On the Spice Market - Sample Knit - Section 3 Done

This was a slow section, mostly because of the make 3 from 3 stitch.  That row was a bit tortuous because you have to make sure you get all three stitches without splitting anything.  The sequence is pretty easy to memorize, after working it so many times, and it is easy to keep track of where you are in the sequence.

For each contrast color, I carried the yarn up along the side by knitting the second stitch with both the contrast color and the main color, on the right side only.  I didn't carry the main color through the color blocks in section 1, but I'm going to do that in section 4, just to have less ends to weave in.  Whenever joining a new contrast color I attached it to the main color with a square knot, and then wove the tail back into itself - sewing it through the main strand of the contrast color with a darning needle using a running stitch - to anchor it, that way I only have a single end to weave in for each color.

Pattern:  On the Spice Market by Melanie Berg
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Luxe and Verve
Needle:  US 3 (3.25 mm)

Basic Toe Up Socks 6 - One Foot Done

After I had finished up the last pair of Basic Toe Up Socks that had been riding around in my work bag for approximately 10 months, I had placed a fresh cake of yarn in the bag for the eventuality of casting on another pair.  Having a small, easy project on the needles or available for casting on at a moments notice is an essential in my book.  Yesterday I was faced with the problem of what to work on during the car ride back from Florida.  I didn't really want to work on any of the main projects that I had brought with me, so I pulled out my little project bag from my work bag and cast on another pair of toe up socks.  I made it through to the heel shaping before it go too dark, and then finished up turning the heel after I got home.  I still find sock knitting, especially the whole turning of the heel to be magical.

I really like the colors of this one.  Sometimes when I start knitting the skein up I wonder why I bought those colors.  I did manage to find this one on the Biscotte web site.  The color is Paturage.

Pattern:  Basic Toe-Up Sock from Custom Socks by Kate Atherley
Yarn:  Biscotte & Cie Felix
Needle:  US 1 (2.25 mm)

Strawberry Shortcake Shrug

I have been struggling with my Strawberry Shortcake Shrug.  The picture above is of the Paintbox kit called Strawberry Shortcake.  I really want to make more of the Traveling Zebra Shrugs, so I ordered all of the Paintbox sets that Biscotte offers.  The challenge I then faced was getting self-striping yarn that goes with them.  I ordered the Strawberry Shortcake self-striping yarn, but it doesn't match the Paintbox set.

I did find a skein in my Biscotte Stash that looked like it might work.

Of course, I only need four solid skeins so I first started out with this color combination.

But when I started knitting with the darkest color it had too much berry in it and it just didn't match well with the reds in the self-striping section.  So I ripped it back and started with this color combination.

As I was picking up the stitches with the darkest skein I apparently switched which side of the central panel I was working with because I got about 2/3 of the way along the panel when I discovered a loop of yarn hanging off the work.  It was a stitch that wasn't attached.  I had dropped it and never realized it.  I undid my bind off and took it downstairs to my studio and ripped it back, winding it back into a cake on my ball-winder.  I spent the drive down to Florida re-knitting the central panel.  But when I picked up the stitches with the darkest color, it still didn't really match the reds, so I ripped it out again and put the project away for the rest of the trip.

Before I had gone on vacation I had ordered the another Paintbox set, this one a repeat - the Watermelon Colorway.  I had already knit a shawl using that Paintbox set and was tempted to frog it and re-purpose the yarn into a shrug, but then I tried the shawl on and I like the weight of it and the way it fits, so I'm keeping it.  When I ordered the Paintbox set I also ordered a skein of yellow yarn and a skein of the Watermelon self-striping yarn.  That yarn was waiting for me when I arrived home last night.

Fortunately, these colors match quite well.  When I saw the dark red I had a hunch that maybe it would work for my Strawberry Shortcake shrug.

The yellow I ordered will also work, so I think now I will be able to continue working this shrug.


Pattern:  Traveling Zebra by Louise Robert
Yarn:  Bis-sock by Biscotte & Cie
Needle:  US 2.5 (3 mm) & US 4 (3.5 mm)

Lion's Mane Cowl - Sections Five and Six Done

I worked on this project most of Christmas Day down in Florida.  After I finished up Section 5 I had my step-daughter model it for a quick picture.

When I finished up Section 6, I took a quick shot of it on the hotel bed.

This morning I took a picture on my dress maker dummy (top photo).  At this point I had a decision to make, I knew that I would have a fair bit of yarn left over if I work the pattern as written, almost an entire skein, in fact, and I had to decide how I wanted to add to the existing pattern.  I knew that I wanted to repeat a section of the chart, but the real question was where to work in the repeat.  I could repeat a section that has increases, but then I will have to modify the subsequent charts to account for the extra stitches.  That would also be riskier when it comes to yarn usage, and I would have to do some calculations to make sure that I wouldn't run out.  And after all that effort I might find that what I wanted to do wouldn't work with the yarn amount that I have.  The easiest way to increase the pattern is to repeat rows 85-94, which is probably what I will end up doing.


Pattern:  Lion's Mane Cowl by Amy Loberg
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Sushi Socks in Sunny Side Up
Needle:  US 5 (3.75 mm), US 6 (4.0 mm), US 7 (4.5 mm)

Craftvent 2016 - Day 24

On Christmas Eve we drove down to Florida to spend Christmas with Bruce's family and I completely forgot to look in the final drawer of my Craftvent Calendar.  I realized that I had forgotten yesterday on the drive back, so this morning I opened it.  The final drawer held blocking pins, another useful item that one can never have too many of.  And here are pictures of the final shawl.

Pattern:  2016 Craftvent Shawl by Rachel Roden of Unraveled Designs and Yarn
Yarn:
Color 1 - MJ Yarns Sophistisock in Cerulean Twilight
Color 2 - Baah La Jolla in Maldives
Color 3 - Lorna’s Laces Solemate in Pewter
Color 4 - Sweet Georgia Touch Love Sock in Ultraviolet
Color 5 - Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 in Jakey
Color 6 - Koigu KPM in 2405
Color 7 - Anzula Squishy in Aqua
Color 8 - madelinetosh BFL Sock in Fathom
Color 9 - Swans Island Fingering - Ikat Collection in Firefly Stonewall
Color 10 - Mrs. Crosby Satchel in Sunset Regatta
Color 11 - Dream in Color Smooshy in Tranquil
Color 12 - Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 in Moon Purple
Needle:  US 3 (3.25 mm)

Lion's Mane Cowl - Four Sections Done

I finished up the fourth section this afternoon.  The increases have started and I put it on 32 inch circulars.  This section increased the stitch count by 2 stitches per repeat, the next section of the chart increases the stitch count by 14 stitches in each repeat.

Pattern:  Lion's Mane Cowl by Amy Loberg
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Sushi Socks in Sunny Side Up
Needle:  US 5 (3.75 mm), US 6 (4.0 mm), US 7 (4.5 mm)

Lion's Mane Cowl - Three Sections Done

I finished up the third section this morning.  You can already see the effect of the increasing needle size, mostly in the increase in the circumference, although you can see it in the stitch size if you look for it.  I think this one will need a gentle blocking to keep the texture.  This next section starts the increases, I will probably put it on a longer cord when I finish the fourth section and before I start the fifth section.  I used up all of my first skein and started on the second skein during this section - the gradiance is subtle so the change is not easily spotted.


Pattern:  Lion's Mane Cowl by Amy Loberg
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Sushi Socks in Sunny Side Up
Needle:  US 5 (3.75 mm), US 6 (4.0 mm), US 7 (4.5 mm)

Craftvent 2016 - Day 23

Today there was a sample of the wool wash soak.  I use this for my knitted items.  This one is fig scented.  I usually get unscented soaps, and they would be smart to offer an unscented option on these sorts of things.  There were several comments on the forum thread regarding the scented hand balm.

My shawl is already finished and blocked.

Pattern:  2016 Craftvent Shawl by Rachel Roden of Unraveled Designs and Yarn
Yarn:
Color 1 - MJ Yarns Sophistisock in Cerulean Twilight
Color 2 - Baah La Jolla in Maldives
Color 3 - Lorna’s Laces Solemate in Pewter
Color 4 - Sweet Georgia Touch Love Sock in Ultraviolet
Color 5 - Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 in Jakey
Color 6 - Koigu KPM in 2405
Color 7 - Anzula Squishy in Aqua
Color 8 - madelinetosh BFL Sock in Fathom
Color 9 - Swans Island Fingering - Ikat Collection in Firefly Stonewall
Color 10 - Mrs. Crosby Satchel in Sunset Regatta
Color 11 - Dream in Color Smooshy in Tranquil
Color 12 - Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 in Moon Purple
Needle:  US 3 (3.25 mm)

On the Spice Market - Sample Knit

Next year The Unique Sheep will be offering kits for several of the popular shawls that have come out recently.  If you want a sneak peak at some of the upcoming kits you can check out Laura's blog post here.  I am currently knitting a sample for On the Spice Market by Melanie Berg.  I actually have the kit in Miss Babs, the yarn originally called for, but haven't knit it up yet.  Because of the color changes there are ends to join and weave in.  I've been weaving in as I go.

At this point I have finished up the Section 1 and 2 knitting and am working on Section 3.  In Section 3 I am carrying the contrast color up by knitting the second stitch on the right hand side with both the contrast color and the white.

Pattern:  On the Spice Market by Melanie Berg
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Luxe and Verve
Needle:  US 3 (3.25 mm)

Lion's Mane Cowl - Two Sections Done

I finished up the second section of the chart last night and switched to the US 7 needles.  The switching was easy as I am using my Addi Lace Clicks on this project.  I've already completed a couple of rows of the third section and caked up the second skein.

Pattern:  Lion's Mane Cowl by Amy Loberg
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Sushi Socks in Sunny Side Up
Needle:  US 5 (3.75 mm), US 6 (4.0 mm), US 7 (4.5 mm)

Craftvent 2016 - Day 22

No more yarn in the little drawers, but some useful tools for finishing the shawl.  Today was a set of darning needles and a holder. I have one just like this already, but it is always nice to have a second set - one for the travel bag and one for the home bag.  I didn't have much darning in of ends to do because I joined my ends by sewing them into each other using the technique in this video.

All I have to do when I'm done blocking is find all the little ends to snip off.  The only ends I have to weave in are the first and last ones.

Craftvent 2016 - Day 21

The drawer contained Color 12 today.  It is Manos Del Uruguay Fino in Amethyst Earring.  It is a single ply.  I really don't like working with single ply yarns - they are underspun and weak.  They already had one single ply in the collection, Color 10, which I did use, but I really didn't want to be binding off with and placing beads with a tiny steel crochet hook on a single ply.  I also did not want to be playing yarn chicken.  So I substituted some Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 in Moon Purple.

This allowed me to finish the wrong side row, where I joined the Serenity 20 to Color 11, work another repeat of the lattice pattern, as called for, and the picot bind-off.

Pattern:  2016 Craftvent Shawl by Rachel Roden of Unraveled Designs and Yarn
Yarn:
Color 1 - MJ Yarns Sophistisock in Cerulean Twilight
Color 2 - Baah La Jolla in Maldives
Color 3 - Lorna’s Laces Solemate in Pewter
Color 4 - Sweet Georgia Touch Love Sock in Ultraviolet
Color 5 - Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 in Jakey
Color 6 - Koigu KPM in 2405
Color 7 - Anzula Squishy in Aqua
Color 8 - madelinetosh BFL Sock in Fathom
Color 9 - Swans Island Fingering - Ikat Collection in Firefly Stonewall
Color 10 - Mrs. Crosby Satchel in Sunset Regatta
Color 11 - Dream in Color Smooshy in Tranquil
Color 12 - Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 in Moon Purple
Needle:  US 3 (3.25 mm)

Lion's Mane Cowl - One Section Done

Casting on for this project distracted me from my Craftvent Shawl last week.  This is the other project that I am gifting this Christmas - or I should say the original yarn and pattern for this project.  This is the Lion's Mane Cowl also by Amy Loberg.  When I was going through my stash in pursuit of the original yarn - I spotted this gradiance set and realized that it would be perfect for this project.

The colorway is Sunny Side Up and the yarn base is Sushi Socks, which I haven't used in a garment before, although I have used it in the Crochet Block Club.  The yarn is 60% Merino, 30% Bamboo and 10% Nylon.  The chart is all one piece, but when I set it up in knitCompanion I broke it up into sections where the markers shift.  Yes, I am actually using markers on this one.  These are the markers that came with the Jimmy Beans Craftvent Calendar.  The pattern calls for knitting the first 24 chart rows with US 5 and then switching to US 7 needles.  I am switching to US 6 needles after the first 12 chart rows, and will switch to US 7 needles when the pattern calls for.

Pattern:  Lion's Mane Cowl by Amy Loberg
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Sushi Socks in Sunny Side Up
Needle:  US 5 (3.75 mm), US 6 (4.0 mm), US 7 (4.5 mm)

Craftvent 2016 - Day 20

No yarn today, but the beads for the bind off.  I found it amusing that the instructions for the bind off on the card provides step 1, and then tells you to repeat steps 1-3.

Craftvent 2016 - Day 19

Color 11 was in the drawer today.  This color is used for Section 3/Clue 4, which is a lattice pattern.  I liked the instructions for this color - repeat the 2 rows until color 11 runs out.

This section went quickly.  I still have 0.7 grams of this color left.  I'll join Color 12 to it and work a wrong side row and then probably begin the bind off.  The instructions call for repeating the 2 rows once more with Color 12 and then working the bind off, but I've made my shawl larger by using up all of my yarn, and I don't want to run out during the bind off.

Pattern:  2016 Craftvent Shawl by Rachel Roden of Unraveled Designs and Yarn
Yarn:
Color 1 - MJ Yarns Sophistisock in Cerulean Twilight
Color 2 - Baah La Jolla in Maldives
Color 3 - Lorna’s Laces Solemate in Pewter
Color 4 - Sweet Georgia Touch Love Sock in Ultraviolet
Color 5 - Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 in Jakey
Color 6 - Koigu KPM in 2405
Color 7 - Anzula Squishy in Aqua
Color 8 - madelinetosh BFL Sock in Fathom
Color 9 - Swans Island Fingering - Ikat Collection in Firefly Stonewall
Color 10 - Mrs. Crosby Satchel in Sunset Regatta
Color 11 - Dream in Color Smooshy in Tranquil
Needle:  US 3 (3.25 mm)

Craftvent 2016 - Day 18

No yarn in the drawer today - hot chocolate mix instead.  I will admit to being a hot chocolate snob.  I guy Godiva Hot Chocolate powder and of course use milk.  I also dose my hot chocolate with Godiva Chocolate Liquor.  I also dose my milk shakes with Godiva Chocolate Liquor.  Yum.  These packets do have a purpose in my life though. Say you are out somewhere, at a meeting, or staying in a hotel, and you just can't get the boiling water you need to brew a proper cup of tea (Maggie Smith has a wonderful tirade on the need for boiling water to brew a proper cup of tea in the Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel that I completely identify with) - mix a packet of hot chocolate mix with coffee.  It turns even an indifferent coffee into something palatable.

I did finish knitting Section 2/Clue 3, using up all of the first 10 skeins.

I just had enough of skein 10 to work the 4 rows called for because I had added an extra repeat of Section 1/Clue 2 using colors 9 and 10.

Pattern:  2016 Craftvent Shawl by Rachel Roden of Unraveled Designs and Yarn
Yarn:
Color 1 - MJ Yarns Sophistisock in Cerulean Twilight
Color 2 - Baah La Jolla in Maldives
Color 3 - Lorna’s Laces Solemate in Pewter
Color 4 - Sweet Georgia Touch Love Sock in Ultraviolet
Color 5 - Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 in Jakey
Color 6 - Koigu KPM in 2405
Color 7 - Anzula Squishy in Aqua
Color 8 - madelinetosh BFL Sock in Fathom
Color 9 - Swans Island Fingering - Ikat Collection in Firefly Stonewall
Color 10 - Mrs. Crosby Satchel in Sunset Regatta
Needle:  US 3 (3.25 mm)

Craftvent 2016 - Day 17

The drawer contained Color 10 today, so I was able to finish up Section 1/Clue 2 and move on to Section 2/Clue 3.  I did add an extra repeat of Section 1/Clue 2 using colors 9 and 10.

I then carried 9 up the side while I worked the first repeat of Section 2/Clue 3 so I wouldn't have to weave that end in.  I worked the 4 rows in Color 10 and cut that yarn and then worked them in Color 9.  I used up all of Color 9 and Color 8, which wasn't really hard.  When I got to Color 7 I realized that I would be able to work several extra rows in order to use up all of the yarn.  At first I thought about just working extra garter stitch rows after the eyelet row, but after some experimentation I decided that it looked better if I centered the eyelet row in the extra rows.  In order to do that I weighed the remains of the yarn at the beginning and end of a row to determine how many rows I could work.  I figure the yarn usage per row is not going to change very much over the relatively few number of rows that I'll be working in any one color.  I then tried to put the eyelet row in the middle.  Here I've worked through Color 6 - well almost.  I have a little bit more of Color 6 to go, but you get the idea.

Pattern:  2016 Craftvent Shawl by Rachel Roden of Unraveled Designs and Yarn
Yarn:
Color 1 - MJ Yarns Sophistisock in Cerulean Twilight
Color 2 - Baah La Jolla in Maldives
Color 3 - Lorna’s Laces Solemate in Pewter
Color 4 - Sweet Georgia Touch Love Sock in Ultraviolet
Color 5 - Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 in Jakey
Color 6 - Koigu KPM in 2405
Color 7 - Anzula Squishy in Aqua
Color 8 - madelinetosh BFL Sock in Fathom
Color 9 - Swans Island Fingering - Ikat Collection in Firefly Stonewall
Color 10 - Mrs. Crosby Satchel in Sunset Regatta
Needle:  US 3 (3.25 mm)

Craftvent 2016 - Day 16

Color 9 was in the drawer today.  I was a little worried when I pulled out the mini skein, it was smaller than the other ones I have received, but the yarn is also thinner than the other ones I have worked with, so the yardage is close.

I finished up the knitting last night, but just didn't feel like taking a picture and blogging.  This finishes up Section 1/Clue 2 per the pattern.  At this point the pattern calls for starting Section 2/Clue 3 with Color 10.  This is a section of eyelet rows.  I'm going to work one more repeat of Section 1/Clue 2 with Color 10 and then start the eyelet section.  I will then work my way back through all of the skeins, including Color 9, which is currently not used in Section 2/Clue 3, using up each of the colors as I go by working plain rows between the eyelet sections.

Pattern:  2016 Craftvent Shawl by Rachel Roden of Unraveled Designs and Yarn
Yarn:
Color 1 - MJ Yarns Sophistisock in Cerulean Twilight
Color 2 - Baah La Jolla in Maldives
Color 3 - Lorna’s Laces Solemate in Pewter
Color 4 - Sweet Georgia Touch Love Sock in Ultraviolet
Color 5 - Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 in Jakey
Color 6 - Koigu KPM in 2405
Color 7 - Anzula Squishy in Aqua
Color 8 - madelinetosh BFL Sock in Fathom
Color 9 - Swans Island Fingering - Ikat Collection in Firefly Stonewall
Needle:  US 3 (3.25 mm)

Craftvent 2016 - Day 15

No yarn today, but a useful tool for fixing dropped stitches or other mistakes.  I'm not sure about the advice on the card, though.

I stashed my tool in my nice little Lantern Moon envelope - on the left.  It matches the one on the right.

Dragon Tooth Shawlette - Finished!

I finished the knitting this past Monday, and even got it on the blocking board before I went to bed.  I was able to get some beauty shots today.

I like styling small shawls this way.  I've worn larger lace weight triangular shawls over one shoulder, tying the ends at the waist, but I've not worn a shawlette this way.  It would like nice with a shawl pin or a broach at the shoulder.

Pattern:  Dragon Tooth Shawlette by Amy Loberg
Yarn:  Zen Yarn Garden Squooshy in Twilight
Needle:  US 6 (4.0 mm)

Craftvent 2016 - Day 14

I didn't post yesterday, but there was yarn in the drawer, madelinetosh BFL Sock in Fathom.  I didn't knit the color up yesterday either.  I was distracted by other yarn and another project.  I did knit it up this morning though.

Here is the latest progress shot.  And a close up to show the colors.

Pattern:  2016 Craftvent Shawl by Rachel Roden of Unraveled Designs and Yarn
Yarn:
Color 1 - MJ Yarns Sophistisock in Cerulean Twilight
Color 2 - Baah La Jolla in Maldives
Color 3 - Lorna’s Laces Solemate in Pewter
Color 4 - Sweet Georgia Touch Love Sock in Ultraviolet
Color 5 - Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 in Jakey
Color 6 - Koigu KPM in 2405
Color 7 - Anzula Squishy in Aqua
Color 8 - madelinetosh BFL Sock in Fathom
Needle:  US 3 (3.25 mm)

Craftvent 2016 - Day 13

There was yarn today - some very yummy Anzula Squishy in Aqua.  One of the fun things about this project is the chance to try out yarns that I've never used before - as if I need more favorites to tempt me.  I think I will modify the pattern just a little to use up all of the skeins when I start the next section.  It will probably mean that my color changes won't be at the ends of the rows, but that is okay with me.

I'm all caught up with the knitting.  There are three more colors to go before I start the next section.  I had to use the flash to take the picture, so it isn't the greatest, but you can see the way the colors are progressing.

I ended up falling asleep on my daybed last night, and when I got up to go to bed for real I decided to go ahead and block my Dragon Tooth Shawlette.  I did take a blocking photo, again with the flash, but I'll wait to post until I can get some beauty shots.

Pattern:  2016 Craftvent Shawl by Rachel Roden of Unraveled Designs and Yarn
Yarn:
Color 1 - MJ Yarns Sophistisock in Cerulean Twilight
Color 2 - Baah La Jolla in Maldives
Color 3 - Lorna’s Laces Solemate in Pewter
Color 4 - Sweet Georgia Touch Love Sock in Ultraviolet
Color 5 - Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20 in Jakey
Color 6 - Koigu KPM in 2405
Color 7 - Anzula Squishy in Aqua
Needle:  US 3 (3.25 mm)

Craftvent 2016 - Day 12

No yarn today, but some good advice, and some hand lotion.  I finished up my Dragon Tooth Shawlette.  I spent yesterday working on the short rows, and finished those up this evening.  I'll block it tomorrow, it has been a long day, so I am off to bed.