The Bartók Tunik Postink

This is the Bartók Tunik, designed by Julia Farwell-Clay. I've had my eye on this one since I reviewed the Interweave Knits Spring 2013 issue that it appeared in over two years ago, and finally got it done after I happened to find the yarn I liked for it on sale at Michaels one day. This pattern looked like a good pick for a sweater intended for wear around home: warm, casual yet attractive, and suitable for wear with the jeans, khakis, and yoga pants I wear around the house in winter.

And here's my version. For this sweater, I used Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in Olive for the main colour, and Lion Brand Lion's Pride Woolspun in Moss Mix for the accent colour. I used metal clasps to fasten the neckline rather than string ties, and added waist shaping, neatened up the fit, and nixed the longer back hem. I made the sleeves more fitted at the cuff as the loose fitting sleeves of the original would have driven me crazy. I hadn't a circular needle in the right size, so I knitted the body in two pieces on straight needles rather than on circulars as the pattern instructed. Looking on the finished item now, my regrets (I always have a few) are that I didn't choose a better quality yarn for the main colour, as well as one that was a lighter green so as to be more of a contrast with the accent colour. I also wish I'd made it in a slightly more relaxed fit. Oh well, worsted acrylic does stretch out somewhat over time, and the sweater's warm, machine washable and dryable, and presentable enough, so I'm not too displeased with my efforts.

Slippers for a Sister

Some months ago my foster sister Gayle flipped me the link to these slippers and asked me to make her a pair in the colours shown here. I agreed to do so, and tracked down the Ravelry page for them. They proved to be the Non-felted Slippers, designed by Yuko Nakamura, and to be a free pattern.

I couldn't have easily tracked down the yarn used in the sample shot above, so I went with Bernat Softee Chunky in Grey Ragg and Grey Heather. The slippers took just two evenings to make and though I don't like the yarn I used as well as the sample yarn they turned out pretty cute. I tried them on once for size and found them snug, which was ideal, as Gayle's feet are a full size smaller than mine. I also found that they would definitely stay securely on the feet, which should make them quite wearable. Then I duly wrapped them up and mailed them off to my sister, whose Facebook response was all delight and emoticons.