Sunday, April 26, 2009

FINISHED!


I added the buttons and button loops. I had to go with the same pearl buttons that were on the sample by Elizabeth. They fit the feminine design of the sweater so nicely. You tube had a tutorial on button loops that was easy to follow - another learned skill! I so enjoyed knitting this sweater and am happy with the results. Thank you Elizabeth for a lovely sweater pattern (and all your help with my many questions.)

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Almost Done!


It's been raining and thundering here since last night. It feels like forever! My poor Golden Retriever, Eli, shakes nonstop. It's a good day to stay in and knit, but sadly, my Kate's Cardigan is almost complete and I need a new project. I still need to buy buttons and make button loops but I don't want to go out in the rain. This has been really fun. I've enjoyed the challenge and learned a lot. (This is only my third sweater of life and my first knit-along.) When I have it completely done, I'll post a pic modeling it.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Progress Report

I've been working on my red Kate Cardigan (I'm making a teal one, too). The fronts and back are finished and the short-row sleeve cap for the first sleeve is complete. I'm happy with the pace that I'm making with this project. The lace patterning on the front continues down to the bottom provisional cast-on edge. In the picture, it's curled under. That'll fix itself later with blocking and adding the front and bottom borders.

Another photo - and yes, I do have a lot of knitting books, more than what you can see in this picture. I like my knitting library as much as my yarn stash.

How is everyone else doing? I'd love to see your Kates!
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Saturday, April 11, 2009

My Second "Kate"

I was up to the armhole shaping for the back of my first Kate Cardigan in teal Classic Silk when I decided to set it aside, very temporarily, to start a second one. The new one is being knit in Lavold Silky Wool in claret.

The yarn is a DK weight and I'm using smaller needles and with these reductions, I'm going to end up with a cardigan that is smaller than the smallest size given in the pattern. This will be perfect for my Mom who is a tiny lady. Her 90th birthday is in October and I want to give it to her then.

In just one day (yesterday), I managed to knit just past the armhole shaping. With any luck, the back will be finished this weekend.

I'm loving how this is knitting up in the Lavold yarn. How is everyone else doing with their cardigan, or are you all finished and I'm just behind?
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Thursday, April 9, 2009

New to the Group

In the last few weeks I discovered Knitcircus and the designs of Elizabeth Morrison and now I'm a fan of both. I've subscribed to the magazine and I've cast on for the Kate Cardigan. I have the yarn in my stash for the Rosepole Cardigan, so it's in the queue.

I was originally going to knit Kate with Kathmandu Aran Tweed in #157 red, but even after going down 2 needle sizes, I was not getting exact gauge and the fabric of my swatch was rather dense. I changed to Classic Elite's Classic Silk in #6949 Tantalizing Teal and all is going well. It's on sale at one of my local yarn shops and I may have to go and buy another color to add to my stash for later. My gauge is right on the mark. I started yesterday and already I'm at the beginning of the armhole shaping.
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By way of introduction, my name is Joanne Conklin and I've been knitting since I was a toddler. I work part time at A Knitted Peace as an instructor, and sometime clerk. I love all kinds of knitting, particularly colorwork, e.g. Kaffe Fassett. I've made a number of his designs.

I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone's Kate Cardigan turns out.
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