Sunshine Tank Reveal

Here's a peek at my newest pattern available from One Planet Yarn and Fiber!

Sunshine Tank
by Melissa Wehrle

DIFFICULTY
Advanced Beginner

SIZE
XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 24.5 (27.5, 30, 36, 38.5, 44, 46.5)"/62 (70, 76, 91.5, 98, 112, 118)cm
Length: 18 (18.75, 18.75, 20, 20.25, 21, 22)"/46 (47.5, 47.5, 51, 51.5, 53, 56)cm

MATERIALS
- Yarn Botanika Radiance, Fingering Weight (50% Merino/50% Tencel, 100g/3.5oz, 400 yds/366m) 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins Snapdragon
- 1 pair US size 4 (3.5mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge
- 1 pair US size 3 (3.25mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge
- 2 US size 3 (3.25mm) double-pointed needles
- Tapestry needle
- Clear elastic thread (optional)

GAUGES
28 sts and 32 rows = 4"/10cm in St st on larger needles
32 sts and 36 rows = 4"/10cm in Wave st on smaller needles

You can purchase the download pattern on the sidebar or at One Planet. In fact, One Planet is offering 10% off the yarn used in this pattern, just enter the code SUNSHINE at checkout.

Stuck in Secret Knitting Land

Far from being sworn off knitting since finishing my long languishing fair isle pullover, I've been swamped in secret knitting for the past few weeks - and will be for the next 2 - 3 months. I would list it all out, but making a list will only further my anxiety. It's best to just think about one project at a time!

I got my refill skein of Lanas Puras for grannie #2 a few weeks ago, but had to set it aside for my latest secret knitting. I just need to pick up some buttons and finish the band. I made an exciting discovery this week just in time. A cheap button place in NYC! The store is called Pacific Trimming and it's on 218 W 38th street. I bought 6 buttons and it only cost me $3. I love M&J to death and all, but I would have paid at least $3 per button instead of 50 cents. Oh and Pacific has so much more than just buttons! They have ribbon, elastic, purse handles, buckles, too much to even list. My mind was just spinning with all of the possibilities.

And finally, I should be revealing one of my latest projects sometime next week, so stay tuned!

Remember This Project?

Does anyone remember this project?


If you don't, well it's been hanging around for about 2 years or so. It's been bugging the heck out me and challenging me, mocking me almost - at least when it wasn't buried under books, yarn, patterns, etc.

So I finally decided to do something about it.

Meet FairIsle Pullover (#30)





Fair Isle Pullover (#30) from Vogue Knitting Holiday 2004/05
Needles: US 6 & 7
Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca (colors as pictured in magazine)
Started: 2005?
Finished: July 4, 2007

This was my first ever fair isle project, although my second fair isle project was finished way before this one ever was. It was quite enjoyable, although I could have done a little better job with my tension. My biggest problem was figuring out how to anchor the yarn at the end of the row when the design no longer went close enough to the edge.

One reason this project languished so long was the fact I had done my decreases differently on each sleeve cap, so one of them needed to be undone. I ripped it and reknit it only to realize I had made myself a note that I only had 62 sts at the muscle instead of the called for 68. So it sat for another year. The ends were also a factor. Ugh! The weaving in of all those ends! Luckily I seemed to have done it in stages over the last 2 years. When I picked it up for finishing last Wednesday, I only had the ends from one sleeve left to weave in.

Overall, I'm very happy with the final result. It fits well (modeled pic to come soon) and it will be all ready to face the chilly weather in the fall!

The Design Process - Sweater Finished!

Sorry to keep you guys waiting so long, but here is the long awaited picture of the design process sweater!


It's not the best picture in the world, but you get the idea. Here's a details shot:


And now we can compare the sketch to the final product. How did I do?


I decided to leave the pockets off after all. Part of it was laziness, part of it was not wanting to add any bulkiness to the sweater. I also didn't want to mess up the pretty lines of the lace pattern.

I'm in the process of writing the pattern now, so once it's finished I will be putting it up for sale here on the site. (For anyone who was wondering!)

A Helpful Finishing Link

Seems I'm not the only one posting about the importance of finishing at the moment! The Knitting Curmudgeon is starting a finishing series with Part I up here. She also has a great little PDF in her sidebar links "Blocking for Blockheads". Take a look, you won't be disappointed!

I hoped to have a finished pic of the design inspiration project today, but the photographer was in a cranky mood this weekend. And just to tease, I have to say it looks super cute and I think it may be my favorite design so far. Maybe I'll snap a quick pic tonight......

Grannie Smith #2 is in the finishing stage and the much needed emergency yarn to finish the buttonbands is on the way! Yay!