A Quick Picture Day

Happy Wednesday!

A quick picture post. I've finished my last shrug. A review will follow as I made a minor change to this garment.




Here I am knitting the neckband on my vest. Still have two rows to go and then BO. Notice the empty front plackets?



I plan on wearing these two garments...A LOT. Both are machine washable. You can't beat that.

Knitting Updates

It's turning out that September is my month to finish my WIPs. Kind of like seeing a big bright light at the end of the tunnel.

Somewhere in between I managed to cast on for another shrug. Yeppers. That's what I did. I couldn't help myself. This fantastic Muench Tessin yarn screamed to be made into something. I'm further along than what the picture shows. Actually, I have one row of ribbing to do and then bind off in pattern and it's done.

My Muench Tessin Shrug This! in Purple. Fabulous yarn with a tweed look


Close up of the Tessin yarn



I finally finished my Malabrigo shrug. It fits, but it's not one of my favorites. I think it's the yarn and not necessarily the color.

My Malabrigo Chunky Shrug This! in Noviembre color


Last week, I went to G-Street and caught their holiday sale (Labor Day) and found some pretty buttons for my denim vest. I had fun at this store as the ladies allowed me to go behind the counter pull the boxes myself. It was pure joy to touch the buttons!

Yesterday morning, I seamed the shoulders and did a huge boo-boo. I had reversed the front right and front left. When I held up the vest, my front plackets were on the outside edges. Yikes! I undid the seams and cleaned my eyeballs before starting again.

Oval shaped buttons for my vest


Today, I spent a few hours untangling some Fiesta Rayon Boucle yarn for a good friend of mine. She had wound the yarn into two balls and then I helped her for a few hours.

My friend and I working on untangling her yarn...a few hours later

I continued to work on it today and finished the untangling for her. I wound the two balls into one huge ball and then proceeded to wind the yarn into a cake. This color is Painted Desert. It's beautiful!

Beautiful cake!


Progress is being made. I just need to remain focused. ;)

A New Project in the Works

Ever since I knitted that quick and easy shoulder shawl a few days ago, I've been itching to knit another quick project. So what did I do? I casted on for another Shrug This! This Malabrigo Chunky yarn has been keeping an eye on me and finally screamed out to me when I was sorting through my yarn stash the other day. The color is Noviembre. Unfortunately, I'm in a rush to post and of course the colors are off in this picture.




This is the true color of Noviembre:



At the rate I'm going, I think I might have this shrug done before I get back home. lol!

I'm also bringing my JoJoland yarn and will try to knit a swirl or two for my swirl scarf. Hopefully, I can remember the "magic loop" technique and give it a try.

I mentioned that I was sorting through my yarn stash. It's that time, where I move my summer yarn out of my room and bring in the wools. Kind of like rotating your wardrobe when the season changes.

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.

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.

Finally! Shrug This Self-Pics

I've been behind in getting pictures taken of myself modeling my creations. I know, it only takes a tripod, remote, and camera to get this done. But have you heard of "bad hair" days????

I leave you with my photos. Enjoy!

Here's the longer length versions:

Sirdar Denim Chunky


Plymouth Encore Chunky


Here's the normal length version:

Plymouth Encore Chunky


Note: This free knitting pattern can be found at the One Skein Wonders site. It's also available in the One Skein Wonder (101 yarn shop favorites) book.

Happy Knitting!

Shrug This #3 - Completed

Okay, okay...this is the last one. :) I found this purple yarn at my LYS and I just had to make another shrug. I tend to wear a lot of blacks and blues (the bruise colors) and thought purple would be a nice color to wear. If I add up all the hours, over a few days...it takes about 6-8 hours for me to complete one of these. Not bad.

I won't do a review on this one, as you can read the reviews from the previous ones I've made. I've included pictures. Enjoy!


Shrug This in Plymouth Encore Chunky Purple

Front view

Side view

Back side

On the circular knitting needle

Here's the link for all the Shrug This posts/reviews I have on my blog.

Shrug This #2 - Completed

Shrug This in Sirdar Denim Chunky

I'm happy to say, it's done. I love this longer version. The total back length is roughly 16 inches. The bottom of this shrug falls at my high hip area. Here's my review:

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:
Sirdar Denim Chunky in light blue. Used less than 2 skeins.

Gauge:
Roughly 3 stitches/inch. Cast on 53 stitches.

Knitting Tools Used:
Circular needles: 24 inch size 11 needle. This yarn was soft enough that I did not need to use my 29 inch needle.

Techniques I learned/used:
Long tail cast on (I'm loving this method)
Yarn over (YO)
Knitting from the top down
Raglan sleeves
Lengthen the body to fall at my high hip. About 53 rows in total.

What I Like About this Pattern:
Quick and easy to knit. Versatile pattern that can be 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:
This is my 2nd shrug. For this version, I lengthened it. The back length came out to 16 inches. Perfect, as I wanted it to fall at my high hip.

I actually enjoy knitting from the neck down.

Since I did the long tail cast on, I wanted the backside (I believe will double check) to be the right side. So, I ended up I adding an extra row of ribbing at the neckline. I also added an extra row at the bottom to complement the neckline.

This is my TNT pattern.

Side view

Back side



Within the next day, I hope to take some photos modeling both versions.

Another Shrug in the Works

Since the pattern is fresh in my head, I decided to start another shrug. I'm using a really cool yarn called Denim Chunky by Sirdar. I found this yarn in the clearance bin at my LYS. This will be perfect for casual wear.

Sirdar Denim Chunky

I'm actually further along than the picture shows below. I'm getting ready to knit the ribbing for the sleeves. I'm still on my first of two skeins of yarn. I'm thinking of lengthening the shrug so it falls at my high hip area. I tend to make my decisions at the spur of the moment. We'll see what I end up with.

Another Shrug This-WIP

This shrug looks like it will be slightly larger or loose fitting even though I CO the same amount of stitches as my previous version. This Denim Chunky is a nice yarn to knit with.

Shrug This - Completed

I finished my black shrug early yesterday morning, in time to wear to church. This is a quick and easy knitting project.

Shrug This in Plymouth Encore Chunky-black


I will be back later to post pictures of me modeling my new shrug. For now, here's my review. 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:
Plymouth Yarn Encore Chunky in Black. Used less than 2 skeins.

Gauge:
Roughly 3 stitches/inch. Cast on 53 stitches.

Knitting Tools Used:
Circular needles: 24 & 29 inch size 11 needle

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

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:
This pattern has been on my mind since I first saw it in the One Skein Wonders book I purchased last year. Initially, I thought it would be difficult to knit. I didn't understand what YOs were nor did I understand why markers were used. Plus knitting from the top down? That sounded weird to me. Something I could not comprehend as I've been knitting from the bottom up and that basically makes sense to me.

So, I have a sweater, shrug, cardi/vest and soon to be completed shell experience tucked in my brain. I revisited this pattern and know what? The instructions started to make sense to me.

Since I did the long tail cast on, I wanted the backside (I believe will double check) to be the right side. So, I ended up I adding an extra row of ribbing at the neckline. I also added an extra row at the bottom to complement the neckline.

Tip: The only thing I might add to this shrug is sewing a piece of black ribbon along the front side edges of the cardigan. I noticed the edging wanted to curl towards the inside and while I was wearing it, I kept straightening the fronts.

Personally, I thought this Encore Chunky yarn worked well for this shrug. I have worn it to church and received many complements. The shrug kept its shape throughout the day.

Partial back/side view


Partial front/side view

I plan on making one in a longer length, similar to Trina's version.

I really like the style of this shrug. It's comfortable to wear. It's really cute!

Here's a link to the Shrug This pattern.

Shrug Knitting

I just wanted to do a quick post. I'm almost done knitting my shrug.

Here's what it looks like so far:

Shrug This - front


Shrug This - back

Shrug This!

Here's my fourth WIP project on my knitting needles. This shrug is from the One Skein Wonders book that I purchased last year. I've been eyeballing this pattern for so long. Initially, I had no clue how to knit this top. I had no idea what a YO was and no idea how to knit from the top down. The instructions were foreign to me.

After knitting several easy garments, I went back to my book and would you believe...I understood the knitting instructions for this shrug? Yes, a lightbulb went off in my head. I proceeded to find some yarn and casted on the stitches. I'm using Plymouth Encore Chunky in Black. So far, it's a quick knitting project.

Shrug This! by Toni Kayser Weiner

I've included a link to the free Shrug This pattern at the One Skein Wonders site.

I'm truly amazed at how much I've learned and picked up in the last two months of knitting garments.


Update: I started out using my 24 inch circular knitting needles. About halfway into the knitting, I had to switch to my 29 inch circular needles. I am beginning to see why I need to have circulars in longer lengths. It's hard to knit with stitches that are crammed together.