Adventures in Steeking

I did it. I cut 5 months and countless hours of knitting struggling down the middle this weekend. And it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be!

Countless YouTube videos said that as long as you used one method to anchor your stitches before you cut, you shouldn't have to worry about unraveling. I ended up using the crochet method, we've though I ended up machine sewing it later anyway since I was planning to install a zipper.

You can tell I don't crochet!

After I anchored the stitches it looked a little lumpy. All of the tutorials said to use the same color yarn to anchor the stitches as the yarn in the garment, however, I used a very obvious contrast color so that I could see the stitches easily when cutting. Since this was the first time I've ever steeked a sweater, I wanted to make sure I got it right the first time.
Then, the moment of truth, time to cut!

What I had when I was finished cutting:

Then I pinned in the zipper and ran it through the sewing machine. I only had to redo about two inches where the knitting stretched and caused the pattern to be misaligned while I was installing the zipper. Which is a huge improvement on the last project I put a zipper into!

So here it is with the zipper installed, inside view. I sewed the sides down where the sweater edges are crocheted.

All that is left is the sleeves!

Sweater Progress: Flax and Severus Pullover

I apologise for the absence around here. I've been making progress on all of my projects though!

I finished the Flax sweater for my littlest a couple days ago:

The Flax for my almost 3 year old just needs sleeves finished:

And despite a long road trip last week, I didn't have much opportunity to work on my husband's sweater. However, I've still added length to it since my last post:

I really like the way it's turning out with the strip down the middle for steeking. It makes me feel less nervous about cutting it up since it looks alright (so far) if I fold the middle so the stockinette panel doesn't show. I wasn't sure how the center cables would look.

I am still working on an Elsa doll for my daughter's birthday next week:

She looks a bit like a frog at the moment, but once she's completely stuffed she should look better.

And lastly, the yarn for my boys' sweaters arrived last week! I'm pretty excited to get these started.

Have a fantastic and productive weekend, my fellow knitters!

Another Sweater

I needed some instant gratification knitting so I cast on for a Flax sweater by Tin Can Knits. It is a free pattern. I'm making one for each of my kids and due to my need for a quick project and my lack of yarn, I started with the baby.

I added the button band at the top. It is not in the pattern but since this is such a pain sweater it is very easy to change and personalize.

Until next time... Happy knitting!

Anna flip doll

I finished the flip doll I was making for my daughter. I knit the braided head separate from the rest of the doll. Once I cast on for the first body and attached the head, I decided to use the pattern as more of a guideline.

I under stuffed the body and head on the half of the doll in Anna's coronation dress but otherwise I think I did a pretty good job.

So, wonky head and body aside, enjoy the photos!

And a close up on the details:

5.10.17 Edit:
I added stuffing to her head this morning. Huge improvement.

Back Panel Finished and Other Projects

I finally finished the back panel on the sweater I'm making for my husband! I think these cables are so great, and I can't wait to cast on for the front.

I also started working on some Anna and Elsa dolls for my daughter. She quite suddenly decided last week that she "hates Mickey" and loves princesses now. Toddlers are so fickle. Hopefully she will still be just as obsessed with Frozen next month for her birthday as she is right now.

I ran out of buttons for the eyes, but I have more coming in the mail on Friday. That's all for now! (Remember to provide your blog address of you comment so I can make sure to read your most recent updates!)

Beautiful Weather

We had some beautiful weather over the weekend (65̊ -70̊ F) so I brought my knitting outside while the kids were playing. I only got through a few rows but it was so nice sitting in the sun while the kids kept themselves happy and entertained.

And the stereotype of cats getting into your knitting is no joke! I only got up for about ten minutes before I found our kitty had made herself comfortable on my sweater.

Cables

Sorry for the long absence! I haven't had much time to knit but I did crank out about 25 rows on this sweater this weekend.

I was a bit intimidated to begin this project, I'll admit. I did mess up my pattern in a few different places that I ripped out and fixed individually. After I got done with five or six rows and still had a problem with how the pattern was turning out, I cut my losses and ripped down to the ribbing.

I'm so glad I did. I added stitch markers where a new section of cables start and it looks great. I also added post it markers to help me keep track of where I am in the cable pattern, which is the only reasonable way for me to tackle this. I'm officially addicted. It's so much fun to knit, and even more exciting is the fact that the front will be the exact same thing.

Since my last post, I also finished The Narrative of Sir Arthur Gordon Pym and as I suspected, the book came to a tragic end. I don't have anything else I'm currently reading at the moment.