Sampler Stole

Pattern: Sampler Stole by Hazel Carter
Book: A Gathering of Lace

Yarn Brand: Jaggerspun
Yarn Name: Zephyr
Yarn Colorway: Red

Needle: Size 3 US (3.25 mm)
Dimensions: Long
Recipient: My sister ("was" for her wedding present, but "now" it's for a first born)

The shawl is broken up into 3 parts. This is the main pattern:

And then it's capped on top by lace samplers.

And the bottom:

Cascading Petal Scarf

Pattern: Cascading Petal Scarf by Berta Karapetyan
Book: Runway Knits

Yarn Brand: Karabella
Yarn Name: Lace Mohair
Yarn Colorway: White

Needle: Size 8 US (5.0 mm)
Dimensions: 80" Long
Recipient: Nancy's Knits

Helical Hat

Pattern: Helical Hat by Kenny Chua
Magazine: Knitter's Magazine 97, Winter 2009

Yarn Brand: Mountain Colors
Yarn Name: 4/8's Wool
Yarn Name: Twizzle
Yarn Name: River Twist

Yarn Colorway (Brown): 1 ball each MOUNTAIN COLORS 4/8's Wool in Copper, Twizzle in Red Tail Hawk, River Twist in Trout Creek
Yarn Colorway (Red): 1 ball each MOUNTAIN COLORS 4/8's Wool in Brick, Twizzle in Wilderness, River Twist in Pine Creek

Needle: Size 6 US (4.0 mm) and Size 4 US (3.5 mm)
Dimensions: 19" and 21"
Recipient: Knitter's Magazine

Here is the Ravelry Button for it too!

Doubled Chullo

Pattern: Doubled Chullo by Kenny Chua

Magazine: Interweave Knits, Holiday Gifts 2009

Yarn Brand: Misti International
Yarn Name: Alpaca Worsted
Yarn Colorway: #M600 autumn woods mélange (A); #2105 moss gray mélange (B); #7912 forest green worsted (C). Size 20": Color B (MC), 3 skeins; colors A and C, 1 skein each. Size 22": color A (MC), 3 skeins; colors B and C, 1 skein each.

Yarn Content: 100% alpaca
Yardage: 1 ball = 109 yd [118 m]/50 g
Quantity: 4 balls = 436 yards (472 m)

Needle: Size 6 US (4.0 mm) and Size 4 US (3.5 mm)
Dimensions: 20" and 22"
Recipient: Interweave Knits and Sergio Sosa

Here is the Ravelry Button for it too!

Franklin

Pattern: Franklin by Jane Ellison
Book: The Queensland Collection Book 9

Yarn Brand: Jo Sharp
Yarn Name: Silk Road DK Tweed
Yarn Colorway: 402 Serpentine
Yarn Content: 85% Wool, 10% Silk, and 5% Cashmere
Yardage: 50g; 147 yards
Quantity: 11 balls (1617 yards)
Needle: Size 6 US (4.0 mm)
Size: Small
Recipient: Me

Trim Yarn
Yarn Brand: Classic Elite Yarns
Yarn Name: '03 Tweed
Yarn Colorway: #5903
Yarn Content: 65% wool, 20% nylon, and 15% acrylic
Yardage: 50g; 143 yards
Quantity: 1 ball

Project Notes:
THE GOOD
Awesome patterning. That's what I can say about Franklin. Much attention was given to the raglan detail and how it seamed up. Looks so good on the model and that's why I actually chose to make it.

Wonderful addition of the contrasting colored trim. I think the trim makes the sweater pop.

The BAD
The sizing information in this book really needs to be revised. The MAJOR complain that I have, actually MAJOR enough for me to chuck this sweater and never wear it at all.... is how tight the armcye is! The armhole depth needs to be deeper. A LOT deeper. So, I looked through the book and found that Jane sized ALL her sweaters with the same sleeve length and body lengths. So, I am going to assume that every sweater in the book is going to feel VERY tight under the underarm.


I do not like the way the gray trim was attached to the sweater. It just says to bind off with the different color. That to me is not enough. You can see the purl bumps on the other side and you can see the blue through the gray bind off.

Changes that I've made
I tubularly cast on for the sleeves and the hem of the sweater. Much more professional finish look. However, I was dissapointed with the trim around the color and the placket. I couldn't really figure out another better way of attaching the trim so that it looks more professionally finished.

Things that I would change
I would definitely look at row gauge the next time. I love all the sweaters in the book, but I would really need to revise how deep her arm holes are. So for example, I need to make a size SMALL for the body, but like a size LARGE for the sleeves, but at the same time, not make the whole sleeve baggy, but retaining the depth of the armhole. It's all hind sight now, but I would love to embark on another of her sweaters (Beck..... :) )

Easton Square

Yarn Brand: Lionbrand
Yarn Name: Vanna's Choice Solids
Yarn Colorway: Olive
Yarn Content: 100% recycled tires
Yardage: 3.5 oz/100g; 170 yd/156 m balls
Quantity: 1.5 balls

Needle: Size 7 US (4.5 mm)
Dimensions: 15" x 15"
Recipient: Easton Mountain

Project Notes:
This is part of the Men’s Spring Knitting Retreat 2009 project. Participants of the retreat make a 15” x 15” square and when we go to the retreat on May 14th, we will all put it together as an afghan as a gift of appreciation for the lodge that we’re staying at: Easton Mountain.

Sculptured Lace Scarf

Pattern: Sculptured Lace Scarf by Kenny Chua
Magazine: Interweave Knits, Spring 2009

Yarn Brand: Classic Elite
Yarn Name: Wool Bam Boo
Yarn Colorway: #1603 Flint
Yarn Content: 50% wool 50% bamboo
Yardage: 1 ball = 50 g (3.5 oz) = 118 yards (108 m)
Quantity: 4 balls = 472 yards (432 m)

Needle: Size 5 US (3.75 mm)
Dimensions: Approximately 5.5" wide, 61" long
Recipient: Interweave Knits

Project Notes:
I'm adding some close-up shots of the design to showcase what the pattern really looks like up close.

Here is the Ravelry Button for it too!

Forest Path Stole

Pattern: Forest Path Stole by Faina Letoutchaia
Book: The Best of Interweave Knits: Our Favorite Designs from the First Ten Years

Recommended Yarn Information
Yarn Brand: The Alpaca Yarn Company
Yarn Name: Suri Elegance
Yarn Colorway: #0100 White House
Yarn Content: 100% Suri Alpaca
Yardage: 1 skein = 100 g (3.5 oz) = 875 yards (800 m)
Quantity: 3 skeins = 2625 yards (2400 m)

Yarn Substitution Information
Yarn Brand: Karabella
Yarn Name: Supercashmere Fine
Yarn Colorway: #5111 (pale green)
Yarn Content: 100% Cashmere
Yardage: 1 ball = 0.88 oz (25 g) = 202 yards (187 m)
Quantity: 9 balls = 1818 yards

Needle: Size 4 US (3.5 mm) (KnitPicks Harmony)
Dimensions: Approximately 24" wide, 70" long (before blocking)
Project Duration: 06/03/2008 - 12/25/2008 (7 months 22 days)
Recipient: Nancy's Knits

Project Notes:
I revised the method to join the edging to the stole. Instead of the method in the book, I slipped one, knitted (purled) 1, and psso.

Nothing much else to say, it was great yarn and a pretty simple project.

Annie's Sweater

Pattern: Doggie's Soy Silk Sweater
Book: Men Who Knit and the Dogs Who Love Them

Recommended Yarn Information
Yarn Brand: South West Trading Company
Yarn Name: Karaoke
Yarn Content: 50% SOY SILK, 50% wool
Yardage: 1 skein = 50 g (1.8 oz) = 109 yards (100m)

Yarn Substitution Information
Yarn Brand: Lion Brand
Yarn Name: Vanna's Choice
Yarn Colorway: Dusty Blue, Olive, Taupe and Chocolate
Yarn Content: 100% Acrylic
Yardage: 1 skein = 170 yards

Needle: Size 7 US (4.5 mm) and 8 US (5.0mm)

Gauge: 4 sts = 1 inch in stockinette

Project Duration: 10/25/2008 - 10/31/2008 (7 days non stop knitting)

Recipient: Annie

Project Notes:
OK, this is the post where I have to spill the beans. After making 2 of these, for many reasons (I love my dog, I love my BFF, I love my Burner etc.....) I came to a conclusion that developing knitter's intuition over the 3 years of knitting really pays off.

DISCLAIMER:
First of all, I am not here to name names or to blame names or to say anything malicious. I just knitted the pattern and am just presenting the facts to the best of my knowledge. This pattern has been so heavily modified that I can say the only thing original about the pattern are the 3 sections of color and the 3 sections of texture.

I am not sure if I would even call this errata or not, because the pattern just DOES NOT MATCH the picture! That's one point. And the next, I've come to realize that knitting to fit dogs is even more difficult than knitting to fit human beings. You have here, a pattern that is supposedly suited for any dog ranging from a miniature Yorkie to a long and lanky Greyhound.

So, like I said, no names mentioned and no one to blame, I had to tailor fit the garment to each Burner (85 lbs long and lengthy Greyhound) and Annie (16 lbs Schnauzer and Whippet [I think] mix). I had to throw all shaping that was in the pattern out the window as it did not work for me. The dog shown in the picture was short and stout. Both the dogs I was knitting for had very narrow chests and they were tall, long and lanky.

So, basically, here's how I did it. I made a neck measurement, a chest measurement, a girth measurement and a belly measurement.

Using the ribbing gauge, I cast on what was appropriate for the neck, worked in 2x2 ribbing till the beginning of the chest and then started the 5 eyelet pattern. Now for Annie, her chest was so small that I only did a 4 eyelet pattern.

Then at the widest point of the chest, I did a reverse stockinette stripe just like the picture, even though the pattern said to continue in stockinette.

Then I started ribbing again, creating the armholes and then closing the armholes and then very very carefully, started the shaping the body.

Here is where I am extremely proud of myself. I manage to do short rows in ribbing for Burner because of the substantial dip in size from his girth to his belly. Then I also managed to shape in ribbing, creating a rather pretty (I must say) tree looking structure when finished.

Then after that, I just bound off in ribbing.

Phew, I know, that's a lot. So, I would suggest to anyone who wants to knit this pattern, make sure you measure your dog first or else if you follow the pattern to a T, it WILL NOT look like the picture nor will it fit your dog right, unless you used the same dog in the picture.

Please contact me if you need any more clarification of this post.

I'm not used to writing long posts, but this time, I had to do justice to the sweaters made. Like most, I usually like more pictures than words.

Happy Knitting.

Burner's Sweater

Pattern: Doggie's Soy Silk Sweater
Book: Men Who Knit and the Dogs Who Love Them

Recommended Yarn Information
Yarn Brand: South West Trading Company
Yarn Name: Karaoke
Yarn Content: 50% SOY SILK, 50% wool
Yardage: 1 skein = 50 g (1.8 oz) = 109 yards (100m)

Yarn Substitution Information
Yarn Brand: Lion Brand
Yarn Name: Vanna's Choice
Yarn Colorway: Dusty Blue, Olive, Taupe and Chocolate
Yarn Content: 100% Acrylic
Yardage: 1 skein = 170 yards

Needle: Size 7 US (4.5 mm) and 8 US (5.0mm)

Gauge: 4 sts = 1 inch in stockinette

Project Duration: 10/11/2008 - 10/19/2008 (8 days non stop knitting)

Recipient: BFF

Project Notes:
Separate Post

Little Coriolis

Pattern: Little Coriolis
Designer: Cat Bordhi
Book: New Pathways for Sock Knitters - Book One

Yarn Brand: Lilly Chin Signature Collection
Yarn Name: Grammercy
Yarn Colorway: 7543
Yarn Content: 100% Superwash Merino wool
Yardage: 1 ball = 1.75 oz (50g) = 127 yards (116 m)

Yarn Source: Nancy's Knits
Amount of yarn purchased: 1 ball

Amount of yarn used: Less than a ball

Needle: Size 6 US (mm) (KnitPicks Classic and Harmony)

Project Duration: 09/05/2008 - 09/07/2008 (3 days)

Recipient: Maybe Steven Stuart

Ironwork Socks

Pattern: Ironwork Socks
Designer: Kelly Porpiglia

Yarn Brand: Schoeller + Stahl
Yarn Name: Fortissima 4 fache
Yarn Colorway: 295 (Gray)
Yarn Content: 75% Virgin Wool, 25% Polyamide
Yardage: 1 ball = 1.75 oz (50g) = 230 yards (210 m)

Yarn Source: Nancy's Knits, Houston, TX
Amount of yarn purchased: 2 balls

Amount of yarn used: 1 ball for 1 sock

Needle: Size US 1 1/2 (2.5 mm) 2 24" circulars (ADDIS)

Gauge: 9 sts / 11 rows = 1 inch in stockinette stitch

Dimensions: Medium

Project Duration: Started = 10/02/2007 - 02/07/2008 (4 months)

Recipient: Myself

Project Notes:
This was a hard hard hard pattern!!!!

Baby Surprise Jackets

Pattern: Baby Surprise Jacket #1 & #2
Book: The Opinionated Knitter by Elizabeth Zimmermann

Yarn Brand: Cascade
Yarn Name: Sierra
Yarn Colorway: 64, 08, 18
Yarn Content: 80% Cotton 20% Wool
Amount of yarn used: 6 balls (1 ball = 190 yards)

Yarn Source: Nancy's Knits, Houston TX

Needle: Size 6 US (4.0 mm)

Gauge: 5 stitches = 1 inches in Garter Stitch

Project Duration: 01/11/2008 - 02/01/2008 (20 days)

Project Notes:
Well guys, this was certainly a very interesting knit. The engineering that went into the conception of this sweater was just phenomenal. Leave it to EZ!

But there were a couple of things. First I interpreted her pattern into a little spreadsheet which totally helped me out with stitch count and row count. And I know it's perfectly correct because I used Excel formulas and the numbers match EZ's pattern. The spreadsheet is posted here.

The I made a modification on the part where you knit 90 stitches for 10 ridges..... I had to do 12, because I anally wanted the stripes to match up.

Also, I didn't knit up to the 90 stitches and start knitting that part down, I simply placed the side stitches on a holder and knitted the 90 stitches right off so that the sides will become symmetrical.

And one last thing that I did was on the 2nd sweater, I made the wrong side, the right side. In other words, all the increasing and decreasing were done on the wrong side. I like it better that way. Knitters choice.

And finally, I touched up the collar with a crocheted edge. I KNOW!!! Travesty! I wanted to do the original I-Cord all the way around, but it just seemed too bulky.

That's about it folks. Ask me any questions if you have any.

PS: Buttons are a bitch to find!!!! The cute little toggle buttons that are on there cost as much as all the yarn put together!!!! Ridiculous. But aren't they cute?

Model Knitting for Lorna's Laces - Camo Crew

Pattern: Camo Crew by Edie Eckman
Book: Lorna's Laces

Yarn Brand: Lorna's Laces
Yarn Name: Shepherd Worsted
Yarn Colorway: Edgewater (New Color)
Yarn Content: 100% Superwash Wool
Amount of yarn used: 7 balls (1 ball = 225 yards)

Yarn Source: Lorna's Laces

Needle: Size 6, 7 US 16", 24" (Addis)

Gauge: 4.5 stitches = 1 inches in Dash Stitch pattern

Project Duration: 11/05/2007 - 12/15/2007 (35 days! Fast for me)

Project Notes:
I tell you what ya'll, I've been DYING to blog about this, but it had to be kept top secret, per Lorna's Laces.

This is just a basic unisex crew neck pullover knit with a simple "dash" stitch.

But the true purpose of this project was to showcase a new colorway from Lorna's Laces. I think it was called Edgewater but I think they renamed it to Blackwatch. Whatever the name is, this is the color. Super cool!!!!

So, here are some more pictures of the sweater that took me 35 days to complete, pretty darn good for an entire sweater while working and working out and meetings and everything.

Look, I even did a tubular bind off for the collar. I think it was a pretty nice job. I had to do my best, especially for someone like Lorna's Laces!!!!

David's Hat

Pattern: My Own Design, Hat for friend David
Reference Books: Knitting Workshop, Knitting Without Tears, Brooklyntweed, Eunny Jang

Yarn Brand: Knit Picks
Yarn Name: Wool of the Andes
Yarn Colorway: Coal and Daffodil
Yarn Content: 100% Peruvian Wool
Yardage: 1 ball = 1.75 oz (50g) = 110 yards (100 m)

Yarn Source: Knit Picks
Amount of yarn purchased: 2 balls Coal, 1 ball Daffodil (7 oz = 440 yards)
Yarn Cost: $1.99/ball (x 3 = $6.00)



Yarn Brand: Knit Picks
Yarn Name: Andean Silk
Yarn Colorway: Olive
Yarn Content:55% Super Fine Alpaca, 23% Silk, 22% Merino Wool
Yardage: 1 ball = 96 yards/50 gram ball

Yarn Source: Knit Picks
Amount of yarn purchased: 1 ball Olive (96 Yards)
Yarn Cost: $4.29/ball (x 1 = $4.29)

Needle: Size US 5 (3.75 mm) and US 7 (4.50mm) (16" Circular Addi Turbos)

Gauge: 4" = 21 stitches, 1" = 4.5 stitches

Dimensions: 21" head Circumference

Project Duration: Started = 12/24/2007 - 12/28/2007 (4 days!)

Recipient: David

Project Notes:
Alot of what I have said has already been for mentioned in the last post. But I have a few more things to add.

Well, first to summarize.

A hem is knitted, then a purl ridge and then turned and joined. The inside of the hem is made of a softer merino silk combo which I think would be more comfortable to the wearer's ears.


Then, from my ass, I pull this out:


And then it becomes a blur how I closed the crown. But all in all it looks nice. Even on the inside:


There are 2 improvements which I can see being made for this cap. Maybe the next time, I won't knit such a wide hem, because it pushes the Norwegian pattern way up to the crown and it becomes difficult to see. But then, if the hem wasn't wide enough, it the softness wouldn't cover the whole ear, so I might have to improvise and knit the hem with the same width but somehow, skilfully, masterfully, cleverly join it to the body, IN THE MIDDLE of the color pattern. We'll try that another time.

The other improvement that I think I should investigate is the color jog between rounds. I know that are tons of information out there especially by Meg Swansen on how to close the jog, but I just didn't bother with it. But it is barely noticeable because these aren't striping patterns. Apparently they show more with striping patterns.

3rd you may ask, how I came up with this. Well, the recipient has been bugging me about knitting him something, ever since I started knitting, I hadn't knitted anything for anyone really. He wanted an Kenny original. He wanted his alma mater colors, black and yellow, and if possible, incorporate his favorite color green into it. And he's a cheap ass, so he wanted an affordable cap.

I said, fair enough, if I'm going to be experimenting on you, I would also like to go cheap. And it would be my gift to you. So I bought the yarn. So, I figured that instead of a plain ribbed hat, I add the Zimmerman's touch of the turned 2 color hem so I could incorporate the softer green color. Then instead of just a plain ol' yellow stripe, I will dip my toes into stranded knitting. Well, and I guess it turned out to be a win win situation. David gets a hat and I get to try new techniques!

I will be giving David his hat tomorrow and I will post a picture of him wearing it. I hope it fits!

Whitby

Pattern: Whitby by Nancy Bush

Reference Books: Knitting On The Road

Yarn Brand: Conjoined Creations
Yarn Name: Flat Feet - to be released January 2008
Yarn Colorway: 9
Yarn Content: 80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon
Yardage: Flat machine knitting sheet - 100 g

Yarn Source: Conjoined Creations

Needle Size: 2 1/2 US (2.75 mm) " (INOX)

Project Duration: Started = 11/02/2007 - 11/18/2007 (17 days for 1 sock)

Recipient: Test Knit - Conjoined Creations

Project Notes:
So, this is a very interesting knit.

The pattern is simple and pretty, not complicated. Nancy Bush sure has some nice sock patterns, the only problem I have with her is that she doesn't do multiple sizes. All of the pattern in Knitting on the Road come in just 1 size. But anyways, I don't really want to talk about the pattern, but more of how the yarn is presented to the knitter.

I'm not quite sure what the "official" statement by Conjoined Creations is, but here is my take on the concept.

Somebody gets some yarn, feeds it into a knitting machine and produces a blank sheet of knitting. Then some artistic person will randomly paint/dye colors on it blending, blotting, splotching like so:

Then after it is all dry and ready to go, you just knit straight from the flat sheet. Interesting concept huh?

But of course, there are pros and cons and they are purely my opinion. Lets talk about the good stuff first. No knots. Easy and flat transportation of yarn, your yarn is not in a huge yarn cake. And knitting from a sheet is fun! Unravelling and then reknitting.

Now the drawback to all of this is that you are knitting with really really kinked up yarn. Unravelling and rewinding it into a ball would defeat the whole purpose, but it's really not that bad you know, because the kinks will be solved once you block the sock, which I did.

Another thing which could be a pro or a con is that how you paint the blank will determine how your sock will come out. That might be exciting for some, who live life riskfully and will take color chances, but it would drive someone like me nuts, who MUST know if the way I paint it will stripe or pool the sock. And then I guess another good thing about this is the ease of dying the yarn itself. So much easier painting a flat piece than the conventional way of dying yarn. But I will never dye yarn, so I wouldn't have to worry about this.

Baby Doll Sweater Project (Yoke Saddle Shoulder, Body First Method)

Pattern: Baby Doll Sweater Project (Yoke Saddle Shoulder, Body First Method)

Reference Books: Knitting from the Top by Barbara Walker

Front:

Back:

Yarn Brand: Bryspun (I am SOOOOOO sick of this yarn now!)
Yarn Name: Kid -n- Ewe
Yarn Colorway: Blue
Yarn Content: 50% Wool and 50% Kid Mohair
Yardage: 1 ball = 1.75 oz (50g) = 120 yards (110 m)

Yarn Source: Stash

Amount of yarn used: ?? ball

Needle: Size 6 US (3.8 mm) - INOX

Project Duration: 08/19/2007 - 8/30/2007 (11 days)

Recipient: Prototype

Project Notes:
First of all:

YUCK!!!!!

This is SOOOOO not was I was envisioning. I wanted this:

Not lumpy bumpy crap like this:

Look how horrible the saddle turned out!! All rolling and bumpy like this.

What went wrong? Should I start doubting Miss Walker or was it all to be blamed by poor knitting? I totally followed instructions and to be honest, I am SOOOOO glad I did this prototype first instead of knitting it with my nice yarn.

Ok, now the scientist comes out of me. Analytically, there could be several reasons for the fugliness of this sweater.

1. Proportion is all out of whack. Maybe the yoke needs to be longer and wider. Sleeves need to be smaller, underarm needs to be wider???
   
2. Number of stitches picked up for the sleeve was too many, hence the gigantic and puffy shoulders.

Those are really the only 2 things that I can think of.

And what's up with the diagonal line? I didn't do that!

I'm really frustrated!!!! The sweater construction for this baby did not work at all.

But let's find the silver lining and talk about some of the good things that I incorporated into this baby.

Well, there is the Celtic Braid:


Then there is the 3 stitch applied I-cord collar with no see through coloring. (Video tutorial to come if I can ever figure it out!)


As opposed to this:


The Mocked Braided Applied I-Cord Edging.


And a faux seam.


But a BAD color jog which I need to figure out how to fix.

So, this is not one of The Boy Who Knits successes. A lot to learn from this one. So, this is the last picture I leave you for now.

Baby Doll Sweater Project (Set-In Sleeve, Simultaneous Method)

Pattern: Baby Doll Sweater Project (Set-In Sleeve, Simultaneous Method)
Reference Books: Knitting from the Top by Barbara Walker

Yarn Brand: Bryspun
Yarn Name: Kid -n- Ewe
Yarn Colorway: 610 Brown
Yarn Content: 50% Wool and 50% Kid Mohair
Yardage: 1 ball = 1.75 oz (50g) = 120 yards (110 m)

Yarn Source: Stash

Amount of yarn used: 1 ball

Needle: Size 6 US (3.8 mm) - INOX

Project Duration: 08/10/2007 - 8/19/2007 (9 days)

Recipient: Prototype

Project Notes:
So, this was a very interesting sweater to knit, technique wise. First of all, let's talk about proportion. The problem with Barbara Walker is that she asks that you try your knitting on as you go along, and the guidelines that she gives, like "increase till about 1 inch", are for real human beings. As I don't have a doll, the shoulders are drastically sloped by short rows and the arms turned out to be freakishly huge. Well, the lessons learn!

Ok, now I want to talk about some other issues I have with this project. As mentioned in my previous post, I had some issues with Short Rowing. Dave has been so gracious to help by providing me links to several sites with videos on how to do short rows. He also brought to my attention that it wasn't my wrapping that was the problem, it was me picking up the wraps afterwards that was rather sloppy. Note red circles.

Dave, if you don't mind, I'm going to share these links you gave me in this post. I will make you proud of my next short row!!!

• Wrapping, Turning & Concealing
• Double Wrapping

The next issue I have is the various methods of making a seamless set-in sleeve from the top down that Barb provides.

1. Body first
2. Sleeve first
3. Simultaneously

Of course, I thought knitting this whole thing at once would be quicker and more fun, so I opted for option 3. Don't like it at all!! Look!!!

The section where the stitches were picked up look dramatically different once the simultaneous knitting starts and it is pivoted with a bulge at the connect points. While the pro for this method is no short rowing on the sleeve cap, it does make an ugly set in sleeve. So, my next baby doll project would be actually trying to carve out a set in sleeve. We'll see.

And like I said, I like to experiment and I experimented on Applied I-Cords, courtesy of Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitting Glossary DVD. Let me bring to your attention a couple of things. Take a look at the red circles.

This problem is very visible when you have the applied I-Cord in a different color. See the brown peeking out? There is a solution for this. As you can see, on purpose, I made these brown spots poke out to illustrate my point. Maybe I'll write a tutorial on how to hide them. But for now, just send me an e-mail and I'll try to explain.

Also, I-Cords do not REALLY alltogether get rid of the infamous rolling of stockinette stitch. I rest my case.

And lastly, I got a little lazy with the sleeves and made short sleeves while utilizing the natural roll of the stockinette stitch as the decorative effect.

Stay tuned for the next Baby Doll Sweater Project.

Thanks for visiting and reading my blog.

The Baby Doll Sweater Project (Classic Raglan from the Top Down)

Pattern: The Baby Doll Sweater Project (Classic Raglan from the Top Down)
Reference Books: Knitting from the Top by Barbara Walker

Yarn Brand: Bryspun
Yarn Name: Kid -n- Ewe
Yarn Colorway: 610 Brown
Yarn Content: 50% Wool and 50% Kid Mohair
Yardage: 1 ball = 1.75 oz (50g) = 120 yards (110 m)

Yarn Source: Stash

Amount of yarn used: 1 ball

Needle: Size 6 US (3.8 mm) - INOX, Size 5 US (3.5 mm) for hem

Project Duration: 07/28/2007 - 08/08/2007 (11 days)

Recipient: Prototype

Project Notes:
So, it was based on this post that this project was born. I was so frustrated with reading Barbara Walker's book and not being able to understand the concept of a top down sweater that I just had to make one. Since one kind of sweater precedes the other and precedes the other, I decided to start with the Classic Raglan. But you all know, I ultimately want to make the Saddle Shoulder with this yummy in my yarn box that I've held onto for so long.

So, just to summarize. The sweater is started by first casting on the stitches for the length of the back of the neck. Then increases are made at an alarming rate to form the raglan square. Following that, the square is literally folded in half and the sleeves are picked up and knitted down. After both sleeves are done, the rest of the body stitches are picked up and knit downwards till the end. - Cliff Notes version by The Boy Who Knits.

While trying to understanding the concept, my mind was also racing on what design elements would I like to throw into the final sweater? What techniques might I try?

One of them would be a knitted hem in a different color. Nice huh?

And the other would be the 1 x 1 ribbing for the neck band with the tubular cast off. This is such a handsome neckband with such a professional finish that I think that it has become a favorite!!

I might write a little tutorial on these 2 techniques if there is a request or if I'm bored. :)

So, by George, I've got it!!!! But...... there are so many other top down methods I need to know before I can get to the Saddle Shoulder. I'll get there!

Forbes Forest

Pattern: Forbes Forest by Kathy Zimmerman
Book: Scarf Style

Recommended Yarn Information
Yarn Brand: Jaeger
Yarn Name: Matchmaker Merino Double Knitting
Yarn Colorway: #890 Seaweed
Yarn Content: 100% merino
Yardage: 1 ball = 50g = 131 yards
Quantity: 5 balls = 655 yards

Yarn Substitution Information
Yarn Brand: Knit Picks
Yarn Name: Elegance
Yarn Colorway: #0980 Grass
Yarn Content: 70% Baby Alpaca, 30% Silk
Yardage: 1 ball = 50g = 110 yards (100 m)

Yarn Source: Knit Picks
Amount of yarn purchased: 6 balls = 300 g = 660 yards
Yarn Cost: $4.29/ball (x 6 = $25.74)

Amount of yarn used: 272 g = approx 600 yards

Needle: Size 4 US (3.5 mm) 24" (INOX)

Gauge: Who knows??!! I swatched until the cables looked right.

Dimensions:

Project Duration: 09/28/2005 - 12/17/2006 (1 year, 2 months, 20 days) = INSANITY!!

Recipient: We'll see who...

Project Notes:
So, this is one of my very first projects when I first started knitting. Ambitious, but a great learning experience. I knew nothing about fibre content, needle size, gauge, drape etc, they were all foreign to me. But what I learnt from this project is that you need a firmer, more solid yarn for cables. This yarn is an Alpaca Silk blend and it is too soft and flimsy for cables. So, number one, wrong choice of yarn.

So, the only way I knew how to compensate for this was to knit SUPER tight. This helped and made the cables pop a little more. So, I think that strategy worked.

I realized that I don't like alpaca. I don't like the long fibers that stick out and fuzz. So, here's another lessoned learnt.

A slight modification to this pattern. I knitted an extra full repeat, bringing it up to 40 repeats instead of 35 of the frond cable and 24 repeats instead of 21 of the zig zag cable.

And here are some poor attempts at taking good pictures. I mean, the pattern is so pretty and I just can't capture it's beauty. I guess that's why I'm not a photographer.