Pattern: JOVEN

Yarn: Patons Classic Merino Wool in Regency and Rich Red

Technique: Ultimate Sweater Machine in KP 2.5, Hand knit k2p2 ribbing with US 5, 3.75mm circular needle

Completed: January 2007

I’ve been trying to come up with a wool pants pattern for the USM since I first got my machine in 2004. Since then, I’ve attempted to design a pair of pants at least 3 times before I was able to come up with this latest version. I’m so close. Once I get the sizing down, I will be making great looking wool pants.

These pants feature a crotch gusset and short rows in the rear to accomodate cloth diapers. Joven will be offering 8 10 sizes: the Bulky in newborn, small, medium, large, and extra large and the Trim in the same size categories. The bulky sizes serve the needs of cloth diapering, while the trim serve the needs of people who EC or wear disposables.

Pattern: JOVEN

Yarn: Patons Classic Merino Wool in Black and Ocean,

Technique: Crochet in the round with US H hook. Hand knit ribbing in k2p2 with US 5, 3.75mm circular needles.

Completed: January 2007

I want to have something similar to these soakers for the store. I don’t know when they’ll be available though because I don’t know how the decreases are going to work. I don’t really like how they came out this time around. My main concentration is on finalizing the wool pants pattern. Once that is done, I’ll be making standard sizes for my soakers THEN I can focus on new designs. There are quite a few rattling around my brain.

… but it is what it is.

I have been working on this sweater since 2004 (the year I got my USM). I’m noticing a trend here. I had some lofty goals in 2004. I did manage to make quite a few Holiday gifts that year though.

2004 may be the most prolific knitting year I’ve had. (Ironically there are no pictures for the completed items.) To illustrate, I’ve knit these sweater pieces twice each. The first time, I used the e-wrap cast on and planned on making the hem single crochet but didn’t like how that looked. I knit them again with a folded over hem. After that problem was resolved, there was was a major problem with the set in sleeves. I’ve yet to attempt set in sleeves again. (Note that the two sweaters I’ve completed designed since are raglans.)

I need to make fold-over button bands and decide on the collar. I was going to make a hood but I’ve never made one and cotton is not a first-timer fiber in my opinion. That lesson has been learned.

I’ve been working on this poncho for my sister in law since 2004 when she first purchased the yarn for it. It began as crochet (holding two strands of yarn together). After about a year, I decided that the crochet was taking too long. So I decided on making the main parts on the USM and just crocheting the collar, hood and edging. Now, 2 years after that, it still sits in the same state. It’s time to finish this up- I think ponchos have been both in and out of style since I started this one. Hopefully, when I’m finished, they will be “in” again.

The main panels are plain stockinette stitch which I seamed together with the USM. The collar is going to be single crochet through the back loops, in the round until it’s time to allow for the buttons (which I can’t find anymore).

I’ve been crocheting as I work on the 2 Baby Hats which were ordered back in September. Luckily my cousin had ordered them and knew the trials and tribulations of the Sonata Project so it’s not a big deal that I’m finishing them now. One of them is finished and the other one has about 85% to go.

My goals for this year are to finish all those works in progress. Check out the left side bar for the status and a picture of each project. I am again trying to stick to finishing all of these before starting new, non-business projects. I’ll be picking out a project every few days to discuss.

I have also finished the Black Ocean Soaker Shorts. Gallery pictures will be forthcoming once they are washed and lanolized.

The Charlie Brown Sweater is coming along. I’ve completed the hem and the sleeve cuffs. All that is left is to make button bands and then do duplicate stitches on those intarsia mistakes.

I also started a pair of wool baby pants. They are a prototype of the pattern I’ve been writing for the Ultimate Sweater Machine. I’ve learned a few things with this latest version which means the next version is going to be even better- which also means that I still haven’t figured out my basic pants pattern. My goal for having a final pattern is March 19th. I then need to have samples of ALL EIGHT SIZES by April 10th.

What am I itching to start but simply refuse to? Crocheted fruits and vegetables. The kids have a new play kitchen but I don’t see all those plastic fruits and vegetables lasting. I hope to plow through those works in progress so that I can start crocheting them ASAP. I’m also having a lot of ideas about other knitted and crocheted food. This may become a sub-hobby.