Friday, December 9, 2022, Issue 275: Happy Friday....What is on your needles?

• Posted on 8 December 2022
• By Susan Wong-Tsang
• Posted in December 2022, Gift Knitting, KAL, knit-along, sweater weather
• 0

If you are planning to knit gifts and finish them by the end of the year, it’s crunch time! There is only 2 weeks or 16 days until Christmas! What would fit into your idea of what to make as gifts and what is on your wish list?

A Christmas sweater??? Jingle by Isabell Kraemer can certainly be knit with holiday colours but I have seen many of the finished projects where the motif has become just a motif and doesn’t look Christmassy!

Jingle is worked seamlessly from the top down. First some short rows are worked back and forth to create a higher back neck and then the yoke is worked top down, in the round, to sleeve separation. Some last short rows are worked to finish the yoke shaping right before sleeve stitches are placed on hold, then the body is worked in rounds down to the hem. Sleeves are worked top down to the cuffs last. No finishing required.

YARN:

MC:
1116 (1225, 1313, 1400, 1510)(1597, 1685, 1772, 1860, 2008) yds/ 1020 (1120, 1200, 1280, 1380)(1460, 1540, 1620, 1700, 1835) m
CC1:
73 (93, 97, 102, 107)(112, 118, 118, 118, 118) yds/
80 (85, 89, 93, 98)(102, 108, 108, 108, 108) m
CC2:
28 (34, 35, 36, 39)(43, 47, 47, 47, 47) yds/
26 (31, 32, 33, 36)(39, 43, 43, 43, 43) m

SUGGESTED YARN: Tukuwool Fingering, Kelbourne Woolens Perennial, or Regia Premium Merino Yak

NEEDLES:

US 3 (3.25 mm) 16” (40 cm) and 32” (80 cm) circular needle and DPNs (or longer circular needle for magic loop) for neck CO, body and sleeve ribbing.
US 4 (3.5 mm) 16” (40 cm) and 32” (80 cm) circular needle and DPNs (or longer circular needle for magic loop) for body and sleeves.

GAUGE:

25 sts x 36 rows = 4” (10 cm) square in Stockinette stitch on larger needle after blocking.

SIZES:

1 (2, 3, 4, 5)(6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
finished bust circumference:
35.25 (38, 42.25, 44.75, 46.75)(50, 52.5, 55.75, 59.5, 63.25)“
88 (95, 105.5, 112, 117)(125, 131, 139, 149, 158.5) cm
Sample is worn with 3.5” (9 cm) positive ease at bust.

Let's not forget our fur babies!!

Is this not the best melt your heart project ever? The Canine Stripes Sweater by Nina Holubcova for Urth Yarns. Shown is knit using one Uneek Sock Kit in Tigress.

This would be a classy edition to any dog’s closet, Canine Stripes Sweater features a simple seamless top-down construction with rib detailing along the neck, chest and sleeves to provide a comfortable fit. Optional short rows shape the gently curved rump.

Comes in 4 sizes suitable for up to medium-sized dogs, all can be knit up from just one Uneek Sock kit.
The luxurious merino in combination with nylon for durability is the perfect blend to keep even the chilliest dogs cozy.

Use the Tigress or Zebra colorway to bring out your companion’s wilder side, or opt for any of our classic Uneek stripes.

The dog sweater is worked top-down in the round, starting with the neck ribbing. Increases are worked to accommodate the chest and shoulders. The work is then split to create holes for the front legs, with the shoulder and chest pieces worked flat. The body is then joined and shaped with decreases in the round. Next, a back piece with optional short-row shaping and a ribbed hem are knit flat. Finally, stitches for sleeves are picked up and knit around the holes left by the shoulder and chest pieces.

SIZES: 1, 2, 3, 4 to fit 12-14(14-16, 16-18, 18-22)’’/30.5-35.5(35.5-40.5, 40.5-45.5, 45.5-55.5)cm chest circumference

To choose the right size for your dog, measure their chest circumference at its widest point, which is usually just behind front legs. Choose the size with the closest chest measurement.
Chiquita, a standard dachshund is wearing size 3, with 17.5’’/43cm chest circumference in the photos.

NEEDLES: US 2½-3/3.00 mm circular and DPN, or size to obtain gauge

NOTIONS: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, stitch holders or waste yarn

I can’t remember where I found photo for this fur baby in his Botanical Yoke Dog Sweater by Sole Salvo for Purl Soho.

GAUGE: 30 stitches and 32 rounds = 4 inches in 2 x 2 rib, relaxed after light blocking

SIZES:  XXS (XS, S, M, L, XL)

To fit chest circumference of approximately 9–14 (12–17, 15–20, 19–23, 22–27, 26–30) inches, with 2 inches of negative ease to 3 inches of positive ease

• Finished Chest Circumference, Unstretched: 11¾ (15, 18¼, 21¼, 24½, 27¾) inches
• Finished Neck Circumference, Unstretched: 8½ (10¾, 12¾, 15, 17, 19¼) inches
• Finished Length from Base of Neck to Base of Tail: 11½ (13½, 17¼, 19¾, 23½, 26) inches

MATERIALS:

• approximately 220 (310, 485, 635, 890, 1080) yards required
• US 4 (3.5 mm), 16-inch circular needles
• US 4, 24-inch circular needles (for sizes L and XL only)
• A set of US 4 double pointed needles
• A cable stitch holder
• Stitch markers, including one unique
• Stitch holders or scrap yarn

YARN SUGGESTION: Berroco Vintage DK, Malabrigo Arroyo

This designer has other patterns for dogs that can be found HERE.

What bedroom is complete without a pair of bunny slippers peeking out from under the bed? These are hopsalots by Tiny Owl Knits.

These are SO quick & easy!
NO double points
NO heel turning
NO toe starting
NO knitting in the round
NO picking up stitches
and NO bottom seam!

yeah! really!

They are knitted FLAT :D woo HOO!
Pattern uses knitting, purling, increasing & decreasing, & 3 small whipstitch seams that can be as sloppy as you like! Slippers are then felted to fit and ears are attached last.

Sara (aurorasmom) modified the pattern to make them small enough for her kids.

YARN SUGGESTIONS: Cascade 220 Heathers, istex Lettlopi, Garnstudio Drops Lima

FOs and WIPs

I finished my Ninilchik Swoncho by Caitlin Hunter. Now I have two! I cast on using 3.0 mm needles for the neck ribbing for 8 rounds. I used 3.75 mm needles for my larger needles due to my loose knitting style and to get gauge.This is the seccond of three projects that I am knitting for the #sue2knitscaitlinhunterkal

MC is Liadan
CC1 is Orla
CC2 is Meara
CC3 is Kinnego Bay

Like I did on my first one, I caught my floats pretty well every 2nd stitch. You will definitely see the other colour in between but to me it added a definite look! Having no long floats will also mean that you won’t get your jewelry caught anywhere. There are other ways of catching your floats where you won’t get the peekaboo effect but I like it on this.

After increase round 5 before you separate the body and the sleeves, I worked 7 rounds. The body I knit for 5 inches. I used 3.25 mm needles for my hem for 8 round in 1x1 ribbing. I bound off normally without a stretchy bind off to keep it even and flat.

The sleeves I worked using 3.75 mm needles, picking 2 extra stitches (3 plus 1 before the held stitches and 1 after and the 3). After the size 1 only decrease and knit one round, I repeated these rounds once more to end up with 52 stitches.
For the sleeve ribbing, I switched to 3.5 mm shortie needles and worked 45 rounds of 2x2 ribbing before binding off like normal.

I am back to working on my Lonely Forest Socks by Caitlin Hunter! My finished first sock is shown on a Dubblzz Hearts Sock Blockers by Burning Impressions of BC!

I am a little behind on my Gnome-Made Gifts MKAL…

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

Here’s what’s currently going on:

The newest Knit-Alongs are:

Caitlin Hunter (Boyland Knitworks) KAL. Choose from the Ninilchik Swoncho, the Koivua or Koivua Light or any pattern by Caitlin;

and the Knit Any Project: our everlasting knit-along to encourage and support you to knit between now and December 31st.

Don’t forget to post a pic to the finished object (FO) thread whenever you finish a project during the Knit-Along so that you will be included in the next draw! We will also add the option of posting your finished project to Instagram using the #sue2knitskal or #sue2knitscaitlinhunterkal so that I can find and see them!

Kathy (chantrykathy) finished this cute Bow Wow #152 QK by Jil Eaton using Hikoo Simpliworsted which I no longer carry.

Cathy (MCatherineL) posted the Colorblock by Oomiknits she knit her granddaughter to the Ravelry group!

Cathy (MCatherineL) knit this Colorblock by Oomieknits for another granddaughter.

Leslie (lcritch) knit Asterism by Janina Kallio using Hedgehog Fibres Sock in Typewriter.

Debbie (@love.knit.spin.weave) knit this Heine by Arne & Carlos for their layered colour workshop.

Debbie (@love.knit.spin.weave) knit the Reine Har by Arne & Carlos at their Norwegian Purl class in PEI

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Debbie (@love.knit.spin.weave) also did a needle felting Christmas ornament workshop with @knitpickerspei and @messycrowpei.

Sonia (Soniabknits) finished this Nomad Hood by Susanne Muller for her daughter!

Tammy (iw8iknit) knit this pair of Merry by Becky Greene using Cascade 220 Sport!

Jeanie (@jeanniegalt) has been cross stitching! This is her first…#Queenofhearts by #longdogsampler.

SHOP UPDATE!

New in the shop! Lang Yarns Frida!

This superwash worsted weight yarn is inspired by the strong colours and emotions of Frida Kahlo's works. The extra fine merino single ply fibres (mulesing free) are the basis for your next easy-knit project - just let Frida's colours do all the work! Pair it with a solid color worsted weight yarn for a stunning effect such as a Pressed floowers by Amy Christoffers! 

Check out our Holiday Gift Guide for some ideas on what to get your knitter, crocheter, weaver, spinner and maker! Support your local yarn shop!

Happy Friday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting! Keep calm and keep on knitting and making!