Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

Progress on the first cardigan jacket:

The right side is finished and blocked, and the first sleeve is finished, but not yet blocked. I’ve cast on for the final sleeve, and expect to have that finished by next week.

Here’s a photo of the right front – placed on top of the back and next to the left front.

The sleeves call for increases after the the cuff ribbing, and they’re worked on both the right and wrong sides of the sleeve. I chose the KFB and PFB (knit front and back; purl front and back) methods, and placed the increases inside the selvedge stitch at each end of the rows.

The sleeves also call for decreases as the sleeve cap is shaped. These are done only on the right side rows. I chose to use SSK (slip, slip, knit) at the right edge, as it’s a left-leaning decrease that follows the edge of the fabric. At the left edge, I chose to use a K2tog (knit 2 together), as it’s a right-leaning decrease that follows the edge of the fabric at that edge.

Again, the decreases are worked inside the selvedge stitches at each end of the rows.

Here’s a photo of what I’ve done so far:

After I finish the second sleeve and block both sleeves, the next (final!) stage I’ll be working on is finishing .

Finishing involves seaming and creating the pocket bands, collar, and front bands. This is all new to me and it’s become clear that the quality of the finishing will make or break this project!

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

PRICED ORIGINALLY AT USD 127.50!

Now available at just USD 80.00 plus reasonable standard air postage, my Dayflowers and Honeybees Lace Knit Shawl is the perfect summer evening accessory.

This rectangular-shaped wrap features a central panel of a dayflower stitch pattern surrounded by mermaid mesh lace and running edges of a honeybee pattern.

At one end of the shawl you’ll find a final section of Shetland lace diamonds as a bit of a surprise.
This was knit in 100 percent merino wool, in purple. Note that the first image that appears above is the truest representation of the color.

The full-sized wrap measures 68in long x 20 in wide (172 x 50 cm).

Send me a message if you’re interested!

Next week I’ll have the right front of the man’s cardi jacket to show you.

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

My adventure in knitting a man’s cardigan jacket continues this week after a pause last week to introduce my newest wrap: East and West: Lotuses and Roses. I was also finishing up work on another design submission that has been purchased by a yarn company. That makes 2 of them!

Here’s my progress on the man’s cardigan jacket so far:

1. The back is finished and blocked. The stitch patterns tend to pull in so it was especially important to use a wet blocking technique to ensure that the piece met the specified measurements. Here’s a photo.

2. The pattern called for knitting the left front next, so that’s what I did. Here’s a photo of it finished and blocked – and this time I double-checked by consulting the specified measurements and also matching the piece against the back.

And here’s the left front placed on top of the back, and you can see how nicely they match up!

3. Notice the vertical opening in the lower right of the photo above. This is the pocket opening, and the design calls for knitting the lining as part of working the left front. Here’s a photo that shows the pocket lining.

So, now I’ve cast on the stitches for the right front, and I’ve progressed as far as the pocket opening.

I’ll share my progress next week, although there may not be a lot to share as I’m preparing the pattern and sample accessory for the yarn company that purchased my first design.

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

I haven’t stopped working on my cardigan jacket, but wanted to use this week’s post to let you know about my newest lace knit wrap pattern – because I like it so much!

The cardigan jacket is coming along nicely The back is finished and blocked and the left front is nearly done, so by next week I’ll have lots more to show.

East and West: Lotuses and Roses

I’ve lived in Thailand for quite some time now, making frequent visits to Europe and the US, and feel that my life has become of blend of western and eastern cultures. With this lace knit wrap design I wanted to celebrate that blend, combining elements of both cultures, and chose lotus and rose flower stitch patterns to achieve this.

In addition to the lotuses and roses, the design incorporates an open-work lace edging along the sides and Japanese feather stitch panels between the rose panels. The feather stitch pattern was added to create a series of undulating lines along the length of the wrap.

In all there are 9 columns of lace stitches, representing 4 different stitch patterns.

At the end of the main body of the wrap I have included a section that features three rows of flowers –rose, lotus, rose.

I knit this in 3 skeins (950 yards or a bit less than 900 meters) of a lace weight blend of merino and silk.

Measurements:
16×56 inches/40.75×142.25cm

Pattern available here.
Wrap available here.

More on the cardigan jacket(s) next week.
Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

Instead of featuring one of my new patterns on today’s blog, I’m going to begin reporting on my adventure in knitting a man’s cardigan jacket (2 of them, actually). This is something I’ve been putting off for quite a while, and decided it was time to get started.

Another reason for not featuring a new design is that I’ve submitted 3 of my original designs to yarn companies to be considered for their collections, and can’t share them at this time.
(Update: I just received notice that one of the patterns has been purchased! I’m waiting to hear about the others.)

Here’s my progress on the man’s cardigan jacket so far:

1. After looking for just the right pattern for a long time (over a year), I found it – and decided to knit 2 cardigan jackets! Check out the pattern on this site. It’s perfect for what I wanted, and it’s free!
http://maddycraft.com/wp/mens-patterns/ml184-mens-jacket-cardi

2. Next I chose the yarn. This also took quite some time because I wanted a tweed-like look in a high-quality yarn. I found Rowan hemp tweed and that met my requirements. You can see the yarn by clicking on the following link:
http://www.knitrowan.com/yarns/hemp-tweed
(I chose the color teal for one and granite for the other)

3. Here’s a step that I no longer skip! I knit a swatch incorporating the various stitch patterns to determine the needle size I’d need to use to get gauge. Here’s a photo of the blocked swatch.

The size suggested in the pattern didn’t work for my knitting tension and the yarn I selected, so I had to go down a size and found that I was able to get gauge.

4. Then I researched a cast on suitable for k1p1 ribbing, and found one that I really like, and is just stretchy enough to match the k1p1 pattern.
http://easyknittingdesign.com/k1p1-rib-cast-on/

5. Thinking ahead about seaming edges I chose to add a selvedge stitch on each side. The link below will take you to a variety of selvedge options.
http://tessknits.com/1973/on-the-edge

6. Although there are many ways to knit increases, I wanted to find the best method for creating increases in k1p1 ribbing. Scroll down to the middle of this webpage to see this technique:
http://www.arendaholladay.com/2012/03/stitches-west-stitches-was-tons-of-fun.html

7. I’ve had to join new balls of yarn many times before, but I was looking for advice on joining a new ball of yarn in this type of project. I found a few sites that were useful and thought I’d share one with you here:
http://blog.shopmartingale.com/crochet-knitting/joining-new-yarn-in-knitting/
I chose joining at a selvedge edge.

8. 17-1/4 inches later…

More next week as I finish the armholes, and shoulder and neck shaping – and move on to the left front.

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

BUDS and FLOWERS: PRICE REDUCED!

Easy to care for and versatile in its use, this hand knit reversible heart shaped bandana/shawlette is one of my original – and most popular – designs.

The yarn is a hand-dyed exquisite blend of 20% bamboo, 70% super wash merino wool, and 10% nylon. The colorway is called Lavande (lavender), and there is a row of 6mm jadeite beads incorporated into the flower pattern.

Wear with the point in front or in back, tie the ends, or add a vintage pin. This is an accessory that’s suitable for casual as well as evening wear.

The accessory measures:
20 inches (50.5 cm) from the center of the top to the bottom point
45 inches (114 cm) across at the widest point
53 inches (134.5 cm) measured across the top edge

Note that the first photo is the closest to the actual color.

PATTERN AVAILABLE

If you’d like to knit this shawl, the pattern is also available in my Ravelry shop.  Refer to the first variation on the Ravelry pattern page to knit this with beads.

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

58×7.5 inches (147.25x19cm)
Sideways Knit Summer Scarf

I saw this cotton yarn in a department store in Zaragoza, Spain, and couldn’t resist the colors, even though I had no idea what I would make with it!

By the time I returned home I envisioned a top-down/sideways knit summer scarf that featured a garter section with feather and fan border – in 2 colorways.

This is a very easy knit – with the only real challenge being tension consistency, as cotton isn’t all that forgiving!

You’ll need 1 50-gram ball each of 2 different colorways – in this case, Colorin by Rosas Crafts, 526 and 522. If you like the example in the photos, you’d start out with 522.

I’ve made this pattern free on Ravelry. Find it at:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sideways-knit-summer-scarf

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

Here’s my progress so far on this top-down/sideways-knit cotton summer scarf. It might not look like I’ve gotten very far, but I’ve been busy preparing a couple of new designs to submit to an upcoming collection of scarves and shawls.

Hopefully one of the designs will be chosen, but regardless, at some point you’ll get to see them both!

The beginning section of this scarf was knit in garter stitch, and I continued until I used up the first ball of cotton variegated yarn. I then switched to another variegated color (containing some of the same colors as the first) and changed the stitch pattern to a simple feather-and-fan lace.

You’ll notice that there are some wavy lines forming, and that was the purpose of incorporating the feather-and-fan stitch pattern. When it’s completed, blocked, and photographed (next week) you’ll see the interesting shape this gives to the overall scarf.

I’ll also make the pattern available next week – so I guess I’d better get back to work on it!

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

I’m working on a design for a summer scarf that’s knit from the top down – or as some might say, sideways.

The process involves casting on enough stitches for the length of the scarf, as opposed to the width. I prefer the Cable Cast On for this type of accessory, as it’s strong, and just flexible enough to allow for some stretching. You wouldn’t want the length of the scarf to be worked too tightly.

See how neat the cast-on edge of the scarf is, in the photo above. The Cable Cast On also leaves you set up to start with a knit row (which is particularly useful if your pattern is in stockinette stitch).

After casting on, the first half of the scarf width will be knit in garter stitch, and the second half will be knit in a feather and fan lace stitch pattern.

I have patterns available for two scarves that have a similar construction, if you’d like to see what they look like:
Garter and Lace: Fruitcake; and
Garter and Lace: Silky Wool

Be sure to check in next week to see progress on this new design.

Happy Knitting!
MikeH

Patterns available on Ravelry
Accessories available on Etsy

Add a blast (or a few blasts) of color to your look with this reversible hand knit bandana. Knit in lace weight, pure merino wool the accessory is light enough to wear even in the warmer months.

The bandana features a few rows of knit eyelets and a frilly bottom picot edge.

It measures 43×14 inches (109×35.5cm).

This is based on one of my original patterns, and was hand knit by me. It’s available for purchase on Etsy.

I had an extra ball of self-striping La Doro 2-ply superwash merino (50g; 328 yards/300 meters) and thought that might be a good choice to make a lighter-weight version of my Silk Garden Bandana.

Other than the yarn weight and needle size the only other real change was that I finished with a picot bind-off instead of the row of beads.

The bandana is a variation on a pattern available on Ravelry.

Happy Knitting!
MikeH