A Knitting Fool

So, the weather didn’t hold and I haven’t finished the quilt from my last post.  There are really only a few days a year that are nice enough to sew outside, mainly because the wind is always an issue.  It’s hard to keep track of all of your pieces if the wind keep stealing them!  Something that is easier to do outside in almost any weather is knitting – and there has been a lot of that going on lately.  I know a lot of people say they don’t knit in the summer when it’s hot out, but I think it’s the perfect thing to take outside – you don’t have to worry about the wind,  you don’t have to lug an iron and ironing board, cutting tools, machine, etc.  I also get a lot of knitting done in the car.  In fact, I started this project on the way to quilt market in May.  That was about 34 hours in the car, which meant 34 hours of knitting time! (my hubby does all the driving, in case you were wondering).

It was a very easy knit, though I did have my lace pattern handy in case I got stuck.

The pattern is called  the Oriel Lace Cardigan.  Ravelry details can be found here, including a couple changes that I made to the pattern.  The button band was supposed to be picked up and added later.  I just did it as I went (it’s a top down pattern), which was much faster and it eliminated the waviness that the original button band had.

I also started this one in the car on the way to quilt market.

I was a bit nervous about this one, as I liked many of the design elements of the original pattern, but I wanted it to fit differently.  Here is a shot of the original pattern for the Dramatic Lace Cardigan by Sweater Babe:

I think it’s very pretty, but I knew that all the extra fabric hanging to the front would drive me crazy!  This type of design is so popular right now, but I have an easier time with things that button up in the front.  In this case, a shawl pin works pretty nicely.

I love the back of this design too – in fact, it is the reason that I decided that I had to make it!

I’m not sure that my yarn was the best choice for this pattern, but it has been in my stash for a while.   It’s the cotton jeans yarn by Rowan/RYC.  It has a subtle tweed to it that I really like, but I don’t think it is going to hold the blocking that well.  I feel like I am still in the learning process of choosing the right fiber for my knitting projects.  The rest of the details can be found here.

This next one is a super quick knit.  It took me just a couple nights to make it – seriously – it’s that quick!   I am probably one of the last people on Ravelry to make the Leisl Cardigan, but I happened to have just one skein of yarn left from this project.  It was just enough to make this small shrug.

I usually think shrugs are kinda cute from the front, but look too short in the back, so I’m not sure how much I will wear it.  It will probably be just perfect for a summer sweater though, as it won’t be too hot.

Despite my reservations, I just loved the color of this yarn, so I had to use up that last skein!  I really love the subtle color variation of hand-dyed yarns.

Ravelry details here.

I started this next project about three years ago.  At the time, I got bored with it and quit working on it.  I usually do things with more detail and that seems to keep me more entertained.  I also felt like the yarn was looking worn on the edges already, and I hadn’t even worn it yet.  I rediscovered it this summer and decided to quick finish it.

It was originally supposed to have long sleeves, so leaving them off is what allowed me “to quick finish it”.  (BTW, I have now found a nude colored tank to wear under it.)

Turns out I love this yarn!  I still think it is going to show some wear and tear, but it is sooooo soft and comfortable that I think I will love wearing it.  The yarn is Premiere by Classic Elite.

Ravelry details here.

 

One last project for today – it’s yet another red one. ( I promise my next knitting post won’t include any reds.)  This pattern is called Green Gable by Rachel Bishop, though I think I will have to call it Red Gable.   I used one of my favorite yarns, Hempathy by Elsebeth Lavold.  It’s a super sturdy yarn, though not nearly as soft as my last project.

I liked the pattern for several reasons.  I like anything that fits comfortably like a t-shirt.  I also like the raglan sleeves and the lace detailing by  the neck.

The pattern was supposed to have ribbing at the bottom, but I added the lace detailing instead.

This was a super quick project and the lace pattern was very easy.  I always have to have a project with mostly stockinette stitch at hand.  That way I always have something to pick up that doesn’t take too much concentration – so I can visit, watch a movie or baseball game, read etc and can do the project mostly by feel.  (I always have a harder project going too, for when I get bored with all the SS stitching.)

As you can see I have been a knitting fool lately.  I have three more projects that are almost done.  I’m almost ready to pull out my fall knitting, so that will slow me down considerably (sleeves, hoods, etc add lots of time to projects.)  So, I’m just wondering – Does anyone else turn into a knitting fool during the summer?