Wednesday, February 19, 2025, Issue 382: What is on your needles?

• Posted on 18 February 2025
• By Sue
• Posted in February 2025, knitting inspiration, sweater weather, winter knitting
• 0

Is it cold enough for you? I am truly happy that we didn't get as much snow in the Windsor area as other areas of Ontario! We still had to shovel a lot and thanks to our neighbour to our left, we didn't have to shovel every day!

It has been so cold that sweaters and cardigans are definitely a must to get warm and cozy in!

The Farm House Cardigan by Amy Christoffers is worked seamlessly from the bottom up. The sleeves are worked in the round to the underarm. The body is worked back and forth in rows then the body and sleeves are joined and the yoke is worked with raglan shaping. The neck bands are a continuation of the front, they are joined with a 3-Needle BO and sewn to the neck back.

Finished Measurements
Approximately 36, 38, 41, 44, 47, 50” hip/bust circumference- not including button band.

Sample shown is 38” and worn with 2” positive ease.

Materials
950 (1050, 1200, 1350, 1500, 1650) yards aran weight yarn and 8 20mm buttons

Needles
5.5 mm (US 9) circular needles 32” or longer for body.needles
5.5 mm (US 9) double pointed needles or long circulars for magic loop  for sleeves

Gauge
16 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch

Suggested Yarn
Estelle Eco Shetland Worsted - GOTS, Estelle Eco Tweed Worsted or Istex Lettlopi

Spacetime 18 by Heidi Kirrmaier is the worsted weight cousin of her Spacetime. Use code SPACE for a 15% discount until end of day February 22. Use code SPACE for a 15% discount until end of day February 22.

Options:
The pattern includes 3 options, that you can mix and match: rolled or ribbed edges; straight or A-line body shape; basic (m1l and m1r) or invisible lifted increases. If you are unsure which edge you prefer, you can make a swatch with one edge style on each end, and wash and dry it to see how they behave.

Caramel coloured sample shown has rolled edges, and blue sample has ribbed edges. Both have invisible lifted increases, and straight body shaping.

Sizes:
Finished circumference (inches): XXS (31½); XS (34); S (37½): M1 (40¼); M2 (43½); L (46¾); XL (50¼); 2X (53¾); 3X (58½); 4X (62); 5X (65½); 6X(70)

Fit:
Intended ease is 2-6 inches (5-15 cm), which means choosing a size that is 2-6 inches larger than your actual full chest measurement, but you can choose any fit you like! Body length is 13 inches (33 cm) from underarm. If you wish to lengthen it, you may need more yarn than given below. The schematic diagram in the pattern includes additional detailed measurements.

Estimated Yarn Requirements:
875 (960) 1040 (1115) 1200 (1310) 1400 (1500) 1600 (1725) 1830 (1950) yds
800 (875) 950 (1020) 1100 (1200) 1275 (1375) 1475 (1575) 1675 (1775)  m

Needles
4.5 mm (US 7) needles

Gauge
18 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette stitch

Suggested Yarn
Cascade 220 Heathers, Berroco Ultra Alpaca, Noro Akari Solo

If you are looking for a basic cardigan designed to be simple and perfectly shaped, then
Jane by Jessica McDonald is the one you need. The top-down raglan construction is paired with a perfectly shaped crew neckline and cropped body. The sleeves have the perfect amount of ease for layering without being bulky and are delicately shaped for the perfect amount of volume just before the cuff.

Jane is accompanied by a free video tutorial walking you through the entire process of knitting the cardigan, which makes Jane an ideal choice for your first cardigan. Together we will go through the entire process from choosing your size to blocking your finished cardigan.

How to Knit a Cardigan – a full tutorial working through this pattern:
https://youtu.be/JFM-lrUQRNE

Finished Measurements
Chest circumference: (34.25, 36.5, 38.75, 41.5, 44) (47, 49.75, 52.75, 56.5, 60)
inches / (85.5, 91.5, 97, 104, 110) (117.5, 124.5, 132, 141.5, 150) cm

Intended to be worn with 2 – 4 inches / 5 – 10 cm positive ease.

Yarn
DK weight yarn

(790, 865, 940, 1050, 1135) (1260, 1385, 1520, 1710, 1900) yards / (723, 791, 860, 961, 1038) (1153, 1267, 1390, 1564, 1738) meters DK weight yarn.

Needles
One 32-inch (80 cm) 4.0 mm (US 6) (or size needed to obtain gauge), and one 32-inch (80 cm) 3.5 mm (US 4) (or two whole sizes smaller than gauge needle) circular knitting needles

Note: Larger sizes may want a longer cable.

Notions
Eight stitch markers, waste yarn, a tapestry needle, and (8, 8, 8, 9, 9) (9, 10, 10, 11, 11) 15 mm / 5/8” buttons.

Gauge
21 stitches and 30 rows / rounds = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette on 4.0 mm (US 6) needles.

Suggested Yarn
The Fibre Co. Arranmore Light, Berroco Vintage DK, Malabrigo Dos Tierras

FOs and WIPs

Sunday morning I decided to leave the hem ribbing to knit later on my Aros Sweater by PetiteKnit. I picked up and started the sleeves instead.

I am getting close to finishing the first sleeve! I think I need to pick up and start the second sleeve to make sure that I have enough yarn. One skein each of the colours except the black should be enough!

While Valentine's Day is an exciting day for some, others rather countdown to the day before Valentine's Day—otherwise known as Galentine's Day. Simply put, Galentine's Day is like Valentine's Day, but for the gals! And though unofficial, in the eyes of girls everywhere, it's totally a thing. The holiday falls on February 13 each year and is geared towards celebrating the women in your life. Best friends, sisters, moms, grandmas—you name it, it's your chance to show them just how much they mean to you. Not to mention, there's the beloved aesthetic of heart-shaped everything and all things pink!

My Galentine’s Day cast on this year was the gorgeous Art Nouveau Sweater by Elenor Mortensen.

I decided on using Schoppel Wolle Admiral Starke 6 for the dark blue and Schoppel Wolle Zauberball Starke 6 for the lovely pinks!

I can't wait to see how the self-striping pinks are going to knit up!

KNIT GROUP AND GALLERY

My sister Mary (maryc1981) finished her Growing by Lone Kjeldsen.

She knit hers with Lichen and Lace 80/20 Sock held double with Marsh Mohair.

The shoulder and top back showcases a 3 by 1 rib design and the pockets are fabulous.

My sister Mary (maryc1981) finished her second Ranunculus by Midori Hirose.

The yarn used for and her first Ranunulus is Garnstudio Drops Air.

Yanhong (CaptainMocha) finished her perfect The Traveler by Andrea Mowry.

It is just perfect!

Connie (knitnut246) finished this Avenue Vest by Tori Yu while away!

Sandi (sandima) used up her yellow and green and most of the white that she bought while away and running out of the yarn she brought with her. This one is Livvy's Hat by mamma5 Creations.

Sandi (sandima) test knit this Simply Cherry Hat by Paula Marie Designs.

Sandi (sandima) also knit all of these Gnaomi's from Gno Fun Like Gnome Fun by Sarah Schira.

Patty (Travelbravely) finished her Someone To Write Gnome About - Mini by Sarah Schira.

Marilyn finished this wonderful Rosa (jumper) by Along avec Anna that she knit using Garnstudio Drops Sky.

The pattern includes her favourite stockinette stitch with the added bonus of the beautiful lace on the raglan.

Sonia (soniabknits) knit this gorgeous Coffee Run Collar by Samantha Guerin.

It looks totally like a sweater under a coat for cozy warmth.

Lauren (lpdiet) test knits this pair of Mimidae Socks by Katie Herrod last October using Sandnes Garn Sisu.

Jane made this romper on the knitting machine for her niece's baby shower and hand knit the rest.

Knitting Cruise 2026

My sister and I are excited to be going on the cruise! Although I have been on a couple of cruises when my kids were little, I haven't been on anything like this! Even though the  full schedule is not yet set, what they do have sounds amazing.

I know that I asked those planning to go contact Joanne or Michelle directly, I am curious to know who are going.

Happy Wednesday, Happy Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!