Sweet Things

 I haven't gotten to knit baby items in the past few years, but things are changing...as long as my kids give me enough notice!  Lucy requested an item for her boyfriend's brother's wife's baby shower coming up. It was a great opportunity to go through  my pattern books and vintage booklets. Lucy felt something classic was the best choice. I ended up using a free pattern on Ravelry for the sweater; Garter Yoke Baby Cardi. I used some vintage Pinquoin "Confortable DK" in a cream, and leftover Debbie Bliss "Baby Cashmerino" for the trim.

The bear is another Bill & Ben Twin Bears (link to a corrected, easier to use, pattern HERE).

The hat (bonnet) is from "Beehive for Bairns" (#505), Special Anniversary Edition. It's in the very first set in the booklet. I thought it was a bonnet, as it was called, but it's more of a toque with a chin strap. I altered it a bit because I wanted garter stitch as the trim, and I added the i-cord bindoff to match the sweater. I also made chin ties instead of a button strap.

Buttons came out of my collection; I have no idea where or when they're from. 

I actually did the button loop side twice. I had finished it, woven in some of the ends, and I just wasn't happy. It was pulling and the yoke didn't line up. I could see that my gauge on the i-cord had gotten significantly tighter. So I pulled out that side and re-did it, lining up the loops better too. Much happier.

I also altered that pattern so the i-cord went all the way around the sweater. 

What a sweet little outfit for a new baby. I love making tiny things!

Yarn In:   4397gr

Yarn Out:  11,969gr + 164gr = 12,133gr

Balance: 7736gr more OUT than in

Costs: $436.34

The Last Red Scarf?

 I needed a purse project quickly one day. So, a red scarf got on the needles. 

I used the same size needles as the previous one, and a 2x2 rib. For some reason, I really struggle with a 2x2 rib!

The needles were perhaps a little too small. The resulting rib was more sculptural than I expected!

The yarn was from Dollar Tree or Dollarama. It feels very soft! I would definitely NOT make mittens with it though!

It weighed in at 107gr, which means a little more than 2 balls. This was all I had left and it was a touch on the short side.

Yarn In:   4397gr

Yarn Out:  11,862gr + 107gr = 11,969gr

Balance: 7572gr more OUT than in

Costs: $436.34

Pass The Pumpkin (or, a Significant Case of Startitis)

 I usually limit how many projects I have on the go at once. One or two portable, easy projects to take anywhere, and 1 or 2 more complex projects. Recently, I saw a video where a woman was saying it brings her joy to have a lot of WIP to choose from. Some people find it stressful, but not her. 

I decided that I was cast on/start a few more things! October is pumpkin season in the music room, and I needed more pumpkins! I gathered up every little bit of orange yarn that I could find in my stash, and got to work. I crocheted a rectangle, using HDC in the back loop to give a vertical pattern (once seamed, it's vertical). 

Then I got creative and added some short rows.

When I was securing the ends inside, sometimes I'd pull them tight and knot together, to create a little dimple. I wasn't looking for perfection, or identical!

I did go and buy two balls of yarn. One chunky, Loops & Threads "Charisma" which I used entirely, and one "Impeccable" which I did not finish.  I spent $13.91, and the two weighed 327gr together.

Yarn In:   327gr + 4,070gr = 4397gr

Yarn Out:  11528gr + 334gr = 11,862gr

Balance: 7465gr more OUT than in

Costs: $422.43 + $13.91 = $436.34

Red Scarf Again

 Yes, another red scarf for World AIDS Day. I did this one a little differently. It's a 2x2 rib and I went up a needle size or two. 

It might not be exactly 6"x60", but it's close. I hope it just blends in with all the other red scarves and no one notices. 

I'm pretty sure that's the last of the red yarn I got from unravelling a sweater from the thrift store. This one weighed 69gr.  I also sold 300gr of yarn I bought many, many years ago...before I even started blogging. From back when elann.com was around. I've been reorganizing my crafting space and storage and hopefully the area is getting finished this winter. 

Yarn In:   4,070gr

Yarn Out:  11,159gr + 69gr + 300gr = 11528gr

Balance:  7458gr more OUT than in

Costs: $243.78 + $178.65  = $422.43

Never Again?

 The community charity knitting/crochet group sent out an urgent plea. The Cancer Care centre needed new blankets. They needed to be 45" by 55". No problem! I can crochet one up quickly, right?

No.

45"x55" is huge. 

When I used to make blankets for seniors, I don't think they were that big. 

I knew immediately what yarn to use.  Two years ago I made one of those sweater/scarf/shrug type things and wasn't overly happy. Despite the recommendation to not make it shorter than the pattern said, I did (I'm short, I thought it'd be okay). This made it a little hard for some of the looks, and too much for other options. That item weighed 550gr. I can't count that in this project because I already counted it 2 years ago. However, this blanket also took 300gr of the second ball that I had bought, and I can count that!

Corner to Corner, a row of single crochets around the edge. Total weight, 850gr! Almost 2 pounds!

I missed the original deadline, but they continuously accept these.

I really believe that when you possess a skill or talent that can bless others, you are obligated to do so. Our lives become more blessed by giving of ourselves. 

Yarn In:   4,070gr

Yarn Out:  10, 859gr + 300gr = 11,159gr

Balance:  7089gr more OUT than in

Costs: $243.78 + $178.65  = $422.43

I'm Amazed!

 On my YouTube channel, I've been talking a lot about designing or altering patterns to fit my body specifics.  I've been on a crochet tank top kick this summer and although I've collected quite a few free patterns, but none seem to work with the yarn I want to use. So I put my money where my mouth is, and just designed my own. 

The lower body is easy enough. Body circumference (plus or minus ease) times stitches per inch. Length until underarm split. 

But then I stalled. I was on a road trip. I did the math for the front vs the back (unless you are totally flat, or maybe an A or B cup, don't split evenly), and continued on but due to the nature of our road trip, I couldn't get my head around the armhole shaping and when to do the neck. So I waited until I got home and could really focus. 

The armhole shaping was really winging it. I knew only the depth for certain. So I'm amazed at how well it turned out! It weighs 277gr. I have over 500gr left of this yarn.

I bought the yarn in 2005 it seems! I wonder if that tank top is kicking around somewhere. 

Does my bust look huge in the video? LOL. Is it the higher neckline? The lack of disguising pattern? The slight negative ease? I know I put on 5lb while on vacation, but my bust (and most of me)  is definitely smaller than it was last summer. 

I don't usually combine posts, but I just wanted to add about a little sweater that is finally finding a new home. Lucy's BFF (they met in grade 2) had a baby this past spring, and lives all the way in Halifax now. Lucy and her other housemate from their university days are going to go meet the baby, so I felt that I should really send a little something. 

I found this sweater in my bin. It just needed 3 buttons, but I had been trying for years to make a matching hat or bootees with the left over yarn (Very vintage Patons "Astra"), but it just wasn't enough. So Lucy picked out three buttons, I got them sewed on, and it will get crammed into her "personal" bag for the flight (she bought the cheapest ticket LOL). It weighs 144gr.

It's such an adorable, classic sweater. From an ancient Patons book, and apparently other sources (I don't think I have either the hat or the bonnet!) Check out this listing on Ravelry for some details about where it's available and the changes to each version.

A natural yarn would allow that lace to really open up. It's such a sweet pattern, and still looks modern. A true classic. 

Yarn In:   4,070gr

Yarn Out:  10,438gr + 277gr + 144gr = 10, 859

Balance:  6789gr more OUT than in

Costs: $243.78 + $178.65  = $422.43

Whoa. Look at that balance. 6789gr. I had to check the math on that one LOL! 

Road Trip Yarn Splurges

 If you watched my recent video, you'll see the yarn I recently bought on my road trip. I need to add it to my totals. And then my daugher came home and presented me with some yarn I bought off Facebook Marketplace and had her pick up since it was near her house. I had almost forgotten about that!

Top left:  Fleece & Harmony "Selkirk Worsted--Red Gradient" (Cranberry, Rhubarb, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Apple Blossom), 250yards/100gr. This is from Fleece & Harmony on PEI. I'll write more about them later--it was a cool stop! ($42; $47.46)

Top middle: Loopy Signature Sock Yarn from Loopy Wool, in Salisbury, New Brunswick. Another great stop on our trip! This yarn is in the colour "Dream Dark" and is 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon; 100grams equals 370yards, and was $24Cdn. ($27.12)

Top right: Also from Loopy Wool, but it is from Arcane Fibre Works, in Alberta. The colour is "Going Off the Grid", and is 80% Superwash Merino, and 20% Nylon and 100gr or 437 yards. ($39, $44.07)

Bottom, is "Nuna Fina" by Mirasol Yarn. Oh my, it is divine! 40% Peruvian wool, 40% silk, 20% viscose from bamboo. Shade 4002 (Dark Woods), it is a charming "is it brown or grey" colour. Which means it'll probably look bad with brown or grey pants, LOL. It's so fine. 50gr, 327 yds. Compare that to the Loopy wool at 370yd for 100grm. This is half the weight and 88% of the yardage. I'm sure it would knit up beautifully on the Singer 327. I can't imagine handknitting with it, but it's so soft! I have six skeins, or 300gr, 1962 yd, and it was $60.

I shared in the last post, 5 baby hats. I've added a 6th, the pale green one. It's two strands--one minty green, one white. You can see it in the video I link to above. It weighs in at a whopping 15gr.

Yarn In:  3470gr + 600gr = 4,070gr

Yarn Out:  10,424gr + 14gr = 10,438gr

Balance:  6954gr more OUT than in

Costs: $243.78 + $178.65  = $422.43

Road Trip Projects

 I have fine tuned the projects I take on road trips. Part of it depends on what type of road trip it is. For example, when we make the drive to my Mom's, I can work on something more complicated but I have to be mindful if we're coming home in daylight or darkness. For travel road trips, I used to take way too many projects, many were way too complicated for the trip, especially back when it was all paper maps! Charts, multiple colours, etc. For years, I kept doing this! I was so afraid of finishing everything and having nothing to work on, but that NEVER happened.

I finally clued in and changed. I started buying the huge balls of Handicrafter Cotton, and worked on corner to corner dishcloths (don't even cut after each one!). I'd choose a colour that reflected the trip. I'd also usually take something else, not too complicated. However, I now have a backlog of dishcloths that I haven't even used! 

I wrote earlier about how I chose the patterns/yarn for this summer's road trips. This last trip was supposed to be to Labrador and Newfoundland, but we couldn't get ferry spots. It was still an appropriate yarn for the trip--Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI. It's Woodsie, Paton's "Kroy". 

I didn't get these finished, but I did get some little hats finished!

I think one of these I started before we left. These are such great projects to use up yarn. All 5 hats weigh in at 93gr. So if you had a 100gr ball, you could easily make five little hats to donate. I've shared before the pattern I use (think of it as a recipe). 

I also took a crochet tank top I was designing but once it got to the armholes, it wasn't easy to work on. I even took some red yarn for another scarf but didn't even get started. I feel bad about how few red scarves I've made this year! I remind myself that I'm not obligated to make any though. Really, I'm not obligated to make anything for charity, but I feel as a decent human with a few skills, I am obligated to use those skills in ways to help others. 

I did actually visit two yarn shops on this trip! I'll make another post about that.

Yarn In:  3470gr

Yarn Out:  10331gr + 93gr = 10,424gr

Balance:  6954gr more OUT than in

Costs: $243.78

Sold off Some Yarn!

 You never know when you post things to Facebook Marketplace if they'll sell. I went through my bin of cotton yarns and pulled out a bunch to list. I had a lot of responses to some of it, and one woman took a bunch of it, weighing it at 1050gr.

Then my SIL saw the post and asked if any would be good for dishcloths. Not really, but I have another bag of Handicrafter! My cotton bin is practically empty now. I don't have more to put in. I'm thinking I could put some cones in that I have on top of my shelves, I'm worried I'll forget I have them...even though I rarely use them (I used the white for my recent All About That Drape top but the other colours are pastels). 

I can't easily weigh all the cotton I'm giving to my SIL, but I weighed what I could, and it's about 1100gr.

So this has really upped my Yarn Out totals!! Ohhh, if I sell yarn, I should get to deduct it from what I've spent! LOL!!

Wow, just had another inquiry into some that's still posted!! Update, she's taking it! 140gr x 5 = 700gr.

Yarn In:  3470gr

Yarn Out:  2850gr + 7481gr = 10331gr

Balance:  6861gr more OUT than in

Costs: $243.78

 I just finished a simple ribbed red scarf for World AIDS Day. 24sts, 5mm. 89gr.

I think this was the sweater I unravelled. I have 8 scarves ready to go. Lower than my goal, but actually, on track for previous years.

The other finished item is another ribbed chunky hat. One strand Sirdar Country Style DK...or Snuggly DK? And one strand Pingouin "Poudreuse". Is Pingouin still in business? This yarn is 80% acrylic, 10% wool and 10% mohair. The hat weighs 70grams. 

I got all the hats out just to see how many I have. There's 27 in this pile. I should go back and see if I have already donated ribbed hats. I did take in the ones I made on the LK150, but I'm not sure if I took in any of the ribbed ones. 

Yarn In:  3470gr

Yarn Out:  159gr + 7322gr = 7481gr

Balance:  4011gr more OUT than in

Costs: $243.78

Two More Ribbed Hats

 This first ribbed hat, I had planned to use another yarn with it, but the suggested gauge was with 8mm needles, so I just did it alone. I did 56st, or maybe 52st because I assume it'll be for a younger person. It's Morocco Fashion, by Loops & Threads. I only had one ball, which also contributed to my decision to make it smaller. I did end up with 24 grams left, so I probably could have made it a row or two longer.  It weighs 61gr.

This next one went super quick. I used two balls of Sirdar Country Style DK. One in a dark heather blue, one in a solid lighter blue, sort of a mid tone, along with two strands of Patons' "Lace".

The "Lace" gives it a nice fluffiness without being too crazy. I ran out of the lighter blue part way through, but with the brim up, you can't tell.

With the brim down, you can sort of tell that the top of the hat is darker (I added a second end of the heathery blue after the lighter blue ran out).  The "Lace" really helps with the illusion, because it ranges from white to dark blue, and having two strands meant there was lots of colour changes.

It weighs in at 102 gr. It's a hefty one!

I think I might start making newborn hats for our roadtrip next week. I don't have a complicated pattern to work on in the evenings, but I'll have a red scarf (maybe that should be the complicated one), and a new pair of plain socks. I like to have a variety, but also, don't want to over pack LOL. There is a crochet tank top pattern I want to work on... (No, not the "All About That Drape" one, a totally new one!).

Yarn In:  3470gr

Yarn Out:  7159gr + 163gr = 7322gr

Balance:  3852gr more OUT than in

Costs: $243.78

Crochet V Stitch Red Scarf

 For some reason, I suddenly started seeing videos and patterns for items made with the crochet V stitch. There's a few variations on the V stitch (adding two chains between the double crochets, adding a chain between Vs, skipping more stitches), but this scarf is the most basic form. 

However, I think that makes it harder to see that it's actually V stitches. 

It's even hard to see which way is up. Are they Vs, or ^ ?

Doesn't matter. It's a red scarf, used 85gr of yarn. I'm not doing very well on making more red scarves than last year!

Yarn In:  3470gr

Yarn Out:  7074gr + 85gr = 7159gr

Balance:  3689gr more OUT than in

Costs: $243.78

Ribbed Hat with a Unique Feature

 I'm still knitting ribbed chunky hats for charity. Getting low on worsted weight yarns I can double, so I went for the chunky yarns. The main yarn for this is Loops & Threads "Charisma" in Electric Blue. The reflective yarn is Red Heart, I believe. 

I wanted to make the fold up brim have more of the reflective yarn, but it's hard to know exactly how high someone will turn back the brim. 

The reflective yarn is slightly thinner, but overall, it doesn't really show. I wasn't holding them double. I used 56st and 9mm needles. 92 grams total.

Yarn In:  3470gr

Yarn Out:   6982gr + 92gr = 7074gr

Balance:  3604gr more OUT than in

Costs: $243.78

A Top So Nice, I Made it Twice!

 I love the first version of the "All About That Drape" top I made, so I got started on a second one. Well, I got swatching right away.

First, I tried Snuggly DK, because I liked the colour. It didn't want to drape.

Then I tried a cone of cream wool, thinking the natural fiber would help. Still no drape.

Then I thought I had found it. An abandoned short row shawl in bamboo, which I didn't have enough yarn for. It would be gorgeous for a tank top, but I need about twice what I have. 

To see these attempts, check out my videos and shorts on YouTube!

I finally reached for these two cones on my shelf. I wanted a brighter white, but that's fine.

I got a good gauge and drape, and dove in. Just like before, I started with the numbers for the medium, but when it was time to split for the front and back, I used the large numbers for the front, which left the exact needed in size small for the back.

I'm making a funny face because it's a screenshot from the video below. I forgot to take actual photos.

Sorry for the unedited video, I can't seem to edit in Google on my laptop.

I'm making a video with more details on how to make a garment fit YOU. It's not (usually) hard. If you haven't checked out my revamped YouTube channel, the link is above. 

Something I did differently this time, was switch to a larger crochet hook for the back, starting with the first V stitch row after the split (or the row before). Just made it a bit more open.

I'm finally liking crochet garments!!

Yarn In:  3470gr

Yarn Out:   6782gr +200gr = 6982gr

Balance:  3512gr more OUT than in

Costs: $243.78

When Everything Works Perfectly!

 No True Tracy Way involved with this make! 

I got into a rabbit hole of crocheted summer tops. I searched for a free pattern for days. I'd find a pattern, but the free video wasn't my size and the pattern wasn't free. Or, the pattern didn't match my yarns. Etc.

Then one night, June 16, I was at a meeting for the community band I'm in, and scrolling Facebook Marketplace at the same time. I found an ad for 8 skeins of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Baby. I contacted the seller, and he also had 8 balls of Patons' Silk Bamboo in 3 colours. I bought it all for $75 and picked up after the meeting. 

Almost immediately, I started swatching for "All About That Drape" by I Need It Crochet. Using a 5.5mm hook, I thought I matched gauge. I started the piece, and learned about a foundation double crochet. I didn't do the greatest job with that, but in the end, you go back around with single crochets, so don't worry too much. I worked up to the point with the measurement check. 

My piece was way too big. Ripped it out, and went down a size (made the Medium). 

I struggled a bit with some of the rows where you turn. I'm not always very precise.

When I got to the split for the front and back, I went with the large size for the front, which left exactly the same size number of stitches for the back. I wasn't very accurate with my increases as I went up the upper front, but it really doesn't matter too much. 

Tried it on, pinned the shoulders based on what she suggests in the pattern, but that was not right for me. No problem. Sewed it together, sewed under the arm a bit, did the edgings and wham! In under a month, I had a new, fabulous, tank top that fits me so incredibly well, I can't believe I made it.

Here, it's over a silk bias cut dress I wore for a date night. I didn't wear it on the date though, I just wanted to see how it looked over the dress. Love it.

The sizing came out incredibly perfect! Never feel you have to follow a pattern exactly. I KNOW I'm not a 42" bust split perfectly in two, why would I make something that has 21" for both the front and back? I need about 19" for my back, and 23" for my front. Usually, I'd try to have short rows for the bust, but in a patterned crochet, I'm just not sure if it would work.

My husband insisted I "push my boobs out" LOL. This was while we were camping. It wasn't totally finished, and I had it on over a shirt, but I wanted to get a general idea of the fit.  I used almost 6 balls, so I'm counting it as 6 (I had 2 full ones, and a small bit leftover)--300gr, or 750m/820 yds. The pattern says 850yd for the medium.

This pattern really needs a drapey yarn. Don't rely on "going up a hook size" to get the drape. On my YouTube channel, I have a couple short videos about this top, and trying to find a yarn to make a second one: https://youtu.be/vMBUc9aaCmY?si=ERxYGrquqeFrYFQG   https://youtu.be/XZDt6rB0n6M?si=HHo0w5AKoeg60_9v   

My second one is getting close to done, and I've changed it up a little of course!

I wasn't keen on the colour at first, but I do love it. While we were on our road trip, I even bought a fantastic fleece jacket (the weather ranged from 12C to 44C on the trip!).

Now, what do I make with the Bamboo Silk? The hard part is I don't like the three colours together and it's not enough of the cream and pink to make anything that I've found so far.

Yarn In:  3470gr

Yarn Out:   6482gr + 300gr = 6782gr

Balance:  3312gr more OUT than in

Costs: $243.78