I "met" Jo when she started commenting here. I generally try to check out the blogs of commenters (although it takes me a while sometimes!), and in reading her blog I learned that she is new to sewing, knitting and crochet, and I think she has done a remarkable job of teaching herself these new skills.
A couple weeks ago, Jo and I started a conversation on Ravelry. I had "friended" her, and offered to help her out with her knitting in any way I could. She's been knitting small things, but wants to take the plunge and make her first sweater. We talked about the merits of a couple different designs, and she decided she'd like to knit Andi Satterlund's Miette cardigan.
I'd been thinking for a while that I'd like to do more posts about knitting techniques, and long story short, we decided to open this up into a Knit Along of the cardigan. Would you like to join us?
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| The pattern, printed out and sitting on my knitting chair! |
Miette is a free pattern, and it has gotten great reviews on Ravelry. It's knit top down, which I think makes fitting easier for beginners. I've spent quite a bit of time over the last few days checking out finished projects, and there are a lot of great variations on the pattern. It's knit in worsted weight yarn with larger needles (5mm or US 8), so even for a beginner, it shouldn't take too long.
My idea is that the knit along will be very loose - no firm start or finish date. Jo is working on making a sidebar badge for anyone who wants to knit along with us. My plan is to write a series of posts explaining how I work my way through a project, and also leave plenty of room for questions. I'm going to do several variations on my own sweater, and will be discussing the changes I'm planning to make in gauge, size and shaping.
Depending on the amount of participation, Jo is also considering starting a Flickr group. Neither of us have done anything like this before, so we're kind of playing it by ear! If you'd like to join us, or if you have any ideas on the subject, chime in!
I can't wait to read about this. Not sure that this sweater would suit me, but I've got lots to learn.
ReplyDeleteUh oh! Pressure's on!
DeleteI wish the next few weeks were a bit less crazy for me (and that I could guarantee I'll have regular internet access) so that I could knit along. I may just have to park this one as a "leave of absence" project :)
ReplyDeleteWe'll pretend you're knitting with us!
DeleteGreat idea! I love my miette sweater
ReplyDeleteI love your Miette sweater too!
DeleteGlad to see there are some interested people! I'm so looking forward to starting my first cardigan with the guidance of an expert :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know about expert, but at least experienced! One of the perks of age!
DeleteI'd be interested in this KAL ... especially if I get to follow your advice!
ReplyDeleteYay! It will be fun to knit along with you! I'm doing some prep work and expect to get started in the next couple days.
DeleteI would love to do this, but I am not a cardigan wearer. BUT, both my daughters are. Is it easy to make the size zoom down to a Toddler 5 or 6?
ReplyDeleteIf so, I am IN.
Hmmm . . . let me think about this. The lace pattern around the neck is the only reservation I have. If I can rework it without too much trouble, then I'd say yes. But I don't have any kids, so you'd need to tell me the chest measurements we're working to!
DeleteI am in!
ReplyDeleteOh thank goodness for this. I have just started sewing purely with the aim of making myself cardigans - and can't find much beginner tutorials/help out there, it all assumes we know it already. And the miette is such a nice cardi!
ReplyDeleteSo, 1 year later, I'm going to follow this knit-a-long :)
Better late than never ;-) I've organized all the Miette info under a page up there in the header - that should make it easier to find the info you need! Hope it's helpful!
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