December 2017 – Page 2 – Yards of Happiness

Planning for 2018

I’ve knit a lot of stuff this year (a wrap up will come at the end of the month) but I’m never finished working on my skills or plotting out what will come next. I thought I’d share some of things things I want to knit in 2018 for myself.

I have had the Equation cardigan in my queue for a while now. I even bought gorgeous green Berroco Ultra Alpaca yarn specifically for this project…and then used it for my Angelina pullover. Oops! This time around I bought some lovely magenta Cascade 220 Superwash with this project in mind and to replace a magenta cardigan I’ve worn forever but definitely need to replace.

I have already bundled together the yarn in my stash to make the Comfort Fade cardigan. I plan on doing it in bright peach and pink shades and I cannot wait to cast this one on. This will be a perfect piece to wear from winter into spring and to throw on with any and everything in my closet. I think all the color has me the most excited.

Gneiss image via Ravelry — **Gneiss** via Ravelry

I’ve already talked about my want to make Gneiss and dip my toe into colorwork. This has to get made and I’ve already bundled together a wonderful color palette of teals and blue for this sweater.

Sunset Highway via Ravelry — **Sunset Highway** via Ravelry

I’m sure you’ve seen the Sunset Highway sweater all over Instagram. This is a pattern that will make me step out of my comfort zone. It is knit with fingering weight yarn AND has colorwork. This might be my biggest challenge for 2018.

Tamarack is one that I see as another staple and can almost be a transitional jacket for spring. Of course I don’t want to do this in a neutral. I plan on knitting this up in a stash of bright hot pink!

And last but not least, Gabrielle. I was interested in the summer linen weight version but didn’t want to hold two strands together, so I was excited when I saw this release. I’ve got some Berroco Vintage in my stash that might make this a nice cozy layering piece for the winter.
And a bonus pattern…

I’ve been in love with Anniversaire since I saw it on the cover of Pom Pom Quarterly. I just don’t know if I want to do that many cables! But I could always make this a pick up whenever I need a break project throughout the year. We shall see…

So this is on my 2018 knitting list, what are you planning to make for 2018?

FO: The Big Cozy

I’m always hesitant to knit with super bulky and chunky weight yarns because I’ve always felt like they can add bulk to your frame. And since I’ve got curves and am not the tiniest or the tallest I prefer my knits to show off my shape and not add to it. But I bought this Bernat Wool-up Bulky a while ago and only made a Hunger Games style cowl for my friend Salina and it was just taking up space in my yarn drawers. So I found the Superbulky Grandpa pattern and thought I’d give it a try and if I didn’t like the end result I’d just give it away.
The big cozy
I like the end result. LOL I worked this up in just a couple of days on size 17 needles. I liked the construction of this one a lot, a provisional cast-on creates the majority of the collar and you eventually taper it down. It was clever and kept my engaged. I did start my button holes earlier on the pattern so it wouldn’t be so low and as always I had to make my sleeves shorter (otherwise they’d be dragging on the ground).
The big cozy
And whenever I stop to take pics I typically have at least one dog pulling on my legs so I put Jellybean in a chunky knit sweater I picked up at HomeGoods a few weeks ago for a few dollars. It was too cute to not buy at under $10.

I’m also always asked about how Jellybean poses and this is what she does all on her own. It cracks me up, she wants to be picked up and as soon as you pick her up she just freezes into position. I always wonder if she’s comfortable but if I put her down she whines to get picked up again, so I’ll go with it. And I was actually cast-on one more sweater this week…I’ll let you guys know how that progress goes. I’ve still got 12 days left in December and that’s totally enough time for me to finish something.

December 18, 2017December 18, 2017 by IamDWJ Categories: Bernat, Color, FO: Finished Object, green, Jellybean, Knitting, My Dogs, Sweaters, YarnTags: #yardsofhappiness, knit cardigan, knitting, super bulky knits, Yarn 15 Comments

Stitching Status: I Lied

First, let me say you guys rock and I love all your loving and sweet comments on my holiday post (and every post really). I’ve gotten a lot of positivity about my pic and my husband has gotten teased a bit at work but hey, we love it. But now I have to make a confession…I lied to you guys. I said I thought my husband’s sweater would be my last of the year.
Untitled
It’s not. I was going to work on some hats as thank you gifts and my Dotted Rays shawl and I just didn’t want to pick up a small needle after working on his sweater.

So I picked up my size 17 needles and some super bulky yarn from my stash instead. I’m almost finished with the Superbulky Grandpa by Joji Locatelli.
Untitled
I don’t normally like super bulky yarn or really chunky knits. I’m not a think woman, I’m a bit on the short and curvy side so I prefer things that are fitting and show my shape. I don’t want to add bulky BUT despite being super sized, this cardigan has a nice shape to it and it has interesting construction. Which was perfect after what felt like miles of stockinette stitch. So I’m sorry I lie and said I was done with sweaters for the year. This was has been a fun one to work on and I’ll hopefully get to share the finished project next week!

December 15, 2017December 15, 2017 by IamDWJ Categories: Bernat, Color, green, Knitting, Stitching Status, Sweaters, YarnTags: #yardsofhappiness, Cardigans, knitting, super bulky knits, sweater knitting, Yarn 8 Comments