Knitting with bulky

I bought some patons inca in the big spotlight sale and have started a sweater for Nathan. I know it's the wrong season, but I'm hoping to be prepared once the weather gets cooler, although we are having quite a few scorchers at the moment.

I haven't knit with yarn this thick before and while at first it felt awkward with such large needles, I must admit I'm loving it. Brilliant for quick results and satisfaction. I cast on on Saturday, have finished the body and 1 sleeve, begun 2nd sleeve and hoping to join them all tonight.

There is no pattern, just basic Elizabeth Zimmerman bottom up raglan construction. Easy, memorized and effective. The yarn has 3 main plus and one is a different shade, giving the fabric a bit of depth and interest. Photos to follow soon, probably when it's finished, though, which is hopefully very very soon.

Swatching For Seneca

Today I decided to swatch for Seneca, swatching being something I don't usually do. However as I'm knitting this sweater out of handspun, I thought I'd better do a swatch as I have had no experience with this wool.

I also decided that as this whole project is in the round, that I will use this as an opportunity to practice my continental knitting, hopefully to acheive a faster and more efficient knitting skill. I also knit this in the round as the pattern suggests, to minimise any errors.

I was very pleased with how well I picked up the continental method again, although it was always the purling I had trouble with. I probably didn't knit as much as I should've, but oh well. I was pleased to notice that my stitches were a bit looser, which is a relief as lately my stitches strangle the needles, and I struggles sometimes to pull them back off the cable and onto the needle.

After casting off, I washed the swatch in a warm bath of Softly wool wash. Then let it air dry. I was pleased to see the wool blossom up a bit, something which I had not really noticed before. Where I thought the holes were perhaps too big, they filled out nicely. The imperfections in my spinning also seemed to balance out after washing too. I have made gauge using 4.5mm needles, so I am looking forward to casting on for my Handspun Seneca very soon.

Learning top down construction

Firstly I have been powering through my tangled yoke as I am in the stockinette portion and I felt like some simple knitting. As I said before, I actually knitted the garter rib for 5 1/4 inches then began the pattern in stockinette according to the rows of the pattern. This will make the cardigan nice and long which I will love. I also adore the drape and feel of the fabric, it is light and will definately be a warmer weather cardi, which was my goal. I think I prefer the slightly looser knit fabric as opposed to the tightly knit, but we'll see how well it sits when finished. Isn't the color gorgeous!

I spent last night reading the book "Knitting from the top down" by Cathy Carron. Not a fan of any of the projects, they are definately outdated, but I found that the information in the book on how top-down construction works, how to add shaping (which I already kinda knew), how to calculate sleeves and how to do various collars was fabulous. I had that 'light bulb' moment when all of a sudden the top-down method made perfect sense and seems quite simple.

I have knit top down before, but I could never figure out how the calculations worked, how to calculate the beginning stitches, how to seperate them for front, back and sleeves, or how to figure out the increases for the yoke. But now I get it! I'm hoping to use this method and calculations to amend patterns so that I can make the sweaters/ cardigans more simply, but also out of the yarn I want and the needles I want. Being in Australia (as opposed to USA where most patterns originate from) we mostly use 8ply (dk) yarn as opposed to 10ply (worsted). This means that many patterns I want to make need many alterations as not only do I not prefer thicker yarn, but it is harder to find, whereas 8ply is everywhere!

My first aim is to make myself a top-down jumper, long and fitted, with 8ply smoky gray and black stripes. I want it to be a perfect fit. Unfortunately the book didn't cover v-neck design, but I have located a few other sources which should help. Although, now that I understand the construction, I think I can figure it out on my own. I am going to have a think about how to do the increases for my bust though, I want it to fit well without the loose fabric under the bust, but I'm not sure I want to do short rows in the stripes. Thinking about just adding the increases on the front, so the back doesn't get baggy either, that happened last time. Too much fabric on the back so it didn't quite sit right. Maybe darts are the way to go. Oh well, more research!

New Years - Casting on and weaving ends

Well, I finally finished Chloe's cardigan and she loves it. She hasn't taken it off since i gave it to her, and it doesn't even have buttons yet!!! So happy and proud of myself. I promised myself I would finish by new years, and I did with an hour and a half left! A very close call. :) I did the finishing and weaving ends yesterday, but that didn't count. I had finished knitting!

Isn't it gorgeous! The photos aren't the best, but oh well. This is my first

cabled project and it was a lot easier to cabled than I had imagined. I think I now have a cabling bug :)
I recently ordered some beautiful new handwash wool in a red tweed to make my mum a long cardigan/ jacket for mother's day. This gives me five months, so I should be done by then. I can't wait to get the wool, but I expect it to be a few days away still. I bought it from Bendigo Woolen Mills and their prices are fantastic! I bought 800 grams for $44. Couldn't get close to that at my local Spotlight.
I'm going to visit a few LYS's this week, to explore, but also to hunt down some new needles. The ones i'm using are ok, but i'm sure that there are nicer ones out there. Should be fun.
For now however, I'm going to work on a simple afghan square for some mindless knitting. I then have Nathan's jumper with a couple of stripes to finish up. Even though It's summer, it makes sense to me to make these cold weather garments now, before it's too late!
Til Next time, Danielle

Outdoor Knitting

Yesterday was a gorgeous day, Spring is definately in the air! I had the kids outside for a few hours, playing on the swings, slide, trampoline, balls and with Angel, our dog. When they got bored with that, out came some books and the matchbox cars. While my DD read about Wooly Mammoths (and insisted on sharing every word :P) my DS set up his car ramp to race his matchbox cars through the umbrella hole in our Jarrah table. A couple of sandwiches and some fruit and they were content away from the tv which was a miracle in itself.

I, on the other hand, got to enjoy a few hours of "Day Knitting" in one chunk. While outside they let me knit on my black ribbed cardigan which was fantastic. It was so much easier to see in daylight. A lot trickier to see inside unfortunately. But I managed to add a few inches which I'm really pleased with. Just hope it fits at the end! I've never made a cardigan for myself before.

I'm hoping to go outside again today, it's supposed to be another nice spring day, but knowing Melbourne, maybe not! I need to work on my dishcloth blanket and dad's sweater today too, even a couple of rows feels very productive.

Oh and yesterday was a cleaning day too, which followed a baking day! I tidied up a lot of the house, which isn't easy with 2 kids and 2 grown men who quite frankly, can't seem to put anything away. They all have a habit of turning any surface into storage, which gets very cluttered very quickly. A bit of vaccuuming today, some more tidying and hopefully a lot of knitting!

Til next time......Danielle

Sock Mastery!

Well, I had a very unfortunate experience with my first sock, it came out huge! but at least I know more about sock construction and sizing. The second sock I made came out perfect for me, so I am thrilled. By the time I started the third sock, but second of th pair, I knew exactly where i was going, what was up next and felt confident. Although I still had to check back on the pattern occasionally, I was impressed that I had already mastered the necessary skills and manouvering of the DPN's. I know many people use circulars, but I wanted to start out on DPN's, so that I can develop as many skills as possible. And to tell you the truth, I really enjoy them!

My next set of socks will be for my daughter, she picked out some very pretty pink colorways of striping and fair isle yarns. I'm pretty sure I will be able to make her 2 pairs from each 100g ball. I have many more balls of yarn in various colorways, self-striping and fair isle designs that are ideal for myself as well. I just need to master the toe seam and they will become very easy knitting options.

I woke up sick today, sore throat and stuffy nose which was pretty disappointing. DH and DD woke up the same too. Today was a beautiful day though, sunny and warmish. Although the wind made it a bit chilly. So I spent most of the day outside with my son as he played on the swingset and with his matchbox cars. The dog was happy, she played by herself chasing balls and anything else that moved. Silly thing won't go outside unless people are out there with her. Diva dog. So because I was outside for most of the day I knitted on my dad's sweater as it is knitted in te round and just knit stitch. I carry the ball in a bag on my shoulder and i can walk around my yard easily while knitting. I find i can spend hours outside with my kids this way, otherwise i get so bored i can barely last 5 minutes.

I also listened to the Knitmore Girls podcast today. I only discovered podcasts recently and I start at he beginning.......up to the most recent. I started with the Knit Picks podcast, now on to Knitmore Girls. I have KIPing it Real, CogKNITive, Manic Purl and a few more waiting in line. I'm loving it, I had no idea so many others knit, let alone that there was so much to say! I'm currently downloading the Harry Potter series of audiobooks and many more waiting in line. When I'm not listening to my iPod, I'm knitting and reading. I'm currently reading "Compulsion" by Jonathan Kellerman. Not my favourite so far, but still enjoyable. Tomorrow I have to start reading my workbook for my hird module, "Conflict Resolution". I just hope it's as interesting as my first two subjects. I'm studying a Bachelor of Applied Social Science majoring in Counselling. But with 2 kids at home, and my other commitments, it's going to be quite a few years before I finish, but I figure that's ok. It keeps my ind active and it's a great feeling to get a Distinction!

Til next time.......Danielle

No Followers :(

Had a sad realisation today, no followers :( Poor me. Oh well, just like a diary I will babble to myself. It's been a while since my last post. The cardigan is finished and dearly loved. Worn multiple times. Fits well, but in my opinion it's a bit short and the arms look a bit too baggy. But gotta love those kids, 7 year olds don't spot the flaws, just the love.
I would post a pic, but haven't figured that out yet.

I started knitting socks for myself, but the bad luck was the first one was huge! Although I followed the pattern and checked the gauge, it just wasn't right. I made another which I finished tonight and it fits perfect. I just need to knit the second sock now, and i'm so excited to wear them! They will be my first knitted socks.....ever!

I haven't made much progress on my dad's sweater, been too busy with my socks. I did start my niece's blanket/afghan. It's made out of double sport ply, on 6mm needles. Each square is a dishcloth pattern, of a heart. It actually looks really good. Very very pink!

My third term of my studies begins today, and I just want to knit! But oh well, i'll pick it up tomorrow. Still addicted to Knitmore Girls Podcast at the moment, and I have a few more waiting in line. I have also downloaded a heap of audiobooks, including Harry Potter and Twilight, as well as Jonathan Kellerman, David Baldacci, Anne Rice and more. I'm kinda bored with tv at the moment.

Til next time...........Danielle