September 23, 2011

Yarn: Rowan Wool Cotton, DK weight 50% Cotton/50% Wool, in Citron and Moonstone
 
Needles: 4 mm / US 6

Gauge: 5.5 stitches x 7 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Dice Check 

Source: BW2, p. 51.

Comments:  This three-colour pattern only ever uses one colour at a time, so it doesn't require you to carry a yarn across the back... pretty ingenious, really!  :)

September 22, 2011

Yarn: Tivoli Celtic Aran 100% Superwash Wool in Beige 

Needle: 4.5 mm / US 7

Gauge: 5 stitches and 6 rows per inch 

Stitch Pattern: Clamshell

Source: BW2, p. 129.

Comments: I made a mistake in this pattern, and fixed it half way through - look closely, and you may be able to see it.  Basically, I reduced the increased stitches by knitting the 5 stitches together, instead of knitting them together through the back loop as I was supposed to do.  You can see how the stitches in the top two rows of, um, "clams" twist slightly to the left rather than to the right.  I thought maybe this would affect how well the clams stand out, but I don't think it does.

September 21, 2011

Yarn: Berocco Vintage, 50% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 10% Nylon worsted weight yarn, in Cerulean

Hook: 4 mm / US 6-G

Gauge: umm...

Stitch Pattern: Crocheted flower

Source: this is a hybrid of this flower and the flowers used in this pattern.

Comments: I was making these to embellish the hat, but the instructions weren't as clear, so I started looking at online versions for more suggestions.  The petal numbers are closer to the garnstudio version, but the actual stitches in each petal are the same as in the hat pattern.  I think I could do a lot with these things....

September 20, 2011

Yarn: Lamb's Pride Bulky 85% Wool, 15% Mohair in Grey

Needles: 5 mm / US 9

Gauge: 4 sts and 5.5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Shadow Rib

Source: BW2, p. 6.

Comments: I don't really like this one...  its more of a slightly textured reverse stockinette stitch than a rib.  Maybe it could be useful if you wanted something rugged-looking - not that anything of that sort comes to mind, of course.  :)

September 19, 2011

Yarn: Shepherd Classic 100% Wool in Orange

Needles: 4 mm / US 6

Gauge: 5 sts and 7 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Tiny Bowknot

Source: BW2, p. 125.

Comments: Somehow this stitch seemed more effective in the book than it does in real-life.  Its a little too subtle for my taste, although I guess that can sometimes be useful.

September 18, 2011

Yarn: Patons UpCountry 100% bulky weight Wool in Olive green, and Lamb's Pride Bulky 85% Wool, 15% Mohair in Khaki

Needles: 5 mm / US 9

Gauge: 3.5 sts and 6 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Picot Stripe

Source: BW2, p. 117.

Comments: These look like little Christmas trees to me... I think this one, like the flowers from the other day, would make an interesting border along the bottom edge of a sweater or something.  Or maybe in a felted item, where it would bring some texture to the piece?

September 17, 2011

Yarn: Patons Beehive Shetland Chunky, 75% Acrylic/25% Wool, in Dark Teal  

Needles: 5 mm / US 9

Gauge: 3.5 sts and 4.25 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Checkered Acre

Source: BW1, p. 192.

Comments: Normally, I'm really not a fan of yarns with as much acrylic in them as this one, but somehow, I can't not like this Shetland Chunky yarn.  Ages ago I knit a sweater for my brother using this (in dark grey, not this colour), and as far as I know he still has it and its in decent shape, considering.  To be fair, I did steam swatch a little more than is probably good for the acrylic, but look how nicely it sits now!  :)

September 16, 2011

Yarn: Berroco Lustra, 50% Wool/50% Tencel aran weight yarn in Aubergine  

Needles: 4 mm / US 6

Gauge: 5.25 sts and 7.5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Diamond Brocade

Source: BW1, p. 30.

Comments: This is a pretty simply knit/purl combination, which gives a nice effect.  It would be interesting (I think, anyway) to do one row of these diamonds as an accent along the waist-line (or empire waist-line) of a little girls coat.  It would need the right yarn and garment shape though, otherwise it might get a little lost in the overall piece.

September 15, 2011

Yarn: Tivoli Celtic Aran 100% Superwash Wool in Blue

Needles: 4.5 mm / US 7

Gauge: 3.5 sts and 5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Little Herringbone

Source: BW1, p. 98

Comments: This little two-row pattern makes quite a dense fabric, which pulls wider than it does tall.  Kind of fun, but I think it would be challenging to work it into a garment.... it takes ages to knit, and the right side of the piece is a little wonky, even after blocking.  I suppose it might correct if you picked up a button band on that side, but you'd have to be careful with the stitch you chose - I'm not sure if ribbing would look good next to this pattern.

September 14, 2011

Yarn: Tivoli Celtic Aran 100% Superwash Wool in Beige 

Needles: 4.5 mm / US 7

Gauge: 4.5 sts and 6 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: The Anchor

Source: BW1, p. 288

Comments: To round out the sailing vacation that took me away from swatching for ten days, I thought I'd knit this anchor motif.  Good for a blanket square or themed project, I think, but perhaps not so useful elsewhere.  :)

September 3, 2011

Yarn: Pingouin France +, 50% Acrylic/50% Wool (DK) in Tweedy Blue

Needles: 4 mm / US 6

Gauge: 5 sts and 7 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Sail Away, Ladies (14-stitch repeat)

Source: St5, p.60-61.

Comments: The book offers 4 versions of this pattern, which differ only in the number of stitches in each repeat - you can do 10+1, 14+1, 16+1, or 22+1.  I went for one that was somewhere in the middle, but not the 16 one, because that's the one in their sample photo.  :)  Anyway, the name of this one seemed appropriate somehow...  ;)

September 2, 2011

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino, 100% Worsted Weight Wool in Natural Marl, Cascade 220 100% Worsted Wool in Orange, Knit Picks Merino Style, 100% DK wool in Pine, King Cole Merino Blend DK, 100% Superwash Wool in Raspberry, and Elann Peruvian Highland Sport 100% Wool, in Oxford Grey Heather.

Needles: 4 mm / US 6

Gauge: 5 sts and 7.5 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Four-Colour Blister Stitch

Source: BW2, p. 110.

Comments: I ran out of the pink after 4 rows, so I cheated and made this five-colour blister Stitch.  This is such a fun little bubbly pattern - I am so going to make it into mittens this winter - just you wait!  :)

September 1, 2011

Yarn: Tivoli Celtic Aran 100% Superwash Wool in Beige and Blue

Needles: 4.5 mm / 7 US

Gauge: 6.5 stitches and 9 rows per inch

Stitch Pattern: Fluted Fabric Stitch

Source: BW2, p. 23.

Comments: I like these slip-stitch colour patterns, although I think the regular fabric stitch was more effective overall.  Sorry the pic is a little blurry - I didn't notice that till just now, and I'm too lazy to go take a new photo!  :)