Tag: contiguous drop shoulder

September, The Year Begins

Do we ever lose that feeling that September is the beginning of the year? School starts again and here we go. I don’t have anyone going to school, except my grandson, so it’s a false start for me but I still feel like I have to take a look at what I need to be doing as we head into fall.

There are always projects to finish up. Some will take longer than others and I’m trying to give myself reasonable timelines. I’m not too good at this.

This is the Contiguous Drop Shoulder Pullover for my daughter-in-law. She tried it on so I have some idea of what I need to do to finish.

I have finished the cropped body length she wanted but can you believe she has 22″ long arms? Tall people, geez. I will be knitting sleeves for quite some time. I’m giving myself a Christmas deadline. That seems reasonable, right?

Of course, I did cast on another pair of socks (speaking of Christmas, is too early to mention that word?). Toe up socks that I got started on while watching curling over the weekend. Watching curling behind the glass is good practice for knitting while not looking at my work. I only dropped one stitch. Not bad. Of course I only noticed after knitting an inch past it so I just added a new stitch where I needed to and will sew that dropped stitch in. That sort of decided which was the top of the foot and which the bottom.

A small project was important because I have two larger projects on the go.

This is the 4×4 Ribbed Tank for my daughter. I’m knitting in Summer Silk, silk/linen blend, by Shelridge Yarns. It’s lovely and soft.

Screenshot

The 4×4 rib does take some concentration because it’s not automatic the way 2×2 ribbing is for me. Another longer deadline. I may need another small project that I can finish. I’m not setting myself up very well here.

One last sweater, because where would I be without several sweaters to knit!

This will be an Any Gauge Crew Neck cardigan that I will publish as soon a I get it finished. Maybe this jumps to the top of the priority list?

What I really want to knit is log cabin squares of my handspun. This is calling to me constantly. I must be strong and not listen too often. Maybe if I tossed it in the furnace room I wouldn’t be able to hear it. Does this ever work?!

So here we are. Summer is closing out and knitting weather is coming. Are you ready?

I did a video: https://youtu.be/cze6PXTof84?si=gduO9cJuq9MplqyE

Cheers, Deb

Any Gauge and Gauge-Free patterns by Deb

Cabin Fever patterns

Debgemmell435 on youtube

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Summers Over

It’s time to say goodbye to Northern Ontario for this summer.

Time to head home.

First we’re visiting friends. So a long drive but I’m totally looking forward to it. I’m currently working on two projects which are good travelling companions.

I have started the sleeves of my Contiguous Drop Shoulder.

It did take some figuring out to get the helical stripes going in the proper sequence. Two tries later, and several rounds where I didn’t quite believe it, it’s worked out. Yay.

I cast on my log cabin blanket. I am using my handspun wool. The red square, in Lichen and Lace Rustic Heather sport, is tradition for quilts. I think it’s going to look great.

My handspun wool is very thick and thin but that’s where I am right now with my apinning. I might make one of those frames with 4 posts for the corners, to pile up the squares so they can be blocked to somewhat the same size.

This square needs two more sections of grey and then one square down and many more to go, LOL.

I’ve been thinking of fall projects. Nothing firm yet but fun to ponder. How about you? Thoughts about knitting fun coming up?

Cheers, Deb

Any Gauge and Gauge-free patterns

Cabin Fever patterns

Debgemmell435 on YouTube

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

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Rip, rip, rip

A discouraging couple of weeks when everything didn’t quite turn out as I had hoped. But now I am finallly reconciled to ripping, here we go.

Now you see it.

The Coriolis Sock from the New Pathways for Sock Knitters book by Cat Bordhi with what I thought was a slight modification – a second spiral, which didn’t work!

Now it’s gone and I’ll start the heel and leg again.

Another rip. My Contiguous Drop Shoulder with colourwork which I think would have more drape than I want

Colourwork gone. I’m going to repurpose this as a vest, maybe, possibly.

I finally got back on the video train so here is the full explanation and what I’m up to.

Now I’m back on track! I think it’s time to cast on something new. Fact is, it’s always that time, right? Video link if you need it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF1svP2GBhA&t=7s

Hope your knitting is going well for you. Cheers, Deb

Any gauge and gauge-Free knitting patterns by Deb

Cabin Fever patterns by Deb & Lyn and the cabinfever crew

Deb.gemmell on instagram which I haven’t been on much.

Debgemmell435 on youtube

Contiguous Drop Shoulder

I’ve published the Contiguous Drop Shoulder pattern on ravelry. It’s an Any Gauge recipe style pattern. Oh, and it’s free. I have done a couple of videos for it too. Have a great time with this pattern. My daughter loves hers.

This one is in chunky weight yarn and was very fast to knit up.

The one for me is taking a little longer. I had a different idea for the sleeves and after knitting them decided it didn’t work. Rip, rip, rip and start again. Now they are mostly done the second time around.

I knit the sleeves with all the orange yarn I have left. I still have a tiny bit of blue and grey, about 2 or 3 rounds of each and then the sleeves are done. Three quarter length sleeves it is.

I used all the one dye lot skeins of worsted weight wool I had. Yay.

I worked the bottom grey colour in a floating seed stitch pattern since that ball of wool was ripped back from another project. I didn’t want to recondition the yarn so the stitch pattern is a distraction from the crinkly yarn. I think it’s doing it’s job.

I don’t know that this stash buster is fashion forward but it is very comfy. Just a perfect winter knit.

Cheers, Deb

Any Gauge and Gauge-Free patterns by Deb

deb.gemmell on instagram

6×6 Cardigan is published

I’ve decided to put my future patterns out for free. I am finding that as soon as I’ve finished the knitting and writing, I really want to get it out to you. The time involved in the publication of a properly priced pattern puts this off for many, many months. It’s more than I want to be involved in right now that I am more or less retired. My friend, Dana, has knit this and given me a couple of much needed corrections. Thanks Dana.

Here is a video tour of the Any Gauge 6×6 Cardigan pattern.

Download your pattern at my ravelry store. I hope you enjoy knitting it. I’m here if you have any questions: debgemmellmods@gmail.com. I knit mine, the purple one, in Shelridge DK and the gold one, for my daughter, is in Estelle Worsted.

It’s time to tidy up before Christmas. So here is where I’m at. Look at this. The Contiguous Drop Shoulder is almost done. I’m so excited. Only the cuffs to go. Watch for the pattern on my ravelry site because it should be up for free as soon as I can get a proper photo.

The sweater colours are a little brighter than this. At 7am,there is not much choice in lighting. I have to leave at 8 to go to curling. But I wanted to show you that the sleeves are almost done. Yahoo. Did I already say I was excited? I’m excited!

I also finished my christmas knitting. One pair of double mittens (one pair stuffed inside the other) of my Any Gauge Mittens. (discount MITTENS is still in effect).

That’s a wrap. Have a wonderful Holiday Season. See you on the other side. I am already planning my next sweater. How about you?

Cheers, Deb

Any Gauge and Gauge-free patterns by Deb

deb.gemmell on instagram

Christmas Crunch Time

Are you knitting for your special people? I am. Even if you’re not, I have some mittens you might want to try.

One pair done. You might remember that I bought wool to make a chunky weight 6×6 Cardigan in burgundy colourway. I didn’t like it. So now I’m pulling it out and knitting mittens with all that wiggly looking wool. I’m going to give them a scrub when I wash them to fuzz them up a bit. They should look fine.

These are the Any Gauge Mittens, knit from the top in chunky or Aran weight (Heavy Worsted) wool for all sizes. Any Gauge Mittens, Top Down 50%Discount Code: MITTENS until Dec. 24, 2024.

I knit one pair with the recommended needle for the wool. Then I knit a second pair with a size smaller needle and the same number of stitches. One pair will fit into the other, for really warm mittens.

You start at the tippy top of the mitten, working increases to the width of mitten you want. I’ve included a size guide in the pattern.

Then you knit the thumbs as a large I-cord. Yup, an i-cord. You get those bars across the inside of the thumb.

Don’t panic. Get your crochet hook out and hook those bars up. They totally disappear. It’s magic.

Enjoy!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, this is where I’m at with my Contiguous Drop Shoulder. It’s totally working great. I tried it on my daughter and I now have measurements for how long the body and sleeve need to be. I’m on it!

I hope you are enjoying this time of year and not stressing out too much. I am trying my best to keep an even keel and my sweater knitting definitely helps.

Keeping it Merry, Deb

Any Gauge and Gauge-Free knitting patterns by Deb

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To Steek or Not to Steek

Steeks, scary!!! I know, scissors and knitting don’t usually mix. I’m doing it anyway.

I’m doing my armholes as steeks so I can knit round and round and round. I have knit the shoulders so they are wide enough. This pullover is going to have 10″/25cm of ease so the Front and Back of this chunky weight version for my daughter, are both 21″/53cm wide.

Here’s how I start my steek. At the end of the shoulders I cast On 5 sts for the steek pathway.

Now I knit round and round. Yay. I think I will make the armholes around 8-9″/20-23cm deep.

I’m so happy and relaxed. Isn’t this yarn fun? It’s King Cole Hedgerow Chunky. I’m loving the stripes.

Cheers, Deb

Any Gauge and Gauge-Free patterns by Deb

deb.gemmell on instagram

Short Rows to lower the Front

Short Rows are the best. To drop the front of your neckline you basically work back and forth, working more rows across and Back of Neck and never working across all the Front stitches. Every time you turn from the right side to the wrong side at the end of a short row, you create a gap.

Different kinds of short row systems are all about how to close these gaps.

When you cast on for this neckband you cast on many more stitches on the front. The short rows I use end with a decrease: SSK, K1, Turn OR P2tog, P1, Turn (if you knit cuff down heel flap socks you will recognize this short row system). The decreases take care of all those extra Front stitches.

Now the fun part begins, not that knitting short rows isn’t fun, because it totally is.

To knit the shoulders, simply knit round and round, working an increase before and after each of the shoulder markers. That’s an increase of 4 stitches every round until you reach the desired width. That’s the contiguous way.

Almost to my desired width on this chunky weight one. The Short Rows on the worsted weight version are complete so round and round I go. I’m so excited to see it grow. Cheers, Deb

Any Gauge and Gauge-Free patterns by Deb

deb.gemmell on instagram