Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

Stitches West

Stash and Burn Podcast

Tess' Designer Yarns

Lisa Souza Yarns

Brooks Farm

Tactile Fiber Arts

The Prettiest Yarn That Ever Was

Debbie Bliss Pure Silk

My Forecast

O-wool Classic

Ruth's Mosaic Yoke Jacket

Minder's Owls

Dana's Almeara Gloves

Round the Corner Hoodie

Whisper Cardigan

Diminishing Rib Cardigan

Brenda on Ravelry

Brenda's Blog

The Top From 1987

The NeverNotKnitting Theme Song

NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

If you are interested in trying out O-wool Classic, the yarn I used for my Forecast sweater,

Dancing Ewe Yarns

is offering a special discount of 20% on all O-wool Classic and free shipping for all orders that include this yarn.

This offer is only valid for the month of March and is exclusive to the Nevernotknitting podcast listeners and blog readers.

In order to receive your discount, click on the

Dancing Ewe link

and in the checkout process enter in the special code " NNK1 "

The winner of last episode's prize drawing was

Deborah

! Congratulations!

She won 5 skeins of O-wool from Dancing Ewe Yarns!

Click

here

to download the MP3

Its finished and it fits! Kinda.

I like it. It fits much better than I thought it would but really I should have knit the 36" size rather than 32". Then it would button comfortably. I can button this thing with one button keeping it closed, but as for the rest. Forget about it. They are just sewn on for decoration.

But its not all that bad. I think that Forecast looks kind of cute as a fitted cardi.

I love the cable and bobble pattern. I find that it adds interest while not being too overwhelming.

One of the modifications I made was that I worked 3 st bobbles instead of 5 st. So the bobbles are smaller and not so uh.. bobbly.

I also made 3/4 length sleeves instead of the full sleeve. I thought the 3/4 length would suit the style more since I knew it would be on the small side.

The funny part is that this yarn, O-wool Classic, blocks out very well so my 3/4 sleeves grew to be full length after blocking. I kind of have to scrunch them up my arm a bit to get them to be 3/4 length again. I am so grateful for blocking. Aside from the sleeve issue, blocking did such wonders for this garment! Like a previous commenter brought out, "Blocking fixes everything!"

I ended up using only 4 skeins of O-wool Classic with yarn to spare making this a very economical knit. I also love how the O-wool feels after washing. It bloomed and softened wonderfully while still maintaining crisp stitch definition. This was a fun project and it went relatively fast.

And.. Its such a cool design! Where could I ever buy a sweater like this in this color?

That's the great thing about knitting.

Well. My Forecast sweater is definitely coming along.
Its squishy, textury, fun to knit.. I really think I'm going to love this sweater!

This last week I picked out some buttons that I really like, even though I will never use them...

Um yea... I am quite certain that this sweater might be a little small on me. I never know what size to choose!!! I fall between the small (32") and medium(36") size on this sweater. I measure somewhere around a 34 and it seems that every time I try to knit a 36 inch size it looks boxy and baggy. So lately Ive been leaning towards 32" sweaters and it has turned out well. My Lush and Lacy Cardigan and Cap-Sleeved Eyelet Top are both good examples of this. But this one is a little bit too snug. My gauge might also be to blame. I don't know.

Sometimes I knit tighter than my swatch.

Its a little disappointing but I'll be fine. I still haven't blocked it yet which might loosen things up, and if all else fails I can just wear it open with just one button keeping it together. I tend to wear all of my sweaters that way anyways. And there is also crash dieting, which is a last resort of course.

In case you are wondering. I am not ripping out and reknitting. No way.

So the body is all knit and I am just working on the sleeves now. I love the bobbly panel going down the sleeve. Its so cute!

Looks as though I won't even need a 5th skein to complete this sweater. I only have a sleeve and a 1/2 left to knit and I still have this much left on my 4th skein of O-wool Classic.

Think I'll make it?

I don't know if you've noticed but I've taken up a new hobby.

One that I enjoy almost as much as knitting. Photo taking and photo editing!!

Introducing my new obsession: Photo Collage.

I cant stop. Really. I've tried.

So here are pictures of the new sweater I'm working on. In a collage format of course.

I love this sweater project! It has really been a joy to knit. Its worked up in one piece from the top down and has these fun bobbly panels on the fronts, back and sleeves. The pattern is called "Forecast" and can be found here.

I love all of the textural changes. Its a really cute, unique design. I can visualize this as being a really fun garment. Funky and different. Especially in this color, right?

The yarn that I chose to work with is O-wool Classic in Saffron. I own nothing in this color so it will be a welcome addition to my wardrobe. I was attracted to this color right away. Its cozy or something...

The yarn is a slightly thicker gauge than the Cascade yarn that this pattern calls for, so this sweater is more structural, kind of jacket-like, which I almost like better. It suits the style in my opinion.

(Listen to Episode 14 for a review of O-wool.)

Yesterday I was really sick so I just sat around and worked on this sweater. I made some serious progress so I should have this thing finished up shortly. I cant wait to wear it!

The Watermelon sweater pattern is finally finished!

I am really really pleased with how this one turned out. The sweater fits my daughter perfectly!

This is such a whimsical little pattern that is simple and fun to knit. I think that this is a perfect little sweater for a beginning knitter because there is no ribbing, picked up stitches, or seaming! The sweater is knit in one piece from the bottom up.

I also included 2 different closure options for the cardigan. Click here to see pictures of the "ribbon-tie closure" version.

Here is some pattern information for those who might be interested in knitting it.

SIZES
3 months [6mos, 9mos, 12mos, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] (shown in size 2)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 18 [19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28] inches

Length: approx 10.5 [11.5, 12, 13, 14, 14.5, 16.5, 17.5, 18] inches after blocking

MATERIALS
[MC] Manos Cotton Stria [100% Peruvian Cotton; 116 yd/106m per 50g skein; color: #204; 2 [2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5] skeins[CC] color: #205; 1 skein]Scraps of black yarn (I used Panda Silk sock yarn doubled up in Black)

2# 32-inch US #6/4mm circular needles
1# 24-inch US #5/3.75mm circular needle
1# 24-inch US #4/3.50mm circular needle
1 set of US #6/4mm double pointed needles

4 pieces of scrap yarn to hold underarm stitches
Stitch Holders
Safety pin markers
One medium button for button loop closure or 1.5 yards of ribbon for ribbon tie closure
Tapestry needle
GAUGE
20 sts/28 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch on size 6 needles

The Manos Cotton Stria yarn is super soft and so pretty with the slight color variations. I felt that it complimented this design perfectly!

You don't have to make this pattern into a watermelon. If you'd rather, you could knit it using one color which would give it an entirely different look.

I know that this is going to be such a great springtime sweater for my little one. The colors are vibrant for the season and the cotton is ideal for springtime evenings.

(This pattern has been updated into a beautiful new pattern layout August 2010.)

Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

Watermelon

Stuart

Mousie Pattern

Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino

Rowan Kid Silk Haze

Forecast

O-wool Classic

O-wool Website

O-wool Classic projects on Ravelry

Kmclark on Ravelry

NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

If you'd like to give the O-wool yarn a try,

Dancing Ewe Yarns

is offering a special discount of 20% on all O-wool Classic and free shipping for all orders that include this yarn.

This offer is only valid for the month of March and is exclusive to the Nevernotknitting podcast listeners and blog readers.

In order to receive your discount, click on the

Dancing Ewe link

and in the checkout process enter in the special code " NNK1 "

Enjoy! :)

Recently my daughter has been obsessed with the story of Stuart Little. A tale of a mouse who has been adopted into a human family. She has been running around the house having all sorts of adventures with an imaginary mouse friend, so I thought it was necessary for me to surprise her with a knitted version of Stuart.



Introducing... "Mousie", a pattern designed by Ysolda Teague.

I found this pattern a while back and fell in love with it right away. I love knitted toys. I also love the knitted toys that arent the everyday typical knit toy, like say a teddy bear.

This pattern was fun and surprisingly fast to knit. Stuart has gone from yarn to knit and blogged in 24 hours time. It also took such a small amount of yarn. It was a perfect way for me to use up a few scraps. Dont you love scrap knitting? Its like making something from nothing...

For the tail, ears, and nose I used Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in Dusty Pink. The body of Stuart is made up of Off White Cashmerino with a strand of Rowan Kid Silk Haze held together.

I love the way the Kid Silk Haze adds some fuzz and halo to his tiny little body.

He has been a big hit around here.

I am so happy to make my daughter things that she loves to play with.

Hand knit toys are so special and fun.

....well in sweater land anyway!

I am now finished with the Watermelon sweater and I love it! 

I am so happy that I made the 2T size for my daughter. It fits perfectly!!!

I will be getting this pattern sized and it will be available for purchase shortly.

My little one has been visiting Grandma and Grandpa all day so I have been feverishly working on the finishing details.

If you notice from the above pictures I've had some difficulty deciding whether to go with a ribbon tie closure or a button and loop closure.

I think that I will offer both options in the pattern. 

If you notice, I show the sweater with a more froo-froo dressed up ribbon and then with a plainer ribbon for a more casual style. I chose the green striped one for the photo because it resembles watermelon rind. How fitting. I especially love the hand dyed silk ribbon. It makes the sweater look so feminine and lovely. I think that the ribbon tie closure option  looks a bit too babyish for the 2T size. But however it would look so precious on the sizes for smaller babies. Since my 3 year old is now a "big kid" Ive decided to go with a button and loop closure and keep the eyelet row as just a nice added detail.

I will be sharing modeled shots of Watermelon soon!

Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

Selbu Modern

Sienna Cardigan

Watermelon Sweater

Playful Stripes Cardigan

Manos Cotton Stria

This episodes knitting tip was brought to you by

Kristoemily

KnittingHelp.com

The "Hungry Stitch" Method

Jamiesons Shetland Spindrift

Stitches West

The Magickal Earth Shawl on

Ravelry

and

Photobucket

KnitsWithPenguins

NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

If you'd like to give Jamiesons Shetland Spindrift yarn a try, Dancing Ewe Yarns is offering a special discount of 20% on all Jamiesons Spindrift and free shipping for all orders that include the Jamiesons yarn. This offer is only valid for the month of February and is exclusive to the Nevernotknitting podcast listeners and blog readers.

In order to receive your discount, click on the

Dancing Ewe link

and in the checkout process enter in the special code " NNK1 "

Click

here

to download the MP3

There is a new design in the works....

... and it's going to be delicious.

Truth be told.. I have a hat phobia. I love hats on others, but on me. Well. I just feel so silly. I want to get better. I want to get over this. There are too many beautiful hat patterns out there, and too many cold drizzly days where hat wearing would be in order. So I'm starting here.

With Selbu Modern. My new hat love.

This hat was so fun to make. I haven't done stranded colorwork in a really long time, so it was fun to get reacquainted. I was oh so scared that with changing colors my tension would be all over the place, but it wasn't. It was fine. I just followed some really good colorwork tips that I've heard in the past, and that is what I credit to my success.

Helpful Tip #1: I put one one color in my left hand and the other color in my right. I never switched hands. The left hand always held the gold, and the right always held the brown.

When using this method, I knit all of the gold stitches in the continental knitting style and all of the brown stitches in the English style. I am a continental knitter usually so this took a little getting used to.

Helpful Tip#2: Slightly spread out your stitches that you have just knit on the right hand needle before adding another color. This helps the tension not be too tight, which can be a big issue with stranded knitting.

Helpful Tip #3: Keep one ball of yarn on your left side and the other ball on your right. If they are together in your lap there is much more chance of annoying tangledge and twisting of your strands. Not a good thing.

For this pattern I used 1 ball of Jameson's Shetland Spindrift in Grouse and 2 balls of Scotch Broom. I almost got the entire hat out of only 2 balls, but on the last few rounds I had to break into that second ball of Scotch Broom. Dang. I hate that.

I also went up one needle size than the pattern recommended, and I am really happy with the ending hat size.

I am all around very happy with how the Selbu Modern turned out and who knows.. Maybe I'll become a hat girl after all?

I recently fell in love with the Selbu Modern hat pattern and just had to cast on right away.

I think that this colorwork pattern is just soo cute!

I am using Jamiesons Shetland Spindrift for the project. The pattern says that I need 3 skeins 2 of the main color and 1 contrasting color. But I am almost done and still have yarn left. Lets hope it is enough. I would hate to break into that 3rd skein for just a few yards.

The yarn is nice. Its very "au naturale", not processed like a superwash merino which is the wool that you usually find in this weight. It isn't smooth or super soft but rustic and full of texture. I know that when I wash it the hat will soften more, but I am not too worried about it because it hasn't bothered my skin so far.

What I love about this yarn is the beautiful heathered shades. The heathered colors look so pretty in colorwork. I did a complete review of Jamiesons Shetland Spindrift in Episode 12 if you'd like to find out more.

I look forward to blocking this project because the stitches will smooth out and the pattern will look a lot nicer.

Its true what they say, knitting in a colorwork pattern is soo addicting! I cant stop knitting this because its so fun to see the designs form as I work.

I must keep knitting..

Shownotes:

Dancing Ewe Yarns

The Dad Sweater

Playful Stripes Cardigan

Selbu Modern

My Favorite Ravelry Version of Selbu Modern

Jamiesons Shetland Spindrift

Autumn Rose Pullover

Venezia Pullover

Little Birds

Endpaper Mitts

Druid Mittens

Dr. Gemma on Ravelry

Cogknitive Podcast

NeverNotKnitting Ravelry Group

If you'd like to give Jamiesons Shetland Spindrift yarn a try, Dancing Ewe Yarns is offering a special discount of 20% on all Jamiesons Spindrift and free shipping for all orders that include the Jamiesons yarn.

This offer is only valid for the month of February and is exclusive to the Nevernotknitting podcast listeners and blog readers.

In order to receive your discount, click on the Dancing Ewe link and in the checkout process enter in the special code

" NNK1 "

Enjoy! :)

Click here to download the Mp3

I finally finished the Playful Stripes Cardigan for my little one!

I think it turned out really cute!

There is just one thing I'm mad at myself about. I wish that I had made it one size smaller.

I have a tendency to forget just how petite my daughter really is! I thought she was right in between a 2T and 3T, so I chose the 3T. Yea... Should have gone with the 2T.

I want to assure you that this pattern is sized appropriately, I just chose the wrong size to knit for my daughter!

Ahh well... it will fit her correctly next year!

I chose the name "Playful Stripes" for this sweater because I love the way the colors "play" together in the stripes. It's interesting because the color brown can look one way next to pink and take on an entirely new hue and identity paired with green. It was fun to pair up and play with all of the colors as I was striping the yoke. I also like how the reverse side of garter st splits the colors up.

Did you know that 3 year olds make for extremely high maintenance models?

This photo shoot turned quickly from this...

Hi Mommy! I love you and my new sweater!

To this.... in under 5 minutes.

I'm hungry AND I have to go potty!!!

Toddlers...

Here is some pattern information for those of you who might be interested in knitting it.

SIZES AVAILABLE:
3 months [6mos, 9mos, 12mos, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] (shown in size 3)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
Chest: 18 [19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28] inches

Length: approx 9 [9.5, 10.5, 11.5, 12.5, 13.5, 14.5, 15.5, 16.5] inches after blocking

GAUGE:
24 sts/36 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch on size 4 needles

I chose Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino for my daughter's sweater. I love this yarn because it is very very soft and it contains wool and cashmere making it very very warm. Also it can be machine washed which is such a necessary option to have with children.

But of course any sport weight yarn that gives you the correct gauge will do.

This could be a great opportunity for you to use up scraps, as I did, because you only need small amounts of each color for the striped sections.

To all of you knitters who are morally against finishing work: This sweater is constructed in a way that requires minimal seaming. The only seam that needs to be sewn up in the end is the sleeves. The sleeves could easily be modified to work in the round, but I found for myself it was easiest to knit them flat because of the striped border on the cuff.

The pattern is knit from the bottom up in one piece. You first knit the body, then the sleeves, and then join them all together for the yoke. I really enjoyed this method of construction!

I hope that you will enjoy it too!

Just in case you are wondering where episode 12 of the NeverNotKnitting podcast is.. dont worry! Its coming! Starting in February I will be on a new podcasting schedule. I will be releasing a new episode on the 1st and 15th of each month.

I have been doing so much knitting lately.. work knitting.. so I haven't had much to show for my efforts except swatches.

Not too exciting.

Ok, so actually I finished this sweater a few days ago, and hope to have the pattern available very soon. I dont want to show you the finished product quite yet, but here is another 'work in progress picture' so you can see how it all came together.

I liked this cardigan so much more the more I knit on it. The stripes really brought it all together in my opinion, and it turned out pretty cute!

And dont worry! The armpit holes are not a design feature, but are sewn together later!

Don't be alarmed! You are at the right blog!

I am so excited about my new Never Not Knitting logo! What I had up there before was just..sad.. It was time for a change.

The graphic designer that designed my logo for me is super talented and very nice and easy to work with.

Youll find her blog and design portfolio here.

So I finally gave my Dad the long awaited sweater.

Good news! It fits!

...And he likes it! What a wonderful ending to this project!

I am so very pleased by how the sweater turned out! The design is very nice and very wearable. Its not too "fancy" or "silly looking" as men's sweaters can often be. This pattern, paired with the Kathmandu Tweed yarn, makes for a wonderful rugged looking cardigan.

This was my first time working saddle shoulders. I really like the look of them and I think that this sleeve construction lends itself well to a masculine sweater. Hardly any men like a set in sleeve and this is a nice variation to the classic drop shoulder style.

This pattern ended up using 18.. YES 18.. balls of Kathmandu Aran Tweed. The pattern for this cardigan is a Rowan pattern called Man's Zip-up Jacket. I found it for free online over the Summer, but unfortunately the pattern has since been taken down. :(

I'm so glad that I found it when I did!

I am so happy with this project! And also sooo proud of myself for sticking with it even through the trying times.

It was so worth it!!!

"The Dad Sweater" has returned newly improved with a zipper sewn in.

Time to finally give it to "The Dad" it was intended for!

If you know me personally you already know that I have a slight but ever growing obsession with Jared Flood.

He happens to be one of my most favorite bloggers and a fabulous designer to boot.

So you can see why I was ecstatic when my friend Audrey brought this back for me from a class she attended of his in Portland, Oregon.

No. Its not just a pattern, people. He wrote on it. Ok.

Yes Brooklyn Tweed himself wrote me, Alana, a message.

How cool is that?