Shalom Cardigan

This pattern is such a popular one, for good reason. There is something so intriguing about the yoke and the texture, and I learned about "knitting through the back loop" on this project. This is my first Shalom. I plan to do another. Shown after blocking. Blocking makes all the difference once again! Prior to blocking:

Shalom Cardigan knit on size 10 circs. This is a free pattern I found on Ravelry, by Meghan McFarlane. It was knit from the top down with no seaming required. I knit while holding the yarn double or double-stranding with Cascade 220 Heathers wool (4 skeins, and tad more). Mods: Added increases on body under arms and at waist. Added three more buttonholes than pattern. It hasn't been blocked yet, so needs some smoothing out, but had to try on when the buttons got put on. I love the yoke on this sweater. Love the color. And love that it is called Shalom....Peace!

Coffee, Yarn and Thou

Hubby's idea was a great one for Valentine's Day....
Took the ferry over to Whidbey Island to the town of Langley today at 8:30 am.

Views of Cascades on the 20 min. trip over...

First stop in town was the bakery where they sell amazing cinnamon rolls and lattes!

Then after breakfast at Mike's in town, I went to the Knitty Purls yarn shop to explore while hub went to the local library to hang out. Knitty Purls is a small, but well-stocked and cheerful shop. This is my second time visiting here.I found some lovely Cascade Heathers 220 in reddish brown for my next sweater. A rich color and a change from the blues and greens I've been using lately. Enjoyed talking to the gal who works there-a spinner, and a sock knitter.

And we enjoyed the scenic views of the Cascade mountains from the island.

Lunch at Prima Bistro in town was fantastic. This is hub's french onion soup and BE was under it...To BE or not to BE, that is the question! BE mine!

A final stop at the Useless Bay Coffee Co. for yet another great latte before we head back onto the ferry. One cannot have too many lattes here!

A perfect day of Coffee, Yarn and Thou! Happy Valentine's Day!

And now a glimpse at progress on the Shalom Cardigan, which is knit from the top down. Yoke is finished -added 4 buttonholes. Yoke also serves as the caps of sleeves. Now on to knit the body, increasing 4 x under the arms at side markers, then after 7 rows of stockinette, increasing again every 4th row at side markers approaching waist.

Beginning Shalom Cardigan

I am now ready for an easy topdown "no seams" knit. Shalom Cardigan is just the ticket. Click on the name to go to the link. It is also a FREE pattern! Had the Cascade Heathers 220 in the stash for another sweater, but now it is becoming this one. I like the "no seams" aspect of topdowns. This will be my second topdown sweater. Refreshing after the last project that required seams and brains. This is the yoke, then will bind off underarms for small sleeve caps, then do the body. Cute and easy. I'm using size 10 circular needles. Double stranding the yarn to make it bulkier. (New skills required: Make 1, and k1tbl -Knit one through the back loop, p1tbl -Purl one through the back loop) Modifications: adding more buttonholes down the front than pattern.

Rightside Up, Upside Down

Violette-le-duc , by Norah Gaughan from her Vol.3 book. (Click to go to hyperlink) Here it is shown upside down, though the sleeve positioning doesn't lend itself to wearing in this manner. This was how it was shown in the pattern book, however, and was intriguing to us.

Violette shown rightside up as I will wear it... Click on this hyperlink: Berroco Blog as it shows the model wearing it rightside up, which was very helpful for me to see.