Detail of necklineDetail of front edging. The S1K1 rolls a little like an icord, but it adds to the effortless appeal of this design.
I’ve had a few requests to talk about the pockets. Cocoknits calls these “kangaroo pockets.” I’ve never knit pockets like this before, but it was really simple. I don’t feel comfortable sharing any proprietary info. I looked for a tutorial but didn’t find one. Instead, here’s a link to my newest favorite knitting podcast by Gaye Glasspie, where she talks a little bit about the Franca pockets, but also does not give away the pattern. If you just want to see the pockets, forward to timestamp 23:55. Ladies and Gents, we have pockets
The pattern calls for whip stitching or “seaming” the pockets closed. I did a mattress stitch because I wanted the pockets to look as good on the inside as the garment looks on the outside. That’s the only change I made to the pattern.
Somehow I got away with ten skeins of yarn instead of the eleven called for. I guess it’s because I’m a loose knitter?
I really enjoyed knitting this and I learned some new tricks. The collar is a little fussy, but it’s the first thing you do, and it’s really elegant. I had to make it twice to get it right. But the second time I watched the Cocoknits YouTube tutorial, and that helped.
Here’s my Mom’s Franca, all knitted but needs a little seaming/grafting and ends woven in and blocking. I wanted to do that tonight but I’m fried. I will try again tomorrow. Maybe if I get to it in the morning before work?
When I was writing about my happy places, I was remiss not to mention Global Gifts stores. That’s where I work, but I work from my home office now. However, I was a store manager for four years, and the store was my happy place. It smells like incense and coffee when you walk in, there is global music playing, everything is handmade, everyone is happy, and there’s chocolate. Lots of fair trade chocolate. It’s a little different now because of the pandemic. There are masks of course, and no coffee samples. We’re at limited capacity to ensure social distancing. And now when I visit I realize I’m another potential germ carrier. So I make my visits quick, and shop online and pick up. I miss being in store. I can’t wait for COVID to end.
I’m on Franca sleeve island.Litmus cowl: purple is comingI’m ready to start the raglan increasing on my Turtledove.I may sew some PJ pants today with this flannel.
I may also lay out the wool for a new fiber art piece and dye some brown.
I do have another resolution-ish for 2021, and that’s to knit as much yarn as I purchase, at a minimum. So outgoing has to equal incoming, although ideally outgoing will exceed incoming. Since I’m signed up for two yarn clubs, that means I have to knit 24 skeins minimum. I also may have just stress bought a sweater quantity of Peace Fleece. I’ve wanted to knit a Peace Fleece sweater for several years, so I bit the bullet and did it.
Therefore, I’ve added a couple of things to my list:
Peace Fleece Ronan in Siberian Midnight (Ravelry link)
Malabrigo Brambleberry Rikke Hat – I bought this yarn when I was in OKC. I’m not 100% positive on the colorway name but it is berry-related. Or maybe it’s their Anniversario colorway?
I wear my Christmas Village Rikke Hat all the time, so I’m going to need a new color, and this matches my coat. I love this stretchy German Twist cast on. It’s my new thing. I also learned a new stretchy bind off for Franca.
Today is our Blogville Knitters Virtual Knit at 1PM Eastern. If you are new and would like to join us by Skype, please DM your Skype ID to me on Instagram or Ravelry. So far, it’s been me, Sarah, Marilee, Liz, Kath, Bonny, and Laura. Our group is growing!
PS: JoJo loves Meep. Loves her to death with her murder claws.
Is there a memory you go to in your mind as a happy place?
Is there one particular happy place location in the world you can’t wait to return to (once you are able to)?
What are your happy place hobbies/interests that help you escape the outside world?
1. My most happiest place is in my comfy chair in front of a fire knitting. I’ve cast on my Turtledove! My second most happiest place is probably my front porch.
Two of my babies at my grandparents’ farm many years ago. I love this photo.
2. Sometimes when I need to go to a happy place in my mind, I imagine I’m at my grandparents’ farm.
Iona, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
3. I’m not sure if there is one particular happy location in the world for me I can’t wait to return to. My grandparents’ farm isn’t the same without them there. Maybe Nova Scotia, but I’ve only been there once. We’ll have to try that again and see.
4. I think we know the answer to this question: knitting, and felt fiber art are the hobbies that help me escape the outside world. I’m going to include some Nova Scotia pieces in my show. And maybe one of my grandparents’ farm.
It took me all morning but I finally conquered the shoulders. The gap will be seamed. Now that I understand it, I could easily knit it again. It means I can knit more CocoKnits patterns!
I’m struggling with this CocoKnits shoulder construction method. It’s driving me cocoknits. She has a YouTube channel with some great videos and I thought I had it figured out. But (commence knitspeak) I had the right shoulder turned around and the neck edging was on the seam side after I joined it to the collar. I thought, no big deal, I’ll just rip back and knit it forward again. But that makes the knitting go in the wrong direction, which ordinarily wouldn’t matter, except when you have a S1K1 edging that you cannot match in that direction. So I’ve frogged all of the shoulder piece and will reknit. At least I know what I’m doing now. I’m going to eat some breakfast and try again.
So here’s a pic of my easy knitting. Isn’t it pretty?
Unfortunately, I don’t have any pics or updates this week. I’ve been sick with the stomach flu for three days. I have felt a little better the past two days, but I’m still fatigued and nauseous. And too tired to knit. I tried, though.
I watched the newest episode of Fruity Knitting yesterday. They interviewed the CocoKnits designer, Julie Weisenberger, who is the designer of the Franca sweater I am making for my Mom. I am so glad I watched the video, because she explains her approach to garment knitting, which she calls English tailoring, and I’m excited to try it. It’s an elegant solution. And now I understand why I started with the back neck piece.
Bob in the gansey I knit for him, which has since been washed and felted a bit and no longer fits. I told him it will fit me now, but he won’t give it up.
This quiz is from Karen at Nothingbutknit2. I love her quizzes.
Do you gift your handmade items?
Sometimes, if I feel inspired.
Do you have limits around who you gift to or what you gift?
Only family and very close friends. I also have a rule about being able to let go of the gift. Meaning, whether they use it or not has to be unimportant.
What type of things do you like to make and gift?
Hats, scarves, sweaters. I think I’m adding socks to the list.
Have you received handmade items?
Yes, from my Grandmother. And last year I received two handmade gifts from people at work, which I really treasured.
Have you ever asked for a gift back?
No.
Do you gift handmade items for holidays?
Yes, for the kids occasionally. I had an idea to knit a pair of socks for all the kids, plus Bob, for Christmas this year. Marilee talked me down. But I would like to do this some day.
It’s Saturdee! We have neither a theme nor a plan for Saturdate. Arachne is almost done and I’m ready to start the cuff on my PSL sock. I sketched an idea for a felt painting! It’s a long weekend, so maybe I will get a chance to start it. It’s cool and fallish outside. Virtual Knit tomorrow!
I want to thank everyone for their input. I finally went with Solstice DK in Desert Rose, which is a warm pink. I loved the walnut but didn’t trust myself to dye it. I think Kathy mentioned peach and it stuck with me.
Four Colors? I love these together.Hmm…
I noticed some people are adding a fourth color to their Vintersoll. This is Solstice DK in Wicked Game. I like the addition, but I will have to think about if I really want to knit four colors. I have an alternate plan for this yarn if not.
And it’s good I have an extra skein or two because I am playing yarn chicken with Arachne and I may be losing. I’m a loose knitter, which is why I’m knitting Vintersoll in DK instead of worsted.
Virtual Knit this Sunday? 1PM EDT? DM your Skype ID to me if you are new? Hmm??? Silliness aside, I NEED my Blogville Knitters Virtual Knit time. It’s my only social activity aside from when kids come to visit.
