Cria

I've been planning to knit the Cria pattern from Ysolda's Little Red in the City book ever since I first saw the preview pictures, I think some time last fall. In January, I ordered the yarn, Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light, specifically this project in mind. The pattern was released a couple of months ago, but, as usual, my summer has been slow in the knitting front, so I didn't get around to it until now.

The construction of the yoke is quite unusual, and it took me a while to wrap my brain around it. The rest of the cardigan, in contrast, was very easy to knit. This is, so far, the best fitting sweater I've knit for myself, even if it isn't exactly perfect. The part I'm the least satisfied with is the pockets; all the seaming and multiple layers of fabric was apparently too much of a challenge for my finishing techniques. If I ever knit this pattern again, which I'm considering for the long-sleeved version, I will probably leave the pockets out.

Overall, I'm very happy with this project, which is rare for sweaters. This will probably be my go-to cardigan for hanging around at home for this fall.

The Ravelry project page

Lettuce Beret

I haven't been excited about making a blog post about a failed project, so this is way overdue. A couple of weeks ago I finished a simple beret based on Laura Chau's Lightweight Raspberry Beret pattern. It's my third time knitting it. The previous times the hat turned out larger than I preferred, so I went to the other extreme and made this one too small. Even aggressive blocking over a balloon didn't fix it. I think it's time to move on to other hat patterns! I love the yarn, though, Malabrigo Sock in Lettuce.

The Ravelry project page

Girasole #2

My second Girasole, and hopefully not the last. This is one of my all time favorite knitting patterns. It looks more complicated than it is; it has just the right amount of challenge while still being something you can knit while watching TV, for example. And the end result is gratifying, as well. I regularly use the first Girasole I knit over two years ago, and it's also one of my projects with the most favorites on Ravelry.

Since the yarn and pattern combination worked so well the last time, I took the safe route and used the same yarn, Ohut Pirkkalanka by Pirkanmaan Kotityö Oy, again, just in a different color. This seems to be a great yarn for larger shawls that have some weight to them. On smaller shawls it doesn't have quite enough drape for my taste, but for this one it's perfect, and very durable, as my first Girasole is barely showing any signs of wear despite frequent use.

The needles I used for the majority of the project, Signature Needle Arts circulars in size 3.75 mm, were very enjoyable to use. My least favorite part, just like the last time, was the edging, but it was still faster than I remembered. It took me just under three weeks of very leisurely knitting for the whole shawl, and the past few days were spent on the edging. Overall, totally worth it.

The Ravelry project page