And now for FO number 2 of 2010 and IntSweMoDo2010!

Pattern: Mondo Cable Cardi

Size: 34 (2″ positive ease)

Yarn: 4.5 x Lion Brand Cotton-Ease in Charcoal (152)

Needle: 3.25mm (collar), 3.75mm (ribbing), 4.0mm

Modifications: I knit the body from shoulder to hem for about 19.5″ instead of 21″.

Pattern is clear and well-written. The collar is genius. GENIUS. I did have problems with the instructions at first. The trick is to just do it. Seriously.

I didn’t put the buttons and snaps on the cardi because I’m not going to wear it buttoned up to the neck. Too feckin’ hot.

The cables look pretty damn amazing in Cotton-Ease. The cardi is a little stiff due to knitting at a slightly smaller than recommended gauge for the yarn but I can live with it.

I think this will make a pretty comfy cardi for the freezing office. Also, I so need to learn to pose better. There goes my shot at being a suuupaaamodel.

My project on Ravelry

• Mondo Cable Cardi

First FO of 2010 and first FO for IntSweMoDo2010!

Pattern: Buttercup

Size: XS

Yarn: 4.5 x Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy in Green Sage (021)

Needle: 3.5mm

Modifications: I’m short so I didn’t knit to 38cm for the body; I stopped at about 33cm.

This one isn’t really a modification but I didn’t cast on separately with new yarn for joining in the round. What I did: after knitting to 4th marker and purling to end, turn work around (wrong side facing) and cast on using cable cast-on. Turn work around (right side facing) and purl to Marker A. Begin knitting in rounds.

Picked up total of 8 underarm stitches instead of 4 and decreased to 4 on next round to eliminate holes. Unfortunately, there were still holes and I had to sew them up after finishing.

After picking up for neck edging, I attached edging to lace panel as I knitted by doing a k2tog with last stitch from edging and one stitch from lace panel cast-on edge. Anything to lessen the amount of sewing needed…

I love the fit of the top but I’m not crazy about the sleeves. I think due to my narrow shoulders, the sleeves seem somewhat droopy.

The pattern is clear and well-written.

Hempathy wasn’t easy to work with but the fabric had a nice drape and was soft and cool after a wash. Perfect for the tropical weather. However, the ends kept sticking out through the front. I think I’ll tack them down with some needle and thread.

God, I need a haircut.

My project on Ravelry

• Buttercup

The pattern is bloody fantastic for a quick gift which is just what I need as this scarf is supposed to be a gift. Knit in a worsted weight, it certainly went a lot faster than my first One Row Handspun Scarf which was done in DK weight.

Pattern: One Row Handspun Scarf

Size: ~ 70″ x 4.5″

Yarn: 1 x Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted in Fucsia

Needle: 5.0mm

I cast on only 22 stitches for a narrower scarf and slipped the first stitch purlwise with yarn in front for a neat edge.

They’re not kidding when they say Malabrigo grows. The scarf was about 59″ x 4.5″ pre-blocked. After giving it a soak and laying it out to dry flat, the scarf was about 70″ x 4.5″. While I certainly like the extra length, I prefer the thick squishiness of the pre-blocked scarf.

I also have this problem with the cast-on and bind-off edges being wider than the rest of the scarf (happens with most scarves I knit). How do you remedy this?

My project on Ravelry

• One Row Handspun Scarf

Wow. Looks like I haven’t posted in forever. I lost my knitting mojo for a while but I’m now slowly getting it back. I love knitting but living in a tropical country where I’ll never get to wear beautiful hand-knit wool sweaters gets a bit discouraging some time. Most of the time, I’ll just substitute with plant-based yarn but we all know that doesn’t work all the time and it’s just not the same.

Right. Enough with the woe cake and on to the FO. Again, this is a scarf I knitted for charity. Like the One Row Handspun Scarf, it’s wonderful mindless commute knitting but it doesn’t go as fast.

Pattern: Scrappy Lengthwise Scarf

Size: ~ 60″ x 5.75″

Yarn: Slightly less than 1 x Spotlight Basics 8 Ply Acrylic

Needle: 5.0mm

The original pattern has the scarf knitted lengthwise. That wasn’t very portable for me so I knitted it widthwise. I cast on 30 stitches and just knitted till the yarn ran out.

Anyone who’s interested in knitting this pattern should take note to use a needle size larger than the one normally used for the yarn.

I really like the woven look of this pattern. Must knit one for myself!

My project on Ravelry

• Scrappy Lengthwise Scarf

This has been completed for a while but I only just got around to photographing it.

Pattern: Annette

Size: S (knit at smaller gauge to give about 32″ size)

Yarn: slightly less than 5 x Knit Picks Shine Sport in Orchid

Needle: 4.0mm

Modifications: Started with 4 rows of seed stitch instead of 2. Did the same for sleeves. I also lengthened the body to 14″ by adding another buttonhole.

I knitted this cardigan twice! I started off knitting the XS thinking I was on gauge. Well, turns out my gauge was smaller and the cardigan was a little too small. Frogged it and knitted the S size instead. My smaller gauge meant that the cardigan came out to about 32″ instead of 34.25″.

The underarms were a bit too fitted for my liking. I can only wear sleeveless tops with this. I wish I’ve lengthened the sleeves.

Overall, this was a pretty simple lace pattern. Some people did have trouble keeping track of the lace but I didn’t have any problems.

Shine Sport is really comfortable to wear in hot and humid Singapore. I didn’t experience any significant shrinkage or growth after putting the cardigan through the wash once. However, it did lose some of its lustre and looked a little worn. There was also some fuzz when knitting with the yarn which tickled my nose.

My project on Ravelry

• Annette
  

I started this scarf for the charity knitting thread in Rubberneckers. The 4-stitch pattern’s perfect for mindless commute knitting. I can just put it down and pick it up again any time with no fear of losing my place in the pattern.

Pattern: One Row Handspun Scarf

Size: ~ 60″ x 6″

Yarn: 1 x Spotlight Basics 8 Ply Acrylic

Needle: 4.0mm

I cast on 34 stitches and just knit till the yarn ran out. I slipped the first stitch of every row purlwise with yarn in back for a neat edge.

Black yarn is a bitch to photograph!

My project on Ravelry

• One Row Handspun Scarf
  

I spend a lot of time on Ravelry and most of it is with the Rubberneckers. They’re a hilarious bunch of hoars. I knit three hats for Sharky’s charity knitting thingy on RnR and I apologise for being two seasons late.

I don’t have a small child to pose with the knits so my lamp will have to do. She has ambitions of catwalk modelling so I’m sure she’s secretly pleased at this opportunity.

Rachel Lacy Rib Hat

Pattern: Rachel Lacy Rib Hat

Size: Smaller one (CO 80)

Yarn: Slightly less than 1 x Spotlight Basics Delight

Needles: 4mm

This is my first time doing a picot edging and although it’s pretty, it’s a bloody pain in the arse.

I believe there’s an error in the crown decreases in the pattern. This is what I did:

Row 3: *skp, k1,p, k2tog, yo, p repeat from * to end

There is also no stitch count for the crown decreases for the smaller size so I’ve provided them here:

Row 1: … (63 st)
Row 3: … (54 st)
Row 5: … (36 st)
Row 7: … (18 st)
Row 9: … (9 st)

Child’s Self-striping Hat

Pattern: Child’s Self-striping Hat

Size: CO 104

Yarn: Not very sure but I think it’s less than half x Lion Brand Magic Stripes

Needles: 4mm

Easy and straightforward pattern. Plus, designer included different cast-on numbers for different gauges.

Who?

Pattern: Who?

Size: Infant

Yarn: 1 x Spotlight Basics Delight

Needles: 4mm

This is my favourite hat pattern out of the three. The owls are adorable! I need to make one for myself!

My Projects on Ravelry

• Rachel Lacy Rib Hat
• Child’s Self-striping Hat
• Who?

My mum loved my previous little button loafers so much she kept bugging me to make a pair for her friend who just had a baby couple weeks ago. I only had two buttons left so I made the one button strap version.

Pattern: Little Button Loafers (pattern is available for purchase from Sylver Designs)

Size: 1 (3 months) (3.75″L by 2″W)

Yarn: 0.5 x Rowan All Seasons Cotton in Cookie and a little bit of Rowan All Seasons Cotton in Military

Hook: 3.5m

I think my gauge changed because this pair came out a wee bit bigger than the previous pair.

After making the sole 8 times, I can memorise the pattern now.

My Project on Ravelry

• Little Button Loafers

Edit: If you would like a pair for your wee one but can’t crochet, I can do a custom order. Please convo me on Etsy.

Presenting my first FO of 2009! A cute crocheted FO!

My friend is due very, very soon and I wanted to make something for her baby boy. Initially, I wanted to make the Pea Pod Baby Set but I was afraid the lace may be a bit too girly. Then I decided on a set of Offset Wraplan and Saartje’s Bootees. I had already cast on on the wraplan when I came across the Little Button Loafers. They were just so freakin’ adorable I decided to make this instead.

Pattern: Little Button Loafers (pattern is available for purchase from Sylver Designs)

Size: 1 (3 months) (3.75″L by 2″W)

Yarn: 0.5 x Rowan All Seasons Cotton in Cookie and a little bit of Rowan All Seasons Cotton in Military

Hook: 3.5m

Pattern Comments
The pattern is quite clear and well written. However, I was a little confused with the last part of the sole mostly because the stitch count listed after the invisible join was xx sl st. The stitches worked just before the join were sc so that threw me off. I don’t think we’re supposed to do a round of slip stitches after the join so I left it at that.

My shoes actually ended up being almost 4″ in length. It’s better to be too big rather than too small for baby stuff, right?

The yarn amounts used are just estimates since I don’t have a scale or anything to measure. It’s certainly a great pattern for using up the leftovers.

My project on Ravelry

• Little Button Loafers

Edit: If you would like a pair for your wee one but can’t crochet, I can do a custom order. Please convo me on Etsy.

I did it! This is my Ravelympics project for Team Rubberneckers.

Pattern: Rusted Root

Size: XS (28″ – 32″)

Yarn: 4 x Knit Picks Cotlin in Moroccan Red

Needles: 4.5mm for body, 4mm for ribbing

Modifications:

1) Added hip increases.
2) Picked up additional 6 stitches on each sleeve to close the underarm gap, knit 2 rounds of stockinette before starting on ribbing.
3) Used EZ sewn bind-off on all the ribbing.

Pattern Comments:
Pattern was relatively simple and straightforward.

BUT.

No schematics. Theoretically speaking, I usually zoom in on the smallest size but I like to see the bust, waist and hip measurements and there were none in this pattern. I know this is a top down pattern and it’s easy to adjust as you knit but I’ll still like to see some schematics.

Pattern could also do with more stitch counts especially after the increase/decrease sections. I ended up doing my own calculations to make sure I was on the right track.

No chart for lace panel, plus sl1-k1-psso (skp) was written as sl1, k1, psso which confused me for a bit because it looked like 3 separate steps.

The pattern asked for 24″ circular needles. What the pattern didn’t state was that the neckline, when joined in the round, was less than 24″ so you could either stretch the crap out of the stitches or magic loop it. I ended up stretching the crap out of the stitches.

Yarn Comments:
When knitting with the Cotlin, the yarn fuzz was incredible. By incredible, I meant in a “some gigantic red animal just shed a shit load of fur in my room” kind of way. My nose wouldn’t stop twitching. Washing did remove most of it but I suspect it’ll take a few washes before it’s completely gone.

Also, I do not like Cotlin knit at this gauge (20 st st/4″). If I do this pattern again in the same yarn, I’ll go for a smaller gauge and knit a bigger size.

On the whole, it’s a cute top but I’m not sure I like it on me. My mum wants one though.

Edit: 2008 is turned into the Year of the Red!

Edit Strikes Back: Woohoo my Ravelympics medal!

This project has been hibernating for more than half a year since I first started it in October last year. I stopped mainly because I had 2 skeins of the yarn in the same dye lot which should give me a pair of normal length socks and I didn’t want to knit 2 pairs of ankle socks instead. So I frogged and bought another skein instead. Is this making sense?

Pattern: Breeze

Size: Ladies Small (US Shoe Size 5/6) (see notes below)

Yarn: 1 x Knit Picks Risata in Burgundy

Needles: 2.00mm

I have skinny ankles so I had to go down in needle size to get the socks to fit snugly round my ankles. However, this meant my gauge changed totally so instead of knitting the size S, I ended up knitting size M to fit. Also, I have no idea why the pattern says to break yarn before starting on the heel flap. I didn’t do it, of course. Other than that, I didn’t change anything. Incidentally, it’s only when I’m writing this post that I noticed the Ravelry page for this pattern stated there’s errata which can be found here. Oh well.

I thought I’ll really like the yarn because it has cotton but it’s still a little prickly for me which is probably due to the wool.

I finished knitting the socks with less than 4 yards of the yarn left so I think those with bigger feet may require more than 1 skein if you intend to use Risata. I may also be talking out of my arse.

When I first knit the sock back in October, I had giant holes on both sides of the sock after picking up stitches for the gusset. I’ve finally eliminated the problem this time round by picking up the bar between the heel flap and the ribbing. Yes! I looove the look of the heel flap (please excuse my unmoisturised reptilian legs).

This is a fun and addictive pattern. I mean, you keep telling yourself “hmm, I’ll stop after the next round” just to see the lace pattern forming and before you know it, you’ve finished the sock.

And yes, I’m aware I knit too much red stuff.

When do you consider a project as fully completed? Immediately after the knitting’s done? Or when ends are woven in? How about when it’s blocked? For me, it’s all of the above plus when it’s been photographed. That’s when I consider the project as fully completed and I can change the project status on Ravelry from “In Progress” to “Completed”. So even though I’ve finished knitting and blocked my Monkey socks a week ago, I only consider it completed today after photographing it.

Pattern: Monkey

Size: US Women 5

Yarn: Less than 2 x Knit Picks Memories in Redwood Forest

Needles: 2.00mm

Knitting Jaywalker has taught me that no matter how many knitters complain how tight the socks are, I shouldn’t pay too much attention because I’ve tiny feet and skinny ankles. Even though I used 2.00mm needles on that project, I still ended up with slouchy socks. Having learned my lesson, I tightened my tension a little for Monkey and they came out almost perfect. Why the “almost”? Well, I still have problems with my tension and my second sock ended up slightly smaller than the first. At least it isn’t glaringly obvious like the Jaywalker. Speaking of which, I probably should reknit my Jaywalker.

The pattern was simply enough and I didn’t have any problems with it. I love the way the yarn knits up in this pattern. Looking at the bottom of the sock, I realised I would have hated it if the entire sock was knitted in stockinette because I’m not really crazy about the way the yarn pools. However, the lace portion breaks up the yarn variegation so there wasn’t any pooling. Oh! I really, really love the colours too! Autumn’s my favourite season and I simply love autumn colours.

Although the yarn’s 100% merino wool, it still feels a teeny weeny bit itchy to me and isn’t as soft as Felici. Besides, in this humidity and warm weather, I could barely stand to wear the socks for more than 5 minutes while taking the pictures. It was so bloody hot!

I really like the look of the little bumps on the reverse side of the heel flap. When I was knitting the second sock, I screwed up the bottom part of the cuff and only noticed it as I was getting ready to pick up stitches for the gusset. Thank goodness I’ve since gained a little confidence in my knitting to be able to pull out my needles and just rip out the heel instead of trying to unknit the whole flap. It would have taken forever to unknit!

This is how much yarn I had left after knitting the first sock. The cake behind is a full skein. I probably have enough left over to knit a pair of footies or anklets. Also, although I super love the way yarn cakes look, I absolutely hate to wind yarn and yes, I do have a ball winder. I know many knitters love to do this, but to me it just eats into my knitting time! Plus, I really hate the way the yarn feels when it’s running through my fingers while tensioning it. To me, it’s akin to fingernails on blackboard. Blech. It’s too bad I vastly prefer centre-pull yarn cakes so I’ll have to endure the ball winding.

Right. Enough prattle for today.

My first finished object in 2008! All blocked and with ends weaved in! Yay!

Pattern: Branching Out

Yarn: 1 x Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in Bristol Red

Needles: 5.00mm

Measurements: 7 inches wide, 58.5 inches long (after blocking)

I did a total of 27 repeats with a few yards to spare. The pattern was simple to follow but requires some concentration. I had to unknit a few times because I wasn’t paying attention. I also found it impossible to memorise the pattern. Blocking did help to open up the lace a little.

Branching Out pre-blocked:

Branching Out post-blocked:

The yarn does feel wonderful even though I’m a little sensitive to wool. The silk content probably helps some but there’s still a tiny hint of a prick for me.

Also, perhaps because it’s lace, it dried amazingly fast in our humid weather.

This is definitely a pattern I will knit again. I think the scarf makes a great gift!

I was determined to have at least one knit FO in 2007 and… I did! I finished my Jaywalker last week! Yay me!

Pattern: Jaywalker
Yarn: 2 x Knit Picks‘ Felici in Hummingbird (I think I might have enough left over for a pair of footies!)
Needles: 2.00mm (Knit Picks Nickel Plated DPN Set)

Before starting on this pattern, I’ve read how lots of knitters had sizing issues and many couldn’t even pull the sock over the heel. I needn’t have worried because my socks came out loose! The one thing I need to remember is that I have skinny legs so if I get gauge, chances are the cuffs will be loose. I guess this pair is going to end up as holiday bed socks.

The yarn is really soft and squishy! I’m a little sensitive to wool but Felici feels great on my toes.

My tension was crappy for both socks so I ended up with one sock slightly longer than the other. I should really pick up the 2-socks-on-circs method so at least both socks will be even. The crappy tension also mean the socks don’t lay flat (when not worn) and pucker all over the place. Eugh.

Also, I still have holes when I pick up stitches for the gusset. The weird thing is I only have a hole on one side of the sock. Well, at least they aren’t humongous like the ones in Breeze. Those looked like they were going to eat me!

Still, it’s my FIRST KNIT FO ever! A pair of socks! w00t!

Edit: Magknits has flounced off in a huff after the drama closed shop. If you’re looking for the pattern, Grumperina (the pattern designer) has offered the pattern as a free pdf download on Ravelry here.

Ever since I abandoned Violet Beauregard, I’ve been wondering what to do with the Shine Sport yarn. I came across Lily Chin’s Lace Skirt when I was surfing Interweave Crochet. Ooh pretty!

Pattern: Interweave Crochet’s Lace Skirt with Drawstring Waist
Yarn: 5 x Knit Picks’s Shine Sport in Violet
Hook: 3.75mm
Size: 29¼”
Comments: The pattern is pretty easy to read but I wish a chart had been included. It was a little difficult to picture the stitch pattern when I first started crocheting the skirt.

My waist is nowhere near 29¼” however I like to wear my bottoms low so I decided to crochet a bigger size, plus I was afraid I wasn’t going to be able to pull it past my hips. Well, the yarn stretched a little after a wash so I’ve no problem pulling it past my hips but it’s kind of loose on the waist now. Thank goodness for the drawstring.

Since it’s a lace skirt, I’ll have to find a lining for it. I don’t fancy flashing my knickers to the rest of the world when I wear it. I can’t sew to save my life so either I buy some kind of half-slip or I pay someone to sew a lining to the skirt for me.

I wish I’ve taken notes during the process as I can imagine they’ll be useful to any crocheter interested in crocheting the skirt. Eh, I’ll try to remember next time.

I haven’t mastered the art of taking full length pictures of myself so eh, no full action shots.

I crocheted this while watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail (Special Edition) (think anyone will give me a shrubbery for my birthday?). As much as I love how crocheted shells look, I can never get mine to look right. The first stitch of the shell always looks awful. But I think this scarf looks great on the whole, well, as long as you don’t look too closely anyway. Merino Style was such a soft and squishy yarn to work with but it was a little splitty. Still, it did feel nice next to my skin.

I love how the scarf looked like a flower when it’s balled up.

Pattern: One Skein Scarf from Stitch ‘N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker
Yarn: Slightly more than 1 ball of Knit Picks‘ Merino Style in Maple Leaf
Hooks: 8.0mm and 6.5mm

Finally! Another FO! I actually finished the crocheting part last week and decided to wash and block it slightly on Sunday. Well, it’s still not completely dry today but I didn’t want to wait any longer so I sewed in the lining. For those living in wool country, does your woolly stuff take so long to dry as well? I can’t imagine doing my laundry and waiting days for my damn clothes to dry. I’ll be naked half the time. Although I suspect the culprit is the high humidity here.

Before sewing in the lining, the bag was floppier than Hugh Grant’s hair. I ironed on some interfacing to the lining fabric and it’s so much better now. After lining my Fat Bottom Bag, I still had lots of fabric left so I used the leftovers for my Fit to be Tied. I love the colour combination. Looks like it’ll make a nice Christmas gift.

Also, I’m no photographer but the difference between a crappy picture taken by my trusty K800i and one taken by my DSLR is tremendous.

Pattern: Fit to be Tied from Stitch ‘N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker
Yarn: Slightly more than 1 ball of Knit Picks’s Wool of the Andes in Evergreen
Hook: 4.0mm

PS: I still hate seaming and sewing linings. I don’t think I’ll ever like it.

I bought Debbie Stoller’s Stitch ‘N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker because I was seeing all these gorgeous fat bottom bags on the forums and blogs and I just had to make one for myself. Now, I’ve been seeing all these gorgeous stuff crocheted from Sugar ‘N Cream cotton yarn and thought that would be perfect for my fat bottom bag. There’s only one teeny weeny problem: we have no Sugar ‘N Cream cotton yarn in Singapore. Scratch that. The fact is I can’t even find cheap worsted weight cotton yarn anywhere here. Eventually, I did manage to get my hand on one precious cone of Sugar ‘N Cream yarn in ecru and I started work on my fat bottom bag right away.

Most of the fat bottom bags I’ve seen were lined. That stopped me cold. Sewing needles and I aren’t exactly the best of friends. When I was in school, it was compulsory for all the girls to attend Home Economics classes where sewing, cooking and craft were taught. I broke the sewing machine needle during my first lesson. For our term test, we were given a piece of cloth and told to machine sew a rectangle on it. My rectangle was a triangle. Needless to say, I failed the test. That’s how inept I am with a sewing needle. What saved my life was Kel’s fantastic tutorial on lining the fat bottom bag. If I hadn’t found that, I’d probably have ended up sewing my fingers to the bag in frustration. Not a pretty sight.

All’s well that ends well. The crocheting was a breeze and after 2 days of much cursing and swearing while doing the lining, I have myself a pretty fat bottom bag. Will definitely make more if I can get my hands on more cotton yarn.

Edit: Added new photos.