Category Archives: Knitting

March 20, 2013 · 12:51 PM

In Progress

Here’s what I’ve been up to lately!

On the Needle

I have maintained my enthusiasm for knitting and am continuing work on my XO Raglan Cardigan.  I am almost, but not quite, halfway through the right front piece.  It’s a good thing the buttonholes (my first ever) are in garter stitch because they are far from perfect, but the garter stitch hides them nicely.

Almost halfway done...

Almost halfway done…

I like the look of the little pockets.  Someone described them as the “cutest little non-functional pockets ever”, and I agree!

Cute little pocket

Cute little pocket

I hope to finish the right front in the next few weeks so I can then block the pieces and sew them together!

On the Cutting Table

Nothing!

Now that we are headed into Spring, I have decided to hold off sewing my daughter her second pair of sweatpants.  She won’t have any use for them over the next few months, so if I wait until Fall I can make sure they will fit before making them.

Earlier this week I completely packed up my sewing stuff to make way for a home improvement project.  I guess I will have to satisfy my creative urges with knitting for a while!

Bye-bye sewing stuff!

Bye-bye sewing stuff!

Home Improvement

Our sewing/guest/dump-everything room is being converted into a bedroom for my daughter.  I have been talking about doing this for years and I am now going on public record to declare that it is actually going to get done this Spring (I hope I didn’t just jinx myself!).

We will be getting rid of the ugly popcorn ceiling in this room and two other bedrooms (actually, the guys came and removed it yesterday, yay!) and replacing the outdated light fixture.

Ugly Ceiling

Ugly Ceiling

Wallpaper has already been removed (thanks, Mom!) and I will be painting the walls a pretty lavender.  The moulding desperately needs to be updated, so that will happen too.

This old trim needs updating!

This old trim needs updating!

The finishing touch will be some sort of closet organization.

Once my daughter’s new bedroom is complete, I will turn my attention to a couple of the other bedrooms with the end result being a room dedicated to sewing and crafts!

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March 7, 2013 · 9:30 PM

FO: Downton Abbey Mystery Gauntlets

Lady Violet's Gauntlets

FYI:  The “FO” in the title stands for “finished object”…

I finally finished my Downton Abbey Mystery Knit-a-long project last week, officially known as “Lady Violet’s Gauntlets”.   This is the most complex project I have made to date and I am very happy with how they turned out!

Blocking the gauntlets

Blocking the gauntlets

There are eyelets along the outside edge of each glove.  The cords in the photo above are now laced through the eyelets, and the fit of the gloves can be customized a bit.  Here is one “fully extended”:

"Un-rouched" glove

“Un-ruched” glove

And here is the same glove ruched a bit:

Ruched glove

Ruched glove

You can see how the lacing works a little better in this photo:

UndersideI have worn the gloves out a few times and I really like them being fingerless when I am driving.  It is so much easier to get my daughter buckled in, get the music playing, steer, etc. with my fingers available.  They are also nice for keeping my hands and wrists warm in the evening while I’m watching TV.

I really, really enjoyed this project.  The pace was perfect and I was able to keep up with the group each week.  The discussion on Ravelry was friendly and helpful.  I learned a ton, both from working the project and from the other participants.

IMG_4986_edited-1

Here is a list of all the things I did for the first time while knitting these gloves:

  • Crochet provisional cast-on
  • Magic Loop – I love it!
  • Lace
  • I-cords
  • Thumb gusset
  • Using multi-colored yarn – it was fun seeing how the colors changed and worked together
  • Elastic bind-off

This project was a real confidence booster.  Now I feel like I can knit anything!  Well, maybe now the “intermediate” patterns…

High Tea

Thanks to Jimmy Beans Wool and Kristin (the designer) for hosting such a fun KAL!  If you are interested in this pattern you can find out more here:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/downton-abbey-mystery-kal-with-jimmy-beans-wool
.  All my pattern notes can be viewed on my Ravelry project page.

JBW is hosting another mystery KAL inspired by the show Game of Thrones that I am seriously considering doing because this one was so much fun!

I just want to say, taking pictures of one’s self wearing gloves is not easy!  Enjoy a few of the “failures”:

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February 7, 2013 · 11:58 AM

In Progress

Welcome to what I hope will become a semi-regular feature here at From Scratch.  In this new feature, I will be sharing updates on my non-cooking projects, such as the Downton Abbey Mystery Knit-a-Long I am working on.  If you see regular updates, that means I am actually working on projects (not just hoping to be working on them).

Let’s get started!

On the Needle

I have two knitting projects in progress.  First let’s take a look at the Downton Abbey KAL.  If you haven’t heard, we are making fingerless gloves!  Or gauntlets, as they probably would have been called back when DA takes place.  I am having a lot of fun with this KAL and learning tons!  Here is my first glove, as of the end of Clue #4 (of 8):

There is a panel of lace roses on top of the glove.

There is a panel of lace roses on top of the glove.

At the top, there is a row of eyelets which will be used to gather the gloves.

At the top of this picture, there is a row of eyelets which will be used to gather the gloves.

 

I really like the way the colors pooled differently on each scallop in this lace section:

Pretty scalloped lace

Pretty scalloped lace

Since taking these pictures I have completed Clue #5, which involved knitting an I-cord to lace through the eyelets and casting on the second glove.  I can’t wait to wear these!

I have also done some work on my sweater, and completed the first half of the front:

Left front of the sweater

Left front of the sweater

I am probably going to redo the top corner.  Since finishing this, I have learned how to cast off the neckline more smoothly.  I also want to complete the final twist in the cable pattern to close the top “O”.

The neckline portion that I will probably redo.

The neckline portion that I will probably redo.

Once that is done, all I have left is to complete the second front piece.  Then I can block it and sew it together!

On the Cutting Table

I don’t have much going in the sewing department, but I did make a pair of sweatpants for my daughter after modifying the pattern I used for her Halloween costume.

Altered sweat pants - they fit much better!

Altered sweat pants – they fit much better!

They fit great and I hope to make a second pair soon.

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January 2, 2013 · 10:40 PM

Downton Abbey Mystery Knit-A-Long

I am kicking off the new year with an exciting new knitting project!  It’s a mystery knit-a-long (KAL) hosted by Jimmy Beans Wool.  The project is inspired by the show Downton Abbey and JBW’s limited-edition yarn, “Christmas at Downton“.

I have only recently climbed aboard the Downton Abbey bandwagon.  I started watching the DVDs from Netflix a few months ago and quickly got hooked.  I am looking forward to the new season starting on Sunday!

My yarn wound into a ball and ready to go!

My yarn wound into a ball and ready to go!

The mystery part of the knit-a-long is that we don’t know what we are knitting.  Pieces of the pattern will be revealed every Sunday for the duration of Downton Abbey Season 3.  We know it’s not a hat or socks, and that it is inspired by the character played by Maggie Smith, Violet the Dowager Countess.  Theories have ranged from fingerless gloves to a shawl to a scarf.  I think it will be something worn around the neck, but I’m not sure what.

While the project was designed to use the “Christmas at Downton” yarn, it is not a requirement for participating in the KAL.  I love the colors, so I decided to go ahead and use the suggested yarn.  The colors are much more vibrant in person than they are coming across in my photos.  And lucky me got to pick up my yarn in person since Jimmy Beans Wool is local to Reno!

Christmas at Downton. I love the colors of this hand-dyed yarn!

Christmas at Downton. I love the colors of this hand-dyed yarn!

One thing that attracted me to this project is that it only uses one skein of yarn, so I know I can keep up with the group and actually finish the project.  I also like that I will be learning some new techniques.  In particular, magic loop and crochet provisional cast-on.  There will be an optional lace panel in the project.  I have never done lace before, so I plan on waiting until we get the lace instructions and practicing a bit before I decide if I will include the lace or not.

Here is my swatch. I love how it looks knitted up, and the yarn is so nice to work with.

My excitement over this project has reignited my excitement about knitting in general, and I have even been working on my sweater.  I really hope I can ride the wave of enthusiasm until the sweater is finished!

If you are interested in participating in the KAL, you can find more information on the Jimmy Beans Wool Blog or on the pattern’s Ravelry page.  The first bit of instructions will be posted on January 6, 2013!

Who else out there is watching Downton Abbey?  What knitting projects are you working on?

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April 23, 2012 · 8:29 AM

Nothing Kills the Mojo Like a Mistake

Remember that sweater I am knitting?  I seem to be knitting it at a snail’s pace.  But lately I’ve been in the mood to knit and have been making good progress. I have been working on the left front piece (the back and two sleeves are finished).

As I approached the transition to shaping the armholes and heading up to the neck I got excited.  I find once I hit that point, I get anxious to finish and it’s fun to see myself get closer and closer to the end.

I finally got started on the armholes when I noticed THE MISTAKE.

Do you see it?  HINT:  Look at the cable pattern near the top.

Here is the mistake circled in case you couldn’t spot it.  Instead of an XO pattern, I ended up with a little fish shape.

I briefly entertained the idea of leaving the mistake, but then I realized the pattern has to match the other side of the front, so I would have to make the mistake there as well.  Plus, I would always know the mistake was there and it would bother me.

So now I am faced with having to undo my knitting back to the point of the mistake and fixing it.  I am not very confident with “un-knitting”, so the task is always slow and tedious.  I am not looking forward to it and have been putting it off.

I know I have to “just do it” so I can move forward again.

How do you get moving again when you get stalled on a project, knitting or otherwise?

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December 14, 2011 · 8:00 AM

Hand Made Gifts 2011: Knit

Welcome to my next installment of hand made holiday gift ideas!  This time we’re doing a roundup of gifts you can knit.

Rick Rack Scarf

Let’s get one of the more obvious choices out of the way: a scarf.  It’s pretty much one-size-fits-all.  I really like the texture of this scarf from The Purl Bee.  It’s fresh and modern.  You can find the pattern here.

Rick Rack Scarf

Neck Warmer

If you don’t have time to knit a whole scarf, how about a cowl or neck warmer?  This one I found at Jimmy Beans Wool looks quick and easy!  Here are the instructions.

Neckie

Crown Hat

These little hats are really fun to knit, and kids love wearing them!  I made this one for my niece last year.  The pattern isn’t free, but you can purchase and download a copy here at KnitPicks.

Crown Hat

Bell Ornaments

Finally, a super-quick little pattern for some Christmas bell ornaments (I saw someone do these with silver yarn to make Wedding bells).  These would be a great first knitting project!  Or use them to decorate a wrapped gift.  I made these for my Gran many years ago.  I found these instructions that look very similar to the bells I made.

Knit Bells

Christmas Bells

Hopefully my next gift-related post will about an actual gift that I have made this year!

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February 28, 2011 · 11:00 AM

Look, Ma! I Can Do Cables!

Some of you may remember that I am in the process of knitting my first sweater.  After not working on it for 7 or 8 months, I picked it up again after Christmas and have made great progress.  I have now completed the back and both sleeves.

Sweater

The Back and Both Sleeves

I’m very pleased with how this is turning out.  I really like the triangle detailing along the raglan seams.

Seam Detail

Seam Detail

The front pieces are going to be the most challenging for me so I saved them for last.  There are several elements in the fronts that I have never done before:  cables, pockets, and button holes.  I did some practicing with the cables – they are much easier than they look!

Cable Sample

Cable Sample

Here is a picture of the sweater I am making.  It is the “XO Raglan Cardigan” from the Winter 2009/2010 issue of Vogue Knitting magazine.

XO Raglan Cardigan

XO Raglan Cardigan

I’m really excited to get started on the front of my sweater!

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December 26, 2010 · 10:23 PM

“Loved” Crown Hat

Crown Hat

Teddy "Modeling" the Crown

The first Christmas gift I made this year was the “Loved” crown hat for my niece.  I used KnitPicks’ Comfy Bulky yarn.  I first saw this pattern last spring and I immediately thought it would be perfect for my niece.  I even used the same colors of yarn that were featured by KnitPicks because I thought the colors were perfect too.

This was a very satisfying project to knit, at least until I got to the end.  As a pretty new knitter, this pattern provided the opportunity to practice some skills I haven’t had much opportunity to use, and it was quick to knit.  This is a great pattern for an advanced beginner looking to practice increases and decreases!

Inside

The Inside of the Crown

Now we get to the unsatisfying part of the project…  The hat is sewn from the bottom, up to the crown tips, and then down the inside to where the colors change.  It is then bound off and the inner “lining” is seamed.  Well, my bound off edge wasn’t stretchy at all!  It affects the fit of the hat, and will reduce the amount of time my niece will be able to wear it.  I’m sure the problem was caused by my inexperience, but it is disappointing.  I also did not enjoy the seaming because I have never seamed before and I wasn’t quite sure what I was doing.

All in all I enjoyed this project, and the finished crown sure is cute.

Any knitters out there know where I went wrong with the bind off?

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December 15, 2010 · 4:00 PM

Handmade Christmas Gifts

Every year about this time I get the urge to make many of my Christmas gifts.  I have a lot of ideas of things I’d like to make for various people.  My ideas range from sewing small items like toiletry bags,  to sewing clothing items, to making food gifts.  In fact, I have more ideas of things I’d like to make than I have time to actually make them.  I know I could start earlier in the year, but that’s just not how I operate.  With a little planning I probably could start in early November and have time for a few more gifts.

This year I have settled on two items I am going to make as gifts.  I can’t reveal what they actually are until after Christmas, but here are a couple of hints:

Knitted Gift

It looks like I might be knitting something...

Sewing Pattern

Preparing a Pattern for Sewing

What, if anything, are you making for gifts this year?

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December 7, 2010 · 10:19 AM

Sometimes I Even Knit

While sewing remains my first crafty love, I do sometimes knit.  I took it up a of couple years ago as a way to satisfy my creative needs in a way that fit my current lifestyle.  Knitting is more portable than sewing: I can take it with me on a trip or to one of my daughter’s appointments.  I can also relax with it on the couch in the evening watching TV with my husband.

Knit Bells

The Christmas Bells On My Tree

I have always liked the idea of knitting, but I had a few false starts.  I first tried knitting in my teens.  If my memory is correct, I believe my Gran taught me the basics of the knit and purl stitches.  The only thing I can recall actually making at that time were some little bell-shaped Christmas ornaments that I gave to each of my grandmas as gifts.  Gran gave me hers a few years ago when she was downsizing her Christmas ornaments.

I tried again in my early twenties.  I made a couple of hats.  I even started a sweater (which I spent a lot of money buying yarn for).  The problem was, I didn’t really learn how to knit properly.  I only knew the very basics and nothing about using a pattern.  Worst of all, I knit REALLY tight, so it wasn’t enjoyable.  It was actually painful!

When I got the bug to start knitting again a few years ago I decided to do it right.  I asked for a beginning knitting book for Christmas and I started with some simple projects.  I made a concerted effort to learn how to not knit too tight.

Vogue Knitting Sweater

XO Raglan Cardigan

 

Right now I am working on my first sweater (the failed attempt in my 20′s doesn’t count).  I am making#24, the XO Raglan Cardigan, from the Winter 2009/10 issue of Vogue Knitting magazine.

I have completed the back piece and am partway through the sleeves.  The yarn is a lovely light blue silk/wool blend.

It has been a few months since I have worked on my sweater, but I am feeling ready to start working on it again.  I am currently working on another little knitting project (more on that later!) and really enjoying it, so I can definitely see myself picking up the sweater again soon.

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