Sunday, February 25, 2007

Sage Cardigan Pattern on Sale

Finally I manage to finish writing down the Sage Cardigan pattern. Writing down pattern is not as easy as I though it would be. Every time I checked, I still manage to find some error. I wrote the pattern row to row, so no need to think, just follow the pattern. I also include the charted pattern if you preferred to follow the chart. Don’t be surprise with the total pages you have to print (32 pages total). I could change the font to smaller one, or resized the charted pattern so it would fit into 1 page. But, what is the point if you can not read it? If you prefer to follow the chart, print the chart only, but if you prefer the english instruction, just print that part.

Originally, I wanted to put this pattern for free. But, on second thought, because of the time I spent to write this pattern, I think I just have to put it on sale. Just email me if you are in doubt and want to ask question first.



Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL
Needle: 3.25 mm (size 3), 3.5 mm (size 4) knitting needle (straight/circular), 2.75 mm (size C) crocheted hook
Yarn: Fingering weight or double strand lace wight yarn (eg: Rowan 4-ply cotton, double strands of Jaegerspun Zaphyr). Yarn requirement for XS: 1200 meter, S: 1300 meter, M: 1400 meter, L: 1500 meter, XL: 1600meter, XXL: 1700 meter, 3XL: 1800 meter
Notion: Tapestry deedle, buttons (6 pcs), marker, scrap yarn
Gauge: 30 sts and 40 rows = 4” (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch (St st) using 3.25 mm needle or adjust the needle size to get gauge. I agree that this is not a quick knit. There are a lot of stitches, but if you invest the time and quality yarn, you will get a timeless cardigan to love for years.
Difficulty: Adventurous beginner (you need to know how to do knit and purl, decrease and increase, make button holes, simple cable, short row, and crochet)
All entry about this Project: Click here


If your gauge is different from above, email me along with your measurement, I will advise you which size you should make.

Click on the button below to buy a copy. It will be sent to you in a zipped PDF file via email once payment is complete. Thanks!

US$ 5.00,-

add to cart


Tip:

I know it's very daunting to knit a project with small gauge. However, I found that knitting with bulky yarn and big needle doesn't give me good result. It's bulky and make me look fat.

So, what is the guarantee, after knitting so many hours using fine yarn and small needle, that the result will be satisfying? Knit the back first. Wash and block it. No need to stretch or pull so tight. Just pat it a bit and make sure it shape properly and lay flat. After it dried, compare it with your favourite cardigan. If it's match then continue, if it doesn't then at least you only need to redo the back part and not the whole thing :)

Monday, February 19, 2007

Crocheted Blue Top FINISH


I finished this top about a week ago and wore the first time yesterday for the Chinese New Year. My first plan was to use the red top, but the weather was too hot to wear that red top.



I like the look on this top. It’s quite versatile. I can use it with or without camisole inside. Yesterday, I used it with my black camisole.

I used Miami Four Season cotton yarn for this project. As usual, I splitted the yarn into three (yes THREE!). So, I only used up 4 x 50 gram balls.



On my previous trip to Indonesia, my mother asked me to clear up my wardrobe as I got so much clothes that I never wear again. I got so much junk that need 2 days to sort everything out. In the end I got some button that I like for my projects. The button in this project is one of them.





Pattern: Japanese Pattern Book
Source: Lets Knit Series
Materials: Miami Four Season. Color: Blue. Qty: 4 x 50 gram
Needles: 2.5 mm Tulip Crochet Hook
Total Cost: Yarn USD 20.60 + Button: Free
Start Date: 20 September 2006
Finish Date: 5 February 2007



I just realized that it took me almost 5 months to finish this top. I think it’s because I rarely touch this project as I was concentrating more on my Sage cardigan.

Other entry this project: Start, 50%.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Photos From My Trip to My Hometown (Part-2)

Looking out from window in Sheraton Hotel


I want to leave some note for Mommy and Daddy

Hallo..Hallo.. Room service? I would like to order food please.

Friday, February 09, 2007

To Strengthen The Button Holes

First of all I would like to thank you for all the lovely comment on my Sage cardigan. Sorry if I could not reply to your comment because somehow some of the comment did not provide the replying email address.

I got a lot of question regarding splitting the yarn. Actually it’s not that difficult. I could split 1 balls of 100 gram (200 meter) in 2 hours. For the normal 50 gram balls yarn (100 meter), I could split within 1 hour.

Anyway, regarding my original plan to change the button, somehow I could not find any suitable bigger button to replace the current button on my sage cardigan. I decided to make the holes a bit smaller so it won’t pop out easily.

Using tapestry needle and a strand of yarn, I sew the round edge of the holes several times. This will also strengthen the holes.


As to stabilize the button, I put scrap clothes folded several times and sew it in the back of the button.


Monday, February 05, 2007

Sage Cardigan Details

This was my first original design for knitting. It’s a long knit because I was using small needle and using fingering weight yarn. Well, it’s actually DK weight, but I splitted the yarn into two to get fingering weight yarn. The yarn brand was Wendy Supreme Cotton DK that I bought from Cucumberpatch. I bought 4 balls (1 balls = 100 gram or 201 meter), but I ended up only using 3 balls (only about 3 or 4 meter left). The cost of the yarn itself was RM20.50 or USD5.85 per balls (including the shipping cost), thus this cardigan only cost me RM61.50 or USD17.55! It’s very cheap for hand made one of the kind knitted garment, don’t you think?


I really enjoy knitting using small needle, although it takes longer time, but the final result is really worth it.


At this moment I am trying to write down the pattern as my mother in law also wants to make it. She wants row by row pattern complete with the chart. So, I must finish writing up the pattern before I start another project (although I have another design in my mind and I keep thinking about it).

I am thinking to change the buttons as they are a bit too small for the holes. If I can find nicer button, I will change it. Otherwise probably I will leave it as it is.

Pattern: My Own
Source: NA
Materials: Wendy Supreme Cotton DK. Color: Sage. Qty: 3 x 100 gram
Needles: Addi Metal Circular Needle 3.25 mm
Total Cost: Yarn USD 17.55 + Button USD.40
Start Date: 1 Nov 2006
Finish Date: 31 Dec 2006
Other entry this project:
Start, 25%, 75%, 95%.



On other news, remember the new product launching in Kuala Lumpur? My friend called me saying that she saw an article about the launching plus a photo of me in Saturday STAR newspaper. It’s also on the star online.

I am a bit disappointed because in the photo did not show of my Sage cardigan in the best position. I think after giving presentation I forgot to straighten my clothes and directly posed for photo shooting session.