Jess made a Breckon Cardigan!

--Jess

I have been dreaming of making sweaters since I started knitting 4 years ago, as a matter of fact it was my driving force to learn how to knit. The idea of being able to knit my own clothes still gives me goosebumps! I am constantly saying "I can't believe I MADE this!!" Needless to say I am extremely happy with my new sweater.

The Breckon is a Brooklyn Tweed pattern by Amy Christoffers that I have had my eye on since it was released. It calls for Loft fingering weight yarn. I fell in love with the color Truffle Hunt which was also featured in the pattern sample!

I was surprised with how effortless it was to understand the lace pattern. This is an easy nine stitch repeat mixed with a few cables and granite stitch. I know that might sound like a lot but I assure you it was a delight! I really enjoyed how much detail this sweater has. Every row kept my attention and I found myself saying "just one more repeat" far too often!  

This pattern calls for you to make the sleeves first.. and phew!  Was I happy when I finished the body to only had to attach them. (this is my happy face)

I decided not to include any waist shaping and I am so certain that was the right decision for me. The results are exactly what I was looking for. I wear cardigans almost everyday and this one has already jumped to the top of my favorites list. 

I could not be more pleased with my new cardigan! I have already cast on for my next sweater thanks to Fancy Tigers sweater KAL! I need to make a worsted weight project before I jump into my next fingering weight Brooklyn Tweed sweater. Be on the look out- I plan on making the Reine out of Loft in 2014 and I can't wait!  

Better Know A Crafter: Athena Patacsil

Whenever Athena comes in to the shop we are always excited to see what yarns and projects she will pick out, because she makes the most beautiful things! Her newest sweater is no exception.

Athena Patacsil
 

Tell us about your crafty self!

I am an alchemist. I create all kinds of crafty goods out of various materials. It feels so good to dive into projects, pouring heart and soul into it and experiencing the finished project. I knit, crochet, sew, craft with paper, design with my computer and play often. Sharing with others and inspiring is extremely fulfilling to me. Crafting really is magical...

Your sweater is beautiful! Tell us about knitting it.

This is my favorite sweater that I have knit so far. I fell in love with the Road to China Light yarn and knew I had to make a fabulous sweater for myself out of it. I found the perfect pattern, Silken Scabbard, from stitchdiva.com and knit like crazy. Overall it took about three weeks and now I love to wear it!

How did you learn to knit?

I taught myself to "really" knit when I was 18, but my mom introduced me to it by teaching me to cast on, knit and purl. We knit afghans together, but I wanted to expand. I ended up teaching myself the continental way by knitting sweaters, and haven't looked back...

What is your favorite animal?

Owls, of course! :)

Thanks Athena! Happy knitting!

Emily's Aidez Cardigan

Greetings, crafty peeps!

Do you know how much I love making sweaters? I really, really do, and I'm pretty picky about how I like to make them--top down, seamless, try on as you go. Seeing Amber and Angelique's beautiful Aidezes convinced me to try this *bottom up?!?* *seamed?!?* sweater pattern by Cirilia Rose. Being a bit stubborn in my ways, I at least had convert the pattern to seamless...and add some shaping...and stuff.

This gorgeous sweater was made from Cestari 2ply Fine Merino in Blue Pansy, which is a lovely squishy aran weight yarn. It was really lovely to work with, although you could also use Peace Fleece, Cascade Eco or Eco+, Imperial Stock 2ply Mulespun, or our very own Fancy Tiger Heirloom Romney!

As per usual for me, this turned into a make it up as you go along kind of affair. After teaching the My Favorite Sweater class for so long I'm pretty comfortable with knitting away from patterns. It's like cooking, you take an amazing recipe and then close the book and make it. Sometimes awesome things happen, and it's a certainty that you will learn a lot. And Cirilia's pattern is amazing. Those cables are all gorgeous to look at, fun to knit, and surprisingly easy to memorize. It makes me so happy when you don't need a row counter as much as you thought because the tiny cables tell you when to cable the bigger ones. You smarty!

Have you ever tried fixing cabling mistakes? Well, I have now become somewhat good at that. Fixing a trellised cable is pretty intense, but makes you feel like you can do anything! Invincible! Ha ha, you silly trellis, you thought you could foil me?!?! Or, you could just leave them in, like I did above. Five points if you can see it.

Oh, and one sleeve at a time--not a good idea when you are making things up as you go. I knit the sleeves two at a time using the magic loop method. Two at a time forever! It's not just for socks, two at a time is pretty much the only way I will knit something that needs to be identical (If that scares you, take a class! You might swear off one at a time too!).

This is definitely my new go-to favorite sweater. I love it so much!

Better Know A Crafter: Karen Sobel

Cute Aidez attack! Totally crafty Karen has been featured before on our blog for sewing and knitting, and we couldn't resist showing you what she's been up to recently. She just finished a beautiful Aidez cardigan knitted up in Cascade Eco+!

Tell us about what makes you crafty.

I knit and I'm learning to sew. Both give me a little burst of sanity.

Tell us about your lovely cabled cardigan.
It is the Aidez sweater, by Cirilia Rose. Amber knitted it and posted pictures a few months ago and I got inspired. It really was pretty easy, as long as I stayed patient. Plus, I'm a librarian...we love our cardigans!

How did you learn to knit?

My grandmother the basics of this and a lot of other things (canning, embroidery, baking...) as a kid. I put most of them down but am picking them up again in my 30s. Thanks, Grandma!

Is your favorite animal still a giraffe?
Yes!

Thanks Karen! Happy knitting!