Frogging & Rewinding and a New Project

While I was working at the LYS today, I got a chance to frog my weekend retreat cardi. It took me 20 minutes to undo several hours of knitting. I used the ball winder to rewind my yarn. What a lifesaver!

I went from this:

My first attempt at the weekend retreat cardi on SusieQ


To this:

The two balls on the right are the result of winding my frogged weekend retreat cardi

After using the ball winder...the ball of yarn was huge! I had to take the picture above to show you the size in comparison to the original skein.

I'm glad to say I've done 14 rows on my 2nd version of the cardi. That's progress.

I've also started another project called Candy Kisses. This kit includes 3 duck buttons, a whole ball of yarn to make a baby sweater, and instructions for 2 different sweater types. I'm knitting this sweater for a relative. This is my 3rd attempt to get started. For some reason, I've been having problems knitting this. It's been coming out a bit too loose. This is the first time, I'm knitting with smaller needles like size 5 for the ribbing. I'm not used to it. Wish me luck as I finish the ribbing and get into the body of the sweater.

Candy Kisses by Plymouth Yarns

Frogging Big Time!

I had finally put the sleeves of my weekend retreat cardi on stitch holders. I tried it on to find that the cardi is too big. I can cross over the front (without the ribbing). The armhole length is too long. I suspected this, but you can't really tell when the whole garment is crammed onto circular needles.

I will frog the cardi (all 55 rows) and start again. But I will have to wait.

I still have two untouched skeins of the pink Denim Style. I plan on knitting a smaller size (Small - 35") for my 2nd version. I will keep the 1st version so I have something to compare with. When I feel comfortable with the 2nd version, I will proceed with the frogging of the 1st and reuse the yarn.

Lesson well learned. I should go with the size closer to my full bust of 36".

Another Pic of My Cardi

I decided to stop knitting long enough to check the armhole length of my cardi. At first, I thought I was knitting it too long. I forgot that the ribbed neckline sits higher towards the neckline. So, the length from the pattern instructions should be fine on me.

Cardi on SusieQ


Every now and then I have thoughts of knitting merrily along and then find I'm way past the length I should be. So far, I haven't done that. Thank goodness. :)

Still Knitting, Here & There

I still have some needles going. The weather here is up and down, but still Spring-like. I've given up on up on knitting with thick or bulky yarn. So, I may have to put my Fitted Cardi on hold til the Fall. Not a problem. I have a bin ready for WIPs that won't be completed anytime soon. Never thought I would come to this.

Also, going into the WIP bin is my blue thick and thin cardigan. I'm finding that the Blizzard yarn is kind of linty. While knitting, I'm finding a lot of lint falling off my cardigan. That can't be a good sign! I've lost interest in this project. Into the bin it goes.

I'm still working on my pink "cropped raglan sweater cardi". Making some progress. Getting close to placing the sleeves on the holders. Once that is done, the knitting will get faster. As long as I don't start another project, I hope to get this completed by the end of this month. I love knitting with the Bernat DenimStyle yarn.

Making some progress

I found two buttons that match my blue Malabrigo Shrug This. I also found some thick beading elastic to use as a toggle for the two buttons. If that doesn't work, I also found some blue soutache to make into a toggle. I will more than likely make the two versions to see which one works the best. Will post my findings. :)

Speaking of the many versions of Shrug This that I've knitted, looks like I will get to teach that pattern at my LYS. How cool is that?

I came across a preview for the next Interweave KNITS magazine coming out in May.

I'm thinking of making my own stitch markers. Since I have been making my own necklaces and have all the beads and tools available, I thought I would give it a try. If they turn out okay, I will be back with a post and let you decide.

Happy Knitting!

Shrug This #4 - Completed

My 4th version of Shrug This. The color is gorgeous!

I had to post another review on this shrug. Mostly, because of this wonderful yarn I used, which changed the shape and size of this "one size fits all" shrug. Read on and enjoy!

Name of Pattern:
Shrug This

Designed by:
Toni Kayser Weiner (from the One Skein Wonders book)

Pattern/Garment Description:
Shrugs are all the rage and with this loosely knit version (three stitches per inch) you'll be able to "shrug" off the time investment. This shrug is worked from the neck down and there's no sewing required.

Size(s):
One size

Yarns Used:
Malabrigo Aquarella in Yi color (blues). Used less than 5 hanks of yarn.

Gauge:
Roughly 2.5 stitches/inch.

Knitting Tools Used:
Circular needles: 40 inch in size 13 needle. I really did need this long length circular

Techniques I learned/used:
Long tail cast on
Yarn over (YO)
Knitting from the top down
Raglan sleeves
Lengthen the body

What I Like About this Pattern:
Quick and easy to knit. Pattern can be easily lengthened.

What I Dislike About this Pattern:
Nothing to dislike.

My Pattern Rating (Beginner, Easy, Intermediate, Hard):
I rate this pattern as Easy. A beginner with some basic knitting experience could tackle this project.

Conclusion/Additional Comments:
Okay, so this is my 4th version of this shrug. This time I used a super bulky wool yarn. This Malabrigo Aquarella yarn is a combination thick and thin yarn. I love the texture this yarn produced. This color is so beautiful and so intense. My version has medium and light blue, indigo, and teal.

Also, with using this super bulky yarn, my shrug came out slightly larger overall. I can bring both fronts together and overlap. Meaning, I have more room in the bust area. I'm thinking of adding two buttons one on each side and knitting a toggle out of yarn. I'll be going through my button stash to see if I have anything unusual that will work.

I shortened the shrug by two rows before I knitted the ribbing for the sleeves. Otherwise, the underarm would have been too long.

I lengthened the body to hit my high hip area. This version feels more like a jacket on me.

This is now my favorite version. Will I make more? Most likely. There are a lot of fabulous yarn out there to try. As with my sewing, I tend to make several versions of a TNT (tried 'n true) pattern. I see I'm doing the same with this shrug pattern.

Side profile. There's more room in the bust area.

Back side

Close up view. The results of using thick and thin yarn.

Knitting News

It's late and I just finished my Malabrigo Shrug. It's on my dressform waiting for pictures to be taken. I'm hoping tomorrow morning, the sun will peer through my sewing room window so I can take pictures in natural light. If not, it will have to wait til Sunday.

I have to say the shrug came out beautifully. :)

Now, I need to finish my other WIPs before I can start another project. I'm tired of moving my project bags around my sewing room. I need to finish my Fitted Cardigan and my long pink cardigan. I also need to get back to knitting my sleeveless top.

Happy Weekend Knitting!

I'm a "Shrugaholic" and More Malabrigo

Now, come on...isn't this yarn...fabulous?

Malabrigo Chunky in Noviembre

I could not help myself. I saw this chunky yarn at work and it leaped into my hands before I could stop myself. Next thing I knew, two more hanks joined the first one. Hmmm...maybe another long shrug?

I don't think I have any tops to wear with this. Sew, I'll just have to find some fabric in my stash and whip up something to wear with this yarn. Hopefully, I can find something with a peach color.

Okay, so I'm now a "shrugaholic". I've been receiving lots of complements at the yarn shop whenever I wear the shrugs to work. I thought it would be a great idea to knit a few in the yarns that we sell. That way, I can show the customer the yarn and maybe sell a few hanks.

Malabrigo on My Mind

After spending so many hours yesterday, touching and feeling the Malabrigo yarns, I felt I was in yarn heaven. To continue that feeling, I pulled out my new Malabrigo yarns this morning. They are just as beautiful as when I saw and bought them yesterday. I love the thick and thin Aquarella yarn in Yi. The color was just too gorgeous to be sitting in my bag waiting for some action. The yarn screamed "make me into a shrug". So, I casted on the yarn this morning to make another Shrug This.

There are various shades of blue with a slight hint of teal in some areas. I love the thick and thin qualities of this yarn and it's knitting up nicely.

Shrug This in Malabrigo Aquarella - Yi color

I can never have too many shrugs. Especially when it's made with Malabrigo yarns.

New Yarns Followed Me Home

Well, I went into work this morning and came home this evening with some Malabrigo yarns. I assisted in receiving a huge yarn order from Malabrigo, put tags on them, and put them out for display. I must say I am speechless. The yarns are absolutely stunning. I tried to resist, but failed miserably. So, I've added more yarn to my growing stash. Now, I know why Malabrigo is so popular.

This was one of my fabulous thick and thin finds:

Malabrigo Aquarella in Yi color

I also picked up some worsted yarns. Unfortunately, the picture doesn't show its magnificent colors:

Malabrigo Worsted in Intenso color

Another WIP - Something Bright & Cheery

I've casted on this sleeveless top with wide scoop neckline yesterday evening. I finally got the gauge right after frogging my first attempt which was 2 inches too small. I must have made a mistake knitting my first test gauge using the wrong sized needles. For my second attempt, my gauge was 3 sts/inch using 10-1/2 needles. Right on target.

So, here is the start of my next project. I love the bright colors. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the colors will be fine with my skin tone.

The bottom of my sleeveless top


This is the yarn that I'm using for the bottom ribbing and base of the sleeveless top. I love knitting with mulitcolored or variegated yarns. You get a neat surprise with the color patterns.

Moda Dea Metro Multicolor in Safari

I plan on using this solid color for the scooped neckline ribbing. It's appropriately named Wasabi and the color is right on. Right now, it looks like a huge contrast with the Safari colors even though it has some green in it. In the store, they looked like they would go together nicely. Must have been the lights in the store playing tricks on my old eyes. In the end, this will be a unique garment of mine and the colors will have to do. This will be my wearable muslin in the sewing world. :)

Moda Dea Metro Solid in Wasabi

Happy Knitting!

Another WIP and New Needles

I've casted on another cardi yesterday. This pattern Weekend Retreat Cardi is from Lion Brand and it's free. It's also featured in the April 2008 issue of Knit 'n Style magazine. I dug around in my yarn stash and came up with this beautiful Denim Style Weathered Rose yarn from Bernat. Over the years, I have collected several other colors and I finally found a pattern that will work great with this yarn.

It's another top down raglan cardigan, but a longer version. This pattern includes different sizes instead of "one size fits all" pattern I previously knitted. I love this heathered pink color.

My Weekend Retreat Cardi in Weathered Rose

Lion Brand Weekend Retreat Cardi

It's a slow knit (no chunky yarn here). I'm actually enjoying my knitting time with this project. That's because I'm using my brand new Skacel Addi Turbo circular knitting needles. This needle is a joy to use. I was having a problem knitting this yarn with my Takumi Velvet bamboo needles. I noticed the yarn wasn't gliding along smoothly on the bamboo needle. Once I tried these Addi Turbos, I was hooked!

Happy Knitting!