Love Portuguese Style Knitting!

My knitting is coming along. I work on Elizabeth here and there and am looking at finishing my unfinished projects as well!

Some time ago, I blogged about frogging my grandson's raglan sweater as I felt it would be too small. Well, I decided to go ahead and finish it. I pulled it out Sunday and finished the body on Monday. It's been a great way to continue practicing Portuguese style knitting.

Knitting in this style, my yarn tension is much better and I can get into a very smooth rhythm. It is also easier on my hands and wrists.

Today is also my grandson's 3rd birthday! Amazing! I wish time would slow down just a bit!

I'll post pictures of the sweater soon.

Slowing Down

I did not knit at all this weekend. I bought paint in February to paint my living room and kitchen. Saturday I decided to prime the wall in the living room and today I will put the new color on the wall. The grandson is at school today so I have a short window to get things done. The kitchen is slated for fresh paint in a couple of weeks.

I will not abandon my knitting like I usually do. I just need to get other things done!

Hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day!

Portuguese Style Knitting

I received Andrea Wong's Learn How to Knit Portuguese Style DVD in the mail today. I also bought two of her knitting pins.

I spent a couple of hours this afternoon practicing the knit and purl stitch. It is very easy to pick up; the knit stitch is a little tricky and the purl stitch is super easy. Using the knitting pin really helps keep even tension.

I read about this style of knitting on Ravelry quite a while ago. I watched a video demonstrating this technique on You Tube and practiced a bit but quickly gave up on it since I don't care to have the yarn around the back of my neck. Andrea's DVD is easy to understand and to follow.

The DVD covers the knit and purl stitch, increasing and decreasing, three different cast-on and three different bind-off methods. (There may be a little more, but this is what I can remember after watching it once). She has a DVD covering knitting socks and will be publishing a book on this style of knitting. I'm going to keep practicing this style before buying the other offerings.

My progress on Elizabeth has slowed a bit. I have completed 2 inches of the body and have 18 inches to go. Endless knitting in garter stitch isn't too interesting but it is looking nice.

Different Needle = Much Better

I am so glad I decided to go down to a size 8 needle. Since I'm knitting Continental style, the knitting is loose and the rowing is a lot less and not as noticeable. I'm pleased...

I returned home from my trip and have only worked on the shawl a couple of times. Need to pick up the pace!

I ordered Andrea Wong's DVD and a couple of yarn pins. I'm excited to learn to knit Portuguese style!

When will it feel like Spring around here? Sheesh, it was warmer in January!!

I decided....

to go ahead and buy an inexpensive circular needle in size 8 and continue working on Elizabeth.

I have a favorite yarn store, that is hard to stay out of, when I visit with my son. I picked up all those stitches and started knitting continental. I knit loose when I knit continental and felt a size 8 would be a good choice. No rowing or at least it's minimal.

The yarn store was having a big sale; I browsed and walked away with only the needles. I was pretty proud of myself as I saw some lovely yarns (not on sale) and did not bite. Hard to do but I have vowed to work through a lot of my stash before buying too much new yarn. My purchase of the Comfort yarn has been all I have bought in a long time.

Also, I have worked on my socks a little, too. Today I thought I would try a short row heel. I have some experience with heel flaps and gussets and since these socks are toe up and I was not happy with the Eye of Partridge heel, I ripped back to do a short row heel. Well, it was not turning out quite right, so ripped it out again. I'll try again tomorrow. :)

Decision Time

I picked up all 264 stitches for the garter stitch body on Elizabeth. The pattern calls for size 10-1/2 circs. I have knit a few rows and not sure I like the garter stitch rows. Using a larger needle than the yarn calls for and getting this rowing effect just doesn't look right.


I went to Berroco to see if there was any corrections for this pattern. The only correction was in the amount of yarn needed for the project. The pattern originally stated 10 hanks of Ultra Alpaca, which I bought, and the correction is 4 hanks. Whoa! Big difference!

So far, I have used about 1-3/4 hanks so I can make a big decision here (I don't want a lot of yarn left over). Rip out and use 2 strands of yarn with the size needle I'm using now or use one strand and use a smaller needle? Using two strands of yarn might make the body too bulky. Going down to a size 8 or 9 might be a better option. I'm sure I will still have 4 hanks left over that I could use for something else.

I have put in way too much work on the neckband and certainly want to be satisfied with the end result. Since I'm away from home at the moment and don't have access to my needles, I will have to let her sit until I get home.

Good thing I brought some sock yarn with me. ;)

Elizabeth Update!

I finished the neckband!!! Picking up 264 stitches and on to the garter stitch body.

I have really enjoyed knitting this. I do have to admit, the last 46 rows was starting to get a little monotonous. Feels good to progress.

I am enjoying my little vacation. Getting a lot of knitting time in; I may need to put it down tomorrow and give myself a little break!

My son doesn't understand how I can sit and knit as much I have the past couple of days. Of course, he's a non-knitter. ;)

Be well!