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…

• 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.

I’m two full repeats in and have started the A line decreases.  I’m loving the knitting and the cables are scrumptious!  Here’s a back shot too.

It’s been a while since I mentioned this one so here are the deets:

• Elisbeth by Bonne Marie Burns
• Berroco Vintage in Crimson

I love the look of those coin cables but not the actual knitting.  Glad there’s only 5 of them (2 on the front as well) and they’re only every 8 rows.  I can deal with that.

I’m just about done with my first skein and still have another to knit through partly before I get to where I was before I ripped last year.  The stitches are slightly bumpy because it’s been ripped but a quick dunk should fix that up.

I have a couple mods planned based on other Ravelers’ notes:

• Add short rows to the cap sleeves to make them more fitted.  I’m not going for the bat wing look.
• Make the shawl collar wider.  This one will be an experiment but since it’s the last thing to knit I can try it on as I go.

What about you?  How are your WIPs going?

I’ll catch you on the purl side.