I have finally completed my Tomato. I'm calling "her" the Burgundy and Silver Bullet. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. It really was worth it for me to frog and rework the collar for a better result. I have never done corrugated ribbing, so this was another first on this project for me. It's only January and I've already talked color work for the herringbone pattern, and now this. I'm soooooo soooooo pleased. I still have to block it to even out a few bumpy stitches, but it is completely wearable as it stands now....I'm still waiting for my new blocking toy, so I'm actually looking forward to the opportunity to give it a try.
Here's a pic of the old tomato with silver collar:
Here I am at new guy "G's" house modeling the final version before the Charger's game....d*mn you Patriots (raising fist to the sky)....Obviously this is BEFORE the game started. You can even get a glimpse of my new, even shorter hair do. 
Pattern: Tomato by Wendy Bernard
Yarn: King Tut Mercerized Cotton - Burgundy (MC) Silver (CC)
Needles: US 5 & 6
Size: 35 1/2"
Modifications: Started the herringbone pattern just below the bust to define smaller part of my body. I did corrugated ribbing for the collar in both main and contrasting colors and then bound off in the contrasting color. Added one silver knit row at the bottom, below the ribbing. I completed the sleeve edging using the CC for the ribbing and then followed with one knit row in burgundy before binding off. I'm about a 38 1/2" bust, so there's around 3" of negative ease. I wanted this to be very form fitting, especially since the cotton might change it's drape slightly with wear down the road.
***HAPPY MLK, JR. DAY EVERYONE!!!!!***
Here's a quick pic of the finished Tomato - version one. Since snapping this photo, I have already removed the neckline. I'm going to give the corrugated rib a try. I'm also going to bring up the neckline a bit, so I can wear it to work.
I really enjoy buying cooking, knitting, and quilting books. I have not been doing much cooking lately, especially after going raw and the quilting bug only hits me sporadically. With that said, I have made two new book purchases on Amazon.com. The title alone intrigued me, but with the subtle nudge of a post by Emily from MLE Knits, I made the leap and purchased Sensual Knits. The other dreamy find is Knitting Classic Style by Veronik Avery. I fell in love with the Military Jacket when it was nominated for the SKC. Alas the Chinese Pullover and Military Jacket did not succeed - my two fav choices, so I'm off to venture the knitting waters alone.
I have my next two projects decided. First up is the Surplice Bodice Camisole and then I'll work on the Lacy Cardigan. Both are done in pieces, so I'm going to get a chance at working on improving this skill for sure. It's 2008 after all!
Tomato is complete, however I still want to redo the neck in a corrugated ribbing, instead of the silver alone. I've done a few minor modifications to the pattern to make it my own (which I normally never do) and I think a mild blocking (yes, I'm going to actually block it, too) should even out the few minor bumps that creeped up towards the end. My new blocker as been shipped, so hopefully I'll receive it in the next couple of days so I can post an after blocked pic.
While 2007 was about accomplishing quantity, I really want to learn new techniques, focus on quality, and actually enjoy the process of knitting. I have made two great knitting buddies, Gail and Brandi in addition to two or three knitting groups that I venture out to, here and there. All discovered by the wonderful world known as the online knitting community.
So...I predominately knit top down patterns for these two reasons:
- I can try it on as I go, which allows me to adjust my problem areas, such as the bust.
- I cannot seam to save my life!
Well - I was visiting A Nurse that Knits, one of my daily blog reads and stumbled upon a great knit purchase. It's a Knitter's Block. I have a few patterns that I've purchased in the past including this and this, but haven't worked on them due to my poor seaming skills. In my defense - I never block, so maybe that's why the pieces don't seam together easily. So....I know have this new knitter's block that I hope will encourage me to block more. I think the lacy cardigan will be my next project, so I'm excited to see how things develop.
In tomato news, I'm just finishing up the ribbing on the bottom and will only have the arm cuffs to complete. Only thing - I don't like the color anymore. I wanted it in the silver, but now that I've been knitting it for awhile, I'm not pleased with the effect. So - once I finish the bottom and sleeves I will take a picture of the FO before ripping the color. I plan on trying it in corrugated ribbing instead. Let's hope this will please me more, since the fit seems great (my first project since losing weight) and I'd like to get a descent amount of wear out of this one, since it's cotton and perfect for San Diego weather.
Here's a quick pic of my tomato. I have just a bit more length to add on the bottom and to pick up the sleeves. I plan on using the contrasting color for the arm band and hem. The fit seems to be really good so I'm pretty pleased.
I am still working on my Tomato, but have made great progress. I'll post pics by tomorrow or Friday - maybe even as an FO. In other news, I had a great 2008. I met a friend for coffee at Starbucks and ended meeting a really nice guy there. We exchanged numbers and went on a date. He seems really sweet and things are going well. It's nice to know there's dating after the end of love. I even had a conversation letting Tully know and he was soooo understanding and even happy for me. It confirms that he and I can remain friends regardless of not lasting as a romantic couple after six years. Life is pretty promising right now.....
In more knitterly news - I'm wanting to expand my knitting prowess this year. I'm going to experiment with more color work and attempt more projects that are outside of sweaters or tops, which is all I ever seem to do these days. I'm still perusing Ravelry and with all of the KALs going on, I shouldn't have trouble picking new projects for the year.
