knitCompanion app review

Even though I did a post about crafty apps relatively recently, I had to share this one immediately.  It’s called knitCompanion, and the basic version is free!

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You can import PDFs from various sources, keep track of multiple patterns at once, and make a variety of annotations.  You can cut out unnecessary pages, paste multiple pages of charts together to make one large chart, set up an interactive chart and legend/key, and so much more.  Here’s how I’ve been using it:

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The highlighted row marks the row I’m currently on, and I’ve set alternate rows to be different shades of yellow to denote right side and wrong side (which I did in the legend as well, as you can see).  The blue-green line is where I inserted a lifeline in case I have to rip back.

The amazing thing is that this is only a small amount of the things you can do with just the charts alone!  For all of these features, however, you have to pay about $11 yearly.  I think it’s worth it though, because it’s really keeping me from getting lost in this difficult knitting pattern!

I hope this was useful to you — if you’ve got this app or if you plan on getting it, let me know what you think.  Now they just need to make a crochet version!

 

in threes: a baby cardigan; ta-da!

This is so great — I’m gonna make these for every expecting mother I know.  Just took 3 days to complete, and wasn’t hard!

in threes baby cardigan

 

in threes baby cardigan

And again I used this method to make the edges neater:

in threes baby cardigan

Thank you guys for stopping by!  There’s crochet coming, I promise!

gentille cowl #2: ta-da!

This yarn is amazing, even the pooling looks great in the finished project!

gentille cowl number 2

After blocking the fabric is lightweight and airy:

gentille cowl number 2

If you want to make one, the pattern costs money but I think it’s worth it, and it can be purchased and downloaded here.

Yarn: KnitPicks Hawthorne in Alberta Arts (1 skein makes 4 repetitions of the pattern)

Needles: US 4 (3.50mm)

gentille cowl number 2

 

The pattern works up quickly (this took me about 3 days to complete, not counting the blocking/drying), and it is easy to remember, even the lace part!

gentille cowl number 2

 

Here’s a closeup of the garter stitch so you can see the beautiful colors in this yarn:

gentille cowl number 2

 

What a lovely  colorway, and a great pattern!  I might just make another…

gentille cowl number 2

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I’ll be back soon, most likely with some crochet!

 

in threes: a baby cardigan; begin!

A friend is having a baby, due at the end of the month!  I already made the baby girl a blanket but I wanted to make something for her to wear, too, so I decided to try the in threes baby cardigan (it costs money but it is easy and works up quickly).

in threes baby cardigan

I have a lifeline inserted before the arm holes were formed just in case I mess up and have to rip back.  The Dark Horse Yarns’ Fantasy yarn is a ridiculously soft worsted yarn — I wish I had enough to make me a sweater out of it too!  Might have to order some…

The color was hard to capture, it looks more accurate here:

in threes baby cardigan

I’m using the technique for a neater edge along the button band, as you can see there, as well.

I kind of want to make some little crocheted pastel flowers to sew onto the front.  I might do that if I have time but I do want this to be complete by the baby’s arrival!

That’s all for today, thanks for stopping by!  See you soon!

 

sugarfrost: begin!

I thought I was a good knitter.  Boy howdy do I feel meek now.  Just started the GORGEOUS Sugarfrost pattern (I’m gonna make the scarf version), and it is tricky!

Firstly, my yarn is LACE.  I’ve never made a whole project in lace before and I have a feeling this is going to take a long time.  Thank goodness it’s beautiful soft yarn from Welthase (Lace Merinosilk in Coral):

Welthase yarn

It’s worth mentioning another time that there are NO KNOTS in this thing, it’s amazing, and SUPER soft!  For realsies, check out the Welthase store on Etsy.

Secondly, I got the setup row complete and then got stuck.  Yes, that soon into the pattern, I was stuck.  Had to message the pattern author (who promptly messaged me back, clearing up my confusion) and it turns out my brain was just trying to make things extra complicated for me.  Thanks brain!

Thirdly, I’m learning new stitches.  Actually this is a cool one — I’m learning to make nupps:

Sugarfrost scarf begin

 

You can kinda see one there toward the bottom of the photo, and there are 2 more that are out of focus.  They’re kinda slow but really satisfying to make!

I’m using my stitch counters from Ruth Plus Two’s Etsy store to keep track of my pattern repeats, but even so I’ll definitely be using lifelines all through this thing.

Well, that’s all for today.  Soon I’ll share an app with you that is making this pattern MUCH easier for me to follow, and I promised some crochet soon — it’s coming, don’t worry!  Thanks for stopping by!