Welcome to Part Two of sharing my yarn-related plans for 2023!
I mentioned in Part One that I'd be doing practice patterns before taking on my Big Fish projects. If you're curious what a Big Fish is, it's essentially the "I really want to make these this year" projects on my list. I don't have many, but you can see what mine are over in My Stitchy Plans for 2023: Part One. Today we are focusing on the in-between projects to hone my techniques.
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Sweater Practice Patterns
Amalie Sweater by Hobbii (free pattern)
Amalie is the only crochet pattern on this list. My Big Fish are all knitting projects, however I feel like a good starting point for me is to crochet a sweater first. I've been crocheting longer than knitting (not by much, though), so it's more familiar and faster for me to do. But despite the different stitchcraft, I still need to practice sweater gauge and assembly with it, so it counts.
I actually posted this sweater in this week's "What's My WIP?" installment. Spoiler: gauge is going to be a challenge for me.
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Laurie Sweater by Hobbii (free pattern)
Check out that brilliant purple, eh? The Laurie Sweater ticks multiple boxes for me when it comes to a sweater: semi-oversize fit, shaping with a V-neck and a semi-casual feel. I'd love to make my sweater in this exact color, but I'm envisioning it in the yarn line's Emerald more. I don't own anything in a striking green (or purple for that matter) but it's time to change that. And that's the wonderful thing with making your own clothes: you can tailor the colors to better suit your preferences. That's what this sweater is doing on my list: exploring color.
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Orwell's Garden Cowl by knittedblissJC (free pattern)
Beauty aside, Orwell's Garden Cowl will make a great project to practice colorwork in the round, which all my Big Fish have. The composition of the pattern's photos may've swayed me just a little into wanting this, but seriously: how pretty will this be with a light coat on those fresh, sunny days in spring? It's a must-have.
This cowl is a colorwork repeat too, meaning the chart's first row is knit over and over again to complete the round, then the next is done the same way. I'll have to pay close attention when working this up because of that. If I mess up a stitch along the way, it'll show and potentially shift the whole colorwork out of whack. Not good stuff. The Lobster Socks on my list will appreciate this, though.
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Colienne Sweater by Hobbii (paid pattern)
Oh, the Colienne Sweater. This project makes me want clear fall skies and the smell of wet leaves and dirt in a forest. The lacework and color caught my eye on the Hobbii site. I also enjoy the slouchy, laidback drape. There isn't any colorwork at play here, but sweater shaping is, which will test my swatching skills. If I am off in my needle sizes, this could go South quick. My sweater could be too small or way too big, so I need to get those pre-project swatches just right.
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Sock Practice Patterns
The Camp Socks by Darling J'adore (free pattern)
This pattern is making a comeback after its fall in Sockmas 2022. My yarn choices at the time caused for unfortunate issues with color pooling (check out what that looked like here), but I think I have colors this time that won't be as... gruesome should they pool. The Camp Socks will be good practice for sock shaping as well as changing color for the cuff, heel, and toe. The Lobster Sock pattern has a similar tall style, so this will test how well that fits my leg.
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Rubber Duck Socks (no photo or pattern reference cuz I can't remember)
I apologize that this particular pattern doesn't have a proper name or pattern to give credit toward right now. The only evidence I have of it is a printed copy that's currently in storage at my parent's. Once I get a chance to visit, I'll fill in the blanks here for you so we can all enjoy the rubber duck socks I found years ago. These will be a gift for my sister. If you can imagine, it has little yellow ducks over most if not the whole sock, and a wave detail by the cuff. Great practice for colorwork in the round and sizing on sock-size items.
I'll definitely be kept busy this year if I stick to this list of practice patterns between my Big Fish. It's exciting to think of all the sweet new wearables I'll have in my wardrobe, made by me no less!
Are you taking on a new skill this year in your craft? How will you be practicing it?
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