the blue blog archives: one weekend wonder

And again I surprise myself by falling for a mega-popular pattern that's been making the rounds on the blogs. But Stefanie's One Skein Wonder was just too cute not to try out. My only problem: I'm not a shrug girl, especially when it comes to a tiny shrug of heavy worsted weight yarn. Skimpy + bulky = I don't get it. But I so wanted to make one! Then it suddenly occured to me that I have several individual balls of Calmer leftover from the various nothing but t-shirts that I've made. Now a tiny shrug in my favorite, lightweight, super-soft cotton yarn, that I can do. I bought the pattern Friday afternoon, dug out the "tinkerbell" blue Calmer scraps from the model tee and my calculator to recalculate for my gauge and started knitting that night. On Saturday, I picked up a second ball of the Calmer (the smaller gauge made it a "just more than one skein wonder") and finished it up to wear to work at the store on Sunday.

I really like this silly little thing. Mine is a bit looser than the original since I was experimenting with the numbers all the way, but I can definitely appreciate the extra little bit of armpit and upper arm coverage. It's so fun to wear. I can so see myself pulling this cutie pie on over a tank. It's brilliant! I may have to make more. Heaven knows I've got plenty of "one skeins" left waiting to become wonders.

posted by alison at 8:35 am | in model tee

Comments

That is so very cute! That OSW is really making the rounds.

Posted by: Wanda at June 27, 2005 8:42 AM

I just made one inspired by the one skein wonder(although I just guessed at the pattern) to match my see thru tank top - a little extra coverage never hurts

Posted by: Gina at June 27, 2005 8:57 AM

too cute! i've been drooling over that pattern for a while now... i may just have to grab it to use up my leftover yarns as well. :)

Posted by: moxie at June 27, 2005 9:17 AM

Oh i have some calmer...that would be cute. I just don't think I can pull it off. But maybe for a gift! Your's looks fabulous!

Posted by: Carolyn at June 27, 2005 9:50 AM

That looks lovely Alison, perfect use for those odd skeins of yarn that we all have in our stashes...

Posted by: kerrie at June 27, 2005 10:04 AM

The OSW turned out cute! I've been wanting to make one...seeing everyone model theirs has inspired me!

Posted by: Sarah at June 27, 2005 10:10 AM

I just made one on the weekend too, but out of heavier yarn. I like the idea of using something lighter, it looks great!

Posted by: Brenda at June 27, 2005 10:17 AM

Yeah, I never got the skimpy garment/ bulky yarn phenom either. Calmer must be perfect for that shrug! Your OSW is very pretty and looks good on you.

Posted by: Margot at June 27, 2005 10:22 AM

I've got some Opal Merino sport-weight that is SCREAMING to be used. I already bought the pattern. Now, if I can just figure out how to calculate the pattern down...any hints?

Posted by: laurie at June 27, 2005 10:34 AM

Very pretty 1+ skein wonder! What a great use of leftover Calmer!

Posted by: Rossana at June 27, 2005 11:10 AM

Many have tried to resist the power of the OSW but they give in eventually. They are so addictive. I've made three and plan to make another one. They are quick,cute, and great for a little shoulder coverage when the A/C is too cool but you don't need a full sweater.

Posted by: Sauniell at June 27, 2005 11:11 AM

Alison, your OSW is darling. I have the pattern and am making one with some Koigu Kersti at the moment, but would love to make a calmer one, since it's my favorite yarn. Can you tell me how many stitches you started out? How many did you use for starting the sleeves? I'm not very good at figuring that stuff out yet, still like to follow a pattern, but this one is so easy to work up, I could do it if I knew the stitch count.

Posted by: Mel at June 27, 2005 11:17 AM

Were you wearing it when we came in on Sunday? How did I miss that???

Posted by: paula at June 27, 2005 11:19 AM

There's a reason this pattern is running around the blogs - its super cute! and the color looks great on you.. matches your eyes!

Posted by: Diana at June 27, 2005 11:19 AM

You want a primer for converting pattern numbers to a different gauge, you say? You got it! You need to know the gauge the original pattern calls for, the number of stitches it calls for, and your new gauge. (For the slightly math-inclined, what you'll be doing is cross-mulitplying to get the same proportion between the original gauge and stitch count and your new gauge and new stitch count.) The only calculation you need to make is to multiply the number of stitches the pattern calls for by your new gauge, then divide by the original gauge. The result is the number of stiches you should start with (although depending on the pattern you might need to adjust it if you need a multiple of certain number).

So for this pattern, first find out the gauge of the yarn you'll be substituting. Multiply the number of stitches the pattern says to cast on for your size by the gauge of your new yarn, then divide by the gauge of the original pattern. That's about how many you should cast on. I did a second calculation to see how many stitches I should have at the end, so I'd know when to stop doing the increases. Again, multiply the number of stitches to end with for your size by your new gauge, then divide by the original gauge. That's about where you want to stop knitting. I ended mine a few rows earlier than that because it seemed like it was long enough.

Now, we haven't fiddled with the rate of decreasing or anything like that, so at your gauge, your shrug may have slightly different fit (mine was a little bit looser), but it's such a small pattern, it shouldn't make a huge difference.

Happy one skein wonder knitting!

Posted by: alison at June 27, 2005 11:48 AM

Thanks Alison, I think I get it...

Posted by: Mel at June 27, 2005 12:01 PM

I love it and that color is just perfect on you! I'm making one right now for my daughter...thought I would start small and I've had to adjust the numbers a bit too...Love it!!!

Posted by: michele at June 27, 2005 12:18 PM

very cute

Posted by: Kathleen at June 27, 2005 1:19 PM

I like the extra coverage. very nice!

Posted by: Christie at June 27, 2005 1:31 PM

You sneaky doll you! Thanks for the Pom Squad reference. Love your anklets! I may have to make a little shruggie myself...

Posted by: gwyn at June 27, 2005 2:25 PM

It's absolutely adorable on you!

Posted by: Laura at June 27, 2005 3:53 PM

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!! I just returned from my LYS w/purchases only to see your awesome shrug. I've been toying w/making a shrug and this one fits the bill. Tks for the inspiration (wish I had done my usual morning coffee while reading your blog -- I'd have new yarn to knit this up)!

Posted by: Leslie at June 27, 2005 3:56 PM

i said i would make a second and i haven't done it just yet....but i'm tempted! :)

Posted by: melissa j at June 27, 2005 5:02 PM

too cute! sometimes it's ok to make what everyone is making,that way if we spot anyone wearing them on the street we will know they are a knitter heh

Posted by: cara at June 27, 2005 5:03 PM

Very cute! I just finished mine up last night.

Posted by: Alexa at June 27, 2005 5:08 PM

Alison, when I saw you in your shrug yesterday, why didn't I realize it was made with Calmer?! Now I know what I'll start doing with some of the oodles of Calmer I'll have left over from my NBaT....

It looks great on you!

Posted by: Linda at June 27, 2005 6:30 PM

Your one skein wonder is beautiful. I made one but they are addictive and I have 2 more in the works! I finished my sockapaltwozas last night!!! Pics are on my blog :) :) :)

Posted by: Illanna at June 27, 2005 6:48 PM

everyone gets won over by the one-skein wonder. resistance is futile.

Posted by: carrie m at June 27, 2005 9:20 PM

I made a OSW this weekend as well out of Blue Sky Cotton. Too cute! What a great pattern.

Posted by: Deena at June 27, 2005 10:46 PM

Ah-ha! Calmer! I have some cursed Calmer in my stash - it's tried and failed to be two other patterns....but now I have been alerted to its destiny! :)

Posted by: Michelle at June 27, 2005 11:03 PM

Too Cute! I often drop by to check out what you & your boys are up to but I'm guilty of not often commenting. Suffice to say I think you are a Wonderwoman, I don't know how you manage it all with two gorgeous boys to contend with.

Posted by: Katie at June 28, 2005 2:20 AM

perfect idea. i have a couple of skeins of calmer left over from knitting a NBaT too, this little shrug will be Just Right.

Posted by: anna at June 28, 2005 8:23 AM

Cuuuuuuuuuuuuute!

Posted by: Becky at June 28, 2005 8:27 AM

Maggie - Thanks for the tutorial. Now I can add a 4th project to my list! I'm sure my DH thanks you, too!

Posted by: laurie at June 28, 2005 9:32 AM

It looks very cute on you!

Posted by: Jenn at June 28, 2005 9:47 AM

Very cute, I love that color! I'll make it to the OSW eventually. I get around the the current bloggy/knitting fad just about the time everyone else has finished it and moved on. I'm ok with that though :)

Posted by: Vicki at June 28, 2005 11:46 AM

man, I SO love this...and I'm not a shrug girl in the least! I ended up with almost 2 skeins leftover from my NBaT so this just might be calling my name... ^_~

Posted by: tania at June 29, 2005 11:33 AM

That pattern is Calmer is very, very cute.

Posted by: claudia at June 29, 2005 4:28 PM

Couldn't be cuter. Now how many odd skeins do I have and who do I know that needs one- must get busy, busy, busy!

Posted by: Michelle at June 29, 2005 4:32 PM