I want to marry my Koolhaas hat

Posted on 03/11/2008 by Andrea | Comments (0)
Filed under : Finished Objects, Knitting

I have to admit I've been in a bit of a knitting slump the past month or two. The St. Mawes sweater was sort of hanging over my head, nagging at me every time I tried to pick up something else. My knitting confidence was shaken and I began to amass a collection of unfinished objects. But I think that finishing St. Mawes and finding out that it was indeed FINALLY right freed up the old creative juices.

So as I waited for St. Mawes to dry (took a good three days, laid out on towels, for that thing to dry and block), I knitted the Koolhaas Hat by Jared Flood. I used this Noro Silk Garden that I'd bought as a complete impulse buy. This hat pattern really is as great as everyone says it is. It's quick to knit and so much fun to watch the cris-crossing cables develop. I really like the end product of cables, but I don't usually like the process. But because the cables only cross one stitch, it's very easy to knit without a cable needle, which makes the endeavor much less painful for me.

And here it is:

Pattern: Koolhaas Hat by Jared Flood. From Interweave Knits Gifts, Winter 2007, but I bought it on the Knitting Daily website (Ravelry Link)

Yarn: Noro Silk Garden (Ravelry Link). My first time using any Noro yarn after hearing so much about it. I doubted its appeal, with the scratchiness and the bits of hay. I have to say, though, that I'm sold on Noro now. At least Silk Garden. It's soft enough and the yarn just has so much character. And of course, the colors are fantastic.

Modifications: Because I didn't get gauge with Noro Silk Garden, I decreased the number of stitch pattern repeats by one. I also cut out one full row repeat (8 rows), but I wish I hadn't because the decreases happened more quickly than I thought and the hat ended up not covering my ears all the way.

Overall thoughts: This was really fun to knit, I loved watching the colors come out, and I'm looking for excuses to make more of them. One of the best patterns I've come across in a long time.

Victory at the Battle of St. Mawes

Posted on 03/10/2008 by Andrea | Comments (4)
Filed under : Finished Objects, Knitting

I can hardly believe this, but over two years after starting the St. Mawes sweater for Brad, I am finally finished.

And he likes it.

VICTORY.

Pattern: St. Mawes (XL) from Rowan Magazine #39 (Ravelry Link)

Yarn: Rowan All Season's Cotton, in Dusk. This was the recommended yarn and it was perfect for the job. It was a joy to work with, and Brad will like it because it's not as warm as wool.

Modifications: I did a reverse stockinette tubular cast-on for the sleeves and body instead of rolled stockinette, which I think looks pretty great (see Techknitter for an explanation of what this is). I modified the neck into a v-neck, per Brad's request. And I had to shorten the sleeves. I also had to perform surgery, but that wasn't really a modification. I just had to mention it again because it was so traumatic.

Overall thoughts: Despite all my bellyaching about this project, I love this sweater and I loved knitting it. It was just the finishing it that killed me. I would do it all over again if given the choice (but I wouldn't make as many mistakes!)

Just a quick post to share a pattern

Posted on 03/07/2008 by Barb | Comments (0)
Filed under : DIY, Finished Objects, Free Patterns, Knitting, Stash

It’s funny how something as insignificant as wrist warmers can affect your life. (Well, that might be an overstatement … your life.) Some areas of our office can feel chilly so I’ve been knitting wrist warmers to keep around for anyone who’s feeling the need for a little something cozy. They’re pretty quick and easy to do once you get the hang of entrelac, and they’re a great way to use up scraps of odds and ends of yarn. They’ve become quite the rage around the office! (Well, that might be an overstatement, too!)