Finished Objects – Page 6

Sweaters

Knitting Update – finished objects!

By Sheetar 20 May 2012 18 May 2012

So I actually have been knitting, honest. I just haven’t posted everything here. So, here’s a quick post with a few recent finished objects.

On the top above, is 14 Karat. The yarn is from the club I’ve been a member of for a while now, and is a colorway called “Sunken Treasure.” I figured a pattern referencing jewels would work nicely with a color referencing treasure. They were pretty labor intensive and required working from the computer with the chart, but they’re well worth it!

On the bottom above is Business Casual, using another yarn from the club, this time the colorway was, “Fathoms Below.” Easy to knit, and they worked up pretty quickly. These two pairs of socks were worked at the same time, but the Business Casual socks didn’t require looking at a chart and were taken along with me everywhere. The faux-argyle diamond pattern shows up more in person than it did in the photo, and I really love how they came out.

This is the big project that I’ve had sitting in my Works in Progress (WIP) queue for a while. I started the Royale sweater in November of 2010 for the National Knit a Sweater Month (NaKniSweMo). I got about 5 inches up from the bottom and set it aside. With Ravelympics 2012 coming up soon, the team I joined decided that we should spend the month prior to the Ravelympics ‘training’ and finishing up WIPs. This one isn’t my oldest one, but it was a huge undertaking – the cables, twisted stitches! All the hard work was totally worth it though, I mean, just look at that! It’s sort of unfortunate that I finished now, mid-May, when I won’t be able to wear it all summer long. The pattern and charts were easy to follow. My only big mistake is that I usually don’t do as many increases for the bust as the pattern sizing calls for – everyone has different measurements and should adjust a knit pattern to suit their individual measurements for a best fit. Nooo I just kept trucking along! So, the bust is a little loose, but it’s not a dealbreaker, and there’s NO WAY I am going to go back and work all that over. The yarn used was Valley Yarns Northampton in the color, “Twilight Heather.” The photos above are pretty color accurate, and I’d call the color kind of a purpley maroon heather. I over estimated on the yarn purchase, so I have three skeins left – I’ve got a short torso, so while most folks have 4 or more repeats of that center cable pattern, I only needed three, cutting down drastically on the yarn requirement. Love this to bits, and I’m so glad I finally finished it!

Ceramics, Scarves

All Things Crafty

By Sheetar 15 February 2012 15 February 2012

Spinning and spinning and knitting. Spinning up clay on the wheel, spinning up yarn on a different wheel, and as always, knitting.

Not too long ago, I started going to Cara’s open studio Wednesdays at the Cobb Studio. She’s a wonderful teacher and it’s been an incredible amount of fun getting my hands dirty. I got a quick lesson in throwing clay on a wheel one day when the studio was a little emptier than usual, and I’ve slowly been working on getting better. Just wanted to share a few pieces I’ve made that I’m super happy with so far. The first is a little tea cup. It’s a bit heavy and thick on the bottom, but I absolutely love how the handle came out. The second is a mug with a leaf applied to the side so that you can slip your hand inside and keep your hand warm while you sip on your tea. Unfortunately, I neglected to account for the shrinkage of the clay when it dries, so it came out a little smaller than I expected, but I can still get my fingers inside the little leaf pocket.

For fiber spinning, I’ve spent the last week or so not knitting. I think I may have over-knit recently and my elbow is telling me to take a break. I’ve got two bobbins spun and plied so far, and am working on some 100% silk which is challenging, but AMAZING at the same time. Below, on the left is some superwash merino fiber from Twisted Fiber Art in the colorway, “Maple” and on the right is more superwash merino fiber from PigeonRoof Studios in, “Illuminated Moss.”

Then I have another spun-to-knit project because this month has been all about handspun.

Fiber is from Fiber Optic yarns and is 80% Merino and 20% silk dyed into one big long gradient. The colorway is Gold-Copper-Cinnamon-Espresso.

All spun up! 480 yards, fingering weight, and chain plied to keep the color progression.

Knit into Saroyan! (Ravelry Project Link) The pattern is pretty easy, and the only issue is that it wants to curl up. I thought I had blocked it pretty well, but the garter border at the top still wants to curl under. Other than that, I’m really happy with how this came out and how even the not-so-even handspun knitted up. Can’t wait to wear it out and show it off!

Gloves/Mittens

Owlie Gloves

By Sheetar 7 February 2012 7 February 2012

Owlie Gloves! They’re just too cute, and a great way to use up my growing stash of handspun.

First, the Fiber:

Fiber is by Gnomespun and is Polwarth in colorway, “Hidcote” – I picked this up at Rhinbeck in October 2010

Second, the spun yarn:

Yarn was chain plied, and came out to 328 yards. It probably falls between worsted and DK and is pretty slubby and uneven, but it’s got a very handspun quality to it which is perfect for gloves. The unevenness seems to disappear, especially when knit at a smaller/tighter gauge. The yarn is lofty and squishy and perfect for gloves.

Thirdly, the gloves!:

Pattern is Owlie Mitts that I added fingers to so that I’d have gloves. I love fingerless gloves and mitts, but really, it’s my fingers that get cold, and adding fingers to mitts is pretty easy! They fit perfectly. The gauge is pretty tight (think knitting a thick DK yarn on US 1.5 needles), but there’s no way the cold is getting in through these. The beads were sewn on later rather than knitted in since I didn’t have the crochet hook or floss necessary to add them during the knitting. No big deal. Here’s the Ravelry Project Link if you want to see my short bit of notes.

knitting, Socks, Spinning

Go With the Flow Socks

By Sheetar 16 April 2011 16 April 2011

Finally, another spun-to-finished project. I’ve been accumulating quite the stash of handspun, and I figured it was time to put some to use. The yarn is dyed by Meg at Twisted Fiber Art, and she’s really quite the magician with dye. The colorway is called, “Intrigue,” and was part of a club Meg ran for 3 months. I spun the superwash merino roving into a thin single and then chain or navajo plied the yarn so that the colors would stay together as they were dyed. I ended up with about 425 yards of fingering weight yarn that was then turned into a really squishy pair of Go With the Flow socks. The pattern knitted up quickly, and I only made a few modifications – worked a plain slip-stitch heel and didn’t turn the work inside out after the heel flap was done. I love the way they came out and refuse to take them off now that the photos are taken. Yeah, it’s almost not-sock season, but that won’t stop me from stocking up for the winter!

11 in 2011, Socks

Gin & Tonic

By Sheetar 5 April 2011 16 January 2022

This is the second finished item of my 11 in 2011. Yeah I might be a little behind, but I can still make it, right?

The yarn is Sheepy Feet from Sheepy Time Knits, colorway, “Daisy Chain.” The color pooled up making these awesome spirals of green around the socks and I love how that happened – looks like a twist of lime, going with the gin and tonic theme. The sock pattern, Gin & Tonic, worked up really quickly and I’m happy with how they came out. No real modifications to the pattern, just knit it as-is. Pretty short post, but socks are socks, and it’s more about the eye candy here than any fancy write-up!

11 in 2011, Socks

Dagon Casadh Socks

By Sheetar 27 February 2011 16 January 2022

The first finished item of my 11 in 2011 lineup.

The yarn is from the January 2011 installment from Little Red Bicycle. The colorway is called Dagon, inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s short stories. In fact, the three month club will entirely be based upon Lovecraft’s stories and I’m excited to see what comes up next.

The pattern, Casadh, worked up pretty quickly since there’s a lot of plain ribbing inbetween the crazy cable rows. The sock was sized for men, so I made a few modifications (only 15 repeats on the heel flap, decreased on the gusset to 18 stitches each needle) to help fit a smaller foot. The combination of the ribbing and cables gives it plenty of stretch though, so it ended up working out just fine. They’re really comfortable and I can’t wait to wear them out and show them off! There are a few more pictures on the Ravelry Link below as well as more information about my modifications.

Ravelry Link

knitting, Socks

Speshul Snowflakes

By Sheetar 7 November 2010 7 February 2012

Since the club cycle had completed for the year, I figured I ought to update on all the socks I’ve knit from the club yarn. The club is Sheepy Time Knits Speshul Snowflakes Yarn Club. I really love how the club is set up, that there are two colorway choices and a wide variety of yarn choices every shipment. You pick the yarn/colorway one month and then it’s shipped the next month making for 6 total shipments. Back at the beginning of the club, I decided that I’d kit each shipment as it came in so that I’d still be knitting socks and the yarn wouldn’t go into the stash and be forgotten. I’m really glad I kept up with it, and here are the results from a year’s worth of shipments. Looking forward to next year’s club again and knitting more socks!

	Pattern: Hanging Vines Socks Designer: Kelly Porpiglia Needles: US 1 (2.25mm) Yarn: Sheepy Time Knits, Sheepy Feet in, “Green Eyed Monster” –Ravelry Project Link– They are GREEN green for sure. These have already gotten a ton of wear and I think I love them a little more every time I wear them. The base yarn feels strong yet still soft and has incredible stitch definition. Also, not even one little bit of pooling in that variegated colorway. Not a single bit.
	Pattern: Komet Designer: Stephanie van der Linden Needles: US 1.5 (2.5mm) Yarn: Sheepy Time Knits, Yarn That Shall Not Be Named in, “Teel Deer” –Ravelry Project Link– I’ve already blogged about these, but I still LOVE that colorway. It’s funny how a knitted item can remind you of where/when you were knitting it and for me, these will always remind me of our trip to New Hampshire, knitting and cozy in the lodge while the husband was skiing. And the epic adventure of showshoeing down Mount Washington.
	Pattern: Jabberwocky Socks Designer: Mandie Harrington Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm) Yarn: Sheepy Time Knits, All Your Base in “Blackberry Martini” –Ravelry Project Link– The dyer designed these socks and I just couldn’t wait to get the yarn and cast on. The construction of the sock is not typical and I really LOVE how she got the pattern on the side to go straight down to the foot. And again, THAT COLOR.
	Pattern: Angler’s Loop Socks Designer: Andrea Mules Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm) Yarn: Sheepy Time Knits, Panda Feet in “Creamsicle” –Ravelry Project Link– I probably could’ve knit the larger size on these for a little more ease around the cable, but they still fit fine. The base is super squishy and comfortable and the cable was just enough knitting interest to keep me engaged but not overwhelmed. Do you see what’s happening here? Variegates, no pooling, tons of different patterns, but no pooling. I’m still in awe.
	Pattern: Passerine Socks Designer: Cookie A. Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Yarn: Sheepy Time Knits, All Your Base in “Foggy Dew” –Ravelry Project Link– So these were a challenge. I just wasn’t feeling the pattern (it’s gorgeous, don’t get me wrong) and they took FOREVER to knit. Totally worth it in the end, and the pops of green in the grey are just perfect. See, again? No color pooling.
	Pattern: Lichen and Moss Socks Designer: Joanna Ryan Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Yarn: Sheepy Time Knits, Yarn That Shall Not Be Named in “Lichen” –Ravelry Project Link– Well when I found the colorway and did a search for “Lichen” in Ravelry, I just had to knit the pattern named Lichen and Moss. Seemed perfect. The simple yet elegant pattern was SO fast to knit (under a week!) and the color worked out perfectly. This base is a big favorite of mine (Oh that stitch definition) and feels super strong yet completely enjoyable to wear. And of course, no color pooling again here.

2010 Knitting, Finished Objects, Sweaters

Knitting update

By Sheetar 14 August 2010 7 February 2012

I know it’s been a while since I’ve had a knitting/spinning update, in the midst of the One Local Summer fiesta I’ve been having. I’ve still been knitting and spinning, honest! Now that it’s been half the year, I suppose we should go back and look at the knitting resolutions for this year and see how things are progressing.

1. The American Aran Afghan. This is the beast that I will tackle and finish this year.
Yeahhh.. I have four squares done. I’m finding the charting and the way the book is set up to be VERY frustrating and it’s putting me off from knitting the squares. Each square goes rather quickly if I sit down and work at it, but it’s an absolute pain to copy, cut, and arrange the charts so that it makes sense to knit row-by-row. Plus, there was this random odd injury that made knitting painful for a few months. So, I was spinning A LOT but barely knitting a stitch. Then there was the Tour de Fleece which took up almost a whole month of just spinning.. Not sure if I’m going to finish this afghan this year.

2. Knit /spin any club yarn/fiber in the month it is received.
Doing REALLY well with this one. I’ve had three club shipments for yarn this year that resulted in three pairs of socks so far. There was also a fiber club with three braids of roving that ended up as three skeins of yarn.

3. Knit two sweaters.
One down, one to go. I knitted the Leaf Pattern Gilet which knitted up rather quickly and will be a fall favorite when weather comes back around to actually knit. Here are the details!

Leafy Cardigan
Pattern: Leaf Pattern Gilet
Needles: US 6 (4mm)
Yarn: Balmoral by Sirdar
–Ravelry Project Link–
So incredibly pleased with this project from the color to the yarn to the pattern. It’s a really lovely and simple knit and I’m so glad I was able to grab the magazine that contained this pattern while it was available.

4. Knit one double-knitted item.
Uhhhh… Maybe this winter? I’m still feeling a little overwhelmed by the idea and it probably sounds more complicated than it really is.