knitting – Page 12 – Elliebelly Knit & Dye Works

Knitted Swatch Complete. Gauge Perfect. Oh Joy!

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Joyce Makes Art

I am a good person. I will surely go to heaven when I die. For I have swatched. I have swatched and gotten gauge. Not only did I knit the full number of stitches called for, surrounded by a garter stitch border, I blocked my swatch after it was complete. Yes, surely I will go to heaven.

Even if I don't make it to heaven, I have high hopes that Ellie's fall sweater (the Tiny Tea Leaves Cardigan, knit in Madeline Tosh's Vintage Merino) will fit because my gauge is perfect. It's perfect after blocking. And this must be a good omen from the knitting gods that all is well.

I am fascinated by this yarn. I don't think anyone does single color variations as well as Madeline Tosh. I adore her yarns. This one is a superwash merino, and it has an odd texture, almost coarse but not unpleasant. The surprise came when I washed my swatch and it softened up nicely into something you would want to rub against your face. Hopefully I'll get to spend some time with Tiny Tea Leaves this week. I can't wait to get started, now that the swatching is done.

Enough (Knitted) Ruffles for Ellie

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Joyce Makes Art

Ellie kindly agreed to model the finished "Enough Ruffles for Joyce" scarf so you all could see her new short hair. And of course, I couldn't resist playing with Photoshop just a wee bit.

The scarf is, of course, still all blue.

I'm incredibly happy with the way it turned out. The cashmere is fantastic, the color just right, the pattern, as promised, enough without being too much.

I am as happy with the scarf with the tails worn long and hanging down as I am with it wrapped double around.

And, the scarf even appears to have magical powers. It knocked Ellie straight out asleep when she put it on after arduously playing the role of model for me.

Another Reason Knitting Is Good For Your Soul

Posted on June 12, 2011 by Joyce Makes Art

Knitting is good for your soul. Anyone who knits can tell you that.

And here is yet more proof for that proposition.

This lovely yarn is being sent to some wonderful knitters who sent money, generous amounts of money, to the Red Cross to support tornado recovery. To thank them for their thoughtfulness, they are receiving some of the newest Elliebelly colorways. Starting at the left side with the paintbrush colorway and moving clockwise, they include Good Day, Gulf Shores, P. Campbell, Kaleidoscope (not new, but oh so much fun for me to dye again!), Grapevine, and Steampunk.

Knitters always seem to be involved in helping others, and it's particularly gratifying to see this small amount of yarn turn into help for people who are trying to restart their lives. Thank you knitters!

Knitting A Scarf: Just Enough Ruffles

Posted on May 29, 2011 by Joyce Makes Art

I started Just Enough Ruffles yesterday. Laura Chau is a genius pattern writer, using short rows to curve the scarf inward and on toward the ruffled edge.

Having read the pattern carefully, though, I'm inclined to think that it was mis-named. It probably needs to be called Too Many Ruffles. I've just discovered that I'm going to be increasing three times in each stitch for a total of 600 stitches across the ruffled edge. 600. Really?

Although I am not looking forward to that cast off, the cashmere is soft and dreamy and the robin's egg blue color is very nice. Possibly my only real complaint about this one is that at least for now, I'm going to have to crank the air conditioning if I want to wear it. This scarf is going to have to wait for much cooler weather!

Seaming the Shrug

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Joyce Makes Art

This is definitely the fun part. Knitting done, finishing commenced.

I have sewn up the side seams and did a quick try on before picking up stitches around the opening so I can knit the body of the sweater.

Sadly, the sizing appears to be just perfect for my Mom. I had been secretly harboring hopes it would be too big for her and I would have to gracefully step in to spare her from the horror of it, but, sadly, no. It should be just right for her.

Next to pick up a bunch of stitches and knit some ribbing. I'm hoping to finish it in time for her to wear for her grandson's graduation.

Just Enough Ruffles Scarf

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Joyce Makes Art

I am going to knit this

Using this yarn, a soft, heavenly, robins egg blue worsted weight cashmere.

I am very happy about it. So are my kids.

Don't you just love a yarn everyone can get excited about?

Ellie’s Laar

Posted on March 12, 2011 by Joyce Makes Art

I'm knitting a summer sweater called Laar for Ellie. I'm using the pattern yarn, a Zephyr silk-wool blend.

My swatch was, miraculously, dead on gauge.

Then I started casting on: a knitted on cast on, cast on 5 and cast off 2, for some 200 plus stitches. Yes, this will make a beautiful picot edging at the bottom of the sweater, but I'm afraid it may also leave me blind. And, the yarn likes to split. Casting on alone may be a long term project. I wonder if Laar will be worth it?