Hoodie Appeal Mystery Solved

I have often wondered what the appeal of a garment with a hoodie was. Especially as an extension to a sweater. I'm not big into collars so the idea of a hoodie seemed extreme. Plus don't they mess up your hair?!?

Of course, that was coming from the mentality of someone living in a hot climate with very mild and dry winters.

Now that I'm in Seattle, I can see where a really good hoodie could come in handy. So I've been eyeing several sweater patterns:
Mariah - a zippered cardigan hoodie
Very Cropped Hoodie - which would be great for layering
Central Park Hoodie - this one isn't free and I don't think I have the Knitscene issue anymore

I'm also considering a Hoodie Scarf

Know of any other good hoodie patterns?

But while I decide, I think I'll make a headband so I can tame my hair some in the wind and keep my ears warm in the process. I think I'm going to use the Louet Gem yarn I bought the other day. I was going to use it to make some more wrist warmers but I think I need something for my head NOW. My hands can go in my pockets!

Monkey Socks and Sweater Progress

I've started on a new pair of socks. They are Monkey by Cookie A from the Winter 2006 issue of Knitty.

I'm using the Fly Dyed ShoeFly yarn I bought last month at the Payallup fair. This is a great yarn. If feels soft and I love how it is knitting up. It is 80% wool and 20% nylon which I prefer over 100% wool for my socks.

I've also been making good progress on the Wickedly Foolish Cardigan I'm making for my mom. I got a few more inches knitted on it at the Renton Knitting Group last night.

Sabbath is making a Wicked Cardigan too. I love the yarn she is using. It has a great color and feels yummy!

I'm thinking of knitting Silver Belle next for myself. I think it will be a wonderful challenge with all those cables and the construction of the cardigan. I've seen several finished on Ravelry that look awesome.

I'm on the lookout for just the right yarn. I want to use a quality yarn but not one that is too expensive. The pattern calls for between 1400 - 1700 yards of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. And at $8 for a 100 yard ball that means the cardigan could cost between $112 to $136. Ouch!

Andean Silk by Knit Picks is about half the cost of Debbie Bliss at $4.29 for 96 yards. It is 55% Super Fine Alpaca, 23% Silk, 22% Merino Wool. I may choose that yarn or find another suitable substitute.

I'm also thinking about an 100% wool yarn like Knit Picks Wool of the Andes ($1.99 for 110 yards) or Cascade 220 ($7 for 220 yards). I'm just worried that those may be too scratchy.

I may go to Renaissance Yarn in Kent this weekend and check out their selection of yarns. They are having a Louet Fashion Show on Saturday that sounds like fun.

Wickedly Foolish Cardigan

I'm adding a Wicked twist to the Knitting Fool's Top Down Raglan.

I love the look of the Wicked top by Sarah and Rachel of Zephry, especially the mock cable ribbing. But I wanted to make a cardigan and I like the way Pamela adapted the Wicked pattern to a cardigan into one.

So, I knitted up a swatch, entered the numbers and had the Knitting Fool calculate the stitch counts (74). I added 12 stitches for the K1P1 button bands for a total of 86 stitches.

This one is for Mom for X-mas. She reads my blog so it won't be a big surprise. Plus I'm going to make her try it on as I knit it so that it is the right size.

Is it okay to give your mother something wickedly foolish!?!

Transition Sweater

I finished my Transition Sweater last night after getting most of it done at the West Seattle Stitch and Bitch knitting group.

I started the sweater the night before we left Texas to fly here to Seattle. I worked on it on both flights and in the Denver airport. I've been knitting on it occasionally since then.

I don't know that my transition to Seattle will actually be complete until Amy, the pets, our furniture, and all our belongings arrive next month.

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft, Dark Country Blue, 2.5 skeins
Needle: Size 7
Gauge: 4.5/inch
Pattern: Top-Down Raglan, 3/4 length sleeves, seed stitch collar, cuffs, and bottom

Start of Josephine Top

I've started working on the Josephine Top from the IK Summer 2007. I got my yarn for this top last week.

So far I've knitted two of the pattern repeats of the rib/lace. I'm using Knit Pick Shine Sport. The color is Willow. I couldn't get my gauge to the suggest one so I changed the pattern to match mine. I can't decided if I like the right side with the reverse stockinette showing mostly between the lace panels. or the wrong side, that shows stockinette v's. I may just go with the wrong side as being my right side!