Oolong knits

I love simple geometric textures and Right Angle by Georgia Farrell has just got it right. It is an easy knit, but, if you go for it, be careful getting a loose drape and a nice positive ease which is not oversized, otherwise you may find it doesn't look good on.

In this post , I'd promised to review "The Principles of Knitting" by June Hemmons Hiatt, so here it is. This huge book is probably the most complete that will ever be written on knitting techniques. I doubt that anyone else besides its author will ever find the time, the patience and the perseverance to surpass it. To cut a long post short, I can start by saying that I highly recommend any serious, ambitious knitter to own this book. This is, in my opinion, the best knitting reference book (that I know of, of course). The pros: Very complete. There are, of course, some techniques missing from this book, but as I said above, this is probably the most complete book you can find. It is also complete in explaining almost every possible way to achieve a result. June doesn't just present the way she thinks is best, she explains every other way she has ever heard of achieving the same result, because she understands and respects the fact that everyone is different a...

This is the first time I include a child's pattern in candy. The good news is that the Antler Cardigan by tincanknits includes pretty much all sizes from tiny baby to huge adult. A very simple idea with a very beautiful result.

Last week I've published the pattern for the front of the cardigan. The back of the cardigan is pretty much the two front pieces glued together without the collar shaping, which makes it even simpler. For this particular cardigan, I've chosen not to knit a cable, but instead add a bit of texture for interest. This means the knitting begins with some ribbing, continues in stockinette stitch and ends in reverse stockinette. Pattern Cast-on 68 stitches + 2 selvedge stitches (optional) 2x2 rib (rows 1-11) odd rows (WS): SE, (p1, k2, p1) repeat up to last st, SE even rows: SE, (k1, p2, k1) repeat up to last st, SE stockinette (rows 12-77) From rows 12-63: Even rows: SE, knit all stitches, SE Odd rows: SE, purl all stitches, SE Armhole shaping Rows 64-65: Bind-off 4 stitches, ES and continue to work in established pattern Rows 66, 68 and 70: SE, k1, ssk, knit up to 4 stitches, k2tog, k1, SE All other rows: work in established pattern reverse stockinette (rows 78-9...

Star Crossed Slouchy Beret by Natalie Larson is one of the most popular designs on Ravelry. I took the picture from CherishedOne's project , which contains a lot of modifications to the original pattern. Use at your own risk.

16st horseshoe cable (8 row repeat) purl side version Odd rows (RS): knit 16 st Rows 2, 6, 8: purl 16 st Row 4: RC8, LC8 RC8/LC8: slip 4 st to cable needle and hold in front/back, purl 4 st then purl stitches on cable needle. knit side version Rows 1, 3, 7 (RS): knit 16 st Even rows: purl 16 st Row 5: LC8, RC8 RC8/LC8: slip 4 st to cable needle and hold in back/front, knit 4 st then knit stitches on cable needle. In my swatch I'd worked both a 12st and a 16st horseshoe cable and I've decided I prefer the 16st one. I'm going to knit a panel of this cable on the front pieces. The 16st horseshoe is a 8 row repeat pattern with one single row with two cable crosses and all other rows in stockinette stitch. So this is a very simple cable and you can find the details in the yellow panel on the right (I like working the crosses on the purl side, but most people prefer to work them on the knit side, I include instructions for both). I've mentioned selvedge stitc...

For someone who loves knitting socks, I don't include many socks in my candy, do I? This week's in an exception. Froot Loop by Kristi Geraci vertical rib-like design make them a favourite of mine. The lace is pretty but not too lacy and not as boring as plain rib. And the pattern is free. Can I make a confession? I'm starting to feel that the emphasis on free on my blog is a bit ridiculous. Surely we can all afford to pay a few quid for a pretty pattern. But being free ain't a bad thing either. One thing in its favour is that, before deciding to go with it, you can take a peek and check if the pattern is too difficult to execute and not worth the effort. The good news here is that those pretty loops are actually quite easy to do.

I've cast-on 24 stitches for a swatch in order to test my stitch choices: reverse stockinette, 16 stitches horseshoe cable, 2x2 ribbing. That went well and I liked the look of my swatch. Of course, in addition I've got my gauge : 16 rows and 11.5 stitches per 10cm (4in). Now that I have gauge, I want size. Despite having a limited amount of yarn, I want a comfortable cardigan with lots of positive ease . I've decided to go for a large size with 112cm of bust circumference. That makes a 64 stitches cast-on for the back and 32 stitches for both fronts. Don't forget to add two stitches to the cast-on for selvedges! I may be mistaken, but I don't think that waist shaping makes sense with so much positive ease. I also think that super-chunky yarn will never provide the right drape for an A-shape piece. Therefore, I'm knitting a standard square shape (or no shape if you prefer). Because I'm seaming and picking up stitches, I want to add selvedge stitches to m...

Stone Fence by Thea Colman . When I was at university I had a light, dark green, cotton sweater that was similar to this one (no cables, though, just the lace in vertical panels). I wore for many years, it was one of my all-time favourite pieces of clothing. Of course I have a plan to someday knit a copy. Maybe this is the reason I like this sweater so much. Or maybe it's just objectively beautiful. You decide.