Hachure, an actual finished sweater

Look at this, I knitted a sweater designed by someone else! Crazy talk, I know. The moment I saw this design on Ravelry, I knew that it had to be mine.

This is Hachure by Bristol Ivy. I've been sort of obsessed with Bristol Ivy for awhile now, but this is the first thing I've made from one of her patterns. I'll admit that I had some struggles. As you can probably tell from the photos, the construction is really unusual. I'm cool with that so long as there's a schematic to help out, but... there isn't with this pattern. The shoulders were a real mind bender- I spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to figure out how to seam those together. It also isn't clear from the instructions where this sweater actually starts. For reference, it's the bottom front point of the triangle. I just felt like the whole pattern would have been way, way more user friendly with a couple more words in strategic places for clarity. And a schematic. Good god it needs a schematic. 

That mitering is super cool though, right? The construction of this means you have to pretty much knit straight from the pattern, no modifications, which is too bad, because the armhole/shoulder area is just a bit tight on me. 

I knitted my Hachure with Mrs. Crosby Satchel. It was sort of splurge on WEBS but it's so pretty. It's a single ply, so it was no good for seaming- I used similar colored sock yarn for that. I bought 4 skeins of the MC and one of the CC, and I swear that I only used 3 of the MC but I can't for the life of me find the 4th. Therefore I must assume that I used 4, not 3. Hmm. 

You can read all of my detailed notes here if you feel like it. 

Also don't forget to enter my giveaway for a copy of my latest Knit Picks book here! Contest closes this Saturday (July 2). 

New Knit Picks patterns and a giveaway!

Still catching up on recent publications. Last week, Knit Picks published two of my patterns. First is the Bridgehampton Pullover, part of the Shoreline collection:

It's knitted from the top down in Comfy Sport, a super soft cotton blend. The neck has a simple rolled edge, and some short rows raise the back neck. The circular yoke has a few stripes for a fun pop of color. The hem is also shaped with short rows to curve it a bit. Here's my version:

I can't wait until the weather is cool enough to wear this one! Granted... that will likely be December, but what can I do. The yarn is sooo soft, and I really like the way this looks on me. It's cute. :)

Knit Picks sent me an extra book of this collection; want to win it?? Just leave a comment here and I'll pick a winner on Saturday, July 2nd. US only please!

Second pattern: this is a free one on the Knit Picks website. Subtle Stripes Cowl is just like what it sounds. It's, well, a cowl, and it's knitted in two similar colors to create subtle stripes. There's a small 3-stripe section called out in a contrast color, just for fun. This was great mellow knitting- round and round, then round some more. It's worked in a new Knit Picks yarn, Paragon, which has a lovely sheen and drape to it. This is the long version:

And here's my version; I made the shorter cowl for myself, because we live at the gates of Hell, it's hot, blahblah you've heard it all before and I don't need a long cowl. 

That's my "I might be planning something evil face"

Don't forget to enter to win the book! Also, I made a Ravelry group for myself today. I need a place to ask for test knitters, post promotions, that kind of thing. I'd be so, so happy if you'd join! 

Knitscene Handmade

I'm so far behind... eesh. A new Knitscene was published um... a month ago, and I have two patterns in it!

 This is the yearly "special" issue of Knitscene. I think that it's usually an accessories issue, but this year, it's a bit random. There are patterns for men, a bunch of patterns for neckwear, and a section of patterns for babies. I've got a scarf pattern and a baby blanket pattern in this issue.

This is the Dillon Scarf:

photo copyright: Knitscene

It's a simple lace scarf (or since it's on a man I guess we should call it "openwork"), worked in two pieces from the bottom up, with a garter stitch "bridge" in the middle. And it has fringe. Fringe is fun. I knitted the sample in an amazing, super soft, incredibly light weight yarn- Amano Yarns Puyo. It seriously weighs nothing. I really loved knitting with it. 

This is the Silverthorne Baby Blanket: 

photo copyright: Knitscene

Two textures/two colors. This one is an easy knit- it uses the intarsia method to switch colors. I knitted this sample in Ewe Ewe Yarns Wooly Worsted- another great yarn. Very soft, great colors, not splitty at all. It's machine washable, which is by far the most important thing in a baby knit. 

You can see all the patterns here, and buy the magazine here.