Monday, December 31, 2007

Finally...Tree Jacket Finished

After issues with size, length, and color, I'm just glad this is finished before the new year! Couldn't take decent pictures wearing it since I was alone.

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft [100% acrylic; 330 yds/302 m per 170g skein]; colors: Black; two skeins

Care: machine wash warm, tumble dry low

Needles: US 8 / 5 mm circular, US 8 / 5 mm double-points

Pattern: Zephyr Style

Date Begun: November 24, 2007

Date Completed: December 31, 2007

Modifications: Cable cast-on, funnel neck, elbow-length sleeves, non-biased lace pattern (yo, ssk, k2tog, yo) from Fantasy Knits

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Nomination?




I would love to nominate the Razor Cami.
Found here....
I didn't like the pics posted on the original site, but I googled others who had done the pattern and I LOVE how the top can turn out! Also looks great on fuller figured's, no boobs and big boobs! The majority have said it was a very fast and easy pattern and I love the cost.....
Melissa

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

In the nick of time!

I wet blocked my tree jacket last weekend and it is now ready to wear! I am really pleased with the results.

Details:
Tree Jacket by Zephyr Style, Size XS
8 skeins of Tahki Savoy (52% silk, 48% merino: 109 yards per skein, color 104)
Addi Turbo needles size 8: 16 and 24 inch

Modifications: Altered the lace pattern to K3, K2tog, YO, K1, YO, SSK which kept the pattern from twisting.
Otherwise I knit exactly to pattern specifications.

I will say that this yarn is one of the softest things I have had against my skin and it feels fabulous. I'm also always amazed at how silk/wool blend yarns totally change when wet blocked. The stitches meld together and look so much more even!
This one is a winner!

Friday, December 21, 2007

Nominations

I just got the email from Stitch Diva that their new pattern, Giselle, is finally available! I've been waiting for this one to come out! There are 3 versions of this sweater. It is the newest by Marnie Maclean.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Lemonade Sweater Nomination


I absolutely loved this sweater the first time I saw it and was disappointed when it did not win in a previous KAL. Would love to try it this time around. I know I am anxious to start a spring sweater! And......the pattern is free!

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Okay, I'll Bite


I'm going to go ahead and nominated the Tilted Duster. I know many people like this and are planning to (me) or have already knit this. It seems like a good one to put up for the KAL, since many people could give advice, and hopefully many will be interested in knitting it!

My Auntie and I already decided to start this one together after Christmas. We're hoping to have company!

:O)

KAL Nomination

I have never been brave enough to nominate one of my own designs before, but I would like to nominate Blanche

Blanche front

Blanche back

The pattern is FREE and is knit in a standard worsted/aran weight yarn and is available from size 32 inch chest to 48 inch chest.

I loved knitting it and love wearing it even more and would very much like to knit another.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

KAL Nominations


The classic Vest. I love the Deep V Argyle vest by Eunny Jang. I think we should consider it again.

KAL Nominations


military cardi.jpg
Originally uploaded by Veronik A.
The military cardigan that is available in Veronika Avery's book Knitting Classic Styles is super cute.

I love the details.

KAL Nominations - Jacket addition

I have been really interested in knitting a jacket or cardigan that can be worn out and about in the cool but not too cold climate I seem to find myself living in.

I would nominate the Tilted Duster but it seems half the world is already knitting it. I can nominate it if anyone is interested.

Ok now for the nominations.


The DROPS circular jacket.

Size: S - M/L - XL /XXL - XXXL

I love the flow of this jacket. It has the feel of a lovely blanket that you wrap around you but has unique details like the circle on the back.

Something Red by Wendy of Knit and tonic

This has more of the simple jacket look. You could definitely adjust the arm length so you get the warmth factor you prefer.

For Bust Sizes:
32(34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44) inches

Berroco Tawny

I love the fact that this can be customized with a scarf. I tend to love scarfs but never end up doing anything with the little silky squares that I receive.

Bust size (closed) – 33(35-37-39-43-47-51)

Flair by Wendy of knit and tonic

The great swingy jacket that is in style this season. What fun it would be to have one that you knit instead of purchased?

Sizes:
32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56)” chest

Cable Collar Cardigan

I love the simple lines of this cabled collar. It seems to be a minimally pieced garment since the collar is knit while the garment is knit.

There is a large size range.

27" to 67.5"

KAL Nominations

I am posting these for a non-posting member.

Juno

photo from knitting betty's flickr account which is the ravelry pic.

This sweater is cute and sexy. You can make the neckline a bit smaller like the yarn harlot did with her version. It is available in the Rowan No. 40 booklet.



This is the Snow White sweater designed by the talented Ysolda.

There are additional photos on the pattern page

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Nominations

I'd like to nominate Sizzle from Knit & Tonic
Sizzle


and Cardigan 88-4 from Drops
Cardigan

One free and one not!

Shrug Nomination for January

I like so many of the patterns already nominated. However, I'd like to also nominate this voluminous shrug by Barry Klein. The pattern can be downloaded in PDF form here. It's a k5, p5 rib using 3 different yarns in a single stripe pattern, and can be modified fairly easily for larger gauge yarns.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Nomination

I'd like to nominate Bella Paquita by Marnie MacLean. The photos on the pattern page just don't do it justice, so here's a better one from Ravelry/Flickr:



Oh, and did I mention it's a free pattern?

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Two Nominations

From Knitty's new Winter 2007 patterns that just came out a few days ago:

Dahlia
Abotanicity

Thursday, December 06, 2007

nominations

I gave up on the current kal, just didnt think either would suit me so didnt bother!
I do, however, love some of the current nominations (all 3 which follow I have seen a few times & really like):
The Drops cabled bag
The Drops cardigan
Matilda Jane cardigan

(will probably end up knitting the cardigan regardless, but would be nice to do it as a kal)

Nomination - Chinese Lace Pullover


I'd like to nominate the Chinese Lace Pullover.
I think it's beautiful and I think the drape and little details make it a sexy piece.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

I want to nominate this, Day Flower Lace Top, that was nominated last time, too.

Monday, December 03, 2007

Three Nominations

Here are my nominations!

Nomination #1
Södera Socks by Vilma



Nomination #2
98-54 Bag with cable pattern by DROPS design



Nomination #3
Daliet Blouse



Sarah

Nominations

Here are my nominations for the next KAL:

First I nominate the Gathered Pullover from the winter Interweave Knits:


Second--I nominate Matilda Jane which is a download from Ysolda.


You can find better photos on Ysolda's website from the link above!

Don't Forget FLICKR!

There are so many beautiful FO's poping up here that still haven't found their way to our flickr groups.....

If you are not yet a user, signing up for Flickr is free!

Please add Juliet photos to our group here

Add Tree Jacket pics to our group here.


Links to all KAL groups are on our generic SKC flickr page here. New KAL groups are always announced on that page before the blog, so if you've got pics to share, be sure to check there.

Nominations

Horray for cute warm knitting things. I would like to nominate...

Drops Jacket. Available here for free.
Sizing from S to XXXL. Works for all figure types (with FO pics on Ravelry to prove it)

Juliet unblocked









I started Juliet on Wednesday 11/27
and basically finished knitting it on Sunday 12/2 here are a couple of pictures.
I used Cascade 220 in Red 9404 on size 8 needles.

I changed the garter stitch pattern to moss stitch and only
used a single strand of yarn.

Sunday, December 02, 2007

A Nomination


I just saw this lovely little tank which would look great under a jacket or just as it is in a warmer climate.

It is created by Nikki Adams who blogs at knitensity.

It is available at Swanky Knits for $6.

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Whee! Go Me!

OMG, when it rains, it pours - including knitting stuff! I have been knitting and finishing like a madwoman. Thank You, Thanksgiving Break!

I actually knit and finished BOTH projects for this KAL - Juliet came off the needles last night. It's a bit big and swingy, but since I got gauge the whole time, and knit for my own measurements, I'm assuming that's the way the girls wanted this pattern. We've heard a lot about size/fit and how big this pattern knits. I'm a "36" and I knit the medium.


Here's a horrible picture, but with the busy blur/boy you see next to me, it's next to impossible to get a quiet moment for a nice, lovely, close-up, detailed picture! Sorry!

Thanks for a great KAL, ladies, and I can't wait to see what we're knitting next!

:O)

Friday, November 30, 2007

Just in time!


Finished my Juliet this week. I love it! Like many others, I find the fit a bit big (I made an xs), but it will be a nice layering piece. I used Valley Yarns Berkeshire Bulky in plum and didn't made any modifications. The buttons are some from my mother's collection. Still knitting on the tree jacket. Congrats on all the beautiful projects this KAL, it's been a fun one.


Just in Time

I finished my Tree Jacket just in time. The only thing I have left to do is seam the arms up once it has been blocked. I really enjoyed knitting Juliet and Tree Jacket with everyone. I can't wait to see what we will be knitting next. For more pictures and details check out my blog.

Juliet done, but no Tree Jacket yet!


Juliet back
Originally uploaded by melanieforest3
Finished Juliet a few weeks ago. Had to block it first, which helped a lot, but took a while to dry. I went digging through my stash of buttons and found one that I liked. I think I like the look of the finished top but I'm not happy with the top I have on underneath; I didn't have time to change, I would have been late for work! I decided to make it longer, I'm not too crazy about the cropped look.

I'm not done with the Tree Jacket yet, I got stuck working on Christmas stuff and hats and other winter stuff. It's been -35C here with the windchill for the past week! I can't wait to finish it though, as I have a feeling that I will be needing it since they're saying it will be the coldest winter in years!

Juliet front


Juliet front
Originally uploaded by melanieforest3
I haven't figured out how to do all this picture stuff correctly, so I'll have t0 post twice.

A very sad Juliet

Well, I was going great guns on it and then after frogging the lace portion to many times to count, I have given up! Perhaps it's the double strand thing messing with me, I don't know ... I am going to try it again ... with different yarn though.

Tree Jacket not finished

I did not finish my Tree Jacket. You can see pictures of my progress
at http://mollymenmymini.blogspot.com/ I have enjoyed watching everyone knit and
seeing the different yarns used and the way each of you personalized your own. Thank
you for letting me participate, I have learned a great deal!

Tree Jacket done!

I love this little Beauty. I was so excited to get my Christmas sweater done and to have actually completed both sweaters this time round even with my busy schedule.

I hope everyone has a great holiday season and that we can pick some cool new patterns.

More details on my Blog.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

A Tree Jacket!

Hey everyone, sorry for the bad in-the-mirror picture; I was waiting for my husband to help me with the pictures but I got impatient.



It's a bit bigger on me than I would have liked; being a bit on the short side I tend to wear things that are a little more fitted so that I don't feel overwhelmed. I probably could have gone down a size...and the sleeves are pretty big. I've never blocked alpaca yarn before and I didn't quite know what to expect. Nevertheless, this is easily the softest, cuddliest, most comfortable sweater I own. And super warm. I used KP Andean Silk in Hollyberry.

Thanks for the KAL! I am really looking forward to the next one!

Juliet Failure

So, I got to the lace portion and discovered that I was 6 stitches off. Grrr! I decided to set it aside because my frustration level was through the roof. I decided to start my Tree Jacket instead, and I'm enjoying it. I couldn't find my size 8 dpns, so I used 7s and did the collar looser than normal. It's actually a bit roomy, I think, but so far so good.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Tree Pullover

Woo! I finally finished the tree jacket and used up all the yarn I had up to the last yard or two. I love having no yarn left over from this project. I've been on a big stash reduction kick lately. Although I do have the minor yarn binge now and then when I can't say no to a new purchase. But about the sweater...

I chose to lengthen the body as mohair has a tendency to flyaway a bit since it's so light. I also put a small bit of the lace pattern at the sleeves with what yarn I had leftover. I'm rather pleased with how it turned out.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Where for art thou Romeo?

I finished Juliet a week ago and am really pleased with how it turned out. It's really warm and cozy.

I cast on for this sweater on Sunday, October 14, 2007, and finished it Saturday, November 17, 2007. It was knit using Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky on Knitpicks Options size 10 1/2 needles (32 inch cord.) Due to a number of the comments I read about this sweater, I knit a size small rather than the medium I usually knit in Zephyr Style patterns and am really pleased with the result. (Thanks everyone for the great advice!!!!!)

I don't think I will get to Tree Jacket this KAL as I have a number of other sweaters in my queue for which I have the yarn before I purchase the yarn for that sweater but I have greatly enjoyed participating in my first Sexy Knitters Club KAL! I'm looking forward to the next one!

You can find more info about this project on my blog.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Tree Jacket - almost finished

Tree Jacket

So this was my sweater on Wednesday, I tried to post but my computer is allergic to the internet. To show that miserable little electronic brain, we got a new computer on thanksgiving.
Now to the lack of electronic magic, I finished Saturday night. It is currently blocking and I will be having a FO post up really soon. I finished every last scrap off yarn that I bought. I don't think I have ever cut it this close.

I love the pattern and can't wait to wear this. It is my Christmas sweater.

Still growing...!

Just sharing and updated photo, some of the rest are posted on Ravelry!