The Yarniad

Swatches

2012-01-27T11:43:00.000-08:00

In my time as a knitter, I have compiled quite the collection of swatches. Part of it is that I just can't get myself to throw away anything that I could ever use for a craft-related purpose. Another part is that saving swatches helps me remember how certain stitch patterns look in certain yarns with certain needles. And yet another is that looking at them is like going back in time -- feeling a swatch brings back so many memories of the time when I was knitting it. Sometimes I can even remember what I was watching or listening to at the time.

I've arrived at the point where my swatches can barely be contained by the box I've assigned to hold them and I'm wondering what to do. Sew them together into a blanket? Put them in a folder and make a little history book? Have any of you ever done anything interesting with your old swatches?

Peppermint Candy Cowl

2012-01-20T14:30:00.000-08:00

The Peppermint Candy Cowl is something I whipped up in about a night and a half to go with my mom's brand new running jacket. It uses just 1 skein of Malabrigo Chunky (plus about 32 yards of the same for the contrast color), US 13 needles, and a couple of episodes of your favorite podcast or tv program, and you're done! The stitch pattern is called "Swedish Weave", is from Barbara Walker's Treasury of Knitting Patterns, and involves flipping your contrast yarn from front to back while you're knitting to create those little woven pops of color.

The semi-solid nature of the pink Malabrigo made things interesting -- I got varying shades of pink in each little piece that popped up. I think it would be really neat to try this out with a heavily variegated yarn on a solid background.

This was such an fun and quick little knit that I've written up the pattern, which you can find below.

(Oh, and I have this odd habit of associating Malabrigo with various kinds of food...this particular combo reminded me of the peppermint taffy my family always gets at Christmastime, which is just as squishy and yummy as the yarn.)

Yarn: Malabrigo Chunky (100% Merino wool, 104 yards/95 meters per 100 grams/3.53 ounces) - 1 skein in Natural (MC) and 32 yards/29 meters of Cactus Flower (CC)
Needles: US 13 (9mm) circular needle
Gauge: 10 sts per 4"/10cm
Finished size: 24"/61cm circumference at bottom, 21.25"/54cm circumference at top; 10.5"/27cm high

Abbreviations:
BO - bind off
CC - contrast color
CO - cast on
EOR - end of round
k - knit
k2tog - knit 2 sts together
MC - main color
p - purl
RS - right side
st(s) - stitch(es)

Pattern:
Note: This cowl is knit with the RS facing, then turned inside out once you're done.

With MC, CO 61 sts and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist sts, and placing EOR marker.
K 1 round.
P 1 round.
Repeat last 2 rounds 2 more times.

Next, get out your CC and begin Swedish Weave. This stitch pattern does not actually require knitting with the CC; rather, you will flip it from front to back as you knit with the MC, thus weaving it through the knit fabric. To start, place your CC yarn in between the last st of the last round and the first st of the next round, with the yarn end on the inside of your knitting.

Round 1: *With CC in front, k1 with MC; move CC to back, k1 with MC, then move CC to front again. Rep from * to last st, k1 with MC with CC in front, move CC to back.

Round 2 is worked the same way, but offset by 1 st from the previous row so the weaving is staggered: *With CC in back, k1 with MC; move CC to front, k1 with MC, then move CC to back again. Rep from * to last st, k1 with MC with CC in back, move CC to front.

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until piece measures 6.75"/17cm from your cast on edge, ending with Round 2.

Next round, decrease: Work first 11 sts in Swedish Weave as before, k2tog with CC in back, k2tog with CC in front, work 31 sts in Swedish Weave, k2tog with CC in front, k2tog with CC in back, work last 11 sts in Swedish Weave - 57 sts.

Work 3 rounds in Swedish Weave, beginning and ending with Round 2.

Next round, decrease again: Work first 11 sts in Swedish Weave, k2tog with CC in back, k2tog with CC in front, work 27 sts in Swedish Weave, k2tog with CC in front, k2tog with CC in back, work last 11 sts in Swedish Weave - 53 sts.

Beginning with Round 2, work in Swedish Weave until piece measures 9"/23cm from cast on edge.

P 1 round.
K 1 round.
Rep last 2 rounds 1 time.
P 1 round.

BO all sts knitwise.

Weave in all ends, turn cowl inside out, and enjoy!

Alternately, if you like the look of the right side...

...feel free to wear that way!

Suzy's Artsy-Craftsy Sitcom

2012-01-19T22:28:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to let you know about an interview I did over at Suzy's Arsty-Craftsy Sitcom on Tuesday. If you find yourself lacking reading material and for whatever reason don't happen to be knitting, you can take a look here. (And find out my really embarrassing celebrity crush.)

Well, hello there!

2012-01-16T17:00:00.000-08:00

Ack, has it really been a month? I know I haven't been the best blogger over the past year, but I was really trying to be better. I've even had things to say and posts mostly composed in my head and pictures uploaded to the computer. But then that thing happened where I waited too long and felt like my re-entry post had to be something really, really epic to make up for the serious lack of posting, and then for each day that went by I felt the post had to be that much more amazing...that's a lot of pressure for something that's supposed to be an informal knitting blog. So here I am again, and unfortunately this post is not going to be amazing. There won't even be pictures of knitting in it. But I had to start somewhere, and that somewhere will be a little recap of what's been going on since the 18th of December.

1. Christmas
Well, Christmas was insane. We had a wonderful time with my family, but my the way we do things was exhausting with a baby. See, both of my parents are from the same area where I grew up and most of both families are still there, too, so we spend both Christmas Eve and Christmas day with both sides. I just counted -- we had no fewer than eight separate events, in two towns a half hour apart, over the two days. How Daniel napped at all is beyond me. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved seeing so much family and introducing them to the little guy. But it was a lot.

But Daniel was a trooper and looked pretty cute doing it.

Hide the keys.

Why yes, we did get almost-matching jammies from Santa. Neill got some too, which I am not allowed to share on the internet. But oh how I wish I could.

Daniel loves any and all modes of transportation.

2. Secret Publication Knitting
Through it all, and also adding to the radio silence, I had two publication pieces to knit and write patterns for by the beginning of January. And then after sending off the second one, I was so bummed to see it go that I had to knit myself another one. That's a whole month's worth of knitting that I'm not allowed to show anyone.

3. New Website!
You may notice that The Yarniad has undergone a complete makeover. My amazing, fantastic, dear friend, Brenda, has been doing the design work and I am in love. The site is allllmost done, and it makes me so happy every time I look at it. I've been doing a lot of digital organizing, too, so there is now a dedicated patterns page, projects page, FAQ area, etc. This is something I've been wanting to do for awhile and it's been really fun carrying it out.

4. New Logo!
Do you see my new Yarniad logo?! Brenda did that, too. The cirle-y bit is an abstract yarn ball that also echoes the ceiling of the Pantheon...I think it looks like an atomic symbol, too, which pays homage to my sciencey day job. I love Brenda!

5. Flickr Group
What else? Ah! In all the website-excitement, I also created a Flickr group where you can add photos of things you've knit from Yarniad patterns. The images feed right to the sidebar here. Come join and show off your work!

6. Citron Licenses and Pattern Copies
After being contacted several times by folks who either would like to sell finished Citrons, include copies of the pattern in yarn kits, etc., I am now offering a home business license ($30 for unlimited, all-you-can-knit access) as well as a wholesale pdf of the pattern ($2 a pop). I hope to put both up on the site for instant-downloadability soon, but for now, please e-mail if you're interested!

7. Colds and Various Ickiness
Since it got "cold", either Daniel or I has been sick at least every other week. Neill somewhat less frequently. I thought breastfeeding was supposed to give him an unstoppable immune system! I guess the only thing unstoppable is the petri dish that is his daycare classroom.

8. Downton Abbey
It's amazing, right?

9. Etc.
I've said this several times, but I will be getting back into a (more) regular blogging groove and getting this post up was half the battle. Thanks for stopping by -- I appreciate everyone who has ever read a single post here more than I'll ever be able to say. I hope you're having a great 2012 so far, and hope to see you again here very soon!

Patternum Novum: Felted Sweater Stocking

2011-12-18T15:50:00.000-08:00

After posting about Daniel's Christmas Stocking last week, a few of you asked if I was going to write it up as a pattern. Your wish is my command! Here it is -- the Felted Sweater Stocking. As a Christmas gift to knitblogland, I've priced this pattern quite low (good until the end of January), but don't let the low price fool you. $2 still gets you photos, charts and written directions for the cables, and a fully tech edited pattern.

I know Christmas is only a week away, but it's still possible to whip one of these up in time to hang on your mantle!

$2 (from now through January 31) via Ravelry (no account needed)

Finished measurements
Before Felting:
Width: 9”/23cm
Length to bottom of heel: 21.75”/55cm
Length from bottom of heel to tip of toe: 13”/33cm

After Felting:
Width: 6.75”/17cm
Length to bottom of heel: 19”/48cm
Length from bottom of heel to tip of toe: 10”/25.5cm

Materials
390 yards of an aran to bulky weight 100% wool
Shown in Fingerlakes Woolen Mill 3-Ply Soft Wool (100% Wool, 210yds/113g)
US 10 (6.0 mm) needles preferred for working a small-ish circumference in the round (e.g. 16”, long enough to do Magic Loop, or dpns)
Cable needle
2 stitch markers

Technical editing by Chris Church.

Patterna Nova: Double Knit Three - Dots, Spots & Arrows

2011-12-16T09:22:00.000-08:00

As alluded to last week, I've put together a little trio of cowl patterns, all double knit, all reversible, and all using less than 200 yards each of two different colored yarns. Introducing, the Double Knit Three:

Dots...

Spots...

and Arrows.

$5.50 for the collection of three via Ravelry (no account needed)

Finished measurements
Circumference: 22.25”/ 56.5 cm
Dots & Arrows Height: 8.5”/ 21.5 cm
Spots Height: 7.5”/ 19 cm

Yarn requirements
(MC) 175 yds/160 m of DK or light worsted weight wool
(CC) 150 yds/140 m of DK or light worsted weight wool

Shown in
Dots: (MC) Knit Picks Capra (85% Cashmere, 15% Merino, 123 yds/112 m per 50g), 2 balls in Black; (CC) Knit Picks Swish DK Bare (100% Merino, 246 yds/224 m per 100g), 1 hank
Spots: (MC) Knit Picks Swish DK (100% Merino, 123 yds/112 m per 50g), 2 balls in Eggplant; Knit Picks Capra, 2 balls in Fairy Tale
Arrows: (MC) Knit Picks Swish DK, 2 balls in Dove Heather; Knit Picks Capra, 2 balls in Honey

Gauge
18 sts & 25 rows = 4"/10 cm in Double Knit Stockinette st
21 sts & 26 rows = 4”/10 cm in Stockinette st
on US 5 (3.75mm) circular needles

The Double Knit Three is a trio of cowls done up in fun prints that add a splash to any ensemble: polka dots for whimsical flair, leopard print for when you’re feeling spicy, and a Southwestern-inspired geometrical pattern for more refined days. Because they are worked in the Double Knitting technique, they are reversible, thus doubling your Double Knit fun.

The pdf includes a brief introduction to the Double Knitting technique and patterns for all three cowls, with written directions and full colorwork charts. Each cowl uses 170 yards of a main color and 150 yards of contrast, so they work up pretty quickly and are a great way to use up extra yarn you have around. And it's not too late to add one of them to your holiday gift knitting list!

Six cowls in three. You can't go wrong with that!

Res Originalis: Daniel's Sorta Felted Christmas Stocking

2011-12-10T10:51:00.000-08:00

Before Daniel was born, I had all sorts of ideas about the things I wanted to make for him. Included in the Christmas category was a stocking -- intricate colorwork, fingering weight wool, a sight to behold. Well, I never got around to it, and now that the little guy is here and trying to crawl, we're mere weeks away from Christmas, and I have deadline knitting to work on, I unfortunately had to scrap those plans and go for something a bit quicker. So I got out the size 10 needles, some bulky wool and got to work.

Browsing through the December issue of Martha Stewart Living, I came across a pattern for some stockings cut from thrifted sweaters then felted. As a knitter, the idea of simply cutting up a sweater and sewing it together just didn't fly, but I loved the look of the stockings. So that's what I tried to recreate here.

It has a short row heel and all, but it definitely is more the style of a two-dimensional Christmas stocking rather than something one would wear on ones foot (note the sideways toe).

It's got Aran diamonds and bobbles and cables twisting both ways, and it looks exactly the same on the other side. It's felted -- sort of. I did it by hand and wanted the soft and subtly-felted look of something that had accidentally gone through the washer, so it's really not as felted as it could be. It's also HUGE. The stocking I grew up with, made by a second cousin when I was 1, is likewise ginormous and I always felt like Santa was more generous with me than with my little brother and his comparatively dinky stocking. (It's probably more likely that Santa wrapped my stocking stuffers in extra bulky material to take up more space, but little me doesn't need to know that.) I still love my big stocking and wanted to give Daniel something I could fill to the brim with little toys and candy and socks and (hopefully) oranges instead of onions and he can feel like Santa left more for him than his Uncle Alec.

Because that's what Christmas is about -- getting more presents than other people.

Coming Soon...

2011-12-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

Presto...

Chango...

Res Completa: Buzzbee

2011-12-06T10:30:00.000-08:00

After Melynda's sweet post about her baby's knits, I thought I'd revisit one of the little things I made for Daniel before he was born. I don't think I ever posted this one outside of Ravelry, but here is Buzzbee (from Wee Woolly Toppers) the first time I tried it on him:

I remember thinking when I took this picture that he would be teeny forever and there was no way he'd ever grow into this hat. Or, if he did, it was ages away. Yet somehow, in the past 8 months, this happened:

Also, somehow, as an 8 month old, our little rascal is much harder to photograph. LONG gone are the days of propping him up in a chair or posing him while he sleeps. After a series of unsuccessful attempts, I caught the above funny smile midway into a roll to the floor...

...after which he scooted right over to the filing cabinet we still have in his room (leftover from the room's previous life as an office), opened the bottom drawer, and started sorting my tax records.

And after which I had to put the camera down because he went after the fan behind him (a current favorite seems to be attempting to chew on electrical wires).

Anyhoo, this is a great little hat and I like how it turned out in the Swish DK. Nice and warm and squishy, and still washable after Daniel has made an afternoon snack of the chin ties. Now that the weather has cooled down, we're using Buzzbee on a daily basis during our walks. Here we are in action:

All Grown Up

2011-12-02T11:21:00.001-08:00

It gives me immense pleasure to tell you that I have purchased the domain "theyarniad.com". Feeds should have been automatically updated, so I don't think you need to do anything if you're already subscribed. And I don't know why, but I feel like removing the ".blogspot" part just made this blog a little more grown up. It feels so official!

Thanks for letting me geek out.

World AIDS Day

2011-12-01T08:23:00.000-08:00

In honor of World AIDS Day today, Steven A. is holding a pretty awesome contest/giveaway in order to raise money for the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, where every $40 donated allows someone to take a free, anonymous, safe HIV test. All you have to do is make a donation some time today and shoot an email over to Steven to be entered to win one of twenty-five prizes (including a set of patterns and some pretty yarn from The Yarniad). There's some amazing yarny goodness in there...so what are you waiting for? GO CHECK IT OUT!

Lomography, Part I

2011-11-16T09:30:00.000-08:00

After shooting primarily with a digital camera for several years, and especially after having one in my telephone at the ready for the past three, it feels kind of strange to be capturing photographs on real film again. The strategy is completely different. You have no idea what the finished photos will look like until you've finished the roll and get the film back a week and a half later (do 1-hour photo places even exist anymore?) so each image feels special and precious. At the same time, Lomographers* are urged to shoot anything and everything, any time, anywhere. The unpredictable nature of the cameras makes it silly to try to arrange a perfect shot; most of the time, the best images are the most unexpected.

The Diana was originally marketed as a cheapie plastic novelty camera to be used as door prizes, in giveaways, etc. But its imperfections can make for some really interesting photographs. I'm not quite there yet -- still figuring out how to best use the different settings (it's a little plastic camera, but has four focus points, two aperture settings, and two shutter speeds) -- and half of my first roll was underexposed, but it's sure fun trying!

Below some of my favorites from that first roll (film is redscale), shot in Folly Beach, SC around my birthday.

*Lomography is photography using cameras produced or inspired by LOMO, an optics manufacturer in Saint Petersburg.

Nine Rubies...a little late (as usual)

2011-11-15T18:00:00.000-08:00

Yes, it has been a week and a half since the Nine Rubies event, but I just wanted to say a quick thanks to the ladies (and a few dudes, too) who came to knit, chat, try on samples, and hang out the night of the 4th. And a HUGE thanks to Saloni, Sudha, and Christina of Nine Rubies for hosting such a fun event. It was a fantastic evening and so great to meet so many awesome people! A few photos to document the night...

Me, Blue Daisy, and Carrie of Irish Girlie Knits (the other Designer of the night -- if you happen not to have checked out her designs before, go do so posthaste! I got online and bought Summer Wind right when I got home.)

A very sweet knitter whose name I've unfortunately forgotten (Helena?) with Second Citron.

Susan (hi, Susan!) and Peponi.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, a certain someone was being very dramatic for his father during dinnertime...then wouldn't go to bed until I got home. Ah, well...a mama's got to get out every once in awhile!

Tanis Fiber Arts Year in Color

2011-11-11T11:08:00.000-08:00

I am quite excited to say that I'll be designing a project for the Tanis Fiber Arts Year in Color club this year along with some really fabulous designers. If you haven't yet checked out Tanis Fiber Arts, go, go right now!

Gorgeous, right? If you're interested in signing up for the 2012 Year in Color club, you can find out more here.

Nine Rubies Event

2011-11-04T10:17:00.001-07:00

First of all, Daniel would like to thank you for all the sweet comments about his costume. He was very flattered.

Secondly, if you're in the Bay Area with nothin' to do tonight, please come on over to the Nine Rubies Local Designers' Night at 5pm. Hang out, pet some yarn, and munch on free sweets! Nine Rubies is located at...

28 E. 3rd Ave., #100
San Mateo, CA 94401

Hope to see you there, and even if not, have a great weekend!

Size Matters Not

2011-10-31T08:16:00.000-07:00

Felted hat pattern here. Yoda robe improvised.

Happy Halloween!

Patternum Novum: Jenica Pullover

2011-10-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

Photo Copyright Interweave

The Winter 2011 issue of Knitscene is out and there, on page 20, is my own contribution, the Jenica Pullover. Jenica is knit from the top down in one piece with a body shaped with darts, a big, gypsy ruffle, and a plunging back -- high drama, let me tell you.

And speaking of high drama...I knit this sweater only a couple of weeks after coming home from the hospital with Daniel. The upside was that he was pretty much sleeping all day so I had plenty of down time in which to knit. The downside was my massive case of baby brain. I put a tremendous amount of faith into a gauge swatch that just didn't seem right and, completely in denial until the end, I knit the entire sweater (sans ruffle) before realizing it was practically to my knees. No amount of blocking was going to fix this particular problem so unraveling we went and, somehow, I was able to finish on time. I still don't know how.

Jenica comes in five sizes, to fit 32.75 (37, 40.75, 45, 48.75)" bust, and calls for Shibui Knits Baby Alpaca DK and Shibui Knits Silk Cloud held together (maybe the most heavenly yarn combo ever). You can see more photos and get more information on the Knitscene website here.

And even if Jenica isn't your cup of tea, I still recommend checking out this issue. There are some stunning projects from great designers in there and I am honored to be alongside them.

Local Designers Night at Nine Rubies!

2011-10-26T07:28:00.000-07:00

Wow, where to even begin?! I've been back at work for a little over a month and, unfortunately, only seem to be getting more tired as time goes on instead of getting used to it. We are lucky to have a great little sleeper so it's not like I'm getting up in the middle of the night to feed Daniel, but somehow I myself have lost the ability to sleep later than about 6am, even on days I really need it. Does this ever come back? I suppose I could try to go to bed at 8pm, but I'm not convinced I'd actually fall asleep. Plus, that's when I get to knit! (And, um, watch all those trashy reality tv shows I've become addicted to since they are all my tired mama brain can handle.)

But quite a bit has been going on in my knitting and crafting life and I feel like I have a big backlog of posts and things to tell you all. Let's hope I can get them all out before they become completely irrelevant!

So first things first. Who's planning on going to Interweave Knitting Lab in San Mateo next weekend? I'm bummed not to be taking any classes, but my knitting gals and I will be roaming the marketplace floor on Saturday.

AND, on Friday night, Nine Rubies (a yarn shop and sponsor of the event) will be hosting a Local Designers' Night from 5-7pm. I'll be there along with Carrie Sullivan of Irish Girlie Knits, chatting and displaying our designs. If you're in the area, please come say hi! (Also, how cool does this exhibit look?)

See you there?

Patternum Novum: Keravnos Shawl

2011-10-08T09:11:00.000-07:00

Just before returning to work a couple of weeks ago (which, even though I'm only working part time now, has me wishing there were an extra, say, 6 hours in the day), I completed another collaborative project with Tess' Designer Yarns for their booth at Vogue Knitting Live. Introducing...

Keravnos - $6.00 via Ravelry (no account is needed)

Finished size: 46"/117cm wingspan, 22.5"/57cm height

Yarn requirements: 1 skein of Tess' Designer Yarns Kitten (65% Cashmere, 35% Silk, 325 yds/297m per 100g skein)

Needles: US 4 (3.5mm) circular needles, at least 24”/60cm in length

Gauge: 26 sts & 30 rows = 4"/10cm in Stockinette stitch; 17 sts & 23 rows = 4”/10cm in Zigzag Lace Trellis

Keravnos ("thunderbolt" in Greek) combines two stitch patterns: Zigzag Lace Trellis and Arrowhead Lace (both from Barbara Walker's Treasury of Stitch Patterns). Combined, they create a geometric, modern, and wearable piece.

Keravnos is knit from the top down and takes exactly 1 skein of Kitten (which, let's be honest, is the softest yarn I've ever felt). Instructions are included on how to enlarge the shawl, which is easily done if you have extra yarn you'd like to use up.

This is a great project for beginning lace knitters and is fun to knit! The lace patterns are uncomplicated and simple to memorize and the pattern includes charts and written directions for both.

It's not too early to start thinking about holiday knitting...Kervnos is a wearable one-skein project -- the perfect gift!

Cerus Yarn Substitutions

2011-09-24T09:15:00.000-07:00

One of the questions I receive most frequently is if I can recommend a good substitute yarn for Cerus, as the Rowan Tapestry I call for (and knit the original in) has sadly been discontinued. What I'd really like to do is test out some yarns myself and reknit a sample, but for lack of time, I thought I'd pick out a few of my favorites from Ravelry so you can see several different options. Unfortunately, nothing looks exactly like the Tapestry, but folks have done some really neat things that I hope you find inspiring! If you see something you like, I encourage you to look at the linked Ravelry project notes to see if the knitter cast on more/fewer stitches, used different needles, etc.

Phootsy used Plymouth Yarn Mushishi, a wool and silk blend. The long color changes and neutral tones remind me very much of the original Tapestry.

Chris used Noro Silk Garden , which I've been recommending to people quite a bit as a substitute though it will result in a slightly fuzzier scarf. I believe this may even come in a colorway very similar to the Tapestry I used.

Johanna used Noro Kureyon Sock, which is lighter weight than the Tapestry, and is just beautiful!

vogeltje used Noro Shirakaba (picked with help from Magpie Yarn) -- another great Noro option.

Italian Dish Knits used Lorna's Laces Honor -- I think this is lovely.

Maureen used Sirdar Eco Wool DK -- more nice, long color changes.

Ulli used Hedgehog Fibres Silk/Merino Singles, a slightly chunkier yarn, on US 10 needles.

Nicole used three different colors (two greens and a grey) of The Alpaca Yarn Co. Classic Alpaca for a different, but very cool, look.

And for a solid Cerus, I think the one Kam made with stash-staple Cascade 220 is fantastic.

I hope this helps!

Patternum Novum: Vest Amande

2011-09-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

As promised, the pattern for Amande, a uniquely constructed vest with pockets and a cabled racerback. In chunky wool this is a quick project, but it's not a mindless knit; there are plenty of fun techniques in there (with added instructions and links) to keep you on your toes.

Amande- $5.00 via Ravelry (no account is needed)

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL,4XL)

Finished Bust Measurements: 29 (32.75, 36.25, 40.25, 44.25, 49, 52.25, 56.5)”/ 73.5 (83, 92, 102, 112.5, 124.5, 132.5, 143.5) cm
Finished length from collar to hem: 24.25 (25, 25.75, 26, 26.5, 26.75, 27.25, 27.75)” / 61.5 (63.5, 65.5, 66, 67.5, 68, 69, 70.5) cm

Yarn Requirements: Cascade Yarns Ecological Wool (100% Wool; 478 yds / 437 m per 250g skein]; color: Black (8095); 1 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins or 465 (530, 595, 660, 725, 790, 850, 915) yds / 425 (485, 545, 605, 660, 720, 780, 835) m of a similar yarn

Needles: US 10 (6.0 mm) circular needles; 32-60” / 80-150 cm for the sleeves, 29-60” / 75-150 cm or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge: 15 sts and 21 rows = 4” / 10cm in Stockinette Stitch

The back and bits of the fronts are knit together to the underarms, after which they are split and worked separately to the top. Stitches are then picked up from one front and down the other and shaped with short rows.

Edges are finished with an applied i-cord that is worked as you go, which means the only thing you have to seam when you're done are the pocket linings.

A cool and casual vest, this is perfect for layering -- a must as the fall chill sets in.

XXXI

2011-09-19T18:15:00.000-07:00

Today I turned 31 years old and since I already received the best present ever back in March, I don't know that I'll ever view my own birthday in quite the same way.

Though I'm really digging my new cat-eye shades...

...as well as my new Diana Mini, which came as a complete surprise, and which I am very excited about. Lomography is something I've been wanting to check out for a few years. I keep catching myself describing it as "just like Hipstamatic, but analog", which is just a wee bit backwards...and what's crazy to me is that Daniel will probably grow up having no idea why. Anyway, I hope to find an easy way to share my non-digital photos with you all here. I've already taken, like, 50.

I am also pretty stoked on the 7 hours of completely uninterrupted sleep Daniel gave us last night, even after I stayed up too late. Crossing my fingers he'll repeat for a truly great birthday.

Call for Knitters!

2011-09-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

Click for Babies is a knitting movement aimed toward raising awareness of Shaken Baby Syndrome and they need our help!

Much too often, newborn babies are shaken and abused because their parents or others taking care of them get frustrated with their crying. And not to scare any potential future mamas out there, but the crying can be pretty tough. All you want is for your baby to be happy, but when he is still screaming his head off after you've tried everything in your power to soothe him, it's more than a little frustrating. Add to that the impaired judgment that comes with sleep deprivation, and you can almost see why people start doing awful things that wouldn't usually be in their nature. Daniel has been pretty good in this department so far, mostly crying due to things we've been able to fix, but he has certainly had his moments, especially in the evening. And what has helped me through these moments is knowing that 1. it is completely normal, 2. it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with me as a parent, and 3. it's a PHASE.

The folks at the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome have coined the phrase "Period of Purple Crying" to describe this difficult time. Check it out below (and click to embiggen)...

So here's where we come in: Click for Babies is trying to get the word out to all new parents in North America in the month of November about the Period of Purple Crying and is calling knitters to donate hand-knit (or hand-crocheted, if you swing that way) purple hats that will be donated, along with info and handouts, to those parents and their babes. You can read more details and find out where to send your purple hats here. They're hoping to get as many hats as possible by mid-October -- let's get clicking!

If you happen to have a few minutes...

2011-09-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

...and are interested, I had the pleasure of "appearing" in the Math4Knitters, Crafty Living podcast (show #88) this week. It was a ton of fun chatting with Lara and if you'd like to hear what we had to say, give a listen here.

(This being my very first podcast interview, I'm still working up the courage to listen to it myself...)

And the Winner is...

2011-09-03T08:11:00.000-07:00

The Random Number Generator has spoken, and Andrea has won a copy of 10 Secrets of the LaidBack Knitters!

Andrea, I believe I've found you on Ravelry, but if you don't get the comment I just sent, let me know here.

Thanks for playing, everyone!