Síle's Notebook: 2011

Showing posts with label 2011. Show all posts

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Violets are Blue, Dahlias are Teal

Modelled selfie of the finished sweater.

Pattern: Dahlia by Mary Weaver (Published in Knitty.com; Link directly to the pattern page)

Started: November 29, 2011

Finished: December 29, 2011

Made for: Síle aka Me

Size made: 38" bust (measured at overbust) with modifications as outlined in my notes

Yarn: Bernat Wool Blends Natural Blends (80/20) (80% acrylic, 20% wool; 640yds/ m = ?g)

1.33 skeins of "Blue-green" = 851.2 yds (778.3m)

Needle size: 4.5mm/ US 7

Notes & Photos:

Started with casting on 70 sts, which is th e38" bust start number, as that is my overbust measurement. I intend to use short-rows to fill in where needed. Thank goodness for top-down! I can try it on and see where I'm at.

12/7: This is going sooooo fast!!! I knit 6" on Monday alone! I've started the cables section already :) Modifications: instead of dec and changing to a size smaller needle as per the pattern, I inc'd from 172 to 180 {(K21, M1, K22, M1) arnd} and am now following the instructions for the large size instead of the medium. I might add another inc rnd in th ecables (would have 5 purls between instead of 4) but not sure yet. Really loving this, but yeah the sizing is a bit out. I did not have to work short-rows to allow for the girls and the bodice is a medium; normally I need an extra large on top!!

12/23: Am nearly finished the body :) About 1.5" should do it, I think. Then onto the sleeves; this beauty is nearly done!

12/30: One month exactly :) Would've had it done sooner but getting sick and being unable to knit for 5 days put me behind :P Still a whole sweater for me finished in a month :) And it looks good too: Mother said it looked store-bought and actually fits(!). She was trying to be complimentary lol

Just a note: I used Seed st to work a neckband edging and I finished the sleeves in 2x2 rib instead of 1x1. I used regular cast-off in 4x4 rib, dec in the center of the cables that should be twisted so they wouldn't splay.

The start of the sweater: cast on, some increases have been worked and it's all on the circular knitting needle.

First try-on to determine if the front neck stitches can be added in yet.

Second try-on to decide if the front neck stitches can be added in yet. The knitting is about 3 inches longer than the previous photo.

Try-on photo: the front stitches have been added in and the bodice is getting closer to the knitter's waist.

Try-on: a bit longer than the previous photo, and the cables for the lower body of the sweater have been started.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Twisted Leaves

In progress: working down the foot of the sock.

Pattern: Twisted by Jodie Gordon Lucas (Published in Knitty.com; Link directly to pattern page)

Started: April 3, 2011

Finished: November 29, 2011

Made for: Síle aka Me

Size made: L (72 sts)

Yarn: FibraNatura Yummy (100%; 370yds/ 338m = 130g)

0.6 hanks of "41354 Lagoon" = 222 yds (203m)

Needle size: 2.25mm/ US 1

Notes & Photos:

Am using the yarn from my frogged "Eire" socks. Loved this pattern so much, I have to make myself a pair ;)

4/09: Well under way :) I've got about 2" done on the cuff of sock one :)

In progress: on double-pointed needles, the first bit of knit 1, pearl 3 ribbing. The yarn is variegated shades of mossy greens.

4/22: Still working on sock1, but am about half done the foot now :) I did 3" of a cuff as I prefer to wear shorter socks.

11/30: Finished these Tuesday morning while taking the bus to work :) My socks are now a pair and done!!

In progress: the textured heel flap is nearly to the turning point.

Close up of the heel turning in progress.

Close up of where the side shaping is taking place. This is similar to a gusset but only on one side of the sock to give the sweep of the pattern over the foot.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Oceans 11 Peasy-Easy Scarfy-Dealy

The completed shawl somewhat laid out, showing the variegated blues, greens, and teals of the yarn giving it a tropical waters vibe.

Pattern: Pimpelliese by Christine Ebers (originally published on her blog, Spinning Martha; now available on a Google Drive of her patterns as pdfs found here)

Started: October 15, 2011

Finished: November 21, 2011

Made for: GBS WinterAngels 2011 gift exchange

Yarn: Zitron Trekking Hand Art Flamé (75% wool, 25% nylon; 459yds/ 420m = 100g)

0.98 hanks of "Sansibar" = 449.8 yds (411.3m)

Needle size: 4.5mm/ US 7

Notes & Photos:

My giftee like the ocean and this colorway is very oceany :) And she's a knitter so she will appreciate it :)

11/08: Have 11 points done :) Going quite well. Will definitely have it completed in time to mail it by the 28th :)

11/12: Despite a minor set-back due to a muscle being overstrained and not being able to knit as much as I'd like, I have 15 points completed :) Am thinking 18 and then begin the decrease half :)

11/24: Finished this Monday night at knit-night :) Turned out perfect. Will get pics up of the completed scarf and what I had left from the hank; there wasn't a lot!

Not sure of the dates the photos were taken:

In progress: the shawl with not much left to knit!

In progress with only 6 points of the edging knit. The shawl edging and body are knit at the same time in this pattern.

The very small ball of remaining yarn left after finishing the shawl. It only weighs 2 grams!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Sparkle Sparkle Wings

The first wing on hold awaiting the second one so they can be joined.

Pattern: Dragon Wing by Patti Waters (Published in Knitty.com; Link direct to pattern page)

Started: July 18, 2011

Finished: November 14, 2011

Made for: Heather

Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Glamour (96%acrylic, 4% metallic; 202 yds/ m = 50g)

3 skeins of "153 Onyx" = 606 yds (554.1m)

Needle size: 4.5mm/ US 7

Notes & Photo:

I love this pattern; am putting mine aside to start this one for H's birthday. Again using a sparkly yarn that just suits the pattern so well. Am hoping we get some cooler weather so I can work on it more consistently than I have worked on mine.

7/21: Going really well :) Am done row 127 already :) Should have half done by the weekend I think :)

7/23: Completed row 144 on the bus ride to work this morning :) This afternoon is devoted to completing the right wing & getting some pictures :)

8/09: right wing finished at knit-night last night :) started left wing: already at row 40 :)

11/08: As of knit-night last night, I have 2 rows and the 3-needle bind off left to finish this little beauty :) So excited to have it done!!!!

11/14: All done!!! Finished at knit-night :) Will deliver to H next Tuesday :)

Close up of the "veining" on the right wing while it was in progress.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Shimmering Leaves

A blurry photo of a brown triangular shawl with copper-colored sparkles throughout it.

Pattern: Dianna by Jane Araújo (can't find a non Rav source)

Started: August 10, 2011

Finished: October 28, 2011

Made for: Sionan

Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Glamour (96% acrylic, 4% metallic; 202 yds/ m = 50g)

2.1 skeins of "134 Copper" = 424.2 yds (387.9m)

Needle size: 4.0mm/ US 6

Notes & Photos:

As I love lace, shawls & entrelac I think this looks like a perfect project for me. And this lovely sparkly yarn will make it extra special for my dear friend's birthday gift.

Later: 2 tiers done. I have no idea what some people were having a problem with. Very easy to read pattern. The designer did specify that one needs to already understand entrelac to knit this piece. Going great & I think this yarn gives it a different look than most of the others that have been done.

9/16: 6 tiers completed; starting tier 7

10/19: 9 tiers completed :) Am thinking I may end this after 10 tiers as am getting sick of it and there are other things that need finishing too!

10/29: Finished it on the bus coming home from work :) Love it. Need to get pics

The first 3 "squares" of entrelac. The leaf motif is fairly visible on one of them.

Start of a new tier: two sunlit rectangles at right angles to one another, with their leaves pointing in the direction each one was knit.

Sunlit "leaves" being knit on a city bus.

The in progress shawl laid out on a table to show the size. Hints of sparkle from the yarn are seen, but the leaf motifs aren't readily picked out.

Close up of the fabric of the shawl. Lots of sparkle and the leaf motifs are able to be picked out despite the lower light conditions.

11/09: Sionan loved it!!!!!!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Sweet Little Cat Paws

Modelled photo, focused towards the neckline.

Pattern: Sweet Little Nothing by Kay Meadors (haven't found off-Rav); incorporated main lace from Irish Diamond Shawl by Cheryl Oberle (published in her book "Folk Shawls")

Started: August 20, 2011

Finished: October 1, 2011

Made for: Síle aka Me

Size made: Medium; 38" overbust

Yarn: Bernat Satin (100% acrylic; 200yds/ = 100g)

4.13 skeins of "4246 Foliage" = 826 yds (755.3m)

Needle size: 4.5mm/ US 7

Notes & Photos:

It's starting to be cooler in the mornings when I head to work but my jean jacket is far too heavy. I just need a little something...

8/21: Modifying!!! I just can't leave something plain alone lol So I've started adding Cat's Paws whwew-ever the fancy strikes. And I'm thinking that the sleeves may need a bit of length...

8/23: Adding the 3 photos taken at knit-night. First is the back:

About 2 inches of knitting on a circular knitting needle. The yarn is a bright sage green, and there are lace motifs "sprinkled" across the small bit of knitting. Also visible are the raglan shaping lines and about an inch of ribbing at the top. The ribbing is the neck edge.

Second is the right sleeve & front:

About 4 inches of knitting, showing the raglan shaping of the top of what will be the sleeve and the small bit of the right front of the cardigan. Like the back, there are lace motifs "sprinkled" in the two areas shown.

Third is the left front &sleeve.

The left front section and sleeve, showing the "scattered" positioning of the lace motifs and the raglan shaping lines.

Really liking this :) 8 rows left before dividing :)

8/24: I'm 3 rows passed the dividing row. Am about to count the number of sts in the body & sleeves & see if I can find a lace pattern to lengthen the entire piece. Almost to the end of ball 1.

8/25: Tried it on; needs more length

With the live stitches separated onto two circular knitting needles, the knitter is trying on the cardigan. It is hitting right around the center of her bustline.

9/02: Tried it on again: one more repeat of 'Irish Diamond Lace' should do it :) Then for the sleeves :)

Back of the cardigan: it's quite a bit longer now, with a lace diamond pattern being used in place of the stockinette stitch with "scattered" motifs that was used on the top of the sweater.

Modelled photo of cardigan at the same point. It's now almost to the knitter's hip.

9/07: Finished the body on Monday (5th) and started sleeve at knit-night. Am just starting 5th rep of IDL on the sleeve. Am working in the rnd on dpns: no seams!!! lol Looking good; can't wait to get it done :)

Sleeve knitting in progress and being tried on. The stitches are on double-pointed needles and the knitting is nearly to the knitters elbow. It is being knit in the same lacy diamond pattern that the lower part of the cardigan was knit in.

9/15: First sleeve done :) 14 reps of IDL and several rnds of Seed st.

9/29: finished 2nd sleeve tonight at ICoR Stitch & Chat :) The ladies were super impressed :) Now for the front bands and it'll be done :)

10/01: Done! Just finished sewing in the ends :) 9:26pm

The finished cardigan draped on the back of a large chair, showing the lace pattern of the right sleeve and right front.

Same cardigan draped on the same chair with the focus on the front body of the cardigan. Gives a nice view of the seed stitch edgings on the bands and around the bottom of the sweater.

Modelled photo with the focus on the bottom of the cardigan, showing the seed stitch edgings and diamond patterned lace.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Springtime Shawl

In progress showing the many bright shades of green in the yarn

Pattern: Petal Shawlette by Bonnie Evans (Published in the book "Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders")

Started: May 16, 2011

Finished: July 17, 2011

Made for: Krista

Yarn: Zivec Designs sockweight (450yds/411.5m = 100g) = 450 yds

Needle size: 3.75mm/ US 5

Notes & Photos:

Thought this pattern would look neat in this yarn :) I have more yds in this skein than the original yarn used so I plan to do more reps of chart D to use up more of it. Also don't care for original edging so will do something different for that as well.

6/26: Have finished the shawl according to the pattern & am working on a second repeat of chart D. Still not sure how I want to edge this.

7/16: Still working on it :) Still not sure how to edge it :) But its destiny has changed: no longer for me, it will be sent to Newfoundland as a very special birthday gift for a very special cousin who's had a bit of a bad year & can use a hug in her favorite color.

7/18: Finished last night :) Wound up doing 21 rows of chart D & finished witha basic crocheted edge of ch3, K3tog tbl. It looks really good; need to block it now.

8/17: Mailed!!! It's on its way to Newfoundland :)

Starting to see the leaf shapes

More leaf shapes!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Pyewacket

Focused in photo of eyelets knit into a multicolored background of stockinette stitch.

Near the finished edge

Pattern: Pyewacket by Síle Thiels (Link to pattern page🔗)

Started: February 27, 2010

Finished: March 13, 2011

Made for: Síle aka Me/ pattern sample

Yarn: Zwerger Garn Opal Hundertwasser 4-ply (75% wool, 25% nylon; 465yds/425.2m = 100g)

2 balls of "1434 Wartende Hauser" = 930 yds

Needle size: 4.5mm/ US 7

Notes & Photos:
(For those who don't know, Pyewacket was the cat in the 1958 movie "Bell, Book and Candle" with Kim Novack and James Stewart.)
I need to have something I can carry around! All my other projects are too big for carry-along! :(

2/28: Have restarted this twice now; didn't like how it was going so am now unventing something and we'll just see what happens, won't we!

3/01: Had a good knit at knit-night. Pics up tomorrow

3/02: Stayed up way too late coming up with ideas for this. If it works, I think it's going to be very interesting indeed ;) I'm such a tease ;)

3/03: Not quite what I wanted; must frog several rows and rethink placement...

3/09: Finally back on track; pulled shoulder muscles on Fri so no knitting until last night :( Pyewacket is nearly done her first appearance; will there be more?

4/06: need to get another ball of yarn, as piece is too small IMO. Really like how it looks, just needs to be bigger.

4/08: Was to GW this morning & there isn't anymore Opal Hundertwasser left in the right color. I'm pouting. But I did buy two balls of Zauberball in a very bright colorway, so will work from my directions and & then continue designing with this. Hopefully it works! Putting this on ein hibernation for now...

5/03: Out of hibernation; got another ball of right colorway at Golden Willow this morning :)

2/27/11: Finally finished designing this on paper; now to finish the knitting...

3/14/11: Finished the edging yesterday :) Need to block it and take some other pics, but I added one today of the edge in progress. Am sooooo happy to have it finished. I do plan to put this on my blog; no idea how long that will take to type up.

A half-circle of garter stitch knit with a bright variegated yarn. It was knit sideways, using short-rows, and the colors have formed wedges as a result.

The starting half-circle

Closeup of the half-circle

A close up of the shawl in progress. There's a small amount of the garter stitch half-circle near the bottom of the frame, with the rest being stockinette stitch in a variety of bright colors.

In progress photo showing all of the colors in the yarn

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

MVP

A mainly black toque/knit hat with a wide band of blended stripes. From bottom up the colours are red, yellow, white, yellow, and red. The stripe section is knit in linen stitch giving them a blended appearance.

Pattern: MVP by Síle Thiels

Started: March 4, 2011

Finished: March 9, 2011

Made for: Pat

Yarns: Diamond Luxury Collection Fine Merino Superwash DK (100% superwash merino; 137yds = 50g)

0.75 skeins/ 37g of "500 Black" = 102.8 yds
0.2 skeins/ 10g of "1505 Red" = 27.4 yds
0.02 skeins/ 1g of "1090 White" = 2.7 yds

Sandnes Garn Tove (100% wool; 175g = 50g)

0.1 skeins/ 5g of "2206 Yellow" = 17.5 yds

Total yardage: 150.4 yds

Needle size: 4.0mm/ US 6

Notes & photos: Decided that since I knit Petey a hat, Pat needs one too. Why do all the guys I went to school with work over-night at jobs they're outside for extended periods of time?

Couldn't find a suitable pattern, so I found the colors for his NHL team (Calgary Flames) & am sort of one-offing this for him.

Might put it on my blog as a free pattern if I like it.

3/04/11: Cast on & working in rib.

3/06/11: Ribbing done and just starting the colors. Not sure how I'll do this; I don't want plain stripes.

On a circular needles, black knit 2, purl 2 ribbing and 1 round on stockinette stitch in red.

3/08/11: Finished color section at knit-night last night; just need to decrease the top :) Really like how it's turning out :)

Still in progress on a circular needle, we see knit 2, purl 2 ribbing in black below a textured color section in three colors. There are some rounds of red, followed by half as many in yellow, followed by 2 or 3 in white, then the same number if yellow and the same number of red as previously shown. The top returns to about an inch of black knit 2, purl 2 ribbing, and that's where the needle is now.

3/09/11: Done! Will post pic tomorrow & hopefully will have the pattern on my blog sometime this weekend at the latest :)

3/11/11: Final photos up :) Pattern is on my blog; just have to link it to Rav

Modelled photo of the finished hat. The crown decreases are worked into the knit 2, purl 2 ribbing. They don't overly standout as that section is knit in black yarn.

Further notes: This became the sample for one of my first published patterns! This became the second pattern I put up for free on my old blog and is now available as a free pdf from my regular blog, Knit Dance Repeat

Thursday, February 3, 2011

I Don't Ski But...

Modelled front view of short sleeved, diamond textured sweater with a U neck. There are button details at the right side corner of the neckline, on both sleeve cuffs and at the left side waist/bottom edging.

Pattern: St. Moritz by Snowden Becker (published in the book "Knitting It Old School")

Started: December 18, 2010

Finished: February 3, 2011

Made for: Síle aka Me

Size: 48 inch bust

Yarn: DGB Confort (50% wool, 50% acrylic; 138yds = 50g)

6.05 skeins/ 302 g of "113 Ice Blue" = 834.9 yds

Needle size: 4.0mm/ US 6

Notes & photos:

Am using the yarn I reclaimed from my Cromarty which I frogged today.

Rav-mailed the designer: there is at least one error in the pattern. Row 3 as printed is missing 11 sts for the 2X size :p I mirrored the center sts & it looks fine. The WS Inc row for sizes L, 1X, & 2X is skewing the work funny :( Will tink back to Row 3 & wait to hear...

12/25/10: So I frogged what I had & started over using 4.0mm needle & all is going well. Not sure what I was doing before but everything looks fine. There is definitely an error in Row 3 but other than that all is fine :)

Close up showing the diamond texture of the knitting.

Progress photo showing the sleeve cap growing along with the back of the sweater.

1/09/11: All going well :) Nearly to point to split work into back, fronts & sleeves :)

1/15/11: Have passed the separation & all going well :) I slipped it onto some waste yarn last night & tried it on: perfect :) I'm really gonna love wearing this one.

In progress photo showing the sleeves stitches on hold and the body is forming below the U neck opening.

1/22/11: Body nearly finished! Started working the hem yesterday :) Found buttons yesterday too :)

In progress photo, can tell the knitting is quite a bit longer than in previous photo.

Close up of two silver toned buttons against the diamond texture of the sweater's body. The one on the left resembles a snowflake, while the one on the right looks like an 8 petaled flower.

1/24/11: Am knitting the hem shorter & will only have 2 buttons on it. This shortens it about 1". Considering I knit the body about 2" shorter than the pattern, this should keep the proportions right.

1/27/11: Finished the body on Monday :) Left sleeve is well under way :) Will definitely have it done for the 13th. :)