First of all, I want to thank y’all for all your amazing comments on my gingham Peony post. I basically spent the entire day (and the next day, and the next day), blushing like a little kid. I also got pinned all over Pinterest which was kind of exciting all on it’s own. You are all so sweet! Way to make a girl feel like a sewing champion lol 🙂
Today, we are going to discuss knitting. I have sweater progress to share! This is a big deal~
SERIOUSLY OMG EXCITING
I am SO EXCITED that this little shit actually fits me! I mean, obviously it should – I made soo many gauge swatches haha. But I was still pretty apprehensive – there is about 2″-3″ of negative ease, so pre-blocked (this is still pre-blocked, fyi), it’s pretty tiny. I was afraid to try and pull it on while it was still on the needles (and too scared to pull it off the needles onto scrap yarn), so I waited until I finished the ribbing. It fits! It fits!
Look at how cool the side decreasing is!
The back looks good too! I could have bound off a little more loosely, but oh well!
I hope my excitement is just radiating out of this post.
One more sweater picture! All that is left is the sleeves & the ribbing around the neck and where the buttons go. And then blocking, of course.
The sleeves are knit in the round. For those of you who are newbies to my corner of the internet, I only learned how to knit over Thanksgiving… and upon starting this sweater, hadn’t quite mastered knitting in the round (or even attempted it, to be honest). I made an executive decision that I would finish the sweater up to the sleeves, and then figure out this multiple needle shit (I know, I know, “magic loop” or whatever, but I want to try double pointed needles first!). I bought some bamboo needles & sat down with my knittin’ buddy on Tuesday night to try it out. I’m not gonna lie – joining those stitches in the round was hard. It took me something stupid like 15 minutes to join 2 stitches. At one point – I shit you not – I actually forgot how to knit. HAHA. But once I got started, it was surprisingly easy. I made a little tube that I later discovered fits my iPod perfectly…
(It’s the correct size, I just wanted to show you that an iPod is in there!)
So that’s my first knitting in the round project! I want to make one more thing, because I still need a little more practice – there are a couple of holes where I didn’t pull the yarn tight enough between needles. Ooops! But I think it’s pretty good for a first attempt, yeah? 🙂
My next project is going to be a coffee cozy, and I’m going to make it out of this ugly-ass yarn 🙂 I love knitting in the round! COZIES FOR EVERYTHING.
On a COMPLETELY unrelated note – I biked to work this morning! First commute-to-work bike ride since winter started 😀
This is my halfway point – the Shelby Street Bridge! Isn’t it lovely? It’s a pedestrian bridge, so there’s always a lot of foot/bike traffic going on. I love how pretty the city looks from here! See that weird red thing in the right hand corner? Unfortunately, it’s not a roller coaster – it’s a completely useless sculpture called Ghost Ballet and it’s ugly as shit. I don’t know any Nashvillians who actually think this thing wasn’t a waste of taxpayer money. Blech.
But nevermind that, look at the rest of the bridge.
YEP.
This is me saying, “Well shit, I just knitted a vest-thing.”
LLADYBIRD 
Well, the sweater vest looks great! But seriously, magic loop. You can learn it over the interwebs. It’s a revelation. I knit everything (everything!) on 40 inch circulars these days, and I’m never going back. Try it! And keep admiring that sweater-it’s divine!
I do want to try it eventually, but I want to master the DPNs first (just so I can say I can!). Also, it will be a while before I can afford to even buy those magic loop needles 🙂 Being on a budget suckssss haha
I hope you were not weirded out by me pinning you on the Pinterest. But the dress is so so cute. Now, I will copy you. How do you think it will look if I use horsehair braid on the hem of the gingham Peony?
Oh no no no – it doesn’t weird me out at all! I’m actually really flattered! 🙂
If you are going to use horsehair braid on the Peony, you may want to swap out the skirt for something that will benefit from the additional structure at the hem – the A-line on the Peony isn’t full enough, so I think the effect of the braid would be lost. A circle skirt (or half circle skirt) would look really nice, though! That’s actually what I originally planned to do with my dress, but when I went back to the fabric store to pick up additional yardage they were sold out 😦
You just started knitting at Thanksgiving??! Ok, now I feel like a major slacker. I totally haven’t taken the time to learn sweaters yet. I just make endless amounts of hats, cowls, and scarves. And I’ve been knitting for two years. Ugggghhh! But I’m totally inspired now! This sweater looks fantastic!!!
Lookin good! I especially love the back. And what a nice stretch of your commute!
Great job. I learned how to knit during my first visit to the West Coast several years ago, after trying several times and just not connecting the dots. That’s amazing for starting in November. I should send you my domiKnitrix book since I haven’t picked up my needles in a couple of years. I would really love to learn to crochet tho, but sewing rules my life currently.
Random questions: Are you using the two-sided drop-leaf table from ikea as your sewing table?
Oh, that book looks so cool! I really love the U-lock cozy on her website… funny, because we were discussing those over the weekend. I need to make one for my bike haha.
Crochet is pretty easy – I learned a few years ago – but I prefer knitting. I just like being able to make clothes! I swear my life does not revolve around clothes, although it sounds like it does haha.
My table is the Ikea Norden – it is *almost* the perfect size for my cutting mat, you can see some overhang but it’s not too bad. I also had to put it on blocks to make it a little taller- it was too short for me, and I’m 5’2″ 🙂
Just say the word and the book is all yours. I won’t miss the book, promise.
I would love to make cute accessories and toys, which is why I would like to learn to crochet.
I have the same table in white. I love that table. It was my dream table. That is a great idea adding blocks to add heights. I’m 5’3.
Ooh ooh ooh yes, if you really don’t want it 🙂 I don’t see an email on your blog – email me & I’ll give you my address 🙂 lladybirdlauren at gmail dot com. Yay!
I love my Norden! I’m so jealous you got the white one – that’s the one I originally wanted, but they were sold out 😦 And our nearest IKEA is 4+ hours away, so I couldn’t come back the next day when they were expecting a new shipment. Oh well! Anyway, blocks are really cheap to stick under there – I just went to Lowe’s and bought one of those giant/thick wooden beams that you use to, I dunno, hold up a porch or something, and then I had the guys cut it down for me into 6″ pieces. It raised the table height considerably and it was a lot cheaper than buying castors 🙂
It looks great, and I’m impressed you’ve only been knitting since November! I second the magic loop recommendation, but take your time. I HATED magic loop for about 5 years, then suddenly it clicked and I use it for EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME. Can’t wait to see the finished cardigan!
It looks awesome! How did you learn to knit? I taught myself to knit one stitch seven years ago, but haven’t learned anything else. Well, I haven’t knitted since then. Any how to books or websites that you recommend? Love your bike by the way!
I actually had a friend teach me – I don’t learn too well via books/websites, I have to have someone sit with me and tell me what I’m doing wrong (at least when I’m starting out, anyway!). Ravelry.com is a really great resource – lots of free patterns, forums, and links to knitting help. Other than that, I say do what I did and coax someone into showing you how to do it – we now meet up weekly for knitting night, and it’s pretty wonderful 🙂
Thank you! Now I just need to find someone that is willing to teach me. Maybe I can lure them with promises of wine! hahah
MCC, truthfully, I had a friend show me how to knit, but immediately forgot EVERYTHING she showed me. YouTube, girl! You can learn basically everything on YouTube and rewind the videos over and over and over until you GET IT. But it definitely helps to have a knitty friend that can show you the ropes.
OMG, you are not only a sewing champion Lauren…you are totally a knitting champion too! We started knitting ata similar time and you have blown me out of the water with this creation. You are one fearless woman and I love that you dove straight into knitting in the round. I’m still too scared to try, even though I’ve already bought some circular needles with a project in mind! LOL! Thanks for being such an inspiration and for providing us with such stitching eye candy to drool over ;o)
And by the way, your excitement is definitely radiating from this post…you expression in your pictures says it all really!!!
It looks very nice. I love the pattern and the color of the yarn.
I know the feeling. A month ago, I finished my first cardigan, and I felt quite victorious 🙂
Funny enough I will be starting a knitting group on Monday. So I will be a newbie, strange since I haven’t even mastered sewing yet.
Your cardigan is fantastic!! I completely agree with the comments about the magic loop, it’s the absolute bees knees! I learnt it from youtube videos. It took me a while to get my head around it, but it’s the only way I knit in the round now. I never liked DPNs, they’re just so awkard. I once read that knitting with them is like trying to wrestle with a hedgehog! I totally agree with that one! (Not that I’ve ever wrestled with a hedgehog… ) Good luck with the sleeves, and if you find you have a little gap or ladder between the needles, trying pulling the yarn tight on the first two stitches on each needle.
FANTASTIC!!!
Maybe there’s hope for me learning to knit one day!
LOLOLOL at the fact that you hate the sculpture too!! When they first announced it everyone I knew was pissed at the fact that we (tax payers) all paid for that.
It’s so ugly! It looks like they took part of a ride from Opryland and dropped it on the bank of the river! Haha!
What is it with ugly public sculptures? Here in Pittsburgh we have a giant rusting hunk of metal that looks like a stack of french fries. Who votes for this stuff?!?!
You’re knitting excitement is all kinds of adorable! I’ve knitted a few jumpers in the last few years and I *still* get excited about the fact that I’ve made something that fits and looks like actual clothes!
Your knitting looks beautiful by the way, there’s no way it looks like you’ve only been knitting a few months.
FAB-U-LOUS. That’s what that sweater is. I’m so glad to know that you’ve only been knitting since Thanksgiving. I taught myself (thank you interwebs!) last weekend specifically so that I could knit fabu sweaters and I really have no desire to knit a bazillion scarfs and potholders until I’m “ready” to tackle sweaters and socks and fabulous things.
Serious sweater-envy. You go lady!
I feel the same way! Scarves & dishclothes are fun, but there’s only so much I can take before I start to get the wandering eye 🙂 And my knitting teacher has been *very* encouraging with me blasting through more complicated projects – really, knitting is just two stitches, so once you get that under control (and maybe knitting in the round hehe), you can make pretty much anything!
That’s a pretty ambitious sweater to tackle for a newbie knitter. I’m super impressed! You have every right to grin yourself silly over it!
(Hey, I spy the Batman building!).
Yay the Batman building! :DDD
Hahah you’re so freakin’ cute. And it’s SO amazing that you learned to knit recently! I would have never guessed! I’ve been meaning to lean how, but it hasn’t happened yet. Seriously though, your sweater looks so good.
you go girl, that looks great!
Haha, your excited face popping up on my blogroll made my day! Congrats on the sweater progress. 🙂
Looking gorgeous 🙂
You totally look excited!! And well you should.. your sweater vest looks awesome, just like the picture! 🙂
I am SO impressed! I haven’t even attempted any kind of knitting since I was about nine and my man tried to teach me! Plus I just love the photos, genuine excitement right there!!
This looks great, girl! It’s a fab color for you and you did such a nice job with the lace! You can always go back and duplicate stitch over holes if they really bug you, but for the most part that stuff will even out after you soak and block it.
I didn’t even think about how blocking would hide my sins. Yessss!
Your cardigan is really beautiful and the colour is gorgeous! My Mum is my knitting coach and she’s been knitting for 50 years! I can’t believe I’ve not been bitten by the bug until recently and I’m now getting as many tips as I can from my Mum. She’s going to help me with this cardigan from Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/miette and I’m going to use wool in a very similar colour to the one you’re doing here. Can’t wait to see the finished product! 🙂
Ooh, yes, I am actually planning on making the Miette next 😀 Can’t wait to see how yours turns out!
Aww, brilliant knitting! This is looking seriously impressive! And your excited face is too cute!
You make me laugh – Thank you! I love when people are honest about the warts-and-all process of making stuff, and the simple joy of actually having made it! 🙂
Your sweater-vest looks awesome, so way to go!
oh my god your happiness is exploding out of the screen and about to crash my harddrive! you are TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERWEBZ!
that is the shit. that color is the shit. dontcha kinda just want it as a vest now?
Knitting on DPNs is a necessary evil, as my mom says. And holy crap that sweater body looks amazing!
Hoo Rah! Fantastic job on the knitting – love it and congrats.
so damn cute. you are a girl of many talents! Don’t ever stop bloggin 🙂
Looks fabulous! I’m glad you warmed to knitting in the round. It’s the awesomest way to knit stockinette!
That’s pretty darn cool. This post made me smile ^_^
Your sweater is looking fabulous! And it motivates me to get working on my own Agatha. I’m sure you will master knitting in the round in no time too. DPNs are daunting at first but I’ve found that I prefer them to magic loop. But one cautionary note…I find that my gauge changes when I knit in the round. It gets much tighter. I usually have to go up a needle size when I knit sleeves so that they don’t turn out too tight. And to combat those little holes between the needles, try snugging up the second stitch on each needle.
Yay your sweater is coming together so beautifully!!
xo,
Em
Wheeee! Most entertaining blog post ever. And what a beeooouuutiful looking sweater. What pattern is it? I can’t believe you only so recently learnt to knit. (I’m scared of knitting in the round.)
It’s the Agatha! I’m really enjoying it – so far it’s been fun to knit. We’ll see about those sleeves, though, lol. I was scared of knitting in the round too, but I figured the worst that could happen is that I’d end up with a bunch of DPNs I don’t need and a frustrated evening… but I got the hang of it real quick! Starting is still a bitch, tho, haha
I am freaking out for you!!! This is SO COOL! It looks sooo beautiful, the lace is incredible and I am just stunned that you only just learned how to knit – knitting seems SO HARD!!
I really want to learn how to knit, but ONLY to make beautiful sweaters like this! I definitely have no patience for doing “practice” projects. If I have to make, like, 50 scarves first… boo. so boring!! Hahaha!! This is what has stopped me from knitting – but YOU, little champion, give me hope that someone who just learned to knit can jump right into the sweater making! I’m so in awe…
Hehe well I only made a few practice projects… one scarf, one cowl, bunny slippers, and a lace collar. I was NOT in the mood to make a bunch of scarves and dishclothes and bullshit like that I’ll never use! Boo! My teacher has been real great, though – very encouraging. I think you can knit anything as long as you go slow and have someone to email frantically when you get stuck 🙂
I think you can do it! Once you get the hang of the tension and needles clicking, it’s really fun and not hard at all!
YOu make me so laugh ! Yep I can tell how excited you are – I’d be just as crazy if I’d knitted something that looked & fitted exactly as it should do! Woo hoo!!!
Bravo on your sweater progress! I really need to get cracking and finish a capelet I started knitting back in November. I dropped some stitches and have been too lazy to go back and figure things out (mostly because it’s a lace pattern, so it’s a bit trickier than just plain knitting). I started out learning to knit in the round (which yes, is mind boggling at first!!! :p I don’t know how many times I frogged that first mitten I made) with DPNs and am so glad I did rather than jumping to the more fancy versions of in the round knitting. I do love circular needles at this point, and have a set of interchangable ones (not that I’ve knit much since the start of the year! Gah!), but DPNs are still super useful and I prefer them for certain things. 😉
What! I cannot BELIEVE that you started your knitting career learning in the round! I am still trying to get my head around it haha 🙂 I have a nice set of interchangeable circular needles, but they’re not quite flexible enough to do magic loop with, so I’m a DPN girl for now 🙂