Puffed Sleeve Cardi

I finished knitting this about a month ago but didn't get around to taking a picture until now. Partly because I kept forgetting and partly because it's been too hot to model wool. Anyway, here it is!

Pattern: Puffed Sleeve Cardigan from Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel
Size: 34 inches
Yarn: Knitpicks Swish DK (superwash merino wool), 6 balls (should've used 7 balls)
Needles: Size 6 (4mm) and size 4 (3.5mm)

Back in April, I cast on for this project and thought I'd be done within the month. If I'd worked on this monogamously, maybe that would have happened. Instead, I had a few other WIPS to combat the boredom of the plain stockinette knitting at the raglan increases. There were times when it seemed neverending. Eventually, I hunkered down and focused, so that by the end of May, the end was in sight. Except I ran out of yarn.

I originally ordered 5 balls of yarn because that's what was called for in the pattern. Yeah, I know I should've bought one more ball just in case, but I didn't. Great, I probably wouldn't be able to match the dye lot either. Now I had to order one ball from Knitpicks, but that just seemed like a waste of an order. I'd need to bulk up the order to make it worthwhile, so say the yarn fumes. So, I placed my order, received my green yarn (they ran out of my dye lot), and continued knitting. Except I started to run short while I knitted the last bit, the button bands!!! My emotions ran from panic to disbelief. Would I really have to order one more ball just to finish a few measly rows??

The solution? I dove into my stash and pulled out some leftover charcoal grey Cascade 220 and used that to finish off the button band. Hopefully the grey strip on the button band looks like a "design feature". Also, to add to the stress, the cardigan was too small for me, until I washed and blocked it out. Blocking works wonders! But prior to that, the too-tight cardigan was adding insult to injury to this whole process.

Many weeks have passed since then. Today, I really like my FO and have already worn it in public. Who knew it would cause so much trouble?! At least it fits me.

Renegade Craft Fair!

This looks fun! I wonder how much yarn/knitting-related things will be for sale?! Still, it'll be fun to check out.

Granny Square

Tonight, I suddenly had the urge to crochet something. I haven't crocheted in years and don't really know anything beyond the basics. Even then, I make up stitches. What's a hdc?? Half double crochet? Wouldn't that be a single crochet? Whatever, I made up my own version, which I've already forgotten! Oh well.

It was pretty fun to crochet this granny square, which will be a smallish wash cloth. I have an old Red Heart pamplet (acquired from my aunt) from the 1960's or 70's with a few crochet patterns. One of which is how to make a granny square. Super easy. Just double crochets around and around. Plus, I used up ALL of my leftover dishcloth yarn scraps.

For me, I finished this in record time! An hour or two? Crochet can be so quick. Sure beats the cardigan I finished knitting last night. Needs blocking and buttons, but it's done. That's a saga worth its own post next time.


Granny Square
Yarn: Lily Sugar and Cream cotton
Crochet Hook: 5mm

Small Socks

Baby Socks
Pattern: basic sock construction but sized (guesstimated) by me
Size: toddler foot but infant leg?? Size unknown until child arrives
Yarn: ~20grams Trekking XXL
Needles: 2.75mm

Baby shower today. I've never made baby socks before, so I thought why not? I like to knit socks and tiny socks would be fun. I really don't know when these socks will the fit the baby. The foot is 4 inches long and so is the leg. Could be infant knee highs? Maybe the foot is toddler size? We'll find out over the next year.

Emma

I'm Emma?? I can't believe it! She's the character I like least, other than Marianne Dashwood. I've always identified more with Anne (Persuasion) or Elizabeth (P&P). Ack!

Take the Quiz here!

1000 Yard Challenge

Although I haven't blogged much, I definitely have been knitting. I succeeded in the May 1000 yard challenge! Yay! Well, according to my own definition of finishing, that is. In April, I joined a group of knitters who wanted to decrease their yarn stash numbers by at least 1000 yards in one month. Although there weren't any hard and fast rules, I didn't count yardage until I considered my project as a Finished Object. I didn't count any yarn that was in a WIP.

In April, I finished off 600 yards, although I had about three unfinished projects on the needles going into May.

2 dishtowels- 200 yards

BSJ and hat- 400 yards

Puffed Sleeve Cardigan- WIP

Monkey socks- WIP

more dishtowels- WIP

For May, I did finish off two projects and almost finished my cardigan. Except I ran out of yarn for the cardigan. I need to order one more ball of yarn from Knitpicks to finish the button bands and the short sleeves. Although the cardigan is technically unfinished, I'm counting it out of my stash for May. I've slaved away at it for two months and used up all my yarn for this project. There's no way it's going back into my stash after this anyway. End total for May: 1165 yards

2 more dishtowels- 200 yards

Monkey socks- 350 yards

Puffed Sleeve Cardigan- 615 yards

Clapotis- WIP

I have approximately 10,235 yards of yarn at home. Not bad. It's on the low side compared to most knitters.

Here's another stashbusting tip. Decorate gifts with pom poms!

Monkey See, Monkey TWO!

Pattern specs:
Monkey socks by Cookie A
Yarn: Lisa Souza Hardtwist Merino in Awwtum
Needles: size 2 (2.75mm)

Earlier this year, I made a pair of these socks for my aunt. Although I rarely knit a pattern more than once, I liked the pattern so much that I knit a pair for myself. This is hand dyed sock yarn from Lisa Souza's booth at Stitches West. I really love how the pattern shows off the variegated colors! The Awwtum colorway seems a bit brighter than the autumn colors I would normally think of. There's more pink in it than I initially realized. It's not a problem at all. Just the fun surprise as colors mix and match as you work.