ZebraKnits

Diva

 

Finally, after 3 months on the dot, I get to slip this one off my needles, though it took me a bit more time to knit. The good thing is that am no longer intimidated by tiny needles or Hanne's pattern design as I was, when I fell for this design. I have to say garter stitch knitting can be a great relief and fun to knit when you know the technicalities of the pattern are rather interesting. Although I didn't go as far as counting how many stitches knit on this project, I know for sure it was a heck LOT of garter stitches! Probably the most I have put in one sweater ever since. I got used to it though and it was fun to knit.

Pattern: Diva by Hanne Falkenberg. (Raverly link). Kit #6 Cyclamen and Thunder Blue. Purchased from Cucumberpatch.

Size: Small

Yarn: Shetland wool. Used 7 balls of the Fuschia plus a bit of the Navy (still have 3 balls left).

Needles size: US 2/3mm Addi Turbo Circulars.

Modifications: None

Verdict: Actually, I am bit surprised that I followed the pattern blindly and it didn't turn out bad in any way. It is a perfect fit especially on the the bustline (!), the sleeves are slim and long enough, the collar just the right size { the creases are just from the way I folded it after blocking) and the body length right on the spot after major blocking. The only thing I found was that the body length to underarm falls a bit too short even for me (am short). If you have a long torso or slightly full bustline, it could be a bit of a problem. Blocking made a huge difference lengthening this part and I didn't bother much with blocking the rest.

Forgive me for saying this, but I simply adore this sweater a lot. Aside from the colour itself, it feels soft (in a wooly kind of way) and light. I think it's visually interesting and would make a great dress up/down sweater for any occasion. I am already planning what to wear with it next fall/winter. I also already know what colour I would use to make another one in future. I learned that you can get refills of yarn without having to buy the entire kit (the pattern).

My 7 yr old helped me with the photos { I set her up with a tripod and a clicker} early this morning. She did a great job telling me where to move etc. I am not even sure I checked how the pin was fastened (correctly or not) or straightening out the wrinkles on the back since we were hurried. 

note: The colour on the sweater is most true on the above photos. 

Our summer is full of activites etc and we are having fun. I will pop back in a while. I hope you all having a great one.

so close

 

I had a knitting marathon today from morning, due to the fact that I had six hours to myself which I decided had to be split between the three sleeves currently on the needles. So an hour each sleeve got and some progress is there, hopefully, I can finish Diva soon. Unfortunately, an hour only allowed me to knit about 30 rows on each sleeve (these size 2/3mm needles are a killer especially when you're nearing the end of the project.) and that is nowhere near the finishing. On the other sleeve, which apparently is a simple cable project started on a whim after the cable jacket just to keep my cable mojo going, had some considerable progress even though the sleeves have been twice over the weekend. Hopefully, there is enough yarn to complete the project (the back is two thirds done) as I didn't put much thought into the planning process. Somehow I have a mental deadline to finish both these projects in a week or so or I shall loose it! Well, not literally, but your know what I mean. Time to move on to something exciting!

Speaking of which, I just bought Vintage Knits sorely for Demi which I have had on my mind since I started blogging but was waiting for a perfect time to actually begin the project. Also, I just got the perfect yarn for it last week and am ready to cast on. I seem to be into more cables and tweed lately, (I have these other yarns in line waiting for something special to knit while consulting my favourite books for ideas or inspiration as you can see). Maybe something good will come up.

 

Wow! Thank you all for such an overwhelming response on the last post. I was totally spoiled and surprised with your kind words. And now, am speechless and all I can say again is Thank you!

I hope your week is off on a great start. Enjoy it!

 

The Cabled Jacket

Back in August last year, I gave in to knitting the irresistible sweater in the movie you have all heard about here or somewhere or even seen. I am pretty good at resisting doing something I don't feel strongly about but this sweater was quite an exception. So 10 months it's been since casted on, lots of things have come off the needles since then, including the blanket which was also started around the same time. Then, the urge was on to finish it as I could not bear anymore to watch the movie and see my wip laying around anymore.

So it was finished couple weeks ago and between then and now, was the blocking, seaming and re blocking - all of which always seem to be more consuming than the knitting itself. This early morning when I got up early to go for a run, I realised the sun was just coming up and it was just perfect to get shots even though the the sweater was slightly damp. The temperatures are high and cannot imagine a photo shoot at this time when it's in the 90 degrees F. That and the willing photographer with the help of little new lens, the shoot was on. I warn you, too much excitement = too many photos but that's ok considering this is the first sweater (for me) completed this year! So don't run yet!

 

Now the details:

Pattern: My own. Inspired from the Holiday movie as you already know. It involved lots of movie watching with all freeze/slow features to get all the angles!

Yarn: The heavenly Bluefaced Leicester Aran Wool in Natural scored cheaply on Ebay. This stuff is great, soft, has a nice drape and lustre. Only 8 hanks or 800grams.

Needle: US 8/6mm Addis Turbos Circulars.

Mods: Really, none as I wanted that exact sweater. I guess I might put buttons later but I sort of like it with the hook (I didn't put buttonholes as in the original). I put in set in sleeves instead of drop sleeves which I prefer better but that's not a major mod since it turned out close to the original.

Verdict: I cannot scream enough how much I love it already ( I will scream, drink wine, listen to loud music, dance and jump in private - you know what I mean!).  It will get lots of wear and definitely be a nice dress up sweater when the occasion calls. Plus, it fits me just perfectly, the body, the sleeves even the collar. Quite happy with the outcome.

 

The scrumptious cables honestly make the sweater. Don't you agree? Maybe am a little biased being a self proclaimed cable addict.

There is back, the tricky back shaping I was nervous about achieving but it worked. Now, I wonder why it took me so long to finish it because it was an exciting knit after all. Now, I wow not to ever spend 10 months knitting something that could have been done in two!

Happy Friday

It's Friday and I have nothing to show you knitting-wise hence the photo of roses from my garden. May is suddenly over and I am looking back to what has been going on this month:-

I read some of the manual for my camera and learned a few things. And am loving playing more and more with the features. Darn, it took me so long but now am locked in. Check out more photos here.

And I have also been fiddling around with another blog to document my photography and other things. It's not yet public but I guess it is since am mentioning it here. Still under construction ( boy it's just fun designing a blog except that it sucks time) but you can check it out here. Don't forget to say hello, please.

I officially finished a sweater this month. The holiday sweater is blocking and waiting to be seamed. Photos will come soon.

I am down to one knit on the needles. No other WIP's or UFOs's. Well maybe just one frogged UFO.

I am anticipating starting something new this weekend. Maybe more than one thing. I have the rule of three that I apply to knitting. At any given time, there are three wips that includes one small project  or easy knitting. Sounds crazy or silly when I could have so many but it certainly works for me with my easily distracted mind. Keeps me focused.

And, as for June, my anticipation is high and so is my motivation in crafting. What are you planning on doing craft-wise?

Here is to a happy and lovely Friday everyone. Have a bright one.

minimal

Today was a perfect day to finally be able to take some progress shots of current projects and spare some time to write a post. Currently, I only have just two things on the needles and both are sweaters. A long while ago, I casted on the sweater inspired by the Holiday movie . It was always on the 'hold' while other knits came on and off the needles. But lately it seems that it's really going to get done pretty soon. Phew! I am working on finishing both the fronts at the moment and have both sleeves and back completed. This one has been a great project to break up the monotonous garter stitch knitting on Diva, which sometimes can be a bore. You know me, cable knitting is really my cup of tea and I always have to have a least a project or two with cables.

There has also been some progress on Diva, considering the number of rows garter stitches that have so far gone into it. I am working on the second half of the collar and still have both sleeves to work on. This has been my TV knitting for a while, although keeping track of short rows can be tricky when engrossed in a good movie. The good thing is my determination to complete this jacked has not faltered. It's still there, even though I know it will take a while to finish.

I will be back soon. I need to figure out the new typepad compose screen which currently, I have some issues with.

Socks, socks and socks

Project: Firestarter by Yarnissimma

Yarn: Sock that Rock Medium weight, Banded Agate, 1 skein

Needles: US #1/2.5mm Addi Turbos 32' circular, using Magic loop

Modifications: None. Added a bit of length on the cuff to use up yarn.

Verdict: The yarn is glorious to work with and the finished product has a nice feel. These are probably the warmest socks made so far. The pattern was easy to follow even though it's not quite a mindless knit. I felt challenged with this pair since they were my first toe up's. And, yes, I had trouble matching the stripes even though I tried my hardest. So a fraternal pair they are! But, overall, the best socks knit so far.

Project: Socks of Kindness by Couchy09

Yarn: Cherry hill supersock merino, 1 skein

Needles: US #1/2.5mm Addi Turbos 32' circular, using Magic loop

Modifications: Added 2 more pattern repeats on the cuff. Nothing else. The pattern was so easy and mindless to knit. The yarn doesn't do the pattern much justice and so do my photos ( they were notorious to photograph for some reason) and I think I might try them in a different yarn in future. This was was also my first short row heel. My sock knitting skills have so far been enhanced with knitting both the pairs.

Thank you all for your tremendous response to the Cabled blanket. I cannot bear to put it away even though the weather is getting warmer.

Have a fantastic weekend with your loved ones during this Mother's day weekend! Have a great one!

Cabled Patchwork Blanket

I started knitting the blanket squares back in April last year, on impulse, while seeking a cure for my cableaholism, which apparently, still exists. Time flew by and knitting went on rapidly at times and slowly other times and sometimes, none at all. There was a time recently the blanket was stashed, unfinished, put out of sight due to mere boredom. Forward to two weeks ago, I had an enormous desire to finish knitting something, be it a blanket or not and now, am happy that I picked up the blanket again.

Already, I am emotionally attached to the blanket because of just what it is - a warm, cozy, handmade blanket with a lot of memories of the year passed. Looking at it every time, reminds me of so many things about me - absolute craziness to tackle such a huge project, the determination and passion to try out so many cable patterns etc - unfortunately, these characters tend appear in other parts of my life as well.

Project details

Finished size: About 68' long and 52' wide. Individual squares approx. 9 inch by 9 inch. Knit a total of 32 squares. More details on Raverly

Yarn: Bluefaced Leicester Aran in Silver, 19 hanks, 100g each

Needles: US #9/5.5mm

Resources used include: The harmony guides, Barbara G. Walker, viking patterns for knitting among others.

If you would like to attempt such craziness and make your own blanket - here is a little recipe that might work for some and to some extent. (With a Disclaimer)

• Be impulsive and crazy enough to tackle a project idea that comes to mind while you trying to get to sleep
• Make sure you have some huge stash of yarn that you don't like something about (in my case it was the colour) plus other necessary resources like needles, which as a knitter, you certainly have
• Grab all resources like knitting books you have that you never knit anything from and take a good look around for some interesting patterns that you can incorporate into your project
• and finally begin to knit. Don't forget to set both relaxed long term deadlines (in my case was whenever) and tight short term deadlines ( gave myself  a number of 5 or 10 squares to knit during a knitting spurt) and you will be good to go for the next few years....
• Or less but at least you'll have a blanket!

Really, without misleading you, here are a few tips and tricks I learned that would help if you would like to make your own:

• Decide on individual square sizing. The squares were about 9' by 9' although not exactly in each case depending on the cable pattern used.
• Test gauge at least one or two cable patterns to determine the average number of stitches to use. For most of the squares, I cast on 46 stitches and that gave me ample number of stitches for a 24-28 stitch cable panel plus moss stitch and/or small cable panels border on either side. On average, the stitches ranged from 46-50sts.
• When choosing cable patterns, select the ones you like that would fit the size of the square needed. I stuck with mostly 24-30sts cable patterns with a 24-28 row repeats. Thus, the big cable panels like this or this, were repeated at least twice (ie a total of 48 rows) in a square and smaller cables like this or this were repeated multiple times. Also, the simple cable stitch pattern like honeycomb or lattice were easy to make to fit the dimensions.
• The seed stitch background is optional. I like the texture it gave with the yarn therefore didn't mind knitting it so much. A word of caution- on the squares that I used more seed seed stitch on either side of the cable, the squares gained a little  more after washing.
• Sewing the pieces together was easily done by using mattress stitch. This created a continuous seed stitch pattern on the top and no bulky seems on the back.
• Blocking really helps with straightening the blanket. Mine is slightly bigger on one side due to the combo of squares I put together in the last row (Most of them were over 9 inch in size but that's ok).
• Make your own desired size blanket. Don't be limited by squares of x size - you can basically make any shape and size you want. I even considered a round shaped blanket!

For more photos, check here and here.

**added*** Full Photos are here and here.

Spring cleaning, gardening and two year old tantrums await. Thus why blogging and responding to emails has been very limited lately!

Enjoy your spring days knitting!

be inspired + wips

I have been knitting these past few weeks on Diva and making some good progress. The back is done and now working on the fronts. So far, the project is quite enjoyable - no hitches encountered yet. The size US#2 needles seem to have grown on me as I don't notice at all the slowness of knitting with them on this project as compared to socks, which always seem to take ages to finish.

Things on my mind that are inspiring me this week include:-

• This spring coat by Vilma. Gorgeous!
• Mexican Pinwheel Star from Moonstitches - her quilt projects are amazing. This star in particular has me in want of starting some new quilting project.
• I just saw the movie Bewitched after seeing this sweater (by Tikru) inspired from the movie. I want to cast on one. NOW.
• Fiddlehead mittens by Helloyarn. I purchased the yarn recently on a whim and cannot wait to cast them on. There were so many colour choices to pick from but finally settled on these. I think I could make more than one pair from this quantity of yarn.

• Project Spectrum Earth theme: Metallics, Brown and Green. The Pewter serving utensils are by a South African artist Carroll Boyes whose work is also featured in the book Craft Art in South Africa. Her work is sold globally as I found out. They are my favourite serving pieces. In the photo are the elephant salad servers weave sauce ladle and a butter knife.

continuing on small things.....

I never thought making pincushions could be so easy, fun and less time consuming until now. These are a product of my current state of crafting mind - small things and another sewing date with my friend. Now, my pins have a new lovely home where I can enjoy crafting with them.   

I used this tutorial for the square one and the round one is from whip-up.

I also made these coasters a while ago for my in-law. These are also so quick and easy to make and can definitely be made as a last minute gift item. Here is the tutorial used.

Lastly, thank you all so graciously for my birthday wishes! I very much enjoyed my day!

Have a great weekend.

for me

Today.

Enjoy your day!