Episode 19

Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

Something Red Sweater

My First Knit Chicken

Blue Sky Alpaca Organic Dyed Cotton

Featherweight Cardigan

Suri Elegance

Ethnic Knitting Exploration: Lithuania, Iceland, and Ireland

Audrey's Lithuanian Fingerless Mitts

Ellen on Ravelry

NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

The winner of the Knit Chicken supplies from Dancing Ewe Yarns is

Hopalong

!

Congratulations!!!!

Announcement

:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

has extended the special discount offer for the Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton for the month of June as well.

You will recieve 20% on the entire selection of Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton

and free shipping for all orders that include this yarn.

This offer is exclusive to the NeverNotKnitting podcast listeners and blog readers for the rest of May and all of June.

In order to receive your discount, click on the

Dancing Ewe link

and in the checkout process enter in the special code " NNK1 "

Click

HERE

to download the MP3

RED.

Here is my "Something Red" sweater in the works. I started it not too long ago and am making fine progress.

Since this picture was taken, I have divided for the sleeves and am now knitting my way down the body.

Its going great! I cant wait to wear this one. It's all soft and cottony and ... red.
I think that every woman needs a good red cardigan in their lives. It's such a boost to an outfit.

For me red is the new green and you'll be seeing lots of knitted red projects popping up shortly.

But for now.. I'm just loving my Something Red Sweater and this delicious red yarn.

Presenting.... a new knitted chicken friend.

This little stuffed chicken is so sweet. It is so soft and squishy.

This is knit from the pattern Knit Chickens by Susan B. Anderson, using
Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Dyed Cotton.

I wanted this chicken to be, in the words of my daughter the "Mama Chicken" so I excluded the tail feather instructions and included eyelashes for a more "feminine" look.

I just love how it turned out! And as you can see, my daughter agrees!

But truth be told. I'm afraid "Mama Chicken" might be a little lonely.

She needs a "Daddy Chicken" in her life.

Announcing the completion of my new design project! The Spring Garden Tee!

I just love it! It is so feminine and girly!

Here are some more shots of it that wouldn't fit into my photo collage.

What I strive to offer with all of the patterns that I put up is a nice size range. Just like the Watermelon pattern and also the Playful Stripes pattern, the Spring Garden Tee is sized from 3 months- size 6. Just perfect for daughters or granddaughters of different ages.

Also this pattern, like the others, offers simple construction. The Spring Garden Tee is worked in one piece from the top down with no seaming whatsoever! I think that the instructions are easy to understand and this project works up fast. This top could easily be knit up in only one weeks time!

Nice Sleeve Closeup

Here is some more pattern information for those who are interested in knitting this design:



SIZE
3 months [6mos, 9mos, 12mos, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] (shown in size 2)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest: 17 [18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25] inches (0 inches of positive ease)

Length: approx 10 [10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16] inches after blocking

MATERIALS
Rowan Calmer [80% Cotton. 20% Polyester Fibre; 175 yd/160m per 50g skein; color: #482; 2 [2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3] skeins or approx 270 [285, 300, 315, 330, 350, 370, 390, 420] yds of any dk weight yarn.


1# 16” US #6/4mm circular needle for smaller sizes
1# 24” US #6/4mm circular needle for larger sizes
1# 16” US #5/3.75mm circular needle for neck and sleeve edging.


(You may need to use US #5/3.75mm double pointed needles for smaller sizes).
2 pieces of scrap yarn to serve as stitch holders
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers

GAUGE
24 sts/36 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch on size 6 needles

I love how this pattern takes no more than 3 skeins of Rowan Calmer to knit! Rowan Calmer is one of my new favorite yarns. Its so soft and springy and easy to work with. The softness of the cotton blend is ideal for sensitive baby skin.

I hope that you enjoy knitting this pattern as much as I did! Remember that if you ever have any questions or problems with any of the patterns that I offer, I am always here to help.

Please also email me if you are a yarn shop owner and are interested in carrying this or any of the NeverNotKnitting patterns. Contact me at nevernotknitting@gmail.com for wholesale pricing information.

This pattern is now available in French. Click here to purchase the translated pattern!

Episode 18

Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

Sienna Cardigan

Knit Chickens Pattern

My Knit Chicken in progress

Something Red Sweater

Knit and Tonic

The Spring Garden Tee

Rowan Calmer-My New Favorite!

Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Dyed Cotton

Eyelet Cardigan

Tomato

Flair

Baby Bolero

Baby Bobbi Bear

One Fish Two Fish

Barbara on Ravelry

The Murphys Law Felted Clogs

NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

*Dont forget to enter this episodes drawing!

For the month of May,

Dancing Ewe Yarns

is offering a special discount of 20% on the entire selection of Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton

and free shipping for all orders that include this yarn.

This offer is exclusive to the Nevernotknitting podcast listeners and blog readers.

In order to receive your discount, click on the

Dancing Ewe link

and in the checkout process enter in the special code " NNK1 "

Click

HERE

to download the MP3

Ever since I was young I wanted to someday have a daughter of my own. While I was pregnant I was of course desperately hoping my child would be healthy but also secretly hoping whatever was in there was female.

Well I got one of those things. A sweet baby girl. With loads of health problems.

Now my baby is three years old (and doing fine healthwise) and I have to say having a girl is so much fun. Especially knitting for one!

That's why I cant help but turn out little girl designs. She inspires me all of the time to create new feminine little things. Over the past week or so I have been feverishly knitting this new design.

"The Spring Garden Tee"

To me this design concept and color reminds me of "all things little girl."

Flowers, cupcakes, tea parties, etc.

It's finally done and I've sent it off to the Tech Editor. It will be available for purchase shortly.

Just like all of my other recent designs, it will be sized from 3 months-size 6.

This is a fun little project. It takes hardly any yarn, (the size 2 took less than 2 balls of Rowan Calmer) and it is knit in one piece from the top down.

I love the fluttery lacy cap sleeves. They are so reminiscent of springtime flowers.

I cant wait to try it on my daughter.

Has everyone seen this adorable Knit Chickens pattern by Susan B. Anderson?

The first time I saw it pop up on Ravelry, I fell in love.

I knew that some funky brightly colored chickens needed to have a place in my daughters knitted toy collection.

So recently I started the first chicken. This will be the "Mama chicken".

(I have a whole family planned here.)

Here is a "strange-in progress-What the heck IS that thing-picture" for you.

I worked on it some more last night. I realized that the poor little chickens head was cockeyed

and off center from its chicken body so I had to rip out and redo.

Such a pain. But now it looks correct.

I was so intently knitting this chicken last night that when I looked up at the clock it was 2 AM!

Its crazy what chicken knitting will do to a person!

Wow. Its done. I can't believe I wasted 4 months thinking that this Sienna Cardigan was not going to turn out right. It looked so small before it was blocked and seamed. I was convinced that it was going to turn out toddler sized. But no! Isn't it wierd? It totally fits!

This project has really taught me that you just don't know until you finish something.

Blocking really does amazing things.

Look I can even button it up!

So. Wierd.

I am really pleased with how this sweater turned out, especially since I wasn't expecting anything from it. Really.. as I was washing it I was writing out a tragic blog post in my head.. this was going to be the project that failed.

But I truly love it!

Here are the modifications I made to the pattern.

The pattern originally called for a bulky weight yarn. I wanted a smaller fit so I knit it up with Zara Plus (from the stash) which is an aran weight. It turned out being around a 32-34" size instead of a 36".

I also made mine longer. I did an extra repeat or two of the cable pattern.

Also I did something stupid. Well. Its not really a stupid concept. I just carried it out stupidly.

This pattern originally is a straight up and down sweater, no shaping in the body. I've found that super straight fitted sweaters can ride up as you wear them and not lay right. Since this fact was concerning me. I added waist shaping. Well. Alot of waist shaping. I went a little overboard and shaped this sweater for a model with extremely curvy proportions.

So it fits me kind of strangely. Wierd puckering on the sides.

(I tried to hide it for the pictures.)

Wont do that again.

Thank you to everyone who commented on my last knitting post.

It was so great to get everyone's opinions about which pattern to choose for my silk yarn.

I thought that I had made my mind up. Last night I was quite certain that I was going to knit the tank. Then I saw this picture.. and I started feeling conflicted once again.

So I guess you'll just have to wait and see which one I choose when the time comes.

Thank you again though for all of the great input and suggestions. Funny stuff.

Meanwhile. I have 2 green sleeves now.

I just have to attach them to this... and well.. Ill have another green sweater to add to the wardrobe.

Because we all know that I don't have enough of those.

It feels so good finishing this.

Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

Sienna Cardigan

Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light

Lana D'oro

Debbie Bliss Como

Knit Picks Swish Worsted

Rowan Kid Classic

Rowan Scottish Tweed Aran

Rowan Calmer-My New Favorite!

Stephanie on Ravelry

The Problem Shawl

Victorian Lace Today

Blue Moon Fiber Arts Silk Thread

NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

The winner of Episode 16's Rowan Summer Tweed drawing was

Lumie

! Congratulations!

She won 5 skeins of Summer Tweed from Dancing Ewe!

For those of you who didn't win.... Dont worry! The sale is still on for Rowan Summer Tweed!

Dancing Ewe Yarns

is offering a special discount of 20% on the entire selection

and free shipping for all orders that include this yarn.

This offer is only valid for the month of April and is exclusive to the Nevernotknitting podcast listeners and blog readers.

In order to receive your discount, click on the

Dancing Ewe link

and in the checkout process enter in the special code " NNK1 "

Click

HERE

to download the MP3

If you also listen to my podcast, you'll know that I went to Stitches West this year. At this Stitches convention a slight lapse in sanity occurred and I ended up leaving with this alarming amount of Debbie Bliss Pure Silk.

Um... yes 1,370 yards to be exact.

Since the weather has been warming up a bit, I've been thinking of this mountain of silk more and more and have been wanting to knit a summery top from it all. I feel like I should use this yarn first before my other stashed silk. I feel guilty about buying all of it and I feel like if I use it up really quickly it will somehow make this impulse purchase "ok".

Here are the two tops that I really like from the Debbie Bliss Magazine Fall/Winter issue of 2008. They both are made up in Pure Silk and I have enough yarn to make one of them, not both. I cant decide which one to make.

The bolero is definitely more my style but maybe not very functional. It looks as though it needs a nice button or closure on the front. Without something holding it together it looks like it could be a bit baggy around the bustline. Not a super flattering look. I love the stitch patterning though! It looks like its really fun to knit

The tank might be more functional.

What do you think? Which project would suit this color of Pure Silk more?

Today we went to the beach and I thought it was an awesome opportunity to photograph Liesl.

I loved making this pattern. It was such a simple quick knit! And the end result is so cute...

A nice, feminine, springtime sweater.

The great thing about the Liesl pattern is that there are so many variations and options available to make the sweater your own.

I chose the wide neckline-full-length-longer sleeved-buttoned version with no picot trim. I love it. Well. I love it mostly. I kind of regret not making longer sleeves. I think that a few more inches would have been a bit more flattering. Oh well. I don't feel like ripping anything out, I'll just deal with it.

The buttons I picked out were shell buttons, perfect for the look I had in mind.

The Rowan Summer Tweed also gives this sweater the springtime quality I was hoping for.

To me this sweater just looks beachy.

I think that Liesl translates nicely with a casual jeans and tee shirt look or like this over a summer dress. I know I will get lots of use out of it this season!

Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

Liesl

Ysolda Teague

Liesl Ravelry Projects

Rowan Summer Tweed

Giselle Top

Kim Hargreaves Patterns for Rowan Summer Tweed

Summer Tweed Ravelry Projects

Bianca's Jacket

Sunrise Circle Jacket

ZKnits on Ravelry

Knit Obsession Podcast

Nevernotknitting Ravelry Group

*Dont forget to enter this episodes drawing!

If you are interested in trying out Rowan Summer Tweed, the yarn I used for my Liesl sweater,

Dancing Ewe Yarns

is offering a special discount of 20% on the entire selection of

Rowan Summer Tweed and free shipping for all orders that include this yarn.

This offer is only valid for the month of April and is exclusive to the Nevernotknitting podcast listeners and blog readers.

In order to receive your discount, click on the

Dancing Ewe link

and in the checkout process enter in the special code " NNK1 "

Click

here

to download the MP3

Liesl is finished! I will be posting modeled shots of it this weekend.

Let's just pretend I didn't make another green sweater, ok? Do I have a problem or what?

Is there a green sweater addiction group available?

This project went soo fast. It could easily be knit in only a couple of days! It also only took 4 skeins of Rowan Summer Tweed. I will be reviewing this yarn in Episode 16 of the NeverNotKnitting podcast, which will be airing later on tonight.

It was a fun fast knit. I'm looking forward to wearing it!

Liesl

by Ysolda Teague

Up at Stitches West a few weeks ago, I indulged in some button buying.

I am not sure what I will use these little rooster buttons for. But I just had to get them.

They are so cute.

Don't you think they would be adorable paired with a little red toddler sweater?

Hmmm... the design wheels are turning..

Also, I brought my long lost Sienna Cardigan along for some button matching.

I came across these buttons almost immediately and they fit great.

Ok. Now I have no excuse. I really need to finish this project up!

Its amazing what the right button can do for a finished piece.

Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

Stitches West

Stash and Burn Podcast

Tess' Designer Yarns

Lisa Souza Yarns

Brooks Farm

Tactile Fiber Arts

The Prettiest Yarn That Ever Was

Debbie Bliss Pure Silk

My Forecast

O-wool Classic

Ruth's Mosaic Yoke Jacket

Minder's Owls

Dana's Almeara Gloves

Round the Corner Hoodie

Whisper Cardigan

Diminishing Rib Cardigan

Brenda on Ravelry

Brenda's Blog

The Top From 1987

The NeverNotKnitting Theme Song

NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

If you are interested in trying out O-wool Classic, the yarn I used for my Forecast sweater,

Dancing Ewe Yarns

is offering a special discount of 20% on all O-wool Classic and free shipping for all orders that include this yarn.

This offer is only valid for the month of March and is exclusive to the Nevernotknitting podcast listeners and blog readers.

In order to receive your discount, click on the

Dancing Ewe link

and in the checkout process enter in the special code " NNK1 "

The winner of last episode's prize drawing was

Deborah

! Congratulations!

She won 5 skeins of O-wool from Dancing Ewe Yarns!

Click

here

to download the MP3

Its finished and it fits! Kinda.

I like it. It fits much better than I thought it would but really I should have knit the 36" size rather than 32". Then it would button comfortably. I can button this thing with one button keeping it closed, but as for the rest. Forget about it. They are just sewn on for decoration.

But its not all that bad. I think that Forecast looks kind of cute as a fitted cardi.

I love the cable and bobble pattern. I find that it adds interest while not being too overwhelming.

One of the modifications I made was that I worked 3 st bobbles instead of 5 st. So the bobbles are smaller and not so uh.. bobbly.

I also made 3/4 length sleeves instead of the full sleeve. I thought the 3/4 length would suit the style more since I knew it would be on the small side.

The funny part is that this yarn, O-wool Classic, blocks out very well so my 3/4 sleeves grew to be full length after blocking. I kind of have to scrunch them up my arm a bit to get them to be 3/4 length again. I am so grateful for blocking. Aside from the sleeve issue, blocking did such wonders for this garment! Like a previous commenter brought out, "Blocking fixes everything!"

I ended up using only 4 skeins of O-wool Classic with yarn to spare making this a very economical knit. I also love how the O-wool feels after washing. It bloomed and softened wonderfully while still maintaining crisp stitch definition. This was a fun project and it went relatively fast.

And.. Its such a cool design! Where could I ever buy a sweater like this in this color?

That's the great thing about knitting.

Well. My Forecast sweater is definitely coming along.
Its squishy, textury, fun to knit.. I really think I'm going to love this sweater!

This last week I picked out some buttons that I really like, even though I will never use them...

Um yea... I am quite certain that this sweater might be a little small on me. I never know what size to choose!!! I fall between the small (32") and medium(36") size on this sweater. I measure somewhere around a 34 and it seems that every time I try to knit a 36 inch size it looks boxy and baggy. So lately Ive been leaning towards 32" sweaters and it has turned out well. My Lush and Lacy Cardigan and Cap-Sleeved Eyelet Top are both good examples of this. But this one is a little bit too snug. My gauge might also be to blame. I don't know.

Sometimes I knit tighter than my swatch.

Its a little disappointing but I'll be fine. I still haven't blocked it yet which might loosen things up, and if all else fails I can just wear it open with just one button keeping it together. I tend to wear all of my sweaters that way anyways. And there is also crash dieting, which is a last resort of course.

In case you are wondering. I am not ripping out and reknitting. No way.

So the body is all knit and I am just working on the sleeves now. I love the bobbly panel going down the sleeve. Its so cute!

Looks as though I won't even need a 5th skein to complete this sweater. I only have a sleeve and a 1/2 left to knit and I still have this much left on my 4th skein of O-wool Classic.

Think I'll make it?

I don't know if you've noticed but I've taken up a new hobby.

One that I enjoy almost as much as knitting. Photo taking and photo editing!!

Introducing my new obsession: Photo Collage.

I cant stop. Really. I've tried.

So here are pictures of the new sweater I'm working on. In a collage format of course.

I love this sweater project! It has really been a joy to knit. Its worked up in one piece from the top down and has these fun bobbly panels on the fronts, back and sleeves. The pattern is called "Forecast" and can be found here.

I love all of the textural changes. Its a really cute, unique design. I can visualize this as being a really fun garment. Funky and different. Especially in this color, right?

The yarn that I chose to work with is O-wool Classic in Saffron. I own nothing in this color so it will be a welcome addition to my wardrobe. I was attracted to this color right away. Its cozy or something...

The yarn is a slightly thicker gauge than the Cascade yarn that this pattern calls for, so this sweater is more structural, kind of jacket-like, which I almost like better. It suits the style in my opinion.

(Listen to Episode 14 for a review of O-wool.)

Yesterday I was really sick so I just sat around and worked on this sweater. I made some serious progress so I should have this thing finished up shortly. I cant wait to wear it!