That Lund sweater

Ever since watching The Killing (the proper version). I've wanted to make that sweater, well I wasn't going to buy it @ €280  I have better things to do with it.  I started of here and used the chart as a guide, since I was using aran which I reclaimed from the Yukon (it was too big). I beefed up the chart a bit.

So you can take any sweater pattern that fits you well and incorporate the pattern in, however the amount of stitches should be divisible by 24, On the sleeves I manipulated the chart down to 22 stitches by removing one stitch between the different motifs in the second row of repeat.

I used 4 mm and 4.5 mm needles dpns and circular.  Gauge  16 sts 20 rows to 10 cm  Approx yardage 1000.  size 42 chest close fit  this was my yolk sweater pattern.  See notes at end for tweaks.

NOTES: I worked 14 rows rib and then continued until it measured 11cm then added the pattern which was 8cm when complete. Followed by 23 rows plain knit then pattern repeat then 4 plain rows. Measures approx 38.5 cm at armpit. then to the sleeves.

SLEEVES; Cast on 36 worked 15 rows rib. Increase to 48 sts work pattern.  Increasing as stated in original pattern. work 23 rows plain, 17 rows 22 st  pattern, 23 rows plain, 17 rows 24st pattern, 4 rows to armpit ending 3sts before marker like pattern.

  *~~~~ I have long arms, if you need shorter sleeves. It will be roughly 46cm less one pattern to cuff

  *~~~~ I had increased my sleeve to 72sts as I thought it might be too tight,  so I placed markers where the sleeves joined and decreased on both sides of the markers (reducing 8sts per row every 4th row) until I had 264sts 11 pattern repeats, for the yoke.

I worked the final pattern band before the first decreasing round in the pattern, the 2nd 8 rows later then followed pattern Worked 8 rows neck rib cast off.

This is a rough guide how to make it.  When laid flat. Armpit to hem 39cm, armpit to cuff 50cm. 65cm shoulder to hem, body width 45cm, bust 53cm

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

This was their first European Tour in 20 years (probably my first proper gig in 20 years too).  I certainly didn't think that would happen in my lifetime.... and I nearly didn't get to go!!   I had a total meltdown on Wednesday night as it really looked like it wasn't going to happen for me.  My tickets didn't arrive until 12.45pm the day of the gig, big thanks to the UPS man for delivering them before lunch so I could go, all I had to do was jump in the car and drive 3 hours to Cork.

Johnathon Wilson Band opened up the evening at the Marquee, I hadn't a clue who they were, but the managed to get my foot tapping and belted out a couple beauties! We arrived there at 7.30pm (ish) and things were already in full flow.......... like many others we missed the announcement that the show was starting a half hour earlier.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers took to the stage and rocked the tent, we have been a small crowd but we were mighty! The sing-a-longs at one point drowned him out and I think he was happy to let us ;o). It's true what they say about them, that they are a Live band first. It really was a night to be remembered........ in the years to come I can say that for my pre-40th bash I saw Tom Petty Live in Cork! We all sang Learning to Fly, my OH held me in his arms as we rocked and Tom Petty came right over to our side of the stage and something/one made him laugh..........priceless!!

Crochet Waistcoat

Finally it's complete. There is no pattern for this it was just made up as I went along using cotton DK and I think a 3mm hook.

 I worked the top parts first using a fan stitch, working towards the shoulder shaping as I went.

Then working downwards with the same fan stitch, the first row creates a circle,  continued until desired length. Sew back and front together.

I used a pineapple style hem, chart which I found here, yes it was for a bag but works good as a hem too!

Finally single crochet 4 rounds, creating a button hole on round 3.

Short Sleeve Cardi

Another one from Drops knit in the round.   Not bad for 1 big ball of Aran from Aldi.  The pattern can be found here.  I quite like knitting in the round, so much so I've just ordered to sets of circular needles.   They can't come quick enough, as I've the next one lined up already, it's going to be the Sarah Lund sweater from the TV drama The Killing.

Just a close up of these fab buttons that were gifted to me a while back.  I'd thought that it would be black buttons initially, but then I came across these and that was it.  I did have nice grey marl ones but only had 5 and I needed 6....... that's so typical!

I've nearly finished my crochet waistcoat too...... just the buttons to get and since we're going into town tomorrow, I'm hopefull that I'll find ones I like, if not it will be Ebay all the way.

Aztec Cardigan

 Well here it is the finished article, This is going to be my House cardigan.  The chart I made up myself using the Superdry Buffalo one as a guide, but the pattern first caught my eye in Harry Potter when Hermione wore a cardi with the design.

It was a good way to use oddments of aran, rather than hats or socks.

 

I used approximately 400g Grey, 100g Purple, 200g Cream, 100g Smokey blue. 

Of course when I tried it on, I realised the the button band (duh) was back to front for me, so I had to redo it or choose years of struggling to close the buttons!!

the charts.

Winter Knit

Okay, I know we're supposed to be more into summer, but it's not quite here yet.  I do have a summer top on the crochet hook, it's a DIY project/pattern, i also have one on my knitting needles at the moment.

Back to the point, I'm not quite sure why I picked this but I probably liked the pattern.  It's knit in the round and I just used 5mm needle, The bottom part is quite misleading as I thought I was going to have the right size, but it turned out larger on the patterned top part than anticipated.  Still it'll be warm next winter and I can unravel my old oversized out of shape aran and make something new from it.

It's a lot of work and I made some changes by omitting the cuff and bottom sections of the original pattern which can be found Here. 

I never made the cowl either, I wanted the yarn for my current project which I had hoped to make in Chunky, but having never used it before didn't know the quantities and never got a reply from online suppliers to help me out.  I'll post photos of it later.

Birthday Card

 

I made a Birthday card, the dress topper was made from a template found on Google images, the girl was a drawing I picked up a while ago, I just changed it a bit and painted it, for the writing I copied one of my fonts lightly in pencil then went over it in pen.  The verse was also found online and slightly modified.