I started this with the intention of using up some of the leftover yarns from last year’s projects, to knit a pullover in 2 year size. Initial the plan was a simple striped one, but after many modifications, mostly to adjust to the yarn amounts and because I was to lazy to do the appropriate cast on for the sleeves, this is what the finished sweater looks like:
And in my eagerness to make a sweater roomy enough to last a growing child a bit longer, I ended up with a larger size, around 3-4 years. However it did use up several odd balls in my stash and will be a good sweater for the baby to wear around the house, when she is old enough to fit into it.
Lately, we have been in the throes of a very contagious throat infection, which brought down all the three kids one-by-one over the last two weeks. The baby, last one to get ill, is now on the mend, alhamdolillah. Needless to say, I did not do much besides tending to the kids, all this time. However, I took time today to finish this dress. I had knitted the yoke before the illness, using a partial Maizy ball I had in my stash. I did not use any pattern. I paired it up with matching cotton to make a light, summer dress. Spring is upon us, here in Islamabad. The sunlight has started to feel hot and scorching rather than warm and comforting.
In other craft news, I am also on a knitting spree since yesterday, with one completed sock and a baby sweater started. More to come soon, inshaAllah.
The Month O’Socks ended a few days ago and I managed only the foot section of another sock. I ran into sizing trouble with the pattern I started on before this one and lost a considerable amount of knitting time. This pattern is going smoothly, Alhamdolillah. But I am a bit bored with knitting at the moment and am slowing down for a while, waiting to be inspired again. Maybe I’ll try some embroidery for the time being or some beaded crochet..or..cooking….!
Today, I completed another pair of socks for this years Month O’Socks (MOS). These socks are for my husband. The pattern is Froot Loop and the yarn is Knit Picks Felici (Firefighter). The pattern was quite simple and straightforward and the bright color sequence in the yarn kept things interesting. I am happy that the stripes match up in the two socks. No modifications here.
Next I am going to cast another pair of socks. I had wanted to finish that too in the Month O’Socks but it is not possible now with only three days remaining till February 15, when MOS ends. Let us see how much I can manage.
It is time for the annual Month O’Socks (MOS) at the Sporum Forum (ravelry). This year it runs from Jaunaury 16 to 15th of February. I have had a slow start but I hope to knit at least two pairs of socks and a pair of leg-knee warmers. Right now I am working at the first pair, stashbuster socks for my son, who has grown out of the pair I knit him last year. I have one complete sock and the other knit up the the heel.
This first sock is not among of my finest works, I experimented with different knitting styles while knitting it, and also messed up the color spirals in the foot section. The second sock is looking much better. I have also started the leg-knee warmers. And I just might knit one hat too, this month, in addition to all the MOS knitting.
My Girl Friday cardigan is all done. The pattern was straight forward, the lace pattern, easy to memorize and execute. It was a totally relaxing knit, especially after the aborted attempt at Vine yoke cardigan. The only modification I did was knit all body pieces together and knit sleeves in rounds to minimize seaming. It is just right for the chilly January we are having, with its snug shawl collar and extra-long sleeves. The yarn is Knit Picks Wool of Andes (Grizzly Heather). I am still undecided about how many buttons I want, one single large one or multiple smaller ones. As I do not normally wear my cardigan buttoned to the bottom, I am inclined to go with a single button.
Next, I have a long line up of smaller projects for the coming month. More about those in the next post, inshaAllah.
It took me eleven months to churn out the pattern for this pullover and get it test knitted. It is finally up for sale at my ravelry store. I had a great set of test knitter for this one too and you can also see their FOs at the store. Kaptaan is the Urdu word for captain, which is what my cricket-crazy son aspires to be one day.
This raglan pullover is knit in rounds from bottom up till the armholes, then the front and back are worked separately. The sleeves are done the same way.
: Aran / 10 ply (8 wpi)
: 20 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in cable pattern with 5 mm needles
After ditching the Vine yoke Cardigan, my friend Shells and I decided on Girl Friday (We are doing a knit along). She also had encountered some issues with the former pattern in an earlier attempt and was wise enough to wait the outcome of my project before recasting. Anyway, we both liked Girl Friday and started it. I am happy to report that it has been such a pleasant knit so far, no issues at all. The lace pattern is very easy to memorize. I am knitting both fronts and back together and am almost at the point of splitting for armholes. Shells is well pleased with her cardigan too, you can see it here.
It was the time of the year to knit cardigan for myself. I had picked out the pattern and yarn in advance. It was to be the Vine Yoke Cardigan in Knit Picks Wool of Andes. Going through the projects on ravelry, I discovered there were some finicky details which could be potentially troublesome. The cardigan was too short, it tended to grow quite large and had to be knitted a couple of size smaller, the button bands hung, the yoke lace was bulkier than the body. However, there seemed to be modifications around, for most of these problems, so I went ahead and cast on. A week on and well into the first sleeve, I feel unsure with the way this cardigan is progressing. There are many things that could go wrong and probably will. And that makes me uneasy while I knit on it. It is no longer fun. I will probably rip it and start anew with some other pattern. Now to go and look for that elusive pattern. In the meanwhile, I am going to start on a pair of socks.
For a long time and especially since I knit Steggie, my older daughter has been asking me to make her a hooded sweater. So my sweater for her this winter had to have a hood. It was a quick knit in worsted weight yarn. The pattern is my own, though it is nothing very original, just some ribbing and cables around the chest and sleeves and two pockets to match. It is seamless, except for the pockets which are knitted separately and then sewed on. I briefly considered making it full-sleeved but that did not look so right. In all, it turned out quite nice and she is very happy to have her hoodie.
