New Pattern:: Castle Cardigan

This has been a long time coming but it's finally here.......



Castle Cardigan

Sizes: XS [S, M, L, 1X, 2X]
Finished Bust : 32[34, 38,40, 46, 50]

Yarn: Louet Gems Worsted, 100% Merino Wool
10gr/175 yds, 7[8, 9, 9, 10, 10] skeins

Yarn Substitutions: Any worsted weight yarn with gauge 18sts/26rows per 4in in st-st

Needles:
US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles, 24-32 in. long
US 6 (4.0 mm) circular needles, 16-24 in. long

Skill Level: Experienced

Shown: Size Medium in Sandalwood

Price: $6.00




You will receive an email from E-Junkie with a link to the PDF file.

Summer project finally finished

This is probably my most major project from the summer. Working out the pattern took me about 2 weeks of swatching and writing. And then the knitting started. I'm contemplating selling the pattern. It would seem that people don't favor the complex patterns. Never the less, I wanted to challenge myself to make a more cable heavy sweater.







Now I'm moving onto some neckwarmer designs. Smaller projects are good when you want to feel that sense of accomplishment sooner rather than later.

Other side of the fence

Things are definitely greener at Chez Saun. It's amazing what a change in environment and a little more space will do for your outlook on life.

I wanted to show a few of my new additions. Ther are my new favoritest things. ( I know favoritest is not a word but I like it anyway.)




It's a Method Aroma Ring with the Vanilla Pomme scent. This is the best smelling air freshener I've ever smelt.




Then there is my new French Press. I never knew coffee could be soooooo good. I got it because I wanted to be able to clean my coffee maker better and get rid of the need for paper filters. Cleaning out the coffee grounds is not as easy as with a filter but it's definitely cleaner at the end of the day. And did I forget to add that the coffee tastes better.


Also......I got my mojo back. My knitting mojo that is. It was M.I.A. for a while now. With school under control and a slightly longer commute I've found a real urge to knit. I started by finishing my "Swing Girl" coat. I've been working on this same coat since August. That is a long time.




It has a high wide neck and overlaps slightly like a double breasted jacket. Hopefully I'll be able to get some better pictures this weekend. Sunlight is so limited but thankfully spring it right around the corner.

I also got some ideas for some new summer tees that I plan to work on during my spring break. A whole week of nothing but knitting. I can't wait.

Short bursts of creative energy

The past two weeks have been busy, busy, busy. My sister came to visit me and that included quite a bit of walking through the streets of New York and a lot of window shopping. It rained most of the time so we didn't get to go ice skating at Rockerfeller Center like we wanted. None the less, it was nice having her here.

It's also been midterm time. That meant projects and tests for days on end. Here's my project for flat pattern class. A princess line top with a yoke and puff sleeves. A percentage of the grade is based on creativity so I decided to go with a quilted look on the insert and sleeves. It reminded me why I don't like making quilts. Lots of thread, straight lines, and piecing things together.


This week has been filled with more homework and some quick bursts of creative energy. Much of which has been driven by necessity. I needed some larger size bags to carry my supplies. At first I was going to buy some tote bags but I wasn't in the mood to walk the streets looking for some. Instead I opted to make some out of printed canvas from B&J fabrics .


And with the cold weather setting in, I really need to add to my hat collection.

I made another beret style hat using my leftover worsted weight yarns. I used the R&R beret pattern but used garter stitch and alternated yarns every row or two. It is a great way to use all that extra yarn. I still have enough for another hat but I'm thinking I'll make a regular hat with it using the same method.

The R&R beret

Here it is... the R&R beret to commemorate my weekend of rest and relaxation with Rhinebeck and Ravelry. Made in a similar style to my Pumkinhead Hats, this hat is a beret style hat but with a simple texture pattern to highlight any cool variegated worsted weight yarn. It is knit flat and seamed.




The R&R Beret
by Sauniell N. Connally
copyright 2007
For non-commercial use only

Yarn: Manos del Uruguary (3.5oz/ 100grams, 138 yds/ 126 meters) - 1 skein
Color shown: #113 Wildflower

Needles: US 6 (4.00 mm) straights, US 8 (5mm) straights
Supplies: Stitch markers, tapestry needle

Gauge: 18 sts/24 rows per 4in/10cm in simple seed stitch pattern

Size: One size fits most
Skill Level: Beginner



Simple Seed Stitch Pattern
Row 1: *(k1, p1) , repeating from *
Row 3: *(p1, k1), repeating from *
Row 2 & 4: purl all sts



Pattern:

Using US 6 (4.00 mm) needles, cast on 78 sts.
Row 1: k1, *k2, p2, repeating from * to last st, k1.
Row 2: p1, *k2,p2, repeating from * to last st, p1.
Repeat the last 2 rows twice.

Next RS row: Switching to the US 8 needle, k1,*k2,m1, repeating from * to last st, k1. (116 sts)
Next row: purl all sts.

Next row: k1, and begin row 1 of the simple seed stitch pattern to the last st, k1.
Continue on, working the stitch pattern until the hat measures 4 inches from the ribbing.

Next RS row: work 2o sts, pm, *work 19, pm, repeating from * 3 times, work 20 sts. Work WS row in pattern.
Next RS row (right decreases): k1, skp, * work to next marker, slm, skp , repeating from * 4 times, then work to the end. Work one row in pattern. (110 sts)
Next RS row (left decreases): *work to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, repeating from * 4 times, then working to the last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (104 sts)
Repeat the last 4 rows once. (92 sts)

Next RS row: work row making right and left decreases at row beg, end, and markers as done in the rows above. (80 sts)
Repeat in this manner on every RS row until there are 5 sts between each marker.
Next RS row: work row making right decreases. (26 sts)

Cut a long tail and using a tapestry needle, string tail through the loose stitches and tighten and secure. Block hat and seam side.


Glossary
m1 - make one k2tog - knit two together
pm - place marker skp - slip st, k1, pass slipped stitch over
slm - slip marker RS - right side

The Return

I'm back in NYC and hopefully I can finally settle in without any problems.

The time at home was great. G-ma LOVED her new socks. She loved the brown and cream colors. I also finished painting the kitchen and the most important thing I learned is that you will exercise muscles you never knew you had. The muscles at the base of my neck hurt so much when I was done.

I was to claim some treasures my father unearthed while cleaning out closets. The first was an old handheld television I got when I was in my teens. It still works and will come in handy if the power goes out.


Another was this Vogue pattern from my mother. This was her first ever Vogue pattern which she never used. The cover is all beat up but the pattern is in great conditon. I love the dress but don't think I'd have occasion to wear it. I will make the coat though.

Here is a picture of the Karabella tank. I'm not sure what to call it but I'll come up with something.


Here's a close-up.


It may not be easy to see but each of the joins in the lattice pattern has a bead . The neckline and armholes are accented with beads as well. I was trying to challenge myself when I came up with this and it was a definite challenge in patience.

The train ride back was 12+ hours and I figured it be a good time to fix the Miss Saun from last year. I've never worn it because I was not really happy with the length. I want it to be floor-length. I have been putting off making the changes because I wasn't looking forward to taking it apart at the bottom. I am almost finished and then I'll have to weave in all the ends. When it's finished I'll take a pic of the new and improved dress.

So It Goes*

Long time, no see.

I'm back in Cleveland. Why you ask? Well....My new building is having electrical issues. They rehabbed a bunch of pre-war apartments, adding 4-5 electrical outlets to rooms that may have only had 2. What they forgot to do was rehab the entire electrical system to handle the load. It's not a problem until everyone tries to run their ACs.

Here's mine. Isn't it pretty?Never the less, I came home for a week or so to give them time to fix the problem.

Here are some pics of my living room/kitchen/everything smashed into one room.

Thankfully, I have a bedroom too.

And the view from my window.

I took my first train ride to come back home. It was 12 hours, which wasn't so bad. It gave me a chance to read and knit. I finished "The Devil Wears Prada" which was better than the movie and I started my first Kurt Vonnegut book, "Slaughter House - Five".(*My post title comes from the book.) I'm trying to read some different things and I found these at a used book store. Books for $3-5 are a nice thing.


The trip home has been a hidden blessing. It has given me a chance to spend some time with my family which I'm enjoying. The last time I was home I was able to see my G-ma. She was wearing the socks that I made her from some Regia Tip & Top Cotton. She likes to walk around her apartment in socks instead of house shoes. She told me that the socks I made in Lorna's Laces had a hole in them. While pretty, the yarn is just too soft for her.


I started these on the train ride back. It's more Tip & Top Cotton that I got from Elann last year. The stash is coming in handy. I'm going to take them to her tomorrow. I have another skein in black & white to make but I probably won't get those done before I leave.

I finished my beaded top in the Karabella Cotton. If it's not raining, I'll try to take a picture today. In the meantime, I'm going to get back to my current project. I'm helping my parents by painting the kitchen. Nothing like the smell of latex paint to get ya going. I'll take pictures when I'm done.

Just peeking in

Hi everybody! How was your weekend? Did all you mothers have a great Mother's Day? I sure hope so.

It's been busy here at Chez Saun. Big things are happening here and I wish I could tell you everything but alas, it will have to wait a little while. It's going to keep me really busy for the next few weeks and my posts may be sporadic.

I hope to have a review up of "The Knitting Circle" by Thursday. I just have to finish the book by tomorrow so I can return it to the library. I only have 260 more pages to go. Guess what I'll be doing tonight?

Before I go, I'll give you a peek of what was waiting in my mailbox on Saturday.


It's mine and it's in the new Knit.1 Summer 2007 issue.

It only took forever

I'm not quite sure why, but these socks took me forever to finish. I started them in October.
It would only be fitting that I finish them in May when the temps are too high to wear socks.


I'm not sure how long my next set of socks will take but this is what I'm using. It's the Socks That Rock in Stonewash that I bought at last years MDSW. Since I couldn't go this year, I figured breaking into the yarn I bought last year would only be fitting. Would you know that I have not touched any of the yarn that I bought last year. Yes, it's sad, but that also tells you reason I didn't go this year. I don't need any new yarn.


I can tell you one thing that didn't take me that long to finish......" corazón azul".

I finished the body on Sunday and the sleeves Monday. I must say that I really do like the KnitPicks Shine yarn that I used for this project. It's a nice cotton/modal blend that is soft. Much better than a pure cotton. It looks like it will develop a slight halo after a few washings but I think that's typical of cotton/cotton blends.

Now I need to get back to my Habu tunic. I got a little frustrated with it. I was tired of the straight stockinette and tried to add a lace motif, but that turned into disaster. Ever time I saw it, it made me think of a dress for a 3-yr old. Even though it's boring, I'm going to stick to the stockinette. Sometimes, simplest is best. Hopefully I'll have it done by Friday so I can show you what it looks like.

A look at Billie

Here's a glimpse at where it all began back in October......
I was working from home and an idea popped into my head. I took a break and began to sketch before it left my head. I didn't really think about it for a few weeks. I had to let the idea marinate. Later I saw the stitch pattern on a sweater in a Vogue magazine and knew I wanted to use it for this jacket.

Working this design was a little tricky. I started with a swatch (Sahara's wise voice rings true) but there was something my small swatch could not predict. This particular stitch pattern draws the fabric inward the more repeats you do. After some tinkering, I was able to get my measurements together.



It took a bit more yarn than I thought - 10 balls of Aurora 8. It's partially due to the fact that the wraps take up more. The collar, cuffs, and lower band are also done like a folded hem which uses more yarn.




I'm contemplating what to do about the pattern. I'm thinking that I'll add an option to make the jacket longer. This will probably make the jacket more wearable for the bustier, curvier girls. It'll be ready in a week or two.

Smore to love

I finished the Smores pattern last week.



(You'll have to excuse quality of the pic. This isn't the shirt I plan to wear it with but I didn't feel like ironing it just to take the pic.)

Pattern: Smores
Designer: Nikki at knitensity
Yarn: Malabrigo worsted - color: Amoroso - 3 skeins
Size: Bust 35"


Something about this pattern grabbed me when I saw it. I didn't buy it at first glance but for some reason it plagued my thoughts for a few days, so I went back and bought it. It's something in the lace panel, cables, and Malabrigo that did it for me.

I only made a few minor changes to the pattern. I made the waistband ribbing instead of seed stitch. I just wanted ribbing since the armholes would be ribbing. I also went with a standard neckline instead of the turtleneck. I think I'll get more wear if I can pair it with a collared shirt as well as the collar-less shirt like the one in the pic above. I can wear it to work with the collared blouse but I can forsee wearing this with a long-sleeve black shirt and dark jeans too.

Late night report

Thanks to the Oscars running over time, I'm still up late. I don't think I've ever watched the entire show but this year I did. Ellen was hilarious and I think this year's show was more entertaining than it's ever been. I was hoping Little Miss Sunshine would have won more but I'll survive since Jennifer Hudson and Forrest Whittaker both won. YEAH!


Another exciting part of the evening is that I finished these while watching the show. This is the first thing that I've made for myself since September or October. Noro yarn is nice but I don't understand why it cost as much as it does. I think this weekend I'll finally get around to making the Michael Kors coat I've wanted since late last year.


This is off-topic but I have a question for everyone that lives outside of the US. Do you have to file taxes every year? We have to file federal and state tax returns to make sure we paid the proper taxes during the year. Do you have to do that? I'm not up on how each country works but I need to find a country without this tedious process. Perferrably a country with a consistently warm climate.