Phildar Tendances Knitalong

pieces finished

2006-04-06T02:48:00.000-04:00

now to block and sew. anyone else still working? let me know.

Got Yarn

2006-02-26T16:30:00.000-05:00

FINALLY, I have decided which yarn to use for the sweater. I was struggling with not buying new yarn because I have a promise to myself to USE STASH. So, this left me with Phidar Quietude in black that I had purchased for 414 Tendance Automne O4, Veste Croisee or this Rowan Magpie. I decided to go with the Magpie. Now I just need to knit a swatch and get started.

finally, i've made some progress

2006-02-15T13:24:00.000-05:00

After the 3rd cast on (due to not paying attention watching the Olympics, lame) I was off. All was going well until I was about 15 rows into the armhole shaping and I realized that somehow I had an extra stitch. Rarr. Otherwise I am enjoying this quite a bit, the pattern has yet to get boring.

Progress

2006-02-10T21:29:00.000-05:00

Hello! I've managed to finish both front and back and have seamed the shoulders and sides. I'm hoping to cast on the sleeves tonight but I'm still playing with some math. I'll be away for a week and I don't know if I'll have comupter access so if not, hopefully I'll have a finished sweater by the next time I post!

Updated pictures of my Phildar

2006-02-09T13:14:00.000-05:00

Hello,

I haven't touched my Phildar since the last time I posted an entry. However, shown here are more updated pictures of my Phildar. Hopefully this will help to give some motivation. ^_^

sos, very emergency!

2006-02-08T22:52:00.000-05:00

You know when you mess up and then get frustrated then keep messing up and getting more frustrated, then nothing works? Yea, that's me right now.

I'm trying to swatch, but I don't think I'm doing the pattern right because my holes between the groups of 4 sts don't seem as large as everyone else's. I'm not sure what's throwing me off but I think it's the 3rd row. I'm so confused that I don't even know what to write to explain what I am doing. Just when I thought I had the whole pattern translated and the hard part was over...

I think the lllV in the 3rd row says slip 1st stitch to the right, K 3, pass the slipped stitch over the 3 st. but I keep ending up with extra stitches, so I'm definitely doing something wrong...

Hurray! First Post

2006-02-08T01:11:00.000-05:00

Hello Fellow KAL-ers!
This is my first KAL and my first post but I do have some progress pics to share. I had finished the entire back of the sweater last Saturday but I had to frog it because it was simply too long - I've adjusted the pattern so the sweater doesn't cup my bum now.

These are pics of Back v.2 - I'm nearly ready to begin armhole shaping.
I'm knitting with Rowan Cotton on US 8 (5 mm) in a khaki colour.
Can't wait to see other progress shots!
Happy Knitting!

Worst blog host...ever!

2006-02-05T10:02:00.000-05:00

...tn the immortal words of the comic store guy from The Simpsons.

Guys, I'm so sorry that I've been totally MIA on this blog. You guys seem to be making some progress! I, however have not. I'm still recovering from Christmas knitting (can you believe it?) I'm so far behind with projects for myself...even a pair of socks is taking over a month to complete!

For those of you who recently asked to join, please hear my heartfelt apologies for delaying your invites, they have gone out this morning.

I'm back up and running (on all levels -health, internet, etc), so let's kick this thing off in 2006!

Who's with me?

Found someone who is making good progress with this sweater

2006-01-31T13:41:00.000-05:00

Check out Becky's progress on the sweater. I had invited her to join the KAL. Hopefully she will. Her speedy progress could rub off on us.

Meanwhile, I had not touched my sweater much since my last update. =P

Presenting my cream Phildar sweater

2006-01-24T09:46:00.000-05:00

Hi,

Here are some progress shots of my Phildar:

The back is almost half done. I like how it's looking so far. I used tubular cast on for the 2/2rib. So how are you gals progressing on this sweater?

Edit to add:
Instructions for Tubular Cast On can be found here and for tubular cast off here. You can also find them in Vogue Knitting Reference Book.

Progress Report

2006-01-09T09:41:00.000-05:00

Hi All,

Just wanted to say that I finally broke down and got the Karabella Aurora 8 on sale at Knit Happens. Did a swatch for the sweater last night and I just started the ribbing. Since that is nothing exciting, I did not post any pics. Will post one when I am further along.

So how is everyone coming along? I have completed the translation for the back and front if anyone is interested though I think you gals are further along than I am so I am sure you already completed the translation!

By the way, I saw someone posted a question asking for the name of the sweater. Well, there is no name for this sweater as they are identified by a number. This one is 436-T5-160. Hope that helps.

Karabella Aurora 8 sale

2005-12-06T10:51:00.000-05:00

Hi,

If there is anyone out there who hasn't gotten yarn for their Tendances yet and is considering Aurora 8, Knit Happens is having it on sale at $5.99 per skein! The color will be limited but that's a very good price. Click here to get to the Aurora 8 page directly.

Edit: Oops, just realise a whole bunch of them are already sold out.

Hello!

2005-12-03T00:50:00.000-05:00

Hello! I just joined this KAL... I purchased this tendances a couple months ago because I wanted to make this sweater, but I was not able to find the yarn (quietude), and have been looking for substitutes. I am thinking about the following as substitutes:

- Jaeger Extra Fine Merino Aran Weight
- Jaeger Matchmaker Merino Aran Weight
- RYC Cashsoft Aran (Mole)
- maybe Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran?

It's very hard to find the similar color to the original one... I really like the color of the original sweater.

Now, I am wondering if I should order the original yarn from Holland, or I should use some substitute yarns from one of the above. Any suggestions? Thank you!

More help for the non-French speakers!

2005-11-25T10:53:00.000-05:00

Hi guys!

I just got this email from Sylvie at Chez Plum and thought it would be really great to post here. I'll add the link to the sidebar in the "resources" section as well! Not only is the translation useful, she links to some free patterns! Thanks Sylvie!

Hi,

I just wrote an article (in the new online mag Knitting Fog) entitled "knitting from the french" with a french to english dictionary of knitting words (plus links to free patterns in french - click the pics).. Just thought some of you might be interested.

It's there : http://www.knittingfog.net/stitchery.html

Thanks
sylvie

Yarn and Internet Illiteracy

2005-11-21T22:04:00.000-05:00

My yarn just arrived so I should be swatching as soon as the Thanksgiving holiday lets me, but first I have a question. How do you put the knitalong button on the side of your blog? I just can't figure it out and I'm starting to think it's going to be the hardest part of this knitalong. I tell you it's hard work being internet illiterate.

Progress

2005-11-18T18:39:00.000-05:00

Here's some progress shots so far.

I had to frog back once, since I somehow got off in the pattern. I've altered it just a bit, since I didnt like the *super* tight gauge. I'm using worsted weight on size US 8 needles. I also did 2x2 ribbing on the bottom for 3 inches. I really like this stitch, it's easy to remember and goes fairly quickly! Share your progress shots if you got 'em!

Just got my yarn

2005-11-14T15:09:00.000-05:00

I just received my yarn last Friday. It's Jaeger Matchmaker Merino Aran in shade 662 (cream). The color wasn't what I expected. It looks more yellowish than I would have liked. I am still going to stick to it though. Hopefully it will look better knitted up.

I need to start on my Christmas knits before its too late so I am not sure if I would have the time to start on this anytime soon. I will try to squeeze it in.

Phildar's Phirst (and hopefully last) Phrogging

2005-11-12T11:29:00.000-05:00

So no progress shots for me today. I got about 6 repeats in and realized:

1. I forgot to decrease (oops!)
2. My gague was way off! (AAArgH!)

I could live with forgeting to decrease, since there are only 2 decreases (4 stitches total), so unshapen, Tendances would have been a happy sweater. BUT, since gague was off, and not for the better, the piece was almost 3 cm too small. So I frogged and started over one size larger. Got about an inch into the ribbing, so no point to post pics...

How's everyone else doing?

Quietude or Substitute?

2005-11-08T21:13:00.000-05:00

I'm ordering yarn this week and I'm wondering how people feel about substitution. Anyone going 100% natural fiber?

Pull Manche Courte: First Frogging...

2005-11-07T13:56:00.000-05:00

OK. So, I frogged half of the body of my sweater. It had to have been done. I want to wear this sweater and everything has to be perfect. So, I frogged. I was increasing in the wrong areas and I felt that my tension was a little too loose. So, here I go again... it's in stockinette or as the French say, Jersey, so I think it'll go fast.

Pull Manche Courte

2005-11-07T08:38:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! I've started the Pull Manche Courte. I figured I'd start out with an easy sweater since I'm new to knitting. Reading French patterns has been a little difficult but I've been able to translate my way through the first part. I'm using the suggested yarn: Phildar's Tweedy in Loden. It's lovely to knit with. It's my first time knitting with 3.5mm needles and I must say that I really love them! The pointed end makes it very easy to knit.

Check out the color of Loden, isn't it great?

I've made some progress since this picture. I'll update soon with another picture.

Alternative Phildar Quietude yarn source

2005-11-02T15:52:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone,
I just joined the KAL and haven't decide what yarn to use for this project yet. Anyway, just thought you might be interested to know that Breiweb in Holland is selling Phildar Quietude at EUR$3.3/skein. For 9 skeins + shipping(EUR$15 for less than EUR$55), the total is less than US$60 which is cheaper than Knit'n'Tyme. I have ordered from them before. The only drawback is that shipping might take up to 2 weeks or more.

Swatcheroo...

2005-11-01T00:11:00.000-05:00

Here is my swatch with the Quietude...I am a bit short on both stitches and rows with size 4s...Gauge should be 9 repeats (36 st according to the pattern, but 9 repeats are really 38 st) over 20 cm, and 7 repeats (28 rows) over 10 cm. I didn't want to go up to 5's, since they are currently in use on Colchique (2 Phildar patterns at once - hahaha!). So I wet blocked my swatch, and it's getting a bit fuzzy...maybe it's due to to the acrylic content in the Quietude?

This is the basic 4 row pattern repeat for the piece over a multiple of 4+1 st (**if you get to the last repeat and there are less than 4 st left, k all st).

Row 1: knit all stitches

Row 2: k1, *p4, yo* repeat to last st, k1

Row 3: k1, *yo, drop yo from previous row off needle, sl1, k3, psso the 3 knit stitches* repeat to last st, k1**

Row 4: k1, p to last st, k1

Hope that's enough to get started!

Gettin' Started

2005-10-30T23:43:00.000-05:00

Hmm...alright. Julsey, is the yarn you bought the Quiétude in Kraft? I ordered it in Chocolate and hope it is a yummy chocolat-y color but those swatches on the Knit N Tyme website leave a little to be desired color wise. I'm pretty sure that anything would look good knit up into this sweater though. I started translating it tonight, I sure am glad that chart is there. How's the swatching coming?

Join the Knitalong!

2005-10-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

It's time, fellow knitters, for us to get together to translate and knit this wonderful pattern from the Automne 05/06 Phildar Tendances pattern mag!
It's pattern number 20, found on page 24. If you already have the pattern, all you need to do is post a comment, please include your email address, and I'll add you to the KAL! If you need to order the pattern, it is available at Knit-n-Tyme, in French only. I don't speak a word of French, but I think I can understand the pattern...I look to you all for your insights and French knowledge!

To get you going, the pattern calls for 9-13 balls of Phildar Quietude yarn (50% merino, 50% acrylic) or a substitute with gague of 19 sts-27 rows=4" using 6-8 needles, (882-1274 yards total).

The pattern uses size 3 and 4 needles, and a size E4 crochet hook (yes there is a bit of crocheting for the neckline and flower).

Let's get it started!