KAL: Hetty by Andi Satterlund

Posted on August 27, 2013August 27, 2013 by cmc

So, as you all know I have an addiction to Andi’s patterns. And ever since she first showed her Hetty cardigan I loved it! Therefore, I was very delighted when she said she would be releasing the pattern and starting a KAL (Knit Along). I knew I would be joining despite my busy schedule. (I am preparing to enter into graduate school and will be starting to study for the GRE.)

I decided that I want to make another sweater in pink so, I have decided on Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Tweed in Papaya Heather. If for some reason they get out of stock of that color I plan on using Thirst Heather or Firecracker Heather.

So, the ending date for the KAL is October 30th, which is great! This is just in time for Fall and that means I can really wear this throughout the colder months.

Super excited about this! Oh yeah, this is my first KAL.

So, if you would like more info on this KAL check it out HERE or click the badge to the right of the blog.

Wish List

Posted on August 23, 2013December 18, 2013 by cmc

So, it seems that there is always a new book, magazine, special issue, tool, or yarn that is always coming out. And I really do try to practice restraint when it comes to purchasing all of my needle craft wants. But, there has been some things that I really desire to add to my personal collection and I thought I would share it with you all.

Entrelac: The Essential Guide to Interlace Knitting

I have been wanting to make something entrelac ever since I saw a gorgeous entrelac hat at my local yarn store (LYS). I looked at videos by Very Pink Knits and it doesn’t seem like a very hard process. However, I am the type of person that loves to learn from a book so, whenever there is a technique that I want to try then, I am on the hunt for a book to teach it to me. I feel like this book will give a clear and concise lesson and there is the added bonus of having some patterns in it. This will give me inspiration and motivation to try this technique. Also, I really want to make an entrelac bag so, I need this technique in my life.

Botanical Knits

Ever since Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting started showing sneak peaks of this book, I have been craving it. I love my Coastal Knits book so, I really want to add Botanical Knits to my collection. I just adore the patterns because they are inspired by nature and the yarn used is simply stunning. I am just in awe. The reason I have been resisting purchasing it is because I’m waiting on my LYS to order it so, I can support local. However, I don’t think I will be able to wait much longer and will soon just bite the bullet and get it for myself. (Especially, since she is coming out with Botanical Knits 2 soon, which I definitely want.)

Crochet Noro

I truly think the designs in this book are gorgeous but, I don’t know why I don’t own it yet. Many times it has been placed in my cart on Amazon but, I just keep putting it off. Maybe I need to order me some gorgeous Noro yarn, which will probably inspire me to purchase this book and create something from it.

Mesh Hanging Sweater Dryer

Since I have started using wool and have a couple of sweaters in wool I really do need this tool in my life. Some of my wool is not super wash, so it will have to be washed by hand. This simple tool is ingenious and it really does not cost that much.

Curio

This is a new thread/lace yarn that was introduced by KnitPicks about a month ago. Really, I already own a good amount of thread yarn but, how gorgeous is this yarn. I love working with thread and creating doilies, collars, jewelry, etc. with it. So, I have been tempted to get a skein or two of this. Also the colors are just beautiful and I am so curious about the feel of this thread.

Wool of the Andes Superwash

KnitPicks just introduced their new yarn Wool of the Andes Superwash and I really want it! I really like the idea of having a wool sweater that I don’t have to always handwash. Therefore, superwash is my friend. The colors and the price is right! So, I really look forward to creating some sweaters and cardigans from this yarn in the future.

Well, there you have it folks. My dream list. Stay inspired.

Finished Object: Shapely Boyfriend Cardigan

Posted on August 20, 2013December 18, 2013 by cmc

The sweater that took almost a year to complete! Settle in because there is a story behind my extreme love/hate relationship with this sweater.

When, I first saw this cardigan on Ravelry over a year ago I just knew I had to make it. I stared at it for about a couple a months and then decided that it was worthy of my time. So, I didn’t have enough yarn of one color and I called up my sister, Alison, (a fellow needle crafter) and asked her if she could raid her stash and give me the yarn for this project. She gave me an Ivory color and Windsor Blue. I decided on the blue because I thought it was a rather unique type of blue and that it would be so versatile.

I started the project and was really enjoying it. Then, once I got to the waist something happened. I was simply bored with the project. So, I stuffed it in a bag and left it there for some months. I would think about it every now and then whenever I was bored or wandering aimlessly. Like, I really should work on that cardigan. But, still I couldn’t trump up any enthusiasm. So, I would look at other projects of the cardigan on Ravelry to get inspired and I finally decided to pick it back up. So, one night after my many months break I picked up the project and finished the body. I was pretty pleased with the fit and decided to try it on for some pictures. The next day when posting the pictures to my Ravelry page I noticed the bottom ribbing was a different shade!!! But, the yarn said it didn’t have a dye lot. What the heck! So, again my enthusiasm was lost and the project was stuffed away again.

Should I rip it? But, it’s been on the needles this long so, I might as well keep going. I’ll think about it later…

When, working on another project I learned the duplicate stitch. And once I saw how easy it was, I figured that there might be hope yet for the cardigan that I had come to hate. So, again I went back to browsing other Ravelers cardigans and saw that someone had placed stripes on the arms of her cardigan. Yes! This was it! I decided to add stripes to the arms and to even add an Owl. See, I have an infatuation with owls so, I figured if I place something I love onto something I hate then, I should love it. I also figured that if I strategically placed the stripes that the different dye lot would not be as noticeable and that it would detract from it.