My first Fair Isles

I've always wanted to learn Fair Isles/Stranded knitting so I finally took the plunge.  I chickened out on the steeking, I figured it would be easier not to focus on too many skills at once.  So this sweater is a top-down, circular yoke sweater.  I'm using Knit Picks Chroma worsted yarn.  It's a very soft yarn that has that typical thin/thick characteristic of wools.

I found a hat with a simple enough flower pattern for my first design.  It's a 20-sts, 17-row pattern that was very easy to follow.  Because of the worsted weight it works up really fast.  I'm not sure if I'm going to repeat the same pattern or try another one in the body of the sweater.

I'm using Anne Budd's seamless yoke pattern from her book The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters as a guideline for my sweater.  I'm not following it to the letter, it's simply a guide.  I'm liking the process of it, very simple instructions that are easily modified to fit my color work.

It's just a coincidence that I'm wearing orange so I know it's a great color to wear with the sweater.  The solid color looks brown but it's actually a smoky gray.  I didn't think the colors worked well together when it first came in the mail.  Now working with it, it's the perfect marriage. 

Keep stitchin'

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'

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'

Sunday Best

I finally finished the little coat that I started almost two weeks ago. I had to frog and start over several times because the bottom portion was not the look I wanted. Sometimes following a pattern is easier, I don't have to think about sizing. But when I try to bring one of the ideas in my head down to my hands, something gets lost in translation or is it transportation...lol.

Anyway, Sunday Best is finished so I have to come up with a matching hat. Even though my niece is due in May, this little coat is for the colder months. I can't wait to get a photo in the entire outfit, guess that will be in a while. I think I'll have to borrow a teddy bear or something like I've seen other stitchers do.

One of the things I love about this coat is the buttons. Each little button is different because I didn't have a set of buttons to use. I went through my button bag and found one pink, one lilac and one white. With all the specks of red, yellow, blue and green in the yarn I think different color buttons work well. I also love the contrasting waistband woven through. I used this yarn as scrap stitch markers since this is another top down garment but I loved the way the colors blended and wanted to work it into the garment. I saw a few patterns online that had ribbon woven through so that's when the light went off.

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'