It is definitely fall here in Northeast Ohio. And I know October is still two days away, but it might as well be today. The temps have dropped and we've had a dreary, rainy week. I'm not a big fan of this type of weather mostly because I know that low 60's and rain leads to 40's and rain, leads to 20's and snow. And I need new tires. Not a stellar combination.
I did however get one more taste of summer through a darling sample I knit for Alana of Never Not Knitting.
The Watermelon is worked from the bottom up, very similar to the Playful Stripes Cardigan. The seeds are sort of embroidered on (although I'm not sure if it actually qualifies as embroidery) using black fingering weight yarn held double. While my sample has the ribbon threaded through the eyelets, you also have the option to add a button loop for closure.
This was done up in the 6 month size. Everything is cuter in miniature, right?
Before I got started Alana and I had some discussion about the yarn. Because this yarn has a bumpy sort of texture, people have a tendency to pull too tightly, or not tight enough, causing their gauge to be all sorts of crazy. I swatched, and all was fine. I did notice, though, that when I got to knitting the sleeves (which are done in the round) my gauge was way different than it was knitting flat. I know that my flat versus round knitting is different but this was like, major way different (I'm such a Californian). I ended up knitting the sleeves flat and seaming like I did the Playful Stripes Cardigan in hopes that this would make the sleeves look like they were knitted by the same person who knit the body of the sweater (and on the same size needles, no less). I was worried that the bumpiness of the Cotton Stria would cause some problems when seaming, but it proved to be just fine. Just don't pull this yarn too hard. It'll go poof right in your hand. The only cotton yarn that will do that probably.
Sorry about the upside down-ness of the pictures. It was raining today and I was taking the pictures by the window, trying to get as much light as possible.
This week I also decided to frog these socks that were part of my sockdown project. In reality, I don't have that much sock yarn stashed to necessarily need to sockdown. That, and I just wasn't loving the pattern. I had to keep looking back at the pattern to figure out where I was and I just don't have the patience for that. Plus, I was constantly worried that I wouldn't have enough yarn left for one whole pair of socks, despite my small feet (I only have 45 grams of the Malabrigo left). I did, however, come into some yarn. I helped a knitting friend out with some knitting (duh) and was able to keep my leftover yarn. I have about 35 grams of Sanguine Gryphon Bugga just hanging around my house now. So I'm thinking I might use the same sort of sock recipe I did for my Simple Socks and make some striped socks using both the Bugga and the Malabrigo. What do you think?
Oh, and by the way, this is my 100th post! I can't believe I've cranked out this many blog posts in less than a year. All the times I tried maintaining a blog before could pretty much be summed up as epic failures. I don't believe that four blog posts in a year count as actual blogging. I really appreciate all the positive feedback and support everyone has given! Thank you!
12 days left to enter the Craft Work Knit giveaway!
This was done up in the 6 month size. Everything is cuter in miniature, right?
Before I got started Alana and I had some discussion about the yarn. Because this yarn has a bumpy sort of texture, people have a tendency to pull too tightly, or not tight enough, causing their gauge to be all sorts of crazy. I swatched, and all was fine. I did notice, though, that when I got to knitting the sleeves (which are done in the round) my gauge was way different than it was knitting flat. I know that my flat versus round knitting is different but this was like, major way different (I'm such a Californian). I ended up knitting the sleeves flat and seaming like I did the Playful Stripes Cardigan in hopes that this would make the sleeves look like they were knitted by the same person who knit the body of the sweater (and on the same size needles, no less). I was worried that the bumpiness of the Cotton Stria would cause some problems when seaming, but it proved to be just fine. Just don't pull this yarn too hard. It'll go poof right in your hand. The only cotton yarn that will do that probably.
Sorry about the upside down-ness of the pictures. It was raining today and I was taking the pictures by the window, trying to get as much light as possible.
Pattern: Watermelon by Alana Dakos
Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Cotton Stria (2 skeins of green and 1 of pink)
Size: 6 moths
Needles: #6, #5, and #4
Began: September 19
Completed: September 27
This week I also decided to frog these socks that were part of my sockdown project. In reality, I don't have that much sock yarn stashed to necessarily need to sockdown. That, and I just wasn't loving the pattern. I had to keep looking back at the pattern to figure out where I was and I just don't have the patience for that. Plus, I was constantly worried that I wouldn't have enough yarn left for one whole pair of socks, despite my small feet (I only have 45 grams of the Malabrigo left). I did, however, come into some yarn. I helped a knitting friend out with some knitting (duh) and was able to keep my leftover yarn. I have about 35 grams of Sanguine Gryphon Bugga just hanging around my house now. So I'm thinking I might use the same sort of sock recipe I did for my Simple Socks and make some striped socks using both the Bugga and the Malabrigo. What do you think?
Oh, and by the way, this is my 100th post! I can't believe I've cranked out this many blog posts in less than a year. All the times I tried maintaining a blog before could pretty much be summed up as epic failures. I don't believe that four blog posts in a year count as actual blogging. I really appreciate all the positive feedback and support everyone has given! Thank you!
12 days left to enter the Craft Work Knit giveaway!
That Watermelon is the cutest!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of giving socks another shot. The only method I haven't tried is 2 at a time on 2 circs. I need to get some needles and some sock yarn (all of mine is currently earmarked for shawls).
I think making striped socks is a great idea!
Aww, the Watermelon sweater is darling. I've also got a love-hate relationship with socks. I want to make them, and I have a decent sock yarn stash, but I lose patience with them quickly, and it ends up taking me forever to finish even half a pair. I think scrap destash socks will be awesome!
ReplyDeleteLove the baby watermelon sweater! I have two other baby sweaters to knit before I add more to my "to do" list.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, why knit a project if your not feeling the love. I think the striped socks with the leftovers sound great.
How lovely! Yum, yum!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of striped socks, especially the color combo of the two yarns.
ReplyDeleteI love the baby sweater! Around here, everyone is having boys and all I want to knit are girl sweaters, so this little beauty will have to wait.
ReplyDeleteI love WEARING handknit socks but feel like you might as well knit an adult sweater for all the work you put into knitting them!
What a cute little watermelon sweater! It kinda makes me wish I had a little sweetie to knit one for.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your 100th post! Great milestone...I am glad to have found your blog.
Cute sweater!
ReplyDeleteI just started reading your blog and didn't realize you live in NE Ohio. That's where I grew up (North Canton).
Love that watermelon!!! so very very beautiful...
ReplyDeleteit really does look like a watermelon :) so cute.
ReplyDeletecongrats on the 100th post! and I seriously LOVE the watermelon sweater (finally, the perfect use for cotton stria :-) ...another tagged for my (future!) granddaughter file!
ReplyDelete