Artfibers Mystic Cardigan

Yarn: Artfibers Mystic, a DK weight silk/mohair blend
Pattern: Basic set in sleeve cardigan generated by Knitscape
Notes: Love the yarn. It's so so so soft and the colors are gorgeous. I'm just sorry I didn't load up on different colors before Artfibers discontinued this. Kira tells me that Tsuki (similar to kidsilk haze) held doubled is close to Mystic, but I'll still mourn the passing of this wonderful yarn. As for the pattern, I don't like how the shaping is too extreme at the end, but other than that, it's a nice basic shape.

Vintage Camisole

Pattern: Camisole from Vintage Knits by Sarah Dalls
Yarn: Elann Lara in Olive and Navy
Notes: This camisole looks much cuter in the book than in my execution of it. I'm not sure if it's because I used a yarn other than the recomended Rowan Cotton Glace of if it's just one of those garments that just look much better in photographs than in person. All in all, I was very disappointed with the results of this effort. And although I am in love with almost all of the patterns in this book, my experience with this one makes me hesitate to try any of the other pieces.

Long Cardigan

Pattern: Rowan Summer '02 (?)
Yarn: Originally called for Rowan All Seasons Cotton, but I used a wool/mohair/acrylic blend I bought in Italy.
Notes: Nice raglan long cardigan. Originally made in All Seasons Cotton, the intention I believe was to throw it over your bathing suit by the pool, but I turned it into a fall/winter garment with my choice of yarn. I love the raglan seams and the simple shaping at the waist. I haven't made the tie for this yet, though a friend has given me a lovely brooch to wear with this.

Baby set (pullover, hat, booties)

Pattern: Pullover and booties are from Knitting for Baby by Melanie Falick
Hat is the Jelly bean hat from Rowan Bambino
Yarn: Plymouth DreamBaby DK in blue and olive
Notes: I like the bootie pattern best. The rolled top is adorable and it's very sock-like, which is what I was aiming for with this set. The pullover is knit in one piece, resulting in minimal seaming which means less irritation for baby's sensitive skin. I added the olive trim on all three items to increase the matchy-matchiness of the set. Sized for 3-6 months. The entire set took about 10 hours to make. I love baby knits!

Linden (Rowan)

Pattern: Linden from Rowan Classic Alpaca DK book
Yarn: 11 skeins Le Fibril Nobili Super Taj Mahal - a Merino/Cashmere/Silk blend
Notes: This is an elegant sweater with great details like the deep ribbing on the sleeves and hem. I love the combination of cables (a traditionally heavier element) and lace (a lighter element). My husband couldn't stop talking about how "professional" it looks. The yarn feels great next to the skin. I think I prefer this yarn over the yarn that is intended for this pattern.

Daisies Cardigan (Rowan)

Pattern: Daisies from Rowan Bambino
Yarn: 3 skeins of Rowan Cashsoft DK in light blue
1 skein each of Rowan Cashsoft DK in crimson and dark pink
Notes: Love this sweet cardigan with its simple mandarin collar. Again, great use of seed stitch details and I love the embroidery. The colors make this appropriate for a boy even though there are flowers stitched on. The Rowan Cashsoft DK is so incredibly soft. It's supposed to be machine washable too, although I'm not sure I would trust the machine with this sweater.

Classic Elite Simple Cardigan

Pattern: Simple Cardigan from the Fall 06 Classic Elite Tweed Book
Yarn: 10 skeins Classic Elite Marl - 100% Alpaca
Notes: Very elegant cardigan with clean lines. The yarn is beautifully tweedy, but it sheds *a lot*. It got very annoying after a while. So much so that it pushed me to finish this cardigan in under 2 weeks (fast for me).

Mariner

Pattern: Mariner from Irrestible Knits by Kristin Cowan
Yarn: 9 skeins of Rowan Wool Cotton in beet red
Notes: This is one of the first sweaters I've knit. The wool cotton is very soft and supple and I love the deep red color. The pattern is so cute - I love the use of seed stitch as trim and the kangaroo pocket in the center. The sweater is a bit long - this was before I learned to modify length to suit my height (or lack of it :) ).

Silk Wrap - Blue Sky Alpacas

Pattern: Silk Wrap from Blue Sky Alpaca
Yarn: 8 skeins of Blue Sky Alpaca & Silk in Kiwi
Notes: A very simple knit. Love the final result, though the pattern as written is rather large for me even though I knit the S/M size. Yarn is soft, but like all alpaca yarn, is a bit scratchy and warm for my tastes.

Artfibers Oodle Cardigan

Pattern: Basic raglan cardigan pattern generated by Knitscape with a sailor collar added by me. The collar, cuffs, and hems are embellised with a cabled rib.
Yarn: Artfibers Oodle, a fingering weight handdyed cotton ribbon.
Notes: I wanted a close fitting cardigan in a comfortable fiber and the Oodle seemed to fit the bill. The yarn has great drape which made the button band a little too floppy. I sewed on a grossgrain ribbon facing in an effort to firm the band up. I still need to sew in hook and eye closures on this cardi. I love the colors in this yarn - a deep blend of violet, browns, reds, and a few flecks of white.

Baby booties

Pattern: 50 Baby Booties to Knit
Yarn: 1 skein of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in dusty pink
Ribbon: coordinating silk ribbon from Pins & Needles in Princeton, NJ
Notes: Simple booties pattern, but very sweet. I added the ribbon "bow" to match the cardigan.

Baby Yoke Cardigan

Pattern: Free yoke cardigan knit in one piece.
Yarn: 2 skeins of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in dusty pink
Ribbon: Silk ribbon from Pins & Needles in Princeton, NJ
Notes: I love this free pattern. I changed the waves at the yoke into eyelets and threaded a silk ribbon through the bottom row in lieu of button closures. The Cashmerino is wonderfully soft to knit with.

Green Gable

Pattern: Green Gable from ZephyrStyle
Yarn: 2 skeins Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Olivette
Notes: I like this top a lot, but the yarn feels a bit heavy. If I were to do this again, I think I would go with a lighter weight yarn - perhaps a cotton/acrylic blend - to make it more summer suitable. Like many out there, I made some changes with the shaping and with the arm depth. Cute top overall.

Aerial Tank (Rowan 29)

Pattern: Aerial Tank from Rowan 29
Yarn: 2 skeins Rowan 4 ply cotton in allure
1 skein of leftover 4 ply cotton in lime
Notes: I love this top, but the pattern as written is a bit, ahem, small. It's strapless and bares the bellybutton. My conservative self demanded that it be lengthened and that straps be added. I loved this top so much that I made another version in lime green with ribbon straps.