In The Name of Science

Patterns, WIPs 8 Comments »

For the last few days, I’ve been obsessed with biker-style jackets. I searched the fashion forums and picked out two that I liked most.

Biker Jackets

(simple lines, hidden pockets, and epaulets)

What I happen to have is also 7 balls of chunky yarn that was originally purchased to make Tikru’s Greengable. Unfortunately, I realized it wasn’t enough. Since then, the yarn has been staring me in the face gnawing at me to make something out of it. So when the startitis bug hit, I gave in to the temptation of instantly casting on. I made a mental list of the qualities that I want from this jacket, and I realized that given the possibility of running out of yarn, the jacket should be:

  • Knit top down, but with short-rows for shoulder shaping
  • With top down set-in sleeves
  • Have vertical slit pockets on both fronts, also top down
  • High collar
  • Sleeve, bottom and collar bands in contrast color, but keep front button bands in same color
  • Epaulets! Wee….

Of course it was then that I realized that there is no pattern for all the things that I want to do, so what better time than to make my own? That’s right - my jacket is going to have ALL of those qualities. Barbara Walker, don’t let me down now. And this is what I have to show for it after 2 days.

Top Down Jacket Progress

(a big lump of chunky yarn)

Oh yea, and I’m also knitting a pair of Aquaphobia Socks on the side too. You can never have too many WIPs.

Aquaphobia Sock Progress

(jah…I is busy)

Hi Mom, it’s me, Casper the Friendly Ghost!

FOs, Hats 21 Comments »

100% inspired by Emily Mills. Here’s my two-cents.

Yarn: Nature Araucania Wool Chunky
Needle Size: 11 circs
Notes: For this hat, I based the directions on Knit One Felt Too’s Classic Cloche, and used some cream colored wool I had lying around. After felting repeatedly in my teeny tiny bathroom sink (now I understand why Emily Mills charges $200-300 for a hat.. damn.. that was hard work), I took my scissors and went at it. Oh, did ya notice my awesome hat blocker? It’s a round bowl stacked on top of my IKEA pot. Just the perfect size, 21-22″ around. For the embellishments, I bought a yard (who sells roving in yards? Don’t they sell them by weight?) of orange roving at my LYS when I picked up a set of felting needles. From then on it’s just stab stab stab stab… very therapeutic if you ask me. Good workout for the flabbies on the arms too….

You didn’t think that’s all did you?….BAM!

Creamy Hot Lava

FOs, Patterns, Shrugs 16 Comments »


Pattern: Hot Lava (size Small) by Jenifer Paulousky
Materials: SWA Laine Chunky yarn (less than 600 yds), US 10.5 circular needles
Techniques: Magic loop all the way baby
Notes: Yarn started thinning at the last stage, so collar region appears more transparent than the rest. Oh well. Made my sleeves 1″ longer since I have long-ass arms. Since the last ball of yarn was thinner, made 10 rows for collar instead of the 6 called for in pattern.