YARN magazine knitalong (Issues 1 to 8)

I forgot!

2008-04-06T21:28:00.001-07:00

I finished my South Cape and forgot to post pics!

I am very pleased with it. Despite the fact my yarn was a bit fine (would've been perfect doubled for the drape) the gauge worked and it fits fine. It's a great pattern, and fun to knit.

Fallen at the last hurdle

2008-04-01T16:57:00.000-07:00

My last finished project for this KAL is the Mitred Stripes Tote from the online issue made for the Ravelry Aussie Bag Lady swap.

Unfortunately this is another bag I buggered up through no fault of the designer - total operator error. I ended up with a with a gorgeous fabric that was a bit of a disaster as a bag. The strap was too long, so I cut and sewed it, and the top was all fluted and in no way square.

The whole sorry story is on my blog but the upshot is, if I'd looked at the pictures of the original bag I'd have noticed that when the pieces were sewn together pre-felting the cast on edge became the top of the bag which made for a stable and even item. I sewed it up the opposite way, with the cast off edge as the top and got an *interesting* fluted effect.

I recently also complete a couple of pairs of Barb's Clafoutis Bedsocks.

This pair "Riot in Rio" in a Moda Vera Luxury a mohair blend yard that's all sparkly

and a more sedate pair in Patons Jet in a camel colour

These are going to Can Assist in a project supported by another Canberra knitter, Krafty Kuka.

Still on the needles which I will eventually finish are the Simple Socks and another Jelly Belly Vest. Both are lovely patterns and almost done.

Kate, this has been a wonderful KA - supportive, non-competitive and a really good excuse to more fully exploit my Yarn investment. Thank you. :)

Finished!

2008-03-31T21:19:00.000-07:00

I finished the South Cape!!! Hurray! Sorry it's late, teacher. ( I have said that many times in my life)

Pics to come tomorrow, hopefully. The cape is still a bit damp and I don't have time to take a good photo today.

See you soon.

Yarn 9 is Out - the KAL is over

2008-03-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

Thanks for joining in on this KAL, the first I've ever run. I'd love to see what you've ended up with in your endeavors to cover at least one project from each Yarn edition that you own. Do you have intentions for any outstanding projects? I look forward to hearing from you all one last time.

Thanks especially to Barb for the fun of the first 8 editions of Yarn. I'm looking forward to jumping into my edition #9 tonight!

Slow progress

2008-03-20T20:51:00.000-07:00

I feel like I'm caught in a Groundhog Day loop. I've been knitting and re-knitting the damn placket on the purple sheep cardigan three times now only to find that the I've still picked up too many stitches and the band is below the level of the waistband. At least it doesn't concertina this time and as for the first effort, well, I guess I was a little nervous because the stitches were so tight I couldn't even insert a needle into them! I will pull it out and make attempt #4 tonight. Hopefully by the weekend I shall finish this blighter. I feel quite discouraged and a little bloody-minded about the whole thing now. I will do my level best NEVER to do another cardigan with separate button bands.

Knowing my luck, Tilly will have grown too big for the cardy by the time I've finished it! If so, you'll be able to hear my anguished groans from Perth!

Cheers!

2008-03-19T20:19:00.000-07:00

My Wine and Roses Bolero, from Yarn 2, is finally finished.

Cast on in December 2005 as a test knit, just after Yarn 1 came out, this jumper has been with me through it all. Its stitches show the tension and the joy in all their variation, the learning, the mistakes, the successes, everything. I gained and lost and gained about 8 kg during the time this jumper was on the needles -- which is why you see it now on a hanger instead of on me -- and I am thrilled to see it done, even if I can't wear it. Am I feeling a little misty? Yes, I am.

But the timing is good...here comes Yarn 9 to take us somewhere new. Thank you Kate for organising this Knitalong, and thank you to everyone who participated in honor of 'the Coddington era', as it has been put. The honor really has been mine!

One more for the road

2008-03-13T01:57:00.000-07:00

Issue 9 is on its way according to the Yarn blog!

It took less time to knit this last project than it did to procrastinate and then sew it up. I give you Broken Rib Cover from Issue 5.

Yarn: ancient Villawool 20 ply
Needles: 8 mm
Pattern changes: Cast on 42 stitches to cover 16" hanger (30 sts wasn't going to work).

I'm going to keep working on other patterns from the first eight issues as time lets me. I have not finished everything that appeals to me by a long shot. Thanks go to Barb for giving us such a high standard magazine for two years.

Lou

Ready for a new Yarn

2008-03-06T14:04:00.000-08:00

It's finally finished. A quick, easy knit that took longer than it should due to me not reading the directions correctly, running out of yarn & joining a bag swap that took priority. But it's finished, just in time for the cooler weather & I'm really happy with it. This would be a great stash buster project...maybe multi coloured next time? I knit 2 yarns together, swapping one when I felt like it. I wasn't too concerned about gauge, as this changed throughout; but for the style I wanted, a gauge that was "close enough" was fine.

If anyone is interested...the shawl pin is from Katherine Kowalski, she has a website at http://www.daystarhandworks.com/ & an etsy shop.

Slow progress

2008-03-05T18:36:00.000-08:00

Oh, how this tendonitis is annoying! The cardy is still at the sleeves stage. Progress is slow but the end feels so near that I can almost taste it. This is only because I'm judging future progress by my usual knitting pace. But disappointing progress nevertheless.

Instead of posting beautiful photos of the finished cardy, I'll list what I'm hoping (!) to get finished before Yarn appears on the shelves. Keeping in mind that the magazine is due out this month perhaps I'm being a tad ambitious?

Vol 1 - wine bottle bag
Vol 5 - tea cosy 1
Vol 7 - ear flap cap
Vol 8 - Melba (I really need to knit something that fits properly!)

So, I'm sort of getting there but likely to finish all my ambitions sometime toward the end of 2008!

South Cape ready for winter

2008-02-28T21:37:00.000-08:00

The end of February is here already and am happy to report the spinning, knitting and seaming portion of my South Cape is complete. I still need to find a suitable fastener/button.

The knitting portion was quicker than I expected and the changes in texture always kept it interesting, even in 40+ degree heat.

The yarn is my own handspun from a coated, greasy Romney/EL/MerinoX fleece, I had five skeins made before starting the knitting and since it was slightly thicker than the pattern called for I went up 0.5mm needle size on both sizes and the finished product is the perfect size for me. (I had to spin up another four skeins as I was knitting).

Not the greatest photo of the finished product unfortunately (I couldn't get the self timer to take an in-focus modelled shot) but it is reasonably close to accurate colour.

And here is a gratutious texture shot, taken inside so colour is way off.

Now off to decide which smaller project to work on next while waiting for Yarn 9. Let's see if I can get another entry up before then.

Lou

I'm Still Here

2008-02-28T15:12:00.000-08:00

Still here & I've been working on my Rosehip Waistcoat . Unfortunately I've run out of the Sean Sheeps and Big W (in it's wisdom) removes it's yarn during summer. So far I've finished one side and am up to the armhole divide on the second.

This would be a quick knit if I didn't keep getting distracted by other things (Aussie Bag Lady swap on Ravelry & now the next International Scarf Exchange is taking sign ups) &, of course, running out of yarn. But I will get it finished...I already know how I'm going to wear it!

Looking forward to the next issue of Yarn...should be soon.

Christine

A Rainbow Belt

2008-02-28T13:23:00.000-08:00

I decided that I needed to pull my finger out and do something else in this KAL.

Here is the result of a few hours here and there the other day. A knitted belt for Miss A.
I also tried some dying the other day (food dyes) and used the instructions from Issue One as a guide.
And a tip for next time - when the instructions say 'wear gloves' it might be an idea to actually put them on and not leave them on the bench...

Spring Green? Bag

2008-02-26T03:22:00.000-08:00

After many adventures, all of them my own stupid fault, my Spring Green/Swiss Cheese bag is done.

Here it enjoys the late summer sun after several goes in the washing machine and some up-close and personal encounters with several bath towels and a razor.

You can read the adventures on my blog but long story short - it's a great pattern and I suck at the felting thing.

I still have a Jelly Belly Vest, a pair of Simple Socks and a Mitred Square bag on the needles. Probably won't be finished by Friday but this has been a great challenge. Thanks to Kate for organising it.

Last minute cast on!

2008-02-07T20:22:00.000-08:00

I'm still working on my Radiant Lace shawl, not really working on my Wine & Roses bolero (still not sure why!), and just cast on a new Hailstone jumper. I will finish ONE before Yarn 9. I will! Hopefully will have some piccies, too...

The End is Nigh!

2008-01-31T14:27:00.000-08:00

Not that end but the end of the KAL. Just read that the next issue of Yarn is confirmed for publication in March 2008. This will be issue #9, which will signal the end of the KAL once it hits the newstands. I'm really looking forward to seeing what y'all have done over the holiday period when we all (allegedly) had plenty of time to knit!

As for my shenanigans, at the moment, the sheep are purple and their grass is green and growing longer. I've knit 14 of the 16cms to reach the arm holes. Woot! Him Indoors thinks the sheep look more like Scottie dogs. What does he know?

Two steps forward, one back

2008-01-30T21:26:00.000-08:00

I am still lurking in blogland but have been a tad quiet - mainly because I haven't made much knitting progress. I now have something to show and tell so here goes.....

The Angel Puff Scarf is ready for felting. I hope I haven't put the hazelnuts too close together!!

I ran out of time to finish the Florianne's Wedding Bag for my niece for Christmas. Her birthday is in June - I'll aim for that! Only some finishing bits'n'pieces to do.

The Swirly Girl Socks made reasonable progress until I realised the swirly pattern got lost within the dark colours. And then, I discovered a dropped stitch at least 8 rows down. So the sock got yanked off the needles for a good froggin' and a new sock was started in a lighter colourway. I have not made it to the swirl pattern yet as I decided to make the ribbing a bit longer than the pattern suggests.

I may be a tad quiet for the next couple of weeks as I will be away for work (in the WA desert) but I promise to keep knitting on the sock when the temperature drops below 40 degrees. I am

trying to work up the courage to sneak the sock onto the plane.

YARN KAL button

2008-01-25T18:56:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of Kylie, who learnt how to do buttons especially for the KAL, I present the Yarn KAL button. Thanks Kylie! This feels like an official KAL now. Here's the html & directions to place in your blog.

Go to Template then add Page Element and paste in the html link and paste it in there (or wherever you keep your KAL links) and that should work.

This design feat is doubly impressive given that Kylie has also been caring for her 2yo daughter, Amelia, churned out lots of projects, moved house and being enormously pregnant. There's happy news on that front. Baden Nicholas William Pearse arrived 10.45am Friday 25th January, weighing 8lb and measuring 51cm. Go on over and send her your congratulations : )

I was just surfing and seeing that Yarn #3 and #5 haven't been knit from as yet. Any takers?

2008-01-23T15:39:00.000-08:00

This is the current state of the Baby Snug - blocked and ready for the chain crochet edging. This is my first attempt to crochet anything so I'm starting on something that I hope will be simple. If it sucks badly, I'll do a wee I-cord and sew that on. Can crocheting be any worse than sewing on miles of I-cord?

Despite previous declarations, my next project is 'My Fair Baby" by Sarah Golder in Yarn Issue 4. I've made a little progress and am just about through the border of the back. I love doing stranded stuff. I find the charts really easy to read; easier than lace charts anyway! Aren't the wee sheep gorgeous? There's lots

of options as to borders but I've decide on sheep. And purple sheep at that! I'm on a yarn diet. I bought my last ball of yarn at the last Sn'nB and from now on what I've got will have to do this KAL!

Finished Object

2008-01-16T17:00:00.000-08:00

Here is the Neckerchief, finished, and ready to be sent off to the Knitter's Project.

Yes it was cold at the beach on this day.

Post Labels

2008-01-10T01:12:00.000-08:00

Hey folks, could you please use the labels for your patterns when post about your projects? I just thought that it would be cool if I added a labels list to one side so people will be able to jump to all the posts about a particular pattern. I've taken the unmannerly liberty of updating the posts' labels so we can easily jump to other posts on the same subject. Sorry if this annoys anyone...

The Baby Snug

2008-01-10T00:59:00.000-08:00

Hey folks, I'm back again and raring to go. I've cast on the baby snug while I was on the road but I completely forgot Barb's advice from my post, ie that there was errata which would need to be taken into account. Only just remembered it when I checked my last post about what I was knitting. Man, I frustrate myself sometimes. OK, shall pull out and re-do. In the meantime I've settled on Paton's Bluebell for the snug and will do it in purple and green. As Taph says, good feminist colours : )

Big Red

2008-01-08T22:55:00.000-08:00

I loved doing the Coffee Couture so much, I turned around and did it all again but bigger and redder.

It's my Dad's birthday tomorrow. 67 he'll be and finding a gift is increasingly difficult. His plunger is the 12 cup size, so I did some maths and added two extra cable patterns and cast on 100 stitches. I did an extra half a pattern repeat in length as well.

This yarn wasn't as thick as the first lot, so the cosy is a little more stretched out. After sewing the ribbing together I picked up 22 stitches along one edge leaving a little room for the handles, double ribbed for 5 rows, chucked in 3 yo button holes in the next row, then two more double rib rows and cast off in rib. This band could have been a little longer, but it will do.

I finally got to use these very cute wooden Scottish Terrier buttons again. I bought a heap of them at the Lisa Ho factory outlet in Sydney years ago and the last time I used them was on cot doona covers for the twins who turn 13 next month.

A workmate pointed out today that we could use a cosy on the plunger at work. Do you reckon I could just knit these until the end of the KAL?

Sock it to you!

2008-01-08T13:29:00.000-08:00

Well I have finished my first project for the KAL! Amazing what happens when I rest. I have completed the 'sock topper' from Issue 8 and also a little vest!

I asked DH if he would like a matching set and the response I recieved was "Don't you dare!" Tempting isn't it. I still have a little of the wool left so though that I would see if I can find a little bootee pattern or maybe a little jumper for one of Amelia's teddies.

Amelia tries it on for size

Progress (again)

2008-01-07T20:31:00.000-08:00

I've got my act together...reading all instructions twice, just in case.

It's the Rosehip Waistcoat by Judith Avery from Issue 2.

I'm using 2 yarns held together, one thick & one thin. I raided my stash & pulled out all the textural blues. Lots of Sean Sheep, Rowan Spray & a recycled Sari Silk.

I Frog, Therefore I Am

2008-01-06T20:34:00.000-08:00

Knit for 10 cm (NOT inches), shape for 25 cm (NOT inches).

Coffee Couture

2008-01-05T15:32:00.001-08:00

Coffee Couture by Megan Longhurst from Yarn 6.

MATERIALS: Just under 50g of an 8ply recycled from an op-shop jumper.

ALTERATIONS: None, but I'm tossing up about picking up some of the side stitches and making a button placket for added warmth.

It's a lovely quick knit. Perfect for last minute gifts. Not that there's anything last minute about this one - it's a 2008 Christmas gift for coffee loving friends. Oh, and I've added the pattern to Ravelry if you want to queue it.

I've got to make another of these, but larger, this week for Dad's birthday on Thursday. Will cast on tonight.

Vested Interest

2008-01-02T12:15:00.000-08:00

Jelly Belly vest by Jenny McElhinney from Issue 1, December 2005. I call this one Coconut Ice, because that's what the yarn looks like.

SIZE: One size 12-18 months

YARN: 2 x 50g balls Nastro Four Seasons cotton/acrylic blend. It's a weird yarn. 2 chains of different colours, in this case a pinky apricot and a cream that sit flat like a tape. Knits up pretty, though, and has an interesting texture.

ALTERATIONS: Knitted in the round to the underarms, then flat so there were only the shoulder seams to sew. Also, I used the same finishing on the armholes as the neckline instead of the pattern's double rib, mostly because I was concerned about running out of yarn. As it turns out, the concerns were well founded and I have a scant 4m left.

There's another one of these on the needles which might get fininished tomorrow if I actually sit down and knit it.

Happy New Year to you all. :)

Spring Bag

2007-12-28T20:52:00.000-08:00

I made the "Spring Green Bag" from issue 8 for my sister for Christmas.

Prefelting:

Felted:

Mods: left out top stripe at her request, skipped the applied icord around top and instead picked up stitches around side and knit a couple of rows to match top of bag.
Yarn: Spotlight Harvest Pure Wool (5 skeins total)

I would definitely make this again, I want to do it for myself in the bright colours shown on Yarn's cover.

Xmas wishes!

2007-12-24T16:39:00.000-08:00

I was invited by Kate to blog in Early December, but never got round to it!
I planned to show my KIP complete with pictures, but its now finished and here is the FO instead!

Family are getting the house ready for the Xmas Lunch. I announced yesterday that "Mum is on strike all day tomorrow", lets see if I actually have to do anything other than knit :)

So while I attempt to not do any work today, here's wishing all you blog readers and writers:

Joyeux Noel

Vivian

Merry Festivus

2007-12-20T19:02:00.000-08:00

Greetings All

Just catching up on the KAL - alot happens in just a few days! I am making good progress with my Angel Puff Scarf, the pinks and purples have developed into rather bizarre, but pleasing patterns (sorry no pics yet). Great to see how the other "Puffs" have turned out. Have also started second, and third, projects. I hope I've not set myself up to fail but with only two pairs of very plain beginner socks completed to date, I have embarked on the Swirly Girl Socks (cos I just luv em). I stared with two circulars as the patterns encourages but got so tangled (and my hands ached with the tiny needles) I have reverted to double points. Yarn is Wildfoote and is much brighter than the photo shows.

I have also started Floriane's Wedding Bag as a Christmas present for my nine year old niece but no pictures yet (no time for pictures - I have knitting and last minute work to get through!).

Merry Festivus to one and all.

Startitis

2007-12-19T00:07:00.000-08:00

I've cast on again. Well, not really casting on exactly. I needed a project I thought might fly under the radar (so to speak) on my flight to Perth yesterday. I know this is naughty, but can you blame me? The prospect of 3.5 uninterrupted hours, without kids? Too tempting.

I thought I would go with crochet, so I hooked into Sarah G's Radiant lace shawl, in Wendy Dennis 4 ply (LOVE this yarn). It is the palest celery-heart green, semi-solid. And I got in about an hour's worth of work before they told me to put it away.

Edit: I had an interesting experience with this yarn after posting. There's more about it on my blog -- rather than clog up the KAL!

Sock Topper

2007-12-18T23:33:00.000-08:00

Kind of a cheat but I needed a project to knit at my nephew's end of year concert, so I cast on Sarah Golder's Sock Topper from issue 8. The yarn was left over from a pair of socks and was exactly the 25g called for - hooray, no more scraps! Bummer, I've got 9g left.

The hat's very sweet and I'll be able to use those 9g somewhere, I guess.

I'm also knitting Lisa's Spring Green Bag from issue 8.

Future South Cape

2007-12-18T18:20:00.000-08:00

Oh, I am very pleased to read the crochet.lout is thinking about taking this on too! Comforting to know there will be someone else madly spinning away whilst dishes go unwashed and Christmas cookies never make it past the flour stage.

So far I have about 400 meters spun up and plied, and one large bobbin full of singles.

The skein pictured is a bit wonky, as I plied it a bit loosely on places but methinks I'll use it anyway! The bobbin pic shows the true colour of the yarn much better. I am getting closer to deciding which way to go on the dyeing front.

Look forward to keeping up with what everyone is doing. Have a great holiday season! Hope some good lolling around is had by all.

Another Angel

2007-12-18T17:34:00.000-08:00

I finished my Angel Puff Scarf a few days ago but have only got around to taking some post-felted pics.

Here it is ready for the wash. I raided my son's marble jar and placed them randomly along the lower halves of the scarf.

And after felting...

I am having terrible problems trying to get the colour of this yarn to photograph correctly. It really isn't as revolting as it looks! It's a quite nice mushroomy brownish cinnamony.......

I'd like to wish you a safe & peaceful Christmas! May you find time to enjoy the season (& knit a few rows)

Hi there!

2007-12-17T22:42:00.000-08:00

Just thought that I would introduce myself. My name is Kylie and have just joined Kate's Wagga Wagga knitting circle!

I have plans on making a few things from the issues (lets see how I go - as I am about to pop with my second little bundle of joy)

So for the first project I am planning on the Ballet Wrap (page 42 of issue No 8)

Looking forward to seeing what is being knitted.

Regards Kylie

Puff magic

2007-12-17T17:57:00.000-08:00

Before with marbles in place ready for felting

Lightly felted and so very light, 25 grams

My Naturally Mist yarn which is a 1ply lace weight 80% super fine kid mohair and 20% acrylic yarn made in New Zealand and is around $7 rather than $20 odd for Rowan Kidsilk. I knitted with 4mm needles and it turned out quite a bit smaller than the pattern stated, not sure if it was the yarn or me! Anyway I decided to use less puffs of a smaller size than a macadamia nut and not felt it as much as the original so the scarf might end up being a useful size. So this morning I placed 30 vase marbles in a regular pattern on the lower edges of my scarf and secured them with 30 clear snagless hair elastics and felted the scarf in the washing machine with a pair of jeans for agitation, it took about 15 minutes to felt. I think the Lady with the Lamp really likes this heavenly little neck warmer.

KAL time

2007-12-16T17:41:00.000-08:00

Greetings. I am a newby to the KAL as well, and am very pleased to be here. I love Yarn and think this a great way to collectively appreciate all the hard work past and future Yarn folk have done/will do to keep us craft nuts happy and inspired.

I am going to make the South Cape issue seven. I am currently spinning the yarn, a merino x from Shiloh easy spin. It's a dark linen colour that will most likely be dyed. I would love opinions on the matter once I get some photos up.

This is an exercise in hope and madness as I have a one year old boy plus a serious craft addiction in which the South Cape will have to battle for supremacy if I am to get it done. A fantastic chance to test out if I have a single ounce of discipline.

I look very much forward to finishing the South Cape and heading down to Tassie, one of my favourite places on earth, to wear it.

Hitting the road

2007-12-15T01:55:00.001-08:00

Hey folks, I'll be on the road until the 7th. I'll try and update the blog and add any new participants whenever I get the opportunity, though. So go ahead and email any requests to join the KAL and start your project(s). I'll get you on asap.

Have yourselves a Merry little Christmas and fruity New Year.

Kate

Heavenly blue mauve

2007-12-14T22:33:00.000-08:00

I love this colour so calming..............and I need some of that NOW!! I started on this little Angel Puff Scarf in the current YARN magazine and in Nicki Epsteins wonderful book I bought recently in Melbourne. I couldn't source Rowan Kidsilk Haze around here so am trialling a lace weight mohair and if it works out I will tell you what it is. Really looking forward to the felting of this little scarf, just need to find 4 dozen macadamia nuts.

I am so glad to be part of this KAL tribute to YARN issues 1-8 which I have gratefully read and reread, Barbara did a wonderful job as Editor and whatever other jobs needed to be done to get this great mag into print every 3 months. She wil be missed and I would like to thank her once again for all her help getting one of my felted bag patterns into print in Issue number 8. I had many questions and queries and she was always so quick to reply and guide me along. I hope I can also start and complete some of the other wonderful knits in my 'to do' list from YARN as a tribute to Barbara and her team.

Wine Sock Success!

2007-12-14T22:16:00.000-08:00

I finished the wine sock just in time. With a little help from the dryer to speed up the drying time it was ready for gift giving earlier today. The recipient was very happy & impressed with the whole knit/felt process. So impressed she has asked if I can do the same to make her 3 hot water bottle covers.

A snag in the plan

2007-12-13T14:37:00.000-08:00

I've been busily swatching for the Snug in Yarn #3. The Koigu I originally thought of using won't co-operate : ( When I knitted the gauge swatch the needle sizing was such that the knitting was going to resemble a mat rather than a light-weight shrug. Pooh. So I've put aside the Koigu and am trying some out-of-production Bluebell colour 4124. This is a gentle purple and I'm thinking of some fun contrasting colours such as 4131, a light green, for the edging.

Wine Sock

2007-12-12T21:41:00.000-08:00

I'm still knitting away on the Angel Puff Scarf and just about ready to cast off & felt it.

But before I finish the scarf I started thinking about a Christmas gift. I usually give a bottle of wine to this person & thought that this year I would dress it up with a Wine Sock. So my 2nd project for the KAL is from Issue 1, another felted item.

Newby

2007-12-12T18:09:00.000-08:00

This is my first ever post and my very first KAL. I fear that I have created just another way in which to procrastinate from doing the really essential things (like earning an income), by doing the non-essential but vastly more enjoyable things (like knitting and blogging!). For my first project in the KAL I have selected the very straight forward but very groovy Angel Puff Scarf from Yarn 8, mainly because I had a skein of hand dyed 8ply mohair in swishy shades of purple that I think will be perfect. Anyhow, here is progress so far........

Second project

2007-12-11T02:29:00.000-08:00

Using a highly complicated methodology of selection (closed my eyes and grabbed a Yarn off the shelf) my next project comes from #3, June 2006. I was gifted 2 skeins of Koigu, dyelot #1245037 (I think!), which is an enchanting mix of fawns, blues and lilacs. Sort of. Anyway, I have a total of 200m of yarn.

The project I've selected is "Snug" by Judith Avery. As I've proven that I'm incapable of following anything more complex than stocking stitch and casting on/off, I think this will be OK. There's some scarey M 1's in there, not to mention a few k2togs but hopefully we'll all get along.
Sorry about the photo - crappy light and I'm not able to get a good, clear zoom on the yarn. Maybe with better light tomorrow...

Now the first job will be to do a tension square as the yarn isn't to the pattern's specifications (and I knit loosely. See this post. See, I learn!). More swatching discussions later. There should be enough yarn to complete the snug. I want to use a project that will lend itself to being reclaimed for re-use. A snug for Tilly will be perfect for next autumn and can easily be frogged for reuse for mittens or scarf in the future.

Progress and a vote

2007-12-10T03:13:00.000-08:00

There has been some progress but not when it comes to pattern reading. Obviously, fatigue and counting rows isn't a good combination. Remember kids, fatigue kills your counting ability.

When I got to the third cable I found that I'd mis-counted the previous rows and that the cables were now hopelessly erratic. Pull out again? Nah, just went with a few more anarchistic cables. This is the coffee pot cosy as it currently stands.

Then I started to think that a bit of red always look nice against charcoal. And what about a button? So I produced this:
I-cord and wooden button enhancement. Good or not good?

And then there's the question of steeking. This is what the cosy looks like if I tuck down the cosy edge. I could steek it for a slimmer interpretation.

Steek or don't steek?

Collared

2007-12-07T16:08:00.000-08:00

The Christiane Collar by Ditte Larsen from issue 7, Winter 2007. The yarn is a wool/acrylic blend recycled from a hand-knitted jumper bought in an op-shop. I love the colour and the felty bits. The wooden beads I had at home but the leather lacing was purchased especially.

The second lot of 32 rows x 260 stitches of garter stitch was rather wearing but I'm happy with the finished product. It took a little under 250g. This would look wonderful in a variegated yarn, or even a faux fur if you were that way inclined.

2007-12-07T15:49:00.000-08:00

This is the second time I have knitted this kerchief/small shawl. Second time round I am doing it again in handspun, but I have 225gms, spun to a light sports weight (4ply?), so expect a very pretty piece eventually. The cake is a pressy from my older daughter for the family for Christmas, while she is in England we can eat cake & choir boys.

Project 1 - Little Lace Bag

2007-12-06T19:40:00.001-08:00

Unfortunately I'm a late convert to Yarn so I only have the last three issues, must remember to do some backordering.

I cast on last night for the felted Spring Green Bag from Issue 8 but as it's a Christmas present for someone I will keep pics a secret for now :)

So in the meantime I just finished the Little Lace Bag from the online patterns at Yarn.

Yarn: The Knittery 4 ply Merino in Passionfruit.

Super quick knit and so cute! I think I used about 15g of yarn and some lampwork beads so it's a great project to burn through yarn and bead stash. This one is going to my SP11 pal in the US.

Up my sleeve

2007-12-05T00:44:00.000-08:00

I've done it, I'm back into the Wine & Roses Bolero (Sarah Barbour, Yarn 2). So stoked about this -- I knitted a whole sleeve in two evenings. (Then I backslid and cast on a new project last night.) No pics, yet, but I'm off to knock together a front. Then it's just half a sleeve and some seams away from being done. Piece o cake. (Famous last words.)

Here's an older picture so the before-n-after is more dramatic...

g'day all

2007-12-03T14:44:00.000-08:00

Just in time for Christmas, a little public motivation to get a move on with knitted WIP's .... Hi all, I wonder how long my good intentions will last? But with the lovely variety of patterns to choose from, I should be able to manage a few. I have alread knitted the kerchief, and the sister socks (4 tpairs now).

Just another Tequila sunrise...

2007-12-02T00:33:00.000-08:00

I've started my first piece. Typically, it's not from any of the 8 paper editions, it's from the online sample issue. This is why I don't KAL - can't stick to the rules.

I'm setting a few personal ground rules. I'll attempt a pattern from each edition I haven't already knitted from and I'll use current boodle to complete each item. It would be a lovely symmetry if I could use some of the yarn I won from Yarn to knit a few. No telling how many items I'll make and my copies are already bristling with page markers.

The first project, though - Barb's own Little Lace Bag. It's a sweet ripple pattern designed to make a wee evening bag. Thing is, I have about as much use for an evening bag as I do for a set of ice skates. What I need is a little bag to protect the coffee mug I lug about to meetings etc. instead of using the plastic and sytrofoam usually on offer. So I’ve added a few pattern repeats and because I committed knitting sin number 2 (not reading the pattern the whole way through before casting on), I’ve put the eyelet row in the second pattern repeat.

I'm using Lang Moana, leftovers from someone else’s dishcloth project. It’s 50/50 cotton and acrylic. It’s making a dense fabric to protect my mug and washes well.

I would have been finished but I cast on the second piece on the wrong size needle and was 1/3 the way through before I discovered the error.

Issue 6: Coffee Couture by Megan Longhurst

2007-12-01T13:21:00.000-08:00

Well, here I go, project No. 1.

I confess that I've already knit this up once already and, as is my usual wont, completely failed to take into account that I'm a loose knitter (what a hussy!) and ended up with a coffee cosy that was cosy in name only. It kinda slumped off the pot and onto the table. The sad thing is that I suspected that the gauge was too big as I was knitting the cosy up but optimistically thought that the knitting gods would intervene. Ya'd think I'd get a clue after 4 years of knitting loosely, huh? Not to worry, a quick frogging later and going down a needle size, we're back in the running and I think this will be much tighter fitting product.

Alterations so far: I'm going to do this project monchromatically as I'm trying to knit purely from the stash, which contained just one ball of Cleckheaton Country. I've decided that this charcoal will also hide coffee stains admirably : )

I'm feeling a little risque: how about doing a steek where the pot's lip will be? Thoughts?

Kate

Cast on...or cast off?

2007-11-30T01:58:00.000-08:00

I've been saying I'm going to cast on the lacy corset cami from Y8, but then I had the very guilty thought that during this KAL, I should try to first list all the various Yarn Mag projects I have on my needles, and then cast those off before I start anything new! My longest-running UFO is from Issue 2, and there's probably at least one from every issue hanging around...!

Decisions, decisions...

Anyway, yes, thank you Kate for setting this up. I have only done one other KAL ever and it's a pleasure to be doing this one.

Cast On!

2007-11-30T01:01:00.000-08:00

Hi Kate, thanks for the invite to join this KAL. What a great idea! Just hoping I'm up to the challenge. There are post it notes marking the patterns I want to knit in all my issues of Yarn.

I've decided to start with issue 8, so today I cast on for the Angel Puff Scarf. I'm using Jo Sharp Rare Comfort Kid Mohair.

I'm looking forward to see what everyone else decides to knit.

Christine
http://www.yarnaboutyarn.blogspot.com/

So here's how it works...

2007-11-28T23:03:00.000-08:00

Yarn magazine is about to change. Barb Coddington is selling the mag and moving out of her editor role. For the two years she's produced this magazine, she's delighted many folks with the wonderful depth, breadth and bizarreness of the world of Yarn, as has the magazine contributors' patterns.

This KAL is all about paying tribute to the Coddington YARN era by completing one pattern from each of the Yarn editions you own. Currently there are 8 editions so potentially you could knit 8 patterns (I have only 7 editions so I'll just knit seven. Although there's a couple in edition 8 that draw me...). The KAL starts as soon as you want and finishes when edition 9 of Yarn comes out, hopefully for Southern Hemisphere autumn (ie March) 2008. There's many quick and easy patterns that would make great holiday or birthday pressies and there are some online patterns from the magazines here for those of you who want to join in more enthusiastically but only have one edition.

To join: leave your deets in the comments and I'll add you to the blog so you can leave posts on your project intentions.

If anyone with more graphic design skills than I can lay claim to wants to design a Yarn KAL button, please send me the design to kathrynthorne at hotmail dot com (fill in with the usual symbols) and I'll paste it in the side bar.

Looking forward to sign ups

Kate
http://www.knittingandknotting.blogspot.com/