Finish Line
I’ve been trying to clean out some old WIPs but, for some reason, I can’t stop myself from casting on for new projects, too. Granted, they’re small projects. But for every skein of stashed yarn I use up, it seems like I buy 2 more. *sigh*
It was particularly satisfying to finish this first project, which was an actual WIP. I found it in a bag when I was cleaning out my stash room. It was completely knit and the ends were even woven in! I guess I just forgot to felt it. Well, into the washer it went on Saturday morning (sans lighter):
And out it came a few minutes later:
Pattern: Felted Oven Mitt by Bev Galeskas from the book, Felted Knits
Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes
Ravelry: Project page link
Mods: None. I love this pattern and have made quite a few of these mitts over the years.
Unfortunately, my next project is a chemo cap. But it, too, was satisfying to knit.
Pattern: Felicity by Wanett Clyde
Yarn: Manos Cotton Stria
Ravelry: Project page link
Mods: I cast on 81 stitches and worked the first inch in seed stitch using my new-found Continental knitting powers. I followed the pattern after that, although because I cast on more stitches I didn’t work as many increase rounds so my hat is just a bit smaller. Love, love, love this pattern!  And the yarn is perfect for chemo caps. Soft and cozy.
Since I’ve been a bit obsessed with cowls lately, I dug through the stash for single, lonesome skeins of yarn and found this lovely ball of Knit Picks Ambrosia.  How can you go wrong with an alpaca/cashmere cowl?
Pattern: Pull-Off Cowl by Alissa Baptista from the book Weekend Knitting
Yarn: Knit Picks Ambrosia (this might be discontinued)
Ravelry: Project page link
Mods: I cast on 97 stitches instead of the 133 called for in the pattern because I used a much heavier yarn. I worked two rounds of garter stitch before casting off in purl. Perfect, one-day project! I might make another of these on the plane to New York on Wednesday with a skein of Manos Silk Blend.
And, now, I’ve saved the worst for last.
Although I’m still on the fence about whether I’m going to Rhinebeck (I’ll be in NYC on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), I went ahead and knit an obligatory Rhinebeck sweater. Inspired by a Garnstudio sweater Cheryl knit, I bought the pattern booklet and merrily knit along until I got to the sleeves. Yikes! They were huge. So I made quite a few alterations, including working one less repeat of the lace pattern, lengthening them, and completely re-working the sleeve cap.
The result? Crap.
The sleeves/armholes are still ginormous! You can read all my bitching and see more photos on my Ravelry project page.
If I go to Rhinebeck, will I wear this sweater??
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24 comments Susan | felting, festivals, hats, knitting, scarves, sweaters
I love that felted oven mitt. I have that book and I’ve always meant to make one of those – thanks for the reminder.
Sorry about the sweater but I think you should definitely come to Rhinebeck anyway!
I really love the oven mitt. They would make lovely Christmas gifts. I think I’ll give it a try. Thanks for the beautiful example.
Come to Rhinebeck!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope you make it to Rhinebeck where you can wear anything you like.
You need to go to Rhinebeck regardless of the sweater woes. You know it’s the right thing to do! Get thee to Rhinebeck woman!
And of course have a super time!
Oh and I love the cowl. Too bad they discontinued the yarn.
Why not throw it in the washer and see who it will fit? See, now you’re done with one present for extended family.
For Rhinebeck, you could always pin a stole into a shrug.
What a shame about the cardigan! I wonder if there are any differences in the pattern between the booklet and the website.
The cowl, though, is great. And so soft!
I’m sorry about the cardi, but I love the other three projects, especially that beautiful cowl.
My but you’ve been busy! I believe the stash enhancement is a Darwinian response. Yes, wear the sweater to Rhinebeck. It look very pretty on the couch. Maybe, you could trade it at Rhinebeck to someone who has something you could make better use of, ie., another sweater or some yarn. Be creative.
What is keeping you from Rhinebeck? You can stay with Margene and me, we’ll move a cot in. Please come. I’ve been thinking about how much I would miss you if you didn’t. You really don’t want me to have that cloud over my head all weekend, do you?
I love the cowl (and the hat). Did you see that Jared Flood of Brooklyntweed fame has come out with a neckwarmer pattern? Yum.
That’s really too bad about the sweater, but it looks good from this angle. I hope you can make it to Rhinebeck. It’s sure to be a good time. Michaele will also be there.
I like the oven mitt.
Ah, seed stitch, how I love thee!
I will try that oven mitt pattern out, it looks way better than the pattern I used last time I made one.
All your projects look wonderful to me!
The sweater looks good from here… You could always just wear it draped on your shoulders, with the sleeves tied in front. Just an alt shawl…
So sorry about the sweater! The color would be lovely on you, and the border is so nice… this one might be worth fixing. The oven mitt is a great idea.
The oven mitt would be so great for gifts, and I love that hat.
love that oven mitt! I hadn’t seen that pattern of Bev’s and I can think of about ten people for whom it would make a fabulous gift! (and maybe even one for me)
thanks!
too bad about the Rhinebeck sweater – and I think that all of us can empathize – into every life of a knitter, a bit of crap eventually falls. I’d donate it to a local goodwill, and know that someone will absolutely love it. It’s very pretty, despite the poor fit.
I hadn’t seen that mitt! Or probably I did but forgot… what a great idea for using up some stash. I am so out of the loop… I saw Norma working on a Rhinebeck sweater, but thought maybe this is a Norma thing not a Rhinebeck thing. Who knew? Your sweater looks fine in the picture… but if you don’t think it fits right or looks good on, don’t wear it! But come if you can. I am going… not sure if you’ve read my blog lately, but I put up (and then deleted) a post b is for betrayed (didn’t say much else). But the good thing is he wants to be in this marriage and wants counseling, so we are working to that. We both figured keeping my plans to go to Rhinebeck might be a good break from the tension here.
Oh, and snow! You’ve probably told me, but I’ve forgotten (any pattern here? forgot about seeing those mitts too…) where you live… is it in the mountains in California? Someplace out west?
Gorgeousknits. Love the cowl.
Felicity is a great hat, and yours is beautiful. It’s the pattern I used for a chemo hat for my friend Amy this summer, sadly.
Thank you for the link to that hat! My 22 year old daughter has been begging me for just that kind of hat
.
I wish you could have come to Rhinebeck!
Ow! All that sweater, and no Rhinebeck either.