Yarns and Needles

Old-fashioned cardigan sweater

2009-03-01T04:00:00.001-05:00

I found this pattern in a knitting pattern book from 1952! Initially I tried a boucle yarn but nearly tore my hair put trying to work with it. I'm not accustomed to it, so I'll need to practice. Until then, I sold the two huge skeins on eBay and recuped my loss. :)

This sweater, too, ended up a bit large, but then it was too short, so I ended up crocheting an edge along the bottom. It gave it a bit of structure as well as a more tailored look. The braided edge was fun to do!

The sleeves were huge, so I took them in along the top edge, which helped. I wear it with a lace-edged tank top underneath, so it can be dressy or casual. I just hope my hair looks better than hers...yikes.

Another rolled collar, rolled sleeve sweater

2009-02-28T03:53:00.000-05:00

The first picture is the original pattern picture. This finished version was an inspiration of my seven-year-old son. We saw the pattern, and having two white West Highland terriers, we thought it would be fun to put one on the sweater.

The yarn I used was a bit too soft, but my son insisted that he would love it. He wanted green on the bottom for grass, and blue on the top for the sky.

When the sweater was finished, the neck was too small, and he couldn't get his head through it. His baby sister is now the proud owner of a Westie sweater. My son's (second) sweater is currently on the needles. Here is a picture of the first one.... Stay tuned for the second Westie sweater.

Woman's sweater in yellows and pink

2009-02-27T04:42:00.000-05:00

This sweater is a concoction of my own. I used various components from several different patterns, and some very old yarn that my mother gave me. The sweater is a bit big, but boy is it warm! I love the rolled neck and sleeves...such a relaxed, casual look.

I was surprised by how hard it was to find cantelope colored yarn. In fact I ended up using more of a pink tone. Hopefully the colors don't clash.

I did a checker board theme on the front, but since I started this sweater over five years ago, I got bored and did not repeat the pattern on the back. I did, however, do the pink stripes with the alternate yellow inside...just no checkers.

I have found that I knit tighter than I purl, so there is almost a textured stripe as a result. I've tried to correct that but have been somewhat unsuccessful. I'd be interested in knowing if anyone else notices that type of trend while knitting.

Striped afghan

2009-02-26T04:06:00.000-05:00

So I was sitting in the library one afternoon flipping through knitting books while my kids browsed the shelves, and I came across this pattern in a Better Homes and Gardens knitting book from the 1980's. I immediately loved it and had an almost primal need to make it. I started it in August and finished it in December. The straight stockinette stitch was easy (i.e. mindless), so I could focus on listening to my son read, or I could watch the news.

The colors suggested in the book are, of course, discontinued, but I spent quite a while picking out the closest thing I could find in Joann Fabrics, and I think I got a good match. The vertical stripes (done in duplicate stitch with two strands of yarn) are surprisingly time-consuming, as each one take about two hours.

I thoroughly enjoyed making this afghan, particularly because it kept me warm while I worked on it!

Apple Hat

2009-02-25T08:50:00.000-05:00

Today marks my first post on my new knitting blog. My goal is to record various projects that I've completed and make notes on any changes to the patterns, if necessary.

Recently I made an apple hat for my daughter. She frequently asks me to knit things for her, and frankly I'm delighted to do so. It's so much more fun to knit for someone who's requested something specific. Plus, being a novice to knitting to a large degree, each new project presents a new challenge for me. My goal is to get as good as my mother, my mother-in-law, and my sister!

My mother and sister knit the "European" way. My mother-in-law knits the "American" way. I was taught the American way in the 4th grade, but when I came home to show my mother my new skills, she put down her potato peeler, and said, "No, no, no. Let me know you my way." Fine by me! Now I know two methods, so I can work with both while teaching my daughters how to knit.

Anyhow, here's a photo of the apple hat. It took less than two days to make, and my daughter loves it.