Jellybean – Yards of Happiness

Stitching Status: Shall I Shawl?

I realized the other day that I usually work on two projects at the same time. When one stitch pattern gets monotonous I pick up something else to shake off the boredom (you know rows of stockinette can get a bit boring). So while I’m working on a secret test knit sweater I decided to also whip up a shawl.
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I started and frogged the Dotted Rays shawl in fingering weight yarn last fall.

I didn’t love this pink color palette and the fingering weight yarn wasn’t cooperating with me. BUT since cutting off all my hair and having this cooler spring weather and crazy office cold I decided I wanted to add another shawl to my rotation to keep my neck warm. I wear my Find Your Fade shawl a lot but wanted something more neutral (shocker coming from me but everything can’t be full of color). So I decided to try the Dotted Rays shawl again but in the dk weight version. At first I was going to do several colors but I kept going back to wanting something a bit more neutral that would go with everything. So I dug into my stash and pulled out this Madelinetosh DK Twist in Cosmic Silver I bought in April 2016. I have 6 skeins and this project will probably require about 4 of them, so I’ll have enough to maybe make some fingerless mitts and/or a hat for the fall too. Whenever there is a Madelinetosh sale I typically buy a sweater quantity of yarn and I intended to make this a sweater but last year I also bought the same colorway in worsted weight and made this lovely sweater for myself and Jellybean!
Baldric and Beanie
So I decided why not use all that yarn to make a huge shawl for myself? The color pops are more subtle in the dk weight but they’re there. And this is something easy to work on when my test knit gets boring or I can’t travel with my full sweater. I’d love to do a dk weight two color brioche shawl too but I just haven’t found a pattern I love. Anybody have any suggestions?

FO: Purple & Sparkle Brio-Garter Hat

I’m finishing out the week with another finished object. I finished my second Brio-Garter hat, this time for my cousin Safia. Her birthday is Monday and she’s in town this weekend so hopefully I’ll get pics of her while she’s wearing it.
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You may remember when I made this hat in January. It was my first solo experience with brioche knitting and learning increases and decreases. I love the interesting construction of this hat. You start by making an i-cord and then you pick up stitches from the i-cord and join in the round. The increases and decreases in the hat automatically shape the ear flaps. It’s brilliant! Stephen West is a genius. Since my first version was pretty big I decided to cast on two needle sizes smaller since my cousin has a tiny head. I still think this will be a little bit and slouchy on her but hopefully it’s a good fit.
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I love brioche since it makes everything reversible. This is the side where the sparkly grey Tempting Ewe So Sparkly DK yarn is dominant.

And then here’s the side where the Madelinetosh Pashmina yarn in Gosia is dominant and look how cute it is when you flip up the ear flaps! Her favorite color is purple so whenever I knit her accessories I try to pick out fun shades of purple yarn to use on her projects. Since I’m going to see her this weekend I want to measure her feet so I can make her these brioche socks! I’ve already got pretty purple and black yarn to make them with, just need to make sure I’m making her the right size.
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And just to round things off, here’s a picture of the girls begging for carrots. LOL Jellybean has to get her annual check up and shots this weekend so whatever I’m doing this weekend I’m going to have a chihuahua attached to my hip that just wants comfort. Have a great weekend everybody!

April 20, 2018 by IamDWJ Categories: Brioche, Cher, Color, FO: Finished Object, Hats, Jellybean, Knitting, Madelinetosh, metallic, multi, My Dogs, purple, Techniques/Stitches, Tempting Ewe, YarnTags: #yardsofhappiness, brioche knitting, knitting, Stephen West, Westknits, Yarn 4 Comments

FO: Tecumseh Sweater

I finished it! I finished my Tecumseh sweater and of course it’s freezing cold on the East Coast and I can’t wear it without having to layer it. While I was making it I decided since I was using a cotton blend yarn that I would make this a short sleeved sweater. We typically have more hot than cold weather in Maryland and DC and of course as soon as I made this short sleeved the temps dropped. Oh well. I’m wearing it anyway.
Tecumseh sweater
I have a feeling this will get worn a lot this summer. Partially because I’m so proud that I did it. Pretty floats and all on the backside. And practically because it’s hot and this is light, loose and flowy. Perfect for those humid days. The only modification I made to this pattern was the shortening of the sleeves, otherwise I didn’t stray from the pattern at all. The color possibilities are endless for this sweater and I want to do a wool version with navy blue as the main color and pops of teal and pink. Also I love this version with speckled white and shades of green.
Tecumseh sweater
I also really love this top because the green goes so well with my Sandagren clogs. I’ve loved clogs since I was little and always have 2 to 3 pairs and when I saw this fun closed back clog with a cutout I wanted it but didn’t pull the trigger. Then I went on Amazon to order dog food and the same clogs popped up as a suggestion for me but they offered them in a shade of green! I knew I had to have them. They also have them in a darker base with darker nubuck shades for fall.
Tecumseh sweater
Usually I can wait on a purchase but that perfect Kelly green made me say I needed to snap these up since they’re in limited inventory. They’re super comfy and add a little fun to my wardrobe. I wear a pop of green like people wear a pop of red. It’s my favorite color. I also realized these are my first real pics I’ve taken with my new haircut. It has already grown so much in just two short weeks. I’m getting used to it and it helps that I’ve had so many great compliments from everyone.
Tecumseh sweater
And as always, no photo session is complete without one or both dogs joining me. As soon as I sat down Jellybean hopped right in my lap.