Knit knit knit...size 6 = size 1

 05.09.22 Now that summer is waning, I am back to teaching classes.  The Ranunculus 2 was finished around the end of July. The process was much faster the second time thanks to my Ravelry notes.  This is a new addition to my Pick A Sweater Class at beWoolen.  The color is unusual, reminding me of the stormy sea color of Léttlopi I used for my April sweater and it has the color bits like the Ranunculus shop sample at BW.  Truthfully, I did not see the attraction of knitting this sweater until I finished the sample.  Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn is lovely and my knitting a size 6 to get the measurements of the size 1 worked beautifully.  It is a good lesson about using knitting gauge, sizing and some craft math to make it all work.  

After the yoke, it's smooth sailing

A go-with-everything sweater ❤️

R2

 11.07.22

R2 stands for Ranunculus 2.  Yes, I got sucked into the Ranunculus vortex!  Of course, this one is progressing quickly because of my previous notes.  The sample ticked all the boxes with the tweedy bits of the Noro Silk Garden Sock Solo yarn and the perfect fit.  I love when a plan comes together.  The second version is one I can wear now.  The yarn is the same except for the base color.  It was a pleasant surprise to see some warm brown in the yarn as the yoke progressed yesterday.  

The tweedy bits are so beautiful against the dark base color of the yarn
 

Deck knitting with Gus before the rain

Ranunculus

 07.07.2022

Recently I was thinking about adding another sweater (something lightweight) to my pick-a-sweater class at beWoolen.  I asked Michelle and we thought about it for a bit and then she mentioned the Ranunculus sweater, by Midori Hirose.  It has been consistently on the "Hot Right Now, designs with the most visits in 24 hours.  At the time the project count was over 12,000 and as of this morning, the count is up to 13,625. Wow!  Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn was the perfect choice, because I pictured the sweater in a neutral color to show off the design.  The size you knit depends upon the yarn (lace to worsted weight) and needles used for the amount of transparency of the knitted fabric.  At Shepherd's Harvest in May, I saw no fewer than four people wearing their Ranunculus sweaters.  It is a popular knitting project.  

When knitting a class/shop sample I take time to study the pattern before casting on any stitches.  Ravelry is a helpful tool for checking out other projects.  Given the huge number of projects, I narrowed down the search to helpful projects and projects with notes.  Casting on for the swatch, I thought about the fabric (lightweight, but not transparent), neckline (not too snug or loose), sleeves (three-quarter), length, (cropped) and fit (positive ease).  

Deck knitting on a nice day.

Using the Doocot as a template for for width and length.  

After blocking, the fit is perfect and the yarn bloomed beautifully.

Seeing green 💚

In time for St. Patrick's Day, I present a FO in gorgeous green💚!  A week ago I finished The Cranberry Gose top, a sample knit and one of the choices for the Pick-a-Sweater class at beWoolen.  The yarn, WYS Fleece BFL, has the starring role of this project and made knitting a joy!  The knitted fabric has a soft hand and the color, Fellside, reminds me of the hills and mountains of Ireland and Scotland.  Wet blocking the front and back pieces improved the fabric by measuring carefully (using the schematic) and pinning the pieces to size.  After air drying, I used duplicate stitch to join the shoulders, lining up the texture stitches.  Seaming with mattress stitching at the sides made a tidy finish.

The pattern instructions are straightforward.  Taking time to plan ahead for the texture stitching at the neck and shoulder areas is helpful.  I used German short rows and placed six markers for the initial shaping so I could see where to stop the texture and just use stockinette stitching.  The back and front texture work should mirror each other when finished.  Shaping the front and back at the same time (so to speak) on separate needles also helped.  I tend to knit while watching TV, so those markers keep me on track.  The designer confesses to be confused by the right and left side before beginning the shoulder shaping.  The right side is as the sweater is worn and the knitting universe is correct.  The second size has the right amount of ease and I like the funnel neck, which is about 6.5".  There is enough length to flip the neck down for a turtleneck.  

Tidy mattress stitch side seam.