Introducing Maya and Free Cable Pattern.

So life has been going on. I have been thinking about blogging all this while but just couldn't get around to posting since a lot has been going on off late.

In this post I Introduce my love - Maya

In some of my earlier posts I spoke about KnitPink and creating some patterns for this Website and for a good cause. Well I did write one... ColorPlay Cap. The other one is still kinda in the works. The tunic.... I call it Maya. 

The idea for Maya is that it can be worn 4 ways. There is no front and back really. Nor is there any right side or wrong side to the garment. More to come on this when I publish the pattern. Meanwhile Ravelers can take a look at the project details here. Special mention to Barbara Walker's "Knitting from the top down". It is such an amazing reference.

I love Maya a lot, but am trying to work on making a better collar. I am not sure if you can see from the pictures, but I am not fully satisfied with the little line right below it.

If I had completed this project soon after I started work on it I would have worn it at least a few times. But now it doesn't fit me. I am sure you can guess why ;)

So this is going to be a gift for my sister back in India. I hope she likes it.

So while I work on writing up the pattern for Maya, I wanted to share the pattern for the cable I designed for it.

The same is available for download as a PDF document

• Here from the blog.
• Here on Ravelry.

The pattern has both written instructions and a chart. Looking forward to seeing the projects using this one.

First Crocheted Cardigan - Finally !

Thanks to everyone for your kind comments on my last post.

Here are the details of another Finished Object I had completed a couple of months back. It is a crocheted cardigan - my first ever, and I have finally managed to add buttons to it so I can share it with everyone.
Me and Rima started this project together. Our first Crochet along. (CAL - as per Marly from Yarnthing podcast.) Although the crochet part was long over, both of us took a while to add the snaps and buttons and therefore be able to call it a true Finished Object.
Here is Rima's deed (Ravelry Link) which has gotten quite popular on Ravelry (161 favorites). Way to Go Buddy ! I love her version too. The yarn is nice and drapey and the overall garment is quite light as compared to mine.
Well, I'll have to admit I never intended mine to be a cardi afterall. It was supposed to be a replacement for a Denim jacket and it is ! The finished garment is as heavy as a good Denim jacket would be and keeps me quite warm at office, where the central air conditioning is especially kind to me - the duct is right above my head and keeps me chilled all the time.
I am pretty happy with how this has turned out.


Though I would have probably changed a few things if I did this another time. The magnetic snaps would definitely be replaced by sew-on snaps. And I probably would choose a different set of buttons as well (The buttons are crocheted by me. More details and pattern in my previous post).

Pattern: Cropped Cardigan (Ravelry Link)

Source: Monica Brown

Materials: Peaches & Creme Article 930 HC - Ecru (Bit less than 1 cone)
Peaches & Cream Article 930 HC - 133 Shaded Denim (Bit less than 1 cone)
Metal Hook: US 5/ F (3.75mm)
Magnetic Snaps: 4 sets (although for the next one I would prefer sew-on snaps.)

Started: April 22, 2008
Finished: May 5, 2008

Notes: My first Cardigan ever.
My first Crocheted Cardigan (wearable for self) ever.
Top Down Construction.
Learnt to attach Magnetic Snaps (first time doing that too).
Made my own crocheted buttons for the garment.

Those who know me, would also know that I am not the kind who follows a pattern blindly. I usually try and come up with my own designs, however, whenever I like a pattern that I go ahead and give it a try. Although, I never try to use the same yarn as what is called for in the pattern and therefore don't get the exact gauge. What I really do is choose the yarn for the project on my own (which may or may not be the same weight category as called for in the pattern), knit the gauge swatch and figure out my gauge, then finally depending on this gauge adapt the pattern as per my own measurements. While doing so I also figure out if I would like to make any modifications or alterations to the pattern. I am sure there are many out there who do the same as me and come up with gorgeous inspirations or altogether new designs.
In this project I did not use the two sizes of the hooks. I simply used the bigger hook because of the yarn. I also did not make the sleeves. Just did not work on them after the top down part was done. I had a hard time figuring out the placement of the crocheted buttons (well, actually the color coordination since I had to cover the back of the magnetic snaps showing in front.) Let me know if you have any ideas on that. I can always take off these and attach two more blue buttons, the thing I was stuck on... will the inverted L kinda shape look good? Length of the cardi is definitely more than what is called for in the pattern.
Honestly, I like it a lot.