theraineysisters knitting and so much more

Surly and I often are inspired to knit the same things.  Recently we fell in love with Old Compass Cowl, designed by Trin-Annelie.  The subtle colors and unusual styling called my name!!  The pattern had not yet dropped, but the kits were available directly from Holst Garn.  At the time, the kit cost $17.49.  Yes, you read that correctly.  $17.49.  With shipping, it was $32.  I just checked, and now it’s about $22.50.  The kit had enough yarn for two cowls, with the exception of the dark blue — one more skein would have been enough to knit the second!!

The yarn is strange — very thin with a dry, string-like texture.  It wasn’t unpleasant to knit with, but blocking really softened it up!

The following picture shows my jog correction.  Can’t see it?  That’s the point!! 😉  I get asked how I correct the jog.  It is a process!  Basically, I rechart the last repeat of the round.

While visiting Surly in Tucson, we went to a mercado and saw some really cute Old Compass necklaces.  We hadn’t made our cowls yet, but the necklaces were adorable.  Lo and behold, Surly sent me a necklace as an early birthday present!

It’s less than 3/4″ across!  I just love it!

PS to Anne: the designer did mention the spinning oils in the yarns and suggested starting the blocking process with a hot bath.  I did that and the water turned really murky.  Then I soaked it in tepid water per usual.  I don’t know if a double soak was necessary, but whatever I did really softened it up!

Another Slipover!!  I am in love with slipovers!  I think they are so wearable and practical.  I have made a few already and here is the latest.  The pattern is called Slipover.  Yep.  That’s the name.  It is difficult to search for on Ravelry because every slipover pops up.

I made a few changes to this bottom-up vest.  First, I split the hems longer than the pattern called for.  Then, when doing the decreases, I moved them a couple of sts so that the decrease line would mimic the ribbing:

On the last row of decreases (when you reach the final stitch count), I started the ribbing across both the front and the back.  I dropped the neckline a bit, too, because some people said it was too high.  I used my favorite knitters’ graph paper to draw out the revised shaping: ABC’s of Knitting Actual Size Graph Papers.  This graph paper can recreate ANY gauge!  Just be sure to print it actual size, not “fit to page.”

The yarn I used is Berroco Ultra Alpaca, color Avocado, 4 skeins.  It is really lovely yarn that I used for my Lulu Slipover last year!

I already have found other slipover patterns that I like.  I don’t know when this craze will let up…at least in MY queue!!

PS to Millie: I used 370 grams, not including any waste.  That’s the weight of my finished Slipover.

PPS to Kaye: Sorry to hear you have health issues, and I also love the versatility of the slipover!

That is not a typo!  I just finished up the Shetland Wool Week hat of 2025: Aal Ower Toorie.  Shameless self promotion: I would love it if you favorited my Aal Ower project!

When I saw this year’s toorie, I just jumped!  I love the retro vibe!  Or is it a harlequin vibe?  I’m not sure.

And almost all of my other SWW hats:

All are knit out of Shetland jumperweight wool from stash.

I also crocheted this Baby Hippo!  She is named Helly, my Innie Hippo (shameless reference to Severance :)).  I do have a thing for hippos!!  The yarn is Circulo Amigurumi Pelucia.