Which way to slip?

Hi all! I noticed this question from Robin in one of the earlier comments:

When you slip a stitch with the yarn held to the front or back, do you slip knit-wise or purl-wise? I've tried both and rather than figuring it out, now I am more confused. Please help!

Here I am ashamed to admit that, although I've done this step approximately fifty kafillion times by now, I had to actually stop and think about it. ;) So, I got out my books and double-checked, then got out my own Ivy and double-checked again...

When I do this step, I always slip purlwise, simply shifting the stitch from one needle to the next without changing the way it faces. (This is the way the stitch is instructed in Vogue Knitting, 1989 ed p 126.) If you have been slipping it knitwise, then you'll probably see a slight twist in the way that single cabled stitch lies across the others, but I honestly don't think it will drastically change the integrity of the piece overall.


This is an almost-current picture of my second Ivy, in Elann's Highland Silk. (A little rumpled and blurry, but no less loved.) I'm halfway done the first sleeve and am already experiencing a bit of Second Sleeve Syndrome - not a good sign, right? But I love the way the yarn feels and so I will persevere.

This yarn is providing a more 'plump' knitted fabric, and much stronger stitch definition with the cabling. As a result I think some drape quality will be sacrificed, but it will certainly be warm and cozy and I look forward to wearing it. (I also am very impatient to finish it and get on with the other 4 sweaters I want to knit, oh, before Christmas...but don't tell Ivy ;) )

The Travelin' Ivy Show

I was in L.A. this past week and did quite a bit of knitting on my Ivy. I am now to the decrease part for the armholes. I am liking this yarn (Trendsetters Linie 135) better and better all the time. It is very soft and has a fantastic drape to it. The rayon/viscose adds just enough shimmer to make it a bit dressier than I had originally planned.

The bad news is that I found a handbag that perfectly matches the sweater.

Take Two

I swatched the Lavold Silky Wool (color 25 which isn't quite as dark as this picture would lead you to believe) last night. It was spot on the first try with US4.

I cast on for the S size and got through the first 3 repeats before calling it a night. This is where I am now. I didn't get much knitting time today, had lots of things to do at home, but have done the first decrease.

I love it! This yarn drapes amazingly. It has the crunch of silk, but the sproing of wool. I couldn't recommend it more. And I don't think there'a trade-off between drape and seeing the details in the cable. The price is probably comparable, especially if you can find it on sale. I bought it for $4.19 a skein at Webs and where I needed 12 skeins of the Quechua, yardage wise only 8 of this. Anyone wanna good deal on 12 skeins of Quechua in Exotic Red? :)

Scratch One

I did get my Quechua in the Exotic Red and swatched it Sunday night after the kids went to bed. I got gauge on first try with US4 needles. I'm making the 36" size (S?)

Like Tarilyn I find the yarn rather splitty and honestly, a bit itchy. I have to admit, I'm really not loving the yarn. So last night at my SnB, I made the decision to scrap it and start again with my first choice the Lavold Silky Wool. Always go with the first impression right? It has some amazing drape to it and hopefully I won't have gauge issues. I shouldn't as I think it is a close match grist-wise. I did toy with a number of Rowan choices, but in a spirit of fiscal responsibility decided to use stash yarn.

I'll be swatching with the Lavold tonight.

Ivy is in progress

Hi everyone! I received my yarn from Elann in less than a week and Ivy is officially in progress. I am knitting the size XS (32) in "Smoldering Ember" and have completed the twisted rib section and just finished my 3rd increase row. So far I have made one adjustment to the pattern by adding a set up row - row 6 of the pattern - because I didn't like the way the cast on edge looked on the right side (I used long tail method).

The ribbing section is considerably smaller than the stockinette stitch portion and is shown here blocked to about 16.25" - slightly larger than the finished size called for in the pattern. Although my bust measurement is 34", I am knitting the smaller size because of the proportion of ribbing to the rest of the body and because every wrap sweater I have ever bought stretched out in the bust after wearing. I'm crossing my fingers that this will work out as planned. My other option is to work the ribbing for the size 36 and the rest of the body for the 32.

The yarn is very soft and fuzzy but is splitty and has no give (bounce, stretch whatever you want to call it) even thought it is plied. This is my first experience knitting with alpaca or Tencel, so I'm not sure if this is because of the fiber or the ply. The result is a little stringy - the cables don't !pop! they way I would prefer. It is suitable for this project, the last thing I need is more stash, but I don't think I would use it again.

I've got yarn

Well I was expecting yarn in the mail today (bad habit) but I was not expecting my order from elann already. I ordered late Friday night and it's already here! It's not even showing up on my bank account yet - that's how fast they were. Maybe it's because I had yarn sitting in my cart for a few days while making the final color decision, so they had it all at the ready. I have these silly mental pictures going through my mind. This girl needs yarn STAT! We have not had an order from her all summer! No wonder we still have some denim yarn left. Hurry up guys she's off the wagon. I ordered Quechua in red (and just one tiny skein of the hemp to try out) and I love it. It's a very nice red with a good touch and smell.

I'm not starting Ivy yet. I too have a few things to clear up, then she'll get the big go ahead with a clear conscience.

I so look forward to seeing how we all do. I love the fact that people can knit the same thing, some can even use the same yarn (and yarn color) yet they all turn out unique. We each put our own personal stamp on it or something.

hello out there!

Hi all! I just joined and am so glad that there is a kal for ivy. I, too, fell in love with it @ first sight, and just like Susie, I had been looking for a nice wrap sweater pattern also. I don't know when I'm going to officially start my Ivy though. I have to figure out what kind of yarn I want to use (thank you glenna for posting on your blog a list of yarn substitutions! That is going to come in handy. I don't have enough of anything in my stash but I also can't purchase anything just yet. So I'm on hold but hopefully I won't be on hold for long! :) Happy knitting everyone.

Ivy is growing on me!

I swatched for my Ivy with Trendsetters Linie 135 and 3.50mm needles and got the correct gauge the first time! Here is a close-up of my progress so far. I really like this pattern (and yarn!).

Greetings from another IvyKAL-er

Hello, all - just a shout-out from Susie here in England. As soon as I saw Ivy, I fell in love. I have been looking for just the right wrap sweater pattern, and this one is gorgeous. I am planning to knit Ivy from some great pale purple Highland Silk in my stash (there's a picture on my blog). I have to finish up some socks, make a start on wristwarmers that are urgently needed for my mom's recently healed broken wrists, and then - it's Ivy time!

Hello everyone! *waves*

It is so amazing that there is an Ivy Knitalong! Wow! I hope everyone has success with the pattern and if you need pom-poms just let me know . (Errr...pom-poms for cheering, that is. I don't know why you'd want to put pom-poms ON ivy, but I suppose you could if the urge strikes.)

I'm working on a 2nd Ivy myself right now, this one out of Elann's Highland Silk, in the Dusky Lavender colour. (I wanted the Dark Raspberry but when I was about to get it someone ordered the last of the Raspberry right out from under me, dagnabit.) This yarn is a smidge plumper than the Quechua, so it will not drape quite as much, but it feels wonderful and I think it will be very comfortable. The other major difference here is that with the mostly-wool silk blend, the stitches in the ribbing and neckline pattern will be a bit crisper.

I've heard people asking around about cooler-weather yarn substitutes, and the first thing I can think of is Shine Sport from Knitpicks, or else Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece which is DK weight, or Rowan Calmer which is also DK - but I must also admit that I don't have first hand experience with these yarns so perhaps someone who has might be able to verify for me whether or not either of them would work. The Shine Sport appeals to me because it is a blend, and so it would maintain some stitch definition along with being machine-washable.

Happy Knitting!

KAL grows fast!

Welcome to all those that joined. I'm very happy to have company knitting this beautiful sweater and am very proud to announce that the designer, Glenna, has joined us!

Here are a couple of buttons that you can use to link. Please just copy them to your own servers.
If anyone else wants to play with graphics and submit something, go for it.

I'm close to finishing Clapotis and I need to finish up another item or two, but I'll be swatching for Ivy this weekend. The strongest contender yarnwise is the the Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in color 11, a milk chocolate brown color. But that yarn at Elann is calling too! No, I failed at the summer of stash, I'll make this one from stash.

Looking forward to working on this with all of you.

Craft on!

Edited to add: Well that resolve to use stasy yarn didn't last very long. I just placed an order with Elann for that yummy looking Peruvian Quechua in the Exotic Red. I'm weak, what can I tell you? :) The Silky Wool can go back to being earmarked for a Lavold Viking sweater!

Woo hoo! Since I petered out on my last KAL, I need to redeem myself with a success. No time pressure? I am all over that!

Now, I must go yarn shopping...

Welcome to the KAL for the Ivy pattern from the new knitty. If you would like to join in, please send an email to crazyfiberlady AT gmail DOT com and I'll be happy to invite you.

This should be an informal KAL, with no set schedule, with the hope that no one feels pressured to knit at pace or drop out. I'm notorious myself for not completing KALs. Fingers crossed.

While sorely tempted to buy more yarn for this project, I'm going to be good and use stash yarn. I have either Rowanspun DK or Lavold Silky Wool, either of which would work. Presently I'm leaning towards the Silky Wool in a chocolate-y brown color.