Carol Hurt's Projects - Sampler #5

“Braids” Cardigan

Carol knit this sweater along with the Ample-Knitters “Braids Project” group, starting in late August, 2002.

Carol’s “Braids” is a finished size 54” with short rows at the bust (you can see the dart in the photograph if you look closely). The yarn is Bryspun “Kid ’n Ewe” and she used 13-1/2 balls for a total of only 1620 yards. She's not entirely happy with her cast-on edge, and may add I-cord to the hemline and wrist edge.

The “Braids” and “Summer Braids” patterns can be purchased from Cabin Fever.

Back View (will open in a pop-up window)

On October 12, 2002, Carol, who lives in St. Louis, wrote:

“What a great day!! Cardinals just won as I was finishing my Braids.....and my Braids is Cardinal Red I made the long version with the side vents.

I have a few Braids hints....in case you're interested. I did make bust darts. I started 1” below the intended armhole and turned a short row in each purl rib - for 7 times. Looks perfect :)

The neck is not a true square neckline - just nicely curved with the decreases making a nice design line.

I followed my earlier hint at finding where to place the buttonholes and as I came around to the button side, I inserted a 6" piece of dental floss at each buttonhole center that had been determined. Now all I have to do is sew a button on top of the floss marker. No counting, no measuring.

I made 16-1/2” sleeves. I worked the first 3” without decreasing as the pattern suggests and then began decreasing every 4 rows. I could tell that I was going to have too many stitches at the end, so I began decreasing every 3 rows at about 12”. Ended up with 68 stitches at the wrist, which looks good for my size 54”.

For Carol's “earlier hint” about the buttonholes, see Ample-Knitters digest v03.n183. You must be a member of the Ample-Knitters List to access this archive.

Carol’s “Fiddler’s Vest”

This is an adaptation of the Fiddler“s Cardigan from XRX Handpaint Country. I converted it to a vest and it’s perfect for me! The pattern was designed by Anna Zilboorg and is perfectly written. The pattern is, as you can see, a side to side - both working out from the center back. It was a 6 row repeat and 4 are garter rows - so it was really easy after the first couple of repeats.

I used beautiful Lorna’s Laces yarn in China Blue colorway. The yarn is 100% wool Shepherd - bulky for the body and sportweight for the I-cord around the hem, armholes, and the bands down the front. The pattern called for buttons, but I decided on the 3 sets of pewter clasps.

“Legal Loopholes”

This sweater is from another of the Ample-Knitters “Knit-A-Longs”. See the Legal Loopholes Project Page. “Legal Loopholes” is available from Medrith Glover of the Woolroom, Quincy CA.

I used Classic Elite’s Bazic wool from Jane’s Knitting Hutch in Appleton, WI (1-920-954-9001). Bazic is 100% wool superwash - 65 yards/50 gms, 4 sts/1 inch on size 9 needle.

I did 7 legal loopholes as described in Medrith’s pattern and fused my neck opening at loophole # 5 which turned out perfect for my size 52” (finished).

I knit the sleeves with the decreases as in the pattern until they measured 2” and then proceeded with the same seed stitch slit and edge as done on the bottom of the sweater.

This is a great pattern and I will do it again. I would probably make the collar a little more generous. i.e. cast on more stitches, but it's okay the way it is.

Sleeve Detail (will open in a pop-up window)

“Half Moon Bay”

This is the Half Moon Bay, another of Jill Vosburg's great designs from Just One More Row.

Carol's notes:
I made it to a finished size 54” since it was going to be a longer length. I did the front/back panels to the exact measurements of the “protruding” shoulder bone. These photos are of the “flared shoulder.” You can see that it hits precisely at my shoulder line which I like very much. I used Grignasco Jaipur cotton/cellulose yarn. I imagine it would be very beautiful in Jill Vosburg's Cotton Spiral. The pattern is very easy to read and size to your own measurements. This was a fun, fast, interesting project. Thanks, Jill!

Side View (will open in a pop-up window)

Carol’s Henley Sweater

This is the Knitting Pure and Simple Henley T-top # 9727 designed by Diane Soucy. It’s knitted from the neck down, has raglan sleeves, and a 3-button placket. I used 2 strands of Crystal Palace Waikiki from One Fine Yarn.

I enlarged the pattern by doing the following....
The pattern calls for a gauge of 4.5 sts per inch on size 8 needles. The largest size was 50” and I need a finished size of about 52”. So I doubled the yarn on size 10 needles - that gave me a gauge of 4 sts and then I could even drop down in size on the pattern to the numbers for size 46”. i.e. by doubling the yarn, increasing gauge and needle size, I could add 6.5 inches. (46” + 6.5” = 52.5”)

I tried to photograph the round buttons, because they have little rhinestones inset in them, and they completed the garment.

“On Pointe Plus Tote”

Carol knit this tote from Knitter's Magazine #67, Summer 2002. The design is by Ample-Knitters lister Joan McGowan-Michael of White Lies Designs.

Carol notes: “I made it with Jo Sharp wool and added cording for handles, purchased at a Fabric Warehouse. Very fun and great directions.”

See more of Carol's Sweaters - Sampler #1, Sampler #2, Sampler #3, Sampler #4, Sampler #6