THE OFFICIAL SEAWEED CARDIGAN KNIT-ALONG POST!

4hmomw4kids wrote

on Mar 21, 2011 2:04 PM

Lisa

Thank you for your kind words.

Are you using CotLin?

I am using Caron Country in Deep Purple. I had several skeins on hand and exchanged a few skeins of other colors to add a few more.

My path on the knitting trail is moving toward better yarn. I have primarily purchased yarn at chain stores, I refer to these yarns as over the counter yarn, in comparison to purchasing better yarn at knitting shops. Last winter I made my first large purchase at a knitting store near my parents in Kansas City, MO. This sweater is on the needles for myself, Arching Cables (Interweave Knits Fall 2010), using Berroco Vintage. I took a break from it to start this project. I promised myself I would finish this sweater and return to mine when I am done.  

I really like natural fibers. The past few months I have been trying to learn more about fiber content, protein and cellulose, and its combinations. I want to educate myself to make good yarn choices when I select a project to knit.

Knitting on during breaks from homework...

Julie

Zoe wrote

on Mar 21, 2011 3:34 PM

JeanG@31:

Wanting to make sure I haven't missed any information on the next KAL - has the voting started yet?

Hi JeanG,

According to Kathleen Cubley's post a few times back when she posted the pic of her cardi, the voting choises will be out in April!  So nope, you have not missed the vote or the choises!

Happy knitting, Zoe

sjc wrote

on Mar 21, 2011 6:56 PM

4hmomw4kids:

My path on the knitting trail is moving toward better yarn. I have primarily purchased yarn at chain stores, I refer to these yarns as over the counter yarn, in comparison to purchasing better yarn at knitting shops. Last winter I made my first large purchase at a knitting store near my parents in Kansas City, MO. This sweater is on the needles for myself, Arching Cables (Interweave Knits Fall 2010), using Berroco Vintage.

4hmomw4kids:

I am using Caron Country in Deep Purple.

Hi Julie,

I think sometimes we knitters can be "snobs" about yarn.  The Caron Country is a nice yarn, I used it in a cabled summer sweater last year and it turned out lovely, washes up well and holds it's shape extremely well.  I also have high end yarns that I enjoy as well but we don't always have to use the more expensive ones for every project.  I was impressed with the Caron Country and bought more of it when it was on sale.  It's side by side with my more expensive yarns in my labeled bins.  I may use it all in my lifetime but it's unlikely!

I love the arching cables jacket, it's on my "to do" list but I was a little nervous about the way the cables on the back especially slant toward the shoulders.  Have you had any trouble keeping the curves the same?

Your seaweed cardi is going to be beautiful.  I also want to give you support for going back to school and having a family.  I did the same thing and know how hard it is to juggle everything.  Major kudos to you!  Are you really a 4-H mom in addition?  I was too but I was done with school by that time.  Anyway I just wanted to say good for you for both your yarn choices and your life choices.  Way to go!   Hope to "see" you on another KAL.

Sherry

tyrovive wrote

on Mar 22, 2011 11:32 AM

Double adorable, shipahoy!

dcampeau wrote

on Mar 22, 2011 12:08 PM

For all those just joining or running late, you are not alone.  I started with everyone, extended the sleeves to 3/4 length and am just a repeat short of starting the sleeves on the last front. My sweater is now on hiatus while I wait for a skein to be sent from the US. And I'm a bit bummed...I think I went one size too large (after ripping out the back once on the size smaller and going up).  I thought of ripping it all out again, but then decided this was about gaining skills, not clothing, and if it didn't fit, I would gift it to a friend who would love it.

I have appreciated all the posts and love your results.  I look forward to the next KAL.  

Dina 

4hmomw4kids wrote

on Mar 23, 2011 1:42 AM

Sherry

sjc:

Are you really a 4-H mom in addition? 

sjc:

Yes. Between my four kids we have done a variety of projects: beef, cooking, crafts, geology, poultry, reading, sewing and sheep. My oldest three kids, now 19.5, almost 18 and 16 years old, participated as soon as they were old enough as Tag-a longs in Kansas. My two boys have shown market lambs the past three years in central Missouri. They have been very successful, winning or placing reserve in several market lamb and ewe classes, rate of gain and carcass contest awards. My youngest son began 4h at the age of 9. He won his showmanship class the first year he showed against older peers. He was placed in the next class up by mistake. Lambs are judged on their muscle toward finishing to market. Their wool is kept trimmed very close to the body during show season. The fibers are very short but this has spurred me on to think about spinning and weaving fibers. This year my youngest son wants to take the year off from showing lambs so we will be focusing on his other projects until next year. I hope... he is soon to be 13 in May. He has definite ideas about activities since he believes he should only "do one project at one time." Wise beyond his years. Kids are under so much pressure these days with high expectations at school.

I love the arching cables jacket, it's on my "to do" list but I was a little nervous about the way the cables on the back especially slant toward the shoulders.  Have you had any trouble keeping the curves the same?

I have not noticed a difference. I have finished the lower portion from the belt up, one front side and about halfway done with the second front. I basted the finished front to the back to try what I have knitted on so far in January. At that point I was unsure of my knitting and worried I had gotten off track since my stitch count was slightly off. My knitting education has been primarily self-taught. I am really appreciative of the knitting community participating in this KAL has opened up to me.

 I took it to the knitting group of ladies I meet with Thurs mornings at our local library for some help and opinions.Noone mentioned my arching cable looking off but this has been a concern of mine. I am one of the few knitters who attempts sweaters. the group started as a beginning group and I joined for an outing and break from school. Last winter we knitted dpn socks and moved to two at a time socks on circular needles. I have to confess I have two sets of socks on needles I pick up when I want a break from my current projects.

I recently looked at the finished pics on Ravelry and noted that most of the sweaters did not hang quite like the sweater on the model but most pics were taken from the front. I plan to pay closer attention to my sweater when I get the last front side finished. I hope my cables look ok. Time will tell...

Going back to school has been a journey, nine years. I will graduate with my Associate of Science in Medical Billing and Coding in June. I am changing careers from Animal Health to Human Healthcare. My plan is to be mentally challenged and to have a career with less wear and tear on my body. I decided my body was not going to hold up very well to 20+ more years of working for large animal veterinary practices for low wages and no benefits. My goal is to attain a job I enjoy with benefits to enable my son and I to live in a rural area not far from the city if necessary for my employment.

Thank you for asking about my Arching Cables sweater. I hope these two knitting projects give me confidence to continue with more sweater projects.

 

JeanG@31 wrote

on Mar 23, 2011 9:55 AM

Thank you Zoe!  Can't wait for the next one!

Jeanxo wrote

on Mar 25, 2011 12:41 PM

Kathleen,

I hope that you are still reading these posts...I don't do facebook, never will. What other options can we use to vote for the next KAL?     Thanks, Jean

bessT wrote

on Mar 25, 2011 1:01 PM

I'm with you, Jean. I wasn't happy that the link went to facebook. waah. Could there be a voting link from facebook to KDaily instead?

I'd like to think that those who vote really do have an interest in making one of the garments. Otherwise, anyone browsing around facebook can tap a poll link.

Kathleen Cubley wrote

on Mar 25, 2011 1:12 PM

Here's a survey link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8RFLBWV

From now on we'll use this sort of survey for knit-alongs! Sorry for the frustration.

Kathleen

bessT wrote

on Mar 25, 2011 1:13 PM

ps - I still can't use the edit option... meant to say I will vote when there is something at KDaily.

ArtfulSoul wrote

on Mar 25, 2011 1:20 PM

Kathleen Cubley:

Here's a survey link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8RFLBWV

From now on we'll use this sort of survey for knit-alongs! Sorry for the frustration.

Kathleen

Thank you Kathleen! I did the Facebook one, but found it a little intimidating when it asks for permissions about sharing. Huh?  SurveyMonkey is so simple!

Marcea

Kathleen Cubley wrote

on Mar 25, 2011 1:23 PM

I didn't realize there would be all those hoops to jump through in Facebook, so back to what works!

bessT wrote

on Mar 25, 2011 1:30 PM

Kathleen Cubley:

I didn't realize there would be all those hoops to jump through in Facebook, so back to what works!

Thank you, thank you!

dcampeau wrote

on Mar 25, 2011 2:22 PM

Thanks, Kathleen, for providing the choices.  I was a little surprised to read the comments that revealed that people took offense at the attempt to use FB.  I am a regular FB user (I live out of the country and it's how I can easily stay in touch with my kids and friends back home) and, while I agree users have to work to stay one step ahead of FB as they have a different view of privacy than our generation, it is a VERY useful tool, and I think you were smart to give it a shot.  Forgive the gratuitous suggestion, but perhaps  you can talk to other FB business users (like the various local yarn shops) that use it with success and see what can be done to get over the hurdles, because I would use it. 

Thanks also for this past knit-along, my first.  I look forward to learning new skills with the next one! 

Dina Campeau