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Lipstick KAL: Week 1–Choosing the RIGHT Size

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Lipstick KAL: Choosing the Right Size for YOUR Lipstick

If you have taken my Curvy Knits class either at STITCHES or on CRAFTSY you know that choosing the right size all begins with what you already have in your closet!

To choose the correct size Lipstick for YOU we are going to take the measurements of a piece you have in your closet. Right now, go to your closet and choose a garment that you like the fit of and want the Lipstick Cardigan to fit like. For me, I chose a sweater that is a little snug around my body from my waist up (in all the Stockinette stitch portions of the sweater I am making) knowing that the band around the lower half of the Lipstick will have a good amount of ease. I think it is more important to have the body FIT correctly.

Here is mine:

I took a variety of measurements. If you are not sure what measurements to take I would take a look at the schematic and take those same measurements on your favorite garment. Once you have the favorite garment measurements you can compare them to the ones on the schematic and make any adjustments you might want to make.

I can hear you thinking, “Why would I make adjustments to this pattern? Is it not written correctly?” Well, of course it is written correctly. BUT, if you are going to take the time to make something for YOU why not make sure it is going to fit YOU the way YOU like it to fit? Now is the time to make any changes you might want so that when you are finished with YOUR Lipstick you are pleased with it. And, if you are like me and spent a pretty penny on the yarn I am sure you want your cardigan to fit GREAT!

You can see on my schematic I have highlighted all the measurements that pertain to the size I am making (2x) and a few notes for areas that I plan on making changes to have the cardigan better fit ME!

One of the changes I am making for mine is the front width. As written the fronts are 1/2 the back measurements which will work, but I know that for me if my fronts are less than half and the trim makes up for the area left open it looks better on me. SO, the schematic shows that the fronts for the 2x should be 12 1/2″ but I am changing mine to be 10 1/2″.

Making this change will change the number of stitches that I will need to cast on for the fronts and it will also change the rate of neck shaping but it will not change any of the side/row measurements so I will be able to follow the instructions for the 2x size whenever I am working to measurements. I've gone ahead and made the changes in the pattern before I begin to make sure that I don't get carried away and forget to make the changes.

Note: I have highlighted the cast on number I am using for the left front but I also highlighted the 2x measurements to remind me of which ones I am using … I love visual cues! 

Specifically, for my changes I am going to cast on for the 10 1/2 inches (44 sts) follow the pattern same as the back to the armhole, then work the same armhole instructions as for the back and evenly for 3 1/2″ which is what the instructions say to do for my size. Because I cast on fewer stitches than the 2x size suggested but still followed the armhole instructions for the 2x I will have fewer stitches on my needle after the armhole shaping than written for either the 2x or the large (28 sts remain).

So I will need to also adjust the number of times I decrease to shape the front neck so that my shoulder stitches will match up front to back. There are 18 sts at the back shoulder for the 2x so if I have 28 sts after my armhole shaping I need to eliminate 10 sts at the front neck edge so that my front shoulder will match my back shoulder. Which means I will only work my decreases 10 times total instead of the written number.

I am not too concerned about this making the shaping shorter than written (it will be done over a little less than 2″ instead of the written 3″) because after I do the shaping I just have to knit the front to match the armhole measurement of the back so the pieces will match up 🙂 If I wanted to do more math (which I DO NOT) I could totally adjust the shaping to fit over the 3″ but like I said, I am okay with it being shorter.

Okay, I've made all my changes that I wanted…time to cast on and begin.

What changes are you making?

GOAL FOR WEEK 1!

To maintain a schedule that will get all the pieces complete in time for us to wear this beautiful piece to Thanksgiving Dinner the goal for WEEK 1 is to complete the back of the cardigan. Find the correct cast on number for you and let's start. Join the Ravelry Group to keep us all up to date with your progress and to cheer each other along!

Lipstick_Rav_3

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I figure out the right size for the Lipstick Cardigan?

So here's the thing… you'll want to grab a sweater you already own that fits you perfectly. Then, measure that sweater and compare those measurements to the schematic in the pattern. You can even make adjustments before you start knitting to make sure it's just right for you!

Why would I change the pattern if it's already written correctly?

Honestly… you're putting in all this time and effort to make something beautiful for yourself, right? Why not tweak it just a little so it fits YOU and your style perfectly? It's all about making it your own special piece!

I noticed you changed the front width measurement. Does that mess up the whole pattern?

Yes! Well, sort of… Changing the front width does mean you'll need to adjust the cast-on number and how you shape the neck. But don't worry, it won't affect the side measurements, so you can still follow along with the stitch counts as written for the back and other sections!

What's the goal for Week 1 of this KAL?

Great question! The goal for Week 1 is to complete the back piece of the cardigan. This helps us stay on track so we can all have our beautiful Lipstick Cardigans ready to wear for Thanksgiving Dinner!

I'm not sure what measurements to take on my favorite sweater. What should I do?

Don't sweat it! Just take a peek at the schematic provided in the pattern and take those same measurements on your favorite garment. It's a super simple way to make sure you're comparing apples to apples and getting the fit you want.

Lipstick KAL: Week 1– GAUGE SWATCH

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Lipstick KAL: Week 1 — Gauge Swatch! Yes, I said the hated word, SWATCH.

Lipstick_Rav_3 Lipstick_Rav_1 LIpstick_Rav_2

Hi everybody, I am thrilled that you are all joining me for the Lipstick KAL. I must say that the Lipstick Cardigan (click here to purchase the pattern)  is one of my favorite designs. Ever since I got it back from my contractor I've wanted to have one of my own. Well, looks like I am going to get one…as long as I can keep up with all of you during this KAL!

My Lipstick is Blue. Specifically, I am using Malabrigo, “Rios” in Bobby Blue

Okay, let's get started shall we? By now I hope all of you have chosen the yarn you wish to use. Now it's important that you do a gauge swatch. Please make a gauge swatch now if you have not.

Things to remember:

1. The Lipstick Cardigan will be somewhat heavy for all the sizes so please be sure to take pre-block, post-block and hanging gauge swatch measurements. All three will be important for you to do all you can to make sure your piece will be finished the way you want.

FINISHED GAUGE

16 sts and 24 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in Stockinette st after blocking

2 reps = 5″ wide x 6″ long in Scroll pat after blocking

I can hear you groaning!

Here is why I am telling you to do more work than (most likely) you have done before for other sweaters, when the pattern says to work in pattern until the piece measures XX” you need to know that XX” pre-block will get a finished blocked gauge of XX”. To use real numbers (note:these are not actual numbers from the pattern): If 12″ pre-block knitting ends up 15″ blocked knitting and you go ahead and knit to the full 12″ pre-block then your sweater is already 3″ too long! See what I mean?

You want your blocked gauge to match the gauge measurement given in the pattern. For the Lipstick, the gauge is what I used to write the pattern and get all the correct finished measurements.

Now, let's talk a little about hanging gauge. Since the cardigan is heavy I think it is important to know just how much YOUR yarn will stretch after a full day of wearing it. Some yarns will not stretch much but others could stretch WAY MORE than you know. Therefore, to best guess-timate the effect gravity will have on your sweater you should do a hanging gauge swatch. You will then compare the blocked gauge to the hanging gauge to see if there is a difference.

If there is a HUGE difference then I would suggest using a different yarn for this project. You don't want your finished cardigan to end up looking like a duster coat by the end of the day, right? Since we are all in agreement on this let's all agree that the hanging gauge is important.

A hanging gauge is simple, after you have measured your blocked swatch clamp it in a pant hanger or anything that will allow the swatch to hang, then pin clothes pins to the bottom of the swatch to simulate gravity. Let it hang for approx. 8 hours (I use this number since most people will wear a piece for around an 8 hour work day). Remove the pins and lay the swatch flat to measure it.

Again, I want to say that if the blocked measurement and the hanging measurement are significantly different (like 2-3″ difference) the yarn you chose might not be the best choice and I would suggest using a different one.

2. Which is more important: Stitch Gauge or Row Gauge? Well, I think the information listed in #1 can tell you that the last thing you want is a larger than listed row gauge. If after doing your swatch you have a spot on stitch gauge but the row gauge is a little smaller I would say that is totally okay. IMHO, getting stitch gauge is more important for this piece.

3. Do you do a gauge swatch for both patterns? YES, you plan on using both in your cardigan, right? Then you must know the gauge measurements for both. Remember, you do this cardigan in pieces so if you get gauge in ST st with size 8/5mm needles but need to go to a larger or smaller needle for the Lace st that is Okay! But you need to know if you need to do that so DO YOUR GAUGE SWATCH! LOL.

Okay, once the gauge swatch is complete let's choose which size to make. I will put that information in the next post 🙂

I really want to see what you are working on so please be sure to join the Ravelry Group!  Let's help one another out and make a great sweater!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I have to do a gauge swatch for the Lipstick KAL?

Honestly… I know, I know, swatching isn't everyone's favorite part! But for the Lipstick Cardigan, it's super important because it's a heavier sweater. We need to make sure your finished cardigan will be the size you want it to be after blocking and even after a day of wearing it!

What's the big deal about blocking and hanging gauge?

So here's the thing… blocking and hanging gauge are crucial for this project because the cardigan is heavy. Your knitting might stretch more than you think under its own weight. Checking both pre- and post-block, plus a hanging swatch, helps you see how much your specific yarn might grow, so you don't end up with a cardigan that's way too long!

Is stitch gauge or row gauge more important for this cardigan?

Yes! While both are good to get right, I'd say stitch gauge is a little more critical for the Lipstick Cardigan. If your row gauge is a bit off but your stitch gauge is spot on, you'll likely be just fine. We want to make sure the width is correct, especially!

Do I really need to do a gauge swatch for both the Stockinette and Scroll patterns?

You bet! Since you're planning on using both patterns in your cardigan, you definitely need to know the gauge for each one. It's totally okay if you need different needle sizes for the different stitches… but you won't know unless you swatch!

My hanging gauge swatch stretched a LOT compared to my blocked gauge… what now?

Oh wow… if there's a huge difference, like 2-3 inches, I'd really suggest considering a different yarn. You don't want your beautiful finished cardigan to turn into a super long, droopy piece, right? Choosing a yarn that behaves well when hanging will make all the difference.

Laurinda Reddig Reversible Crochet

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Laurinda Reddig, Reversible Crochet author, was the guest today on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird. Clearly she has some talent with a hook and fiber as Marly has claimed Laurinda as her very own!LaurindaReddig

Laurinda called in from Portland, Oregon. She told me in the chat room this was her first time on a podcast, but she didn't admit that before the show, she sounded like this was what she does every day! Perhaps because she's been listening to the Yarn Thing Podcast since she discovered podcasts, she knows how it's done…

In Junior High, her Campfire Leader's house was on the walk home from school, teaching Laurinda to crochet left-handed by sitting in front of her (mirror technique) without making a big deal of it and in fact, Laurinda did not realize she was crocheting differently till years later. She spoke about picking up yarn at K-mart… While in High School, on a roadtrip through Mexico, her father (who is a knitter!) found a little town known for crochet lace and they were invited into a local's home and she learned to crochet lace. In College, hair nets and snoods were popular and she incorporated that into her wedding attire.

ReddigMysteryMachine She worked at Michael's Craft Stores and taught crochet, even though she was unsure at first since she crochets left handed, but that worked out until she started having children. When her son was about six, he wanted a Scooby Doo birthday party. According to her Blog, she considered yarn bombing her own car, but in the end creating an afghan she submitted to the Crochet Guild of America which was very warmly received. In fact it won First Place in Afghans and the People's Choice in the competitions. She began submitting to magazines and one of the contacts she made was with Marcy Smith of Interweave, who asked Laurinda to write an article about the technique involved in reversible crochet…ReddingReversibleRowanVest

Another project that has gained Laurinda much acclaim is her Reversible Rowan Tree Vest.  It was created in memory of her newborn daughter who lived for a few hours after birth. The fabric she's created is so precise it appears to be painted. She added beads as berries on one side, and blossoms on the other, making a difference in both sides, but otherwise completely reversible. She sent it to the CGOA competition and it won the Grand Prize… She was wearing it at a TNNA gathering when Marly found her!

ReddigReversibleCrochet
https://www.interweavestore.com/reversible-color-crochet-grouped

Her new book, Reversible Color Crochet, incorporates techniques using different sized stitches, carrying yarn invisibly and working partial stitches with the different colors of yarn. The book has detailed instructions and graphics to explain the process. When she was working on an earlier publications, Charles Voth advised her as her tech editor to pursue publishers who liked promoting new techniques.

Laurinda Redding will be teaching her class at Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival (OFFF) on Reversible Intarsia and judging the crochet competition, and later teaching at the Astoria Stitch Fest. We're going to see more of her as she continues to share her love of this art form.

Follow her at her website: www.ReCrochetions.com. Laurinda also has a Facebook page and Ravelry Design Page with Ravelry Group Page

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Laurinda Reddig learn to crochet?

So here's the thing… Laurinda learned to crochet in junior high from a campfire leader who taught her the mirror technique because she's left-handed! Then, on a road trip through Mexico, she learned to crochet lace in a small town known for it. She picked up more skills in college and even taught crochet at Michael's!

What is Laurinda's Reversible Color Crochet book about?

Honestly… her new book, Reversible Color Crochet, dives into some super cool techniques! She uses different sized stitches, carries yarn invisibly, and works partial stitches with different colors. The book is packed with detailed instructions and graphics to really show you how it's done.

Tell me about Laurinda's award-winning Rowan Tree Vest!

Yes! The Reversible Rowan Tree Vest is incredibly special. Laurinda created it in memory of her newborn daughter. The crochet fabric is so precise, it looks painted, and she added beads as berries on one side and blossoms on the other. It won the Grand Prize at the CGOA competition… it's truly a masterpiece.

How did Laurinda get into crochet design and teaching?

Well… after winning awards for her Scooby Doo afghan and the Rowan Tree Vest, she started submitting to magazines. She connected with Marcy Smith from Interweave, who asked her to write an article about reversible crochet. That led to her book and teaching opportunities… she's just amazing!

Where can I learn more about Laurinda's reversible crochet techniques?

You're in luck! Laurinda will be teaching her Reversible Intarsia class at the Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival and also at the Astoria Stitch Fest. Plus, you can follow her on her website, ReCrochetions.com, or check out her Facebook and Ravelry pages. She's sharing her passion, so jump in!

Yarn Pop by Top Shelf Totes

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Yarn Pop by Top Shelf Totes, owner Lori Jordan, our guest today on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird. And we LOVE our Bags, don't we?

YarnPopTopShelf
https://topshelftotes.com/

Lori was taught to crochet by an aunt at about 12 years old, and her first project was a blanket. About 10 years ago, she picked up knitting because she was inspired to knit socks! She says socks are still her favorite GO-TO project and that she taught herself and later on, through her local yarn store.

Lori Jordan was working at Paramont Pictures to get movies uploaded in services like iTunes and Netflix, at the time knitting was her zen, she says. She and her husband decided to start their own tech company. While on the plane, she realized it would be nice to have a bag that prevented her yarn from rolling down the aisles. She sewed when she was at home, and began with a bag with grommets for the yarn to thread through. Someone suggested taking her bags to Stitches West. Her first time there, she realized that while she thought she had enough, she ran out of inventory by Saturday of the show and spent the rest of it knitting and handing out business cards.

That was the moment of clarity when she realized she'd found her bliss.

She found manufacturers close to her, in fact, the prints are all milled, made and printed in the US. The fabric is a heavier canvas that resists stains and hold their shape and still be machine washable. The prints she uses are great for making the bags coordinate while not ‘matchy-matchy' although lots of people like having their various bags all the same print.

YPSinglebagShe loves working with the community, the people, the other vendors at shows, the yarn stores and doing the trunk shows. It's obvious that these are the things that love her products too!

The first bag was The Single. The yarn threads through the grommet, as stated earlier, and your project can be tucked back in the, there's a gap that allows the yarn not to get caught in the zipper. She created this bag in this size to be perfect for her socks. Naturally, The Double came next as an option for attendees at the shows, for sock two-at-a-time. Later came The Gadgety, with a pocket for a cell phone with a place to thread the headset cord through. The Commuter came with room for the larger devices like tablets to carry your pattern around with your project. And then the POPULAR Toteable to carry everything!

The bags are becoming collectibles because Lori tries to keep themes and update them. People like the Owl prints, and other people will love the Giraffes. The company is known for the Dandelion print as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the story behind Yarn Pop bags?

Honestly… Lori Jordan started Yarn Pop because she wanted a bag to keep her yarn from rolling around while she was traveling. She sewed her first bag with grommets, and after a great reaction at a craft show, she realized she had found her passion!

What makes Yarn Pop bags special?

Well… the fabric is a heavier canvas that's stain-resistant and holds its shape, but it's still machine washable! Plus, Lori uses fun prints that coordinate beautifully without being too matchy-matchy, though some folks do like to collect them all in the same print.

Can you tell me about the different bag styles?

So here's the thing… it started with ‘The Single' bag, perfect for socks. Then came ‘The Double' for knitting two socks at once. Later, they added ‘The Gadgety' with a phone pocket and ‘The Commuter' for tablets, and now there's ‘The Toteable' for carrying everything!

Do the Yarn Pop bags really prevent yarn snags?

Yes! That's a great question. Lori specifically designed the bags so that there's a gap near the zipper, allowing the yarn to thread through the grommet without getting caught. So clever, right?

Are the Yarn Pop bags popular?

Oh, absolutely! The article mentions that the bags are becoming collectibles because Lori keeps themes and updates them. People really seem to love the unique prints like Owls, Giraffes, and especially the Dandelion print!

Crochet Scarf Pattern and Youtube Video: Game Day Scarf

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NEW PATTERN RELEASE! This Crochet scarf pattern and Youtube video are the newest in a series of beginner projects designed to teach the new crocheter a fantastic skill and how to create a wonderful new project. Let me introduce you to the Game Day Scarf pattern and YouTube video on the Single Double Combination Stitch.

Textured crochet scarf in navy blue, white, and orange stripes, worn by a man in a black sweater against a metal gate.Game Day Scarf (crochet) 

Show your team spirit every day with this simple crocheted scarf. The pattern can easily be customized to the colors of your favorite team. Create the perfect crocheted scarf for someone you loved, or for yourself.

Cozy knitted blanket in shades of blue and gray featuring a textured stitch pattern, draped over a couch. *small print: this is for a .PDF download of the pattern, not the actual finished product*

Skill level: Easy

Sizes: one size fits most

Yarn: Red Heart, “With Love” (100% acrylic; 370 yds 338 m/198 g): MC Peacock, 1ball; CA White, 1 ball; CB Mango, 1 ball.

Hook: Size H/8 (5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

 

Need a little help? Here is a YouTube Video by me, Marly Bird, for the Single Double Combination Stitch.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of yarn do I need for this scarf?

So here's the thing… you'll need Red Heart “With Love” yarn, which is 100% acrylic. For the colors, it calls for Peacock, White, and Mango, and you'll need one ball of each.

Is this a difficult pattern to make?

Honestly… no! It's listed as an easy skill level, perfect for those new to crocheting or looking for a simple, fun project.

Can I make this scarf in different colors?

Yes! The pattern is super easy to customize, so you can totally use the colors of your favorite team or any colors you love.

Do I need a special hook for this?

You'll need a size H/8 (5 mm) crochet hook, or whatever size works best for you to get the right gauge. It's pretty standard!

Where can I get help if I get stuck?

You're in luck! I've made a YouTube video just for you that shows you how to do the Single Double Combination Stitch… it's the main stitch for this scarf!

Joji Knits

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Joji Locatelli


Joji Knits, designer Joji Locatelli was today's guest on the Yarn Thing Podcast with Marly Bird, all the way from Argentina! This made for a Great adventure for a live program.

Joji (pronounced Ho-Hee) says she learned to knit at about age 8, mom taughter her to a garter stitch scarf. Not exciting and the yarn was not a thrill so that was it till she was in University she started thinking about taking crafts up. At 24, she was about to get married but decided to quit smoking. Her mom had left some needles at her house and she picked up knitting again.

At first she didn't have access to patterns, with her mom's help she was able to improvise in her knitting. Then she found Ravelry. There she was able to follow her favorite designers and improve her skills, till she became a designer herself.

JojiBoxy
Joji and her current favorite design, Boxy

When she starts a design, she has an idea of what she wants to make but it sounds like the particulars work themselves out in process. In the beginning, she was so engrossed with what she was working on, she would forget to write things down as she worked on them. Even without completely understanding English her designs communicate classic beauty.

In spite of the changes in import/export laws, which makes it hard for someone like Joji to purchase yarn. she says ‘Don't Worry' she has a good supply at hand. Malabrigo is from Uruguay, right next door to Argentina! Sometimes, the colors she is sent by a yarn designer is not what she had in mind, and then she finds the design becomes based on the yarn itself.

Her latest design, Japan Sleeves, based on another of her cardigan designs, Old Romance, incorporates lacework from Japanese charts, and has been very popular among JojiKnits fans. Old Romance was very well received, which inspired her to continue the thought of the lace panels down the sleeves and the rest of the sweater constructed from that. Then she was sharing her inspiration for Japan Sleeves and the thought of stripes and her friend reminded her stripes in this would be like shawls that you see often. Working out the stripes in the short rows, but she loves that the design came together well.

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Her website, https://www.jojiknits.com/ She can also be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joji.knits

Another of Joji's designs that is popular is Boxy and Buttony. a next step after Boxy, by their nature as oversized and their boxy shape becomes comfortable and drapey. (Joji later shared that she personally likes the Boxy design so much she wears it all the time!) She also discussed how the feminine shape of Meridien comes together.

Joji says she gets most of her designing done in the evenings after her two boys go to bed. Her husband does freelance work as well, so this works for her family very well! Check out her designs in Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/joji-locatelli

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Joji Locatelli get started with knitting?

Honestly… Joji learned to knit when she was about 8 years old, but didn't really get back into it until university. She picked it up again when she decided to quit smoking, and her mom had left some needles at her house. It's pretty neat how one habit led to a whole new passion, right?

How does Joji come up with her knitting designs?

So here's the thing… Joji usually starts with an idea, but it sounds like the actual details kind of work themselves out as she's knitting. In the beginning, she was so focused on her work that she'd forget to write things down as she went… talk about getting lost in the creative flow!

What's Joji's favorite design?

Yes! Joji's current favorite design is called “Boxy.” She loves it so much, she actually wears it all the time. It's a great example of how oversized, boxy shapes can be super comfortable and have a lovely drape.

Is it hard for Joji to get yarn in Argentina?

Oh, you bet! Import/export laws make it a bit tricky for her to get her hands on yarn sometimes. But don't you worry… she says she has a good supply stashed away, and Malabrigo yarn from Uruguay is right next door, which is a lifesaver!

Where can I find Joji's knitting patterns?

Honestly… you can find all of Joji's amazing designs on Ravelry! She has a designer page there where you can check out everything she's created. It's a great way to see her beautiful work and pick out your next project!