I know when I read blogs about other knitters’ FOs, I am always looking to see how it actually fits on a real person. Sure, just the act of completion is a marvel in itself, but let’s be honest: We want to know how it looks on someone.
Finding buttons for this sweater took way longer than knitting it, and hence the delay in the photoshoot. I’m actually visiting a friend in Northern California this weekend, and she warned me that she was going to drag me Christmas shopping with her. I told her that I’ll bring my comfy shoes

“Okay, but you have to take pictures of my sweater while we are out and about today so I can post on my blog.”, said I. “And headless”. She thought it was funny, but obliged nonetheless.

Pattern: Demi, XS from Rowan Vintage Style

Materials: 14-16 (ha ha I forgot) balls of Pingouin Shetland et Lin, discontinued yarn (a Shetland / linen blend yarn), Sz 6, 7, 8 needles, and 4 wood 3/4″ buttons from Joann’s.

Notes: No modifications, just knit to pattern. Seaming was a pain in the ass, and I misread the left collar instruction and botched the ribbed (placket) section. I thought I was outsmarting the pattern by not binding off at the left shoulder section. It wasn’t until the seaming that I realized that the bind-off had a purpose. Duh. Oh, yea, and seaming was a pain in the ass. It is so painful that I have to repeat. Painful. There, thrice. But whatever, I can live with it.

And there you have it. I love the way it fits, the modified bobbles, the length, the color and the warmth. Trust me, this baby is warm. If I can shop outdoors the whole day without a coat, it is definitely a-ok in my book. And oh, I admit, I did check my reflection a few times today to marvel at my own work. Pfffftt….. Who wouldn’t?

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.

Of the few sweaters that I’ve made up to this point, the only one that gets heavy rotation is Raspy. Now that it’s cold and nipply, a cotton sweater simply won’t do. I’ve always admired the Hourglass sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, and so the timing was just perfect. Pattern: Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts

Materials: Baruffa Maratona (8 balls at 121yds/50g), sz 5 and sz 6 circular needles

Gauge: 20 sts and 26 rows to 4″ in sz 6 needles

Notes: The pattern called for Noro Cash Iroha at a gauge of 19 sts and 28 rows, therefore I had to alter the pattern to fit my gauge (that and I was trying to stash-bust). I basically measured a shirt that I wear ala Diana’s method, and knit to fit my own specifications. I decided to be a little adventurous and try the negative ease thing on this one, and made it with 1″ negative ease. Could have gotten away with -2 or even -3, but that’s for next time. Of course, having a long torso and long arms meant additional mods too. The body piece before sleeve attachment was 18″, and the sleeves were at 22″ a piece before joining them to the body. I followed the pattern guidelines roughly for the shaping ideas and also the yoke for the raglan shaping. For the hems on the lower body and the sleeves, I followed the no-sew-knitted-hem tutorial by Marnie. The less I have to sew, the better. Initially I was worried that I wouldn’t have enough yarn since so many other knitters have run into yarn-shortage problems at the knit-along, so I decided to add the brown trims for the sleeves just in case. Turns out I have nothing to worry about. I still have 2 complete balls of yarn left.

For your viewing pleasure, here’s a close up of my neckline and my sleeves…

In an unfortunate turn of events, BF won’t be able to spend this holiday season with me. Quite the bummer. Here’s why: Power-tripping U.S. Consulate Interviewers. He told BF that it’s only been 3 months since he moved to Canada and that he didn’t see any reason why BF should come to the States. Hello?!? Friends? Family? Lonely girlfriend? It’s Christmas? That gentleman surely ruined my Christmas. I hope his Christmas sucks ass too. There I said it.

Ever looked at a pattern and thought to yourself, :”I must have that.” I’m sure you all have. That’s me - for the Renaissance Tunic designed by Teva Durham. I started this project late sunday evening, and so far I have this. Hopefully by the time I’m through with it, it will look like this.I wavered between knitting the Renaissance Tunic and Demi from Vintage Style for a while, and in the end decided that it was time. See, I bought the yarn for this about 6 months ago and have always thought this project would be something that I would “aspire to do” when I’m good enough. Ah, fug it. Itchy fingers have a different plan.
This pattern is knit from the bottom up in the round, and the picture you see above is right where I should be dividing for the front and back now. I got the easy part out of the way, and should be heading towards short row shaping for the bust and god knows where else. Just don’t expect the usual crazy knitting speed from me on this one - I predict it’s gonna take a while…

Raspy is done done done. And here she is, left view, front view and side view (I had to hold a mug cuz I didn’t know what to do with my hands). Note to self: Wear a black bra next time if I’m going to be using the flash on my camera.Pattern: Raspy, Rowan Denim People (sz Small)
Materials: Den-m-Nit Dark Indigo (13 balls - Diana was right, I did have enough to seam). Sz 4/5 needles for body, 5 for sleeves
Notes: No pattern changes except to lengthen sleeves so they’re 21″ before raglan shaping (25.2″ before shrinkage). I had to throw this in my dryer 3 freakin’ times to get it to shrink to the desired size. That was a bitch in itself. This is where I explain why I call it the “cheater’s version“. You see, after the waist decreases, the pattern asks you to start increasing for the bust - which I apparently don’t have. After seaming the sucker, I ended up with a very roomy bust. What’a a girl to do? I don’t have the heart to rip and knit again (esp. since I already shrunk it), so here’s where I cheated. I BACKSTITCHED. That’s right, y’all. I have no shame - and no craftsmanship for that matter. And here’s proof. It’s impossible to photograph dark indigo, therefore you get the overexposed shots above. But I did manage to get one where I processed like mad in photoshop to show you the details up front. It’s a little dark, but you get the drift.
I’d like to thank Diana, Jade and Michelle for offering their leftover denim yarn when I panicked previously that I was going to have no yarn to seam. Even though I did not need that extra few yards in the end, their assurance to send me that extra ball helped me finish this sweater. It’s no where near perfect - in fact, truly flawed, but I will wear it with grace. Fact is, if I hadn’t mentioned it, no one would ever know right? Say yes.