Lokken Kerchief {A Triangle Addiction Begins}

Now that I have opened up my knitting world to triangular things, it seems I cannot get enough of them.  The Way From Brighton was tons of fun, I couldn't hardly put this one down, and I already have 2 more triangle shaped thingies started.

 This pattern was from the Knitscene Accessories 2012 issue, Lokken by Megi Burcl.  There were several things I love in that issue (and every issue!), and this was one of them.  At first, I didn't know if I could find a suitable substitute yarn, because the original with just two colors was so dang cute.  Then I stumbled upon this Knitpicks yarn on clearance, and decided to give it a shot.  It is not quite the same effect, but I love it just the same.

The great things I'm finding about knitting shawls/wraps/kerchiefs (triangle thingies!):

-They don't take so long that you lose interest

-They can contain interesting details (like FRINGE!!!)

-They are still somewhat portable (more than a sweater, to a certain point)

-And, they have a pretty high impact.  It's satisfying to wear it out for the first time, and you usually get comments, because they can be so unique.  They also pull together a simple outfit more, I think.

So, one of my favorite details on this project?

THE FRINGE!!!  I did color blocked on the side with the blocks, and crazy mixed up color fringe on the side with the long stripes.  I think it works better than color blocking both sides since I used a multi-color yarn.

So, that's all for now.  I'm off to knit and Ravelry stalk more triangles!

Also, here are the Ravelry details if interested!

Big Announcement!

It's finally time to announce!  I'm opening a Local Yarn Shop in Webb City, MO.  Right now we're planning for an early summer opening.  You can find out details, follow our progress, and find out when the official open date will be when you "like" the page at www.facebook.com/StitchSpace

 

Sewaholic Robson Coat Pattern Testing

 This post has been a long time coming, and I just finally got some photos taken to share my Sewaholic Robson Trench Coat.

I was lucky enough to make this coat during the pattern testing phase back at the beginning of the year.  I have made some other Sewaholic patterns and really love how thoughtful and well-drafted they are.  This coat was no exception.

(Pardon the wrinkles.  I chose a cotton/nylon blend hoping it would cut down on the wrinkling but the jury is still out.)

 I really love all the little details on this coat, and especially the strong collar.  Tasia is wonderful when it comes to precise drafting.  The under collar is cut just small enough that the top collar lays just so, no matter what. I also added contrast buttons to up the fun factor.

(So I'm noticing some pulling in these photos, but I think that is just a result of my akward poses.  I wanted to show how much this coat shows off your waist, but with my arms up like that it makes it look a little small, but in person I think the fit is spot on!)

One thing I was worried about was the waist not hitting me in the right spot, and the pockets being too low.  Once I got the buttons and tie finished, though, they are perfect.  If you have a long or short torso, you might consider a tissue fitting or a toile, but it actually worked out fine for me.  The tie brings the waist in, and the hem up a little.

 

Something about this coat really ups your confidence and you feel like a spy!  As mentioned, the waist is extremely flattering and the coat doesn't add too much bulk.  I'm really happy with the way it turned out, and proud that I pushed my sewing skills a little.  It had been awhile since I took on a more intricate project, and now that it's all finished it really does look professional.  All of Tasia's patterns tend to have that very nice finished quality to them.

Last, but not least, a jumping picture just for fun!

You can find more details at my Pattern Review here.

The Way From Brighton

I finished another fun little knit.  The pattern is The Way From Brighton by Joji Locatelli.  The finished project is fabulous and it was fun to knit.  I used some yarn that my parents picked out for me, some Malabrigo Rastita.  It has wonderful colors and I love how they subtly change and shift throughout the shawl.  It took just a tiny bit over one ball of the yarn.  I still have enough to make some Rathtrevor mitts...yeah!

I have to admit, I had previously been skeptical about the "shawl" world, but I am a new convert.  My style is not too girly, though, so I am really liking the more modern/graphic/simple variety than the lacy and intricate.  This could change of course ;)

The bobble fringe was fun to make, and kept things interesting every few rows.

 

You can see my Ravelry details here.

The Aidez Sweater

I had been stalking the Aidez sweater online for almost a year after I stumbled upon it (and all the beautiful versions) on Ravelry.  Finally, after all of my holiday knitting, I decided it was time for some selfish knitting, and I cast-on for the sweater.  It was such an addictive knit!  It was completed in just 24 days, and now I do not want to take it off. 

I love all the details, texture, and how it turned out to be flattering even though it is sort of a big cardigan.  Here it is!

You can find my Ravelry notes with more details here.

Just Some {More} Basic Socks

Finished some socks for me, finally.  So far, my sock-knitting has been for others, so it's nice to have a treat out of this yarn I had been gifted.  Nothing fancy or crazy, just the same as before.

I'm starting to like always having a pair of socks going as my travel/mindless/in-between project.

My only complaint is I blocked them a bit loosely....they fit better pre-blocking, so I think I need to go back to my bent clothes hanger trick instead of the fancy sock-blocker!

 Pretty colors!

 

Slouchy Hat {The Amstel Hat}

I love a good hat, and I love a good magazine.  When the Fall 2012 Issue of Interweave Knits came out, I knew immediately I would want to make the Amstel Hat.  I could have gotten creative and even changed the color, but I liked how it looked in the magazine so well that I did not stray.  It's made from a different yarn, but I found a colorway pretty close to the same one used.

It is about the perfect amount of slouch for me, and I really enjoyed knitting top-down for a change.  Every hat I've made before this one has been bottom-up.  It's also the first time I've knit from a chart, and I found it to be very addictive.  I finished this thing in 5 days because every time I sat down to work on it, I kept saying "just one more row" to see how the pattern was coming along.  

The only thing I don't love is how the shaping ended up, since the increases were paired to accommodate the chart.  It makes it kind of have 4 points on top, even after I blocked it over a plate.  Oh well, I still love it, and I did this miraculous elastic bind off to keep it from being too tight at the band edge.  This has become my go-to method to avoid a tight bind off edge.  Here is a closer picture showing the chart detail:

Love it!  Subtle, but beautiful details :)

Here is the Ravelry page!