We've all done it... ambitiously decided to knit gifts for the holidays for family and friends, then realized somewhere around Black Friday that there actually aren't enough hours left to complete all four blankets, six sweaters, and twelve hats. I refer to this as the Knitmare Before Christmas.
How about hats? Maybe socks? A quick shawl instead. Or maybe, surprise your loved ones with the gift that keeps on giving - a knitting pattern they can make themselves!
If this seems like a better path, I've got a treat for you!
Once upon a time ago I saw a beautiful sweater online and decided it was something I wanted in my life. The Sea Glass Sweater by Wool & Pine captured my heart, however, the original design is a circular yoke, which doesn't fit my body type well. No problem. It wasn't the pattern but the look of the colorwork that I wanted. I knew I could readily recreate that look on any pattern, and so I shopped both my stash and online to create a palette of 12 colors for the sweater of my dreams. I selected a pattern from my library from a designer I trusted, created a spreadsheet of the 66 possible color combinations, gauge swatched, and cast on.
This particular glory is achieved by using different two colors in every row. I quickly discovered this meant each round would have four ends. This was going to mean a LOT of weaving in. More weaving in than is desirable in any garment. More weaving in than is desirable in my lifetime. Something had to change.
I did some research and discovered that many people knitting this project used magic knots. It is important here to note that I don't believe in any "magic" related to knitting. Harry Potter, David Blaine, sure. Knitting, no. Still, four ends to weave in every round of a sweater sure isn't magical, so, why not knots?
I learned how to make the knots. I practiced said knots. I tested the join. I cast on again and made wonderful progress. Then I cut my tails and worked two more rounds. Disaster!!
The minor tensions put on the fabric working those last two rounds was just enough to make all my yarns wiggle out of their knots. All. Every round. Unraveling rainbow of Ramen hell.
Stepping back was imperative to my mental health.
I assessed the issues:
I had to have a sweater that emulated this look.
Short rows had been an issue in my first attempt causing a lot of bulk along the neckline.
Weaving in four ends every round was undesirable.
Magic knots do not work with superwash yarns, as learned in my second attempt.
I own 12 skeins of superwash dedicated to this project.
I do not own the desire to replace the yarn.
I concluded I needed to find a raglan pattern worked in the round, top down, that doesn't have short rows, and I needed to slightly rework the yarn color changes to make use of each color for two rounds, changing alternately, carrying yarns when the sequence allowed to reduce ends and weaving as much as possible.
Months passed.
This past week I stumbled on a pattern that fit my requirements, and, bonus, was free.
I swatched. I did math to determine which size to work at my gauge. I worked with a friend to determine a repeatable color sequence making use of as many of the 66 possible color combinations as possible (thank you Elizabeth - you are fantastic!), and today I cast on.
If my math holds true, and the knitting gods look favorably on me, having gone so far as to have swatched repeatedly, this might just be spectacular.
Well, this wasn't what you were expecting when you went to my site today, I'm sure. Things have changed, in some cases quite dramatically, and in others, not really all that much.
Dye Monkey Yarns has closed. I am no longer producing yarns. This is the biggest change. That doesn't mean that from time to time I won't be doing exclusive dyes. In fact, I'm looking forward to new adventures with fewer daily demands, which should make more room for fun things. Basically, I'm refocusing to make more room for blogging about my knitting and crafting adventures, more room for pattern design, and more room for enjoying the best crafty life possible.
Get 25% off your entire order until May 31st with Coupon Code:DANCEMONKEY
Patrons be watching for your exclusive coupon code worth 35% off. Interested in becoming a Patron and getting extra bonuses, discounts, exclusive content and more, visit me here!
I'm doing a little spring cleaning, and that means... Yarn is ON SALE. I've marked down EVERY 100 gram skein of yarn as well as many other products. No coupon code is required, and US shipping is free with a $50 minimum purchase.
Also, be sure to click on the Patreon link from my website for the latest knitting adventures.
Theme Music:
"Throw the Hammer Hard" - Bob Log III
Thank you, thank you, Bob for letting me use this!
Buy his music at boblog111.com
BOB is on WORLD TOUR and might just be near you.
Please visit his website for a show near you.
Dye Monkey Yarns Trunk Show February 2020 @ KnitCircus Yarns
https://knitcircus.com/
592 Grand Canyon Dr. Madison, WI 53719
Theme Music:
"Throw the Hammer Hard" - Bob Log III
Thank you, thank you, Bob for letting me use this!
Buy his music at boblog111.com
BOB is on WORLD TOUR and might just be near you.
Please visit his website for a show near you.
Featured Yarns, Patterns & Products:
"How to Eat an Elephant Blanket"
My formula is on Ravelry or email me and I will send you a copy.
Adapted/Modified "Brickyard" sweater by Elizabeth Doherty
Pattern available on Ravelry.
Yarn is "Glamrock" colorway on my Rumba Monkey DK base.
"Through the Clouds" by Rachy Newin
Pattern Available on Ravelry
"Jeannie's Cowl" Jamie McCanless
Pattern Available on Ravelry
Kit Available at DyeMonkeyYarns.com
"Losange" by Fatimah Hinds
Pattern in Vogue Knitting Holiday 2019 pg 49
Yarn is "French Gourd" colorway on my
Double Shuffle Monkey Aran base.
My found errata notes on my Ravelry project page: "Million Dollar Sweater"
Upcoming:
"The Shift" by Andrea Mowry
Will be knit using:
"Whisperers", "Brother", and "Call Me Debbie" on Simple DK
by Lolodidit... lolodidit.com
And, I showed you "Rainbow Crow" on Merino Sock
by Serenity Fibers... serenityfibers.com
Dye Monkey Yarns Trunk Show February 2020 @ KnitCircus Yarns
https://knitcircus.com/
592 Grand Canyon Dr. Madison, WI 53719
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LIVE EPISODE
Sunday, January 26th
5PM Eastern, 4PM Central, 3PM Mountain, 2PM Pacific
Log in with your google account on YouTube and participate - interact with me LIVE!
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AND... Watch for more information about the Squircle KAL & Tutorial!
(finally, right?!?!)
Make EVERYDAY count.
Know you are loved and make sure the people around you know that they are loved too.
Took a couple tries, but here I am. My apologies for the edits - there was a connection issue with my microphone and whole segments were recorded with sound coming and going randomly. Lots of crafting to talk about! Sweaters (plural!), the blanket, a cowl, and a crochet shawl. Come see what's working up! Host: Jessica L'Heureux Ravelry: jesseknits Instagram: dyemonkeyyarns Email: jesse@dyemonkeyyarns.com Shop Online: http://www.dyemonkeyyarns.com Free Shipping on US orders of $50 or more! Patreon: https://patreon.com/knitupanddye Theme Music: "Throw the Hammer Hard" - Bob Log III Thank you, thank you, Bob for letting me use this! Buy his music at boblog111.com BOB is on WORLD TOUR and might just be near you. Please visit his website for a show near you. Featured Yarns, Patterns & Products: "How to Eat an Elephant Blanket" My formula is on Ravelry or email me and I will send you a copy. Adapted/Modified "Brickyard" sweater by Elizabeth Doherty Pattern available on Ravelry. Yarn is "Glamrock" colorway on my Rumba Monkey DK base. "Through the Clouds" Pattern Available on Ravelry "Jeannie's Cowl" Jamie McCanless Pattern Available on Ravelry Kit Available at DyeMonkeyYarns.com "Losange" by Fatimah Hinds Pattern in Vogue Knitting Holiday 2019 pg 49 Yarn is "French Gourd" colorway on my Double Shuffle Monkey Aran base. My found errata notes on my Ravelry project page: "Million Dollar Sweater" Dye Monkey Yarns Trunk Show February 2020 @ KnitCircus Yarns https://knitcircus.com/ 592 Grand Canyon Dr. Madison, WI 53719 Happy New Year. Make it YOUR year!
2020 is quickly approaching and I'm looking to make some plans for the coming year and your really like your input. If you are interesting in providing ideas and feedback, I've created a poll open to the public over on my Patreon page (no account necessary). Please pop over and let me know which ideas you have interest in. Click Here!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Here is a little "slow TV" for your holiday crafting pleasure.
Please note: A variety of musical recordings have been used in this video. ALL are royalty free. Attribution notes below as required - listed in no particular order.
Christmas Morning by Paul Gentry
Early Morning Snowfall by Chuck Brown
Holly and the Ivy by Chad Lawson
Lo How A Rose E're Blooming by Greg Starr
Midnight Noel by Mel White
I Wonder as I Wonder by Richard Souther
Waltz of the Flowers by Tchaikovsky
I Will Be Missing You (Instrumental Version) by: Epidemic Sound
Angels We Have Heard - Christmas by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?collection=004&page=1
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Deck the Halls by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100263
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
Bethlehem - Christmas by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100307
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
