What I've Been Up To

I have been splitting my time between sewing and knitting. I've been able to sew some simple tote bags to carry my knitting projects with me to work. I'm also sewing some clothes to wear at the LYS. Comfy is the key and nothing black as I have found lint is the main attraction at the end of the day.

I'm also trying to find some block of time to start up some beading projects. When I bead, I need to spread out my tools and vast variety of beads and then let the creativity begin. So, I've found a corner of my dining table for my beading activities where I can leave this hobby sitting and don't need to pack up everything when my block of time is up.


Here's a stitch marker I put together.

My stitch marker...Floral Bling

My friend, Sabine, came over last night and we had a great time knitting and chatting and knitting. I am really impressed with Sabine's knitting skills and her ability to jump in and start knitting again. She is adventurous. She is knitting a lace scarf and I'm sure she'll be finished before I see her again in a few days. Sabine...I'm cheering you on.

I've made extraordinary progress on my pink weekend cardi. I should be ready to separate the sleeves sometime today and start working on the body.

Weekend Retreat Cardi


I've also taken my Thick and Think Cardigan out of hibernation. The weather has been cooler and I've found the yearning to continue knitting this project. The yarn I'm using for this cardi is Blizzard. The ribbing will done using Cascade Superwash 220 in a similar blue color.

My version of the Thick and Thin Cardigan from the Fitted Knits book

Close up of the raglan area. I love how this was knitted


I've been working on the Plymouth Cotton Kisses baby sweater. Still knitting the back piece and progressing towards the neckline. Still not used to knitting with smaller size needles. I have to keep at it as I want to start working on some lace scarves in the near future.

Plymouth Cotton Kisses baby sweater

Just like some of you, storage has been an issue at my house especially with the many hobbies & interests I have. For those of you who don't know this...DH & I also have a third person living with us, my mother. So space is very, very limited.

I've ordered a ball winder from KnitPicks. I plan on winding all the skeins and hanks of yarn I have into balls of yarn. I can stack my "cakes" of yarn and store them better than the current system I have in place. Instead of purchasing an expensive swift, I'm making my own. Nothing fancy. Right now, I need to go and collect the parts that I have laying around the house and then visit my local Walmart for the other pieces. I will be back later with pictures. :)

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

Something Came in the Mail Today...

Isn't this vest cute?
I found this cool looking pattern by Barbara Breiter on Knitting on the Net. I looked high and low for this Crystal Palace Meringue yarn at my local yarn shops only to find that it has been discontinued. I stumbled across Bargain Yarns and they had the yarn on sale. How could I resist? I purchased 4 balls of each color (pictured below). Yes, I couldn't resist the black yarn. I ordered the yarn on Sunday evening and it arrived today. That's fast service.

I did take a chance on buying this yarn. I'm the type of person who has to feel and touch the yarns before I buy. I am glad I took the chance. This yarn feels wonderful.

Crystal Palace Meringue yarns in Fall Herbs, Black, and Scuba Dive


I joined Ravelry last month. I finally got around to posting my projects there. I also learned how to setup my progress bars here on my knitting blog. I really love technology and learning lots by having this blog.


I also started my second sweater. This one is from the Better Homes & Garden Knitted Sweaters for Her booklet that I previously posted about. I'm getting in the mood for warmer weather and I just love this cheery Tudor color.

Basic Sweater from the BHG Knitted Sweaters for Her booklet. Knitting with Lion Brand Homespun in Tudor color.

You can see I'm getting a lot of practice with the Lion Brand yarns. Now, I can't wait to start knitting with the more fancy yarns I recently purchased.

Future Knitted Garment

As I am finishing my last fingerless glove, I need to move on to more challenging projects. If I don't, I may lose interest in knitting. Can't let that happen to me. It's cold here and there's snow outside. I want to make myself a sweater. This will be my first knitted garment.

So, I have been searching high and low on the Internet and in my knitting books for that great beginner sweater. I've been reading through lots of knitting instructions til I was cross-eyed and came up with this simple looking pattern.

BHG Basic Knit Sweater. Designed by Anne E Smith

This knitted sweater pattern came from a booklet I have, Better Homes and Gardens: Knitted Sweaters for Her by Leisure Arts. Page 2 shows the basic knit sweater using Lion Brand Homespun yarn. Other patterns include a cardigan, sleeveless turtleneck, twinset, cowl neck sweater, jacket, etc.

BHG booklet from Leisure Arts

The skill level for this sweater is rated Easy. Knitting needles size 8 (5mm) and size 10 (6mm) are used for this sweater. All I need is 4 skeins of yarn to make a size 40" sweater. It will be loose on me, which is fine. The 36" version will be tight on me. I do like this booklet as the majority of yarns they use for their projects are from Lion Brand, which is readily available.

I haven't decided on the yarn color I will be using. I need to go through my yarn stash to find 4 skeins of the same color. So far in my sewing room, I'm coming up short. Every time I pick up a color...I only have 3 skeins. I'll have to check my basement to see if there are any rogue skeins hanging around. Worse case scenario, I can start the project and then go to my local yarn/craft store to pick up the extra skein I'm missing. Chances are, it won't be in the same dye lot. That's okay for this first practice sweater.

Right now, I need to do a swatch/gauge sample to make sure I am not knitting too loose or too tight. I also need to see if all those cast on (CO) stitches will fit on my knitting needle. If not, I will have to head to my local yarn shop and get those lovely velvet bamboo circular knitting needles. Yes, I'm looking for an excuse! LOL!

If the book cannot be found, this pattern is available at BHG's site.