Author: Pam

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

Three Knitting Projects On My Needles in September

Three knitting projects recently begun by me. It is nice to have a variety, but three tops at one time is something I do not usually do.

It began with some new yarn I ended up not liking so much. It has ended with a new project using yarn I love. This is how I have ended up with three major knitting projects (tops / sweaters) on my needles.

Many people have more than one knitting project at a time going. I like to have something simple along with something more challenging. Knitters are creative people and working on something that is too simple can, at times, be boring. But a simple project is great for late night (low light) knitting, or travel knitting.

Uradale wool yarn comes in little balls. It has a thick and thin quality which I don’t really enjoy. I had enough yarn to knit a sweater, but decided to use the yarn along with some other wool I like more, and knit a different pattern. This led to the project Simple Stripes. It is a pattern by SuviKnits. I’m making some adjustments to this easy pattern, while using up a lot of the Uradale yarn.

Presently, I’m nearing the end of knitting on the first sleeve. My changes include some colorwork designs and a corrugated rib at the body hem.

simple stripes pullover knitting project

Pascuali Yarn, Cotton Suave

For some reason, I decided to buy some cotton yarn and try knitting a summer top. I say this because I really should know better. I’ve tried and failed to find tops and yarn that work for my climate. Ever since I discovered the Pascuali yarn company, I’ve made a list of their yarns I’d like to use. The Suave cotton was on that list.

A pattern called the Dandelion Whiff Top (link goes to the Ravelry pattern page) came up as a suggested pattern for the Suave cotton. It’s a cute tank. But once I began knitting with the yarn (a swatch), I decided it was too difficult to use for a bottom up, textured top – written by an unfamiliar designer (to me). Bottom up knitting turns me off anyway, and this top also has a textured pattern (I’m still scared of all-over textured patterns thanks to Oxbow). I would love to knit the Dandelion Whiff top in the future, but not using this yarn.

Knitting the Knus Light Top

A pattern for a short-sleeve, textured top, called Knus Light, by Elsebeth Judith, is what I chose for the cotton yarn.

The top is full of various sections of simple texture that seem easy enough for me to accomplish. This yarn is very unusual. You would never know it is cotton! The strand is fuzzy, but very strong. My swatch fabric is very soft and light.

However, I tried to unravel my swatch and couldn’t do it! The yarn tangled together and made little knots. For this reason, I want to knit something that seems pretty simple, without the chance for mistakes. Ripping back could be a nightmare. So I chose Knus Light which seems pretty straightforward.

Pascuali Suave cotton yarn balls in color brown.
Pascuali Suave cotton
Cast on and short rows for Knus Light tee knitting pattern.
Knus Light top
Knus Light knitting pattern in the works
Knus Light top

The Magnolia Chunky Cardigan in Wool

I’ve had these cones of Harrisville Designs Highland wool for a while now. I probably bought them with a sweater in mind, and then got sidetracked. Cones of yarn are cheaper than skeins, so I bought three cones of Highland wool in color Suede, which is gray. Each cone has 450 yards, and I should have plenty to knit the Magnolia sweater.

Harrisville Designs yarn cone Highland wool in color Suede.
Highland wool cone
Cast on, ribbing and short rows Magnolia Chunky cardigan
Magnolia Chunky Cardigan
Magnolia chunky cardigan knitting project on black cat

As soon as I began knitting with this yarn, I felt like I was home! I just love knitting with good wool. The Magnolia pattern is tricky, but many previous knitters have left some helpful notes. I plan to write a whole page about it.

So, my fellow knitters, this is what I am up to. I’d love to hear about your projects, so don’t be shy. Leave us some comments!

Previously on New England’s Narrow Road…

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First Attempt at Knitting Clotilde

I didn’t get far when I began the Clotilde Cardigan pattern, but it’s a good looking cardigan, and I’ll try knitting the pattern again.

The Clotilde Cardigan is made up of a “bold, diamond lace pattern” and the first time I saw it I knew I wanted it.  This sweater is unique and gorgeous.

This chunky sweater is knit using a worsted weight yarn along with Mohair. It is knit with large needles – size 10US for the neck and 15US for the main part of the sweater.

See / Buy Clotilde Cardigan pattern

I have only one photo to share because this is as far as I got with my knitting. I was having no fun, so I frogged it.

Yarn used is Alafosslopi and I had hoped to use up most of my Lopi during this project. Alas… I just can’t do it. I’m not done for good, but I’ll do things differently next time.

knitting Clotilde cardigan
Clotilde begun

Biggest reason I disliked this knit

Big reason I stopped was that I don’t like using big needles. The stitches were so tight on that size 15 needle that I struggled with every one. The collar is knit with a smaller size 10 and it went fine.

I decided to try this pattern using a smaller, size 10US needle. This was much easier and I knit a swatch from the “front” in the XL size.

Clotilde pattern
Size 10 needle

Intricate Pattern, and Knitting From Charts (Many Charts)

I read all the comments from previous knitters of the Clotilde and the big complaints were about the charts. All of the lace parts – which means most of this sweater – are in chart form only. Not only that, there are many charts to accommodate each section of the sweater (ex. sleeve, back, fronts, etc.). As you knit along, you must do each ROW of knitting using various charts. 

I don’t knit lace, but I realized I would have to do so for this sweater. Yarn overs are still something I can screw up nicely, and that “left leaning decrease” got me. I don’t think I was doing it correctly. 

That number 3 is explained on the “Key” page. I saw complaints about no explanation for it, but now it is there.

Ds or Double Stitch

And then I was stumped by the Ds – double stitch abbreviation at the beginning of the new row of knitting. It simply means do the German Short Row stitch. (Pernille Larson, the designer, gives links to tutorials but they are all in Danish.) The work is turned from the previous row of knitting and then the stitch is done first thing on that following row. (Yarn forward, slip stitch from left to right needle and pull the stitch up and over. Continue knitting, or purling, as needed.)

Before I knit this again…

I already know I will attempt to knit this pattern again at some point, because I love the look of this sweater! I plan to do a large swatch (at least one) and learn how to correctly combine the yarn overs and the stitches I had trouble with. I can’t successfully knit this sweater if I can’t accomplish the stitches!

Smaller needles are a must for me. Someone asked if they could knit the Clotilde in a larger size but using smaller needles, to get the same effect. I didn’t find an answer, but I wonder that too.

In the End

While knitting this pattern, I didn’t get far. A couple of rows of German Short Rows and I quit. I’m so glad I did not buy yarn specifically for this project. The pattern is an advanced one for me, so I’ll use one single yarn – not two or more held together. I’ll try it with smaller needles. I’ll practice all the stitches on swatches to be sure I know what I’m doing. 

Any advanced knitter, who is comfortable with knitting lace and reading charts, could handle this pattern. This one is not for beginners.

More on the blog

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Christmas Gift Knitting; Hats For the Guys

Get an early start on hat knitting for Christmas. This page lists a few hat patterns, for free and to purchase, that work well for guys. Also, I’ve listed some machine washable yarn to get you started.

Believe it or not I have wanted to post this for a couple of years now… haha…! By the time I realize I need to share a post about Christmas knitting, it’s too late to accomplish these patterns.

The perfect gift for any guy who lives in a cold climate is a hat. They will wear something warm all winter, and probably loose a few along the way.

I’m a sucker for a fold up brim on my hats. It adds warmth around the ears, but some people prefer a simple flat ribbing. Often a pattern can be knit either way.

Awesome Hat Patterns for Men and Boys

When it comes to hats, most styles are perfectly suitable for men or women, but here is a list of hat patterns created to please a man.

  • Taconite, by Virginia Sattler-Reimer – Worsted weight yarn – three styles
  • Dustland, by Stephen West – DK
  • Botanic, by Stephen West – Worsted
  • Men’s Basic Hat – FREE pattern, aran yarn- folded brim
  • Bankhead – FREE pattern, worsted
  • Dual Loop Beanie – worsted, ribbed beanie – folded brim (See the one I knit at the bottom of this page.)
Cats wearing wool hats and scarves.
Image by Tyli Jura from Pixabay

Yarn

Most likely the men and boys in our lives would like hats that are soft and comfortable. But they also usually prefer darker colors and easy care. They will toss a dirty hat into the laundry pile and pop it into the dryer. So that is the trouble. Hand-knitting gifts for someone who will not treat is as a hand-knit.

I prefer to knit with nice organic wool, which is warm, but it always requires hand-washing. Superwash merino wool is pretty easy to find, but often it should not go into the dryer. Man-made acrylic yarn is something I never use, but might be the most perfect choice for guys.

dogs wearing winter hats
Image by Tyli Jura from Pixabay

Pairing up Hat Patterns With Easy Care Yarn

I have raised three boys so I know a bit about what they like. For all their lives (and they are all over 21 now) they wore black clothing, or colors as close to black as possible. I have one daughter as well who did bring color into my life! The boys have not changed and if I want to knit something for them, it had better be in drab, dark,”boy colors”.

Sock yarn is easy care, but a heavier weight yarn makes knitting quicker. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Remember that washable wool / super wash will tend to stretch when washed.

Image by Tyli Jura from Pixabay

It’s honestly pretty easy to find washing washable yarn, but most yarns recommend to “lay flat to dry”. Not many hand knits can go into the dryer. How often do hats need washing anyway?

dual loop beanie
Dual Loop Beanie
Dual Loop beanie in gray wool

Do you have any suggestions? What are you knitting this season for gift giving?

cat and yarn image

Some hats I’ve knit

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Binding Off Troubles On The Simple Stripes Pullover

I had a little trouble while doing the tubular bind off on my newest sweater project.

The Simple Stripes sweater pattern is done is rows of color. A pattern like this is fun to knit, and a great way to use up leftover yarn. In my case, I decided to use some wool yarn that I wasn’t thrilled with.

All was going well while knitting this pattern. As I reached the bottom part of the body, I added a strip of colorwork. Then, for the hem I decided to do corrugated ribbing. The pattern calls for a folded hem that is sewn and I didn’t want to do that.

After the corrugated ribbing was finished, using Uradale’s dark blue and dark brown, I was not sure of the best way to bind off. I searched for suggestions and found nothing too helpful. I ended up doing a knit one, purl one row in blue only and then did an Italian style, sewn bind off, using the blue.

When sewing a tubular bind off, a long tail of yarn is needed. With wool, I don’t mind using a shorter piece of yarn because all wool I have worked with spit splices nicely!

As I got close to the end of the yarn, I did a spit splice to attach more blue yarn. It seemed okay, but as I knit along and got to the splice, it pulled right apart. This left me with a short piece of yarn that would not splice to itself.

Broken yarn while trying to bind off using Uradale yarn

I’ll tell you, I was a bit ticked off about this. I tried again to splice the yarn, with no luck. I looked up some other ways to attach yarn together, but most of them needed two longer ends. I only had about an inch. I have never un-done a bind off, so that was not an option.

I was so completely OVER this yarn. I went to my wool stash and found some Rauma in dark blue that nearly matches. I KNOW that Rauma will splice. I took the end apart, separating the plies and wrapped them around the Uradale piece. I did the split splice hoping it would hold. It seemed to stay attached. I marked the area with a stitch marker to keep an eye on it.

From there, I continued my tubular bind off without any further problems.

Sewn hem bind off on Simple Stripes sweater

The body is finished, and I plan to use Magic Loop for the sleeves. I may add some colorwork to them as well. I will definitely not be using Uradale yarn for the cuffs and bind off.

I did try on the sweater once everything was complete, and the fit is very good. As always, everything will look better when it’s washed and blocked.

I played yarn chicken with the green for the colorwork, and just made it! That olive green color was a bit of Tukuwool that was leftover from something long ago.

body knitting of Simple Stripes
Body
Cutting it close with green yarn amount
Yarn Chicken!
animals divider fox, mice, hamsters

What are you knitting? I’d love to know.

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