Attaching sleeves

In today's post we will sew on the sleeves.
When I cast off each sleeves I immediately fold it lengthwise and then set it aside.
Why?
Well, by folding it in half this creates a crease in the sleeve. This crease marks the centre of the sleeve.
Now I lay out the body of the sweater so that the right side of the front and back face me.

I now match the sleeve crease to the shoulder seam and pin. Make sure that right side is kissing right side. It may be helpful to, once the sleeve is pinned, unfold the sleeve. Does it look right? Are both the right side of the sleeve and the right side of the body facing you? May sound easy but you wouldn't believe how many sweaters have dead during this process.

Now sew on the sleeve.

...and we now have sleeves on our sweater.

Tomorrow: sleeve seams.

Attaching the pocket

It's shaping up as a very busy day. So I think I will only have time to sew on the pocket. I may have time later to make another post. Not sure.
Step one pin on the pocket. As you sew, you want to follow a line of knitting. So the butt of the pocket is shoved up against a line of knitting (a line of white Stockinette stitch on the body of the sweater). Its just plain sewing until I get to the bottom of the pocket.

I use the mattress stitch to attach the bottom of the pocket.

This is the back of the pocket.

This is the front.

Tomorrow: Attaching sleeves

New knitting resource site

www.members.lycos.nl/breimetplezier

Assembling a muffin

I thought it might be fun to show you how I assemble a muffin. This isn't "the" way to assemble a sweater. It is my way. So if you disagree with a step or have a better way let me know: leanne@oknitting.com Thank you.
As you can see I start assembling by using the three-needle cast (bind off) off to join the shoulder seams. Would you like this method to be explained email me: leanne@oknitting.com

Next I sew the hood seams. Turn the work inside out and begin to sew the seam. I use the mattress stitch. Simply lay the two pieces you would like to sew together butt to butt. Then slide your threaded darning needle through the side stitches on each piece.

Now its time to sew on the pocket. I find it easier to attach the pocket before sewing the side seams. Measure to ensure that the pocket is placed in the middle of the front. Then use those fancy plastic knitting pins to pin the pocket on. The pins will hold the pocket on until you can sew it secure.

Tomorrow: Log on to see me sew seams: the pocket, sleeves, and sides. ...and we just may weave in ends as well.

PDFs or email

When you request patterns sent by email please state your preference: PDFs or emails. Olavia's is capable of sending both. Thank you for your patronage.

Muf - fin

Well, it is looking like it will be a beautiful week-end of sun. And so changes are that I will have an opportunity to have those final pictures taken.
This morning I woke up before the sun. Early rising is not my habit. All day I will be walking around in a daze.
This does not explain my latest knitting blunder.
I am working on yet another version of "Muffin". This one has contrasting coloured accents. All pieces were to be finished today. Sadly, the front had two stitches less than the back. Two stitches. Two. And so I had to rip our an entire front.
Measure twice and cut once.
Read and follow the pattern carefully.
The crafting world abounds with warnings. I should heed them.
It seems you can't hurry love or knitting....

Plans for tomorrow's sun

If it shines tomorrow, as I am promised it will, I have planned a photo shot. The photos are for my new book: Yarn Therapy.

I thought I was done the rough draft. Upon a re-read I realized that I had much more work ahead of me. Is it always like this?

Ah, the life of a writer. I'm learning.

All "sewed" up

Okay, maybe I shouldn't show you this...but I will...
Inside
I'm proud to show you this...

Outside...Front

Back

Cute?

Today's post has been inspired by beautiful Mayne Island sun shine.

Ah, sweet dreams of spring.

All the pretty little pieces

Almost ready to thread that darning needle and finish that sweater. I am rather pleased at how cute it looks. I am currently working on the front pocket.
I have a busy morning: volunteering at the library. ...but once I'm back I will let 'er rip. 'em 'er no I mean sew 'er up. I don't want to jinx myself.

Muffins baking

This morning I made apple, strawberry, and almond muffins. I used a plain muffin recipe and just through the apple, strawberry, and almonds in. The plain muffin recipe wasn't the best one. Unfortunately, I didn't know this before I put them in the muffin tins and so eating them was a little disappointing. Oh, well, only ten more to go. You win some - you lose some.

What are these?
These are sleeves.
Stay logged on to see the entire "Muffin".

Buttons

I have heard historians say that in times past the presence of buttons on garments was a sign of wealth. The more buttons you had the richer you were.
If that is the case then our society has plumbed into poverty. Mayne Island has no notion shop. A recent off-island seek and find yielded no buttons. No buttons. Mind we didn't visit every single notion shop. Hubby does have his limits. And of course there is always a long list of must-dos that accompanies us each and every time we venture off our island.
So what is a knitter to do?
One of my favourite knitting techniques is I-cord making. I have used it as trimming, straps, ties, and the list goes on. My latest use for I-cords is as a button substitute. Easily done. Simply make a I-cord loop. Then make another I-cord and tie a knot in the end. (if you are having trouble picture it think of the fasteners seen on chef smocks) It works very well.
Is there no end to what I-cord can yield?

In my inbox

This email arrived in my inbox a couple of days ago. Sounds like there is fun to be had in Tucson. I have heard, from Mayne Islanders who know, that Tucson is where you have to go. Apparently, creativity abounds in Tucson. This email seems to verify it.

To Bead True Blue Tucson 2007, a bead trade show with 425 exhibitors & workshops, focused on natural materials, colors, and textures, in art jewelry, collectibles, textiles, wearable art, artistic glass, bead making, enameling, clay arts, antiquities, lapidary, and interior décor, is January 30 th thru February 4th -at The Manning House, in Tucson, AZ. For Information & Registration go to http://www.tobeadtrueblue.com/.

Muffin variegated

Drum roll, please
What we have been waiting all day for...
A variegated Muffin.
the question...do you think I should make purple I-cord to edge the hood. Or is it fine as is? I value your input.


This version of Muffin started with some variegated yarn and a question, "What would Muffin look like if I simply worked in all in Stockinette stitch." Once again, I am in the process of sewing it all together. Once done I will post a pic. As well, knitter to knitter I need to ask you for help making a decision. Please stay logged on...

Just found the prefect site to surf to while your waiting for Muffin http://www.unravelled.com/products1.html
You'll lol

Muffin: seed stitch and Stst

Adorable! As you can see I played with the pattern. The pattern directs you to work garter stitch accents. I worked the sleeves, hood, and waist trim in seed stitch. I even used seed stitch trim on the pocket.

So far so good.

Log on tomorrow...maybe just maybe...I'll have another offering.

Muffins

This morning I made banana muffins. Delicious! (So I am feeling a little better.)
Logging on to www.oknitting.com
On the 'For Children' page you will see...
a "Muffin" of a different favour.

Not banana. No, this version of muffin is worked in Stockinette stitch with garter stitch accents. Variations on this pattern swim through my mind. The version I have just finished knitting combines seed stitch with seed stitch (it has a few other surprises as well) I will post a jpg once I have finished sewing it together. Please stay logged on for the results.

Sick day

If you read Leanneism (listed on my link page) you may recall I mentioned a virus that was raising havoc on the island. Well, it has me in it's vice. I don't talk I croak. I get a head rush simply by sitting still. And still I knit on. I knit on because May approaches. Currently I am working on variations of "Muffin" (to view log on to http://www.oknitting.com/ and go to the "For Children" page). Tomorrow I will post some pictures. If I can manage to stand up and hold the camera at the same time. : ) Stay warm and keep well, dear knitters.

Latest adventure

Please go to the link page and read Leanneism to discover what I have recently re-discovered.

Corrections and clarification for Your First Sweater

I received an email this morning requesting clarifications for finishing "Your First Sweater".
1)sew shoulders seams
2)sew on the sleeves
3)sew the side seam from the waist (of body of sweater) to the cuff (of sleeve)
4)weave in ends.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to clarify the pattern.

If you encounter errors, omissions, or queries while working any Olavia's hand knitting patterns please contact me (leanne@oknitting.com). I welcome this opportunity to improve my patterns.

Olavia's is alive and well

I had my suspicions. ...but hoped against hope that it wasn't true.
Then a family member brought the matter to my attention. Had I received his email. He had sent it sometime ago and wondered why I hadn't responded.
Then a friend brought the same matter to my attention.
Now, today, in the mail I received a polite enquiry from a knitter interested in obtaining one of my patterns. She hoped I was still in business. She worried that I wasn't because I hadn't returned her email.
Well, I am not sure what is up with my email. ...but I would like to assure you all that Olavia's hand knitting patterns is alive and well. If you or someone you know has not received an answer to an email please bring the matter to my attention. Either by emailing again or if possible drop a letter in the mail. I do want to help you. It usually only takes me no longer than two days to reply to emails. I am receiving emails. Not sure why I am not receiving them all. Oh, the Internet - it's wonders blogs the mind.

Please go to the link page and read Leanneism. Thank you

The error in yesterday's post

Because we are human errors are an ever present danger. Well, it happened again. I made a mistake in yesterday's post. I apologize. I hope this doesn't mean a lot of frogging for you.
Hubby has recommended that I write the post the day before. Review it in the morning. Then post it.
Well, this seems like too many steps for me. I am a tad impatient.
What happened is this: I wrote yesterday's post twice. The first copy was prefect. No errors. Then, as I was trying to add the post, my connection to the Internet was broken. Murphy's Law. The second copy was written from memory. And so I forgot an important step. Forgetting this step is like forgetting to add baking soda to a muffin recipe. Small but vital.
Please re-read yesterday's post paying special attention to the addition appears in red.
I have been trying to add the correction ever since I woke up this morning. And wouldn't you know it I just couldn't access the blog. Okay, Murphy you can leave me alone now. : )
Once again I apologize.

Wow! Guys

I have received more than a few requests for an adult version of oknitting's "Your First Sweater". The sweater appears today in Accord Publishing's Knitting: a pattern-a-day calendar. Unfortunately, my current work load means that I am unable to fulfill this request at this time. However, I have heard you and when there is time, dear knitters, when there is time your request will be satisfied.
For those of you who wish to try re-sizing this sweater yourself here are some helpful hints.
Steps to determine the number of stitches required for the front or back
1) Take your measurements (Example: 40 inches)
2) Divide this number in half (Example: 20)
2a)Depending on the type of fit you would like add inches for fit. For a very close fit add no inches. For a close fit add 1 to 2 inches. For a standard fit add 2 to 4 inches. For a loose-fit add 4 to 6 inches. For an oversized fit add 6 inches.
3) Work a sample swatch to determine the number of stitches per inch (Example: 4 stitches per inch)
Multiply the number you received in step 2 to number you obtained in step 3. (Example: 80 stitches) (please add stitches required for stitches. For example, for a close fit add 4 to 8 stitches. For a standard fit add 8 to 16 stitches. For a loose-fit add 16 to 24 stitches. For a oversized fit add 24 stitches.)
This number is the number of stitches required for the back or front. Please remember you will need to knit both a front and back.
Steps to determine the number of stitches required for the sleeves
1)The sleeves usually range from 8.5 to 9 inches for woman.
2)Multiply this number by 2. (Example: 8.5 x 2 = 17)
3) Multiply this number by the number of stitches per inch (Example: 17 x 4 = 68 stitches)
Determine length by measuring the length of a favourite sweater.
Determine the amount of yarn required.
Okay, this is the scary part. In fact, some knitters maybe shocked to read what I am about to write. However, this has always worked for me.
What I do is this:
1)Select a ball of yarn (200 yards/182 metres)
2)Determine your sweater size (Example: I am a medium)
3)Now, I buy a ball of yarn for each of the sleeves and two balls of yarn for the front and two for the back. So I buy six balls of yarn.
If you are a size larger buy one more ball (Example: L = 7 balls, XL = 8 balls, and so on.)
This is merely an approximation. This will only work with a ball of yarn with yardage of 200 yards/182 metres. If a smaller yardage is selected you will need more yarn balls.
I hope you found this post helpful.

Copyright Leanne Dyck January, 2007

Queen Anne's Lace Scarf

Today I received a request to clarify one of my hand knitting patterns: Queen Anne's Lace Scarf. Queen Anne's Lace Scarf appeared in Accord Publishing's 2005 Knitting: Pattern-a-day calendar. The pattern incorporates seed stitch with lace. The pattern outlines steps to make lace that are much easier than the usual lace knitting. I learnt this technique during my first year in 4-H. (4-H is a youth group whose goal is to teach skills to pre-teens and teen-agers.) Although, it is a unique technique once learnt it be very easy and quick to master.
Step 1: Cast on stitches.

Step 2: Put tip of working needle into loop.

Step 3: Wrap the yarn around the tip of the working needle once.

Step 4: Wrap the yarn around the tip of the working needle twice.

Step 5: You now have a series of double wrapped stitches. Continue to the end of the row.

Step 6: Put the tip of the working needle through one loop only.

Repeat steps 2 to 6. I hope this clarifies the pattern. If not please let me know: leanne@oknitting.com

Pattern alert: An oknitting.com pattern - Your First Sweater - appears in the Accord Publishing's Knitting: a pattern-a-day calendar tomorrow. Hope you enjoy knitting it.

Yarn Therapy

All goes well with the new book. I am very pleased. Soon it will be ready to pass on to other hands that will add their talent.
As it is self-published, I can expose subjects considered taboo or untouchable by the knitting book publishing community. Truths that new knitters need to know.
Remained logged on and learn more about this unique knitting book.