A couple more gifty FO’s that just needed that final push to FO-ness…
Lopi Lace Scarf from Weekend Knitting
2 skeins Rowan Kid Classic in Sherbet Dip and a smidge of Jo Sharp Rare Comfort Kid Mohair (lost the label for color)
Body of scarf US9 Denise
About 7 feet long and 8 inches wide
It was difficult to capture the color…but it’s pretty much right on in the right-hand pic below:
Vanille from Blue Alvarez Designs
Blue Sky Cotton in Indigo, exactly 7 skeins
US10 Addi turbos
Size XL (46-inch chest)
In the end I picked up another skein, just to be on the safe side. I did use it in lieu of unraveling some swatches…but it would have been close. Like down to three inches or something close. There are 3 sizes in the pattern listed using 7 skeins, and this is the largest. I like that the designer didn’t overestimate yarn quantities, but know that if your gauge or knitting style uses more yarn, it might be worthwhile to err on the side of caution.
The pattern didn’t specify the type of increase for the raglan shaping, so I perused my copy of Knitting from the Top Down (B. Walker – highly recommended) because there is a nifty photograph showing 10 different kinds of increases with detailed instruction and pros and cons for each. I chose a double lifted, or invisible, increase. It’s tidy, leaves no hole, and I thought it most closely matched the style of the garment.
Here’s a close-up:
The pattern included nicely mirrored decreases for the sleeves, shown below, however I substituted an SKP for a suggested SSK as a personal preference.
To give an idea of size, I threw it on before the soak and block routine:
To my great relief, it blocked out nicely to measurements, so it should fit like a dream. I wet blocked in warm water and ALOT of dye was released. I did a double lukewarm rinse just to get more dye out, but it was still coloring the water deeply. A towel-rolled it, put in through one spin cycle and a 10-minute toss in the dryer on low. It was just damp enough to block out and it was dry in the hot sun in a few hours. I decided to take this risk for two reasons: A- it would have taken an extraordinary amount of time to dry right out of the sink and B – this is going to a (very responsible) yet still 20-yo. In a dorm. It’s going to get handled and maybe even thrown in the dryer. It was super-fluffy and held up very well. However, it is continuing to pill a fair amount, which I though would taper off of washing and a tumble near-dry. Apart from the pilling, which I suppose is the price one pays for the incredible softness, I very much want a snuggly sweater of my own someday in this yarn!
Also, I am sure in my knitting lifetime I will make this sweater again. It is that perfect basic throw on every weekend kind of sweater. As many beautiful patterns as are available in books, it’s nice to have something super-basic as well. And the minor detailing at the neck, hem and sleeves with the purl ridge and curled stockinette edges adds just the right amount of style! There’s a huge range of sizes with detailed measurements. In addition to being able to custom fit without doing much of your own math, this makes it much easier to substitute gauge. Why? Because you can (with just a little math) figure out how many stitches in your adjusted gauge you’d need to cast on for the size you want. You’d then follow the directions for size with the cast on nearest this number and still get a proportional sweater with hardly any effort. I am considering whipping one up in a bulkier yarn for a quick and cozy winter sweater for myself.
Speaking of putting yarn through a test, I knit up a small swatch of the elann Devon for a run though with my laundry. I wanted to know exactly what the “Unshrinkable” label on the, um, label, meant. I added it to a normal warm wash/cool rinse and hot cycle dryer. It felted. Only about 50%. But still, it was much more than I expected. I imagine it will be better in a cold wash and mid-warm dryer. But STILL. It said UNSHRINKABLE.
I didn’t have the presence of mind to take a before picture, in my intense curiosity, but here’s an after picture:
Imagine the before as 4 sts = 1″. It was smooth plied yarn – and it got very fuzzy and worn looking. The gap in the stitches is about 50% less than original and it shrunk about 1/4 inch in both directions. I’m a little bummed.
I am, however, going to continue to use this for the baby blanket. The colors are ideal and this was an extreme test. I think warm or hot water or the dryer are off-limits, though, and I very much wanted to give a easy care item. Again, it’s the price you may for softness, I guess.
I decided (I think) I am going to do the log cabin blanket in stockinette with a seed stitch border instead of garter. Is this sacrilege???
You know, the lopi scarf has been on my list for ages. Yours is great. And you’ve sure been busy, haven’t you?!?
I love the colors of the scarf and sweater. Well done! I’ve got to get Knitting From The Top Down – it’s been on my list for a long time, just haven’t gotten around to it. 🙂 Your decreases look fab.
Nice! Seven skeins is a pretty good deal for that big of a sweater. I can imagine how nicely it feels. The scarf is lovely too.
The Lopi Lace Scarf looks scrumptious. Have you had that OTN for a while? I think I remember seeing you work on it and loved the color then. The blue blob is so not a blob. It looks great. I really like the Vanille pattern. I’ll have to remember it to make for my hubby one day. Congrats on cranking out some excellent FOs, dude!
I’m glad you washed and dried the blanket yarn because I was curious what would happen to it! It’s still pretty easy to care for if you can throw it in the washer.
My goodness you have had a great week for FO! My project is taking forever so I can enjoy all your accomplishments.
Great scarf, great sweater. I tend to like plain stockinette at first, but then I get bored. As opposed to complicated cables and such, where I get frustrated instead of bored. Either way, I rarely finish a grown-up size sweater. But I’d love to have me one of those.
I love Blue Sky Cotton–the recipient of your sweater is very lucky. You should definitely make one for yourself.
I’m knitting the Sienna Cardigan in the new IK with it. I’m glad to see that it blocks out so nicely. It seems so different from other cotton yarns, I’ve been a little afraid of how it might behave.
correction…the college boy (while most responsible) is 20, although he does seem at least 22, no?? regardless, he will just LOVE that sweater, what a great gift!
and i FORGOT about that luscious scarf, which i think may quite possibly be headed my way this winter….yummm!
What a great parade of FO’s! I really like Vanile – basic, comfy – reminds me of the hourglass sweater in that way. Must have one!
Too bad about shrinking the unshrinkable…how annoying!
I love the lopi lace pattern. Also, the sweater looks great.
More beautiful FOs! I have a question for you: what’s your trick for being patient enough to knit rows and rows of plain stockinette pieces? I find that I get bored, sadly.
What about incorporating the felting into the blanket as per the designs in the Merino Knits book?
That “Lopi” scarf is my go-to scarf pattern. Never made it in Lopi, either. But I like the mohair.
Totally off topic – I believe a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday is in order! Expect something but not quite yet…. my plans are still congealing.
Just a little birthday wish…hope it’s the best one every!
oops…meant to say ever but could be everyday too!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIL BABY SISTER !!!! many lucious gifts coming your way !!!! laura and pearl x0x0x0 p.s.s love the scarf….i love long long scarfs for some bizarre reason…
Happy Birthday, Jillian!
No, it’s not a sacrilege. (Log Cabin in stockinette, seed stitch border). It’s a variation on a theme which is what Log Cabins are all about. It sounds cute.
Speaking of cute, Vanille and the Lopi scarf are very cute!
50% shrinkage is not unshrinkable. What were they thinking? Unshrinkable if you never ever get it near any cleaning solutions?
Lovely FOs! I’m really digging the new scarf.
Great knitting with you today – hope the rest of your birthday is proving super fun!
Congrats on finishing Vanille. If you’d like to set the dye, soak the sweater with a glug (highly scientific) of white vinegar in the water for 10 minutes or so. (with wool you want the water to be as hot as you can make it; not sure about the whole cotton/shrinkage thing?? maybe someone else can help here?) It looks great; your friend is very lucky. And your Kid Classic scarf – so sweet.
P.S. Thanks again for the math help. 🙂
Everything looks great! I’m jealous that you have a few FO’s though…I really need ONE! 🙂
You are a fabulous knitter!! I love the Vanille pattern; I think I will make one for myself. Thanks for the link!!!