Seed Stitch Poncho

Saturday was a busy knitting day for me. I had pushed through and finished the Seed Stitch (British Moss Stitch) Poncho that I have been working on for a couple of months now. For this project I used Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool Yarn in Oak Tweed. I have to admit I had my doubts about how it was going to turn out, and if it was going to work the way I wanted it to, but in the end it turned out perfectly and beautifully. I knit it in two pieces and then hand linked the two pieces together.

I made this poncho for myself, and it will be nice to have once the weather starts really cooling off, and I want something a bit nicer than a jacket or coat, but that will still keep me warm. Especially with the weather we have around here, it is generally overcast, gray, and wet a lot of the time once the rainy season starts (usually in September or October and lasts until May or June). The fact that the Fishermen’s Wool retains its natural Lanolin, that helps repel and shed the rain. I love that is a mix of two of the different natural colors in the Fishermen’s Wool line.

Figuring out how to link it was the biggest challenge. I had done a little research during the knitting process, so I just went for it, and I love how it turned out. I was also a bit concerned that the neck hole would be too small, but was happy to find out that it is just the perfect size. This is a lesson in just going for something, trying something new, and not being afraid to try, because it will likely turnout just fine. I know I am overly critical of my own work, as are most people about their own work.

I will also be washing it. This kind of a project doesn’t really need to be blocked, since it fits well, and the pattern was free handed and something that I had come up with specifically for this project. I just want to get any chemical’s that the yarn may have been treated with or added to make it easier to knit with. I also like the idea of getting some of the sheepy smell (I like the sheep smell, but it can be overwhelming at times) out before I wear it. I use a lanolin enriched wool wash for all the wool garments I knit, and then lay them flat to air dry.

Working on Christmas Gifts

I have begun working on Christmas gifts. I figure if I start now, I will have a better chance of getting the gifts done before Christmas than being right up until the last minute and even then maybe not even having them done. I would be super happy to have all my knit gifts done by Thanksgiving, which is in November here in the States.

I have one part of my friend’s Christmas gift done, and I got started on my mom’s last night after making another trip to Joann’s since they are having a coupon event going on. They have 50% off 1 regular priced item coupons out. I was able to get the two skeins of yarn I needed to make my mom’s gift for the regular price of 1 skein, which was pretty awesome. I got two skeins of Patons Lace yarn in Mystic Teal, it is a really pretty color. I am using this pattern for the wrap that I am knitting up with the lace yarn I bought.

For the time being, since I still have a personal project that I am working on, as well as Christmas Gifts, my charity knitting projects are taking a back burner until I get these projects finished.

Personal Project Excitement

Hey Everyone! 

I am still working on my fishermen’s wool poncho that I have been working on for a bit for myself. I am using two skeins of Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool in Oak Tweed. I am knitting it in two pieces and then I am going to link the two pieces together. 

I have also started a pair of fingerless gloves for myself. I had purchased some yarn a while back intending it for one purpose but then deciding to not use it for that project. I finally figured out what I want to use it for. I found an easy knit flat pattern on pinterest that I am basing my gloves off of. I love trying new things, and making my own knitwear. I get a better quality garment for a lower cost. Beings that make this stuff for myself, the labor that goes into making items for myself is totally worth it for the money I save on buying the yarn and doing it myself. For these gloves I am using Premier Yarns Deborah Norville Collection Serenity Garden Yarn in Gems. 

Beings that today is the first day of school for the kids in the school districts here where I live. That gets me even more excited for the fall and winter projects that I am working on. As the weather is still warm/hot at the moment, I still have some time to get these projects done, but Fall is right around the corner. 

I have also recently been spending a lot of time on Pinterest looking at knitwear and getting project ideas and just seeing what other people have made. It is kind of addicting to a knitter. 

 

Working with Wool = Bliss

Hey Everyone! 

This past week I have been spending time working on my fishermen’s wool tweed poncho. I am definitely going to be making a two piece poncho, but how I am going to link the two pieces I have not decided on yet. 

I am going between two straight pieces linked on the top and bottom to create a rectangular poncho, or linking side to end to create a triangle poncho. 

Having warm projects in the works reminds me that fall and winter are coming again, which I am getting excited for. I love the cooler weather and the rain. I am totally partial to fall and winter fashion, and the warm clothes. 

Fishermen’s wool has become my favorite yarn to work with for personal projects. It makes warm garments without being super heavy, and it still has its own natural lanolin which makes it very water resistant. Having that water resistance where I live for in the winter is very important. 

Seed Stitch Poncho

Hey Everyone!

I have been working on the poncho I wrote about last Wednesday. I restarted it twice. The first restart was because I am not using a pattern so I had cast on about twice as many stitches as I actually needed. The second restart was due to reverting back to the original stitch pattern I had begun on the original project, I had switched up the pattern on the first restart.

On the project I am working on I am using the seed stitch for a stitch pattern and I am going to make two panels and then link them together once I get both panels knit.

Growing up I never really had cute knitwear for the cold months so I am working on making my own knitwear now that I am an adult and know how to knit. I also love working with Fishermen’s Wool so it all works out.

I am also excited to see how this poncho turns out once I get it done.

Did not knit a stitch

Hey Everyone!

I still have my falling leaves wrap in progress, and did not work on it at all this past week. The past two weeks I have been really busy with church stuff that I have not had much time to knit anyway, so when I have been knitting I have been too tired to focus on this project so I have been working on my sweaters for kids in need.

Now that life is kind of back to normal, I will hopefully be getting this project done soon, so I can share it with all of you. I am actually excited to get it done.

Next week’s post should be more interesting, but thanks for reading this update!

Falling Leaves Wrap (the Reknit)

Hey Everyone!

This past week I started (or restarted) a falling leaves wrap, that will be more a scarf when I am done. The Pattern was written for using a bit thicker yarn and bigger needles, but I really wanted to use a particular yarn, and if I used bigger needles, it would be too loose for my taste.

What I learned from the first few attempts was that this pattern requires my entire focus and concentration so that I don’t screw it up, It is going to take me a few weeks to complete, just because I can’t sit and watch a vlog or a tv show, and work on it. I have to give it my undivided attention.

The pattern build upon itself and repeats, so I have completed four chunks, or four sets of the pattern however you want to look at it, and the pattern is definitely visible, and looking good. I am also liking the fact that the yarn I bought and am using for this pattern actually looks good with the pattern being used.

I am looking forward to using it this next fall and winter, it will be a nice light weight scarf for a little bit of warmth to help take the edge off as the weather cools down, without being super warm like my nice fishermen’s wool scarves.