Day 6

Where did the weekend go? Day 6 is here and I'm only 2 days into actual knitting on my 30 day sweater. I chose to knit Lollipop Cardigan by Vera Sanon using Milky Way in Nimbus. Vera is one of my favorite sweater designers of all time, and I've been in love with this cardigan since the first day I saw it and tried on the sample. I've known since that moment I had to have one of my own.

Of course, I've never knit a sweater before. So far it's been great, tricky, but great. That doesn't mean I'm not a little nervous about a couple of the new (to me) techniques. I swatched like crazy. I'm a loose knitter and I really want this to fit properly, so swatching was a must for me. Not that swatching is really new, just um, rare.  

So, what actually is new for me?

Beads. I've never beaded any knitting before. How can a person knit for 5 years and never bead anything? I'll let you know how it goes. (Note to self: Buy beads.)

Contiguous sleeves. What does that even mean? Well, it means the shoulders look like set in sleeves, even though it's seamless and knit top down. It also means that after 2 days of knitting and a couple provisional cast-ons later, I have about 7 ends to weave in. SEVEN. Yay! (Really, yay! I love finishing.) Even if you are one of those knitters that hates weaving ends, I have a feeling this is going to be worth it. I mean, I've tried on the sample and it was so perfect. How could it not be worth it?

My theme for the month: Go big or go home! Check back soon to see how I'm doing. Feel free to offer tips, suggestions, advice, or your favorite chocolate to eat after throwing your knitting across the room in the comments below.

Casting On the Little Cable Knee Highs

​We have started our Little Cable Knee High knitalong, and we hope you've chosen to join us! If you haven't cast on yet, don't worry. We are all at different knitting levels and speeds so we'll be continuing the discussion for a while over in the Anzula group on Ravelry.

​Sylvia's Chiva sock is off to a great start!

The Purl Bee's pattern is written for double pointed needles. Most of us here use circular needles, so a few stitch markers are helpful for following the pattern to mark where Needle 1, Needle 2, and Needle 3 start.

Becca chose to start her sock like she starts hexipuffs!​

This sock pattern starts with a provisional cast on. On this count, we were divided. Some chose to do this, starting with a crochet chain as explained here on the Purl Bee, or shown in a video here at New Stitch a Day. This method from Knitty was also used. Some chose to do Judy's Magic cast on instead of a provisional.

Meg used the provisional cast on technique from Knitty to start her sock.​

One of the most important things to do before you get too far into the sock is to make sure that your gauge is correct. If you aren't sure, you can measure your gauge to make sure that it is the recommended 8 1/2 stitches per inch. Here's a little guide to measuring gauge from the Purl Bee.

Rather than make a swatch for these socks, we all jumped in and started knitting the pattern. More than one of us had to frog and restart to get the proper gauge. Gauge will vary a little when knitting in the round rather than knitting flat, so make sure that if you decide to swatch, to do so in the round.

Or just try the socks on. As you knit, the socks feel so luscious that it's hard to resist trying them on, anyway. Charlie made several modifications to her sock by trying it on frequently and adjusting as she went, so it is a perfect fit!

​Charlie used the provisional cast on for her Petunia sock.

Have any other questions about knitting these socks, or any observations or tricks? Come join our thread on the Ravelry group.  

Little Cable Knitalong with Anzula

When the members of Team Anzula started considering a knitalong, we talked about more than a few different patterns. However, when we passed around the idea of doing these socks, the decision was unanimous.

​© The Purl Bee, 2012

The Purl Bee released the pattern for the Little Cable Knee High socks in November of 2012. These socks are made from Squishy, in Seaside. We love the knee-high length, the classic cable detail, and the cute turn-down cuff.

​© Anzula, 2013

Before starting the socks, we each chose two skeins in Squishy and Dreamy, but you could also choose two skeins of Sebastian. Kim is knitting in Slate, Sabrina picked Watermelon, Diane is currently obsessed with Fiona, Becca liked Coco, Sylvia chose Chiva, and Meg is going to wear 1 Red Shoe.

Not long after this photo of our yarn choices was taken, Charlie revealed her penchant for Petunia. Kim slipped off to the dye room to create a couple of Dreamy skeins especially for her, replacing her original choice of Teal that you can see in the photo.

​© Anzula, 2013

Besides your skeins of yarn, you will need the correct circular or double-pointed needles to achieve gauge (the pattern calls for size #2), scrap yarn and a crochet hook for the provisional cast on, and a cable stitch holder. You'll also need to visit the Purl Bee for the free pattern. 

We are all at different levels of knitting prowess so we hope that beginners as well as experienced knitters choose to knitalong with us. For beginners, we'll be posting helpful links at every step of the way. For experienced knitters, we hope that you'll share your own links and tips, and just enjoy having company as you knit a beautiful pair of socks. You can see our updates on the blog and our Facebook page, and participate in the Anzula group on Ravelry.