#keishaknits

[handknitharmonies]

Start Over. Reset. Re-Knit

Knitting the same garment twice has turned me into a more skillful knitter. Frogged in its entirety, then re-knitted only to be frogged again, this is my final Soldotna, a popular knitting pattern by knitwear designer Caitlin Hunter. Search through the Instagram #Soldotna tag to see all of the different versions. This sweater is cute in every color on everyone. Many knitters unite in excitement over this beautiful pattern.

My experience however, was a mixture of failure and frustration; but still a really fun ordeal overall. Frogging and preserving yarn is another time consuming skill all by itself. Some of us have learned that the hard way. And since the yarn for this project was purchased from an indie dyer at a yarn festival, I saw 🤑 money that I refused to let go to waste (as I faced temptation to abandon the project altogether).

I’m glad I got over it! And instead of hating the frogging task, I played music, and enjoyed a cappuccino while meticulously unraveling each section, stitch by stitch, moment by moment.

Usually, I’m not in a hurry to finish my knitting projects anyway. I like to think that I’m mostly patient. That’s part of the reason why I hardly ever have any finished objects to post. The WIPs are perpetually on my needles. 💁🏽‍♀️🤭

So, here’s what happened. I knitted following the pattern exactly. After binding off the last stitch, I immediately tried it on and to my horror, the neckline collar *did not* fit over my head. 😤 I was seriously in shock. The neckline was super high and i just could not squeeze it over my forehead. Fretfully, I frogged the neckline only, knitting it upwards (it’s a top down pattern). Finished it again, and again, it didn’t fit.

This time, I frogged it entirely. Then, I knitted the entire pattern again casting on more stitches for the neckline and followed alternative short row shaping instructions. Finished the entire piece, tried it on, and the sleeves were too short, almost to the point of looking sleeveless. Lots of heavy sighing. Come. On.

Then, ha. Another idea, because there was no way I was going to frog it again. With the fully finished object still intact, I frogged the sleeves only, 😀 and re-knitted them to finally end up with something that looks right.

Now, I have a sweater that actually fits over my head, fits me, reflects my skill for pattern adjusting, and carries a whole story in every section.

This wasn’t the breeze through knitting I thought it would be. It was a process. A little messy, a little humbling, but also, finally very satisfying.

Behind the scenes:

[handknitharmonies]

Girlhood Gloria| Socks Knitting Pattern

This pattern is designed to be a fun challenge for beginners but also satisfying for knitters of all levels.

Knitted with fingering sock weight hand-dyed merino and nylon blended yarn.

Designed by @ Keisha.Knits IG 🔗

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[handknitharmonies]

What better way is there to get back into a flow of knitting and celebrate the last day of Knitter’s Socktober, than knitting the ‘Valedictorian Socks’ knitting pattern.

Lace Mohair held double with fingering yarn made the socks perfectly light, fluffy and fuzzy.

Happy Fall Knitting

Here’s to hoping November will get chillier. ☕️ 🛋️

[handknitharmonies]

It’s nightmarish having to unravel so much progress. It’s also a huge relief to reset and start again. The designing process is never perfect, but it is wholly enjoyable. Every moment invested is worth the dedication. I first think, I love this. I hope other people love it too.

🚧 ‘Gloria Shawl’ is almost ready for her debut.

She has been harmoniously designed and crafted. She has a flow of stitch patterns that form a melody.

[handknitharmonies]

Cutesy Coasters by Keisha

Knitting Patterns: By Keisha Knits

Cutesy Coasters | Free Knitting Patterns

Yarn: 

Scheepjes Terrazzo Felted Tweed, Recycled DK

Knitting Needles: 

4mm

(Optional) Darning Needle

Skills:

Knit

Purl

Fair Isle or (Optional) Duplicate Stitch

Woven Rib (Pink Coaster)

Cast on 26 stitches.

Row 1: *K1, p1* rep* to the end.

Row 2: *P1, k1* rep* to the end.

Rows 3 - 6: Repeat rows 1 & 2.

Next Row (Woven Rib Section)

Row 1: (Right Side) Knit all

Row 2: (Wrong Side) Purl all

Rows 3 - 4: As rows 1 & 2

Row 5: K1, *K3, P6, K3* rep* to last st, k1.

Row 6: Work each stitch in the manner that it presents.

Row 7: K1, *K3, P6, K3* rep* to last st, k1.

Row 8: As row 6.

Repeat rows 1 - 8 (to a total of 24 rows)

Next Row

Row 1: *K1, p1* rep* to the end.

Row 2: *P1, k1* rep* to the end.

Rows 3 - 6: Repeat rows 1 & 2.

Bind Off. Weave ends. Steam to block.

Heart Coaster

Cast on 26 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): *K1, p1* rep* to the end of the row.

Row 2: *P1, k1* rep* to the end of the row.

Rows 3 - 6: Repeat rows 1 & 2

Next row (RS): K1, p1, k1, p1, knit to last 4 stitches, k1, p1, k1, p1.

Next row (WS): P1, k1, p1, k1, purl to last 4 sts, p1, k1, p1, k1.

Repeat these 2 rows  22 times ( total of 24 rows)

Then, repeat the beginning of the pattern.

Next row as 

Row 1 (RS): *K1, p1* rep* to the end of the row.

Row 2: *P1, k1* rep* to the end of the row.

Rows 3 - 6: Repeat rows 1 & 2.

Bind off. Weave ends. Steam to Block..  

Note:  This chart can be followed for the heart graphic as either intarsia or afterwards as duplicate stitch a.k.a embroidery.  

[handknitharmonies]

Friendly Reminder:

Don’t overlook knitting patterns on the inside of yarn labels. Many of them offer quick, fulfilling projects that become great grab-alongs for those chilly mornings of early Spring 🍃Autumn 🍂, or even Winter ❄️ if you’re using worsted weight. This cowl pattern was fully printed within a Caron Simply Soft label. It was like a surprise gift with purchase! I believe I knitted this within 3 days, spending about an hour or two during each session. My only regret is not selecting a lighter grey yarn color. There are beautiful textures in this pattern that do not quite show up as nicely on the yarn I’ve chosen here, which is ‘Smokey Mountains’ by Lion Brand.

Keisha

Maybe you didn’t get lucky with your Caron labels. Worry not. Here is the link to download this stylish (and free!) pattern:

Caron Knit Cozy Tweed Cowl | Yarnspirations

This easy to knit cowl works up beautifully in Caron Simply Soft Tweeds! With a great selection of neutral shades to choose from the natural

[handknitharmonies]

The cartoon version of me knitting the cartoon version of my ‘Valedictorian Socks’ pattern.

https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-us/p/valedictorian-socks-knitting-pattern-by-handknit-harmonies-by-keisha

[handknitharmonies]

My Sophie Scarves. Knitting Pattern is by PetiteKnit.

For many reasons, this is a perfect pattern for absolute beginners to knit. It’s entirely garter stitch. It helps new knitters become repetitiously comfortable and familiar with doing increases and decreases. It’s a beautiful knitted accessory for a beginner to confidently refine that can be worn stylishly with ‘maker’s pride.’

For veteran knitters, of whom I’ve noticed also really love this pattern, myself included, it is simply fun, and very mentally soothing. We know we can knit them quickly and in all of our favorite colors. It’s a one-skein stash-buster. It’s also the perfect go-to for a gift-knit, especially a requested one. If you’re not a knitter, but you want to make a request to one, ask for a Sophie scarf! You can’t go wrong with this, unlike a sweater.

Keisha