Camera Eyes vs. Human Eyes

Alternative post title: On the Importance of Paying Attention to Dye Lots

I hope you can't tell how heavily photoshopped this is. If you can't, please admire that.

I guess it might be difficult to see what it is I'm talking about if you didn't know what to look out for, but if you ignore the heavy photoshopping in the white background there (and the fact that the entire image has been skewed in order to make it look straight), and direct your attention towards the area just where the armhole shaping starts, you'll see what I'm talking about. I noticed it even as a human being, but figured it wasn't that bad and continued (what was I thinking though?). And truly, it isn't that bad in real life, so I guess being lazy was fine this time. But the camera picks up everything that is wrong with reality (see this warp at the bottom of the post? It's off the loom now and nobody can tell it was ever crooked. Not that I've asked. But I know nobody would think it was. Not that I'll be testing that anytime soon either.) and shoves it into your face for you to see! So there's the lesson, everyone who doesn't already know better than to alternate dye lots. Especially ones purchased a year apart. No one? Just me? Figured. It's a pretty good match, though, as I mentioned last time, so I'm not as bothered as I maybe should be.

Anyway, this is the Timberline WIP, sans sleeves even though those are finished (I followed the instructions and finished those first since I was scared my puny little gauge swatch might have lied to me). I'm pretty stoked for this to be done and on my person. You wouldn't know it by my lack of progress since finishing the entire body and everything except for the button/neckband. I don't know why I'm waffling so bad. This is the easiest part. I also started knitting those adorable kitten mittens (for humans) though, so that's probably the main culprit. I'm hoping I'll have this one finished before 2016 starts up. And of course, insert the usual statement about the same hope for my sheep vest/sweater & the sherwood for my brother. Except those are less probable futures and this one's foreseeable, so I'll invest my hope (and effort) in the Timberline instead. Sorry, sheep. Sorry, brother (although I did knit a couple more inches of body into your sweater this year!).

Summer Roundup (final part)

Super fluffy sugarplum brioche

Now that summer is officially over, this summer roundup is, I suppose, a bit late. But, here are the FOs! All of them are now finished, although I don't have photos of all of them as FOs. Also, despite these 3 FOs, I think I've just about given up all hope on finishing the TCK12sweater2015 challenge. That being said, I'd like to see how well/terribly I do at the end of the year anyway, so I'm still tagging these posts and projects (on ravelry) as such.

I mentioned the Orne Cardigan (here) and set about casting on more or less right away because I had to have it in my wardrobe, and I'm happy to say that I did not make a mistake! I am extremely satisfied with the result (despite several mistakes - don't look too hard)! The only thing I wish I did differently is to move the pockets up a couple of inches so that I can reach into them more comfortably. I'm not bothered enough by it to rip out those couple of inches and reknit though, so just keep in mind for next time I work with brioche: it grows a ton vertically. Note that this is one of only two (intentional) changes I made to the pattern, the other change being not to change to 1x1 ribbing at the front bottom hems. Keeping it as brioche at the fronts resulted in the fronts being slightly shorter than the back even after blocking, but that's okay. I prefer that to it shrinking in and pulling towards the back.

The finished cardigan is super comfy to live in, and madtosh tosh dk is a dream (as might be deduced by the fact that I purchased more). I still have about 1.5 skeins left, so perhaps a hat is in the future?

I missed one!

I followed the Classic Shirt pattern by Sally Melville for the most part, making it longer in the body and tapering the top collar button placket a bit so it didn't end in such an angular edge. I just want to say, though, now that I have the buttons (see below; they're beautiful!) in: my gauge lied. I knit a large enough swatch and soaked and blocked it as I did the sweater and the sweater is still a couple inches smaller than I expected it to be! It fits like a glove, with about -1" ease or so, which would otherwise be fine were the buttons at the bust not straining a bit. It was supposed to fit with about 2-4" positive ease. The only reasons I can think of are that I knit my gauge months ago, so perhaps my own knitting just changed, combined with the unevenly spun yarn: some skeins were much more tightly spun than others.

Lovely thrift store buttons - shell?

The pattern itself was a little confusing for me personally, though I could follow along just fine and make my own adjustments here and there (namely body length). I love the little details, such as the ones at the cuffs and the collar, though, and would contemplate making this again in the size that I had originally wanted this to be, or just following the instructions for a size or two larger.

I would definitely, definitely, use another yarn though: this stuff is a pain to work with! It's alright during knitting - not the best: it sheds like nothing else, with the exception of maybe the cotton I used for my Beatnik - but it's a horror for seaming! I think I had 5 or more broken ends per sleeve, not counting the sides, when I seamed up the sides and sleeves in what was supposed to be one go. This resulted, of course, in a very long day of weaving in ends: one of my least favourite activities, and one that I put off for a couple of days, if not a week or more. I even missed one (see above photo). It's ridiculous! Pull a little too hard and it breaks. Kitchener stitch more than 3 or 4 sts and tighten it? It breaks. Look at it wrong and it trembles, shedding everywhere before breaking right in half! Definitely returning the one unused skein I have to Romni's for store credit (unless anyone wants to buy it off me, even after this horrid review of it, in which case, send me an email or PM on ravelry!).

Another linen cardigan, now finished.

And here's the last one, finished not too long ago. It's missing a sleeve; no, that wasn't the style I was going for - I'm not quite that avant garde. I tried it on right after finishing the body and thought it was a complete and utter failure, but carried on anyway because I really needed to have this done for my show, in addition to some other textile pieces I've been plugging away at in the meantime. Now that both sleeves are done, I think it actually looks fine. There's a bit too much swing at the back for my comfort, especially considering the waterfall front, but otherwise, it fits pretty well and I think it could grow on me (not literally, though that's also a possibility, considering it's 100% linen...).

Now, the slightly disappointing news. A picture is worth a thousand words:

Mirasol Nuna & Diamond Luxury Collection Pima Lino Lace

I got them prior to the Lettuce Knit splurge. Also, everything still fits into the bins I have. so it's OK, right? Right?

So in sum: I used up yarn I purchased for the purpose I got it for (madtosh tosh dk for Orne Cardigan), used up stash yarn (Elsebeth Lavold LinSilk & LitYarn 100% Linen) for two pieces I had to have for an upcoming show, in addition to using up a bunch of buttons from my stash (because I have a stash of buttons too). Not too bad, all in all!

Orne Cardigan (and Stash Enhancement)

madtosh tosh dk in "sugarplum" - incredibly beautiful colourway (as per ushe)!

Has anyone seen the Orne Cardigan design from the new Knitscene issue? It came out a little while ago, but the moment I laid my eyes on it, I knew I wanted to knit it, so I got the issue, which features many other lovely designs I'm interested in (the Allotrope Pullover,  Canted Pullover, Caldwell Pullover, Maduri Sweater, and Williams Cloche, to name a few. What do you mean I've listed just about half the designs?), and then did something that didn't make much sense given it was just after I posted about how I was maybe in danger of actually achieving SABLE: I went to a LYS that was having a sale at the time to 1)satisfy my desire to go because I knew about the sale and have that little self-restraint, and 2)find yarn for this cardigan. At least I went with a goal in mind. I also went on the last day of the sale because I figured it would have been scoured by all the other knitters in town and there wouldn't be much that would appeal to me by then (this part of the plan failed miserably: there were about 4 sets of sweater quantities I wanted to get). Also to give myself some time to think over my plans walking into the store (so that I would have some goals and not get those 4 sweater quantities, which I didn't).

Riverside Studio Merino Singles Lace (Superwash) in "Mushroom"

I walked out with the above madtosh tosh dk in Sugarplum, as well as 4 skeins of Riverside Studio Merino Singles Lace (Superwash) in "Mushroom". Ever since I saw this yarn a couple years ago, I've been wanting to try it out (Canadian company!), so even though it wasn't on sale, I went for it. I was originally thinking of using it for mokoshi, but after much swatching, I do believe I like the look of it knitted singly on 2.5mm needles better. Possibly I'll make a dress after the style of mokoshi?

Louet Euroflax Lace in "Goldenrod" & Misti Alpaca Lace

One more thing. Prior to the two aforementioned additions to my stash, and also after the post about SABLE - in fact I think it may have been the day immediately following that post - I went to Romni's to pick up some extra wire heddles for my Nilec, bringing along with me some stash yarn that had been sitting around forever, just in case. I may have gotten three more sweater quantities of yarn (the last one, not shown, is a dress quantity of more Elsebeth Lavold Eucool, in black this time). Just possibly. In my defence though, the yardage in my stash went down after this acquisition expedition, as I returned a set of alpaca lace (8 skeins) as well as 5 skeins of Araucania Botany Lace that had, like I said, been sitting around unused for years. So I'm actually further along in reducing stash than I was before! That's the way it works, right? Right?

Test: Under the Same Sky

First knit-on edging!

 That knitted border felt like forever! And it ate up so so much yarn (I actually ran out and had to improvise a bit to be able to finish it off unnoticed)! But the finished product is well worth the effort. Another lovely lace shawl from Nadia, Under the Same Sky is well-written and features easy to memorize stitches (garter stitch, a lace stitch, and the wave edging) that come together to form a beautiful wrap.

Bleeding

I'm not sure how apparent it is in these photos, but one thing I am a little unsatisfied with is that the Love Spun bled. It's a beautiful colour, and I will definitely use the other Love Spun I have (except for the Fresh Moss, which I am offering for sale at $21/skein or $40 for both, plus shipping! PM me if you're interested), but maybe soak the skeins before knitting with them? In hindsight, I should probably have expected it to bleed: it's a pretty saturated colour, one; I keep reading comments on other yarn pages that blues are pretty prone to bleeding, two; and three, it crocked on my fingers whenever I knit for extended periods of time. So maybe I should have gotten a dye magnet or something. Well I didn't. And it bled. Right into that beautiful ivory Shibui Sock. It's not too too bad, but something to learn from.

4/12 tops done for the year! I'm not going to make it in time...

Did you also notice that tank top under the same sky shawl (see what I did there? Eh?)? It's the free Notched Hem Tank by Purl Soho! A really quick and simple knit that is very satisfying. I knitted it up in Elsebeth Lavold Eucool, which I thoroughly enjoyed working with. Pity it's discontinued. Or not, since I got to snatch some up at a discounted price? (Another post related to that, later, though. And right after I posted about the possibility of SABLE, too...) Anyway, the fit of this tank top is perfect, though I did lengthen it a little bit to 17" total from the armholes. I also changed the decreases so they pointed toward the edges rather than following the contour of the edges, since I like the look of that better. The notched bits are just right at the spot where pockets would go, so you don't have to hitch up your shirt any to put your hands in your pockets! So convenient. I would love to make this again!

Zenith

It's actually in the 20s right now. Sweltering.

Third sweater complete! This was a pretty mindless knit, even into the cables part, which I really needed at the time. I'm ready to do a huge allover cable sweater or cardigan at this point, complete with buttons (read: Timberline), but Zenith was perfect for this semester. I really enjoyed the look of the original sweater, so just went ahead and copied it. A simple grey mock turtleneck complete with simple cable details at the yoke? I had a hole in my closet for that.

Look how happy I am!

The only thing I would change is probably to knit a couple more rounds - maybe 3 or 5 more rounds - for the yoke, so that there's a bit more breathing room in the underarm area. It's a perfect fit if I wasn't wearing much under it, but because I didn't get gauge, this might just be a gauge issue rather than a pattern issue. I love the short rows at the back of the neck - they make the mock turtleneck very comfy, since it doesn't feel like the back is slipping down.

I'm also pretty happy with this yarn! It feels pretty durable, yet soft enough that if I so chose, I could probably wear it next to my skin (it is a little itchy, but it's ok). I mean, my neck hasn't started complaining yet, so I think it's probably fine. Definitely wanting to work with this again.

As for the TCK sweater KAL, I'm kind of behind by a month or two at this point. My linen cardigan's coming along, but I haven't churned out anything for the month of April (going with the one sweater a month schedule here) and I don't really have anything I think I can finish for May. Maybe I'll have to pick up the sheep vest or the green Sherwood to help me along.

Morning in Engelberg (a test knit)

That cable.

 I'm so happy I can finally share this beautiful sweater! The lovely Nadia asked me a couple months ago whether I would like to test knit something for her, as part of the Casual Friday collection, and of course I responded with a resounding YES. I was torn between Morning in Engelberg and Evening in Locarno, but I felt more confident that I would be able to finish in time with thicker yarn, considering school.

I don't usually work at this weight for garments (aran weight, knit as a substitute for worsted weight), and I have no idea why not. They're so quick! The garter stitch body, coupled with the large offset cable, make for an interesting texture to an otherwise plain and comfy sweater. And plain, simple, and unfussy things are definitely my thing. In case you haven't noticed. There's also this lovely slipped side detail (below). The length of the sleeves is pretty perfect too: they cover my wrists and I can grab the hem of the sleeve with the tips of my fingers when my arms are down. Bliss.

Lovely side detail.

Also, this yarn is an absolute thing of beauty. I'm this close - this close - to running back to Romni's and buying out their shelf, especially since it's in the basement. In case anyone wants to buy it out before me so as to prevent me from doing so, it's the Araucania Rinihue. There's enough of the red colourway for a Belfast Hoodie. Or whatever full garment you please. Beautiful.

Two more things.

1. Although I lack photo evidence for it at this moment in time - and they will happen hopefully soon enough - I have also completed a piece that's been on the loom for months. I kid you not: months. I also haven't touched it for months, so I really hope that redeems me a bit, considering it's just plain old plain weave. I actually still have to cut it down as it's for a project, but I'm more or less done. And I'm so glad I sloughed through it! It's incredibly soft, and I'm thinking of weaving another one already, except one that I can keep as a scarf or something.
2. I thought I couldn't do it, but I did: I finished the Shipwreck Shawl. It's in the process of blocking (no pins, so I hope it just stays in shape), but I can already tell it's going to be incredible! I really hope the recipient likes it! More on that later when I've actually got pictures.

Plans for TCK12sweaters2015

Miss Babs Heartland in Beach Glass

Cascade 220 in Charcoal Grey

With Arabella, it's one down. As I've mentioned, there's another sweater in the works that's halfway done, so two. Let's actually not kid ourselves about those two other sweaters that haven't been completed in forever. Let's be real*. Here's my plan:

1. Arabella - done.
2. Secret - WIP, 50% done or so?
3. Timberline in Miss Babs Heartland - purchased, swatched, uses stash, I should have enough
4. Zenith in Cascade 220 - purchased, swatched, uses stash, I have more than enough
5. Burgundy Cardigan - simple oversized cardigan using recycled yarn from thrift store sweater (100% lambswool)
6. Linen Cardigan - WIP, back almost finished
7. Sandhurst Jumper in DK yarn - swatched, uses stash, I should have enough
8. Classic Shirt in Elsebeth Lavold LinSilk - in library, swatched, uses stash, I should have enough
9. Inky in Eden Cottage Yarns BFL Sock? Maybe? Undecided about this one.
10. Purl Soho Silken Straw Summer in that green cotton I picked up at the Knitter's Frolic last year?
11. I actually love this one so much: V Piping Jacket using Plotulopi, I'm thinking.
12. Maybe a Laneway. In madtosh lace.
13. I've actually got another idea for a dress using my DyeForYarn splurge sometime December (see below), which is stunning! And it shipped really quickly! Always a plus. It does have a couple of lighter spots that I don't think are entirely planned, but overall I am very pleased with my purchase.

DyeForYarn 8-Ply Mulberry Lace in Dried Brown Algae

As you can see, I'm trying to use mostly stash yarn, if not completely. All of these planned sweaters kind of fit the bill (except for the secret one - that I had to get something new), which is a motivating factor for me to actually get to them. I know I say this every year, but I really want to not let my stash grow beyond what it is right now, and although that doesn't mean I'll just stop purchasing yarn, that does mean I need to plan how to use what I currently have. Novel idea, right? So for the time being, and this is completely flexible, I'm going to not purchase any more bins to hold my yarn. What storage space I have is what storage space I'll stick with. So if I want to get more yarn, I'll have to clear out some space, either by using it, donating it, trading it, selling it, whatever works. Hopefully that'll get me motivated to finish some sweater quantities before the Knitter's Frolic!

* Given that I just cast on for a Shipwreck Shawl as a graduation present for my friend (I'm aiming for being finished April, but I get the feeling it won't be done by then), I don't think this plan is going to happen within the year, realistically. That being said, maybe over the next year as well? Or the next couple of years possibly? How about sometime within my lifetime?

1/12: Arabella

First FO of 2015!

May I introduce my first FO of 2015, Arabella! It's also the first of 12 sweaters I plan to hopefully knit this year for Tincanknits' 12 sweaters in 2015 contest. I've got another one on the go right now, about halfway finished (it's a secret for now), and if I count those two unfinishable sweaters (if you remember my sheep sweater-turned-vest-but-still-not-finished-one and the green sweater for my brother. Who am I kidding? I should know better than to count those in!), then I technically have 1 finished and 3 more already cast on: 4/12-ish! I'm on a roll! There's also that linen cardigan I have on the needles, so that's already 5. Add all the sweaters and dresses I have planned/queued-with-stash and I probably have about 10 in the works either in reality or in my mind. Psshhhh piece of cake! I highly doubt I'm going to complete 12 sweaters in 2015. 

These photos may look a bit different from my usual self-portraits, and if they do (of course they do! They're a bazillion times more beautiful! More well-lit! I just don't have enough words to say how much I respect people who can work with lighting!), it's because my incredibly talented photographer friend, Haley, generously agreed to take these for me! She's also a hooker now (crochet), and I'm teaching her how to knit. I'm so proud to be her friend! Go check out her tumblr at autienne and her ravelry as well!

Now. About Arabella.

Look Ma: seams!

It knit up surprisingly quickly over the break (when I was no longer living in the print studio and had time to knit), and is such a beautiful design - I love it! I do have a couple of things I would do differently next time though - and this is one of those sweaters that I would seriously think about knitting again - including using a different yarn, which I think would solve the other issue of the back neck dipping a little too low for my liking. Not enough to make me not wear it or rip it out and fix it, but enough for me to adjust it every so often. Like I said, I suspect it has to do with my yarn choice (Cascade Heritage, pictured below), which I'll discuss after I heap a mountain of praise upon the pattern.

Arabella was written very clearly and I had no issues at all following the pattern. The fit was also perfect; I had worked one size larger to achieve my size, and was really just crossing my fingers and hoping for the best, since this yarn grew quite a bit after blocking (thank goodness I blocked before seaming this time!!), but it all came out according to expectations. Hurrah! I would definitely consider knitting this again. Now the yarn.

Silky smooth and soft...

Of course, seeing as it's incredibly silky smooth and soft, I should have expected that it would be more prone to fluffing and pilling than other possibilities in my stash, but I was quite in love with the sample Arabella in the Brooklyn Tweed pictures, so I bulldozed ahead. With larger than recommended needles (3.5mm - the largest recommended size is 3.25mm), I blindly put my faith into the durability that nylon would lend this yarn. It turned out pretty well, to be honest. I mean, it's not nearly as bad as I'm making it sound. The fluffing does stand out a lot to me whenever I look down at the front when I wear it, but it probably doesn't look quite as ratty to anyone else. This yarn also produces a very drapey fabric, which drags down the entire sweater a bit. As I commented above, the back neck slides down quite a bit when I'm wearing it because of this. Oh well. I like the resulting sweater and I'm pretty happy with it.

I found knitting with this yarn to be a slippery experience, although it was not too splitty for me as others have commented on Ravelry. On the whole, I would purchase this yarn again at the price that I got it. Probably not much higher than that. Which means that I'm most likely never going to purchase this yarn again, seeing as I got each skein for the price of $7.47/skein during one of Craftsy's sales. I'm pretty sure this usually retails for about $14/skein or so maybe? I wouldn't know: I never considered purchasing it when it wasn't on sale. I would, however, consider knitting this pattern again.