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."   

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....

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

Oak Leaves Shawl Pattern (FREE)

This shawl is knit in fingering weight, held double. Thanks to Premier Yarns it is a FREE pattern.

Personally, though I think that triangular shawls are very pretty, they do not like to stay on my shoulders. This is how I came up with this shawl idea, since it fits nicely around the shoulders.

The pattern is available for download from the  Permier Yarns' Website (click on the link), as a PDF file. You may also "follow" the shawl on Ravelry (click on the link - but you need to be a member of www.ravelry.com, a free website for knitters & crocheters).


The shawl was featured at Premier Yarns' Fashion Show at Vogue Knitting Live in Los Angeles, CA:

Please note, the pattern was published with the lace charted. I have the lace instructions available in written, row-by-row format. Email me at sunfunliving@yahoo.com for the written instructions. I have not figured out how to post a pdf file onto this blog. 

More Adventures in Dyeing Yarn

On Friday, I dyed this yarn:

I dyed a total of 3 skeins of Patons Classic Wool (210 yards/skein) using a crock-pot, with yellow liquid food dye, Wilton's icing dyes in two different colors of blue and purple. I tied knots into different areas of the skein and put it back into the crock-pot in order to get the different colors. I also used plenty of vinegar which actually made the yarn soft!

Here is what I knit out of it:

I casted on 83 stitches and knit "away" in stockinette stitch until I almost ran out of yarn.

In the bind-off row, I dropped 1 stitch every 4 stitches.

It turned into a beautiful shawl! It is about 70" long and 25" wide.

Raverly's "Hot Right Now" Patterns

Several of my patterns were released yesterday. That is exciting enough, but what makes me feel even more excited is that on Ravelry four of my newest patterns are listed as in the TOP-TEN of "HOT RIGHT NOW" patterns:


# 2 Princess Ruffles Shawl

(C) Vera Sanon

(C) Vera Sanon

Free Download: download now 

Materials:

Cascade Heritage 150 Solids (75% Merino, 25% Nylon) – 492 yds (450 m) – 2 skeins

Cascade Heritage Silk  (85% Merino, 15% Silk) 437 yds (437 m) – 2 skeins

Cascade 220 Fingering (100% Wool) – 273 yds (250 m) – 4 skeins

US 6 (4 mm) – 40” circular needle

54 Stitch Makers

Tapestry Needle 

#3 Pacific Brioche Collar Cardigan 

(C) Vera Sanon

(C) Cascade Yarns

This pattern can be downloaded as a FREE pattern, thanks to Cascade Yarns: LINK

This cardigan is worked from the bottom-up, has rounded edges in the front, v-neck shaping, and set-in sleeves. Ribbing for the sleeves is worked in Half Fisherman’s rib. Once the cardigan is sewn together, stitches are picked up all around the collar and cardigan edge and a beautiful Two-Color Brioche rib is worked for 16 (32 double knit) rounds. Detailed explanations are included in this patter on how to work the Half Fisherman’s rib and the Two-Color Brioche rib.

Size: S (M, L, XL, 2XL) 
Chest Measurement: To fit 36 (38, 40, 44, 48) inch chest.

Materials: 
Cascade Pacific (60% Acrylic, 40% Merino) (213 yards/skein) – 6 (7, 8, 9, 9) skeins – Main Color; 1 (1, 1, 1, 2) skeins – Contrast Color.

1 set of US # 8 (5 mm) –40” circular needle or needle size to obtain gauge 
1 set of US # 7 (4.5 mm) – 40” needle 
* 40” circular needle is needed for collar that is worked in the round. Instead of using multiple length needles, the cardigan pieces can be worked in 40” length needles.

Optional: 
1 set of US #2 (3 mm) –40” circular needle (this needle is used to pick-up stitches for the brioche collar. Using a small needle for picking up sts results in a smooth edge.) 
1 set of US #15 (10 mm) – needle (this needle is used to BO sts on Brioche collar, if not using the tapestry needle bind of method, to ensure a very loose BO.)

Tapestry Needle 
Stitch Markers

Gauge: 18 sts/24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette on US # 8 (5 mm) needles or needle size to obtain gauge

#4 Japanese Butterfly Neckwarmer 

(C) Cascade Yarns

This pattern can be downloaded as a FREE pattern, thanks to Cascade Yarns: LINK
This lovely cowl can be worn by showing the right side or the wrong side. Both sides are absolutely beautiful and stunning! The neck warmer is knit in the round and thus the lace pattern is not difficult.

Size: Lower Edge Circumference – 24” 
Upper Edge Circumference – 18” 
Height – 10” 
Size is accomplished by wet-blocking the cowl to those dimensions.

Materials: 
Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport (100% Superwash Merino Wool) (136 yards/skein) – 2 skeins

1 set of US # 7 (4.5 mm) –16” circular needle or DPN 
Tapestry Needle 
Stitch Markers

Gauge: 
20 sts = 4 “ in stockinette on larger sized needles

Pattern Notes: 
(1) “-” in the chart is a purl stitch 
(2) last row of the lace pattern is 24 (not 25 - typo) 
(3) pattern is worked in size 7 needle (no other needle size is needed)

#6 Summer Waves Cardi

(C) Cascade Yarns

This pattern can be downloaded as a FREE pattern, thanks to Cascade Yarns: LINK

This summer cardigan is great for wearing over a tank top or a sundress. Because the Ultra Pima Cotton is relatively light, it is great to wear even on a super hot summer day, but also works great to ward off an evening or air conditioning chill. 
The cardigan is worked seamless, from the top-down. The pretty lace panels are worked by picking up stitches from the front side seams. Because it is a top down knit, the cardigan can easily be lengthened or shortened.

Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL) 
34 (36, 39, 44, 46, 52, 55)” finished chest measurement 
21 (21, 21, 23, 23, 23, 25)” finished length at center back

Materials: 
Cascade Ultra Pima (100% cotton – 220 yds) – 4 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6) 
U.S. 7 (4.5 mm) 32” circular needle -- or size needle to get gauge 
U.S. 7 (4.5 mm) DPN needle – or size needle to get gauge 
U.S. 5 (3.75 mm) 32” circular needle 
U.S. 5 (3.75 mm) DPN needle 
Optional: U.S. 1 or 2 circular needle – to pick up stitches

Stitch Markers 
Scrap Yarn to hold stitches 
Tapestry Needle

Gauge: 20 sts & 28 rows – 4”

Vogue Knitting Fashion Show

Me showing off the entire Oak Leaves Shawl

My Oak Leaves Shawl was in the Vogue Knitting Live Fashion Show sponsored by Permiere Yarns.

The pattern will be available around October 15, 2011 as a FREE Pattern through Premiere Yarns.

Back View 

Side View 1

Side View 2

Fashion Show Program