Modification Mondays: Cabled Bolero

 Original Pattern: Cabled Bolero

Knitter Extraordinaire: Una (Rav id)

Mods: Used fewer pentagrams and arranged them in a different configuration, as well used the collar edging  completely around the bolero, for a more finished look. More details on her mods, specifically a very handy diagram on how she put it all together, is on her project page.

What Makes This Awesome:  This is a popular but really challenging pattern, and many people have tried to modify it into a more wearable garment. I've even got this one sleeping away in my Ravelry projects page, too. But Una's take is easily the most sophisticated and wearable mod of the bolero I've seen- it's the kind of sweater that you wear out and absolutely everyone asks you wear you got it.And how perfect is the knitted button?! I love this sweater, it's utterly perfect. If I ever get around to finishing my bolero, I'll be using Una's mods, for sure. And looking at hers makes me want to dig mine out of the WIP pile, posthaste!

Into Hiding, Briefly

I'm having my wisdom teeth removed this morning. They are impacted, and apparently one is so close to my sinus that they won't be able to get it out with nicking it slightly, and leaving a small hole (it'll heal, but wtf?!) between my mouth and sinus. The lower ones are so close to the nerve that runs along my lower jaw that they suspect I'll have some temporary nerve damage (again, sounds like a party, right?). So I'm  hunkering down this with painkillers, smoothies, and these two knitting projects:

I know that the minimalist cardi won out in the vote, but the February pullover has cast a spell on me. Also, a bit of a confession- I suspect that I might prefer the minimalist in grey. I'm not sure. I need to have a think about it, especially since I suspect I have enough yarn for both. Crazy talk, right? Well folks, I'm feeling kind of crazy. Must be the oral surgery I'm undergoing, oh, probably while you're reading this.

I'll be back next week when I'm off the painkillers! Mod Mondays will go forward as scheduled.

FO: Modern Pumpkin Garden

Bright sweaters look better with bright lipstick, no?

Pattern: Modern Garden

Yarn: Plymouth Yukon, in "Pumpkin"

Needles: 10 mm circulars

Mods: None.

Notes: This was a test knit for Veera, who designed the absolutely stunning cardigan, Modern Garden.  It is designed to use the leaf motif as the shaping, which works quite well. This means that where the leaves are broadest, there are more stitches, such as the bust and hips.

I got to choose my own yarn, and I chose the Plymouth Yukon, as it was a great price on Webs. However, I must warn you that it sheds. And sheds. And pretty much sheds more than my fluffiest cat, Gatsby. Giving the sweater a bath helped tremendously, and did adding some glycerin to the soaking time. It's better now, but while I was knitting it.... orange fluff everywhere.

A word to the wise: chunky knits require negative ease. I really recommend that your Modern Garden have some negative ease, too.

 My husband G always takes the pictures, and I feel like recently we've really found out photo groove. We had lots of fun shooting these photos on Halloween, but is was SO windy that day!!

Modification Mondays (and my Own FO!): Cotton Candy Boatneck

 I wonder if it's self-serving to have your own mod on Modification Mondays.... screw it. I'm doing it anyway.

Original Pattern: Whisper Stripe Pullover


Knitter Extraordinaire: Me.

Mods:This pattern didn't start at a size small enough to fit me (32"). So I modified the stitch count and went down slightly in needle size. I knitted it in the round instead of flat. As for the yarn, I only used 2 yarns instead of 3 called for in the pattern. I also thought the yarns used in the original were kind of expensive, so I got the well-priced (and deliciously awesome) Elann Peruvian baby Silk and Elann Super Kydd. I highly recommend both yarns.

I also eliminated the ruffles at the hem and sleeves, shortened the sleeves into 3/4 length, added waist shaping, and changed the neckline from a scoop into a boatneck.  As for the stripes, I used the pictures from the pattern as a guideline, and put them where I felt like it. I can't stand row counting, I find it tedious. More details on the mods, including the stitch counts, can be found on the project page.

What Makes This Awesome:   I have to tell you- this sweater feels like heaven. I love wearing it so much!! It's lightweight, surprisingly warm, and just feels like I'm cuddled up in a cotton candy cloud. I loved the delicate pink that was used in the original pattern, so I shopped for yarn that was similar. I'm really pleased with how it turned out, and I really enjoyed knitting it- it was so light, it felt like it flew over the needles. There is only one thing I wish I had done differently-  jogless stripes in the round. I forgot jogless stripes existed until I finished the sweater.

Usually it's my kitty Yarn that loves to get all up into the knitting action, but today is was our other kitty Gatsby who wanted to be in on things. He's not usually a ham, but I think he just wanted to cuddle up with this awesome pink sweater. He's such a fluffy beast, isn't he? Most of what you see there is fur, he's really a small bodied cat. Wow, that was such a 'defensive parent' thing to say, wasn't it? "It's glandular! He's just short for his age!" etc. Sigh. I love my cats.

FO: City Cowl

Pattern: My Kind of Town Cowl

Needles: 12mm

Yarn:Belle Valleé Wools 4-Ply 100% Wool (thanks to Canary Sanctuary for the yarn!)

Mods: None

Notes: Such a simple pattern, so much immediate love!! I've worn this cowl pretty much every day since I finished it- and it only took me a couple days to knit it. Not everyone would love my yarn choice- it's not the softest wool in the world, but my sensitive skin still loves wool. Me and wool, we're tight.

One of the best things the designer did was include lots of photos on the different ways it can be worn. Because when you're first finished, it just looks like a garter stitch  tube, and that's not particularly inspiring. The pictures above and the picture below show my two favourite ways of wearing it:

 (This one is the way I wear it with my coat all the time, and then I pull it over my shoulders if I'm indoors and still a bit chilly).

I can't say enough good things about this- it's the perfect quick knit, and a fabulous beginner project if you know some new knitters who need a simple and satisfying project to begin with. And if you are looking for quick holiday gifts, I can't recommend these enough!

Decisions, Decisions....and Boatloads of Knitting

Look at this beautiful pile of Tanis Fiber Arts Aran weight, in the grape colourway:

Of course, now that I have a lovely, cuddly pile of this delicious yarn, I'm not exactly sure what I want with it. Definitely a pullover or a cardigan. Which only leaves me with, oh, a few hundred patterns, according to the Ravelry pattern search. So, I've decided to let the yarn tell me what it wants to be, via swatching. Here's the one long swatch I knitted up to see how the colours responded to different stitches:

I'm considering the Minimalist Cardigan (seed stitch), February Fitted Pullover (gull lace stitch), Garter Yoke Cardigan (garter and stockinette), Francis (seed stitch and stockinette), and Vaila (stockinette & ribbing). Which is more of a long list than a short list, to be fair.

And you know what this swatch tells me? It ALL looks great!! I was really hoping for a clear winner, but the yarn just knits up so well in all stitches, with no strange pooling. Which is great, but also makes the decision process that much more challenging. Any thoughts?

And I've been working on a lovely little confection, the Whisper Pullover. I'm modifying it quite a bit, and so far love the results. I'm ashamed to admit that this is my first time working with kidd mohair, and I have to say I love it- the garment is so lightweight and smooshy, it's like a cloud of pink cotton candy. I'm really looking forward to wearing this when it's all done.

I've also recently completed a new project, but it is a test knit, and I can't fully reveal it until the pattern goes live. So here is a little teaser shot:

 (why yes, I did think it looked a bit like I knitted with a bag of cheezies, too...)

Modification Mondays: White Cowl Neck

Original Pattern: Rusted Root

Knitter Extraordinaire: Katie (Rav id, blog)

Mods: Oh, where to begin!! Began with the basic stitch count and body fit on Rusted Root, and set out to create a sweater inspired by Cameron Diaz's sweater in the film The Holiday:

 Katie took the combination of the beautiful dark brown sleeve buttons against the creamy white and set out to make a stunning, I-wish-I-owned-this-too sweater:

She added long sleeves, added buttons and a lovely cowl neck. That cowl neck is gorgeous- makes it even better than the sweater that inspired the knit in the first place! Project page is here.

What Makes this Awesome: If I saw this sweater in a store, I'd buy it. This looks like the kind very wearable, dressy or casual sort of sweater that would like good on practically everyone. If you find a pattern that you love and fits you  perfectly, you can modify it endlessly to produce vastly different, yet very wearable, garments. This beautiful sweater doesn't look like rusted root at all, yet is based on that pattern.  Which makes me realize something (isn't it awesome when someone else's knitting makes you realize something about your own knitting?!): I have yet to find my perfect pattern, like Katie's Rusted Root.I would love to do this, but haven't' quite found my perfect base pattern yet. Let the search for the holy knitting grail continue!!

Modification Monday: Somewhat Different Textured Tunic

Original Pattern: Textured Tunic

Knitter Extraordinaire: Kiyomi (Rav id)

Mods:  Changed the textured bust detail to a vertical diamond pattern that begins at the neckline, added waist shaping, and then continued the diamond pattern on the sleeves. The sleeve are knit straighter, instead of bell shaped, and Kiyomi added a lovely button detail to the cuff. Let's just get a closer look at the utterly perfect sleeve mod, shall we?

What Makes this Awesome: Well, I'm in love with the sleeves, hands down. But I have to admit I've been thinking about knitting the original pattern for about 2 years, and I kept putting it off because I wasn't sure how I felt about the 'tube top' look that the bust section has. If only I had been as inventive as Kiyomi, I could have had this sweater ages ago! I love the diamond detail, it's so lovely and unexpected. Project page is here.

FO: Leyburn Sock

 (I meant to do a  lovely outdoor photo shoot, complete with leaves that matched the yellow socks, but the daylight just doesn't wait for me to get out of the office, it seems! So, I give you my blue bathroom.)

Whew, this was a tough one for me!! I frogged this sock at least 4 different times, frustrated that I couldn't get the stitch to look quite right. In the end, I decided to forge on regardless, and hope that blocking would work miracles.


You may recall that this sock is part of a very fun sock swap with Eliza, who knit the first sock, and then sent it to me with the yarn for the 2nd sock. You can't have second sock syndrome if you don't have to knit two identical socks!!  A brilliant idea. Until I started to fight with my sock. 

Pattern: Leyburn Socks 

Needles: 2.75 mm dpns 

Yarn: Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino  

Mods: none

Once the sock was blocked, I realized what was driving me nuts while knitting it- I wasn't getting row gauge. Usually, I don't care about row gauge, I'm more concerned with how wide the item turns out to be, and I add length to pretty much everything I knit, using other favourite items as sizing templates (and I swatch!) But I never gave a fig about row gauge. But you know how the knitting gods are- they never forget a slight. And they lie in wait to wreak their vengeance! The sock I knitted is on the left in the photo below:

Although if a lovely sock (albeit a very challenging knit for me) is vengeance, then I admire the knitting gods in all their wisdom. Damn cute, socks, no? Even if they are slightly different.

Modification Monday: Cozy Hoodie

Original Pattern: 109-1 Jumper with Hood

Knitter Extraordinaire: Alli (Rav id, blog)


Mods: Used the structure of the Drops hoodie pattern for the bulk of the sweater, but change the original collar and hood trim from ribbing to cables- specifically the cables from this pattern.

What Makes this Awesome: Sometimes you see a really great pattern, but you know that there are certain details that just aren't quite right. Say, you love the shape and style of one, but prefer the details of another totally different pattern. This little slice of hoodie perfection is the perfect mash up of the structure of the Drops pattern, with the awesome cabling detail of a completely different (and un hooded) cardi. And you just can't fight facts- hoodies are awesome. Project page is here.

And for any fellow Canucks out there, happy thanksgiving!! I've personally been verfed by my family, and am about to begin the journey back to Toronto in preparation for normal life after a long weekend at home. There has been plenty of knitting, stay tuned!

Modification Monday: Anais Dress

 (Doesn't that just look like the dress inspires happiness?!)

Original Pattern: Anais and Ribbed Mini Dress

Knitter Extraordinaire:Monica (Rav id, blog)

Mods: Took the top of Anais, eliminated the sleeves, and meshed it with the waist and skirt portion of the Ribbed mini dress.

What Makes This Awesome: Let's face it- Anais is a pretty awesome design all by itself. It looks very wearable, and when I checked out the ravelry FOs, they were all really great. but as a dress- wowza!! that's impact. the dress is stunning, and it looks amazing on her. This is a great mash up of two very different patterns, harmoniously blended into a truly gorgeous dress. Her project page is here.

Modification Mondays: Albert

 How cute is this little guy?? Everyone, meet Albert:

Original Pattern: Elijah

Knitter Extraordinaire:Whitney (Rav Id, blog)

Mods: Turned Elijah to adorable Elephant into Alberta, the super adorable monkey!! Project page for Albert is here, and included full details on exactly how she turned an elephant into a monkey.  Alberta even has a little i-cord tail, although the tail is not visible in the shot.


What Makes This Awesome: Are you kidding?! Monkeys make everything awesome! The very fact she turned an elephant into a monkey is pretty awesome, but her clear notes on exactly how to do it are invaluable for anyone who wants a little monkey of their own. It was so great of Whitney to share!


This monkey mod was so successful, she even made a little pink monkey named Bella. Here's a shot of Bella at a tea party with some other friends you may recognize:

Is that not the cutest tea party you've ever seen?! Swoon.

The Best Damn Smoothie Recipe

 I've been reading A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from my Kitchen Table. I highly recommend! This beautiful and charming book is a cross between a cookbook of delicious recipes and a moving recount of a woman's life impacted by her family's and her own love of food and food preparation. Everyone should read this and realize that it's important to cook with your kids, and it's important to eat meals as a family. I'm not surprised that the author's blog is so popular- she write in a way that is honest, simple, and compelling, just like her recipes.

I love to cook and bake, but my apartment's oven is a shameful disappointment- it heats really unevenly, and I pretty much have to rotate everything that goes in there several times, as well as play with the bake vs. broil settings to prevent the bottom from getting burned while the top is undercooked.  I know it sounds silly, but when I cook something and it turns out badly, I take it personally. I can handle bad knits, I can handle a bad day at work, but a bad turn in the kitchen? Makes me want to sob like a little child.

A recent baking success has been Snickerdoodles. Have you ever eaten a Snickerdoodle? I made a batch on the weekend and they were AMAZING. Like the perfect cross between a doughnut and a cookie. Simple, sugary, lovely. I wish I had snapped some pictures before they all got eaten! Recipe (and an accurate photo) are here. But here is a recent winning recipe from my kitchen (possibly because it doesn't involve the oven). My husband is in LOVE with this. Heck, I'm in love with this! It is, without question, the beast smoothie I've ever had, anywhere.

The  Best Damn Chocolate/PB/Banana Smoothie You'll Ever Have

Ingredients:

1 banana

3 cups of skim milk

7-10 ice cubes (if you want it really thick, add more ice cubes)

1/3 cup of smooth peanut butter

1/4 cup chocolate syrup

Directions: through it all into a blender and let 'er rip for about 4 minutes, or until all your ice has been fully incorporated into the smoothie. The long your blend, the frothier it gets.

Servings: 4. Or two huge portions that pretty much make you full for hours, which is what happens in our home.

G is a total chocoholic, so you might be happier with a bit less syrup, but in my house that would be sacrilege. If you try it, let me know what you think.

Modification Mondays: Shrug for Daughter

Original Pattern: Amber Beaded Cardigan

Knitter Extraordinaire: Candace (Rav Id)

Mods: Turned the lovely and long tie-front cardigan into a perfect little shrug for her daughter. eliminated the length, and used the lace trim around the hem, to match the neckline and sleeves.

What Makes This Awesome: Candace's shrug take on the cardi is such a great example of a well-chosen modification for a pattern. The original cardi has a different stitch section below the bust closure, so it was simple enough to only knit the shrug portion. I also think the beads are a gorgeous match for the yarn she chose. so many cardigans would make excellent shrugs or boleros, and take a significantly smaller quantity of yarn. I'm a little surprised that more people haven't knitted this pattern-it's free, and a really pretty cardi. Project page is here.

FO: Felix Baby Cardi and Apple Cozy

Pattern: Silly Apple Cozy Yarn: stash red acrylic and stash green merino Needles: 5 mm dpns, and 3.5 mm needles for the leaf Mods: made the cozy much smaller than the original pattern called for- I don't buy gigantic apples that often. Also added a leaf from this pattern. Notes: I love this little apple cozy, it's a pretty hygienic way to transport an apple that I would typically just toss into my purse for a snack at work. I added a little leaf by the button, because for some unknown reason, I felt utterly compelled to have an apple cozy look just like an apple. But yet I have no sound argument as to why I did that. Hmm. A little armchair psychology, anyone? Pattern: Felix's Cardigan Yarn: stash, I believe an acrylic/cotton blend from Paton's. 2 Skeins. Needles: 5 mm Mods: went up a needle size to make this a bit bigger. Notes: The cardigan patterns was a simple top down construction, which was great. I think it's safe to say that the awesome robot buttons make this sweater. I got them on Etsy.com, from Buttered Parsnips. I love her buttons!! I'll be buying more for future kid knits, for sure. I found it really hard to find great buttons for boy knits, abut she has lots of great designs. How cute are they?!