Month: July 2026

Steek, Yikes

Cutting will commence shortly.

To set up the steek, at the top of the shoulder I cast on an extra 5 sts where the armhole will go. Then I continued knitting round and round for 8.5″, the length of the armhole, cast off those 5 sts and continued to knit round and round for the body.

So here we are. I’m ready with the scissors. But first, I ran a length of grey yarn down on either side of the 5 steek sts.

Then with cream coloured yarn I crocheted a slip stitch through the two legs of a column of sts, inside the grey line.

Now I cut.

Now that both armholes are open my DIL can try it on for some final measurements.

Just a couple more inches needed on the body for a cropped sweater. Then the rest of the summer will be sleeve knitting.

She likes it so I’m happy.

Cheers, Deb

Any Gauge and Gauge-free patterns by Deb https://www.ravelry.com/stores/debgemmellmods

Cabinfever patterns https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/cabin-fevers-ravelry-store

Debgemmell435 on youtube

Deb.gemmell on instagram

A New Cast On

I’m afraid that monogamous knitting is not for me. I have knit a couple more inches on my Contiguous Drop Shoulder …

… but found myself wanting to try something else. So I cast on the 4 x 4 Rib Tank.

This is a Cabin Fever pattern designed by me, which I am happy to knit again.

I am, of course, not using the correct yarn. I’m using a sports weight yarn, Summer Silk by Shelridge Yarns: 65% silk and 35% linen.

Modifications are happening:

  1. Sports weight yarn, not DK as suggested in the pattern.
  2. Very small size. I’m going to knit a 31″ chest size. That’s much smaller than the smallest size in the pattern.
  3. Much tighter gauge. Using a 2.75mm needle I get a gauge of 6.5sts/1″ (26sts=4″).

Because I will be knitting at a much tighter gauge I can use the stitch numbers for the smallest size in the pattern. Instead of a 36″ tank top I will have a 31″ top for my daughter.

Here’s how the math works using the stitch count for the smallest size. There is a little extra chest circumference for the ribbing:

208 sts at gauge of 5.5sts=1″ (22sts=4″) for DK yarn: 37″ chest

208 sts at gauge 6.5sts=1″ (26sts=4″) for sports weight yarn: 32″ chest

I don’t expect that the silk will be able to hold the ribbing. It will flatten out when worn so I’ve done my calculations based on a flat fabric.

All these modifications make this an exciting knit for me. I know this sort of idea, with all these changes, is not for everyone but it’s definitely got me going.

I hope your summer knitting is exciting you. Cheers, Deb

Gauge-free and Any Gauge patterns by Deb on ravelry: Debgemmellmods

Cabin Fever patterns on ravelry

Debgemmell435 on YouTube

Deb.gemmell on instagram

Summertime and the knitting is slow

Heat and humidity is slowing me down and maybe you too?

But I have to admit it’s mostly a sore shoulder. I overdid it! I know, shocking!!! Too much knitting for too long at a time. Take a break, there’s a new thought. Note to self – TAKE A BREAK.

I took 3 days off. It was painful in several ways. No knitting, sore shoulder, but really, no knitting. Sigh.

I’m back at it now but trying to work for less at a time. It’s still hard to take a break.

The Contiguous Drop Shoulder is the one I’m drawn to knit on. I’m really enjoying the knitting.

Waxwing Cedre fingering weight wool

I have hit the spot that is so exciting, the bottom of the armhole. Yay.

The 5 steek stitches at the bottom of the armhole have been cast off. I know it doesn’t make much difference to the number of stitches or anything but it’s a milestone in the length. At least for me it is.

Nothing else is appealing to me knitwise so I’m just going with knitting this one sweater at present. Something different for me but it’s hot and humid so there we are.

I am also spinning in the Tour de Fleece. I’ve been spinning for about 7 months and I’m totally hooked. I’ve added Tour de Fleece videos to my youtube channel: debgemmell435. If you’re also spinning I’d love to hear about it.

Cheers, Deb

Any Gauge and Gauge-Free patterns by Deb

Cabinfever patterns by Deb & Lyn and the cabinfever crew

https://youtube.com/@debgemmell435Debgemmell435 on youtube

Deb.gemmell on instagram which I am not using too much.