Sundarastitches.com: Sundara: February 2010 Archives

The Cherry Blossom Collection

For the last few months, I have been watching the bare branches against the pale winter sky and waiting in anticipation as they began to engorge with flower buds and leaves just ready to sprout. I especially loved seeing the cherry blossom branches as they went from dark brown to a deep maroon, a dark red and finally, bit by bit, blossomed into the pale pink of the blossoms. We've had an early spring in Seattle, so many of the cherry trees are already blossoming and the earliest leaves, in all their pale green glory are popping out, creating little sparkles of green on all the dark branches.

The transition, while not as riotous as the changing autumn leaves, is just as breathtaking if one pays close attention to the small details and slow, incremental changes. I was inspired to bring back my "Cherry Blossom" colorway from years ago and create two additional colorways influenced by the transition from winter to spring. "Branches on Winter Sky" is the bare, brown bones of the trees set against the sky of pale blues. "New Leaves of Spring" is the pale early leaves with the brown branches.

Celebrate spring with us and enjoy these three colors that will only be available for the month of March.

By Sundara on February 28, 2010 2:30 PM | Comments (8)

Pattern: Garter Stitch Chevron Scarf

This scarf is my ode to the Chevron Scarf in Last-Minute Knitted Gifts, except I knit it in garter stitch, as I enjoy the squishiness of Sock Yarn in garter stitch better than stockinette. It gives the scarf a bit more heft and structure and it is the perfect project to use up 2 skeins of sock yarn.

Since I modified the original pattern, I thought I'd tell you how I knit mine, in case you want to knit yourself one as well.

On US 5/3.75mm needles using Color 1, cast on 48 stitches.

Knit 4 rows.

With Color 2:

Row 1: K2tog 4 times, KF&B 8 times, K2tog 8 times, KF&B 8 times, K2tog 4 times

Row 2: Knit all stitches

With Color 1:

Row 3 and 4: Knit all Stitches

Repeat Rows 1-4 until the scarf measures 60" or until desired length, ending with Row 2. Knit four more rows with Color 1. Cast off.

For the 60" scarf, I used about 3/4 each of the two skeins of sock yarn.

KF&B = knit into the front and back loop

I choose two of my favorite colorways, "Dahlia" and "Daffodil" sock yarn and I happen to have 1 skein of both these colors. I thought I'd give them to someone who wanted to knit a scarf just like mine, so if you do, leave a comment by 5pm Friday, February 26, Seattle time, and I'll pick a winner at random.

And, if you haven't already bought Last Minute Knitted Gifts, you most certainly should.

Update! The random number generator gave me #26, which is Kathleen. Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone for your lovely, lovely comments. You've all made my week! We are going to try to dye up some of the Dahlia and Daffodil colorways so if you really want to knit the scarf in these colors, and you don't mind waiting, we'll do what we can!

By Sundara on February 22, 2010 6:04 PM | Comments (137)

Customer Project: Shetland Triangle Lace Shawl

Knit and Photographed by: Jocelyn

Pattern: Shetland Triangle lace shawl

Yarn: Sundara Yarn Fingering Silky Merino "Caramel Apple"

Needles: US 6/4mm

Finished size: 48" tip to tip, 18.5" down the center

Pattern Modifications: added 2 more pattern repeats of the main body chart for a larger size shawl

Notes: used only half a skein!

By Sundara on February 9, 2010 6:10 PM | Comments (2)

Customer Project: True Love socks

Knit and Photographed by: Thayer

Pattern: True Love socks

Yarn: Sundara Yarn Sock Yarn "Spun Sugar"

Needles: US 1.5/2.5mm

Finished Size: women's 8

By Sundara on February 9, 2010 6:01 PM | Comments (1)

Customer Project: Ostrich Plumes Scarf

Knit and Photographed by: Kate

Pattern: Ostrich Plumes Scarf by Anne Hanson

Yarn: Sundara Yarn Fingering Silky Merino in "Caramel Apple"

Needles: US 6/4mm

Finished Size: in between scarf and stole

Pattern Modifications: Knit 4 repeats of the lace pattern instead of 3 or 5.

Notes: This pattern was my first real lace project. I made it for my mother, since this sort of dusty rose color is her favorite. I modified the pattern because I wasn't sure I'd have enough yarn for the five repeats. Having finished the project, I think there would have been plenty, as there were 45 grams left when I made it as long as I wanted.

By Sundara on February 9, 2010 12:30 PM | Comments (0)

Customer Project: Loppem Sweater

Knit and Photographed by: Laura
Pattern: Loppem by Norah Gaughan
Yarn: Sundara Yarn Worsted Merino "Nuances of Nature"
Needles: US 7/4.5mm
Modifications: Garter stitch border at bottom edge and sleeves; lengthened body; moved buttonholes closer to edge

By Sundara on February 9, 2010 11:55 AM | Comments (2)

Customer Project: Drops Circular Jacket

Knit and Photographed by: Nathalie

Pattern: Drops Circular Jacket (Drops 102-6)

Yarn: Sundara Yarn Aran Silky Merino Through Many Mists

Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm

Finished Size: Largest pattern size (XXL-XXXL)

Pattern Modifications: My gauge was 20 stitches to 4" so I went up a size in the pattern. I normally wear a size Medium (or 36" chest). I worked all of my short rows using the wrap and turn method to avoid any holes. The pattern calls for turning and pulling tight which didn't eliminate the holes entirely. I was running very short on yarn due to the size increase so I did not flair the sleeves as described in the pattern. I also knit the sleeves in the round and increased 2 stitches every 10 rows or so based on fit, trying on as I went.

Notes: The Drops circular jacket has a really interesting construction. The body is a big circle, which is knit one slice at a time using short rows. The ASM was a perfect yarn choice. The drape and snuggle factor are outstanding!

By Sundara on February 1, 2010 9:18 PM | Comments (2)

Customer Project: Scroll Lace

Knit and Photographed by: Glenna

Pattern: Scroll Lace

Yarn: Sundara Yarn Sport Silk Most Beautiful Eyes

Needles: US9/5.5mm

Finished Size: 83in by 10in (blocked).

Pattern Modifications: No pattern modifications.

Notes: This project used approximately 250 yards. I had 2 skeins and only had to break into the second skein for 4 rows and bind off. The pattern could easily be modified or smaller needles used, in order to accommodate just one skein of the sport silk.

By Sundara on February 1, 2010 9:05 PM | Comments (1)

Customer Project: Elm Row

Knit and Photographed by: NutmegOwl

Pattern: Elm Row

Yarn: Sundara Yarn Silk Lace Landed Gentry

Needles: US 2/2.75mm

Finished Size: 13" x 59" pre-blocking / 19"x 75" after blocking with wires.

Pattern Modifications: Made stole-sized by casting on 138 stitches.

Notes: Silk Lace can easily be worked "caked" by recycling a multi-CD holder. Slide the cake onto the upside-down spindle, then pull your yarn from the outside. It will not tangle, and stays neat and tidy. This was the perfect colorway for the project. It has not been steamed, and it positively glows.

By Sundara on February 1, 2010 8:37 PM | Comments (4)

Sundara: February 2010 Archives