| Status | FO |
|---|---|
| Started | 11/6/2022 |
| Completed | 11/9/2022 |
| Pattern Name | Headband with a Twist |
| Designer | Mirella Moments |
| Measurements | N/A |
| Pattern Size | One Size |
| Yarn | Spun Right Round // DK Weight Yarn // Left Overs |
| Needles | TBA |
I am knitting this as a gift.
None
Link to free pattern // Mirella Moments // Pattern (website)
Old Norwegian Cast On // Webbs // Youtube
A great quick knit, and a great way to use up left overs.
| Status | FO |
|---|---|
| Started | 8/29/2022 |
| Completed | 11/8/2022 |
| Pattern Name | REViVAL |
| Designer | ANIKESTRiCK / Isabelle Kramer |
| Measurements | To fit 35" bust, with 0-1" positive ease |
| Pattern Size | Cast on Size 4, Ended Increases at Size 1 |
| Yarn | Malabrigo Lace // Pearl // 6 skeins; yarn held double |
| Needles | US 4 (3.5 mm) // US 1.5 (2.5 mm) 40" Circular |
A nice, simple sweater that uses the contiguous method to shape the shoulders for a top-down seamless sweater.
Used two strands of lace weight yarn to approximate fingering weight yarn
Used a gauge comparison calculator to figure out how to size up based off of my gauge versus the pattern’s gauge
Cast on for a size 4; however, stopped increases when I reached the final stitch count for size 1. This allowed me to accommodate my shoulders, while ensuring that the contiguous shoulder and armscye (the shape / outline of the armhole) hit my body in the right place. It was important to me that the placement mimic the placement of a set-in sleeve.
No Holes For Sweater Sleeves // Suzanne Bryan // Youtube Tutorial
Tubular Cast On (using knitting needle only) // Andrea Mowry // Youtube
Tubular CO in the Round (1x1 Ribbing) // Knitting with Suzanne Bryan // Youtube
Revival Pattern // Ravelry
Knitting Gauge Calculator // Website
Crochet CO // ANKESTRick // Youtube
I found it a bit of a pain to hold two of the same weight of yarn together for this pattern. Ensuring that I did not only catch one yarn instead of two proved to be a hassle. The end result is extremely squishy.
I also think I may go up several needle sizes for the hem and possibly switch to an Italian bind off to give a bit more stretch at the hem, cuff, and neckline.
I will also consider adding an inch of length for the body.
Overall, I like this pattern and I plan on knitting another one for National Knit a Sweater Month in November.
| Status | Finished Object |
|---|---|
| Started | 10/23/2022 |
| Completed | 10/28/2022 |
| Pattern Name | Boneyard Sweetheart |
| Designer | Telly Bean Knits |
| Size Made | Medium |
| Yarn | Malabrigo Yarn Ultimate Sock, 2 hanks, MC: Cote D Azure, CC: Gloria |
| Needles | US 1 (2.25mm); US 2 (2.75mm) |
My three goals for this hat were:
1. To make a Halloween themed b-day hat for my partner.
2. To also be able to wear the hat.
3. To mirror the fit and construction of the hat on my partner's most worn hat.
Yarn Combo
MC: Malabrigo Yarn Ultimate Sock, Cote D Azure
CC: Malabrigo Yarn Ultimate Sock, Gloria
Measurements
His Head/My Head: 22"
Pattern Size (0-2" ease): Size M
Fit: Fits like a skull cap
Technique
I knit colorwork using two hands (continental & English). I kept the CC in my left hand so that it would be the dominant color.
I preferred a double-folded brim for warmth and extra coverage versus a 1" rib. I used the CC color and knit in stockinette with the smallest size needles for 2.75" and then knit 1.25" with my MC in plain stockinette before going up to the largest size needles in pattern and beginning colorwork rows.
On colorwork chart, round 14, I folded the brim in half and knit into the edge of the cast on while knitting the next round (round 15) of colorwork. I used the Norwegian cast on recommended by the designer. I was also careful about my colorwork tension on this round. And I wove in the ends before closing up the brim.
I decided to do less plain rounds at the brim to mimic the hat length of his favorite hat. This meant I did 2 rounds of plain stockinette in the MC after the last colorwork round instead of beginning the decreases on round 53.
This rarely happens, but the stars aligned and this hat came out exactly as I'd hope. Next time, I would knit the CC brim to 2.5" versus 2.275" to ensure that the CC doesn't peek out after the brim is folded.
Love this hat!
| Status | FO |
|---|---|
| Started | 8/16/2022 |
| Completed | 9/11/2022 |
| Pattern Name | Vanilla Socks |
| Designer | Me |
| Yarn | Knit Picks |
| Needles | US 1 (2.25mm) |
Update 2023: I ended up frogging these socks. I was never satisfied by my bind off.
I made these socks to send off to a charity seeking socks.
I forgot how long it takes to knit men’s socks (as well as how much yarn). These socks were made to fit a men’s US size 11.5-12 foot.
This is one of those dresses that sneaks up on you. I decided not to add the snaps and suddenly this dress continues to be one of my most worn and flattering pieces in my handmade wardrobe.
I took the time to check the intended stretch of the fabric used in the pattern; my own body measurements; the finished measurements of the pattern; and my the stretch percentage of my fabric.
With the above information, I was able to use my sewing machine (straight stitch) for this dress. And it worked like magic (with my jersey needle) on almost all parts of this dress because the fabric wasn’t stretched to a point where a serger was needed to allow for the dress to slip over my body. The sleeves; however, will need to be serged next time because the sleeve is slim fitting and does need stretch to cover my arms without popping any seams.
Mimi G Sew Along // Simplicity Video // Youtube
How to Attach Snaps to Clothing // Inside the Hem // Youtube
How to Choose a size with Negative Ease // Brittani Bumb // Website
Adding Ease to Your Garment (includes info about negative ease) // American Sewing Guild // Website
Handy PDF cheat sheet on woven garment ease // American Sewing Guild, Plano-Chapter // PDF
How to Determine Stretch Percentage in Fabric // Seamwork // Youtube
This fabric is deep stash - BOLD, LOUD deep stash. Sometimes things pair perfectly, and I have no idea how or why. To me, this fabric and pattern scream 1970s house/lounge dress, and I love it.
| Status | FO |
|---|---|
| Started | 4/26/2022 |
| Completed | 8/15/2022 |
| Pattern Name | Maze Socks |
| Designer | Sarah Shepherd |
| Yarn | TBA |
| Needles | TBA |
A solid, colorwork pattern. The colors are perfect for the holidays.
CO 16 (Judy’s Magic Cast On)
US 1, 2.25mm, two-at-a-time socks, magic loop
Alternate between Increase rounds [M1R, M1L (both needles)] and Knit rows until 44 stitches (22 stitches each needle)
This results in a decrease of 4 stitches each side of the Maze Pattern chart (8 stitches total)
SSP // Very Pink Knits // Youtube
Tubular Bind Off in the Round // Knitting with Suzanne Bryan // Youtube
Next time, I will go down several needle sizes instead of adjusting the pattern.
| Status | Finished |
|---|---|
| Started | 8/8/2022 |
| Completed | 8/13/2022 |
| Pattern Name | Flax |
| Designer | Tin Can Knits |
| Measurements | Baby Sized |
| Pattern Size | 0-6 months |
| Yarn | Various: Spun Right Round // Juniper Moon (Moonshine) |
| Needles | US 6 (4 mm) // US 8 (5 mm) 40" Circular |
A small gift knit.
Cast on 62 stitches versus 56 for wider collar
Tubular cast on, 1x1 ribbing
Decrease 2 stitches after 1x1 ribbing (1”); no increases for the body
Color past collar: 5 rows yellow color; 5 rows white color; 5 rows purple color
No Holes For Sweater Sleeves // Suzanne Bryan // Youtube Tutorial
Tubular Cast On (using knitting needle only) // Andrea Mowry // Youtube
Tubular CO in the Round (1x1 Ribbing) // Knitting with Suzanne Bryan // Youtube
Unfortunately, I forgot to snap pics of this one before I sent it off.
| Status | FO |
|---|---|
| Started | 6/8/2022 |
| Completed | 7/16/2022 |
| Pattern Name | Tip Top Tank |
| Designer | Maker Maker |
| Size | M |
| My Measurements | Bust: 35" Waist: 27" Hips: 38.25" |
| Yarn | Galileo // Sport Weight Yarn // Knit Picks; 4 balls, 131 yds./50g, Color: Lunar (5623) |
| Needles | US 3 (3.25mm) // US 4 (3.5mm) 40" Circular |
This is my second Tip Top Tank, and I’m sure there will be more.
1x1 tubular cast on for both hems
Used Andrea Mowry’s Cast On
After Cast On, 1st Row: Purl, Slip 1 knit stitch (as if to purl); 2nd Row: Knit, Slip 1 purl stitch; Row 3: Purl, Slip 1 knit stitch (as if to purl); Row 4: Knit, Slip 1 purl stitch Be sure that the stitches (purl and knit) are not twisted on the needle. If they are knit, purl, or slip into back leg to untwist.
Used a genius modification by Recreates (on Ravelry) to raise the back by 6 rows
I also added some extra rows for the length.
Tubular Cast On (Flat) // Andrea Mowry // Youtube
Tubular Cast On // Suzanne Bryan // Youtube
Ravelry User Recreates’ Tip Top Tank Modification to the back
Three Needle Bind Off:
Another lovely summer top. I look forward to wearing this top in 2023.
I’ve seen so many versions of this dress online. I decided to give it a try. I was a bit worried about the fit of the bodice on my bust. And indeed that was a problem area for me for this pattern.
Back Piece: 1” Swayback adjustment, tapering from 1” to nothing at the side seam (started 3” above bottom edge); added 1” length at lengthen lines to match adjustments to Front Top Bust Piece
Front Top Bust Piece: Added 1” to bottom edge; used gathering stitches to ease into place; added slightly raised wedge to accommodate an extra button and to add a bit more coverage
Bodice Facing: Added matching, slightly raised wedge to match the top bust piece
Skirt Front + Side Back and Front: Shortened by 5”
Skirt Back: Shortened by 4”; took in 1” at side seam (to match skirt side pieces) and tapered out to full 5” at center back [to accommodate a full seat)
Used the following construction methods as outlined in the Sewing Therapy tutorial:
Staystitched all bias cut areas
Cutting and sewing dress facings // Pattern.Scissors.Cloth // Website
M7974 Sizing, Tracing, and Altering the Pattern // Kittenish Behaviour // Youtube
M7974 Sew Along Tutorial // Sewing Therapy // Youtube
M7974 Sewing Tutorial: Raising the Neckline // Paige Handmade // Blog
How to Sew a Bias Tape Finish // Professor Pincushion // Youtube Tutorial
How To: Manual Buttons // Made to Sew // Youtube
Reddit // Recommendations around Automatic Buttonhole issues // Reddit Thread
The deep v-neck is really low for how I’d like to wear the dress. Next time I would make adjustments to the bust pieces to raise the v-neck. Also, the bodice fit was very difficult for me to nail. After I ended up truly analyzing the bodice fit, I realized that there was significant gaping. I hastily made some (not pretty on the inside) adjustments and ended up turning a dud (in nice fabric) into a wearable summer dress.
Next time, I would also lengthen the skirt a bit more.
Here are some tutorials I may use for next time: