Nella

I finally got the DF to take a picture of me in my Nella Cropped Cardigan. He was in the middle of watching a basketball game so I was lucky to get him to take more than one picture. I really enjoyed this pattern and am pleased with the way it fits. I love the length of the sleeves.

Pattern: Nella Cropped Cardigan
Source: Fiber Smarts
Available here on Ravelry
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden (5 balls)
Color: 243 purchased at Studio Knit
Size: Small
Needles: US Size 6
Modifications: Because this pattern was only available
for the medium I modified it to make a small. First I used
size 6 needles instead of size 8. My gauge was 16 stitches
and 24 rows for 4 inches measured over the st st portion of
the sweater. I picked up two stitches under each arm because
I was worried that they would be too tight. Because my sweater
fits a little higher up on my shoulders it ended up being a
little shorter than I wanted, so I picked up stitches at
the bottom of the sweater and knit 4 rows before biding off.
I would have knit a couple more rows but I was affraid I
was going to run out of yarn.

(I swear my hair did not look that bad from the back)

This was my first time doing applied i-cord so I used this tutorial. It was really easy and definitely worth it, it gives the neckline a very finished look. Now I just have to figure out what to knit next.

Short Post

I finished my Nella Cropped Cardigan today. I don't think mine will be as far off the shoulders as the original pattern. Probably because I modified the pattern to make a smaller size.

My DF has been sick hacking and coughing for the last two days so it might be a little while before I can get him to take a picture of me wearing the sweater. Pattern details and modifications to follow. Off to bed, I have to get up early tomorrow. Good night and sweet dreams. Hopefully I spelled sweet right. When I was in grade school we use to get our pictures taken every year and I would exchange pictures with my friends. It was customary to sign and date the back of the picture before giving it to the intended recipient. On more than one occasion I wrote you’re a really sweaty instead of sweetie. My friend’s sister still calls me sweaty to this day.

Time Change

This time change is really kicking my butt. Every year when we change the clocks back and we gain an hour I am totally thrown out of wack. Then when we spring forward the same thing happens. I had to go into work early today which means I had to be up at 4 AM after working late last night. I was so out of sorts this morning when I woke up that I put A&D ointment on my tooth brush. Yes I did, I put diaper rash ointment on my tooth brush.

At least I was awake enough to realize that something was strange, my tooth paste is green. Then I realized what I had done. Thank God because I would have had some really greasy teeth but they would not have been chafed. I think for today I am going to stay away from the knitting and and call it an early night.

Tree Jacket Revisited

I finished knitting Tree Jacket in November but I hadn't gotten around to blocking it and sewing up the sleeves until yesterday. Being snowed in helps me to be much more productive. The picture is courtesy of the DF. He's not into the artsy shots. He barely gives me enough time to smile or stand still. Now that I have a tripod for my camera I will have to figure out how to take my own pictures.

Pattern: Tree Jacket
Source: Zephyr Style
Yarn: Karabella Aurora 8 (10 balls)
Color: Warm Brown 06
Size: XS 28-31"
Needles: US Size 7
Modifications: None, sleeves knit flat.

When I finished knitting this sweater I was afraid it was going to be much too short. After blocking, it is now the perfect length and the sleeves are nice and long too. This is a really fun pattern and the Karabella Aurora 8 yarn knits up beautifully. I will get a lot of wear out of this sweater.

Baby It's Cold Outside

Today is the perfect day to stay inside and knit. We have a winter storm that started yesterday afternoon and when it's over, Sunday early morning, we should have 18 inches of snow. I feel bad for Max because I can't even open the back door to let him outside. He loves this weather. He can barely run in it because it's up to his stomach. Usually it's hard to get him to come back inside but not today. Even he thinks it's too cold outside to play.

On the knitting front my Nella Cropped Cardigan is on hold because I ran out of yarn. I'm using a smaller gauge so I should have known that I needed another ball of yarn. I found the same color on line and it is on it's way. I can't wait to finish and block it. All I have left to complete is about six inches of one sleeve and the yoke.

I also found this adorable pattern on Wendy's blog. It is a blanket for preemie's. I used blue sky organic cotton (color sand) which can be a little expensive. Wendy used Pakucho Organic Cotton from Elann which is about $3 a skein. I didn't mind spending more because it's worth it. It feels really soft, perfect for a baby.

If you are in the Cleveland Ohio area my friend Debbie contacted Rainbow Baby and Children's Hospital. They told her that this blanket is the perfect size for the NICU and they definitely could use some blankets for their babies. You may want to call to confirm what fibers they prefer.

I will leave you with a picture of Max. He is happy to be inside warm and cozy with his bone. He is giving me the eye because he is a little worried that I may try to take it.

Noro, Noro and More Noro

I have been in a Noro mood lately. I have been working on the Noro Stripped Scarf. I'm making it for the DF, not sure if he's going to wear it or not. It has a very little bit of purple in it but he is not a purple kind of guy.

If he doesn't want it I'll keep it for myself. Purple is one of my favorite colors. I am really happy with the way that the colors are coming out. I am using four skeins of Silk Garden, two in color 47 (grey, black and browns) and two in color 246 (green, purple, blue and gold). I like the combination of the two colorways.

My second Noro project is the Nella Cropped Cardigan. I am making a couple of modifications to my sweater. First, I'm using Silk Garden (color 243) instead of Kureyon. Second, the pattern is currently available for a size medium and I'm a small so I went down two needle sizes and am increasing the raglan increases so the sleeves fit. When I'm done I will post all the modifications I made. I'm really pleased with the way this is coming out. Of course I love the purple in the Silk Garden.


This is not the best picture because I'm at the point where I picked up stitches around the entire garment so it just looks like a crumpled ball of Noro. I also ordered some Noro sock yarn from Little Knits. I can't wait to get it.