Knitting Right Along

I am beginning to see a knitting pattern here. I seem to have four (4) different knitting projects going on at the same time. When I'm done with one knitting project, I start another one. Keeping four going. There's a really good reason for that and now I have an understanding why others might be doing this.

I am back to knitting my BHG beginner sweater. After seeing Monica's comment here and Trina's on Ravelry, I realized I needed to get this sweater done and preferably before the warmer weather heads my way. I really like how this Tudor (Homespun) color yarn is working out.

BHG Sweater-back...still working my way towards the neckline

I'm making some progress on my Plymouth Royal Llama Silk shrug. I don't think I have enough yarn. The pattern calls for 4 balls of yarn. I'm on my 3rd ball and have only knitted 1/4 of the main body (K1,P1). I still have 12 inches of the main body to knit. I know I'll need at least 2 balls when I go back to the K2,P2 section. So, I'll keep knitting until I run out.

Plymouth Royal Llama Silk Shrug...starting to knit the K1,P1 main body

I'm also working on a Plymouth Baby Kimono for my Godmother's granddaughter. The kimono takes only two skeins of Plymouth Encore yarn. My LYS only had 1 skein of the Heather Pink left. I bought that color plus a Light Pink skein...thinking I could knit different sections in different yarn colors (e.g. the front panels in light pink and the sleeve and collar in the heather pink). Well, the sleeves and front panels are completed. All I need to knit is the back piece, sew the seams, and then knit the shawl collar. I don't think I have enough of one color to knit the whole back, so I might end up knitting in the Heather Pink halfway up and then use the Light Pink for the top half. I'm not sure I'll have enough of one color to finish the shawl collar.

I am not comfortable enough to feel the yarn and figure out how much I have left. So, this is a good puzzle for me to figure out and get through this slight issue. In the meantime, I've put this project on hold so I can make a dent in the others.

Plymouth Baby Kimono...Heather Pink sleeve panels and Light Pink front panels

I still have my Cropped Cardi/Vest on my needles. I am knitting the last front panel.

This is amazing that the four knitting projects or WIPs I have, don't require the same needle sizes. LOL!!!

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.