Lately my mind had been on hoodies.  I wear them a lot – I practically live in them on the weekends.  Perfect thing to spend my time on, right?  Plus, it passes the Rhinebeck test.  I’d love to walk around the fairgrounds in a newly-knitted hoodie.

I started a Charleston Tea but in worsted instead of sport.  After 20ish rows it’s clear – I don’t like it.

The cables are pretty but the designer is right – they should be in a thinner yarn.

Ok, back to the drawing board.  Here are a few hoodies I’ve had my eye on for this Fall.

The first 6:

• Sundog by Melissa Schaschwary – ok, not a hoodie but I could add one.  Although that cowl neck is awfully cute…
• Nutkin by Melissa Schaschwary – also not a hoodie but it could easily get one on it.
• Briquette by Alicia Plummer – it’s hard to see but there’s an asymmetrical line of rev st st on the body.  I’ve learned that asymmetrical doesn’t look good on me so I’d make it symmetrical.
• Fickle Heart by Justyna Lorkowska – the cables and lace make this one a nice feminine option.
• Miranda by Josee Paquin – I like how she’s designed the kangaroo pocket to work right in with the cables.  Plus I already own the pattern.
• See You There by Joji Locatelli – the central texture and back are pretty and the sleeves have a bit of detail too.

And the second 6:

• Gytha by Jennifer L. Appleby – I love the mostly-solid but with splashes of color in the hood, arms and bottom of the bodice.  Maybe my gateway stranded project?
• Luminen by tikru – look at the cool way the pocket is incorporated into the cabling.
• Mariah by Jodi Green – yep, it’s back on my list again.
• Olive Branch Yoga Hoodie by Kirsten Hipsky – and not just because I’ve been working my way into some yoga.  Look at that back cable detail.
• Piscataqua by Alison Green – the pic looks pretty simple but it’s another one with a back cable V detail.
• Basic Chic Hoodie by Bonne Marie Burns – Bonne Marie has several hoodie patterns but this one stood out to me because it’s mostly st st but with some lacy details.

Thoughts on the designs:

• Top down raglan – I like the fit, the try on as-you-go, the knitting style (once you get done with the yoke it feels like you motor through) and it fits my body shape well.  If the design isn’t top down raglan I’ll likely mod it so it is.
• Worsted weight – they all are made with worsted weight.  A hoodie is a good amount of knitting and it’s supposed to be warm.
• Most have cables or lace – something to keep the knitting interesting – but they aren’t overly fussy.  I like that.
• Pullover or cardi – I’m undecided about this one.  They both have their advantages.  I’m still terrified about putting a zipper into my knitting and I don’t really like the look or function of buttons on a hoodie.  Hmm – maybe magnetic snaps?

What do you all think?  What did I miss?  What would you pick?  I’m a bit earlier than normal for my typical fall planning but I might actually get something done this way.

I’ll catch you on the purl side…

The upper left is the original.  Putting them in thumbnails was helpful because I got to absorb the whole garment and seeing them all together helped me compare the different options.  I’m leaning toward one of the reds or the purple/yellow one in the lower right (but with a  slightly stronger yellow).  What do you think?

A couple other things:

• I plan to use Lite Lopi instead of the original Unspun Icelandic, mostly because it’s not a cheap option here in the States and I’m still a stranded neophyte.

lite lopi (l) and unspun icelandic (r)

• I like the white T shirt under it but I think I’d like a color if I go with something other than white for the stranded bits.  It’ll also be a nod to Cirilia and her love of color.
• The yarn will be somewhere scratchy so I’ll need to find a T shirt with a close-fitting crew neck.  I briefly considered knitting a lining for the top of the sweater but I don’t want to add more bulk up there.
• I might want to knit a slit (my first steek!) at the top of the neck – I prefer that line on me than a tighter crew neck.  It will also naturally lay open given the hood.

What do you think?  What would be a good option for me?  Do you have another color combo in mind?

And if you didn’t leave a comment, don’t forget to enter for the giveaway for your own copy of Cirilia’s book – I’m picking the winner this weekend.

I’ll catch you on the purl side…

• Designers choose up to 20 designs to offer at 25% off – look at all of them
• The sale goes from Thursday Nov 13 – Friday Nov 21
• After that, the KAL goes until Dec 31st.  Knit ANY pattern from a participating designer to qualify.
• There are TONS of prizes – take a look
• More questions?  There’s a group on Ravelry for the GAL.

I spent some time yesterday going through the thread of participating designers – all TWELVE pages of them.  Lots of designers – many I recognize and some that are new to me as well.

Here are some of my faves.

Newsboy Hat Hannah, Tangerine Trees, Jamison Square, Ricochet, Lonely Road and Skipperling

October sunrise, Zippety, Colophon, Bluet, Sea Dragon Shawl and Red Robin Shawl

Antiquity, The Vampyre, Cycles Reversible Scarf or Wrap, Wickershanks, Phi and Biellese

Lichen, Lawsonia, Trilinear, Piewhacket and Rendezvous

23 designs – mostly smaller items like mitts and cowls but with a couple pullovers and larger shawls thrown in as well.

I couldn’t possibly knit these all in the GAL but I do plan to buy a few of the patterns later this week.  A couple have been in my faves for a while so why not save a couple bucks and support indie designers?  A win-win in my book.

What are you considering?  With so many designers I’m sure I missed a few.

I’ll catch you on the purl side.

Sweaters

• Miranda by Josee Paquin – wearable cables and a hood
• Crazy Stripes Tee by atelier alfa – love the color possibilities
• Seacoast by Joji Locatelli – I think this one needs a rustic yarn.  I might opt for the original Brooklyn Tweed (which probably means I won’t get this at Rhinebeck)
• Lukrecia by Asja Yanaczek – pretty lace and versatile for both work and weekend
• Donna by Josee Paquin– another fun options for wearing multiple colors
• Such a Winter’s Day by Heidi Kirrmaier – I can see reaching for this every. weekend.
• Gale by Alicia Plummer – I can see wearing this a lot throughout the winter whenever it’s chilly and I don’t want to futz with a coat (which is often)
• Lawrence by Melissa LaBarre – love the cowl
• Pivot by Cookie A – gorgeous use of a laceweight

Shawls

• Segel by Lea Viktoria – I discovered this in an email Miss Babs sent out – it uses one of her gradient sets.  You guys know I’ve never met a gradient I didn’t like.
• Deep End by Heidi Kirrmaier – Fun use for several colors in a modern shawl
• Nangou by Melanie Berg – Another modern shawl with several colors
• Sea Dragon by ambah – I think I’d do this in coordinating colors for a more subtle look
• Lichen by Larissa Brown – I love that it’s light and airy – I’d wear this one like a scarf under my coat
• Derecho by Laura Aylor – bold stripes and several colors make this one a good choice for that wearable blanket (it’s huge!)
• Thorn by Bristol Ivy – it’s a large shawl in a single color and it looks interesting when worn
• Hansel (Half Version) by Gundrun Johnston – it’s mostly stockinette but that border gives you so many options

Cowls

• Jewelled Cowl by Sachiko Uemura – great use of a luxury yarn
• Global Nomad Cowl by Helen Stewart – two colors and lots of eyelets create tons of possibilities
• Jewelled Line Cowl by Sachiko Uemera – pretty texture shows off a great yarn (and beads!)
• Curtain Call Cowl by Thao Nguyen – soft gathers create interest
• Pen & Ink by Louise Zass-Bangham – slip stitches make this one a great choice for a multi-color handdyed
• Gathering Cowl by Xandy Peters – another one with gathers – this one more extreme
• Fatima Cowl by Aloisio santos – I love a good leaf motif

Capelets

• Cranberry Capelet by Thea Colman – cables and a cowl neck – and it looks *great* in red
• Careen Capelet by Louise Zass-Bangham – fun texture and that wide collar is so pretty
• Winter Capelet by Paulina Popiolek – in a simple yarn that bottom edging would be elegant (and so fun to knit)

Lots of possibilities – lots of fingering weight with a bit of sport/DK/worsted thrown in too.  I like to have a big list of options because you never know what surprises you might find.

Are you going to Rhinebeck?  What’s on your shopping list?  What did I miss on mine?

I’ll catch you on the purl side.

I think it started with Collinear and it hasn’t stopped.  A few projects I’m considering…

Ashburn by Melanie Berg

but in three similar shades of Tosh Merino Light

medieval, black currant and onyx

The similarity of the colors is a risk but I want to give it a go.  I’m imaging it gently changing colors from the vibrance of the top shade to the depth of the black.  If it works out it will be awesome.  And if not, at least 2 of the 3 skeins came from my stash.

Tulip by Grace Ann

This is an unusual project for me but I can’t stop thinking about it.  All those colors!

I’m currently considering these colors.  5 of them are Tahki Cotton Classic from my stash; the rest are Knit Picks Shine Worsted.

Modicum Mitts by Rachel Roden

I’m not sure what I love more – the finished mitts or the fact that they use a set of Tosh Merino Light Tea Cakes.  I can never have too many excuses for TML and the Tea Cakes will let me try out a few new-to-me shades.

All three projects use the colors in different ways – alternating, striping and stranded.    They’d be a lot of fun to knit and wear.  My favorite kind of knitting project.

What about you?  What have you been looking at lately?

I’ll catch you on the purl side.

Or better put, I love my colors.  Pink, purple, red.  Love em.  Peek into my closet – or even the blog itself – and you’ll see half black/grey and half pink/purple/red with a sprinkling of unsuccessful purchases such as a light blue cowl top.  I love the style but I don’t feel awesome when I wear it.

My experience with that light blue top taught me a valuable lesson.  I can’t just buy something in a different-for-me color and have it be successful.  I need to be more mindful of how I inject color variety in my wardrobe.

Let’s take a look at the colors in the Pantone Fall 2014 Fashion Color Report.

I see a few of my colors – Sangria and Radiant Orchid and maybe Mauve Mist and Aurora Red.  But I don’t envision wearing a sweater in Royal Blue, Bright Cobalt, Misted Yellow or Cypress.  And never Cognac.  I finally admitted to myself that I don’t love brown.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t add these colors to my wardrobe – and to my knitting – with accessories.  Adding a pop of a trendy color with the right accessory isn’t just stylish – it’s smart.  Accessories mean quicker knitting and smaller quantities of yarn.

Let’s take a look at a couple ideas.

Striped Scarves and Shawls

Browse the category on Ravelry

I selected designs that are easier to knit, will give a great impact to a more subdued outfit or give you the option to pair one of the trend colors with a neutral.

• Pendulum by Amy Miller – a great option if you want to give equal weight to 2 colors
• Nangou by Melanie Berg – with a primary and accent color you can choose to add a pop of color or go wild and make the MC the trend color
• Kaarisilta by Tiina Kuu – the stacked colors allow you to make the top part of the shawl a color that you like to wear near your face and add the trend color at the bottom
• Tonnau Scarf by Abigail Phelps – a great option for a gradient yarn
• Edison by Lynn Di Cristina – pair 3 trendy colors or just add one for a pop
• Migee by ambah – another gradient design paired with a solid

Mitts and Mittens

Browse the category on Ravelry

Hands are a great place to add color you may not want to wear by your face.  And bonus – mitts and mittens are quick.  I’ve selected both stripes and color block options.

• Hexagon Mitts by Sybil R – the unusual construction will draw attention whether you use 1 or 2 trend shades
• Green Memories by La Maison Rililie – simple blocks of color give you lots of options
• Part Deux Mitts by Amy Miller – blocks of colors with a few stripes thrown in
• Fletcher Mittens by Amy Swenson – chevron stripes are a classic color choice for knitting
• Monstermitts by Julis Allen – another chevron option
• Beethoven Mitts by Melanie Berg – a great option if you want to add just a bit of trend color

Legwarmers and Boot Cuffs

Browse the category on Ravelry

I broadened my search to include one-color options as well.  I started out by looking for just multi-color designs but I just didn’t find that many choices.  Plus, when I think of what I’d want to wear, a funky colored pair of legwarmers is a great way to bring in a different color.

• some cloudy day by tiny owl knits – the simple lace pattern makes this both interesting to knit and wear
• boot cuffs Boho Style by Sol Maldonado – quick cable cuffs to add a touch of color on top of your boots
• Cimidar by Melanie Berg – basic legwarmers with a colored picot edge at both ends
• Alpaca Sox Legwarmers by Pam Allen – another fun lace pattern to wear with boots, under a pair of pants or even with a skirt
• Everlong by Lisa Mutch – a basic rib with 3 colors highlight
• Lexi Leg Warmer by Lion Brand Yarn  – tiny stripes either in 2 colors or a self-striping yarn to make these the ultimate in easy knitting

Color Combos

Norah Gaughan mentioned in an interview about her hexagon obsession that she finds putting some parameters around her designs get the creative juices flowing. It makes sense – when you have limits around what you can do you’re forced to make it work.

Here are a few color combos that I see in the Pantone palette…

radiant orchid, mauve mist and sangria

And then, just replace Radiant Orchid with Aluminum you get this…

aluminum, mauve mist and sangria

Combining a couple of complimentary colors, you get…

 royal blue and misted yellow

And then a classic combo made a bit subdued…

aurora red and cypress

 Combining a neutral with a color pop…

cognac and bright cobalt

And another neutral and pop of color…

mauve mist and aluminum

The KAL

The Yarniacs announced their second annual Colors of Fall KAL.  The rules are simple – knit something in any of these colors.  The twist – keeping with the theme of trends and fashion, you need your FO pic to show an entire look.  Last year’s FO thread was a lot of fun and gave tons of inspiration – especially with the colors that aren’t traditionally my colors.  And who can’t use a little inspiration to get out of a wardrobe rut?

What color combos do you like?

I’m casting on my first project today.  It’s a sweater so I went with one of my colors – Radiant Orchid.  Here’s a sneak peak of my swatch in Dream in Color Smooshy with Cashmere in the Punky Fuschia colorway.

I’ll catch you on the purl side.

Same goes for my knitting plans – out with the thick cables, cowl necks and layers for warmth.

I’ve been faving designs on Rav and tagging them with the seasons I might wear them in (spring, summer, fall, winter) so I don’t miss them when that season comes rolling around.   All too often I’d come across a cute tee in November and forget all about it when planning warmer weather knitting.  I still have some tags to add to my older faves but here’s a link to my Spring faves.

A couple of my favorite faves right now that I can make in stash yarn…

Hematite by Lisa Mutch in Tosh Merino Light in Onyx

Versatile (wear with skirts, dress pants or jeans), top down, lightweight in the TML

Sophie by Cheri Christian in Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy in Red

Another versatile top that would go from spring to summer.  It’s top down-ish – you start by knitting a long scarf of the openwork and then pickup to knit down from there.  Reviews of the pattern are critical of the lack of a schematic and numbers to check as you go.  Both are manageable but good to know if you’re going to make this top.

Chiton Pullover by Melissa Wehrle also in Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy in Red

I always hesitate when an unusual design element like a drapey cowl is in the design because it’s critical that it’s done right.  Looking through the FOs shows that the cowl looks cute even on real people without the help of a stylist to get the cowl to hang just so.

Clearwing by Amy Christoffers in Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in Red

Top down, simple styling with great details that give this top a little something extra.

Luxa by Andrea Rangel in Louet Euroflax in Eggplant

A simple tee with lovely accents – icord neck edging and eyelet ribbing.  The pattern says it’s knit flat but I’d do it in the round.

Five good options that if I start now I can actually wear during this season.  Oh and if you’re curious about last week’s shawl I decided not to inflict all that stress on myself.  Work is really busy right now and I want to enjoy this wedding – not dread it because I have a deadline.  I picked up a red dress and wrap yesterday and I’m excited to wear my outfit.

Let the spring knitting begin…

I’ll catch you on the purl side.

I’ve become obsessed with crescent-shaped shawls.  I love the combo of simple (usually stockinette) combined with lace and the occasional bead.  I love me just a little bling.   I blew through Mrs. Tumnus and now I’m close to being done with Lilac Wish (7 more lace rows plus a 648 stitch bind off).

Since I know I’ll be done soon (this weekend?) I’ve been looking for my next shawl.  Here are a few contenders (subtitled I have a thing for Susanna and Corrina):

• Annis by Susanna IC
• Summer Blooms by Susanna IC
• Stellaria by Susanna IC
• Longfellow by Corrina Ferguson (and check out all 7 shawl in her Seven Sonnets collection)
• Lawsonia by Corrina Ferguson
• Vesna by Susanna IC

I could knit any of them in either a laceweight or fingering weight.  Great use for stash yarn but no idea which one I’d do next.

What do you think I should do?  Why?  Feel free to suggest another crescent shawl as well.  I need to add to my faves.

I’ll catch you on the purl side.

I recently discovered my love for the Citron I knit back in 2010.  Truth be told, I’ve rarely worn the shawl since finishing it.  I typically wear them under jackets, bandit-style – and Citron was just too big.

But last week I realized it’s the perfect chase-away-the-chill-in-the-office topper.  And now I want a dozen different large shawls to keep in rotation.

Looking at my sock yarn though, I typically buy just enough for a pair of socks or a shawlette.  That won’t do for a larger shawl.

So, I have a couple options

• buy larger quantities of sock yarn – feels like a very slippery slope
• or, find some shawl patterns that use more than one color of yarn

And while I’m at it, I’d like to bring in more non-pink/purple/red. You all know there’s no shortage of those colors around here. Just look at a tiny portion of my stash.

Here are some options I found that only take 1 skein of each color (except for Line Break, which I left in there because I think it will be versatile and worthy of buying 2 hanks of yarn).

We have a whole lotta Veera here:

• Different Lines
• Happy Street
• Line Break
• Faberge
• Varjo
• Katriel

I’m trying to go outside my color comfort zone, but still make something I’d enjoy wearing – and something that coordinates with my wardrobe.  A couple non-pink/purple/red colors come to mind:

• teal
• green
• black and white (and maybe gray)
• accents of chartreuse or orange

It’s been a while since I’ve planned out my purchases for a festival.  Now the trick is to see if I use this to help decide what to buy.

Or do I come home with 3 more hanks of pink yarn?

I’ll catch you on the purl side.

The colors are great but I’ve dreaded prepping the yarn.  I finally sucked it up and balled up the yarn this morning.

It’s been fun to have a plain vanilla sock on the needles – the ultimate grab-and-go project.  The telephone cord kinks contribute their own “charm” but it’s not that bad.

Now here’s my prediction (and I hope I’m wrong).  I’ll knit through sock #1 in no time (no time for me is 2 weeks) and then once the novelty of the yarn changes is gone, so will be my motivation.

An FO of sorts

I finished 2 squares for Bertie’s Blankets.  It was nice to knit up something small on worsted weight yarn.  Quick progress and for a great cause.

This week’s new designs

• Harlequin Opal Shawl – great texture, works well with variegated yarns and can be knit to any size.
• Innisfil Cardi – LOVE that cable. I had to stop myself from buying yarn for it this week. The reality of my track record with garments set in.
• Dragon Tails Shawl Another make-any-size shawl great with variegated yarn. Lots of options – garter or stockinette, plain or eyelet edging. And bonus – it’s a free pattern.

I’m off to cook some Sunday-food and then back to my latest obsession (those socks).  I’ll catch you on the purl side.