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.

Yes, it’s birthday time!  Surly is celebrating a birthday today.  I hope she remembers that I sent her an early gift!!

Surly has embarked on several exciting journeys this year, some planned and some unplanned.  She weathered them all.  On her bucket list was seeing polar bears and whales.

She took this picture on a recent adventure.  Stay young, little sister!!  And see you in a few weeks!

PS to Lois regarding the Roslin Hoodie.  Yes, there is an error on the size small hood.  After the increases, there should be a total of 93 sts, not 83.  Thanks for letting us know!

I am twisted both inside and out.  Everything is uncertain.  Animal Farm + 1984 + The Handmaid’s Tale = today in a nutshell.  What will our children say?  What did we do to stop it?  I have no answer.

But, speaking of children, my daughter has a birthday coming up so I knit her these: Entangled Boot Cuffs designed by Apiary Knits.  The pattern is not new, but was new to me.  They are knit in worsted weight yarn with several size options.  The pattern is very well-written and the cuffs can be worn in a variety of ways.

I lightly felted the cuffs as I thought they might be too big (should have either made a smaller size or used a smaller needle).  I will probably knit a pair for myself!!

PS to Ingrid: I’m sure Australians are much smarter than most Americans.

Unlike the title of this post, I personally am not “in the pink” right now.  I am reeling at the assault on our democracy and way of life.  All the safeguards, guardrails, checks and balances seem to have evaporated.  How can one man do so much damage in such a short amount of time?  I feel silly going about my daily life as if nothing has changed.  Everything has changed.

But, now onto knitting.  I just finished my second Inovec.  When I knit the first one, I hated it.  I almost threw it in the bin.  But, I kept going, finished it, and now love it!  The yarn called for (Noro Ito — ginormous 437 yds/200 grams balls) was on closeout for half off.  I bought three balls of a hot pink and orange colorway called Konan.  I love it!

The pictures don’t do it justice.  I will wear this alot!!

I saw this little project on Instagram and really liked it: Lacy Braid Cowl.  I am not a fan of dickies typically, but this seemed more cowl, less dickie!  The pattern is only available on the One_Row website, but I was able to link my project to Ravelry (a link to the pattern is provided on her Ravelry pattern page).

The yarn was a bit of a surprise (Jody Long Rovesoft, color Stone).  The label on the front said wool-alpaca blend but turn the label over and it was 45% acrylic!  For what I paid, it seemed way over priced.  Head to Webs to see if it is still half off.  It’s done, so nothing I can do about it now!!  I hope it is wearable!

PS to Pru:  It is very soft.  The only thing is the front wants to flip up a bit.

As soon as I saw Vest of Luck designed by Zaneteknits, I wanted to make it.  I thought it was really cute.  I did not like the styling, however.  I do not do tight or cropped, so I made some elemental changes to its silhouette.  I knit it longer, wider, and changed the armhole openings to be deeper like the popular Lulu Slipover that both Sally and I already made.

The yarn I used is Léttlopi in Black Heather, Rust Heather, and Apricot.  My gauge was a bit off, and I wanted the length, so I recharted the design to add rows.  That added width as well, which worked out fine.  I did some duplicate stitch just below the jewel neckline to add interest.  I really, really like this little vest!

Here you can see the motif I added to the neckline:

All in all, a success!!

PS to Anne: I’m sure you can make adjustments to the back width, but mine comes right to the shoulder line on me.  No over hang.  The little cap is done with short rows and can be eliminated of course, but I happen to like that detail so left it in.  Just do some measuring and math.

I made two of these in identical colors for my girls.  Same color, no drama!  Quick and fun to make: Easy Granny Christmas Bauble.

It is crocheted, but I suspect there are a few crocheters lurking out there!!

Tortured title, for sure!  My latest FO was a challenging, fun knit!  It is the Snowflake Vest, and it involved dreaded intarsia.  Ugh!

The yarn is Sandnes Garn Kos, a blown yarn.  I know you want to see the inside:

Dozens and dozens of ends.  But that is the price you pay for knitting intarsia.  🙂  I love it.  It’s cute and cozy and Christmasy.  I hope all of you are almost ready for the holidays, because the clock is ticking!!

PS to Lisa and others: Blown yarn is actually a knitted tube (like i-cord) that is filled with wool fluff.  Examples are Luft, Snefnug, and Cantata.  The theory is less pilling, but I’m not sure that’s always true.  It is nice to knit with, and joins well if you know how.  I’ve used this type of yarn on several projects.

PS2 to Pam: I was afraid someone would ask me that!  Basically, you use a tapestry needle to thread one end through the other for several inches.  It’s hard to describe the final step, but this Belfair project has pictures that kind of show what I do.