ShihKnits » knitty http://shihknits.com knit. blog. rinse and repeat. Thu, 27 May 2010 23:07:34 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 Knits in Action http://shihknits.com/2007/06/05/knits-in-action/ http://shihknits.com/2007/06/05/knits-in-action/#comments Tue, 05 Jun 2007 20:21:00 +0000 winnie http://shihknits.com/?p=96 Pattern: Thermal, Sz 34”

Materials: Henry’s Attic Kona Superwash Fingering Yarn (8 oz), Sz 1 for body and body ribbing, Sz 0 for sleeves and sleeve ribbing, Rit Dye Royal Blue and BlackNotes: This has been such a long knit that I don’t even know if I can recall any details. I started swatching for this project using the recommended needle sizes, but decided that the resulting fabric was too loosey-goosey for my liking. Using Sz 1’s, I managed to obtain row gauge and decided that I’ll just knit the 34” size to result in a tighter-fitting sweater. From the original pattern, it appeared that the sleeves were loose. What I wanted was a three-quarter length sweater that is fitted all over, so I decided to use Sz 0’s. In the end, it worked out marvelously and I have a new favorite sweater…. But not without some drama. 

Enter drama….

I panicked and thought that I would run out of yarn.Initially, I envisioned this to be a cream-colored sweater. I posted on KnittersReview to see if anyone had yarn to spare, and a kind knitter sent me 3 oz extra out of the kindness of her heart (Knitters are just cool like that). It was a different shade. I bought an extra skein of yarn, only to find that it is a smidge darker too. What I had was a sweater that had two shades of cream in it.So I dyed it. Charcoal Grey. And you know what? I love it.

 

P.S. Yes, I know. I am still missing two buttons. But who cares? I wore it to work today.

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]]> http://shihknits.com/2007/06/05/knits-in-action/feed/ 39 The Color of Prosperity http://shihknits.com/2006/01/11/the-color-of-prosperity/ http://shihknits.com/2006/01/11/the-color-of-prosperity/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2006 10:20:00 +0000 winnie http://shihknits.com/?p=83 As I’ve mentioned earlier, the red Cascade Tweed is the recommended yarn for Stephanie Japel’s Forecast. I’ve been working on it for a while now, and have spared you the in-progress shots of the bobbles on this cardigan. Trust me – it looked like ugly tumors. There was no question that it needed a good blocking. But boy does this yarn bleed…. And look at the stain on my Denise needles! But the results are worth it. I just have to remind myself not to wear any white shirts underneath. Or maybe wash it with vinegar next time.. Chinese New Year is around the corner, and even though my family is split over 3 countries, sometimes it’s nice to conjur a little bit of celebration. I’m glad I found this yarn in red, because RED is the color of prosperity. I hope this new year ahead brings good things. Pattern: Forecast
Materials: Cascade Tweed (less than 4 and a half ball at 220 yds/ 100g), US Sz 5 and 7 needles
Gauge: 16 sts and 32 rows to 4″ in garter stitch on US 7 needles
Notes: Ah.. changes. The smallest size in the pattern was for a 32.5″ chest, and the next larger one a 36.5″. Now I fall somewhere in between, and there was no schematic in the pattern, so I calculated for a 33.5″ measurement. The armpit at the yoke looked pretty short, and I was worried for a while that it wouldn’t fit, but I figured the yarn is sproingy enough to accomodate. This is basically the top-down raglan with interesting details. You are more than allowed to try it on as you go along. Now for the bobbles, initially I knit the 5-sts bobble stated in the pattern, but didn’t quite like it. They just stuck out too much for me. I want textural interest, but something a little less protruding – in the end I changed it to a 3-sts bobble. Here’s a picture of my bobbles… One additional change was the sleeves. In the original pattern, the bobble/cable feature extended to almost wrist length. Aside from the fact that I was a bit tired of knitting bobbles, I didn’t want my lower arms to look, um, so billowy. I decided to stop the bobbles at elbow length, and knit the rest to my wrist with Sz 7 needles. I made the sleeves 20″ long, which is still a bit short in reality, but knowing that I would dunk the sweater in water during blocking assured me that the arms would grow in length – and I was right. It came out to 23″ – perfect for me. Oh and the yarn, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I expected it to be a bit rough, it being tweed and all, but on the contrary, it’s springy, not itchy and shows the pattern quite well.
And here’s another gratuitous shot. Just because. I think it means I like it.

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