tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191556272024-03-18T19:44:44.711-07:00figknitsA whole lot of knitting, some crocheting, and shameless promo about my pattern line and freelance work. Come on board!Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.comBlogger608125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-75208980697540923772021-02-09T12:26:00.001-07:002021-02-09T12:26:34.304-07:00Alford Aran Cardigan Tips<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> Having just coached a knitter through the entire upper body of the Alford Aran Cardigan by email, I thought it would be a good idea to post a tutorial for the rest of you Alford knitters with some of the same guidance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">First of all, I'd like to add a little backstory. I named this design after my Grandaddy Dexter Alford, who left this plane in 1992, but still lives vibrantly in my heart. I made it a unisex design for anyone who wanted to wear it, and filled it with big, chunky cables. I took the basic structure of the sweater from our beloved Elizabeth Zimmermann's "Saddle-Shoulder Sweater" included in her book <i>Knitting Workshop</i>. Look on pages 81-82 if you have the book. If you don't have it, get that thing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXNjjgavChA4vWalgB95pfrh68R38FctVkMvvaeMIGifoN6KbfKNkx-hozAGjjV9MUTa7Oh6TOfcRZWjqjf42suqj09A3FW6UxTuOqOTWYmWWT03U3IpsUG4hUiv1pfNefxQ05A/s1086/Alford+front+both.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="724" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXNjjgavChA4vWalgB95pfrh68R38FctVkMvvaeMIGifoN6KbfKNkx-hozAGjjV9MUTa7Oh6TOfcRZWjqjf42suqj09A3FW6UxTuOqOTWYmWWT03U3IpsUG4hUiv1pfNefxQ05A/s320/Alford+front+both.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let's go over the construction of the Alford Aran Cardigan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Alford Cardigan is worked from the bottom hem up to the collar, and the only seams are at the back center of the collar and at the underarms, which are grafted. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The body is knit flat, as with any cardigan, and the sleeves are knit in the round from the cuff to the underarm, where they are joined to the body stitches. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At that point, the EZ Saddle Shoulder starts and has four parts: first the body stitches are decreased, then the sleeve stitches (sorta like a raglan), then a few more body stitches are decreased to round the starting point of the shoulder, and then the saddle is worked in short rows, one shoulder at a time, decreasing the body stitches so that the saddle lays atop the shoulder just as it should.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIChJv4SrjOWh453D0w9oxJ4GyrwbPCtQK8LBXNJsC_BQdQgMzlYGGO1u725nWs2RSwcSp4GMNxNeOR9M077TC386fLBpS52WDA-Scq6yBPeBgSxA1PE6pdRY825smU264lGEcQ/s1086/Alford+womens+back+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="724" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIChJv4SrjOWh453D0w9oxJ4GyrwbPCtQK8LBXNJsC_BQdQgMzlYGGO1u725nWs2RSwcSp4GMNxNeOR9M077TC386fLBpS52WDA-Scq6yBPeBgSxA1PE6pdRY825smU264lGEcQ/s320/Alford+womens+back+detail.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The sweater sports a big, generous winding cable on back and chunky cables to the sides. The expanded honeycomb cable appears along the sleeve and at the sides. The button/buttonhole bands are worked in k2/p2 rib and are done as you go. </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKS-cJDL6r1tgWRavahpSS1puu4F9JuKLm5jJ1O376eb25md5z85p_uqS1CdSLa97Djm094gDwhKCwMjYAv_VZeClG1R530WpBm5S_QhUE40tgWms8Zzggwpph1PvJnWGNFz71YA/s1086/alford+front+best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="724" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKS-cJDL6r1tgWRavahpSS1puu4F9JuKLm5jJ1O376eb25md5z85p_uqS1CdSLa97Djm094gDwhKCwMjYAv_VZeClG1R530WpBm5S_QhUE40tgWms8Zzggwpph1PvJnWGNFz71YA/s320/alford+front+best.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the underarm point, the collar starts increasing to form its shawl collar shape and the neckline decreases to form a V. This is when things can become a little confusing, but there are markers placed at all points of shaping to help keep the place. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a visual of the collar and neckline shaping.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuhyeiIPvmQbNnsj3rbp_ZxHUFYpcbMdoXExMdTZ_lXomFwZPF2xyl-SAerjGQUa-Cnb_2eyA9o6HIL596SGel78IFYKNs316nlLWcmwGtLAvsm65_pqNPyy7Eud3y3ZutMgkDQ/s2048/IMG_2877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuhyeiIPvmQbNnsj3rbp_ZxHUFYpcbMdoXExMdTZ_lXomFwZPF2xyl-SAerjGQUa-Cnb_2eyA9o6HIL596SGel78IFYKNs316nlLWcmwGtLAvsm65_pqNPyy7Eud3y3ZutMgkDQ/s320/IMG_2877.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The first marker is placed just after the right-front collar increase. Then there is a knit stitch, and then the decrease for the neckline is worked. The next four markers are for the armhole shaping, and then the last marker is for the left-front neck edge/collar shaping.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Once you have completed the armhole and neckline shaping and the saddle shoulder, a collar stand is worked in Stockinette stitch at the back of the neck to make the collar fit up against the back of the neck cozily. This is also done in short rows, as with the saddle. </div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4sp9iRqlmeX0cRp3vB6xD6B05DSW3J_ekN_asGRbYZIfFcB0RW_MyBW6en9l92NX5Oo5QbuRZQZnJKPEIeYDzevZ3eSBQ9N-wQeihyphenhyphenvlhuhyphenhyphennKqK_BvOG2YWjxYU48Uy5vhKFA/s2048/Alford+collar+join.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1361" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4sp9iRqlmeX0cRp3vB6xD6B05DSW3J_ekN_asGRbYZIfFcB0RW_MyBW6en9l92NX5Oo5QbuRZQZnJKPEIeYDzevZ3eSBQ9N-wQeihyphenhyphenvlhuhyphenhyphennKqK_BvOG2YWjxYU48Uy5vhKFA/s320/Alford+collar+join.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then the collar is continued onto the back of the sweater, again with short rows. This is not to decrease the collar, but to join the collar to the sweater. Each half of the collar is worked to the center back neck. Then the two halves are joined with Kitchener join for 2/2 rib, which is explained in the pattern.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoqCovPhuu084vTN3YuzH5M1GoCQ3f7Zi1niEj4PIHDzkXxrWL7Xn7mobtteIFIVrhptf0u8uMnfwTc4V62JiaAVTycwpjXK_NOHPLLwsrk8zuiQAuhdxYGgqqKBUvyL3FrUzFQ/s1086/shaping+line+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1086" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoqCovPhuu084vTN3YuzH5M1GoCQ3f7Zi1niEj4PIHDzkXxrWL7Xn7mobtteIFIVrhptf0u8uMnfwTc4V62JiaAVTycwpjXK_NOHPLLwsrk8zuiQAuhdxYGgqqKBUvyL3FrUzFQ/s320/shaping+line+back.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a picture from the pattern itself to show how the decrease line goes continuously from the lower armhole all the way across the back. I just love it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Alford Aran Cardigan is a challenging pattern, but one I hope will either help knitters learn a few new techniques or help more advanced knitters enjoy those fun techniques.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Knit on!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-25110094110317329182020-10-09T14:18:00.000-07:002020-10-09T14:18:18.652-07:00General Notes for Fundamental Top-Down Cardigan Patterns<p><span style="font-family: Palatino;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">Having recently edited all the Figheadh Fundamental Top-Down Cardigan patterns in the merge to Jen Hagan Design, I wanted to have a place for you to go to receive more help with and information for those projects. These notes are helpful for all Fundamental Cardigan patterns, because each pattern has many yarn weights, gauges, and sizes. </span></span></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Gauge<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The gauges and needle sizes in each section of this pattern are to be used as a general guide. Not all yarns fall squarely into these four distinct categories. Follow the yarn company’s suggested needle size as stated on the yarn label. Also, pay attention to how the manufacturer categorizes the yarn. You may need to vary your needle size to achieve the suggested gauge. </p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Respect the yarn, however. If by changing needle size you feel that the loft of the yarn is being compromised—causing a tight fabric—or if the resulting fabric is too loose, perhaps you should reevaluate your yarn choice. Be open to adjustment on all these counts in order to achieve the correct gauge.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">You may find that even though you have achieved the correct stitch gauge, your row gauge differs from what is suggested in this pattern. Defer to the stitch gauge, because it is the most crucial. </p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">However, the sleeve is one part of the sweater where a differing row gauge will produce problems. If your row gauge is lower than called for (for example, six rows per inch instead of seven), your sleeve will come out longer than it needs to be. To remedy this, measure the sleeve when it is halfway complete; if the measurement is not correct, work your decreases more rapidly than suggested. If your row gauge is too many rows per inch, add more rows between decreases on the sleeve: For instance, if the decrease occurs every other RS row, put in a couple of decreases every RS row to even out your gauge. If your row gauge is not correct, follow all length measurements even more carefully (i.e. body, neckline, sleeve, etc.)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><b></b><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Fit<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The numbers in this pattern will yield a standard ease (approximately 4”) for all sizes to produce a casual, comfortable garment. Be sure to check the wearer’s chest measurement and compare to those given at the beginning of each section to ensure the best fit. If you want a closer fit, consider going down a size or reducing the number of stitches cast on across the armhole gap when beginning the lower body. </p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">You may also customize the length by adding inches to the body and the sleeves. One advantage of a top-down garment is that you may stop at any point in the project, place the live stitches on a long piece of scrap yarn, and try on the sweater. You can decide on length for a more custom fit to the wearer. You can also alter the garment later—as in the case of a child who has grown taller—by taking out the edging and adding a few inches before reworking the edges. This is a good reason to purchase an extra skein or two of yarn when you choose it for this project.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><b></b><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Edging<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The 1/1 rib gives some shaping to the cuffs, collar, and hems of this sweater. If you want the cuffs and hem to be fashioned more loosely, simply change the edging to garter stitch. Button and buttonhole bands may also be worked in garter stitch to match the cuffs and hem if you choose this option.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><b></b><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Neckline<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The V-neck edging is simple because it is worked all at once from one lower edge around to the other. One way to assure accuracy is to affix a stationary marker at the point of the last neckline increase. This way you may be sure of the top button placement.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Also, as with any picking up of stitches along the side of knitted fabric, the formula is three stitches out of every four rows for gauges 6, 5, and 4. For gauge 3, pick up two stitches for every three rows.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p4" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><b></b><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b>Stitch Pattern<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This sweater is worked in Stockinette stitch, which is knit on the RS and purled on the WS. The edges are worked in 1/1 rib (k1, p1; rep). Raglan increases on this sweater are worked as kf&b, k1 before the marker and kf&b after the marker because the kf&b increase causes the effect of a k1, p1. This raglan increase produces one knit stitch on each side of each marker. The sleeve decreases are worked one stitch from the inside “seam.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Palatino; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">I removed this part of the pattern with the edit, so I have added a link in the patterns so you can still find this helpful information. Enjoy your cardigan project with confidence!</span></p>Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-23406289158758141202020-07-15T10:35:00.001-07:002020-07-15T10:35:31.201-07:00Na Craga Saga<div style="text-align: center;">I have had a crush on the <a href="https://virtualyarns.com/product/na-craga/" target="_blank">Na Craga</a> Aran sweater designed by Alice Starmore for decades. That's why when I wanted to knit my husband a sweater back in 2003, I chose (and he approved of) the Na Craga. But the snag was that I was still so new at knitting that I did not understand the importance of yarn weights and gauge. I chose NZ Wool that was far too heavy for the project and I surely did not swatch. Fred has worn that disastrous Na Craga once--in a blizzard while we were snowshoeing at White Pass, WA. I cannot find the picture of him wearing it, as that was before our phones became also our cameras and it is down some buried file hole on my external hard drive. Or maybe even in one of the bins of real photographs in storage. How vintage!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For years I hung the monstrous thing in my office as a piece of art. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ever since then, I have wanted to make one for myself, so when Starmore had her book <u><a href="https://virtualyarns.com/product/aran-knitting/" target="_blank">Aran Knitting </a></u>republished in 2010 with the Na Craga sized down, I went on the lookout for yarn suitable for the project. Back in 2011 I wrote it as <a href="http://figknits.blogspot.com/2011/04/2kcbwday6-my-aspirations.html" target="_blank">one of my aspirations</a> here on the blog </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then I found <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hamptonfibermill/" target="_blank">Hampton Fiber Mill </a>on Instagram and became a fan of Michael's--he's a hoot! I think he's recently gone underground, but before he vanished from Instagram, I found out about his DK yarn and knew it would make a good Na Craga. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihR2xqLMga8XhnEtNW6yQZjEz2uwcdlsR6ECcQKrPcrKb357TWlrn299odDkZF5rB8N8CxxDtjqJDqTIrIE4B_C0-L3-rVO63S0dot_PSucHMRTZ_FOO0kpmnb-EsTCnaFs149Ig/s320/B3054A68-9E93-4C39-9D57-12410C112CC0.JPG" style="text-align: left;" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First, I ordered a shade card from him, and quickly decided on the Deep Sea colorway. This was back in March of last year, by the way.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8e0bs_CEJLUAAsugiRn_5M2qnRpSHlXMXgx5vxdYoyoGtc0ozJ-I0VYtlLCplAZjbekILaS4fK-u6gS2K4KyqRkmV1qXxJu7l52aaorOttyCmZBmHieiib8AeVpZG8DMJTFvow/s2048/75F46E99-12DD-4EB0-8895-72C17FA648CD.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8e0bs_CEJLUAAsugiRn_5M2qnRpSHlXMXgx5vxdYoyoGtc0ozJ-I0VYtlLCplAZjbekILaS4fK-u6gS2K4KyqRkmV1qXxJu7l52aaorOttyCmZBmHieiib8AeVpZG8DMJTFvow/s320/75F46E99-12DD-4EB0-8895-72C17FA648CD.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I ordered what I thought would be plenty of yarn for the sweater, based on the pattern's suggested yardage. I even ordered just a tad more. Then I set about swatching, only to discover that I needed to go down to a size 5 (3.75 mm) to get anywhere close to gauge. I hated to do that, because it would make the work less fun. Cables already make a tight fabric, and when you're using a smaller needle than you'd like, well, it's a bit of a fight. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This yarn is best knit with size 6 (4 mm) or 7 (4.5 mm) needle, especially when working cables. Size 5 was as far down as I was willing to adjust and that would mean I had to just hope that if I knit the smallest size, 32-34 finished chest, that it would still be an okay fit.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_q4Q1M_aCkMfk7iyGSBlMQ2AMPG7zXTKJWWOIqc2uB19WvkIjctUaDsQVIo_w_wfzsiE8nEsGd4yoyoS4dLzKCkk5KmASbZ8s67Og9grO3JzO_c3JkNrxusLL7s9VcSK4JvSBA/s2048/962B6D1C-08F2-4058-8FFD-B2FF4FA8D64E.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_q4Q1M_aCkMfk7iyGSBlMQ2AMPG7zXTKJWWOIqc2uB19WvkIjctUaDsQVIo_w_wfzsiE8nEsGd4yoyoS4dLzKCkk5KmASbZ8s67Og9grO3JzO_c3JkNrxusLL7s9VcSK4JvSBA/s320/962B6D1C-08F2-4058-8FFD-B2FF4FA8D64E.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The knitting began in earnest, even though I distractedly worked the rib in a different manner from what is instructed. It's supposed to be more snakey, i.e., 1/1 RC followed by 1/1 LC. I did it with all right crosses. It turned out okay, though, so no big deal. This was in April of 2019.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXIo98TI0jwZf58zzoHhfR3omNxOZwSl0HNig2WfWAUDhx4_x1aMW-I-_KMMeDQysQTln3OQvthMZb9puFi6II894ZXZ4O_DM0XZF9EgmGs906hyY3Frn71rv_T9AZWEJkrGSdQ/s320/2F65576A-2C85-40DE-B882-C37D7E319BF5.JPG" style="text-align: left;" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Right about here is where I got bogged down and had to go work on my <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/sweaters/men's/3310_prod.html" target="_blank">Whalsay Gansey design</a>. This was in September of 2019, so I think the Na Craga must lave languished in the WIP basket for about four months, because I got back to work on it in January of this year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's when I hit another snag. As I was working on the sleeves, it became clear that I was going to run out of yarn. I'm sure now that the tighter gauge was eating up yarn faster. I shortened the sleeves a bit, but it was beginning to look like I would not have enough yarn to knit the collar and do the seaming. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the picture below you can see that I still have all that to do and with only my swatch and a small ball remaining. I whined about it on Instagram, and Michael says, "It's gorgeous. If you have a yarn emergency, let me know." What??? Well, heck, yes, I let him know, and with little hope that he could help, I asked for a bit more yarn. That's when a yarn miracle occurred. Michael had a full skein and a skein of mill ends <i>of the same dye lot. </i><b style="font-style: italic;">A year after my initial order! </b>I am one blessed woman, I'll tell you. He sold me the good skein and threw in the one made with mill ends <i>gratis. </i>Sweet!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKsqvcD8szagiiQN9NLgVmPRz6rnhIwF7OYmdzZ9ZEmIKfBJNH68WxO4GrBIYWVgxnpLLgDalm1jBNK0Hy_jc6rT592VmNvRlzAPdt2nv75EnS-WENFlHOlRdZboG0_VgGyeRtQ/s2048/CCEDA436-C9FA-41EF-A807-2483A911D76A.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKsqvcD8szagiiQN9NLgVmPRz6rnhIwF7OYmdzZ9ZEmIKfBJNH68WxO4GrBIYWVgxnpLLgDalm1jBNK0Hy_jc6rT592VmNvRlzAPdt2nv75EnS-WENFlHOlRdZboG0_VgGyeRtQ/s320/CCEDA436-C9FA-41EF-A807-2483A911D76A.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While waiting for the extra yarn, I frogged the sleeves and knit them the right length. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thankfully the yarn arrived as I was working on the second sleeve, because that's right when I needed it. Presto! I had plenty of yarn for finishing the sleeve and seaming and working the collar. It's so much more enjoyable to knit without worrying that your yarn will run out. I even had enough leftover yarn to knit two cabled hats with it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you, Michael Hampton!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uZxNhI4z0NO-t_BFlw0DslukaCgdnWImrpnMRWWzGy5TRT68ERUBaCPH4zfQw8PfvHmyzJpuOU3yWIw5i7-4k-8_FOqBzkNkpxVlFcUFJ_hE0qiYqmy9w88oC2fuCC3AngF4MQ/s320/0FE8DC55-83A2-4DA5-A112-EF3EDDA31E76+2.JPG" style="text-align: left;" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By February 15 I had it all assembled and blocked and, happy day, it fits great!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love, love, love this sweater, even though it was hard to knit, made my hands sore, I had to take a giant rest, whatever. It was all worth it. My Na Craga saga is complete. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now I have my eye on some others of Starmore's beautiful designs. Maybe someday I will knit another!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div>Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-61725240070243848172020-07-01T09:27:00.000-07:002020-07-01T09:27:06.981-07:00Rainbows, No Lollipops<div style="text-align: center;">
If you thought of Lesley Gore when you read that title, then you are in my age group. Or someone who digs 60's pop music. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today is officially my first day of a social media ban, which is no big deal, but I needed it. I have still been aiding and abetting the bad habit of checking Facebook and Instagram (one and the same troubled company) to the detriment of so many wonderful things that could be in my life...like this blog!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So here's a post, finally.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In April I received an early Mother's Day present from my oldest daughter. She lives in Athens, GA, with her family, where there is the best yarn shop, <a href="https://revivalyarnsathens.com/" target="_blank">Revival Yarns</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmhe6F-dwxFkIOP7DwH9UW3bmzIzlawmBTdQmORQ5WinOe6jM54YcoxP8P5zIGmeJwDyz7oem7rdFRuOYT6Oza-KUASMkOy24YYiqjjU0bwJ1DOmAsOIg2wSLDiSik9OJgUwzcw/s1600/AC6D4AA8-9E74-49C3-847F-60ECDBB9C96F+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmhe6F-dwxFkIOP7DwH9UW3bmzIzlawmBTdQmORQ5WinOe6jM54YcoxP8P5zIGmeJwDyz7oem7rdFRuOYT6Oza-KUASMkOy24YYiqjjU0bwJ1DOmAsOIg2wSLDiSik9OJgUwzcw/s320/AC6D4AA8-9E74-49C3-847F-60ECDBB9C96F+2.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The gift package was full of goodness--a cute knitting pin, a beautiful rainbowy bag, and a <a href="https://revivalyarnsathens.com/yarn/sweet-georgia-prismatic-mini-skein-set" target="_blank">Prismatic</a> set from <a href="https://sweetgeorgiayarns.com/" target="_blank">Sweet Georgia Yarns</a>! I think my sweet daughter really meant to combine Mother's Day, my birthday, and Christmas all into one gift, because this was spectacular. I puzzled my brain for a couple of weeks about what to do with the yarn. So many fun options! At first I envisioned a rainbow beanie, but then realized that I did not want to knit a beanie out of sock weight yarn just then. Maybe later. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then I remembered that I had a whole skein of Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock, the yarn in the Prismatic set, but in Willow. It would make a good neutral to pair with the set!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unpacking the set, I saw that there were 12 colors that began with red and worked through the ROYGBIV and back around to a red-purple. I hated to unwind the perfect skeins and ball them up, but we must, right? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2htiBEy1VXNCbrg8uUNozTW_M5ukfxI9JAgbBlIneJ08pS3TsV25U-_LN4RayFG7o0Ah_T5zAF65hBQWVAFV_J5Fagdj8jF2LqUbeAOxLSZK7UYVWgNemNNDz3Q2Rd_KU_WW5w/s1600/MdXA8b5hRpeuRfCDo5OdKw_thumb_122a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="1243" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2htiBEy1VXNCbrg8uUNozTW_M5ukfxI9JAgbBlIneJ08pS3TsV25U-_LN4RayFG7o0Ah_T5zAF65hBQWVAFV_J5Fagdj8jF2LqUbeAOxLSZK7UYVWgNemNNDz3Q2Rd_KU_WW5w/s320/MdXA8b5hRpeuRfCDo5OdKw_thumb_122a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The colors are breath-taking!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I decided to use them, along with the Willow, for one of my favorite projects. striped, toe-up socks. I had enough to make one pair for me and one pair for Fred.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-_jEaW58oDa9NGhGFaIl7YYz5zCuBIu-4AnIcXJcSYsQTlHQXtrevSC4qyVWoEu4guOxNlyEfbsGAWq_4atDiKkEA5BSKPU1uPfwli2FqVgLcCPNHpnlR0syfa6E-uBQnIwQHg/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_126d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="819" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-_jEaW58oDa9NGhGFaIl7YYz5zCuBIu-4AnIcXJcSYsQTlHQXtrevSC4qyVWoEu4guOxNlyEfbsGAWq_4atDiKkEA5BSKPU1uPfwli2FqVgLcCPNHpnlR0syfa6E-uBQnIwQHg/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_126d.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For these socks, I alternated six rounds of each color with the Willow as background. They are the nicest socks I think I've ever made.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But even after that, I had more yarn remaining, so...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-74VvUbE5rqkowcVSfW7JL8wk_FcRPl3v5BIUnMfuTG_jE3-c_iFQRUDxMMRAQoKa5OToudluWRrgArHvGbV1UZVkYmMd7zwgVxEw4GeoY_GtyyA0ISWwJpA5DVJWGRWhwt3LA/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-74VvUbE5rqkowcVSfW7JL8wk_FcRPl3v5BIUnMfuTG_jE3-c_iFQRUDxMMRAQoKa5OToudluWRrgArHvGbV1UZVkYmMd7zwgVxEw4GeoY_GtyyA0ISWwJpA5DVJWGRWhwt3LA/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1291.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I made some mitts! I thought I would have enough to make mittens, but the green ran out, so mitts. They were made with 2-round stripes. And just look how much of the minis I still have left! Now I have to figure out what to do with those. I am also working on some socks with a ROYGBIV speckle colorway from Lynai Yarns, so I might combine the remaining minis with the leftovers from those. We'll see.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All this rainbowness also helped me to realize that I almost had a rainbow of Malabrigo Worsted I've been collecting, so I added to it a bit and made some hats.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU11vu9Jq56DFttppZ5U3wgptpFaK2V3Z3AUJfQnZzO1xfPXCB_tCe3M5a7ZOYxXTQpTYVFiZXGT7V-Ok3-AWfuSijlJgfZWvVaHdjgGI5VCUYWrWGSrJuMJ2k6Nil9Q3H1kPrkw/s1600/SzKGh2tOTgejJRJRMVBdZg_thumb_1286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1024" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU11vu9Jq56DFttppZ5U3wgptpFaK2V3Z3AUJfQnZzO1xfPXCB_tCe3M5a7ZOYxXTQpTYVFiZXGT7V-Ok3-AWfuSijlJgfZWvVaHdjgGI5VCUYWrWGSrJuMJ2k6Nil9Q3H1kPrkw/s320/SzKGh2tOTgejJRJRMVBdZg_thumb_1286.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifm12Sb-yDgunXbV5L6ukwFSpJF39eXs3_EVtlT6VhHHeUM_ZhBVC3K6MMFSlNLztCATjoDA1QOM3fSjQ3ufqP_VxlXWWp0FZI9X9RYG8pqZJjfb4t4qhg0tVgOU0F1LZbkUvflQ/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_125c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifm12Sb-yDgunXbV5L6ukwFSpJF39eXs3_EVtlT6VhHHeUM_ZhBVC3K6MMFSlNLztCATjoDA1QOM3fSjQ3ufqP_VxlXWWp0FZI9X9RYG8pqZJjfb4t4qhg0tVgOU0F1LZbkUvflQ/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_125c.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I lined up the minis next to the Malabrigo Worsted skeins, I realized I could leave out the Tiger Lily (cheeto color!). The Malabrigo colors are Ravelry Red, Sunset, Pollen, Lettuce, Water Green, Indigo, and Purple Magic. I purchased some online from <a href="https://www.yarn.com/products/malabrigo-worsted?via=5e0a35b46170700ca5011d21%2C5e0a35c461707031780a09b0%2C5e0a35e76170706fb40000bf" target="_blank">WEBS </a>and some from <a href="https://revivalyarnsathens.com/yarn/malabrigo-worsted" target="_blank">Revival Yarns</a>. None of my local yarn shops carry this yarn, unfortunately.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The <a href="https://sweetgeorgiayarns.com/product-category/yarn/sweetgeorgia-yarns/tough-love-sock/" target="_blank">Tough Love Sock</a> Colors are Cherry, Cayenne, Pumpkin, Dutch, Saffron, Pistachio, Basil, Beach House, Sapphire, Empress, Grape Jelly, and Raspberry. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The mitten blockers above are from <a href="https://burningimpressions.shop/collections/mitt-blockers" target="_blank">Burning Impressions</a>. The pom-poms on the hats above are from <a href="https://www.barrettwoolco.com/products/faux-fur-pom-poms?variant=12137397649534" target="_blank">Barrett Wool Co</a>. Lynai Yarns is on hiatus currently--Vanessa is raising two littles!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope all these rainbows inspire you today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-69654735337728220342019-11-22T07:10:00.000-07:002019-11-22T07:10:03.982-07:00Figheadh Pattern Updates: Round One<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of my Figheadh patterns are now 14 years old, most have only had a minor tweak or two, and so I decided that before I released any more new patterns, I should gloss up the old ones. I've learned a whole lot in the past 14 years (still learning!) and I need to put more of that into the older patterns so that they can be as good as the newer ones. It also helps me sleep better at night. Once I've done a pattern update, it makes me smile even bigger when someone buys that better pattern.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's a list of the updated patterns so far, with links:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/sweaters/women's/P_S_AWT.html" target="_blank">Aran Wiggles Turtleneck</a><span id="goog_1971549682"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1971549683"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(my first sweater pattern!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/hats/P_A_H_BAH.html" target="_blank">Basic Aran Hat</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/hats/P_A_H_DC.html" target="_blank">The Drosten Cap</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/hats/P_A_H_FLCC.html" target="_blank">Flowing Locks Cable Cap</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/hats/P_A_H_HCC.html" target="_blank">Honeycomb Cable Cap</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/hats/P_A_H_LCC.html" target="_blank">Lattice Cable Cap</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/baby/P_B_MBS.html" target="_blank">Mairead Baby Set</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/socks/P_A_S_CAS.html" target="_blank">Coralee Ankle Socks</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/gloves/P_A_G_GNM.html" target="_blank">Grace Note Mitts</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/baby/P_B_CBB.html" target="_blank">Cable Baby Blanket</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/hats/P_A_H_TMH.html" target="_blank">Treehugger Mitts and Headband</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/sweaters/women's/2276_prod.html" target="_blank">Glentrekker Cardigan</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/hats/P_A_H_J28.html" target="_blank">J-28 Cable Cap</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/hats/2292_prod.html" target="_blank">Tiller Beanie</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/hats/2293_prod.html" target="_blank">Harrow Tam</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/hats/2294_prod.html" target="_blank">Skep Hat</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/hats/2295_prod.html" target="_blank">Espalier Tam</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/hats/2296_prod.html" target="_blank">Herbage Beanie</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/hats/C01_prod.html" target="_blank">Homegrown Hat Collection</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Whew! That's 18 patterns and one collection updated since June. My tech editor and I have been busy! That's not all, folks. I plan to at least add new charts and better language to almost all the patterns published between 2005 and about 2015. Some of these are already updated and a few of the others left to go have had/will have new sizing and more instruction, which is why they sometimes need new tech editing. Hats off to Tracey Davidson, who's been working with me for the whole 14 years--first as a test knitter, and then later as a tech editor.<br />
She's the best!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wow, that's two posts in a row with no pictures.<br />
I'll remedy that next time!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-47265762037800576772019-10-04T12:43:00.000-07:002019-10-04T12:43:00.264-07:00I'm back!I feel I owe you an explanation for all the silence, dear blog, so here's a post that I started earlier this year. I'll add more at the bottom....<br />
<br />
"Before it gets to be a whole year since I last posted, which I am aghast about, I want to breathe life back into this space. Thank you for your patience. Actually, if you're like me, you won't have noticed much that I haven't posted in so long. We are all so distracted. Which leads me to the chunk of this post.<br />
<br />
For the past couple of years I have been highly distracted by our life changes. We sold our house in Tacoma, WA, after calling it home for fifteen years, moved into an apartment in the same town, then moved to my mom's house in North Carolina where Fred found a job in Greensboro in just a couple of months, so we moved to an apartment here to be near his job, and in about six weeks we will move into a new house here in town! Well, it's new to us. We don't much like "new" houses. This one was built in 1969, which is just great with us.<br />
<br />
Anyway, all that change of domiciles has had me quite jangled. I am a Cancer, after all, so my home life is extremely important and Fred's the same. Another thing that disrupted my flow was the recently-discovered-by-me fact that in my adult life I have changed vocations about every ten years. First I was a singer/vocal instructor/mom, then a high school teacher/mom, and then a knitwear designer. I'm still a mom, but I no longer have to take care of my children as part of my job. They've been doing that for about 17 years now, some for longer, since I have 38-, 36-, and 34-year-old daughters now (two of them with their own children).<br />
<br />
That ten-year-career-change thing? Well, I passed it with the knitwear designer job in 2015. That was just before we started getting our house in Tacoma ready to sell. My seemingly in-born desire to restructure my life every ten years came at about the same time that life threw me into turmoil anyway, so my designing took a back seat. At times I wondered if I even wanted to keep doing it. I never stopped knitting and crocheting, though. The love has stayed with me.<br />
<br />
Flash forward to 14 years into this last occupation and I find my self wanting to revive the whole darn thing. I have ideas for other pursuits, some related to knitwear design, but I want to keep up maintenance of my two pattern lines and to keep bringing new ideas into the world. There are never too many!<br />
<br />
I can't wrap up this post without talking about other distractions, ones we all have. When I started my business back in 2005, I knew nothing of Facebook, there was no Ravelry, no Instagram, no Pinterest, and certainly no Twitter (which I have never joined anyhow). Heck, we still barely went online and we still got our news from the physical newspaper that was thrown onto our front stoop every morning. So hard to imagine now, only 14 years later. I admit to spending way, way too much time on my phone every morning, scrolling and scrolling. One of my determinations is to return to a life with much less of this. I appreciate all these online treasures, especially Ravelry, but I need to return to a life away from the internet. I'll admit that the day I got on Instagram was the day my blog posting took a nosedive. It also stopped me reading other blogs. I want that to change.<br />
<br />
I spent an hour or so this morning clearing out my favorites list of blogs, finding that many had been stalled for much longer than mine and some had been closed. I can certainly understand. It's hard to tear ourselves away from the endless onslaught of information and imagery too easily available to us online these days. We can use the excuse that it is inspiring, as I have for years. To be honest, it really mostly just inspires me to keep scrolling, not to do much of my own creating. For that we need to get outside, go to museums, contemplate, drag out our materials and try things, meet with other creative types, etc. None of those things involve screen time. So I must limit that screen time and get back to making words and making pretty (and sometimes ugly) things.<br />
<br />
I'll be back! And it'll be quick this time."<br />
<br />
And months and months later...well, I meant it to be quick and then we moved and then we had a new house to get in order and then I got to work on a new pattern and then I got to work on updating older patterns and here we are. The <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/sweaters/men's/3310_prod.html" target="_blank">Whalsay Gansey Pullover</a> is published, 19 <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/index.html" target="_blank">Figheadh</a> patterns have been updated, and I am busily working on lots more updates. Next post, I'll let you know which patterns have gotten makeovers and provide links in case you want to see for yourself.<br />
<br />
I hope I'm back for real. I missed this blog.<br />
<br />
Have a hopeful, peaceful day!Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-79604833906117714542019-10-03T12:29:00.000-07:002019-11-22T07:31:17.246-07:00Whalsay Gansey Pullover<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have a new pattern--the <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/sweaters/men's/3310_prod.html" target="_blank">Whalsay Gansey Pullover</a>! My sweet husband Fred consented to modeling for me. He looks great in the Whalsay, right?<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9uvt22bCixc1LL4xbZ-RxvtUox4FtYiwUzw5krqKrhBhBMa1a-XeZTWf2wNUQdQO1Z15_NDmSXUhzQa3cZNo8zsVPQzlffreFBABPQqCY_IFu04AXON2M0XB3Qdqx4QPiag9IA/s1600/whalsay+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="724" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9uvt22bCixc1LL4xbZ-RxvtUox4FtYiwUzw5krqKrhBhBMa1a-XeZTWf2wNUQdQO1Z15_NDmSXUhzQa3cZNo8zsVPQzlffreFBABPQqCY_IFu04AXON2M0XB3Qdqx4QPiag9IA/s320/whalsay+cover.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whalsay Pullover in Cascade 220</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love Ganseys, so I added one to the Figheadh men's sweater group. I kept this one pretty simple so that new Gansey knitters wouldn't feel intimidated. It has basic drop-shoulder style and underarm gussets.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzRP-pyEiSe4szzBRDUFQrhbMC2FmzMz3uS7Aclr9KEn5N-xOuq6HqrthqUF7khdwYT9_w9Gaa_m68GbDVFhuPkCM5ANV7nemCmv2QskCxxMv3RVzSN1oEhhEsJapjGy8Lm4fqA/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_113c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="819" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzRP-pyEiSe4szzBRDUFQrhbMC2FmzMz3uS7Aclr9KEn5N-xOuq6HqrthqUF7khdwYT9_w9Gaa_m68GbDVFhuPkCM5ANV7nemCmv2QskCxxMv3RVzSN1oEhhEsJapjGy8Lm4fqA/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_113c.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whalsay in progress</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think underarm gussets are the best invention! They remove all the fussiness from that underarm join and they make the sweater comfortable for your armpits. Ha! Just craft a little diamond shape at the armpit by increasing as you knit the lower body and then decreasing as you knit the sleeve. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The lower body is knit in the round, the upper body pieces are knit flat, the shoulders are seamed with 3-needle bind-off, and the sleeves are picked up and knit down from the armhole. Then the collar is knit in the round from the neck hole.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdj-EihryY1ZDsPqFP-5SZqVYGLBZeg8EY5oe6R9kgTviysHqIHGOMFWqYj4Z_xByDsjL7nm3dSAHcblP0D6Phhf7ZcDrPAc0HZ2EAH1n28430cSHbQrO2yZgTC_BYMgTJ47ihxg/s1600/whalsay+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="724" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdj-EihryY1ZDsPqFP-5SZqVYGLBZeg8EY5oe6R9kgTviysHqIHGOMFWqYj4Z_xByDsjL7nm3dSAHcblP0D6Phhf7ZcDrPAc0HZ2EAH1n28430cSHbQrO2yZgTC_BYMgTJ47ihxg/s320/whalsay+back.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's knit with worsted weight yarn with lots of Stockinette stitch, so the going is easy and fast. The upper body is embellished with simple cables and knit/purl stitches to give it a bit of Gansey/Guernsey flair! You'll see images of flags, ropes, winding paths, and ladders as a nod to the life of fishermen of the British Isles beginning in the 19th century, from whence the design of this type of garment came. All the edges are done with traditional 2/2 rib for good fit and the neck is big enough for wearing a collared shirt beneath.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/whalsay-gansey-pullover" target="_blank">The Whalsay</a> is sized from finished chest of 33.5" to 56" in a range of 12 sizes. As with all our men's garments, I think of them as unisex, so anyone can wear it. A couple of my testers made them for themselves, and all my testers were women. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Speaking of testers, I'll be back to show you the testers' Whalsays!<br />
<br />
This project was given yarn support from Cascade Yarns. I so enjoyed knitting the sample in Cascade 220 Heathers in this beautiful blue, color #9332.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope you'll knit one for yourself or someone you love.<br />
<br />
Keep on knitting!</div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Helvetica}
</style>Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-85336173836598854842018-03-30T10:37:00.001-07:002018-03-30T10:37:12.256-07:00Show Us Your Lauren Tanks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/sweaters/women's/P_S_LT.html" target="_blank">Lauren Tank</a> is the pattern of the Month for March, so what better time to look at a few samples!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwHH-EwnJSP7AvtYKOfg4GYG92jieuSuYSPPj91WMNSp7XtiQt0m8MxzNWO1RyAeFahaDn0trQ0hCHwTPAt_GpBXUKZEvJGam7CDgR-ig4qqSo4Esh7WvJ4WcYbyzbQCt8rGqCA/s1600/Callalily+Lauren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwHH-EwnJSP7AvtYKOfg4GYG92jieuSuYSPPj91WMNSp7XtiQt0m8MxzNWO1RyAeFahaDn0trQ0hCHwTPAt_GpBXUKZEvJGam7CDgR-ig4qqSo4Esh7WvJ4WcYbyzbQCt8rGqCA/s1600/Callalily+Lauren.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: Callalily</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's my tech editor Tracey's beautiful Lauren knit with Yarn Place Vivace, which is 100% bamboo. So lustrous! She also tested the pattern for me. She's wonderful!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsAfQoD3wlU-ZD-P7WyOisBTBxNPLvdzezb2sOXSCZ7LcFFRgRweDIN6i9jYCaueys3rfQePrhY_E97b4RverWPXIwcqO3sp9aelevW1-nxkKFjrvOmwZbxneMRClDpbJcmNU-A/s1600/Ritzyknitz+Lauren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsAfQoD3wlU-ZD-P7WyOisBTBxNPLvdzezb2sOXSCZ7LcFFRgRweDIN6i9jYCaueys3rfQePrhY_E97b4RverWPXIwcqO3sp9aelevW1-nxkKFjrvOmwZbxneMRClDpbJcmNU-A/s1600/Ritzyknitz+Lauren.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: Ritzyknitz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is Ann's Lauren knit with Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic Lite in Periwinkle. Perfect fit!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRe2idSOCpEbZp0mFG8qaHiI223QfGDYcDlyONs4xcRlJnTYIzsMDKVrt3DJ5a9T-wKAItVny-lQWaxd-jVkTtSyMOEe8Kq_iKsKTSGV074WKyAIMKpCAIHRY6mzOeqVX25UOtbw/s1600/snuzy+Lauren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRe2idSOCpEbZp0mFG8qaHiI223QfGDYcDlyONs4xcRlJnTYIzsMDKVrt3DJ5a9T-wKAItVny-lQWaxd-jVkTtSyMOEe8Kq_iKsKTSGV074WKyAIMKpCAIHRY6mzOeqVX25UOtbw/s1600/snuzy+Lauren.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: snuzy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cheryl knit this vibrant pink Lauren with Classic Elite's Provence. I love it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTxwrrLQiT9OU8B-__M6pL2of6mD_GT1CKV1CtrfdbOtYg5cT1ABLi9OXnQiwDxe5KwxpMCKvUNVniDVJkTYLnejCvYrD4SjTLb6ghWZ9uxYiWkR-hkWkJ-URT9y9Q943Rt3nfA/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_ea4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="724" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTxwrrLQiT9OU8B-__M6pL2of6mD_GT1CKV1CtrfdbOtYg5cT1ABLi9OXnQiwDxe5KwxpMCKvUNVniDVJkTYLnejCvYrD4SjTLb6ghWZ9uxYiWkR-hkWkJ-URT9y9Q943Rt3nfA/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_ea4.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And here is my latest Lauren!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
While I was editing the pattern recently, I knit this one up with Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima in Periwinkle. I loved every minute of this project. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7WPJn35i3i90dw2shJRQMvX0H-xGp3N9QhjB7lo_g0GXpi6UCg46qh7PWIhKR3w0HQW7Y2QQ2GcwhSNxRHpGoy_JrAGoU7alODXncPRCwqh8yF8gzP9Fx325l__fN-phnNsnOQ/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_ea5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="724" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7WPJn35i3i90dw2shJRQMvX0H-xGp3N9QhjB7lo_g0GXpi6UCg46qh7PWIhKR3w0HQW7Y2QQ2GcwhSNxRHpGoy_JrAGoU7alODXncPRCwqh8yF8gzP9Fx325l__fN-phnNsnOQ/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_ea5.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's always fun to work the shaping from the stitch patterns in this tank--that's my favorite part!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVMY285njrvO8uNvJ6M37NzVBDULYUWgaODb7q-t1KCcT69CmRaWgjJS6bU8n4lmYcVKHh25jMfln-iNvc5AaRDq1pDStIuA23n-HuiQZXB8rerLXkjH4visoZq4c9s5Ua-u8qw/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_ea7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="724" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVMY285njrvO8uNvJ6M37NzVBDULYUWgaODb7q-t1KCcT69CmRaWgjJS6bU8n4lmYcVKHh25jMfln-iNvc5AaRDq1pDStIuA23n-HuiQZXB8rerLXkjH4visoZq4c9s5Ua-u8qw/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_ea7.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
However, when I got to my last part, the upper back, I distractedly hurried too much and let the stitch pattern shift above the armhole decrease. Can you see it? What's worse, I didn't even notice it until the thing was assembled and blocked. No way am I undoing this. It just stays as a reminder to pay attention!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hope you'll knit a <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/sweaters/women's/P_S_LT.html" target="_blank">Lauren</a> for yourself. It's a fun and intriguing project.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy Spring, Folks! Knit yourself something pretty for warm weather!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-79910759665334960142018-01-30T13:32:00.003-07:002018-01-30T13:32:49.713-07:00The Great Grethryn Color Project<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I recently completed a very fun project that I'd been wishing to do since I wrote <a href="https://figknits.blogspot.com/2013/02/my-fair-isle-education-color-choice.html" target="_blank">this post</a> way back in February of 2013. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfr1Q2lTYFrr8g8b2AvpDGgF87n7bQkwQFYmFJ7s39bm_jXZh8OCF6fj_B1E7CocktUqmvx_qzx-tEhBh6Mh1BlR2Q9mj2LZq5_wxDHfu-86hE93lMyJijrPkZKhTRX9kJOmsDTw/s1600/original+ravenwood+grethryn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1086" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfr1Q2lTYFrr8g8b2AvpDGgF87n7bQkwQFYmFJ7s39bm_jXZh8OCF6fj_B1E7CocktUqmvx_qzx-tEhBh6Mh1BlR2Q9mj2LZq5_wxDHfu-86hE93lMyJijrPkZKhTRX9kJOmsDTw/s320/original+ravenwood+grethryn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Almost as soon as the original <a href="http://www.jenhagan.com/mirth/m015_detail.html" target="_blank">Grethryn Hat</a> (OG--ha!) was published, I wanted to put some color into her. Don't misunderstand--I love this original one with two natural colors of <a href="https://www.ravenwoodcashmereandsoaps.com/" target="_blank">Ravenwood Cashmere</a> 3-ply. It's so sweet!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmdmMWV62KXGkkzaA3dP5fOkA8JQsx9d93sDEHQvtHmYYl0Bb4RP6dX3OOsSPv1mBcqPtTZtkPyWfYvrwa0YBuWcGcq7Y1w-X3SN6p7WPm2i9cvDAWCq1kfj0A0y7ONiy5sNxZQ/s1600/grethryn+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1086" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmdmMWV62KXGkkzaA3dP5fOkA8JQsx9d93sDEHQvtHmYYl0Bb4RP6dX3OOsSPv1mBcqPtTZtkPyWfYvrwa0YBuWcGcq7Y1w-X3SN6p7WPm2i9cvDAWCq1kfj0A0y7ONiy5sNxZQ/s320/grethryn+party.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But there's nothing at all wrong with adding some color! However, you must proceed with caution when choosing colors for Fair Isle stitch patterns. Choose for compatibility, but also for contrast. Placing two colors next to one another that do not have enough contrast only serves to hide the lovely stitch pattern you're working so hard to give attention to. Let's look at how I not only made that mistake but also learned to choose better.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJECqNXxVDWVWX5TThE6SdN06o-VxtbZAF-vVHO_0VXKwIk0MaGtHmrMQWu6N7cEjzrJvwe0ZXDC1ln1V6DcRnsHW9dkgqlXrFQ0mgf2bsoLLGcJi331_Z6-jiXmXPqD8oMqivhw/s1600/original+grethryn+with+text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="939" data-original-width="1024" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJECqNXxVDWVWX5TThE6SdN06o-VxtbZAF-vVHO_0VXKwIk0MaGtHmrMQWu6N7cEjzrJvwe0ZXDC1ln1V6DcRnsHW9dkgqlXrFQ0mgf2bsoLLGcJi331_Z6-jiXmXPqD8oMqivhw/s320/original+grethryn+with+text.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
First, let's identify the basic stitch pattern for the Grethryn. It consists of three different Fair Isle motifs--two peerie patterns and one larger border pattern. I wanted this project to be good for beginner Fair Isle knitters, so it begins with just alternating between the main color and a contrasting color for one round (A). Then a couple more main color rounds are worked before trying three rounds of alternating the same for a checkerboard effect (B). Then you relax with two more rounds of main color before it gets a bit more challenging as you work a larger seven-round OXO pattern (C). Then the B pattern and then the A pattern are each repeated for symmetry. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFJlwmj5pjTvazZ6K43-PaylUTvZvBF8oSDubhQYIThhbMRMjFqzZNauciJDIEnvehqRjFWYM4-o29AsuArHHsNIWZaUDkOy26mctu2C6FkJiH6vSFeD2BrDPtNXBrHGAAQ_W9w/s1600/original+color+grethryns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1086" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFJlwmj5pjTvazZ6K43-PaylUTvZvBF8oSDubhQYIThhbMRMjFqzZNauciJDIEnvehqRjFWYM4-o29AsuArHHsNIWZaUDkOy26mctu2C6FkJiH6vSFeD2BrDPtNXBrHGAAQ_W9w/s320/original+color+grethryns.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The first color Grethryn that I made, on the left, taught me a lot about color choice. You can see that my A color choice of light grey had good contrast against the dark blue background, but most of the colors between the two A patterns are mushy. There wasn't enough difference between the shades of the different hues that I chose--they were too similar in value. I chose better with my second attempt on the right. See how the stitch pattern is honored and apparent? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These two hats are my husband's and mine and we wear them a bunch. That attests to the quality of this yarn, which is <a href="https://knitrowan.com/en/yarns/felted-tweed" target="_blank">Rowan Felted Tweed DK</a>. I used this yarn to knit these and all the following hats. These two were knit all on size 4 (3.5 mm) 16" circular needle with a k2/p3 rib as in my written pattern, but all the rest were started at the rib on a size 2 (3 mm) 16" circular needle with k3/p2 rib and worked with size 4 needle on the remainder of the hat, which worked much better. This yarn relaxes after washing and wearing, so the adjustment to the rib helped keep it a little more snug.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnA1s4eQ5Bn4vdLCInHrilTDhSCSobHtEUzQM02aggjJle28KbBcPvjQfRvI-Ov0-rJVp7wzyMAdD4phwc041Q4YkQtWzwJmbTtWVIj9TuEoYhkBCX6hZFjdFg6q8r458JHkTHRA/s1600/ivory+and+light+green+grethryns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1086" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnA1s4eQ5Bn4vdLCInHrilTDhSCSobHtEUzQM02aggjJle28KbBcPvjQfRvI-Ov0-rJVp7wzyMAdD4phwc041Q4YkQtWzwJmbTtWVIj9TuEoYhkBCX6hZFjdFg6q8r458JHkTHRA/s320/ivory+and+light+green+grethryns.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These next two color Grethryns are similar in style, so I paired them for a pic. The only difference is color choice and the decision to "frame" the B-C-B area with rust on the hat on the left. I had fun adding little rounds of contrast color between the A, B, or C sections with differing results. Sometimes it's subtle, and sometimes it really helps define the area. I felt that these two had good contrast in the color choices, with the one on the left working the best in that regard. The teal and the light green used in the C section of the hat on the right almost do not lend enough contrast, but it works well enough. I am partial to greens and blues, which led me to these color choices. It might have gone better had I added in some gold or purple. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLU1sGIirLsmkz2ERdDemx5M3nQqRlQJ_vxoUZhjlflwB0p3COM9-gk3n_Z6974SJNTKXWxv973aVGiniOhYU3FBCpCmVj40cr8_yw7k0eCqE2JjoQ-g3vvvgYBRzwZQtHWHNzA/s1600/instagram+vote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLU1sGIirLsmkz2ERdDemx5M3nQqRlQJ_vxoUZhjlflwB0p3COM9-gk3n_Z6974SJNTKXWxv973aVGiniOhYU3FBCpCmVj40cr8_yw7k0eCqE2JjoQ-g3vvvgYBRzwZQtHWHNzA/s320/instagram+vote.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had a little fun when I was working on the light green one above and asked my Instagram community for help when I was charting and deciding on which way to go with it. They were so sweet and gave me lots of feedback! As I said, I had made it harder by sticking to so small a color palette, so I needed help!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
With some of these hats, I charted four different ways to position the colors before casting on. Even that did not assure success, however, because colored pencils on paper are never exactly like the knitted result, even when you are careful choosing your colors in pencil! That's one thing I like about it--it's an adventure!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kWQa2BEyMMPUjjzB6eI2woUePNLlnjEKJMYtl-nK55Pq_dp39TWwgtHjNSC11OSOb-0jeoRJHyIWbDDD_GXX1AmGEt_o_BMhCpJn14Sx6iO9dZjn_zE2KijcZ2L5lcM3mo-pkg/s1600/teal+grethryn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1086" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kWQa2BEyMMPUjjzB6eI2woUePNLlnjEKJMYtl-nK55Pq_dp39TWwgtHjNSC11OSOb-0jeoRJHyIWbDDD_GXX1AmGEt_o_BMhCpJn14Sx6iO9dZjn_zE2KijcZ2L5lcM3mo-pkg/s320/teal+grethryn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
With my next attempt I must have been distracted or getting complacent about the whole thing, because I ignored my own instructions and knit 12 rounds of main color instead of two before working the Fair Isle section. That's exactly backward--the 12 main-color rounds are supposed to come <i>after</i> the Fair Isle section and <i>before</i> the crown shaping. That pushed the color section way up near the crown shaping. Oh, well. I wasn't about to rip it out because of that. On this teal hat, I particularly liked the look of adding the dark purple into the middle of the B sections and the C section. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFBIi6AlDFFgODTc5bv2L7_LhyphenhypheneeJkKFrPWyAtP9lsAEuzrIi6HbR_q9tXVt17Fi8GR07xJJHDO4_kUVTt7tnrHn5j437Fh4aHfcqQQjbQDdoUA_tGARSaU4I_rFqIqJK1vzimA/s1600/mustard+grethryn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1086" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFBIi6AlDFFgODTc5bv2L7_LhyphenhypheneeJkKFrPWyAtP9lsAEuzrIi6HbR_q9tXVt17Fi8GR07xJJHDO4_kUVTt7tnrHn5j437Fh4aHfcqQQjbQDdoUA_tGARSaU4I_rFqIqJK1vzimA/s320/mustard+grethryn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And I was really pleased with the contrast in this golden Grethryn.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVykx6o3d9u4wo7xnlO5C0cSzJLTC4_ATbC4oIuumxWIx3EuEGKRl7XGlaybE-R-97YxRXqXqMtHyc7S2hKf8jQ-vZNiy005JlKYelz7HHs-YXffuAPXsiOYo86Jjzg_XWHqqJQ/s1600/purple+grethryn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1086" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVykx6o3d9u4wo7xnlO5C0cSzJLTC4_ATbC4oIuumxWIx3EuEGKRl7XGlaybE-R-97YxRXqXqMtHyc7S2hKf8jQ-vZNiy005JlKYelz7HHs-YXffuAPXsiOYo86Jjzg_XWHqqJQ/s320/purple+grethryn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But then I pulled back the challenge and tried a more simple approach. Each of the three sections, A, B, and C are only worked in one contrast color on the dark purple background. A is in gold, B is in teal, and C is in light green. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjsMp-YbXosL7OUwa6N6ver6xBwScXL9PDxvb1R37QbNQ-EoqFpsBP2gdn_5YOHC6cfm3RftGz6wfCLvhaTbacg3mOyuNM-TnVf0UcuR9UeOaSdoFnWaCiK88FN7Wg59S0teAWw/s1600/dark+green+grethryn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1086" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOjsMp-YbXosL7OUwa6N6ver6xBwScXL9PDxvb1R37QbNQ-EoqFpsBP2gdn_5YOHC6cfm3RftGz6wfCLvhaTbacg3mOyuNM-TnVf0UcuR9UeOaSdoFnWaCiK88FN7Wg59S0teAWw/s320/dark+green+grethryn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This dark green Grethryn was probably the most fiddly, because I changed colors more often. The A section simply morphs from the main color into rust, then the B section begins with dark blue, works its next part in light grey and gold, and then changes to taupe. The C section is bordered by the main color and then uses rust and dark blue with a touch of light grey in the center. I think the B sections look like little picket fences!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
See how color choice and placement can make one simple Fair Isle pattern look so different? You wouldn't know that dark purple hat and that dark green hat were from the same pattern. So much fun.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYnlTRJLYxXAXZL9RipGNaRHoXu-dPT7SkT63wPPxQ7luDIFxu55Eomvo4RLYOXU9sE0ncfix5X6gis1mikLLxKKRJP_Qjr6Anofkk2ICFF1UsWJvZF6T0x8hSQEZ63ex4Vy-LQ/s1600/hKxo7XdbQeKJUaO0mDqtBw_thumb_e95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1086" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYnlTRJLYxXAXZL9RipGNaRHoXu-dPT7SkT63wPPxQ7luDIFxu55Eomvo4RLYOXU9sE0ncfix5X6gis1mikLLxKKRJP_Qjr6Anofkk2ICFF1UsWJvZF6T0x8hSQEZ63ex4Vy-LQ/s320/hKxo7XdbQeKJUaO0mDqtBw_thumb_e95.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now we come to my favorite ones in the pack--the stripeys! The hat on the left was worked when I was growing short on yarn, which made me realize that the Fair Isle section did not need to be symmetrical. In other words, the first A and B sections did not have to match the second ones. I kept each section simple with just using two colors in each, and then I worked the crown in stripes. I used the yarn I had the most of for the stripes in the plain section before the crown decrease begun, and then the yarn I had the least of in the stripes when the stitches became fewer. It worked! I liked it so much that when I was done and realized I had enough yarn to make a whole nother hat, I just made the whole darned thing stripey. Sweet! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0ElN8G_K5X5taEPGCHEPl4Gv4IQHfuH3q0qV85mreW5gbGan9p70mU_izr93G3OIEzPIBkKYPk-4H9nDOi3FOourFuaLtfbVRH0pNYlrcn9XRleVyNHRrXgCft6d-5aTccC7sw/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_e76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="724" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0ElN8G_K5X5taEPGCHEPl4Gv4IQHfuH3q0qV85mreW5gbGan9p70mU_izr93G3OIEzPIBkKYPk-4H9nDOi3FOourFuaLtfbVRH0pNYlrcn9XRleVyNHRrXgCft6d-5aTccC7sw/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_e76.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was a little sad when this project was over. That's how much fun it was. If I'd had more colors of Rowan Felted Tweed, there's no telling how many hats I would have ended up with. As it stands, I have ten of these little beanies. I haven't decided what to do with them yet. I just like looking at the them. I think I'll hang 'em on the wall. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In case you're wondering, here are the colors of <a href="https://www.yarn.com/products/rowan-felted-tweed?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_tKtxsKA2QIVGYezCh0e7gj6EAAYAiAAEgJXDfD_BwE" target="_blank">Rowan Felted Tweed</a> that I used:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cocoa (Taupe) #143</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pine (Dark Green) #158</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Midnight (Dark Blue) #133</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ginger (Rust) #154</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Clay (Light Grey) #177</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mineral (Gold) #181</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Herb (Light Green) #146</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Watery (Teal) #152</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bilberry (Dark Purple) #151</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I used almost all of the nine skeins to make ten Grethryn Hats. When choosing colors for each hat, I usually narrowed these down to around five, remembering to use a good mix of dark and light colors, one neutral, and one pop color. I did not consult the color wheel when choosing compatible colors, but simply went with what I loved. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hope I've inspired you to experiment with some Fair Isle yourself.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The <a href="http://www.jenhagan.com/mirth/m015_detail.html" target="_blank">Grethryn Hat</a> is a fun way to do just that!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy Knitting!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-70052395204686813082017-12-06T06:41:00.001-07:002017-12-06T06:41:45.236-07:00Show Us Your Glentrekkers!<div style="text-align: center;">
Our <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/sweaters/women's/2276_prod.html" target="_blank">Glentrekker Cardigan</a> was published in October 2014 after a fun test knit on Ravelry. Some of the following FO's are from the testers. Let's have a look!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbE8fGv8Nft6IO36R8l-XmXOR60s1NEmbO2fKMwGW1tSK4HfRWXeJqFkJD3MVheCyM9WrdgpxwDKn7rpdUfKI-pyyH4pQ7uutcz58ZbGkxdMn05z2qyu6BRM2JRGAHOdwqlxXz-w/s1600/houndsmum+glentrekker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbE8fGv8Nft6IO36R8l-XmXOR60s1NEmbO2fKMwGW1tSK4HfRWXeJqFkJD3MVheCyM9WrdgpxwDKn7rpdUfKI-pyyH4pQ7uutcz58ZbGkxdMn05z2qyu6BRM2JRGAHOdwqlxXz-w/s1600/houndsmum+glentrekker.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: houndsmum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The first back-view pic is of Sue's Glentrekker. Sue was one of the test knitters for this sweater. She says it fits great and she plans to wear it a lot! She knit it with alpaca.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLj4FPMV_621srm5aPh4QlOPcex6-H6vilW6BhOSA9Xgq2z9KeZRfXI-Abdr4v5kJSSMhHgNhuTtsgk3Xu3W9EhgVjJ00VI2MglGWs1Dcue84pJmnx4sFoz2n-BBRmDuY7TgejNw/s1600/krissy1401+glentrekker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLj4FPMV_621srm5aPh4QlOPcex6-H6vilW6BhOSA9Xgq2z9KeZRfXI-Abdr4v5kJSSMhHgNhuTtsgk3Xu3W9EhgVjJ00VI2MglGWs1Dcue84pJmnx4sFoz2n-BBRmDuY7TgejNw/s1600/krissy1401+glentrekker.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: krissy1401</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another of our testers, Kristiane, worked her Glentrekker in a beautiful shade of grey. Boy, does it show off the cables!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbHjAn1beYQoM8eLhPA-xKnNukzT-8llX6DL28zvx836sCV2mCC9qZvDwZQA-PSs2nNMlbEtDeHWkIaaj8O92N2lKIgm7DbUEQfrdhccwQVMAMaSTZAGM398feAuA3luVDuKu5A/s1600/needletime+glentrekker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbHjAn1beYQoM8eLhPA-xKnNukzT-8llX6DL28zvx836sCV2mCC9qZvDwZQA-PSs2nNMlbEtDeHWkIaaj8O92N2lKIgm7DbUEQfrdhccwQVMAMaSTZAGM398feAuA3luVDuKu5A/s1600/needletime+glentrekker.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: needletime</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Look at this great glamour shot of needletime's Glentrekker made with Bare Naked Wool's Breakfast Blend DK. She says in her notes that it grew with blocking, but that she likes how it ended up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJ2Jr0dzUoG4gZqx5o8EvPPfrDSfzXfK7qZ38etBDxaLrf0RDhAechdXfn2inMxPnMetA1i2F-RXkazqRUi47HmGnbwG2W3s4yWvsg61jtwSbyltfwHu9EmExgW1IHmlM4bFZdw/s1600/somebunnyslove+glentrekker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJ2Jr0dzUoG4gZqx5o8EvPPfrDSfzXfK7qZ38etBDxaLrf0RDhAechdXfn2inMxPnMetA1i2F-RXkazqRUi47HmGnbwG2W3s4yWvsg61jtwSbyltfwHu9EmExgW1IHmlM4bFZdw/s1600/somebunnyslove+glentrekker.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: somebunnyslove</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's the now-famous picture of Kimberly's Glentrekker for the test knit. Famous? Because of her little peach peeking at us from the background! Kimberly knit her Glentrekker in Dale Garn Falk, and it looks so cozy and gorgeous!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPdv5LgQ3Gi9Lgqop5gO7Yd0g4c6kwTT4H4oe-C6A7ugPl74jKv8bIbYvly10MQuUo4hVF31aztQnRM37lqPnAhuy7rD6kiVNCDfmzEFjXqBgL725Hq5cchEKkr51zDwqmA4uiw/s1600/tangledude+glentrekker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPdv5LgQ3Gi9Lgqop5gO7Yd0g4c6kwTT4H4oe-C6A7ugPl74jKv8bIbYvly10MQuUo4hVF31aztQnRM37lqPnAhuy7rD6kiVNCDfmzEFjXqBgL725Hq5cchEKkr51zDwqmA4uiw/s1600/tangledude+glentrekker.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: tangledude </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is Tammy and she looks so happy because her husband Stephen knit this Glentrekker for her! Stephen played along in our knitalong and was a treat. He made this one with Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd's Wool Worsted and it took him almost a year because of setbacks and timeouts. Real life, right? It's so rich and beautiful!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwA4Ag0fB3FYOh9coV4J79NisxB58ihOY52IEV4N6daX-u63m5yDLBbP34xtLfjLSbgYIURtQ5CE3E2HVbS0RQvYx0T1RexdH_s6gnYRif7IoJdrm0h1y368Gfq2IiHJMOw0fgw/s1600/woolpoetry+glentrekker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwA4Ag0fB3FYOh9coV4J79NisxB58ihOY52IEV4N6daX-u63m5yDLBbP34xtLfjLSbgYIURtQ5CE3E2HVbS0RQvYx0T1RexdH_s6gnYRif7IoJdrm0h1y368Gfq2IiHJMOw0fgw/s1600/woolpoetry+glentrekker.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: woolpoetry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's another test knit by Katharina in a lovely purple wool. She chose to make regular buttonholes instead of the crocheted button loops suggested in the pattern. That is an option!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you want a cable party, knit the <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/sweaters/women's/2276_prod.html" target="_blank">Glentrekker Cardigan</a>. As you can see from these great pictures, it's full of them!</div>
Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-35664489947696159382017-11-08T12:43:00.000-07:002017-11-08T12:43:10.089-07:00Happy November--Here's Our POM's!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hey, here come all the holidays and the wooly knitting! Let's help you with that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzWcBmInmZATHIxqtFaauLXGyqOzx02dU2PzITzVz31XFSMEbtTOZqJ5En3euAp4MuKDp74gvc9Qtr5fhbtXOfLsQKfuDDCBz59CVnW0cghrDg_rwmahe88VZgjc_qu7KMkDZBw/s1600/DSC_9029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzWcBmInmZATHIxqtFaauLXGyqOzx02dU2PzITzVz31XFSMEbtTOZqJ5En3euAp4MuKDp74gvc9Qtr5fhbtXOfLsQKfuDDCBz59CVnW0cghrDg_rwmahe88VZgjc_qu7KMkDZBw/s320/DSC_9029.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Figheadh Pattern of the Month (POM) is the <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/sweaters/women's/2276_prod.html" target="_blank">Glentrekker Cardigan</a> and it's 30% off all month long. It also includes two hat patterns--a toque and a slouchy beanie--both with the same luscious cables as the cardigan.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
No code is needed for the discount. You'll automatically receive it when you buy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHkw_qMC7eLFvZy3Yo6PkDfnj_RVDgWB5P9TswkpVuwLcw_7zYioAnqO97QxVVFMcgEIw9Fo37FideZwoSV2rSnK1kMTGzNR23AliOfWnVCrHwG9Pj16e-F5nWfRFnbgKyG5gAQ/s1600/DSC_5582082210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHkw_qMC7eLFvZy3Yo6PkDfnj_RVDgWB5P9TswkpVuwLcw_7zYioAnqO97QxVVFMcgEIw9Fo37FideZwoSV2rSnK1kMTGzNR23AliOfWnVCrHwG9Pj16e-F5nWfRFnbgKyG5gAQ/s320/DSC_5582082210.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Mirth POM is the <a href="http://www.jenhagan.com/mirth/m010_detail.html" target="_blank">Ravenwood Lace Scarf</a>, which has an easy feather-and-fan pattern edged with a ribbed flounce inserted on each end. It's knit in two parts and joined at the middle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's also 30% off through November 30, 2017, no code needed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lace or cables? Which will it be? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Maybe both!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-59828965902153333382017-10-14T12:01:00.000-07:002017-10-14T12:01:27.573-07:00Feather Lace Socks Tutorial: Toe Increases<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My last blog post had you casting on your 24 stitches to begin the <a href="http://www.jenhagan.com/mirth/m006_detail.html" target="_blank">Feather Lace Socks</a>. Now, let's get ready for the toe increases. We are working on two 16" circulars, but you can also work this on one long circular, or the Magic Loop.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSB0bCho-Bb1Yh-5htB7-Kte3oodY9mdjk-CLeC95nhwkyPy6I8ovBM28-O0LnBFQYXAzslJMUh6Y9Gawlw5ijUC39PyFi2GXV2enFCo1IplUclY-xrXhFtZ0jO7mHeaC_3fv0Q/s1600/front+tip+ready_back+centered.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSB0bCho-Bb1Yh-5htB7-Kte3oodY9mdjk-CLeC95nhwkyPy6I8ovBM28-O0LnBFQYXAzslJMUh6Y9Gawlw5ijUC39PyFi2GXV2enFCo1IplUclY-xrXhFtZ0jO7mHeaC_3fv0Q/s320/front+tip+ready_back+centered.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pull the needle holding the second half of the CO stitches so that those stitches lie on the flexible cord with its tips resting. Bring the working tip of the first-half stitches into place to be ready to work.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKBgzn9xTtTUrQx_oBKr62TgqbonBm2BjFzWMS3H2nlAtZoFJbiWycET-8PSJjEqBTiywUilNREqGC7fQ7cbWyswmAnTOY-xhauPPU5YyXodbSw_X9GtAphaTdn2j23A6tObCxw/s1600/tail+under+wrkng+yrn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKBgzn9xTtTUrQx_oBKr62TgqbonBm2BjFzWMS3H2nlAtZoFJbiWycET-8PSJjEqBTiywUilNREqGC7fQ7cbWyswmAnTOY-xhauPPU5YyXodbSw_X9GtAphaTdn2j23A6tObCxw/s320/tail+under+wrkng+yrn.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Before we get started, though, flip to the back and wrap the tail end over the working yarn to secure it. Otherwise, it could unravel and make you cry.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_Yg2yXdxdwRl9wl-rl-IQ3ZjeWe2rzgk3ZRrbUEnpn6OjqfwYndi2J39nUJ6Tzf9cTELbf5hQxiacd2M9sXYBgXWUPAe7Ru-End42U3Q05gKqRDb3tDvOK71O_57ChvKn0NuOA/s1600/knit+first+half.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_Yg2yXdxdwRl9wl-rl-IQ3ZjeWe2rzgk3ZRrbUEnpn6OjqfwYndi2J39nUJ6Tzf9cTELbf5hQxiacd2M9sXYBgXWUPAe7Ru-End42U3Q05gKqRDb3tDvOK71O_57ChvKn0NuOA/s320/knit+first+half.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Knit across the first half of the stitches on needle one.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DaO8dIyekEPWPrUcZSYKvaQzu_jjTSKXrhXQiL4V01ZH7nn2TPz8dma4YZSSZ_khVIp0gGbUt07TrS6sgxvq01k82JDNDUBelTe4-rSi5qjWaayoMnpbiy3igkwCOQwi9FDorw/s1600/second+half+into+back+of+st.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DaO8dIyekEPWPrUcZSYKvaQzu_jjTSKXrhXQiL4V01ZH7nn2TPz8dma4YZSSZ_khVIp0gGbUt07TrS6sgxvq01k82JDNDUBelTe4-rSi5qjWaayoMnpbiy3igkwCOQwi9FDorw/s320/second+half+into+back+of+st.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When you come to needle two, knit the first stitch. Then you will see that the rest of the stitches are mounted backward, so knit into the back of those to correct their mounts.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd_nuVKcFnaLEcxPSufEXStCjmU6va4dHABxUCMOhg27txW7nNR9hbiBlGBucJKOoP3KSaUwQSDug8rkCD2DrdhlIC-hXUcRm66ddieRJZjV4oknI9UFgtWTyoj2FFmKwqKXHqg/s1600/first+inc+setup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd_nuVKcFnaLEcxPSufEXStCjmU6va4dHABxUCMOhg27txW7nNR9hbiBlGBucJKOoP3KSaUwQSDug8rkCD2DrdhlIC-hXUcRm66ddieRJZjV4oknI9UFgtWTyoj2FFmKwqKXHqg/s320/first+inc+setup.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now we're ready for our first increase. Next round, knit the first stitch, and then pick up the running thread between the first and second stitches with the right needle, front to back, and place it onto the left needle. Alternately, you can pick up that running thread from back to front with your left needle, but I often do it with my right needle because I find it easier. Either way--just so you get it onto the left needle positioned correctly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEevzECsr52llDNzU7R94f8g0PrOyXolvSytCsS7sgMPccuYOlxATEvVxczg0ePhfxJ61Cyb7G4OwhTFcKOk7gyOGic_ZRoYjB-HJNUxsBNYRpDReg5OYWEBRu7kxGi_jlYcjiA/s1600/first+inc+setup+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEevzECsr52llDNzU7R94f8g0PrOyXolvSytCsS7sgMPccuYOlxATEvVxczg0ePhfxJ61Cyb7G4OwhTFcKOk7gyOGic_ZRoYjB-HJNUxsBNYRpDReg5OYWEBRu7kxGi_jlYcjiA/s320/first+inc+setup+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You want it to to sit like this.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BN6bo09fsVzrr_tYNzclKrerEawFuTIdSaZIGKqGfnJxoVApGBLOXvYDtRwSYWObYViicdcMzqpJCSwRd0IdzyikyPnRBVFFNoVSWmS9ab3KH6TGPETQ88_Ih4xBftwiOcUUIw/s1600/first+inc+second+step.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BN6bo09fsVzrr_tYNzclKrerEawFuTIdSaZIGKqGfnJxoVApGBLOXvYDtRwSYWObYViicdcMzqpJCSwRd0IdzyikyPnRBVFFNoVSWmS9ab3KH6TGPETQ88_Ih4xBftwiOcUUIw/s320/first+inc+second+step.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now knit into the front of the picked-up stitch. You made a new stitch! And it's a right-leaning one, at that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLulBTRexGCtWfcooh3RKKigtAuKn01htvwwcR0WPMC1dfrwTf7rH6eQj63ll_wgdV_MM0AnXsuWCHSok9GpQrcUe8bHaRlAn-dAncSQRSbCMJ4RcRyzRMJrYrlzUgyf_v0LcckA/s1600/first+inc+complete.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLulBTRexGCtWfcooh3RKKigtAuKn01htvwwcR0WPMC1dfrwTf7rH6eQj63ll_wgdV_MM0AnXsuWCHSok9GpQrcUe8bHaRlAn-dAncSQRSbCMJ4RcRyzRMJrYrlzUgyf_v0LcckA/s320/first+inc+complete.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Knit the next stitch and take a second to look at your new stitch between the first and third ones. Nice! Now, knit all the way across to the last stitch. We want to add another stitch there before we knit the last one.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpwe0owGWwW2PQtmoViPKe-Z1iYyk373rzlqiOAH_d0ic-4Em1LMXGoRQAiNaOlf-5HuaKRhvbi9EpRwFJd_Aco4SuOoXj7QdfC9KyIWhPm412Byu5H0R1dXoU0wRjWbHGLDTuA/s1600/second+inc+setup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpwe0owGWwW2PQtmoViPKe-Z1iYyk373rzlqiOAH_d0ic-4Em1LMXGoRQAiNaOlf-5HuaKRhvbi9EpRwFJd_Aco4SuOoXj7QdfC9KyIWhPm412Byu5H0R1dXoU0wRjWbHGLDTuA/s320/second+inc+setup.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This time you want to pick up the running stitch between the next-to-last stitch and the last stitch front to back and knit into the back of it. If that little move is giving you fits, read on.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgLba-k7DStAMNX3nMsPdh4r-nyQebY34L_6-rBH9odMLWrz71TPHx9QgAJ767RQvN9pn3BphAKHVWWP70gtf5WZk9jSGZbDBHhIjhRhH6Y-bToP-yhUz8t_aa53Ki6lu8jLl0Q/s1600/second+inc+second+step.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgLba-k7DStAMNX3nMsPdh4r-nyQebY34L_6-rBH9odMLWrz71TPHx9QgAJ767RQvN9pn3BphAKHVWWP70gtf5WZk9jSGZbDBHhIjhRhH6Y-bToP-yhUz8t_aa53Ki6lu8jLl0Q/s320/second+inc+second+step.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have a little trick for this. Bring the two needle tips more in a parallel position, slide the right needle into the front of the stitch, then over and behind the left needle, and knit into the back. It seems easier to me. Maybe it will to you, too! You just made a left-leaning increase, by the way. Now knit the last stitch and get ready to work the same increases on the second needle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Work this same set of increases <i>every other round</i> until there are 32 stitches on each needle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlWRQ0-OEr_eKaa85kl4LCBcSBkM3n0JUib8WFrcKQH6P3HK1h8R1jVAUDRI9d0eECMfE_b8IvzBOeHb-wZqbrnnLU7SN27AUJ-p8fOanvFmsPBhJ_huomvtN9CO9heVeUlbZSw/s1600/after+first+inc+set_14+sts+on+each.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlWRQ0-OEr_eKaa85kl4LCBcSBkM3n0JUib8WFrcKQH6P3HK1h8R1jVAUDRI9d0eECMfE_b8IvzBOeHb-wZqbrnnLU7SN27AUJ-p8fOanvFmsPBhJ_huomvtN9CO9heVeUlbZSw/s320/after+first+inc+set_14+sts+on+each.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It will look like this after the first set of increases. It will become more apparent that you are knitting rounds the more stitches you have on the needles.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once you have increased the toe to 32 stitches on each needle (64 total), you are ready to begin the lace pattern. Have fun!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'll be back next post to show you how to knit that double-wrap, short-row heel.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
See you then!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-10584899331502240392017-10-12T12:38:00.000-07:002017-10-12T12:38:31.754-07:00Feather Lace Socks Tutorial: Judy's Magic CO <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This post is specifically written for the Mirth <a href="http://www.jenhagan.com/mirth/m006_detail.html" target="_blank">Feather Lace Socks</a>, but it will help you with any toe-up sock with a plain toe. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Feather Lace Socks call for one of three CO methods--the <a href="http://www.helloyarn.com/figure-8-cast-on/" target="_blank">figure-eight</a>, the <a href="https://www.thespruce.com/turkish-cast-on-for-toe-up-socks-2116374" target="_blank">Turkish</a>, and <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/FEATmagiccaston.html" target="_blank">Judy's Magic CO</a>. The last one is my favorite, and makes a very fine beginning to any toe-up sock. I thought I'd show you some tips. If my "tips" get muddy, you can always refer back to the link for the original "Judy's Magic" above.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvLZLBstjf99LvwFQhFhGg4KalLhmEdV8K08SV6fmaZKji78rxYvesTai4mr5G_vDkT38m4pePDkOSRiZ8xAAo5Qup_R_sbWRl5Jw_j_HdgCSMnUa2lraQaEpPu72OVnRfxULGg/s1600/tail+toward+back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvLZLBstjf99LvwFQhFhGg4KalLhmEdV8K08SV6fmaZKji78rxYvesTai4mr5G_vDkT38m4pePDkOSRiZ8xAAo5Qup_R_sbWRl5Jw_j_HdgCSMnUa2lraQaEpPu72OVnRfxULGg/s320/tail+toward+back.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Because I don't like the bump caused by a slip knot at the toe of my socks, I usually start this CO with the tail toward the back, and just lay the yarn over the needle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuemwOYx7j6HfrsxymJLJXJjZMMQqATeUhLGc7-xHSQDncxkWn1cCTH-go9svyXcmZaGex-yzW4bbmeSVmB8zNPowUneOThNcVlrjMXtYIRVX1hQ9rhUng_qqQxAVsCTPJUbQ74Q/s1600/tail+toward+back+over+back+needle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuemwOYx7j6HfrsxymJLJXJjZMMQqATeUhLGc7-xHSQDncxkWn1cCTH-go9svyXcmZaGex-yzW4bbmeSVmB8zNPowUneOThNcVlrjMXtYIRVX1hQ9rhUng_qqQxAVsCTPJUbQ74Q/s320/tail+toward+back+over+back+needle.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then, holding the tips of two 16" circular needles together, I wrap the yarn over the top needle, keeping the tail toward the back. I slip my pointer around the front strand with the back strand laying over it. Yes, I am about to twist it once to secure the yarn over that needle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sNmNzszmbdRZG-gzSVVawbH4Dnag4bbXHG9P80vO_wVPUCn4KqZ9C5hYA6zDelhTDv-0ltC1b9-ZBCXweGpc4ngwDd9kg4Gzu2Vi37Jo8WxAiTVSCKNQ66jo2CzzGfOYWH4iHQ/s1600/bring+tail+to+front.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sNmNzszmbdRZG-gzSVVawbH4Dnag4bbXHG9P80vO_wVPUCn4KqZ9C5hYA6zDelhTDv-0ltC1b9-ZBCXweGpc4ngwDd9kg4Gzu2Vi37Jo8WxAiTVSCKNQ66jo2CzzGfOYWH4iHQ/s320/bring+tail+to+front.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I then grab the two yarn strands and poke my pointer and thumb between them with the tail over my thumb and the working yarn over my pointer while twisting the tail toward the front. This secures the tail so that it does not get loose while I cast on the rest of the stitches. It also makes it stay in place when it's time to work the toe increases without having to make a slip knot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDb2wvgnjX55x9AUM4aDDmwsbVKloLbqIg9IHngqZUMm-dFCsqRxyci4w8Q1PcoqbkS6wGz2rnLIFYgkpo9nVV9A0Ez1fovJVU9upacY1g8jY3WWQE5wMrWzfuWBLVM7dTnWetwQ/s1600/first+lower+st.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDb2wvgnjX55x9AUM4aDDmwsbVKloLbqIg9IHngqZUMm-dFCsqRxyci4w8Q1PcoqbkS6wGz2rnLIFYgkpo9nVV9A0Ez1fovJVU9upacY1g8jY3WWQE5wMrWzfuWBLVM7dTnWetwQ/s320/first+lower+st.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We already have one stitch on the top needle, so it's time to cast on a stitch to the bottom needle to match. At this point, I take the working yarn on my pointer finger toward the front under the bottom needle and then over it and between needles. Then I give it a pull to secure it, but not TOO tightly that I cannot work into it later.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRP8noZsimFU95vPL4Er8LDYB3MAIfIJxtwDroEu8nUiE9GYORUEafkF6zDpJc7tV_hcG4vcs20RL2Xy3U7sSqlQ8SAF0dZ6gjnUUccxzJgNur61LatPbp0_7WSajzfzqEIvbP7Q/s1600/one+st+on+each.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRP8noZsimFU95vPL4Er8LDYB3MAIfIJxtwDroEu8nUiE9GYORUEafkF6zDpJc7tV_hcG4vcs20RL2Xy3U7sSqlQ8SAF0dZ6gjnUUccxzJgNur61LatPbp0_7WSajzfzqEIvbP7Q/s320/one+st+on+each.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tada! One stitch on each needle. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuUyYrWkGkfG2TGDP9BjRKYgFFdPyNJVSHChjZH4ZeS9lnfx-NtsRotJvS8Sm6ux39KvwBaYSE252dL65Ew-r3W4SaEIgnlwn8K8t6jQy_2bJqqBoHy76cxLmI6baU6eu6MqCuA/s1600/wrkng+yrn+behind+top+and+over.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuUyYrWkGkfG2TGDP9BjRKYgFFdPyNJVSHChjZH4ZeS9lnfx-NtsRotJvS8Sm6ux39KvwBaYSE252dL65Ew-r3W4SaEIgnlwn8K8t6jQy_2bJqqBoHy76cxLmI6baU6eu6MqCuA/s320/wrkng+yrn+behind+top+and+over.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Time for more! I take the tail that's over my thumb toward the back, over the top needle, and through the two needles to cast on the second stitch to the top needle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sr1X3J_TFFjhyphenhyphen4TgMDVyLDwz0o9FaBreJfd6ZZSMKLmIGTomOjMJGgwmBXI0X7KmLAkHKRBADxN-xlxQFxYuj-vWmHPJxir89queNGU74yHUoCLxSrEM0k89zS81P6sZRalSlA/s1600/ready+for+second+lower+st.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sr1X3J_TFFjhyphenhyphen4TgMDVyLDwz0o9FaBreJfd6ZZSMKLmIGTomOjMJGgwmBXI0X7KmLAkHKRBADxN-xlxQFxYuj-vWmHPJxir89queNGU74yHUoCLxSrEM0k89zS81P6sZRalSlA/s320/ready+for+second+lower+st.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Second stitch on top needle secured! After this, my pointer goes back in place to wrap the yarn under the lower needle and up and between the needles again to cast a second stitch on the lower needle.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_kXf4pGEfH06gfGpHBCZuqZgCsL5zBkzclRq6r232yuHgLk3j-G0WAOfZroGDMmJAqQq11ntM7lSzF0csRFeEm3K2MdlcdDwFqttv_FMVWmv_AVJ9vexqWyotlffHuR3T1Ht_Q/s1600/12+sts+on+each.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_kXf4pGEfH06gfGpHBCZuqZgCsL5zBkzclRq6r232yuHgLk3j-G0WAOfZroGDMmJAqQq11ntM7lSzF0csRFeEm3K2MdlcdDwFqttv_FMVWmv_AVJ9vexqWyotlffHuR3T1Ht_Q/s320/12+sts+on+each.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I keep doing these two motions until there are 12 sts on each needle (or however many your pattern requires).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The <a href="http://www.jenhagan.com/mirth/m006_detail.html" target="_blank">Feather Lace</a> is worked with superfine sock yarn, so it begins with 12 stitches on each needle and increases to 32 stitches on each.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am eternally grateful to Judy Becker for "unventing" the Magic CO! It's my absolute favorite.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next post I will show you how to set up for and work the toe increases.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bye for now!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-87504868755561899462017-10-03T09:57:00.000-07:002017-10-03T10:00:37.190-07:00Show Us Your Iains!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At last I've come to the "Show Us" post I've been wanting to write for years! So many fantastic sweaters have been made from my <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/sweaters/men's/P_S_IHP.html" target="_blank">Iain</a> pattern that it was almost impossible to choose, but I went with the best pictures. Sometimes it was a case of good picture AND good story. I love reading all the notes and even the twists and turns and calamities of your projects. It helps me so much!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Iain Hoodie Pullover pattern was first published back in 2008 as hard copy sold in yarn shops only. In 2010 I started selling my patterns as PDF downloads, and in 2013 I published an upgrade to the Iain, followed by another upgrade in 2016. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Let's look at some of the Iain projects completed in the past eight years.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63GQnwqKxhJ1qtfP5oVdu0ZEcjJwX1jatGW8VgtfL-mNmODdHNojSrWm1VtbzZts5tPSLDSZON7Tr5RkCL91v4abq5VsNc5u5X9d2uaCgoc0TDwvO5KAjy4Z_l7LoMT7xQ2dWAA/s1600/Andi_Iain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63GQnwqKxhJ1qtfP5oVdu0ZEcjJwX1jatGW8VgtfL-mNmODdHNojSrWm1VtbzZts5tPSLDSZON7Tr5RkCL91v4abq5VsNc5u5X9d2uaCgoc0TDwvO5KAjy4Z_l7LoMT7xQ2dWAA/s1600/Andi_Iain.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: Andi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Andrea knit this Iain for her boyfriend, and she used Cascade Eco Wool. She had few notes on her Ravelry page, but wrote three blog posts about it. It's beautiful, Andrea!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIcQBYbQtX49kcEwXl4A43A7cNBpHR1tw-9z7D5swrBlTEuQlJvsPB8iJYyq2wFc5aE9a65tMua7wqF_0FMWlVhyphenhyphenXCkO6R0NKpyU-fC5CFnx3GSgImAOn366E2mwQSVKxjydaSQ/s1600/knittingocd_Iain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIcQBYbQtX49kcEwXl4A43A7cNBpHR1tw-9z7D5swrBlTEuQlJvsPB8iJYyq2wFc5aE9a65tMua7wqF_0FMWlVhyphenhyphenXCkO6R0NKpyU-fC5CFnx3GSgImAOn366E2mwQSVKxjydaSQ/s1600/knittingocd_Iain.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: knittingocd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The dapper fellow on the right is Cathy's husband and he's posing with his brothers, who certainly must wish they had an Iain like Mike. Cathy made Mike's sweater with Cascade Eco Wool in Gray. It looks great on Mike!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_rBHPZUvAsNqfriYrY33iQYKrniQ99lqQGaTQxGsl7E_x6-sHAD_QUWWoPqNkEL2iOBb0K80-7NBJGqjGJhnVv5wUHYOdy781eUITFwQzoYC4lDnIxLt00qb_2RNS18gJRa_dg/s1600/Callalily_Iain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_rBHPZUvAsNqfriYrY33iQYKrniQ99lqQGaTQxGsl7E_x6-sHAD_QUWWoPqNkEL2iOBb0K80-7NBJGqjGJhnVv5wUHYOdy781eUITFwQzoYC4lDnIxLt00qb_2RNS18gJRa_dg/s1600/Callalily_Iain.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: Callalily</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This Iain was knit by my tech editor Tracey after she knit the <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/sweaters/children's/P_S_IJP.html" target="_blank">Iain, Jr.</a> for her daughter. Tracey started out test knitting with me, and then transitioned to one of the best tech editors ever. I am so lucky to be able to work with her. Your Iain looks great on Renzie, Tracey, even though he never gets to wear it down in Florida. It's made with cozy Patons Classic Wool Merino in oatmeal.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_neXhe3ceZrM1sqH4UWYHLALNhPQhwSEFthfmPSnBde62gnWsy-1Sr-75lW4bkt18Qvf1-ImJbiYkjNVRwVGX3awIy9-2GfbQqLHNHD_qgp1w1NsIU_Gh944zMcTFrK7QwW89ug/s1600/bethstar_Iain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_neXhe3ceZrM1sqH4UWYHLALNhPQhwSEFthfmPSnBde62gnWsy-1Sr-75lW4bkt18Qvf1-ImJbiYkjNVRwVGX3awIy9-2GfbQqLHNHD_qgp1w1NsIU_Gh944zMcTFrK7QwW89ug/s1600/bethstar_Iain.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: bethstar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This lovely Iain was knit by a knitter who does not give her name on Ravelry, but let's call her Beth. Her project page says she knit it for MaryAnn, so I have to assume that is who is in the picture. If so, it looks great on you, MaryAnn! (Sometimes this stuff requires detective work.) This Iain was made with Cascade Eco Wool and "Beth" says she would make another one. Yea!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJNl-WnFxeUZs06zy5uIdTdfIv4Y9vou_dpdK-dzIV-4z6WEZ44DsZtWt_ywGyInm3DCdN61LivmDTMVlRpd0hgNp5paF0ermWsmI0LJd6-72IL-JcUo8eXcQ9jSAbkcw7LwUlA/s1600/AbsintheYarn_Iain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJNl-WnFxeUZs06zy5uIdTdfIv4Y9vou_dpdK-dzIV-4z6WEZ44DsZtWt_ywGyInm3DCdN61LivmDTMVlRpd0hgNp5paF0ermWsmI0LJd6-72IL-JcUo8eXcQ9jSAbkcw7LwUlA/s1600/AbsintheYarn_Iain.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: AbsintheYarn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's Kathy's husband, who she calls "Captain Romance," in his Iain made with Cascade Eco Wool in Charcoal. Kathy made lots of notes <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/AbsintheYarn/iain" target="_blank">on her project page</a>, so if you want to read those, follow that link. I think it looks just fabulous on Captain Romance, don't you?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYr-sCeYWGCxkd9pICYryNzKoUT_sr7QF163GcFkYbH30fOV4l4sZ4ZbJZSDndkIcjK9PyNu5ztTvBKRPMGkF8Z5N9S2vLkdFvJ3eC9UaC4l_qykm8MCyJUIG8FeZKoyQZy0upA/s1600/wish2knit_Iain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYr-sCeYWGCxkd9pICYryNzKoUT_sr7QF163GcFkYbH30fOV4l4sZ4ZbJZSDndkIcjK9PyNu5ztTvBKRPMGkF8Z5N9S2vLkdFvJ3eC9UaC4l_qykm8MCyJUIG8FeZKoyQZy0upA/s1600/wish2knit_Iain.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: wish2knit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Elena's project page says this was made for Ross. Well, hello, Ross! You look great in your Iain made with Cascade Eco Wool in natural. Elena has no notes nor blog posts on her project page, so the details of the project remain a mystery. Looks like a success to me, though!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqL9aWkyRNSUVOYzDjP8Lppg4e8nKl_DLU5l4joXoDFOGJxvW3JOKMRlpxiBVHJbJ2if4wTC76F7s5XmiZwDrtsw0HzYyHjWtmWA3S_lM-OZHqhisLFBU8_Qdy7phWsc-K776IQ/s1600/knitacat_Iain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqL9aWkyRNSUVOYzDjP8Lppg4e8nKl_DLU5l4joXoDFOGJxvW3JOKMRlpxiBVHJbJ2if4wTC76F7s5XmiZwDrtsw0HzYyHjWtmWA3S_lM-OZHqhisLFBU8_Qdy7phWsc-K776IQ/s1600/knitacat_Iain.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: knitacat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Louise gets props for most imaginative picture, and I hope Kermit likes his Iain! You can see that Louise subbed ribbing for the garter stitch as edging and it looks fine. This awesome Iain was made with Knit Picks City Tweed HW.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvo4t9RWKxB7RfO9ldH1L2BNztvCDFZ16CN7H0C6SbuoAoqFj2Mp-0JJ_WMypBptTiL_1AaXdE5J5hm_aNTxewtamuuchhQLwcynBVTEhS3CXezQTPinbZRdtLpTfpRpjDmQYRA/s1600/christen_Iain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvo4t9RWKxB7RfO9ldH1L2BNztvCDFZ16CN7H0C6SbuoAoqFj2Mp-0JJ_WMypBptTiL_1AaXdE5J5hm_aNTxewtamuuchhQLwcynBVTEhS3CXezQTPinbZRdtLpTfpRpjDmQYRA/s320/christen_Iain.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: christen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And now we come to the best Iain story of all time, and I doubt that it will ever, ever be bested. This is Christen's first Iain, which was for her husband. She completed it in 2009, but the next year he wanted another one, so she complied (true love!) and made another one, but in a lighter color. Then she got the insane idea to make a third one for her husband's brother later that year. He saw his brother's Iain and wanted one, too. Saying no was just not an option, I guess. The real problem came when she decided to make Iains for her husband's <i>other</i> two brothers as well. Yep, she ended up making FIVE Iains in the course of just two years--two for her husband and one each for brothers-in-law Steven, Daniel, and Kevin. She said she wanted to burn the pattern and never make another one after that. But then I sent her the 2016 update and she has it parked in her Ravelry library. She is thinking she might have to make her husband another one if he gains weight. She's a saint! Oh, and I'm still waiting for that group shot, Christen. Just sayin'...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As you can see, most knitters use Cascade Eco Wool to make the Iain, like the original version. It's because it's the best yarn for this sweater! It's been used in 49 of the reported 73 projects on Ravelry. All the other yarns used except Cascade 220, which is a little too lightweight for this sweater, have only been used once each. The pattern has 109 projects reported on Ravelry, but some folks neglect to add yarn info on their project page. I urge you knitters on Ravelry to flesh out your project pages--it helps all of us when you add all the pertinent information!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I want to make another one myself someday. And if I do, I'll use Cascade Eco again. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bravo to these knitters!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-83523985349153077502017-09-27T10:33:00.000-07:002017-09-27T10:33:32.615-07:00Show Us Your Bavarian Mitts!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.figheadh.com/" target="_blank">Figheadh</a> is my most well-known pattern line, but I have another one!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jenhagan.com/mirth/index.html" target="_blank">Mirth</a>!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It (so far) hasn't gotten as much love as Figheadh does, and it's not clear why. Same designer, same pattern writer, same care for tech editing and testing, but the Mirth patterns have a different format than do the Figheadh ones, because I wanted to play. There's even a free one to try out. <a href="http://www.jenhagan.com/mirth/m001_detail.html" target="_blank">Check it out</a>!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyway...that's probably why there have been only two projects posted on Ravelry of the <a href="http://www.jenhagan.com/mirth/m008_detail.html" target="_blank">Bavarian Mitts</a>, our September Mirth Pattern of the Month. And they're both lovely.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPZUiiB0mhrR90EDUoZL6kmqDcnLaTpyDUZ9PYf4WcSQen6UytPikIi7gND9oxJM3Zblv4FdWJbjAB3k1718_817g38Sl3UPiFkUiLS4-sKCtLrxA55EQnTOaJkzLGXhzeKkE0A/s1600/emilysmom+bavarian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPZUiiB0mhrR90EDUoZL6kmqDcnLaTpyDUZ9PYf4WcSQen6UytPikIi7gND9oxJM3Zblv4FdWJbjAB3k1718_817g38Sl3UPiFkUiLS4-sKCtLrxA55EQnTOaJkzLGXhzeKkE0A/s1600/emilysmom+bavarian.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: emilysmom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
How fuzzy and cozy do these Bavarian Mitts look? It's because she used Ravenwood Cashmere to make them. This is the yarn that I designed them for, and trust me, it's divine. <a href="https://www.ravenwoodcashmereandsoaps.com/yarn.html" target="_blank">Watch this space</a> for more 3-ply to come available.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3llxooJG-p1JlISnZKaPd76RH8m6INxvYehyphenhyphenA6_DYsFiLUWRlz9rLWHoDSrAr74prv4Tqwr3PxELlZ9HYkuTJMrsmm9NO-pTIm_krNPqbYVEmAcT7lIZorW5eNHQuwsLN9dxnbw/s1600/fiddlehead+bavarian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3llxooJG-p1JlISnZKaPd76RH8m6INxvYehyphenhyphenA6_DYsFiLUWRlz9rLWHoDSrAr74prv4Tqwr3PxELlZ9HYkuTJMrsmm9NO-pTIm_krNPqbYVEmAcT7lIZorW5eNHQuwsLN9dxnbw/s1600/fiddlehead+bavarian.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: fiddlehead</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So pretty! Mindy used Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd's Wool Fine in garnet to make these Bavarian Mitts. It makes the stitch pattern so crisp!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope you'll try some <a href="http://www.jenhagan.com/mirth/m008_detail.html" target="_blank">Bavarian Mitts</a>, no matter which fingering-weight yarn you choose. The pattern is 30% off until the end of September!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAy9X9aaUBwDUgTg98olbXFi2TQn0yRz-u5Orsbg46xYndMRyNPltdcmbca8nZMP47KrGctUrjh6ZS11IFLSm9xO0_L1RFdMiCznLyS-s0H0QMQqNZNIDStqa3fMCslgF_MkGCg/s1600/097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAy9X9aaUBwDUgTg98olbXFi2TQn0yRz-u5Orsbg46xYndMRyNPltdcmbca8nZMP47KrGctUrjh6ZS11IFLSm9xO0_L1RFdMiCznLyS-s0H0QMQqNZNIDStqa3fMCslgF_MkGCg/s320/097.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Knitting!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-67498269687168174392017-08-25T11:42:00.001-07:002017-08-25T11:42:19.435-07:00Show Us Your Wanda Nells!<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm so excited about this post, because I have loved seeing what knitters do with the <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/sweaters/women's/P_S_WNC.html" target="_blank">Wanda Nell Cardigan</a> pattern. The creativity and ingenuity of knitters never fails to fascinate me!<br />
<br />I have added in links to each knitter's project page for you Ravelry folks.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtj4CCcniAlPL8NMrKhzMZHcwaJzGEPHcnElAivWnsVuoff_YrfSPe3ueGxmRrVJ-hp_slcSyBvC8RfNXh3tSA9ks7yiDp0WjC2jZ0Tj3UC3CS_nZOJDaCdqV6CGFgXhMK2NS5cQ/s1600/cheekybeak+Wanda+Nell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="637" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtj4CCcniAlPL8NMrKhzMZHcwaJzGEPHcnElAivWnsVuoff_YrfSPe3ueGxmRrVJ-hp_slcSyBvC8RfNXh3tSA9ks7yiDp0WjC2jZ0Tj3UC3CS_nZOJDaCdqV6CGFgXhMK2NS5cQ/s320/cheekybeak+Wanda+Nell.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: cheekybeak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First up is cheekybeak on Ravelry who knit <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/cheekybeak/wanda-nell-cardigan" target="_blank">her sweet pink cardigan</a> with two shades of pink and one of light sage green. All the yarns were from Grant Creek Yarns. I love it, Kirsty!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfokZne4OEDYPZ3eMpk4o8hKzrt5KUIoflv90u3BJ9QRCWHacMeznu8b78-z8WrMA7nX8aq7tpnJ-zzn_Snsp5egV7RYVfXyJmiU9AQk7wC8s7nlycdeQhymtjZAY31xrYxE00A/s1600/fischtail+Wanda+Nell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="428" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfokZne4OEDYPZ3eMpk4o8hKzrt5KUIoflv90u3BJ9QRCWHacMeznu8b78-z8WrMA7nX8aq7tpnJ-zzn_Snsp5egV7RYVfXyJmiU9AQk7wC8s7nlycdeQhymtjZAY31xrYxE00A/s320/fischtail+Wanda+Nell.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: fischtail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then we have <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/fischtail/wanda-nell-cardigan" target="_blank">Nathalie's Wanda Nell</a>, which she knit with Madeline Tosh 80/10/10 fingering in the Briar colorway and she made it a cropped sweater to fit over a sweet dress. Great idea!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYx13BH_NNUESyB2RTL8b1EokNq5l-EfOjTKBfysiiUga_xuVSS0fl8kFE3zWxM4cJyM_wR81gb2i_BmEhGPXEb6pr6CSdFKFzRfrb9r2nR1UHgaWTTbY5eGBqcDUZ3jnblY4zSA/s1600/moonsister%2527s+Wanda+Nell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYx13BH_NNUESyB2RTL8b1EokNq5l-EfOjTKBfysiiUga_xuVSS0fl8kFE3zWxM4cJyM_wR81gb2i_BmEhGPXEb6pr6CSdFKFzRfrb9r2nR1UHgaWTTbY5eGBqcDUZ3jnblY4zSA/s320/moonsister%2527s+Wanda+Nell.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: moonsister</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mara had <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/moonsister/wanda-nell-cardigan" target="_blank">all kinds of fun</a> with the Wanda Nell. She made it long-sleeved and with an interesting cuff! She also made it tonal by using different yarns in each section lengthwise. She edged all the fun with a good neutral gray. Well done!<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTXtIIEunG37pualp64uWhgRASDlVaHStzuvL2Z2_SbYRW_vzzZhe4Ry29vvs7s_f-2_IHWMH2fyZ_7NT0zXvyMv9Ha5lrakfmCoWYGzrKnAZ2NXRvHndLRe4eA6sebyTt9a3Mw/s1600/Wildcrafty+Wanda+Nell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTXtIIEunG37pualp64uWhgRASDlVaHStzuvL2Z2_SbYRW_vzzZhe4Ry29vvs7s_f-2_IHWMH2fyZ_7NT0zXvyMv9Ha5lrakfmCoWYGzrKnAZ2NXRvHndLRe4eA6sebyTt9a3Mw/s1600/Wildcrafty+Wanda+Nell.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: Wildcrafty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was Karen's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Wildcrafty/wanda-nell-cardigan-2" target="_blank">second Wanda Nell</a>. She says she loved it so much that she cast on another one! She had the same problem as I did. This one is simply knit with a lovely orange in Posh Yarn Martha Sock and another of Zauberball Crazy in the Riverbed colorway. Great yarn choices!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfudDrR-2dS8cBovC0OXbxAH3yw_t_Ug3wLa_6pEQzjIP5ugzdplPKXHJOOBgkrfGlVDVw-OM7LeLTS2HVMebAamslREMBwH6EkAo3lh61Bnn-j-TXO1RLHmm0xYvsDiayENMsw/s1600/RAELNE+Wanda+Nell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfudDrR-2dS8cBovC0OXbxAH3yw_t_Ug3wLa_6pEQzjIP5ugzdplPKXHJOOBgkrfGlVDVw-OM7LeLTS2HVMebAamslREMBwH6EkAo3lh61Bnn-j-TXO1RLHmm0xYvsDiayENMsw/s320/RAELNE+Wanda+Nell.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: RAELNE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Such a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/RAELNE/wanda-nell-cardigan" target="_blank">lovely blue Wanda Nell</a> here by Raelene. She used The Wool Company's Utiku Baby 4-ply in the aqua colorway. Raelene also wants to make another! Boy, do I love to hear that.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvwOnj5IhGL9QKzbl4U6DhmKhWTvUivzhWn9sOmav2psgOVyyUUf4zzKdgUCOGQbVfJ7uGVDHOtM5O9vpRUBquud9Uqxi7p3X0_xjOuCR0pIcOMu5VNss-a_8cLf4MDRpfPkWZQ/s1600/3girlymom+Wanda+Nell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="375" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvwOnj5IhGL9QKzbl4U6DhmKhWTvUivzhWn9sOmav2psgOVyyUUf4zzKdgUCOGQbVfJ7uGVDHOtM5O9vpRUBquud9Uqxi7p3X0_xjOuCR0pIcOMu5VNss-a_8cLf4MDRpfPkWZQ/s320/3girlymom+Wanda+Nell.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: 3girlymom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tabitha knit <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/3girlymom/wanda-nell-cardigan" target="_blank">her Wanda Nell</a> with Radiant Yarnworks' Seaweed colorway and edged it in their Oceanic. She also made some modifications because of gauge issues and it looks like it's a great fit!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_4CV1pT-epH6zatV-Xsekag8wQS9VNsCRw1C4A6Q_IqxC5Up4DDKWxt4s7ksyHAPmexzZzxbi6Q0FkQlZPciDMu2WZeiIZu-9S9oBz2ig1nUDvNquqYhSz1M4nu_1sJSXrvMew/s1600/Arlene+Wanda+Nell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_4CV1pT-epH6zatV-Xsekag8wQS9VNsCRw1C4A6Q_IqxC5Up4DDKWxt4s7ksyHAPmexzZzxbi6Q0FkQlZPciDMu2WZeiIZu-9S9oBz2ig1nUDvNquqYhSz1M4nu_1sJSXrvMew/s320/Arlene+Wanda+Nell.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: Arlene</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Arlene made <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Arlene/wanda-nell-cardigan" target="_blank">her WN Cardi</a> with Alicia Goes Around Plush Lace in the intriguing Suit and Florsheims colorway and edged in Knit Picks Gloss Fingering in the Timber colorway. It looks so nice on you, Arlene! Also love the glass buttons!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQyTom-x7YsEnisJ4uoQGN12-ZQx-GA84XgmBAy9kYTmpBFzHcX_o-UpnklqLeZmzCEKo3upeTMFt7HAUkEday5fM8ZSlY15XNYJP80-Aozzyox7Ta1xNIAyePG9ma56LGQuC2Q/s1600/Katyradie+Wanda+Nell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQyTom-x7YsEnisJ4uoQGN12-ZQx-GA84XgmBAy9kYTmpBFzHcX_o-UpnklqLeZmzCEKo3upeTMFt7HAUkEday5fM8ZSlY15XNYJP80-Aozzyox7Ta1xNIAyePG9ma56LGQuC2Q/s320/Katyradie+Wanda+Nell.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: kattyradie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kathy made <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/kattyradie/wanda-nell-cardigan" target="_blank">this Wanda Nell</a> for her daughter, and does she look happy with it! It was knit with Grant Creek Yarns Cushy Merino 2-ply in Deep Blue Sea--a great match for Amanda's lovely red hair! Again, those are some great buttons!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDT_CUZdW1TCaUcpIh9oUuSwTstDHgNQ6lEUnHp3OFfGQ4FaQKkaumAZG3pgNWtN3vty_sl7_3MVjswQ54hhZH2TRajfvTdgGiDZ_RMCi9xWgFp8T7z41fZ-J1T72VWQ4R1wXdw/s1600/Lacymaker+Wanda+Nell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDT_CUZdW1TCaUcpIh9oUuSwTstDHgNQ6lEUnHp3OFfGQ4FaQKkaumAZG3pgNWtN3vty_sl7_3MVjswQ54hhZH2TRajfvTdgGiDZ_RMCi9xWgFp8T7z41fZ-J1T72VWQ4R1wXdw/s320/Lacymaker+Wanda+Nell.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: lacymaker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/lacymaker/wanda-nell-cardigan" target="_blank">Christina used</a> Cherry Tree Hill Yarn Supersock in Dove and edged it with Zwerger Yarn Opal Uni Solid 4-ply in turquoise. So pretty! She says she would have made the body and sleeves longer but was working with limited yarn. This is the beauty of the Wanda Nell--you have those options!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLJH8bRsI_5e_Hr-MfuPhr9tELq6HIf85IAUS0BJ4YEkle7nDsv9EsX-SsNKRt8VoDiXzj10VR7dJJlcU9wyu8rYFh83Ut-Wz90LofRFFfl8VZC5HBaC1xyIX65adhQzuAHk7UQ/s1600/yarnosaurus+Wanda+Nell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLJH8bRsI_5e_Hr-MfuPhr9tELq6HIf85IAUS0BJ4YEkle7nDsv9EsX-SsNKRt8VoDiXzj10VR7dJJlcU9wyu8rYFh83Ut-Wz90LofRFFfl8VZC5HBaC1xyIX65adhQzuAHk7UQ/s1600/yarnosaurus+Wanda+Nell.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: yarnosaurus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tanya made <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/yarnosaurus/wanda-nell-cardigan" target="_blank">her Wanda Nell</a> into a cropped sweater like Nathalie, but with longer sleeves. She used Madelinetosh 80/10/10 Fingering in Brothers Grimm especially to wear with her gorgeous Anthropologie dress. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love all these versions of the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wanda-nell-cardigan" target="_blank">Wanda Nell Cardigan</a>! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't forget that the pattern is 30% off through August 31. Try it for yourself!<br /><br /></div>
Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-48658121254998987182017-06-29T11:45:00.002-07:002017-06-29T11:45:37.790-07:00Show us Your F14's (and headless guys)!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
June's almost at its close, so it's time to show off your FPOM, the <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/fundamental/P_F_TDMC.html" target="_blank">Fundamental Men's Top-Down Cardigan!</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I see I'm not the only one with a guy who refuses to have his head photographed, even when happy with his new hand-knit sweater!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>I have included links below to each knitter's Ravelry page for you to see more lovely pictures and details.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhc6VMpvg4m3uzh797_B1ycCYq8HOKhfWQTbWLEIjF97KIpM3gKQcavMcSkcZT35z7dmnoHRPFzODG5zjrrzbkDbXXWRuDBVWMjl9m2yxCR207h3jZH0XBG9stp7vxmCts1DuRWg/s1600/catlover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhc6VMpvg4m3uzh797_B1ycCYq8HOKhfWQTbWLEIjF97KIpM3gKQcavMcSkcZT35z7dmnoHRPFzODG5zjrrzbkDbXXWRuDBVWMjl9m2yxCR207h3jZH0XBG9stp7vxmCts1DuRWg/s320/catlover.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">credit to catlover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br />First up is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/catlover/fundamental-top-down-mens-cardigan" target="_blank">catlover's "Osprey Cardigan"</a> made with Mountain Colors 4/8s wool in the Osprey colorway. I'll just bet this is a comfy, soft sweater for our first headless guy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFdmXbpW5ift7QxyrOmjSYy87pNR8_Q5EeqwKrIpzIK_BoU0eVRLGzCxbXmGvcfovoTsAwk2tX-RFZSUHTXAQIg_U9VGlLbe4xEwXGEwqvI5dzBcWC3Jw1mRL2g7K9Ih97znNGQ/s1600/knitgirl389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFdmXbpW5ift7QxyrOmjSYy87pNR8_Q5EeqwKrIpzIK_BoU0eVRLGzCxbXmGvcfovoTsAwk2tX-RFZSUHTXAQIg_U9VGlLbe4xEwXGEwqvI5dzBcWC3Jw1mRL2g7K9Ih97znNGQ/s320/knitgirl389.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">credit to knitgirl389</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then there's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/knitgirl389/fundamental-top-down-mens-cardigan" target="_blank">knitgirl389's cardigan</a> made for her husband in Knit Picks Swish DK in a beautiful garnet heather. So classic! But still headless...sigh.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzOxEcC66Wd9oWaGhnb6524EUvfsgfLgROrNiH8MvoaXnlYYCMfZlQSIDKd1wCAIOAkqxccPtlh1pgLNXcXUIZ_t3vperHhGWpQJuMmr08Ppi1dFuuxrW6EeGRua50G_USbS7UQ/s1600/16230055_687377901434481_3949210153655468032_n_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzOxEcC66Wd9oWaGhnb6524EUvfsgfLgROrNiH8MvoaXnlYYCMfZlQSIDKd1wCAIOAkqxccPtlh1pgLNXcXUIZ_t3vperHhGWpQJuMmr08Ppi1dFuuxrW6EeGRua50G_USbS7UQ/s320/16230055_687377901434481_3949210153655468032_n_medium2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">credit to amberlindemann</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Next is this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/amberlindemann/fundamental-top-down-mens-cardigan-2" target="_blank">lovely cardigan</a> knit by amberlindemann in Leading Men Fiber Arts Box Office in turkey run and edged with auburn. What great yarn choices! Wheres the head?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey, guys, just why? Why can't we see your smiling faces? There's no way you could look anything but handsome in these beautiful cardigans. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
See?</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIZmDK6eFNvaxLyPSF92mBvycvIHXh38XDoIe_OUhUVqWUZfd67QS5UMAfonn457cvUbb6Hh5WQ6fEBXkoXeVg9S-nEQB2FruNxR_X9WQPl7yEiKNetC52v3J3w6YmqYDCNnSyA/s1600/amberlindemann_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIZmDK6eFNvaxLyPSF92mBvycvIHXh38XDoIe_OUhUVqWUZfd67QS5UMAfonn457cvUbb6Hh5WQ6fEBXkoXeVg9S-nEQB2FruNxR_X9WQPl7yEiKNetC52v3J3w6YmqYDCNnSyA/s320/amberlindemann_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">credit to amberlindemann</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
See how handsome this guy looks in his hand-knit cardigan? Be like this guy!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/amberlindemann/fundamental-top-down-mens-cardigan" target="_blank">His cardigan</a> was also knit by amberlindemann, but this one was made with Mrs. Crosby's Steamer Trunk in Smoky Granite. I can attest to the wonder of this yarn because I have made a whole sweater with it myself. Gorgeous colorway here!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These were some of the very few husbands, sons, friends, uncles, cousins, or grandpas who would even consent to being photographed wearing their cardigans, and only one allowed his head!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What are we to do? I'll be on the lookout for more great FO pics of the F14--especially with heads in full view. Until then, let's applaud these knitters!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And remember, you have until midnight tomorrow night to receive 30% off this pattern. July 1 there will be a new one and I'll be back soon to crow about that. Cheers!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-36903903309020947132017-05-25T15:03:00.000-07:002017-05-25T15:03:31.626-07:00Show Us Your Big Easy Blanket!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPbYdLm-yBH-sIEUYyOqdaKuUt6N3wnlkb_sSAxYGcfRMptm3PmzKoed1NDHLyvLroHlpvI-wqSY2GFjzMGUAFBtnNH3rKYYov24qnkWPt1pD-8ymqAjZ3LvbD0U8_fdQ-7ko4Q/s1600/FIGHEADPDF2248.zoom.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPbYdLm-yBH-sIEUYyOqdaKuUt6N3wnlkb_sSAxYGcfRMptm3PmzKoed1NDHLyvLroHlpvI-wqSY2GFjzMGUAFBtnNH3rKYYov24qnkWPt1pD-8ymqAjZ3LvbD0U8_fdQ-7ko4Q/s320/FIGHEADPDF2248.zoom.1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Get ready to feast your eyes, because I'm about to show off some <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/misc/Home%20Decor/P_A_M_BEB.html" target="_blank">Big Easy Blanket</a> FO's!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4myv3s8gbtlodvbMaN9T2O6nm7Fu2Y4IqnaLPQtqIx0gzlLowkvapZI1v-nlXCN_US3-inUi995X8o4l6jSiaIGUV19XoJzZ97oqmpHo6D93qunIyv9TcZYADmGgRLhkLs9h3Q/s1600/JulieR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4myv3s8gbtlodvbMaN9T2O6nm7Fu2Y4IqnaLPQtqIx0gzlLowkvapZI1v-nlXCN_US3-inUi995X8o4l6jSiaIGUV19XoJzZ97oqmpHo6D93qunIyv9TcZYADmGgRLhkLs9h3Q/s400/JulieR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by JulieR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JulieR/the-big-easy-blanket" target="_blank">beautiful green Big Easy</a> was knit by JulieR on Ravelry. She used Paton's Washed Haze Aran in teal, which is a discontinued yarn. Too bad, because this color has my heart! And the fabric is gorgeous! Thanks to Julie for allowing me to use her picture.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZpp78i4sexzWGv_4sgps2oqNKrK7im6kj0hoNJSDd_nWfM7w3t4eePvCBoci5f-uTDBGtNJtiLpjLbBQVgpqBAEWT8HxAVwoCPWVpBiZVDQ7FgtHTmFndaHQBWy9YGh5jzU_zQ/s1600/nannyknitter62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="239" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZpp78i4sexzWGv_4sgps2oqNKrK7im6kj0hoNJSDd_nWfM7w3t4eePvCBoci5f-uTDBGtNJtiLpjLbBQVgpqBAEWT8HxAVwoCPWVpBiZVDQ7FgtHTmFndaHQBWy9YGh5jzU_zQ/s400/nannyknitter62.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by nannyknitter62</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/nannyknitter62/the-big-easy-blanket-2" target="_blank">perky purple Big Easy</a> is from nannyknitter62, who has knit the BE <i>twice</i>. This one is from last year and she knit it with The Fiber Company <a href="http://www.thefibreco.com/product/cumbria/" target="_blank">Cumbria</a> in the Castelrigg colorway. It looks so cozy!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLo9oj7lXT5zCHRy9dX4GJBVeo99o-Q6uKwiw_nb_8WHoeXYKw1ZD68y_QWOOOGZkEx8kortkPeWZB5CxextPHLMV_1TGt5xdgiOMnLCd8Dpp3j5CMvgog19Q3aiBEVR_7hbgKgA/s1600/nannyknitter62_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="239" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLo9oj7lXT5zCHRy9dX4GJBVeo99o-Q6uKwiw_nb_8WHoeXYKw1ZD68y_QWOOOGZkEx8kortkPeWZB5CxextPHLMV_1TGt5xdgiOMnLCd8Dpp3j5CMvgog19Q3aiBEVR_7hbgKgA/s400/nannyknitter62_2.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by nannyknitter62</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And here's nanyknitter62's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/nannyknitter62/the-big-easy-blanket" target="_blank">earlier FO</a> of the Big Easy, which she made with Blue Moon Fiber Arts <a href="http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=182_4_65" target="_blank">Socks that Rock Heavyweight</a> in the Star Sapphire colorway. Such a regal fabric!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbNvZt5-oR8uDbvK7dvRnsyV0amxQFJMdEXuiDwUm6zKdcROL0Bh1sD4nW6NyBXl7Lt5PZ23LuxRrToSbYY5Vi3FOMgASIhCD6Nbfy4ykbYdTIH9jGt6zYcoem-gkori1xT4K9g/s1600/silverwoman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="320" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbNvZt5-oR8uDbvK7dvRnsyV0amxQFJMdEXuiDwUm6zKdcROL0Bh1sD4nW6NyBXl7Lt5PZ23LuxRrToSbYY5Vi3FOMgASIhCD6Nbfy4ykbYdTIH9jGt6zYcoem-gkori1xT4K9g/s400/silverwoman.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by silverwoman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/silverwoman/the-big-easy-blanket" target="_blank">Big Easy Blanket</a> knit by silverwoman on Ravelry shows off the fabric so well and was knit with Cascade Yarns <a href="http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-128Superwash.htm" target="_blank">128 Superwash</a> in the Silver colorway. I'm so glad she allowed me to use her picture! Striking!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Why am I showing off these beautiful blankets? Why, it's all part of the Figheadh Pattern of the Month! Another part of it is the 30% discount you can still receive on the pattern until May 31. Many have already taken advantage and so can you! There's no code needed--just pop the pattern in your shopping cart and the discount is automatically deducted. Nice!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ravelry tells me there are 41 projects for this pattern and I have requested lots more photo permissions, so I'll update this post as I receive those. If you want your Big Easy FO added, let me know!</div>
<br />Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-24817728139137259092017-05-25T14:17:00.001-07:002017-05-25T14:17:50.066-07:00Show Us Your Velutina!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi645J-3ldJECd_aLS_-tUPF0v7lasM7UXImF8AJBBzHHj6qDxWwtVlHO8s3KRzdXYre5ulLcEfnOwu7qv20vuqUAj2F7Gv1PvqBb7HfnzUraF3Ceukz3bnNXf_kXpILvlelFo9gg/s1600/my+velutina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="724" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi645J-3ldJECd_aLS_-tUPF0v7lasM7UXImF8AJBBzHHj6qDxWwtVlHO8s3KRzdXYre5ulLcEfnOwu7qv20vuqUAj2F7Gv1PvqBb7HfnzUraF3Ceukz3bnNXf_kXpILvlelFo9gg/s320/my+velutina.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This month's <a href="http://www.jenhagan.com/mirth/index.html" target="_blank">Mirth</a> Pattern of the Month (MPOM) is the <a href="http://www.jenhagan.com/mirth/m016_detail.html" target="_blank">Velutina Scarf</a>, which I gave the details to <a href="http://figknits.blogspot.com/2013/01/velutina-scarf.html" target="_blank">here</a> when it was first published. Since we're in the last week of May, it's time to show off some of your Velutinas!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMk4vZV5kTVXYj__M1w4InhD063KtXGc6427QTjId2hYjgw0ks465b47ungR9mPUwk3quMsnNVLBa1q7DbiL4KqLSZVyTlRPCuWBIRdNh8zZ3PgA6c7YmoQSZgEqBK9cFG6qX-oA/s1600/fantomina+velutina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMk4vZV5kTVXYj__M1w4InhD063KtXGc6427QTjId2hYjgw0ks465b47ungR9mPUwk3quMsnNVLBa1q7DbiL4KqLSZVyTlRPCuWBIRdNh8zZ3PgA6c7YmoQSZgEqBK9cFG6qX-oA/s400/fantomina+velutina.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by fantomina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This lovely FO is fantomina's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/fantomina/velutina-scarf" target="_blank">Velutina</a>. She was nice enough to allow me to add her photo to the pattern page on Ravelry. This Velutina was made with Blue Moon Fiber Arts <a href="http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=182_545&zenid=m7mc2o8u53pg86psak2lsg0br0" target="_blank">Marine Silk Fingering</a> in the Melusine colorway. Gorgeous!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFrEdv-2AU9RRmU2JMZ_mkJf03NOFdO_fMeWSJNZpj_AfE6Fpk5Wh651kd_O6khK5UXnVGenigwiXFGD83wkRfOPuR3znoWWq9uQ85YwTiPebiH-dto2t2hFC_tj27XrHxiuWlA/s1600/naarden+velutina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFrEdv-2AU9RRmU2JMZ_mkJf03NOFdO_fMeWSJNZpj_AfE6Fpk5Wh651kd_O6khK5UXnVGenigwiXFGD83wkRfOPuR3znoWWq9uQ85YwTiPebiH-dto2t2hFC_tj27XrHxiuWlA/s400/naarden+velutina.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by naarden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This Velutina WIP is being worked by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Naarden/velutina-scarf" target="_blank">naarden</a> on Ravelry and uses <a href="http://www.shibuiknits.com/yarns/" target="_blank">Shibui Knits</a> Heichi in the greenspace colorway. That yarn has been discontinued and is a heavier yarn than suggested in the pattern, but it works! Her project page says it was finished a couple of years ago, so maybe she'll upload some FO shots. I can't wait to see, because it looks yummy so far!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlaPt-RS0unriRfrdVRPaMOeajVDo1wOZhInP4i8fcDnTfFHsv-JokaFmW6FiqMXGLr7Z-Am7XLLJxXrw_5BubzBGirAmQJU-Wdo2Dup_s0e6B5_exM3lYDQPO8hJ03Z6AOwKgQ/s1600/OakBarkScarf_small2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlaPt-RS0unriRfrdVRPaMOeajVDo1wOZhInP4i8fcDnTfFHsv-JokaFmW6FiqMXGLr7Z-Am7XLLJxXrw_5BubzBGirAmQJU-Wdo2Dup_s0e6B5_exM3lYDQPO8hJ03Z6AOwKgQ/s400/OakBarkScarf_small2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by theobroma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's another <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/theobroma/velutina-scarf" target="_blank">Velutina FO</a> from theobroma on Ravelry and she knit it with Shalimar Yarns <a href="http://www.shalimaryarns.com/breathless" target="_blank">Breathless</a> in the Tawny colorway. It looks luscious!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ravelry tells me there are 14 projects for the Velutina Scarf, and I have requested a couple more photos from knitters who've knit it. I can update this post and add those as soon as I've received permission. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you are working on a Velutina Scarf and you'd like your added to this post, please let me know! I love to show off your work.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Only one more week to take advantage of the 30% discount on this pattern. Grab one soon!</div>
<br />Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-90546781097740496692017-05-19T14:07:00.000-07:002017-05-19T14:15:07.997-07:00May KnitCrate!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I only vaguely knew about KnitCrate before I was contacted by them on Ravelry about possibly including a couple of my patterns in their Main box. Since my business is knitting design, I have never had the chance to try any of the knitting subscriptions and knew not to tempt myself. I'm usually working on my own projects and haven't time for more...unfortunately. Because, what fun!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once we got the collaboration worked out, I impatiently waited for my month to come to be a part of the fun. It was so exciting to see it finally happen! Then I wanted one for myself, so I could see just how awesome it is. Well, they sent me one! Let's have a look.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4jxUzCQQegcFeGbMK3tK_ctSz5Sm8bxfV9utnQJF0I38B_3zCS9VsbnvMtEqH3Y0MUmcrQekPO8wASDj__5ouA9TYIcewt4HVC_Z6u-7BK8QHOiJvFeYHcD8deHklSc-jbVk0w/s1600/knitcratebox1_edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4jxUzCQQegcFeGbMK3tK_ctSz5Sm8bxfV9utnQJF0I38B_3zCS9VsbnvMtEqH3Y0MUmcrQekPO8wASDj__5ouA9TYIcewt4HVC_Z6u-7BK8QHOiJvFeYHcD8deHklSc-jbVk0w/s320/knitcratebox1_edit.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What a treat to see this little teal box waiting for me in the mailbox.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Lh_3b6MORiUlOneTYQ_kvxc1DDchJibyqB_OU3aawD_TN2ky-Rd_W5_jaL3yy_mODGpt8xl_-fG6xkwKflXN5Rf9_9sf12wsr8lz1HOLP55-7pJAVny10VUi_2L2oXgumaaMQQ/s1600/knitcratebox_edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Lh_3b6MORiUlOneTYQ_kvxc1DDchJibyqB_OU3aawD_TN2ky-Rd_W5_jaL3yy_mODGpt8xl_-fG6xkwKflXN5Rf9_9sf12wsr8lz1HOLP55-7pJAVny10VUi_2L2oXgumaaMQQ/s320/knitcratebox_edit.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As I broke the seal and started to open the box, I saw the appropriate hashtags--always important!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFIBOvvuk2fipK_Yxxbkvg7JxwQclOlCpZ1iDuBCvFLf6P9z9vZ4BrzAb93_3zjJZyyy_omh-4c3ISADcev7pAmAQ_Xe024DmViRx83rbWicb6Z8azM-MfnOnmy-FQmunXSmExg/s1600/unboxed_edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFIBOvvuk2fipK_Yxxbkvg7JxwQclOlCpZ1iDuBCvFLf6P9z9vZ4BrzAb93_3zjJZyyy_omh-4c3ISADcev7pAmAQ_Xe024DmViRx83rbWicb6Z8azM-MfnOnmy-FQmunXSmExg/s320/unboxed_edit.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then I opened the lid and peeled back the tissue inside and feasted my eyes on all the goodies--the main card with this month's inspirational description on front and the contents list and discount codes on back, the pattern card with free download links to my <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/hats/P_A_H_HCC.html" target="_blank">Honeycomb Cap</a> and <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/misc/Scarves_Shawls/P_A_M_SS.html" target="_blank">Sawtooth Shawlette</a><span id="goog_2122805134"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_2122805135"></span>, a cute dpn holder from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thesteadyhand/" target="_blank">The Steady Hand</a>,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jFxs11SmGqhrszLVUY3oOw9RWAQ1IpyEL_dBS3y0NcIVnnvctz7CU8G595do2VFYkNVebc94OxN_bFPLtA8uWcL9HsLoGA4ywoGYjcpzTTa-xPruI3NYEmc3uui-fLv52URWiQ/s1600/tfaclose2_edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jFxs11SmGqhrszLVUY3oOw9RWAQ1IpyEL_dBS3y0NcIVnnvctz7CU8G595do2VFYkNVebc94OxN_bFPLtA8uWcL9HsLoGA4ywoGYjcpzTTa-xPruI3NYEmc3uui-fLv52URWiQ/s320/tfaclose2_edit.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
two skeins of lovely <a href="http://www.tanisfiberarts.com/ku3au20t745b9qf03d4wdxrbxyhx8a" target="_blank">Tanis Fiber Arts</a> Purewash Worsted in Iris,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbzZdlzbEo1TPx6ScpWQu87kRWqsS1aOXxPHMnqgCS0sojmSFlCiyPUXTMClhZ8vHTlMfh8DIds8ACtccQ0KcQySEwe9ecHgXmfZRbHL4uhwHVy79Kl9nshNh1i1Vp6jbYmpgqg/s1600/tfaclose_edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbzZdlzbEo1TPx6ScpWQu87kRWqsS1aOXxPHMnqgCS0sojmSFlCiyPUXTMClhZ8vHTlMfh8DIds8ACtccQ0KcQySEwe9ecHgXmfZRbHL4uhwHVy79Kl9nshNh1i1Vp6jbYmpgqg/s320/tfaclose_edit.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(let's look closer at that)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2_J2O_RUYjueANpWp6wub_YKGZ45qYKjJJQiGft7BS5xjwEhiKfeBO5qchSmgu4b_KgaV6gdQU7UXBSwhywS8iUXHDtubXxt0skQuW1wL3pJ2WXSdkqHlmuhEiQ30biHeJEmRQ/s1600/butterflyboxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2_J2O_RUYjueANpWp6wub_YKGZ45qYKjJJQiGft7BS5xjwEhiKfeBO5qchSmgu4b_KgaV6gdQU7UXBSwhywS8iUXHDtubXxt0skQuW1wL3pJ2WXSdkqHlmuhEiQ30biHeJEmRQ/s320/butterflyboxes.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and this little card to help donate something to those in need. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That's so cool!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqM7xeE3x0T_886Q90IRKCPQ3KdSO09gYkiwHHxNtqIW-kGtpJ1T26u42upJEKJeymRf8Ua3wljk2nnRn7A2zLZEWRwwZ8TVLJKfnq0SJrIKe7sY_g3uITbkXPc9i1-0CVDxLBhQ/s1600/matchy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqM7xeE3x0T_886Q90IRKCPQ3KdSO09gYkiwHHxNtqIW-kGtpJ1T26u42upJEKJeymRf8Ua3wljk2nnRn7A2zLZEWRwwZ8TVLJKfnq0SJrIKe7sY_g3uITbkXPc9i1-0CVDxLBhQ/s320/matchy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The box even matches my current design work in progress. I love teal!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And guess what else? Right now you can get 20% off your first month if you want to try KnitCrate for yourself! Just use my code FIG20 when you get to the checkout and go <a href="http://mbsy.co/hrqZq" target="_blank">here</a> to try it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That discount will only work for recurring monthly subscriptions, though, because the three-month prepaid and the yearly are already discounted for you. Isn't that nice?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The KnitCrate folks are just great, and they're really on the ball scouring the world for knitting and crochet treats for you. Thanks, KnitCrate, for making yarny pursuits even more fun!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-56804795431123878472017-05-08T14:22:00.000-07:002017-05-08T14:22:26.383-07:00The Big Easy Blanket<div style="text-align: center;">
Our <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/accessories/misc/Home%20Decor/P_A_M_BEB.html" target="_blank">Big Easy Blanket</a> is the Figheadh Pattern of the Month for May!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This prompts me to say a bit more about it. Well, it turned into more than a bit, but Big Easy is the star here, so let's investigate.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLsLCuwRxUTJogH1h1ckB-eeUHljDOl9aWXdOOYDXy4GZDPg0T0zlQ4W4Btd1rD0VemUqZfTiJllwxaTCPaWEJVZtf7tmghcrP-0WG6Gf3Obo5BQ1V1KsRWlYEiEUYb5z1qFPXg/s1600/FIGHEADPDF2248.zoom.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLsLCuwRxUTJogH1h1ckB-eeUHljDOl9aWXdOOYDXy4GZDPg0T0zlQ4W4Btd1rD0VemUqZfTiJllwxaTCPaWEJVZtf7tmghcrP-0WG6Gf3Obo5BQ1V1KsRWlYEiEUYb5z1qFPXg/s320/FIGHEADPDF2248.zoom.1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The BEB was released in early 2009 and was our second stand-alone blanket pattern, after the Fir Cone Blanket. We also had two baby blanket patterns that were each part of a set, and they have each since been released as stand-alone patterns, too. Why? Because blanket patterns seem to be a favorite. I'll bet I know why. No shaping and hours and hours of easy, fun knitting!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That is certainly true of the Big Easy. Back in 2009 I wanted to add a pattern for beginners, as I stated in <a href="http://figknits.blogspot.com/2009/03/meadowood-big-easy.html" target="_blank">this blog post</a>, and what could be easier than a mix of knit/purl patterns in a big rectangle? It is composed of three reversible stitch patterns alternating with garter stitch and also edged with garter stitch. Once you knit through one set of all the stitch patterns, then you're good to go. They are EASY. Thus the name.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmf2GTEAg0OZHQ3unBU-HszUL2vD0NUCb0XR0zhibOy1lonl5EwNyTggGrHzFhUVN0ZrT_hBJmYQJk0blFlfS0FuAdaWoZmGg7L8UZwj4iorUoXDpgMQhnrHp3x06WgQmM1_LIQ/s1600/bigeasycloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmf2GTEAg0OZHQ3unBU-HszUL2vD0NUCb0XR0zhibOy1lonl5EwNyTggGrHzFhUVN0ZrT_hBJmYQJk0blFlfS0FuAdaWoZmGg7L8UZwj4iorUoXDpgMQhnrHp3x06WgQmM1_LIQ/s1600/bigeasycloseup.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Another reason for the name is because I was working on this pattern when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and I wanted to use the pattern to throw some love and support to New Orleans especially. As you all know, New Orleans is known as The Big Easy. The first few years after this pattern was released, all the profits from the pattern went to an organization named PNOLA. This organization was especially attractive to me because they hosted groups of young people to help rebuild the Lower Mid-City area, one of the worst hit by the storm. A few years ago, however, the organization changed hands and we changed our charitable focus, but I am still so glad we got a chance to contribute hundreds of dollars to this worthwhile project. So did many of you with the purchase of this pattern from early 2009 until about 2012. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But who really knows why a pattern becomes such a favorite? It continues to sell very well and I keep seeing gorgeous blankets being knit with the help of this pattern. There are 41 projects on Ravelry for The Big Easy! It's in fourth place for projects and first place for sales of all Figheadh patterns. This makes me so happy!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2Nb1Y1cEI7rgXlC4VSiwzND6scva2jpLGFpsJUmjz1ihhQjG-Uq2W-ke-AW0FNpofzgHctWUpBdgWMDOfTvoQw2dzYBmBGOHDMrdpHaR5Sz2Kvo6ZHHFIdE-eQ7ibTEgZTrOeA/s1600/cotton+samples+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2Nb1Y1cEI7rgXlC4VSiwzND6scva2jpLGFpsJUmjz1ihhQjG-Uq2W-ke-AW0FNpofzgHctWUpBdgWMDOfTvoQw2dzYBmBGOHDMrdpHaR5Sz2Kvo6ZHHFIdE-eQ7ibTEgZTrOeA/s1600/cotton+samples+015.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Big Easy is knit in worsted weight yarn, here shown in Cascade Greenland, a yarn of theirs that was so lively and springy, but has been discontinued. Greenland was a heavy worsted weight, so an Aran weight yarn works great for this blanket, and makes it a pretty quick knit. Many have also used regular worsted weight yarns. Here's the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-big-easy-blanket/yarns" target="_blank">Ravelry lineup</a> of all the yarns used by members to knit the Big Easy. (I just love this Ravelry feature and have used it myself at times to get ideas for yarn substitutions.) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The BEB has a gauge of 4 stitches and 5.75 rows to the inch, but this can be fudged a bit because a blanket doesn't need to fit a body. The pattern has specs for making a lap blanket of 36" by 55.5" or a larger blanket of 46" by 60". I have been asked about making the blanket bigger and I usually say that the easiest way is to just add more rows of garter stitch. Each of the non-garter-stitch patterns are 16-row repeats, so if you start doubling those you could be looking at a house-sized blanket. We don't need that, now, do we? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The stitch patterns change often enough to make the pattern fun and they make a mesmerizing geometric fabric. Each of the three interior stitch patterns is charted and written out, and there is an organizational chart which helps you to easily keep track of the order of the stitch patterns as you go. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJ4TJ2o4UdsrA4T-aBoN-4DCRu_W1f2PJON2gAOAWNleDIhNX-iDczhQ_lPJOHCEjks4BiJ5JvfEzOazoJTenQFQMcVF7WclU6G3CACEFLhhwi1Ir215W5_6sQAlD5m_NfhKwfQ/s1600/DSC_8180_small2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJ4TJ2o4UdsrA4T-aBoN-4DCRu_W1f2PJON2gAOAWNleDIhNX-iDczhQ_lPJOHCEjks4BiJ5JvfEzOazoJTenQFQMcVF7WclU6G3CACEFLhhwi1Ir215W5_6sQAlD5m_NfhKwfQ/s1600/DSC_8180_small2.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now is the best time to try this pattern if you haven't already, because it's 30% off all month long! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Try the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-big-easy-blanket" target="_blank">Big Easy Blanket</a>, and if you do, please post your project on Ravelry for us all to admire. I will be featuring your blankets later in the month. I can't wait!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="UMS_TOOLTIP" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; cursor: pointer; left: -100000px; position: absolute; top: -100000px; z-index: 2147483647;">
</div>
Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-81336336478793889602017-04-25T05:00:00.000-07:002017-04-25T05:00:46.422-07:00We Sold Our House!<div style="text-align: center;">
Whew! Sorry for being away so long. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have an explanation, and it's a good one, and maybe you can be helped by our experience this past year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After 16 years for my husband and almost fifteen years for me, we left our sweet, big house to the care of a wonderful little family of three. We considerably downsized and are now living in a 711-square-foot apartment. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This all turned out to be a year-long process. About this same time last year we began doing some upgrades to prepare the house for sale. First we replaced most of the old aluminum windows with some vinyl energy-efficient ones. Then we had the carpet ripped out of our living room, dining room, and main floor hallway and replaced with LVT flooring. We repainted the living room, dining room, and hall--trim and walls--and we had crown molding put in the living room and dining room after the "textured" ceilings were removed. We also had the clay hearth tiles replaced with slate ones and painted the firebox. It looked so much nicer!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAh0SNYR9PlhY2yRk0Q4u0f97_HsAMMSC7RWmyy6o5T6CcSW8iZLPSdiYbfQ6MdzzOxn-FPtal26ye6R31j_sTjs9aLt912-VRPhEsvVanWAS43irdtW_TemcEmp74aHqu44ni8A/s1600/after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAh0SNYR9PlhY2yRk0Q4u0f97_HsAMMSC7RWmyy6o5T6CcSW8iZLPSdiYbfQ6MdzzOxn-FPtal26ye6R31j_sTjs9aLt912-VRPhEsvVanWAS43irdtW_TemcEmp74aHqu44ni8A/s320/after.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">staged for selling!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the kitchen, we had a new garbage disposal installed and the accompanying air gap that was sorely needed, as well. We had the basement bath upgraded with a new sink and shower stall and we painted the whole bathroom white. Then we went ahead and painted the basement bedroom white, too. The basement is all finished and even has a little kitchen, but it can seem dungeony if not brightened up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We then had the patio refreshed by replacing the cover and some mostly-rotten posts and having a big crack in the patio floor repaired before having it all painted. The back yard fence and stoop were all painted a dark grey, and we refreshed some of the exterior window frames. I also painted the front door and we had the mailbox and house numbers replaced. We painted the front stoop the same as the back, as well.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nES4szwnxU8ByjkXT7uRzH3_InJ173ezMhyphenhyphenUf1zIvT1gCQ17ZoOJ5wmDid8iWTW-__8ZDDZAxeEx8QYMxJ-XrzTqowlKIsob7llJL7mVbte5Op7FbaeJgDGI8zrwbBwGIlFgBQ/s1600/with+snow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nES4szwnxU8ByjkXT7uRzH3_InJ173ezMhyphenhyphenUf1zIvT1gCQ17ZoOJ5wmDid8iWTW-__8ZDDZAxeEx8QYMxJ-XrzTqowlKIsob7llJL7mVbte5Op7FbaeJgDGI8zrwbBwGIlFgBQ/s320/with+snow.JPG" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back yard with snow!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
During all this craziness we were also majorly decluttering. I cannot tell you how many trips we made to the dump, the recycling center, Goodwill, Value Village, etc. I also shared lots of possessions with our awesome neighborhood Buy Nothing group. We had way too much stuff, y'all, and it was tucked into every corner and cupboard of that five-bedroom house. That house had tons of storage, and that was our fiercest enabler. A lot of the stuff just had to go!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We were aiming for an August 15 list date, but as August loomed near, we realized that not only was the work not going to finish on time, but that we were getting cold feet about the whole business. The work continued, but we decided to wait about selling.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Flash forward past fall and all the holidays and many discussions and deep thinking and by January 12, we finally had the house on the market. Inventory is low here, so we had our first offer pretty fast. It was a tricky one, however, because it was from an investor who was going to use the house for sort of a rental for a couple of years. We did not want to see that happen, but we wanted to sell the house even more, so we entered into the process anyway. They offered too low, we countered, they accepted pending inspection, and after the inspection, the investor backed out. But he allowed us to have a copy of the inspection report, which was quite nice and quite informative! We also found out that the investor had put offers on several properties and weighed them all against one another before deciding on one. We were actually glad that they backed out of buying our house, because we had always hoped that a family with small children would buy the house. It's in a quiet, safe neighborhood that's two blocks from a really great park and is in walking distance to all the best schools in the area.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Armed with the inspection report, and glad to be past that little hurdle, we began addressing a few of the most important details, like upgrading the electrical outlets and tidying up some plumbing. Later we realized we should have waited, because the very next day after we found out that the first deal fell through, a young couple was shown the house, fell in love, and made a full-price offer! We accepted, and they had their own inspection done. They responded to the inspection by asking for things to be done other than what we had just completed, so we were at it again with the fixes, which included more electrical, some repair of the carport structure, and a new water heater! I say <i>more </i>electrical. It was major! The main breaker box had to be replaced, for one thing, and that alone took until right up to moving day. Yeah, we were trying to get the last of it done with the power being turned off quite a lot. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh, and we both got sick, too. First Fred got a really rotten cold and had to take to the bed while I tried to finish packing and having Goodwill come and haul off big pieces of furniture. Then I got sick for official moving week, but there was no way around it. It had to be done. The last day when we had to clean and get the last of our stuff out was not my best day. But dagnabbit, we did it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That night we met with the new owners and their little boy so that we could hand over the keys, and we were even <i>more</i> glad after meeting them that they were the ones moving into our sweet former home. They really love the house and we just know that they will have many, many wonderful years there raising their family. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
This was a huge transition for us, but we have settled in nicely. We are trying to pare down what was left of our possessions that won't fit into the little apartment and are taking up far too much space in a local storage space (yes, there's too many boxes and bins of yarn in there). Wish us luck with that. Because we are doing this all to save money to buy a little farm in the country so that we can get a bit off-grid and raise a large portion of our own food. Let it be soon! I've been reduced to a few small pots on a tiny balcony for growing anything and it's spring and I didn't get to put out snow peas nor start my greens and marigolds. Sigh....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know it will just make us appreciate even more when we have even a small house on a few acres. Right now we are living urban life with all its adventures, but also with all its noise. Construction goes on a block in every direction and at night we sometimes hear catastrophic sirens going off in all directions, and our upstairs neighbor clomps around sometimes like the building is on fire. But the apartment is cozy and has everything we really need...for now.<br />
<br />
This past month I have been back at work on the next Figheadh pattern, which will be a men's cabled cardigan! I'm so excited about that, because it's been at least eight years since I designed a men's sweater. About time, right?<br />
<br />
I promise I'll be back soon with info about that, and about something else exciting that starts in May! Stay tuned!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-73948643378827085382016-12-12T07:37:00.000-07:002016-12-12T07:37:42.058-07:00Sixpence Hat<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Holidays, Everyone!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm here with a little gift for you. It's been over six years since I released a free pattern, so let's make up for lost time! I am so grateful for each and every one of you who has purchased either one of my Figheadh patterns or Mirth patterns. I mean, grateful every time I see a pattern purchase--and PayPal lets me know <i>each and every time</i>. I always utter a little prayer of gratitude whenever this happens, because I am truly grateful that it still happens! I hope it continues.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now on with your gift!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdliupbCS4o87YGF20lj8I71eAz5bAQKhLPslyPuG6DwU1iO6mfMJpTJQdfZZKy8o_9S0dupD_O2_HB4fQ9lqen98MEQIbaf_0bBozNWHzA5G9jl1pFLltHOv7eDnVD7RlTZ-pg/s1600/SsPCIAXpQb6Qu6v5bJkSrw_thumb_988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdliupbCS4o87YGF20lj8I71eAz5bAQKhLPslyPuG6DwU1iO6mfMJpTJQdfZZKy8o_9S0dupD_O2_HB4fQ9lqen98MEQIbaf_0bBozNWHzA5G9jl1pFLltHOv7eDnVD7RlTZ-pg/s320/SsPCIAXpQb6Qu6v5bJkSrw_thumb_988.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Sixpence Hat came from wanting to use just two little cables to make a simple, classic beanie. Once I developed the idea and had my first try, I saw that it had six coin cables stacked on top of one another. That's why the name. The sixpence coin was once used in Great Britain for six pennies, or pence. Although the coin was retired in 1980, the term is still floated around.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNt3-awVMaq5lFgi-mkVbSRIrSqbUQBbvjKRcEqCIrIfBdHzk6JGwiht_AQXgmxznmDIemmTrsSDCMt4cB8VjmedKXCYN153uMksAqR4zIich0PhAuk32WNMi7tHpYtLcEqBCOg/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNt3-awVMaq5lFgi-mkVbSRIrSqbUQBbvjKRcEqCIrIfBdHzk6JGwiht_AQXgmxznmDIemmTrsSDCMt4cB8VjmedKXCYN153uMksAqR4zIich0PhAuk32WNMi7tHpYtLcEqBCOg/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_993.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bare Naked Wools Kent DK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's the beanie style of the Sixpence, showing how the crown decrease forms a little flower on top. That takes some maneuvering, because the integrity of the cables and twists is maintained throughout. The pattern has charts for each section and detailed written instruction for round-by-round execution of all the techniques involved. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You can find it in my Ravelry store <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sixpence-hat" target="_blank">here</a>, or you can go straight to our site version <a href="http://figheadh.com/PDF/Sixpence_Hat.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVeNnH_jro3r1MDSxbjcy4i0CGDfGi_aBhOkajNipeoG4Hm3vnx_h3R2nBYxjX2IRe7ipyt4iAhuXOqXK2ZneVO1Rne3BJDIp6UHsCKXjj10p8_v3e1VuEC3Y7yMMrnEFoxRJLA/s1600/sixpence+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVeNnH_jro3r1MDSxbjcy4i0CGDfGi_aBhOkajNipeoG4Hm3vnx_h3R2nBYxjX2IRe7ipyt4iAhuXOqXK2ZneVO1Rne3BJDIp6UHsCKXjj10p8_v3e1VuEC3Y7yMMrnEFoxRJLA/s320/sixpence+cover.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cascade 220 Superwash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hope you'll try the Sixpence Hat either for a gift or for yourself! It's a unisex design, so make one for anybody and everybody!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-12099357417719094902016-10-24T15:33:00.000-07:002016-10-24T15:33:16.742-07:00Scrappy Sock Experiment: Yarn Sample Cards!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Over the summer I cleared out and stored away some of my yarn to get things a lot neater around here. I also went through all my designing books and files and notebooks and did some pretty serious decluttering. It took a bunch of trips to the recycling center and some shredding, but I feel much lighter for it! I also feel much less distracted by not having everything out and in my face. I'm trying to focus. Give me strength!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Among the clutter there were some old yarn sample cards that, although I won't use again, I just could not part with. Some ideas came to me about how to use them instead of just trashing them. First up was an entire set of samples from <a href="http://www.claudiaco.com/" target="_blank">Claudia Hand Painted Yarns</a>. I once set up a wholesale account with the company and ordered a fair amount, a lot of which I still have, but that was six years ago. Knowing I would not use the yarn cards again, and knowing they were out of date, I started disassembling them. Once I took the strands out, I could see that most of them were a yard long each. I could work with that!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKr42Rs2mAnfIG_KBxXD_QDA6ipQ_R8he-wMNLYG8ZPNbdQ5Qz0KXRJz3PMy4Tl-BHwCRi2lkqwdoUfUalawCUSv3wUJAniVXpwLxUcUhlfEUHewCFz2wK5wi5-7wvgSwhzz2L5A/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKr42Rs2mAnfIG_KBxXD_QDA6ipQ_R8he-wMNLYG8ZPNbdQ5Qz0KXRJz3PMy4Tl-BHwCRi2lkqwdoUfUalawCUSv3wUJAniVXpwLxUcUhlfEUHewCFz2wK5wi5-7wvgSwhzz2L5A/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_952.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
First I tried tiny granny squares with a few of them, but I soon saw that joining those into one piece or even using them to embellish another piece was about to get really fiddly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJglicPlRCxex493C6fJWWDBGmYLHWCa_BrIMOr0ggxV_mHZH73ZLnzaeUaqOIAK99y6DrQlaKHZdcDGHkfGuSjQ7pbGdYcOnAkdsQNgrc2El_javplm3aEk1d_nwRhfl54fc-iw/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_94f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJglicPlRCxex493C6fJWWDBGmYLHWCa_BrIMOr0ggxV_mHZH73ZLnzaeUaqOIAK99y6DrQlaKHZdcDGHkfGuSjQ7pbGdYcOnAkdsQNgrc2El_javplm3aEk1d_nwRhfl54fc-iw/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_94f.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then I had a eureka moment and wondered if the strands could be worked into scrappy socks, my most recent <a href="http://figknits.blogspot.com/2016/05/scrappy-sock-knitting.html" target="_blank">obsession</a>. I grabbed a partial skein of Claudia's Shells on the Beach colorway for my neutral and knit up a toe using <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/FEATmagiccaston.html" target="_blank">Judy's Magic Cast On</a>. Then I grabbed one of the yard-long strands from the color card and found that it would knit two rounds of the sock perfectly! Using the Fair Isle joining method, I just kept going, joining a new strand every two rounds until I got to the heel. Fortunately, there were two of these yard-long strands for each color, so I just set aside the second one for the second sock. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguz81gjjxVKgn0jkMuDmHgMFA1JrSVUXRy-uC9x4Sh-nTgEEnVuWrPBFQQI6ETtJU4wFPfH28-FbaX_KWHuvo3ZVrIlpsP4KJxQ61tDHtDy5Gh41YKW0VXouiMonhenNbPsoxmQA/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_93a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguz81gjjxVKgn0jkMuDmHgMFA1JrSVUXRy-uC9x4Sh-nTgEEnVuWrPBFQQI6ETtJU4wFPfH28-FbaX_KWHuvo3ZVrIlpsP4KJxQ61tDHtDy5Gh41YKW0VXouiMonhenNbPsoxmQA/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_93a.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was so much fun watching the colors interact with one another. It was also fun choosing which color would go next and which would go next and...boy, were these not boring socks to knit!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On the first pair of socks, I used the same neutral colorway chosen for the toe to knit the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fish-lips-kiss-heel" target="_blank">Fish Lips Kiss Heel</a> and then the 2/2 ribbed cuff at the end.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQy82Ucma3B6gVvOQblYkUdAeftnT-wmENeUVaV8MlxI1IqkKUHrLeSediqvD5tlEScMtlBZPiwTByRvVv9jDtQjofe_RS49X7L_ZRXWCPmFRPA7hsXLHOww2cPKkxsSz0hFgjQ/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_94e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQy82Ucma3B6gVvOQblYkUdAeftnT-wmENeUVaV8MlxI1IqkKUHrLeSediqvD5tlEScMtlBZPiwTByRvVv9jDtQjofe_RS49X7L_ZRXWCPmFRPA7hsXLHOww2cPKkxsSz0hFgjQ/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_94e.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once the sock was complete, I just turned it wrong-side-out and tidied up the strands. After pulling a little on each one to make sure there were no slouchy areas, I snipped the ends a little. Ultimately there were only two ends to weave in--the one at the cast on and the one at the bind off.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZoDmsfcgks2OkQR6mNklLl0_fclHHaEnbBwyWLKBCgDEtThNRlmpnn99Owlc7CpqESgo6-GxeWnj3g9KgssQwdwvyIcSsyen94IblFV-5n-1181-V7spY2qdJhV0KzNZmLH4zg/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZoDmsfcgks2OkQR6mNklLl0_fclHHaEnbBwyWLKBCgDEtThNRlmpnn99Owlc7CpqESgo6-GxeWnj3g9KgssQwdwvyIcSsyen94IblFV-5n-1181-V7spY2qdJhV0KzNZmLH4zg/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_958.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sock pair number one is the first one that I knit. You can tell that I started with the more muted, natural hues for the foot and then got into some lighter, more playful colors for the leg. I also did not manage to match both the socks in pair number one as well as with pair number two. It took the second pair to get my system down. With sock pair number two, I was left with all the really bright colors. For the second pair I used Claudia's Stormy Day for the toe and the cuff, but used her Caribbean Blue for the heel to keep things more colorful.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So between these two pair of socks, you have just about all the colors from Claudia's 2010 color selection. She still has a lot of these colors available (some have been retired but some new ones have been added) and is now calling her fingering weight yarn "Addiction." Go check out <a href="http://www.claudiaco.com/c/addiction-fingering_show-all?pp=24&pg=1&sb=" target="_blank">all the beauty</a>!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now I am looking at some of my other old yarn cards and wondering what I can do with them. I'll show you if anything comes of it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy Yarn Scrapping!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19155627.post-31281213302102977502016-10-13T09:03:00.001-07:002016-10-13T09:04:07.988-07:00Knitting the Top-Down Raglan Cardigan, Part Four<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We've finally arrived at the button and buttonhole bands of the cardigan. If you've been knitting your own cardigan along with reading these posts, I know you're pretty glad to have an entire sweater sitting before you--with no seams! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And that's one reason I chose the picked-up button bands for this sweater. There are other ways to construct a button band, one of which is to knit the band separately and seam it to the front openings. To keep this cardigan seamless, let's work it with picked-up stitches.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The pickup ratio for any part of any sweater (when adding an edge to the side of the fabric) usually goes like this--for lightweight yarns, a pickup ratio of three stitches for every four rows, and for heavier weights, a ratio of two stitches for every three rows. That's for knitting Stockinette Stitch perpendicularly onto the same stitch pattern. But we are working with two different stitch patterns and those two have different gauges. It gets even more complicated than that. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Stay with me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The body of the cardigan is worked in Stockinette stitch, but the button bands are worked in 1/1 rib. Of course those two have different stitch gauges!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My cardigan knit with Schaefer Nichole on size 4 needles has a stitch gauge of 6 spi (stitches per inch), but 1/1 rib with these materials has a gauge of 5.75 spi on the button bands and 7 spi on the body edge and cuff. Why the difference?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcGHTM7CWsDcgv34hj4sSOLDtEFhzOKChIx_uVbO0yPiI47isJNI8BWZu_nYD5idqemWOKJ-rwtZX_QwWdDR2wXyVs4QU_Q0nHHDLwbi7Wc-p-5JO91_mGO91TQG3JqNzWTxyzg/s1600/thumb_IMG_0944_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcGHTM7CWsDcgv34hj4sSOLDtEFhzOKChIx_uVbO0yPiI47isJNI8BWZu_nYD5idqemWOKJ-rwtZX_QwWdDR2wXyVs4QU_Q0nHHDLwbi7Wc-p-5JO91_mGO91TQG3JqNzWTxyzg/s320/thumb_IMG_0944_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You can see in the above picture that the ribbing on the cuff is more contracted than that on the buttonhole band, even though they are the same type of stitch. One reason is that the rib on the cuff is worked directly onto the sleeve at the end of the Stockinette stitch sleeve--it is knit in the same direction. The rib on the buttonhole band is knit along the edge, or perpendicular to the Stockinette stitch. They each serve a different function and behave differently according to that function. The rib on the body edge and the cuff (especially the cuff) need to hug that area of the body. The rib on the buttonhole band needs to lie smoothly along the front edges and hold the holes for fastening the buttons. The opposite button band needs to lie smoothly along the other front edge and hold the buttons themselves. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Okay, back to picking up stitches.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4_TZRAyf9s6GD6uNH-X3BpJeTnMOamgLke9HVnGkqusg7pvUtFJyhNY0rNzYJr2ZOECd696_uSvQyxxmMgeRp8GvebIC1uBzPpG7h9IC2ZaWwGy5UUBd2QcF90suha_sknOAdA/s1600/thumb_IMG_0909_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4_TZRAyf9s6GD6uNH-X3BpJeTnMOamgLke9HVnGkqusg7pvUtFJyhNY0rNzYJr2ZOECd696_uSvQyxxmMgeRp8GvebIC1uBzPpG7h9IC2ZaWwGy5UUBd2QcF90suha_sknOAdA/s320/thumb_IMG_0909_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Before I started, I placed a marker two rows below my last neck edge increase so that would know where to stop picking up stitches. I did pick up three stitches for every four rows because it felt like it was behaving well that way. You will need to do what feels best for you.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-tSqVV3uv9OQxf2kIzl0EgO3UrY_VvkL5LaW4_phaJN3g4Q7__pA8gSbBx2kW0yWFYR5_G9nDrx7_0AwzvHI-y9TXfiIPeAQe-VY4b_fXZlIndTPwyoS6_1a3zidMiDtfB0U0Q/s1600/thumb_IMG_0913_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-tSqVV3uv9OQxf2kIzl0EgO3UrY_VvkL5LaW4_phaJN3g4Q7__pA8gSbBx2kW0yWFYR5_G9nDrx7_0AwzvHI-y9TXfiIPeAQe-VY4b_fXZlIndTPwyoS6_1a3zidMiDtfB0U0Q/s320/thumb_IMG_0913_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In the picture above, you can see that for every three stitches there is a slight gap where I skipped a row.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Truly, the only way to know is to just pick up stitches, knit the band, bind off all the stitches, and lay it flat to see that it doesn't pull in too tightly or get all wavy because it's too loose. If you don't like it, rip it and adjust. If its too tight, pick up more stitches, and if it's too loose, pick up fewer stitches. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GkVpKqqasTXwB9vY-kH553p023ByrRJD4fPr4yNVu6l0jagTSXoZyXMb6bpl_20FaeDUyg4vjvz59reKLKBSI_vVE7JAYmro3aGByXMnJjTCQ-aGSjAa9KXfqL_oqMPLHR7Mug/s1600/thumb_IMG_0884_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GkVpKqqasTXwB9vY-kH553p023ByrRJD4fPr4yNVu6l0jagTSXoZyXMb6bpl_20FaeDUyg4vjvz59reKLKBSI_vVE7JAYmro3aGByXMnJjTCQ-aGSjAa9KXfqL_oqMPLHR7Mug/s320/thumb_IMG_0884_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When working the button bands on my 3-spi version of the cardigan, I started by picking up two stitches for every three rows (as shown above) and soon determined that it was going to be too tight. I switched to three stitches for every four rows and it came out fine.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzs4DeD5TAyCCMmznER41EHzYdxSxuSG_PE7H04wxvpx07fuLLJA4-8GJblG_3f6hbNCMfqBHKv578rEgbq4nIe6CXiki4nNmYg7Kb1OlEdHhcyaDXbYzyjx1hBx6KkaLdFegkBQ/s1600/thumb_IMG_0916_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzs4DeD5TAyCCMmznER41EHzYdxSxuSG_PE7H04wxvpx07fuLLJA4-8GJblG_3f6hbNCMfqBHKv578rEgbq4nIe6CXiki4nNmYg7Kb1OlEdHhcyaDXbYzyjx1hBx6KkaLdFegkBQ/s320/thumb_IMG_0916_1024.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once the button band was complete, I used markers to decide where to place my buttons. Then I replaced each marker with a button sewn on. This is all made easier with the use of ribbing to help you read the stitches. In this case, I was able to make the placement fall so that there were six knit stitches between each button (in other words, 13 stitches between each) and I attached the button to the next knit stitch. The lower button was placed six stitches above the lower edge, because I like for that lowermost button to fall in the middle of the body rib height. The topmost button was placed 14 stitches below the top edge because the very last stitch column is where I will pick up for the collar, making it disappear.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpDAqhTFwdASRtlBO4_AKlwuXR4gCHdV2zXxr8euExLj5Pj4Iic9zG_HXDchr-3RdX4ZXxhi9hEFBLZBEL-Cfql6Jnl9CGcYL3ToE1B_TaahUCaZkGE5uHYx7UqCm3mj12m9XSw/s1600/thumb_IMG_0950_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpDAqhTFwdASRtlBO4_AKlwuXR4gCHdV2zXxr8euExLj5Pj4Iic9zG_HXDchr-3RdX4ZXxhi9hEFBLZBEL-Cfql6Jnl9CGcYL3ToE1B_TaahUCaZkGE5uHYx7UqCm3mj12m9XSw/s320/thumb_IMG_0950_1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To knit the collar, pick up stitches at the top of the button band (one for each row of the band), more stitches along the right neck edge at the same rate as the band, all the stitches at the top of the right sleeve, all the stitches along the back neck, all the stitches at the top of the left sleeve, the same number along the left neck edge as the right neck edge, and then one stitch for each row of the buttonhole band. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yes, you may have noticed that I made the buttonhole and button band "backward." I say, out with that silly antiquated notion! Put the buttons on either side as to preference (or because you weren't paying attention). Will the planet stop spinning? I can attest that it will not. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bravo to you if you have knit your cardigan. Bravo to you if you are <i>thinking</i> about knitting a cardigan. Any of the Figheadh Fundamental Top-Down Cardigans is a good place to start, as are any of the <a href="http://www.figheadh.com/patterns/fundamental/P_Fundamentals.html" target="_blank">Figheadh Fundamentals</a>. Each pattern has multiple sizes and instructions for knitting all those sizes in any of four yarn weights, which means you could use them for any yarn in your stash!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thank you for following along on the top-down cardigan party. I could honestly just knit from this pattern forever, but I guess I'd better get back to some scrappy socks! I'll show you that next time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy Knitting!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Jen Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08999894800578336826noreply@blogger.com0