Review: Wood House Knits Vol. 5

Jennifer Wood gives us 3 new patterns in her newest ebook, Wood House Knits Vol. 5. As you would expect, each pattern has been tech edited and test knit, ensuring your knitting enjoyment. Lets take a look at the patterns, shall we?

Carina

Just the thing for your special fingering weight yarn. You will only need a skein or two for the 400 to 575 yards needed to knit this shawl. Testers agreed it was fun to knit, and wonderful to wear. You know I love knit on borders.

Ahava

Featuring just enough cabling, this sweater gives you the fun of cables, the speed of aran weight yarn in stockinette, with out being a heavy, bulky sweater. Love the cable detail at the hem.

Cossette

Cables and lace, need I say more? From the combination of stitch patterns, the button band, to fingering weight yarn, this is a sweater that has to be knit. Wear it everyday, and for dressing up too.

This one needs two photos.

Wood House Knits Vol. 5 can be found on Ravelry. 

In The Middle of a Project

Yarn, pattern, needles and knitter have been tested and project cast on. Don't just cast on to get to the project! Remember your cast-on is usually going to stick around. You want it to look as polished and professional as the rest of the item.  Ribbing usually comes next, and can seem to take a while, especially if worked in smaller needles than the main section. But settle into the rhythm of the knits and purls, they will end and a new stitch will begin.

I love that point when you can just pick up your project and knit. You have memorized the stitch pattern, so no stopping to check charts. Especially if you don't have to worry about shaping, you can just keep knitting until you might be close to the number of inches you need. 

Then you stop and measure. Knit some more, stop and measure again. I will admit, I have measured, knit for what seemed like a long time, and when measured again the item was the same length as the first time. Being sure to always lay the item out flat can help. Don't get to eager to bind off, make sure you will have the length you need after blocking. Other times, I have been enjoying the knitting so much measuring revealed the item was too long.

After the knitting is finished, you move on to finishing a project. This stage has it's own challenges and enjoyments, come read about them next week. 

Review: Vogue Knitting Fall 2015

Vogue Knitting Fall 2015 brings a variety of stylish patterns, challenging knits, and wardrobe additions. Just a few of the stand out projects are included here. 

Stylish Patterns

Style + Intricate Knitting

# 21 Graphic Sweater

Multiple two color motifs guarantee you won't lose interest knitting this sweater. Just don't lose your mind keeping track of the pattern. Black and natural colors recommended. 

Challenging Knits

Push your knitting boundaries to their maximum.

#26 Segmented Shawl

Lace and cables combine to make this shawl one you won't soon forget. Forget right side and wrong side, this one is double knit. Double the work, but double the fun. Of course, I love the color.

#28 Double-Knit Beanie

Not quite the challenge of number twenty-six, get a taste of double knitting with this beanie. When you are done, you get the fun of choosing the right side. 

Wardrobe Additions

Fun to knit + Wearable

#6 V-Neck Vest

Use the cables shown, or substitute your favorites. This will provide just the right amount of warmth, but knit faster than a sweater. Plus the color will banish winter blues.

#9 Arrowhead Top

Plain name for a top that mimics ready to wear hemlines. Knit in worsted weight, you will be wearing it before the weather warms up. This could also be worn as a vest, but the center ribbing would be bulky.

All photos copyright SoHo Publishing. More patterns can be found in the magazine, Vogue Knitting Fall 2016, or viewed on Ravelry. 

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Starting a Project

Some times I don't like the start of the project. I just want to knit, and the beginning of a project is more than knitting a swatch. Finding the needles, notions, even picking a project bag. Then you can finally knit the swatch, but this can go slow because you haven't learned the stitch yet.

But other times the beginning of a project is fun. You get to combine a stitch pattern, choose just the right yarn, and figure out how they can go together for the item you want to make. Then the swatch is a visual aid that show you just how stitches need to placed, what gauge shows off the yarn and stitch best, and so much more. 

Some people don't like knitting swatches, but usually I enjoy them. Sure I want to get to the actual project, but it helps if you view the swatch as a mini project on its own. It is your introduction to working with a new yarn, letting your fingers memorize the stitch pattern. When you finally get to cast on the full number and work the stitches, you will have fewer mistakes, and hopefully less tinking. Make sure you knit at least on repeat of each stitch pattern used in your pattern. This will help you learn the pattern, but also learn how each on will change when blocked.

Beginning a project can be frustrating when the combination of yarn, needles, and knitter aren't producing the required outcome. Relax! It will come, and your project will be better for it. Having to knit a new swatch is much better then reknitting some or all of the sweater. 

Don't forget to wash your swatch, lay it flat, and measure after it is dry. You want the item to fit after it gets wet, and blocking can really make the item looked finished and professional.

After all the figuring that the beginning of a project takes, then comes the middle. Read about it here next week!

Review: Knitty Deep Fall 2015

Welcome! Join me in looking at a few of the new patterns in Knitty's Deep Fall 2015 issue. As usual, Knitty continues to be the free online magazine with patterns that we all love, and love to knit.

Must Knit

Serendipia

This pattern is going to be a favorite with everyone who has ever fallen for a self striping yarn, then wanted to knit something more then plain stockinette stripe. This one in knit in strips, making the most of short striping yarn. Love the Swirl!

Resonator

Featuring cables with crispness and flair, you are going to love knitting these mitts. Fingerless mitts are a great introduction to knitting small diameter items, and these will be finished before winter ends. Cables! Great stitch definition makes this yarn a must.

Rail Yard

Also show casing cables, this cardigan uses waist shaping to show off your curves. Or make it look like you have some. Great stitch definition, and love the color. I don't think I would change anything, and that is saying something. Love it so much you get two pictures.

Honorable Mentions

Not must knits, but knits to keep in mind for special projects.

Brick Wall Waterfall Pullover

Love the brick wall texture, and the deep cable. What do you think? I'm not sure why this is in Honorable mentions instead of must knit. Maybe it need cuffs.

Urban Tribe

Love the yellow and grey color combination. Picture says the rest!

Tartessos

Use every scrap of yarn in this graphic shawl. This size means it can be worn as a scarf too. 

I love how the pattern is strong enough to hold up this self striping yarn.

Wow

Pierrot

Color work like this bold sweater takes a courageous knitter. But what better way to showcase your skills?

More

Check out all the other patterns at Ravelry, or start knitting at Knitty. Which is your must knit?

Visit 100Creations's profile on Pinterest.

When You Have to Rip

I'm sure there is someone some where that has never had to suffer through ripping out a project. That perfect knitter will want to read another blog, she wouldn't understand. 

As Soon As Possible

Sure you can leave the mistake, fooling yourself into thinking it doesn't matter. No one will notice. It isn't that big. Who really looks that close anyway? But you know the truth. Every time you look at it you are going to see the mistake. Ripping it out as soon as you notice the problem is best. Continuing to knit is just going to give you more to rip out.

Maybe You Can Fix It

If you can fix it with out ripping all of your knitting down to the mistake, go for it. Some times it is possible to drop a few stitch down to the mistake, reknitting those correctly. This can even be possible with mis-crossed cables. I recommend having a crochet hook or dpns handy, and possibly a removable stitch marker. 

There is Hope

The good news is as soon as the mistake is fixed, however you choose to do it, you can get to back to the fun part. Knitting. That is why we put ourselves through this after all. Because it is supposed to be fun. 

Just a reminder that if you leave the mistake now,  you might find yourself having to rip out even more later. Ask me how I know!

Check out these classes at Craftsy: Save Our Stitches, Fixing Lace Knitting Mistakes with Laura Nelkin  and Save our Stitches, Fixing Knitting Mistakes with Ann Budd. Thanks for supporting this blog through affiliate links. I appreciate it!

Review: Interweave Knits Winter 2016

Interweave Knits is the one magazine I know will have a pattern the has to be knit now. Combining pieces that are fun, interesting and challenging to knit into items you would actually wear means this magazine is always worth checking out. This Winter 2016 issue is not going to disappoint.

Must Knit Now

Keeley Sweater

I love how this one combines elements of a classic fisherman's sweater into a piece that would be flattering to wear. All the stitches would make it fun to knit. You could easily add length to the bottom.

Shiloh Sweater

This one has a great stitch pattern, allover meandering cables. I like the shawl collar and the cuffed sleeves also. 

Like, but Neckline Would Have to be Changed

Inverness Sweater

This neckline wouldn't need much lowering. I love the main cable stitch, but might find a substitute for the ray-of honey center panel. (Just personal knitting preference. Honey comb stitch is not my favorite to knit.) Love the tunic length. 

MacGowen Pullover

The center stitch pattern on this pullover would make this such a fun knit. You could also use it in other projects. Other than the neckline possibly being to high, I would love to knit and wear this piece.

Just Wow!

Whitfield Cardigan

This would be one of those works of art that you would wear every day. Color work and steeks aren't for the faint of heart, but would be challenge you could be proud of finishing.

View more patterns from Interweave Knits Winter 2016 at Ravelry. All photos copyright Interweave Knits. 

Which project from this issue would you love to knit and wear?

Visit 100Creations's profile on Pinterest.

Knitting Socks

One of my favorite things to knit is socks. Sounds crazy, but they really are fun. Here are my reasons. Please keep in mind these reason are given in no particular order.

Reason 1

When you are knitting socks in public, people can see that they are socks. Though they always think that the sock I'm knitting could only fit a baby. Don't get why they think that.

Reason 2

Despite the thin yarn and tiny needles, it is possible to see progress. When  you actually knit on them. No progress can be seen when they stay in your project bag.

Reason 3

 You might choose the most conservative colors for other items in your wardrobe, but you can always wear bright socks. Even if you don't choose the brightest colors, the stitch pattern can always be adventurous. 

What do you like about knitting socks?

Check out Knit Picks sock yarn. Thanks for supporting this blog through affiliate links.

 

Review: Interweave Crochet Fall 2015

Interweave Crochet is one of my favorite magazines. What projects does the Fall 2015 issue share with us? Join me in examining a few of the patterns, and check out the rest on the ravelry page.

My Favorites

Red Rocks Pullover

This one would make a great addition to my wardrobe. I love the textures, and the lace at the top. Can't wear anything with that high a neckline right now, but maybe a spring version in a bamboo blend?

Champa Mandala

This would be a great introduction to crocheting mandala's. This one looks much simpler than most.

Ananas Shawl

Love how this one looks in long color changing yarn. Use up all of your yarn by continuing in pattern. 

Nice, with some tweaks

Peggy Pullover

As soon as you see the picture you will know why this one is included. It is blue and cabled. Unfortunately this is one I would want to try on before crocheting. The neckline can feel awkward. I'm not sure about the fit either.  Nice, just not sure.

Um, Okay

Unflappable Pullover

The color striping on this would actually be flattering, and fun to crochet. The uneven hem would even be something I would wear. But the collar is too much.

View all the patterns on the Ravelry source page, or get your own copy. All photos copyright Interweave Crochet 2015.

What project from this issue is your favorite?

 Visit 100Creations's profile on Pinterest.