Da Capo al fine

Actually, Da Capo is one-third fine. I bought the kit in Norway, where Hanne Falkenberg kits and knitting yarn generally are the only items for sale that are less expensive than in the States! The shop in Bergen where I bought the kit has made-up samples of almost all of the various designs so I got to try them on to see what would be flattering and appropriate.
BTW, does anyone else find it curious that a pattern that starts at the bottom is named Da Capo?

Ellen

Ballerina ...begins

Hi, I'm almost done with the first front of my Ballerina and have a question about guage...my swatches on 3.25 and 3.00 mm needles yielded 26.5 and 27 sts over 10cms. I decided to use the 3.25 needles and knit the M/L size (the larger of the 2 in HF's instructions). My guage is now 25.5 sts so I must have loosened up since doing the swatches....I now wear a size 16 jacket, but hope to get back to a size 14 soon.... Question for anyone who's completed this sweater...did you knit to guage? and how was the final fit compared to HF's schematic? I'll continue on the 3.25 needles and hope the jacket fits in the end...Thx!

New knitalong member

Hello, I am a very new knitalong participant, and a new knitter (actually I'm on my second try at knitting so I have knitted in the past but not for some years after having a stroke so it's like being a first time knitter again!) So why begin with a Hanne Falkenberg project since they are not the easiest of designs..... well I need to be interested enough to keep going and I love her style. I have so far begun Stella, a beret style hat, which itself looks complicated enough and my plan is to make that then progress to the Mermaid and Pygmalian jackets. I have been following all the posts about the Mermaid Has anyone made the Pygmalian jacket, is it knitted Domino style ? Your mermaid jackets all look wonderful, I love seeing the different colours and how the knitters look modelling them. I've begun a blog http://dropped-stitches.blogspot.com/ to record my venture into knitting and hope to post pictures of my work as it develops.

My Mermaid is finished

I am really happy with it and have enjoyed the knitting very much. Especially because of Amy's spreadsheet, thank you very much for sharing, Amy.

I made size M, the sleeves made without the last 10 stitches and it fits well.
I started with a provisionel cast on
and knitted the I-cord on afterwards.

I have rather a lot of yarn left: A 74 g, B 20 g and C 38 g. At the yarn shop
where I bought the kit, they said that yarn from Pulsen Design Tweed 300 could be used together with the yarn from Falkenberg. So perhaps I could knit something special. Maybe one of you have an idea what to do with what's left??

Almost done...

Now comes the hardest part, to put the finishing touches on the garment. I'm going to put a couple of buttons and maybe the same crochet edging at the bottom. I'm not sure yet, but the fun part is done.

The yarn I used is finger weight Egyptian Cotton by Blue Heron, hand dyed super soft and it feels great! This project took me 2 weeks, no sleeves and only one color so it went fast. Let me know what you think.



Next project will be a "cotton" Ballerina, same yarn in a different hue.

Posting for a member who can't join yet...

Here's a question that Natalie e-mailed me. She'll be joining after Becky gets back from her vacation and approves her. We've had some past discussions about the sizing, but perhaps people who have since finished have some inputs?

---------

I hope large is what I should be making. I'm short, but usually wear large sizes because of my bust and middle. I'm not sure of the bust size stated on the directions. Does this pattern already have built in ease? Meaning it will fit that bust size with enough room to spare for a person that size, or is that the actual finished bust measurement of the actual sweater?

Attention New Members

I will be out of the country from July 18-August 5. Feel free to send your emails requesting to join the knitalong, but I will not be able to send out your blogger invite allowing you to post until I get back. If you haven't heard from me by August 7 or so, send me another email since I know my inbox will be flooded and your message might get lost in junk mail.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

-Becky

Mermaid Spreadsheet Update v0.91

I just wanted to let everyone know what the latest version of the Mermaid spreadsheet was. I updated it last month and sent it out to my list of recipients (I've sent it to 122 people so far!). If you're new to the knitalong or to Mermaid, I've written a row-by-row spreadsheet for the medium size. If you want a copy, e-mail me and I'll respond with a challenge question to verify that you own the pattern. The spreadsheet is available in Excel and PDF formats, please specify which you prefer. I usually respond rather quickly, but have had some delays recently.

Myself, I'm just about finished with the body (after finishing once and noticing a change in gauge and having to rip it back). It's resting right now while I work on some socks and contemplate doing a summer top or two. But someday I'll work those sleeve instructions and test them out too!

Finished!

Custom Frances colorway:



Back with just a little Coral:



One-day sleeve:


I can't say I enjoyed wearing this for pictures today. It's hot! Definitely not the time for a wool jacket.
Finishing this was hard, once I realized I messed up the colors, I really lost steam. Now that it's done, though, I'm thrilled. I even mostly enjoyed making this. I knitted the second sleeve in just over one day. I wanted it done!

Things I learned in this project:
1. I-cord should be knitted with size 7 or 8 needles.
2. Begin knitting the body several ridges into the stripes, and when the body is finished and sewed up, knit the remaining 6 stripes and main color on as the collar to avoid a seam at the back of the neck.
3. No matter how badly you mess this up, you can recover.
4. Skip the slip stitches at the top of the garment (i.e. sleeve caps, collar). I ran this thing through my sewing machine, and was better able to match the ridges along the shoulder than when I tried hand sewing it. Because the slipped stitches were there, I had to have a larger seam allowance. This means I knitted two or three stitches per row for nothing. Ditto for the sleeves. Machine sewing with tiny seam allowances would have been fine with me.
5. I took the advice of others and shortened the sleeves by knitting-on 10 fewer stitches than the directions called for for the small. I'm happy with the length. Just be sure to make note of that on your pattern so that when you do short rows on the second half of the sleeve, you start at the right stitch.

Progress Report on another version of Mermaid

This is a wonderful knit, I just love the yarn, 100% cotton fingering weight. Actually sock yarn.

I'm looking forward to finishing this one I really like the electric blue.

One-Armed Hanne

One sleeve done. I really hate knitting sleeves. I will admit that in the past with most garments I've knitted the sleeves first so as to avoid this dreaded part. Once I sat down to do this, it actually went pretty quickly. I'd put off beginning a sleeve and knitted 1.7 blankets while the Mermaid languished. You can see in the right of the picture the remaining Rowan Denim that's part of the log cabin blanket I've almost finished. It's been nice to go back and forth between size 2 needles and size 8s!

Finished a Modified Mermaid

No sleeves, some modifications, made of 100% cotton, delightfully soft and comfy. It turned out well.

Progress post and thanks

Hi, all! I've been following this knitalong for quite a while, and I appreciate everyone posting about the problems they've had. I used a provisional cast-on to avoid being surprised by the "my i-cord is too short" problem later on in the process (especially in blocking!). The directions aren't unclear, but aren't well-written, so I'm avoiding anything irrevocable like cutting yarn until I finish. I found it interesting how the small size is proportionally more shapely than the medium size. As I read the directions, I've noticed that in most places, the small size has as much shaping as the medium, though it's not as large.

Anyway, this isn't a quick knit, but it's a lot easier than I expected, so it's been very relaxing.

Great News

Look - My Ballerina is blocking and she's almost done.



I am so glad that I did it this way. Now that I have blocked her I can see that I only need a neat little edging on the cuff of about 5 ridges. If I had followed the pattern to the letter and done 13 ridges - it would have been waaaaaay too long. So thank you ladies for your input. I can't wait to get this baby finished and handed over to my Mum - I hope she really likes it, this has been a cathartic knit for me. I started it when I moved to Oman - knitted it whilst I was pregnant - knitted it after I lost my twins at 15 weeks and it has really seen me through my emotional and physical recovery. I means a lot to me and so I hope it means a lot to my Mum and it is something she will wear and think of me.

I'll try to post a picture of my Mum wearing it if I can get her to pose in it for long enough !

Thanks again ladies - you have all been of great help to me.

Started my Mermaid

I got my kit a couple of weeks ago but had to finish another project. A "Twisted Sister" pattern that looks very suspiciously similar Hanne's DACAPO Actually not really similar but it looks exactly like but what do I know.Either way I love the pattern and have knitted it a couple of times, this one is rayon/cotton/wool mix light weight for the cool summer evenings.

At last I can start my Mermaid, I got it from CucumberPatch and the colors are #2 Spring Green/Disty Green/Green Lovat



First off the colors look totally different in person than on my computer or for that matter the color photograph they sent me in the kit. I happen to like green and I'm not that fussy about shades of green so I'm pleased. The second problem I had was trying to figure out which ball was which green, they are very close. I may be a little slow but just a little tiny label telling me which ball is called Dusty Green vs. Green Lovat or Spring Green would have helped. But I guess I managed to figure it out.

Then the iCord! Shish! First I thought I would knit it on my machine which is the easiest way, nope the gauge was just not right, then I tried my hand held gadget "Embellish Knit" which is great but the gauge was just not right on this one either. Then I bit the bullet and knitted it by hand, the pattern tells me to use a half size larger needle, so I did size 3 1/2 but the gauge was just not right on that one either so far this is the third iCord and picking up 181 sts.

I did a gauge each time on a few rows but that just did not give me the true gauge it looked right 20 or so rows but when I did the 181 sts it puckered. Fourth try was the charmer, I used size 5 dp needles and hand knitted all 181 or so rows of iCord and picked up the 181 sts! At last the right gauge no puckering looks nice and straight.

Then I had to make peace with the "wrong side" front. I guess she had to decide where to make the wrong side up by the neck or down at the bottom. I am now at peace with this it took a bit of getting used to but you really can't tell.

So far so good, the pattern seems a bit easier than the first Hanne Falkenberg project the Ballerina I knit a few months ago. The instructions seem to be a little better or maybe I have experience with her style of pattern writing. I will post the progress.

I can tell I will love this sweater......

So I'm knitting along and the piece is getting bigger and bigger, resting in my lap...you guessed it ... it's HOT....wool ...it's the first day of summer and it is warm. I can't knit a wool sweater in this heat! So I decided to make a cottom version, no stripes just the shape..I call it "the Parrot" because of the colors.

All cotton in this lovely rusty multi color. The gauge is about the same as the Hanne wool but it's cotton and light weight. This is a great knit! I love knitting it especially skipping the stripes. I think I'm only going to make a vest, no sleeves, I'll post pictures as I progress....

Hanne Hindenburg?

Well after a two week delay, I've finished the body. The delay came when I ran out of red yarn because I've been knitting with the wrong colors. Jennie was kind enough to point that out to me. However, I very much like the color combination I accidently invented. I'm more a red than a pink person. So, I had to figure out how to get more yarn. I know that this is Shetland yarn, and I know from Ana that HF does not sell extra yarn, so I went to Schoolhouse Press which sells Shetland in the same weight. I ordered two each of several reds, and one was pretty dang close.
I also decided that I don't care for the knitted-into i-cord on one side, so I cut out the beginning, and did an i-cord bind off all around the collar after I sewed it together. I sewed this thing up by hand, and I didn't care for it, so I ran it through my sewing machine, and I'm happy. The ridges match up well. If I were to do this again (which I will for what this pattern cost me!) I would knit the body beginning in the first few color ridges, sew it up, and then knit the entire collar on to avoid the seam on the neck. All in all, save the two weeks I stopped breathing, I've enjoyed this project.

Hanne Falkenberg Knitalong

Hanne Falkenberg Knitalong
well, i have finely got up the nerve to start my mermaid. after finishing a few other things i had on the needles, its time to take the plundge.thank you amy for the spread sheet its what i needed to really get me going. wish me luck
happy knitting
Trude

Amy's spreadsheet....

Amy your spreadsheet for the Mermaid is Brilliant! Thank you for sharing it with us. I only wish I had one for the Ballerina when I was knitting it. The version I wrote out is nowhere near what you did for the Mermaid. I think all patterns should be done in a spreadsheet it makes following directions so easy.

Thanks again.

Blocking my Ballerina

I thought I'd ask a little bit of adivce from you ladies. I have nearly finished my Ballerina now and am getting ready to block her. I was wondering - do you think I should block her first and then do the cuffs or should I do the cuffs first and then block her - I'm a little worried that if I knit the cuffs first and then block her the sleeves will end up too long as I won't know how much she will grow and therefore what the finished sleeve length should be before blocking - am I making sense ?! I don't want the sleeves to be way too long, so should I block her and then add the cuffs and hope they don't grow too much after knitting ? What do you think.

Becky

Hanne Falkenberg Knitalong

Hanne Falkenberg Knitalong
Woo!!! woo!!! I am finished with the Mermaid. Too late to wear it in CT this season but it gives me something to look forward to this fall! thanks to amy's spread sheet I has few problems completing the project and it seemed to go fasted than I expected. I will post a picture when my son returns from China with the digital camera. I have to say this is the first sweater my family has loved and oohed over. A friend wants me to make he one but I have Pagode in my next to knit list. Has anyone on this list made Pagode yet? I am in he middle of a Twisted Sister's pattern in cotton (mitered stripes) and the cotton is killing my hands. I hope to get it finished soon so I can begin the Pagode.

Half a Mermaid sleeve

Thanks for all your help with the sleeves. I decided to start with 92 stitches (size M) instead of 102.

Now I am halfway through the first sleeve and I think it's going to work fine.

By the way, I started with a provisional cast on, good description at Knitty, then I easily can knit it together.

Ballerina Pattern Question

Hi there - I wonder if anyone can help me - I am currently knitting Ballerina and I am on the last front triangle - however I have a slight problem in that I have a water stain in a vital bit of the pattern. So the pattern goes:

Right Front Triangle in Col A: Dec 1 st every 6th ridge 10 times. Cont edge sts
Ridge 1: K5, TURN, yo, k to end of row.
Ridge 2: k to previous yo, k yo tog with the follosing st, K1, TURN, yo, work to end of row.
Rep ridge 2 until last ridge from RS ends. K yo tog with the foll row, ????? end of row. Knit 1 last row from WS.

Can anyone fill in the ???? for me ? I'm so close to finishing this puppy - I'd love to get it done as soon as I can. I guess I could make it up, but I'd really like to get it right.

If anyone could help me I'd be very grateful indeed. Many thanks in advance.

Becky x

For Bronwyn

Here is the gauge. I think I'm about right with that. Also included in the picture is ALL of the red yarn I have left. I am really nervous about running out given that I've got three more gussets and trim to go. I finished the first ball before the half way point. I figure if I run out, Hanne owes me some Tomato colored wool. I don't have my tape measure at my house, so I'm not sure of the length. I would enjoy this project more if I were not nervous about the yarn supply.
Alright, lets see your progress!

Mermaid Progress

I am loving this project! I wish I could work on it every day, I think I'd have it done in a week if I had a week to work. I thought I'd get bored with the endless garter stitch, but I've just enjoyed working through the pattern and watching the texture appear on my needles.

What about the sleeves?

I have finished the body of the Mermaid. My arms are rather short so if anyone could offer advice how to make the sleeves shorter before I start knitting I will be grateful.

Ordered the Mermaid

I don't know what I was thinking but all of you inspired me to start another HF project. The Mermaid in the Spring Green/Dusty Green combination. I'm anxiously waiting for the ups man.

Now that I found this "knitalong" I'm a little braver so if I have questions or problems I know where to go for help. When I first started my first Ballerina I was so confused and asked anybody who would listen, but finally I figured it all out.

Mermaid Question

I am coming along on the Mermaid in reds. I must admit I am nervous about running out of red. I got two balls of red and two balls of orange, and the rest is coral, but I swear there is not enough red, and I'm knitting the small. Did I receive the correct configuration of yarn?
I'm so glad this blog is here!

after seeing the wonderful results on this blog,i fell in love with the mermaid pattern.after saving many pennies, i have ordered my own mermaid kit(#7) from cucumberpatch.has anyone else used them?
happy knitting

A month ago...

...I started my first HF project the Mermaid jacket. So far it's really a pleasure.

I think this is the first project of this size I have knitted evening after evening without getting tired and wanting to start another project at the same time.

Much of the credit I give to Amy's spreadsheet. I can recommend all new starters to use it. It really makes everything a lot simpler. Thank you very much for sharing, Amy.

Starting the Mermaid

Well, I did at first think the yarn is itchy, but as I've worked with it for a few hours now, it seems to be softening as I knit. Or, I'm just getting used to it. Either way, I am really enjoying watching it come together. I LOVE texture, and this is not disappointing. Even as I knitted through the initial rows of Coral, the heathered yarn makes the fabric really lovely, and it wasn't even that boring to knit. I was worried. This is going to be one of those projects that I will be in a hurry to finish, and this can be a problem as I will cut corners where ever I can. I don't want to do that here. I just have to remind myself how much money I spent for this kit. That should keep me in line!

Mermaid SOS!!!

KnitDoc-KNIT!

I've been lurking reading and looking at all the beautiful Hanne's out there. I'm nearly done with the body of my Mermaid - I think it's number 10 - it's black and grey with the cyclamen gussets. Everyone I show it to is pretty impressed. The problem is I must have shown it one too many times and LOST my pattern!!! I've called everyone I know to see if I dropped it in their car, at their house, etc...

Anyway, I obviously am in need of some help here before I just wind up breaking down and buying a second kit for the last page of the instructions.

I can post a picture - probably in a week or more - I'm going out of town tomorrow - if you need proof that I really bought this thing. Could someone pretty please find it in their heart to send me just the first part with the collar shaping as well as the I-cord attachment and the entire sleeve instructions as the end? I've been working on this thing since January - actually started the day my mother died in frigid Wisconsin as therapy.

As we all know knitting is the best therapy and I couldn't continue the project I'd been doing at the time which was actually the felted clogs that I was making for her upcoming birthday. Yeah - as I packed to rush to the hospital I found the first clog and knew she'd never wear them. So, I threw the Mermaid in the suitcase since I'd no idea how long I'd be there.

OK, OK, this is getting too maudlin. I just hope someone out there will take pity on me and send me a partial copy which I promise to not share or sell to anyone, anywhere.

You can e-mail me at asecord@prodigy.net

Mermaid Beginnings

بسم الله الرحمن الريم
I realized upon reading the directions that the needles are not US 3, but 3mm, or US 2. Glad I read. I usually just start knitting, and make a pattern of my errors, but I figured this cost me too much money to do that. I've been knitting with a bit of alpaca lately, and I must say I'm spoiled by the softness of that fiber. This is much more coarse, but I really like the bit of heathering in the yarn. If only I had more time...

The Mermaid Has Landed

I received my Mermaid (orange and reds) in the mail on Friday, and I only wish I had time and 3 mm needles with me. The yarn is itchy, is it true that it softens after washing? I love the pattern, and in truth, this is why I purchased it. It's flattering and simple, and I expect I will wear it forever.
I will post pictures once I jump in and begin knitting.

Slacker...

That's me! I'm making little cotton tanks & cardis - it's too warm to start my Mermaid (ok, maybe there's a little fear there too!) - it'll have to wait til fall. But I love seeing everyone else's projects - they're all turning out so perfectly, it gives me courage!

First Ballerina Finished ....

After a bumpy start I finally finished my first Hanne Falkenberg kit the Ballerina. I made a few modifications but relatively minor. The bottom stitching which is like a mock ribbing sort of just did not look right and it looked a bit unfinished so I added an inch of solid black border. Then the sleeves were way too short so I added some striping there. I also did not like the solid "sage color" band around the neck so I striped that. But other than those few modifications I followed the pattern and it turned out pretty well.

I also knitted a potato chip scarf to go with the sweater with black and sage one row edge. This is not attached to the sweater it is optional. I wear it if it's cold and my neck seems too cold with no collar.

I didn't think the little bit of black yarn I had left over was enough so I sent an eMail to Hanne (from the contact link on her site) I tried to get an extra ball of black yarn, and got firm NEGATIVE. (I think I upset her to even dare to ask.) She was probably upset about the modifications.

She does not sell yarn!
Only the Kit!
So if I want an extra ball of yarn I have to buy a new kit!

A bit too pricey to buy a whole kit just for one ball of black, but as it turned out the knitting angels were with me and I had enough yarn.



When I first started this project I had a very difficult time reading the instructions. I felt that at least they could have done is put more spaces and use a larger font after all this was not a cheap kit. How much would another piece of paper cost them? When I first looked at the instructions I got scared. The photo copy of the pages was very difficult for me to read, the font they use is very small and there is no break visually it really looks like "buckle your seatbelt it's going to be a bumpy ride" (I always loved that line from that old movie) kind of pattern.

I had to copy each section and bump up the size of the font. But maybe it's just my age, I wear reading glasses. Then I had difficulty in the short rows because I have never done short rows before. The front was frogged twice but when I finally got that there were two differrent short rows goig on I figured it all out. Actually I have only been following written patterns for about 2 years. I've knit all my life but never learned how to read a patterns. It always looked too confusing, I knit from a visual then added my own spin, sort of like how I cook. I read the recipe and then cook my version.

I love the small needles and the garter stitch and the design is very nice. I've had lots of compliments when I wear it. I'm knitting this pattern again but I've made some modifications. I don't like the way the sweater is back heavy, as I wear it, it's a constant struggle to pull it back up, it likes to slip backwards sort of like a Japanese kimono. Probably the design is meant to do that but for me it's annoying. Also the front seems too short which adds to the weight in the back. I should have looked at the pattern more closely, it looked great on the model but she is a third my age.

The new one I'm knitting I've made the front longer and took out panels from the back. It still has the same "swing" look but it stays put and covers my stomach area. I'm progressing nicely I'll post the second Ballerina progress.

Lastrada coming together...

When I first saw Lastrada I loved it, all the more so because it was available in large sizes. I couldn't wait until the kit arrived from Kangaroo in England, and when I opened it up, my first reaction was disappointment. The colors of the yarn didn't look at all like the colors on the screen. They were much more muted and earthy than the colors on my monitor - or, for that matter, the colors on the photo that came with the kit. What I thought would be blue (maybe because it was called "blueberry" ) was actually gray, and what I thought would be a light camel-ish is a very dark brownish yellow. But the colors seem to work together, so I plunged ahead.

My second moment of horror came when the instructions started with "Cast on 501 stitches." 501??? It wasn't a misprint - the sweater is made in two pieces, with the front, sleeve, and half the back on each part. You cast on the stitches across the bottom (front and half the back) plus the stitches that form the vertical front edge. The design is brilliant... but at no time could I visualize how this was going to fit together! Only after I got to the first sleeve and was struggling to figure out the directions was I able to try it on and see that it was going to work.

Now I am a little nervous that the whole sweater will be too big. Do you think that washing it in hot water could make it shrink a little but not too much? Say about 2" (length and width)? I would try it with a test swatch, but at this point I don't know what color yarn I might have left over and don't want to risk running out of anything. On the other hand, the idea of frogging something so big is pretty horrible to contemplate. Any advice would be appreciated.

Mermaid arrived!!

I just received mermaid #5 today in the mail from Cucumberpatch UK!! It came so fast, I am not ready to start!! It looks lovely and the yarn is softer than I thought it would be. It was so light, I was sure it was the wrong box...
I now have to sit and read all the modifications and tips. Hooray!

Mermaid Adaptation

I'm back to the halfway point on my Mermaid after frogging. This time, I tried something different with the color changes and it's working out great. I'm carrying the unused colors along, catching them behind the sl2wyif/wyibs. I make sure to stretch out the hem before using a carried color and it's keeping a nice drape to the fabric. And I'll only have 3 ends to fuss with later.

This is what the back looks like...

Carrying colors A and B behind color C on the hem gussets:


Carrying color C behind color B in the stripe section:

Finished!

I have finished my mermaid, it is very pretty and I am happy it with except for the sleeves, which seems more appropriate for a gorilla than me. My fault, I should have measured the length and my gauge was slightly off. I am thinking about either cutting off 2" or reknitting them. Any experience or advices with cutting off a piece would be appreciated.
I did mange to shrink it a bit after the picture was taken by putting it in the dryer, but do not guarantee that it will work for you. For now, I will just wear it and then decide what to do in a while:-)

Hi

I am Merete from Denmark and I bought my first HF kit (Mermaid #3) yesterday in Sommerfuglen in Copenhagen. I could try the jacket on and it was difficult to choose between all the lovely colours. I chose the turquoise but instead of the Sea Blue I bought a more greyish blue. The Sea Blue was too lilac to my taste. I bought some special needles too. The cord was cut in two. Perhaps some of you have experience using them but they are my first. I am very anxious to get started and very happy for all the advice I already have read on this site.

Mermaid Spreadsheet v1.80

I've updated the spreadsheet yet again.

The changes in this version are correcting
the omitted k6 instructions in the color C (green rows) hem gusset
sections. Also, I slightly altered the instructions on the rows just
preceeding the hem gusset. Previously, they were "k1, p2...." and I
changed the "p2"s to "sl 2 wyif"s. The p2s were used to create a 2nd
stockinette stitch over the color B stripes. Which isn't needed when
you're heading into the color C gussets. Whichever way you've knit it
so far will be fine.

Also, sometimes, I get e-mails returned to me by some of
your ISPs. Others lose the updates due to spam filters or
otherwise. So anytime I update the spreadsheet, in addition to making
a post here, I'll also list the most current version on my
project notes page for Mermaid.

If you are knitting Mermaid and are new to the group, I've worked out row-by-row instructions for the medium size. It's in a spreadsheet that is available in both Excel and PDF formats. If you would like a copy, send me an e-mail. I'll respond with a challenge question based on the pattern to verify that you own it.

Happy knitting!

Mermaid is FINISHED!!!!

I finished my Mermaid a few days ago but ran out of the slate gray for the i-cord on the sleeves. The sweater is being finished by an expert because I am not great at seaming garter stitch and wanted the finished product to look perfect. MY LYS, Sit-N-Knit in West Hartford, CT has ordered the yarn I need to finish the i-cord but I am so anxious to wear it I may use the light gray so I can get some use out of it before the weather turns too warm. A huge thank you goes to Amy, I wouldn't have been able to finish it without your wonderful spreadsheet!

I am also thinking about making another Hanne probably the Pagode in Cerise/poppy #7. No one seems to have that version in stock. I figure if I get right to it I'll be finished by fall.

Phew.....

This experience was too nerve wrecking for my taste. I just finished the last striped section of the body and had less than a yard of colour B left. Oh yes, of course I knitted the gauge swatch in colour B so that was unravelled, soaked in water and the skein dried under tension. Otherwise, it has been an enjoyable experience so far. Since the directions for the last half is quite limited, I toke notes on where to increase etc, that really helped.

Now 8 ridges, the i-cord and two sleeves remain. Maybe it will be done before MDS&W?

Completed Mermaid

I finished seaming and "blocking" Mermaid last night. Really there was no blocking to speak of- I just followed the pattern instructions to the letter.

I wrote more about Mermaid and have a few more pictures on my blog.

I've enjoyed this group and will definitely keep reading and watching everyone's progress. I'm still thinking about possibly doing another Hanne design- this one was such fun.

Thanks again to Amy and Becky!

Yet another Mermaid Spreadsheet error

Those of you who aren't knitting Mermaid are probably wondering why anyone would ask for the spreadsheet from the crazy lady who keeps making mistakes in it. :)

Tonight I picked up Mermaid again (after banishing it for a while after the massive frog back to row 45 following the shoulder hem error found in the spreadsheet. If you didn't see my frogging post on my blog, click here. I worked a pair of cool Socks that Rock in the meantime to make Mermaid needles seem HUGE.) Anyway....

I was carefully double-checking the instructions for each row as I knit it and discovered that there's an error in the hem gusset sections after the center row for the gusset. I don't include the instruction to k6 more after the k2tog in the non-bracket instructions. It's something you were probably doing without noticing. I know I was before, because I looked back through my older versions of the spreadsheet and found it existed from day one. A couple of you have finished with my spreadsheet and have beautiful Mermaids, so I'm not so worried that it was a huge problem.

Anyway, work's a bit crazy for the next few days, so I won't get to the update until this weekend. I e-mailed everyone who has gotten the spreadsheet already to let them know. If you've recently asked me for it, and haven't gotten a response, I'll ask you the challenge question, but then I'll be holding off sending it until I can get it fixed. Thanks for being patient.

Mermaid Update

I posted an update (with sleeve pictures) on my blog the other day. Since that time I have finished the knitting part of Mermaid! I'm hoping to do the i-cord edge of my second sleeve tonight and hopefully start the seaming. I had a question for everyone before I start:

What is the best way to seam Mermaid? Should I block the pieces first, then seam? Or seam together, then block? Also, I'm a bit confused about the collar and shoulder seaming. I'm going to check through the other blogs that have already finished Mermaid to see if they have any suggestions. I might even attempt to read the pattern directions! :)

Hopefully within the next few days I'll have a finished sweater to show. Then I'm thinking about "Tweedie"....

Any thoughts? (Thanks in advance.)

A Tardy Hello

How does a project get to be a year behind schedule? One day at a time.
--Fred Brooks

My name is Patricia, I live in Florida and I signed up with Becky almost at the beginning of this Knitalong. I am very tardy in introducing myself and my project, DaCapo.

My kit, from Denmark, arrived mid autumn 2005 and it sat there looking pretty in its sparse packaging for a few months before I worked up the courage to begin. This is my first grand project. I have since cast on and barring a few mistakes the jacket is looking pretty good. I am knitting the larger size with the shorter sleeves. I hope that it will not be too big. I had read another’s post somewhere in cyberspace that the jacket runs on the large side. The suggestion was made to wash and slightly felt to achieve a better fit. I shudder at this prospect. As I knit, I hope that I chose correctly and am not making a jacket that will hang in my closet unworn. I’m sure this is every knitter’s nightmare.
I am almost finished with the back. It has been slow going, what with the small needle size and the many other projects on ones needles. So far I am enjoying the process and hope to finish in time for the next Florida cold snap.

Let Me Just Say ......

...... before I say anything else at all - that I am a pregnant woman and this pregnancy seems to have seriously addled my brain. So that out of the way - I re-measured the back of my Ballerina and it is only actually 3cms short of what is should be not 20cm short !!!!!! so all is well again - I am happy to pick up that lovely Ballerina of mine and give her a shot at being completed - I was getting very worried indeed about having to find 20cm from somewhere - happily it was only pregnancy brain - hooray for hormones !

So, here is a picture of my Ballerina so far for all to enjoy.

Ballerina Worries

Hello everyone - I have just joined your knitalong. I am so impressed by what you are all doing, your knits are looking gorgeous. I am currently knitting Ballerina in colourway six (I think that's right, it's blue and turquoise anyway!). I am knitting this for my Mum for her Birthday and Christmas so it's really important to me that it works out right.

So, my gauge seems to be just fine, but when I measured the back length it seems to be about 20cms short ! Will this all come out in the blocking or has something gone horribly wrong do you think ? I know it says in the pattern that the drape won't come out until it's been washed and blocked but is it really going to gain 20cm ? I'm quite worried because I have put a lot of work into this and if it doesn't fit her, it's going to be a disaster - also I'm over half way and really don't want to undo it if I can help it. Any thoughts anyone ?

Anyway - I'll post a picture of my progress so far when I've got a minute.

Happy knitting everyone.

Becky x

Yet another Spreadsheet Update

Denise found an error in the last update. I've sent out version 1.70 to everyone on my distribution list. If you didn't get it, send me an e-mail.

There's just 3 tiny fixes that I'll list here. If you just want to scribble them on your printout, that's probably easiest.

Row 58 should be like Row 54
Row 204 should be like Row 208
Row 572 should be like Row 576

That's all folks!

I-Cord Again

Has anyone had experience sewing on I-Cord after the project is finished? Is this viable option?
Or knitting it on after completion as described on ChicKnits? Any caveats?
Thanks everyone!
Ava

Mermaid Spreadsheet Update!

I've updated the Mermaid spreadsheet yet again. This time to update the error that Amanda pointed out. I've sent it out to all 61 (!) people who have requested it so far. I have a couple of more people in the queue, waiting for them to answer the challenge question. If you've received it from me before, check your e-mail for the update. Or ask me to send it again.

If you are knitting Mermaid, I have made a row-by-row spreadsheet of the knitting instructions for size medium. I'm happy to send it to you in either Excel or PDF formats with the understanding that it may contain errors. Those of us knitting from it have found a few already. To get the spreadsheet, send me an e-mail requesting it. I'll respond with a challenge question based on the pattern to verify that you own the kit.

*Ack*

My Mermaid arrived yesterday. I'm a little intimidated by it. http://kniticity.blogspot.com/

*red faced*

Many, many thanks to Amanda in the UK! She pointed out an error in my Mermaid spreadsheet. Something that I either skipped over entirely or completely misinterpreted. Who knows.

The shoulder edge after the collar is supposed to match the hem edge. Hints of that crop up in the gusset treatment at the shoulder and at the back of the neck. I don't know why I missed it.

For those of you who already have my spreadsheet, I apologize. I sent an e-mail earlier explaining the problem. First thing tomorrow morning, I'll work on correcting it and send out an update. You need to decide whether to keep working on it as you have been or whether to redo it.

If you've asked for the spreadsheet, understandably, I'm not going to send it out before I correct it.

I'd like to say that this error was because I hadn't test-knit it myself, but I'm well past that point in the spreadsheet and was just flying right along. I'm not sure what I'm going to do at this point myself. I may frog it all as penance.

Mermaid has arrived

Hi - My Mermaid kit arrived from Cucumber Patch this week, so I thought I'd introduce myself now that I actually have a kit, although I'm not planning to start Mermaid until the fall. We'll see if I can resist temptation that long!

Pictures of Mermaid's arrival on my blog, Stumbling Over Chaos.

Looking forward to seeing everyone's kit progress!

Chris

Another Mermaid

My project is going to be mermaid, in colour 7, like everyone else ;-)
It was a Christmas present from my parents. I have wanted to knit mermaid ever since I saw the kit in my alma mater LYS about 9 months, but decided to finish up some other projects including Great American Aran Afghan first. I started the previous weekend and this is my progress so far.

It is my second Hanne Falkenberg project, but not the last. The first was dacapo in plum, blueberry and black, purchased from Sommerfuglen, Denmark. Pictures can be seen here (scroll down to mid Feb). The strange language is Danish, yep I am from the land of thousands knitting designers ;-) but live on Long Island, NY for now.

I need encouragement

Hanne Falkenberg Knitalong
My kit came yesterday!!!!! I had ordered colorway #4 and was NOT disappointed. the colors are sooooooo beautiful!! the apple green is darker than what I thought, but since this is for the fall, that is fine. But reading through the directions, I am SOOOOO intimated. My first thought was, I have to sell this, there is NO way i will be able to do this..But emailed Amy for the word spreadsheet, and really want to do this.Good thing we don't have an ending date as this may take me a year!!! so glad I found this knitalong. I just keep going looking at the beautiful colors of that yarn.

Yet another new member

Ordered my Mermaid #10 kit 2 nights ago in a fit of weakness and it has already been shipped. I'm a little intimidated. Big sweater, little needles but am so pleased there's a KAL to keep me inspired!

Just started and I already need help!

I just started Mermaid tonight. I knitted the i-cord. 29 inches long. Okay. So far, so good.

Now...picking up stitches. This may sound stupid, but from where do I pick up the stitches. The side of the i-cord? The back? I want to do this correctly. I know I will probably frogging a lot during this whole Mermaid process, but I am trying to cut down on making unecessary mistakes. Can someone explain? I am sure it is simple, but I want to make sure.

Thank you!!!

Just about to start....

Mermaid! I'm still finishing up another sweater, but I figure I can do both at the same time. I did purchase my size 4 double pointed needles and I tried to buy size 2 circulars, but they only had 24 inch length, so I am going to try to find them tomorrow. I really want to start this weekend. Did everyone use size 2 circulars and 4 double points or are other sizes being used? I guess I need to do a gauge swatch, but just curious what everyone ended up with.

Diva

Hi, I'm a new member here too. My name is Arja, I live in the Netherlands. I have just purchased the Diva 10 kit and am trying to be good and finish up a few other things before I start on this new project. Is anyone else knitting Diva? I was lucky enough to find her in a yarn shop here. I tried her on and decided it is perfect for me.

Today is the perfect day to stay home and knit, but alas ... I shall have to dig up my rain coat and cycle to work in a minute. In the meantime, feel free to take a look at my blog. You might have a language problem, but there's enough pics to enjoy. http://bloggy.gasthuis.net

Arja
NL

just joined

Hi, my name is sherry,(yarnfanatic) on the KR boards, and I just joined. Got my mermaid kit ordered, color # 4, and it should be here by the end of the week.BTW, got it from cucumber patch, and if you order it directly from their shop ,it is even cheaper, 99$ plus shipping.
I went thru and checked everyone's blog out, wonderful pictures, got me very inspired.Till I visited 2 lys, and talked to them about it, (they know me)so just gave me this "look" so now I am petrified. LOL. But will tackle it, hope I am able to do this and happy to be part of this group.
I also have a blog, www.xanga.com/bears2share

sherry

New blog

I joined this group yesterday and am working on Decapo. I finally got a chance to start my blog. . Please stop by and check out it out. I would love to hear from you. I you would like me to add your blog to my daily reads please post a comment.

Veloknitter

Promenade

Hi!! Shyly stepping up to say hello.

I bought my first-ever Hanne design from eBay. The Promenade shawl in colorway #5, I believe. I'm terrified, but excited. Of course, I have 2 things on the needles I have to finish, and a vest I've been promising my husband for... oh... coming on 2 years now that must be completed before I can begin. But then... off I go!!

Has anyone knit this pattern before and have any advice? I was surprised at how kind of bare-bones the pattern was. I think I'll have to do some re-writing and printing in color (all those symbols give me a headache,) so that it's easier to follow.

Are there errata anywhere, or are her patterns pretty spot-on?

Thanks everyone, all your mermaids are STUNNING and I am wanting to knit one... but I fell in love with Promenade at Stitches West and heard it calling my name...

Margo "Beanmama" in California
http://www.xanga.com/beanmama

New Hanne design

Have you seen it? There's a new Hanne pattern: Tivoli

Mermaid Spreadsheet update

I've updated the Mermaid spreadsheet to fix a few things I found during my knitting (I'm just past the center back, but I'll post that progress later). I also charted out the sleeves after a few requests from those of you who are ahead of me. Again, the usual warning that I have not knit it yet!

If I sent you the Excel or PDF version in the past, I've sent you an update. If you didn't receive it, please e-mail me.

If you're new to the group and would like a copy of the spreadsheet, send me an e-mail with the link above. I'll reply with a challenge question to verify that you own the pattern. When you answer that, I'll e-mail the spreadsheet in whichever format you prefer. Please note, I've only charted out size Medium.

All Hail Amy...

... Goddess of the Spreadsheet!
What an impressive 25 pages I just printed out, I can't thank you enough. It must have been an amazing amount of work!

Can't wait...

to start Mermaid! I was nervous about attempting it, but finding this blog made me feel like I could do it, with ya'll's help. My kit arrived (from Cucumberpatch online) in color 5 - black, grey-green & blue. I've read through the directions, and am trying to remain calm! As soon as I finish my Olympic Knitting (currently soaking before blocking) then I'm going to start.
Thanks to everyone's inspiring posts & pics!

Week 2 of Mermaid Knitting

I haven't had a chance to update my blog yet with pictures of Mermaid, but I wanted to share this photo with you-all first.

Week 2 of knitting Mermaid, and I'm still loving it! Of course, I don't know where I'd be without Amy's spreadsheet. I can't emphasize enough how helpful it is to have the knitting broken down into a row-by-row format.

Last night I finished the back gusset. I think that makes me half finished with the body. It seems huge to me, but I keep reminding myself that it starts at the front and works around to the the other front. And by the way, I'm knitting the size medium.

Hi, Everyone and...break it to me gently......

Hi, Everyone!

My name is Jeannine from Southern California and I'm really glad that I found this group. I LOVE the Hanne Falkenberg designs, but am very, very intimidated about even thinking about knitting one of her designs. With that said, I cannot stop thinking about it. I keep coming back to the website, doing searches for photos of finished pieces and I am obsessed. What I really want to know is: What level of knitter *should* one be to tackle a Hanne? I know anyone can try, but I am afraid of starting and being so overwhelmed, that I never finish it. How bad is it, really? I am not a beginner-beginner, but I am not advanced, either. Right in the middle. Also, I am loving the Diva design, but it seems like Mermaid is most popular. I probably should start the design that everyone else is making, then I can have lots of help. Hmmm......don't I sound obsessed?? I love all the posts and photos on this site. I am amazed at all the beautiful work here. It gives me a glimmer of hope that one day I, too, will have a Hanne on my back!

I finished Ballerina!

Ballerina in colourway 15 tomato-poppy-cyclamen-fuchsia. More photos here.

Studio sweater pattern

Hi!

I'm so excited. I ordered my first HF sweater kit, Studio-short in Lagoon and Sea Blue. Has anyone made this sweater before? I'm just curious as how the diagonal stripes are done. I'm thinking somehow it's knit diagonally.

Once I get it and get started, I'll post some pictures.

Tried it on!

One of the vendors at Stitches West had a finished Mermaid in size large in the booth. I tried it on and am glad I'm making the medium. I'm also reassured that my gauge is good. The drape of the fabric is the same. I was a little worried after handling the sample of Diva which seemed to be a tighter fabric.

More reports later.

New Knitter Questions

I am a beginning knitter, but never being afraid of a challenge, I am doing the Mermaid sweater. I saw it in a knitting store when I went to the store with a friend who is a knitter. It inspired me to finish a sweater I started 15 years ago and take on the Mermaid as my next project.

I am at the point where the stripes start. I don't understand the directions for:
Change to B: Pick up B inside and under A and place it on your finger.
Change to A: Pick up A outside and over B and place it on your finger.

Where is the inside and where is the outside?

Thanks for all your help. Especially thanks to Amy for the spreadsheet. I started modifying it last night to work for the large size and several things make more sense now.

Sabrina

Mermaid progress and cast-on tip

Here's what my Mermaid looks like now:


Seeing as I'm just past the armhole, I have a tip for casting on those stitches...

The pattern suggests you use a double strand on your thumb and a single strand on your index finger for a long-tail cast-on. I found a technique I liked a lot. I wound off a long piece of color C from the outside of the ball. I doubled it and tied a slip knot at the fold. I inserted this slip-knot between the last two stitches on my right needle. Then I used both tails from the slip knot on my thumb and the working yarn from the right needle on my index finger and cast on my stitches, remembering that my slip-knot was the first one. At the end, your working yarn is exactly where you want it to be to knit the RS row.

Update: I also collected all of my notes and tips for this project together on my Project Notes page for it. Includes description (and sample image) of the spreadsheet, discussion of my i-cord experiments, and the new tip above so far.

Substitute Yarns

Thanks for all the suggestions on the substitute yarns. I was able to compare the Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift and the yarn from a Vivian Hoxbro kit at my LYS. The Jamiesons looks identical but feels slightly heavier. The Vivian Hoxbro felt and looked pretty much the same. Thanks for all the tips I will be able to make one in the colors of my choice when this one is finished. I am taking an Olympic knitting break from Mermaid. It was my original project but I couldn't wait till the opening ceremony to cast on. I am on the forst gusset beyond the back 1/2 way point. The next one will be much easier!

I'm off and running...

Here's my Mermaid progress:



I've since finished the 2nd gusset and am about to do the armhole stripes. The spreadsheet is working great. I'll be making a few updates to it soon. If I've sent it to you before, keep an eye on your e-mail.

Hanne Yarn Substitutions

I am seriously thinking about making another Mermaid. Do any of you know of a substitute yarn? I went to the Hanne website and it appears that the yarn is only sold in kits. I can buy yarn based on the gauge but have no idea how much to get. I know how many balls I got with my kit but didn't weigh the balls to even begin to figure the yardage. Anyone have thoughts?

My Finished Mermaid!

Mermaid is complete! This is in colourway 5: black / grey / kingfisher. And it turned out beautifully, although I had issues with the applied icord on the sleeves. Which were too long and need to be hemmed anyways, to account for my stubby little arms.

More pics here. Best of luck to everyone else working on these fabulous patterns. I'm looking forward to seeing how some of the other kits work out so I can start thinking about my next Hanne project...

Hanne Falkenberg Knitalong

Hanne Falkenberg Knitalong
Just a note to the other knitters who haven't made it to the center gusset on the back. It is not the same color as the gussets on the bottom of the sweater. I made a trip to the frog pond this weekend after not carefully reading the pattern and using the wrong color yarn.
Holly in CT

pagode beginnings

I'm very impressed with you all knitting Mermaids. That appears to be one complex pattern, at least to me who is at a usually-knits-socks knitting skill level. I'm glad my project is Pagode, the mitered design with minimal shaping. I have cast on a gazillion stitches (actually 450 430 stitches) and have begun. It took me 30 minutes of steady knitting to knit one row. Gaack! At least it is pretty mindless knitting, all garter, decreases at the markers.

More is posted on my blog here, including pictures of my gauge swatches (how exciting!) and a lovely addi turbo with only 1 and half rows knit in main color A (blue) barely visible
trish
www.randomthreads.com

Explorations with i-cord for Mermaid

After all the discussions about the i-cord, I decided to give the different options a try and see what I liked best. In my book, Holly's suggestion of provisional cast-on followed by i-cord bind-off (especially when started at the collar and worked toward the hem) was the clear winner.

I also did a little practice swatch of the collar and hem edge techniques to understand what is going on.

There are photos of all of it and more commentary on my blog. click here.

Ta-da!

My Mermaid is done! And it actually turned out fairly well - a first for me in the sweater-knitting arena.

Pictures on my blog.