual posts <a href="http://theknittingneedleandthedamagedone.blogspot.com/search/label/New%20Year%27s%20Eve">here</a>, or visit my blog <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/"><i>Modwardian</i></a> to read posts about all my knitting and other projects.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In 2021, I had fourteen projects on my list and I completed just seven of them. But then there were mitigating factors. I spent the first six weeks of 2021 finishing a mammoth project that I then counted as a 2020 project, and in the fall I spent nearly two months on a cross-stitch project, so I actually didn't do so badly from a needlework productivity standpoint given that my actual knitting year was considerably abbreviated. There were also a few projects I put some serious work into but didn't finish. That'll give me a leg up on this year, when again my knitting project list is fourteen items long. I'm hoping to get more of my planned projects done this year, and this hope is bolstered by the fact that, nine days into March 2022, I've finished two projects and have done quite a lot of work on three more. But we'll see how it goes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Meanwhile, let's have a look at the seven projects I did finish last year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1b1001; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1b1001; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzKi4DGNo0d3g_osxZ_5x2BTM6o94DBDa65d9NIZKPLrQaI63fOZ2Cz0_lLHrbYGYEz_HO_ChuGqW0tcuClcc2qPRWEGPnzRI8mu6tu_raOuubN54wl8M0IQ928ZeTKFn46BAwiwD5dUt/s640/duo+columns.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzKi4DGNo0d3g_osxZ_5x2BTM6o94DBDa65d9NIZKPLrQaI63fOZ2Cz0_lLHrbYGYEz_HO_ChuGqW0tcuClcc2qPRWEGPnzRI8mu6tu_raOuubN54wl8M0IQ928ZeTKFn46BAwiwD5dUt/s320/duo+columns.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My first project of 2021 (if we don't count that <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-abominable-snowman-afghan.html">albatross of an afghan project</a> that took me until February 13th, 2021, that is), was a reknit. Back in 2017, my friend Christine gave me <span style="background-color: white; color: #1b1001; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 15.84px;">two skeins of yarn she had bought at Pembroke Farm, Prince Edward Island, while she and her family were in P.E.I. on vacation the summer before. I was quick to knit up <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2017/07/gift-wrap.html">most of the yarn into a shawl/wrap pattern</a>. But then I found I had knitter's remorse on two counts. One, the shawl, though pretty, was such an awkward shape and length that I didn't like wearing it. Two, I had 60 grams of the Pembroke Farm yarn left over, which was not enough in itself to make anything, and I couldn't seem to find any yarn that coordinated with it -- it's an offbeat shade of old rose. Eventually I decided to take the wrap apart and knit a rectangular scarf that I would like better, and to use a design with a repeating pattern that I could just knit until the yarn was gone. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>I searched Ravelry for a suitable scarf pattern and found the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/duo-columns-reversible-scarf">Duo Columns Reversible Scarf</a>, designed by Quenna Lee, as depicted above. It's a nice-looking design, and is available for free. <br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1b1001; font-family: Cardo; font-size: 15.84px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8BXFdmoYleboaI67mmbcREnlBG8h6Zmm3kQ7BfnX0H17JpR9a6EJLZF1JQiAw1kDmqhjVUURgu9ltok-ptv0L45Se_b_FL5ozNkm84wCv2mPutNjv5OiRDgqshysSBqVnAHpy6wkTFgY/s587/2021-02+old+rose+scarf+length.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8BXFdmoYleboaI67mmbcREnlBG8h6Zmm3kQ7BfnX0H17JpR9a6EJLZF1JQiAw1kDmqhjVUURgu9ltok-ptv0L45Se_b_FL5ozNkm84wCv2mPutNjv5OiRDgqshysSBqVnAHpy6wkTFgY/s320/2021-02+old+rose+scarf+length.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's the finished scarf, with both its sides on display. I thought this scarf design would look better fringed, and as I had plenty of yarn to work with, I went ahead and did so. When I was getting close to the minimum scarf length I wanted, I stopped knitting and fringed the cast-on edge, cut a second set of fringe lengths and set them aside, and then resumed knitting on the length. I worked until I had just enough to cast off with, then added the pre-cut fringe to the cast-off edge, with the result that I had no yarn at all left over. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The completed scarf is 82" long, which is much longer than I would normally make a scarf. I usually wear my scarves singly around my neck, with the ends reaching my waist. The ends of this scarf reach to my knees when I wear it a single time around my neck. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ORAT4iyUkgt4pHzcEekqwwbkLVLFA6rF8FE5kjO4ODjRN7IfwucMKbmZXc2aMVRd_mEI8nlsp-hJfjy-XuCmAxzDzsn8hCI32eFcxOT_isJued-4RJE-Gy6F9geSjnCHkqgEocv1Qa2E/s2048/2021-02+old+rose+scarf.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ORAT4iyUkgt4pHzcEekqwwbkLVLFA6rF8FE5kjO4ODjRN7IfwucMKbmZXc2aMVRd_mEI8nlsp-hJfjy-XuCmAxzDzsn8hCI32eFcxOT_isJued-4RJE-Gy6F9geSjnCHkqgEocv1Qa2E/s320/2021-02+old+rose+scarf.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>But then this is a scarf that looks best wrapped a few times around the neck anyway. </p><p></p><p>I don't particularly like making or wearing big needle knits, but there's no denying that they make for gratifyingly quick and easy projects. It also made me smile to use my 9mm needles. Some years ago I saw them in a Salvation Army thrift store, priced at $1. I knew I didn't have a pair of 9mm straights, and I stood in the store with the needles in my hand for a few minutes, mentally debating buying them. With money so tight, I try never to buy anything unless I am absolutely sure that I will use it. At the time, I'd never used size 9mm needles in 35+ years of knitting, and maybe I never would. But I told myself, "It is just a dollar, you'll never get a better deal, and if you <i>don't</i> buy them and <i>do</i> need 9mm needles at some point, you'll kick yourself because you'll wind up having to pay a lot more." I bought the needles, and then just three months later was gratified to find that a pattern I'd picked out called for a pair of 9mm needles. This project is only the second or third time I've used these needles, but I'm still smugly satisfied that I made the right call that day. </p><p>This project used up the 60 grams I had left over when I knit this yarn up the first time, so I'm going to count this project as resulting in a net stash decrease of 60 grams. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTrY9Ok_vKZC2rckbyUxYvZYHPliMFqq9bzyNj0r1TcafPcdw_YAxj6_2eZv5umq1cWTA7uZyP1xQP2NZfdV-TJ-8ItTzPptEodhV_SaQZQuqvqR1MwUCggsBLp_hdkyY6sc0LVaDqGb9/s514/daisy+delight.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTrY9Ok_vKZC2rckbyUxYvZYHPliMFqq9bzyNj0r1TcafPcdw_YAxj6_2eZv5umq1cWTA7uZyP1xQP2NZfdV-TJ-8ItTzPptEodhV_SaQZQuqvqR1MwUCggsBLp_hdkyY6sc0LVaDqGb9/s320/daisy+delight.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My grandniece Cauliflower turned 12 in August 2021, and of course such an occasion called for a sweater.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I searched Ravelry for a suitable pattern and found the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/s34-7-daisy-delight">Daisy Delight</a> sweater pattern and the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/s34-6-daisy-delight-hat">coordinating hat pattern</a> you see pictured above. They are both Drops designs, and available for free. In March 2021, when the stores in Ontario were briefly open, I went to Romni Wools on Queen Street and bought 450 grams of Drops Karisma in Rose (shade # 80). I had some cream <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/garnstudio-drops-karisma">Drops Karisma DK</a> left over from another project that I decided to use for the daisies, and a little <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/jamiesons-of-shetland-shetland-double-knitting">Jamieson's of Shetland DK</a> in Leprechaun (shade #259) left over from <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-first-world-problem-sweater.html">this project</a> that would do for the daisy centres -- the sweater pattern requires just two rounds of the daisy centre colour, so it wouldn't take much. </div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKEJRjn-kuB39DEq3XNqaUp4Qk_mtNp1clsQmMpiRI_-iv0XNBb3EJNBZpTocUB-tf4Yn3z0-nR0tPgzkKxQhYplRqeDpcJNAGlpnvPoxFvs3qeEfp0tOcURtjyHZ0rsIuP1NYAw5g7fN/s2048/2021-04+Caleigh%2527s+sweater.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLKEJRjn-kuB39DEq3XNqaUp4Qk_mtNp1clsQmMpiRI_-iv0XNBb3EJNBZpTocUB-tf4Yn3z0-nR0tPgzkKxQhYplRqeDpcJNAGlpnvPoxFvs3qeEfp0tOcURtjyHZ0rsIuP1NYAw5g7fN/s320/2021-04+Caleigh%2527s+sweater.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's the finished sweater, in a size 11/12. It knitted up in just a few weeks and with no mistakes to speak of. I was reasonably pleased with it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwkGqu-pxinhWilJxEHczx21RxOcW1Q5572Z1qNyRo536g9eJabbURvgrnCHowZ5B8nAYPJwr26CUIREAVGTpSFSJgoGnsL_ZvNrq9EJa-VWlDr6tzwqNRKOgql3QiMruvi2zzfaljTcC/s2048/2021-04+Caleigh%2527s+cap.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwkGqu-pxinhWilJxEHczx21RxOcW1Q5572Z1qNyRo536g9eJabbURvgrnCHowZ5B8nAYPJwr26CUIREAVGTpSFSJgoGnsL_ZvNrq9EJa-VWlDr6tzwqNRKOgql3QiMruvi2zzfaljTcC/s320/2021-04+Caleigh%2527s+cap.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's the hat. It turned out fine too. A matched sweater and cap set is such a cute look on a young girl. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCGG5P9kDVHGLg2JBwDMlXwb0W7JgAdEYdoogcUDY7NuoN8YYsQZCx7vqt6wlJqJdqfoSZxug8FTZJ75-jmABduZiAZc_a-0_Fr-B99epnK5q7CqRvWCgSLziwqKxiYId1oR_QD2ZjKjy/s2048/2021-04+Caleigh%2527s+gift.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCGG5P9kDVHGLg2JBwDMlXwb0W7JgAdEYdoogcUDY7NuoN8YYsQZCx7vqt6wlJqJdqfoSZxug8FTZJ75-jmABduZiAZc_a-0_Fr-B99epnK5q7CqRvWCgSLziwqKxiYId1oR_QD2ZjKjy/s320/2021-04+Caleigh%2527s+gift.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>This photo shows Cauliflower's gift in its entirety. It's not much fun for a kid to get a wool sweater in August, so I threw in a few inexpensive items from the dollar store and thrift shop: a planner pad with stickers, a temporary tattoo kit, and a little owl ring (Cauliflower has a thing for owls). Not too shabby, and I hoped it was cool enough to suit a 12-year-old. It's going to get harder to please Cauliflower from here on in, as she'll be developing her own tastes and becoming more conscious of what's in and cool, and meanwhile her middle-aged great-aunt is becoming increasingly out of touch with what's in and cool. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had 25 grams of the new rose yarn left, and used 23 grams of the cream yarn and 2 grams of the green yarn that I had on hand, so I broke even on this project in terms of stash increase/decrease. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgergjeDK9ZEPLskEVnmNqI_WSzkPB3XOEuU4_rIODFuco6dCe5_ybekvNk1bucv_tgGqjn85CR8HyF1JFgrn3QACM7USZYBUdxxtDLxnk9XxYdrD5DsEPGcCNZtS0isw1lpGyAdkpjSsi8/s640/boy%2527s+sweater.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgergjeDK9ZEPLskEVnmNqI_WSzkPB3XOEuU4_rIODFuco6dCe5_ybekvNk1bucv_tgGqjn85CR8HyF1JFgrn3QACM7USZYBUdxxtDLxnk9XxYdrD5DsEPGcCNZtS0isw1lpGyAdkpjSsi8/s320/boy%2527s+sweater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My grandnephew Bug turned 8 in July 2021. In late 2020, when I was planning my projects for this coming year, I searched Ravelry for a suitable sweater pattern for him. I ended up selecting the one depicted above, which is the imaginatively named <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/boys-sweater-no-7">"Boy's Sweater, No. 7", designed by Gretchen Baum</a>. This pattern was originally published in 1948. It amuses me to think that Bug's great-grandfather (born 1938), grandfather (born 1963), and father (born 1981), could all have worn a sweater made from this pattern without ever looking the least bit out of date. Such is the staying power of classic knitwear design.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The pattern called for a dark green and white colour scheme, but when I was shopping for the yarn in March 2021, I selected 250 grams of a tweedy charcoal (<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/garnstudio-drops-merino-extra-fine">Drops Merino Extra Fine Mix</a>, shade 03, Anthrazit) and 50 grams of a cream (<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/garnstudio-drops-karisma">Drops Karisma Uni Colour,</a> shade 01, Off White) for my version. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGUo08M75InatY7LGkmXZr0Sr2kKdp9v4K68-_DURUkkoO_tk-W0v0bwsXWYUGIrzyzjPkgxTz2lr44yUWygvrIVEOvAqw0BCfU5oEm8O67XmEEJ0m5BeqwjXA7Fp9vg_EHDtsE4uvpy3/s2048/2021-06+Curtis+sweater.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGUo08M75InatY7LGkmXZr0Sr2kKdp9v4K68-_DURUkkoO_tk-W0v0bwsXWYUGIrzyzjPkgxTz2lr44yUWygvrIVEOvAqw0BCfU5oEm8O67XmEEJ0m5BeqwjXA7Fp9vg_EHDtsE4uvpy3/s320/2021-06+Curtis+sweater.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's the the finished item. I'm pleased with the look of it. It's a handsome sweater for a handsome boy. I used a DK for this project although, according to its Ravelry page, it calls for a sport weight. I think it might actually be intended for fingering. As a result I used considerably more yarn than the pattern called for. Thankfully Romni Wools had the three extra 50g skeins I needed in stock. The knit was also stiffer in its feel than I would have liked, though wet blocking helped somewhat. I can't say I regret my choice of yarn, though, as the resulting sweater turned out a modern size 8/9 (I checked the measurements against another contemporary pattern), rather than the narrower 1948 size 8/9 of the pattern. That should give Bug a little room to grow in, because he's on the small side of average for his age.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmZlTixTM7j_K6tFNYg-TaRn6urLlfjONg3Jr6ePtX0NND6bmm9jgPmyleCWSvomkNk8tRphkO4TZzO5VqiWYiAHhIFtcrzYPAZkMetSe3PkfZXurBDw_bS0dRZ4brSU-KbIpVJ-dfHqA/s2048/2021-06+Curtis+present.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmZlTixTM7j_K6tFNYg-TaRn6urLlfjONg3Jr6ePtX0NND6bmm9jgPmyleCWSvomkNk8tRphkO4TZzO5VqiWYiAHhIFtcrzYPAZkMetSe3PkfZXurBDw_bS0dRZ4brSU-KbIpVJ-dfHqA/s320/2021-06+Curtis+present.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> And, because a wool sweater is not an exciting gift for an boy turning eight in July, I added a few dollar store trinkets: a scavenger game that can be played in one's own home, and two Hot Wheels miniature cars. <p></p><p>This project used 2 grams of cream Drops Karisma that I had left over from another project, and there were 10 grams of cream and 15 grams of charcoal left over from the new yarn that I bought for this project, so that's a net stash increase of 23 grams. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8sBqmR3j9BG0R4bW6SCfwMDHhQqJmuFiIbRdngJ-kihpgKyQgPp2uzc8ujM4xTSQ-DgElD463RXxSia_CMAWKHVoa71KlE4zYRv9DbN4ppTX5bl7ecuK7BqG8V7xt1zGaqLdbVgdPvJk/s2048/2021-08+peridot+tam+%2526+scarf+detail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8sBqmR3j9BG0R4bW6SCfwMDHhQqJmuFiIbRdngJ-kihpgKyQgPp2uzc8ujM4xTSQ-DgElD463RXxSia_CMAWKHVoa71KlE4zYRv9DbN4ppTX5bl7ecuK7BqG8V7xt1zGaqLdbVgdPvJk/s320/2021-08+peridot+tam+%2526+scarf+detail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A few years ago, I decided I wanted a scarf and hat set in green. I have a pair of spring green leather gloves I'd picked up at Winners for $20 years before, and I wanted a set that would coordinate with them. That spring green would also look nice with my dark brown wool coat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I say I decided this a few years ago because it took me several years to find just the right shade of green yarn in the DK weight I needed for the pattern I'd picked out. Greens can be tricky to coordinate. If they're the least bit off, they look terrible. I took one of the green gloves with me whenever I went yarn shopping, and struck out many times. Eventually, in the spring of 2021, I found what I wanted: <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/cascade-yarns-220-superwash-merino">400 grams of 220 Superwash Merino</a> in Peridot. (220 Superwash Merino is officially listed as a worsted, but it really isn't a worsted -- it's between a DK and a worsted.) The green was several shades darker than the green of the gloves, but the right tone, and the gloves won't be right next to the hat and scarf when I've got them on, so I thought it would do. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It makes me smile that the yarn shade is called Peridot. I was born in August, and peridot is my birthstone. When I was growing up, I used to hate peridot and wish I'd been born in any other month so that I could have a birthstone I liked, but one day in my early thirties I clued in to the fact that peridot green actually really suits me and goes with my wardrobe's colour palette -- I even had several pieces of spring green clothing in my wardrobe already. Since then I've acquired a little collection of peridot jewelry that I love, and sometimes buy or make additional clothing or accessory items in that colour. And then I ended up working on and completing this peridot-coloured project in August, so it was doubly appropriate. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOYUSVxafWlwm3OGkp3wRZze5JmXes7WcMt5NPmQ5Up5DF2V481aO8sWXpQ1y254EHvQMvXoYafdZa5zAze5BLIpjc7pc6e3PWfazrF4o7keiq4cnN5-7Nx_KAx5At_XvS9iKHY_USQ9S/s500/Armley+Beret.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="283" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOYUSVxafWlwm3OGkp3wRZze5JmXes7WcMt5NPmQ5Up5DF2V481aO8sWXpQ1y254EHvQMvXoYafdZa5zAze5BLIpjc7pc6e3PWfazrF4o7keiq4cnN5-7Nx_KAx5At_XvS9iKHY_USQ9S/s320/Armley+Beret.jpg" width="181" /></a></div><p>For the hat pattern, I chose the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/armley-beret">Armley Beret, designed by Woolly Wormhead</a>. It's an attractive design, and I thought the little tapering cables around the brim looked like little trees, which would accord well thematically with the green I wanted to use for the yarn. As for the scarf, there was no pattern, but that's never stopped me before when I was making a set. It's generally so easy to improvise a design for a scarf that will go with a hat design.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZdPrEWTbApFPBheghUNmiyv0luGV31odtuEcbxUzIklRIj00NizTrfgRYYCRPleTq4EOyCrzUMPGaGPlENThljUIWpEsSNmuMG199vJ9kJT7DaAImrgaQZEDkCOboBnLNFcRJ3YMoeZO/s2048/2021-08+peridot+tam+%2526+scarf.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZdPrEWTbApFPBheghUNmiyv0luGV31odtuEcbxUzIklRIj00NizTrfgRYYCRPleTq4EOyCrzUMPGaGPlENThljUIWpEsSNmuMG199vJ9kJT7DaAImrgaQZEDkCOboBnLNFcRJ3YMoeZO/s320/2021-08+peridot+tam+%2526+scarf.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's the finished hat and and scarf. I'm pleased with both. The hat knitted up quickly and without any problems that I recall. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7pOJz04L0vsjnh32NKbVHZqX1Jq_Dgf6ZK0oS6xlzZ35j6s5Lfz-7ORpH9UpqbC012QkCvAIRcRR0grWtonyK_6TwQANnBmQ93eNHjZDJ8gMSO6ZHsAw5GPMjomilL1t4V9SEGu7Vt2s/s2048/2021-08+peridot+tam+%2526+scarf+flat.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj7pOJz04L0vsjnh32NKbVHZqX1Jq_Dgf6ZK0oS6xlzZ35j6s5Lfz-7ORpH9UpqbC012QkCvAIRcRR0grWtonyK_6TwQANnBmQ93eNHjZDJ8gMSO6ZHsAw5GPMjomilL1t4V9SEGu7Vt2s/s320/2021-08+peridot+tam+%2526+scarf+flat.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The one modification I made to the hat pattern was to trim it with a tassel rather than a pom pom, as I'm more of a tassel type. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSpjEhOsEZ2HLuv67gNpto43Cx5nCpo6VLeMHQst0cGjZYGEs7cdfCrkYc8gcIVTsBvXymhZVSyvR8QscphiM1v9cz51igmp9D6zW9u6QGydmuUHIRPq7m2FcfXk9fjEo2TnLf-dK2uvh/s2048/2021-8+Peridot+hat+scarf+%2526+gloves.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSpjEhOsEZ2HLuv67gNpto43Cx5nCpo6VLeMHQst0cGjZYGEs7cdfCrkYc8gcIVTsBvXymhZVSyvR8QscphiM1v9cz51igmp9D6zW9u6QGydmuUHIRPq7m2FcfXk9fjEo2TnLf-dK2uvh/s320/2021-8+Peridot+hat+scarf+%2526+gloves.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>And here's the hat and scarf with the gloves. They don't look as though they go very well in this photo, but that's just the lighting -- the combination looks better in person than it does in the photo. Better that than the other way around, I suppose.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArwd6G4AZYT65F8r3wHSlJ-i0hCtJHvjjTCX39MKh5l3h1hurJz_qXIRQcIqRqNm4wiuZNK_zGPy9JLXK-uwA7hGJH3GbkD4cfehwPiA4ylrmU4H9Nh_nOW2J0zUBnQZVa7uFuxdCI32K/s2048/2021-08+peridot+scarf.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArwd6G4AZYT65F8r3wHSlJ-i0hCtJHvjjTCX39MKh5l3h1hurJz_qXIRQcIqRqNm4wiuZNK_zGPy9JLXK-uwA7hGJH3GbkD4cfehwPiA4ylrmU4H9Nh_nOW2J0zUBnQZVa7uFuxdCI32K/s320/2021-08+peridot+scarf.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>As for the scarf, I toyed with the idea of doing repeats of the tapered cable motif for the entire length of the scarf, but that would have meant having to repeatedly adjust the number of stitches and I didn't want the hassle. I wasn't sure it would look all that good anyway. Instead, I worked three continuous lines of the bottom cable, and for the edging I used the 2 x 2 twisted cable that was used on the hat brim. I had a ridiculous amount of trouble getting the edging right, so I'll just write here for my own future reference that when picking up stitches for edging along a cabled knit, picking up *three out of every four loops* gives one just the right number of stitches so that the edging will be neither too full nor too taut to sit right. The scarf is just over 6' long and 7 inches wide. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Incidentally, I've resolved that this set must be my last new hat and scarf set for some time. Besides this new peridot set, and the reknitted <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2021/02/gift-wrap-take-two.html">old rose scarf</a> featured above, I have a <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-new-snow-hat-scarf.html">cream set</a>, an <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2018/03/old-rose-cap-scarf.html">old rose set</a>, a <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-dangerous-living-hat-scarf-set.html">plum set</a>, a <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-photo-memes-hat-and-scarf.html">variegated set</a>, a <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-walk-through-pine-creek.html">brown and orange fair isle set</a>, a <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2015/12/what-i-did-with-4-of-thrift-shop-yarn.html">mohair tam</a>, and a <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2015/12/peacocking-in-new-hat.html">peacock design wool tam</a>, all of my making, plus some other assorted purchased scarves. All of these items are in excellent condition, and guess what, <i>I only have one head and neck to wear them on</i>. I have hats and scarves to go with every one of my coats and with every possible outfit, and it would be a senseless extravagance for me to spend any more money on others until I've worn out some of the ones I already have. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm sure the crazy knitter part of my brain will try to make a case for yet another set pretty soon (i.e, "I don't have a <i>red</i> set!" or "I found this irresistible pattern that I MUST make!"), but the logical, budget-conscious part of my brain intends to be very stern and a hard sell on the matter. </div><p>I had 10 grams of this peridot yarn left after I completed this project, so that's stash growth of 10 grams.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNbe_xUyvGkecSKmXF7BatcBZJnvlR892_RJK1S-x4iVT3cEzrQTItUqP0T0-G0eDUpmzrY48uQe3oWIxu_dD2QhBcLnDOigbwuAH2EQivib7UvgWDzRHvQgWoghntm3R73v4t0KHvNqL/s640/rainbow+sweater.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNbe_xUyvGkecSKmXF7BatcBZJnvlR892_RJK1S-x4iVT3cEzrQTItUqP0T0-G0eDUpmzrY48uQe3oWIxu_dD2QhBcLnDOigbwuAH2EQivib7UvgWDzRHvQgWoghntm3R73v4t0KHvNqL/s320/rainbow+sweater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When it came time to pick a design for my honorary niece Olivia's Christmas sweater, I searched Ravelry for a suitable pattern. I soon narrowed my choices down to two patterns, then decided on the above design, which is <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/i-can-sing-a-rainbow-2">I Can Sing a Rainbow, by Jenni Bennett</a>. The other pattern was a classic design, but I thought screw it, I was going with the fun one. The time will come when I'll be making nothing but classic styles for Olivia. At present she's 5 years old, and this is my window for making her cute, whimsical designs because at this age she will relate to them rather than thinking that they're uncool. This pattern also only ran to a size six, so this was my last chance to make it for her. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFJldaH_-WDWalLhG_iJfaIAMDw7c6G5Gd-prN_oNuEyVT_TE9sRZI_rZ6wpt_G0Sz0zuK86cVBVZifLxVKUYvhR_YwPq_RLsmTgV-FqGn2OYF0CkO8VnrUgAUbuNcyKtI5NjyiM5OjhM/s2048/2021-09+Olivia%2527s+sweater+yarn+sample.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFJldaH_-WDWalLhG_iJfaIAMDw7c6G5Gd-prN_oNuEyVT_TE9sRZI_rZ6wpt_G0Sz0zuK86cVBVZifLxVKUYvhR_YwPq_RLsmTgV-FqGn2OYF0CkO8VnrUgAUbuNcyKtI5NjyiM5OjhM/s320/2021-09+Olivia%2527s+sweater+yarn+sample.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As for yarn selection, my first step was to go through my stash of DK yarn and pick out the heart colours. This is a great design for using up a lot of little odds and ends of yarn, as it only takes 10 grams of each colour. I found seven that looked pretty together, and made a yarn sampler that I could take to the store to use as a convenient aid in selecting the main colour for the sweater. I liked the idea of a neutral background colour, and decided I wanted an olive shade. It was a bit hard to find the right olive DK, but in the end I went with Sandnesgarn Alpakka in shade 9554, which is a sort of olive khaki. I bought six skeins, or 300 grams. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6M9NYCS0beMay3Ypu1NkcgGxt8SnBS3oRF6CXLkyilKZK4mJzIlGmo9EWMTx2CTzVDhvHe1AUBqfWD2HtfusSznU4I5elBOfPzdcUyKgLGIjKLHwJ7jqL8UWL9FchN6co1908Q2fAQ0x/s2048/2021-09+Olivia%2527s+sweater.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6M9NYCS0beMay3Ypu1NkcgGxt8SnBS3oRF6CXLkyilKZK4mJzIlGmo9EWMTx2CTzVDhvHe1AUBqfWD2HtfusSznU4I5elBOfPzdcUyKgLGIjKLHwJ7jqL8UWL9FchN6co1908Q2fAQ0x/s320/2021-09+Olivia%2527s+sweater.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And here's the completed sweater. I'm a little meh on the results. I wasn't thrilled with my arrangement of colours in the heart, but I wasn't going to rip it all out and do it again, either. It will do, and I was confident Olivia and her mother would both like it, which is what matters. (They did.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It only took 200 grams of the olive yarn to knit this sweater, and I was able to return 2 skeins for store credit at Romni Wools, and to use that store credit when buying yarn for my 2022 projects in the December sale at Romni. (I always think of whatever extra yarn I've purchased for a current project as a down payment on my next project.) </div><p>Then I had just 10 grams left over of the newly purchased olive yarn, and I used approximately 10 grams of each of the rainbow-coloured stash yarn (or 70 grams), so that's a net stash decrease of -60 grams. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhGklO06_N53XqJaeMEuO-gOUsZCWB4KczGFX12dcIs5WbxxfpG1pCYq_Q191p0cu450Alb1WVP7EtOKtJVRyiG4EG4y90DQNQgV8gywRZKJaFjIUjRrA3OE2m2hsQKva6ReqfYnZGUOkHw61dNpdL8IR308UFnecygF_Sof66Zc6ugQyxRRcgjSI2aw=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhGklO06_N53XqJaeMEuO-gOUsZCWB4KczGFX12dcIs5WbxxfpG1pCYq_Q191p0cu450Alb1WVP7EtOKtJVRyiG4EG4y90DQNQgV8gywRZKJaFjIUjRrA3OE2m2hsQKva6ReqfYnZGUOkHw61dNpdL8IR308UFnecygF_Sof66Zc6ugQyxRRcgjSI2aw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>On my birthday in August 2021, my favourite gift of any that I received was the news that my nephew Luke and his wife were expecting their first child in February 2022. Of course, my immediate response was to start planning what I was going to make for my impending grandniece or grandnephew. By the end of that day I had decided I would make the baby a knitted baby blanket and pair of booties, and also a framed cross-stitch motif with the baby's name on it out of a kit I had on hand. I then selected suitable patterns for both a baby boy and a baby girl, and messaged Luke on Facebook with my congratulations and a request that he let me know what he and his wife were having in advance, as I'd be making something for the baby and would need some lead time. Two months later, he dutifully let me know that they were expecting a boy. </p><p>The pattern you see above is the one I'd selected for a boy, the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/abc-baby-blanket-2">ABC Baby Blanket</a>, designed by Jenny Williams. It's an attractive, easy, quick knit. It could even be an excellent stash buster if one knitted the squares in different colours, but I wanted a solid colour for my version. </p><p>The yarn I chose was Lion Brand's Wool Ease in the Stillwater shade, which I would describe as a light sea green. It's 20% wool, 80% acrylic, which gives it both the nice feel of wool and makes it easy care and (I hope!) durable, which is just what one wants in a baby blanket.</p><p>This project knitted up quickly and without issue. As I worked, I thought back to the baby blanket I had made for Luke when he was born in September 1987, just a month after my fourteenth birthday. In those days I didn't have much access to patterns or yarn. I never even knew <i>Vogue Knitting</i> magazine existed at that point -- that revelation would come when I saw it on the newsstand in a convenience store when my mother and I stopped to get milk one evening in the spring of 1988. The baby blanket that I made for Luke wasn't made according to a pattern at all. I knitted a number of garter stitch squares in baby fingering yarn in white and pastel blue, and sewed them together. I'd never make something so basic now. I don't think I even wove in the ends, and I know the squares weren't properly seamed. I was, after all, only thirteen. But that amateurish baby blanket became Luke's blankie and he was very, very attached to it. Over the next several years blankie became very much the worse for the wear. It was no longer the fresh blue and white it had been when new, but grayish and discoloured, with a number of "you don't even want to know what made that" stains, and it was fraying and raveling in a number of places. It got to the point that it was such a disgusting object that I could never see it without wanting to scream, "KILL IT WITH FIRE," and stuff it in the wood stove at my brother's farmhouse, but Luke clearly didn't care what his beloved blankie looked like. </p><p>Then one mid-winter day when Lukie was four, he took his blanket outdoors with him when he went out to play, left it outside, and didn't realize it was missing until bedtime. Luke became quite agitated and demanded that a search be made for it, but trying to find a grayish blanket after dark on a farm in mid-winter in Southwestern Ontario is an exercise in hopeless futility if I ever heard of one. The blanket could have been anywhere in quite a large, unlit area, there were piles of snow everywhere, and it had snowed that afternoon. My brother tried to take the tough love approach, saying to him sternly at eight o'clock, "No Luke, you took your blanket outside when you shouldn't have and you lost it, and you're just going to have to go to bed without it, and we'll have a look for it tomorrow." This reasoning was apparently lost on Luke, as when ten o'clock arrived he was still screaming. Sympathy, substitutes, bribes, and threats were also of no avail. My brother and his wife were, as my sister-in-law has put it, "out there in the yard with flashlights and shovels like a pair of fools until well past eleven" in a desperate effort to find the blanket, while Luke stood at the storm door, alternately sobbing loudly and repeatedly shrieking, "<i style="font-weight: bold;">FIND IT!!!!! FIND IT!!!!!</i>" They couldn't find it, and Luke eventually passed out from sheer exhaustion at about midnight, after he'd been crying and screaming non-stop for four hours straight. </p><p>I have thought of that first baby blanket I ever made and of that incident every time I have knitted a baby blanket since, and hoped I wasn't kickstarting a similar chain of events for the new baby's poor parents. And now I've come full circle, and have knit a baby blanket for Luke's son. I wouldn't wish an evening like that on any parent, but I suppose if it should happen my brother and his wife's reaction will be something along the lines of, "PAYBACK SOMETHING SOMETHING, BOY." </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsyHi63k2NeMX4T5KGn1uXXoj4VF91bOeSrA_IyIKwDhUB7L9_PFrVLNi9s2FyNZHBF7EkPE7T9MkKcp70HdBbX9c06585n69dIqnb_f78nuG0AkInTW_HKaq-efRJiJss1AUOYrVGi0AHNQSRKBnnkMjpTIFmUTDZKON490mSYIp3fHoas-HtcFcxLA=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsyHi63k2NeMX4T5KGn1uXXoj4VF91bOeSrA_IyIKwDhUB7L9_PFrVLNi9s2FyNZHBF7EkPE7T9MkKcp70HdBbX9c06585n69dIqnb_f78nuG0AkInTW_HKaq-efRJiJss1AUOYrVGi0AHNQSRKBnnkMjpTIFmUTDZKON490mSYIp3fHoas-HtcFcxLA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The finished blanket. It's much nicer than the one I made for Luke, with a better design, better yarn, and better workmanship, and I am pleased with it, but I can't help feeling that perhaps it should have been scarlet or some other eye-catching colour, lest it get left outside at night. I've made the baby a pair of booties too, but in 2022, so those will be included in next year's post. </div><div><br /></div><div>I purchased all new yarn for this blanket, and had 55 grams left over, so that's a stash increase of 55 grams. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijD91MsCMnBdYso2tf9lPSK1b0U8aNYB5g8GXo8Zw75KpERq5v4xVQc-3huqUOC2IceiFv94FPYKme7N24gKRhlLUq0JSW7ku7MuMmQQcDrdE9e7TIqW5XjAT8VsxOM1nyNqy9uni0BvYgKqx7NYwjxDY5P-RhrslbbUkyoqJaoPorJxwvG-hdjxLx1Q=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijD91MsCMnBdYso2tf9lPSK1b0U8aNYB5g8GXo8Zw75KpERq5v4xVQc-3huqUOC2IceiFv94FPYKme7N24gKRhlLUq0JSW7ku7MuMmQQcDrdE9e7TIqW5XjAT8VsxOM1nyNqy9uni0BvYgKqx7NYwjxDY5P-RhrslbbUkyoqJaoPorJxwvG-hdjxLx1Q=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>Further up in this post, I wrote about the sweater and cap I made for my grandniece Cauliflower for her twelfth birthday. Then at the end of 2021, I impulsively started working on the one for her thirteenth birthday, in August 2022. It just seemed like the most appealing project on my list for the coming year. I have been alternately making a dress for her on her "odd" birthdays and a sweater on her "evens", but <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-very-last-dress.html">the dress I made her for eleventh birthday in 2020</a> was the last one I am ever likely to sew for her. She's reached the age where she needs her dresses fitted on her, and I can't do that as I so seldom see her, so it's sweaters from now on. My sister-in-law tells me this is just as well, as Cauliflower isn't currently as much into dresses as she was when she was little, and would probably just as soon get sweaters anyway. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8zUf2UHzWoVNfMyNgm5VTxtLEDrO0E7c1NYHMd8uzsMJZC-lQ36Z4j5RlMlnTo21xJ0FaVB6XjHdH8CTOPfCWHk8E2L-udMdZAi9MoAs4dUFlcorl6ZbIGvf_jQeB7hmUONDj4ZjMSrwrzYKO9v21w2V1GXaFwVEVfS3zcVmEULQN1r40CQlwRikS-w=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="437" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8zUf2UHzWoVNfMyNgm5VTxtLEDrO0E7c1NYHMd8uzsMJZC-lQ36Z4j5RlMlnTo21xJ0FaVB6XjHdH8CTOPfCWHk8E2L-udMdZAi9MoAs4dUFlcorl6ZbIGvf_jQeB7hmUONDj4ZjMSrwrzYKO9v21w2V1GXaFwVEVfS3zcVmEULQN1r40CQlwRikS-w=s320" width="219" /></a></div><p>This project plan began with my finding 100 grams of bright blue (left over from a cardigan I made for my father years ago) and 190 grams of Patons Decor in Rose Temptation (left over from <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-impulse-control-cardigan.html">a cardigan I made for me in 2018</a>) in my stash, deciding they looked nice together, and looking for a sweater design that would be suitable for them both, with the addition of some new yarn in a coordinating main colour. </p><p>This year I directed my search to adult-size designs, instead of children's patterns, as Cauliflower has recently begun to wear women's size extra small. It didn't take me long to settle on the Vintersol sweater, designed by Jennifer Steingass, which I would be knitting in its smallest size. I already owned a copy of it as <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2020/07/salmon-olive-and-lime.html">I have used the design before to make a sweater for me</a>, so that was a cost-efficient plus. Not that a teenaged girl would want to wear the same style of sweater as her middle-aged great aunt, but again, I seldom see her, and will just have to remember not to wear that particular sweater around her for the next few years. </p><p>For my main colour of yarn, I went to Michaels with a yarn sampler of the two colours I already had, and selected <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/lion-brand-wool-ease-solids-heathers--twists">Lion Brand Wool-Ease</a> in their Riverside shade, or as I'd describe it, a rich dark blue. I bought three skeins of yarn a skein at a time with Michael's coupons, which brought the total cost of this project to $16.59. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYbnqgnDhfV62LN3FJB3B3KIMJOrhaZ3j1SC0DBuJeRM1N_w61suD0Y3le3d1bNnHk0-7C9UqLiDTYjAQvUkN28S5zdGLmzfp56Z-s1z2J0OpBITRNZwSWWUC4EweJl-3xsfXszVwfrXHTHzlkAKu6dNLqBeV0IiYiJkIzEgFg-hUWQP9P58bPpbo2Lg=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYbnqgnDhfV62LN3FJB3B3KIMJOrhaZ3j1SC0DBuJeRM1N_w61suD0Y3le3d1bNnHk0-7C9UqLiDTYjAQvUkN28S5zdGLmzfp56Z-s1z2J0OpBITRNZwSWWUC4EweJl-3xsfXszVwfrXHTHzlkAKu6dNLqBeV0IiYiJkIzEgFg-hUWQP9P58bPpbo2Lg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>The finished sweater. It didn't photograph all that well -- the rose colour looks a little psychedelic -- but I am quite pleased with its actual appearance, and I think Cauliflower will like it too. The design is so effective, and the colours work together well. I'm going to put together a manicure kit for her as well, to accompany the sweater and help Cauliflower embark on her teenage years in style. </p><p>This project used 80 grams of the bright blue yarn and 80 grams of the Patons Decor Rose Temptation from my stash, and left me with 10 grams of the new Lion Brand Wool Ease Riverside, so that's a net stash decrease of 150 grams for this seventh project. </p><p>When I add up all the increases and subtract all the decreases, I find that I have a year-end stash decrease of 182 grams, which isn't bad. My yarn stash resides in four plastic boxes kept under my bed, and while I've been wanting to reduce it to one or two boxes for years, it at least isn't growing, and the boxes are gradually becoming emptier. </p><p>This post has been held up so long not because I didn't have my photos and project information ready -- I had all that done by mid-January -- but because the effort of coming up with some pithy words to sum up the year that has passed and the current one as it's progressing, has felt beyond me. Again and again, throughout late January, February, and so far this month, I would open the draft, read and edit and type a few words at the end, and then close the draft with an exhausted sigh. Our world seems to be a constant and ever-worsening state of crisis, what with the seemingly never-ending pandemic, the looming climate emergency, ever-growing financial disparity, numerous wars and countless terrorist attacks, the rise of right-wing extremism, government incompetence and corruption, misogynistic, homophobic, and racist oppression, and the tide of deliberate misinformation designed to mislead and distract us and to destabilize our society. And then, in my own life, I struggle with chronic fatigue issues, financial difficulties, and extreme isolation. I'm not even making a living, and it makes me feel terrible that I'm not pulling my own weight, let alone doing my part to make the world a better place by lending a hand to others. Even though I try to keep myself on an even keel emotionally by being grateful for what I do have -- so, so many people in this world are <i>far</i> worse off than I am -- and to focus on what I can do rather than what I can't, I often feel helpless, useless, overwhelmed, and afraid of what's to come. </p><p>But... I can knit. Every evening of 2021, whatever happened that day, when my fridge died, when it took 40 days to get a new one, when my microwave died, when my beloved Trilby died one September morning at the age of 15 leaving a small, cat-shaped hole in my heart, when a routine task such as a trip to the grocery store had left me too tired to do another thing that day, when I'd been too low in energy that day to even really get up at all, and when I was in any case always too fried by that hour of the day to do any really taxing mental or physical work, when I realized it had been months since I spent any time with anyone, I would sit up in bed, propped on pillows and knitting or doing other needlework while I watched the news, and then while I watched something more relaxing and enjoyable, such as a murder mystery drama or horror film. My evenings relaxing in bed with my knitting and watching whatever's playing on my laptop often feel like the calm centre of my life. And then too, the things I produced in that time were of some small use: keeping a baby warm, making a child feel extra-loved and special on their birthday, or helping me look and feel more put together. </p><p>Not everyone is so fortunate as to have the physical dexterity to knit, the opportunity to learn how to do so, or the time and the access to yarn, needles, patterns and other technical resources that I have, and while knitting doesn't do a lot to make the world a better place, it is a help in the task of staying calm and carrying on, and that in itself is valuable. So, when I say I count my blessings, my ability to knit is one of them. It's a little thing, but when one is adrift in a stormy sea, sometimes those little things can serve as a flotational device, making a crucial difference in keeping one afloat.</p><p>And in these days when everyone is having a hard time, my hope for my readers is that, whatever happened in your lives in 2021, whatever is happening at present, that knitting is a comfort and a pleasure to you as well, helping you cope and making it easier for you to deal with whatever else you have on your plate. </p>Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-68786384350656947212021-09-15T19:22:00.005-04:002021-09-15T20:20:29.514-04:00Some Pointed Thoughts on Knitting Needles<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfz1LGk0edLmZNTstGa_IRG8heSXa-FMMHMhGXizFVxhoEpuFwnyC_qJh9AMtRBfE8UlK-qPuYljAj9vnZsa762aRslyQaHjwg7jVUQQJpT3K8iZ0CMt0jkQVGK5eL1DNuqoDWzVgcF0/s2048/knitting+needle+grab+bags.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfz1LGk0edLmZNTstGa_IRG8heSXa-FMMHMhGXizFVxhoEpuFwnyC_qJh9AMtRBfE8UlK-qPuYljAj9vnZsa762aRslyQaHjwg7jVUQQJpT3K8iZ0CMt0jkQVGK5eL1DNuqoDWzVgcF0/w400-h300/knitting+needle+grab+bags.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Two days ago I bought the above "grab bags" of knitting needles from Value Village for a total after tax price of $11.28. It was difficult to see exactly what was in the bags while I was at the store, but I could definitely see several sizes of knitting needles that I knew I didn't own in there, and I felt confident I would at least get my money's worth, even if there was nothing more in the bags that I wanted. I bought the bags, brought them home, tore them open with the enthusiasm of a small child opening presents on Christmas morning, and spent a happy evening upgrading my knitting needle collection. </p><p>First I went through the contents of the two bags looking for anything I didn't have. This search netted me a pair of 3.75 mm straights, a pair of 7 mm straights, a pair of 10 mm straights, a set of four 7 mm DPNS, a 7 mm 30" circular, a pair of rubber needle tip guards, and 2 crochet hooks in sizes 2.5 mm and 9 mm. I also found a set of three wool tapestry needles in assorted sizes. I probably already had at least one needle in each of those sizes, but it never hurts to have a few more of those on hand as they tend to break/get lost, so I put them in the plastic needle case in my work basket. At this point I felt justified in my decision to buy the grab bags. Buying all of these items new would have cost quite a bit more than $11.28. </p><p>I was about to bundle up the rest of the needles and put them in the thrift shop donation bag in the hall closet when I remembered that I had some knitting needles that were missing their end knobs, and what a pain it was to have my stitches falling off them mid-project. Perhaps I could replace those pairs with some same size sets from the grab bags.</p><p>I fetched my collection of straight knitting needles from the glass vase in the attic, laid them out in order of size on top of my dresser... and started laughing. Seeing all my straight knitting needle collection as a whole made me realize how very dilapidated they were in a way I'd never quite registered before. I did indeed have several needles with their end knobs missing, and there were others that had the size numbers worn off their knobs. I had one pair of 5 mms that was mismatched, with two different style knobs. Quite a few needles were slightly bent. And I'd never even really noticed, because I was too busy knitting.</p><p>I began comparing what I had in my existing set to the needles from the grab bags to see what I could upgrade, and in the end, besides the new tools I added to my collection, I must have replaced seven or eight pairs of straights. I replaced all the needles with missing knobs or that had their numbers worn off them, and the mismatched pair. I replaced one pair of plastic needles with a metal pair in the same size. I also replaced a few pairs of knitting needles that were fine but that were of a different make than the rest of my set with others that were Aeros, so that I would have a more matched set (most of my straights are classic gray metal or plastic Aeros with millimeter sizes marked on the end knobs). Most of the bent needles also got replaced along the way.</p><p>By the time I was done, I was extra pleased with my purchase. I bought those grab bags with the idea that I'd been adding new sizes to my needle collection, and while I wouldn't have thought it worthwhile to spend money to upgrade my existing needles, it was such a nice bonus to be able to do that too. My set of straights looked much better for it.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1whpZnu9ZISDGrQ5TzU_N4qm-EBftep1G_xBnBHm98ezlhGy8xoVSHvpMlI3ehCZ47fZuoVQCT1W_2HCSL4JNHl1ZcddRRF7ucb1LdpeaEiqFL9aafbhADG9_BWks4MRmPZ3QcdDfzQ/s483/knitting+needle+catalogue+screenshot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="475" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1whpZnu9ZISDGrQ5TzU_N4qm-EBftep1G_xBnBHm98ezlhGy8xoVSHvpMlI3ehCZ47fZuoVQCT1W_2HCSL4JNHl1ZcddRRF7ucb1LdpeaEiqFL9aafbhADG9_BWks4MRmPZ3QcdDfzQ/w400-h364/knitting+needle+catalogue+screenshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Once I was done all with all my sorting and assessing, I updated my knitting needle catalogue to reflect my new acquisitions. Yes, I have an Excel spreadsheet in which I keep track of what knitting needles I have, as well as a second spreadsheet for my <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2021/04/spool-school.html">sewing thread catalogue</a>. I know that sounds obsessive, but it is such a convenience to be able to see at a glance whether I have the right size straights, DPNs, or circs for a project instead of having to manually go through all my needles in order to find that out. </p><p>I also thought about my needle collection as a whole. What else did I need/want for it? As you can tell from my screencap of my catalogue, I am some needles short of having a truly complete set, mostly with regards to the very small sizes. I'll probably add the missing sizes over time -- or immediately if I should happen to pick a pattern that requires needles I don't have. I have some crappy quality aluminum DPNs I would like to replace, but will probably wait until I have a chance to get a good deal on the new ones. I would definitely like to make a fabric roll-up case for my DPNs, with a specifically labelled pocket for each size, as at present I keep my DPNs bundled together with an elastic, and it's such a pain to have to sift through them with a needle gauge in order to find the size I want. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NZQv3hzUqwwPliqcXV3A_hN6fDTpe8vuvWKkPxxXIqX5-FOtEpLT1Tt3fIKUvcHaEaX0FQWMGL4JngZfl_kf2hFvAuHczwf8ZWFa-fJjdfEthIkz1UDS8C1U8FJM1dHMze610cmLw80/s258/crochet+hooks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="258" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NZQv3hzUqwwPliqcXV3A_hN6fDTpe8vuvWKkPxxXIqX5-FOtEpLT1Tt3fIKUvcHaEaX0FQWMGL4JngZfl_kf2hFvAuHczwf8ZWFa-fJjdfEthIkz1UDS8C1U8FJM1dHMze610cmLw80/s0/crochet+hooks.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">While I was updating my knitting needle catalogue, I added a crochet hook section. I crochet very little, and don't have that many hooks, but now that I had eight different sizes on hand instead of only six, it seemed worth it to document what I have for future ease of reference. </span></div></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUd0E6bpcED70Yf3-iKzdn7p8x7KQPKF_UuV2-kdho86fr1J1iFnW3wo5KnqduATCx2b2XbNhKghxkVfcaV83SWJASxIGa-mjR7sPpvR-PvuaGKZripDMpGf-rmepXJNXg6Z-Nopggm8E/s600/chiaogoo+needles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUd0E6bpcED70Yf3-iKzdn7p8x7KQPKF_UuV2-kdho86fr1J1iFnW3wo5KnqduATCx2b2XbNhKghxkVfcaV83SWJASxIGa-mjR7sPpvR-PvuaGKZripDMpGf-rmepXJNXg6Z-Nopggm8E/s320/chiaogoo+needles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I definitely don't need to upgrade my circulars. Last December when I was faced with the prospect of spending Christmas alone thanks to the pandemic, was shopping on Amazon to cheer myself up, and found that the ChiaoGoo lace set I'd had in my wish list for several years was listed for the lowest price I had ever seen it at... well, those were perfect storm shopping conditions if I ever experienced any. I blew my budget by buying myself a set of ChiaoGoos. Nine months later it still seems too good to be true that I should be so fortunate to have such a fantastic set of tools, and I've used them even more than I expected to. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7ib864931svn7gyLcThZS6t1e7yS1KAfdDRrcmyOEwf0TKVxg0MEXW990AA7DBdzx3C5HgGHf1LYcqvUOLY1HLYSPxWMcWDElkOu3uwZ_UaqqJhEcgNnN3HI4ZEyS8ZAwlYVxm5s66s/s1728/old+circs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1728" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7ib864931svn7gyLcThZS6t1e7yS1KAfdDRrcmyOEwf0TKVxg0MEXW990AA7DBdzx3C5HgGHf1LYcqvUOLY1HLYSPxWMcWDElkOu3uwZ_UaqqJhEcgNnN3HI4ZEyS8ZAwlYVxm5s66s/s320/old+circs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>This was my old set of circulars, so you can understand why I was so thrilled to get the ChiaoGoo set. The assorted circulars were all very well, but the interchangeable circ kit was a thrift shop Denise set I got years before for $5, and it was such a piece of shit. I had to keep reminding myself that it was better than nothing, because it barely was. The set was partially incomplete and partially broken when I got it, the yarn used to constantly catch on the joins, and the cords and needles weren't at all reliable about staying connected. They used to come apart mid-round and 50 or more of my stitches would slide off the cord. I'd grit my teeth, painstakingly pick up the dropped stitches, and carry on, only to have the same thing happen again five minutes later. I can feel my blood pressure going up just from thinking about it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I kept two of the old circular needles as they were sizes not included in my ChiaoGoo set, and the rest of my old circs went to a thrift shop, but I was NOT subjecting some other poor knitter to that Satanic torture device disguised as a circular knitting needle set. The Denise set went in the garbage, and I may have murmured a few words in Latin over its treacherously innocuous-looking blue-flowered vinyl case before I put in the bag so that it wouldn't turn up again unexpectedly somewhere in my house, as in those old urban legends about burned Ouija boards or cursed dolls. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm reminded of a few anecdotes I know about people who think they have to have shiny new tools for whatever activity they're taking up. My father is an <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2018/10/woodworker-woodworks.html">award-winning woodworker</a> who has lots of woodworking friends, and he told me a story about a lawyer one of his friends knew who had a woodworking shop in his house that was fully stocked with tens of thousands of dollars' worth of top-of-the-line woodworking tools and equipment, all in pristine condition... as a working woodworking shop never is. That lawyer had never used his woodworking tools, hadn't the first idea of how to use them, and wasn't making any effort to learn. They were only there so he could enjoy showing his fantastic woodworking shop to anyone who visited his house. The great irony of this, of course, is that while he wanted to pose as a woodworker with tools he just looked like... a tool. </div><div><br /></div><div>Or there's the time in the late nineties a friend of mine, who had just started to play tennis, bought two new good quality tennis rackets for fifty or sixty dollars each, and after we played a game in which she could barely get the ball across the net (not that I could either), told me she wanted to trade her new rackets in for some special high-end tennis rackets that cost $100+ each.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then there's another story that my aunt, who is a retired Sears sewing machine sales associate, has told about the time a mother and a daughter came into the store to get a sewing machine for the daughter, who was taking courses in fashion design. They bought a lower end machine, and then came back a few weeks later to return it. The daughter hadn't used it, but she was sure she would use a better machine, so the mother bought her a much more expensive machine with more features. A few weeks later they returned the second machine too, because guess what, the daughter hadn't used the higher end sewing machine either.</div><div><br /></div><div>The over valuing, and over purchasing, of new, top-of-the-line equipment is the mark of a dilettante, while experts and professionals are generally satisfied to have the tools that they need, and will often improvise with what they have rather than go to the expense of buying very specialized tools they will seldom use. No matter how shiny and new tools are or how exciting it is to buy them, they won't do the work for you, nor are they any substitute for taste, skill, experience, or genuine commitment and interest. When it comes to knitting needles, all that really matters is that they're the right size for your gauge, the right type for whatever project you're making, and not total shit as to quality and/or condition. Nice as it was to upgrade my straight knitting needle collection, and as much as I love my ChiaoGoo set, my improved knitting needle collection won't make me a better knitter or turn out better work than my old ones did; they just look nicer, are a little easier, more pleasurable, and more convenient to use, and offer me some more gauge options. I want to replace my cheap coloured aluminum DPNs with better quality sets because I know they'll eventually break or get bent, but for the time being I can do just as good work with them as I could with the best DPNs on the market. </div><div><br /></div><div>Unlike that lawyer with his stage set woodworking shop, my father's woodworking shop isn't a sight to impress anyone. He has a motley collection of tools, many of which are decades old and look it, and the dirtiness and disorder of his workshop is such that it has long posed something of an ongoing threat to his and my mother's marital status. But while he does replace broken tools as needed and occasionally treats himself to some new ones, generally he has what he needs to do the work he wants to do, and he turns out woodwork that's beautiful and original and far more of a real accomplishment than any immaculate display of expensive new tools could ever be. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tools are nice, but the actual work that you do -- what you learn, what results you can produce -- ultimately matters so much more. </div>Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-82837014243728025252021-04-02T15:06:00.004-04:002021-09-15T20:06:02.916-04:00Vogue Knitting Winter 2021/2021: A Review<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtNnUqPKjO7Oly7sqg1YSK0q_qIEuYsI6iBVXTR0GfmmeNR447YB4XALiQcRAjs4rclj-DP_NFDORKN5entj5Kcf27cXg3EzQxYgjyvScYbrHQ0o8gzr7-cGh15zpDB7-H-51AysH7iU/s2048/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtNnUqPKjO7Oly7sqg1YSK0q_qIEuYsI6iBVXTR0GfmmeNR447YB4XALiQcRAjs4rclj-DP_NFDORKN5entj5Kcf27cXg3EzQxYgjyvScYbrHQ0o8gzr7-cGh15zpDB7-H-51AysH7iU/s320/cover.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today we're going to have a look at <a href="https://www.vogueknitting.com/magazine/winter-2020-21-fashion-preview/"><i>Vogue Knitting</i>'s Winter 2020/2021 issue</a>. Yes, I'm aware that this issue was released months ago. But better late than never, and I have to start somewhere when it comes to catching up on my reviews, etc., so I've decided that, for this first review in a longer interval of time than I can bear to specify, I'll start with the most recent issue from the most widely circulated knitting magazine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can definitely see the pandemic's impact on this issue. The designs are all very low-key, comfy-type styles suitable for home/running errands wear, and the colour palette is neutral/subdued. It makes sense to focus on making things you can wear, of course, but I'd encourage you to select yarn in colours that you love to look at, whether that colour is a bright or warm or low-key one, and that feel good to the touch. Using a yarn you love is a good idea at any time, but little pleasures like that can mean so much when one is having a hard time, and these days everyone's life is somewhere on the "this fucking sucks" spectrum. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But let's get to the 18 designs in this issue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_75ECDpRYTDUdohc1m6weyeiGVur6hpaMt9z5gKn8dBsuMHb7UbLn9Av-4CbIH-NBq7D2jucFYWQ1zDRNOppQdNrp0DznXahjOwsJ4i_eiW9IPPdHNaB8CtjAy4Sqi1b1griegY2vNUo/s500/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_75ECDpRYTDUdohc1m6weyeiGVur6hpaMt9z5gKn8dBsuMHb7UbLn9Av-4CbIH-NBq7D2jucFYWQ1zDRNOppQdNrp0DznXahjOwsJ4i_eiW9IPPdHNaB8CtjAy4Sqi1b1griegY2vNUo/s320/1.jpg" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/01-bodie">Pattern #01, Bodie.</a> Nice simple cap with an attractive cable device. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAMmzk4XxcqYmiXFnmDePH6FSMvkql-tO4jOQo5Df1pF-hUk0QjdI7203MX3o3guciUvj95EpoAnQo2bAaGC08J1Npi_FFe2NBjX-wA_PNilyU2ZFwcWhHeW8uL15C9LQ07gahWv6gbw/s500/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAMmzk4XxcqYmiXFnmDePH6FSMvkql-tO4jOQo5Df1pF-hUk0QjdI7203MX3o3guciUvj95EpoAnQo2bAaGC08J1Npi_FFe2NBjX-wA_PNilyU2ZFwcWhHeW8uL15C9LQ07gahWv6gbw/s320/2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/02-cape-neddick">Pattern #02, Cape Neddick.</a> This hooded cape has a "novitiate nun wear" look to me, but it is a practical, wearable piece that can be worn with casual clothes when out and about, and if, before this pandemic is finally over, you should find yourself in a convent, dressed in this cape and with the convent's mother superior warbling "Climb Every Mountain" at you, maybe reconsider whether you need to retreat quite <i>that</i> far from the rest of the world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6i1tCLihndQRemrSfH2kanrUnfloLkyxdjsftOL6-EWHfnd0XEn6icSxkCWWxwTZ3v4c5KPAETShT69U3-FOUEMOdHa4vRTusSh775I9j1qLEwicKQQs0wXUNa5MC_w-m-q_z1qJf0Og/s500/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6i1tCLihndQRemrSfH2kanrUnfloLkyxdjsftOL6-EWHfnd0XEn6icSxkCWWxwTZ3v4c5KPAETShT69U3-FOUEMOdHa4vRTusSh775I9j1qLEwicKQQs0wXUNa5MC_w-m-q_z1qJf0Og/s320/3.jpg" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/03-montauk">Pattern #03, Montauk.</a> A classic cabled cardigan, with a little bit of innovation in the interlocking diamond cables. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTn-vjBSkX4bzxni6hNwydbdfW_NqOA1GDWHNGZv7qsE3Vnv4Kvjqk_dVYqZfn2CuyMqhgL-pivHXghyrkq2Z6Mziuo3lzmO5hC9GPHTA0b0twarg9CCaBWZgQ2wWhBfupXWP3KNwFn1U/s500/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTn-vjBSkX4bzxni6hNwydbdfW_NqOA1GDWHNGZv7qsE3Vnv4Kvjqk_dVYqZfn2CuyMqhgL-pivHXghyrkq2Z6Mziuo3lzmO5hC9GPHTA0b0twarg9CCaBWZgQ2wWhBfupXWP3KNwFn1U/s320/4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/04-seguin">Pattern #04, Seguin.</a> Classic and luxuriously comfortable-looking scarf. </div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvSgTMcYtd8kGh6FS85Gdpufz34qCIfhCHSuhyTBi_4MD2INxj6WMDCyLwtJU2GXolS-Wf1OIe7ZkhkSd32C9PT72lPpzth7dfkxAwNY29VtfXNggPw8sN6o2YAnkfvsol5UiOBEPeLM/s500/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvSgTMcYtd8kGh6FS85Gdpufz34qCIfhCHSuhyTBi_4MD2INxj6WMDCyLwtJU2GXolS-Wf1OIe7ZkhkSd32C9PT72lPpzth7dfkxAwNY29VtfXNggPw8sN6o2YAnkfvsol5UiOBEPeLM/s320/5.jpg" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/05-isabel">Pattern #05, Isabel.</a> Love the unusual and attractive yoke detailing on this sweater -- the Ravelry pattern page for this design says the yoke cables are meant to resemble orchid blossoms. This is one of those designs that are suitable for wearing nearly anywhere, depending on how one styles it. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1KCBl_S3UBDg-KJdEDq5JEEQWjbKWbw8dC8sBILnIsuhKPZ72qAlc2l7J5VgrylVnGK68dJpmCINi5ixrg4fOzb1T9Y8apDKzGwySDA1JzB3al_NnOL0k-MJzAu0jt-cj9T-H9vf_tA/s500/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1KCBl_S3UBDg-KJdEDq5JEEQWjbKWbw8dC8sBILnIsuhKPZ72qAlc2l7J5VgrylVnGK68dJpmCINi5ixrg4fOzb1T9Y8apDKzGwySDA1JzB3al_NnOL0k-MJzAu0jt-cj9T-H9vf_tA/s320/6.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/06-wind-point">Pattern #06, Wind Point.</a> A lovely pullover. The leaf-like cable devices on the front are so eye-catchingly pretty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oqo_r02Sqh7POVNoucBFc9CoGZQA8K6lda79XsH-UiF0RARgRZrnEPZpGfpq5jPK_XLIz_qgT1E8Nf_FPKeyR_bxvVzSVHQCreegGn8Xqq2YsXZ0x_d7S8BQzM1jCsruuK7XQ7da7QI/s500/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oqo_r02Sqh7POVNoucBFc9CoGZQA8K6lda79XsH-UiF0RARgRZrnEPZpGfpq5jPK_XLIz_qgT1E8Nf_FPKeyR_bxvVzSVHQCreegGn8Xqq2YsXZ0x_d7S8BQzM1jCsruuK7XQ7da7QI/s320/7.jpg" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/07-sankaty">Pattern #07, Sankaty.</a> Not a bad cowl. The Latvian braid makes for a fun-looking edging. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79A3muG0JOv979ctzOsw_SIi2dk9LywnqolbkND__FqxK-R_YqTYYek6ZzkJmOckfqTuuIhLaJcvNA6FAeDEbh0xvHJiGTSb0DakoINf4tKtCjtG9Y_xXE8htnYjANPzQXiRcukQmJr0/s500/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79A3muG0JOv979ctzOsw_SIi2dk9LywnqolbkND__FqxK-R_YqTYYek6ZzkJmOckfqTuuIhLaJcvNA6FAeDEbh0xvHJiGTSb0DakoINf4tKtCjtG9Y_xXE8htnYjANPzQXiRcukQmJr0/s320/8.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/08-acadia">Pattern #08, Acadia. </a> This one's a little rough and unfinished-looking for my taste, but it's objectively a decent casual piece. I think there are better colourways for this design than this one, which has that "not quite working" look. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpyA2qNwc7cA0Fe_v4izoAaehM9ESEyAWyVkNBATxGEnqpA_4S4svmcunUk2TucO2v1MkYne2-HF4KqEyIT6KotyxByRymWRhljSd9Z2qJJo5p8cRGdj2HVTW-q_J1CAWZxyvHbfTloU/s500/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpyA2qNwc7cA0Fe_v4izoAaehM9ESEyAWyVkNBATxGEnqpA_4S4svmcunUk2TucO2v1MkYne2-HF4KqEyIT6KotyxByRymWRhljSd9Z2qJJo5p8cRGdj2HVTW-q_J1CAWZxyvHbfTloU/s320/9.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/09-stonington">Pattern #09, Stonington.</a> Oooh, very nice-looking, reliable cardigan -- it's the kind of piece one can almost live in. It reminds me a lot of a thrift shop zippered Jacob cardigan I bought for $10 in 2002 and wore very regularly for at least 10 years until it got past mending. I would enjoy picking out the yarn for this one. A neutral colour with glimpses of one's favourite colours might be a good direction to go.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4Lm_63UDdI3ZOgF8NO8O8UiagOWKC5QSt-94NK6oolj3ezQHyFmRSnFUrDDiBOeCbgTUzQqbzG7xCFYhZufDd7VzxfKEpv0phsuTAAfg12xmGJFFWzeZ1qMSw9cODH0Qiw9DbXAgd4o/s500/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4Lm_63UDdI3ZOgF8NO8O8UiagOWKC5QSt-94NK6oolj3ezQHyFmRSnFUrDDiBOeCbgTUzQqbzG7xCFYhZufDd7VzxfKEpv0phsuTAAfg12xmGJFFWzeZ1qMSw9cODH0Qiw9DbXAgd4o/s320/10.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/10-quoddy">Pattern #10, Quoddy.</a> Strikingly handsome wrap. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TUREVBAYQxMy-xXojo14YMItJ0btIwyHIMkQpm4TFo9eyh4mhfm2kS-XNp1OYKY-fJCOKkCUjq8hQpGgWmZaspoRKs0ygwVsuBfmS8TknyLFuwvvL4up-CymitTaK7fgHaIwUWfrAns/s500/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TUREVBAYQxMy-xXojo14YMItJ0btIwyHIMkQpm4TFo9eyh4mhfm2kS-XNp1OYKY-fJCOKkCUjq8hQpGgWmZaspoRKs0ygwVsuBfmS8TknyLFuwvvL4up-CymitTaK7fgHaIwUWfrAns/s320/11.jpg" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/11-columnea">Pattern #11, Columnea.</a> This kind of unstructured, minimalist style is very much not my thing, but I must admit this design is a good example of its kind. It sits well and looks easy to wear. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMzGiw4kENhA7Z4KQ3YRm1hofwlxVPpI43d01v1_W4CPCn92ukQ30WRCf4MxmNfU3fbUmNYr0wrES1ofXvDBiCVhhyphenhyphenG7hdcfFaMRRHj3JNDoXCBlNh-Vop8mZKpMrdcIRa4Bpj0aWfuA/s500/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMzGiw4kENhA7Z4KQ3YRm1hofwlxVPpI43d01v1_W4CPCn92ukQ30WRCf4MxmNfU3fbUmNYr0wrES1ofXvDBiCVhhyphenhyphenG7hdcfFaMRRHj3JNDoXCBlNh-Vop8mZKpMrdcIRa4Bpj0aWfuA/s320/12.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/12-ixora">Pattern #12, Ixnora.</a> Baggy sleeves, shapeless body... I can't sign off on this one. This is the kind of design only a professional model can carry off without looking frumpy, and that isn't even all that practical for around-home wear, because it will get into everything from your breakfast cereal to your children's art projects to the casserole you're making for supper. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2A1kvDfux_l5qpsztmDbzWSiZ1DWed3-XWWMqSWWr6wgg9rdzuONJlY-fdPkTJyJO3QrhV__Jg-sy783uD60v8ZQdSKcnZ7mH-IqFYCQnxbmAaA3Q8_fqCeOowW5ItaDDnCzxRbt9zY/s500/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2A1kvDfux_l5qpsztmDbzWSiZ1DWed3-XWWMqSWWr6wgg9rdzuONJlY-fdPkTJyJO3QrhV__Jg-sy783uD60v8ZQdSKcnZ7mH-IqFYCQnxbmAaA3Q8_fqCeOowW5ItaDDnCzxRbt9zY/s320/13.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/13-davillia">Pattern #13, Davillia.</a> Nice stitchwork in this one. I'd just raise those dropped shoulders and neaten up the fit a little.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-biojyolPN8AnVofkXHUAtOCBUfUQrU2bwCnwViQVyg5OUZQnhN7rPaq4KnoWdFvioKEfV5VcO9N0-KBvbcBj_FP4VBb3HKIUzkSl7VLnXZ75cLLTJlIbUccJ7wdQ1hnZtDzxyB0BJgc/s500/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-biojyolPN8AnVofkXHUAtOCBUfUQrU2bwCnwViQVyg5OUZQnhN7rPaq4KnoWdFvioKEfV5VcO9N0-KBvbcBj_FP4VBb3HKIUzkSl7VLnXZ75cLLTJlIbUccJ7wdQ1hnZtDzxyB0BJgc/s320/14.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pattern #14, Zamia. Ah, a pair of knitted booty shorts. Pandemic or no pandemic, <i>Vogue Knitting</i> means to show us it has not lost its sass. I must admit, I actually like these. They have some fun detailing and would be cute and comfortable to wear to bed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkFSgLiE9QP5kd2mrm1rUfPpsiRLioUKTvKI2D2KFbbNTgws9v0mvXoc9AF_sHwTEATZMyRsN23IhMWAActGHtLjwJNIjewiARKf0B2bDKYmAsNWjyUB52uwuCuPqcaJk49Z5OhM1SiE/s640/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkFSgLiE9QP5kd2mrm1rUfPpsiRLioUKTvKI2D2KFbbNTgws9v0mvXoc9AF_sHwTEATZMyRsN23IhMWAActGHtLjwJNIjewiARKf0B2bDKYmAsNWjyUB52uwuCuPqcaJk49Z5OhM1SiE/s320/15.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/15-calathea">Pattern #15, Calathea.</a> This is one of those designs that didn't impress me all that favourably at first glance, but that grew on me as I studied the sample photos. The construction is interesting and I liked the curved hem. I am itching to fix those dropped shoulders, though. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJvE1beFgybLiI5tGImyhAawa9S6ZJartnhOy-tPnK-tz9Me1i2cpYOl-f27cOfU_axb3sHiM3RvnocxkRbXUk3XWZidGRw-8tl-PQRSzFj7CTbKB9MnQp-xSwA5TlZn2SCK-jNUB1_I/s500/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJvE1beFgybLiI5tGImyhAawa9S6ZJartnhOy-tPnK-tz9Me1i2cpYOl-f27cOfU_axb3sHiM3RvnocxkRbXUk3XWZidGRw-8tl-PQRSzFj7CTbKB9MnQp-xSwA5TlZn2SCK-jNUB1_I/s320/16.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/16-pilea">Pattern #16, Pilea.</a> A very pretty and useful layering piece. Love the edging detail, the garter stitch waistband detail, the front tie. Again, I would raise those dropped shoulders. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcrVzkOJUvl6La2vRnlyFCdDth-41SxNdjPWLlTjS6FQjrC_1iP6clN_OrYdDMpT5xffABKbcqA6lcVgrWCOIShKYumwK8hveBqM9bIV9wo8UsFcJqqbeDC4wrJM_U1zMmk5F1vIWFgQ/s500/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcrVzkOJUvl6La2vRnlyFCdDth-41SxNdjPWLlTjS6FQjrC_1iP6clN_OrYdDMpT5xffABKbcqA6lcVgrWCOIShKYumwK8hveBqM9bIV9wo8UsFcJqqbeDC4wrJM_U1zMmk5F1vIWFgQ/s320/17.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/17-areca">Pattern #18, Areca.</a> Not so taken with this one. It has a confused, messy look to it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK2hmvXiUBDyOCWM9FByW313Yz0OyRHGaAzrWWUiaJfGy-jv44ZjMMKmx-FTdfBWwtbXAZ4mYbvoV5ino9Cf_-5PkGo8YRBVwqeBNPpgDIFZwXMbnG0FSfCQMzkFh_HaNmReEkHIdDEU/s500/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK2hmvXiUBDyOCWM9FByW313Yz0OyRHGaAzrWWUiaJfGy-jv44ZjMMKmx-FTdfBWwtbXAZ4mYbvoV5ino9Cf_-5PkGo8YRBVwqeBNPpgDIFZwXMbnG0FSfCQMzkFh_HaNmReEkHIdDEU/s320/18.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/18-ficus">Pattern #18, Ficus.</a> Rather a nice, simple little pullover, though I would be inclined to make it standard length and put full-length sleeves on it rather than making it as originally intended, as I don't find the cropped length or 3/4 sleeve comfortable or flattering. Your yarnage may vary, of course. </div><p></p>Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-77298876071423593772021-03-08T11:23:00.001-05:002021-09-15T20:05:23.505-04:00The Bathtub Swimming Experiment and Other Pandemic-Era Knitting Fables<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8df1gYxssBAaEZWoQYPPOIAL9Gwf6CGeqyopKEdH8-tQ-ZoFStFZZXIBk6jAODMgRPNNPvStX4QZqCJliGV__giVYp8KlFzZ-euo93I2FOvix4k3x0mE8qgx6n3ylQFU6M3ioRWbdUJY/s846/2+hour+sweater.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8df1gYxssBAaEZWoQYPPOIAL9Gwf6CGeqyopKEdH8-tQ-ZoFStFZZXIBk6jAODMgRPNNPvStX4QZqCJliGV__giVYp8KlFzZ-euo93I2FOvix4k3x0mE8qgx6n3ylQFU6M3ioRWbdUJY/s320/2+hour+sweater.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When the pandemic hit, the undaunted members of the Ball's Falls Knitting Club agreed they would continue to meet by Zoom. However, the isolation and the closure of their local yarn store had its impact on their knitting projects. Rubetta, for instance, decided to take up speed knitting and allow herself just three hours per project so as to have more time for her new pandemic hobbies: gerbil breeding and writing novels in a language she made up herself. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFO5sFSZCUg50UqSpo5l2jxNdm-_Ns7xBgj4GNGdPd4ssNn1zS2D4YkU6ZlpmGgKhm7lrQRtQGrjGA9gmLPLtctPubPqwXBFSArvwGrmRFuojlMaAJicXHw6XpQV_xLPb8GKrN9eqUGyQ/s846/bathmat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="563" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFO5sFSZCUg50UqSpo5l2jxNdm-_Ns7xBgj4GNGdPd4ssNn1zS2D4YkU6ZlpmGgKhm7lrQRtQGrjGA9gmLPLtctPubPqwXBFSArvwGrmRFuojlMaAJicXHw6XpQV_xLPb8GKrN9eqUGyQ/s320/bathmat.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Veraminta, meanwhile, ran short of yarn, and had to get creative with the all the throws, cushion covers, and bathmats in the house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDQmwRq2olENnYUzSGLm7R-l0N-aWqxB9umFK0vklwmjrhB3fl_NOjiRWtXXqYwyVnPoU8rFEpXLYYlCv-Q1LYzEifFHAmQdD7zAYRscr55FSJyn_rrpX-fM4ak6V6OFovafNXwTdiM8/s844/braids.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDQmwRq2olENnYUzSGLm7R-l0N-aWqxB9umFK0vklwmjrhB3fl_NOjiRWtXXqYwyVnPoU8rFEpXLYYlCv-Q1LYzEifFHAmQdD7zAYRscr55FSJyn_rrpX-fM4ak6V6OFovafNXwTdiM8/s320/braids.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Valma made it one of her pandemic goals to learn to do her hair, and she found braiding such a challenge that she found it necessary to practice braiding at every opportunity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRwTNIN20ceF7HSiIZQgAQG7wSBCedv3SU0AzbJW7N2EklOEQEmJE1eTIMBZYI0iTgcDmyyJkp0R0HVI__HK9pQtWnSUZ6sLufrwb61eacGkzUpW7SSUCCxUwLiTyWYGYw9VDo6WYW90/s846/cat+portrait.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRwTNIN20ceF7HSiIZQgAQG7wSBCedv3SU0AzbJW7N2EklOEQEmJE1eTIMBZYI0iTgcDmyyJkp0R0HVI__HK9pQtWnSUZ6sLufrwb61eacGkzUpW7SSUCCxUwLiTyWYGYw9VDo6WYW90/s320/cat+portrait.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mavis went in a more artistic direction with her knitting, and designed a piece that commemorated the most important and fulfilling relationship of her pandemic life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVr2BxLwwAJNQizPNoK1IZimBj0PYSXqwoL2zXQcd1AQ3_WpoCIUFqdBfntJlg48UeBYLlc-JGeT1gxDZ9gfuV37nJFdtIwE5r6zrqmQSiXFXC3A8n2k9yqtkVseNt9qo2Ah4iGb3ftZU/s846/fringe.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVr2BxLwwAJNQizPNoK1IZimBj0PYSXqwoL2zXQcd1AQ3_WpoCIUFqdBfntJlg48UeBYLlc-JGeT1gxDZ9gfuV37nJFdtIwE5r6zrqmQSiXFXC3A8n2k9yqtkVseNt9qo2Ah4iGb3ftZU/s320/fringe.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Luella found it so difficult to focus during quarantine that, when she got bored with the new dress she had designed, she adapted her plan to have elbow sleeves and fringe from the thighs down. After all, she reminded herself, the really important thing was to have a sense of accomplishment and completion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_Jr0HmFcxdwjC_ITkP3FBJL8GSKFQgWUC-9yZHKSp6xZqaYDJS6IhZ73Dy5YCKajeoFu8VdK4_XQDcB8GglFCYhyphenhyphenUA3x79ZEdP5VN5ZvW0okLcw2x5Piw-ve-O8M4cKh9LF_fpnMU40/s846/hitting+the+beach.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_Jr0HmFcxdwjC_ITkP3FBJL8GSKFQgWUC-9yZHKSp6xZqaYDJS6IhZ73Dy5YCKajeoFu8VdK4_XQDcB8GglFCYhyphenhyphenUA3x79ZEdP5VN5ZvW0okLcw2x5Piw-ve-O8M4cKh9LF_fpnMU40/s320/hitting+the+beach.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px;">Aliviyah decided to prepare for post-pandemic life by knitting herself a new beach ensemble. She was pleased with the resulting look, but she did have concerns about how well it was going to stay on when it got wet given that her bathtub swimming experiment had proved discouraging. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9TdrqHr5paiu_aBJS6C51vbn6X8ETodC3xOmeOorHNrb5S5nc6BjhvRx-ND4Wmt0BBTPMLqvcTS7uYdjen31JsI0wOnNkPnGZQbskHaEPRVnyHif4dB6ra6dFyNKm6-GGdZKSFoOU6Q/s846/picasso.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="563" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9TdrqHr5paiu_aBJS6C51vbn6X8ETodC3xOmeOorHNrb5S5nc6BjhvRx-ND4Wmt0BBTPMLqvcTS7uYdjen31JsI0wOnNkPnGZQbskHaEPRVnyHif4dB6ra6dFyNKm6-GGdZKSFoOU6Q/s320/picasso.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Janis was so busy with working from home and homeschooling her triplets that she tried to combine her line drawing art projects with her knitting projects so as to have time for both. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDsXaz842uKXl-JdSPVr1dnR-ZD93f5wwKBDaKfXcGtMoLKDUbF610btVAEIPsKwDwKe2ltN67XSAOJogWi06F7CHLBHxq__-LXfGQ9CXOk72fUp0fzUXiZOUsot7Cfc_yjw25N2PSNw/s846/pile+of+whatever.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDsXaz842uKXl-JdSPVr1dnR-ZD93f5wwKBDaKfXcGtMoLKDUbF610btVAEIPsKwDwKe2ltN67XSAOJogWi06F7CHLBHxq__-LXfGQ9CXOk72fUp0fzUXiZOUsot7Cfc_yjw25N2PSNw/s320/pile+of+whatever.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Beverley decided that her pandemic knitting challenge would be to use up her entire yarn stash... in a single project. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7nfYXYALdJGhAY4hcwqwOcL40T7KZo_TAc46ioNDyIrVL7ZhN1ZtJkINQEx4ydeQXOaeLA01f1-CpEeKpS4Abh1MbDlnBE9FkKSf2vQbXD0TqniE-kGJClwtby6HQO9G2uM_NtmeKwc/s600/random+crap.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7nfYXYALdJGhAY4hcwqwOcL40T7KZo_TAc46ioNDyIrVL7ZhN1ZtJkINQEx4ydeQXOaeLA01f1-CpEeKpS4Abh1MbDlnBE9FkKSf2vQbXD0TqniE-kGJClwtby6HQO9G2uM_NtmeKwc/s320/random+crap.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Like Veraminta, Donnelda had a yarn shortage problem, which she dealt with by making embellishments for her existing sweaters out of what scraps she did have on hand. </div>
<center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ghZhc-us57qqeNWavFXfISs_hV9xCY8hsFWIUo18WCTKODPc7uYaj_gl6J_uOoYEwTAkrsY-HkWv4gjmWrXnQzMEDUPhZO7GYnmqPP7vY35KAhjnlcwKv4Q6M2lBuAF5xF7cEj9G4so/s640/knitters+remorse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="516" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ghZhc-us57qqeNWavFXfISs_hV9xCY8hsFWIUo18WCTKODPc7uYaj_gl6J_uOoYEwTAkrsY-HkWv4gjmWrXnQzMEDUPhZO7GYnmqPP7vY35KAhjnlcwKv4Q6M2lBuAF5xF7cEj9G4so/s320/knitters+remorse.jpg" /></a><br /></center><center><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Asher decided to channel his pandemic time into launching a new knitting publication. The rest of the Ball's Falls Knitting Club sincerely wished him the best with his new publishing endeavour, but they couldn't imagine where he was going to find content for it. </center> <p></p>
Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-14648790411125025142021-02-16T14:46:00.002-05:002021-03-10T18:58:27.446-05:0012 Months; 7 Projects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZZNn28e5soD0ErIqAxaQddo-Tj88tFNdXmfJ74n2dWt6qovHMnL3mUKBllsXX02zk23JHWRKCCa42hiFLO74lKQzC1JFuDRE9PgrLQjA7j59E_khaHA0ZFV_sLs2v6WNpZiptAUWv1j5/s2048/2020-10+glove+with+attitude.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZZNn28e5soD0ErIqAxaQddo-Tj88tFNdXmfJ74n2dWt6qovHMnL3mUKBllsXX02zk23JHWRKCCa42hiFLO74lKQzC1JFuDRE9PgrLQjA7j59E_khaHA0ZFV_sLs2v6WNpZiptAUWv1j5/s320/2020-10+glove+with+attitude.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well everyone, here is my round up post of all my knitting projects from 2020. It's late, of course, but not so late as my 2018 and 2019 posts are, given that they, um, haven't been posted yet. But I do still intend to get them done. They are being held up by the fact that I designed some of my knitting projects in both those years and want to get the patterns written up and published before I post about the sample knit. I have a total of six knitting patterns I would like to get ready for publication by the end of 2021, and I have two draft "round up posts" that I can post when the patterns are ready. Meanwhile, I am routinely posting about my individual finished projects on my blog <i><a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/">Modwardian</a></i> if anyone wants a look at what I make. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Regarding the photo above... usually I choose my nicest detail shot of the year to head these round-up posts, but this year the photo above seemed, if not the most attractive shot, certainly the most fitting for 2020, which as we all know was an absolute dumpster fire of a year for everyone. However, we have grounds to hope things are going to get better in 2021: the process of vaccinating for COVID19 is underway, and there are signs that the political landscape is shifting in response to public demand -- the most notable of which is that the most powerful country in the world has a responsible adult for head of state again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My life changed less in 2020 than that of most people. I have chronic fatigue issues and have been struggling financially for many years now, and was already more or less homebound and isolated because I have neither the money nor the energy to go anywhere or do much. Sometimes when I saw or heard complaints about the isolation and practical difficulties occasioned by the pandemic, I would think, "WELL HELLO AND WELCOME TO MY WORLD." Many of the measures I've taken to conserve money and energy worked well for pandemic conditions: I only go grocery shopping once a week and almost never eat out; I deliberately chose a bang-less hairstyle that grows out well so that I can get away with just having it cut twice a year; I colour my own hair, do my own nails, and tweeze my own eyebrows; I have many online friends and "live online" to a great extent; my hobbies are all things I do at home by myself; I use every scrap of everything and know how to repair and maintain things in order to reduce the number of things I buy, etc. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still, the pandemic had its effect on me. I would say I was somewhat less productive than usual this year as my chronic fatigue seemed to get worse, possibly because of the stress of [gestures vaguely at everything] all this. And there was an impact even on my needlework, making it sometimes difficult to get needed supplies, or to give things I made as presents to people, and even on what I made. I made a quilted blanket in 2020 that I think of as my <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-pandemic-quilt.html">Coronavirus Quilt</a>, and I also <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2020/08/mask-r-aid.html">sewed 38 face masks</a>: 5 for me, 13 as gifts for family and friends, and 20 for sale. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But let's take a look at the things I knitted while home alone during 2020. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAfmMm8G1RqULvdDiqGxnDrX7Dmjn61RRKmLG9lhcesjsmzmcQcltUYxKniVaWzOcTr0SHnVQ_aFrbipk3hZ7npGVFkyvGLFY4QxdYnpb9kkimT4wYI5tuYTjBPrPyiKdNHuLHfvC5Kwq/s1600/striped+sweater.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="406" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAfmMm8G1RqULvdDiqGxnDrX7Dmjn61RRKmLG9lhcesjsmzmcQcltUYxKniVaWzOcTr0SHnVQ_aFrbipk3hZ7npGVFkyvGLFY4QxdYnpb9kkimT4wYI5tuYTjBPrPyiKdNHuLHfvC5Kwq/s400/striped+sweater.JPG" width="336" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In January 2020 my first knitting project of the year was a sweater for my grandnephew Bug's seventh birthday.</div><br />
Back in the fall of 2019, when I was planning my knitting projects for the coming year, I searched Ravelry for a suitable pattern for Bug's birthday sweater, and found the one you see in the photo above, <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/s15-14-seashore-stripes">Seashore Stripes</a>, which is a Drops design. There's something so pleasing about the stripe arrangement and, rarely for me, I decided to make the sweater in the sample colours, or as close as I could get to them. I visited Romni Wools in December and bought yarn for three projects, and one of them was Bug's. I went with <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/cascade-yarns-220-superwash">Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash</a> in gray, off-white, Navy, Really Red, and Turtle. The colours were all a really good match, except for the green, which is slightly brighter than the grayish green in the sample, but it went well enough with the other colours. The 220 Superwash is a worsted yarn rather than the Aran weight the pattern specifies, but one can correct for that by knitting a design with needles a half size larger than the pattern calls for, in this case a 5 mm rather than a 4.5 mm. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWlY33yonSvH03SnYfi0DdTOKvJ4NnImQIAZO0H7Y-9egs27pf98lp3X24pWXoqQ-DaWitChrOiCPchEfu3dtyvhkj2Q9fYbGAC08Hom9Kn7EZ21_tWJUAwfdY6Ph-ApnEb4X3FgbBU8G/s1600/2020-01+Curtis+pullover.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWlY33yonSvH03SnYfi0DdTOKvJ4NnImQIAZO0H7Y-9egs27pf98lp3X24pWXoqQ-DaWitChrOiCPchEfu3dtyvhkj2Q9fYbGAC08Hom9Kn7EZ21_tWJUAwfdY6Ph-ApnEb4X3FgbBU8G/s400/2020-01+Curtis+pullover.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And here's the finished product. It was quite a straightforward knit and I was done in two weeks. The one design change I made was to knit the bottom and cuff ribbing in navy rather than in gray as the in the sample. This saved me money because I was able to get this project done with just one skein of gray (and to subsequently return the other gray skeins I bought for store credit), and I also had less left navy yarn left over. I made a mistake on the sleeve stripes, but I don't care -- it looks just as nice the way I did it. I'm pleased with the result: it's both classic and smart. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4uCfX83SUXD6kLvlIcJOq1ZYp0VZimJdttlwdk5Kqf84vRop_m9tZAlvhNn-LSn8Z6b6QnlTiUzL4h4YJIoDA1JG5L8eh9nJOF5xDNg3-wgtFeLFp3dC-UabWlmIuRTqMy-H_Y9-r8tS/s1600/2020-01+Curtis+pullover+gift.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4uCfX83SUXD6kLvlIcJOq1ZYp0VZimJdttlwdk5Kqf84vRop_m9tZAlvhNn-LSn8Z6b6QnlTiUzL4h4YJIoDA1JG5L8eh9nJOF5xDNg3-wgtFeLFp3dC-UabWlmIuRTqMy-H_Y9-r8tS/s400/2020-01+Curtis+pullover+gift.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
At Bug's age, he doesn't care very much about clothes, so I bought him a couple of dollar store items he could play with. He likes to read, prefers non-fiction to fiction, and is interested in science, so I bought him a couple of children's National Geographic books, a toy kaleidoscope, and he also got two new face masks. I'm sure nothing depicted here went over as big as the whoopee cushion I gave him for his fifth birthday, but my niece tells me Bug was happy with his present. <br />
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I had a total of 160 grams of newly purchased yarn left over after I finished this project.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwnNXCA8uFRiBPahBKEa7khU5BwLbgllLOoRgWDKNbJjjh95j4KvXDoAbi0ZnzPFRvHVLCcyIn0oPltsh21FZrK1ip1MqLyPTamBbaUJ31hHBKNL_VMMdPFceTlHrJsJJsS3UkqezEFZH/s1600/2020-03+striped+sweater+detail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwnNXCA8uFRiBPahBKEa7khU5BwLbgllLOoRgWDKNbJjjh95j4KvXDoAbi0ZnzPFRvHVLCcyIn0oPltsh21FZrK1ip1MqLyPTamBbaUJ31hHBKNL_VMMdPFceTlHrJsJJsS3UkqezEFZH/s400/2020-03+striped+sweater+detail.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This project plan began when I decided I'd like a cotton sweater to go with with my summer weight olive khaki pants and shorts. I liked the idea of a classic Breton striped sweater in olive and a contrasting colour, so I thought I'd make one in that style. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBppYwk7isKh-gAdBt4K3Z9nBNYP7ZaLsTtWtAcE7Uh6b4TehntKSDw17SeiEO8Fs9NGNv60ErEbuLQmVlmlBeWzt3qRlW9XXOOGOQbgr1zbfe2OpkZfGKp1kFkKCs-GsmzVI_hgK92rt/s1600/stripes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="470" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBppYwk7isKh-gAdBt4K3Z9nBNYP7ZaLsTtWtAcE7Uh6b4TehntKSDw17SeiEO8Fs9NGNv60ErEbuLQmVlmlBeWzt3qRlW9XXOOGOQbgr1zbfe2OpkZfGKp1kFkKCs-GsmzVI_hgK92rt/s400/stripes.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><br />
I searched Ravelry for a suitable striped sweater pattern and settled on <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nothing-but-stripes">Nothing But Stripes!, designed by emteedee</a>, which is an interesting contemporary take on the Breton stripe sweater and looked great in all the project photos I looked at. I visited Toronto's Romni Wools store to shop for suitable yarn, and was happy to find yarn that was just what I wanted at a bargain basement price in Romni's actual bargain basement: 200 grams of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/schachenmayr-catania-solids">Schachenmayr Catania Solids</a> in 253 Jade, and 200 grams in shade 414, which doesn't seem to be listed on either Ravelry or the Schachenmayr website, but is a deep olive.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgMAZJvcHqhtmFVP9Tb5OZ2ZTtBhSPTB4CI1yfC0Cx1vinKj5ZBEJPyll9hjm3yUP8qRJPPJp7YfPZnyd3u61E_YwKofKunV4nwNaJcTvxJEdgvhrgad8L4-KmUbE8CWYbWyOyD5tqw9S/s1600/2020-03+Striped+sweater.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="338" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgMAZJvcHqhtmFVP9Tb5OZ2ZTtBhSPTB4CI1yfC0Cx1vinKj5ZBEJPyll9hjm3yUP8qRJPPJp7YfPZnyd3u61E_YwKofKunV4nwNaJcTvxJEdgvhrgad8L4-KmUbE8CWYbWyOyD5tqw9S/s400/2020-03+Striped+sweater.JPG" width="249" /></a></div><br />
And here's the result, paired with a light khaki skirt I made some years back. The olive khaki pants and shorts I have are darker in tone and will work better with the sweater, but I can't put them on my dressmaker's form. <br />
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A sweater that I should have been able to make in under three weeks ended up taking nine for reasons that were my own stupid fault. First I assumed that a size 38 German was equivalent to a size 38 in inches. It so wasn't, and I got as far as the chest before I realized it. I had to rip it all out and start again in a size 42. Then when I was nearly done the body, I realized that the sweater was going to be far too long -- I should have done the math on the stripes. I had to rip back nearly to the beginning that time, and begin the stripe pattern with two rows of the olive instead of just one. <br />
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It was around this point that I also realized that I hadn't bought enough yarn to make the larger size. I went back to Romni Wools where I bought two extra 50 gram skeins of the olive and one extra 50 gram skein of Jade -- it was the last skein of the Jade that they had, and I could only hope I was going to have enough yarn. <br />
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Then when I was nearly done the first sleeve, I realized it was going to be too short, and I had to rip it out, calculate what the stripe pattern needed to be to make it the right length (I had to add *two* "8 rows of Jade/8 rows of Olive" stripes), and reknit it that way.<br />
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Then too, soon after I began work on the first sleeve, I realized I had made a mistake with the increases on the yoke. It had come out too short compared to the measurement on the diagram pattern, and I added an inch which proved to be a mistake, as that last inch was created by the stitches cast on when the body was connected under the armhole. That inch I had added made the yoke too long and the body too short, which in turn made for an awkward-looking fit. At first I couldn't face the idea of ripping out nearly the entire sweater <i>yet again</i> and I thought I could live with it, but after I finished the first sleeve and tried the sweater on, I realized I couldn't. I ripped out the sleeve, and ripped out the body back to the bottom of the yoke, and reknitted it yet again. This time I managed to get it right. You can imagine how many extra ends I had to deal with when it came time to finish the sweater, but I just got on with it and got it done. <br />
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I think I essentially knitted this sweater three times over. Fortunately, after all of that, I do quite like the sweater.<br />
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And I had just 40 grams of each colour of yarn left, so I had bought the right amount of yarn for my sweater too. As this project was made with new yarn, that's a stash increase of 80 grams.<div> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7mEVFJ_el8Yghp-ePZyFGFcelD6To_KVrN0OYCu7MuLfX_uxMkhNGd3PAkxsKW6KFI5GZVLMDb31126JkgF0QHPS0zNQojrgtwMWeLFWImvk569mZb1g293EW4VNTDnSrTZvfZa6RMLm/s1600/2020-04+Olivia+sweater+yarn.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7mEVFJ_el8Yghp-ePZyFGFcelD6To_KVrN0OYCu7MuLfX_uxMkhNGd3PAkxsKW6KFI5GZVLMDb31126JkgF0QHPS0zNQojrgtwMWeLFWImvk569mZb1g293EW4VNTDnSrTZvfZa6RMLm/s400/2020-04+Olivia+sweater+yarn.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Project plan number three began when I was making my knitting list in late 2019 and decided to knit my honorary niece Olivia a sweater for her Christmas 2020 present. I'd picked out a really cute pattern that required a DK weight yarn. Then I got 700 grams of the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/loops--threads-meandering-serpentine">Loops & Threads Meandering Serpentine</a> in dark salmon (pictured above) in my stocking on Christmas Day, 2019. (Santa has, um, <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2018/03/four-stockings-to-hang-by-chimney-with.html">large stockings to fill at my parents' place</a>.) I decided I ought to use some of that yarn to make Olivia's sweater rather than buying new yarn -- it suits her colouring -- so I searched for a suitable worsted weight design for it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqogguiZeZGPeVqVyrVsAhr4SSujW70zS_SeG1Zz0wBB8_dGLeKqD_mkvDgJharGdn7sN_9nC8Y4d9Hlf68c8AklyIMsjrA46lqdFFP-uF76OwS8UYqO4_dDhSSPFs6jXWV7vtWYAgO2Ab/s1600/celtic+braid.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="594" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqogguiZeZGPeVqVyrVsAhr4SSujW70zS_SeG1Zz0wBB8_dGLeKqD_mkvDgJharGdn7sN_9nC8Y4d9Hlf68c8AklyIMsjrA46lqdFFP-uF76OwS8UYqO4_dDhSSPFs6jXWV7vtWYAgO2Ab/s400/celtic+braid.jpg" width="371" /></a></div><br />
I settled on the pattern depicted above, which is the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/childrens-celtic-braid-top-down-sweater">Children's Celtic Braid Top-Down Sweater, designed by Vera Sanon</a>. It's a nice classic piece, and I'm always an easy sell on Celtic-style cables. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0t3WTsvLXjwxfxOfGvuax4UacHEq16923Cr_ZCc2GjoENrln4VliveMPUB-1_i06qmLLiID0j-5GHHIDZFRZS6HKaGuZEh7qOUkTKs0uf4fpAgNcmFUDSlzsSjnFLs8__g38uU2uzvJ9/s1600/little+bird.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="251" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0t3WTsvLXjwxfxOfGvuax4UacHEq16923Cr_ZCc2GjoENrln4VliveMPUB-1_i06qmLLiID0j-5GHHIDZFRZS6HKaGuZEh7qOUkTKs0uf4fpAgNcmFUDSlzsSjnFLs8__g38uU2uzvJ9/s400/little+bird.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><br />
Then, because I had loads of the Meandering Serpentine to work with, I selected a hat pattern. Little girls do like their clothes to have matching accessories such as hats and purses. I wasn't too picky about the hat design -- it just had to be a worsted weight tam pattern that was suitable for adapting to match the sweater. I decided on the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-bird-hat-2">Little Bird Hat, designed by Brew City Yarns</a>. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpF8GvMlTmsf08lPP9sdBpfk8fjIexnyFvggIgTVw1baw0G2iA_QzTiuxZiZcHhT_ah8tXXlsXxCBet6VWw4Pdc3skWa4VNAvpkTQVT4wkYbRL9HfpV6HNr3wkXquBjhF9h9rSpJ6WSFr/s1600/2020-04+Olivia+sweater.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpF8GvMlTmsf08lPP9sdBpfk8fjIexnyFvggIgTVw1baw0G2iA_QzTiuxZiZcHhT_ah8tXXlsXxCBet6VWw4Pdc3skWa4VNAvpkTQVT4wkYbRL9HfpV6HNr3wkXquBjhF9h9rSpJ6WSFr/s400/2020-04+Olivia+sweater.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
And here's the finished sweater. The pattern was a straightforward one and reasonably clearly written, so the knitting proceeded quite smoothly. It's knitted in one piece out of a single colour of yarn, so there was very little finishing to do. After the last project I made, this was a huge relief. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTR3PqIzM1HTDXsnz4epe_-aC376j0yW1pTUAhNB4_j8l9I009nPawMcZ3TvgIYS6Z9KeOt2iMTGySmpdZem8HBVq7xFbk6DceaDxxZVFrwL532iDVBATyTHYwDQ6epOgXeugixla8tSCh/s1600/2020-04+Olivia+sweater+cap.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTR3PqIzM1HTDXsnz4epe_-aC376j0yW1pTUAhNB4_j8l9I009nPawMcZ3TvgIYS6Z9KeOt2iMTGySmpdZem8HBVq7xFbk6DceaDxxZVFrwL532iDVBATyTHYwDQ6epOgXeugixla8tSCh/s400/2020-04+Olivia+sweater+cap.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Then I made the hat. Instead of making the band a plain rib as the pattern calls for, I used the twisted rib stitch from the neckband, cuffs, and hem of the sweater. I nixed the stitchwork used in the body of the hat in the design, and just knitted the hat in plain stockinette. Then, because the resulting hat looked a little too plain, I added a tassel to the top. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGH6WBeeQTklsHYfUYW3znPOD2hMz_CLkkqemY_-eEtg9ekNiGcnQzvZyeRbmMDqW3HWYMUSvz7gTtLB6rZVlN8QYCrwZBVwsltqcJprWKrAy2L1L5JFBh-qhJQy4hLf0YnnOqjaWwe7Gd/s1600/2020-04+Olivia+sweater+%2526+cap.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGH6WBeeQTklsHYfUYW3znPOD2hMz_CLkkqemY_-eEtg9ekNiGcnQzvZyeRbmMDqW3HWYMUSvz7gTtLB6rZVlN8QYCrwZBVwsltqcJprWKrAy2L1L5JFBh-qhJQy4hLf0YnnOqjaWwe7Gd/s400/2020-04+Olivia+sweater+%2526+cap.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The sweater and cap together do make for a smart little set. I bought some dollar store things to go with it: a picture book, a colouring book and box of crayons, a stuffed toy hedgehog, some hair clips, etc. I was unable to see Olivia in person at all in 2020, but I mailed her Christmas present to her, and her mother took pictures of her opening her gift on Christmas day and emailed them to me. There was a photo of Olivia in her little tam that was especially adorable -- she has French background, and looked like a tiny Parisienne off to discuss existentialism and her new train set in some <span style="font-family: inherit;">c<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 16px;">afé</span>.</span> <br />
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This project used 240 grams of what I'm going to count as stash yarn, given that I didn't buy it myself. I still had 460 grams of the Meandering Serpentine left, but never fear -- I had a plan to use that up too. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZk7GGi3SdQBYxHHf1Eocvx4YAEW6LuxztoTDut2wQsuJLxqs-Y-VoaIxOEjOcGZAUt4JrgeWS4u6USr1X9k3EMZtM6xc__9G5CpQPGluJPONG7TODRc_ili90zY7AACOKo2rBQ1Eovft/s2048/Vintersol+detail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZk7GGi3SdQBYxHHf1Eocvx4YAEW6LuxztoTDut2wQsuJLxqs-Y-VoaIxOEjOcGZAUt4JrgeWS4u6USr1X9k3EMZtM6xc__9G5CpQPGluJPONG7TODRc_ili90zY7AACOKo2rBQ1Eovft/w400-h300/Vintersol+detail.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Those 460 grams of the Meandering Serpentine yarn were more than enough to make a sweater for me. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxERFPDOYBnVE5LJOWKU0J_1Kdijcf30CaBo4UotqMv0SGSq-6-lZu2-A6LgbSzNjz7DZjIlKgHPvcz7_vvXtAyBjP17qUktt5OLWNr3RzV4_70DwBKDqNu2yJ41zwNN7tmfV-gXG6FTw/s1600/vintersol.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="428" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxERFPDOYBnVE5LJOWKU0J_1Kdijcf30CaBo4UotqMv0SGSq-6-lZu2-A6LgbSzNjz7DZjIlKgHPvcz7_vvXtAyBjP17qUktt5OLWNr3RzV4_70DwBKDqNu2yJ41zwNN7tmfV-gXG6FTw/s400/vintersol.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br />
I'm not thrilled with the look of the salmon colour of the yarn on me, but I thought it would be wearable if combined with a couple of greens. I had a 100 gram skein of lime green worsted yarn in my stash (which was bought so long ago I no longer know what brand it is), and all I'd have to do was purchase a single skein of olive green worsted. I searched Ravelry for a suitable tri-colour pattern and found the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vintersol">Vintersol</a> design, by Jennifer Steingass, pictured above. It's really lovely. And then I purchased a skein of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/red-heart-soft-solids--heathers">Red Heart Soft in Dark Leaf</a>. It's an Aran, which wasn't an ideal combination for a worsted, but greens are tricky to coordinate, and that was the only skein Michaels had that was the right tone. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHX1wTMbsrYRcRN9AzJAAZy2FXkLypZsC2JL61xhjRfDxJwSkDX849taDoNfpbu_22fvLs1GR1umhOOg9Og8jnltC1EPIvBN1AoL3Hzkhq1kdU0t0uwYYsGxbUtSiJBgxFhkfoDUNXULb/s537/Vintersol+pullover.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHX1wTMbsrYRcRN9AzJAAZy2FXkLypZsC2JL61xhjRfDxJwSkDX849taDoNfpbu_22fvLs1GR1umhOOg9Og8jnltC1EPIvBN1AoL3Hzkhq1kdU0t0uwYYsGxbUtSiJBgxFhkfoDUNXULb/s0/Vintersol+pullover.JPG" /></a></div><br />
And here's the finished project. I knitted it almost exactly as directed, and just changed the shaping a little bit. The pattern called for the sweater to be wider through the hip section than in the chest area, but since I'm actually smaller through the hips than I am through the chest and don't need that extra width, I made the hip area of the sweater the same width as the chest. I'm still not taken with that salmon yarn, but it won't be right next to my face, and it's certainly a passable-looking sweater that will be fine (and probably nearly indestructible) for around home wear. I had to put an olive twill skirt with the sweater in this photo as I didn't have a skirt that would go with this sweater, but for actual wear I will pair it with the olive khakis I often wear around home in winter. <br />
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This project used up all of the 100 gram lime green I had on hand, all of the olive green skein I bought, and 270 grams of the salmon, so that's a stash decrease of 370 grams. I still have 190 grams of the salmon left to use up. Oh well, I'm sure I can come up with another project plan for that sooner or later. It is, after all, what I am so prone to do.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjHesI5brA1n1CCicTfZE74FN4DXOHszvJ3oL6tJWexmP4NXL37xIGuAd-FInf8_r3tmpP0F9upCYrZ3AY0zgchJ8d-fAsseGcvqBaT82E9M6oJJqA5VEETH0but_zQUCvH40_gU1U6CG/s311/2020-08+owl+cushion+detail+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="143" data-original-width="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjHesI5brA1n1CCicTfZE74FN4DXOHszvJ3oL6tJWexmP4NXL37xIGuAd-FInf8_r3tmpP0F9upCYrZ3AY0zgchJ8d-fAsseGcvqBaT82E9M6oJJqA5VEETH0but_zQUCvH40_gU1U6CG/s0/2020-08+owl+cushion+detail+2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My next project was a Mother's Day gift. My mother has a thing for all things owl. As she says, "They're wise. And they have big eyes." When planning or buy gifts for her, I try to keep an eye out for useful owl-themed stuff that she would like. Over the years I've given her owl cloth shopping bags, an owl brooch, an owl Christmas tree decoration, an iron owl trivet, an owl tea towel, owl potholders, and a little red owl kitchen timer (you twist the head around to set it). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoWeakALNjsrQF-95slLI-urSC_oL44vYYr2ztkw3OSmJP8rm-gbRHLkdhRAPeEdLbFAVYT7uE0B53C5nSblV5Q4grKnGVhubsCdIK3_9XUqHEMXBzLpkoD_O6dy4P4_6cnthRAyJ779Z/s640/oswald+owl.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="535" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoWeakALNjsrQF-95slLI-urSC_oL44vYYr2ztkw3OSmJP8rm-gbRHLkdhRAPeEdLbFAVYT7uE0B53C5nSblV5Q4grKnGVhubsCdIK3_9XUqHEMXBzLpkoD_O6dy4P4_6cnthRAyJ779Z/w334-h400/oswald+owl.jpg" width="334" /></a></div><p>When I came across the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/oswald-owl-3">Oswald Owl</a> cushion cover pattern, designed by Martin Storey, that you see depicted above, I knew it would be just the thing to make for a gift for my mother. It's a relatively simple yet striking design, and it's cute in a polished, adult way.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyyBbtzkgxGG3cn63eMmQQcYxFmBVuhm0Wh2xNBGC72IeTerV66NJKTebQEw4fQTt1Xo_Ix61fNOAUbWAGHc2yy31M_i5Rs4oGBexVJjVI68NCaF5OsXhZEhOcmqdGgyYm8ARjtY1aGnd/s2048/2020-08+owl+cushion.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyyBbtzkgxGG3cn63eMmQQcYxFmBVuhm0Wh2xNBGC72IeTerV66NJKTebQEw4fQTt1Xo_Ix61fNOAUbWAGHc2yy31M_i5Rs4oGBexVJjVI68NCaF5OsXhZEhOcmqdGgyYm8ARjtY1aGnd/w400-h300/2020-08+owl+cushion.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is my version of Oswald Owl. I used <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/loops--threads-impeccable-solids">Loops & Threads Impeccable</a> in Putty and Walnut Tweed. I was trying to keep it neutral so that my mother could choose where to put it in her house, and while I was making it went through a stage of thinking I'd gone too far on the neutral front, that the colourway looked dull and ugly, but once it was done I found I didn't mind the look of it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRyqTa9vOef7KEqw7S3ItuSFEFKd8T2E2hCaDzrCM0veCRXJKlOMlv9wXb3wZyw0m__doPrzzd25uLKCa0Za5ISBrfl0Iyi-RTl-V_24BfU2Exs1lCRLCLAWBYnmEAR7Zb3ZxVhRdZUU7/s2048/2020-08+owl+cushion+detail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRyqTa9vOef7KEqw7S3ItuSFEFKd8T2E2hCaDzrCM0veCRXJKlOMlv9wXb3wZyw0m__doPrzzd25uLKCa0Za5ISBrfl0Iyi-RTl-V_24BfU2Exs1lCRLCLAWBYnmEAR7Zb3ZxVhRdZUU7/w400-h300/2020-08+owl+cushion+detail.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The pattern says just to seam the cushion together on all four sides, but I think it's worth the extra effort to put zippers in cushion covers -- you can take the cover off the cushion form and wash it. I would have preferred the zipper to be the main colour of the cushion, but I didn't have one that colour and<i> did</i> have a brown one the colour of the contrast yarn in my zipper box, so I went with it. The one I used was actually one I ripped out of a <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2018/01/an-iconic-hoodie.html">brown hoodie</a> I made and then had to rip out and knit again as a <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-chocolate-tart-pullover.html">pullover</a> because a section of it felted -- zippers are tough and durable and it's a good frugal and green habit to salvage zippers that are still in good condition from worn-out or damaged items. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I think the brown zipper looks all right. It doesn't show when the cushion is standing upright anyway, and it will be standing upright most of the time. I used the zipper installation method I came up with in 2018: make two crochet chains out of the yarn, sew them to the zipper, then use the loops of the crochet chain to sew the zipper into the cushion. (There is an illustrated and more detailed explanation of this method in <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-diamond-mine-afghan.html">this post</a>.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I sewed my own pillow form out of some leftover ivory linen fabric I had on hand. By my calculations, as long as you have remnant fabric on hand to serve as ticking, it's slightly cheaper to make pillow forms than it is to buy them (and it takes less time to make one than it does to shop for one), and one can also make them to exactly the size and plumpness desired. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This cushion was my Mother's Day present for this year (along with <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2020/08/mask-r-aid.html">two masks</a> and <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2020/02/a-tale-of-three-umbrellas.html">a tissue case</a>), though it was presented in mid-August. My mother wasn't particularly enthusiastic about the cushion, but she didn't seem to actually dislike it either, and with her, that's a win. My sister warned Mum to keep an eye on this cushion when my niece Peaches or my grandniece Cauliflower are visiting her house, as they love owls too and the pillow might mysteriously vanish around the time of their departure. </div> <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4RMM0RB-2dSXQ9gLAJ-aUFLrNvgJzZkxmj40C772Hpp9WQKmzkTgqqRMdUOW4qz3Wu4ZMZKQerKF8dFQn82oBryLlFpG3qkqIzNCbl2WnUYYNsgGgINrC1mCwAcT9Q1uXlDhlQO-oOj4/s2048/2020-10+fair+isle+tam+detail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1921" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4RMM0RB-2dSXQ9gLAJ-aUFLrNvgJzZkxmj40C772Hpp9WQKmzkTgqqRMdUOW4qz3Wu4ZMZKQerKF8dFQn82oBryLlFpG3qkqIzNCbl2WnUYYNsgGgINrC1mCwAcT9Q1uXlDhlQO-oOj4/s320/2020-10+fair+isle+tam+detail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This next project came to be because I wanted a brown-tone hat and scarf set to go with my plain brown winter coat. I thought fair isle would be a nice design direction. I also decided I would make a pair of brown gloves to go with the set. I still have the<a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2014/09/brown-is-new-black-gloves.html"> pair of brown knitted gloves I made in 2014</a>, but I've worn them so much that it would be a good idea to have a second knitted pair that I could leave in my coat pockets rather than constantly transferring the one pair I have between coats. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pFv-uJFS3M3D8KH2djwP6GoSWgldc1Y_1jhyE1DtjD19gHQk5UF3Fb1XZS-BdwoaICQqL_OvzVr5Ti5wC1Av9F9hPefjDb_4JqYvaO7g295eaXQuRrs1TgWtDRB7iLS0wRqWV_vj54NE/s640/fair+isle+tam+and+cowl.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pFv-uJFS3M3D8KH2djwP6GoSWgldc1Y_1jhyE1DtjD19gHQk5UF3Fb1XZS-BdwoaICQqL_OvzVr5Ti5wC1Av9F9hPefjDb_4JqYvaO7g295eaXQuRrs1TgWtDRB7iLS0wRqWV_vj54NE/s320/fair+isle+tam+and+cowl.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I searched Ravelry for a suitable pattern, and found the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pine-creek">Pine Creek design</a>, by Mary Henderson, which I loved at first sight. I decided I'd get two shades of brown and a contrast colour to knit it with. Now, what glove pattern should I use? I didn't want to make the gloves in that fair isle pattern too, as my rule is that while wearing two matching knitted pieces is a nice coordinated look, <i>three</i> knitted pieces in the same distinctive pattern are too much of a good thing -- it's too matchy-matchy a look. But I could knit the gloves in the same dark brown yarn so as to make them look like a set, and then the gloves also could be worn separately with all my winter coats. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAx_-Ml0jOkMjSt-6qo_eFf8ydqgaf2fQuT8OeiI0D3rdZvRIudwP0iSsTu8rislbFPNVJx-9wCu2YI7ZkMOUMwAgZjl2oQgU9tbhpvWMRLY_dWKz3VA0McJJ3h6YOFqYOvpD6ERNw-nc/s640/gloves.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="425" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAx_-Ml0jOkMjSt-6qo_eFf8ydqgaf2fQuT8OeiI0D3rdZvRIudwP0iSsTu8rislbFPNVJx-9wCu2YI7ZkMOUMwAgZjl2oQgU9tbhpvWMRLY_dWKz3VA0McJJ3h6YOFqYOvpD6ERNw-nc/s320/gloves.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After searching for a suitable glove pattern on Ravelry, I settled on the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nisu">Nisu pattern</a>, designed by Maraka Mari. They are plain without being too plain, and I thought the cabled pattern on the back complemented the fair isle pattern of the Pine Creek set. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With my patterns selected, it was off to Toronto's Romni Wools to pick out the yarn. I bought three skeins of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/mirasol-yarn-sulka-nina">Mirasol Sulka Nina</a> in Cafe Royale, which is a lovely blend of merino, alpaca, and silk that feels fantastic against the skin, then for my lighter shade of brown and contrast colour, I bought two skeins of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/sandnes-garn-mini-alpakka">Sandnes Garn Mini Alpakka</a>: one in shade 2652, which is a light brown, and one skein of the same yarn in shade 3508, which is a sort of muted pumpkin. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdl-pcL1qV7QhvIrLHRx_e5hPw3_x6GPtCnck7HyTt458VHmAKmwNaE7arEy1ACjF8Uaf8QAkWl1Oh0LWuQj_awg-vEiQ_9ogT_mZP1lgoLV7ukYj20iEdPPs_uahetrt53RXh1hHcw_u/s2048/2020-10+fair+isle+cowl.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdl-pcL1qV7QhvIrLHRx_e5hPw3_x6GPtCnck7HyTt458VHmAKmwNaE7arEy1ACjF8Uaf8QAkWl1Oh0LWuQj_awg-vEiQ_9ogT_mZP1lgoLV7ukYj20iEdPPs_uahetrt53RXh1hHcw_u/s320/2020-10+fair+isle+cowl.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As you can imagine, this project was a lot of work, involving as it did not only lightweight yarns and small needles, but also fair isle. But it went smoothly. I don't think I made any mistakes to speak of. My one regret was that I hadn't chosen a lighter shade of brown than the Sandnes Garn Mini Alpakka 2652 -- a higher level of contrast would have made the set much more striking and shown the design to better effect. It's too muted for my liking as is. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is the first cowl I have ever made. I get the appeal of a cowl -- they are very practical as they stay in place, which means they are unlikely to get lost, and they provide coverage -- but I prefer the look of a scarf. However, while I did consider turning the cowl design into a scarf design, with this particular project, the cowl was the way to go. The underside of a fair isle scarf wasn't going to look attractive, and I was not interested in knitting a tube fair isle scarf. I was happy with the way the finished cowl sat on me, so that's good. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrMg0zEG7wpMlbFLxmNjy__fwcXZSO05An9fIFRqUtCcOZfJzPLBPWv0e0QKZANZE0DMeprk9cXR5NO_Gl2x9DqY8t6nFbQ_Y0oQHmeMxFwS3j6d1CzvOi1c-eFdo3O47MyRy2DllIHNo/s2048/2020-10+fair+isle+tam.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrMg0zEG7wpMlbFLxmNjy__fwcXZSO05An9fIFRqUtCcOZfJzPLBPWv0e0QKZANZE0DMeprk9cXR5NO_Gl2x9DqY8t6nFbQ_Y0oQHmeMxFwS3j6d1CzvOi1c-eFdo3O47MyRy2DllIHNo/s320/2020-10+fair+isle+tam.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's the tam. This is such a lovely pattern. The photos didn't show the orange yarn accurately -- it's a sickly golden yellow here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once the cowl and tam were complete, it was on to the gloves. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZZNn28e5soD0ErIqAxaQddo-Tj88tFNdXmfJ74n2dWt6qovHMnL3mUKBllsXX02zk23JHWRKCCa42hiFLO74lKQzC1JFuDRE9PgrLQjA7j59E_khaHA0ZFV_sLs2v6WNpZiptAUWv1j5/s2048/2020-10+glove+with+attitude.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZZNn28e5soD0ErIqAxaQddo-Tj88tFNdXmfJ74n2dWt6qovHMnL3mUKBllsXX02zk23JHWRKCCa42hiFLO74lKQzC1JFuDRE9PgrLQjA7j59E_khaHA0ZFV_sLs2v6WNpZiptAUWv1j5/s320/2020-10+glove+with+attitude.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The gloves gave me serious attitude when I was working on them. Really, glove, who raised <i>you</i>?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82T_CtxZZ6OeSDtCz0VLjwsNdeRhI-OaRUNmPQfd5ImSxOcm4OHKnSKTRigIsaDoX3GMHsccjoKvZoenVV2sn1boTcapW6YdAZASkh1NIzae8TN4mHH5_wObXlSGb2_81lhl5M4svcKJc/s2048/2020-10+fair+isle+gloves.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82T_CtxZZ6OeSDtCz0VLjwsNdeRhI-OaRUNmPQfd5ImSxOcm4OHKnSKTRigIsaDoX3GMHsccjoKvZoenVV2sn1boTcapW6YdAZASkh1NIzae8TN4mHH5_wObXlSGb2_81lhl5M4svcKJc/s320/2020-10+fair+isle+gloves.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The finished gloves, which are handsome and feel wonderful to wear. As well as they turned out, knitting this pair of gloves was a wholesome reminder of why I don't knit gloves more often. They are <i>so</i> finicky and fiddly to make. I do think it is worth doing occasionally, as one does wind up with a perfectly fitted pair of gloves. But I wouldn't want to do it often, or ever make gloves for anyone else, as the intended wearer would have to sit beside me while I worked, and let me try the glove in progress on their hand every five minutes when I'm working on the fingers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSwUqdTqbV9WHzF4JZVsKyoHzIwZMnWnezwmU4aXG_gYOrvlNxVlToPHLnfBaN_rk225xmHab0yMPn_3aLjxLGKxRUwSTNs1bzZKVyu_0mb7P6tVn5k7MKQ8sA0W28r7rT5wmYGky0oMe/s2048/2020-10+fair+isle+set.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSwUqdTqbV9WHzF4JZVsKyoHzIwZMnWnezwmU4aXG_gYOrvlNxVlToPHLnfBaN_rk225xmHab0yMPn_3aLjxLGKxRUwSTNs1bzZKVyu_0mb7P6tVn5k7MKQ8sA0W28r7rT5wmYGky0oMe/s320/2020-10+fair+isle+set.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The completed tam, cowl, and gloves. I can't help regretting my choice of a not-light-enough brown, but otherwise this is a set I am very happy with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had 110 grams of yarn left once I completed this project, and as I bought all new yarn for it, that's a 110 gram stash increase. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROMh5SOgS-6PO-KSMzb8j4I0WZXJ-c0XkzfR4G2GZ_41-SJKHTVcMHWlO7eGOY7dYR93w7-zk0a-riwwitljHVqmd8ahSzcQkYMq8qt7gO13whXDXifffZaFhIcQdEXJaX43RbwM011oj/s2048/2021-02+snowman+afghan+detail.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1734" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROMh5SOgS-6PO-KSMzb8j4I0WZXJ-c0XkzfR4G2GZ_41-SJKHTVcMHWlO7eGOY7dYR93w7-zk0a-riwwitljHVqmd8ahSzcQkYMq8qt7gO13whXDXifffZaFhIcQdEXJaX43RbwM011oj/s320/2021-02+snowman+afghan+detail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And now for the last project I worked on in 2020. It was quite the albatross. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My sister is what I call "Christmas crazy", meaning she really loves decorating for Christmas and goes all out on it. She also has an especial thing for snowmen-themed stuff. Circa 2018, I got the idea of making her a special Christmas afghan -- something with snowmen on it, if possible. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8wEt83V5wZ48asLonwFD2KgaFDEYHgVOXvjXQ19Wp_GLNIBJZTCM78IVSiKybFDV3iJMYjZ1FjAkbdtMCFIt9MCNipOuSwjV3HHYeVTzzEQDoUNZ7Xev2lEDrFPbk-LB1__Yhs6Gq8mE/s500/snowman+afghan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="369" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8wEt83V5wZ48asLonwFD2KgaFDEYHgVOXvjXQ19Wp_GLNIBJZTCM78IVSiKybFDV3iJMYjZ1FjAkbdtMCFIt9MCNipOuSwjV3HHYeVTzzEQDoUNZ7Xev2lEDrFPbk-LB1__Yhs6Gq8mE/s320/snowman+afghan.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I searched the Ravelry database for a suitable Christmas afghan design, and came across the Patons-designed <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/christmas-eve-afghan">Christmas Eve Afghan</a> pattern depicted above. I thought the happy-looking little snowmen were cute, and that the design had a bit of a country feel to it, which was fortuitous in this case as my sister's tastes lean a little country. The afghan design is basically lap-sized with a finished size of 42" x 48", but I decided I'd enlarge it to what I consider the ideal afghan size, 4' x 6' -- large enough to comfortably cover one ordinary-sized adult, yet not so large as to be unwieldy. This meant knitting 60 blocks instead of 48. I decided I would also make a matching throw pillow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As to the yarn, it had to be a budget type yarn, because I needed a LOT of yarn for this project (1730 grams by my estimate). I looked in my stash and found some orange worsted yarn for the snowmen's nose, while a partial skein of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/loops--threads-impeccabletm-tweed">Loops & Threads Impeccable Tweed</a> in Walnut Tweed (leftover from the owl cushion already mentioned above) would do for the arms and top hat. I bought one skein of <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/red-heart-super-saver-solids">Red Heart Super Saver</a> in Soft White for the snowflakes and snowmen, and for the body of the afghan I bought <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/bernat-super-value-solids-new">Bernat Super Value</a> in Forest Green. I calculated that I needed 8 skeins of the Bernat Super Value. In January 2020, I began walking up to the Michaels at Toronto's Stockyards shopping centre once a week to buy a skein of yarn using Michaels' coupons, which only apply to one item per customer per day. Or rather, I <i>intended</i> to walk to Michaels once a week; the reality was that some weeks I wouldn't get around to it or I decided I'd rather buy something else at Michaels when I actually got there. As of the end of February 2020 I only had bought the one skein of Soft White and two skeins of the Forest Green. But hey, no rush, there was still lots of time to shop at Michaels before Christmas 2020 and get the rest of the yarn, right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This blithe assumption turned out to be quite wrong, because of a little complication best known as the COVID19 pandemic. Michaels Ontario had to close in March, and when they reopened a few months later, they had no Bernat Super Value worsted in Forest Green. I waited several more months for them to restock, but it turned out that they'd ceased to stock it at all. By this point, in August, I'd begun working on the afghan and was getting anxious. I searched online, and found that Michaels had some more still in stock in their other stores across Toronto that I could order online and have shipped to my house. I ordered six skeins. Michaels sent me a bag of four skeins and I called them and reported that I was two short of what I ordered. The customer service person arranged for another shipment of two, and then it turned out that I later received the remaining two that I had originally ordered in a separate shipment <i>plus</i> the extra two sent to me because I'd complained of not receiving my full order. I do wish Michaels had added some kind of statement to the packing slip for the four in order to inform me that I would be receiving the extra two under separate cover. But at least now I had no worries about running out of yarn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbILQ6_-SPTt0huQQkMVOOz_OHNEocvAjxQefwo43ch3v9LeojPCr8U9TPqr1IKlYbPnIotYHL7jCA2cTlPqOMNMVmrsbhKvr0qI7Rii1XLoCXXjsI0CsOqDzN13ubKTigvHaSYMupnKu/s369/2021-02+snowman+afghan.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbILQ6_-SPTt0huQQkMVOOz_OHNEocvAjxQefwo43ch3v9LeojPCr8U9TPqr1IKlYbPnIotYHL7jCA2cTlPqOMNMVmrsbhKvr0qI7Rii1XLoCXXjsI0CsOqDzN13ubKTigvHaSYMupnKu/s320/2021-02+snowman+afghan.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's the finished afghan. It's a little smaller than I hoped (47" x 68", not counting the fringe), but it will do. I began it sometime in early August, thinking I'd be done in a few months -- I usually can knock off an afghan in one to two months -- only to find that it dragged on for a soul-searing eternity during which I often felt despairingly that I would be working on it forever. It took me over <i>six months</i> to make this afghan and a matching throw pillow -- I took just a week or two off in that time to knit a glove and a half for the tam, cowl and glove set documented above. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Why did it take so long? The afghan is a time-intensive design, of course, with its detailed little motifs. I did eventually get to the point that I had memorized the cabled and snowmen patterns, which helped some with speed, as I could make a block in an evening without so much as a glance at one of the charts. I was never able to do the same for the snowflake motif, and it took me several evenings to make each one. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But it still shouldn't have taken me more than three to four months to make the afghan and cushion. I made quite a lot of mistakes. I got a bunch of cable squares made before I realized I'd done them wrong, and I did the same thing with the snowmen squares. I made about six snowflake blocks before I realized they were too wide. I think what happened was that the Red Heart Super Saver was a slightly bigger gauge than the Bernat Super Value. I ripped out all of them and reknitted them four stitches narrower than the pattern called for. They're still a little too wide compared to the cable and snowmen blocks, but it was workable. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwY7pTxKa8Sex2ljMRZkWGp6ajnbUNYBg7s6QJcff4t2_rQFRFqR_HRLOLG4bjwZ6MXDLltWbWhd12qVLg2w2zG5f4KNnBe4EQab6cEggZYMtj9G-_wOKfbP3vKISD_25cts0seKZbddL/s2048/Chiaogoo+circular+set.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwY7pTxKa8Sex2ljMRZkWGp6ajnbUNYBg7s6QJcff4t2_rQFRFqR_HRLOLG4bjwZ6MXDLltWbWhd12qVLg2w2zG5f4KNnBe4EQab6cEggZYMtj9G-_wOKfbP3vKISD_25cts0seKZbddL/s320/Chiaogoo+circular+set.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Seaming together the afghan blocks was a job in itself, but once that was done, I did enjoy getting to the point where I could begin working on the garter stitch trim on the four sides, because it meant I could use my brand new ChiaoGoo circular needle set for the first time. I'd wanted a new set for years. Then in early December when I realized I was going to have to spend Christmas alone (after an entire year spent alone) instead of going to my parents' house for a few days as I normally do, I went on Amazon to buy a few modest things to cheer myself up. Then I saw on my wish list that the price of this set was as low as I'd ever seen it, and I went a little mad and ordered one. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When it arrived I sat down at my kitchen table with it and spent so long poring over its many attributes that my cat got jealous and threw a "PAY ATTENTION TO MEEEEE" tantrum. Most of my belongings are handmade or thrifted or even found items that I upcycle, or things my woodworker dad makes for me, and even when I do buy something new it's usually from the dollar store or some other low budget place. I generally have to go with the cheapest option I can live with. And I'm fine with that -- I think I probably get more real enjoyment out of making and contriving and finding deals than I would if I could afford to just go to the mall and buy whatever I wanted. But I have hardly ever owned anything top of the line in my life, and it was such a thrill to get something that is the best money can buy for once. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCefdRtkx1G9A-SDrTsDT9izyh6VeQN2xpMpYpyV7HFBDmcU7KfvOjQri7ArEp24FnGM4lYYofj-dzmLg945wHhIbz3KQSRS7Ss-48Zk72R1Z9a1nIBXiHuPxsEJ684rQuT_Dou4BhP76i/s2048/old+circular+set.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCefdRtkx1G9A-SDrTsDT9izyh6VeQN2xpMpYpyV7HFBDmcU7KfvOjQri7ArEp24FnGM4lYYofj-dzmLg945wHhIbz3KQSRS7Ss-48Zk72R1Z9a1nIBXiHuPxsEJ684rQuT_Dou4BhP76i/s320/old+circular+set.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was my old, partially incomplete and partially broken set of thrift shop Denise circulars and the assorted circulars I owned prior to my ChiaoGoo set's arrival, so you can see why I was so excited. The Denise circs tended to come apart really easily. No matter how careful I tried to be, the needle would come off the line, dropping 50 or 60 stitches. I would groan and painstakingly pick them up again, and then five minutes later the needle would come off the circular line again. I'm amazed I didn't have a rage stroke. I'm going to give the assorted circulars to a friend of mine who has just begun knitting, but I really think the Denise set should go in the garbage. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhNfkjBcU_6J3kb0CCpaK4CZhEPaPnlKybJval0ooIAUBv0jTlS06_DWND9VHlu4JbQACdm68uQkt0cT_GAigLiJ3RFwS4u_R4ATGxgtLib7G_AZ9VIh2Pd9SnKpKrB8uiC8UuOp7AY3z/s2048/2021-02+snowman+afghan+%2526+cushion.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhNfkjBcU_6J3kb0CCpaK4CZhEPaPnlKybJval0ooIAUBv0jTlS06_DWND9VHlu4JbQACdm68uQkt0cT_GAigLiJ3RFwS4u_R4ATGxgtLib7G_AZ9VIh2Pd9SnKpKrB8uiC8UuOp7AY3z/s320/2021-02+snowman+afghan+%2526+cushion.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's a photo of the matching throw cushion. It is 20" x 20". The original plan was to make the cushion out of pieced blocks, just like the afghan, but I decided against going that route because it wasn't going to be possible to make the cushion the size I wanted it, and also because it was a lot of work. So, I adapted the cable pattern and used that for the cushion, knitting the cushion top in one long strip, folding it in half, and then seaming it on two sides and adding a zipper on the remaining open side. It's more neutral than Christmassy, but that means my sister will be able to leave this cushion out all year round if she likes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHG4DwM-eGs977X7U2uaewndcIqU8xF4S4qqtsCfzJ0BjR54xGGnbyOdL0vYzhl1kO0WcgBMqlxSp9b-gmWGvJKzODZLuFAbhrn5a-wikU6OOMi0a8spwFHFEGiZ-uEyB1jEY_dRcIK86d/s2048/2021-02+snowman+afghan+cushion+zipper.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHG4DwM-eGs977X7U2uaewndcIqU8xF4S4qqtsCfzJ0BjR54xGGnbyOdL0vYzhl1kO0WcgBMqlxSp9b-gmWGvJKzODZLuFAbhrn5a-wikU6OOMi0a8spwFHFEGiZ-uEyB1jEY_dRcIK86d/s320/2021-02+snowman+afghan+cushion+zipper.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The zipper for the cushion. I used my <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-diamond-mine-afghan.html">"two crochet chains sewn on either side of the zipper" technique</a> for this as I did with the owl cushion. I do wish I could have used a zipper in a shade that was closer to the green yarn colour, but between Fabricland only offering curbside pickup shopping these days (which would make if difficult for me to match the colour) and my super tight budget, I decided this olive-coloured zipper that was just sitting in my zipper box would have to do. I made my own pillow form for the cushion. Good thing I'd stocked up on polyfil early in 2020. <div><br /></div><div>I did not finish this project until February 13th, 2021. Meanwhile, of course, Christmas had long since passed. My sister's birthday is in mid-January, so I gave her the items I'd originally bought for her birthday for her Christmas present (my mother and sister came to my house in Toronto to do a curbside present delivery and pickup on December 23rd), and I told her that I was working on something special for her birthday present, though I was uncertain as to when I'd be able to give it to her. I still don't know when I'll be able to see her again. I could ship it to her, but that would be expensive and I can't bear to take the risk it might get lost in the mail, and also I want to see her reaction when she opens it. </div><div><br /></div><div>My sister has what I would categorize as three basic reactions to gifts. If she loves the gift, she'll laugh in a particular, delighted, staccato kind of way ("Haw! Haw! Haw!"). If she likes it, she just seems pleased, and talks about how she'll use it. If she doesn't like it, she is polite but unenthusiastic and unforthcoming. Of course I won't pressure her to like this afghan and cushion or complain if she doesn't, but I'll be watching her carefully when she opens it, and if I get the "politely unenthusiastic" reaction for something I worked six months to make and that is probably the most time intensive knitting project I've ever done, I think I'll die a little on the inside. </div><div><br /></div><div>This project used a tiny amount of orange yarn and perhaps 20 grams of the brown tweed I had in my stash. I had 60 grams left of the white, and thanks to the mix-up with the Michaels shipment, I finished this project with two almost untouched skeins of green yarn (I used just a little of one of them when I was finishing up the fringe), so that's a net stash growth of 436 grams. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is the first time in years that my stash got bigger instead of shrank -- when I tot up all the additions and subtractions of my seven projects, I find that my stash grew this past year by 176 grams. I blame that Michaels shipping mix-up -- without those two superfluous skeins, I would have had a stash decrease of 218 grams. </div><div><br /></div><div>I finished this project on February 13th, 2021, but I'm cheating a little and including it in my 2020 post. After all, I did knit 80% of it in 2020. </div><div><br /></div><div>Looking ahead to 2021, I have a list of 14 projects I would like to make. I don't know how many I will get to, especially given that I'm getting a late start on them, but there's nothing on the list that will be as much of a time hog as my sister's Christmas afghan, and I am resolving to take more care with my knitting (i.e., follow the pattern more carefully, do the math in advance to make sure things will work out as I want) so as to make fewer time-wasting mistakes. We'll see how that works out. </div></div></div></div>Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-3557418069838840752020-07-27T11:36:00.000-04:002020-07-27T11:36:25.854-04:00Knitty Spring & Summer 2020: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFdi2UPPhr1yY8spyFc4wHnQtdrUclA4ACFz_n4e3fINTdA6aLk0Q4Qyet-cFzyYmGfaufzXyL_VAV3c-rsHTRLANq2DQMiDLawW9Kkw8Q8XUQHaxS7W467qPfPiHzCuzv9K9nu4BmI8/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFdi2UPPhr1yY8spyFc4wHnQtdrUclA4ACFz_n4e3fINTdA6aLk0Q4Qyet-cFzyYmGfaufzXyL_VAV3c-rsHTRLANq2DQMiDLawW9Kkw8Q8XUQHaxS7W467qPfPiHzCuzv9K9nu4BmI8/s400/cover.jpg" width="400" height="285" data-original-width="791" data-original-height="563" /></a></div><br />
Today we're going to have a look at <a href="https://knitty.com/ISSUEss20/content.php"><i>Knitty</i>'s Spring & Summer 2020 issue</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://knitty.com/ISSUEss20/PATTrullskridsko/PATTrullskridsko.php">Rullskridsko.</a> A classic Fair Isle design. I'd make this one in a higher contrast palette, but that's not to say that this low-key colourway isn't attractive too.<br />
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<a href="https://knitty.com/ISSUEss20/PATTgrapefruit/PATTgrapefruit.php">Grapefruit Splash.</a> This one would make a nice layering piece if, like the designer, you find yourself chilly in an air-conditioned building. The stripes and the contrast border make for such a fun, casual look.<br />
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<a href="https://knitty.com/ISSUEss20/PATTgreenmachine/PATTgreenmachine.php">Green Machine.</a> I'd add a little waist-shaping to this one as it has a squarish, unflattering shape as is. I don't think I'd neaten up the fit, though, as one wants clothing to be loose in summer.<br />
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<a href="https://knitty.com/ISSUEss20/PATTbowknot/PATTbowknot.php">Bowknot Blue.</a> Nice texture, but the shaping isn't flattering. I'd raise those dropped shoulders and add waist shaping.<br />
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<a href="https://knitty.com/ISSUEss20/PATTtigerwheet/PATTtigerwheet.php">Tigerwheet.</a> This has a "I made it in home economics class and didn't finish it but convinced the teacher I meant to do it this way in order to pass the course" look to it. <br />
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<a href="https://knitty.com/ISSUEss20/PATTbidicot/PATTbidicot.php">Bidicot.</a> This one would make a fun accessory for a plain outfit, but I'm not thrilled with how those edges look.<br />
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<a href="https://knitty.com/ISSUEss20/PATTperiperi/PATTperiperi.php">Peri Peri.</a> This asymmetrical shawl seems to drape well and has a pretty lace pattern on it.<br />
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<a href="https://knitty.com/ISSUEss20/PATTnoland/PATTnoland.php">Noland.</a> This is a lovely confection of a piece. The lace and the yarn are beautiful, and it has a such a delicate, graceful look. I'd be inclined to neaten up the fit on the body a little -- though I'd still leave it loose-fitting -- but it is fine as it is. it drapes well, and such a lightweight piece will never look bulky on the wearer.<br />
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<a href="https://knitty.com/ISSUEss20/PATTphiolet/PATTphiolet.php">Phiolet.</a> Fun socks, even if the idea of wearing mismatched socks makes me twitch uncontrollably.<br />
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<a href="https://knitty.com/ISSUEss20/PATTfarrago/PATTfarrago.php">Farrago.</a> These would be fun way to showcase a self-striping yarn. <br />
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<a href="https://knitty.com/ISSUEss20/PATTtheombis/PATTtheombis.php">The Ombis.</a> I'm not a fan of mesh-like knitting as wearing apparel. The look is too shopping bag. This one looks like Ursula the Sea Witch's shopping bag -- if Ursula cared about reducing, reusing, and recyling, that is, which I doubt. Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-77124022510120116752020-06-08T16:26:00.001-04:002020-06-08T16:26:18.402-04:00Vogue Knitting Spring & Summer 2020: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXATxs6CBtkKe6n62V-eH_XuIrqAx_PW-xCe-z-E6t5C8udTYn9ezITw4oJcvJrv0LPVvIE7wRRlAko5NcoZoIrOIaBip2WUDDHrhT9iUHflNnPe8oqNGEdWQtELHouCmYfZzxdE2Psgs/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXATxs6CBtkKe6n62V-eH_XuIrqAx_PW-xCe-z-E6t5C8udTYn9ezITw4oJcvJrv0LPVvIE7wRRlAko5NcoZoIrOIaBip2WUDDHrhT9iUHflNnPe8oqNGEdWQtELHouCmYfZzxdE2Psgs/s400/cover.jpg" width="338" height="400" data-original-width="507" data-original-height="600" /></a></div><br />
<i>Vogue Knitting</i> has released their <a href="https://www.vogueknitting.com/magazine/spring-summer-2020-fashion-preview/">Spring & Summer 2020 issue</a>. Let's have a look at it, shall we?<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/01-structure">#01, Structure.</a> This is the first of six designs in what <i>Vogue Knitting</i> is calling a capsule collection. This piece is certainly the kind of reliable, versatile piece that works well in a capsule wardrobe. I'm not crazy about the mullet hem, but otherwise it's a classic that could be styled in any number of ways, and worn nearly anywhere.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/02-staple">#02, Staple.</a> This is the kind of piece I'd rather buy than make because I find them tedious to knit and because knit tops like this are so readily available, but if you like a simple project and/or are really committed to making as many of your own clothes/gifts as you can, it's certainly a good t-shirt design as to shape and finish. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/03-integral">#03, Integral.</a> This one's a little too minimalist for me, so much so that it looks unfinished, but the overall style has a "Mary Tyler Moore goes contemporary" vibe, and a woman could certainly do worse. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/04-foundation">#04, Foundation.</a> Knit skirts can be a challenge, but I <i>think</i> this one may pass muster. The shape is streamlined and classic, and the ribbing should help it keep its shape.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/05-key">#05, Key.</a> Good stitchwork and shape. I'd be inclined to add buttons and buttonholes, but then open front cardigans never sit well on me -- it's a boob thing. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/06-elemental">#06, Elemental.</a> Lovely.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/07-zaffre">#07, Zaffre.</a> I like this on the whole -- the lace samplers and the lace and ribbed stitchwork used as edging makes for a good look -- but I'm not crazy about the notched collar, which comes across looking more bug than feature.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/08-majorelle">#08, Majorelle.</a> Love the stitchwork in this. The shape is too boxy for my liking, but this is one of those linear designs that would be hard to reshape. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/09-aegean">#09, Aegean.</a> <i>Love</i> the "Edwardian blouse gone modern" vibe of this one. Maybe in my next life I'll have enough neck to wear it. I will say this design doesn't look all that practical for summer, as it will require an underlayer. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/10-deep-dive">#10, Deep Dive.</a> This is so beautiful I think I may have just found my wedding dress (and now I just have to find someone I'd care to marry). Both stitchwork and shape are excellent.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cable-trellis-dress">#11, Cable Trellis Dress.</a> This is "from the archives" pattern, and was first published in VK's Spring/Summer 2002 issue. As soon as I saw the photo on Vogue Knitting's website I knew it was a re-run, and that I already had the issue it originally appeared in on my shelves, and it turns out I do indeed. It's a timeless piece that could have been worn to advantage at any time these past eighteen years. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-white-way-cabled-pullover">#12, The White Way Cabled Pullover.</a> This is the sweater version of the dress above, and the design concept works equally well in sweater form. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/13-ripple-dress">#13, Ripple Dress.</a> This crocheted dress has excellent shaping and stitchwork like the "Deep Dive" dress above, but then again, it is crocheted, and the odds of my voluntarily crocheting myself an entire dress are about the same as my ever getting married. This dress <i>does</i> have a rather bare effect, which can be either a pro or a con, depending on your perspective. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/14-conscious">#14, Conscious.</a> This is a fun, contemporary take on the Breton stripe sweater, but I would nix the mullet hem.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/15-curve">#15, Curve.</a> The colour and the styling give this lace shawl such an eye-catching, modern look.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/16-reversal">#16, Reversal.</a> Such a fun, energizing play of colour and texture in this one.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/17-departure">#17, Departure.</a> The yarn for this shawl is Koigu Painter's Palette Premium, and having daubed more than a few palettes with paint myself, I have to agree that it's well named. The play of colour fascinates me, and the lace pattern and shaping is attractive as well.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/18-tweed-chevron-pullover">#18, Tweed Chevron Pullover.</a> I like the chevron stripes, but not the boxy fit. I'd neaten up the fit on this one considerably -- fortunately this is one of those designs that won't be compromised by a reshape. Honestly, the only things that ever look good to me in boxes are the goodies I order online and could hardly wait to have arrive. Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-90606220915831226692020-05-01T15:17:00.000-04:002020-05-01T15:17:13.271-04:00Cast On Spring 2020: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZfeevbR-2UauJDlzvNWUVfhq2OtA7uWyXArWQe4ZTULQux7E6FQvyQQ3CHNQF4in9vlCf0o6Fd-sO6aFKAJLhipdDJTDYRTPVfEa33ybILD_UavBXIFgr8dGtWMUZ4OVi6H1gJmZGuc/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZfeevbR-2UauJDlzvNWUVfhq2OtA7uWyXArWQe4ZTULQux7E6FQvyQQ3CHNQF4in9vlCf0o6Fd-sO6aFKAJLhipdDJTDYRTPVfEa33ybILD_UavBXIFgr8dGtWMUZ4OVi6H1gJmZGuc/s400/cover.jpg" width="295" height="400" data-original-width="236" data-original-height="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://tkga.org/?page=CastOn_About"><i>Cast On</i></a> has released its Spring 2020 issue. Let's have a look at it, shall we? <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/blackwater-mosaic-pullover">Blackwater Mosaic Pullover.</a> I like the mosaic bottom of this sweater, but am not sure I care for the colour-blocked sleeves, which make the sweater look like it's a short-sleeved number worn over a white long-sleeved t-shirt. I'd be inclined to work the bottom half of the sleeves in mosaic too.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ccb-cardigan">CCB Cardigan.</a> This one's a bit of a retina-searer, with its eighties-style day-glo colours. But of course there's no need to make it in these particular colours if they don't do it for you. I can see this being cute in a single colour in a mohair blend -- as long as the cropped length and boxy shape works for the wearer. It does tend to be a hard silhouette to carry off. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ccb-pullover">CCB Pullover.</a> This is going to prove a much more wearable version than the cropped cardigan take above. But I'd add some waist shaping, and go with another colourway. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cable-and-rib-sweater-7">Cable and Rib Sweater.</a> This one has a classic, polished look to it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crocus-in-the-snow-headband">Crocus in the Snow Headband.</a> There is some pretty stitchwork in this, and I love the evocative name of the pattern, but I can't imagine anyone I know actually wearing it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crosswind-tee">Crosswind Tee.</a> Nice piece. The shaping is good, and I like the telling detail at the hem and on the sleeves.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hats-for-kara">Hats for Kara.</a> These are pretty basic, but they're certainly serviceable enough.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heartbeat-pullover">Heartbeat Pullover.</a> Classic cabled pullover.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hearts-hat-8">Hearts Hat.</a> Cute hat. There <i>is</i> something about the heart shape that makes for an appealing design.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/intertwined-hearts-pullover">Intertwined Hearts Pullover.</a> <i>Love</i> the elegant cable detail on this one. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kendall-dress">Kendall Dress.</a> Um, this one needed quite a bit more work. It looks both odd and unfinished.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mandala-cowl">Mandala Cowl.</a> This one has an eye-catchingly different look to it, with its range of fair isle design devices and atypical colourway. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mcm-pillow">MCM Pillow.</a> Simple but effective design.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/metropolitan-modular">Metropolitan Modular.</a> I rather like the design of this colourblocked sweater, but not its colourway, which has a "this is what I had in my stash" look to it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/njord-pullover">Njord Pullover.</a> Nice top! I like the combination of the diamond pattern body with the ribbed sleeves and hem.<br />
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0l4ysvjRbbgyq-CWL3IfcrLbhJ20gvKl20BRXiSCoF4FWOibnDlq74OwwjG3G09wQYuee3GZUnNAknY-uLMRK5-RTsgQK0MCc6k4PoDeLGUvv9xDG6re5ENLmtpzUW0bkuXWD5r5XBpg/s1600/16a.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0l4ysvjRbbgyq-CWL3IfcrLbhJ20gvKl20BRXiSCoF4FWOibnDlq74OwwjG3G09wQYuee3GZUnNAknY-uLMRK5-RTsgQK0MCc6k4PoDeLGUvv9xDG6re5ENLmtpzUW0bkuXWD5r5XBpg/s320/16a.jpg" width="230" height="320" data-original-width="460" data-original-height="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZAVoP97A7UtwCgBy_yweGFk7lXCbgwaLlePt0Bd_Ykw_cq4EvXEfxzPZ5dWKDj4W9d3pNsbUrOIub0Uw8l4G8xnUpP2KlxnCzddWprPzX2TxPMu7ySoHRJLnw2gLveplGhGyikvHTvQ/s1600/16b.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZAVoP97A7UtwCgBy_yweGFk7lXCbgwaLlePt0Bd_Ykw_cq4EvXEfxzPZ5dWKDj4W9d3pNsbUrOIub0Uw8l4G8xnUpP2KlxnCzddWprPzX2TxPMu7ySoHRJLnw2gLveplGhGyikvHTvQ/s320/16b.jpg" width="184" height="320" data-original-width="367" data-original-height="640" /></a></center><br />
<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/old-moons-top">Old Moons Top.</a> This is one of those designs that would be satisfying to make because of all the techniques one gets to use to make it, but wouldn't be so rewarding to wear. It would require a layering piece underneath, its empire waist will be problematic in terms of what figures it works on and what pieces it works with, and I don't think that back opening is flattering or even particularly attractive.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rain-chain-pillow">Rain Chain Pillow.</a> Nice cushion!<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ripple-henley-sweater">Ripple Henley Sweater.</a> This one is fun -- like a contemporary take on the Charlie Brown-style sweater.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/slipped-stitch-tablet-bag">Slipped Stitch Tablet.</a> This is... okay. I guess when it comes to protective cases, I prefer a case that's closer to "elegant and polished" than it is to "toilet paper cosy". <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sort-of-charlie-brown-vest">Sort of Charlie Brown Vest.</a> I don't know if anyone will believe me, but I swear I wrote the Charlie Brown reference in the Ripple Henley Sweater review above before I set eyes on this design. I like this take on the Charlie Brown vest as well -- the reference isn't so obvious as to be costume-y. Though the wearer should definitely take care when flying kites or kicking footballs while wearing it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wide-range-socks">Wild Range Socks.</a> Handsome socks.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/zig-zag-chevron-vest">Zig Zag Chevron Vest.</a> I quite like this one, which has a smart thirties-era knitwear vibe -- and that is one of my very favourite knitwear vibes. Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-91851641788132179482020-04-30T12:50:00.000-04:002020-04-30T13:04:19.365-04:00Interweave Knits Spring 2020: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDPK_yRVsqKbmmeP20v8giGBZ0gwQ3GIFbfiFrYAfLfhurbQwP-7Za6dqyFAz8oKDhspcY5zgbqWjOtxXQKZ8VaWtbwN-p0Z6Xye9ix0tfpketGadleEdBKlw7iDSLMbjViI3eJIkdi4/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDPK_yRVsqKbmmeP20v8giGBZ0gwQ3GIFbfiFrYAfLfhurbQwP-7Za6dqyFAz8oKDhspcY5zgbqWjOtxXQKZ8VaWtbwN-p0Z6Xye9ix0tfpketGadleEdBKlw7iDSLMbjViI3eJIkdi4/s400/cover.jpg" width="288" height="400" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="694" /></a></div><br />
<i>Interweave Knits</i> has released its <a href="https://www.interweave.com/product/interweave-knits-spring-2020-digital-edition/">Spring & Summer 2020 issue</a> with 13 designs in it that we can all knit now to calm our nerves, and put away for that happy if unspecified day when we all get to leave our homes again, and go somewhere where there are other people. <br />
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On a less facetious note, I'll just comment here that making/preparing clothing for oneself has always seemed to me to be an act of faith and hope: we plan and purchase and make things to wear because we presume we'll have the opportunity and need to wear them, that we'll be alive and well enough to have places to go and things to accomplish and people to see by the time the items are ready. So let's have the faith to look at these designs, and to dream of the things we might make with them, shall we? And, of course, also the critical ability to pass on/alter any design that won't truly work for us. Even a pandemic isn't going to make me lose my head and sign off on dropped shoulder designs.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/andes-mitts">Andes Mitts.</a> These are presentable. Given the open texture, they seem more decorative than practical (i.e., warm, snag-resistant).<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/arctic-headband-2">Arctic Headband.</a> Heh, I actually initially thought this design was a hat in spite of its name when I saw the product shot in thumbnail. I suppose matching the yarn colour of this headband to your original hair colour would be one way to make your dark roots work for you. To get back on track in terms of an actual review of this pattern, this is quite a nice-looking, flattering piece. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/canopy-tee">Canopy Tee.</a> This is rather nice top in that "barely there layering piece for summer" vein. I like the lacework in the front, with its Art Deco feel.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/castile-cardigan">Castile Cardigan.</a> Not bad. I love the stitchwork in this, but don't love the dropped shoulders, which make the sleeves look stumpy.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/devonshire-beanie">Devonshire Beanie.</a> Cute hat. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gilt-lace-cardigan">Gilt Lace Cardigan.</a> This is a sweet little summer cardigan.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heartwood-cardigan">Heartwood Cardigan.</a> Another pretty light cardigan for warmer weather. I like that there's a corresponding lace panel on the back, and the little notches in the cuffs.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/islenska-shawl">Íslenska Shawl.</a> Interesting lacework, but I think this shawl needed more shaping to make it less afghan-like. <br />
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1RbRxn2CX-r1BnTSrfCK1tQ9oiZLwe89mvd8mJSlqxZjGUtebxI-KchLhiLcCN2oeTxMcFCDlj23e1cj0doyMcrgOJ9ogBNPKAt3PeqpJd1DzR6e4GARQpb6C55oqetEJeAwUE3aMPs/s1600/8a.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1RbRxn2CX-r1BnTSrfCK1tQ9oiZLwe89mvd8mJSlqxZjGUtebxI-KchLhiLcCN2oeTxMcFCDlj23e1cj0doyMcrgOJ9ogBNPKAt3PeqpJd1DzR6e4GARQpb6C55oqetEJeAwUE3aMPs/s320/8a.jpg" width="213" height="320" data-original-width="426" data-original-height="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5RBh_NxrbmHhlqcCp4xNwevmFws78QLrLlTt0DwoDwkSlhhWSn79MWq3p6fd1ox53gMeN5KEqrMtl5E9oR37O5drRM3xvUJq-_FjoR-rp2rxeqns3Xc0mgM9vTT9rwvFAzOVESirLtM/s1600/8b.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5RBh_NxrbmHhlqcCp4xNwevmFws78QLrLlTt0DwoDwkSlhhWSn79MWq3p6fd1ox53gMeN5KEqrMtl5E9oR37O5drRM3xvUJq-_FjoR-rp2rxeqns3Xc0mgM9vTT9rwvFAzOVESirLtM/s320/8b.jpg" width="213" height="320" data-original-width="426" data-original-height="640" /></a></center><br />
<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kent-lamb-pullover">Kent Lamb Pullover.</a> Very wearable and attractive. The hem "cables over a garter stitch" detail is a nice design twist. I'd nix the "side vent and slight mullet" touch.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/paihamu-hat">Paihamu Hat.</a> Nice cap, and that yarn looks so luscious I can almost feel it through the screen, which is not surprising given that it's a possum/silk/cashmere blend.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sandness-cardigan">Sandness Cardigan.</a> This looks like one of those cardigans that are a total comfort wear. That's an attractive cable pattern. I would raise the dropped shoulders somewhat, though just to the bottom of the cabled section, as raising it clear to the shoulder would not be possible on this design. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sprigs-top-2">Sprigs Top.</a> A very decent piece. The lacework is pretty.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stratus-shawl">Stratus Shawl.</a> Very handsome shawl! The lacework is beautiful, and the three-tone look gives what would otherwise be a traditional piece a cool, contemporary vibe. Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-39701256978683883932020-03-24T16:31:00.000-04:002020-03-24T16:31:27.091-04:00Knitscene Spring 2020: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJnAsOpyWHc5c-xBwcFZTLwMnYB36t32-VtS_ET8ug9zXDctM_3wfRnQQFBjmI8Yr28tZnIV-YqpiUXRrT0t_98IvfKu4Wvxt-rQU1t9YladwR6h_Qnfmmxc4GOnisUfyLaSog49bgns/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJnAsOpyWHc5c-xBwcFZTLwMnYB36t32-VtS_ET8ug9zXDctM_3wfRnQQFBjmI8Yr28tZnIV-YqpiUXRrT0t_98IvfKu4Wvxt-rQU1t9YladwR6h_Qnfmmxc4GOnisUfyLaSog49bgns/s400/cover.jpg" width="312" height="400" data-original-width="198" data-original-height="254" /></a></div><br />
<i>Knitscene</i> has released its <a href="https://www.interweave.com/product/knitscene-spring-2020-digital-edition/">Spring 2020 issue</a>. Let's take a look at it, shall we?<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alongside-slouch">Alongside Slouch.</a> Not a bad-looking minimalist slouch cap.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/arced-shawl">Arced Shawl.</a> This one might have gone too far in the afghan direction, but its shaping keeps it wearable -- it seems to drape well. And it also looks as though it would be cozier than many of the shawl designs I see.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/arrows-shawl-2">Arrows Shawl.</a> Simple, pretty, and wearable.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crosswise-top">Crosswise Top.</a> Not a bad little top. The combination of mesh, heel stitch, and bubble-shaped elbow sleeves makes for a different look. I don't care for the way the wearer's bra straps show through the mesh, but then strapless bras and tank tops exist for a reason.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/currents-shawl">Currents Shawl.</a> What lovely stitchwork.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/darts-pullover">Darts Pullover.</a> I have quite a strong inclination for this kind of sweater design. This design is so simple overall that it will go with jeans or a skirt and can be worn nearly anywhere, while having just enough detail to make it visually interesting. The happy owner of this sweater will be able to wear it until it's worn out. But I would fix the dropped shoulders.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ellipsoidal-shawl">Ellipsoidal Shawl.</a> Another beautiful piece of stitchwork.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/garter-grooves-cardigan">Garter Grooves Cardigan.</a> This cardi sits so poorly that it's frumpy even on this professional model.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gauzy-tee">Gauzy Tee.</a> I kind of love this, which would be such an airy, pretty, casual piece for nice spring days. I would neaten up the fit though.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/herbage-tee">Herbage Tee.</a> This top is very pretty and wearable, and probably almost universally flattering.<br />
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmavuEQAf9rtvNM3s51xJy8tcFs03bJFt8F2lWEtF-jfmmHBQWnXcvlh-8iVHbLxeka5DY2LcQBlAyHlQ6eOi59rFcry9Lx2sA42yo6JP5m6hRN9i_IKNi6pJlwsxWmZngdH6X5gnA3Tc/s1600/11a.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmavuEQAf9rtvNM3s51xJy8tcFs03bJFt8F2lWEtF-jfmmHBQWnXcvlh-8iVHbLxeka5DY2LcQBlAyHlQ6eOi59rFcry9Lx2sA42yo6JP5m6hRN9i_IKNi6pJlwsxWmZngdH6X5gnA3Tc/s320/11a.jpg" width="213" height="320" data-original-width="426" data-original-height="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMD_GLVtSzutld_W5ALXREWQfRZ_CZ3kJ4GyEB23U-gKdTUDwGbB2q8oWdIpuKp_DackCHgssNz6BXRPiQkMewt_osv63LEWmTdNXEVSk1GJCoRKFKkLDnkrNcoBuGKZsaEjB3QpeS4HU/s1600/11b.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMD_GLVtSzutld_W5ALXREWQfRZ_CZ3kJ4GyEB23U-gKdTUDwGbB2q8oWdIpuKp_DackCHgssNz6BXRPiQkMewt_osv63LEWmTdNXEVSk1GJCoRKFKkLDnkrNcoBuGKZsaEjB3QpeS4HU/s320/11b.jpg" width="213" height="320" data-original-width="426" data-original-height="640" /></a></center><br />
<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/netted-tank-top">Netted Tank Top.</a> Rather like the contemporary, casual vibe of this one.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/peaks--valleys-shawl">Peaks & Valleys Shawl.</a> This issue is really batting a thousand on its shawls.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sidelong-tee">Sidelong Tee.</a> The overall design is fine. I'd neaten up the fit. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/swingy-top-2">Swingy Top.</a> Not bad, but I think I'd definitely go with the Herbage Tee in preference to this design, as its shape is easier to carry off and I like that the lacework appears at both the bottom and sleeve hems. The sleeves of this one look a little plain compared to the bottom hem. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/trilateral-cowl">Trilateral Cowl.</a> Attractive contemporary-style pattern, and it sits well.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/trilogies-hat--cowl">Trilogies Hat & Cowl.</a> This one would be an excellent stash buster, and it's a nice-looking and wearable set. Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-91369814590826399152020-03-13T06:00:00.000-04:002020-03-18T17:20:31.823-04:00Interweave Crochet Winter 2020: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikxIoYsGxVW0Dnn8UEQg8_EfSkLFaf57SzCgeCo88ByhmoCk_HyYIRrzZIODAkKzsI3XvFMDgWUv98-o84bdslFnqPBE__L-AmJApU15Hiqt-5S9Ok1mf3502ufQXDIr-8WX1U7fpLw4/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikxIoYsGxVW0Dnn8UEQg8_EfSkLFaf57SzCgeCo88ByhmoCk_HyYIRrzZIODAkKzsI3XvFMDgWUv98-o84bdslFnqPBE__L-AmJApU15Hiqt-5S9Ok1mf3502ufQXDIr-8WX1U7fpLw4/s400/cover.jpg" width="288" height="400" data-original-width="600" data-original-height="832" /></a></div><br />
Today marks a slight departure for the site. I have never reviewed a crochet magazine before, but have been asked a number of times over the years to consider doing so. I have finally come to the point of deciding I will try crochet design reviewing on for size, and see how I do with it and what the response is. I <i>can</i> crochet (the receipts are <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2016/12/an-elementary-christmas-present.html">here</a> and <a href="http://modwardian.blogspot.com/2017/05/kicks-for-my-sister.html">here</a>), and have <a href="http://theknittingneedleandthedamagedone.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-case-for-crochet.html">spoken out about the value of crochet</a>, but am not as skilled at crochet as I am with knitting, so I hope you'll all bear with me as I take a stab -- or should I say a right hook? -- at reviewing <a href="https://www.interweave.com/product/interweave-crochet-winter-2020-digital-edition/">Interweave Crochet's Winter 2020 issue</a>.<br />
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU2wjvAakFr85IGRna9ka2hTGHbraJUnnHELA-Yhlo_ayUkVUCRWrH-hWqYHUOVxo_iahO-MVU7KWzdBHESTGgf7TujSBTtzMV4cCF8m8j8ksSKnVDwLKmjhFX0_xmzF78xwLZpF4KBo/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU2wjvAakFr85IGRna9ka2hTGHbraJUnnHELA-Yhlo_ayUkVUCRWrH-hWqYHUOVxo_iahO-MVU7KWzdBHESTGgf7TujSBTtzMV4cCF8m8j8ksSKnVDwLKmjhFX0_xmzF78xwLZpF4KBo/s320/1.jpg" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQsCW_4zix5xCraqlB6vF5G7EpGeaPkf9fHBN1ynuNVnNakYSl3g_wRFghzCWGRnUI2ODDZC74pwIHpbWOFcYJjA8b4D3_1OvQHoHApWVtJba7NuRTS6_Ys9oouFDkM7qxZLkw0Al_TU/s1600/1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQsCW_4zix5xCraqlB6vF5G7EpGeaPkf9fHBN1ynuNVnNakYSl3g_wRFghzCWGRnUI2ODDZC74pwIHpbWOFcYJjA8b4D3_1OvQHoHApWVtJba7NuRTS6_Ys9oouFDkM7qxZLkw0Al_TU/s320/1a.jpg" width="320" height="320" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="640" /></a></center><br />
<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bergschrund-shrug">Bergschrund Shrug.</a> This isn't bad -- it hangs pretty well and is simple enough to work with a variety of looks. The back looks pretty good too. <br />
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But I can't say I care for the second suggested way to wear this shrug -- it has a choppy, awkward look, and I'd be inclined to think the wearer put it on in the dark and hasn't caught sight of herself in the mirror since.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/carmine-wrap">Carmine Wrap.</a> The Tunisian stitchwork looks a little crude for my liking, but kudos to the styling department, who have made this scarf look almost chic.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/catena-scarf-2">Catena Scarf.</a> The two-colour relief is a pretty decent effect.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chill-snowman">Chill Snowman.</a> This is really cute, but I do get the feeling that this snowman would ignore me if I asked him for directions to the North Pole.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cooper-scarf-2">Cooper Scarf.</a> Pretty basic, but wearable enough. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/drumlin-shawl">Drumlin Scarf.</a> Love both the texture and the yarn used here, and this wrap drapes so well.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/esker-cowl">Esker Cowl.</a> Nice use of a gradient yarn and a simple ridged texture.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/firn-capelet">Firn Capelet.</a> I'm not really sold on this hooded capelet, which bears slightly too much resemblance to some kind of amorphous blob that is eating this woman's head.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/foldover-mitts">Foldover Mitts.</a> Not bad. I can't help but think wistfully how much they look like a ribbed pair of knitted mitts.;)<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/journal-cover-7">Journal Cover.</a> I like the idea, but find the execution a little crude. I'd be inclined to sew the leather part to the crocheted part with a sewing machine rather than using that uneven running stitch. One can glimpse the original cover of the notebook at the bottom in one of the shots, which bugs me, but I don't know how those could be entirely hidden.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kame-cowl">Kame Cowl.</a> I don't much like this, but I think I'd like it better if it weren't for the colour scheme. Those gray and aqua colours do nothing for each other. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ogive-cardigan">Ogive Cardigan.</a> I have my suspicions as to how this pleasant little cardi sits and/or hangs when the wearer isn't pulling on it with both hands. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/randkluft-scarf">Randkluft Scarf.</a> This has a haphazard, "crocheted out of scrap pieces of yarn which ran out in random points in the row" look. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rimaye-cowl">Rimaye Cowl.</a> I'm actually really digging the contemporary <i>objet d'art</i> vibe of this one. It's Tunisian crochet, which is why it looks so much like knitting.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sashiko-clutch">Sashiko Clutch.</a> Sashiko is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sashiko">form of Japanese embroidery that dates back to the seventeenth century</a>. The embroidery on this little clutch, which borrows from that tradition, is really quite smart and eye-catching.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/serac-pullover">Serac Pullover.</a> The collar says, "Snuggle down and get comfortable!". The open stitch texture says, "Have an intimate encounter with every draft and protrusion/rough surface in your vicinity!" I can't deny I rather like the look of this piece, but it is wildly impractical. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sheepback-scarf">Sheepback Scarf.</a> Pretty wrap.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wee-bandana">Wee Bandana.</a> I suppose if you've always wanted to make your wee baby or widdle pet look like a wee outlaw, this might be just the thing. On a slightly more practical note, it will also work as a bib, and be a chance for beginner to expand their Tunisian crochet technique.Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-46895709874402026732020-03-11T06:00:00.000-04:002020-03-11T06:00:08.532-04:00Vogue Knitting Late Winter 2020: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXXtLgUdzaysHc3Kb9MCG2AUr9XPj4f97gvnSlmhnY4zCvrbVqJuJnoIL0R2BWlzm7Zw1oB_WfaiWlP94rmMgCTecvAo5TRB60bZgDvQvWBNC8eYppQ72wQEOS2VY-6f6-pP0BN1d0mE/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXXtLgUdzaysHc3Kb9MCG2AUr9XPj4f97gvnSlmhnY4zCvrbVqJuJnoIL0R2BWlzm7Zw1oB_WfaiWlP94rmMgCTecvAo5TRB60bZgDvQvWBNC8eYppQ72wQEOS2VY-6f6-pP0BN1d0mE/s400/cover.jpg" width="330" height="400" data-original-width="204" data-original-height="247" /></a></div><br />
<i>Vogue Knitting</i> has released their <a href="https://www.vogueknitting.com/magazine/late-winter-2020-fashion-preview/">Late Winter 2020 issue</a>. Let's have a look at it, shall we? <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/01-overlapping-patches">#01, Overlapping Patches.</a> When I saw the preview photo for this design on the VK website, I thought how much it looked like a Kaffe Fassett pattern. And then, upon viewing its Ravelry page, I learned it was in fact a Kaffe Fassett piece. His aesthetic is as distinctive as a fingerprint. The quilt-like design is a fun direction for knitting, and his colourway is masterful as always. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/02-sunday-brunch">#02, Sunday Brunch.</a> A very decent casual, relaxed piece. The collar sits well.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/03-tea-time">#03, Tea Time.</a> The cardigan's nice, but I'm not sure how I feel about the combination of the (attached) collar and the standard v-neck of the cardigan. It looks a bit silly to me, but then it is a new look, and sometimes I mellow (or simply get worn down) on a new look that I disliked at first after I have had time to get used to them. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/04-cocktail-hour">#04, Cocktail Hour.</a> No need for me to mellow on this look -- I love it and would totally wear it myself. It makes me think of Joan Holloway's dictum of 1960, "Men like scarves." (For the record, I don't think men do find scarves an especial draw on women, and that 15-20 years later a more liberated Joan Holloway Harris would put it, "<i>I</i> like scarves.") <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/05-striped-pullover">#05, Striped Pullover.</a> This is an interesting and smart contemporary look. While I'm prone to suggest neatening up the fit/shape of designs, in this case I wouldn't, as I think this is a design that requires a loose shape and geometric lines.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/06-fluo-flow">#06, Fluo Flow.</a> This one verges on afghan territory, but I think it remains <i>just</i> within bounds of wearing apparel. I rather like the way they've styled it. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/07-ringwald">#07, Ringwald.</a> A classic open front cardigan.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/08-ice-pop">#08, Ice Pop.</a> I love the tartan pattern, but I would correct the dropped shoulders. I'm not crazy about the colourway, but then few knitters use the sample colours/yarn anyway. Picking out colours <i>you</i> love is part of the fun of knitting your own pieces.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/09-vibes">#09, Vibes.</a> Not bad. I won't suggest fixing the dropped shoulders, because I think that the lines of the brioche stitchwork make them work in this case, but I would suggest a new colourway, as this one is a little retina-searing.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/10-geode">#10, Geode.</a> Very much like this one, with its striking abstract yoke detail.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/11-gamine">#11, Gamine.</a> Comfy "around home" sweater.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/12-kyoto">#12, Kyoto.</a> This cowl is essentially a lovely sampler of knitting patterns. It looks better worn double than in "deflated inner tub" style, of course, but I've used this photo so you can see the stitchwork in it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/15-lady-susan">#15, Lady Susan.</a> This collar is a lovely thing in itself, but I am not sure how one would actually wear it. I don't like the way it's styled here -- I think a crewneck sweater would pair better with this collar. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/16-wentworth">#16, Wentworth.</a> With the last pattern ("Lady Susan"), we entered a Jane Austen category of design, in which the aesthetic takes a turn for the antique. The stitchwork on this capelet is beautiful, and it will add a touch of period drama to a classic outfit. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/17-miss-bingley">#17, Miss Bingley.</a> This looks like one of the lesser designs in <i>Knit Simple</i>. Poor Caroline Bingley not only did not succeed in attracting Mr. Darcy, but must needs be saddled with... this. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/18-morland">#18, Morland.</a> Love this one. It's both handsome and practical. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/04-neutral-gear-cabled-crewneck">Neutral Gear Cabled Turtleneck.</a> This a "from the archives" design, originally published in the 2002 special men's issue. It's classic menswear.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/28-lattice-crew">Lattice Cabled.</a> Another reprint, this time from the Holiday 1986 issue. It's aged just as well as the previous pattern, which is to say -- not at all. But then that's menswear for you. Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-2067125308026680222020-03-09T06:00:00.000-04:002020-03-09T13:12:50.281-04:00Noro Magazine Fall/Winter 2019: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlpggD0Mu9ENMi3GMRCSsuW6HElnKQ5bxIeE5Qg04RrX4JIWNu9sFF0SUUtrs_hL98nbJBQkiOcDAfVjPyFPgjLl-RjAgMgVJW9mGcYd1uVkyv5HFAtb7yyv3Ev-gO-Fvlpi-pemF1Ok/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidlpggD0Mu9ENMi3GMRCSsuW6HElnKQ5bxIeE5Qg04RrX4JIWNu9sFF0SUUtrs_hL98nbJBQkiOcDAfVjPyFPgjLl-RjAgMgVJW9mGcYd1uVkyv5HFAtb7yyv3Ev-gO-Fvlpi-pemF1Ok/s400/cover.jpg" width="322" height="400" data-original-width="1287" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div><br />
Today we're going to have a look at <i>Noro Magazine</i>'s Fall/Winter 2019 issue. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/01-rambler-ruana">#01, Rambler Ruana.</a> This would be fine if it came anywhere close to fitting properly. This model looks like a little girl who's playing dress-up in her mother's clothes. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/02-turtleneck-pullover">#02, Turtleneck Pullover.</a> This is better -- it's oversized, but not ridiculously so, and the shaping and cable detailing is good. I'd just fix the dropped shoulders.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/03-open-cardigan">#03, Open Cardigan.</a> Love the colourful stripe pattern, but would neaten up the fit considerably.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/04-long-cardigan">#04, Long Cardigan.</a> This isn't so bad aesthetically speaking, but I can't imagine wearing something like this. It would be constantly getting into everything and catching on things.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/05-center-cable-pullover">#05, Center-Cable Pullover.</a> I like this one on the whole, but that centre cable does have a slightly not-quite-working look. I think what I would do is work five or six cable repeats, instead of only four. Then there wouldn't be those long uncabled stretches at the bottom and top, which look as though the cable is reaching out its strands to strangle the wearer. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/06-gradient-cable-pullover">#06, Gradient Cable Pullover.</a> I wouldn't change a thing about this design.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/07-eyelet-wrap">#07, Eyelet Wrap.</a> This isn't a bad piece, but I can't get away from the feeling that it would look better on a couch than on a person.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/08-tabard-style-turtleneck">#08, Tabard-Style Turtleneck.</a> I like this piece in the main, but I can't say I think those sad, skimpy ties at the side are working, visually speaking. I'd attach some actual buttoned tabs, or make a belt for it, or contrive some other sort of fastening that has a bit more polish.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/09-two-direction-poncho">#09, Two-Direction Poncho.</a> This normally wouldn't be at all my kind of design, but I kind of like it. The yarn and the stitchwork are pleasing, and the shaping/size is restrained enough that it wouldn't be a pain to wear.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/10-pointed-poncho">#10, Pointed Poncho.</a> I'm a hard sell on a poncho at the best of times, but I just <i>cannot even</i> with this mutant poncho. It's so bad that the stylists clearly decided, "Fuck it, let's just dress this model like a clown with an MBA in circus administration." Even the poor model's expression is all, "Look, I'm doing my best here under the circumstances by making sure you can see the one nice thing I've been given to wear for this shoot. JUST LOOK AT MY BEAUTIFUL RING."<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/11-poncho-2">#11, Poncho.</a> Cutting a hole in the centre of an afghan and knitting a ribbed turtleneck into it does not an attractive or practical item of wearing apparel make. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/12-wave-pattern-poncho">#12, Wave Pattern Poncho.</a> Love the undulating lines of colour in this piece. It would look nice on a couch.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/13-fiesta-scarf">#13, Fiesta Scarf.</a> This is a lovely lace and cable stole that did not need to be tarted up with both pom poms <i>and</i> tassels. (Of the two, I'd ditch the pom poms.)<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/14-wavy-triangle-shawl">#14, Wavy Triangle Shawl.</a> An understated, contemporary take on the shawl that will work well with many a modern outfit. Very nice!<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/15-slouchy-hat-2">#15, Slouchy Hat.</a> Pretty decent cap. I like the vivid play of colour in it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/16-cowl">#16, Cowl.</a> Not bad. The design is dead simple but workable, and the colours would brighten up a neutral outfit.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/17-hat-and-fingerless-mitts">#17, Hat and Fingerless Mitts.</a> Nice stitchwork and perfect shaping, and the yarn is attractive.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/18-slip-stitch-cowl">#18, Slip Stitch Cowl.</a> This is rather a nice little piece. I admire the designer's eye for colour. I'm not sure I would ever have thought of pairing a dark coral with a variegated blend of purples, turquoise, lime, and fuchsia, but it works.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/19-short-row-shawl">#19, Short-Row Shawl.</a> This one is essentially a piece of wearable contemporary art. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/20-rectangular-shawl">#20, Rectangular Shawl.</a> A handsome, classic piece.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/21-a-line-pullover">#21, A-Line Pullover.</a> This one is a very wearable nice-looking piece. The yarn and the use of stockinette, reverse stockinette, and garter trim give it all the visual interest and polish it needs. It's oversized but not sloppily so, and look, the shoulder seam is in exactly the right place.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/22-cable-rib-pullover">#22, Cable Rib Pullover.</a> Love the yarn and the stitchwork, but I'd shorten up the sleeves, neaten up the fit, and add a little waist shaping. This looks a bit dumpy and boxy as is.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/23-hat-4">#23, Hat.</a> A nice, simple little cap. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/24-asymmetrical-pullover">#24, Asymmetrical Pullover.</a> LOVE the fun colourway here, and I like the asymmetrically pieced design. I would raise the dropped shoulder and neaten up the fit somewhat.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/25-stockinette-vest">#25, Stockinette Vest.</a> Not a bad piece at all, but I'm not sure I like the ribbing that runs down the sides, and according to the description, forms the back neckband. I wish there were side- and back-view photos provided.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/26-fingerless-mitts">#26, Fingerless Mitts.</a> These aren't hard to look at, but I'm not sure I would like those bands of garter stitch around my hands -- I think I might find them awkwardly bulky.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/27-cowl-neck-pullover">#27, Cowl-Neck Pullover.</a> I don't like the sit of the cowl neck and the sleeves are too short -- this sweater looks less like it was designed to be the way it was than it appears to be the result of several technical mistakes.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/28-textured-vest">#28, Textured Vest.</a> Not a bad open front vest -- it sits well.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/29-horizontal-cable-cardi">#29, Horizontal Cable Cardi.</a> Handsome and wearable. I would just fix the dropped shoulders.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/30-textured-panel-pullover">#30, Textured Panel Pullover.</a> Not bad, though I'm not quite satisfied with the sit of that neckline. I might rework the neckline, and I would add a little waist shaping.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/31-poncho--shawl">#31 Poncho/Shawl.</a> The play of colour over the stockinette stitch is attractive, but this style of wrap has never made much sense to me -- such pieces tend to look like an unfinished project.Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-61626111883362336532020-03-06T06:00:00.000-05:002020-03-06T06:00:02.731-05:00Pom Pom Quarterly Spring 2020: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfmhG9OnUNwPktH2J0a8HQWwpscVAt-Y35ucgRSjKwPr6l7CRgTTeR6QwxzRfKNJCL3-kbhOgIO1duq1p8HC-4UxycKU1q8MGEPe0QBbmcu6-Zub5zWv9mJwtSPFdfpvffISvExHPHkw/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfmhG9OnUNwPktH2J0a8HQWwpscVAt-Y35ucgRSjKwPr6l7CRgTTeR6QwxzRfKNJCL3-kbhOgIO1duq1p8HC-4UxycKU1q8MGEPe0QBbmcu6-Zub5zWv9mJwtSPFdfpvffISvExHPHkw/s400/cover.jpg" width="287" height="400" data-original-width="1148" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div><br />
Today we're going to have a look at it <a href="https://www.pompommag.com/product/pre-order-issue-32-spring-2020-print-digital/"><i>Pom Pom Quarterly</i>'s Spring 2020 issue</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aloft-2">Aloft.</a> This <i>photo</i> isn't without a certain charm -- it's hard to resist that model's smile -- but the actual design, with its dropped shoulders, cropped length, oversized fit, and baggy sleeves, will be tremendously unflattering on nearly any woman.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aperture-5">Aperature.</a> A very pretty light shawl.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aubade-5">Aubade.</a> The yoke detailing is gorgeous and I love the way it's combined with stripes, but the cropped length combined with the baggy fit does the design no favours. I'd make this pattern in a standard length and fit.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cairie">Cairie.</a> Pretty decent eyelet pullover, but I would fix the dropped shoulders.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chapman-2">Chapman.</a> This shawl verges on granny afghan, but somehow it's basically working in a kind of hip, offbeat way. I can imagine a certain kind of young woman carrying this accessory off just as the model is doing.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lacuna-6">Lacuna.</a> The lace pattern is very attractive, but the shaping is awful. God, those stumpy little sleeves, the mullet hem, the general bagginess of the thing -- it's so unflattering on the model. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/niebla">Niebla.</a> I rather like this one. I like the contrast between the detailed yoke, snug cuff, and hem done in a matte yarn, and the soft body and puffy sleeves in a mohair-silk yarn. I would just lengthen it somewhat -- cropped lengths tend to be unflattering.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/solasta">Solasta.</a> I'd neaten up the fit of this and nix that mullet hem and long side vent, but I can't help liking the sorbet-coloured yarns used here. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/susurrus-3">Susurrus.</a> This pullover, with its bands of merino silk lace and mohair stockinette, is very pretty.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vayu">Vayu.</a> This latticed crocheted shawl is an interesting and attractive contemporary take on the lace shawl, with its linear rather than curved lines. Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-33325753757957058472020-03-04T12:05:00.003-05:002020-03-04T12:05:59.824-05:00Cast On Winter 2019-2020: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaG7zhyphenhyphenBgSDgsd6EIZDEHvzYK2Og80XQIU-n9l4idkItRAyBaJPGYPeI16mKE7dL93R27_pJX7Qb4myyh96CohzE8RWEZ3a0uzsU2dbYqgK8A_RaiKkyjJoJ5sucMfvJ36-u08fCn9x8/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaG7zhyphenhyphenBgSDgsd6EIZDEHvzYK2Og80XQIU-n9l4idkItRAyBaJPGYPeI16mKE7dL93R27_pJX7Qb4myyh96CohzE8RWEZ3a0uzsU2dbYqgK8A_RaiKkyjJoJ5sucMfvJ36-u08fCn9x8/s320/cover.jpg" width="236" height="320" data-original-width="236" data-original-height="320" /></a></div><br />
Today we're going to have a look at designs in the Winter 2019-2020 issue of <a href="https://tkga.org/?page=CastOn_About"><i>Cast On</i></a>. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/buttoned-up-ribbon-pillow">Buttoned Up Rib Pillow.</a> This is a machine knitting pattern, though it could easily be made manually. While I like the tartan stripe and the beaded and ribboned lace flap in themselves, I'm finding the combination of all these elements a little too fussy, but of course one could always omit whatever detail(s) one thought was too much.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cable-panel-skirt">Cable Panel Skirt.</a> Knitted skirts have a most unfortunate tendency to be dowdy, and I'm afraid this one might be one such. I'd want to see this design on an actual person before I ventured to make it. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/calypsos-crescent">Calypso's Crescent.</a> This is pretty enough, though there are more interesting and sophisticated colour choices for it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/caret-tunic">Caret Tunic.</a> Not bad for a warm, comfortable, "live in while around home during winter" sweater, but I'm not sure I care for those very long side vents, and I suspect the presence of a mullet hem.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/color-joy-mittens">Color Joy Mittens.</a> These would be good stash busters.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/davos-2">Davos.</a> A classic and very attractive turtleneck. That collar sits well and the shaping is good.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/entrelac-neck-pillow">Entrelac Neck Pillow.</a> This looks the kind of awkward little misfit cushion all the other sofa throw cushions would make fun of and ostracize. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/faux-pleat-skirt-2">Faux Pleat Skirt.</a> This skirt has really nice lines and hangs so well. It deserved more elegant buttons than these.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/keyholes-scarf">Keyholes Scarf.</a> I rather like the design, but the colourway is more than a little retina-searing.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lily-armenian-sweater">Lily Armenian Sweater.</a> The combination of triangles/argyle-like patterns and lilies is such an odd mish-mash of motifs that the resulting sweater just looks a bit bizarre.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lily-of-the-valley-23">Lily of the Valley.</a> Not bad. I think it would need to be worn over a top if made in wool, unless one knitted it in cotton for summer. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/muscle-t-shirt">Muscle T-shirt.</a> This designed to be a form-fitting top for men, but I can't quite imagine any of the men I know being willing to wear such a thing. Admittedly, there is a sad lack of fashion-forward and ripped men in my life. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pleated-lace-cardigan">Pleated Lace Cardigan.</a> Very attractive piece. That back pleat detail is quite striking.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quinn-cowl-aka-bec-brioche-entrelac-cowl">Quinn.</a> This is a combination of brioche <i>and</i> entrelac technique, so if you like a technical challenge and the fun out of picking out an interesting colourway, this could be the project for you. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/reversible-knitweave-placemat-set">Reversible Knitweave Placemat Set.</a> These look like they came from a trendy homewares store and will give your table that expensive artsy bohemian look.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/smores-cowl">S'mores Cowl.</a> Lovely -- both the design and that soft, subtle colourway are pleasing.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/slip-stitch-cable-hat">Slip Stitch "Cable" Hat.</a> Nice! I like the polished look of the slipped stitch band, which is a cut above the typical ribbing.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/square-buttoned-entrelac-pillow">Square Buttoned Entrelac Pillow.</a> I don't care for this -- it has such a crude, slapped-together look -- but I might as well admit I'm not a fan of entrelac in general, because it does have a strong tendency to look that way.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/super-bingo-top">Super Bingo Top.</a> This pullover is pretty blah and shapeless. To be fair, it would probably look a bit better on a model it actually fit, but it's hardly anything to write home about.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tessera-cowl">Tessera Cowl.</a> Attractive and even somewhat eye-catching.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/triangular-shawl-16">Triangular Shawl.</a> This is quite an exquisite piece of work, and looks like something that belongs on one of the Brontë heroines. I don't think I could make it work with my wardrobe, but I'm sure there are women out there who love a little flavour of mid-Victoriana in their accessories. Pro-tip: if you should make this for yourself and meet up with a Rochester or a Heathcliff while wearing it, keep looking. You can do better.Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-9405895620740962892020-03-03T13:03:00.000-05:002020-03-03T13:03:40.823-05:00Knit Simple Winter 2019: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LyFTAkGQqYwBGglqEzSLblObiA0uU1dD4pDWFnB5alJOi-c-S_YBjrdjtic78kogvyBucg0eE5M4qQHxq3zobIG-56myOyT-vCDd2stBfrkwHlqM8c_V9b7C8ei6OJTApomyzSRHa20/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LyFTAkGQqYwBGglqEzSLblObiA0uU1dD4pDWFnB5alJOi-c-S_YBjrdjtic78kogvyBucg0eE5M4qQHxq3zobIG-56myOyT-vCDd2stBfrkwHlqM8c_V9b7C8ei6OJTApomyzSRHa20/s400/cover.jpg" width="308" height="400" data-original-width="197" data-original-height="256" /></a></div><br />
Today we're going to have a look at <i>Knit Simple</i>'s <a href="http://www.knitsimplemag.com/">Winter 2019 issue</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/01-cowl--snood">Pattern #1, Cowl/Snood.</a> I've no quarrel with this classic, useful piece.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/02-hat-with-ties">Pattern #2, Hat with Ties.</a> This style of hat, which is really more of a hood, tends to be difficult for anyone but the young to carry off, but it's certainly practical enough, and I like the texture.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/03-zippered-hoodie">Pattern #3, Zippered Hoodie.</a> A minimalist classic. This hoodie is really a perfect thing of its kind.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/04-hooded-cowl">Pattern #4, Hooded Cowl.</a> Balaclavas never do quite work in terms of style. They're like the rubber prophylactic of hats: undeniably practical, but not aesthetic. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/05-pullover-hoodie">Pattern #5, Pullover Hoodie.</a> Not bad. The hood does look better down than up though. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/06-hoodie-shell">Pattern #6, Hoodie Shell.</a> This would be a useful layering piece that could work styled in a number of different ways. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/07-yoke-pullover">Pattern #7, Yoke Pullover.</a> This is fairly attractive and eye-catching, and would probably be a good starter fair isle project.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/08-cardigan-4">Pattern #8, Cardigan.</a> A classic cardigan with a good shape and an appealing texture. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/09-cable-and-ribbed-hat">Pattern #9, Cable and Ribbed Hat.</a> Classic cabled cap.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/10-scarf-2">Pattern #10, Scarf.</a> Love the stitchwork on this scarf.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/11-socks">Pattern #11, Socks.</a> These socks are handsome and even a little distinguished. I almost want to ask them out.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/12-fingerless-mitts">Pattern #12, Fingerless Mitts.</a> Pretty basic. But then basic is sometimes what you need and/or want.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/13-blanket">Pattern #13, Blanket.</a> Basic but attractive and useful enough in its way.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/14-mitered-square-pillow">Pattern #14, Mitered Square Pillow.</a> These are pretty smart, and would be a good way to begin to learn mitering.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/15-pillow">Pattern #15, Pillow.</a> I'm inclined to think these need a more interesting colourway.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/16-sporty-afghan">Pattern #16, Sporty Afghan.</a> This is actually rather visually striking, and it would be fun to pick out a colourway for it. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/17-wide-poncho">Pattern #17, Wide Poncho.</a> Nice texture, and I like the overall concept, but I'd be inclined to neaten up the fit on this one. Yes, this is a style that does call for an oversized fit, but my rule of thumb for oversized fits is to go one size larger, not three. Very oversized fits tend to look sloppy and frumpy. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/18-fringed-shawl">Pattern #18, Fringed Shawl.</a> Classic, timeless shawl. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/19-poncho-3">Pattern #19, Poncho.</a> I'm no friend of the poncho, but even I have to admit that the styling here kind of works. I think I'd still feel as though I were wearing an afghan though.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/20-cropped-poncho">Pattern #20, Cropped Poncho.</a> I can get on board with this poncho, which I consider to be more of a capelet. It's neat fitting, has a certain smartness, and won't get in your food or caught in a car door. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/21-capelet">Pattern #21, Capelet.</a> There's no denying this is super cute.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/22-23-kids-hat-and-pullover">Pattern #22, Kid's Hat, and pattern #23, Kid's Pullover.</a> This set is rather pretty. I'd just fix the dropped shoulders.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/24-kids-socks">Pattern #24, Kid's Socks.</a> Classic two-tone socks.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/25-kids-mittens">Pattern #25, Kid's Mittens.</a> Basic striped mittens.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/26-blanket">Pattern #26, Blanket.</a> Not bad. I think the gradient colourway could be better -- but then it can be hard to get the subtle shifts of colour one needs for a gradient knit. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/27-hat--cardigan">Pattern #27, Hat & Cardigan.</a> Not thrilled with either of these -- the jacket has a rather frumpy, unfinished look, and that hat isn't terribly flattering.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/28-kids-poncho">Pattern #28, Kid's Poncho.</a> This is a cute, comfortable, practical piece for a child, which will both give her the freedom to run and play and keep her warm. Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-35127536429439769592020-02-17T14:26:00.000-05:002020-02-17T14:26:44.066-05:00Vogue Knitting Winter 2019/2020: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8Hz1m0opwLhaVZYuUgoGB19f8-PXFVH_fEG4oFgph_1kkZHL4b6v6oxaAgt47U7eXz4Eh-ydLq8p7U_yzc89wMh4S4NFZu8o1AYtZsSLOprPh1lclXa41gFKSy4-Wg4_XxrLGvCyp-4/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8Hz1m0opwLhaVZYuUgoGB19f8-PXFVH_fEG4oFgph_1kkZHL4b6v6oxaAgt47U7eXz4Eh-ydLq8p7U_yzc89wMh4S4NFZu8o1AYtZsSLOprPh1lclXa41gFKSy4-Wg4_XxrLGvCyp-4/s400/cover.jpg" width="332" height="400" data-original-width="992" data-original-height="1194" /></a></div><br />
<i>Vogue Knitting</i> has released its <a href="https://www.vogueknitting.com/magazine/winter-2019-2020-fashion-preview/">Winter 2019/2020 issue</a>! Let's have a look at it, shall we? <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/01-swathe">Pattern #1, Swathe.</a> A very nice textured wrap. It amuses me that the styling is so very 1986 -- though if this were <i>actually</i> 1986, the model's sweater and hair would have been big enough for three women. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/02-java">Pattern #2, Java.</a> That is... a lot of hat. But I have no quibbles with the design of the hat other than that, so it may be the perfect thing for someone who likes to go big or go bareheaded.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/03-warp--weft">Pattern #3, Warp/Weft.</a> A simple, useful, bulky cowl in bamboo stitch. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/04-scalene">Pattern #4, Scalene.</a> Bulky, drapey ponchos are not my bag (see what I did there?) at all, but I must admit this is well done for what it is, even if I can't help think wistfully how much better it would look on a couch. I love the colour scheme and the rhythmic triangle pattern. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/05-klein-reversible-wrap">Pattern #5, Klein Reversible Wrap.</a> Basic but useable. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/06-the-sophisticate">Pattern #6, The Sophisticate.</a> This reminds me of long, open-front cardigan my mother used to wear around the house back in the early eighties: it also had handy pockets, and 3/4 length sleeves that wouldn't get into the food whenever my mother was working in the kitchen. This is quite a wearable, practical item that can be styled in a variety of ways, though I will say I can't help wincing a little at the absurdly short sleeves. I would raise the dropped shoulders a little. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/07-the-grandfather">Pattern #7, The Grandfather.</a> This one's a bit too utilitarian for me -- it reminds me of a Mao jacket. I think maybe this design is one that calls for an interesting and/or especially beautiful yarn, as it needs a little oomph.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/08-the-multitasker">Pattern #8, The Multitasker.</a> I'd fix the dropped shoulders, and I think there are better colourway choices for this pattern, but otherwise this design is quite wearable, and could be a good stash buster.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/09-the-gradient">Pattern #9, The Gradient.</a> I'd raise the dropped shoulder and neaten up the fit a little on this one, but otherwise it's a polished, contemporary, appealing piece.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/10-folkloric-pullover">Pattern #10, Folkloric Sweater.</a> Well, this is something different. I like it -- it's not only very eyecatching, but keeps me staring at it, checking out all the details. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/11-tendril">Pattern #11, Tendril.</a> Lovely, and the cable pattern is fantastic. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/12-echo">Pattern #12, Echo.</a> A classic lace wrap. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/13-arbor">Pattern #13, Arbor.</a> Another wonderful little cabled capelet. I mean, just feast your eyes on that intricate cable pattern.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/14-nouveau">Pattern #14, Nouveau.</a> The Ravelry page notes for this design compares it to Scottish designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s famous florals. I don't disagree, and it is certainly a beautiful piece, but it would have me terrified that it was going to catch on everything.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/15-corolla">Pattern #15, Corolla.</a> This is a lovely little jacket, though I would fix those dropped shoulders.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/16-herald">Pattern #16, Herald.</a> A very attractive pullover. Despite this being a winter issue, <i>Vogue Knitting</i> does seem to be looking towards spring with some of their designs. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/17-topiary">Pattern #17, Topiary.</a> What a sweet little cardi. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-cable-guy">Pattern #18, The Cable Guy.</a> This is a "from the archives" pattern, which <i>Vogue Knitting</i> first published in 1962, reprinted in 1985, and is running again in this issue. Despite all the sweeping changes in fashion since 1962, I don't suppose there's been a year since it was originally published in which it would have looked dated. Such is the staying power of a classic cabled pullover. Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-82762126131433341832020-01-15T17:14:00.001-05:002020-01-15T17:14:41.705-05:00Knitty Winter 2019: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_U_tJKJjQ0E16EDIzGy7WwKEui9_DNmuwaaF7I-1JvmCp_tkiG9jycRblctoljIB0aPMWUrlnJ-OkBq-oty0ujzS4LWqJxPcsPO00vDDv38zWfptXGsnYG4ticr8hHav-tSZXqXPgxoc/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_U_tJKJjQ0E16EDIzGy7WwKEui9_DNmuwaaF7I-1JvmCp_tkiG9jycRblctoljIB0aPMWUrlnJ-OkBq-oty0ujzS4LWqJxPcsPO00vDDv38zWfptXGsnYG4ticr8hHav-tSZXqXPgxoc/s400/cover.jpg" width="400" height="285" data-original-width="791" data-original-height="563" /></a></div><br />
Today we're going to have a slightly belated look at <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw19/index.php">Knitty's Winter 2019 issue</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw19/PATTlemonzest/PATTlemonzest.php">Lemon Zest.</a> Very basic, but like a lot of basic things it's very useful and wearable. This would also be a good first sweater project for a beginning knitter.<br />
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<a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw19/PATTbreckle/PATTbreckle.php">Breckle.</a> This is a simple little piece, but the stitchwork and the contrasting shades play together so well.<br />
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<a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw19/PATTbigflower/PATTbigflower.php">Big Flower.</a> As soon as I looked at the photo of this design, I thought to myself that it looked just like a Kaffe Fassett design, and lo and behold, it is one. Fassett's work has such a distinct look I'd know it anywhere. The kimono-like shape and Japanese-style floral design complement each other.<br />
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<a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw19/PATThashtag/PATThashtag.php">#hashtagcowl</a>. #Cuteconcept.<br />
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<a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw19/PATTopenroad/PATTopenroad.php">Open Road.</a> This one is inventive and contemporary. I like the stitchwork, the side cable detail, the sleek effect of the shoulders and neckline, and I can see this piece working styled a number of different ways. <br />
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<a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw19/PATTpicnmix/PATTpicnmix.php">Pic N Mix.</a> What a beautiful play of colour and fair isle pattern. This one would be a great stash buster.<br />
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<a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw19/PATTmarisha/PATTmarisha.php">Marisha.</a> Nice texture, and the JUL closure is a great added touch and makes it possible for the wearer to style this scarf in several different ways.<br />
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<a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw19/PATTswitchway/PATTswitchway.php">Switch Way.</a> The mix of colour and stitchwork in this shawl is fun, visually interesting, and surprisingly polished.<br />
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<a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw19/PATTquorra/PATTquorra.php">Quorra.</a> Not a bad design, though I would fix the dropped shoulders. And while I don't like the combination of hot pink, aqua, and white because it's too eighties, the designer describes them as "fantastic 80s-riffic colors", and apparently designed the sweater to suit the yarn, so your mileage may vary.<br />
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<a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw19/PATT7am/PATT7am.php">7am</a>. These legwarmers have such a stumpy look and would work better at a longer length.<br />
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<a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw19/PATTchain/PATTchain.php">Chain, Chain, Chain.</a> Wow, this one is fantastic. Love both the yarn and the design, and together they positively sing.<br />
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<a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw19/PATTfogski/PATTfogski.php">Fogski.</a> These have a clumsy, cobbled-together look, and -- though the pattern is only sized for adult small, medium, and large -- don't come across as a design that's really appropriate for an adult.<br />
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<a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw19/PATTcurio/PATTcurio.php">Curio.</a> Very pleasant little cardi. <br />
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<a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw19/PATTdogwerry/PATTdogwerry.php">Dogwerry.</a> What a sophisticated and satisfying combination of stripes and diamonds.<br />
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<a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw19/PATTshadowed/PATTshadowed.php">Shadowed.</a> This is a rather nice-looking cap, even if my brain keeps trying to play a mental version of Pac-Man with it. I would definitely not knit this one in black and royal blue.<br />
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<a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEw19/PATTbacta/PATTbacta.php">Bacta.</a> These would make me feel like my hands were bandaged.Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-64451379525071840912020-01-01T18:03:00.000-05:002020-01-01T18:03:38.043-05:00Interweave Knits Winter 2020: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSgPpVpGmjvuNO0XVpQm-FurE5PhZJjN4uXFTIdgS3zxQvk0VbhVgBQOtz9aJ6Q-nY2YSSvYMV_0r9zZvNzHfR4K8GwffIE6xKaP0PDORIqryZl6YM8n4X8q6F1cDO2HqaA2NGRL7_os/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSgPpVpGmjvuNO0XVpQm-FurE5PhZJjN4uXFTIdgS3zxQvk0VbhVgBQOtz9aJ6Q-nY2YSSvYMV_0r9zZvNzHfR4K8GwffIE6xKaP0PDORIqryZl6YM8n4X8q6F1cDO2HqaA2NGRL7_os/s400/cover.jpg" width="288" height="400" data-original-width="650" data-original-height="902" /></a></div><br />
Today we're going to have a look at some knits for this brand new year in the <a href="https://www.interweave.com/store/knitting/knitting-magazines/interweave-knits-winter-2020-digital-edition">Interweave Knits Winter 2020 issue</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/north-country-ruana">North Country Ruana.</a> This hangs well, has very nice texture, and that yarn looks especially luscious.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/polychrome-cardigan">Polychrome Cardigan.</a> The design isn't bad, but there are better colourways for it than this, and I'd make the cardigan a standard size for the wearer.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pipette-hat">Pipette Hat.</a> This is a cute cap, and it would fun to pick out a colour scheme for it. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/grapevine-wrap">Grapevine Wrap.</a> A very attractive and wearable wrap.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/global-finger-mitts">Global Finger Mitts.</a> This pattern was named as it was because it combines "a Nepalese hemmed cuff and thumbs, a Newfoundland separated index finger, and a Scandinavian stranded-flower pattern". I'm not sure I would like mitts with the Newfoundland separated index finger, as it seems it would make my hands look unsettlingly like cloven hooves, but I'm sure they're very practical when you're hauling your catch into your boat in sub-zero weather.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mulberry-slouch">Mulberry Slouch.</a> Love the texture and shape of this one.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rossore-pullover">Rossore Pullover.</a> I rather like the design, but this muddled colourway is doing nothing for it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/winding-path-cowl">Winding Path Cowl.</a> An eye-catching mosaic piece.<br />
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkbu-X2We95GFnoGEjFlfLyCJQkf1-88XylG6Lr1zY4lKJ0vHo5ukgxqH99J0lKiUK829HcSwL-x7kI9dt4zDgCA0x0hdQDSkYcVKYdnfqX3pecSTI8iJK6eP-vlpzp8DwlqSrvhQqtE/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkbu-X2We95GFnoGEjFlfLyCJQkf1-88XylG6Lr1zY4lKJ0vHo5ukgxqH99J0lKiUK829HcSwL-x7kI9dt4zDgCA0x0hdQDSkYcVKYdnfqX3pecSTI8iJK6eP-vlpzp8DwlqSrvhQqtE/s320/9.jpg" width="213" height="320" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="750" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36delxOalRGs6z6xboz0Z2w3KaHoEWwKM2sFGJobGYmapbgqnICn5TyUbc7-84VK7s58aRQrdpaqzuK2ACnswxEbZfsPhuLyztJ_WHoN-9G207EQX-QAhCmfj2lPZfoOrgF4hlzjCtYc/s1600/9a.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36delxOalRGs6z6xboz0Z2w3KaHoEWwKM2sFGJobGYmapbgqnICn5TyUbc7-84VK7s58aRQrdpaqzuK2ACnswxEbZfsPhuLyztJ_WHoN-9G207EQX-QAhCmfj2lPZfoOrgF4hlzjCtYc/s320/9a.jpg" width="213" height="320" data-original-width="426" data-original-height="640" /></a></center><br />
<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/winding-path-cowl">Lace Pleat Cardigan.</a> I'm not sure the lace insert on the back of this otherwise polished cardigan is working for me. I get the disturbing feeling I'm looking at either a wardrobe malfunction, or a portal into another dimension, where I will probably fall immediately afoul of the supreme leader of the domain, Lord Ziqtyzias.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kGMIcW7xThovAYFdec7Rrh4pq6jWWnhKqNh1NXjRYAZ31RXNgDmfMJXDfZuBQCcHO1V1g86NH47ibPNpz47VMbKkdM9PltHkCJZgULEjnwJD9xioh2bTqybsail-HHn-VhW5pDA3Xeo/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kGMIcW7xThovAYFdec7Rrh4pq6jWWnhKqNh1NXjRYAZ31RXNgDmfMJXDfZuBQCcHO1V1g86NH47ibPNpz47VMbKkdM9PltHkCJZgULEjnwJD9xioh2bTqybsail-HHn-VhW5pDA3Xeo/s400/10.jpg" width="267" height="400" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="750" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/marbled-brioche-scarf">Marbled Brioche Scarf.</a> Very handsome!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSkqgaQoF-SaVAtbHyMYVSpkAIzHPAK7cCASDkIFsp4BwOno9F7JMU0hab7volYSMz2LSBiasuhaB4iyYrrADMA_R7LNJqoKYHazD5CC-UniNHpd694sQ3V5PZGFwOaUOyKuSel5LXro/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSkqgaQoF-SaVAtbHyMYVSpkAIzHPAK7cCASDkIFsp4BwOno9F7JMU0hab7volYSMz2LSBiasuhaB4iyYrrADMA_R7LNJqoKYHazD5CC-UniNHpd694sQ3V5PZGFwOaUOyKuSel5LXro/s400/11.jpg" width="267" height="400" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="750" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/eastport-pullover">Eastport Pullover.</a> Colour blocking doesn't always work, but it does here. This is quite sharp, and I like the slightly offbeat colourway. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/daybreak-beanie">Daybreak Beanie.</a> Cute little cap.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ribboned-crop-top">Ribboned Crop Top.</a> This is a smart-looking piece. Crop tops can be a difficult shape to wear, but this is a design it wouldn't be hard to lengthen. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6Jvilm5M5grLYDHQmVz-DajAIMwB4EHOjaYr8nLQo4RybSYOEZKUtTyx_rZuLeYvJe0LqTYhySGBAA4tct7h0w5OyuDx4KexW2bc_vqnsl7DQwamhYpuJXW2OzKko3-WpYq2X15geiU/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6Jvilm5M5grLYDHQmVz-DajAIMwB4EHOjaYr8nLQo4RybSYOEZKUtTyx_rZuLeYvJe0LqTYhySGBAA4tct7h0w5OyuDx4KexW2bc_vqnsl7DQwamhYpuJXW2OzKko3-WpYq2X15geiU/s400/14.jpg" width="267" height="400" data-original-width="500" data-original-height="750" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brilliant-cables-hooded-sweater">Brilliant Cables Hooded Sweater.</a> Very much like this one, which has both polish and style. Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-86038724266245186162019-12-23T14:03:00.001-05:002019-12-23T14:28:40.680-05:00Knit Simple Holiday 2019: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJehcpwxUwE9KKZSsm0bUOQJoap2-kBHVjKZG95tI7wjzNp0snrpR3z2y7Nou6ENUrkOzxv4kk6lxQPrvw6FFFmXfgCRMh_7e-p6nf3676hzz_ida8HyC0NOOE5KVo0tFIHhwcf6IF5g/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJehcpwxUwE9KKZSsm0bUOQJoap2-kBHVjKZG95tI7wjzNp0snrpR3z2y7Nou6ENUrkOzxv4kk6lxQPrvw6FFFmXfgCRMh_7e-p6nf3676hzz_ida8HyC0NOOE5KVo0tFIHhwcf6IF5g/s400/cover.jpg" width="311" height="400" data-original-width="249" data-original-height="320" /></a></div><br />
Today we're going to have a look at <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/knit-simple-magazine-holiday-2019"><i>Knit Simple</i>'s Holiday 2019 issue</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/01-wristers">Pattern #01, Wristers.</a> This is a nice, simple pair of fingerless gloves with some inexplicable embroidered crap on them. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/02-embroidered-scarf">Pattern #02, Embroidered Scarf.</a> I'm a little torn on this one. It's an attractive piece of handiwork, but I can't help thinking it looks too much like a dresser scarf to work as an item of wearing apparel.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/03-embroidered-cardigan">Pattern #03, Embroidered Cardigan.</a> This one isn't working for me either. It has a slightly frumpy shape, and the embroidery has a somewhat random look to it -- it's neither adding nor exactly detracting from the overall look, but is simply... there.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/04-05-hat-and-scarf">Pattern #04, Hat; and Pattern #05, Scarf.</a> The scarf is fine, but the shape of that hat is, um, something. In this season of icy sidewalks, is wearing a bumper pad hat a thing now?<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/06-lovikka-mittens">Pattern #06, Lovikka Mittens.</a> More random and crude-looking embroidery. Seriously, a simple stripe or fair isle pattern would be a big improvement on this.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/07-embroidered-mittens">Pattern #07, Embroidered Mittens.</a> This embroidery is supposed to be a "floral motif", but it looks much more like random clots of yarn.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/08-09-snowflake-hat--scarf">Pattern #08, Snowflake Hat; and Pattern #09, Snowflake Scarf.</a> This is a cute set. The embroidered snowflakes look like snowflakes, and I like the effect of the white on red.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/10-yoke-sweater">Pattern #10, Snowflake Sweater.</a> Very much like this one. It's simple and pretty and very wearable, and I would totally style it exactly this way -- with a little tartan skirt.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/11-snowflake-cardigan">Pattern #11, Snowflake Cardigan.</a> I like actual knitted part of this sweater, but that rough-looking embroidery does it no favours. Embroidered motifs can be dicey on knitwear. It can look really effective, and it can also look like it was done by a five-year-old. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/12-purl-stitch-snowflake-blanket">Pattern #12, Purl Stitch Snowflake Blanket.</a> This is perfectly lovely.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/13-stranded-snowflake-hat">Pattern #13, Stranded Snowflake Hat.</a> A very decent hat for a kid. It's cute without being cutesy.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/14-striped-shawl">Pattern #14, Striped Shawl.</a> I'm a little meh on this one. I rather like the contempory play of stripes, but it's not as appealing as it should be. I think the problem is the colourway -- that charcoal isn't working with the old rose and pink. I'd do this one in a more neutral colourway for a sharper look and better wearability. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/15-mens-scarf">Pattern #15, Men's Scarf.</a> This is a little unpolished for my liking, but the yarn is attractive and I think it works on the whole.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/16-capelet-2">Pattern #16, Capelet.</a> This is a pretty piece on the whole, but I'm not sold on the collar detail, which has an unfinished look.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/17-family-socks">Pattern #17, Family Socks.</a> These are basic socks. They look like they'd be a good beginner sock for the inexperienced knitter.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/18-mens-cap">Pattern #18, Men's Cap.</a> A very decent basic cap.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/19-20-cabled-set">Pattern #19 & #20, Cabled Set.</a> Cute, classic set.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/21-reindeer-mittens">Pattern #21, Reindeer Mittens.</a> These are a little cheesy, but I must admit they are the kind of thing that will delight a very small child.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/22-headband-2">Pattern #22, Headband.</a> The brooch adds such a lot of style and visual interest to this simple headband. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/23-long-cowl">Pattern #23, Long Cowl.</a> Nice simple piece. The recurring bands of garter stitch combined with the gradient yarn give this cowl all the interest it needs.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/24-sideways-cable-pullover">Pattern #24, Sideways Cable Pullover.</a> I like the looks of this one, but I do have my concerns about how it would hang when the wearer isn't posed for maximum effect the way this model is. This sweater looks as though it would be somewhat bulgy in the middle when left to hang naturally.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/25-embellished-scarf">Pattern #25, Embellished Scarf.</a> Attractive and wearable. This scarf would go nearly anywhere and with nearly any outfit.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/26-lacy-scarf">Pattern #26, Lacy Scarf.</a> Lovely!<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/27-waterfall-cardigan">Pattern #27, Waterfall Cardigan.</a> This looks like it was made out of mesh shopping bags... in five minutes.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/28-beaded-fingerless-mitts">Pattern #28, Beaded Fingerless Mitts.</a> Pretty and wearable.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/29-fireside-throw">Pattern #29, Fireside Throw.</a> Nice piece, but I can't help thinking it would look better with a border.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/30-mosaic-pillows">Pattern #30, Mosaic Pillows.</a> These have an attractive texture. The colourway is a little uninspiring, but of course that's easily remedied. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/31-linen-stitch-basket">Pattern #31, Linen Stitch Basket.</a> Your basic knitted basket. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/32-half-circle-rug">Pattern #32, Half-Circle Rug.</a> This one's a little too "whipped up" for me. Knitting designs do need to have a little more verve than a random swath of garter stitch.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/33-pillow--lapghan">Pattern #33, Pillow & Lapghan.</a> I like the throw, but the pillow could use a rework. I'd lose the tassels, and either do the entire pillow in the dash and dot pattern, or possibly add a frame of garter stitch to it, as with the afghan. Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-17394737568876432802019-12-06T06:00:00.000-05:002019-12-06T06:00:13.435-05:00Vogue Knitting Holiday 2019: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58ImKEBtFX37sAMmCVQk09aEOZZRRVb7V50HuQK6efjc96vJcQPXy5WqHgxr4Fd0jX1CI68AGYUgiGYMwvc0xp9TZqPLo4TO7uo5TFhKLvUuTxiJIl9cJE9mN4xYI_HXpmPTIFQVMtDY/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58ImKEBtFX37sAMmCVQk09aEOZZRRVb7V50HuQK6efjc96vJcQPXy5WqHgxr4Fd0jX1CI68AGYUgiGYMwvc0xp9TZqPLo4TO7uo5TFhKLvUuTxiJIl9cJE9mN4xYI_HXpmPTIFQVMtDY/s400/cover.jpg" width="400" height="400" data-original-width="670" data-original-height="670" /></a></div><br />
<i>Vogue Knitting</i> has released their <a href="https://www.vogueknitting.com/magazine/holiday-2019-fashion-preview/">Holiday 2019 issue</a>. Let's have a look at the glam holiday-style knits in it, shall we? <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/01-victoriana">Pattern #01, Victoriana.</a> This sweater is designed to evoke women's sweaters of the 1890s, and I must agree that it is a nice update of that style, with its elongated cuffs and slightly puffed sleeves, while being completely contemporary and wearable.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/02-marilla">Pattern #02, Marilla.</a> Not so thrilled with this one. The slight colour change between the body of the sweater isn't working for me -- the effect is neither interesting nor effective, and just looks like it doesn't match. This would be a design to change up with a different yarn choice, because I bet it could be a good look with the right two contrast or complementary yarns.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/03-oceana">Pattern #03, Oceana.</a> I quite like the overall pattern of this -- it's bold and fun -- but I would scale it way the hell down fit-wise. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/04-wallaby">Pattern #04, Wallaby.</a> Well... um... the neckband works. The dwarfed sleeves and front pouch don't, and the overal look is dull and bunchy. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/05-gibson-girl">Pattern #05, Gibson Girl.</a> As someone with a love of Edwardiana, I applaud this issue's design direction. I don't think I could wear a puffed sleeve sweater because I'm someone who needs to downplay my upper half, but I certainly like looking at this piece, and those sleeves wouldn't be a pain to wear because of their neat-fitting cuffs. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/06-rhombus">Pattern #06, Rhombus.</a> This is a fresh and contemporary take on the diamond pattern.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/07-parallelogram">Pattern #07, Parallelogram.</a> This is quite smart, but it is a cropped length, which isn't the easiest length for most women, and one would really have to break out one's design skills if one wanted to lengthen it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/08-quadrilateral">Pattern #08, Quadrilateral.</a> This designer has cleverly turned the "wrong side" into a design feature with a strategic use of the floats. The result is a reversible scarf that can be used to showcase two different looks. I'm impressed, and will be keeping this technique in mind for the argyle tam and cowl set I have on my 2020 project list. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/09-losange">Pattern #09, Losange.</a> Very smart, and also wearable. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/10-argyle">Pattern #10, Argyle.</a> This is a nice update on the classic argyle vest. It would be a fun project for which to pick out a colourway, but I would advise staying away from a yellow and black combo for this one, as it would make one feel a little too Charlie Brown-ish.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/11-openwork-shawl">Pattern #11, Openwork Shawl.</a> This shawl is more about completing one's look than about warmth and practicality. It is going to catch on everything. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/12-pull-jacinthe">Pattern #12, Pull Jacinthe.</a> Lovely. This design would be a good candidate for a luxury yarn, as it is pretty enough to be worn to a casual evening event. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/13-fleur-de-glycine">Pattern #13, Fleur de Glycine.</a> This one is both lovely and visually interesting, and has a fresh, contemporary feel. I just found myself spending several minutes straight looking at it, as the lines curved and undulated before my eyes. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/14-iris-ethere">Pattern #14, Iris Éthéré.</a> Very pretty. I like the combination of the angora, the lace, and the beads, which has such a luxurious look, and also that the beads were used sparingly. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/15-veste-la-pivione">Pattern #15, Veste la Pivione.</a> This is pretty, and as I consider the pattern further than its immediate impression, what suprises me is how wearable this piece is. It could work over a simple dress or top and trousers outfit, and be dressed up or down. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/16-cramoisie">Pattern #16, Cramosie.</a> This is lovely, and I would totally wear it myself. I would neaten up the fit a little, though. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/17-chale-de-lavande">Pattern #17, Châle de Lavande.</a> A very handsome wrap. The stitchwork is beautiful.<br />
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLxlZZ9850ZXp58znlKh9MAB0_La7nyA7AxlgQ9ypYQu24KgFMa7p-_vjScZ0zx8m-r1gf1lpixFwp-as7M7gz9UBSQuWFyMZzooLKask86LifG33Qv1MM9Iw_U0DfPl8F0RGwrhs5KY/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLxlZZ9850ZXp58znlKh9MAB0_La7nyA7AxlgQ9ypYQu24KgFMa7p-_vjScZ0zx8m-r1gf1lpixFwp-as7M7gz9UBSQuWFyMZzooLKask86LifG33Qv1MM9Iw_U0DfPl8F0RGwrhs5KY/s320/18.jpg" width="181" height="320" data-original-width="362" data-original-height="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiFqQ5j3eWsMwuykD18yFfwtGzML74pQD4cYrsA97Udg4I1XmG-Aj5S0P1ntXr_shdclYVWs1wYQEuC3pvg5YHDBaTV6ZnDSjuh0y-mCDs03yZB-ReUT1b4Wdsakpl2sG3INQYLmlyNw/s1600/18a.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiFqQ5j3eWsMwuykD18yFfwtGzML74pQD4cYrsA97Udg4I1XmG-Aj5S0P1ntXr_shdclYVWs1wYQEuC3pvg5YHDBaTV6ZnDSjuh0y-mCDs03yZB-ReUT1b4Wdsakpl2sG3INQYLmlyNw/s320/18a.jpg" width="193" height="320" data-original-width="385" data-original-height="640" /></a></center><br />
<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/18-petale-de-rose">Pattern #18, Pétale de Rose.</a> Ordinarily if I were to review a one-sleeved wrap in seashell colours with a fringe of scale-like "petal stitch", I might be inclined to make jokes about mutant mermaids, some of which occur to me immediately, but in this case I just can't. "One-sleeved wrap" is a weird concept, but this designer has executed it with such incredible artistry that I can only gaze at the result in awe. The stitchwork is beautiful, the yarn is lovely, and this is actually an amazingly wearable piece because when the wrap's end is thrown over the sleeved shoulder as it is in the second photo, the silhouette is quite classic. <i>Wow.</i> <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mock-plaid-pullover">Mock Plaid Pullover.</a> This is <i>Vogue Knitting</i>'s "from the archives" pattern for this issue. It originally appeared in <i>Vogue Knitting</i> Fall/Winter 1985 issue. It has also been reprinted in a book of collected "classic" <i>Vogue Knitting</i> patterns. I find it hard to get behind, let alone <i>in</i>, a sweater capable of housing several people, but to each their own, I suppose. Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-88912156844613235642019-12-04T15:30:00.000-05:002019-12-04T15:30:53.730-05:00Pom Pom Quarterly Winter 2019: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtB3svVyiGlcITR8_fOfDgGcm9nDe_AWGZdcK226gWBOFqmgn9ABozXowI8qdiSBZXAjGO-7djN8-SEpYkQdmHinngriLtI8UpeojuhsPxvmu9uRot1t602qIOXrXHA2TCVr_4P1mhhBI/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtB3svVyiGlcITR8_fOfDgGcm9nDe_AWGZdcK226gWBOFqmgn9ABozXowI8qdiSBZXAjGO-7djN8-SEpYkQdmHinngriLtI8UpeojuhsPxvmu9uRot1t602qIOXrXHA2TCVr_4P1mhhBI/s400/cover.jpg" width="288" height="400" data-original-width="230" data-original-height="320" /></a></div><br />
<i>Pom Pom Quarterly</i> has released their <a href="https://www.pompommag.com/product/pre-order-issue-31-winter-2019-print-digital/">Winter 2019 issue</a>. Let's have a look at it, shall we?<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/acre">Acre.</a> The design has an 80s vibe, although the colourway is quite contemporary. I would avoid doing this particular project in fuschia, royal blue, and teal. Come to think of it, I would avoid doing <i>any</i> project in fuschia, royal blue, and teal.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/afield">Afield.</a> This a pretty decent design for the kind of neutral cardigan a woman might, say, keep at the office for chilly days. It's neutral and easy to wear, but also has some textural interest to keep it from being too basic.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alatau">Alatau.</a> Love the texture in this little cap.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/arete-2">Arete.</a> Not really a fan of the random slashes of colour on this one, but the shaping is good, so if you like contemporary art-like knits, this may be the knitting project for you. I would however definitely recommend that you knit the contrast colour slashes in a colour that doesn't remotely resemble the wearer's skin tone, as that can create an unintended visual effect. I did a double take when I first looked at this photo.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hypsometry">Hypsometry.</a> Another cute cap.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mafadi">Mafadi.</a> Nice use of brioche and reverse stocking stitch here. This is interesting and polished, yet neutral.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/saltings">Saltings.</a> Nice stitchwork, and that mohair silk yarn looks luscious (as mohair silk always does), but the mock turtleneck collar and slightly dropped shoulders give this a slightly frumpy look.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tellervo">Tellervo.</a> A very decent classic cabled cardigan.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/terraform-2">Terraform.</a> These are so cute I might just have to make a pair of them for myself sometime. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/waterlands">Waterlands.</a> Nice piece! It's hard to go wrong with a circular yoke design. I'd lengthen the sleeves to full-length, but that's just a personal preference, as I find cropped sleeves are an awkward, unflattering length on me.Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6728443220995616173.post-33342971605615519072019-12-02T12:42:00.001-05:002019-12-02T12:42:51.606-05:00Cast On Fall 2019: A Review <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-5AcqHGOv3RyfCR6QyKSBJgad4CJuJ8Aj9oSY4xYsXCPRvA11TsgsMk5g6nWHxWE_5bFtTUAFoPY4EG38UgWSViw5gdaq317XAcwipAmsHGIXczyiNN4ZlUz2Zm-OUxBItLSaomo7FE/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-5AcqHGOv3RyfCR6QyKSBJgad4CJuJ8Aj9oSY4xYsXCPRvA11TsgsMk5g6nWHxWE_5bFtTUAFoPY4EG38UgWSViw5gdaq317XAcwipAmsHGIXczyiNN4ZlUz2Zm-OUxBItLSaomo7FE/s400/cover.jpg" width="295" height="400" data-original-width="236" data-original-height="320" /></a></div><br />
Let's have a look at <i>Cast On</i>'s <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/cast-on-fall-2019/patterns">Fall 2019 issue</a> today.<br />
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<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPujDQu8OiE0h4wAqOP4CE9s3WEpkmeBoIg9NWWHTalfDOYEbiGkoIqqGdT73KqM_gFqJxgeTfw1z8ZWNrJt0-FAZ55XqQ-fKaaHtasLrss9o-4IGaoXaR2LpFEu0DW90uQo-O9Wog6g/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEPujDQu8OiE0h4wAqOP4CE9s3WEpkmeBoIg9NWWHTalfDOYEbiGkoIqqGdT73KqM_gFqJxgeTfw1z8ZWNrJt0-FAZ55XqQ-fKaaHtasLrss9o-4IGaoXaR2LpFEu0DW90uQo-O9Wog6g/s320/1.jpg" width="214" height="320" data-original-width="427" data-original-height="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOpo6kFSp9X2biSs16HInuLySpa0PemTq066FBNlHccP4rNwtXyJi5lhr60rn582uC8-yh2e5lg-yc9vDxFg9s89oGdPhqQhGc9fcyu2KsdukvuLq6WlRqivTw8oBL47Xtinv0o4p2w8/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOpo6kFSp9X2biSs16HInuLySpa0PemTq066FBNlHccP4rNwtXyJi5lhr60rn582uC8-yh2e5lg-yc9vDxFg9s89oGdPhqQhGc9fcyu2KsdukvuLq6WlRqivTw8oBL47Xtinv0o4p2w8/s320/17.jpg" width="214" height="320" data-original-width="427" data-original-height="640" /></a></center><br />
<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/2x2-rib-booties">2x2 Rib Booties</a> (left) and <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/smocked-booties">Smocked Booties</a> (right). This designer came up with this design concept in order to keep her kitchen chair legs from leaving marks on the tile floor. I would not want to have to bother running chair booties through the wash as would be necessary at least occasionally, and I would hate to think what my cat might do to them, but maybe these aren't objections for you.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/arlene-tam">Arlene Tam.</a> Very nice. There really is something about a fair isle tam.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cabled-bonnet-3">Cabled Bonnet.</a> This isn't half-bad. Caps designed to cover the ears tend to look frumpy, even silly, but this one has a quirky, medieval peasant look that actually works.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cora-tam">Cora.</a> Gorgeous. This one is done in what is essentially the same colourway as the Arlene Tam, which gives the two a similar look, but I much prefer the Cora. It has a clarity of design that is stunning.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/diva-wristlets-and-cowl">Diva Wristlets and Cowl.</a> These have a steampunk-like look to them. I am pretty sure I would find these cuffs wildly impractical and aggravating to wear, as those dainty little ruffles are going to get dirty and snagged and into everything.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/garden-pullover">Garden Pullover.</a> I don't like the flight of fancy the designer has tried to take with this one. The plain band of stockinette on the right side that the designer used as a basis for the line of bobbles just looks like a mistake to the casual glance. I'd be inclined to knit this sweater in the leafy lace pattern used throughout, as it is really attractive, and the shaping is good.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gray-dient-sweater">Gray-dient Sweater.</a> This has a very cool, contemporary vibe. It reminds me of static on a TV screen. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gremlin-cardigan">Gremlin.</a> Very attractive, classic look. The lace pattern is really lovely.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heather-and-lace">Heather and Lace.</a> I would definitely fix the dropped shoulders on this one, which are giving it a frumpy line. I'd probably also forego making the knitted belt shown here in favour of a really smart purchased one, which would add much more to the look, especially if it were chosen to coordinate with some of the wearer's other accessories. The detail around the neck is nice.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/high-street-pullover">High Street Pullover.</a> This one is quite the accomplishment. The designer writes that she "has been fascinated with architectural lines lately and wanted to create a sweater that incorporated horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines that meet, alter course, and lure the eye into a mesmerizing pattern", and I must say she succeeded admirably. This sweater is amazingly eye-catching, rhythmic, and interesting for what is, after all, a simple cowl neck pullover.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kisses--hugs-vest">Kisses & Hugs Vest.</a> A handsome, classic vest.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/miaow-2">Miaow.</a> Fun and cute. I know a couple of cat-obsessed little girls who would be thrilled to get something like this.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/plated-ski-hat">Plated Ski Hat.</a> This is a machine knitting project. It's... okay. I'm not really a fan of the square top shape for caps. I do rather like the contrast band.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sea-views-triangular-shawl">Sea Views Triangular Shawl.</a> This one has a rather awkward, "not quite working" look. I think perhaps it would work better with a better blended colourway. That aqua sticks out like a sore thumb. <br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/skimpy-chevrons-thigh-high-socks">Skimpy Chevrons Thigh-High Socks.</a> One of these days I really must make me a pair of thigh-high stockings, as I have such a fetish for them. This design would certainly do as well as most of those that I've seen.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/slip-stitch-cable-mitts">Slip Stitch "Cable" Mitts.</a> These are lovely in terms of stitchwork, and that yarn has a luscious look to it, but I can't help feeling that the openness around the fingers would be a drawback, by letting in the cold as well as more concrete matter, such as say, crumbs. I'd be inclined to work in gussets between the fingers.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/smocked-pullover-2">Smocked Pullover.</a> This is attractive. It has a certain "old school headmistress's blouse" to it, but in a good way. Doing it in another colour than white or cream would go a long way towards downplaying the Victorian shirtwaist feel of this design, if you should wish to.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/smocking-hot">Smocking Hot.</a> This hat has interesting, even rather unique, stitchwork.<br />
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<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/when-the-snakes">When the Snakes.</a> I'm meh on this one. It's not terrible, just flawed. It has dropped shoulders that cannot be fixed due to the placement of the diagonal bands on front and back, but at the same time... I don't think the diagonal bands really add anything to the design. Orange Swanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01287919619057927733noreply@blogger.com3