Yes...It Fits!

After some serious blocking, it looks like the Urban Aran Cardigan will fit- yea! I was seriously concerned that the many hours of knitting would be all for naught. After a bit of figuring out how to make them fit within the revised, larger armholes, I started the sleeves. I decided to do both at once so as to avoid the dreaded 2nd sock/sleeve syndrome. Although I haven't had much time to work on them, I think once I get going it should go pretty quickly, especially since I'm already really familiar with the cable pattern from working on the body.

Ok, update. I started this post a while ago, made some good progress on the sleeves (knitting both at once) and then realized I had made a major error way back at about row 6. As I made the increases on the sleeves I failed to keep them in pattern, so there was a big area of stockinette stitch at the back, rather than ribbing. Ugh. I frogged them back to row 6 and started in again. Here are two photos, one before the frogging, one after. When doing both sleeves at once, if its going well its great, if you make an error (in both of course), it pretty much sucks.

Knitted Adornment

One of my work colleagues oversees the Split Rock Arts Program, a nationally known program of summer workshops in art, design, and writing at the University of Minnesota. One of the offerings this summer is Creative Adornment in Knit and Crochet, taught by fiber artist Karen Searle. I've never really done any knitted jewelry, but it got me a little curious about what's out there in this area.

On etsy, there are quite a few offerings found by entering "knitted jewelry". Although not strictly jewelry, there is also a Flickr group dedicated to beaded knitting and crochet- nice!

Knitting Pattern Central has lots of patterns for knitted jewelry and accessories, including bracelets, clutches, earrings, necklaces, etc. And of course lots of jewelry patterns on Ravelry.

There are quite a few books on knitted and (more often) crocheted jewelry on Amazon, including this one:

Baby's Top Down Striped Sweater

Finished object alert! This is the top-down striped sweater, knit for 7 month old baby M. I really loved this pattern by Villapeikkoa. This was the first top-down, seamless sweater I've made and it was so fun. No seaming, just a bunch of ends to weave in, but that was due to the striping. This looks like it should fit him for at least the next year or so. It should be great for spring and then next fall/winter as well.


For this project I tried the "jogless stripes" method outlined by Tech Knitter. Its not perfect, but I definitely think the color changes look better here than they have in any of my previous projects.

Baby Stuff

The Urban Aran Cardigan is blocking, and while it dries, I've been working on some fun baby projects. First is a second version of Saartje's Bootees, this time with the same Sublime Cashmere Silk Merino that I used for version one, but with a Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in light pink for the contrasting top. I've finished the first one of the pair.



Second is a baby sweater that I am absolutely loving! It is a top-down striped raglan, designed by Villapeikkoa. I'm using some yarn from the stash, specifically some Lion Brand Vanna's Choice yarn in color: linen (can't remember why I even bought this, but I love the color), some Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in teal (leftover from Fetching), and some green yarn from my sister. I'm not sure what it is, perhaps Cascade 220 Superwash. Its a nice apple-y green color. She had used it for a baby hat with earflaps that has been passed down and is now being worn by baby M.

The color combo is great, and the top down pattern is really fun.

I Guess its an ornament

Alas, once again the socks I've made for baby M are too small! Too bad, I really liked this cute cable pattern. Oh well, this will make a nice ornament for the Christmas tree- picture it with a candy cane sticking out the top. Next time I will make these with size 5 needles. I added a small I-cord loop for hanging.

Sweater Troubles

Even as I come close to finishing the back and fronts of J's cardiganized Urban Aran, I am increasingly worried that it will be too small. This is one of the downfalls I suppose of knitting it as all one piece, as I wasn't really able to hold it up to him as I made progress. In perusing Ravelry, I came across Zhenya's beautiful version. I emailed her some questions (admitting that I was considering frogging the entire thing and starting from scratch). She kindly responded with lots of details, as well as letting me know that she also was concerned about fit (she made the medium size for her husband), but once she blocked it out it was fine. She suggested that I finish, block it, have him try it on and then decide what to do. Considering how far along I am, this makes alot of sense and actually gave me some motivation to keep going, hopeful that it may in fact, work out. She (and also Streets and YOs had some great advice regarding the collar as well).


I've been working on some smaller projects as a diversion (the gnome hat, some cabled sockies for the little guy, and another version of Saartje's bootees). I'll take a break from those this weekend and get back to the sweater at hand. Here's a photo of the first cabled sock in progress. So fun!

Gnome Hat!

This weekend I whipped up this cute gnome-inspired hat for the 7 month old. This was an improvised pattern using some Lion Brand Wool Ease Chunky that I had in my stashed and had used recently for the 5-year old's striped winter hat. Doesn't he make a cute gnome?

Helping the Sun Bears

My mother in law sent me a link to this blog post on the plight of the Malaysian Sun Bears and their need for paw coverings while undergoing medical procedures. This is a good opportunity to help creatures that cannot help themselves. The blog has a link to the bear bootie pattern and more info on the effort, organized by the Animals Asia Foundation.

Thanks for sending, Vivien!

Works in Progress

The last thing I finished were the baby bootees, so I thought I'd post about a few projects in progress.

Urban Aran Cardigan
This is moving along relatively well. I've just about finished the fronts and the back (knitted as one piece). I like the way it looks but am a little concerned that the finished project might not be quite big enough. I'm hoping if that's the case I can add a ribbed border later in order add a bit of width.

Jaywalker Socks
As so many others before me have noted, this is a really fun pattern. Easy to memorize and the resulting fabric looks wonderful. I'm really enjoying the vibrant blues and purples of the Knitpicks Essential sock yarn.

Baby Bootees, round 2
Ok, these little babies are addictive to knit! I finished my first pair and decided to cast on for a second. They're so cute! This is a fun project to work a few rows on over lunch at work. These are being knitted with some leftover Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk DK in "garbo" (dark pink) and some Knitpicks Swish DK in Hollyberry. Not sure who they're for yet...

I also plan to do a basic baby hat this weekend for my little one. He's mostly outgrown the ones he has.

Hopefully I'll have a FO to share soon!

Cutie Patootie Booties!

I just finished these super cute booties. They are Saartje's Bootees, a very popular pattern on Ravelry. These will be a gift for my niece Iris. This was a really fun pattern and super quick. It would be fun to try these out with different color combos.