cosmicpluto knits!

there are projects all over

But I still want to start something new! I believe this is the knitters’ affliction known as “startitis”.

I am almost finished one new sweater though! (Photographing the colour remains elusive.)

And I started another sweater that’s plainish, but the yarn is pretty captivating (Sweetgeorgia Superwash Sport in Ginger)

I just keep flitting from project to project, never quite settling on one thing, but I still want to start a pile of new things! I currently have at least 5 sweaters on the needles, plus socks and some random accessories. Whew. I’d better keep knitting.

cityscape, the first

Since my Cityscape sweater pattern has been up on Twist for a little while now, I though it was high time I told you about how it came about! I just took these photos and the sweater’s a bit rumpled from being in the closet all summer – but it’s sure to get worn this autumn.

Last winter I had the idea of a circular yoked sweater with a skyline around the yoke. Bottom-up circular yoke cardi? Easy for me to work up. But it took a bit of trial and error to get the chart just right. I looked at various actual skylines, skyline line drawings, and other graphic representations, but in the end I just made a grid up in Illustrator and painted in the squares until they looked right.

For yarn, I had 2 colours of Dream in Color Classy that I wanted to use – grey for the main colour, and a deep blue (Midnight Derby) for the background of the skyline. These colours are pretty subtle against each other – the skyline isn’t in as high contrast as it is in the Blue Moon BFL version.

I knit up the first one very quickly in February 2010 – here it is!

There are lots of differences between my first prototype and the final version that ended up in Twist. This first one was knit in quite a heavy worsted weight, superwash yarn. The gauge is 5 stitches per inch, and I had a 50-stitch skyline chart. Also, I ended up knitting this version back and forth, including the colourwork (the sleeves were in the round though). Purling colourwork? Tricky. Especially as this type of motif isn’t as rhythmic as more traditional fair isle type patterns, and the repeat was so big!

Cityscape 1.0 has more buildings that are different heights, which necessitated weaving the yarns in between the taller bits. I always find weaving a little bit annoying, but I know how to do it more easily from the knit side – from the purl side, whew, it was really fiddly! Once I was done though, I was really happy with how my concept had turned out. Only then did I sketch it up and submit it to Twist for the fall issue.

The Blue Moon BFL sport that I used for the Twist version is very different in character from the Dream in Color, and I loved knitting with it – it’s a tiny bit hairy, really wooly, but soft. And the colours worked out great! I knew that I wanted to do a thinner gauge, because it would be easier to see the buildings. I do kind of like that my worsted weight version looks a little less like a pattern up close, and the skyline is more apparent when you stand back a bit, it’s like a bit of a surprise! But with the thinner yarn and a slightly pared down chart (40 stitches) I could have more sizing options and make it a bit easier to knit.

I knew I wanted to do a steek for the Twist version, because that purl colourwork really was a pain, and it was difficult to get the tension right. It was my very first real steek, and it went totally fine! I sewed the steek down by hand and just went for it. Even if you’re scared of steeks, I’d highly recommend trying it out. Plus, at least the body portion of the sweater is all solid, so it isn’t quite the same as cutting up a colourwork-all-over sweater!

With these darker colours I went for pretty pewter buttons – I really like them.

So, overall, Cityscape 1.0 really was a prototype. I was really happy to be able to contribute this concept to Twist, and even happier that because I knit this initial version, I was able to make the final pattern that much better! Of course, I can’t wait for sweater weather so I can get some more wear out of mine.

the slow season change

When the tomatoes have finally hit the market in full force and the eggplant is trickling in – that’s how I know summer is starting (slowly, slowly) to come to a close. Personally though I love the summer produce, the heat and humidity just do me in. And obviously as a knitter, I LOVE being able to wear sweaters again.

I’ve actually been knitting a sweater that isn’t one of my own designs – Hanne Falkenberg’s Diva jacket, in dark olive and cyclamen. It’s all fingering weight garter stitch, in a sticky, wooly yarn, and I can’t wait to get it worked up. It starts at the center back, and you increase in stripes similar to a triangle shawl for the lower part of the body. It’s not too interesting, but not boring either. And perfect take-along knitting!

Still sneaking in a bit more summer knitting, though – my second version of this little shrug is off the needles and has even been worn once already! I’m trying to finish up the pattern for one more quick summer piece to help transition into fall.

Twist on my 26th!

It’s my 26th birthday, and as a great birthday present the new Twist Collective fall 2010 is up and I have a sweater in it – Cityscape!

Knitting this sweater filled my May, and it is so very awesome to see it all done up fancy modeled by the always adorable Mary-Heather. All photos by Jamie Dixon (and aren’t they great?).

This cardigan is knit in the round and steeked, but never fear – this was my very first steek, and I’m delighted to report that while a little bit scary, it was actually very easy!

I first had the idea for this sweater back in the winter, and knit it up quickly for myself in grey and blue Dream in Color (photos another day of that one). Then I decided to submit it to Twist, and knit it up again in the fab Blue Moon BFL Sport.

Won’t you pick up a copy from Twist?

Bellevue Cardigan

BELLEVUE CARDIGAN

A summery, slightly cropped cardigan with a fun lace edging, two yarn weight options and two sleeve options! Worked from the bottom up, the cap sleeve version is completely seamless while the short sleeve version has minimal seaming.

Meant to be worn open (but you can also add a button or tie). Works up quickly in a small amount of worsted or fingering weight yarn and is a perfect topper to take that short sleeved or sleeveless dress into the evening, air conditioning and autumn.

WORSTED WEIGHT BELLEVUE
Works up super quickly! I knit mine in just 3 days!

SIZES
Finished Bust 33.5” (36″, 38″, 42.5″, 44.5″, 47″, 51.5″, 53.5″, 56″) / 85 (91.5, 96.5, 108, 113, 119.5, 131, 136, 142) cm

Worsted weight Bellevue is shown in size 36” / 91.5cm with zero ease, with cap sleeves. Note that the fronts do touch, but swing back when worn.

MATERIALS
Worsted or aran weight yarn. Shown in Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted (100% superwash wool, 225 yds/113g skein) in colour Manzanita, 3 skeins for size 36” / 91.5cm.

Yards: 510 (550, 580, 650, 700, 760, 820, 860, 920) for cap sleeve version.

For short sleeves, add an additional:
Yards: 60 (60, 70, 70, 70, 80, 80, 90, 90)

US 7 / 4.5mm circular needles, 32” / 80cm or longer, or size needed to obtain gauge
an additional set of US 7 / 4.5mm needles, circular or straight, if working short sleeves
waste yarn
stitch markers
tapestry needle

GAUGE
18 sts and 24 rows = 4″ / 10cm square in Stockinette Stitch

FINGERING WEIGHT BELLEVUE
Takes a little longer but is so wearable. Perfect for summer mornings and evenings.

SIZES
Finished Bust: 32.5″ (35.5″, 38.5″, 41.5″, 44.5″, 48″, 51″, 54″, 57″) / 82.5 (90, 98, 105.5, 113, 122, 129.5, 137, 145) cm

Fingering weight Bellevue is shown in size 35.5” / 90cm with 0.5”/1.25cm negative ease and short sleeves. Note that the fronts do touch, but swing back when worn.

MATERIALS
Fingering weight (4ply/sock) yarn. Shown in Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock (80% superwash wool, 20% nylon; 215 yds/67g skein) in colour Douglas Fir, 4 skeins for size 35.5” / 90cm.

Yards: 580 (640, 700, 760, 820, 880, 950, 1020, 1090) for cap sleeve version.

For short sleeves, add an additional:
Yards: 40 (50, 50, 50, 50, 60, 60, 60, 60)

US 2.5 / 3mm circular needles, 32” / 80cm or longer, or size needed to obtain gauge
an additional set of US 2.5 / 3mm needles, circular or straight, if working short sleeves
waste yarn
stitch markers
tapestry needle

GAUGE
26 sts and 32 rows = 4″ / 10cm square in Stockinette Stitch.

MORE INFO
Skills needed: cast on, knit, purl, increase, decrease, optional chart, seaming for short sleeve version only.

Each pattern is a 5-page PDF file with full colour photos, with written and charted directions for the lace pattern, schematics and abbreviations.

You get BOTH the Worsted and Fingering weight versions when you buy! A great value! Sorry, these patterns are not available separately.

Available through Ravelry, payment through Paypal (no accounts required).

$8.00

Note: As of July 5, 2010, sales tax will be added to this price for all Canadian residents only. The rates are: British Columbia 12%; Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador 13%; Nova Scotia 15%; and everywhere else in Canada 5% GST. Tax will be added in the Paypal payment process.

a week past

I’m sure you’ve seen Ysolda’s awesome TNNA booth around the internets, but I’ve some photos to share too! Who cares that they’re a little late?

Looking into the booth from the aisle. Featuring Olgajazzzy in the middle!

Gudrun’s beautiful corner.

My own corner!

I LOVE these posters for Ysolda’s upcoming book, Little Red in the City – those buttons and skeins of yarn were surprisingly difficult to pin up there though!

Small Bob hangin’ with the toys and trains.

Fantastic photos hanging outside the photobooth. So fun.

And for a bit of knitting content, the shrug I was working on before TNNA, and before I was sidelined by my elbow pain:

It’s in Sweetgeorgia Merino Silk DK, and though I didn’t get to wear it in Columbus, I’m back working on it now! Mmmm, silky.