4 posts tagged “knitting project”

Pattern: Loosely based this free pattern from Blue Sky Alpaca. I did not use the herringbone stitch pattern - it was just too much of a pain to execute. So I switched to a K2 P2 "checkerboard" pattern.

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpaca Brushed Suri in Pink Lemonade (67% baby suri alpaca, 22% merino, 11% bamboo)

Dimensions: 33"L x 6"W, with a 2.5" keyhole
Needles: Size 6

Start Date: December 27, 2006
End Date: March 5, 2007

What worked well:
This only took one skein and knitted up very fast. I hadn't worked with a brushed yarn before and it took a bit to get the feel of picking up the stitches. In working the ends around the keyhole opening, I did some whip-stitching around the keyhole to reinforce it. This yarn is so soft and cozy - the scarf feels great around my neck.

What I would do differently:
Really, can't think of anything here. I'm happy with how it turned out and this basic pattern I think would be great for gifts with any sort of brushed yarn.

Same pattern & yarn as the seeded rib stitch scarf.

Needles: Size 6, Addi Turbo Circular Needles, 16"

Start Date: December 23, 2006
End Date: January 15, 2007

What worked well:
Everything! This hat turned out to be super-cute. When I finished this off in my knitting class, a couple of the gals thought this style would work well on almost anyone age-wise - young or older.

What I would do differently:
I was a little paranoid about having enough yarn because after making the scarf I didn't have any extra at all. But, that proved not to be a problem. Two balls was plenty. The next time, I'll make it with a bit more of a "turn over" area.

Yarn Weight: Worsted
Pattern: Karabella Seeded Rib Stitch Hat & Scarf
Yarn: Karabella Aurora 8 in Denim

Dimensions: 52"L x 5.5"W
Needles: Size 8, 12" Crystal Palace Bamboo

Start Date: November 15, 2006
End Date: December 14, 2006

What worked well:
This yarn is so soft and luscious and it has an almost glossy appearance. It really brings out the seeded rib stitch pattern. This scarf is for me (and I wear it a lot!), but I think the pattern/yarn combo would make a great gift. I would definitely knit this again.

What I would do differently:
Well, I had a hell of a time with the cast off. The first three attempts caused the edge to splay out - probably due to the tight nature of the ribbing (even with casting off in the stitch pattern.). I finally wound up casting off using Size 6 needles (two sizes smaller) - and quite tightly at that - to get the sort of edge I wanted.

This was my first project since I started back knitting again.

Yarn Weight: Worsted
Yarn: Lamb's Pride (85% wool; 15% mohair) in Rosado Rose

Dimensions: 60"L x 6.5"W
Gauge: 18sts = 4"
Needles: Size 8, 12" Crystal Palace Bamboo

Start Date: October 14, 2006
End Date: December 7, 2006

What worked well:
I loved this yarn - it was easy to work with; it's soft and comfy to wear as a scarf. I was worried that the mohair might shed on my black coat, but this has not been the case.

What I would do differently:
This was the first time I'd done a long-tail cast-on and it was too tight. I may still try to block out that edge, which is pinched in. Now, I cast-on with two needles together, which gives a nice even, looser cast-on (I got this tip from my knit shop).