Moving right along here, the pattern begins at the bottom center of the back.  Increases along the way form the back into a “V” shape with vertical ribbing on either side (very flattering, I am thinking).  Toward the top of the back, there is some shaping for the armholes.

Next, I got to pick up stitches along each side of the back to begin the sides.  I was glad for this part, because the back didn’t have a challenge in it at all.  It was dead easy.  Easy for me, as the newest knitter of the Fiddlehead Yarns staff/family.  I mean, an expert like Anneliese could knit this one up while performing an organic chemistry lab and writing her thesis.  Come to think of it, this is a perfect project for those knitters among us who are afraid to tackle something other than a hat/scarf accessory.  This one is quick and easy, and I promise that it will get you over the hump of fear that is preventing you from sweater-knitting.  Below is a picture of the back with the picked up stitches growing into one side of the vest.

Since the sides are picked up along the way, there are no pieces to sew together at the end (But Judy, I am with you.  I like seaming…it’s like putting together a puzzle.)  The interesting thing about the Malabrigo Twist Vest is that it is hard to visualize as I am knitting it.  I like that it is taking shape as I go into a bit of a surprise.

Next week, the drapey collar that can be wrapped around the wearer or flung back with a little sass. Until then, ciao.

Hello, Lori here.  It is May, and I have a sweater vest for you. It is the Malabrigo Twist Vest, and the pattern is in Malabrigo’s Book 3.  I have been looking at this vest and thinking about knitting it for awhile.  It is a little bit funky-fun and can be worn nearly year-round.  It is meant to be loose, and I decided to knit the size 38.  I am using Malabrigo Twist, but while knitting this, I came to the conclusing that the pattern is versitile enough to be knit up in a variety of fibers.  I think it would be great in cotton, for example.  Because of the loose fit, I would definitely consider knitting it up is a slightly lighter weight (true worsted, for examaple) and just go up a size or two.

Excited to begin the project, I neglected to take pictures until well in to the pattern.  So, for now, I will leave you with a picture of my project with one of my favorite knitting partners.  More next week!

It is time to wrap up Wrentham. Because the sweater is knit in pieces, there is a bit of finishing work to do. I know some people detest sewing knitted projects up, but I find it sort of magical. There are six pieces of knitting that get sewn together and poof! A sweater. Maybe not poof, but pretty quickly.

I use a lot of pins. This insures that the pieces will go together before the sewing is started.

As the sweater was blocking, my daughter asked who it was for. “I like it!” She even agreed to model it for the blog. Wrentham has found an owner. High praise indeed.

Wrentham is a sweater with miles of stockinette stitch. Mindless knittng is great sometimes, but often boredom overtakes and projects are abandoned. In order to avoid this, I count rows. Yes, I count every row knit on the back, fronts and sleeves. I do this for two reasons. First, the boredom factor. It is easy to get to the second sleeve or front and run out of steam. Knitting can be stretched, so the work can easily be smothed down and have an extra 1/2 or more added. If you do this, you can have two different length sleeves, or one front longer than the back. Wrentham has side shaping, so it is important to have the back and fronts the same so the shaping matches.
The second reason I count rows is so I can play games with myself. After knitting the back, I know how many rows I need for the fronts. Ten more rows and I will be half way to the armhole. Then, I will get up and switch the laundry. Five more rows and I start the increases. Then I will dust. I can also estimate how much longer the project will take. “I can knit ten rows in one hour”. I need forty rows. If I knit two hours a night, I can be done on Friday night.” This game helps to get the second sleeve, sock or mitten done. Whatever it takes!

It is April, so it is time for a Spring sweater. Yes, I know. It has felt like Spring since January and it looks like May outside with all the blooms. The cotton Spring/Summer yarns are calling.

A few weeks ago, the pattern for Wrentham landed in my inbox. It is a free pattern from Berroco. http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/wrentham/wrentham.html
Berroco has a mailing list that sends a weekly email with free patterns, knitting tips and updates on new yarns. The Berroco site is also a wealth of patterns. It is worth subscribing to the newsletter. When the email came showing Wrentham, I knew I wanted to knit it. It said Spring. It is a simple, quick to knit cardigan with short sleeves and very wearable. It is knit in Berroco Remix, a great heavy worsted weight yarn. It is a mixture of cotton, nylon, silk, linen and acrylic and has a tweed effect. The sweater is simple, but will have some interest because of the yarn.

Off I go to cast on. Hopefully the 90 degree weather will hold off for a while and my Spring sweater can be worn in the Spring time.

Around and around, the sleeves are complete. The pattern called for a simple staggering cross pattern, fairly simple enough and easy to just pick up and knit without dragging the pattern along. The pattern also has them knit at about 3/4 length. Although a cute design, I have knit this sweater for warmth and decided to lengthen them. With the sleeves behind me, I’m almost done!

Blocking is one of the most satisfying parts of knitting for me. A nice warm soak in the washtub with just a drop of Eucalan allows the wool fibers to relax, fill in the spots of uneven tension and take on the professional and finished look. I usually let things soak for about an hour or until the water has cooled.

With a nice day for blocking, the process is happening outside! I am using a Woolie Board for this one, although not necessary, to hang and allow the breeze to run through it and dry the fibers.

Finished!
Snow Sky is now hanging in the shop! Stop by and see it. We have patterns in stock along with the lovely Jamieson’s 2 ply in all sorts of colors. …and hurry, the 10% discount on all your materials is good until the end of March.

Thank you for reading along and let me know if you cast on. I would love to see it!

Watch for Judy in this spot next week!

Happy Knitting!

The wonderful thing about shetland yarn is it’s sticky characteristc. Dropped stitches stop dead in their tracks. Steeks, for those braves ones, need no reinforcement. Cut and knit away. Although I trust the yarn, I feel a bit safer using the crocheted steek method. Using a hook, single crochet up one side of the center steek and back down the other side.

So with the steek secured, the arm holes are carefully cut open!

Steeking is one of those things that once you try it, the anxiousness is gone and you’re ready to do it again. Interested? Find an old sweater or run to the thrift shop and try it on that. No need to knit up a whole sweater to give it a try!

I am only cutting one armhole open at a time. No need to cut them both open and have one flopping around as you work the other sleeve. Picking up stitches with a smaller needle works well for me, knitting the next round with the correct needle size.

Working the sleeves are always a trick for me. At first, the hole is big enough to work on a 16″ circular needle. The problem is that my gauge becomes much tighter on smaller circumferences. Working on 2 circulars or one long needle is a possibility but not my favorite way to go. Instead, I will knit on 1 size larger 16″ needle.

Decreases are to be done every 6th round. The sleeve, as written is to be 3/4 length. Pretty, but not practical for me so I’m going to continue on and knit it to the wrists.