#WIDN: Recent FOs
I’ve been knitting for over 8 years now, and I’m embarrassed to say that beyond a hat or two I’ve never made much for myself. So I made a promise to myself at the start of this year that I would focus a majority of my knitting time to making selfish projects.
At a bit over halfway through the year, here’s what I’ve completed so far!
My first finished object of 2019 was the Ripple Bralette by Jessie Mae Martinson. What a fun and quick knit! I also learned a new i-cord technique that’s used for the straps.
I made the size small and was really happy with the fit, but I stupidly estimated strap length and didn’t try it on…so I was left with a bralette that was just a bit too tight and short in the straps. I ended up gifting it to my mom, who loves it and has now cast on one of her own!
Even though this one didn’t end up being for myself, I have plans to make at least another 3 of these (hopefully by the end of the year!)
My second finished object is the As If Tee by Shay Johnson. I was immediately obsessed with this design the first time I saw it, and I’m even more obsessed with my finished sweater.
For the body I used Berroco ‘Skye’ in Lyra and Tahki Stacy Charles ‘Luna’ for the mohair panels. The subtle sparkly gold lurex woven through the mohair is my absolute favorite part!
Next off my needles was the Soldotna Crop by Caitlin Hunter. I never thought I would ever have the patience to knit a colorwork sweater, let alone find a design that really spoke to me. But when I saw Soldotna for the first time, I just knew it was going to change me as a knitter!
I was incredibly surprised at how fast it knit up despite the complicated colorwork pattern!
I used a combination of Malabrigo 'Arroyo' in Fucsia, Plomo, Pearl, and Prussia Blue.
If you look really closely, you can see I made one mistake in the colorwork! (Can you find it?) When I discovered the mistake I was so far along I couldn’t bear to rip back to fix it, so I figured I would “erase” with some duplicate stitch after blocking. I’ve since decided that it’s a lesson in wabi-sabi!
About halfway through Soldotna, I was thrilled to be chosen to help test knit a new design by Jessie Mae Martinson, the Ripple Crop Top Worsted. I already have the original Ripple Crop Top on my selfish knitting list, so when the opportunity arose to help test the worsted-weight version, I jumped on board! I’m so happy with the cut and fit of this little sweater.
I used approximately 2 and 2/3 skeins of Malabrigo ‘Rios’ in Valentina.
More details coming Thursday with the release of the pattern!
And most recently, I finished a super-cute Steffi Headband by Morgan Woltersdorf! I made this using some scrap Malabrigo Rios, sized down to a US 7 (4.5mm) needle, and whipped it up in about 40 minutes. This is an awesome stash-buster and I will definitely make a few more of these!
ravelry roundup: selfish knitting
I can count on one hand the handknits I have actually kept for myself, so one of my major goals this year is to do a lot more selfish knitting. Here's 5 patterns I'm itching to make:
1. the weekender sweater by andrea mowry
© Andrea Mowry
i am obsessed with the drop shoulder detailing but overall simplicity of this sweater design. i want to make it in a similar marled gray, because i love gray everything! i love that she offers two design variations, one simply without the sleeves for a fun spring knit.
find the pattern here and follow andrea on instagram here!
2. marled mania leggings by stephen west
© Stephen West
i just love everything stephen west makes, and he's the undeniable king of bright bold color combinations and designs. i've been dying to make a penguono for a few years now, and once i saw these leggings i knew i had to add them to my westknits list.
the best part about this pattern is that it is designed to help use up leftover bits of fingering weight; as someone that definitely needs to destash in 2018, i am excited to try out this pattern. plus, since i've never knit pants before i'm looking forward to learning some new techniques!
find the pattern here.
3. cast away scarf by wool and the gang
© Wool and the Gang
pretty much all of wool and the gang's patterns are killer, and i want to make just about every sweater design that they sell. they also do just the coolest collabs with brands like soludos and really think outside of the box in terms of what knitting can be. i love them so much! i've been really wanting a cool triangle shawl/scarf and the tassels on this one are just perfect. I would probably choose a soft pink or black color in their shiny happy cotton to make this scarf.
find the pattern here.
4. winter honey shawl by andrea mowry
© Andrea Mowry
i've obviously been crushing hard on andrea's incredible designs. i've never made anything with that much cable detail, so i love the idea of this project to really push my boundaries and skills. i can imagine wrapping myself in this shawl in the early mornings when i like to drink tea and knit. i love that mustard color!
find the pattern here.
5. mexican serape blanket by alexandra tavel
© Alexandra Tavel
not only does this blanket look super cute and cozy, $1 from each pattern sale goes to help fund earthquake relief efforts in mexico. alexandra has a few other beautiful blanket patterns that are part of her "purposeful patterns" series; my other favorite is the moroccan wedding blanket!
find the pattern here, and check out her other designs here!
What are your selfish knitting plans for this year?