And so it begins

So happy with all the Ester posting activity.
This is my first knit-a-long and it's wonderful to feel in sync with my bloggy chums.

Not that I've made as much progress as I might like...
such is life with a 3 yr old. :-)

Looking forward (not to wish my life away) to the cabling.
Have done a number of small cabled items (legwarmers, Christmas stocking) using a cable needle and am eager to try the needle-free method.

Using US 8 Addi Turbos (fast! like the wind!) and KnitPicks Main Line yarn in Blueberry.
Cast on with the cable method.

Completely adore this yarn. Exceeds all my expectations (and they are high).
Will do a full review on Knit's a Beautiful Life in the coming weeks.

Knit well my friends! :-)

ester in the morning

so far, love the pattern, love the yarn (debbie bliss donegal aran tweed), love the cable cast-on. more on my [very new] blog.

The Beginnings of My Ester

Hello fellow Ester-ers! Have you all started your knitting? I did! I had a huge cable learning curve, but now I'm having so much fun! You can read more on my blog.... Happy cableing!

Just starting

Hello,

I'm starting Ester for my Gma as a surprise. I've emailed my cousin for help on the size. I've cast on for L, but may have to do an XL. Thankfully, the way the pattern is written, I can go for a while before worrying about the size change.

I'm using Elsebeth Lavold's Chunky AL in Madeira. Pix to come.

I've just hit the first row of cabling. Very enjoyable.

Swatching

I'm another southern hemisphere knitter in autumn going into winter, so I'm hoping to get my Ester done sooner rather than later. I've been eyeing off the pattern since the Spring Knitty was published and when this KAL appeared I figured that this was the motivation which was required.
I've been swatching the last couple of days. This seems to be the goer - a smidge over 16 sts and 22 rows to 4 inches on 4.5mm Addi circs. I tried out 5mm bamboo circs first, but it was a tad too loose, and when I teamed the addis with the yarn, they felt like they belonged together (I realise that sounds a bit wacky - sorry).

This isn't the colour I will be using. My LYS didn't have enough of the colour (a tweedy red - with a hint of purple as a dip of the hat to the designer) I wanted in stock, so I will get it next week. This colour is a leftover ball of the same yarn [Patons Jet (70% wool / 30% alpaca)] from a cardigan I knit last winter. The Rowan yarn in the original pattern is just gorgeous, but it's twice the price here and I can't quite justify it in my head.

Swatch me go!

Three swatches for Ester on (from bottom to top) US 7, 8, and 9 needles.
I'm so eager to cast on. Shooting for 4 st/inch.

Used a cable cast-on for all and different cast-off techniques for each.

There are great cast-on and -off tutorials on KnittingHelp.com.

This is the US 7 with traditional cast-off. It hit at a smidge over 4.5 st/inch.

Here's the US 8 with decrease cast-off knit through the back of the loop. This swatch is little below 4.25 st/inch.

Lastly, the US 9 swatch with the decrease cast-off knit through the front of the loop. This gave me minutely more than 4 st/inch.

I'm torn between:

• the 8s - close to gauge and have a nice density
• and the 9s - closer to gauge but feels a little loose

• the decrease cast-off through back of loop - nice elasticity and finish
  
• the decrease cast-off through front on loop - nice elasticity, a good blend with the cable cast-on but looks a little less "tidy"

Would love to hear advice and opinions.

Yummy Yarn for Ester

I did it, I found the "perfect yarn" for my Ester! A delicious greenish-blue textured yarn; pure new wool from a mill in New Brunswick, Canada. (I swatched it already on my round needles... couldn't wait!) May 1st, here we come!