Tag Archives: sweater

Jul 13

Hellooo-lloo-lloo-lo-lo…

Anyone there?

It’s been awhile, huh?  I know.  I’ve been busy!  I coudn’t even use being pregnant and lazy as an excuse!  I actually have been traveling quite a bit, and we are MOVING!  YIKES!  Luckily, this time, I don’t have to lift much! :)

I actually have quite a few post constructed out in draft mode but have been lacking pictures, so instead of trying to post those, I decided to ask for public opinion on my Sweater KAL project.

My SnB friends had decided to do this KAL so that we can start something new and really keep us all on track.  There is no restriction on which sweater to make, as long as it is a sweater.  And here is where I need your help – I can’t decide which one!  I’m going to list the sweaters that I have my eyes on and please feel free to leave a comment on what you think I should start on August 1st.  (All links are Ravelry!)

Central Park Hoodie with Carodan Fam Worsted in Bracken

Central Park Hoodie

I’ve been eyeing this pattern for awhile now.   I like the fact that it’s a cardigan so I can choose not to button the lower part.  Draw Back:  I don’t have the pattern.

EDIT:  07/18/09 – I apparently have a copy of that magazine!!!! DOH!  I unpacked my knitting books and magazines today at the other house and found it!  HA!

Nuss with Farmhouse Yarn Silk Blend in Spiced Pumpkin or Sugar Plum OR Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in Brick

Nuss

Another cardigan.  I like the flare design so it’s meant to not button the lower cardigan.  Plus I have some beautiful fine silver buttons I made I think will be perfect for this.  (more on the buttons at a later post).  Draw Back:  I don’t have the pattern.

Celtic Icon with Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in Brick or Schaefer Yarn Judith in Ash

Celtic Icon

This pattern is the reason I bought the book!!!!  I just love cables!  I think this pattern has zipper closure.  I like the double zipper on one of the fellow Raveler’s picture.  Plus I will learn how to sew a zipper.  Draw Back:  I have no idea how to sew a zipper on anything!

Mommy Snug with Dye in the Wool Worsted or Farmhouse Yarn Andy’s Merino in Sunflower, Lavender or Wine Rose

Mommy Snug

Well, I don’t think I have to explain why I thought of making this.  It’s cute and I’ll certainly need a sweater in October.  Draw Back:  Would I still be able to wear it AFTER the baby is born and it won’t look wear on non-pregnant person?

Loppem with Classic Elite Premeir in Black or Lola 100% Shetland

Loppem

I really like this short sleeve cardi.  It seems very versitle and I just love the design.  I do have to confess – I love most of Norah’s designs.  Plus!  I have the pattern for this!  Draw Back:  If I decided to use the shetland, I will have to measure out the yardage before I begin. (Which of course, shetland is the one I’m considering)

Pucker with Farmhouse Yarn Silk Blend in Spiced Pumpkin or Sugar Plum OR Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in Brick

Pucker

Another Norah’s master piece :)  I like the loose fit and it will be a nice summer/fall sweater.  Draw Back:  I don’t have the pattern.

Minimalist with Schaefer Yarn Miss Priss in Tomato

Minimalist

I must have fell off the bandwagon of making this.  Or I was in the la la land, because few of my friends had made this and I really like them!  I don’t know why I haven’t make them yet!  I have the yarn AND pattern on this!  Draw Back:  I just did a quick calculation on yarn – I may run out!  I’m about 30 yards short!  YIKES!

Mr. Greenjeans with Schaefer Yarn Miss Priss in Tomato

greenjeansBEAUTY

Well, I have the yarn call for AND the pattern is on Knitty!  I don’t think I can be pass that up as a possibility!  Draw Back:  I can’t think of any!

Bombay Love with Schaefer Yarn Lola in Tomato, Chamomile, Thistle or Sage OR Schaefer Yarn Laurel in Sedum OR Kona Bay Cotton in Red, Olive or Light Blue

Bombay Love

Lets say it together… awwwww…  how cute!  And no, this is not an indication of me knowing the sex of the baby.  Yes, I’m hoping for a girl, but we still have no idea.  I figure I can make it, satisfy myself on the cuteness, and if I don’t have a girl, I know there are couple of twin girls that will be born just before my baby arrives.  (Yes, Itchy, you may be the owner of this cutenss!)  Draw Back:  It is CROCHET!  Nothing against it at all, but it will be my third FULL CROCHET items!  Could be an interesting experience, for sure!

OK.  There you have it.  Let the voting begin!  Please don’t be shy and cast your vote in the comments section!!!!  Yes, Sheryl, you can vote too! :)  I’ll tally the vote on Friday 7/24 around dinner time!

Dec 28

mmm… PORK!

Yes.  Yet again, this knitting blog is going to talk about food.  You see, I started this blog with the intention of talking about everything, hence the name Cafe Eclectic.  Instead of Knitting Cafe of some sort.  But when I first started, I didn’t know what to put on a blog, so all I talk about is knitting.  But now I think it is finally got to the point of where I want it to be.

So on to the food…

img_0112

I forgot to take a picture of the whole roast, but I follow Giada’s Pancetta Wrapped Pork Roast with Herbed Polenta.

I didn’t have pancetta, so I used bacon instead.  The roast I had didn’t need as much of chicken stock as it called for, and it cooked longer – about 1.5 hours.  I think it all depends on the size of the roast.  The result is a tender, juicy roast.  And the polenta is the perfect compliment to this dinner.  Although I think white rice would do as well, since there were lots of yummy pan juices left on the bottom of the pan.

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So I joined the Hot Cocoa Swap #2.  If you missed it last time and would like to join this year, hurry over and sign up since they are only taking the first 100 participants!  I had a great time with this swap last year and highly recommended!

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Lastly, I’m almost done with my new sweater.  Although I’m getting worried on the yardage I have left.  The pattern said 9 skeins, but I already used 10!  And that’s all I got!  I’m crossing my fingers on the yardage.  Hopefully I’ll finish the sleeves today to get a judgement on that.

Apr 9

Rusted Root and Some More

First, I want to say “THANK YOU” to all who commented on my MoonDance. I really enjoy knitting it. And the more I look at it, the prettier it gets! And if you are on Ravelry, and you like my MoonDance, would you please “heart” it?

The reason I was asking is because recently, I got this message in my Ravelry message box:

Request to use your photo: DSC01862
We’d like to feature your photo on the page for Pink Frosting by Elissa Sugishita

So if you are on Ravelry, and you search for Pink Frosting, MY Pink Frosting is the picture you are looking at!!!!!!! And currently there is no other picture listed for MoonDance besides the designer’s original picture! So if you like it, “heart” it!!!

Now, without further ado:

Pattern – Rusted Root by Sarah and Rachel from Zephyr Style
Yarn Called For – 3 skeins of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Sedona Red
Yarn Used – 4.5 balls of Kona Bay Cotton n Red
Needles – KnitPicks Harmony size 6 for body and size 4 for edging
Gauge – 5 sts per inch
Knit – March 31, 2008 to April 7, 2008
Modifications – I added increases towards the bottom of the tee to shape it even further.

This is a super fast knit, although the lace part is a little confusing because there is no chart, and it’s not a even chart even when I made one. Though that should not discourage you to try to knit this tee. Another thing I would do different is to use a different cast on (I saw on Ravelry a lot of people did tubular cast on) so I don’t have to pick up the edges later to finish it, although it really isn’t hard. I wish there was more puff on the sleeves as you can tell it really isn’t obvious.

Obviously I have to start something, and I decided to do another lace:

That’s Kiri in Schaefer Andrea. So far, the yarn is to dye for! And the construction of the Kiri is really interesting. I’m thinking of doing a tutorial in case of people not understanding what the instruction meant.

So I joined 2klace in Ravelry awhile ago. It means that 50% of my work for 2008 has to be lace. And so far, Here is the list:

Irish Hiking Scarf
Honeycomb Socks
Cocoa Swap Piggy
Red Sox Socks
Square #1
Jacobean Socks
Undulating Waves Scarf Swatches (lace)
Wedding MoonDance (lace)
Rusted Root (lace)
Kiri – WIP (lace)
SotS WIP (lace)
Aspen Top Down Sweater

There are total of 12 items so far, and only 5 are lace and two are WIP!!!!! So I better go catch up! And you there, you should go heart my MoonDance ;)

Dec 16

Ice Storm and Knitting

Can I be ANYMORE lazy today?

The answer is NO.

I mean, I am still in my PJ!!!

But, I passed my Continue Ed test for my insurance license, I FINALLY blocked Diamond Spires Shawl, and I whipped up Baby Cable Rib Neckwarmer/Headband in under 2 hours! Take a look:

Pattern – Diamond Spires Shawl by Anne Davenport
Yarn Used – 2.5 skeins of Judith in Jane Addams
Needles – Denise size 6
Gauge – N/A
Knit – November 17, 2007 to November 29, 2007
Blocked – December 16, 2007
Modifications – None

This was pretty easy to memorize once I created a chart for the diamond pattern. I find reading charts are much easier for me than the written pattern.

Pattern – Baby Cable Rib Neckwarmer/Headband by Kerry Moorhouse
Yarn Used – 1 skeins of GGH Aspen in #19
Needles – Harmony size 9
Hook – Boyd size I
Gauge – N/A
Knit – December 16, 2007
Modifications – I used crochet cast off instead of a regular cast off

I will be getting some buttons tomorrow during lunch so this is ready to be shipped.

And I started Aspen Top Down Sweater from Knitting Classic Style by Veronik Avery. I am using the yarn called for, and I think this is the first time I used the yarn the patterns calls for for a sweater! I only have the first three rows done, but it is quite interesting as everything is done twisted!

Oh, and I should mention that I made a killer beef stew today – definitely a perfect meal for the weather we have here tonight. And my secret ingredient – Apple Cider. It is something I made up but it is so good! Maybe I’ll put up the recipe if anyone out there is interested.

And lastly, Patriots won :) Totally a perfect day today. Now without changing, I’ll be rolling back to bed. Night.

Aug 20

Autumn Rose Pullover

I went to two Barnes and Noble today to look for Interweave Felt (I had gift card money that I can used at BN, otherwise I wouldn’t even go there in the first place!) and both stores don’t have them. I was all disappointed until I came home to this:

My Autumn Rose Pullover Kit!

I ordered it from Two Swans Yarns and I had a great experience from there, and Karen, the owner, is extremely friendly and responsive. I was originally gonna order from Camilla Valley Farm but they were way slow in response time.

Look at the pretty sweater!

And after leafing through the pattern book, I already decided that I want to make this:

I can’t wait to get started! But I have to finish my dad’s vest first… GO VEST GO!
Aug 10

In Love with Autumn Rose

Yes. I’m in love. Autumn Rose Pullover, published in Simply Shetland 4, is a new design by Eunny Jang, the newest editor for Interweave Knits. The book just came out and Sneaksleep and I had decided that a knitalong is needed for this beautiful design. So let me present you:

In Love with Autumn Rose

Now go and tell all your friends about it!

ps. Mick is sick and in the Doggie ER :( The doc is keeping him overnight for observation. We are pretty sure he is gonna be okay, but it’s just not the same without him home.