Variations on a Theme

This is my third version of Stefanie Japel's One-Skein Shrug. Remember: You can actually participate in an awesome workshop (like a knit along) for FREE at Craftsy.com... (Note that the second version isn't up for viewing yet cuz it's a present for M. Alas, I think, by the time she opens it at Xmas, it will be on the outer edge of fitting. The child is practically my height now.)

I modified the pattern in one way - I made the sleeves longer. But, I learned something in the process which I will now share with you: The original cap sleeve (one which goes straight to ribbing for 8 rows) has a lovely proportion. However... if you add length without shaping the sleeves from the get-go, they are not snug. This would be fine if my upper arms were in need of some extra fabric but, as they are not, I feel the knit could be more fitted. I realized this 9 sleeve-lengthening rows into the process and, to ameliorate it, I started ribbing stat (and continued to do so for about 20 rows). Ribbing, people, it's not fun - esp. if you're a thrower...

Don't get me wrong - it's still a really nice shrug and I totally appreciate the cashmere content, not to mention the very practical black colour. See my Ravelry post on this for more deets...

The way it's constructed (all in one piece, top down, raglan-sleeved) means the alteration of the sleeve would be a bit challenging - not impossible, but might look odd if one were not careful. Mind you, I'm up to that challenge next time...

Wherein I Tell You I Spend Too Much Money On Crafting...

I think we can say - as, for the second time this month, I've spent $179.00 on yarn - I have a habit. Verging on a problem. The only thing that redeems me is that I am actually using up all the yarn I am purchasing, before purchasing more. That is to say, I have practically no stash and I'm still spending hundreds of dollars.

Those of you who think that sewing is expensive, meet knitting.

Today I bought:

• Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in black. I was serious when I said I'd be making that shrug again. And I got an extra skein so I can lengthen the sleeves. You know how I like elbow-length.
• A whack of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK (a lighter weight than the Aran) in camel (what a terrible name for a colour) and some black Liberty worsted neck/sleeve/hem contrast colour cuz I'm going to make this:
  
  
  Split- Neckline Cap Sleeve Tee by Stefanie Japel
  

I really love Stefanie's patterns (and her instruction). This one is from that book I got recently, Fitted Knits. Seriously, her Craftsy course has totally reframed my understanding of pattern modification.

To wit, I spent three hours scoping out how to fit this on me, modifying the top-down pattern to reflect my sizing needs:

• XS neck / arms which grade to...
  
• ...S body (plus a few stitches) to accommodate a 37" bust. I'm just going to increase them onto my circular needles when I start knitting the torso in the round. Knitters: Does that seem like it will work?
  
• Removal of vertical length i.e. rows between bust and waist
• Decrease in 32 stitches between bust and waist circumference
• Removal of vertical length i.e. rows between waist and high hip
• Increase of 38 stitches between waist and hip circumference
  

Peeps, it's a production - but I LOVE figuring out this wacky math... And I hope my lady/vintage camel/black combo will be elegant rather than boring.

At this point, I bundle all of my projects with their respective patterns, modifications and needles into self-serve ziploc bags. That way everything stays where it should.

Then there's my sewing. In keeping with my add a new skirt and use a TNT plan, I'm going to remake the high-waisted pencil, Vogue 8640, in the boucle I used to make my Lady Grey coat. With this yellow lining. Interesting, huh? I am hoping to get to that this weekend, though there are a few alternate plans coalescing.

I wish that I had the moxy to cut and sew on weekday evenings but I just don't - and I can't do it with my family around me (a priority) which knitting affords quite easily. Pls don't confuse my recent knitting emphasis with a decline in my love for sewing. I just haven't shown those wares in as much detail lately...

Shrug it Off

One Skein Knit Shrug, Pattern by Stefanie Japel

No question about it, this shrug is odd. Not that I don't like it. And it is strangely warm.

It's like the tea cozy of sweaters...

At any rate, I totally recommend the pattern (or the Craftsy.com workshop from which I knit it). Craftsy workshops are a new feature in this web community known for teaching all kinds of crafts through interactive online classes. They're kind of like a cross between a blog sew along and a Craftsy-style tutorial. These workshops will cost (I'm using a prototype I was invited to try out), though not as much as the online classes. I believe the fee to join this one is $15.00 - and you can continue to refer to it forever. This fee includes the pattern and some really excellent instruction / photos, plus access to a well-organized "discussion area" wherein all users can swap info, ask questions, and receive feedback from the instructor.

The One Skein Knit Shrug is a riff on another Stefanie Japel pattern: The One Skein Wonder which, interestingly enough, I purchased a while ago, but hadn't made until now.

The Good:

• Never mind the excellent workshop forum, the pattern is excellent and clearly explained. I love the raglan sleeve, constructed out of KFB. What a simple, but elegant, stitch increase.
  
• This project is efficient: it's easy, quick and it makes use of small amounts of yarn you might have left over from other projects. To wit: I used the 3 remaining skeins of yarn from this project.
• I can't say how much I love the Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran. It's got great hand. Warning: it is inclined to split around the needle.

Other Deets:

• I think this would be particularly useful and flattering in black (how often do I say that??).
• It would make an affordable and adorable Xmas gift.
• While I made the 18" cross back size (the third largest of 8 sizes), it took about 20 yards more yarn than the pattern called for. I've read others say things to the same effect. Point is, making a sweater out of one skein of yarn is pretty dicey. My version took almost 3 skeins - each having 80m of yarn - vs. the one skein of 220 yards that the pattern recommends. Total amount converts to about 240 yards.
• I didn't make a gauge swatch this time, as I'd just finished the Tubey Sweater which made use of the same needle size and stitch as this pattern. Given the size of that thing, that might have been a mistake :-) Note, the size on this is just fine.
• It's a very little sweater. Like the smallest iteration of a shrug you'll find. More like a fitted scarf with armholes. But for all that, I imagine it will have a place in my wardrobe.

What do you think?