Pinwheel Sweater Along

Not sure if anyone is still looking...

2008-03-24T00:02:00.003-04:00

...but here it is!

More info & pics here!

Got Yarn?

2007-02-23T21:38:00.000-05:00

Not sure if anyone is out there anymore but I thought I'd post just in case!

Well, I finally received my yarn for the pinwheel sweater. After I decided that I had to make this sweater (tho - there was little deciding...the sweater had control all along!) I had to wait about four months before I could get a colour card from elann.com. Then when I had chosen my colours I had to wait another four months or so before they were all in stock again. My colour choices changed a bit in that time and I'm so enamored with them in person I can't even tell you!

I'm afraid to open the bag because then I'd have to start right away. Not that I don't want to make this sweater, as I said in my blog ages ago - I have to make this sweater. However, I started another sweater this year and I must, must, must finish it before I venture into another substantial project.

Ta-da!

2006-11-24T14:18:00.000-05:00

{cross-posted from my blog}

I finished it! I finished it! I pulled it out of its hiding place, found some needles, grafted, cursed, grafted again, knit some, grafted, cursed, searched the house for more yarn, unravelled part of the first sleeve to salvage enough yarn to finish the second one, soaked, blocked and admired my lovely pinwheel ;0)

Isn't she beautiful? I started her this summer and then put her aside during those dark days of early pregnancy when knitting made me nauseous. When I picked her up again, the sleeves tested my patience (I knit them upside down!) and I buried the whole thing in a grocery bag at the bottom of Julian's diaper bag. I dug it out this week in an effort to come clean about all the projects that were still unfinished and it was worth it! Here's a picture of the back...

Looking at it in all of it's blocked beauty I can't help but wonder why I almost gave up on it in the first place.

Loving it ;0)

update

2006-09-09T23:11:00.000-04:00

I finished the edge yesterday. This is my favorite view of the edge!

I started with the first sleeve today, and managed to get 4 rounds in before I got distracted by some beautiful new sock yarn!

Finished Pinwheel

2006-09-09T21:57:00.000-04:00

I finished my pinwheel sweater! I made mine out of bizarre yarns, lots of mohair, silk, eyelash yarns. You can see more photos on my blog http://gelsominalucchesi.blogspot.com

:-) G

loopy edge !

2006-09-03T11:34:00.000-04:00

After much thought, I decided that I would follow the pattern and do the loopy edge. Then I had to decide which colors to use!

I'm almost 1/2 done with the edge already. It feels like I'm almost done (too bad I still have to do the sleeves!)

Pinwheel Progress

2006-08-28T11:37:00.000-04:00

I'm almost done with my pinwheel; about a dozen more rounds. I can't wait! Grrr, for some reason I can't get my photos to load here; but they're over on my blog if you want to take a peek.
I don't have the body part spread out completely; still on the needles. The second photo shows the sleeve folded over the body. I went ahead and made the sleeves to make sure I wouldn't run out of certain yarns early.
:-) G
http://gelsominalucchesi.blogspot.com

update

2006-08-20T17:46:00.000-04:00

Slow, but steady progress...I've been distracted by a few other projects recently (see my blog for more details!) But I'm getting work done on this sweater too!

I've been thinking about the edge. I was wondering what it would look like if instead of the loopy edge, if I did a ruffle edge. What do you think? I still have awhile to think about it...

New to KAL but already making Pinwheel.

2006-08-10T16:19:00.000-04:00

Hi, I'm new to the KAL but have been knitting the pinwheel for a while now. Well, sort of. I'm using the same pattern but totally different yarns; a mixture of silk, mohair, and funky yarns. Sort of like a large flower of sorts. You can see pix of my pinwheel on my blog at gelsominalucchesi.blogspot.com. I was at round 40 when the pictures were taken.

I'm about to start the armholes, still trying to figure out why provisional cast on. I think it's so that you have all raw stitches to start knitting the sleeve in the round?

I'm thinking I might modify the sleeve opening; instead of a straight slit, maybe make it a bit round. Like 28 sts across by 4 rows? Has anyone tried this?

:-) Jill

Jayden with Kate and Grandma too ...

2006-08-06T06:23:00.000-04:00

Wearing the Pinwheel just for you.

It's still warm out and I didn't want her to get uncomfortable with a wool sweater on, so we quickly took as many pictures we could before she started squirming. She really loved Kate ... and made faces when she tried chewing on her and found out she was wool & not rubber, LOL. So here's just a few more pictures ...

uh-oh

2006-07-28T19:37:00.000-04:00

i got a little bit ahead of myself last night while watching so you think you can dance (guilt summer pleasure). see, i already knit our girls each a pinwheel blanket - using koigu, no less - and so around and around i went, thinking nothing of it. until i noticed anny's pictures with a garter stitch detail. uh-oh is right. so i read the pattern and here's what happened:

Question Regarding the Sleeves Please

2006-07-25T10:22:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. Ok... now I have a question and after reading the last post which was so very beautiful and I can not wait to see the end result. Wow great job everyone I am so inspired by you all to finish this one.

I think I had better ask a question before I get into a pickle. Since all the sleeves I have ever done have been on a Raglan Increase. I have no clue on how the sleeve is to be done even after reading the instruction. I am a little confused. I know how to do a provissional cast on but the pattern refers to the instructions but I can't find the instruction; Am I Blind? How many balls of yarn do you have to have since it tells you to change to a new ball? Any help? I am so lost and I am so close to the armholes?

And one more question: Ok... so what if we are a little plump in the arms how do we make adjustment for that? I am so confused....

Can someone please help me.

Time out!

2006-07-24T21:09:00.000-04:00

It was all going so well. The colours were coming together as I had hoped. It was fun and quick to knit. My "knit the sleeve stitches on a scrap piece of yarn, pop them back on the right needle and knit them again with the working yarn" technique worked fantastically well for the sleeves so that I didn't have to find a stitch holder nor fuss with a provisional cast-on.

Even the 17 million i-cords for the loopy edging came together mostly painlessly. I was able to unpick the scrap yarn for my sleeve stitches quickly and easily and even found the right DPNs to start knitting the sleeves. Then about 2 thirds of the way up the first sleeve, I noticed it...

...the sleeve shaping is on the wrong side! You see the intended giftee is 3 years old so will only be wearing it on the "big girl" side and the way I have the sleeve shaping worked out, the ecreases are lined up across the top of the sleeve - and they’re not so neat! I have no idea what to do about it. Should I just keep going and hope that blocking will neaten it up and make it acceptable? Or should I let her rip? I decided to put her away for now while I compose myself and plan my exit strategy ;0)

So the whole thing is going to the naughty pile for a while.

Mommy needs a time-out ;0)

Knitapalooza's Pinwheel and Yarn

2006-07-24T17:08:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone, Thanks for letting me join your knitalong. Here is the beginning of my Pinwheel! Oh how I would like to say I just started... but no. I have started this 6x Reasons: don't try to knit while being sick with the flu. You end up leaving out minor parts of the pattern. I am making an adult size with some wonderful yarns. GGH Mystik (Double Stranded - Black & Lavendar), Terra (Red Onion), Araucania Quellon (Hand dyed Lavendar, Burgandy & Black), and Noro Cash Iroha (Black & Burgandy). I am using Black as my main color but using a great hand dyed lavender, burgandy & black.

I had a rough beginning but I think I have the hang of it. The start was not big deal. I can do it.... but keeping it all the same was a the first trick. Then the second mistake after restarting it several time.... I ended up knitting in one color all the way to way too many rounds after I was to change the colors. I was going to go with it but the center color was just way to ... let's say BIG. I was not wanting to have that much lavendar. So I once again frogged it and started over.

This time I am being very careful. I made a great check off sheet so I know where I am... as If count could not tell me... but I think right now I need to use it. I also am using stitch markers to make sure that my counts and increases are in the exact spots as they are suppost to be. I am finially do my Hand Dye section which I hope to have that section done today.

Cross your fingers. Well, I had better get off the computer and go back to knitting. Keep your fingers crossed. LOL Stay tuned for more of my knitting adventures with this pinwheel.

Poor Pinwheel'er

2006-07-24T15:33:00.000-04:00

Well, I figured I'd post. Seeing everyone's lovely Pinwheels, I love the updates! I did knit on mine some this weekend. It's still a good traveling project as I haven't started the sleeves and am still going around and around and around...however...

I want a tank, so I took the needles that I was using for the Pinwheel and am doing the tank right now. I know bad girl, but...

I still plan on going back to the Pinwheel, especially now that I've seen Collette's (and I checked out your blog, thank you for all the pictures!!!) it looks good on someone who's not a toothpick! I'm so not a toothpick and was worried at how it would look. It looks wonderful on you Collette!!! I'm kind of bummed that mine is a variegated as I love the 2 color loops! :D

So, my pinwheel is on hold at 41sts in each round. But only until my needles get here, which I'm hoping will be later this week.

sunshine & happiness

2006-07-24T14:13:00.000-04:00

seeing as just about everyone posts a progress picture around the third or fourth ring, i wanted to jump on in. i'm using plymouth galway in a four-color-pallette (galway has 200+ yds/ball so only 4 were in order). it took some sketches before i decided the best way to use the four colors in this 7 color pattern - ultimately i decided on pink edges and green sleeves. girly eh? i'm pleased with the outcome so far. it says "happy" to me, and will be so great on our toddlers this fall.

i'm at the point where it's slower and slower to complete each round, but such is a pinwheel. and they are so much fun when done!

and yes, i totally love anny's suggestion for using scrap yarn for the sleeve insert - great tip!!!

2006-07-22T16:07:00.000-04:00

I finished my Pinwheel Sweater! Here is the back view where you can see the colours the best. It was a fun knit and I love the way it fits. It is soooo cozy it feels like being wrapped up in a blanket with sleeves. LOL! Happy knitting....................Colette in MB

Just Joining In

2006-07-21T11:57:00.000-04:00

Hi, I just joined the knit along. I brought home yarn last night and started right away. I am knitting mine is Cascade 220 in greens and blues. The picture looks a little more gray than green but it really is green and blues. I am going to need a more ample armhole opening though. If my calculations are right, the 60 stitch armhole will be about 13.3", so, since I need it to be a few inches bigger, I am going to just knit a few more increases before I put the stitches on a holder and hope for the best. I think it should be ok to do that. It is amazing how quick this is going, but I am sure that will change as I approach those 300 + stitch rounds .
Happy Pinwheeling!

I'm still here......

2006-07-19T21:32:00.000-04:00

Yes, I am still knitting away on the ol' pinwheel. I was set back a bit by my "try on" several posts back. I ripped back and I now have a little less love for the sweater... No, I guess I do still love her, maybe we're having a spat.....I'm sure that I will shake it off and start knitting her again as soon as the weather gets a little cooler. I will post a new picture as soon as I convince my husband to help me out! I'm loving seeing everyone's progress and color choices. Spin, pinwheel, spin! I'm 29 today! WHOOOOOO!

Geesh it's hot

2006-07-19T09:11:00.000-04:00

Still have the Pinwheel on hold- it is of the size now that it feels like I am knitting under a blanket. And man-is it HOT around these parts. I tentatively tried it on-am not sure I like the yarn in this pattern. We'll see when it cools down a bit and I knit more-

Found a button, found a button!

2006-07-18T11:01:00.000-04:00

I got so many nice compliments on the Pinwheel sweater.
Thanks bunches to all who commented!

Here it is all blocked, dried, and with my button choice stitched on. I plan to take it to the little recipient this Saturday ...
I love this sweater!

And I can't wait to see it on Jayden!!

Can you see the purple wooden button? I just used one of the loops on the edge as the button hole. When Jayden gets bigger, I can just take the button off, repossession it on the other side with a smaller collar and whoala ... a sweater that still fits!

progress

2006-07-16T17:50:00.000-04:00

Hi! My name is Lauri. I just joined the KAL last night.

I started the sweater yesterday afternoon, and I am amazed how quickly it is coming together! I am not usually a very fast knitter...but barely 24 hours in and I'm already at 25 stitches between yo's!

My pinwheel is being knit from Lamb's Pride Worsted Weight. The colors are: Mulberry, Victorian Pink, Creme, and Pistachio. I decided to go with just 4 colors and alternate them as I keep working. I know that I took a big risk, but I started without making a swatch for gauge...I guess I was lucky, as I managed to be right on (this never happens for me!!)

It's on the Blocking board ...

2006-07-15T09:23:00.000-04:00

Finally!! Here it is all layed out to dry. It'll be ready now in time for my trip up to NH next Saturday. Too hot for Jayden to wear right now, but she'll have it when it starts to turn cold again. {still working on an idea for a large button or a tie.}

Now I might get out the color wheel and plan for another ... One for me maybe? M-m-m-m, maybe.

But there's always my other grand daughters. They're older than 4 but I could make the adjustments according to their measurements. The youngest is 8 and not a large 8 either. I'll start with her if she likes the sweater. So I'll find out before Fall.

Happy knitting everyone! I can't wait to see more completed sweaters being modeled. I'll get one more picture up of Jayden actually wearing her sweater next weekend I hope.

Another Pinwheel!!

2006-07-13T20:48:00.000-04:00

Elann has another pinwheel pattern up. It's a bulky pinwheel for children. Neato!!

http://secure.elann.com/ShowFreePattern.asp?Id=156024

yarn delivery - yay

2006-07-12T01:03:00.000-04:00

rusty, our sweet ole countryside mailman, brought to my door a box full of goodies from kpixie yesterday. and when i opened the parcel, there it was gleaming up at me like the brightest spotlight - my galway for a pinwheel! swatching tomorrow and then i hope to catch up.
everything that's been posted so far is PERFECTION!

I did it! I did it!

2006-07-11T23:27:00.000-04:00

I got my yarn last week and finally cast on last night and OMG, this thing is so fun to knit! Well, except that I've been missing a lot of YOs. Why? Why? Why do I always forget the darned things? Needless to say I've been doing alot of ripping. It hasn't even deterred me from this cool pattern. I cast on last night and am already at 17 stitches between YOs. I'm thinking I could finish this thing before the weekend is up!

Check out my blog for more photos and yarn details ;0)

Not yet ...

2006-07-10T17:20:00.000-04:00

I haven't started my Pinwheel yet ... but now I know who I'm going to knit one for. My cousin has a baby girl (two months old) who I want to knit Pinwheel for for Christmas ... I hope I will have time. :)

Everyone's Pinwheels here are looking fantastic! It makes me ambitious to start mine.

Confessions and recovery.

2006-07-10T07:43:00.000-04:00

Ok. My confession: I didn't do a gauge swatch. I know, I know. I always do a gauge swatch. I work at a yarn store and tell people daily to do a gauge swatch. I tend to have a teeny tiny bit less sympathy for those with big sweater problems who went without a gauge swatch. SO. It's all my fault. Scratch yesterdays sad, sad post. No sympathy for me. No gauge swatch, no sympathy.
Thank goodness for those measurements that Shelley emailed me. I was able to measure the back (now that some of my circular needles freed up part of my super big circle) and I ended up measuring 34'' instead of the 43/44'' that I'm supposed to come up with. How in the world did that happen, you might ask? Well, #1) No gauge swatch. #2) I'm a tight knitter - I knew this going into this. Somehow I thought that my "magic Addi Turbos" would loosen me up and fix everything...... Silly, silly me.
So. I'm ripping back. I plan to do a bit more in between yos and then do a bunch more for the garter edge. It's okay. I don't have any a other projects that need finishing and no other yarn that wants to be knitted (I'm kidding!).
Well, there's one good thing to come out of this.... I might not be quite as huge as I felt last night after trying on this sweater. I thought "God, I know the "girls" are big with milk and I still have "making baby" fat from the pregnancy, but....." Well when the sweater is 8-10'' smaller than it's supposed to be....
Moral of the story: Do a stinkin' gauge swatch....
PS: The cold beer helped wonders.

Now that the loopi border edge is done ...

2006-07-10T03:47:00.000-04:00

I thought you might like to see how I did it.

I also want some sort of closer or tie for Jayden's sweater to help keep it closed, but since she's a baby I don't know what to use yet. Fitting isn't the same kind of problem that I might have for myself as Stripedocks is having either. [She found out what her problem is, so forget the call to arms I put out this morning. Good luck, Jessica!] Now to find the time to block my sweater by this weekend ...

Note to myself: Get my nails done before I take close up pictures of my hands again. Eeek!

Ugh.

2006-07-09T21:46:00.000-04:00

I've been plugging along, had the armholes set up and continued to the garter stitch edge. I opted to repeat the garter stitch 4 times instead of 3 because I want to be able to pin it shut with a shawl pin of some kind. I guess that I kind of envisioned it as a jacket instead of a sweater..... Then I began to bind off the edge with a picot edging instead of the loopy edge. When I was about 1/2 way done with the picot bind off, I was able to try it on because the edge was no longer curled over the circular needle AND, it isn't big enough. I guess that it "fits" okay, but I don't love it and I really want to. It kind of hangs open in an odd way, and doesn't sit well on my chest. I am still breast feeding so the "girls" are a bit larger than usual, I just don't know!
SO. I am going to pull out the picot bind off. I can't, however, decide if I should pull out all of the garter stitch edging and continue to increase more stitches in between the yarn overs or if I should just pull back to the garter stitch and lengthen the garter stich edge. I'm afraid that if I lengthen the yarn over area that that part will ride up the neck too far and the garter stitch edged collar won't lay correctly. Anybody have any suggestions? I need to put it aside for a while or else I may lose it....
A cold beer sounds like it may be in order.

I really AM knitting...

2006-07-08T10:20:00.000-04:00

I really am knitting- but it is sooooooo hot, and the wool is sooooooo warm. Ya know?

Almost done!

2006-07-03T16:04:00.000-04:00

I still have the body on the circular kneedles while I do the border loops so I couldn't try it on Jayden yet, but layed it out next to her. I think it's going to look really cute on her. What do you think?

Okay, I know you're not going say it doesn't look nice, LOL ... because any color will look nice on such a sweet chubby cheek baby like this one, right?

But I haven't told you which colors I'm using for the border yet ...

[BTW, the next post after mine is a call for help]

Advice please!

2006-07-03T14:52:00.000-04:00

How, oh how can I choose my colours? I'm at a loss. I've saved the colours I'm considering onto my computer (only 21 to choose from!) and I'm trying different combinations of seven in Word. The only thing is is that it really seems to affect the appearance of the colours. One friend suggested that I use all greens but I plan to use the recommended yarn and I'm not taken with the greens that are available. I would like to use all autumn colours...so maybe goldenrod going into oranges, into a burgandy edge, maybe with a green thrown in but the colours don't look as good in my Word file. Any suggestions?

Red White and Blue

2006-07-03T01:42:00.000-04:00

So here is the toddler version.. I only did half sleeves I wanted them short that way long sleeves would be worn underneath. I would show you all what it looks like on.. but after knitting this child size up I realize it's going to take me awhile to find a kid that size to model it for me.. I have a young cousin that would be perfect only thing is the family is on vacation for the week in florida *lol* so it will have to wait. So now I am starting one for me..whoohoo.. now that I figured out the sleeves.. I am ready to knit on.

working away......

2006-07-02T19:01:00.000-04:00

Okay- I think the sleeves are in the right position-at the 35 stitches between increases point. I just hope this sweater is flattering. I am bigger on the top than on the bottom, with big shoulders. And I am tall. Sooooooooooo. I have checked out the Sunrise Jacket (a freebie from Interweave if you subscribed to the Knits magazine). It has a similar shape-rounded fronts that overlap-but a straighter back. The sample was knit from a tweedy yarn. (see it here- http://www.interweave.com/knit/interweave_knits/pdf_files/SunriseCircleJacket.pdf) And the word is that jacket suits many sizes and shapes-just to be careful where the buttons go. As well, there is a "Sleeves in the Pi" jacket floating around somewhere. Anyone care to comment?

Decisions, decisions, decisions ...

2006-06-30T20:27:00.000-04:00

I'm nearing the border now and need to decide on what to do. I know the child size has those single loops ... but I prefer the double loops on the adult size. So that means I need to add a 2nd color. Time to pull out my Magic Marble Teleidoscope ... Have you ever used one of these?

See the Magic Marble in action ...

I decided to use this like a color wheel to help decide on which color to use with the Winterberry in the loops around the border of the Pinwheel sweater.

What do you think? Green, Off White or Purple

I'm leaning towards the green. The off-white is too light. The purple is nice but it's also only 3 rows in from the edge.... so maybe too much purple in one place I think. Should I go with the green? Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Here are all the colors ...

I think I'll start knitting the sleeves tonight and save color choices for tomorrow. Good idea if I ... sleep on it tonight!

Measurements and increases.

2006-06-29T19:50:00.000-04:00

So I emailed Shelley Mackie and she wrote back to say that:

center back should measure 21 1/2'' between armholes
entire sweater laid out 43''
edging 1 1/2'' (making the sweater 41 1/2'' to the edging and then 43 with it)

Am I really confusing you? Shelley also commented on my post entitled "Measurements Anyone?," if you would like to see her response (this is kind of my translation).
I decided to do 31 stitches between yos. I think that that should work well for me. If anyone has trouble with the provisional cast-on, I found www.knittingatknoon.com/provisional.html extremely helpful. They have a video that was great. Go pinwheelers, go!

Got yarn?

2006-06-29T15:32:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. Thank you all for embracing this knitalong and running (or should I say knitting , heehee) with it! I'm thrilled at the response and can't wait to get mine started, especially now that get to see everyone's progress on a daily basis. I'm really itchin' so I decided to buckle down and try to commit to some colours!

So I waited for my little Jubilee to settle down for his glorious nap and then did what any crazy person would do: copy and past wool colour samples in a pinwheel shape (using Power Point no less!) to help me pick out the colours. No kidding. I've been doing this for an hour and a half!!! Sure I should be doing laundry and preparing dinner but I got so engrossed that once I got started I completely lost track of time. That and did I mention I was crazy ;0)

Here's what I came up with (from the centre out): natural, lace pink, orchid, lotus blossom, grape, aubergine, and eggplant. The sleeves will be knit in lotus blossom. Oh, I should mention that I'll be using the recommended peruvian collection highland wool.

Now all I have to do is finish up my Knitting World Cup project and wait for my beloved mailman (who can resist a man that brings you yarn ;0) and I can cast on for this baby! Hopefully sometime in the next week or so. I'll be knitting the child's version for my 3 year old neighbour.

Happy pinwheeling everybody!

Measurements, anyone?

2006-06-29T11:27:00.000-04:00

Am I totally missing measurements in this pattern? I wanted to see if my "back" measured what it should, but I can't seem to find any. Anyone see something that I've missed? I've emailed the designer and I'm waiting to hear from her before moving onto setting up for the sleeves, but I'm going through withdrawl! It's ugly outside, so I need a distraction! Hope all your knitting is going well!

I'm back on track ...

2006-06-29T04:39:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note to show you that I'm not a total knitting buffoon. I'm again past the sleeve openings and this time I know I did them right. So it's back to knit, knit, knitting...

[And look at the next post to see Stripedsocks19's beautiful sweater.]

So very, very addicted....

2006-06-28T22:28:00.000-04:00

So here she is.... I have not been able to stop knitting this! I started the day before yesterday and I am at the 30 stitch between yo part. I am a little concerned about size. I usually wear a large or xlarge t-shirt. Do I keep increasing? Worry about my sleeves? Ugh. Any suggestions?
Well, imagine that! My knitting on the internet. I am so computer dumb, but my husband helped me greatly.....
I am knitting with Noro Silk Garden in color #82. I decided to throw in a random skein on the back because I wanted that turquoise in there and there was only 12 skeins of #82. So I found the one (sorry I lost the ball band) with some turquoise and added that strategically. I have two balls of another colorway (to make 15) that I may use around the edging or go solid? We'll see. I am thoroughly enjoying myself! Any suggestions on sizing?

2006-06-28T09:55:00.000-04:00

Hello again! The armholes are now established. Since I am larger (fluffier?) I set up the armhole after I had 35 stitches between increases. I used the provisional cast on from the pattern. It was easy to do. To review-once I got to the place where I wanted the armhole, I put the stitches from the next "section" (slice of pi, so to speak) on a stitch holder. Using a smooth cotton yarn and a straight needle (same size as the circular), I cast on extra stitches (same number as on the holder). Using the working yarn, I knit across these provisional stitches. Went as far as the other armhole, repeated the same thing. Then worked merrily round and round. Since I started the armholes later in the knitting, I will also have larger sleeves (10 stitches larger-I waited until I had 35 stitches between increases, so that means my sleeves will have an extra 5 stitches on the front, and an extra 5 on the back)
Something to take into consideration if you are upsizing. As well, however many extra rows I put on the back, I need to also put on the fronts. That means I will also be looking at a longer sweater (since it is a circle, after all). Not a problem for me-since I am tall, but certainly one if you are shorter. Hey Rhonda- does this help???

I am soooo Here!!

2006-06-27T23:11:00.000-04:00

I am so excited about this KAL.. I started the sweater a couple weeks ago you all can see the pictures on my blog at www.plumpknitter.blogspot.com But dont get to excited.. bad news..I had trouble with the sleeves..as per a previous post on here I did a provisional cast on added new stitches and put them onto the holder as well..(i was reading the directions!) so maybe the wording needs to be switched a little on the pattern.
Anyway I'm rambling.
So after getting mad at my pinwheel and trashed it and started a the child size one out of some (red,white,blue) varigated yarn..I think of it as my practice one, and now since reading on here how the sleeves are suppose to be worked.. I'm am all set!! so for the child size version I am past the sleeves and almost finishing the body then I have the sleeves and edging..and voila I can start on one for me!!.. I will definately have to add more rounds since (a nice way of putting it AMPLE) *lol*..
Love hearing your stories about your own knitting on this project it helps a great deal!!

I'm in!

2006-06-26T20:19:00.000-04:00

Well, this is my very first knit-along. I am new to this blog stuff and although I enjoy reading them, I haven't the slightest idea about how they work. I sound like I'm 82, but I'm not. I'm 28, but I just don't understand computers all that well....
Anyways, I've been admiring this pattern and spent yesterday cruising the internet to see what others have used to knit this sweater when I stumbled upon this knit-along! Lucky me! So I decided to give it a go and headed off to my local yarn store (where I work part-time!) to find great yarn for this super looking sweater. I agonized about whether or not to do several yarns or only one, but I ended up deciding on one yarn and if I love the pattern enough, I can always knit it again in many yarns, right? (Not that I don't have a gigantic list of all the patterns that I'd like to knit!)
SOOOOO...... I decided on Noro's Silk Garden and cast on right away while my daughter napped . My wrist/arm has been bothering me from crazy/addict knitting, so I didn't knit last night so that I could start this today. (I could only not-knit for one day and my wrist still is yucky, but I MUST KNIT.....
So I am loving the pattern and will try to convince my computer genius husband to help me post a picture tomorrow. Is this really possible for me? The computer, with pictures of my knitting on it? We'll see..... Happy knitting, fellow Pinwheelers!

Jumping into the pond...

2006-06-26T14:44:00.000-04:00

The frog pond that is...sigh...Well, I was on round 49 of the sleeves, had 52sts in each section. I slipped it all onto waste yarn and tried her on. Well, my arms are too large for this. It fits barely, I want a semi fitted sleeve, not peeling off skin fit. Sigh. Lostpurl has some great advice on her blog about doing the sleeves as "afterthough sleeves" as in you knit your sleeve sts onto waste yarn then pick them up later, rather than having the big holes.

I'm still not sure about the increasing rounds. Lost purl mentioned about the increasing only every 6th round, but since I'm changing the stitch (doing Spot/Dot stitch rather than Garter) I think I'll need to keep the frequency of increases.

Sigh. So, I'll be frogging back to where the sleeves were put in, then knit until I have 35sts in each section, then do the afterthought sleeves, then continue around until I run out of yarn, then do those pesky sleeves. Sigh.

I have pics posted on my "real" blog...

Knit up the back yesterday ...

2006-06-26T09:54:00.000-04:00

But I`m rather hesitant about the sleeve openings. I`m not sure if I`ve done them right. I put the 18 stitches [this is the baby sweater] on the stitch holder and then did a provisional cast on in a contrasting color as instructed & slipped on the stitch holder also. Now the sweater is then continued from the other side of the stitch holder to the next 18 stitch section. Is that correct? That's what I'm worried about. Can you see it in the picture? The provisional cast on was done in the light lavender. I'm hoping I don't have to frog back to the arm holes, but it might be in the cards if someone says, "STOP, stop, stop!" ... Note: The more I look at this picture & then the pattern, the more I don't think I'm doing it right -- the armholes I mean. Help!!

Sleeves...

2006-06-23T17:05:00.000-04:00

Hi All!

I'm onto the sleeves! I'm not done with the sweater body yet, but as sleeves are my nemesis, I figured I'd better start them sooner rather than later! I am currently on round 28 of the sleeves, and I'm decreasing every 12 rounds rather than 10 rounds as the pattern says. I'm doing them 2 sleeves on 2 circs method, as I loathe dpns. So far so good. Pretty boring knitting...

Since I'm not doing the garter stitch edging and have decided to do the Spot stitch instead, I'll also do the same treatment on the sleeve cuffs. I'm not planning on increasing the sleeves as the pattern calls for, as I'd rather they were a bit more fitted, and I don't roll my sleeves up anyway.

I'm just changing everything, aren't I? ;)

So how's everyone else doing???

Danger, Wil Robinson...Danger!

2006-06-22T08:31:00.000-04:00

Well, thought I would be a smarty pants and just cast on stitches with a knit cast on over the arm hole(instead of the prescribed provisional cast on). BLECH! It looks ugly-too stretchy compared to the back. So- I had knit up about 20 rows past the armhole-now we are frogging frogging frogging....... So- if you think you can just cast on stitches-please- do not try this at home.

My yarn has come in!

2006-06-21T20:20:00.000-04:00

This is what I ordered from KnitPicks for the Pinwheel sweater for baby Jayden. What do you think about the color combo? It'll be in the order I'm showering here from right to left. The far right being the center of the circle. I'm still looking & deciding between the Avacado & Violet being in the right spot. Should the Avocado be next to the Cherry Blossom and the Violet next to the Beige? I've got time to decide later but I'd like someone elses opinion.

Notice the other stuff I got from KnitPicks as well? Another pattern book? Ye Gads, where does it end?!!

I really hope I can start the sweater soon. My fingers are itiching ...

Let the Pinwheeling begin ...

Love the Pinwheel !

2006-06-21T19:46:00.000-04:00

I stumbled on this sweater pattern and all else came to a halt. Immediately ordered the yarn from Elann and can't wait for it to arrive. Was so excited to see this KAL!

New here..

2006-06-21T17:41:00.000-04:00

Hi All!

I just joined as I just found you all!!! :) I'm excited to be in this KAL. I'll intro myself, then give you the specs of the Pinwheel! My name is Tammy. I'm married (almost 8yrs) have 3 kids (2girls & 1boy). I currently stay at home, but will be going back to work next month. I live in the desert which makes it hilarious htat I'm knitting a WOOL sweater! Well, actually knitting 2 wool sweaters, but who's counting??

I am on 50sts in each round (well past the arm holes) and am getting ready to pause in the sweater and do the sleeves. Here is a current pic (w/my middle child "helping").

I'm liking the pattern. I'm planning on doing a different st rather than Garter for the boarders, but will keep increasing every other round rather than every 6...if you want to read more, check out my blog (yeah, it's elsewhere)...

2006-06-19T00:43:00.000-04:00

Hi,
I just joined, thank you for including me. I haven't picked out my yarn yet, but I'm happy to be able to lurk in and get a feel for how this is going to go. I'm ample too so I will need to make this larger than the current pattern.
Talk to you soon,
HappyKnitter

I am at the "30 stitches between increases" part

2006-06-18T10:40:00.000-04:00

So far, so good. The piece measures just a bit under the 23 inch mark (the sample sweater is 22 1/2 inches at this point). So, obviously, Filatura di Crosa 127 Print is a good substitute. I will post pictures when I get to my armhole part (I am making mine bigger)-stay tuned.

Later edit- I got an email from Shelley, the designer. This is what she said about the measurements of the sample sweater-
"The measure of the entire sweater across the center is 43" with the edge. 41 1/2 to the edge( the front from the sleeve join is 11" with the edge.). I would think however many rows you add to get your width across the back you should add that many more rows to the sweater after the sleeves. The only problem is for every row you add you are also going to add to the length as being round when you add anywhere you add everywhere." I currently have knit to 24 inches across. I think I will go to 25 inches across (my armpit to armpit measurement across the back is 21 inches, so adding 4 is a complete guess as to what I might want for ease. I don't want this sweater to get too long, so....more later as I know more.

Any ideas for an ample sweater?

2006-06-16T11:36:00.000-04:00

I have now joined 2 things-this pinwheel sweater knit along and a sock kit swap. So far, the pinwheel sweater is coming along, slowly but surely. Is there anyone out there who is making it larger sized and has some idea of where they are putting the sleeves? On the ample knitters list, there is one lady who is thinking about using Row 40 as her starting point. But I don't know how big she needs hers. I usually need about a 52" chest, and that includes a bit of ease. Any ideas? Experience with it? Let me know.....

New to the Pinwheel

2006-06-15T11:32:00.000-04:00

Hello! I haven't started my Pinwheel Sweater yet. I don't know what colour(s) I'm going to do it and I don't know who I'm going to make it for yet, or even what size. I just know that I want to make it. *lol*

Happy Knitting!
~Samantha
http://milotis78.blogspot.com

Not quite pinwheelin' yet...

2006-06-15T01:36:00.000-04:00

...but will probably start it in August, once my knitting and work schedules (the way I ordered those was NOT accidental, friends!) clear out and I'm back in the country!

For right now, though, I'm getting my practice making an adult version of a similar-but-different, yet still brilliant, cardigan, seen here.

I can't seem to upload my own progress on it...

Anyway, looking forward to knitting with y'all!

Yarn on order!

2006-06-14T14:54:00.000-04:00

I ordered Wool of the Andes from KnitPicks

The colors I picked are listed [but not in true color shades as shown of course]

Snickerdoodle [don't you just love the name?]
Cherry Blossom
Hollyberry
Violet
Hush
Avocado
Cloud [well this one is really a shade of white]

And this is the little munchkin whom I'm knitting it for ...
She's 31 days old here, but will be closer to 6 months when I'm done with the Pinwheel sweater. Won't she look just adorable in that sweater? I sure think she'll look as cute as a "bug-in-a-rug" in it!! But I'm prejudice because ...

BTW, she's my GREAT- grand daughter!

Well, I started mine!

2006-06-13T18:35:00.000-04:00

Hello! I started the pinwheel jacket-but I am not doing the stripes. Don't get me wrong- if my stash had something I could use to make stripes-I would. However, I went stash diving and found.......drum roll please............some black Filatura di Crosa 127 print. If you are not familiar with this beautifully soft yarn, it has rather subtle self striping effect-lots of main colour, and short stripes of about 10 colours all mixed up together. And this is what I have so far......
Isn't it purty? Now- I have a few balls of the same yarn in burgundy, in red and in deep lilac-I could use one of the colours to accent the collar. What do you think? I do think I might match the colours in the stripey bits and use solids (maybe Mission Falls 1824 wool) to make the icord trim. I think that would set it off. Right? Right. I will have to play with the location of the sleeves, however. I am a bigger girl, and I hate clothes that don't fit. (I also believe that just because it fits does not mean one should wear it) I am familiar with design- I have designs on Knitty, in "Big Girl Knits", in "New Knits on the Block", and soon to have one in "No Sheep For You"(this is the tentative title- could change). But opinions are very welcome. Off I go to knit some more......

Welcome!

2006-06-11T00:10:00.000-04:00

My name is Anny and I blog over at annypurls. I just happened to be checking out Elann's site just as the free pattern for the pinwheel sweater for women and children designed by Shelley Mackie was posted (I refreshed the page and there it was). It was a sign ;0)

Let's face it: the design is delightful. The construction is genius. The one size fits 0 to 4 year olds? Come-on! That's great wear factor for a recommended yarn investment of about $20 (though any worsted weight will do).

The child's version starts off as a hoodie sweater with rolled cuffs for a newborn and grows with the child into a wide-collared bolero by age 4. Just brilliant!

So naturally, there had to be a knit-along. Here goes nothing. Just leave a comment below or email me at annypurls {at} hotmail {dot} com if you want in (and I hope you do). I'll be knitting the child's version but you can knit the grown-up version if you prefer.

I'll be starting mine on July 10th as soon as my Knitting World Cup project is completed, but again, you can start sooner or later if you prefer. It's for fun people!!!

Hope you stick around ;0)