Thursday, December 22, 2011

Vintage Yarn

I found this lovely yarn at a thrift store. What should I make with it?

Yarn: Bernat Glenspun English Tweed 
Weight: Worsted (100% Virgin Wool) though it looks like it fingering weight yarn
Amount: 1 oz / 185 yards -- 2 Skeins
Color: 7798, Lot L -- Char Brown

*The label reads: "Spun exclusively for Bernat by one of Britain's finest mills.  Washable Color.  Anti Shrink and Stretch.  Permanently Moth Proofed."   

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Acid Dyeing Yarn

I dyed some really yummy yarn!

I dyed some awesome sport weight yarn, 80% Merino/10% Silk/10% Cashmere yarn. I had about 1,250 yards:

Isn't it totally YUMMY?
 Now, I need to design a cardigan out of this lovely yarn!

Also, I had about 1,500 yards of some really lovely 80% Merino/20% Silk worsted weight yarn that I wanted to dye into another color. I chose Vermillion (a red color). I still need to take some photos of the yarn....

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Shibumi Cardigan

I want to introduce one of my newest pattern creations: Shibumi 


Long Version
Buy the Shibumi Pattern for $5.50, receive a 2nd pattern of your choice FREE: 
(The link takes you to my pattern store/Paypal connected)


Shibumi  (Japanese) - [\shi-bu-me\ n. a subtle unobtrusive and deeply moving beauty]

The cardigan is worked in one seamless piece, from the top down, instructions are included for two different lengths. The set-in sleeves are worked by picking up stitches from the armhole edges and knit from the top down. (A photo tutorial is included in the pattern instructions.)

The lace instructions are in chart format and in stitch-by-stitch written instructions. 

I named this cardigan pattern Shibumi because it features one of my favorite lace and cable design combinations. The lace and cable design only looks complicated, actually it is a combination of fairly simple stitches and a 4 stitch cable.

SIZE:  XS [S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL]
[shown in size XL]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
Bust: 34 (36, 40, 42, 44, 48, 52, 56) inches
Length:  Short Cardigan: 25.7 inches
Long Cardigan: 35.7 inches
Long Version

MATERIALS
Madelinetosh Vintage [100% Superwash Merino Wool; 200 yd/183 m per 3.88 oz/110g skein];
Long cardigan, color: Tart – 6 [7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10] skeins/ 1,200 [1,300; 1,400; 1,500; 1,600; 1,700; 1,800; 1,900] yards
Short Cardigan, color: Moorehead – 5 [6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9] skeins/ 1,000 [1,100; 1,200; 1,300; 1,400; 1,500; 1,600] yards

Alternate Yarns:
Cascade 220 Superwash [100% Wool; 220 yd/201 m per 3.53 oz/100g skein] or any worsted weight yarn with 18 sts/4" gauge

Recommended needle size:
1 U.S. 5/3.75 mm circular needle, 32 inches or longer
1 U.S. 6/4mm circular needle, 32 inches or longer
1 U.S. 6/4mm, circular needle, 16 inches
1 U.S. 6/4mm, DPN
1 U.S. 7/4.5 mm circular needle, 32 inches or longer
1 U.S. 1 or 2/2.5 or 3 mm circular needles, 16 inches
1 U.S. 1 or 2/2.5 or 3 mm circular needles, 32 inches or longer [always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below --- every
knitter’s gauge is unique]
Cable needle
Stitch markers (2 different colors)
Removable stitch markers
Waste yarn to hold stitches
Tapestry needle
Sewing needle and thread to match
9 – 12 buttons

GAUGE
18 sts/ 6 rows/4” in stockinette st using largest (US #7/4.5mm) needles, washed and blocked

Short Version


Short Version