December 2014 Project Update

Cabled Sweater

Amazing Hat, Hat & Scarf, Hat & Snood

Cabled Sweater & Hat

Aviator Hat

L.1 Linen Scarf

Knotted Scarf

Blue Bell Hill Scarf

Hat with Flower Accent

Hat with Flower Accent

Hudson Hat

Hudson Hat

Amazing Hat (Camouflage)

Amazing Hat (Liberty)

Greyhaven Hat

Greyhaven Hat

Cabled Sweater & Hat - Purchased during the NJ Wool Walk in April 2014, the pattern is from Bergere de France no 170 0 - 2 ans booklet. I used Tosh DK in Robin's Egg for the cables, and Swans Island Washable Organic Merino for the sweater (Mushroom & Snowy Owl). Purchased the pattern booklet and yarn from Trillium in Morristown NJ. Modified the pattern to knit the garment as one piece, instead of in 3 sections (and then sewn together), as the pattern is written. Also, modified the sweater pattern to use a 3 needle bind off to connect the shoulders (used short row shaping instead of the standard bind off in steps), and used a conventional ribbing around the neckline. No buttons at the shoulder were needed, since the neck was made large enough to fit over a child's head.

Aviator Hat - Yarn is Bergere de France Ideal, and the pattern is from Bergere de France No 168 2 - 12 years Collection. Purchased at Trillium Yarns in Morristown NJ, after completing the Cabled Sweater and Hat.

L.1 Linen Scarf - Made from Shibui Linen. The pattern was a free one from the Shibui website. Purchased the yarn at The Blue Purl last year, after I saw the sample at the store. They provided me with the pattern, too. However, I put the project aside because the knitting was so tedious (just Stockinette). I finished up the scarf using a friend's knitting machine, and after blocking it, you couldn't tell the difference between the hand knitted and machine knitted sections. The process sold me on purchasing a knitting machine.

Knotted Scarf (#49) - Made two of these from Bergere de France no 158 Mag' Tricot Kid 4 - 16 Yrs. One was made from Bergere de France Ideal yarn, and the other Cascade 220 Superwash. Simple pattern that I worked up on my new knitting machine. Took less than an hour to make each one. Yarn and books were purchased at Trillium Yarns in Morristown NJ.

Blue Bell Hill Scarf - Purchased the yarn at Rhinebeck a couple of years ago, from O-Wool. Pattern was free, and is on Ravelry.

Hat with Flower Accent (#40 Hat) - Made two of these (to match the knotted scarves) from Bergere de France no 158 Mag' Tricot Kid 4 - 16 Yrs. Both were made from Cascade 220 Superwash from my stash. The body of the hat was made on the knitting machine, using waste yarn at the beginning and the end. Then, I picked up the edge stitches to complete the crown at the top, and the ribbing at the brim edge.

Hudson Hat - This is a at kit from Tahki. Purchased it at the Yarn Attic in Hillsborough, NJ. Both yarns were in the kit. Comes with the pattern. Very easy project. Good for novice knitters.

The Amazing Hat - Pattern came from the Pattern a Day Knitting Calendar 2014. Made 2 of these, for 2 little nephews. One is self-striping earth tones using Classic Elite Liberty (from Etui in Larchmont NY), and the other is self-striping in camouflage colorsis Raggi from Jarbo Garn (Swedish yarn)from the Blue Purl in Madison NJ.

GreyHaven Hat - Pattern is from Ravelry. It is part of a set that includes a cowl. However, I just made the hat out of Cascade Venezia Worsted. Purchased the yarn at Down Cellar in Basking Ridge NJ (before it closed)

A note about the knitting machine: The machine is a Silver Reed LK 150, which is ideal for hand knitters. It really helped to complete some of these projects early (for holiday gifts), with minimal effort. It's a basic machine that does stockinette stitch, but also supports other pattern stitches with manual manipulation of the needle bed. I plan to use it for some of my stockinette sweater projects to complete the body, and then hand knit the ribbing and armhole/shoulder shaping (similar technique as I used for the hats). It's also great for making Icords!

August/September 2014 Project Update

Snood & Hat

Clocktower Cardigan - front

Clocktowner Cardigan - back

Bergere de France Hat & Snood - Pattern is from Bergere de France no 168 Tricot Kid pattern book. Used Cascade 220 Superwash purchased at the Blue Purl in Madison NJ during the NJ Wool Walk weekend in April. This will be a holiday gift for one of the kids in the family. The pattern called for knitting straight, seaming up he back for both the hat and snood. However, I changed that to knitting in the round. Where there was intarsia (the lips on the snood), I needed back and forth, and then seamed that little section up the back.

Clocktower Kimono Cardigan - Pattern is from KnitScene Fall 2014, and the yarn is Schulana Kilino in 2 colors. Purchased the yarn at the Blue Purl in Madison NJ. The yarn is discontinued, so it was a good buy. Easy to knit. The construction is sleeve to center - right and left side. The 2 pieces are attached in the back via 3 needle bind off. Lots of color blocking. A fun project!

July 2014 Project Update

Lolita- Back

Lolita- Front

Summer Strands Cowl

BdF Short Sleeve

Lolita Vest - Purchased this project at the Blue Purl in Madison NJ. The pattern is from Imagine Knit Designs. I used a Schulana yarn, Kilino, which is now discontinued. Too bad. It's a really nice linen and cotton blend. Loved working with it so much that I bought more, and am now making a cardigan from the Fall issue of KnitScene.

Summer Strands Cowl - Purchased this project at the Blue Purl. The pattern is a free one on Ravelry, it uses Louisa Harding's Noema. Just 2 skeins. It's the first crochet pattern I've done in a very long time. Quite easy, once you get passed the foundation round. This may be a project I use for holiday presents this year, since it goes quite fast.

Bergere de France Short Sleeve Sweater -Purchased this project during the N.J. Wool Walk in April at Trillium in Morristown NJ. The pattern is #03 from their Spring/Summer 2014 pattern book (#166). I used Ecoton in Curcuma. The pattern is quite easy, and it goes fast. Just 2 pieces; front and back; 4 seams - 2 shoulder seams and 2 side seams. Finished in time for our summer vacation!

Sammi's Stash Reduction Initiative: May 2014 Project Update

Sammi's Stash Reduction Initiative: May 2014 Project Update: It's been a while since I've posted anything here, but I am knitting away. Here are some of the projects I've completed from Apr...

May 2014 Project Update

It's been a while since I've posted anything here, but I am knitting away. Here are some of the projects I've completed from April thru May.

Bayarri         

Beverly Scarf

Weekend Wrap

           

Flora

Braided Cables Capelet

Bayarri  Cardigan - from the Berrocco Design Team, the pattern is in Book #307 (Linsey). I purchased the book directly from Berrocco (when they were still offering that service), because I loved the pattern so much. However, didn't purchase the yarn until quite a bit later on, from Webs on a trip to their store during my stay in Hartford for Stitches East (I think 2010/2011?). The yarn was in their sale room, so the price was right!

Maggiknits Beverly Scarf - purchased the scarf as a kit, which included a matching scarf slide, from Maggi Jackson's website. She was having a sale on certain items, and since I loved making her other scarves, I thought I would try this one. It's in linen, so perfect for the warmer weather.

Weekend Wrap - Purchased the pattern (from Cocoknits) and the cotton tape yarn (Lang Sol Degrade) from Knit-a-Bit in Westfield, during the N.J. Wool Walk. Quick project, fun to make, and ideal for the summer.

Flora - a scarf/shawl pattern from Lori Versaci, I made the smaller (scarf) version. Purchased the pattern from Ravelry, and the yarn from Down Cellar in Basking Ridge, during the N.J. Wool Walk.

Braided Cables Capelet - the pattern is from the Premier issue (2011) of Knitwear magazine. It's the cover photo. I purchased the yarn (Swans Island Natural Colors Merino Bulky in Russet) during Super Bowl weekend this year from Down Cellar. Didn't have a project in mind. Just liked the color and the feel of the yarn. I only bought 5 skeins (that's all they had), so I used Ravelry to search for a pattern. Luckily I already had the magazine.

February/March 2014 Project Update

Molly Hat

Toby Roxane KAL

Zoe 3-in-1 Dress

Molly Hat - Purchased a skein of String Theory Caper Aran at Stitches East in 2012 for a class. However, I didn't need the yarn, so i searched Ravelry for a hat pattern, and found the Molly Hat.

Toby Roxane KAL - Toby's first KAL on Ravelry. Used Tosh Merino Light left over from previous projects. However, had to purchase more yarn to finish it up.

Zoe 3-in-1 Dress - I used Dancing Leaf Farms hand-dyed yarn purchased at Rhinebeck last October, with the intention of making a dress they had on display. However, the dress would have been too small, so I searched Ravelry and found this wonderful pattern. the top has a cable motif  that are actually owls, and a lace trim at the bottom. I made the dress version, but the pattern includes versions for a tunic length as well as a romper/jumpsuit. It's needed from the top down, so it can be lengthed (or shortened) after the fact. Fun to make!

January 2014 Project Update

Challah Scarf

Gradient Cowl

O'Connor Scarf

Challah Infinity Scarf - The pattern is on Ravelry, and I purchased the yarn at Uncommon Threads in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Gradient Cowl - The yarn was purchased at The Blue Purl in Madison, N.J., and the pattern was free with the purchase. Started and completed this project over New Year's week.

Maggiknits O'Connor Scarf - This kit from Maggie Jackson was purchased at Stitches East in 2012. Finally got around to making it.