A Completed Sweater and New Knitting

My Miss BB Sweater is all finished! I also started a couple of new knitting projects.

Sweater

The seaming was problem free. All the pieces fit together as they should. I got it all done in a couple of sessions.

I went to Joann’s and got some buttons and grosgrain ribbon. I hand sewed in the ribbon to the inside of the button bands to stabilize them. It also adds more fabric for attaching the buttons. I am very fastidious when I sew in buttons, but they still fall off frequently. I hope this will help with that.

I am very happy with the finished sweater. The fit is roomy but not too oversized. This is going to be a nice outerwear garment for chilly days.

New Knitting

Now that my sweater is finished, I have cast on a new shawl/scarf. I showed you the yarn for the Veritas Shawl in May. It is Monologue by LMFA.

Now, you have probably noticed if you have been reading my blog for awhile, that I am a pretty experienced lace knitter, right? This pattern is intense. The set up and first chart (about 28-30 rows) took my most of last Sunday afternoon.

I spent a good deal of this Saturday and Sunday working on the set up for the next section. I am now at the point where all the elements are on the go. There are five parts to each row. There are edge stitches at the beginning and end of the rows. In between are three different stitch patterns. I feel like I have a handle on them now. When I was just starting them, it was constant chart checking.

You can see here how I had to print out the pattern so I could easily have everything visible. This is my one complaint about the pattern. The formatting of the charts and row directions are all over the place. The information is there and correct but it isn’t very user friendly.

I am really happy with how it looks now that is starting to look like something. While I was on the first chart, it was hard to tell what I was knitting.

Another New Project

While I was in Joann’s getting the stuff for the sweater, I picked up some yarn I saw on sale. I never do this but I had just been thinking how I haven’t made a summer sweater in ages. I also have not knit with linen and would like to try some. I saw this cotton/linen blend and couldn’t resist.

I went looking for some pattern ideas. I love Anne Hanson’s designs and looked there first. I found a few options but decided on Summershine Top. I did some swatching since this yarn is new to me. I used US 6 and then again on US 4. The gauge and fabric were better on the US 4’s.

Since I was unsure how gauge might change on the project, I decided to start with a sleeve and after washing it I will check gauge again.

I am also thinking that I will make a second garment using my Organic Cotton Sport for a booth sample. I will probably cast on a sleeve in that yarn as soon as I complete the cotton/linen one. I can knit them concurrently. I should have two sleeves completed by next time. I will also be sharing a new product on the website!