Yarn Along

I've been working on the Bonfire blanket since winter and I finally remembered to share it!

 And in case you didn't see my post from Sunday, I finished the Spotlight sweater on the 28th. That took two and a half months to complete because the yarn I ran out of was on back order for a few weeks.

It is my first finished project for this year. I'm ok with that though. We have so much going on that I haven't felt like I'm missing knitting time. More photos of that project here if you are interested.

See the monthly Yarn Along linkup for more blogs like this.

Spotlight Pullover

I finished my first project for the year. I've been doing a lot less knitting this year, which is why it took so long to finish. This was made in size 6-12 months although once I blocked it, it looks more like a 12-24 month size.

I added the stripes above the sleeve cuffs to add a little more color, so it wouldn't be so starkly white. I wish I had done the same for the bottom but I was short on the blue yarn and only barely got through the fair isle without running short.

This is a pattern by Tin Can Knits, from their Mad Colour collection. It was very easy to put together.

Bonfire Blanket

I've been on a Tin Can Knits knitting kick lately. Can you blame me? They have some gorgeous patterns. I've been working on the Bonfire pattern for a few weeks now, which is a medium sized blanket.

The colors don't look right, this yarn is actually a light blue. Once the project is finished I'll get better photos. I'm about halfway through the first skein.

A Long Hiatus

I have done almost zero knitting since finishing all those sweaters. I was looking through my posts and FO page and noticed I had not shared any photos of the sweaters I made for my friend's baby shower. The patterns I used were Anders (Ravelry link) and yes, another Flax (Tin Can Knits website link).

The Anders was finished on October 5 and the Flax was finished October 12.

They're expecting a boy.

I cast on for a Bonfire blanket yesterday, another pattern by Tin Can Knits. I'm very excited to be starting on something new, and something that isn't a sweater. I've done enough of those this year!

Finished Sweaters

I'm finished with all of the sweaters for my family. Here are the last two I haven't shared yet!

My husband's sweater is the Severus Pullover from the Unofficial Harry Potter Knits magazine. I used Ella Rae Worsted. It is 100% wool.

Front

I asked my husband at the beginning of the year, what kind of sweater he would actually wear. I've made two sweaters for him in the past and they never get worn because they're just so ugly.

Back side

He requested dark green or navy. I didn't find green yarn I particularly liked so navy it was. He also said he prefers a zip up to pullover, as long as the zipper was metal. I decided to learn steeking for this project and I'm glad I did. It was tough to get the cables lined up perfectly when I sewed the zipper in, and there are still places where it isn't 100% lined up perfectly. So before I wrap things up for Christmas I'll look at it with fresh eyes and decide whether I want to adjust and fix it.

True to actual color

The above is a photo I snapped shortly after installing the zipper. It is next to impossible to get a picture with accurate colors. I had to doctor this to get it to look like the sweater.

And the last sweater is the Flax, by Tin Can Knits. I finished it on the 25th. The collar turned out a lot looser than the other three, so I'll have to figure out a way to fix it. But for now, it's fine. And he couldn't wait to model it for me!

Project Updates

I've finished all the pieces to the cabled sweater I've been working on since February. I am even done with that second sleeve, and put it on the blocking board today.  All I need to do is sew it on and add the collar. Should be able to finish tomorrow.

I also finished another Christmas sweater for one of my kids, and started another Flax Sweater for the last one.

So in my absence, I've been very productive! FO posts coming soon!

Yarn Review Monday 34: Ella Rae Lace Merino Worsted

What is YRM: I honestly believe there are good things and bad things about every type of yarn, no matter how much you save or how much you break the bank. 

This is for the lay-knitter, not professionals. This is for people like me who might not necessarily be fiber experts despite being a crocheter or knitter for a long time, but need an honest opinion about yarn before they dive into a project with it.

The yarn: Ella Rae Lace Merino Worsted
218 yards, 200 meters
100 grams, 3.3 oz 

• 100% merino wool
• Colorway: Caribbean sunrise in 12-24 month size,orchid in 2-4T size

The Project: Flax Sweater by Tin Can Knits

What I liked: The colors are beautiful. Generally keeps its shape and size when blocked. It is soft and squishy in the skein but light and warm when knit up. Tolerates being frogged really well and doesn't seem to pill when ripped out and re-knit. Machine washable, although these sweaters are Christmas gifts so they haven't required a good washing yet.

What I didn't like: I really can't complain at all. I ended up having to track down a second skein of the Caribbean Sunrise color to finish a sleeve on the baby's sweater which was a bit more difficult than I had expected. I ended up buying the second skein from a gracious stranger's stash on Ravelry, because that was the only place I could find it. (I originally bought it from someone having a sale on Etsy.)

Affordability:  I only had to spend $10-12 per skein, which I think is incredibly reasonable for this quality of yarn.

Rating: I think this yarn is pretty, affordable, and the colors are so vibrant (the photo does NOT do these sweaters justice). 5/5 stars. I would definitely buy this again, and probably soon.

For a list of Yarn Reviews, click below:

 

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this or asked to review this yarn by any store or the company itself. Opinions are my own.