Astrid's Knit-A-Long

Finally!!!! I am done

2009-03-26T19:28:00.000-07:00

It took me along time, but I am done. Mine came out a little big, I knew it was coming out big and after blocking it, it became even bigger but I love it. It is more of a coat, so I can use several layers underneath, but I really love it and I learned a lot. Hopefully the next fair isle garment, will come out a little smaller. Here is a picture, if you want to see more see my project page in ravelry under Aurita.

Terri Drops Out...

2008-06-25T02:02:00.000-07:00

Well - I started with a sleeve. I didn't really have any problem with stranding the four colours across the back - although the weaving in was slooooow work. But what are these blobs? Roses? nahh. I wasn't happy so I frogged it. And I'm going to use the yarn (lovely yarn) for other things. Starting with this Inga Hat.
That must have been the shortest ever knit a long. Next time maybe?

A Newbie from Texas

2008-04-14T23:14:00.000-07:00

As we say around here - Hi, Ya'll

I just received my yarn from Astrid - both for this KAL as well as the Kauni SSS Sweater. I have spent the evening trying to decide which to cast on first - but have only progressed as far as fondling the yarn and going "OOOHHH", "AAAHHHH" and reading over both patterns.

This may sound absolutely terrible - but my daughter is having dental surgery tomorrow (a "routine" tooth extraction), so I am sitting here looking at these patterns trying to decide which is (1) challenging to keep me distracted so that I won't freak out while my baby is undergoing anesthesia and (2) easy enough to do while I am distracted while said baby is having her "in office" surgery.

I'll let you know tomorrow which I chose.

~~Terri~~
blog: chrisnicel.typepad.com/knittingsanity

Late starters and new projects

2008-04-14T22:37:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

We have some late starters, great to hear you like this kit and I wish you happy knitting of course!

I've also had some questions on my latest projects. Well, lots of socks, as I've attended a Crafts Fair and it's always nice to bring socks of course :)

Added some pictures of new designs that are finished: first a sleeveless cardigan (look at the large collar), then of course the Kauni SSSSweater, then the Trekking HandArt Flower Gloves (colors are not so good on this picture), a felted bag from the Evilla pre-yarn, another bag from this yarn together with a mohair, then a cute hat (same yarn), another hat with braids (again the pre-yarn), then a felted bag from the Kauni and I'm now busy with a new design with reddish colors, picture will follow once it's finished :)

Then Jeanie has designed a beautiful shawl, that picture will follow later as well, I'm sure!

Hope to get some replies from you....

love,

Astrid.

xoxoxo

A useful tip on color patterns

2008-03-21T07:05:00.001-07:00

I'm glad to see there's still interest in this sweater. I've been wearing mine almost everyday since I finished it. I'ts plenty warm if the temperature is above freezing.

Anway, since I finished it, I've discovered http://www.techknitting.blogspot.com/ . She has wonderful information on lots of knitting subjects, and very helpful advice on color work. Her May 12,2007 entry discusses multiple colors in a technique that looks very easy. I wish I'd read it before I struggled with the rose pattern.

I'll be following your progress.....and where is everybody else? How about some photos of completed sweaters?

Leslie

A useful tip on color patterns

2008-03-21T07:05:00.000-07:00

Not By Yourself

2008-03-18T08:05:00.000-07:00

Hi,
I started the sweater at the beginning of the knit-along, but chickened out. Now I have another starter and I wanted to knit one more winter item. I guess it is time to put this on the needles again!! I am going to do the rib at the boottom too. Are you planning to knit in the round the whole way up?
Kim

The latest 'joinee'

2008-03-15T06:09:00.000-07:00

The Late Starter

I've hankered after knitting a cardigan like this for ages - so this KAL is perfect! Greetings to you all...

Where are all the pictures of the finished cardigans? Leslie's looks beautiful - though I'd like mine to look baggier on me as I don't like fitted garments normally - so I think I'm going to knit the largest size.

The yarn has arrived - in fact the parcel was waiting for me when I came back from the wonderful 'Skip North' knitting and spinning weekend holiday to visit the Yorkshire mills. I came back with a huge amount of stash from the Mills so I had a very yarn filled week!

I've printed off the pattern - including Astrid's enhanced graphs (thanks Astrid). Now I just have to knit the swatch. Do I start with the hem as specified or do a 2/2 rib like some of you fellow kal folk? Decisions decisions!

Finally finished.

2007-12-17T06:24:00.000-08:00

Here it is all finished. This was a very satisfying sweater to knit, and the rose patterns were a fun challenge. I'll still be checking the blog to see other sweaters. I think it's fun that we've all changed it a bit.

Thanks, Jean, for having the idea and thanks, Astrid, for the blog and timely yarn supplies! Thanks to everyone for posts and comments. This has been a great experience.

Leslie

Crazy person flies to Florida

2007-12-05T16:23:00.000-08:00

We had our first snow in Washington today and the sweater looks right at home.

Friday I'm going to Miami for our family Christmas. We'll be opening presents on Dec. 9 because that's most convenient for us. We're flexible: opening presents and eating a turkey is Christmas, no matter what the calendar says.

Of course, I'm taking along the sweater and I expect to finish it . I'll be there for over a week and all I have left is the sleeve cuffs, raw edge finishing and blocking. I'm doing carry-on luggage (presents were mailed last week) so.....I'm going to wear this sweater on the plane. If I have any more time I'll try to take care of the hanging threads. If anyone notices my sleeves aren't the same length, will they mention it? Stay tuned.

I see in this photo that the front patterns don't line up; in real life they're okay. Maybe my next photo will involve tropical foliage and lipstick. I seem to think of blogging on my commute and take pictures late at night. Not very flattering.

Jean, I can't wait to see a photo of your birds! Astrid, can we see a photo of your gorgeous sweater being modeled, or is it being saved for a Chrismas present?

Blog to you next week: Mom doesn't have a computer. But she knows about blogging!

Still Knitting on my sweater

2007-11-30T04:17:00.000-08:00

I am almost done with my patternwork before the roses at the shoulder/neckline. still plugging away and loving every minute of it. the yarn is so soft and nice to knit with. i still think a colorwork sweater in browns with squirrels and acorns would be pretty!

Duplicate stitch the winner.

2007-11-25T07:22:00.000-08:00

If I had to do it again, I would duplicate stitch the rose bands and not try to knit in the pattern. In this photo you can see the knitted in shoulders and the duplicate stiched button bands in the same picture. The knitted band took a lot of tweaking and wet blocking to look that smooth.

I have discovered that balling my hands into fists before I put the sleeves on prevents getting fingers caught in the floats. Put your watch and rings on after you don the sweater.

The reason you're not seeing photos of the completed buttonhole band is that I've reached another snag. The buttonholes on the lining don't match up with the buttonholes on the front.

The arithmetic to calculate buttonhole spacing was painful enough; I'm avoiding revisiting that problem. I suspect I should have verified that I had the same exact number of stiches on the front and back before I started. I hoped for the best and you see where it got me.

This knitalong is my first time participating in the knitting blogosphere, and I wish I'd jumped in sooner. I was telling some friends about it at Thanksgiving. Educated computer users, ages 60+ and 90+. Neither one had heard of blogging. (!) The hardest thing for them to get was "Why would anyone else want to read your blog?" The knitalong concept was a little easier to grasp.

Any discussion of why you want to read blogs leads to the Yarn Harlot. We went to her site and found "Mummy's Little Sweatshop" and read it aloud. The whole gang laughed and laughed. I was too shy to admit I read knitting books in the tub, too.

2007-11-19T18:14:00.000-08:00

The first button band is coming along nicely:
Here's how I did it: I picked up stitches from the right side the usual way:

This is what the inside looked like. There was a loop on the back for every picked up stitch.

Using a smaller needle to help, I knitted up a stich in each loop. I used a second long circular needle.

Then I knitted the band circularly, as you would knit a sock on two circular needles. One needle for the right side of the band, one needle for the lining. When I finished, I wove the two sides together.

I pulled the yarn very firmly when changing needles. The transition looks good, I think. I used Cindy's technique and only knit the rose pattern in blue and green. I cut the green after every pattern row to keep the lining in one color. Before weaving, I duplicate stitched in the other colors.

Here it is partially woven:

My duplicate stitch is tighter than my knitted rose pattern but I don't think it matters. I couldn't think of another way to do it. I think the pattern is unrealistic thinking we could knit the multicolor pattern back and forth.

My extra yarn arrived in eight days and was a perfect match. Thank you Astrid!

Unfortunately I didn't order enough. The button band takes over half a ball of blue. So I've ordered more. It should be here by the time I need it.

Next challenge: Buttonholes!

Leslie

I've outfoxed myself

2007-11-04T14:33:00.000-08:00

I finished the second sleeve and basted it in. I like the way it looks:

Here it is with the steek in the front:

The problem is that I've run out of blue yarn. I had to take out part of the sleeve hem to finish the second sleeve. That hem was too tight; I was planning to re-do it anyway.

It's not surprising I ran out: look how much knitting I cut away for the armholes:

I felt bad about a lonely ball of yarn traveling from Holland by itself so I ordered some Kaffe Fasset sock yarn to keep it company.

I have plenty to do before the yarn arrives. I can finish the inside of the bottom hem with white. I think I'll knit in my name and the year. That's an Elizabeth Zimmerman idea I've always liked. I'll experiment with the sleeve cuff. And I have to permanently sew in the sleeves.

Have you seen what Jean Townsend is doing? On her blog http://www.justmejeanie.blogspot.com/ she shows the bird pattern she's knitting on this sweater. I can't wait to see it. I think it will be lovely.

Leslie

Set in sleeve

2007-10-30T04:58:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about setting in the sleeves. Here's the sleeve basted in with the traditional dropped shoulder. Here's the sleeve set in:

This is what the armhole looked like:

I cut a slit in the sleeve to allow it to fit. The slit is the same width as the armhole, 10 cm in this case.

What do you think? I'm favoring the set in sleeve.

Yes, I'm planning a cardigan. The steek is in the back for these photos. I really love the rose pattern on the button bands. Has anyone started them yet? How are they going?

Leslie

Help with sleeves

2007-10-28T08:39:00.000-07:00

I am starting the sleeves and I am not sure how to handle the increases. I am doing the middle size, that tells you to right away after doing the edge increase 12 stitches (final 58) and begin doing M4, but the pattern repeat is 12 stitches, so I am planning on increasing 2 more stitches to make it to 60, a number divisible by 60. Then they want you to increase 2 stitches at a time for 32 times every 3rd or 4th row, but if you do that there will not be enough stitches to repeat full pattern stitch for a while, what do you do then? How you handle that?

Thanks

Aurita

New KAL idea?

2007-10-27T06:39:00.000-07:00

This is a cardigan that makes me drool.... really! Not just the pattern, but also the yarn.

100% extrafine merino (superwash) and not so very difficult to knit, needle size US 4-6 (3.5-4mm).

http://www.astridsdutchobsessions.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=2428

Have a nice weekend!

love,

Astrid.

xoxoxo

Help

2007-10-23T05:37:00.000-07:00

Well I was moving right along enjoying to the max the knitting and here we are. I finished chart M3 and my sweater measures ~22.5 inches. According to the instructions, it should be 21.65 when I am next to done with the next chart M4. I know I am off but I like it like it is , longer. I just need your help to figure out what I need to do now. I know that the sleeves will have to be wider I guess to fit the steeks, but I deal with that when I get there.

I am planning on knitting chart M4 complete because I want to see those roses like they are. I need to figure out when to start casting off for the front neck. In the pattern it says knit M4 and when pieces reaches 21.65, cast off 34 + 5 steeks ( I am doing the middle size). Since I am past that length and I have not even started chart M4, how many rows in general of chart M4 do you knit when you had to cast off so I can use that as a guide? Or what should I do, I do not want to rip, it is not that I do not want to do it, I like it like it is now and desperately want to find a way to do it.

Assuming that you and me can figure out the above question, now the second. Somebody I think Annie, after casting off the necessary stitches, added back the steeks stitches to keep knitting in the round, but if you do that, how do you then keep casting off 2 stitches every other row to shape the neck.

I am getting all confuse here, so I am stopping until I hear from you or I can understand this, I keep reading and reading the instructions and nothing clicks.

Thanks and looking forward to your input

Aurita

Completed

2007-10-19T11:14:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is, all done, steamed, buttons sewn on, and photographed. The buttons were from Joann Fabrics and are absolutely perfect on this cardigan, and were fairly inexpensive as well. The button band fabric is the best I have ever made, being very firm and even. My buttonholes leave something to be desired however, but I suspect I will get better at that in the future.

After looking back on the techniques, I'm not sure that I would change anything, except to attempt to knit in the rose border. Mine looks messy on the inside but looks great on the public side. Okay, I would change one thing: I would knit the armhole steeks in pattern instead of having extra steek stitches. That way, I could custom size the cutting of the steeks to absolutely match the sleeve width. (My sleeves matched quite well, but sometimes they don't.)

This is my most successful stranded sweater thus far, but now I have to take it off. It's way to warm!! Come on winter!!!

It has been a real pleasure being part of this KAL. Thank you everyone, and especially Jeanie and Astrid for organizing and putting up the blog site.

Sweater finished !

2007-10-18T05:30:00.000-07:00

Fresh from the needles .......

love,

Astrid.

xoxoxo

Update on my sweater

2007-10-17T08:49:00.000-07:00

Wao that is gorgeous, I wish I was that close. Right now, I am on row 37 of chart M3 and I am getting worry. I have 5 balls of gray left and 2 of the white, besides a little more than half of the working gray and a tiny amount of the working white. I don't see how it is going to be enough but I also don't know how much more I will need and i have to order it overseas from Astrid. I am doing the mid size cardigan.

Do any of you have any idea of how much to order or should I wait until I ran out completely and see where I am? I am afraid there will be not by the time that i use all of my balls and I absolutely love this sweater but also I do not want to go ahead and order more of what I need. Advice please

Aurita

Home Stretch

2007-10-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

I'm done with the knitting, but have a little bit more duplicate stitch to finish up and then the buttonholes need some attention. (I did a 3 stitch buttonhole instead of the 2 the pattern suggested.) I will probably not do any embroidery on the button bands, mainly because I've run out of steam, but I sure do think it would look great. Buttons have not been found nor purchased yet.

I'm mostly very happy with how the sweater turned out. My techniques are improving greatly, with all the help from everyone.

One other note: I ordered and used almost all of two more balls of the gray. I knit the medium size which was very generous.

I have loved watching everyone's progress. Thanks, Astrid.

Steeks !

2007-10-13T07:45:00.000-07:00

Just made the steeks, my husband was taking pictures over my shoulder..

I chose to make not a zig-zag stitch, but a stretchy lock-stitch.

The shoulders are now closed as well and I'm off to sew in the sleeves.

After that the collar :)

love,
Astrid.
xoxoxo

Making progress

2007-10-10T11:25:00.000-07:00

I am making good progress on my sweater and enjoying every minute of knitting it!
No pics right now but I am just about to finish up chart M3 and then on the roses and all those colours.
Has anyone wondered why there is no M5? for this sweater? makes one wonder doesn't it?
Hope you are all enjoying knitting this wonderful sweater as much as I am
Thanks Astrid..
btw, I am using some Canadian yarn. Briggs & Little from New Brunswick. A little more friendly to my yarn deprived wallet at the moment but wonderful just the same. Will need a good vinegar soak when complete but that is ok.
take good care everyone and Happy Knitting!
Susanne in cooler Edmonton, AB Canada

Sleeve 1 finished and close-up rose border inner side

2007-10-06T06:05:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

Just finished the first sleeve and asked my DH to take a picture of it.

Also a close-up of the inner side of the rose border, so you can have a good look at the spaghetti.

On with sleeve 2 :) Hope you all are having a great weekend.

love,

Astrid.

xoxoxo

Think I have messed up

2007-10-04T17:31:00.000-07:00

Okay I have messed up good this time. Don't ask me what I was thinking my brain must be mush or something.
The 188 stitches for the ribbing is for the entire sweater correct not just half of the sweater. The sweater is being worked in the round so there is no side seam right!
I think I need to finish one big project at a time instead of doing 3 big projects at the same time. I have gotten 2 of my projects confussed! ouch!
Thanks for the help for a crazy lady right now!

Question about front ribbing

2007-10-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

For some reason my mind will not wrap itself around knitting this sweater. I am just working on the back but I have a couple questions about the front of the sweater.
I understand about adding the 5 extra stitches for the front of the sweater for the sweater band. 2 things I cannot understand is where to put the extra stitches for the armhole streeks need to be added, I have read the comments and the directions and I know my sinuses are driving me crazy but I don't get where to add them. I am making the small by the way!

Also when you are working the ribbing for the front, how did everyone do this, Can I cast on half the stitches for the ribbing with one ball of yarn then cast on the other half of the stitches for the ribbing with another ball of yarn all on the same needle. Then I thought I would knit the 2 halves separate on the same needle but using 2 balls of yarn knitting them until I needed to start the first row of the body of the sweater then I would knit the 2 halves together with 1 skein of yarn and go from there. That way the ribbing would not be cut it would already be separated! Does this sound right?
Thanks for the help!

Some pics

2007-10-02T18:59:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Here are pics showing the rose border I knitted on the body of my sweater, plus the spagetti on the wrong side (which, as you said, Cindy, I'd prefer not to display). Cindy, your knitting is gorgeous...it's so interesting to see the sweater with the body and your knitting of the shoulder is so superior, I think, to sewing it together. About the button bands.....although the model's sweater has the rose border on the button bands, the directions don't describe that. My inclination is to do a plain gray button band, with a red stripe....but I'm fascinated to hear what others think. Astrid and Cindy, I'm so grateful to you two for forging ahead so that I can benefit from your experience! Annie

Sleeve Lined Up with Body

2007-10-01T07:28:00.000-07:00

For your viewing pleasure, a completed sleeve lined up with the body. It looks as though it will be a good fit, although next time, I would knit the body up to the neck with no steek, keeping it all in pattern, and cut a slit for the armholes. That way, if the sleeve did not fit correctly, I could adjust the size of the slit. I'm committed at this point.

The sleeve has been steam pressed and everything evened out quite nicely. The body has not been pressed yet but should improve as well.

I have used up all my gray yarn and have ordered more from Astrid, with a couple of inches to go on the second sleeve. She says she has plenty on hand, so not to worry. You could use another color for the facing if you wished in order to stretch it. My sweater is the medium size and I actually made the sleeves somewhat shorter than the pattern indicated.

Now I am thinking about the button bands. I'm thinking of putting on duplicate stitch after they are finished. Can't imagine trying to knit in buttonholes AND knitting the rose border too. Anyone have other ideas? Maybe I'll wait until Astrid paves the way!!!!

I adore this yarn and pattern.

Sleeve started

2007-10-01T07:11:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

I'm back, a year older ! :) Had a great birthday, thank you all so much.

I started on the first sleeve and again, the roses were the hard part.
I'm knitting the sleeve in the round as well and because you don't have such a long row, it tends to curl up on the needles, therefore it's quite difficult to determine the right lengths of the different yarns on the back.

But, it worked and a picture will follow later.

Is anyone else doing the sleeves? And how did you do the rose border there?

love,
Astrid.
xoxoxo

View of Duplicate Stitch on Inside

2007-10-01T07:08:00.000-07:00

In order for people to help decide which technique to use for the rose border, I've posted a picture of the inside of mine. Normally, I would not show this in public because I don't care for the look of it, much preferring a nice, orderly series of floats. But it is what it is. You can see the green floats above, before I did the duplicate stitch. And in addition, you can see the three-needle bindoff of the shoulders. I love that part.

Are You Having As Much Fun As I Am?

2007-10-01T03:55:00.000-07:00

This is the greatest knit project I ever have been part of. I am working on the rows of graphs around the chest part. I am substituting a graph I found but it is still gray and white. I am so jealous of those of you that are done with the roses rows. I can't wait to get there. I will cast on a steek for after I bind off the neck stitches too so I can keep working in the round also. Come On Roses Rows!!

I did it!! I did it!! Steeking after casting off for the front

2007-09-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

After knitting for the entire day today (really, I'm shameless, no laundry or anything else done), I've finished the knitting on the body of the sweater. It took me probably about 8 hours to do the rose border chart but it was worth it. I stranded yarns the way Astrid did and am very pleased with the front of the work. The back looks like spaghetti and isn't as even as Astrid's. Although picking up each yarn as I needed it was slow going, it worked quite well and didn't result in tangles. I'll send pictures soon (I'm using my daughter's computer, working around computer problems.)

One variation I did: after I cast off the front neck stitches, I cast on 5 steek stitches there so that I could continue to knit in the round which made doing the rose border much easier.

Aurita, I'm glad to hear that you find holding the white yarn in your left hand useful. I did that throughout the body, with the gray in my right, and continued to pick up the gray with my right hand (I kept that yarn to my right) in the border pattern, stranding it on top of the other colors (so it wouldn't "pop"). Incidentally, I kept the other balls of yarn lined up on the table in front of me the whole time. Miraculously, after taking out a few rows (pattern above the big Xs), I got the specified body length!! Who knew that would happen?!

Finally, I'm making size small and have 4+ balls of gray yarn left, so I think I'll be fine with yardage. Don't know if that'll help anyone else.

Happy knitting! And Happy Birthday, Astrid!
Annie

Update and question

2007-09-30T07:14:00.000-07:00

First Happy Birthday Astrid, hope you get to enjoy it with your family.

I have been happily knitting but slowly. I only get ot knit a few minutes and not all days, but enjoying it. I have like 9 inches from the bottom, so tow more and I will be doing the increases for the arm steeks.

I have a question about how to handle the 5 middle steeks stitches. At first I was doing all of them in gray, than I did 3 in white and two in gray, intercalated. Then I read that it was better to do the two outside stitches of the steek (the ones that will be close to the knitting), in the color that was in the sweater, which means to have the two outside stitches in gray, I kept using the white in the middle but they look funny, because the last white stitch for the steek was kind of 2 stitches away when I pick that yarn to make the first white steek, it kind of came from the left, so those 5 stiches are looking kind of funny to me.

I may go back adn do all of them in white. How have you done it?

Also, I ended up using I think Cindy's suggestion about having the white yarn in the left and that has almost completely solved my problem of having very small lice. And to think that at the beginning, I knew the effect of having yarn in one hand vs the other and have decided to have the gray always in the left hand, because somebody else also said that you are better off being consistent through out. Well, that proves that every situation is different and you have to judge it and see what gives you the best result.
The only thing that I am not happy is with the 5 middle steeks.

Also, I decided to try the russina join I think is called, so every time that I start a new ball, I use that technique and will not have any ends to tuck in at the end, but the first ones.

Aurita

Inside picture

2007-09-30T01:19:00.000-07:00

Here it is, a picture of the inside. You can see the long floats in the rose border.

Hope this is of help to you? I'm enjoying the KAL just as much as you, it's much more fun to do it together than alone and it helps you to knit just a little more (and more and more.....)

love,
Astrid.
xoxoxo

2007-09-29T14:26:00.000-07:00

Dang where have I been i've been wait'n for us to get started and hadn't heard anything yet but now I see we have started.
I was wondering if you could post an upclose picture of the back side of the rose pattern area both in the knitted as you go and in the duplicate sts........to maybe help decide what way to attach the pattern,,,,,,Swede

Body finished in blue

2007-09-28T09:51:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

The body is finished and I just started on the first sleeve.
The 2/2 rib is done and I really have to start on the rose border again, luckily the rows aren't that long on the sleeves :)

It's so great to read that we are really helping each other making this cardigan/sweater.
A lot of techniques are used and I think we're all enjoying it!

Have a great weekend,
love,
Astrid.
xoxox

M3 Pics

2007-09-26T19:58:00.000-07:00

Here is the back of my sweater containing the rows you asked for, Jean. I hope this helps. Annie

Chart M3, Rows 25-45

2007-09-26T18:14:00.000-07:00

I sure wish someone would post a pic of their chart M3. I am wondering about the rows with the section of M3 that are Rows 29-40 in particular. I looked at a pic of a sweater that was finished past that area, but it does not seem to look like my chart. I realize we can change up our charts if we want to so I would love to see some of the work done on any or all of chart M3.
I think your roses are just wonderful Astrid. I am looking at the blue and gray sweaters and just can't wait to get that far.

Rose border knitted in

2007-09-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

It's possible !!

It took me almost an hour per row, but I did manage to knit the rose border without duplicate stitches.
As you can see, I'm only half-way (of course I didn't expect it would really take that long) but at least we know now that it's possible. I don't carry any yarns along, nor hold any in my hand. I simply leave them all hanging and pick up stitch by stitch the yarn I need, that's why it's taking so long.....

Enough yarn + roses

2007-09-24T21:55:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

Don't worry too much about the extra yarn, I still have plenty of the grey and white and I managed to get 15 extra balls blue that are a closer color than the new delivery. Some are even of the same dye lot! So I'm sure there will be no problems at all.

This morning I will start on the roses border and I intend -stubborn as I am :) - to knit it in completely, we'll see how it goes. As soon as it's finished, I will post a picture of course.

I'm very happy with the way the sweater is going to look, it's even better than I expected!

love,
Astrid.
xoxoxo

My Tension Problem and Solution

2007-09-24T12:13:00.000-07:00

it seemed every row of the little lice/ white dots, my white/ natural wanted to be tighter than the gray. sort of giving me squinty small dots. Each 12 stitches is a repeat. Each of my repeats is seperated by a marker. I do one repeat as given, the next one , for one of the dots i do a yarn over, k1 with the white. that gave me the little bit of extra white yarn in the yarn over.
on the next row , all gray, i drop the yarn over, knit the white stitch with gray.
the dropped yarn-over loosens up my tight white yarn tension just enough. it does not show at all for my own tension. it gives me one yarn over worth of extra yarn every 24 stitches, not too much, just enough.

Duplicate Stitch Photos

2007-09-24T11:25:00.000-07:00

Here are the closeups of the duplicate stitch I am doing. You can see the progression that occurs: I knit in the green areas, and then started the gold in duplicate stitch, and finally the completed band. It takes some time to get used to it, but I sort of like doing the embroidery on the sweater. It sure does look a whole lot better.

I am starting to think about the front bands, and what I should do with them. Maybe the duplicate stitch, but then again, maybe just gray with the row of red on the edge, as the neckband shows in the original design.

How Is Everyone Doing for Yarn?

2007-09-24T10:38:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I would like to know how the yarn amounts are working out, since some of you are getting pretty far along on this sweater. I remember that there was some concern early on about whether there would be enough of the main color in the kits, and that the blue was going to be more difficult since the new lot was lighter in color.

Could some of you that are close to finishing let us know what size you are making, and if there was enough yarn in the kit? And if you had to buy more, how much was required? This will help those of us who are a bit slower (ahem...), and lets Astrid know if there is going to be a crunch of orders for extra yarn.

Thanks!

Question about knitting a sweater in the round

2007-09-24T01:15:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Yesterday I began my knitting again but this time as a sweater. There is a slight jog where the rows join and I would like your opinion on where to place the join in the finished sweater as I think it would be too unsightly on the front. Would it be best at the back or at the side? Is there a way of avoiding this jog? Hope someone can help!

Thanks,
Julie

My Progress: Tensioning Two Color Knitting

2007-09-23T07:06:00.000-07:00

Having said that I use the Philosopher's Wool method of tensioning two color knitting, I realized that my tension is tighter when I'm weaving in the yarn I carry in my right hand because I am not a continental knitter and I hold the yarn less comfortably and more tightly in my left hand. Sooo, the areas where the white yarn (held in my left hand) is dominant are trickier for me. I am not weaving in every other stitch in those areas and, instead am stranding 2-3 stitches. Like Cindy, I'm also concerned about the row gauge since I'm on gauge in the gray/peri M2 area but am averaging 23 rows/10 cm in the more lively M3. I may have to do some adjusting also like eliminating some rows in M3 (rows 43-50?). All of that said, I love knitting this sweater. The yarn is a pleasure to handle and the "real stuff" of patterning in M3 is great fun. I've never attached a picture before so I hope this works. One picture will show my project just after I cast on 90% of the total stitches with size US3 needles. I folded the bottom band and knitted it in before proceeding to the body (on US size 7 needles). The second and third pics show where I am now (the third is the inside). How are other people doing? How's the duplicate stitch coming, Cindy? Annie

I am starting over

2007-09-21T09:25:00.000-07:00

I have not been happy with my color work...I am working too tight and it doesn't lay flat like your picures I have even avoided working on my sweater the last few days due to this...so today I frogged my work and will start again...First of all I am changing to the ribbed bottom..
I have seen Philosopher's wool color method mentioned... How do I find it? I am not giving up I love this sweater and wool.....This is a learning project for me...Any advise would be appreciated....Thank you so much.....Becky

Intarsia for the Rose Border?

2007-09-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

Cindy's beautiful work is such an inspiration! I, too, use the Philosopher's Wool two handed technique for two color knitting and have found it very useful with this project. Has anyone thought if using a combination of two yarns carried (in one or two hands) and then picking up the extra colors used in a few stitches, like the green and reds, in an intarsia method? I'm into M3 and am contemplating the border. Annie

Frogged Rose Border

2007-09-20T06:33:00.000-07:00

I couldn't stand it any longer, and I frogged the entire rose border and redid it. It took some time to untangle the mess, but it's done and I have reknit it using only the green and the gray. I intend to duplicate stitch the other colors. I am much happier.

Pics to come.

Body Finished

2007-09-19T07:30:00.000-07:00

Here are pics of the sweater thus far. I will now machine-stitch the steeks for the sleeves and cut them open, and then knit the shoulders together with a three-needle bindoff.

I have had quite a few problems along the way. My major, major problem has always been my tension. I had to frog part of M3 chart (rows 29-38), because of my tension, since I could not live with the results. I am still trying out new techniques for stranding and weaving, and knitting with both strands in my left hand and sometimes one strand in each hand, attempting to see what works for me. I ultilmately replaced the original rows with another chart which had shorter floats, and it was much better for me. I also had to skip a few rows of M3 in order to get the length required for the diagram of the sweater. My row gauge was not totally consistent either.

THEN, the really hard part: M4. Talk about wonky tension!!!! I carried multiple colors in my left hand, and the gray background in my right. I sort of picked out the color in my left as needed. I am not really happy with my work in this area, as the the floats were really too loose on the back. (I sort of used the Philosopher's Wool method every other stitch, but I was so concerned about the floats being too tight, that I overcompensated. I have pulled up some of the longer floats on the back to diminish the size of the stitch to make it more even.) It became better as I worked. However, I can't stand to think about ripping it out and starting again. I'm thinking that duplicate stitching may be the way to go, but I was simply determined to get better at my knitting technique, and it IS better, although not up to my standards. :-) I am going to let this sit overnight again, and maybe 'think' about redoing M4.

At this point, I can't even consider doing M4 for the button bands!!!!!

Next KAL info

2007-09-17T00:56:00.000-07:00

For the Atelier Zitron Cambio vest you need a total of 15 balls for size M and a total of 16 balls for size L.

They are US$ 5.95 per ball, so that's a total of US$ 89.25 for M and US$ 95.20 for size L.

Of course I'll make it a better price on this blog: US$ 84.95 size M and US$ 89.95 size L.

Pattern is available in German, not yet in English, it will follow of course....

If you are interested in knitting this for a next KAL, please let me know.
Other ideas are welcome too, or if you want to see what's available at the moment on my website, please look here: http://www.astridsdutchobsessions.com/scripts/prodlist.asp?idCategory=64&sm=64

I've almost finished the M2 chart on the Garnstudio and am so looking forward to the "real stuff"!

love,
Astrid.
xoxoxo
http://www.astridsdutchobsessions.com/

Steek Stitches question

2007-09-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

I finally have the sweater on needles. I absolutely love this yarn. I have a question about the first row. I chose to do a 2 by2 rib at the bottom like Astrid used. Now it says to increase 5 stitches for the steek and continue to knit. Then increase at the beginning of chart m1 increasing 54 stitches for the large size. Here's the question does that 54 include the 5 steek stitches because if it doesn't then the total stitches do not add up to 252. SO do I just add 49 more so I end up with the 252 number? Also, it says not to knit the 5 steek stitches in pattern, so can I do a vertical stripe instead?

How is every one doing??

2007-09-15T09:49:00.000-07:00

Hi,
I just thought I would check in...Haven't heard much on this blog just lately, is everyone too busy knitting???? I am loving this yarn and pattern I am just starting M2...........(I am not there yet but thinking ahead) I don't understand where to put the armhole increases...it says on the sides but for me that isn't enough explanation so if someone can help out a little.... How are you all doing????
Becky

Next KAL? Way too early of course, but still...

2007-09-13T04:10:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

Got2Knit asked for a link to the pictures, but there isn't a link, as this will be in the new Atelier Zitron book that is due to appear only in October... So I contacted them and they sent me those 2 pictures. I saw them in real at the Atelier Zitron factory in August and was quite impressed, not only by the design, but also the yarn. It's Cambio, a lovely 50% merino/50% alpaca and very special too, as this yarn is undyed! So pure nature..... It's amazingly soft of course.

If anyone is interested, just tell me, I know the pattern will be ready quite soon, so maybe I can arrange something....

If you want to see the yarn on the ball, look here, 3 pages (all the colors are in stock)

http://www.astridsdutchobsessions.com/scripts/prodlist.asp?idCategory=96&sm=96

The sweater version:

Picture of Sweater

2007-09-13T03:50:00.000-07:00

You can't see it real good but that is because I am having a little trial period with the new scanner. I found a good printer / scanner combination at target on sale last night for under $25. So I tried laying the sweater on the glass area. Sweater pic HERE. You can see the inside and outside of the sweater and way down in the bottom left area you can see the picot edge. I will try to take better pics. I never enjoyed knitting so much before. This is a SUPER KAL and I am loving every stitch of it!! This is the greatest wool ever.

Advice

2007-09-12T05:06:00.000-07:00

Ok. I read last night about provisional crochet cast on. I went ahead and did 216 crochet chains (10% fewer of the 240 for the medium size) using Sinfonia, a mercerized cotton, using an F crochet hook. The total length of the chain is definitely longer than the length that I got when I did the same number of stitches in the yarn for the project with US 2.

So my question is: if now I switch to my yarn and US 2 and pick up the same number of stitches using the back loop in the crochet chain, at the beginning it will look kind of wider but I guess it will shrink as I knit the rows with these needles. So, should I kind of knit 1 or 2 extra rows until I get the right gauge and when is time to pick up the bottom stitches of the hem so I can join it with the top, just unravel a few of those extra wides rows.

or
you think as soon as I picked up the stitches will go to the right gauge?
Or I can try to do the crochet chain more tighter but they said to do it loosely.

Hopefully I am making myself clear. Thanks

Aurita

Another progress picture

2007-09-12T01:32:00.000-07:00

This is how far I got, as you can see I knit a 2/2 rib and just finished the M1 graph.

Hopefully I can do more today :)

Cindy, you can be proud of yourself, you're obviously enjoying it!

love,

Astrid.

xoxoxo

Progress Photos

2007-09-11T11:27:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of pictures of my progress. The first shot shows the knitted-in hem, on the private side, done on #2 needles, as called for in the pattern. The second picture is of the jumbled up sweater, but I think you can see how the hem sits in relation to the body. It is a very firm hem, which I like a lot, but it stretches considerably. For your information, I am knitting the medium size.

I am continually monitoring my gauge, since it is crucial to do so, especially the number of rows per inch. If the row gauge isn't right, the shoulders will have more or fewer rows for the pattern, and I want it to fit correctly.

I'm already thinking about the best (ie, easiest!!) way to knit the rose border. It has a LOT of colors on some rows. Sigh.

I know that it seems like I am a champion speed knitter, but let me be the first to say that I am not. I started immediately upon receiving the yarn, and I had the good fortune to be home this weekend with very few things I needed to do. I'm also retired. So please don't let my progress intimidate anyone!!!

Knit on!! I can't wait to hear how others are proceeding.

Charts - am I confused??

2007-09-10T18:54:00.000-07:00

I am waiting for my swatch to dry and thinking that I will start with the sleeves. That way if there is a problem it isn't such a "large" one!! :)
In looking over the basic instructions for the sleeves it says to incorporate charts M4 M6 & M2. I can't put my eyes on M6...am I blind or missing something?? I know there have been some re-do of some of the charts but even in the pattern from Garn, I can't see chart M6??
thanks, hope everyone is enjoying their knitting!
Susanne in Edmonton, AB Canada

Amounts, more yarn?

2007-09-10T07:17:00.000-07:00

If you need more yarn, please don't worry, I still have lots of grey and white.

I'm just really sorry that the pattern seems to give the wrong yarn amounts...

Perhaps we will have to try to knit a bit further to find out if it really isn't correct, as on top of the cardi/sweater there is an awful lot of white. And don't forget the rose borders!

love,
Astrid.
xoxox

Wao, you amaze me

2007-09-10T06:05:00.000-07:00

How can you all knit this fast? It took me all weekend to do my swatch and just the hem before I ripped. I tell myself it was because I was sick with a cold but no, you do really knit fast.

Aurita

Yarn Amounts

2007-09-10T05:15:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Everyone!

I am very worried that I am going to run out of yarn for this project, and each row I knit, I worry some more.

Here are the stats:

9" knit, on a size Medium, and I have used 3 gray balls already and am almost 1" into the fourth.

I keep telling myself that my gauge is spot on, and that I will be coming to the sections which feature white and other colors, as well as the gray.

Don't tell me not to worry, since I always find something to worry about anyway, and it may as well be this! :-)

How much yarn have some of you other knitters used thus far? Thanks!

Two color knitting

2007-09-10T04:45:00.000-07:00

Astrid,

I'm using both hands to knit the two colors. Do you know how to determine which hand (and therefore color) will pop out more (be more dominant)? I've heard this before but can't remember. So far, I'm only a few rows into the pattern after doing the bottom edge which I then folded and knit together. I LOVE the yarn! Until I get more rows done, I won't really be sure of my gauge.

Thanks, Annie

Making a sweater instead

2007-09-10T03:08:00.000-07:00

I will line the sweater with either a normal "synthetic" lining, or a lining that's quilted (or wadded?) sorry, don't know what the exact word is.... :) I will put some plies in it, so it will stretch a little as well, I've done it more often and it does work!

love,
Astrid.
xoxoxo
http://www.astridsdutchobsessions.com/

I've made a descision

2007-09-10T02:31:00.000-07:00

I'm posting this picture of my first serious attempt at colour knitting because after much wavering I've decided to pull it out and start again, this time knitting a sweater. I hate passionately to do this as I usually loose heart and give up, especially when I haven't made any errors (yet) but as mentioned the bottom band is too tight and I was planning to pull it out and re knit a picot edge when the cardigan is finished. Last night I decided I would prefer a sweater so, sadly this one has to go. I'll be starting again on the "Official Start Day"

I love the yarn, it's lovely and springy and has a softness not often found in superwash wool.
Looking forward to seeing some knitting in the blue colourway.

OFFICIAL START KAL MONDAY SEPTEMBER 10

2007-09-09T22:34:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

To make it official: we will start today, Monday September 10.

I know lots of you have already started, but we really need to make this official, don't we? :)

Wishing you all a great time knitting!

love from the Netherlands,
Astrid.
xoxox
http://www.astridsdutchobsessions.com/

Help with color knitting please

2007-09-09T21:48:00.000-07:00

I am kind of a newbee...so I am thinking a little ahead as I just finished my hem...
My question is about color knitting (I have done a few projects such as 2 color gloves)
anyway back to my question...do I carry both colors thoughout on large areas of grey as
in the "lice"? If some one can help with this question or refer me to a good source....
Becky

AHHHHHH

2007-09-09T15:02:00.000-07:00

All that I have to say. I was going along great, when I had the brilliant idea of doing what somebody did and used a US 0 to pick up the bottom edge so I can knit it up together with the top. It took me a long time to pick up the stitches and then when I was ready to knit them together, I realized that all of the stitches that I picked up where in the cable part and none in the needle so I tried to move the needle in position but no way, the stitches were so tight that I could not do it, there was no way of doing it, so I have to ended up unraveling the entire hem, that by the way was not bad at all and the stitches that I picked up were so tight that I have to break the yarn little by little, carefully as not to cut the cable too. I already bent the needle trying to get the stitches on it.

So after cleaning up the mess (all the bit and pieces of the wool) I am writing this and taking a long break before I attempt to go back.

I am kind of puzzled now. I cast on 216 sts (10% of final) using US 2 on a 47 inches long needle so I could see that the final result was ok around my but and my gauge seem to have relaxed or who knows what, because in my mind if I add the other 24 sts needed and then switch to a US 6, I think it was going to be too big. When I did the swatch, there not seemed to be lot of difference between the 6 and 2, although I have to admit, I only knitted a few rows with the 2 after doing the 6.

I am just talking out loud here and see waht others have to say abut it.

Aurita

First steps (or third)

2007-09-09T07:51:00.000-07:00

Frogged the edge again for the second time and am now knitting a "classic" hem.
2/2 rib, for about 2.5". Cast on 240 stitches on needles US 2 (3mm) and it seems correct! Also decided I will make it a sweater instead of a vest. Are there any more knitters who want to make a sweater? I'm even thinking of putting a lining in, so I can wear it instead of a coat.

Astrid.
xoxoxo

First Day Check In

2007-09-09T01:25:00.000-07:00

I ended up casting on with the size 6 needles, more like a coat bottom. The tight bottom scared me off. I worked Stockinette stitch for about 4 rows, then on next knit row, k2 at front of row, then( yo, k2tog) across to last 4 st. on last 4 st i did yo k2tog, k2.
I worked about 4 more rows stockinette and folded my work on the yo row. it makes little picots. I knitted my cast on edge with my current knit row. that sewed it down for me.
a couple more rows of stockinette, my cast on for front steek, and then I worked all of the first graph now working in the round. I am on row 5 of the next chart, the little lice chart. I think i will do the lice dots as i realize now they will only be one row out of every 5 rows. Tomorrow I will start with row 5 of this second chart. This yarn knits like a dream!!
Here is a Excellent example of a picot knit edge. remember this one has been knitted in the round. Mine is flat, back and forth knitting, knit 1 row, purl 1 row until I was ready to cast on for the steek and work in the round. But you can see the method on this link.

I had to start...

2007-09-08T11:35:00.000-07:00

I have swatched and the size 6 needles are perfect but I only swatched with one color so if it is larger no problem...Started the hem with size 2 needles am considering the same technique as Cindy just not sure if I have the skill ...I will be asking questions as I have never taken on such a large project and have never steeked.. soooo glad to have help here..
Becky

Thank you for test driving, Astrid

2007-09-07T20:35:00.000-07:00

I see now that one benefit of being a member of a KAL is that someone else will start the sweater first and will encounter, and hopefully work out, the kinks. Given the dimension of the yarn, a size 1 needle made no sense to me. Thank you, Astrid, for test driving the pattern. I still have about 40 rows to finish on another project before I will begin the KAL. Annie

Casting on

2007-09-07T16:43:00.000-07:00

I have also cast on and had to go back and do a gauge swatch. However one way to deal with the large increase from the edge to the body is to remember Elizabeth Zimmerman's percentage system. This would call for the edge stitch count to be 10% less than the body stitch count. For example on the 252 stitch body, or large size, her system would use 227 stitches for the edge. Just a alternate possibility.

Forgot to thank Astrid for the cookie

2007-09-07T12:34:00.000-07:00

Astrid
Sorry that I forgot to thank you for the cookie, not only did I get gorgeous yarn, the one for this kal and also the one to make the kauni cardigan, but on top of that I got a delicious cookie that I ate even in the middle of my cold. Thank you
Aurita

Yarn Arrived Today!

2007-09-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

Hi Astrid and everyone, My yarn arrived today as well and it is beautiful! Now I can't wait to get started. At first I thought I may be in way over my head, but now I know I have to do this; even if it takes me forever and a day! Astrid, thank you so much, and also for the cookie (a little crushed, but delicious)!

Donna

Yarn Arrived

2007-09-07T07:17:00.000-07:00

I received my yarn this morning- it is beautiful. I will have to wait until next week to get started.

Casting on already..... PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU START!

2007-09-07T05:07:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Jeanie and I just couldn't wait any longer and cast on...

And this is what we experienced:

knitting the edge on needles US 1 is sooo tight!
I changed the needle size to US 2, that fits me, but to my opinion it's still too tight.
So I'll frog it again and will cast on more stitches, leaving less increases above the edge, so the number of stitches above the edge will stay the same.

Of course it's also a possibility (Jeanie wrote this) to simply start casting on the number of stitches above the edge and once the sweater is finished, simply knit the rims (or edges) upside down on the sweater.

love,
Astrid.
xoxox

Needle conversions and when it will be time to start knitting!

2007-09-05T21:22:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

These are the needle sizes:

2.5mm is US 1 (though some US 1 is 2.25 mm)
4mm is US 6

I hope everyone will get their parcel this week, at least the knitters that made the pre-orders, as these parcels were shipped last week Monday.

So we should be able to start knitting next week or the week after that ! :) yippie!
I'm really looking forward to it.....

love,
Astrid.
xoxox
http://www.astridsdutchobsessions.com/

Let me join the chorus

2007-09-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

My yarn has arrived and it is quite lovely!! I love how round it is with the 4 plies....very interesting from a spinner's point of view. I am too busy to even think about it before the weekend, but I do have a question. Is anyone else translating the needle sizes to non-metric (i.e., US)? Why my big lumbering country resists the metric system, which makes so much more sense, I do not know. Is 2.5mm a US 2 and 4mm a US 6? Annie

My Yarn is Here!

2007-09-04T11:05:00.000-07:00

I just received my parcel and I love the looks of the colors! I was wondering how I would like the yarn, and I am happy to say that there is a very nice twist to it, but is still soft. Just perfect. Looking forward to starting!!

Lovely yummy yarn arrived today.

2007-08-30T10:37:00.000-07:00

The yarn arrived this morning and it's gorgeous. I was allowed to hold it and stroke it for a couple of minutes then, it was taken away from me until I've finished decorating the kitchen. Probably for the best.

PARCELS ARE ON THEIR WAY.....

2007-08-27T07:09:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

All the kits that were ordered are on their way, I mailed them today August 27.

Let's hope we can start knitting really soon now!

love,
Astrid.
xoxoxo
http://www.astridsdutchobsessions.com/

Parcels are being packed now!

2007-08-26T23:38:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

The white Karisma arrived and I'm very busy packing the parcels now.

The yarns are wonderful (I already knit a swatch of course, I was so curious) and the buttons are even more beautiful than I expected.

Please note that you can still order in, I'll do my best to get it to you as fast as I can.

Any questions, just ask me!

love from the Netherlands,
Astrid.
xoxoxo
http://www.astridsdutchobsessions.com/

Coloured Charts

2007-08-26T17:02:00.000-07:00

I"ve made these coloured charts because I find symbols rather confusing as I don't easily translate them into colours. I've also copied the repeats three times to give me a better idea of the overall pattern. It's good to see how everyone else works.

Should you find these charts useful, click on the image to open the page with the large image and download that one.

Really Excited Now!

2007-08-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

I'm so pleased we shall be starting this project soon. I have decided to definitely knit in the round after all. I found the book Annie mentioned: Alice Starmore's Book of Fair Isle Knitting and it indeed has excellent instructions for cutting and finishing steeks. I was going to buy this book from Amazon but at £154 I thought it probably not worth it. My mother who died two years ago was a wonderful Fair Isle knitter so I thought I would take a look through her boxed up craft library and there, almost at the top, was the book I was looking for. I don't think she even suspected that her books would become so valuable.

I have also drawn the charts in colour as I found the symbols rather confusing and counter intuitive. If it is allowed I am happy to email them as a PDF to anyone interested.

All I have to do now is finish decorating the kitchen and then I shall be able to start.

White Karisma on its way!

2007-08-22T06:05:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

Yesterday afternoon I got the message that the white Karisma is finally on its way to me from Norway, so it should arrive beginning next week.

That means... yes, the parcels will be shipped as soon as the white yarn is in!

love,
Astrid.
xoxoxo
http://www.astridsdutchobsessions.com/

Hello from Oldcrow in Niagara

2007-08-15T12:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the invitation to join in the fun this Fall, hopefully I will learn to blog and google in between knitting this beautiful sweater...blue I think... Astrid and Jeannie hugs for starting the KAL.

M3 last graph

2007-08-11T10:36:00.000-07:00

This is the last graph. I adjusted the size so it can be printed in one page. I don't see any errors, but if you find some, let me know and I will fix it. Enjoy it. Now just to wait for the yarn and then the funs begins, well hopefully it will be fun. As I said before this is my fist time with not only fair isle but also steeking.

IMPORTANT: After uploading the image, it came out really small when printed, so I changed and now is much better. For this particular graph, I suggests that you right click in the image, choose the option open in a new window, and from there, choose the print preview option and under scale, tell it to print it at 70% so that it comes out in one page, at least those are the settings in my computer, it may be different in yours. You can also saved it from that new window

Aurita

Norwegian button Sissel + News on delivery Kits

2007-08-08T09:27:00.000-07:00

Hello,

As I received so many positive reactions on the Sissel button, that's the one I ordered in.

The buttons will be here in week 34 or 35.

And then the other news: there has been a delay in the delivery of the nature-white Karisma.

It should have been sent to me this week, but there has been a delivery problem :(

So it will be sent to me from Norway end week 33 or beginning week 34.

You can be assured that I will ship as soon as possible! I think we can start knitting beginning/half September.

Of course I'm very sorry for this delay, but hope you will understand, if there was anything I could have done to prevent this, I would, believe me!

The other colors are all in now, I also purchased two beautiful antique pink colors, for the ones that prefer pink over red.

You can find it all here:

http://www.astridsdutchobsessions.com/scripts/prodlist.asp?idCategory=90&sm=90

If you have any questions, just ask me!

love from the Netherlands,

Astrid.

xoxoxo

http://www.astridsdutchobsessions.com/

Norwegian Buttons, pictures!

2007-08-07T00:47:00.000-07:00

Of course I should have shown the buttons...

From the left to the right: Sissel and Tele, price is US$ 1.00 per button.

Just tell me which you prefer, it should be possible to order in your personal taste of course!

love,

Astrid.

xoxoxo

http://www.astridsdutchobsessions.com/

Nervous about cutting

2007-08-04T02:59:00.001-07:00

I've just been reading the pattern more closely and the thought of
cutting into my knitting makes me shiver! I'm just not very handy
with a sewing machine either so, although I know people use cut and
sew successfully, I don't think I shall knit the cardy in the round
but backwards and forwards. Is anyone else planning knitting it this
way? Can any of you see any pit falls I might encounter?

Original Norwegian buttons

2007-08-03T11:05:00.000-07:00

Who's interested in the original Norwegian buttons?

You can find them here: http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/knapper/

I can order them in if enough knitters are interested....

Have no idea yet how many buttons are the minimum amount to purchase (they have different ones) as my agent is having holidays here, but I can ask you all now of course and order in when she's returned.

Any questions, just ask me (not about the price please, as I have no idea yet, but I'm sure it won't be so awfully expensive). I will make a nice price of course for the ones that already ordered in the kit!

love from the Netherlands,
Astrid.
xoxoxo
http://www.astridsdutchobsessions.com/

Graphs

2007-08-03T08:48:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Aurita, for the much improved graphs and for your very helpful instructions about how to save/print them. I had no trouble with graphs M2 and M3, but couldn't print MI. Perhaps the first one was only a test? Annie

Hello everyone

2007-08-03T06:33:00.000-07:00

Hi, I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Julie and I live in Lincolnshire, England. I'm very excited about this KAL as I have never done any serious colour work before, I've usually embellished my work with cables and other textures, but with the encouragement of this group, I think I am ready for the challenge. Starting in September should give me time to complete a few other projects (mainly socks) to clear the decks so that I shall be able to give the cardigan the time and concentration I think it is going to need.

Looking forward to meeting you all and to seeing how your work is progressing too.

M4 graph

2007-08-02T20:10:00.000-07:00

Well this is the M4 graph, just one more to go. To print the images you can right click the image and either save it or copy it and paste it in word or any other program and print it or you can choose to open the image in a new window and print directly from there. I have checked the images for mistakes and I think they do not have any, if you see a mistake, let me know.

Aurita

M2 graph

2007-08-02T17:38:00.000-07:00

This is the M2 graph. I see if I can post the others soon. I have been busy at work.

Aurita

Graphs

2007-08-02T11:53:00.000-07:00

I've just joined the group and want to say hello. I, too, have ordered my yarn (in grey and green #47) for the jacket and for socks. It is 96 degrees (F) here today on the East Coast of the US but that doesn't deter my knitting one bit (cooler inside!). Aurita, I think your graphs are really great, a huge improvement, so I hope you'll be able to share them. Happy knitting.....Annie

Better graphs for the charts

2007-07-29T06:20:00.000-07:00

Hi all. This is a test to see if you like the way that I have done the chart. Astrid asked the folks at Garnstudio and they say that we were allowed to post better graphs of the charts here, as long as we do not sell the patterns.
This is chart M1. I used a free java program online made by Jacquie to create the chart and adobe photoshop to save the chart and be able to publish it here (her program only allows you to save screen shots).
I can change the graph if you do not like it, this will serve as a test to see if after pasting the image here, we get a big chart and clear enough, so if any of you do not like it, let me know and we go from there.
It is numbered for round knitting with row numbers at the right. To make it easier, I made every other row a slight different color. I also made every square in the graph to look like a rectangle to mimic the gauge ratio of 26 rows and 20 stitches. At the end there is a key for the symbols. I used the default colors, so for those of you using blue, just change grey for blue. Well in a momnet I see how well this work at least form my computer. I will wait to see your replies before I post the other graphs.

Aurita

First delivery Garnstudio arrived!

2007-07-28T08:08:00.000-07:00

This is the kit with color 16.
Also with main color 16, but I replaced the green 45 by green 47
With main color 37 (a dark "jeans" blue)
Main color 37, but the green 45 replaced by the green 47.

As you can see, the first delivery Garnstudio arrived! The nature-white wasn't included, that will arrive in approximately 2 weeks from now. To give you an idea I added another white ball, but the Garnstudio will be more nature-white.

Now please, the knitters that ordered already and think they like the pine-green 47 better than the 45, just tell me and I'll change it on your order.

love,
Astrid.
xoxoxo
http://www.astridsdutchobsessions.com

Ordered my kit

2007-07-27T12:28:00.000-07:00

Well, I went ahead and ordered the kit from Astrid in the grey colorway yesterday and I am dying to get my yarn. I am in Cleveland, Oh so it will be a little while. I did print the pattern and when I have time, I will type the graph in excel or any other program so I can print the graph bigger and more sharp. If I ever get around to do that and if it is allowed (from the copyright side of things), I can post the file for others to use.

Aurita