WIP: Seeing double

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Double knitting!  How freaking awesome.

So I find myself knitting a double knit scarf, just in time for this balmy spring weather.  Woo.  As usual, I'm teaching myself.

I google searched 'anchor knitting chart' and found this baby here. I added a few stitches either side, made a contrasting border, some stripes top and bottom and voilà!  We have a scarf pattern.  I wanted to keep it simple for my first double-knit and consequently it's a bit too simple as I am now in the no-mans-land of plain stockinette until I reach the other end.  So my initial enthusiasm has worn off somewhat.

So check it.  One side.

And the other.

Rad.

~Tan

Albion progress

I initially thought I'd have to do a whole series of posts about this coat but it's coming together so easily that it's not giving me very much blog content.  How rude.

I expect this to be the penultimate post about Albion.  I think I've spent more time thinking about this coat and reading about other people's Albions than I've spent sewing my own.

So as I type I have the shell complete and am working on the lining.  Have a look at this.  I'm going to be really annoying and not give it all away.  Just wait til the dramatic reveal yo.

So above is the inside, pre-lining, pre-hood and pre-shoulder pads (!).  I've gone a bit cray-cray with the interfacing.  As recommended by Grainline Studio I have interfaced under the arms, behind pockets and the hem.  I also opted to interface the entire front and back yokes as they were cut on the bias and I was worried about stretch.  The fabric (erm, blanket) I used has a lot less integrity than I initially thought (read:  it's kinda stretchy) so I'm trying to mitigate any serious misshaping before it happens.  I also only cut one layer for the back yoke as I was worried it would be too much bulk for my poor little machine to handle.

Oh and it's pretty heavy!  I was a bit lazy so I didn't staystitch the neckline, thinking the interfacing would negate the need for it, but the weight of the coat ripppped the interfacing - that's why there's a double layer of interfacing up there and some 11th hour staystitching. 

The shoulder before shoulder pads before... and after below!  What a difference eh?  I also flat felled the front seam of the sleeves.  I'm not sure if I should have done the back seam instead?  I saw someone else do it this way and liked it so anyway. 

And a bit of a peek inside.  Shoulder pads (!).  I inserted them according to this tutorial, even though I think the ones I have are more of a raglan style??  Or something.  I also wasn't happy with the 3/8" seam to join the hood so increased it to 5/8".

I'm really loving the lining.  Chevrons are so hot right now, and they kind of echo the stripes in the fabric/blanket (I think).  Now I just need to finish and install the lining and zip, make my own toggle anchor things and add buttons to the sleeve tabs.  Do-able in one weekend?

I think this is going to be an awesomely cheerful coat and I am really excited to finish and wear it :)

Check out all of my alibon posts (lol all 2 of em).

~Tan

Albion coat: toiling

So since I last checked in, I have settled on a coat pattern!!  Guys, do you know how freaking huge this is?  I am making a coat!!  WTF??!?!?!

So, it's Albion for the win! There was a sewalong so I get the benefit of lots of step by step instructions.  Which would help if I actually read them properly before fitting... I cut my first toile based on bust, and it was 2 sizes too big.  The instructions recommend that you cut out according to your shoulder width.  Duh Tanya .. the size I cut was like 4 inches too big across the shoulders.  

Anyway!  I finally got a fit I kinda like, and after working on my toile for the past two days, I feel compelled to post pictures as evidence, if nothing else.

Ta-da!  I feel so proud.  So the left side is the 'correct side' - I did a narrow shoulder adjustment, I feel like a freaking wizard! See how the right shoulder is sagging?  That one hasn't had the adjustment!  I wanted to try to keep adjustments to a minimum, because I really have no idea what I'm doing, but the other one I did was grade the coat out 3 inches on each side (well, 3 inches on each pattern piece so prob 6 inches per side) from about 5 inches under the armpit to make it more roomy for my posterior region.

I also tried to modify the hood to add the tab to the hood, but it looks like it will be too fiddly so I will prob abandon that idea unless I can find a good tutorial which is unlikely.

So I've already shown you the fabric I'm using - well not fabirc, a blanket!  I'm still not 100% sure it will work, but I'm going to give it my best.  I've also picked up some odds and ends, chevron fabric for the body lining from Spotlight, some grey silk/cotton from Darn Cheap Fabrics which I will use for lining the arms.  I picked up some heavy duty needles and a zip for the zip customisation.  I also want to add a drawstring waist (says the person who is trying to keep modifications to a minimum).

I'm going to work in as many suggestions from Grainline Studio as I can about working with coating to try to get a professional finish.  I'm also going to make my own toggles like Natalie from Gather and Sew.

I have all these grand ideas for this finished garment in my mind, I really hope I can do half of them justice.

~Tan

P.S.  I'm tagging all my albion posts albion.  because.

WIP: Babies

I kinda want one of these tshirts.  Do you think my expectant friends would be offended?

Kate Beaton is da bomb. 

But seriously, good for them!  I could think of nothing worse, the whole experience sounds super gross.  But people still enjoy their babies, so I wish them well!  And I like making baby things, so there's that. 

Here we go, babeh caridgans.

In red we have Easy Baby Caridgan for a lilttle girl.  I'm thinking red riding hood?  Ugh so cute. 

In pink we have Hatchling Cardigan for another little girl (duh).  It's cotton but I'm afraid the needles might be a bit big?  My stockinette is kinda crappy.  Damn you purl! 

I'm so clever, starting things before finishing other things.  

~Tan

Linking to- WIP Wednesday (Tami's Amis) | Fluster's Creative Buster (Fluster Buster) | Yarn Along (Small Things)

Something for me

Because I'm worth it! 

Here we have the very popular February Lady in some of my favourite yarn, BWM luxury of course.  10ply and coming together quickly.  Really liking the simple lace, hoping for a nice snuggly cardi ready for winter. 

If only I could take a picture true to colour, the colourway is autumn glow.

I am a big fan of stitch markers, can you tell?

~Tan


Linking to- WIP Wednesday (Tami's Amis) | Fluster's Creative Buster (Fluster Buster) | Yarn Along (Small Things)

Garter

After completing a supremely intricate project, it's nice to get back to some rhythmic garter stitch.

Working my way through a doctor-who inspired scarf that was due to be gifted last Christmas, and have cast on a February Lady - unlikely to be finished in February but I can only try.

It's so nice to see these projects grow so quickly compared with all the laceweight I've been dealing with lately.

~Tanya

Linking to- WIP Wednesday (Tami's Amis) | WIP Wednesday (Ambassador Crochet) | Yarn Along (Small Things) | Keep Calm and Craft On {Crafting on} (Frontier Dreams) | What you doing Wednesday (SusanD1408 Crochet Addict) | Hookin on Hump Day (My Merry Messy Life)

Venus: kitty edition

My crafting style:  Get really excited about a project and start it with passion, hit a snag or make a mistake and put said project in hibernation for a bunch of time.  Remember said project after an extended period and then work on it monogamously like a bat out of hell until it's finished.

Venus is a fine example of that.  I started it just over a year ago and cast of over the weekend!  (Is it still casting off in crochet?  It sounds funny to me).

I tried taking some 'before' photos, but I kid you not, after like 30 seconds of setting it up this happened.

Who can blame her?  The pure silk laceweight must be irresistible!  Oh to be a pampered cat.  Blocked photos coming soon.  And t

~Tan

Linking to- WIP Wednesday (Tami's Amis) | WIP Wednesday (Ambassador Crochet) | Yarn Along (Small Things) | Keep Calm and Craft On {Crafting on} (Frontier Dreams) | What you doing Wednesday (SusanD1408 Crochet Addict) | Hookin on Hump Day (My Merry Messy Life)

Year of the jumper!

I refuse to call jumpers sweaters.  Really!

My 2014 craft year is looking chock-a-block full of gifts for others.  Here are a few of the yarny things I'm thinking about.  Not including WIPs which are a top priority.

Adam's mother has requested this fetching cardigan.  Oh my.

Hopefully some chunky yarn will have the ordeal over with relatively quickly.

And I have promised each of my sisters one of these, in adult sizes of course!

I will be Donatello, because I'm the smart one.
Jackie will be Michaelangelo, because she's the funny one.
Candy will be Leonardo, because she's the eldest, and has more of a leadership capacity.
Kat will be Raphael, because she's the angry one.  LOL sorry Kat, but I think he will suit you ;)

My younger sisters and I all had TMNT jumpers hand knit for us when we were young.  I'm so excited to re-live my childhood!  I'll dig out the photos of us wearing our adorable jumpers for you at some point.

I also want to make myself another Miette, this time more of a cropped length with no lace, as well as a February Lady in this red-brown colour.

So that's some of the plan for the moment.  I also want to make all kinds of scarves, shawls and hats, because small things are the best.  I have no idea if I will be able to accomplish 7 jumpers, but here's hoping!

~Tan

Out of hibernation

Picked this up after a long hibernation.  Took a while to remember how to do it! Aoibhe has some great video tutorials here if you're interested.

It's near impossible to get a picture of this true to colour. It's less pink and more red.  The same yarn I used for the notorious wedding shawl.

I'm on the second last row and not sure if it's going to be big enough.  I know it will grow, but I think I'll have enough yarn to do another repeat, so I might just do that.  I do like making things difficult for myself.

~Tan

Linking to- WIP Wednesday (Tami's Amis) | WIP Wednesday (Ambassador Crochet) | Yarn Along (Small Things) | Keep Calm and Craft On {Crafting on} (Frontier Dreams) | What you doing Wednesday (SusanD1408 Crochet Addict) | Hookin on Hump Day (My Merry Messy Life)

WIPs

Life is hectic, but I still craft every day.

Honey cowl

Moose

Doctor who scarf

~Tan

getting acquainted

Attempting to channel Liesl with the fuzzy project picture.  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery right?

I know last week I said I was being project monogamous with Hanami, but I think this counts.  See, hanami is a wedding gift for a friend, and Safety Scarf is the accompanying gift for the groom - so there's no cheating!

I'm getting acquainted with Stephen West for the first time.  Already really enjoying this pattern, it has icord edges?  How freaking clever!  I'm enjoying the simple back and forth (compared to recent cardigan shenanigans and hanami) but with enough variation to keep it interest.  And 10ply!  I'm in heaven!

~Tan

p.s.  Let's be serious, my photos will never be that fancy.

Linking to- WIP Wednesday (Tami's Amis) | WIP Wednesday (Ambassador Crochet) | Yarn Along (Small Things) | Keep Calm and Craft On {Crafting on} (Frontier Dreams) | What you doing Wednesday (SusanD1408 Crochet Addict) | Hookin on Hump Day (My Merry Messy Life)

Quarter

I may not have blogged about crafting recently, but I assure you there is tonnes going on. Not a day goes by that I don't get some crafting in.

I'm trying to be project monogamous at the moment. Hanami is a wedding gift for a dear friend, and by George it will be complete on time! It has taken me a while to become confident with the pattern, but after 5 repeats of the basket weave chart, I'm feeling good. Not don't-need-a-pattern good but I-can-tell-if-I've-fucked-up good. And that's a thing.

I'm enjoying watching it grow, and now that I have worked on it conistently, it has grown quite quickly. I couldn't imagine it as a scarf before, but now it's about a quarter done I'm feeling optimistic and confident that this piece will be one of the most beautiful I've ever made. Can you tell I'm pleased with myself?

~Tan

p.s. Before posting I looked up to see where the exclaimation "by George!" came from. Because I'm nerdy like that. You're welcome.

Linking to- WIP Wednesday (Tami's Amis) | WIP Wednesday (Ambassador Crochet) | Yarn Along (Small Things) | Keep Calm and Craft On {Crafting on} (Frontier Dreams) | What you doing Wednesday (SusanD1408 Crochet Addict) | Hookin on Hump Day (My Merry Messy Life)

I can do it!

One sleeve down, one to go.  Saturday deadline.  I can do it!

Channelling Rosie the Riveter, because as we all know, knitting is just like war.

~Tan

P.S.  I'm co-organising a KAL which starts on Sunday!  Click here to join the KAL/CAL for these great fox hats!


Linking to- WIP Wednesday (Tami's Amis) | WIP Wednesday (Ambassador Crochet) | Yarn Along (Small Things) | Keep Calm and Craft On {Crafting on} (Frontier Dreams) | What you doing Wednesday (SusanD1408 Crochet Addict) | Hookin on Hump Day (My Merry Messy Life)

So much stockinette

At least I'm getting some purling practice right? Uggh purling



Prospects looking grim for finishing this KAL on time. I'd like to give it a good old try though. I have the sleeves, button band and neck band to make in 11 days. Not too much to ask. Surely.

~Tan

Linking to- WIP Wednesday (Tami's Amis) | WIP Wednesday (Ambassador Crochet) | Yarn Along (Small Things) | Keep Calm and Craft On {Crafting on} (Frontier Dreams) | What you doing Wednesday (SusanD1408 Crochet Addict) | Hookin on Hump Day (My Merry Messy Life)

patience

I've been thinking about patience and knitting, and I truly believe that knitting has made me so more patient.

When I started knitting, I never thought I'd be the type of person with the patience to quietly un-knit hundreds of stitches to remedy an error made rows earlier.  And yet, with this piece, that's what I've done.  It's the most challenging pattern I've attempted to date, I think it's looking beautiful, and I've found myself at peace fixing mistakes, of which there have been many.  It's very zen.



Since I last shared this, I re-started it on smaller needles, and it looks so much better than that hot mess.  I have knit two and a half repeats of the seven required repeats of the basket weave.  I always think that knitting is such a slow process, but I know if I just work on this a bit more consistently I will see results.  Watch this space.

~Tan

Linking to- WIP Wednesday (Tami's Amis) | WIP Wednesday (Ambassador Crochet) | Yarn Along (Small Things) | Keep Calm and Craft On {Crafting on} (Frontier Dreams) | What you doing Wednesday (SusanD1408 Crochet Addict) | Hookin on Hump Day (My Merry Messy Life)

to decrease or not to decrease

I've already mentioned in passing that I'm participating in another KAL.  Considering my opinion of the last one who knows what I was thinking.  I think Liesl made it sound too enticing.  There's a hefty amount of time given to knit and I had Miette in my queue anyway.  Those are my reasons.

I can't tell you the number of projects I cast on without the correct weight of yarn, but it's a lot.  I'm such a big fan of using whatever is handy and dealing with the consequences later.  This project is no exception.  I kinda tried to do a gaguge swatch and didn't really get what I was doing, so instead I'm just kntting the largest size hand hoping it's kind of wearable.  I feel able to do this because I got the yarn for nothing, and it is neither my colour nor is it nice to touch, so I don't mind.  Also, this is my first adult sized cardigan (!) so at the very least it should be a useful learning process.

Anyway, progress so far.  It looks like the top of a cardigan!  Neat-o! 

I can haz more light?

The pattern has these cute little bust darts, which has caused a bit of a dilemma.  My stitch count is already all over the place as I've thrown a couple more increase rows in to accomodate my chubby arms, plus I think I missed some increases somewhere because it just wasn't adding up.  So I've fudged the placement of the sleeves slightly so it's even.  I'm already re-drafting the pattern to make sure I get the lace correct, I really can't be assed to work out where to put the decreases in as well!  Plus, I generally wear my cardigans open or partially open, so the necessity to have it fitted falls away a bit.

tl;dr - I've fucked the pattern up and now am too lazy to work out where I should put the darts, so I'll probably leave them out.

~Tan

p.s. if you're thinking about knitting this pattern check out this page at Today's Agenda for lots of notes about how to make this cardigan (gauge, how much yarn and more) which were compiled during a past KAL.  SO helpful!

Linking to- WIP Wednesday (Tami's Amis) | WIP Wednesday (Ambassador Crochet) | Yarn Along (Small Things) | Keep Calm and Craft On {Crafting on} (Frontier Dreams) | What you doing Wednesday (SusanD1408 Crochet Addict) | Hookin on Hump Day (My Merry Messy Life)

more things

Last week I not only bought new needles, but also yarn at BWM. this combination naturally results in the casting on of a new project.  Here is Streusel.  I'm enjoying this knit a lot more than anything I have knitted before.  It's growing quickly and the construction is very interesting, with the lacey border being knit at the same time as the body of the scarf.  Very much want to wear it as soon as possible. Half way through now. 

I also completed one repeat of Hanami, and took some photos for posterity.  This has since been frogged, as I need to go down a needle size.  This is not as fun to knit - I think it moves much slower (even though I can see real progress when I sit down and concentrate).  I think it's all in my head, knowing that it's going to be so ginormous.  And, yeah it requires so much concentration - 31 row repeat of the basket weave.  Yikes.  I'm a bit stressed about not having enough yarn and have been weighing and measuring madly.  I think it will work itself out, but am still wondering whether I should do one less pattern repeat.  hm.

And that's all I have to say about that.  (For now anyways)

~Tan

Linking to- WIP Wednesday (Tami's Amis) | WIP Wednesday (Ambassador Crochet) | Yarn Along (Small Things) | Keep Calm and Craft On {Crafting on} (Frontier Dreams) | What you doing Wednesday (SusanD1408 Crochet Addict) | Hookin on Hump Day (My Merry Messy Life) | Muster Party (Fluster Buster)

for better or worse

A phrase that applies to marriage and knitting.

Not my marriage, no way!  But every time a friend announces their impending nuptials, I offer my services to produce a pretty wedding shawl.  In the current case, my friend has instead requested a shawl-as-a-wedding-gift, rather than a wedding shawl.  This is a top idea, as the shawl should turn out to be much more versatile and wearable.

As my friend has chosen both the yarn and the pattern, I have no qualms about recording the progress of said shawl on my lil blog.  Furthermore, I'm not sure how often friend frequents me here (hiya nusm if you're reading!!). 

So, the chosen pattern is Hanami Shawl and the yarn is Handmaiden Fine Yarn, Seasilk in colourway moondust.  Ugh the colour makes me sick, how fucking beautiful is it?  I'm not a huge fan of pale colours on myself, but these are definitely nusm's colours.

Here is a very unimpressive shot of my first 10-ish rows. Also my really shoddily wound ball (the silk was so slippery it kept slipping so I gave up).  I think I need to go down a needle size, it feels a bit flappy and loose.  I'm going to knit the first repeat and then re-evaluate.  Or maybe I should just learn how to measure gauge already!  sheesh.

This project is challenging for me as it's mostly charted.  I don't know how I am going to manage knitting on the train.  Any tips?  I think I might print a copy of the pattern smaller so I can easily refer to it rather than pulling out a big A4 piece of paper every 3 seconds.

The deadline is the start of November, do you think I'll make it??

~Tan

Linking to- WIP Wednesday (Tami's Amis) | WIP Wednesday (Ambassador Crochet) | Yarn Along (Small Things) | Keep Calm and Craft On {Crafting on} (Frontier Dreams) | What you doing Wednesday (SusanD1408 Crochet Addict) | Hookin on Hump Day (My Merry Messy Life) | Muster Party (Fluster Buster)

Yer a wizard Tanya!

Seriously, how else would I be able to chart a cable pattern all on my lonesome?

So I started thinking about cables when I slapped my eyes on Liesl's latest gorgeous creation.

I had an image of a cable pattern in my head.  I had to get it out of there.  Similar to the Dapple cable but not quite.  I doodled a little design and with the power of Microsoft Paint behind me, came up with this.

I tried to find a pattern for it - surely this can't be a new idea?  It's all been done before - right?  I didn't want to reinvent the wheel.

Well, I couldn't find it. It's not quite a saxon braid, a criss cross cable, a celtic knot or a four strand cable.

I needed to get this idea out of my head.  I found this extremely helpful tutorial about how to 'uninvent' a cable, and decided to give it a go.  For my cable, I wanted 2 thick strands and 2 thin strands.  I've gone with 3 stitches and 2 stitches for each thick and thin strand, respectively.

Using this knit chart maker, and a little trial and error, here is my chart.

And of course, a little swatch.

The thick/thin strands are not very distinctive.  I'm going to work up a swatch in some chunkier yarn and maybe that will be noticeable.  Or maybe I'll try 4 stitches for the thick strands?

Seriously, if I can work something like this out, I can do anything!

Now to incorporate my creation into something!!

~Tan

P.S. Later I found this pattern.  I knew I wasn't original!

P.P.S.  I'm still a friggin' wizard. 

P.P.S.   Lots more cables here!  I can't decide which I like better!!

Linking to- WIP Wednesday (Tami's Amis) | WIP Wednesday (Ambassador Crochet) | Yarn Along (Small Things) | Keep Calm and Craft On {Crafting on} (Frontier Dreams) | What you doing Wednesday (SusanD1408 Crochet Addict) | Hookin on Hump Day (My Merry Messy Life) | Muster Party (Fluster Buster)

Keep Calm and Cast On

Well of course I am not original at all.

Seriously, is there anything better for quieting the mind than starting a new project?  It's funny that this is true for me, given that the cast on is my ultimate least favourite part of knitting.  I mean, ugh - all that counting.  And the fiddlyness.  And then knitting the first row, it being all tight and hurty for the fingers (yes, I may be doing something wrong).  And don't get me started on working in the round and the stress involved in making sure the cast on isn't twisted and that it joins properly and doesn't ladder. 

It must be something about requiring 100% of my concentration, everything else fades into the background.  And then, the amazeballs feeling of seeing those first few inches.  Bliss.  I'm loving this new project.  I mentioned it as one of my 'hopefully one day I'll make this' projects a while back and have since had the sudden urge to cast on.

This urge was borne of the slight panic in knowing I have a HUGE project coming up, and the yarn is right now on its way.  I've also recently finished a bunch of things so felt justified in starting something new.  So I'm in the eye of the storm.  Stress + excitement.  Knitters will get it.

Lookit my progress anyways, only started this mid last week.  I have less than 10 inches left to knit.  It's been super fast and satisfying to knit.  One of those projects I step back just to admire every few rows.  I've got a bunch of kitchener stitch

A bunch of people on ravelry are all 'boohoo so much stockinette'.  This isn't even stockinette dudes - I consider real stockinette is alternating your purling and knitting rows, where as this is a big knit tube (btw, I am still amazed at how knitting in the round = stockinette).  No freaking purling, no sir no way no how.  Suck it purl, nobody likes you anyway.  I'm loving this.  The enormous needles, the fluffy yarn, the speedy progress.  This is zen knitting. 

Oh yeah, I've gone backwards on Venus, which is super annoying but I had to rip out row 8 because I stupidly read my dcs as US rather than UK dcs, and then I tangled all the yarn.  Back on track now, but progress is slow.  I can do one and a half shells per train ride.

~Tan

Linking to- WIP Wednesday (Tami's Amis) | WIP Wednesday (Ambassador Crochet) | Yarn Along (Small Things) | Keep Calm and Craft On {Crafting on} (Frontier Dreams) | What you doing Wednesday (SusanD1408 Crochet Addict) | Hookin on Hump Day (My Merry Messy Life) | Muster Party (Fluster Buster)