theraineysisters knitting and so much more

January 29, 2016

From Susan — Man, that was close!!

Filed under: Updates — lv2knit @ 11:43 am

At knitting last night, Ellie (a favorite and long-time knitting peep) shared her latest FO…and the yarn she had left over when it was finished.  One little, inch-long nerd of yarn!  We absolutely roared!  I am sure the other patrons wondered what the heck was so funny, and none of them would get the kick out of it that we did!  She even had to cut off the tail from the cast on to weave through the last sts.  Way to maximize your yarn utilization, Ellie!!


Have you ever gotten a bee in your bonnet about making something, even if the logic is not necessarily there?  I do this often.  A toy, a hat, a doily, etc.  This time around it is a poncho.  I am obsessed with ‘obtaining’ a poncho.  I bought a woolen blanket so I could fashion my own poncho…FAIL.  I have started several poncho patterns…FAIL.

One of my knitting peeps made the Margo Poncho, and it is absolutely darling on her cute, petite self.  So I thought I would give it a whirl because I am so cute and petite!  🙂

This is supposed to be a throw-away project mind you!  I do not want to spend a lot of money or time on it.  I just want my damn poncho!!

I bought some Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool on sale for $8 a skein (465 yds/8 oz, color Oatmeal) for one of my failed poncho attempts.  It is actually pretty nice yarn.

Fishermen’s Wool is supposed to knit up at 16 sts/4 inches, but I think it would look better at 20 sts/4 inches.  The Margo is knit at 14 sts/4 inches.  I wanted to knit it at that gauge so it would go faster!

I knew I had a thin cashmere yarn tucked away in my stash…for many years.  Plus, it was old when I got it – my dad’s mother died, and I inherited anything I wanted from her knitting supplies.  I have enough (fingers crossed!) to hold it with the Lion Brand, making the gauge exactly 14 sts/4 inches.  Yay!!

I am liking the results!!  The Aarlan Cashmere label shows a date of 1973.  Even though it is at least 40 years old, it is in nice condition.  Ravelry lists Aarlan Cashmere, but the composition is 60% wool, 40% cashmere, whereas mine is 75% cashmere to 25% wool.

I started on Wednesday and have about 11 inches done.  Hubby is leaving this afternoon until tomorrow night.  I hope to do a ‘Netflix and Knit’ binge and really make some progress!!

PS (January 30) — Progress made!

The front is done and the back started.  The color in the top picture is closer to the real thing.

PS2 — 2/2/2016 The back is done!  Just need to do the ribbing along the sides.  I should be able to get that done tonight.

12 Comments »

  1. That combination is fabulous! Well done – and I hope the cashmere holds out.

    Comment by Mike — January 29, 2016 @ 7:25 pm

  2. This is really lovely – I love the stitch pattern. How great that you can use that yarn you’ve had in your stash. Looks like it’s going to be perfect.

    I’m looking forward to in-progress pictures. Thanks for sharing this with us,

    Comment by Barb R. — January 29, 2016 @ 9:20 pm

  3. Nice! I like the tweedy color effect and I’ll bet it is nice and soft. A bit of cashmere is always good, especially old cashmere from stash. Like finding $20 on the sidewalk
    Julie in San Diego

    Comment by Julie — January 30, 2016 @ 4:20 am

  4. In general I don’t like ponchos, but this is a very upscale looking poncho, more like a sweater! I like it, and I think it will be a very useful piece for extra warmth. I am looking forward to the finished piece. I may have to join you in your quest for a poncho. Fisherman’s wool is pretty nice for what it is, as are some other cheaper yarns. I love this stranded with the cashmere.

    Comment by Becky — January 30, 2016 @ 11:45 am

  5. What is it about ponchos these days? I too really want one and seem to frog each attempt. I had one as a child and loved it. I guess I’ll just have to persevere and try again. I love that you are finding a use for 40 year old yarn. The marled affect is lovely.

    Comment by Ann — January 30, 2016 @ 12:19 pm

  6. Also longing for a poncho. Started and frogged six (that’s right, SIX) total failures in the past two months. Everything that could possibly go wrong with a knitting project surfaced in all of them.

    Still longing for a poncho, but am currently on a hiatus because I want to start over with a carefree heart and a clear mind not haunted by past dashed hopes and expectations.

    Your Margo is really beautiful so far.

    Re Lion Brand Fisherman, have run across two patterns using it at a 14 stitches per 4 inches gauge (and it wasn’t doubled!). Made me wonder if there once was a different Lion Brand Fisherman yarn, because the current one is clearly a 20 stitches per 4 inches weight yarn (it works up best at that gauge, IMO).

    Good yarn call on your part.

    Comment by PurrlGurrl — January 30, 2016 @ 8:53 pm

  7. How did you get this far so fast! Mine is in a chunky Berroco Vintage and I only have about 13 inches so far. I, too, had 2 days to myself this weekend. Seems I used the time to dust, wash clothes and prepare lessons for the coming week ….and knit! There is no timeline for me….. except maybe the warming weather. Love the effect of your 2 yarns. The cashmere really softens the whole fabric! Gorgeous, but would we expect less from our favorite knitting Guru?

    Comment by Kathy W. — January 31, 2016 @ 9:59 pm

  8. Beautiful. Love the color. I’m also poncho obsessed. Seems like so many out here are wearing them. I’m making the Madagascar Poncho with a big floppy collar and I’ll add cuffs rather than the slits. So far, so good. Making this one for my daughter but may have to make one for myself, too. Like the idea of using Fisherman’s (not for my daughter…has to be wash, dry and wear for her but may be perfect for me when I visit CT and OH).

    Comment by Sherri — February 1, 2016 @ 11:07 am

  9. Thanks for the knitting update – it’s really pretty. I love the stitch pattern. your yarn choice seems to be working out beautifully.

    Comment by Barb r. — February 1, 2016 @ 10:16 pm

  10. Oh you are speedy – can’t wait to see your finished poncho! Best wishes!!

    Comment by Barb R. — February 2, 2016 @ 9:50 pm

  11. Now, it would have never have occurred to me to combine yarns to get a “larger” yarn. Thank you for a little education.

    Comment by Mimi — February 6, 2016 @ 3:33 pm

  12. Oh, Ellie, my laugh for the day! Next time you visit, I will de-stash some of my stash!

    Comment by Kathy Filkins — February 11, 2016 @ 12:33 am

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