I’m Knitting As Fast As I Can

My third NaKniSweMoDo sweater is finished!

The crappy, indoor photos are all I can manage because of the dismal, snowy weather.

Pattern: Chamomile by Kim Hargreaves

Yarn: Rowan Summer Tweed

Needle: Holz & Stein 4.5mm rosewood circular

Ravelry: Project page link here

Mods:  I really didn’t change much; I knit the sweater almost exactly as set out in the pattern instructions.  I added about an inch of length to the sleeves and knit the armholes about 0.5 inches shorter.  I did the shoulder shaping with short rows instead of stepped bind-offs.  I also stitched the front opening closed at the bottom (about 1″) because it was really low and I wanted to have the option of wearing this without something underneath.  If I make this again (and I might), I’d add about an inch of length to the body but otherwise I’d keep everything else the same.  The yarn was really hard on my hands but the finished sweater is incredibly comfortable.

I’m tempted to cast on a new sweater and see if I can finish 4 in one month.

But on second thought . . . .

My second NaKniSweMoDo project is finished!  In the interest of full disclosure, I started this project in December 2008 as my “reward” for finishing all my holiday knitting.

The back knit up in a flash.  But a quick peek through the instructions for the fronts made me realize they’d require a bit more attention.  So I set it aside until the new year.

Pattern: Sweet Pea Coat by Kate Gilbert

Yarn: Rowan Spray (a single-ply, wool blend that is fuzzing already)

Needles: Denise U.S. #11

Mods:  I made the sleeves narrower by casting on fewer stitches.  I added increases to the collar (worked every 4th row) so it sits wider and flatter.  I also moved the buttons one stitch closer to the edge so the top corner doesn’t curl over.

Best Part:  The pockets are brilliant.

All of my notes are on my Ravelry project page.

I love the buttons.

They’re from the vintage button collection of Jan’s MIL.  She brought a huge box of them to my LYS on New Year’s Day and we all went crazy sorting through them.  Thanks for sharing, Jan!

I’ve already cast on for my third NaKniSweMoDo project.

Can you name that sweater in three comments or less?

I finished my first NaKniSweMoDo sweater last weekend and I’m wearing it today!

Pattern: I used most of the numbers from Francis Revisited but instead of the cowl, I used the stitch pattern from Ingenue.

Yarn: 5 skeins Sirdar Balmoral for which I paid a whopping $5.00 (it was discontinued but apparently it has risen from the ashes)

Needle: Denise #10 (which isn’t quite 6mm)

Time to Knit: 5 days start to finish (hey, it’s only 650 yards of yarn and there was no finishing)

Mods:  All my notes and photos of the first, ill-fated bottom edge are on my Ravelry project page.

Editorial Comments:  It’s light as a feather and warm as hell.  I love it.  Although it’s a top-down style, I improved the fit by adding short rows to the back of the neck, short rows to the sleeve cap, and short rows to the back near the bottom edge.  I also cast on sts under the arms for a little ease.  Plus, the sweater is knit from a DK-weight yarn at an extremely loose gauge so the close fit and drape of the yarn really helps eliminate the bunchy armholes you sometimes get from a top-down.  I’m really happy with the hemmed sleeves and bottom edge.  All in all, a very successful knit with immediate gratification.

Now I just have to finish my Sweet Pea coat . . . unless I cast on something else first!