Category Archives: knit

2024 FO

Posted on by
12

I have my first finished object for 2024!

I ripped out the Botanical Yoke Dog sweater on Christmas Eve and immediately cast-on in a smaller size. I also had to do some math to make it shorter while still getting the correct stitch count for the increases in the body. (My gauge was a teensie weensie bit off.)

This is the small size on Pepper. The first one was a medium. I wanted to see how high the neck was before knitting an additional 15 rows as the pattern instructed. It would have gone up to her ears had I kept going!

Pepper in sweater before ends woven in
Pepper in sweater before ends woven in

I think I knocked off about 4-5 inches from the length of the body. Huge difference. The original one is on the left and the new. improved one on the right.

The original (larger) one would be easier to get on her but I’m not ripping this out and reknitting it again. I took good notes so if this one gets damaged or has a hole I can’t repair (I’m looking at you Pepper!), I can knit another one that will fit without reinventing the pattern. 

Pepper in sweater
Pepper in sweater

Pepper’s almost 15 months old and I don’t think she’ll grow much longer.

Next on the needles: slippers for my sister-in-law.

Pepper’s sweater

Posted on by
9

I started the Botanical Yoke sweater for Pepper last week. The pattern begins with the “sleeves” which are put “on hold” and then begin the main sweater from the bottom up.

The sleeves are finished; I’m on the fourth row/round of the body.

It’s been cold here the past few days so when I put her old sweater on her, I realized it was way too small. She wore it anyway.

I’m trying to knit this quickly but with DK yarn and size 4 needles, it’s not as quick as a worsted sweater on larger needles. Plus there are all the other things I have/want/need to do…

So where was I?

Posted on by
3

Yes, I remember. I fractured my humerus over Labor Day weekend (September 3rd). I’m out of the sling and going to physical therapy twice a week getting strength and motion back. It’s a long process but I see lots of improvement.

I finally picked up my knitting needles last week “thinking” I could knit another 1898 hat for a charity event. All knit, no purl. I could knit about 15-20 rows on the headband section before I had to stop and rest for the day. Slow going to say the least considering I completed one of these hats in 2-3 days in the past! It’s going to take some time to get my knitting skills back.

My next knitting attempt will be this sweater for Pepper. Maybe I’m just more motivated to knit this than the hat. We shall see! Truth be told I don’t usually buy individual knitting patterns but I’ve been eyeing up this sweater for a year (since we decided to actually get a puppy) and finally decided that Pepper was worth it (plus it was on sale at the time). I didn’t have any superwash DK yarn in my stash and “had” to order some (in Rhubarb). It should arrive today! I know I could adapt the pattern and use a worsted weight yarn but I don’t have the brain power at this time to do the math.

Formal training with Pepper will end before Christmas. We’ve learned so much and even though we have more to do, it’s time for a much needed break. One armed training was not fun but I’m able to use both arms now. Miniature Schnauzers are headstrong PLUS she was the alpha dog with her siblings, a tough thing to overcome for her.

Have a great week. I’ll be back soon!

1898 Hat with two color band

Posted on by
3

I love the 1898 Hat by Kristine Byrnes. A commenter asked me how I knit the two-color headband section.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention as I had a limited amount of yarn for a hat so I adapted the pattern to my needs. I made a slight modification to the pattern by using two colors for the band.

***For a two color band:
Using provisional cast on, CO 12 stitches in Color A, 3 stitches in Color B, and 12 stitches in either Color A or B, leaving a 20 inch tail. (If you prefer to seam instead of graft the ends together, use your preferred cast on, but leave the same length tail.)
Set up row (WS): Color B Sl1, k11, pm, sl3 wyif, pm, Color A  k12*  Make sure to twist the two colors to avoid a hole. 
Start back of headband:
Row A (RS) = Color A Sl1, k to marker, sl m, Color B k3, sl m, Color A or B k to end.
Row B (all WS rows) = Color B Sl1, k to marker, sl m, sl3 wyif, sl m, Color B, sl m, Color A or B k to end.

Any questions regarding the original pattern should be directed to the designer, Kristine Byrnes. This modification is for a two-color headband.