KNITTING WITH JACKIE

  Hiya, As I have mentioned in my previous post, my daughter wanted jackets for her daughter - my only grandchild. For this request, I choose, " Little Buds " by Karen Borrell.  It is knitted top-down and in garter stitch.   Four little leaves give a nice flare shape and add a little girly touch – with 3/4 sleeves and neat I-cord edges. I am again knitting with Conshohocken Cotton - 100% Wool Yarn.  This yarn has been in my stash for more than 30 years.  Although this manufacturer was known for producing cotton, its factory outline carried various types of yarn.  I had nine (9) skeins of yarn to use up - which was more than enough.  I knitted a hat to match designed by Olivia Craftox. Again, I will need to soften the wool.  I found several methods by Megan Goodacre , Tricksy Knitter, that I will select.  After washing, I will, again, use a conditioner with lanolin; however, this time, I will place the garment in a plastic bag for 20 minu...

 Hiya, Recently, my daughter stated that Elena, her daughter, and my granddaughter, need a jacket.  So, I began a search on Ravelry for patterns that I thought she would like.  The only requirement was it needed to be button-down for closure.  I found several options and my daughter selected the following: Cissi Coat by MillaMia Sweden is a wonderful swing coat.  The built-in scarf is a useful twist to normal design - a benefit that children won't lose it.  It is knitted in pieces and sewed together.  The size range is perfect so that I can knit different colors up from 1 to 7 years of age.  I went into my stash and found some very old Conshohocken Cotton 100% wool yarn.  It has been in my stash so long that I needle to replenish the lanolin. I used a technique of adding hair moisturizer to the washing.  I allow it to soak for about 30 minutes.  It softens the wool greatly. I added wooden bottoms.  I deliberately alternat...

Hiya,   Since the quarantine started, I have ventured into the world of the "Knit-A-Long".  A knitalong (KAL) is when many knitters work on their own version of the same pattern at the same time.  My first KAL was with Marie Green.  Knitting along with a group from my LYS, we worked together with the pattern as it was broken down into steps.  The pace kept me on track so that I was able to finish the sweater while before the deadline. So, I decided to join another one!!  This time with one of my favorite designers - Joji Locatelli.  I have a number of her designs on my "things to knit" list.  Note:  My "things to knit" list are projects with the pattern and yarn already purchased - another "knit from stash project"  YEAH!!! Spector is a faded circular yoke pullover.  There are some decorated textured patterns.  Most of the sweater is knitted in a ribbed pattern.  I am using 4 different color yarns.  This will be ...

Hiya, Another sweater that was on my list of things to knit comes from Vogue Knitting's Spring/Summer 2008 editions.  This unique summer cardigan by Nora Gaughn.  It is knitted multi-directional with lace and a zigzag pattern. I decided to use yarn that has been in my stash for more than 20 years.  Marina by Katia is 84% cotton and 16% nylon.  I knew that I didn't have enough to knit the entire sweater in this specific yarn.  Since it has been discontinued for some time, it might be difficult to a matching color or fiber. I got lucky with Berroco Comfort, 9750; however, it is 50% nylon and 50% Acrylic. I thought using it for the lace, top portion only, of the sweater. Thus, far, I have gotten the back completed and I think it looks pretty good. I completed both fronts and realized that I failed to cast on the correct number of stitches.  I modified the pattern to accommodate my gauge. I reknitted the two fronts and I had enough of the Katia to finis...

 Hi Everyone, I know it has been quite a while since I blogged.   Like everyone else in the world, I am dealing with the shutdown, reopening, and adjusting to the new normal.  Having knitting projects has kept me calm and relaxed.  I am appreciative and grateful for the stash that I have accumulated over the years.  Although stores have reopened in the area of the United States that I live in, I have not ventured too far from home. As a result, I participated in my first Knit-A-Long over the 4th of July weekend.  It was Marie Green's Annual 4-Day KAL.  Typically, the sweater is knitted over 4-8 days; however, this year, the KAL has 4X more days.  I can't imagine completed an entire sweater in just 4-8 days; but, I was sure that I could do it over 16-32 days. The sweater is knitted top-down and the colorwork is actually slipped stitches. Participating in the KAL was fun.  Not only because a few of the ladies from my local yarn shop was kn...

Hiya! It has been a while since I have blogged and I can't use the pandemic as an excuse.  As with everyone in the country, I have been shut-in for weeks.  My husband and/or I have ventured out, amongst people, only several times in the last 9 weeks.  We have tried to take a walk 3/4 times a week, just to get out of the house. It is during this time, that I am grateful for my love of knitting and reading.  Since the pandemic, I have successfully completed items that have been waiting for seaming and blocking.  In addition, it has given me the energy to tackle a shawl that I frogged a few months ago - Andra Mowry's Briochealuscious. This is a large and impressive shawl that is super entertaining to knit.   It is broken up in sections that contain stripes, short rows, speckles, and brioche.   I started knitted to the broader and decided that I did not like the color combination. Since I have a great deal of time on my hands, I decided to pick ...

Hiya, As you know, I was determined to continue knitting from my stash.  As part of my "Make 2020", I am knitting Caitlin Hunter's Tecumseh.   The base green color a discontinued yarn from Classic Elite Yarns, Inca Alpaca.  This yarn is 100% baby alpaca.  It is soft, sturdy, and gives a nice luster with a hint of yellow.  For the ribbing, I used LeFibre Nobil Mambo in the green colorway.  Both of these yarns are have been in my stash for more than 15 years. To complement this greenish-yellow yarn, purchased recently the  Acadia from the Fiber Company in Roseby and a hand-dyed merino yarn from 29 Bridges in the colorway called Seal.   This is my first stranded color-work, top-down garment.  Soon the body was done and then the sleeves.  I was a little concerned about reaching them because of the needle choices.  I started knitting them with 9" circular and found that it was such a joy and way less fiddly than w...

Hiya, I am moving right along with my Make 2020 list.  I have just finished a comfortable hat using yarn from my stash.   The pattern repeat was easy to remember and required only 1 skein of yarn (150 yards). UnBlocked You will notice that this hat was originally designed for cancer patients recovering from chemotherapy.  Therefore, it would be a perfect project for groups and/or guilds to knit and donate to a local hospital or cancer center.  Since too very little time to know, I will be reaching out to my local facilities and see if they would be interested in receiving a small quantity.  Enjoy Knitting Each Day! Jackie

Hiya, As you know, I was determined to do more knitting from my stash in 2019 and I will continue to do so in the new year as well.   To that end, I had a single skein of mohair yarn in various colors.  I didn't know what to do with them; but, I knew that I did not want to discard them all. I found a pattern a free pattern by Beata Jezek called Outline .  It is a simple construction and a very easy knit.  The pattern was enjoyable knit and provided a wonderful knitting rhythm.  Although it is suggested to use yarns of similar weight, I decided to use the mohair from my stash. In addition, I did not follow the pattern suggested color sequence. I think it turned out pretty good. Enjoy Knitting Each Day! Jackie