Laura Linnemann

November 20, 2022

  
PROJECT DETAILS

    Status
    FO
  
    Started
    9/24/2022
  
    Completed
    11/20/2022
  
    Pattern Name
    Socks on a Plane
  
    Designer
    Laura Linnemann
  
    Yarn
    Malabrigo
  
    Needles
    US 00 (1.75mm), US 1 (2.25mm), US 1.5 (2.5mm)

NOTES

This was my knitting project for a trip to Greece and Germany in 2022.

Modifications

Followed the pattern mostly as written, but I used smaller needles to achieve gauge for the foot, switching to 2.25mm needles for the leg (after the gusset turn) and 2.5mm for the ribbing.

RESOURCES

SSP // Very Pink Knits // Youtube
Tubular Bind Off in the Round // Knitting with Suzanne Bryan // Youtube

Final Thoughts

This is a great travel project! It turned out to be just the right size and amount of knitting to take with me on a 3 week trip filled with activities.

Ravelry Project Page

REViVAL Sweater #2 // ANIKESTRiCK [Isabel Kramer]

November 18, 2022

  
PROJECT DETAILS

    Status
    FO
  
    Started
    11/1/2022
  
    Completed
    11/18/2022
  
    Pattern Name
    REViVAL
  
    Designer
    ANIKESTRiCK / Isabelle Kramer
  
    Measurements
    To fit 35" bust, with 0-1" positive ease
  
    Pattern Size
    Cast on Size 4, Ended Increases at Size 1
  
    Yarn
    Various: Malabrigo Lace // Pearl
  
    Needles
    US 4 (3.5 mm) // US 3 (3.25 mm) 40" Circular

NOTES

A nice, simple sweater that uses the contiguous method to shape the shoulders for a top-down seamless sweater.

National knit a sweater month stats

Total # of stitches: 56,490

Daily stitch goal: 2,200

Total # of knitting days: 18

MODIFICATIONS

Used two strands of lace weight yarn to approximate fingering weight yarn
Used a gauge comparison calculator to figure out how to size up based off of my gauge versus the pattern’s gauge
Cast on for a size 4; however, stopped increases when I reached the final stitch count for size 1. This allowed me to accommodate my broad but narrow shoulders, while ensuring that the contiguous shoulder and armscye (the shape / outline of the armhole) hit my body in the right place. It was important to me that the placement mimic the placement of a set-in sleeve.

RESOURCES

No Holes For Sweater Sleeves // Suzanne Bryan // Youtube Tutorial
Italian Bind Off // Suzanne Bryan // Youtube
Italian Bind Off // Purl Soho // Youtube
Knitting Gauge Calculator // Website
Crochet CO // ANKESTRick // Youtube

Final Thoughts

I found it a bit of a pain to hold two of the same weight of yarn together for this pattern. Ensuring that I did not only catch one yarn instead of two proved to be a hassle. The end result, though, *is* extremely squishy.

I finished knitting this sweater in 18 days in November 2022, and I completed my first NaKniSweMo challenge successfully.

Ravelry Project Page

Headband with a Twist // Mirella Moments

November 9, 2022

  
PROJECT DETAILS

    Status
    FO
  
    Started
    11/6/2022
  
    Completed
    11/9/2022
  
    Pattern Name
    Headband with a Twist
  
    Designer
    Mirella Moments
  
    Measurements
    N/A
  
    Pattern Size
    One Size 
  
    Yarn
    Spun Right Round // DK Weight Yarn // Left Overs
  
    Needles
    TBA

NOTES

I am knitting this as a gift.

MODIFICATIONS

None

RESOURCES

Link to free pattern // Mirella Moments // Pattern (website)
Old Norwegian Cast On // Webbs // Youtube

Final Thoughts

A great quick knit, and a great way to use up left overs.

Ravelry Project Page

REViVAL Sweater #1 // ANIKESTRiCK [Isabel Kramer]

November 8, 2022

  
PROJECT DETAILS

    Status
    FO
  
    Started
    8/29/2022
  
    Completed
    11/8/2022
  
    Pattern Name
    REViVAL
  
    Designer
    ANIKESTRiCK / Isabelle Kramer
  
    Measurements
    To fit 35" bust, with 0-1" positive ease
  
    Pattern Size
    Cast on Size 4, Ended Increases at Size 1
  
    Yarn
    Malabrigo Lace // Pearl // 6 skeins; yarn held double
  
    Needles
    US 4 (3.5 mm) // US 1.5 (2.5 mm) 40" Circular

NOTES

A nice, simple sweater that uses the contiguous method to shape the shoulders for a top-down seamless sweater.

MODIFICATIONS

Used two strands of lace weight yarn to approximate fingering weight yarn
Used a gauge comparison calculator to figure out how to size up based off of my gauge versus the pattern’s gauge
Cast on for a size 4; however, stopped increases when I reached the final stitch count for size 1. This allowed me to accommodate my shoulders, while ensuring that the contiguous shoulder and armscye (the shape / outline of the armhole) hit my body in the right place. It was important to me that the placement mimic the placement of a set-in sleeve.

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
Revival Pattern // Ravelry
Knitting Gauge Calculator // Website
Crochet CO // ANKESTRick // Youtube

Final Thoughts

I found it a bit of a pain to hold two of the same weight of yarn together for this pattern. Ensuring that I did not only catch one yarn instead of two proved to be a hassle. The end result is extremely squishy.

I also think I may go up several needle sizes for the hem and possibly switch to an Italian bind off to give a bit more stretch at the hem, cuff, and neckline.

I will also consider adding an inch of length for the body.

Overall, I like this pattern and I plan on knitting another one for National Knit a Sweater Month in November.

Ravelry Project Page

Boneyard Sweethearts Hat // Telly Beans Knits

October 28, 2022

  
PROJECT DETAILS

    Status
    Finished Object
  
    Started
    10/23/2022
  
    Completed
    10/28/2022
  
    Pattern Name
    Boneyard Sweetheart
  
    Designer
    Telly Bean Knits
  
    Size Made
    Medium
  
    Yarn
    Malabrigo Yarn Ultimate Sock, 2 hanks, MC: Cote D Azure, CC: Gloria
  
    Needles
    US 1 (2.25mm); US 2 (2.75mm)

NOTES

My three goals for this hat were:

1. To make a Halloween themed b-day hat for my partner.

2. To also be able to wear the hat.

3. To mirror the fit and construction of the hat on my partner's most worn hat.

Yarn Combo

MC: Malabrigo Yarn Ultimate Sock, Cote D Azure
CC: Malabrigo Yarn Ultimate Sock, Gloria

Measurements

His Head/My Head: 22"
Pattern Size (0-2" ease): Size M
Fit: Fits like a skull cap

Technique

I knit colorwork using two hands (continental & English). I kept the CC in my left hand so that it would be the dominant color.

Modifications

I preferred a double-folded brim for warmth and extra coverage versus a 1" rib. I used the CC color and knit in stockinette with the smallest size needles for 2.75" and then knit 1.25" with my MC in plain stockinette before going up to the largest size needles in pattern and beginning colorwork rows.

On colorwork chart, round 14, I folded the brim in half and knit into the edge of the cast on while knitting the next round (round 15) of colorwork. I used the Norwegian cast on recommended by the designer. I was also careful about my colorwork tension on this round. And I wove in the ends before closing up the brim.

I decided to do less plain rounds at the brim to mimic the hat length of his favorite hat. This meant I did 2 rounds of plain stockinette in the MC after the last colorwork round instead of beginning the decreases on round 53.

Final Thoughts

This rarely happens, but the stars aligned and this hat came out exactly as I'd hope. Next time, I would knit the CC brim to 2.5" versus 2.275" to ensure that the CC doesn't peek out after the brim is folded.

Love this hat!

Ravelry Project Page

Men's Charity Socks [Vanilla Sock Pattern] --Frogged--

September 11, 2022

  
PROJECT DETAILS

    Status
    FO
  
    Started
    8/16/2022
  
    Completed
    9/11/2022
  
    Pattern Name
    Vanilla Socks
  
    Designer
    Me
  
    Yarn
    Knit Picks
  
    Needles
    US 1 (2.25mm)

NOTES

Update 2023: I ended up frogging these socks. I was never satisfied by my bind off.

I made these socks to send off to a charity seeking socks.

Final Thoughts

I forgot how long it takes to knit men’s socks (as well as how much yarn). These socks were made to fit a men’s US size 11.5-12 foot.

Ravelry Project Page

S 8334: Knit Dress #1 // View B // Size 10 (2022)

August 17, 2022

PROJECT DETAILS

Status	Finished
Started	8/15/2022
Finished	8/17/2022
Pattern Name	Simplicity 8334, View B
Designer / Company	Simplicity
Size	Blended 10, 12, 16; To fit: 32" upper bust, 35" full bust, 26 3/4" waist, 38 1/4" Hip
Fabric	TBA Polyester / TBA Spandex
Notions	All Purpose Thread, TBA yds of fusible interfacing
Machines	Sewing, Serger

Notes

This is one of those dresses that sneaks up on you. I decided not to add the snaps and suddenly this dress continues to be one of my most worn and flattering pieces in my handmade wardrobe.

Modifications

I took the time to check the intended stretch of the fabric used in the pattern; my own body measurements; the finished measurements of the pattern; and my the stretch percentage of my fabric.
With the above information, I was able to use my sewing machine (straight stitch) for this dress. And it worked like magic (with my jersey needle) on almost all parts of this dress because the fabric wasn’t stretched to a point where a serger was needed to allow for the dress to slip over my body. The sleeves; however, will need to be serged next time because the sleeve is slim fitting and does need stretch to cover my arms without popping any seams.

Resources

Mimi G Sew Along // Simplicity Video // Youtube
How to Attach Snaps to Clothing // Inside the Hem // Youtube
How to Choose a size with Negative Ease // Brittani Bumb // Website
Adding Ease to Your Garment (includes info about negative ease) // American Sewing Guild // Website
- Handy PDF cheat sheet on woven garment ease // American Sewing Guild, Plano-Chapter // PDF
How to Determine Stretch Percentage in Fabric // Seamwork // Youtube

Final Thoughts

This fabric is deep stash - BOLD, LOUD deep stash. Sometimes things pair perfectly, and I have no idea how or why. To me, this fabric and pattern scream 1970s house/lounge dress, and I love it.

Maze Socks // Sarah Shepherd

August 15, 2022

  
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.

Ravelry Project Page

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

August 13, 2022

  
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.

Ravelry Project Page