Modified Madeline Tosh Baby Raglan for a 5 y.o. petite Asian :)

Oh, I can't even count how many times I have knit this pattern since Xena was an infant.  I love this pattern because it's so freaking basic, not only is it super easy to modify but I practically have it memorized at this point.  

I used the Feederbrook Entropy DK 100% Luminous Flux I bought at Lambtown 2022.

It's hard to tell from the photos but this yarn is so bright and neon IRL, it practically glows.  

 

I alternated between 2 different hanks at a time for the body and the sleeves.  I made a few different modifications to elongate the body and sleeves but otherwise stuck to the pattern and used size 4 and 6 needles with 16" and 32" (or 40" circulars) for magic looping the sleeves.

 

We took Xena to the BADM for their Happy Noon Year celebration.  She was really excited to play with her umbrella outside but when we arrived and it was a full on downpour, she was a lot less stoked.

I love the photos of her hamming it up in front of the TV the night before, fresh off my needles, pre-steam blocking.

 

She wore the sweater to school today and I will give a proper wet blocking after we get home.

 

I love the effects of marling and definitely plan to experiment with it more.  I also have figured out what I'm going to do with my leftovers - a colorwork sweater for myself!  I know I've said it before and I'll say it again; it's so gratifying knitting kids clothes because this only took me a little over a week to make!

My only hang up with the way this yarn is plied is that every single hank, even if it is called the same colorway is totally different than the next so it is literally impossible to have completely matching sleeves, like ever.

Anyway, Happy New Year!  I wish I had some deep thoughts to share but I've been too preoccupied with our upcoming move (back) to RVA to think of much else.  We have A LOT to look forward to and equally dread.  I just have to continue to remind myself that this is ultimately what I always wanted, especially for Xena.  More details to follow shortly.

Knit Modified Veronika Top by CoCo Knits

 According to my notes, I started knitting the CoCo Knits Veronika Top designed by Julie Weisenberger on October 19th.  

Like so many of my projects, this one travelled all over the city and even across the Atlantic Ocean with my family and me.

We celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day in Toulouse, France.

 

Xena was still recovering from a cold in the beginning of our trip and it rained a lot so I made remarkable progress while we were travelling.

This top has a very unique construction.  Before it's assembled and even prior to blocking, it looks like garbage.  The photo on the above right is what it looked like before I steam blocked it with an iron.

 

The yarn I used is from Japan and called Habu #N-80, color 2.  It's 99% 4P wrapped merino with 1% silk.  It comes in 187 yd cones.  I used about 5 cones total (even though it calls for 7).

 

I knit the smallest size of the pattern.

 

Using a (crochet) provisional cast on, first you knit the sleeves flat and put them aside.  Then you start working the back flat from bottom up while it's shaped with YO short rows (which I had never done before and quite enjoyed).  You knit a matching front piece, join it in the round and then shape the raglan neckline with a very flattering bias BO (also a technique new to me).  Finally the sleeves are joined and the cuffs and collar are knit in 2x2 ribbing with smaller needles.  

Because I knit so loosely, I swatched first and went down a needle size for the body, cuffs and collar.

I modified the pattern to join the sleeves to each other instead of joining them to the back and front pieces for a less swoncho-y effect.

It still radiates positive cuttlefish vibes but it is less restricting having "traditional" sleeves.

 

Personally, I think this is the most professional/commercial looking garment I've ever knit.

 

This looks and feels like it came off a rack at a fine clothing store!

I am so pleased with this top and I would still like to knit a version without any mods in fingering weight wool.

Stitches SoCal and Recent Purchases

I actually bought this 2022 Fall Equinox right before heading to Rhinebeck but ran out of time to post it.  Not featured in the photo is the awesome herbal Healing Balm that accompanied it that I've been pleasantly using on a daily basis.  

I also intentionally waited until I got home to buy their limited edition Rhinebeck colorway, Rose Water.  Also featured in the photo of the sweater quantity that I purchased is their latest offering from their Tarot Club, 4 of Wands.

Amber, my Rhinebeck knitting buddy came to visit last week.  She arrived on Sunday, November 6th, just in time for us to attend my Eastbay Knitting and Crochet meet up at Schmidt's Pub.  It was so nice to finally show Amber around my neck of the woods, especially because it was her first time ever visiting CA!

While she was visiting, we went on a yarn crawl all around the Bay Area.

The main thing that I was somewhat shocked and relieved to purchase was what might be some of the last known available inventory of the Painted Ladies and Wanderlust colorways from Houndstooth Fibers yarn from Fiber Circle Studio in Petaluma.  Apparently the owner recently stopped dyeing.  I loved her yarn and I've knit a ton of projects with it.  While I am sad to see it go, I am also happy to embrace the ephemeral aspect of indie-dyed yarn.  

Amber and I both take advantage of public transportation on a regular basis and it was so nice to finally knit together on the bus and the train.

Amber got to meet Kristine and some of the regulars from my other knitting and crochet meet up at the Hyatt EMB last Tuesday.

I am so pleased and honored to know so many awesome, crafty ladies!

One of the highlights of Amber's visit was just sitting and knitting by the side of the the Pacific at (one of my favorite local chill spots) Mussel Rock Beach.

 

Less than 24 hrs after Amber returned to BK, Kristine and I caught a flight down to Burbank for Stitches SoCal.  

It was such a nice little trip and a tradition that I now look forward to every year.

Sadly, the show seemed somewhat underattended, underpromoted and generally small and dull.

For me, it's just a fun getaway so while it was sad to see it on the decline, I still more than enjoyed myself.

 

I just kind of wonder what the future holds for Stitches in general.  Will it ever be as big and frenetic as it once was?!  Why are events thriving on the East Coast and in the Pac NW but not throughout CA?

 

I was quite impressed with the unique colorwork in all of these Splendid Apparel samples.  I'd like to know if all of the samples were knit by and/or designed by the same person.  

 

Obviously I didn't need to buy yarn but I still couldn't resist buying some Knudsen yarn.  The bases I purchased are from MI and NY but dyed in Utah.

I also spotted this fingering tweed from Two Guys in IL as soon as I arrived at Stitches but didn't want to buy it unless I had a pattern.

Much to my relief, Lindsey Fowler released her Hotdish Cardigan pattern literally while I was sitting at the show, trawling through Ravelry in search of a pleasing tweedy pattern.

 

I also purchased a rotating spindle from some Oregon based woodturners and a Tunisian crochet kit from Kira K whom it is always a pleasure to see.  

Our Crochet Baby Surprise Jacket was cancelled so Kristine and I were forced to take a pants sewing class.  It ended up being a lot of fun and my instructor, Sonya Philip, actually lives in SF not too far away from me!  Small world!

 

It was my first time seeing Irina since the beginning of 2022 and it was so lovely to catch up IRL after all of this time.  Not only did her nails that she did herself say, "Love to Knit", but she hand embroidered the roses on the cardigan she knit! I love her and miss seeing her so much!

I am finally back home now.  I just picked Matt and Xena up from the airport from their respective trips.  I have been crazy busy with work and planning for the holidays and believe it or not, we are about to head out of town (again) until the end of the month in 2 days.

Now, I just gotta wind some yarn, keep planning and stay positive for all of our upcoming adventures.