Collared Zip Cardigan

A pattern by YarnThrower

This is a basic bulky cardigan. It has ribbing under the arms for subtle shaping, modified drop shoulders, and a collar. Feel free to explore your own creative genious by using this pattern as a "blank sheet" to embellish with stitch patterns or color work, or just make it plain, as I did, using a nice yarn. It is perfect for a fall jacket, and the bulky yarn makes it very warm.

It is knit with the front bands, fronts, and back as one piece from the lower edge to the underarms. Then some stitches are cast off for sleeve insets, and the fronts and back are knit separately up to the shoulders, then attached at the shoulders with three needle bind-offs. Sleeves are picked up from the armhole edges and knit down from the shoulders, first back and forth for a couple of inches in the inset area, and then joined to knit in the round down to the cuff. The collar is picked up and knit from the neckline. The only finishing on this sweater is weaving in the ends, sewing a four inch seam in the underarm area of each sleeve, and installing a zipper. Directions for sewing a zipper into a cardigan may be found here.

(This pattern is the property of YarnThrower and may not be reproduced except for one copy for individual use. If you otherwise print or distribute this pattern without YarnThrower's written permission, you are stealing.)

Finished Size: This sweater, as shown, has a 40 inch chest measurement. Since this is a free pattern, and since I don't know what the interest in it will be, I have not worked out the math for other sizes. However, if you are interested in a particular size, send me an e-mail with your wishes, and I'll see what I can do.
Updated 10/29/2006: To include directions for a 54 inch circumference (2x).

Materials:

• Blackberry Ridge Nubby Wool (bulky weight, approximately 185 yards per 4 oz), 6 hanks. (Not sure how much would be required for the 54 inch (2x) size.)
  
• 20" separating zipper to coordinate with yarn (24" zipper for larger size)
  

Needles:

• Circular, 16 inches for upper sleeves, size 8
• Circular, long enough to hold 166 (226) stitches for body (worked back & forth), size 8
  
• Circular to hold 150 (204) stitches for lower body ribbing (worked back & forth), size 6
• Double pointed needles for lower sleeves cuffs, size 6
• Double pointed needles for lower sleeves above cuffs, size 8
  

Notions:

• Darning needle
• Scissors
• Tape measure

Gauge:
15.5 stitches and 25 rows to 4 inches in stockinette

Pattern:

Body of sweater:

• Using size 6 circular needle, cast on 150 (204) stitches.
• Row 1: K1, P1, K1, P1, *K2, P2*, repeat area between ** until last six stitches, then K2, P1, K1, P1, K1.
• Row 2: K1, P1, K1, K1, *P2, K2*, repeat area between ** until last six stitches, then P2, K1, K1, P1, K1. (Note that this sets up a seed stitch border along the front edges that spans three stitches on each side, and a one-stitch "channel" next to each border, and 2x2 ribbing along the rest of the lower edge of the cardigan.)
• Repeat rows 1 and 2 until 16 rows have been completed, increasing 16 (22 -- space 12 of these within the back section, and place the remaining 10 within the front sections (5 within each front)) stitches evenly spaced in row 16 (making sure that these increases aren't made within the 14 (18) stitches under each arm -- the ribbing in this area will continue up to the armhole). Now there will be 166 (226) stitches on the needles.
• Change to size 8 circular needle.
  
• Next row (right side): K1, P1, K1, P1, K30 (43), place marker, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, (add K2, P2 for larger size) place marker, K70 (96), place marker, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, (add K2, P2 for larger size) place marker, K30 (43), P1, K1, P1, K1. (The two P2 K2 sections, which are between markers, set up the ribbing under the arms, which is continued all the way to the armholes.) (Note that at this point, there are two fewer "front" stitches than there are back stitches. This is to allow for the space the sewn in zipper will take up.)
  
• Next row (wrong side): K1, P1, K1, K1, P30 (43), slip marker, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, (add K2, P2 for larger size) slip marker, P70 (96), slip marker, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, (add K2, P2 for larger size) slip marker, P30 (43), K1, K1, P1, K1.
• Repeat these two rows until work measures 13 inches (14 inches, or desired length to armholes) from cast on edge, ending with a wrong side row.
• Next row, divide for fronts and back: Work across 34 (47) stitches as established, place these 34 (47) stitches on holder (scrap yarn), bind off 14 (18) ribbing stitches (for bottom of armhole), work across 70 (96) stitches, place remaining 48 (65) stitches in row on another holder.
• Back: Knit stockinette (knitting on right side rows, purling on wrong side rows) on 70 (96) stitches for back for 9.5 (13) inches ending with a wrong side row. On next row, K22 (30) shoulder stitches and place these stitches on a holder, bind off 26 (36) back neck stitches, K22 (30) shoulder stitches on other side and place on holder.
• Right Front: Joining yarn at right front edge, and starting with a right side row, P1, K1, P1, P1, work to end of row for right front. (Notice that the order of stitches for the front band sequence is different than how it was worked prior to the dividing round. This change is required in order to maintain the continuity of the seed stitch pattern on the front band.) Turn work, and now on wrong side row, knit to last four stitches, K1, P1, K1, P1. Repeat these last two rows until 46 (# of rows to get length specified) rows have been worked since dividing row, or until front measures 7 (10)inches from dividing row, ending with a wrong side row.
• Right Front neckline shaping: On next row (right side), bind off 6 (8) stitches and work across. Purl next row. On next row (right side), bind off 4 (5) stitches and work across. Purl next row. On next row (right side), bind off 2 (2) stitches and work across.
• Finish Right Front: Continue working in stockinette until right front measures 9.5 (13) inches from dividing row and is the same length as the back.
  
• With "public" (right) sides together, join right front to right shoulder of back using three-needle-bind-off.
  
• Left front: Joining yarn at back of left armhole (where stitches have been saved on holder immediately next to back, right side row next, bind off 14 (18) ribbing stitches, knit to last four stitches, then P1, K1, P1, K1. There will be 34 (47) stitches on the needle, and "dividing row" has just been completed. Next row (wrong side row), K1, P1, K1, K1, purl across. Next row (right side row), knit to last four stitches, P1, K1, P1, K1. Continue repeating these last two rows until 46 (# of rows to get length specified -- should be same as right front) rows from dividing row, ending with right side row.
• Left front neckline shaping: On next row (wrong side), bind off 6 (8) stitches and work across. Knit next row. On next row (wrong side), bind off 4 (5) stitches and work across. Purl next row. On next row (wrong side), bind off 2 (2) stitches and work across.
• Finish Left Front: Continue working in stockinette until left front measure 9.5 (13) inches from dividing row and is the same length as the back.
• With "public" (right) sides together, join left front to left shoulder of back using three-needle-bind-off.
  

Sleeves:

• Using 16 inch size 8 circular needle, pick up and knit 80 stitches along the armhole edge of one sleeve. (Do not pick up any stitches in the area which was bound off for the sleeve inset. In other words, pick up and knit these 80 stitches only on the front and back edges of the armhole, and not in the underarm.)
• Work back and forth in stockinette stitch for 12 rows (which should be about 2 inches).
• Join to work in the round placing marker for end of round.
• Knit 5 rounds.
• Decrease round: K1, K2tog, Knit to last three stitches of round, SSK, K1.
• Continue as established, decreasing every 6th round until 48 stitches remain.
• Knit 5 more rounds.
• On next round, *K4, K2tog*, repeat between ** until end of round. 40 stitches remain.
• Change to smaller needles and work K2, P2 ribbing for 20 rounds.
• Bind off in ribbing.
• Stitch underarm sleeve seam.
• Make second sleeve the same as the first.

Collar:

• Using size 6 circular needle, and starting at right front edge, pick up and knit 21 stitches along the right band and front, 31 stitches along the back, and 21 stitches alond the left front and band.
• Turn work and *K1, P1*, repeat between ** until one stitch remains, K1. Repeat this row until collar measures 2 inches. (This should be creating a seed stitch collar.)
• Change to size 8 circular needle and continue working in seed stitch for 2 more inches.
• Bind off in pattern.

Finishing:

• Sew underarms closed.
• Weave in ends.
• Block.
• Install zipper.

Calling All Reinforcements

Dear Cynthia,
First, I just want to mention how much I have appreciated the comments which people have left on our blog! In response to the question about the skirts, I was using an existing booklet called "Sassy Skirts", by Cindy Taylor Oates. I followed the basic instructions for skirt construction, and used the pattern for the top tier, but the remaining tiers are just long rectangular strips which I sized based on how much fabric I had in my stash. My goal was "no new fabric". It sounds a lot like my knitting mantra for the summer: "no new yarn". And to "anonymous", I just want to say, "Thank you for your kind comment!"

Regarding the more angst-causing thing in my life right now: Summer in Kansas, I actually made positive progress (which I have not had to frog yet a fourth time...so far) in the knit-on-border arena. I credit invoking all forms of "reinforcements". Notice the following in this photo:

• Stitch markers on the needle between every ten stitches so that I can more easily make sure that I'm using up the "live stitches" at the rate the pattern calls for
  
• An Excel chart having 36 rows and 10 columns, for me to put an "x" in each box after knitting one row. The most insane part of this is that once I fill up this chart, I am only just approaching the center point, and after the center point, I get to fill up this entire 360 square chart AGAIN
• It might be difficult to spot, but I put lifelines in a few border rows, just to insure that I never in this lifetime have to go back and re-start the #%&)*ing border again.
• I switched from my circular needle to a straight needle, which is just easier for me to maneuver

My original goal was to have this done by June 25th. Since the border has 890 rows in it, I must knit 50 rows per day, which is very workable as long as I stop doing laundry and keep the de-cluttering in the house to a minimum. We'll see.....

I'm glad to see you are starting your lace so that we may comiserate, I mean share in each other's victories. Your post made me feel less like a moron.... Or, perhaps it just means we are both morons? I've been called worse....

Warm regards,
Laura (YarnThrower)
P.S. I've got to try that Russian join you mentioned. It looks quicker and easier than unraveling plies and using spit to try to attach ends together.

Lace Begun......

Dear Laura:
Hey, your dishcloths look great! I agree that I don't like them to be too large. I like the pattern from the ball band - I may have to dig out some of my kitchen cotton and give it a try.
Well, there has been knitting progress here. I believe that I have finally got the baby sweater worked out. I was about to say it is for sure because I'm about 1/2 done...but then I remembered that I ripped out 3/4 of the body a mere week and a half ago, so I decided to be "optimistic" rather than "sure."
I cast on at the top and worked to the divide of sleeves and body. I finished that ball of yarn on the body, switching to twisted garter stitch (which I am now a big fan of!) I ripped out the swatch and used it to make the collar. I ran out of yarn about 7 rows from the end, so I attached a new ball using the Russian Join (another thing I've become a big fan of!)
I'm almost done with the first sleeve, and hoping I can get both sleeves from this ball of yarn. Then I'll use all remaining yarn on the body, doing twisted garter until the yarn runs out. Hope it comes to the waist...
I would also note my conviction that I have enough yarn for a "baby sweater". I do believe that with all my heart. However, I should mention that yesterday I discovered I had not been paying attention, and I'm making the 12 mos size instead of the 6 mos size. So, if this ends up being a bit...um...short..it will be because I'm making a sweater that is really larger than a "baby sweater." Just sayin'.
At this point I decided that I'm far enough along on the sweater that I can start the baptismal blanket.
So, lace begun. I sat down Monday evening with my yarn, needles, pattern, a bright light, and laptop pointed to Eunny's lace primer. I first tried the 'circular provisional-type' cast on. That really didn't work for me.
Next I tried (successfully) the 'circular crochet-type' cast on, and began the blanket. (Here's a picture.) But I made it to row 5!
Finally, a picture of my current attempt. (Once again, note the lack of temptation to the knitting gods.* I did NOT say the 'final' cast-on.) I finished row 16 last night, and I think I will put in a life line before I go any further. I've had a couple of near misses..... ***(NOTE: Since it took me 2 days to post this to blogger, I need to add that when I went to add the lifeline, I discovered that it was too late, and I was already 4 stitches "short" on the round. I tinked a couple of rows, but it did not improve....so, after starting over from scratch, I'm back on row 12!!)
That's the news from here!
Keep knitting!
Cynthia (aka Designated Knitter)
*FTR, I do not believe in the knitting gods!

Hanging by a Thread

Dear Cynthia,

Today, my tale is one of woe and disappointment. (Knitting, apparently, isn't **always** about the therapeutic value.) Last night, I ripped out the knitted-on-lower-edging of my Summer in Kansas Shawl for the third time... I had been happily approaching row 38 on my nice little edging pattern when I counted the stitches on my needle holding the main body of the shawl in all of its 405 stitch glory. (Why did I do this? Am I anal? Was I looking for trouble?) It was then I discovered that someplace in the midst of the 405 live stitches, I had misplaced one of them..... I considered moving on anyway, except given the other two prior froggings, I decided that I'd better go back and make sure I had not inadvertently dropped any live stitches.... And so, I took it back to the lifeline, a point at which I'm fully, or maybe just somewhat, confident that I was at a place in which everything was on track, and I felt really good about this project, and I was sleeping well at night.

In all of this, I had a chance to examine the shawl "off the needles" (being kept in tact only by that mere skinny thread of a lifeline), and I confess I felt a hint of disappointment by its small and crumpled appearance. (Shown here on our kitchen table, which is only three feet wide, I'm a little nervous that it will not offer the arm coverage I was hoping for on cool summer nights.) I'm keeping the faith right now that blocking will transform this mutant product of knitting into something looking more like this...but really, right now it truly is only faith - that which I believe without seeing...

If there is anybody who might offer reassurance regarding the whole shawl-blocking thing, I would love to hear that my doomful thinking is errant and that this will have a happy ending.

Warm regards,
Laura (YarnThrower)

Not exactly extraordinary...but functional !

Dear Cynthia,

The first week after my class was done, I knit like a fiend. This week, I decided that it's time to make the house a functional entity again. (I once had dreams that my home would be "house beautiful", but the reality of four people coming and going, and all the paperwork which goes along with that, has made me realize that "house functional" might be more of an achieveable goal for me...especially having a knitting addiction, too.)

And so, though knitting progress continues, sort of being just one of those things I do every day, like brushing my teeth, and cleaning up the kitchen, and breathing, there is nothing extraordinary about what I'm sharing today, except for the fact that having this hobby continues to keep me sane and is part of the reason I don't see a therapist (so far, anyway).

Two dish rags! Combined with a couple other items I'll pick up at the grocery store today, here is a housewarming gift for some friends from Fort Wayne who will be moving here in the next week or two. This is the "standard" Grandma's Fav pattern, and I took the optional suggestion and did a row of single crochet around the edges, which I like.

Then I switched to the pattern which was printed on the inside of the Kitchen Cotton label, except casting on 34 instead of 46 stitches. (I like my dishrags to be about 7 inches square - any bigger than that, and I find them cumbersome.) I like the way the pattern looks, and it is a simple four-row repeat. Thank you for overlooking the whole "Kitchen Cotton thing"! As a small consolation, I thought you should know that I feel a bit conflicted knitting it using Addi TURBOs...

A final note: The sweater underneath this dishrag in the photo is done except for installing the zipper, and the pattern is halfway written. I'm going to try to get that all finished this week, and I'm thinking of putting a tutorial together for how to install zippers. It continues to be my favorite method for closure on a cardigan. More on these developments as they happen.

Warm regards,
Laura (YarnThrower)

Busy weekend

Dear Cynthia,

We've had a busy but fun weekend. My dad took the boys fishing in a boat yesterday, and I went along. For the first time ever in my fishing career (which admittedly isn't very extensive), I had an opportunity to use the "big net". It was very exciting. You see, all through my childhood, whenever my dad took me fishing, the "big net" always went with us, though I never had an opportunity to use it. But, yesterday was different, because my three year old accidently dropped his little toy tackle box into the lake... Now I totally understand the need for bringing the "big net"...

Anyway, I posted another pattern for our blog's sidebar -- sort of an "extension" to the Satchel Bag pattern which is already there..... It is just a little something to do with the felted sleeves once the Satchel Bag is made... It goes together very quickly, and is fun to "wear".

Warm regards,
Laura (YarnThrower)

Oopsy Daisy Envelope Bag (Felted)

A pattern by YarnThrower Made from a felted sleeve (discarded while making the Oopsy Daisy Satchel Bag), the Envelope Bag has become my favorite summertime purse. With my cell phone and a few other essentials tucked inside and hanging securely around my neck, I am ready to go to the park with both hands free for helping young athletes make their way across the "monkey bars". Cording is threaded through eyelets on the sides of the bag, and there is a sewn in snap closure at the top.

(This pattern is the property of YarnThrower and may not be reproduced except for one copy for individual use. If you otherwise print or distribute this pattern without YarnThrower's written permission, you are stealing.)

Finished Measurements:
Bags shown measure 6 x 5 inches and 7 x 7 inches

Materials:

• A felted sleeve from a sweater gone bad (see directions for Oopsy Daisy Satchel Bag)
• Sewing shears
• A few yards yarn for hemming edges, to match or contrast with sweater
• Sharp tapestry needle
• Felting needle
• Foam
• Assorted scrap bits of yarn of any material (novelty okay)
• Chalk pencil (optional)
• Serger or sewing machine (optional)
• Two 0.25 inch eyelets
• One 0.75 inch sew-on snap
• 2 yards of cording, either purchased OR made by felting knitted I-cord

Pattern:

• Use one of the sleeves from the sweater. The bag may be made from a part closer to the top of the sleeve (for the larger bag) or from a part closer to the cuff of the sleeve (for the smaller bag). Leaving a 0.5 inch hem allowance for the bag top, make a cut straight across the sleeve for the bag top. Leaving a 0.5 inch seam allowance for the bottom seam, make a cut straight across the sleeve for the bag bottom.
  
• Fold top edge of bag 0.5 inches to the inside, and overcast stitch it in place using a sharp tapestry needle and matching or contrasting yarn.
• Needle felt per directions included in Oopsy Daisy Satchel Bag pattern. If foam is too large to fit inside the bag, just place the whole bag on top of the foam, needle-felt the design onto the front of the bag, and then carefully open the bag to separate the bag front from the bag back (which may have gotten a little bit "caught" in the needle felting, but which should easily pull apart).
• Turn inside-out (so right sides are together). Stitch lower edges together using a serger, a sewing machine, or by hand. Turn right-side-out.
• Attach sew-on snap to top centers of bag on inside.

• Following package directions for eyelets, attach one to each side of bag, just below hemmed edge.
• Thread cording into eyelets, one end on each side of bag, going from outside toward inside of bag. Adjust length and tie each end into a knot to hold it securely just inside the eyelet. Trim off excess.

Shawl Math: 160 rows = 100%

Dear Cynthia,

First, here is a snapshot of one of the finished skirts, after a trip through the washer and dryer. Thank you so much for humoring me regarding this diversion into a non-knitting universe. Can you spot the five-year-old in the photo?

The really big news is that I completed all of the 160 rows for the main body of my Summer in Kansas Shawl! Then the directions said to "break yarn, leaving an end for weaving in later"....and so I did! Feeling victorious, and invincible, I started the "knit-on-border".

In this "knit-on-border", there are stitch sequences such as K1, (YO, P2tog)twice, YO, K1b..... I **thought** I knew how to do the yarn overs for all of these cases (between a knit and a purl stitch, between two purl stitches, and between a purl & a knit stitch.

Not **exactly**. I'm no longer feeling invincible.

However, after concentrating on page 63 in my Vogue Knitting book, and with the help of some scrap yarn, I think I figured it out...

One other thing..... I thought 160 rows and 405 live stitches on the main part of this project was ominous. Now, for the border, I'm facing more than 720 rows of 17-21 stitches each. As I mentioned before, if it doesn't kill me, it will make me stronger! .....Right?? Isn't math great?

Warm regards,
Laura (YarnThrower)

Baby Sweater....

Dear Laura:

Every so often I run into a project that thwarts me at every turn. I simply had no idea that this was going to be one of them!

I have been so excited about this yarn - I got it at the Fiber Festival in Allegan MI last year. I loved this yarn, but being on a VERY tight budget, I circled it the entire day. "I really love that yarn, but it's $28..." "Great colors and it would make a beautiful baby sweater.." "It's so soft and yummy..." I'd fondle it for a while and then move on, always coming back. Finally, I took a deep breath and bought it.

And waited for a girl-child. I dangled it in front of all my pregnant friends/family...."Look, the next girl gets this! Think girl thoughts!!" And my niece Amanda won the yarn lottery when presented us with Lydia Marie on May 3.

As you may recall from my blog entry that day, I sat down and swatched the yarn, paged through pattern books, and chose a pattern. I cast on for the back of the sweater, and knitted a couple of inches.

Then I had second thoughts. While my swatch gave me the correct gauge, the fabric seem too tight and stiff. Besides, it had occurred to me that the varigation would look different on the narrower fronts.

I talked to you about it on the way home from my vacation, and decided to start again. I did another gauge swatch on larger needles, and then cast on to do the body in one piece, using steeks for the sleeves and adding a zipper instead of buttons. Ok, while I was still using a 4x1 garter rib, I could no longer say I was really following a pattern. Which is always fine with me.

I fussed around with the math, finally decided how many to cast on....and started knitting. I would like to mention parenthetically that I cast on the same number of stitches as I had on the needles for the red baby blanket!

I knit away for a couple of inches......and on May 22nd, I posted the question: If the garter stitch bottom rolls now, will it always roll or will it block out? This bothered me, and since I got no feedback to reassure me.........

Another frogging session.

I went in search of a whole new pattern. And ended up with this pattern from Knitty. It's a cute sweater, and being knit sideways, I thought it would showcase this yarn in an interesting way! Plus, it offered the ever appealing option of doubling the yarn and knitting with a bigger needle and less stitches. (Yes, it did haunt me that the sweater was using as many stitches per row as the baby blanket that took so long!)

So! I did another gauge swatch!! I cast on Friday evening with a long weekend ahead of me. Boy, did this fly on bigger needles!! The fabric was heavy and a bit stiff, but that makes it a great jacket for fall. I did narrow the center sections a bit, so that it wouldn't leave so much open on the shoulders.

By Sunday morning, I was over 3/4 of the way done, and the niggling at the back of my head had become a full grown TRUTH. There was no way I had enough yarn to knit this sweater with the yarn doubled. I had noticed that it required more yarn than the finer gauge, but I assured myself that I had "quite a bit" of yarn. (Lost the ball band, so I don't know exactly how much.....)

Sunday afternoon was spent at a barbeque, where one of my nieces helped with the frogging and rewinding.


Still determined that this yarn is a baby sweater.....I have cast on a pattern from the Summer 2006 "Easy Knitting." This incarnation of the yarn is a top-down raglan style. The pattern calls for knitting down to the sleeves, then knitting the body, coming back to the sleeves and finishing with a collar.



Since I have had quantity issues with this yarn, but I firmly believe that it is enough for a baby sweater, I am going to knit to the sleeves, then do the collar, both sleeves, and then the body...until I run out of yarn! The sweater in the picture is pretty long, so if it is more like waist-length, that will be fine with me.

Here's hoping it isn't a shrug. Hmm, maybe I'll rip the first swatch and use it for the collar....

And I know that I have a reputation for being...well...a yarn snob, and I wear the label with pride, but hey, if you're gonna knit dishcloths...what else would you use but kitchen cotton?? I have at least a pound of it, just not on one big cone!!

The skirts look great!

Keep knitting!

Cynthia (aka Designated Knitter)

Sidetracked

Dear Cynthia,
I interupt this knitting blog to bring you the reason I have been knitting less the past few days. (Well, actually, the **real** reason I have been knitting less is because I have two sweaters which I just finished knitting and I am stalling to do the finishing on them. We all know how much I **enjoy** finishing sweaters.)

The **pseudo** reason is that I'm on a skirt-making kick, for a birthday and also for somebody needing comfy/cool clothes for a European vacation (which is not me, by the way -- no European vacations scheduled here -- just a trip to Door County later this summer). These look much better once they have been washed and then dried all bunched up (tied to keep them scrunched together), sort of like the old broomstick style skirts having vertical pleats/crinkles.

Also, I bought some "Kitchen Cotton" Lion Brand, a whole pound of it. [My knitting friend, whom I'll call "Catherine", bought a pound of white Peaches and Cream a few weeks ago, and I laughed. Catherine, are you laughing now?] I feel like I'm letting you down, Cynthia, because I know that yarn which may be found at Michael's is not your **favorite** brand of yarn, nor is it my favorite. For nice sweaters, I usually get the best I think I can afford, and it is generally worth the extra money for the quality and feel of the finished product. However, with this cotton, I figured that cheapo would be okay since it is for simple workhorse dishcloths, and by simple, I mean it will probably be the standard square ones where you start at one corner and end at the diagonally opposite corner (known as "Grandma's Fav" on this page). A colleague of dh's from Indiana is moving here in the next few weeks, and my current "stash" of dishcloths for misc small gifts (including house-warming) is depleted, so time to make some more.

Well, there is much to do if I'm going to have more knitting content in the next few days. It would be nice if I could share a sweater which is actually finished! Hopefully in the next couple of days, with free patterns for both at some point, too.

Warm regards,
Laura (YarnThrower)

Response from Knitty

Dear Cynthia,

At the beginning of April, you might remember that I had been working on a special "secret project", which I could not reveal on the blog.

In any case, it was a pattern submission to Knitty, for a project I designed using one of the sweaters I knit which had been languishing in the "rework" pile. I did not hear back from Knitty for a long time, which, according to their web site, means it might have possibly been in the queue for consideration..........until today, that is. Here is an excerpt from the response I received:

"Thanks so much for your submission! We were inundated with designs this issue and had to make some touch choices, so unfortunately we won't be able to use yours. It didn't help that someone just published something quite similar in concept at the whipup blog. But at least that means you're on the right track! :-) "

I checked out the whipup blog, and there is, indeed, an idea of the same genre which was submitted just three days ago, long after mine got into the Knitty inbox, but soon enough to be referenced by Knitty's publisher in my rejection notice. And so that's how it goes sometimes.

I just posted the Satchel Oopsy Daisy Bag Pattern to our blog, however, so check out the "free patterns" section on the sidebar... Also, in the next day or two, I'll try to post directions for the other two bags shown, as well.

Warm regards,
Laura (YarnThrower)

Oopsy Daisy Satchel Bag (Felted)

A pattern by YarnThrower

The creative process is not without risks. Occasionally a finished project falls short of an idealized vision for how it is supposed to look. A few years ago, I made a sweater that couldn't have been less flattering on me. I thought that slightly shrinking it would make it look better, but all it did was to make it impossible for me to unravel and reclaim the yarn. And so, I decided to try an experiment to turn it into something completely different. I felted the sweater until it would shrink no more, made some strategic cuts, sewed a couple of hems, added some notions from my local fabric store, and tried my hand at needle felting. And so was born these Oopsy Daisy bags. Try these techniques with your own sweater which might be too big, or which might have been accidentally shrunk in the wash, or use an old wool sweater from a second-hand store.

(This pattern is the property of YarnThrower and may not be reproduced except for one copy for individual use. If you print or distribute this pattern without YarnThrower's written permission, you are stealing.)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
Varies, depending on the size of sweater and the amount of felting. The Oopsy Daisy Satchel Bag shown measures 17 x 12 x 4 inches (without handles).

MATERIALS:

• Any sweater which has been made using fiber which can be felted
• 2 to 3 yards of feltable yarn which matches sweater, to sew bottom closed
• Pillow case, preferably one with a zipper closure
• Sewing shears
• Sharp tapestry needle
• A few yards yarn for hemming edges, matching or contrasting nicely with sweater
• Sharp hand-sewing needle
• Thread to match sweater
• Felting needle
• Foam (to use underneath "fabric" when needle felting)
  
• Assorted scrap bits of yarn, of any material including novelty, whatever you have
• Chalk pencil (optional)
• Serger or sewing machine (optional)
• Set of two oval purse handles, 5 x 8 inches

GAUGE:
Whatever gauge your finished sweater has will be fine. Mine was made of worsted weight yarn, having a gauge of 4.5 stitches per inch before felting.

PATTERN:

• With wrong sides together, and using a loose overcast stitch which catches only the very edges of the fabric, attach front to back of sweater at lower edges using matching feltable yarn and a sharp tapestry needle, completely closing off the bottom.

• Place sweater into pillow case, zip or tie it closed, and place it in washing machine. Start washing machine with it set for longest cycle, hot water, and maximum agitation. Just before washing machine goes into spin cycle, check the sweater to see how much it has felted. If desired, reset the washing machine to the beginning of the agitation cycle and start it again. When sweater has felted the desired amount, allow washing machine to complete its cycle. Remove sweater from pillowcase and lay flat to dry.

• After sweater is completely dry, make two cuts using sewing shears. Each cut will go from the underarm and diagonally up to the side edge of the neckline, as though following along an imaginary raglan sleeve line. Also cut the back neckline to follow the same curve as the front neckline does.


• Using the body of the sweater, fold the edges (from where the sleeves were cut) 0.5 inches to the inside. Overcast stitch them in place using sharp tapestry needle and matching or contrasting yarn.


• Using a serger, or a sewing machine zig-zag stitch, or an overcast stitch by hand, edge-finish the neckline cut edges of the sweater. This will give the fabric edge more stability (especially the back edge, where the cut was made to make it match the front) and help prevent the fabric from tearing.

• Folding front neckline edge over one side of an oval purse handle, and using sharp hand-sewing needle and matching thread, sew neckline edge to inside of bag, allowing enough of a casing for the purse handle to move slightly, but not too much. Repeat with the other purse handle along the back neckline edge.

• Turn bag inside-out. On one lower corner, bring long center line of bag bottom to meet long center line of side, forming a point at the corner. Mark a line 2 inches from the corner point, and stitch across this line, forming the base of an isosceles triangle in which the bag's corner point is at the top. This gives the bag some width. (Then, and optionally, fold the corner point to bottom inside of bag and stitch in place using matching thread and sharp sewing needle.) Repeat on other lower corner.

• Turn bag right-side-out. Insert foam into bag, behind area which will be needle-felted. (Optional: On right side of bag, use chalk pencil to draw an outline for the picture which will be needle-felted.) Place scrap of yarn onto bag surface. Using felting-needle in one hand, and holding scrap yarn or a knitting needle to guide the scrap yarn with the other hand, poke scrap yarn straight down, through yarn and bag, in a couple of places to tack it down. Continue tacking various scrap yarn pieces to form desired design. Then, securely fasten all of the scrap yarn by really poking away at it until all of the yarn is firmly attached to the bag and the desired look has been achieved.
  

• Feel free to finish off the Satchel Bag by adding a pocket inside made from part of one of the sleeves, or from a nice fabric. This bag would also be quite easy to line with a fun print fabric.

Back on Sleeve Island

Dear Cynthia,

I wonder what a psychiatrist would think if you told him/her that you have issues with socks. I know that many knitters do, myself included.... I just wonder if it has ever been explored in therapy, and if it ever catches mental health professionals off guard... It is still so much cheaper, healthier, therapeutic, etc., than smoking, so as far as addictions go, great choice!

I'm having a little problem with the neckline bind-off on the sweater for my nephew's birthday (the first time it was way too loose, then way too tight, still not quite "just right", but I think I'll have it if I bind it off with a size 15 needle in my right hand), but other than that, things are progressing and I'm making sleeves. Target completion date is early July, so no panic.

I keep telling myself that after these sleeves are done, I am going to have a little disciplined session of sewing up this sweater, and doing the finishing on my green sweater. I will make myself do this, because I will feel so much better once done. Knitting "finishing" really is a lot like exercise that way...

Anyway, I'm off to fix that neckline bind-off! Have a great day!
Warm regards,
Laura (YarnThrower)

Ahem....

Dear Laura:

A couple of posts ago, I blithely tossed off a remark about how I'd cast on a pair of socks. No big deal...having some issues with the baby sweater, thought I'd get a little "distance" while still being productive.

And you are so sweet...you didn't call me on it.

Because it isn't like I needed to cast on new socks - there are plenty of socks-in-progress I could have picked up...some of them from when I posted my sock-yarn stash pictures.

Clockwise from the lower left we have:

The two-at-a-time-on-circular-needles-toe-up socks that I started I've been "working on" for ages.

The second one is my second start for my sockapaloooza socks, which I abandoned because they were coming out too small. These will be frogged.

Next is a sock that...well...I'd forgotten about. I don't know when or why I started it. But there it is. I found it.

Then we have the FIRST sock I started for my sockapaloooza socks. They are a heavier weight, 3x2 garter rib. I got a couple of inches done and decided that I wanted better socks for my sock pal - not just my "in-a-hurry" standby pattern.

And finally..my first jaywalker. I'm at the heel....and just a few rows ago figured out a part of the instructions so the last few rows look right. I decided that I would just keep going forward and not let it bother me that the first cuff was mostly wrong. Yeah, like I can do that. These will also be frogged, I expect.

Especially since I robbed the needles out of them to start THIS sock!! I'm using the yarn that my sock pal sent me, and I really like them!! It's a pattern from "Vintage Socks" by Nancy Bush, which I tweeked just a little.

So, still avoiding the baby sweater. After TWO gage swatches, and TWO cast-ons, I'm still conflicted about it. Maybe if I let it marinate another weekend.....

Keep knitting!!
Cynthia (aka Designated Knitter)

"A" is for Intarsia

Dear Cynthia,

Though I like the look of intarsia work......I had forgotten the part about all of the "butterflies" hanging from the back. This is working out just fine, but I don't think I'd want many more than the five strands I'm working with. I used the technique from the Spring 2006 Interweave for estimating the amount of yarn to put into each "butterfly" -- determine the number of stitches which are going to be made with the strand, and then wrap the yarn around the needle that many times loosely. (Of course, I'm a doubter, so I added significant extra "just in case"...)

Anyway, The Blue Blog's idea for printing out knitters' graph paper and then printing a letter onto the same sheet of paper worked like a charm. I did a quick search on "knitters graph paper", input my exact gauge, and presto, it printed out a page, almost exactly to scale 1:1 (though I have to say, a little bit scant, but for this it really doesn't matter much). Then, I found a font in Word which I liked, printed off a letter of size huge (something like 650, or maybe 400??). If I was to do it again, the only thing I'd do differently is to print the letter in a much lighter shade than black, so that I could see the graph paper lines behind it...

Well, it's rainy here today, and my three-year-old got up in the middle of the night to go potty and was dry this morning, so we're going to celebrate by making chocolate chip scones.

Warm regards,
Laura (YarnThrower)

Fort Wayne Fiber Festival

Yes, last weekend was the Fort Wayne Fiber Festival! Ok, admittedly not quite up to Maryland Sheep & Wool or Rhinebeck, but we do our part.

This was the third year of the festival....last year I was out of town, but I heard that it was almost washed away in a rainstorm. Not so this year, both Saturday and Sunday were beautiful days. I of course forgot to take my camera (bad blogger!) so I don't have pictures of the event itself. (Not that this should be taken as a hint that I have pictures of any purchases. Me?? Buy yarn?? Hush your mouth!)

It was lots of fun - I got to see some of the gang from the Wooly Knob. (Mostly why I went!) Jamie's dad had some of the yarn from their spinning operation, so I was glad that is going well. I saw both Julie and Kathy from my days of "skirting" fleeces, and got the info on the next big spinning event. Julie's daughter had made some beaded stitch markers for sale, and I had just noticed that all of mine were "in project" and so I did buy a couple of those.

Ok, ok, yes, I also bought some yarn. Man, you people will just nag a girl to death for pictures of yarn aquisitions! ;)



The tan and cream is a cormo-blend from a local handspinner. It is luscious to hold - they had a childs hat knit out of this and it was so yummy-feeling. I thought I'd make a couple of those hats for a charity project, so I picked up a skein. The More-Cynthia-Colored yarn is a sock yarn (duh!) that is enough merino for a pair of socks. Because we've seen the sock stash, and it is in desperate need of additional yarn....

I also have to confess that my pre-knitting addiction has reared its head. I've always kept reading (I can count on both hands the number of times I've fallen asleep at night without a book in my hands....and there may have been...ahem...alcohol involved....) but since I've been knitting I find that most of my reading happens during the last 10-20 minutes of consciousness each day. However, I just picked up a new book by Laurie King in her Mary Russell series. Looks like it was published last year and I missed that. I love these books - starting with The Beekeepers Apprentice - and when I start one, I cannot put it down until it is done. I've spent more daylight hours reading in the last few days than in the last year put together...

So...way to go with the sweater!! And the lace.....that shawl is beautiful! Good luck with the Amazing Lace!

Keep knitting!

Cynthia (aka Designated Knitter)

LOVE / HATE (Amazing Lace Challenge #1)

My name is Laura (aka YarnThrower).

I brought Summer in Kansas home more than a year ago. What's not to love? Its delicate border, its special shaping at the neckline to help keep it in place atop shoulders, its nice size... I could go on and on...

I'm smiling in the photo, but don't get the wrong idea. Things haven't always looked so good between us.

Our relationship really began at the end of March 2006, with turbulent times right from the start. Here is what resulted from our first rendevous... and our second... and our third... and our fourth... I know you get the picture. It was hard to love the lace at that point, and I began to wonder if this relationship was going to be worth all of the work.

However, we persevered. At least three times we had to enlist assistance from a third party (the "lifeline"). Without lifelines I'm not sure where the shawl and I would be, but I'm confident there is a dress code there and nice jackets having sleeves which tie in the back.

In any case, we got through it, and this week we are about to embark on a new phase of our relationship: The knitted-on border. If it doesn't kill us, it will make us stronger!

(I'm also struggling with monogamy, but more on that at another time.)

Blanket Blocking...

Dear Laura:
Yay! The blanket is blocking! I cast off when I got home Friday evening, and now
it is washed and pinned and looking lovely. It ended up being roughly 34" square - love the whole blocking thing. I was worried that it would be barely 30" square, but it laid out beautifully.

So, now it's onward with the baby sweater. I decided not to start the baptismal shawl until I have a bit more of the sweater done. Of course, you know what that means....PROBLEM!!

I've got about 2-2 1/2" of the sweater done, and I'm troubled by the the garter stitch section along the bottom. It insists upon rolling up! I have two chants running through my head.



Chant #1 - Blocking will fix that roll.

Chant #2 - If you think it's hinky when you're knitting it....it will be hinky when you finish it..

So, what do you think? Will blocking fix that roll?? Because if it always tends to roll up, it will make me seriously cranky...

(And because I was plagued by indecision about this over the weekend, I did what any sane knitter would do....I cast on a pair of socks!!)

Keep knitting!!
Cynthia (aka Designated Knitter)

Sans Zipper, But Very Close!

Dear Cynthia,

This may look a little bit familiar... After knitting almost the entire sweater twice, and learning lessons which I thought I already knew regarding things possibly appearing to be too small at the start of a project, and situations not resolving themselves by ignoring critical facts, I think I have something here which fits. It has to, because I'm not sure I would be able to muster the fortitude to rip it out and then knit it a third time. Gaining or losing weight will be my first line of defense if this sweater is still the wrong size. I'll let you know...

All that remains is weaving in a few ends, sewing the underarm seams, washing, blocking, and zipper insertion. I'll try to post the pattern by the end of the week, along with a photo of me wearing it.

Tomorrow, I'll be posting my entry for the first challenge of The Amazing Lace. The rules clearly state there are no million dollar prizes, so I'll still have to find other income sources to support my "little knitting hobby", but it just sounded so fun.

Warm regards,
Laura (aka YarnThrower)
P.S. Congrats on finishing the blanket! I know I'll enjoy reading about your baby sweater and lace shawl, too!

Getting there.....

The excitement is building....last night I got to the point of adding the baby-mohair carry-along yarn for the bottom (top??) border. Just a few more rows.....and the Red Baby Blanket will be off the needles!!! **Pause for party music and cake.....**

Then is it the sherbet colors baby sweater, and the beginning of the Baptismal Shawl. Yes. Lace, teeny yarn, the whole shebang. And as soon as the yarn for the baby sweater is all knit up, I'm going to do socks for my "portable" project. (Which, I assume from all I've read, is not lace. I have to be able to do my "portable" project while carrying on a conversation, teaching a class, cheering at a T-ball game, etc.)

I'm interested in your Morehouse Merino book. It sounds like something I would enjoy reading. I'll have to express that interest at the library - sometimes that is effective..... I know what you mean tho, about not always wanting a complicated project. I love the rhythm of a long row of just knitting or purling....

This weekend is the Fiber Festival at Salomon Farms in Fort Wayne. I think it's the third annual - I went the first year, but last year I was in Wisconsin and missed it. I'm excited about going - haven't seen the gang from the Wooly Knob in a long time, and they'll be there. Just thinking about it has my fingers itching to spin. I have a "loaner" wheel that I haven't tried out yet (it's been collecting dust for quite a while!!) so I may have to get it out. I have a very small stash of roving........

It has finally stopped raining, at least for a day or two they say, so I hope to do some "open the windows and CLEAN" type stuff this weekend also. Of course, Monday morning will arrive and I'll be lucky to have just gotten a little sleep, so being too ambitious probably isn't wise....

;)

Keep knitting!!

Time to think...

Dear Cynthia,

Again, I assure you that I am feverishly working on the Summer in Kansas shawl (completed 147 rows, 84%, approximately :-) and also the collared zip cardigan, but nothing exciting to photograph there, and so I present another post of diversions.

I've been carrying my new Morehouse Farm Merino Knits book around the house, not sure why I am so fond of it. On Page 16, the author, Margrit Lohrer, says, "Stop-and-go projects bother me--stop and check, stop and read, stop and count--they don't give me time to think. Knitting is the time when I digest the day's events, my life's, and the world's."

I enjoy a challenging project as much as the next totally-fanatical knitter. I know there are some knitters who will consider only those projects which will tantalize their minds, and I think that is admirable and ambitious. I had been feeling a little bit like a slug, working away on my simple mostly-stockinette-stitch collared zip cardigan. And then I read Margrit Lohrer's quote, and I felt instantly better and very much affirmed. Sometimes it is just about the repetition of it, and the peaceful simpleness of making something square. I am so glad!

Because, for another "deadline knitting" project (my mother-in-law's birthday in September), I have selected "Foulard" out of the Morehouse Farm Merino Knits book. It is a simple 50 inch square knit from corner to corner in garter stitch! I'm even more excited about it today, because I split a Knit Picks order with a friend whom I'll call Catherine, so the yarn for this project is "in the building". It is Shimmer, an alpaca/silk blend, in the Stained Glass colorway, and it is so soft.

Well, I've got some knitting to do!
Warm regards,
Laura (aka YarnThrower)

Christmas in May

Dear Cynthia,

Just a quick note... I posted a free pattern on Pickin' and Throwin' which is available in the "Free Patterns" section of the sidebar (though I'm confident you would have figured that out on your own). Consider it a diversion, so that you don't notice my lack of posting any project updates (though I assure you, I haven't stopped knitting)...

My test last night went well, but I'm some kind of weirdo, because I might have been the only one leaving the exam room with a tremendous sense of loss. I think I just get "attached" to things, even being a student in a class. I don't remember this ever happening the first time I went to college... In any case, I know I won't miss the dead cats, and I already notice more free time. It will take a few days to shake those "I ought to be studying right now instead of (insert any number of words here, such as knitting, blogging, housekeeping, etc)" thoughts. Nothing else for me to report today...

Hang in there with the blanket! I just know you'll be showing a photo of it in all its completed glory very, very soon!

Warm regards,
Laura (aka YarnThrower)

Black Hole Time....

The red blanket. I really want to finish it. NOW! I want to move on to the baby sweater and lace shawl without the blanket screaming for attention. But it has reached that stage. I have convinced myself that a 30" square blanket will be good. I'm going to finish this ball of yarn, and if it goes over 30" that's fine, but it just looks silly to be any shorter than 30".

So I've been measuring, then knitting, then measuring....and I finally got to 28" - so it was time to add the mohair for the border. Just to be sure I laid it out (as per the instructions) and pulled it to full width before measuring.

26".

Crap.

It may never end.

We had a mushroom party tonight. When I was growing up, spring meant hunting and eating morel mushrooms. I haven't had any in years tho, I was never a successful hunter. Dad managed to supply us with 4 POUNDS of mushrooms. My three brothers and some of their kids came over, and we fried for about 45 minutes. Ate every last bit. It was wonderful!

And it stopped raining, so my brother mowed the lawn. And I took my houseplants out to enjoy the mild weather. So, lots going on here!!

Keep knitting!

Cynthia (aka Designated Knitter)

I Control the Weather

Dear Cynthia,

I'm planning on washing my kids' winter coats today so that I may store them away for the summer. This guarantees that tomorrow our temperatures will be hovering in the 20 degree F range, much too cold for them to wear only their sweaters. Further, I have been working on this bulky green sweater, fully anticipating that I won't be able to wear it yet this spring because it will be too warm here in May. Well, it is May, and I have a little more than half of a sleeve and the collar remaining, and though today would make a fine day to be wearing this sweater outside, when I finally have it completed in a week or two, our summer will have arrived suddenly, and without that month of "free" climate control in which the furnace has been shut down but the air conditioner has not yet been invoked. I could stop working on the green sweater altogether until fall. However, that would only guarantee a summer that arrived really late and extended into November. I think I really need to get in contact with the people who are working on the global warming problem.

I have this to say about the sweater right now, however: I am decreasing on the sleeve, and so there are fewer and fewer stiches as I work toward the cuff. Contrast that with the shawl, in which there are more and more stitches as I work. Here it is with 138 of 160 rows completed, making the main body of it 74% done in terms of stitch count. To make "yet one more picture of the lump of shawl" more interesting, it is shown with the latest issue of Cast On. I'm thinking that the Donegal Tweed Jacket from it is in my future.

I have my last test of the semester today. Then you won't have to hear anything more about any classes until fall, and perhaps I'll actually crank out a finished object or two...

Warm regards,
Laura (aka YarnThrower)

"Basic Sock" Christmas Stocking w/ Satin Bow

A pattern by YarnThrower

(These directions are for the red stocking shown on the left in the photo. To make the off-white stocking shown on the right in the photo, go here.)

Make a Christmas Stocking in an evening, using large needles and super bulky yarn! The stocking shown here was made with Lion Brand Chenille. Add a satin ribbon bow, and it is a quick sock decoration to hang on the front door!

This is a great pattern to learn how to knit socks, as it uses all of the techniques for a "basic sock". As an added bonus, there is no "second sock syndrome" with Christmas stockings!

(This pattern is the property of YarnThrower and may not be reproduced except for one copy for individual use. If you print or distribute this pattern without YarnThrower's written permission, you are stealing.)

Finished Dimensions:

• Red Stocking shown is 8 inches wide by 19 inches long

Materials required:

• One skein Lion Brand Chenille Thick & Quick, or Wool-East Thick & Quick, or any super-bulky weight yarn (category 6) which knits up at about 8 or 9 stitches per four inches in stockinette.
• Set of four size 13 double pointed needles
• Size 13 circular needle, 16 inch (optional -- may use double pointed needles throughout, or may cast stitches onto circular needle and knit most of the sock on the circular needle, though double pointed needles will still be needed at the heel and toe)
• Darning needle
• Scissors
• Two yards of 2 inch wide satin ribbon
  

Cast On:

1. Holding two double pointed needles together, cast on 36 stitches tightly over both needles. Carefully pull out one of the needles. This will yield a loose, uniform cast on edge.
2. Divide stitches evenly onto three needles. You will have 12 stitches per needle.

Cuff:

1. Place marker and join to work in the round, knitting one row. (Note that the first 12 stitches knit are on needle #1, the next 12 stitches knit are on needle #2, and the last 12 stitches knit are on needle #3.)
   
2. Work in K1 P1 ribbing for five rows.

Leg:

1. Knit three rows in stockinette.
2. On fourth row, *K1, YO, K2tog*, repeat between *__* to end of round. There should still be 36 stitches total on needles.
   
3. Continue in stockinette stitch until work measures about 12 inches, stopping at end of round.

Heel Flap:

1. Arrange stitches on needles so that needle #1 has 18 stitches, and needles #2 and #3 have 9 stitches each. The heel will be worked back and forth on needle #1.
   
2. Row 1: *Slip one stitch as if to purl, K1*, repeat section between *__* until the end of needle #1, turn work.
3. Row 2: S1, purl across, turn work.
4. Rows 3-9: Repeat rows 1-2, ending with row 1.

Turn Heel:
(Note that when you turn work on rows 1-5 you will not be at the end of the row.)

1. Row 1: P11, P2tog, P1, turn work.
2. Row 2: S1, K5, K2tog, K1, turn work.
3. Row 3: S1, P6, P2tog, P1, turn work.
4. Row 4: S1, K7, K2tog, K1, turn work.
5. Row 5: S1, P8, P2tog, P1, turn work.
6. Row 6: S1, K9, K2tog, K1.

Gusset:

1. Pick-up round (Row 1): Pick up and knit 9 stitches along right edge of heel flap. Combine instep stitches (those stitches on needles #2 and #3) onto one needle by using a free double pointed needle and knitting across the 18 instep stitches. Using the needle which was just freed up, pick up and knit 9 stitches along left edge of heel flap. Continue knitting with this same needle and knit 6 stitches from the heel. You are now at the center back, end of round. Move next 6 stitches onto needle #1. Needle #1 should have 15 stitches on it, needle #2 should have 18 stitches on it, and needle #3 should have 15 stitches on it, with yarn end between needle #1 and needle #3.
2. Row 2: Knit around.
3. Row 3: Decreasing round -- Knit to last three stitches of needle #1, K2tog, K1. Knit across needle #2. On needle #3, K1, SSK, knit to end of needle.
4. Repeat row 2 and row 3 until 36 stitches total in round. Needle #1 and needle #3 will each have 9 stitches, and needle #2 will have 18 stitches.
5. Knit in stockinette until foot part is 5.5 to 6 inches long from picked up edges, stopping at end of round.

Toe:

1. Row 1: On next round, knit to last three stitches of needle #1, K2tog, K1. On needle #2, K1, SSK, knit to last three stitches, K2tog, K1. On needle #3, K1, SSK, knit to end of round.
2. Row 2: Knit around.
3. Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are a total of 16 stitches remaining, stopping at end of round.
4. Continue knitting with needle #3, and knit 4 stitches from needle #1 onto needle #3. You should now have two needles, each with 8 stitches.
5. Cut yarn leaving an 18 inch tail, and use Kitchener Stitch to close toe.
   

Finishing:

1. Weave in all ends.
2. Add a crochet chain or I-cord for hanging stocking.
3. Weave Satin Ribbon through eyelets formed by Step 2 of leg section, and tie it in a nice bow.

Note: Text in red indicates revision made since original issue date.

Yes, In Fact, I AM Paranoid

Dear Cynthia,

Here is my executive summary:
Summer in Kansas Shawl: 131 of 160 rows completed (67% done)
Cardigan with Collar & Zipper (green): Still on sleeve island
Nephew's "A" Sweater: Back almost completed

Regarding my nephew's "A" Sweater -- I have just a little bit of yarn left on the first hank (out of six which I own, including yesterday's impulsive "insurance" purchase), and I have the entire back completed except for an inch. This means that I will be able to easily finish the sweater using four skeins or less, leaving two remaining which have now been designated for a nice scarf for my dad's birthday in October. And so, indeed, I will most definitely NOT be running out of yarn for this project. This proves that I AM paranoid, probably resulting from some baggage I still carry from prior projects in which I HAVE run out of yarn. Have I mentioned yet how much I LOVE this yarn? It is the first alpaca blend I've tried, and I am smitten.

You may have noticed already, but I put some sections for finished objects on the side bar. Let me know what you think. I went back to January and tried to post everything finished since then. Please feel free to revise to your liking.

Warm regards,
Laura (aka YarnThrower)

Knitters' Insurance

Dear Cynthia,

Your mold experience reminded me of the time we spent a few days at Ruth's place in Duluth, when the water from the lower level shower, for months, had been detouring through the carpeting in the spare bedroom on its way out to the sewer, and I was sneezing like crazy. I hope you are able to find a quick and complete solution! There is knitting to be done, and messing around with house issues is taking time away from what you should be doing! I guess that's why they say "Your home is your hastle", I mean castle.

I have an exam next Tuesday, and I am behind in putting laundry away to the tune of about five loads, and my kitchen floor hasn't been mopped in weeks, so I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now. And so, I did what any sane knitter would do: I cast on for a new sweater.

This is the Gedifra which I got at Coyote Yarns for 50% off, a wonderful and beautiful wool/alpaca blend. It is going to be a sweater for my godson, whose birthday is in July. It is going to have a big "A" on the front of it, sort of like the Harry Potter sweaters, but I've added a little bit of a rolled edge to the bottom, some striped ribbing, and am using a thicker yarn. The first time I worked across the ribbing with the contrast color, I forgot to "knit" all of the stitches, and so I had little gray purl bumps showing on the right side...but then I ripped back and started knitting each stitch across one row each time I changed color, and so now it is full speed ahead.

For knitters, money is of no value in terms of "insurance" against running out of yarn near the end of a project. (Maybe I'm paranoid, but, halfway through the first skein, I am having angst about not having enough yarn.) Since Coyote Yarns is closing in mere weeks, and since the sale is incredible (40% off for all purchases over $40), this yarn is not going to be within my easy reach very soon, so I bought myself a little insurance knitters' style -- one more skein of the gray, which can easily become a matching hat if not consumed in the making of the sweater.

The weather is cold and rainy here today, and I heard on the news last night that it is coming to us by way of Indiana, including 50 mph winds expected tonight. I hope that all is well on your homefront over there in Hoosierland. At least you don't have to worry about being stuck in your house without any knitting supplies :-)

Warm regards,
Laura (aka YarnThrower)

Back home again....

Dear Laura:

That was the slogan on our license plates a few years ago....Back Home Again In Indiana. And I am! I got back late Sunday night from my two week vacation in Wisconsin.

My dogs were happy to see me, and so were my parents - they were also back in Indiana and waiting to go back to Kentucky until I got home, so they could see me!

It was also fun to come back home and find my sockapaloooza socks waiting! And my wonderful sockpal included some sock yarn - yay! I love sock yarn! Remember at Coyote Yarns that I looked at a sock yarn with narrow stipes, but they didn't have enough to do a pair of socks? This is that same yarn in a different colorway, in a bigger skein! So, hurray!!

After all the joy and fun of the initial homecoming, I relaxed a bit and then fell into bed. I dozed off, but woke up about half an hour later, coughing, eyes watering, sinuses draining. Which was exactly what was going on when I left for Wisconsin. I thought I had a cold the week before my trip, which ended a day or two after I left home.

The other piece of the puzzle is that two weeks before my trip, we got a new water heater. Later that week, I noticed water under my washing machine, so it was determined I should turn the water off to the washer and use the one upstairs. While I was gone, they had determined that the new drain hose they installed for the water heater/water softner hadn't been properly hooked into the drain, so that water was going into my laundry room.

They used a fan to dry out the carpet, but it had been getting wet and drying out without my noticing for a couple of weeks by time it was fixed, and developed mold/mildew. So, my "cold" and my nasal distress seem to have been caused by an allergy to that.

The carpet is glued down, so we haven't been able to take it up easily. I've been spraying it with a bleach solution and a mold/mildew cleaner. Meanwhile, I spent the first two nights up in the spare bedroom up-upstairs and that helped. Last night I slept in my own bed with no adverse effects! If I have any more trouble, we'll have to get serious about removing the carpet.

While there is still lots of madness involved in settling back in, unpacking (ha!) and catching up on things, I did get some knitting done on the baby blanket yesterday, and that felt good.

Today I brought the yarn for the baby sweater that I'm working on and some size 4 needles. I'm glad I got to talk to you during my drive home about this project. I've decided to do a gauge swatch with size 4 needles and see if the fabric drapes more softly and determine the number of stitches I would need. At this point, I'm no longer making the pattern from the book, just matching the measurements. I'm going to knit it flat on circulars, using steeks for the sleeve holes, and putting a zipper in the front. That should keep the variegation from looking different in the fronts than the back.

Also, at lunch....browsing the new issue of Cast On that was in my mailbox last night! ^wink^ Good luck with the paperwork - I feel your pain all too clearly. But I have 2 weeks worth of TV shows recorded on DVR and plenty-o-baby-knitting to distract me from my stacks!

Keep knitting!
Cynthia (aka Designated Knitter)

And Still With the Green Sweater

Dear Cynthia,

Well, the second time around is a charm.

You might recall seeing another sweater looking a lot like this one (only five inches smaller in circumference) just a week or two ago, which was subsequently frogged, completely.

I've tried on this second version of the green sweater in its current state and I am quite happy with the fit of it. It will be loose enough to wear as more of a jacket, which works well for how bulky the knitted fabric is, yet the ribbing in the underarm area of the body does a great job of cinching it in and giving it a hint of shape.

Things I've learned from this experience:
1.) If it is too small, then it is too small, and no amount of additional knitting using the same faulty math is going to change that.
2.) Rippit sooner rather than later.
3.) My next project will definitely not use green yarn. I've grown a bit tired of the thing, though I have to add that it is a nice, mindless project (though, apparently not TOO mindless, which could explain part of the reason to frog so much in the first place)...
4.) It's a great project to enjoy in front of the tv.
5.) I am a product knitter, and will not be ripping this out yet again just so that I might enjoy the whole process again... This has been plenty-o-fun already.

This week is my big push to "file/get rid of/act on" that big pile of paperwork that seems to accumulate of its own accord merely due to the passage of time (and the mail carrier and junk-mail senders might have something to do with that). I have piles which have been years in the making which are now reduced to about two inches worth of things which must be dealt with. Every day I do a little bit toward the goal of eliminating the piles completely, and as long as I don't rest on my laurels today and give up, allowing all of that stuff to germinate for another year, I think I might just "win" this time around. Then, I may focus my efforts on waiting for the mailman to bring me something more exciting, such as the latest issue of Cast On, due any day now....

Have a great day!
Warm regards,
Laura (aka YarnThrower)