Sewlution

Did I finish my Sewlution? No mistress of the jar, I didn't, woe is me. However I did start an ambitious (for me) project and I learned and did a whole heap of new things, so I don't feel dissapointed with myself, infact I feel quite pleased.

What has the Audrey in Unst Cardigan taught me so far? I can follow a pattern...who would have thought! I knitted for the first time with a 3 ply yarn, knitted acres of Twisted rib, tried my first simple lace stitch and Increased and decreased when told to...mile stones for me.

The knitting came to a halt when it was time for the sleeves, around October. I knew I would need some clear hours of concentration to work out that part, hours which haven't been available so much at the end of the year (and it's much hotter too). 

I will finish, but it was the Sewlution that got me started. Thanks Karen!

CAIU so far, plus cat feet

Serendipitous knitting circle (Audrey in Unst update)

Since I was in Woden early I decided that I would buy some buttons for a skirt, the skirt that up until now I have been wearing with a safety pin. On the way to the fabric shop there are opshops and a yarn shop (deadly). I just happend by Stich 'n' Time when a knitting circle started...I had my Audrey in Unst in my bag, so I joined in for a bit. Good to meet you Ladies!

Audrey in Unst, the back grows

Audrey in Unst, the lace

I think it might be time to check in with my Ravelry account and up my percentage of project completed... Great fun making the shape change and doing the lace. Knitting time on the drive from Canberra-Sydney-Dooralong-Canberra

Audrey in Unst begins to start taking shape

A very exciting part of my first 'complex' knit. Separating the front and back, shaping the armhole and starting the lace bib section, woot!

Unst lace bib beginning

See that lace section...separate from the rest

Audrey in Unst...inc stitches

I have decreased and now I increase...slowly does it with help from the cat

Let's twist again...

I stayed up until 1am to finish the twisted rib section on the body of my Calendula 'Audrey in Unst'. Though it can be seen that some of my twisted rib is dancing. Twisted ribbing involves knitting or purling through the back of the stitch. This technique raises the rib slightly making the design more prominent. You can see that every now and then (or more often) I have totally forgotten if I was twist purling or knitting creating a shifting twist. Ah well, one lives and learns...my next one will be better.

I will only frog if the mistake is major

Calendula Audrey in Unst

So at last I have cast on my Audrey in Unst and started on the twisted rib (had a conversation with the other half about the name...as a Scot he is confused about the link with Unst and Lace, not about Unst lace makers but his own memories of Unst I think). With the gauge problem I have decided to go with the needles the pattern suggests and add 4 rows every 10 cm's as the gauge width is perfect and I don't know what else to do.

These leggings are really warm! Great for a Canberra winter.

Audrey in Unst gauge and stitch test.

On the drive to Charlestown for the great opening of Disability Care I knitted up with larger needles the stockinette and Unst Lace stitch. I eventually worked out the lace stitches, a few sudden dives for the iPad were required to check out stitch explanations. All I have to decide is which size needles to use as neither 3.75 or 4 give the swatch the right dimensions.

Preparations for 'Audrey in Unst'

Audrey in Unst PDF pattern, I ball of wool, assortment of needles and notes from the helpful woman at the Woolshed

In Sydney I know where to get knitting notions, but here in Canberra I wasn't so sure, especially as I am not so sure what I'm doing myself (apart from challenging myself).

I'm so glad I went to a specialist shop as I would have been at a complete loss in a chain store like Lincraft or Spotlight. So before the monthly Studio clean up at the Canberra Glassworks I stopped off at The Wool Shed in Manuka to buy my knitting needles. As the lady in the store carefully went through the instructions to see if I could merge any of the 6 different needle sets supplied, my confidence started to wither. I have REALLY set myself a challenge or one could call it jumping in at the deep end.

However the point IS to challenge my knitting habits;

I will have to concentrate,

follow the pattern,

take out mistakes,

follow the pattern,

learn new stitches, techniques AND follow the pattern!

Wool day at the Old Bus Depo Markets, Kingston (Canberra)

Eventually I chose this yarn for my attempt at the 'Audrey in Unst' cardigan. A step forward in my 'sewlution' made early this year on Karen's blog @ didyoumakethat

In Karen's sewlutions jar...yikes!

I have committed myself, via Karen's (of 'didyoumakethat') sewlutions jar to knit myself a cardigan. Whilst glass is my usual medium of choice I do like to make 'soft' things too. I have been able to knit for at least 20 years, but I've never gone beyond hats, scarves or the odd fingerless mitten. Karen's jar seemed to be an ideal way to make sure this happened this year. Her blog has quite a high readership so the pressure is on!

So...progress? Well it is summer right now and quite a hot one at that, but I have decided on a yarn and a pattern (which I have now bought and downloaded)

The yarn is from Tanis Fibre Arts, I think I would go with the poppy, but their colours are so gorgeous I'm having trouble deciding. (edit; I ended up going to a wool fair in Canberra and buying something there)

The pattern is Audrey in Unst by Gudrun Johnston, I was inspired by Tasia of Sewaholic's version.