Author: Pam

New England native, Florida resident. Blogging about boating, beach-combing, gardening, camping, and knitting. Work for Zazzle as a designer since 2008.

Knitting a New Little Crescent Shawl

I think I first saw the Interisland Shawl, and pattern information, on Instagram. The shawl caught my eye because it is small, and crescent shaped. (Link to pattern down the page.)

Usually I have more than one knitting project going at a time. Many knitters do. For me, it’s because I like one simple project and one that needs more attention. Mornings are good for knitting more complicated things. Evenings call for simple knits and purls while watching a TV show. Even though I am still working on the Rebel Cardigan, I wanted something else to do. Also, I’m attempting to use us some old yarn.

Crescent Shaped Shawls

Shawls can be knit in many ways. They can be large or small, knit in fine or heavy yarn. I prefer a crescent shape that is not very wide. The Interisland Shawl is shaped like that.

Often a shawl begins by casting on at the top center. Knitting then expands outward to create the long, curved shape. This one is knit differently. The pattern begins by knitting the border, which is a repeating lace pattern.

I have completed the lace pattern, for the border, twice – see my picture. And, I did make a goof, but I am not good at fixing lace. In fact, I rarely knit lace. It’s a bunch of yarn-overs and knit 2 togethers. I don’t find it especially fun, but it looks nice. Because it’s not a wide border, the pattern’s lace rows are manageable. I look at this knitting project as good practice. And I expect to have a wearable, lightweight scarf when done.

knitting lace
Lace edging

Knitters Need to Know

Here’s what knitters should know about this pattern.

The lacework is charted and written out line by line. I’m following the chart. After the entire lacework border is finished, all stitches will be picked up along the edge and the remainder of the shawl is knit. Short rows are involved to create the rounded shape.

The name for the shawl is explained on the designer’s pattern page. Or check out more of Donna Smith’s Shetland designs – Ravelry page.

View the Interisland Shawl pattern page.

Please keep reading…

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Knitting a First Sweater, Warnings, Ideas and Suggestions

Want to know more about knitting a first sweater? I have some advice for beginner sweater knitters, as well as pattern suggestions.

After fiddling around with dishcloths, hats and scarves for a while, and getting basic stitches learned, I needed a bigger knitting project. I yearned to make a sweater just like all those pretty knitted sweaters I was seeing everywhere online.

I tried to find out as much information as I could before choosing the pattern. I read blogs, Ravelry pattern reviews, and visited the forums, but I still felt indecisive. What type should I choose? A top down, or bottom up? Cardigan or pullover? Plain or colorwork? I had done a bit of colorwork and liked it. A cardigan seemed like too much to handle with button bands, buttonholes and buttons! So, I chose a bottom-up pullover with some colorwork at the top by a designer I’d seen mentioned quite a bit, and bought the Umpqua sweater pattern by Caitlin Hunter.

Continue reading “Knitting a First Sweater, Warnings, Ideas and Suggestions”

Cast On For the Rebel Cardigan

Some info here on beginning the Rebel cardigan. This is a top down sweater with a very unique construction at the beginning, which sets up the remainder of the knitting.

The Rebel Cardigan has been on my list of “to knit” items for a few weeks now. I had to finish knitting the Field Sweater, which I did, and immediately cast on this new pattern. (Pattern link at the bottom of this page.)

I’ve never begun a sweater like this. It’s begun in small sections, putting stitches on hold, and then knitting in another direction. It honestly looks a little weird.

Knitting the Rebel sweater
Picking up stitches
Rebel cardigan
Unique way to begin a sweater

This will be a long-sleeve sweater with an open front and no buttons or button-band to knit separately. This greatly appeals to me! I love the look of it.

Getting Started

The yarn I chose is by Knitting For Olive. I’m holding two strands, merino and mohair, together. The colors are Pea Shoots and Dusty Artichoke.

I’m knitting the Rebel sweater size 4, using needles size 6US.

Knitting for Olive yarn in green
Pea Shoots and Dusty Artichoke colors by Knitting for Olive.

The Rebel Cardigan pattern is written very well. Schematics are included so we are sure to know exactly where to begin knitting each of the sections. This is very helpful.

While knitting, we are putting stitches on hold (waste yarn), picking up stitches from edges and from waste yarn. All this is forming the collar, back, and right and left front. Soon it will all come together and make more sense, I’m sure.

Rebel cardigan knit in sections to form the collar, back and sides.

Below is my photo after all sections of the Rebel cardigan are attached. Now knitting is done back and forth – knitting on the right side and purling on the wrong side, while increases are made for the sleeves and the back / body.

knitting Rebel cardigan
All section attached

The sweater will end up with a wide 1×1 ribbing down both sides of the front. The sleeves and remainder of body are knit in smooth stockinette. It’s a pretty clever design. One reason for doing the knitting this way is to help keep the sweater sitting correctly on the shoulders, and not slipping off as some cardigans have a tendency to do.

If you are interested in knitting this unique sweater, I have provided a link to the pattern here, which goes to the designer’s Ravelry page.

Rebel Cardigan Pattern, by Ankestrick

Read the Blog

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.

Travel Knitting Project Ideas

Pattern ideas for take along knitting projects, including hats, socks and more.

Knitting can become an addiction. Avid knitters will agree that the repetitive movements are soothing and relaxing. And what better place to pass the time by knitting than during travel?

I have not had a car for almost three years. My son drives me around when I need to get to the store. My Subaru was traded in so we could get a big truck to pull our camper. The truck is huge, and I don’t drive it. So I am always the one in the passenger seat, and often I take along a small knitting project.

Hats are perfect for travel knitting. My knitting journey began by knitting hats and they are still one of my favorite things to knit.

bright orange yarn knitting slouchy watchcap
Ribbed Watchcap by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas

This ribbed beanie takes a long time to knit! It is a 1×1 rib all the way up to the decreases and top, using a size 1 needle. I have knit two hats from this pattern and love wearing them during Florida winter months. This slow and steady project is worth the time spent. Both of my hats were mostly knit while riding.

orange hat knitting
Slouchy hat knitting is done

Keep it Simple

I like to keep it simple when knitting while riding. If I am making a hat, I like to have the cast on completed. That way I can do the knits, or knits and purls, while traveling. Of course you can knit any way you choose, but we are usually pulling the camper and the road is a bit bumpy because I am riding in a truck. Simple stitches are best for me. Choose what you can handle.

Any type of knitting that is round and round, without any guidance needed, is my preferred way to travel knit. If I had something more complicated – like a chart or colorwork – to follow, I’d use Knit Companion on my iPad.

The Musselburgh Hat by Ysolda Teague

I recently jumped on board the Musselburgh knitting bandwagon and knit this unique hat. My goal was to use up some stash yarn. This pattern begins with a tough cast on – it is knit from the center / top out. Get that over with and then it becomes a great take-along project. See my notes on knitting the Musselburgh on this page.

Musselburgh Hat knitting project
Musselburgh
knitting Musselburgh hat
Unique construction

Plan For Mistake Fixing – Bring the Tools

For a short trip to the grocery store a simple project with yarn, stuffed into a small bag, is fine. But for a longer trip, be sure to have the tools that may be needed to cut, mark, and fix mistakes.

A crochet hook is one thing a knitter should always have close by. If a stitch is dropped, the crochet hook (how to fix a dropped stitch video link) is needed for this fix. I’ve gone on short trips and dropped a stitch and had to wait until I got home to use my crochet hook.

Also take a project bag, all needles needed, scissors, stitch markers, measuring tape, the pattern, and enough yarn!

Socks Projects

I’m not much of a sock knitter, but I have made a few pair. Socks are the perfect take-along item because they are small.

A link to my review page (and pattern links) is at the bottom of each photo here.

hand knit socks in aqua blue variegated yarn
Shell Cottage socks
Perfect Newborn socks pattern knitting
Perfect Newborn socks
Wild Angelica socks pattern stranded colorwork floral design
Wild Angelica socks

Make Your Own Pattern

Sometimes it’s nice to take some yarn and wing it. Make some new dishcloths, or begin a simple scarf. Just cast on and knit. It’s a good way to use up stash yarn. (Hint: choose the right type of yarn for the project, cotton for dishcloths, etc.)

Key West Kotton yarn and Anzula "For Better or Worsted"

Caution – Avoid the Sun!

One thing I have to be careful of where I live is to keep the knitting out of the sun. My little take along project must be kept in a bag, and especially if I am away from the vehicle for a while.

sun, sunshine

The sun can fade and damage the yarn. The Florida sun is very strong, but I don’t think any project should be sitting in a sunny car. I think it’s risky. So be sure the garment is packed away in case the sun shifts.

More Pattern Ideas For Take-along Knitting

Do you have any suggestions for good patterns to knit while traveling?

See what I’ve been up to…

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.