KauniKAL

My Kauni is off the needles

Just finished the needlework.  Still need to block, tack down the facing, and weave in some ends and that is it!  This was such a fun project and I learned so many new techniques.  Thanks to everyone for the help!

For some reason - I am not able to upload it but you can see photos on my blog:

http://knittingintherockies.blogspot.com/

Ricki

Better late than never

Finally I have started! 

It has taken a while for the yarn to get here, and it's been quite frustrating having to wait for it.  But I have been able to read and learn from everyone else's posts, and finally today I was able to cast on.  I am using EQ - the rainbow colourway - and I am making size L.

Progress so far is minimal - I haven't had much time today.  And I must apologise for the poor quality of my picture, photography is definitely not my strong point - actually that could be the understatement of the year! 

I have decided to take a leaf from Susan's book, and work a chequered garter stitch edging.  I have no great liking for corrugated ribbing, both the actual working of it and also its tendency to roll, and I always like garter stitch, so it was an easy decision to make.  I think this  chequered border with all its little squares goes beautifully with the theme of the cardigan.  I'm working it the same way that Susan did, in the round with a steek.   I really like the look of this border, the bright colours and the little bumps of the garter stitch almost make it look beaded.   So, thankyou Susan, for this excellent idea!

Tomorrow I will be on to the main pattern.  I am looking forward to it!

Picking up neck edge stitches

I need help from those with the German translation.  The English pattern says to "Pick up the resting sts and knit new sts from the edge of the neckline (109-119-119 sts).  Knit rib, 3 cm and cast off.

Does that mean 109 stitches total including the resting sts - or do I pick up 109 (size s) stitches for a total of 169 stitches?

I checked out Purlwise.  she struggled with the number and "I followed PGR on the ribbing, "pick up one stitch at the end of each of two rows, skip one row, and repeat". "

109 total seems just too low..  since there are 60 stitches on holders.   But 169 seems too high.

Help!

We all make mistakes sometimes

I'm wondering if anyone can notice the mistake I made - I didn't catch it 'till quite a bit later on.  I might leave it in there as it's not too obvious but I would like an expert opinion first. 

Everyone I've asked in person cannot see it, but they aren't knitters.  Anyway, have a look and let me know.  Thanks.

Making progress with the body!

Hi everyone!  I cast on last weekend using the twisted German cast on, and followed Annie's instructions for making a hem edge, and like the way it looks there.  I've done almost two pattern repeats now and the yarn is so fun to work with.  Now, I have the world's worst camera but here's where I am thus far, as modeled on my knee!

Does anyone else have this color combination?  I'm not sure I like it so much, I started the hem in green and purple but the green section must have been short as it changed to yellow very early in the first pattern repeat.  I also had a few tension issues as I have never done color stranding before, if there is a little tightness here and there is that a problem or should I start over...   Thanks for your thoughts!

Oh Geezzz, The Sleeves.

Hello, I was wondering if anyone that's completed their cardigan/sweater might offer to share what or how you handled your sleeves??  Did you follow the pattern?  Did you do both at the same time.  Did you start your color from the opposite end of the balls to more closely match your cardigan??

Also for those that did follow the pattern, I'd like to ask about the directions for maintaining the 12 stitch gusset looking section down the middle of the sleeve.. What happened near the cuff?? I can't visualize what to expect.

Just one more and I'll quit.  I'm wondering why the odd number of stitches, not divisible by the stitch repeat of 6??  Anyone else notice this or am I missing something obvious??

Thanks

Debbie

Autumn Cardigan

This is a new pattern designed by Ruth Sorensen, the designer of this KAL Cardigan. She has made this pattern available as a PDF download from my Web site in either Canadian or US funds. The pattern is very well written and has graphs for each size of cardigan. I think this is a wonderful design and hope Ruth sells lots of patterns. Let me know what you think of her new design.

I am going away for a week to sell yarn at Gibson's Fiberfest but when I come back I am going to offer yarn kits for this cardigan. I was hoping to have my Kauni cardigan done before I went to Gibson's but no way. I have too much going on these days. If you want to see my steek cutting experience you can read about it on my blog.

Top down Cardigan

A friend / customer Judy designed her own method of knitting this cardigan top down. I wanted to show you her pictures so far. I think it looks great. I have a lot done on my cardigan and have a few pictures I will put up later once I am done sending yarn and answering emails.

I am at the front bands. I want to get them knit before I do the sleeves. The steek cutting went very well.  - More later

Back to Square One for the Second Time

I was humming right along, knitting this addictive sweater.  I primarily worked on it late at night after struggling to get my 2 year-old to bed.

I was working merrily until I checked my gauge.  My tension had changed immensely.  It went from 5 stitches per inch to 7, and knowing that my gauge gained a half stitch after washing it, I started to worry.

So, I slipped some worsted weight scrap yarn through all of my stitches and tried it on for size.  But, the fit was snug.  Too snug to have a button band that wouldn't pucker when buttoned.

I thought about options:

• Maybe I could move the steek under the arm?
• Steek under arm option 1: knit a pullover?  Nope.  I ruled this out because it is going to shrink up a bit in the wash and I prefer to have a little more breathing room.
• Steek under arm option 2: knit up to the sleeve steeks, insert two panels under each arm that would allow for extra room in the sweater?  Nope.  I crossed this off because I didn't want to have to compromise the pattern.

Then, I took pictures of my sweater in-progress.  After careful analysis, I decided that I didn't like the way the colors of the sweater were affecting my body.  So, there was only one option: start over.

Now that I know the way the colors stripe, I can use it to my advantage and change it so that the darkest color is just under the bust line.  (This will create a more slimming shape.)  I'd also be able to knit a size medium and not worry about it not fitting me.

With a heavy heart, I pulled it all out last night.

So, lesson learned.  I wonder if my tension always gets tighter throughout a project.  Does this happen to any of you?  How do you predict/allow for the difference?

I've also decided that I will make this a v-neck pullover.  After slipping it on, I think it will look best without interrupting the pattern with a button band.  My plan is to place the beginning of my row under one arm, and I'll still be utilizing steeks for the neck and sleeves.

My thoughts are that I should account for the button band in my stitch count, but knit them in-pattern because I won't be adding button bands.  Is this correct?

I'm also considering abandoning the 2 inch ribbing that I previously did on the bottom edge for a much smaller 1 inch 2x2 rib.  What are you using for your bottom edge?

What would you do if you were me?  Did I give up too soon?

Just To Be Sure

I am ready to go!! I have yarn and I have wound both skeins in the same direction. I have researched the color sequences and I will knit a 2 color difference. The German cast on seems to be the best choice so I will look into that.  I am ready to swatch. I was just going to knit up a little square in stocking stitch but would it be better to knit in the round. If so how should I do that?

Any starter-up parts that I am missing?