Spin Raglan Test Knit

Stella was in great spirits, as you can see.

Yep, if you're looking at the dates, it's been almost a year since I posted. In that year I've knit a lot of things, cooked a lot of meals, survived solo parenting during a deployment, having babies grow a year older, and moving to a new house, which was awesome and a ton of work all at once-just think of all the gallery walls I've had to throw together. Totally not kidding. Bottom line: we have room for friends and family to come stay now, don't be shy!

Instead of trying to catch everyone (ha ha, because I have such a large audience) up, I'm just gonna start up again and you'll figure it out as we go along.

I've said it before, but I love being a part of the process of test knitting. My most recent test was no exception. I got to combine two of my favorites: Designer Andrea Mowry of Drearenee knits and Independence from the ladies of Spincycle Yarns. The heavy worsted weight, dyed in the wool, yarn knit up into a sweater at no time and blocked out like a dream! It is super warm and cozy and now I'm ready for late fall and winter so I can wear it day in and day out.

My favorite detail, and really what sets it apart from other raglans, is a garter stitch detail from the collar down to the top of the bicep. I was worried that it would add a bulk that was unflattering, but I was pleasantly surprised after I'd blocked it and slid it on for the first time.

I double heart the new blue Fringe Field Bag, and my growing mug collection from Fox and Clover (on etsy).

Even more than the garter shoulder detail, I love that the sleeves are loooong, which is hard to find in ready-made sweaters.

Me and My Arrow

I can't believe I didn't post about my test knit for Hometown Knits! In my defense, baseball is in full swing and the days have seemed awfully short and speedy. After alluding to it in my last post, I left you hanging...since I know you were waiting with bated breath. Anywho; Me and My Arrow is another pattern with the gorgeous combination of Pepperberry Knits and Spincycle Yarns.

I got to choose my color combination and I love how they look together; Granny Smith (PBK) and Kimono (SY) were the perfect balance to each other and it almost makes me want to speed through summer to the crisp fall days when I can be swathed in cashmere. 

Knit in the round and grafted together with kitchener stitch to finish, this knit is seamless. It's also more than a little bit hypnotic. I've found that I really enjoy colorwork, and the best part-no purl stitches! 

I had already purchased yarn to make her colorwork cowl Dynastid, so when Simone sent out the call for testers, I jumped on it! 

Hop on over to my ravelry page for more photos, but here are a few. I really, really love it and hope you cast on too! 

whoops! See on the left that I forgot to put the extra rows in the last repeat? 

I LOVE the color changes of Dyed in the Wool!

I have some more goodies in the works right now, and will try to share them in a more timely manner.

Testing The Waters

I love the undulating color changes-here she is in all her glory.

I have been able to test knit a few patterns now and I've said it before, but I'll say it again-it's so fun being in on it! I've either gotten very lucky, or most designers have their stuff locked down because I haven't really found huge errors on anything I've tested. Melanie Berg is a designer whose aesthetic I really appreciate. Clean lines and modern designs with just a touch of lace thrown in to make a piece feel feminine or dressy.

Testing The Joker and The Thief was a joy, so I thought I'd post some photos that I took after weaving in the ends and giving it a light blocking.

The minty green and soft seaglass were my two favorite colors in this piece. Taken on their own, they may have been too soft for my taste, but together with the sandy beach silk yarn and the darker tones of a carribean sea they were glorious.

I loved the detail of the Indian Cross Stitch. Switching to sharper ChaioGoo Red Lace needles made that one a breeze.

I've got another test that's just about off the needles that I'm really excited about and I'll share more when the pattern goes live this weekend. It involves some of my favorite yarns to work with and a fun colorwork scheme!