FO: Simplicity Top
As promised, here's the FO post for the Simplicity Top knit from the Spring 2007 issue of Interweave Crochet. I really love how this little project came out and I plan to wear this all the time before it gets too hot out! You definitely have to wear something underneath because there are fairly big holes in the fabric, I'm wearing it here over a pale grey tank top and it serves nicely without showing up too much.
The only modification I made to this pattern was to work in some waist shaping, the pattern is written for a straight body but I know from experience that waist shaping makes a more flattering garment for me. I decreased by 2 clusters on 2 alternating CC rows, then increased back up to the original number over the next 4 CC rows to add very gentle shaping (probably only about 2" was taken off and added back in).
Since this pattern is knit in one piece from the neck down, there is no finishing except weaving in the ends. I can definitely see crocheting this longer and making it into a dress, it would be very easy to do and very cute as a beach cover up or as a real dress over a full slip. I won't be making it for myself anytime soon though, once was enough with this pattern!
Project specs:
Pattern: Simplicity Top from Interweave Crochet Spring 2007
Yarn: 6 balls Berroco Glace in Cadet and 2 balls Berroco Zen in Kabuki Blue
Hook: Size M and I
Started: April 29, 2007
Finished: April 30, 2007
FO: Jitterbug Socks
What's this? A pair of socks!?!? Can it be true?
Behold!
I just finished the second sock, grafted the toes and wove in the ends! I haven't finished a pair of sock in a LONG time so this feels really nice. This yarn is so yummy, I plan on buying more to stash away for future socks. The Bright Charcoal color looks really gorgeous online, and I really like Sahara, but as with any Colinette yarns each skein is so different you really have to check each one before you buy it. I saw one skein of Sahara in person and it was too orange with not enough brown so I passed it up. It's not like I need it, which is what I told the LYSO when she offered to special order it for me. ;o)
I shot the FO picture on my fire escape, it feels so New York-y with that background! Please excuse my ridiculously white legs, they're not quite as scary as the appear in this shot. I swear.
Project specs:
Pattern: Generic top down heel flap sock, 60 sts around.
Yarn: 1 ball Colinette Jitterbug in Fruit Coulis colorway (there was about 15 grams left over)
Needles: US size 1
Started: April 17, 2007
Finished: April 23, 2007
FO: Kersti Pullover
Here's my finished Kersti sweater! I'm really happy with how it came out, it's simple enough to wear all the time but has a few details that make it special. And it fits really well, although you'll have to take my word for it because every shot I took of it on me looked like, well, a$$. The manequin is about the same size as me anyway so it gives you the idea.
My original plan for this yarn was to make a completely simple, nothing-to-it pullover. But as I started working I kept asking myself why I was bothering to knit something so boring, so I had to jazz it up. I came up with the idea of working a single cable twist at the beginning of the vneck, which came out perfectly:
Isn't that cute? I love tiny details like these that don't overwhelm the wearer and make the sweater a little more special.
Then when it came time to work the sleeves, I originally planned on 3/4 length sleeves with a little detail at the cuff. I knit the first sleeve and tried it on and HATED it, so I came up with Plan B (or is it C or D? I lost track). I ended up with fairly wide, extra-long sleeves, and I echoed the neck detail at the cuffs. Here's a detail shot:
The cuffs are split and where they join that is another single cable twist. It's nice because it lays exactly at wrist level, with the split cuffs hanging down over my hand and reaching to about my thumb knuckle.
I'm really pleased with this sweater and will definitely be wearing it a lot! Especially if the weather keeps on dumping snow and sleet on us randomly . . .
Project specs:
Pattern: My own original. No name or publication date yet.
Yarn: 9 skeins Koigu Kersti in color K410
Needles: US size 7
Started: February 28, 2007
Finished: March 12, 2007
Really crappy FO shot
I know this picture kinda sucks, but bear with me. I'm sick! If/when I make this a for sale pattern, I swear I will get good shots. In the meantime you're stuck with this crappy shot.
Want a detail shot of the texture pattern on the yoke? Here you go:
Equally crappy picture, sorry again. This is a very simple stitch which is basically a 3-stitch rope cable that's on a stockinette background, staggered and alternately crossed. You can't see it in the picture but the stitch is also on the cuffs. I thought about putting it on the waist but it does pull in and I didn't want the sweater to end up with a tulip shape!
This is one of the best cardigans I've ever made, hands down. I had fun knitting it, the yarn is absolutely gorgeous, and it's completely wearable. Since I wear tons of blues and turquoise, it goes with a lot in my wardrobe!
It's also a perfect example of how a design mutates from idea to completion. This project was all about the yarn, so I wanted to showcase the colors. The only ideas I originally had were based on this yarn being really warm. I've worked with it before and I knew I had to make a cardigan, not a pullover, or I would never wear it. I also had this idea for a wide neckline, so I started sketching and swatching . . . and one thing led to another and I ended up with a low square neck, raglan sleeve, tunic length cardigan. And I love it!
I decided to name this cardigan Laura, in honor of Laura Bryant who's the genius behind Prism Yarns. Her color sense is amazing, and since that's what inspired this project I thought it was fitting.
Project specs:
Pattern: My own, Laura. To be published at some point.
Yarn: 5 skeins Prism Cashmere in color Blue Lagoon
Needles: US size 10
Started: February 15, 2007
Finished: February 20, 2007
I guess this is my first official FO of 2007! And it's a good one.
FO: Koigu Cashmere Armwarmers
I finally got a good shot of my finished Koigu Cashmere armwarmers! These turned out amazingly well, so well that I'm seriously considering making another pair. They're really really warm and functional, and perfect for fall weather. If it gets much colder to quickly they won't be getting much wear, but I'm thoroughly enjoying them now! I actually wore them at Stitches almost the entire weekend, so if you stopped by the booth you got a sneak peek of them already.
They were super quick to knit and the pattern is really great. I definitely recommend them if you're looking for cute accessories, or they would be a great gift!
Project specs:
Pattern: Gauntlets from Sally Melville's The Purl Stitch book
Yarn: 2 skeins Koigu Cashmere in color 608
Needles: US size 2 DPNs
Started: October 11, 2006
Finished: October 14, 2006
