Even though I've tried my cardigan on a million times, I finally came to the conclusion last night that it is too big. I was working on the sleeves...the sleeves!!!! I finished the body and even tacked up the hem. I think there's a Wendy Bernard jinx on me. I LOVE LOVE LOVE her patterns, but have yet to finish one successful FO. I was very upset about it last night, but decided to be level headed and just restart it today. So now, I have four days to work on it before I start my KALS. I'm doing Rusted Root, Sahara, and the Textured Tunic all for April KALs, so I'm not sure how much more juggling I can do. I will show progress on my NSS cardigan once I remove the sleeves. Wish me luck.
12:33 AM
It's strange how something so insignificant to one is so inspirational to another. As I have managed my transition from the East Coast to the West - nearing my 1 year mark at the end of May, I am still faced with a void. Having travelled extensively, but always living in the same place I managed to gain a small, but close group of friends. While an online community of knitters won't replace that group, it has really helped me during this transition. I came home from work to find that all three of my online yarn orders - which were placed over a week apart from different places - arrived at my door. The word "Yarnapalooza" came to mind and I smiled. Sometimes it just takes the little things...
9:36 AM
I have finally placed the sleeves on scrap yarn. Hooray for me!!! I think things are looking pretty good so far. I'm happy with the progress on Wendy's pattern, since I haven't finished one of hers yet...I just keep purchasing her patterns. This will help me motivate to actually KNIT the patterns I'm buying from her. I have picked out the buttons for my project, which add a little whimsy to the piece. I was considering some shimmery black square buttons I have, but I decided it might be too much with the orange yarn.
I plan on knitting 4" more of the body and will then pick up the collar stitches so that I can have that part of finishing put to bed. If all goes well, Gail and I will meet this Sunday and she can show me the ropes on the magic loop technique (it seems that my shameless plea for help on my last post was a success. lol).
In other knit news - SKC has picked Sahara and Rusted Root for the upcoming KAL projects. I'm very happy with this and will see what yarn works for what, when my yarn stash comes in from the several online orders I've made in the past week or so. I know that the Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece yarn in a Candy Apple color will go for the Rusted Root pattern, since it's the yarn the Zephyr Girls used for the pattern. As far as Sahara goes...we'll just have to see. As always, I'll keep ya posted.
9:37 AM
A couple weeks back, I met up with Gail at the Living Room in La Jolla to do some knitting. We ended up discussing finishing, which neither of us enjoys - and the conversation then went into sleeves on dpns and circulars. My preference is 16", but who wants to spend the money on 16" needles in every size, just for sleeves? Gail tells me about "The Magic Loop". Out of nowhere, an older woman who also has her knitting, talks about doing her cotton/bamboo blend socks using the magic loop. I need these needles!!! I proclaim...in my head. So after work yesterday, I stop by Needlecraft Cottage on Grand Avenue in PB to get some. Man - I didn't have a clue. I thought they were special needles called "Magic Loop Needles". Needle-less to say, I bought the book and a pair of 40" circulars in size 6 and went on my way. No wonder, I wasn't seeing any special Magic Loop Needles while I was shopping for yarn online. lol. No matter how long you've been knitting, there is always something to learn, and a funny blunder to be made. Thanks Gail for the helpful information ...even though I wasn't savvy enough to understand the concept...I would love some help when it's actually time to use them on Marilyn, so as not to make any new blunders.
So I've started reading Sarah Hauschka's Magical Unvention written by Bev Galeskas and think this will be my new method of choice for sleeves, once I get the technique down. Or should I say - if I ever get the technique down. After all, the foolish things can confound the wise...right???!!!!
8:27 AM
Here's my progress on Wendy Bernard's Not So Shrunken Cardigan. I have about 4" to go before removing the sleeves. This is the part that I love, since the body knits a lot faster without those extra stitches. I am loving the Knit Pick's yarn choice - 100% Merino Wool in Butternut. It's a color that I've never used before in my knitting. My only negative comment for this project is that it's knit back and forth, which means rows of purl, which I don't like. Oh well - there's still no real finishing to this project, and that's a major bonus. Plus, I have the cutest silver heart buttons to go with this project.
In other knitterly knews...I have made a bunch of online yarn purchases for upcoming projects. I'm part of the Fitted Knits KAL which starts April 1st. I choice the Wool of the Andes in a deep, wine color from Knit Picks. For only $3.99 a hank, I couldn't pass it up, even though I wanted to make the Textured Tunic in the yellow color that the book showed. I also purchased yarn from Little Knits, including Ella Rae Classic in a beautiful pastel aqua blue, Feza Cekor in a light gray color, Cascade Pima Melange in a charcoal grey, Crystal Palace Cotton Flamme in a celery green color. Man! I'm on a yarn mission for sure. Still, these all have projects waiting for them, so they won't be in my stash for too long.
That's it for now, but hopefully I'll have update pics of the sleeves removed soon.
7:59 AM
Here are the pics of my latest two FOs. I'm happy with the progress I've been making. I'm mailing the capelet to my sister this afternoon and wearing Ms. Marigold to work as we speak! Niiiiiicee.
12:54 AM
Ms. Marigold is still blocking on the floor. I'm showing the unflattering blocking pics, but will model it once it's dried. I'm about to start Wendy Bernard's "Not So Shrunken Cardigan", but whipped up a cute Reversable Winter Capelet over the weekend. It's a present for my sister. Hopefully I'll have the cardigan finished by April 1st, when the Fitted Knits KAL starts.
12:47 AM
Today I met up with a local knitter in La Jolla. It was great to have coffee, soup, conversation, and a shared passion for knitting. After having to frog the entire neckline yesterday due to a mis-snip with the scissors, I still managed to re-pick up the stiches and finish today. It's blocking on the floor and will be ready to wear in no-time. Pictures to come....
I have started knitting the reversable winter capelet and will start Marilyn's Not to Shrunken Cardigan while I anxiously wait for the Fitted Knits KAL for April 1st.
11:16 AM
I am very pleased with my progress on Ms. Marigold. It is moving along nicely. I have mentioned this in past posts, but will restate again...I hate finishing. The beauty of top down pieces for me is the lack of finishing, still there are often stitches that need to be picked up along the neckline and sleeves. For Ms. Marigold, I decided to finish the neckline before proceeding to the body. I prefer to do this so that I have minimal finishing at the end. I will knit another 6" of the 12" left for the body and then finish the armholes. I'm a bit nervous about the ruffle since I'm not a crochet person, but I'm going to relax and just give it a whirl. If that doesn't work, I'll run to my LYS and ask for assistance. Here's my progress so far.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
