Project Details

Pattern: Patti, from Rowan Studio 1 - designed by Sarah Hatton.

Yarn: 8 balls of Rowan Felted Tweed, in Watery 152 which is a greeny blue sort of colour (almost teal). My fabulous bf had the yarn shipped from cucumberpatch for me. *hugs*

The actual knitted item took about 7.5 balls of the felted tweed, but I ended up using all but about 10m of it for seaming. I seamed a million times simply because the end result was a bit too big so I had to keep readjusting. Oh, and the yarn was quite brittle - as I was seaming, it would snap so I had to restart the seam. It didnt snap during my knitting, but I felt as if it would any minute!!

It was also the first time I used the yarn and as I have mentioned previously, I wasn't impressed with it on first touch. However, when knitted, it produced a beautifully light tweedy fabric, and I guess that's why everyone loves it so much!

Needles: I used my Denise needles, on a US 6 / 4.0mm for the main part, and a US 3 / 3.25mm straight needles for the garter stitch and pickups.

Comments and modifications: The actual knitting was quite straightforward and very easy. I did however, pick up one error but I think it was quite minor because I can't actually remember what that error is now! The knitting only requires garter stitch and stockinette. Nothing major, and very easy for the beginner if they choose.

While I enjoyed knitting this, my problems began when I had finished the knitting part.

The armholes were massive, so when I seamed my sweater, I had to take it in about 6 stitches from the edge of the armhole. My actual sleeves were also massive, and I ended up taking those in at about 6 stitches from each edge.

Additionally, as mentioned before, the pleats seemed to fling everywhere and while I did attempt to sew them down, I wasn't really happy with the end result. In the end, I blocked the pleats while sewn, and then ripped out the tacked stitches. My pleats are now free and they're okay at the moment. Just not sure if they will continue to behave.

All in all, I think that while the small is meant for 32-34, it is probably better suited for a 34 and 32's should consider amending it a little

The only other thing I have to fix is my third button , which I sewed on crookedly. But it's done :) Onto the next thing - which I'm not sure what it will be just yet!

Labels: FO, Patti, Sweaters and Cardis

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I've always hated garter stitch. The mundaneness of doing a never ending knit stitch, the resulting fabric texture that's made, and the fact that it seems to take double the time of doing a normal stockinette stitch. Anything with garter? Pass please!

But that was all before tweed came along. I've never knitted anything in a tweed yarn before, but as I have been progressing along with Patti, my love for tweedy garter stitch has developed. It's something about the texture of tweed that makes the garter stitch so much more exciting, it's something about the way the little slubs pop up and give character and life to the stitches, and it's something about the quirkiness of knitting with unexpected slubs and the perfection of straight stitches that garter stitch demands.

Oh i love thee!



But back onto Patti - she's almost done. I have done most of the finishing, and just have to weave in the ends and solve my "what to do" problem with the pleats.

You see, the pleats don't behave. They're unruly, they're wild, and they never went to sit in the spot you gave them. They're almost like those two naughty kids in primary school that always had to be separated, but they'd always find a way to wreak havoc on class.. but i digress.

I have looked at some other finished Pattis and seen that people have sewn them down, have decided to block it every time they want to wear it (this is not one of my options. I'm far too lazy for that), and have put in little catches here and there.

So anyways, i'll have a play, and hopefully there will be an official FO post shortly :D

Labels: Patti, Sweaters and Cardis

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I have a 7 hour train ride tomorrow and for the last hour or so I have been faced with the dilemma of what to pack. I'm only going away for the weekend, and flying back on Sunday night, but I've packed two pairs of jeans, 2 cardigans, three tops, pjs, shoes and knickers. That seems rather sensible doesn't it.

But as with all knitters, how much knitting does one pack? Given my 7 hour train ride, I figured that I'd be able to get quite a bit of knitting done. So, I've packed the broadstreet mittens in my carry bag (only bringing one bag - i'm not that bad!!), and i've also packed some supplies for Patti.

I reckon I could get my second broadstreet mitten done by the time I reach my destination, but then I'll have time over the next two days to knit. Will three balls of felted tweed (almost 600m) suffice for the two days? Or is it too little?

I once brought one skein of bendigo rustic for my weekend, and having finished my one skein on the first day, was left with little knitting for the rest of my trip. The other time, I didnt have enough, and ended up at the LYS (very very limited range) and bought 10 skeins for a brand new project (don't want to do that again!!).

So... how does one decide how much knitting to bring? Will three balls of felted tweed for Patti be enough???

Labels: Broad Street Mittens, life, Patti

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I've been a little slack with my posting of late , and I am unashamed to admit that the main reason has been due to Ravelry. I've been spending hours scouring through everyone's lovely stashes, projects, and coming up with a queue twice as long as the great wall of china !

Life has taken a bit of a different sphere at the moment. With decisions to make, and jobs to hunt for, it's been a little bit stressful to say the least.

Enter knitting.

Knitting has always been about "me" time.While Saturdays are about fitting in sports, catching up with friends, househunting and all the other necessary weekend things one has to do, and Sundays about winding down and getting to bed early for work the next day... Fridays are my one day of crazy knitting. I come home from work, have dinner with my family, and plop myself on the couch or in bed, prop up a great dvd or tv show of some sort and knit until the wee hours of the morning. Gosh, i heart Fridays!


Anyways, yesterday i came home to a lovely little welcome! My significant spoilt me with 8 skeins of Rowan Felted Tweed in Watery 152 so that I could start on the gorgeous little Patti Cardigan (go over to Knit Annie and see her version! I love it without the collar!).

So, I've cast on and done a few rows.


This is my first time working with Felted Tweed. I have to admit that at first, I wasn't impressed by the acrylicy feel of the yarn itself. However, knit up, it makes the most softest, nubbly, wonderful fabric. The stitch definition is just right, and my only gripe is that being made of 25% alpaca, it sheds a fair bit.

My other project that I've started is Knitty's Broad Street Mittens for my bf. I'm doing it in Heirloom Argyle in Brown, and Naturally Haven 100% Merino in a lovely olive colour. It's been awhile since I gifted my knitting but I'm hoping to finish it by Friday before I head over to KGI to see him.


Anyways, I'm off to high tea with my girlfriends. Hope you have a great one!

Labels: Accessories, Broad Street Mittens, Patti, Sweaters and Cardis, Yarns

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When I was younger and started to reach puberty, I would make weird wishes such as "i hope my chest doesnt grow any faster" because it was just a weird thing to have. As a uni student with little more than a B cup, I used to wish that it WOULD grow faster hahah..


Last night, i tried on my leaf-tie cardi and while it fit me all around, there was something just amiss about it. Running to find my sister, I asked her what was wrong with it and without a second's thought, she proclaimed "you just dont have a chest for it" .. to which I realized she was more than right.


I think that's why i've never really been a fan of cardis like the leaf-tie cardi. Not because I didnt like the way they looked, but because everytime I put one on, it just didnt look like the model with her ample chest in the photos.


Oh well. This is what's left of my leaf-tie cardi.



My sister has been quite pleased that she no longer has to help me wind my knits into balls, but she did say that she missed the quality sisterly bonding we did over 2 hours of winding skeins. So maybe next time I frog (hopefully not anytime soon) ill make her wind the balls ;)


Anyways, having frogged leaf-tie cardi means I can start on something else without feeling guilty! While I'm still working on my socks and my Phildar Swing Jacket, I am thinking of doing Rambling Rose from Rowan 39, Big Button Bolero from Phildar, Provincial Waistcoat from IK Winter 06 or Patti from Rowan Studio.


I suppose I could start on the Waistcoat or Bolero as I have yarn for it.. but oh, Rambling Rose and Patti are certainly calling me ;)


Anyways, I have my first kickboxing class now.. gotta run!

Labels: Leaf Cardi, Patti, Phildar swing jacket

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Being in Australia, we often get our magazines later than those in America and in the UK. So, while they get the new Interweave magazine this coming week, it's likely that I will have to wait 2 weeks until it reaches Borders' Shelf.. and i can't wait!

What do I love?

In other new, I also placed an order for Rowan's Patti last Sunday night, and it is now Saturday and I still haven't received the order. You would think that given it is an "emailed pattern" it would've arrived, but when I enquired as to whether there was a problem with my payment or email, they simply said that it was a bank holiday on monday (fair enough), and that it will be processed shortly.

Not impressed with their service... but i still want my Patti !!

Labels: Books and Mags, Patti

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Kae is a 20-something girl living in WA, Australia with a very old soul. Leading a hectic life in between full time work, part time study, lots of sports and travel, knitting is her way to wind down and relax.

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