Laddu Pullover v 2.0

The sweater for my son was done during the week, and a brief spell of rain, brought down the temperature low enough for him to wear it during this winter. I used my laddu pattern for the design with a few bits of modifications. Firstly, I upsized it. Secondly, I knit the sleeves in same color as the body. Thirdly, I joined the sleeves and body and knit the yoke in round. Fourthly, I incorporated some cable into the raglan decreases.

Despite all the modifications , the sweater knit up quite fast. My son approves of it and gives it a high score of nine out of ten.

Knitting Update

I am working on a sweater right now, another one for my son. It is more than half done, only half a sleeve and the yoke being left.

For the last few days, I have taken time away from i
t to sew a dress for my daughter. That dress is now done, so I hope to dedicate my craft time over the weekend, to this sweater, inshaAllah.

Dreams Of Aran Pullover

 

Three weeks ago, I made a tall claim of getting this sweater done in a week. But seasonal illnesses took most of December away from me and I was only able to really knit during the last week.

 Still, I cannot help but be thrilled about being able to post a FO (finished object) on the first day of the new year. Especially, since it means that I have finally finished a project that I started in October 2014, and that I was mostly successful in getting it done by the end of December (It was all done except the neckband).
You can tell by the length of time it was on the needles, that it was not an easy project. Like all knitting project for men, it took too long to grow. The cables slowed the knitting even further. Then I ran out of yarn, with both sleeves to go, and could not find the color in the same yarn wight. So after much misgiving, I knit the sleeves with two strands of much thinner yarn, held together, and am happy to report that the difference between two yarns is barely noticeable.

 

The pattern, like most DROPS patterns, was a bit difficult to decipher at places, but was well-worth the effort. In the end, I am totally pleased with the sweater and the fact that it got done in time for my son to wear during the winter season. My son rates it an eight out of ten, which is not bad at all, considering he compares it to his Neville sweater, which is totally awesome.

Neville Sweater

I started this sweater in March and worked slowly on the body. Then it remained mostly untouched during the summer, only to be taken out last month. At the time of my last post, two weeks back, I was working on the first sleeve. Continuing on, I knitted both sleeves and joined them to the body and knitted up the fair-isle yoke to finish up the sweater.

 The yarn is our local acrylic, the pattern is a Garnstudio DROPS free design. I chose to make an adult size sweater for my ten-year-old, because it is a bit tiring when kids grow out of the handknits after a single season. My son can wear this one with rolled cuffs this year, and hopefully will last him a few more years.

The plain black part was boring and tedious stockinette st, and it was extremely slow-going, but the things looked up with the yoke. I loved knitting the fair-isle part. And the end result was totally worth all the slog.

The sweater has been well received, my son did not want to take it off, regardless of the fact that it was 32 C today. My husband also thought it was outstanding. And as a bonus, I think I got my knitting mojo back with this one.

It's Hero Time!

 

Ben 10 is my son's favorite TV cartoon show and an ongoing obsession. So when he asked me to make him a jacket like the one hero wears in the cartoon, I hurriedly complied (he was moving on to the various alien costumes). Ben 10 seems to be quite a favorite with the boys this age, as I discovered many similar projects at ravelry. One reveler even shared her intrasia chart which saved me much time and grief.

   For the actual sweater, I did not follow any pattern. I did ran into trouble with the set in sleeves, it took a few attempts to get them right. The yarn is our local acrylic worsted weight.

  I don't have to tell that this sweater is a resounding success. My son would like to wear it all the time. He also went off to show it to his grandparents, who had no idea what or who Ben 10 is. Even his little sister has been trying it on. As for my hope that it will be the only piece of knitting based on Ben 10, that seems to be futile thinking as I am already receiving requests for one more. Maybe next year, just maybe.

Still Here

The reason I have ignored the blog for the last few weeks is twofold...firstly, we decided to take a little impromptu vacation and went to Lahore for a few days. We had a great time there but I could not get much knitting done. Secondly, I feel I have burned myself out with the vacation, housework, and taking care of the baby. So even when I find a quiet moment, which is ever so rare these days, I don't feel like doing anything. Knitting, blogging, net-browsing, all feel like a lot of work.
 Hopefully, this phase will pass soon and I will be back to blog about my hobbies regularly, inshaAllah. For now, I will leave you with a picture of my current WIP. It is going to be a zippered jacket for my son. This is on his special request and is something his favorite cartoon superhero wears.

School Hat

With two sick kids on my hands, I needed a simple small project to work on. A school hat for my son was the perfect project for the occasion. It took only two days to knit and my son has a new hat to replace his old misplaced one, once he starts going back to school, inshaAllah.

The pattern was straightforward. As mine was intended for a six year old, I cast on only 100 sts and adjusted the decreases at the top accordingly. Also, I used ssk decrease instead of the prescribed kks. I love how the decreases line up on the top of the hat. Also, it has room for adapt to a growing head.

As for the kids, they are doing much better now, alhamdolillah. Their fever is down and cough much improved.

Laddu Pullover

Thus named is the design for the cotton pullover I made for my son a while back. It goes up for sale at my ravelry store today. Non-ravelry people can find the purchase link below. I had a wonderful set of test knitters for this pattern. You will be able to check out their projects once they link them to the pattern.

This raglan pullover is knit in rounds from bottom up till the armholes, then the front and back are worked separately. The sleeves are done the same way.

Yarn weight: Aran / 10 ply (8 wpi)

 Yardage: Approx 300( 350, 400, 500, 640, 750)yards MC  and  200( 260,340, 440, 600, 680) yards CC

Gauge: 16 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in st st

Needle size:US 8 - 5.0 mm, US 6 - 4.0 mm

Sizes available: 2 (4, 6, 8, 10, 12) years

Finished measurements:
Chest: 26 (28, 30, 32, 34, 36) inches
Length: 16 (18, 20, 22, 24, 26) inches
Sleeve length (to underarm): 9 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15.5) inches

New Things

With my latest project named and test knitting underway, I moved on to other things. I started a sweater for my son. I have four balls of Cotton-Ease, two violet and two lime and the trick is for me to come up with a suitable design for this yarn. I initially thought of a zippered cardigan but unsure about the availability of a suitable zipper in my local supplies shops, I settled on a pullover/sweatshirt.

As you can see, I stick to a classic style of contrasting color stripes in the ribbing and front pouch pocket. I hope I get the pocket placing right.
In another new, I practiced some continental style of knitting. I have reached the stage where it becomes smoother but not very fast, and of course it was too loose, so I had to frog all the rows later.

Fair-Isle Yoke Sweater

It took me about a month to knit up the sleeves but that was basically because I put this project on hold to work on some others. However, I picked it up again yesterday and it's done now. And my son was more than happy to pose for it. He even picked out his favorite photo.

It is a bit big for him right now, but that was intended as he is going to wear this next winter, inshaAllah.

Starting the New Year

Knitting-wise, I will be marking the start of the new year by casting on for Central Park Hoodie, inshaAllah. I will be joining a CPH KAL starting Jan 1st at ravelry (Sporum Forum). I did a swatch for it today and it turned out ok:

I also plan to continue working on my two older WIPs side-by-side. The sweater for my son is done down to the sleeves. I always intended it to be large. I think it is turning out to be a 6-8 year fit so my son will wear it next winter, inshaAllah.

My last WIP has been ignored lately. These socks are for my husband. After repeated frogging, I finally settled for a simple garter rib pattern. My aim is to finish the pair in January, inshaAllah.

So these are my new year WIPs. Only 15 minutes to New Year Here. Hope everyone has a healthy, happy and peaceful New Year!

Another yoke...Fair-Isle this time

I had been waiting to finish the Tangled Yoke Cardigan to start a sweater for my son, for which I bought the yarn last month. I had got these to colors with no definite idea about the design.

Finally, when I started, I went for a top-down Fair-Isle Yoke pullover. The fair-Isle design is my own and hence somewhat rudimentary. I added two additional colors for the fair-isle.

Tonight I finished the yoke and will have my son try it on for the fit in the morning, inshaAllah. I am intending a larger size anyway.

Now I have to confess that I was up till 4:45 am last night to knit this and tonight it is almost two already. So, I am a bit groggy right now. Must go to bed...

Baby Gift Done

The knitting for the baby gift was finally done today. I finished the jumpsuit before Eid. It is a Drops design ,which I think is a bit too large for the 6-month size. But still, the babies do grow and it will fit at some point of time.

Then I knit a hat to match the Baby Surprise Jacket. It is also a Drops design, simple in garter st. I finished it today.

So all the gift items put together look thus:

I should be giving this to the new mommy this week.

Simple Toe-up Socks

I had started these about ten days ago as my first toe-up pair. These are for my son.I used the Universal Toe-up Sock Formula. The yarn is Schoeller + Stahl Fortissima Colori Socka Color. I used 2.75 mm DPN's. I knit the two socks from opposite ends of the ball so as to equally divide the yarn and aprroximate the stripes.

I can't wait to have my son to return from school and try these on. He loves when I make something for him and I love his childish praises:) That is a little different from the lukewarm response from my husband when told that my next pair of socks was going to be for him.

Joined Cables Boy's Cardigan

I finished this cardigan for my son today. It was a simply straightforward knit and turned out quite well. Plus my son seems to like it. The yarn I used is Bally DK, a local Pakistani acrylic brand. Needle sizes were 5 mm and 4.5 mm. The joined cable pattern is from a stitch dictionary. I have made it for size 5-6 years as my son will turn 5 this winter.
I spent the afternoon writing out the pattern. Although there is not much to it, but there seems to be a scarcity of sweater patterns for little guys and I also needed to practise my pattern writing skills. So here is the pattern. I have not mastered excel yet so there is no cable chart.
I could not think of a clever name for this one so it has to be joind cables boy's cardigan after the st pattern.

JOINED CABLES BOY’S CARDIGAN

Material:
- Bally DK (acrylic) grey 80 gm/ball (or any other that gets the correct gauge) ----- 4 balls.
- One pair each of straight needles size 5.00 mm and 4.50 mm and circular needles size 4.50 mm.
- Tapestry needle

Size:
3 years, 4-5 years, 5-6 years

Finished measurements:

3 years 4 years 5-6 years
Chest 13 inches 14 inches 15 inches
Length 16 inches 17.5 inches 19 inches
Sleeve length 11 inches 11.5 inches 12.5 inches

Tension: 8 sts x 12 rows = 2 inches in st st with larger needles.

Abbreviations:
C1(4- st right crossover): slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, k 2, k2 from the cable needle.
C2 (4-st left crossover): slip 2 sts on cable needle and hold in front, k 2, k2 from the cable needle.
C3 (4-st right cross): slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, k 2, p2 from the cable needle.
C4 (4-st right cross): slip 2 sts on cable needle and hold in front, p2, k2 from the cable needle.

Pattern st (Joined Cables):
Worked on 14 sts.
Row 1: K3, p2, k4, p2, k3.
Row 2 and all even numbered rows: Work each st as it appears on the needle.
Row 3: K3, p2, C2, p2, k3.
Row 5: Repeat row 1.
Row 7: Repeat row 3.
Row 9: K3, C3, C4, k3.
Row 11: K1, C3, p4, C4, k1.
Row 13: K1, C1, p4, C2, K1.
Row 15: k3,C4,C3,k3.
Row 16: work as set.
These 16 rows form the pattern.


BACK:
With 4.50 mm straight needles cast on 58 ,(62 , 66) sts. Work in k 2, p 2 rib for 10 rows.
Change to 5.00 mm needles and work in st st until the piece measures 15 (16.5, 18) inches from the beg.
Next row: K 27 sts, join another ball of yarn cast off the next 12 sts and knit to the end of the row.
Working both sides simultaneously with separate balls, work as follows:
Decrease 2,(2,3) sts at the neck edge over the next two rows, then dec 1(2, 2) sts at the next edge over the next 2 rows.[21(21,22) sts on each side}
Work 2 more rows in st st, cast off.


POCKETS (make 2):
With 5.00 mm needles, cast on 16 sts. Work in st st for 20 rows, leave sts on a spare needle.

RIGHT FRONT:
With 4.50mm straight needles, cast on 26,(28,30) sts. Work in k2, p2 rib for 10 rows, INCREASING 2 sts evenly distributed, in the last row.[28( 30, 32) sts]
Change to 5.00 mm needles,
Next row: Knit 6(8,8) sts, row 1 of the pattern over the next 14 sts, knit last 8(8,10) sts.
Next row (WS) : work as the sts appear on the needle.
Continue in this manner, working the 14 sts in cable pattern (6(8,8) sts in from the front edge) and the rest in st st., until the piece measures 5.5 inches from the beginning, ending with a WS row.
Pocket opening:
Next row (RS): knit the first 5(7,7) sts, place the next 16 sts on the needle holder, knit the 16 sts of one of the pockets which were being held on the spare needle, knit the remaining 7(7,9) sts. [28 (30,32) sts]
Continue in pattern as established, resuming the cable pattern from where it was left, until the piece measures 10 (11.5,13) inches from the beg, ending with a WS row.
Neck Shaping:
Dec 1 st at the neck margin in the next row and then in every 3rd row, a total of 9 (10, 10) times. [19(20,22) sts remain]
Continue in pattern until the front matches back in length, bind off.

LEFT FRONT:
Work as for right front, reversing the shaping. The cable pattern is worked on 14 sts, 8 sts in from the centre edge, similar to the right front.

SLEEVES (make 2):
Join the shoulder seams. Place Markers 6.5(7,7) inches down from the shoulder seam on the side edge both at front and back. Join yarn and with 5.oomm needle pick up and knit 52,(54,56) sts across the side edge between these markers. Work in st st decreasing 1 st at both ends of every 6th row, a total of 9(9,10) times [ 34(36,36)sts]
Change to 4.50 mm needles when the sleeves measure 9.5 (10,11) inches. Work in k2, p2 rib for 8 rows. Cast off loosely in rib.

FINISHING:
Pocket bands: Transfer the 16 sts at the pocket opening from the holding needle onto 4.50 mm needle and work in k2, p2 rib for 4 rows. Cast off loosely in rib.
Front band: Starting at the bottom of right front opening, join yarn and pick up and knit 42(48,54) sts cross the right front, 20(22,22) st along the right slope of the neck shaping, 20 sts across the back,20(22,22) sts along the left front slope of the neck and 42(48,54) sts across the left front. Work in k2, p2 rib for 2 rows.
Next row(WS) (Buttonholes): work 4 sts in rib, cast off next 2 sts, (work 8 sts in rib, cast off next 2 sts) 3(4,4) times, continue in rib to the end of the row.
Next row: Work in rib patt as established, on reaching the first buttonhole, cast on 2 sts, (work next 8 sts in rib, cast on 2 sts) 3(4,4) times, work last 4 sts in rib.
Work 2 more rows in rib, cast off (not loosely but rather firmly) in rib.
Sew together the sleeves and side seams. Weave in the loose ends.

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© copyright ummeyusuf , 2008 http://ummeyusuf.blogspot.com
This pattern is for personal, non-profit use only.

Cricket Pullover

I finished this pullover for my son in February, but was a bit slow in writing out the pattern. Here it is now, done and complete. I wanted something a little more grown up for my son, something more on the boyish side rather than the usual baby styles.It looks a lot like the kind of pullovers cricketers wear. Being in a cricket-crazy part of the world with my husband being a huge fan of the game, the most likely name to come to my mind was Cricket pullover.

Last Edit: November 13, 2012

CRICKET PULLOVER

Material:- Any Dk weight yarn or yarn that gets the right gauge (100%) dark green (MC)... approx 250gm, and 50gms each of pistachio green (CC2) and off-white (CC1).
- One pair each of straight needles size 3.50 mm and 4.00 mm and circular needles size 3.50 mm.
- Tapestry needle

Size:3 (4-5, 6-7) years

Finished measurements:

Chest: 26 (28, 30) inches
Length: 16 (18, 20) inches
Sleeve length: 11.25 (12.5, 14) inches

Tension:11 sts x 15 rows = 2 inches in st st with larger needles.

Abbreviations:CC: contrasting color.
ccb2: pass the next two sts onto the cable needle and hold at the back of the work, K the next 2 sts, k2 from the cable needle. (with practice, this cable can be done without a cable needle.
ssp: sl st purlwise.
PM: place marker.
M: marker.
MC: main color

Cable Pattern : (multiple of 12 sts)
Row 1 (RS): (K4, p2) repeat to the end.
Row 2 and all even no. rows (WS): work as set.
Row 3: (K4, p2, ccb2, p2), repeat to the end.
Row 4: as row 2.
Row 5: repeat row 1.
Row 6: as row 2.
These 6 rows make up the pattern.

BACK:
With 3.5 mm straight needles and Dark green (MC), cast on 72,(78, 84) sts. Work in k 2, p 2 rib for 16 rows.
Change to 4.00mm needles and off-white (CC1), work 4 rows in st st (starting with a k row) then join Pistachio green (CC2) and work 4 rows of st st in this color. Fasten off this yarn. Then with CC1, work another 4 rows in st st, increasing 6 (6, 8) sts evenly distributed across in the last row. [78 (84, 92) sts] Fasten off CC1 and continue in main color as follows:
Row 1: K.
Row 2: P
Row 3: K 1 (0, 2), work row 1 of the cable pattern 6 (7, 7) times, k 5 (0, 6).
Row 4: P 5 (0, 6), work row 2 of the cable pattern 6 (7, 7) times, p 1 (0, 2).
Continue in pattern as set until the piece measures 15.5 (17.5, 19.5) inches from the start, ending with a WS row.
Next row (RS): Work 35 (37, 41) sts in etablished pattern, cast off the next 8 (10, 10) sts, continue in pattern till the end of the row. Joining yarn to the right half, work both halves simultaneously as follows:
Next row (WS): Work as set. Next 2 rows: Cast off 5 (6, 7) sts at the neck margin on both sides.[ 30( 31, 34)] sts on both sides. Next 2 rows: Cast off 5 (5, 6) sts over the next two rows.[25 (26, 28)] sts on both halves). Work 2 more rows. Bind off.

FRONT:Work as for back until the piece measures 9.5 (11, 12.5) inches, ending with a WS row.
Neck Shaping:Next row (RS): Continuing in pattern, work till the 2 centre sts, cast these off, work to the end.
Join another ball of yarn and work both sides simultaneously.
Next row (WS): Work as set.
Dec 1 st at the neck margin on both sides in the next row and then in every alternate row, a total of 13 (15, 17) times. [52 (26, 28) sts remain]
Continue in pattern until the front matches back in length, bind off.

SLEEVES (make 2):
With 3.5 mm straight needles and Dark green (MC), cast on 38 (42, 46) sts. Work in k2, p2 rib for 16 rows.
Change to 4.00mm needles and off-white (CC1), work 4 rows in st st (starting with a k row) then join Pistachio green (CC2) and work 4 rows of st st in this color. Fasten off this yarn. Then with CC1, work another 4 rows in st st, increasing 4 sts evenly distributed across in the last row.[42 (46, 50 sts)]. Fasten off CC1 and continue in main color as follows:
Row 1: K.
Row 2: P
Row 2:  K1 (3, 0), work row 1 of the cable pattern 3 (3, 4) times, k 5 (7 , 2). Continue in pattern as set, increasing 1 st at both ends of every 4 ( 4, 5)th row, 17 times. [76, (80, 80 sts)]. Note: work the increased sts in st st. Continue in pattern until the piece measures 11.25 (12.5, 14) inches from the start, ending with a WS row, bind off.
FINISHING:
Neckband:
Join right shoulder seam. With 3.5 mm circular needles and CC1 (RS facing), join yarn, pick up and knit 41(43, 45) stitches down the left neck front, PM (place marker), K1 at the front center, PM, pick up and knit 42(44,46) sts across the right neck front and 30 sts across the back. [114(118, 122) sts]
Row 2 (WS): P till 2 sts before the marker, p2tog, sk marker, p1, sk marker, ssp (slip st purlwise), p to the end.
Row 3: K till 2 sts before marker, ssk, M(marker), k1, M, k2tog, k to end.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 three times (i.e. 6 more rows), working initial three rows in CC2 and the last three rows in CC1 again.
Join MC and repeat row 2 once, then work in k2,p2 rib for 5 rows, working decreases before the 2 markers as before (k center st on RS and p on WS). Bind off loosely in rib.

Sew together the left shoulder seam and the sleeves and side seams. Weave in the loose ends.

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© copyright ummeyusuf , 2008 http://ummeyusuf.blogspot.com/
This pattern is for personal, non-profit use only.