Knitting projects I have completed or have in progress. My thoughts and review of the pattern, yarn, and outcome. Also knitting project ideas to consider or find for free.
Last year, in 2024, I completed three sweater patterns that I absolutely love.
During 2024 there were a few hand knits that have become my favorites. I knit four sweater patterns and a couple of hats. The hats are not worth mentioning. Three of the sweaters turned out to be favorite knits of mine. The links go to my pattern review blog pages.
Calliope 2
The Calliope pullover is so nice. This was my second time using this pattern. I love the gold color and the yarn makes a really nice fabric. It was my first time using Sunday Morning yarn by Sonder Yarn Co. and I ended up loving the result. I did make some pattern changes on the sleeves and hem.
Cool camping dayCalliope
Rebel Cardigan
This cardigan pattern by Ankestrick is definitely a favorite. I finished knitting the beautiful sweater in August. Once the weather turned cool in November (a few days at least) I pulled it out. I’ve been wearing it all winter. The Rebel Cardigan is very cozy and warm.
The Field Sweater
When it came to the Field sweater, I loved the look, but was unsure I could accomplish it. This was probably the most difficult pattern I have knit so far. The whole yoke was made up of special stitches that took a lot of time to complete. It turned out so lovely and it is a sweater I am proud of. The fit is perfect.
Field sweater
New Techniques and New Yarns
In 2024 I knit two sweaters that used double yarns. I held mohair with merino for the Rebel cardigan and Field sweater. I also learned some new techniques and met some challenges. Each of these sweaters took a while to finish.
I did knit one other sweater called the Autumn Alpine. I am not super happy with it. The neckline wasn’t good, and I tried to fix it, without much luck. I ended up doing short sleeves just to be finished. I’ve never worn it.
Autumn Alpine
Sweaters begun in 2024
The sweaters I have on my needles now, that were begun in 2024, are as follows. The links to my Ravelry pages for each. These sweaters should be finished in 2025.
Birthday61 – Size 1 needle, half-fisherman’s rib. A long project.
How did your knitting go in 2024? Have you made anything special, or learned any new knitting techniques? Maybe you have knit these same sweater patterns. I’d love to hear about what you made.
Beginning to knit the deal loop beanie pattern in heavy wool.
After knitting sweaters for a while, I decided to try a smaller project. The Dual Loop Beanie, by Other Loops, looked like a nice hat. (Pattern link below.) I purchased the pattern and began the project. Yup, one more knitting project on the needles!
Here it is all finished, but still needing a soak. Read on and make one of your own.
Dual Loop Beanie knit using Plotulopi wool
The Pattern
The pattern is easy to follow. One thing to be aware of is you will always be following the 2×2 rib for the top part. One line in the directions says, “knit to two stitches before the next marker” but it should be knit and purl.
Also, a thumbs down for this pattern is the fact that the needle size is listed ONLY in mm and size / length is ONLY in cm. For those of us in the US we have to convert. It’s not a big deal, but most patterns do list both.
The beginning directions are for a tubular cast on. If you don’t know how to do it, then you must look it up (I have a video link below). There are no directions or links in the pattern. There are no other cast on options listed either. But, if you feel more comfortable using a long tail, or other cast on, go for it!
I am not a fan of doing the tubular cast on. Many ribbed hats use it to make the edge rounded. And, it does look nice. The cast on is not difficult, BUT keeping the stitches straight gives me a headache. To solve this problem, I used a straight needle this time. A wooden straight needle would be perfect, but I only had my grandmother’s old steel needles. They worked fine.
If possible, do the tubular cast on onto a long, straight needle. Doing this will help keep the stitches from twisting around like they do on a circular needle.
If you are wondering why I would cast on for a hat using a straight needle, here’s the answer. The tubular cast on is worked in back and forth rows called the “set up” rows. Once those are done, then the round is joined.
The pattern begins with, “cast on using a tubular cast on in rib stitch”. My help for this came from Stephen West’s video. I followed his cast on directions. Also his first set up row directions (he knits through the back loop on the first row). At his suggestion, I used one needle size smaller (size 3US) for this part of the project.
After finishing the cast on and set up rows, I slipped all of the stitches onto a size 4 circular needle (the main size). Then, I made the join by simply continuing in pattern. I will have to close up that gap when I weave in the ends. *I had no trouble closing the gap and it looks perfect.
Any type of Cast On will work. It may not look as good as the tubular, but don’t let that stop you from knitting the hat.
Stitches transferred to circular needle size 4.
Now I am working using the main yarn, which is Plotulopi unspun held double. I’m pulling a strand from each of two cakes. But to cast on and begin with set up rows, I used dark green-brown Alafosslopi. It is sturdier and I needed something to make that cast on as easy as possible. Both yarns came from my stash.
I do NOT recommend using Plotulopi for a hat. I love the way it came out but there was a lot of yarn breaking during this knit.
Because I couldn’t fit more stitches on the straight needle, I cast on for the small size hat. This yarn is thick and the hat size is perfect.
The Dual Loop Beanie is pretty much a basic hat pattern. Once I was beyond the cast on, it’s round and round knits and purls. The decreases for the top are well written out and I’m looking forward to the end result.
Just beginning the decrease rounds on my Dual Loop beanie. Isn’t that yarn pretty!
The beanie is nearly ready to wear. Just needs a soak and then drying out. I had a lot of trouble with this yarn at the top. Unspun yarn like this Plotulopi can’t stand any stress or it comes apart like cotton candy. Fortunately it can be spit-spliced easily. If you prefer a very tall point at the top – add more rows. I followed the directions and mine is not all that tall.
Here in central Florida we are certainly not suffering with horrid freezing temperatures like most of the county. We have had a cold, gloomy January. For the past week or so temps have been in the 40’s and 50’s for highs, with wind chills lower. I can hear you… “Oh poor baby” “Those Florida wussies” I know, I know… I’m not whining, just saying it is unusual. And it has given me lots of opportunities to wear my hand knits, so I’m happy. It snowed in the Panhandle, and I hope next time the snow comes here. I love snow.
While cleaning out my yarn storage room, I came across the Fisherman’s Kep. I had finished knitting and had lots of ends left to weave in. I put it aside. It had been a while, so I decided to weave in the ends and give it a washing. I hadn’t been too happy with the fit but decided to I blocked it and see.
The hat construction begins with the brim, which will be folded up over a ribbed area. I think the ribbing was part of the pattern. After that, we begin rows of colorwork (fair isle) in our chosen colors.
Fisherman’s Kep blocked
This pattern was part of a fund-raising event. After taking some photos, I looked up my Ravelry page to add them.
I was thinking it had been maybe a year since I began this project. Lo and behold it had been THREE years!
I found my original post on this blog about the Kep and decided to give readers an update here. I also visited the Facebook page to see recently completed hats and noticed I had forgotten to add a tassel! Maybe I can dig out the pattern and see the suggestions. I’d love to add a fun little tassel to the top.
The hat is long and the knitter can create whatever patterns they like. Five colors total – of wool yarn – are used, which is traditional.
For more information please see my first blog post (link above).
One day, when I am in the mood, I will create and add a cute tassel.
Looking further at the pattern, I realized that it may be too difficult for me to accomplish. I have my doubts, but will probably try it anyway. (See my trial below.)
First of all, the whole sweater is knit in a small size needle. Suggested needle size 0 to 1.5US, depending on gauge. That is tiny! This means lots and lots of stitches, that could take me months to finish. On top of that, it is knit in a “half fisherman’s rib” . The tags for this sweater include “brioche tuck”. Scary. I’ve tried knitting brioche a number of times and failed miserably.
Pattern Help
Fortunately Ankestrick has a full page of links for help. Some links will apply to the Birthday 61 sweater pattern and go to YouTube. I love it when designers give me lots of help to achieve success. She also has a Ravelry forum page for help with this specific project.
She has her own suggested invisible cast on, seamless join, and decreases worked in the half fisherman’s rib stitch. The pattern explains how to incorporate the rib stitch while making German short rows. The pattern lists many special techniques I’m unfamiliar with. But, I should be able to find help to create them while knitting the project. Will I understand and accomplish them? Who knows. I have successfully knit her Rebel cardigan pattern, and am already a fan of this designer.
The Yarn
A sweater knitting project can be quite expensive. Lots of yarn is needed to knit a size 3 or 4 sweater (which is my usual pattern size). This pattern calls for 1800 yards. This is a lot of yarn, and must be because of the stitch used.
*Note to self: knit this using a light color to easily see the stitches!
The second issue for me is the needle size. After looking through my smallest needles, I have the required lengths in size 1US only. Otherwise, I would need to spend money on new needles.
The Swatch, Or Jump Right In?
This leads to the question of how to knit a swatch for the Birthday 61 sweater. I may jump in and try the pattern with some stash yarn just to see how far I get.
Okay, this is what I decided to do. I began the pattern using the smallest sweater size (my actual size will be 4). I dug out some Rauma yarn. I need to know if this pattern is something I can manage, so I’ll try out the special cast on and then down the yoke with increases and short rows.
A New Type of Cast On (for me)
Anke lists her cast-on as “Anke’s Invisible Cast On“. It seems very similar to the Italian Tubular cast on, except with better changes (IMO). She does her videos in Continental style, which can be confusing to those of us who knit English style. She also does not speak, but adds text to her vids.
For the cast-on, (use any length needle to begin, but switch to a 16″ for the join.) I watched the video, but then realized I could simply follow the directions in the pattern – this is easier!
This is not a super easy cast on for me, but with practice it will get better. I used my long 32″ size 1 needle. The first (set up) row is turned, and we work back across the stitches that were just cast on – without having to join in the round – yet. Get out the size 16″ for row 2 as that will be joined to knit in the round.
Cast on edgeRauma
Yoke Markers and Short Rows
I did not knit all the first rows after cast on because this is a trial knit and not something I will wear.
Upcoming are the yoke placement markers for raglan sections and sleeve / body increases. Those are combined with working short rows – and I was thinking that this could get sketchy. BUT… every short row is explicitly described – all 14 of them!
As a bonus, the designer has included a diagram of the neck opening with all the marker placements – 8 of them + BOR – for the four raglan sections, two sleeves, and body front and back. An image to reference is always helpful and this greatly helped me.
* When looking at the image showing marker placement, remember you are knitting counter clockwise from the BOR marker. Also, we are knitting down from the top of the sweater. Flip the page upside down if that helps to visualize.
Also, I suggest using various colored markers for the different sections. It helped me keep track of where I was (green means sleeves, white means front, etc.)
To get through the increases I need to know how to kbYOk. This is a knit below, yarn over, knit stitch. It is a two-stitch increase. See her video here. It is not difficult, but remember to do it because going back to fix a forgotten kbYOk is a bit tricky. And for some reason I kept forgetting to do them.
Below is my trial sample showing how the sweater top will look after all the short rows are complete. See how the very front is the shortest. Between each section of increases (sleeves and body) is a raglan section – four of them. Those do not change width.
Knitting short rows and increases
This sample is full of goofs (and the beginning neck rows have been omitted). I don’t like my cast on edge. I’ll have to practice that, or maybe not use it.
At this point I will be knitting increase rows alternating with purl rows. This continues to widen the sleeves and body. I probably won’t go much further as this is only practice. From this point on, I think I am able to continue and will plan to buy yarn and knit the Birthday 61 pattern.
To keep track of knits and purls, here is what they look like. The purl stitch is “sunken” and the knits stand out.
Knits and purls.
So I have continued knitting on this trial piece and has you can see, I have made some obvious mistakes. I’m not happy with the cast on. I’ve messed up my knits and purls. Also, ripping back to fix something can be very tricky.
Birthday61 trial
A big goof!
More Advice From a Knitter’s Review
After viewing the test knits and other Ravelry knitters, it was brought to my attention that there is an alternate way of knitting the ribbing. On page three of the pattern, at the bottom, you’ll find the information. It replaces the purl row with a k1,p1 row. Apparently they look the same. I’m doing purls only for those rows.
Oh Gosh, More Yarn to Buy
I do not have enough of any fingering yarn to knit this project, so now I will be buying more yarn. The amount required is quite high – 1800 yards for my size 4. Once I begin this pattern for real, I’ll write another page all about it.
