4 Free Crochet patterns for Handspun Yarn

1. Tea Scarf - a lovely scarf just perfect to chase the early morning chill. Perfect for Sno-Cone, which is 170 yards of fluffy bright wooliness:
   
2. Knit/Crochet Handwarmers So cute and simple, great for just the smallest amount of handspun yarn with the biggest impact. The fluffy 80 yards of Oceanic should be plenty for the crochet part (if you use another yarn for the knit cuffs)
3. 200 - This bulky scarf is HOT! Even my picky I-don't-need-a-scarf husband would wear this one (in the appropriate colors). It takes 4 different colors of 100 yards each and I'd mix Deep Sea with Autumn Sky, Juice and Sunrise Bananaiere.
4. Inka Shawl: A beautiful shawl, this pattern calls for a self-striping yarn. It would be brilliant in a yarn like Summer Salad which is mostly green with little stripes of other colors.

5 Free Sweater Patterns for Handspun Yarn

Last night, I gave up on a sweater. My beautiful handspun sweater just isn't working out. After completing the body and 1 sleeve, I realized I need more yarn. And the yoke isn't right (too much fabric at the shoulders). And the whole thing is too stiff, not drapey enough. Most of these issues could have been solved by following a pattern (well, except for the drape, I just needed to use a bigger needle and knit it at a different gauge), but because I'm designing it myself, all these little things have to be figured out. If I had chosen a pattern suited for handspun, many of these mistakes might have been avoided.
But that's only if I choose the right pattern! Here's a few things to keep in mind when choosing a pattern for handspun yarn

• Gauge with handspun is variable. One skein might be heavy worsted, while the next is bulky. Knit for the bigger yarn, or else your work will be stiff in areas. Of course, it maybe be a little thin in some areas, but that's usually preferable.
• Handspun yarn usually has a lot of texture. Play this up with a simple textured stitch or St st.
• Along with texture, handspun yarn can be quite colorful. Cables and pictoral lace are easilyobscured by all the color going on, so avoid "overkill".

I had a time of mourning as I folded the sweater and put it away (I'm not ready to rip it out yet). But I'll come back to it. I'll probably cast on for a sweater using that same handspun in a few weeks. If I use a pattern next time, these are a few I'd consider:

1. Cathode (Rav link) - top downs are the easiest to adjust for gauge & Cathode is excellent since you can use just a bit of handspun for the body and trimm it in commercial yarn.
   
2. Cavern (Rav Link) - Tingel's Cavern really won me over to this simple top down cardigan.
3. February Lady Sweater (Rav link) - this uber-popular sweater (over 2000 projects in Ravelry) is simple to adjust, especially if you want it big and roomy.
   
4. Incredible, Custom Fit Raglan - this is first customizable pattern I ever found. Not really a pattern, as much as a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure.
   
5. Top-Down Calculator (Rav link)- Not even a pattern. Plug in your gauge and your measurements and out pops customized directions! Amazing!
   

Failure

Polite people would use a different word.
But let's be honest:

I failed.

My Ravelympics goal, which I knew was lofty and difficult and challenging (but that was the point); well, I failed at it. I set out to spin and knit a sweater in 17 days and I didn't accomplish that.

And that is fantastic.

The risk of failure incites action.

Without this challenge, I would have never begun. I have been talking about knitting a sweater from my handspun for months but without this challenge, it would still just be a dream.
Not only did I commit the goal, I worked hard towards it; spinning 400 yards of beautiful yarn, swatching, designing and knitting half of a sweater in 17 days!

The risk of failure creates commitment
The feeling of true commitment to something I really want feels great! By focusing all my knitting energy on one project, I've accomplished a lot, reminded myself what I'm capable of and started creating a sweater I am SO happy with.
And that was the point: to create a garment that I'm proud of, that fits well and that feels incredible. The timeline was just a little push to do it faster and with more focus.

Failing leads to success.
Failure in the Ravelympics isn't failing at knitting and spinning. It's failing at one goal. The overall goal is (still) to knit and spin an entire (wearable) sweater and that is still well within my reach. Risking failure with the Ravelympics is leading me towards success in the overall goal.

This is just a little reminder to myself and the other failed Ravelympics Ravletes (and regular athletes, too, I guess) that what we created during the Olympics could never be a failure because we were, simply, creating.

2006 Recap

Please note: this post was originally posted in my personal blog and thus, the links don't all work yet. I'm backtracking to move over as many of the links as I can)

I like to have all my FOs in one place, so here it is, most recent first:

Mom's Slippers

Mom's Christmas gift socks

Toe-up Socks in MDSW Koigu

Backyard Leaves from Scarf Style

Leafy Lacey Cables Fingerless gloves (original)

Malabrigo diamond sweater (my own design)

Funky Scarf

Pinky Sweater

Sock Wars Socks

Comfort Shawl

Bathmat

Wendy'sKitty Pi

EZ Pi Shawl

Log Cabin Pillow (free pattern!)

Silk Sari Bag

Jaywalkers

Entrelac Wrap

AssymetricalMalabrigoCardigan of my own design

Winter Gray Noro Cardigan

Jamie's Armwarmers

Fuzzy Feetfor Mom

Armwarmers for Mom

And of course, the Norwegian Monstrosity, which I only the sleeves and collar for, but which caused great panic and pain throught the year.

Mom's socks 06

Remember when I finished a sock in July and my mom immediately claimed it? Well, I finished the second one yesterday and redid the toe on the first today.They'll be one of her Christmas gifts.

Unfortunately, they're not the same size.

Nor are the cuffs the same.

I didn't realize it until after they were finished, and after the frustration of last year's gift socks(which were never completed), I've decided she's getting them as they are.
She's wanted socks for so long, and she loves me so much, I trust she'll over look their faults!

Koigu socks

On October 1rst, I had the foot of the 1rst Koigu sock done and it looked like this:

I successfully finished the first sock:

but I'm not too happy about the rolling picot edge, I think I needed to knit more rows after the picot-y part, before sewing it down.

And I'm soo close to being done on the second one,

I should have a pair by tomorrow!

Backyard scarf and gloves

I started Backyard Leaves last December, but put it away a few repeats from completion at the beginning of the spring. A few weeks ago, I got it out and finished it up.

I loved the textured, sculptured look of the leaves, so I very loosely blocked it, stretching it more lengthwise than widthwise.
Yarn: Knitpicks Ambrosia (cashmere and alpaca-so soft and warm!)
Neeldes: US 6
Pattern: Backyard Leaves from Scarf Style
And when I saw the scarf, I knew it needed some matching fingerless gloves.

I designed the gloves on the fly, using a leaf lace/cable stitch pattern from my stitch calender.

I got both gloves out of 1 ball of Indeceita Alpaca (discontinued, sport weight 100% Baby Alpaca), a Christmas gift from Hub.



I'll eventually write up the pattern, if you'd like it, let me know!

March of Diamonds

This is my favorite sweater ever!

I bought this yarn at the end of March and started it in April. The body and sleeves flew along, but the weather got too warm, so I put it away for the winter. At the beginning of October, I pulled it back out and got to knitting.

I realised a few rows into the yoke that, uh, it wasn't centered. I decided go with it and made a assymetrical neckline.

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Amore, 4 skeins

Needles: US10

(proof that I do, in fact, have a head, no matter what the commenters might say)

Pattern: My own take on the basic Elizabeth Zimmerman Percentage raglan yoked sweater. I added the diamond lace down the, erm, center, waist shaping and a deep V-neck. Because I was afraid of running out of yarn, I made the body and arms a wee bit shorter than I normally do, then added the length by crocheting along the bottom edges of body and sleeves. This also tamed the curling of the St st.
I feel particularly clever that the eyelets that form the diamonds continue around the neckline and around the back of the neck.
Also, the yarn didn't pool at all, except at the biceps, which you can see clearest in the above picture.

PS. Andre likes it as much as he ever did!

Stella loves it too!

2005 Recap

My sidebar is getting a little long over there with all my FO's, so in an attempt to consolidate (and in the meantime write one long-assed post) I'm going to catalogue all my 05 FOs.
The reasons are 3fold:

1. I just started knitting over a year ago, in September, so many of my projects this year were clearly, uh, remedial knitting. I never shared them before because well, they're just embarrasing. However, I keep the blog to record my triuphs and failures. So, while not proud of much of it, I still want to catalogue it here.
2. When I started blogging, I never kept track of patterns, yarns, needles or my feelings about any of these. And what's the point of chronicalling all of this if I don't opine?
3. Uh, I'm sick...and have lots of time because I'm home from work and this is as good a use of time as any! (oh yeah, and it'll give me one link for all the 05 FOs)

Today I'll cover Jan-June:
The first project of 2005 was this bag for Jamie's birthday. My first in-the-round knitting and my first colorwork! Dylan shows it off here:

Pattern: Poster Boy by Debbie Stollar, from SnB Nation
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Wosted in Baron Red and Black Galway
Notes: I was so proud of myself for this, but of course now I can see how awful the tension problems were! The pattern was easy enough and I learned how to read charts with it.
How's it holding up?: Now that Jamie knits-she uses this as her knitting bag! It doesn't get any better than that, my friends!
After finishing Jamie's bag, I immediately cast for my first sweater. I worked on it for all of February and finished it in March.

Pattern: Under the Hoodie from SnB.
Yarn: Unknown: Some mohair blend I bought on Ebay
Needles: US 7 29" circular Addi Turbo
Notes: I modified the pattern to make it longer, otherwise it would have ended at my belly button! Other than that: eh. The sweater came out great...it's just that I hate with all of my heart this color! It's SO not me! Despite the yarn, I'm still really proud of my first my sweater.
How's it holding up? well, it's been hanging out in my drawer ever since-I've only worn it out of the house once and although it was really warm, I felt like everyone was staring! My mom recently asked for it (she likes Bright!), so maybe it will get used!
After the sweater, I was unstoppable! I knit this bag at Grams request.

Pattern: Buttonhole Bag
Yarn: Cascade 220 and Fun Fur
Notes: Easy and fun and my first felting project: success!
I knitted another BB for myself

Pattern: Buttonhole Bag
Yarn: 100% wool salvaged from a Goodwill Sweater, dyed by me!
How's it holding up? The handles stretched out quite a bit with wear, as did the bottom. Perhaps I didn't felt it enough? Anyhow, I threw it out when we moved, as I hadn't used it in months.
I also dyed the yarn for these fingerless gloves (my first dpn project!)

Pattern: My own, using various others for the #s
Yarn: Handpainted Lamb's Pride Wosted and Patons Divine
Needles: US 8 dpn Clover
How's it holding up? Since these are the ONLY gloves I have, I wear them constantly and even though the thumb on one is unravelling, I love them!
In April, I knit this minisweater for my first swap

Pattern: Glampyre's Boobholder
Yarn:Cotton Ease
Notes: I think I only modified it by not doing the little pointy bits all around. This pattern was so easy and quick, I definately recommend it, if the shape flatters ya!
For the rest of April (and the beginning of May) I woked on throws for my mom and MIL
Here's the last pic I took of the MIL's

Pattern: From the Yarn Girl's Guide to Simple Knits. You basically cast on for the length of it and change yarn at random until it's as wide as you want.
Yarn: oh, lots of yarns! here's a partial list: Lion Brand Chenille, Fun Fur, CottonEase and Homespun;Plymouth Yarn Alpaca Boucle , Berroco Candy Fix, Sirdar Duet and Berroco Soft Twist
How's it holding up? My MIL loved it! It's always out on her couch in the living room and it still looks good!
In May, I kept working on my mom's throw and whipped up something for a swap

Pattern: A Button Hole Bag, coin purse (my own) and sunglass case (my own)
Yarn: Salvaged Sweater yarn I dyed myself
I also knitted and submitted my first published pattern in April.
It's here!
For Mother's Day, I gave Grams this pillow (but never got a great pic!)

Pattern: My own -I just knit in Entrelac until it was wide enough
Yarn: Cascade Pastaza on the Entrelac side, and some cream boucle on the back





Apparantely I didn't knit anything new in June, just kept working on my mom's throw
On my roadtrip in July, I started my first self-designed sweater.
This is the swatch I made while on the trip:



and here's the finished product (the color is truer in the top picture)

Pattern: My own! I hope to submit a longer sleeved, simpler version to Knitty in the next month.
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease
Notes: Although it didn't turn out like I expected (the neckline is more of a boatneck/wraparound) I still love it-especially the falling leaf pattern.
In August, I finally finished my mom's throw:

Pattern: Yarn Girls Guide to Simple Knits throw
Yarn: Everything! Some recycled yarn I dyed, Lion Brand Homespun, Suede, some metallic stuff, Crystal Palace Squiggle, Knitpicks Andean Silk, and some more..
How's it holding up? It is still in the same place in my Mom's room and I love it so much.. It matches my living room so much better than her room-I'm going to try to convince her to trade sometime soon!
I also started my first sock in August from yarn I dyed myself. I finished it in September:

I spent most of Sept working on my Mom's sweater, Autumnal Rose and the patterns I sold to Lion Brand.(too ugly to show again). However, I did have time to knit some quick armwarmers for a swap

Pattern: Loosely based on Ann Budd's Fingerless Mitts from Weekend Knitting
Yarn: Lion Brand Landscapes
After seriously struggling about what to knit for a wedding gift for Sam, I finally decided on Clapotis out of Zephyr. Sadly, I have no pictures of the end result. The biggest exitement of October was finishing Mom's sweater:

Pattern: My own, with Ann Budd's help
Yarn: Arcania Patagonia Nature Cotton in Red
How it's holding up: She's worn it about 5 times, mostly because it's not warm enough for her, without a shirt underneath (hey, she's the one that asked for cotton, despite my insistence that it should be a wool blend!) It's only gotten softer with age, and the color makes us both so happy!
I also whipped up a scarf while on a trip in October and started Josephine for a friend. I finished Josephine by Thanksgiving. I'm still lacking any pictures of the receiver in it....but here's what I took right before sending it off:


Pattern: Josephine
Yarn: KnitPicks Sierra in Natural
Needles: US 13 Clover circs (16" and 24")
November also brought on the Christmas knitting!
Here are fingerless gloves for the FIL

Pattern: my own!
Yarn: Lamb's Pride worsted
Notes: This was super tricky to figure out but it made both the Hub and FIL so happy-it was well worth it. Here's the scarf that matches: same yarn, my own pattern again.

I also knit a hat and scarf for charity.
Although she didn't know it, I knit Al's B-day present all through October and November


Pattern: Ann Budd's Fingerless Mitts pattern from Weekend Knitting
Yarn: Knitpicks Color Your Own sock yarn dyed (by me!)

December was a flurry of holiday knits:

• Mom

Pattern: Hurry Up Spring Armwarmers from SnB Nation and a topdown hat
Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes handpainted by moi
Reaction: She loves 'em, hardly takes 'em off!

• Troy

Pattern: Basic sock pattern to fit my ginormous feet, felted to fit him
Yarn: Wool of the Andes, dyed by me and Troy
Needles: US8 Clover dpns
Reaction: Again, with the love! He was so happy to have something knit just for him and was heard telling someone that his sissy knits 'just for me'--this is what knitting's all about, my friends!

• Dylan

Pattern: My own...which I may post one day, if there's interest...
Yarn: Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool, dyed by me and Dyl
Reaction: Pulled it right on his head and didn't take it off all day! Was said to be crying when he couldn't find it to take to his Dad's...also told his dad "you don't understand, it's a hat FOR me, it's what I drew her!" Which is true, I gave a sheet of paper and he drew something very similar to this!
Well, that's everything (except Jamie's supersecret birthday gift that I'm almost done with!) of 2005. Whew!