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Acrylic sweater blocking disaster + current WIP

Hey friends! It’s been a while since I published a post. My absence is all down to having a rough third trimester of my pregnancy and also welcoming our baby in early June. I was able to do some knitting and crocheting though, and even packed one of my knitting projects (a sweater) in my hospital bag. It was great to knit a few rounds while I was stuck in bed recovering after having my little girl. I’m now five weeks postpartum and gradually finishing off/starting new projects in between looking after baby and recovering.

 

ACRYLIC YARN BLOCKING DISASTER

I recently finished one of the projects I’ve been working on – the discipline sweater (pattern by Bromefield). This was my second attempt at knitting the sweater, as my first attempt did not go well due to the yarn I used…I just wasn’t feeling the yarn for the project. This time round, I switched to a different yarn – Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran and boy was I glad I did. This yarn is a lovely, soft and squishy acrylic yarn, you would almost not believe it’s acrylic.

 

Almost halfway through knitting the body, I decided to make the sweater a two-toned sweater. This was such a great idea as the colours really complimented each other. As I neared completion of the sweater, I started thinking about blocking. I’ve always felt that blocking acrylic yarn can be tricky and I’ve never blocked any project that I have made with acrylic yarn due to this reason. I’ve read many articles that tell you acrylic yarn can and should be blocked but I have never been convinced that the methods they suggest really work. I checked a few knitting and crocheting forums and came across one where someone advised machine washing and tumble drying the item following the care instructions for the yarn. So, I decided to take the plunge…BIG MISTAKE! The sweater came out nearly four to five sizes bigger, from a 38″ bust to a 48″ bust, no joke!

I very nearly cried as I was looking forward to rocking the sweater during winter…it really hurt. I tried searching online to see if I could find a way to shrink it but found nothing. So, sadly, I won’t be able to wear this sweater but I’ll give it to someone who can. To be fair, apart from the size increase, the sweater blocked really well. Needless to say, I will not be blocking acrylic anytime soon..ha!

Have you successfully blocked acrylic yarn? If yes, please share how in the comments section below.

The good news is that I have decided to make the sweater again (yaay!) but this time with merino wool – Malabrigo Worsted in Polar Morn. I’m pretty excited to cast this on once I finish my current WIP, I think it’ll be a beaut.

 

CURRENT WIP

For once, I am working on just one project and plan to finish it before moving to another. I don’t expect this phase to last though as I enjoy working on a few projects at the same time. My current WIP is a cardigan that my baby can wear during winter. The pattern is the Hyphen Cardigan by Frogginette and I am using Malabrigo Rios in Azules. I’m knitting the 6 months size and I’m pretty much done with the body, so it’s on to the sleeves soon.

The pattern is very straight forward and easy to work through and I really love the detail at the top of the cardigan. Pretty excited about finishing it off and dressing my little girl in it during the winter.

I do have other WIPs that I’ve sort of parked until the hyphen cardigan is complete and I’ll do a separate post about them. Let’s not talk about those WIPs that have somehow been forgotten and are in a boxed up pile…shhh!

Blessings,

March 30, 2018

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In case you’re curious to see the sweater, the pic of the sweater is the thumbnail for this reel. It’s the #disciplesweater, pattern by @bromefields. 
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#kunbidesigns #knittersofinstagram #knitweardesign #blackknittersofinstagram #blackknitweardesigner #handknitting #makersgonnamake #knittingdesign #knittingpattern #handmadefashion #slowfashionmovement #knitstagram #knittersofig #knittinginspiration #handmadebykunbi 

Knitters, Knitting Yarn, Needlecraft, Fiber Arts, Handmade, Knitting Pattern, Knitwear, Handcraft, Knitted top, Fashion Knits, Knit top, Made by Hand,
⭐️Do you take yoke flat lay pics?⭐️
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#kunbidesigns #knittersofinstagram #knitweardesign #blackknittersofinstagram #blackknitweardesigner #handknitting #makersgonnamake #knittingdesign #knittingpattern #handmadefashion #slowfashionmovement #knitstagram #knittersofig #knittinginspiration #handmadebykunbi #continentalknitting #englishknitting 

Knitters, Knitting Yarn, Needlecraft, Fiber Arts, Handmade, Knitting Pattern, Knitwear, Handcraft, Knitted top, Fashion Knits, Knit top, Made by Hand, Purling, Continental knitting, English knitting
Massive thanks to everyone who applied. Application closed for XS to 2XL. Still looking for 3XL to 5XL.

**KNIT TESTER CALL**

Hey, my friends! I’m looking for testers for my Silhouette Peplum Dress.
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The dress is worked in the round, until you divide at the underarms and knit flat, and is pretty much in stockinette stitches apart from the peplum, which uses an open lace stitch pattern. Shaping has been done such that the dress will fit any body shape/form. 
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If you’re interested in testing, please go to the link in my bio for the application form. Application closes Monday 18 March and notifications will be sent out Wednesday 20 March. Feel free to DM me if you have any questions. Thanks muchly in advance!⠀
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Pattern deets:⠀⠀⠀
- Skill level: Intermediate beginner ready to take on a garment challenge 🙌🏽.⠀⠀⠀
- Sizes: XS to 5XL (looking for two testers per size, may stretch to three).
- The dress is designed to be worn with a negative ease of 1.5-4.5 inches around the bust, 2-6 inches around the hip and 2.5-5 inches around the waist.
- Yarn required: Aran weight that meets gauge. Yarn used for pictured sample is Cascade Cantata.
- Deadline for finished item: 
XS to XL: 6-8 weeks from when pattern is received.
2XL to 5XL: 10 weeks from when pattern is received.
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#yarnlover #kunbidesigns #knittersofinstagram #craftposure #bipocmakers #knitweardesigner #knitweardesign #blackknittersofinstagram #blackknitweardesigner #handknitting #blackgirlcrafts #blackdesigner #makersgonnamake #knittingdesign #knittingpattern #handmadefashion #slowfashion #slowfashionmovement #bipocdesignersandcrafters #knitstagram #knittersofig #knittinginspiration #silhouettepeplumdress #knittestersneeded #knittestercall #testercall
⭐️Keep being amazing! ⭐️.
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#knitterlife #crocheting #crochet #ilovecrocheting #knitting #knitknitknit #knitstagram #crochetstagram #crochetaddict #knitaddict #crochetersofinstagram #knittersofinstagram #yarnspiration #yarnlover #craftposure #knittersoftheworld #knittersoftheuk #crochetersoftheworld #crochetersoftheuk #encouragementfortheday #encouragementoftheday
I did it!!! I finished knitting a pair of socks, my friends! Every time I attempted it in the past, I only ever knitted one sock and never finished the second for the pair to be complete. But here I am, Lord knows how many years later…one pair of socks ✅✅✅.

What did I do differently? I used the minimum yarn weight I enjoy working with - DK weight! In the past, I used fingering weight yarn, which I never really enjoy working with. 

I’m mega chuffed 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽. Are you proud of me?? Hehee!! 

Now on to the next one with yarn purchased from @tyddynbryn. I bought enough to make a pair for myself and the hubstar 🧦 🧦.
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Yarn: Please Close The Gate, hand dyed by @theyarnbadger. Green yarn used for the cuff and toe is also from @theyarnbadger.

Sock pattern: DK Weight Vanilla Socks by @thecrazysocklady.
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#knittersofinstagram #blackknittersofinstagram #handknitting #makersgonnamake #handmadefashion #slowfashionmovement #knitstagram #knittersofig #knittinginspiration #handmadebykunbi #sockknitting #sockknittersofinstagram #dkweightvanillasocks

Knitters, Knitting Yarn, Needlecraft, Fiber Arts, Handmade, Knitting Pattern, Knitwear, Handcraft, Made by Hand, Sock Knitting, Knitted Socks
Embracing my inner thrower-knitter as I tackle circular needles shorter than 40cm (16”). For some reason, continental knitting just doesn’t feel as cozy with these short cables, but hey, no complaints from this yarnie 🧶🧶! It’s got me wondering though, why the switch-up? 

Fellow continental knitters, how do you navigate the challenge of shorter cable needles? 

Share your tips and tricks in👇🏽!
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Yarn: Please Close The Gate, hand dyed by @theyarnbadger. Green yarn used for the cuff and toe is also from @theyarnbadger.

Sock pattern: DK Weight Vanilla Socks by @thecrazysocklady.
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#knittersofinstagram #blackknittersofinstagram #handknitting #makersgonnamake #handmadefashion #slowfashionmovement #knitstagram #knittersofig #knittinginspiration #handmadebykunbi #sockknitting #sockknittersofinstagram #dkweightvanillasocks

Knitters, Knitting Yarn, Needlecraft, Fiber Arts, Handmade, Knitting Pattern, Knitwear, Handcraft, Made by Hand, Sock Knitting, Knitted Socks
I had hoped to finish my second sock over the weekend but I spent the weekend crocheting instead. Buuuut I’m nearly there and I can’t wait to cast on another pair already 💃🏽💃🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽.
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Yarn: Please Close The Gate, hand dyed by @theyarnbadger. Green yarn used for the cuff and toe is also from @theyarnbadger.

Sock pattern: DK Weight Vanilla Socks by @thecrazysocklady.
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#knittersofinstagram #blackknittersofinstagram #handknitting #makersgonnamake #handmadefashion #slowfashionmovement #knitstagram #knittersofig #knittinginspiration #handmadebykunbi #sockknitting #sockknittersofinstagram #dkweightvanillasocks

Knitters, Knitting Yarn, Needlecraft, Fiber Arts, Handmade, Knitting Pattern, Knitwear, Handcraft, Made by Hand, Sock Knitting, Knitted Socks
🌟Unbox my orders from @hobbii_yarn and @thecraftybird22 with me 🙌🏽🙌🏽⭐️.

The series I was trying to remember is indeed His Dark Materials! Great series, I must add! Love it!
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#knitterlife #crocheting #crochet #ilovecrocheting #knitting #knit #knitstagram #crochetstagram #crochetaddict #knitaddict #crochetersofinstagram #knittersofinstagram #handmadebykunbi #kunbidesigns #yarnspiration #yarn #yarnlover #kunbidesigns #craftposure #bipocmakers #designer #blackgirlcrafts #blackdesigner #makersgonnamake #handmadefashion