Vest Obsessed

Cardivest #3
Cascade Casablanca:59% Wool, 24% Silk, 17% Mohair
Super Fine Merino/Silk:50% Silk, 50% Merino $100 Email me. SOLD

 I decided to change the design of the back to more closely resemble the fronts. And the ease of fit at the hip is an added bonus. The yarn is really the star of this design, gradually shifting color and entertaining me as I knit. I have to get some new buttons today, as nothing in my button collection is just right for this vest.

I'll be looking for red buttons methinks. Not pink.

 The dimensions are 38" at the bust, 44" at the hip and 22" in length. 

 

New Yarn

Yeah... OK... I am a yarn hoarder...except I USE my yarn. I am especially interested in spun variegated yarns, because they have a long color change and can make a huge color impact while only using a single colorway. Of course I usually alternate the spun yarns with a solid or multi-dyed color. So nevermind.

I will be using these in my new Cardivest design. Here's the new stuff that just arrived.

Danube DK Candy Store.

Danube DK Tropical Parrot

 Danube DK Fog Bound

Danube DK Grand Canyon

 And for something different, a chunky yarn, to use with big needles. 

This is a dyed yarn, not spun variegated. But geesh, it was so beautiful and the name is Cherry Blueberry Lollipop. That got me.

For the Love of Yarn

Cardivest #2

  
My second iteration of the Cardivest is a yarn lover's (me!) dream.  I used the following yarns:
Noro Taiyo, 40% Cotton, 30% Silk, 15% Nylon, 15% Wool.
Noro Kureyon, 100% Wool
Cascade Tangier,  47% Silk, 19% Acrylic, 17% Cotton, 17% Rayon
Malabrigo Rios, 100% merino wool
Malabrigo Rastita, 100% merino wool
Amazing, 53% Wool, 47% Acrylic
Silk DK 50/50, silk and merino. Wooden buttons close the fronts. 
I think this will go great with black or blue jeans. 

  

 The design is equal in length and width, but we are not flat and square, so I added width for the fronts, to accommodate the bosom.

 This would easily adapt to have sleeves, but lately I feel that a sleeveless garment is preferable, keeping the arms out of the dinner.

Cardivest

 Sometimes an idea pops into my head and everything else is put on hold until I try it out. This was just such an idea. Instead of casting on a large number of stitches and decreasing in the center until the diamond is formed, why not start at the end and increase until the length and width are just right?
This was my plan.

 Beginning with the back, cast on 3 stitches. Knit the first row, then kfb,k,kfb, = 5 stitches. Knit the next row and then s1, kfb,k,kfb,p, = 7 stitches. Continue increasing until work measures about 20" long and 20" wide. It worked!
Originally I was gonna do the same for the front, making a pullover, but changed my mind and decided to make a cardigan vest instead. I had limited variegated yarn, so I had to be frugal. The fronts were begun the same way and then I stopped increasing, just knitting in stripes until I reached the neckline, cast off a bunch and continued in stripes until I had an equal amount as the back. After sewing (!!!) up the shoulders and side seams, I added the neck banding and button bands. Did I love making it? Yesssssss! But sewing up seams, not so much.
Lion Brand Amazing in Carnival, and  Merino Sport Mix, size 7 needles.

Here's my 69 year old self modeling. Photo by Dave. Note the dog butt in the mirror.

 Family who got no attention or feeding until this was finished. Not nearly as happy as me.

Rasta Cowl

 

Cowl made from Malabrigo Rasta, 100% yummy merino yarn, on size 17 needles! It's going to be 68 degrees here in Chattanooga today. Some weather for January, but I know the folks up north are really getting winter in a big way. So this is for you. $30. email me. SOLD

Aquablocks and Baby Cardi

 Aquablocks. Hand dyed and commercial cottons, machine pieced and machine quilted. 46x58"

 I made this top in our old house in Hixson and never quilted it, until now. It was a pre-Bosna design, my first leaning toward minimalism.

 

My sister gave me these clips and now I wonder how I lived without them. Just fabulous.

 

On the knitting front, a second, slightly larger baby cardi, pink merino dk. Those eyelets look crooked, but it's really the bad photographer, me.

Dollar store needle storage

I've been researching circular needle storage ideas online and found just so many cute, expensive, elaborate and once again expensive versions. None of them looked like my idea of ease of use.

I did have a nice $20 Namaste pack that was just awful to use and I gave it away just to avoid the annoyance of trying to insert and find the right needles.

 

My happy $2 solution was at the Dollar Tree. A dollar for the basket and another buck for the Hefty zipper bags. I was the lucky recipient of many sets of needles ( from knitting quitters) and some I have never used including five sets of size 13 circulars!

 My screw-on needles came in a nice case which wasn't so nice to use (again) and I like this version in a snack size baggie. In another zip baggie I have the needle sizing gadget, so I am sure what choice needle I am making. Included also is a scissor, tapestry needle, extra cables, nail file, stitch holders and crochet hooks for weaving in ends.

 My double pointed needles have their own case, and since I rarely need them these days, it is pretty easy to scramble through the lot in a quest for the right set.

I do have some straight needles...but I can't find them, so nevermind.