retro baby waving at all zimmermaniacs

here is the little girl modelling her yoke sweater. i think she looks pretty pleased with it waving at all zimmermaniacs from alaska to australia. it is still a little big but will fit by winter. it is very retro i think. she looks a little bit like a girl from a time long gone. the wool is from my lys in copenhagen and their own brand. some of you have asked but i didn't find it so relevant to write about it since it is only here they sell it. but it is pretty much the same as indiecita or drops alpaca. oh and some have asked me for the address of my lys's in copenhagen. there are strikkeboden and uldstedet in fiolstræde. strikkeboden sometimes have rarities that i have read about on international blogs and they sometimes have very good offers. and there is sommerfuglen (the butterfly) in vandkunsten that maybe has the greatest variety. they also have different books.

and maybe some of you want to know about kauni. it seems to be a fad on knitting blogs right now. try www.garnbutik.dk.

Twin BSJs WIP

Well, they're coming along, little BSJs for my nieces' twins. In Koigu solid on size 4US (more pics at my blog). Really fun to knit.

The babies could show up any minute, so I'm finishing this evening (which involves pulling out a lot of cat and dog hair in addition to weaving, seaming, figuring out collar finish, and sewing on buttons). But I'm also stewing over caps or socks to match? Can't decide. Caps in garter would be easy to pull off. I don't have a good garter bootie pattern, that I know of, but I could go looking... unless anybody here has hints for me? Thanks, everybody, for your advice on this project. Exactly the right one, I think!

leggings

Hello! I am usually a first class lurker of this blog, enjoying everyone's work. I have a completed BSJ, have made the ganomey hat and the tricorner beret.

(The following is pretty much a crosspot from another group. I am looking for help wherever I can!)

Right now I am working on the baby leggings and they seem so BIG. I know I only have a vague idea these days of how big babies really are, but I was hoping to get about a 6-9 month size and with many rows to go, I think I am ending up with more like an 18 month. Way too big to go with the 6 month sweater I have finished!

Any ideas here? I am considering stopping now, (an inseam of 5” and I am not to the ribbing yet!), decrease around a few stitches, and then adding ribbing and forgetting the cute bootie foot. Sound plausible?

I am really excited about this outfit, I spun the alpaca yarn myself and it is heavenly soft.

Thanks for any help or ideas,
Linda

Baby Surprise Jacket

Baby Surprise Jacket

This was my first EZ pattern to try. I loved making it. I used self-striping DK weight yarn by moda lea. It was a baby gift for a friend. The baby is due June 30. I had such fun making this sweater that now I want to try the adult surprise jacket.

Tomten Jacket

Hello Zimmermania...here's my first post:

I completed a Tomten Jacket using dream in color for my daughter. The yarn has a great squish to it and looks wonderful in the simple garter stitch. The pattern is beyond clever. I did a little sizing up but next time will just use a bigger gauge.

Toddler Seamless Hybrid

This is an early fall/winter sweater for my son. I used Cascade 220 in silver grey over-dyed with many many packs of tamarindo kool-aid for the body/sleeves and azure for the button bands and hems.

I used a crocheted steek to turn it into a cardigan. the sleeves are a smidge long, so it's nice that the hems turn up so nicely. I have yet to decide on buttons!

February Baby Sweater

Hi all! This will be my first EZ pattern. Do any of you have any suggestions for me before I start?

Thanks!
Adrienne

Shawl Anyone???

"Try a Shawl" is the recommendation for July in KA.
I have taken this to heart and for the last two years have knitted up a shawl each july. Naturally I have been scheeming on the next one and have yarn and pattern in mind. So I am wondering if anyone is interested in joining a KAL of sorts.

Lucette

Oh, and Jared, that Feburary baby sweater is wonderful.

February Baby Sweater

Pattern: February Baby Sweater, aka Baby Sweater on 2 Needles
Source: Knitter's Almanac by Elizabeth Zimmermann
Yarn: Sundara Yarn Worsted Merino Semi-Solid
Color: Pine over Yellow
Amount: 137g/240 yards worsted weight
Needles: US 8/5mm Addi Turbos
Buttons: marbled plastic, 5 purchased from M&J Trimming

I finally finished this little one. It was so much fun. Read more about it on my blog. Keep 'em comin!

a serial knitter

i seem to be a serial knitter. i made 5 bsjs in a row, and 7 of kate gilbert's clapotis, two tomtens, 3 ganomy hats and now i have finished the 3rd fair isle which is for alba so she won't be jealous of her mother and grandmother. and it is of course made of left over alpaca from their sweaters.

i have been a little unfocused so i got the decreases wrong (i didn't read the percentage properly) but adjusted so the end result was pretty much the same, and it looks like it will work. the body has a knit up hem with a contrasting colour for 'insiders' and a 2-2 rib on the neck line and the sleeves. i have made the sleeves extra long (ribbed like mad) on ez's suggestion.

i will post a picture of the little girl in it soon as i don't think any one here has posted about a baby fair isle and hence you may be interested in how it fits a baby.

Baby Surprise

Quick Intro
Hello, I'm Sara. I taught myself to knit over 20 years ago, but only got serious with it about 4 years ago. At that time, I pretty much snapped up any book that vaguely resembled a how-to book. Most of them turned out to be EZ's. (KWT, Knitters Almanac, Knitting Around and Knitting Workshop.) Now, I'm finally diving into them in earnest. I started my first ever EZ project yesterday: The Baby Surprise Jacket (as found in Knitting Workshop.) You may read about my adventures here.

I had jury duty today and had my knitting taken up (yes, I was dumb enough to try...and yes, it was returned at the end of the day). Without my needles I discovered that it is just as fun to read EZ for pleasure as it is for obtaining info. (I was allowed to keep the book)

Learning with Two Tomtens

These are my first attempts at Tomten sweaters, and I enjoyed them very much.

I made the variegated sweater first, in a 2-4 year old size, so I could see what I was doing. I used acrylic worsted weight because of wool allergies in our family.

I liked the colorful effect, and I put the green stripe in because it's the baby's cousin's favorite color. :-) I used a blue zipper and sewed it in by hand from the front, as EZ says to do.

The colors are redder than the picture shows.

One challenge was that I counted the rows wrong for the hood and had to rip back and begin that part again. Another challenge was getting the right color red for the I-cord -- it took three tries (and two ripping-outs) before I finally got what I liked (and I've lost the wrapper so I can't tell you what it is).

While knitting this jacket I learned garter stitch weaving, sewn casting off, and I-cord. It was invaluable to have the DVD "A Knitting Glossary" to look at again and again -- and again!

Yarn - Caron Simply Soft, Embroidery Print - 3 skeins, 208 yards/skein
Needles - size 6 circular, bamboo
Zipper - 14" separating zipper

* * * * * * * * * *

Then I made the little pink tomten, in infant size. I started with cheap acrylic yarn which split and looked dreadful, so I got new all-cotton fingering yarn and started over. I'm glad I made the larger tomten first, as this size was much harder to keep track of what I was doing.

I used a contrast row of purling on stockinette at the sleeve joins, and I liked the effect. I got brave and used I-cord buttonholes, which were fun to do.

One worry was how this would launder. I wanted it to be machine washable and dryable, so (after I'd knit the tomten) I knit a test swatch to launder. It came through just fine. Whew! I think the stitches tightened up a bit, but I had knit them a bit larger on purpose for just this reason.

Yarn - Dalegarn "Stork," 100% cotton - 4 balls, 195 yds/ball
Needles - size 3 circular, Addi
Buttons - from Wal-Mart! (the cute little rose design doesn't show in the picture)

Practically Seamless Baby Sweater

Here's the second February Sweater I've made to date:


This one was made using Elle Pure Gold DK, which is an acrylic yarn (courtelle) because it was cheap and the only brown yarn I could find at the store I was searching through with a gauge similar to what's called for in the pattern. It only took one 100g ball (~220 yards) on size 5 Knit Picks Options needles!! There are a few more details on my blog if you'd like to stop by!

EZ's Surplice Baby Jacket

I've knit up EZ's Surplice Baby Jacket in anicipation of our first grand nephew.



Additional photos and details on my blog.

Butterfly Bog Jacket

After a looooooong time on the back burner, it's finally finished! I initially planned on making a standard-issue Baby Bog Jacket but decided I hated the way the sleeves looked. So, I came up with a sweet little add-on: crocheted openwork "butterfly wings." I love the way it turned out and am only sad that it's now about a jillion degrees out and the jacket won't see any use till fall rolls around. Ah, well...at least it's finished!

Knitted Garter Stitch Blanket

Hi Zimmermaniacs!

Pattern: Knitted Garter Stitch Blanket from The Opinionated Knitter.
Yarn: Scraps! I used up odd balls that were leftover from other projects. The yarn is mostly wool, with some wool blends here and there, and mostly worsted weight held double. I began this project by separating the scraps into two piles - blues/greens/purples in one pile, pinks/browns/yellows in the other. Then I knit two sections with the "blues" and the other two sections with the "pinks." Other than that initial organization, I randomly chose the color sequence with the help of my five-year-old.
Needles: US 15, straight.
Finished Size: 68" by 42" - It's big!
Start: June 4, 2007
Finish: June 13, 2007
A very quick knit for something so very large.

A few more pictures are over at my blog.

I finished!

I posted earlier about my progress on my seamless hybrid, which took me basically forever to finish. But finish I did, and my husband now has a lovely new sweater to wear...this summer...in California...um, yeah. Well planned, Kristen. Very stealthy. But the important thing is that I finished, and when the time rolls around that the weather gets cool again, he'll have a lovely wool sweater that actually fits him right.

I am so in love with blocking. Pre blocking, there was a very ugly crease across the chest that looked like pulled stitches, and I couldn't figure out how it had happened. The sweater seemed too short, and the hems seemed likely to curl. Post blocking, I had this perfect looking piece, all the stitches magically evened out, all of the curl gone, and the length was as right as Baby Bear's porridge.

The yarn used is Knitpicks' Telemark, and for the price, this is a good yarn. It even held up to considerable ripping and re-knitting, and it softened marvelously when treated to a bath with baby shampoo. I wouldn't necessarily recommend making a sweater this size (46 inches around) using a sport weight yarn, but I didn't learn a lesson - I've already begun a raglan for the man in fingering weight yarn. This goes only to show that some people are stubborn and resistant to morals.


The yarn is less magenta and more staid in real life, but it is a nice purple. I liked seeing a color that I can't usually find in the store. One more picture and a little more info on the blog.

second go at fair isle yoke

here is my sister in her garden wearing her new fair isle sweater. as you can see her taste colours of sweaters and flowers are very similar. and it has been interesting to do this in quite a different array of colours than the one i recently finished for her daughter. the one on the needles for the daughter/granddaughter will be a mix of both.

i am once again in awe of the eps system. what a strike of genius. one little number and then you can just create and create sweaters with a lovely fit as we see it all the time.

the wool is once again alpaca at 25 stitches to 4 inches from my lys and everything is knitted on addi turbos which are the best needles a knitter can ask for in my opinion.

Saddle Shoulder finished.

*SO* happy with this...

My boyfriend's Saddle Shoulder sweater is finished!
I started it the first week of May & bound off the neck stitches on Friday night. So about a month in the making.
I have to say that I was a little nervous when I started - there was measuring, and gauge swatches, and percentage systems! Math! But the absolutely perfect fit of this sweater has made me realize that that's exactly what I should be doing every time I start a sweater.

I know its been said before, but I can't not say it - Elizabeth Zimmerman is a mother freaking genius. The raglan & shoulder decreases blew my mind as I knit them! Amazing!

I used 12 balls of Elann's Peruvian Wool in 'Oxford Heather Grey' & 1 ball of Patons Classic merino in 'Too Teal' for the hem.


Boyfriend approved!
Now I need to knit me some more Zimmerman!
More on my blog

Doggy Pi

Just finished a stash-busting project: a felted dog bed made from leftover Lopi.

I adapted the pattern from Wendy's felted kitty bed, which is based on the increases used in Elizabeth Zimmermann's Pi Shawl (hence Wendy's name of "Kitty Pi").

I followed Wendy's instructions exactly except that I made it much larger by doubling stitches an additional time at 24 rows--288 stitches--and I used size 13 needles. It was a super-quick knit-up--chunky yarn, huge needles, knit in the round (which is much quicker for me than straight knitting). I knit in the car during the last two camping trips (feeling like EZ herself!), and it rolled off the needles lickety-split.

From her pattern, it looked like Wendy was counting on 40% shrinkage, which seems high, but I used that in my own adapted pattern and did indeed get the size I was after (about three feet in diameter). It will suit James for a while, since he typically curls up when he sleeps.

I didn't block mine as severely as Wendy did--in fact, I couldn't stop the puppy from playing with it while it was still wet!

My knitting friends asked me about being worried if he will chew it. I'm not really. The felted knitting is super thick (like carpet), and the dog has a soft bite. Also, if he does chew a hole in it, it can't really unravel (thanks to the felting), and I can just throw it into the washing machine for re-felting to mend the hole!

fair isle preview

i have knitted another fair isle. i thought i'd better make one for every woman, young or older, in my sister's family. here is a tiny preview of the yoke. i will be going to her place tomorrow and make her model it. i have a baby one on the needles. mindless knitting for next week when i will be testing students and there really isn't much else to do.

Cracking the DaV.... EZ's code

Finally, I did it! I cracked this ... code with my 2nd trying. First time I didn't like the yarn and I was lost in the pattern with markers.

Thanks to Ready Set Knit podcast who did it as a Knitalong and explained it in plain English.

This is RS


and this is WS

Adult Surprise Jacket

Hi,
I'm new to the blog. My friend and I would like to make the BSJ for ourselves and could use some guidance from those who have done it. I saw the pictures and they're outstanding.
Thanks,
Pam

Ready to get started

Greetings:
I'm ready to launch into the world EZ. While I am an experienced sock knitter, I have not seen a sweater through to completion. Oh, I've knitted sweaters. I have all the parts for three incomplete sweaters--I just can't make myself sew them together. I'm thinking if I can make heads and tails out of the EZ's seamless method, it could be the answer to my prayers. I've read Knitting Without Tears, I'm watching Knitter's Workshop and I've purchased some wool that makes me salivate (thanks, Jared). Before I get started, I thought I would pose these questions to those of you who are disciples of the seamless method: 1. Is there anything you wish you had known before you started your first EZ seamless sweater? 2. Did you have any of those "duh" moments from your first experiences about which you could forewarn a newbie? Many thanks in advance for what I'm sure will be wonderful advice!

February Sweater

Hi Everyone,

Here is my newest FO--the February sweater from EZ's Knitter's Almanac. I used Cotton-Ease in Almond; one whole skein for the body and a little of another skein for the sleeves. I finished the body before going back to knit the sleeves in the round. Yay seamless! It will get shipped off to Georgia for my newest niece, Isabelle.

Ski Bonnet from Opinionated Knitter

Hello,
I was wondering if someone has knitted the ski bonnet from the opinionated knitter who can provide me with some assistance. I finished shaping the top, but am confused with the directions to sew a baste line, reinforce it on both sides and then cut the baste line. My main concern is how the stitches will not unravel once I make the cut on the baste line. I am hesitant to begin this portion of the ski bonnet, as I hope to think knitting the beginning of the hat was not all for nothing. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks!

Fishtraps

Fishtraps for twins! These are for 4 year old twins my sons are friends with. Their birthday party is tomorrow so I finished just in time.

They are both knit in worsted acrylic (busy mother of twins asked for something easy for the laundry-harried) on sz. 6 needles. My gauge was 5 sts/in over stockinette. I was going for matching, not identical.

The Blue sweater has a contrast bottom hem on 90% of the body stitches. Between the pattern panels and the sleeves is plain stockinette. The sleeves each have one ribbed cable. The yoke follows normal raglan shaping.

The Maroon one has the Fisthrap pattern only on the front. There are ribbed cables down the sleeves and center back. The rest of the sweater is knit in K2 P2 ribbing. The yoke combines raglan and saddle shoulder shaping.

tomtenspiration

this morning there was yarn in the mail. and that seduced me to swatch for my next tomten which is going to be yet another version. a tweedy leprechaurn irish tomten??? i love the wool and the bright happy yet broken green colour. the flecks almost look like carrot and emerald confetti. and i shall start it as soon as the fair isle is finished. it will be. next week. i am dying to experiment with this green and bobbly wonder.

as you can see i have tried out two different i-cord button-holes. that will be a nice addition. i will go for the lower one- the hidden i cord button hole. happy knitting.

Help, please, on increasing while knitting down

I've been inspired to knit a February Baby Sweater, and I'm now on my fourth beginning of it. I'm a fairly experienced knitter.

I'm using a worsted-weight cotton mercerized yarn (because the baby is allergic to wool) and discovered it was too thick for a garter stitch yoke. So I've switched to a stocking stitch yoke and am using the modifications several of you have written about.

My question is -- what's the best way to double increase when knitting down? I've read KWT and KA, and I found her instructions on pp. 112-113 of KA. I'm still confused, though.

I originally did the raglan-type double increases by the M1 forward/backward method, but when I do them side by side it leaves an ugly hole. Does there need to be an "anchor" stitch in the middle of the double increases? I don't see any in the pictures on the blogsite, but I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for.

What's the best way?

Thanks for any help you can give!