Maze Socks // Sarah Shepherd

PROJECT DETAILS

Status	FO
Started	4/26/2022
Completed	8/15/2022
Pattern Name	Maze Socks
Designer	Sarah Shepherd
Yarn	TBA
Needles	TBA

NOTES

A solid, colorwork pattern. The colors are perfect for the holidays.

Modifications

• CO 16 (Judy’s Magic Cast On)

• US 1, 2.25mm, two-at-a-time socks, magic loop

• Alternate between Increase rounds [M1R, M1L (both needles)] and Knit rows until 44 stitches (22 stitches each needle)

• This results in a decrease of 4 stitches each side of the Maze Pattern chart (8 stitches total)

RESOURCES

• SSP // Very Pink Knits // Youtube

• Tubular Bind Off in the Round // Knitting with Suzanne Bryan // Youtube

Final Thoughts

Next time, I will go down several needle sizes instead of adjusting the pattern.

Flax - Baby Sweater // Tin Can Knits [Free Pattern]

PROJECT DETAILS

Status	Finished
Started	8/8/2022
Completed	8/13/2022
Pattern Name	Flax
Designer	Tin Can Knits
Measurements	Baby Sized
Pattern Size	0-6 months
Yarn	Various: Spun Right Round // Juniper Moon (Moonshine)
Needles	US 6 (4 mm) // US 8 (5 mm) 40" Circular

NOTES

A small gift knit.

MODIFICATIONS

• Cast on 62 stitches versus 56 for wider collar

• Tubular cast on, 1x1 ribbing

• Decrease 2 stitches after 1x1 ribbing (1”); no increases for the body

• Color past collar: 5 rows yellow color; 5 rows white color; 5 rows purple color

RESOURCES

• No Holes For Sweater Sleeves // Suzanne Bryan // Youtube Tutorial

• Tubular Cast On (using knitting needle only) // Andrea Mowry // Youtube

• Tubular CO in the Round (1x1 Ribbing) // Knitting with Suzanne Bryan // Youtube

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, I forgot to snap pics of this one before I sent it off.

Tip Top Tank #2 // Maker Maker [Free Pattern]

PROJECT DETAILS

Status	FO
Started	6/8/2022
Completed	7/16/2022
Pattern Name	Tip Top Tank
Designer	Maker Maker
Size	M
My Measurements	Bust: 35" Waist: 27" Hips: 38.25"
Yarn	Galileo // Sport Weight Yarn // Knit Picks; 4 balls, 131 yds./50g, Color: Lunar (5623)
Needles	US 3 (3.25mm) // US 4 (3.5mm) 40" Circular

NOTES

This is my second Tip Top Tank, and I’m sure there will be more.

MODIFICATIONS

• 1x1 tubular cast on for both hems

  • Used Andrea Mowry’s Cast On

  • After Cast On, 1st Row: Purl, Slip 1 knit stitch (as if to purl); 2nd Row: Knit, Slip 1 purl stitch; Row 3: Purl, Slip 1 knit stitch (as if to purl); Row 4: Knit, Slip 1 purl stitch Be sure that the stitches (purl and knit) are not twisted on the needle. If they are knit, purl, or slip into back leg to untwist.

• Used a genius modification by Recreates (on Ravelry) to raise the back by 6 rows

• I also added some extra rows for the length.

RESOURCES

• Tubular Cast On (Flat) // Andrea Mowry // Youtube

• Tubular Cast On // Suzanne Bryan // Youtube

• Ravelry User Recreates’ Tip Top Tank Modification to the back

• Three Needle Bind Off:

  • Martha Lyons // Three Needle bind off for shoulders // Youtube

  • Three-Needle Bind Off (3NBO) Basics // Technique Tuesday // Youtube

  • Very Pink Knits // Youtube

Final Thoughts

Another lovely summer top. I look forward to wearing this top in 2023.

Vanilla Hand dyed, Handspun Socks

PROJECT DETAILS

Status	FO
Started	5/5/2022
Completed	6/25/2022
Pattern Name	Vanilla Handspun Socks
Designer	Me
Yarn	76 grams // Hand dyed, Handspun // Paradise Fibers Premium Sock Blend
Needles	US 1 // 2.25mm, 40" circular

NOTES

These are my first hand dyed, handspun socks. It was quite the process, but I must say that I feel very cosy when I am wearing these time intensive socks.

PATTERN NOTES {Vanilla Toe-Up Socks]

• CO 8 (Judy’s Magic Cast On)

• US 1, 2.25mm, two-at-a-time socks, magic loop

• Alternate between Increase rounds [M1R, M1L (both needles)] and Knit rows until 44 stitches (22 stitches each needle)

• Knit rows until foot reaches 7.5”

• Fleegle Heel (used the tutorials under resources)

• After heel rows, add increases to each needle (every other row) until there are 48 stitches (26 stitches each needle) — to best fit my ankle width

• Knit until I like the sock length (or to use up as much yarn as possible)

• Finish with a 1x1 rib and use tubular bind-off for stretchy rib finish

RESOURCES

• Fleegle Heel + Fleegle Heel No Holes

• SSP // Very Pink Knits // Youtube

• Tubular Bind Off in the Round // Knitting with Suzanne Bryan // Youtube

Final Thoughts

This is my go-to vanilla sock pattern. One change to consider, if I could do it again, I think I would add 4 more stitches after the heel to give a bit more room for the 1x1 rib or go up several sizes of knitting needles after the heel.

Tip Top Tank // Maker Maker [Free Pattern]

PROJECT DETAILS

Status	FO
Started	5/17/2022
Completed	5/25/2022
Pattern Name	Tip Top Tank
Designer	Maker Maker
Size	M
My Measurements	Bust: 35" Waist: 27" Hips: 38.25"
Yarn	Galileo // Sport Weight Yarn // Knit Picks; 4 balls, 131 yds./50g, Color: Calliope (T065)
Needles	US 3 (3.25mm) // US 4 (3.5mm) 40" Circular

NOTES

This was a breeze to knit. This is also my first “summer” knit garment. Summers in Anchorage, Alaska are pretty mild, so I can wear sweaters year round (especially on cooler summer nights). However, as soon as I saw this tank I knew that I would like to try to knit it.

MODIFICATIONS

• 1x1 tubular cast on for both hems

  • Used Andrea Mowry’s Cast On

  • After Cast On, 1st Row: Purl, Slip 1 knit stitch (as if to purl); 2nd Row: Knit, Slip 1 purl stitch; Row 3: Purl, Slip 1 knit stitch (as if to purl); Row 4: Knit, Slip 1 purl stitch Be sure that the stitches (purl and knit) are not twisted on the needle. If they are knit, purl, or slip into back leg to untwist.

• Used a genius modification by Recreates (on Ravelry) to raise the back by 6 rows

RESOURCES

• Tubular Cast On (Flat) // Andrea Mowry // Youtube

• Tubular Cast On // Suzanne Bryan // Youtube

• Ravelry User Recreates’ Tip Top Tank Modification to the back

• Three Needle Bind Off:

  • Martha Lyons // Three Needle bind off for shoulders // Youtube

  • Three-Needle Bind Off (3NBO) Basics // Technique Tuesday // Youtube

  • Very Pink Knits // Youtube

Final Thoughts

This pattern is one of the best. Free, fun, and a breeze to knit — I loved wearing it almost as much as I loved knitting it. Almost.

"Arata" Sweater // Jennifer Steingass

PROJECT DETAILS

Status	FO (finished object)
Started	3/13/2022
Completed	4/24/2022
Pattern Name	Arata
Designer	Jennifer Steingass
Yarn	Knit Picks Palette // Pennyroyal (MC), Lantana (CC1), Indigo Heather (CC2); 6 balls, 231 yds. each
Needles	US 2 (2.75mm), US 3 (3.25mm), US 4 (3.5mm), US 5 (3.75mm); 32" & 40" Circulars

NOTES

I originally was going to use 4 colors, but the 4th color that I purchased - Knit Picks Palette Hyacinth - was too close in value to Lantana. So, I decided to only use 3 colors. This also reduced the number of three color rows.

MODIFICATIONS

• 1x1 tubular cast off ribbing (sleeves & hem)

• Sleeves are 3/4 length, with no decreases and 1x1 tubular cast off

• Redid the neckline:

  • Cut off the neckline (and all of the short rows) and used US Size 1 (2.25mm) needles to cast on a row

  • Row 2: K5, K2tog around

  • Row 3: K8, K2tog around

  • Row 4: (switched to US 3 needles) Knit 4 German short rows

  • Row 5: Knit around

  • Row 6: cast off

RESOURCES

• Inv-L increase // Jennifer Steingass // Instagram (video)

• How To Knit: German Short Row // Brooklyn Tweed // Youtube

• Tubular CO in the Round (1x1 Ribbing) // Knitting with Suzanne Bryan // Youtube

Final Thoughts

I really like the colorwork; however, I’ve decided that from now on I will need to do a provisional cast on for top down necklines. As I do not love having to cut into my knits if the neckline is a wonky fit on me.

Vanilla Fingerless Mitts - Malabrigo Lace Yarn

PROJECT DETAILS

Status	FO
Started	5/8/2022
Completed	5/13/2022
Pattern Name	Vanilla Fingerless Mitts
Designer	Me
Yarn	Malabrigo Lace // Leftovers // Pearl & Pink Frost
Needles	US 4 // 3.5mm, 40" circular

NOTES

I have so many bits and bobs when it comes to left over yarn. So, I decided to knit my own vanilla fingerless mitt pattern.

PATTERN NOTES {Vanilla Fingerless Mitts]

• CO 36 (Crochet Tubular Cast On, two-at-a-time)

• US 4, 3.5mm

Final Thoughts

• These came out a little short, but are very well-used. I didn’t take the first “FO” photo until after I had worn them almost daily. They are pilled, but still lovely, soft, and warm.

Layer Cake Mitts - Fingerless Mittens

PROJECT DETAILS

Status	Completed
Started	Start #1: 12/20/2020; Start #2: 2/10/2021
Completed	Finish #1: 1/17/2021; Finish #2: 4/9/2022
Pattern Name	Layer Cake Mitts
Designer	Susan B. Anderson
Yarn	1 skein Madeline Tosh Light // Liquid Gold
Needles	2.5mm, 40" circular

NOTES

I started off making these fingerless mittens according to the pattern. This is my second time making a Susan B Anderson pattern. After knitting four rows, I knew that I would need to alter this pattern for fit.

MODIFICATIONS

• I made gauge with my yarn.

• The smallest number of stitches for cast on was too big for my hands. Proportionally, I do have small hands. I kept the needle size - 2.5mm - but reduced the number of stitches to cast on to 40. This produced a close fitting fingerless glove (with negative ease).

• I am always on the search for the perfect cast on and bind offs. Lately, it has become an obsession. I decided to use a tubular cast on by combining two youtube tutorials. As I use the two-at-a-time method to knit pairs - I simply love this method - it was a bit finicky at first to adapt the two-at-a-time method. It required putting the first crochet cast on, using 1/2 the stitches and the second mitt with 1/4 crochet cast on stitches.

• I reduced the number of thumb gussets to correspond to the reduction in the cast of stitches and to fit my thumb.

• I removed the bobble before each thumb during the gusset portion, so that the bobble placement (slightly different on each side of the thumb) didn’t bother me.

  • I was slightly annoyed that the bobbles were not symmetric on the thumb gusset. One bobble is right beside the thumb gusset and the second bobble (on the underside of the hand) is four stitches past the thumb gusset increases.

RESOURCES

• 2x2 Tubular Cast On [in the round] // (1) Sockmatician Youtube tutorial // (2) Suzanne Bryan Youtube tutorial

• No Holes at the thumb gusset // Suzanne Bryan // Youtube Tutorial [It’s for sweaters, but works well for mittens and gloves too.]

Final Thoughts

• Now the I have the blueprint for my hand specifications related to this pattern, it may be worth asking if bobbles on the palm are realistic - for my lifestyle - given how these mitts will be worn. Only time - and an opportunity to wear these mitts out - will tell.

"Soldotna Crop" Sweater // Boyland Knitworks

PROJECT DETAILS

Status	Finished
Started	1/2/2022
Completed	1/24/2022
Pattern Name	Soldotna
Designer	Boyland Knitworks // Caitlin Hunter
Yarn	Spun Right Round Tweed (Kit) // Ink (CC1), Moondance (CC2), Call Me Ale (CC3), Bone (CC4)	6 balls, 231 yds. each
Needles	US 3 (3.25mm), US 5 (3.75mm), US 6 (4.0mm) - colorwork only	32" & 40" Circulars
Size	2	To Fit: 35" Bust

NOTES

I really like the colorwork pattern. It is graphic and unique; however, I had some trouble with a couple of areas with this sweater.

• The Neckline: A lot of Ravelers talked about how the neckline - as written in the pattern - lends itself to a funnel neck. I found this to be very true. Also, the neckline is very close to the neck without any modifications.

• Colorwork Joins: The pattern is written so that the start / end of the color work is center back. Some of the colorwork patterns can leave a noticeable jog if a strategy is not used to avoid it.

• I knit a size 2, but at various times I found myself flitting between the directions for Size 1 (for the number of short rows) and larger sizes (for the neckband).

MODIFICATIONS

• The Gauge: I ended up using US 4 needles (for the collar, the hem, and the sleeve bands); US 6 for the neckline body; US 7 for the colorwork portion.

• The Neckline: I cast on a 120 stitches to try to widen the neckline. I used other Ravelry users to guide me along for this. It requires adding a column of colorwork stitches that are barely noticeable.

• I did the short row back (switching to German short rows) for the smallest size, Size 1.

• The Sizing: I had to do some math to get from a 120 stitches at the neckline start back to a size 2. I increased on plain color rows until I hit the number of stitches needed for Size 2.

• I used 1x1 tubular cast on for the collar and hem. I did not use it for the sleeves due to limited yarn. For the hem, this meant I modified the colorwork pattern to be a 1x1 versus a 2x2 color pattern.

RESOURCES

• Helpful Notes on Ravelry /

  • WoollyBear99’s Soldotna Crop Notes

    The colorwork chart modification for a larger neckband is brilliant.

  • Larochelle’s Soldotna Crop Notes

    These notes were useful and led to other helpful notes - a true breadcrumb trail of helpfulness.

  • Diveblue’s Soldotna Crop Notes

    Helpful for understanding the pattern repeat numbers for different colorwork sections, which allows you to have more freedom in modifying the pattern to accommodate any changes you’d like to make.

• The Perfect and Easy Knit Jogless Stripes - no jog stripe color work knitting // Marly Bird // Youtube Tutorial

• How To Knit: German Short Row // Brooklyn Tweed // Youtube

• Tubular CO in the Round (1x1 Ribbing) // Knitting with Suzanne Bryan // Youtube

• Tubular Bind Off in the Round // Knitting with Suzanne Bryan // Youtube

Final Thoughts

• KIT COLORS

  Overall, I like the colors for the kit.

  C1 Ink; C2 Moonbeam; C3 Call Me Ale; C4 Bone

  For the lice pattern on the body, C4 does not have enough contrast with the main body color C2, so if I could do it again I would only use C3 for the lice pattern.

  For C2, I alternated skeins for the body. I had some left over of C2, C4 (the most), C3, but not much of C1.

  Played a bit of yarn chicken with (C1) ink, though I did do a bit of modification to the pattern (not much).