Persimmon nearly done

Just a bit more to go and it's done.  The only thing I really have left is the buttons and any embellishments I decide to add.  I like the fit and love the color. Simply Soft always has a wonderfully soft feel and is perfect for Fall temperatures.

Keep stitchin'

Persimmon

Getting back into blogging seems to be a bit difficult for me but I'm trying.
My latest project is a top-down cardi in garter stitch.  I using the seamless method that Britt Schmiesing teaches with her cardi Seelie.   The instructions are very easy to follow and several have been made by ravelry members.  I found Britt when I went on a hunt for a top-down cardi that creates the button band along with the sweater rather than picking up stitches afterwards.  So was born Persimmon which is the name of the colorway of the yarn,  it's Caron Simply Soft.
The knit work was going pretty fast until I got to the sleeves.  I've ripped them several times trying to get the perfect fit.  The real problem came in when I decided that I should be knitting them in the round rather than back and forth like the body.  Mind you, this is after I got about an inch past the elbow!  The first sleeve was almost done. Once I started knitting in the round I noticed the stitches didn't look the same, I hated the look.  I finally realized its because the sleeve must be knit back and forth in order to blend with rest of the sweater.other than that the body is finished.  I remembered to mark the button band side so that I won't end up with buttons and holes that don't line up evenly.
This  is going to be a nice Fall sweater.

Keep stitchin'

Verdure

My latest cardi, using the Sweet pattern is Verdure. I came up with the name because I wanted something that means green with having to use the word. It's an opportunity to add a new word to my vocabulary.

Verdure-

- The fresh-green color of growing things; greenness
- Green growing plants and trees; green vegetation
- Vigorous or flourishing condition
- The lush greenness of flourishing vegetation.
- Vigorous greenery.
- A fresh or flourishing condition

I made the sweater holding two strands of yarn together throughout. Of course the sweater itself was easy because I've made nearly ten projects using this pattern/formula. I love the huge handmade buttons and applique that I made to dress the sweater up a bit.

Think I want pockets on the next one!

Keep stitchin'

Autumn Winds

Another sweater done. Of course it's top down construction based on the sweet formula. I wanted a nice fitted look but not button down. I think I got it.

Keep stitchin'

Completed sweater

Finally getting around to posting pics of my last sweater. It's been one of those weird times when I don't want to do much of anything but sit in front of the TV and crochet. So now that I'm back on track, kinda, I'm posting.
I think it came out very nice. I still have not put buttons on but I went to Jo-Ann's yesterday and bought bone rings to make them. I saw a cool pattern right there at the store to show you how to make the buttons. I shouldn't have any trouble making something similar.

Keep stitchin'

Red, White & Black

Well, I was supposed to be working on The Chevron Lace Cardigan based on the pattern and software download by Milobo http://milobo.wordpress.com/ I am not happy with my yarn choice. Someone gave me some Reynolds Lopi Lite which is 100% wool. I have never worked with 100% wool before so it takes some getting used to. So I frogged it, toss it aside and started looking for idea for something else.

I don't do New Year's Resolutions, too disappointing, I do Life Changes. So this year's life changes in the craft department include working with colors and texture and better fit. I also look forward to trying crochet with wire and beads.

Anyway, yesterday I started a cardigan based on the Sweet pattern by Amy Houck http://crochetme.com/sweet.

I can't get enough of this pattern. Any beginning can used this pattern and make the perfect sweater on the first try. In this one sweater, I have already achieved my 'life change'. I have colors, texture and the fit is awesome. I thing of either making this a twin set with matching shell or mock twin set with the inset shell front.

Here is a closer shot of the texture I added with a simple twists of the switches. This whole design is inspired by fellow member on Ravelry that I added to my fav's. I hope she doesn't mind. But thanks Riotflower http://www.ravelry.com/projects/riotflower/sweet-sweater
















I bought a skein of Paton's Grace yesterday. I just want to experiment with it, get a feel for it and maybe that will make a great lacy cardigan for spring. My son and his girlfriend have adopted a godchild so maybe it would be good to make a cute little jumper or cardi for her. I think if I wanted to make a sweater for myself I'd want to use two strands together just to bulk it some a bit so it would take to freaking long to get it done. But isn't beautiful! Lots of lilac, lavender, white, and sky blue. Of course all these colors probably go by different names but I'm old school.

Keep stitchin'