theraineysisters

April 13, 2010

From Susan — Just for Fun!

Filed under: Updates — lv2knit @ 10:07 am

As you may have noticed over the years, my knitting tends to the conservative, traditional, whatever boring word you want to choose! But I got inspired by this cute little sweater and decided to go wild! It is the Kaleidoscope Yoke by Kate Himmelberg in the book Simple Style.

The design calls for yarn that comes in both a multi-color version and coordinating solid. I chose a yarn that was heavier than called for, Mochi Plus Intense Rainbow and Intense Red:

Kaleidoscope Yoke by Kate Himmelberg

I knit a smaller size to get the larger size I needed. The VERY simple construction allows for size adaptation easily.

The yarn is soft and pretty, but did not knit up very smoothly/evenly. When knitting stockinette in the round, you should end up with very nice, even knitting. This was very rough looking and desperately in need of blocking. I wetblocked it and it grew to ginormous (sp?) proportions. H-U-G-E!!! Eeeeek!

So, I decided to do the unthinkable: I put it in the dryer! And it worked. It brought it down to the original size again. The rough knitting is still there but at least it fits!

There are two things I would have done differently: first, I would have knit the entire thing on a US 7 instead of an 8. I think the knitting would have looked much better. Secondly, I would have switched to the solid red earlier so the multi-colored section ended above the boobs instead of under — more like the picture. The color transition occurs right before you start the sleeves, which for most “larger” people or those who do not want tight armholes, means the stripes are under the bustline. Too late for me, but maybe not for you!

Also, I did do some sleeve shaping. The pattern has you pick up for the sleeves and just keep on knitting. They looked way too baggy for my taste. I ended the shaping a couple of inches above the wrist to get a little bit of flair.

Kaleidoscope Yoke by Kate Himmelberg

Overall Grade: B+
Yarn: A for color and softness, D for knitting quality
Pattern: Very easy and cute, with some changes
Fit: A (!)
Yarn Required: Multi = 6, Solid = 8
Needles: US 8 (should have used 7’s)

All in all, I am happy with this one — quick knit project (2 weeks).

Comments (14)

April 10, 2010

From Susan — It’s Ba-a-a–ck!

Filed under: Tea Leaves — lv2knit @ 12:39 pm

Here is another picture of my Tea Leaves, showing the buttons and the color a bit more accurately:

This picture shows detail from the back:

The color is nearly impossible to capture! I did make a small change to the ruching in the yoke: I added 2 rows of stockinette to the second line of ruching, and 4 to the third line. It seemed way too skimpy as written and would not have come down over the shoulders, which I liked. I also did a crocheted slip st through the cast on row to firm it up — I got carried away and cinched it up too much and may redo it.

Per custom, I took this FO to my Thursday knitting group — it looked great on Kim and great on Mary! The sleeves fit them perfectly which confirmed to me that they are ~2 inches too short. Will I go back and fix them? Not sure!

Comments (7)

April 7, 2010

From Sally — Spring into Fall

Filed under: Oak Leaf Cardigan — surly @ 12:16 pm

It’s beautiful in Washington, DC right now. We’ve had a run of gorgeous weather and my yard is in full bloom: cherry trees, daffodils, tulips, camellias, and more. For example:

Naturally, therefore, I’m working on a cardigan whose color and design screams fall, not spring. It’s the Creature Comforts Cardigan from Madelinetosh. The only link I could find is on Ravelry, so here are some photographs of how it is supposed to look for those of you who don’t belong.

I’m knitting mine out of Madelinetosh Worsted (now renamed Madelinetosh DK) in the color Toast. My gauge is therefore a bit lighter, so I’m knitting a larger size. It’s an easy knit — just a big rectangle that you then seam to create the shape. I started with a provisional cast on so that instead of seaming the ribbing, I’ll knit it all at the same time in the round when the sweater’s finished. It’s going slowly, but here’s where I am thus far. The color is very true in these photographs.

You couldn’t ask for more mindless knitting, and I think I’ll wear it to death when it’s finished. Or at least I will come fall.

ETA: Cindy asked: “The comments on Ravelry about this pattern sound like the pattern is full of mistakes. A couple people had to take the whole thing apart and gave up. I wonder if you found it to be difficult to follow.”

I believe that the pattern has been updated; the one I am using is labeled Version 2. I haven’t found any mistakes in the pattern I’m using. One caveat is that I have barely referred to the directions b/c the pattern to me was pretty straightforward. Moreover, I am using the chart for the leaf pattern, not the written directions. So there could be mistakes in those directions that I haven’t noticed; the chart is error free as far as I can tell.

PS from Susan: I am sick with jealousy over Sally’s beautiful flowers!! They are absolutely gorgeous. Last night our water heater died so I had to coif with ice cold water today… 🙁 That is all. 🙂

Comments (17)

April 5, 2010

From Susan — A Long Wait for a [boring] FO

Filed under: Tea Leaves — lv2knit @ 7:15 pm

Hope you had a great holiday. We spent a lovely day with my husband’s family. John’s dad is not doing very well and is currently in a nursing home. My FIL is one of my favorite people and it is hard to see him suffer. He was able to spend the afternoon at home, which we were all very happy about. He is frail and may not make it to the next holiday so it was special for everyone.

On a knitting note:
I realize that not every project can be a masterpiece. This one falls into the ‘non-masterpiece’ category. But, it is done and therefore deserves the recognition of a fait accomplis.

Here is my Tea Leaves Cardigan — nothing left to do but let the puppy dry and sew on the buttons.

Tea Leaves Cardigan in Madelinetosh Worsted, Color Kale

Overall Grade: C+
Yarn: C+ (hand-dyed yarns are lovely, but very annoying to work with…pooling, mismatched skeins, etc.)
Yarn Softness: A (it became VERY soft when I wet it for blocking — some would say, too soft 🙁 )
Pattern: B+ (the designer places the buttonholes on the left front, which I changed)
The Fit: ?? (it needs to dry); I think mine will look like it is too big

I was discouraged and almost gave up on this one, but somewhere along the line I decided to finish this as just something to wear — a nice, over-sized cardi that you can throw on to go to the store or walk the dog. I decided to put buttons along the entire buttonband (instead of just two at the top) and will perhaps put up another picture once they are actually on the sweater.

Comments (11)

April 2, 2010

From Both of Us: Happy Easter

Filed under: Updates — Both Sisters @ 8:10 pm

Easter peeps…

Knitters stand out in a crowd!

Our diorama is cute, but nothing like these! Hope you have a Happy Easter or special Passover with family and friends.

PS: GinkgoKnits is right — there is a knitter in the world famous Peep Show:

Comments (8)

March 28, 2010

From Susan — The Quest

Filed under: Updates — lv2knit @ 12:32 am

Haven’t we all set our sights on the holy grail at some point in our knitting lives (Lyra)? Adrienne Martini describes her journey in a new book called Sweater Quest: My Year of Knitting Dangerously…

I have not read it yet, but I do know a bit about the plot: She writes about knitting Mary Tudor from Alice Starmore’s classic, Tudor Roses [now out of print]:

The cover sweater IS Mary Tudor. Sally made this sweater years ago, but I could not find a picture of it here or on Ravelry…maybe she’ll add one (?). It’s fun to find out about knitting books that are not just about patterns!

ETA by Sally:

Yes, I knit Mary Tudor. It was, if I remember correctly, my second or third fair isle project. I still love it. Tudor Roses itself is one of my all-time favorite knitting books — beautiful projects, wonderful photography, and even some history. Here are a few not so wonderfully photographed pictures of my own Mary Tudor.

Comments (7)

March 25, 2010

From Susan — It’s Not Too Late…

Filed under: Updates — lv2knit @ 11:02 pm

…to add some whimsy to your Easter this year! I made these Easter-themed cuties last Christmas. Why? I have no idea! But, my great niece did not realize how weird it was to receive Easter eggs at Christmas and loved them.

Here are the chicks back in their eggs:

These are my rendition of the Egg-to-Bluebird pattern in Itty-Bitty Toys:

They take minimal amounts of worsted weight yarn (I used Cascade 220) and a small amount of stuffing. A friend of mine substituted a small amount of orange felt for the beak and it was super cute and a lot easier. I blocked the egg parts on plastic Easter eggs that are READILY available this time of year!

There is still time — and since I gave mine away, I may need to make one or two more for our Easter baskets.

PS: The first two commenters asked about the shawl on which the peeps are resting, so here is the information:

Pattern: Swallowtail by Evelyn Clark — yes, the pattern that almost everyone has made, including Surly just weeks ago!
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock in color Solis

Comments (4)

March 24, 2010

And the winners are . . .

Filed under: Back Story — Both Sisters @ 5:55 pm

First, thank you again for all of your kind comments. We truly appreciated hearing from all of you. And now, what you’ve all been waiting for — Nora, the envelope, please.

Well, actually, we didn’t use an envelope. Or even a hat. We used this:

In order to maintain a semblance of impartiality, the lovely Nora drew numbers (corresponding to post numbers with any duplicates removed).

The winner of Dancing Leaf Farm’s Bling Bling is post 145 aka Katie.

The winner of the Nora Cash Iroha is post 56 aka PA.

And, last but not least, the winner of the Green Mountain Spinnery Mountain Mohair is post 243 aka Carol.

Emails have been sent to the winners. Based on your enthusiastic response, we’re already dreaming up ideas for next year’s prizes.

Keep reading!

Comments (11)

From Susan — Wow

Filed under: Updates — lv2knit @ 7:41 am

I learned a valuable lesson these past couple of days:

1- if you want comments on your blog, offer prizes
2- if you need an ego boost, bribery really does work!

Thanks to everyone who commented! It was really fun to read your comments and very gratifying. I feel quite inspired!

Sally and Nora will be figuring out the official winners — all of our readers are winners, of course — and making the announcement later. Merci!!

Comments (6)

March 20, 2010

From Susan and Sally — Happy Bloggiversary to Us!!

Filed under: Updates — Both Sisters @ 12:09 pm

Yes, it has been four years already! Hard to believe! We have enjoyed sharing our knitting lives with you…and a small bit of our personal lives as well.

Here is an excerpt from our very first post:

Sally and I share many interests, but knitting is our passion. We decided to share a blog because, as I said to her, it’s like having a garage sale — I don’t have enough to do one of my own.

If you check in now and then, you will find that Sally and I knit about 75% of the same projects. Fortunately for Sally, she has to knit a lot less than me because she is 5’5″ and I am 5’11”. It is unfair, but cannot be helped.

Still true and still unfair!!

In honor of this very special occasion, we are going to have a contest…the prizes are YARN (surprise!). There are three fabulous prizes and all you need to do is leave a comment. Nora, Sally’s lovely daughter, is visiting her at the moment and will draw the winning names as an impartial observer.

How to Win:

1- leave a comment by Tuesday, March 23rd, 10 pm EST
2- have name randomly drawn by Nora
3- be contacted via email for mailing information

It’s as simple as that!

Fabulous Prizes:

Six skeins of Dancing Leaf Farm’s Bling Bling. Each skein weighs approximately 80 grams and contains 100 yards. (No fiber content listed on skein.)