Nothing exciting

I feel like I've been showing you all so many FO's lately that I'm not sure how to start a "normal" post anymore. The past week, I've been making progress.

Rusted Root. Nothing exciting to tell you about here. This pattern is pretty straight-forward. I'm using Berocco Touche in Iris. I made some modifications to the sleeves, but I'll tell you about them in the FO post.

My mom's sweater. This one is almost finished - whoo hoo! The saga with this began back in January when she asked for a sweater 2 weeks before her birthday. She picked a pattern out of Luxury Knits that calls for 2 strands of Kidsilk Haze held together. Elann Baby Silk has been a fabulous substitute. I just have one sleeve to go.

Some seaming done, with one sleeve left.

Ribbing around the neckline.

I think the seaming looks pretty good!

Grow, second sleeve, grow!

FO: February Baby Sweater #2 and Saartje's Bootees

Here's a glimpse of last week's knitting.
Monday: Pregnant friend #1 has baby girl.
Tuesday: We hear from friends and learn of their new baby daughter. I cast on for February Baby Sweater #2 (you all know this pattern or have seen FOs of it).
Wednesday: Finish yoke and sleeve 1.
Thursday: Finish sleeve 2 and start body.
Friday: No knitting.
Saturday: Finish body, wash and dry sweater. Sew on buttons. Done? Cool! Hmm, how 'about some little bootees too? No problem!

Yarn: Rowan Handknit DK Cotton, color 310. About 3 balls.
Pattern: EZ's Knitter's Almanac

Modifications: Zilch. I added the little flower pin, called a yo-yo, inspired by Elliphantom's version. A tutorial on how to make these is here.

Verdict: Adorable. I like this one better than the first one I made, probably because of the little yo-yo. And because it's pink. I promise this is the last pink knit for a while. Seriously. I'm excited to gift this because the baby's mom is a fellow knitter. She doesn't blog, but she reads knitting blogs and last year as we drove together to the Stitches East Market, we were talking about blogs and she mentioned the EZ baby sweater she had seen on Elliphantom's site. I had seen it too, and we agreed it was so cute. I am excited to give her one for her new little girl!

Last week, I saw Brooklyn Tweed's and Silverknits' finished versions of Saartje's Bootees.

I couldn't resist. The baby sweater above is sized for about a 1 year old, so these were the perfect little "wear now" quick knits to go with it. They took only about an hour to knit and less than a ball of Cotton Glace, color 809. I found 4 little white buttons from my odds and ends buttons. Cute!

The week's knitting schedule is to give Rusted Root and Cable Down Raglan some TLC. It's almost time to start thinking about the fall knits.

I'm blushing

Something Blushy has made me blush. Well, actually it was all of your wonderful comments on it and Lynne's truly kind post in which she named me a Rockin' Girl Blogger:

I don't know what to say! Thank you. For a little history on the Rockin' Girl Blogger award, you can read here. I think now that I've been named one, I have to select someone else. So stay tuned!

Some of you asked about how I actually incorporated the cables into Something Blushy. Here are details:

I pretty much followed Wendy's instructions except for the cabling. The cable pattern I used was this 4 row repeat:

1: p2, k3, p1, k3
2: k2, p2, slip 1 purlwise, k1, slip 1 purlwise, p2
3: p2, slip 2 sts to cn and hold to back, k1, k2 from cn, p1, slip 1 st to cn and hold to front, k2, k1 from cn
4: k2, p3, k1, p3

This pattern occurs over 9 sts, so when you reach the point for cabling to start (about 3-4" past the armhole), count the total # of sts on your needle. So it fits, I would advise using your gauge (mine was 5 sts/1") and figure out how big around the garment is at this point. I wanted something close to a 35" bust with the button band, and knowing that cables pull in a bit, I ended up with 188 sts on the needle, which comes out to 188/5 = 37.6 inches around. I don't know the details of negative ease, so maybe my method is too much like guesswork, but I would say just try it on!

Now, count up how many 9 st repeats you could do over your total # of sts. I had 188 sts on the needle, so I could do 20 of the 9 st repeats (180 sts) and then have 8 leftover. Because the 9 st repeat ends with the cabled stitches, I wanted to have 2 purl stitches follow the very last cable on the RS row so it looked symmetric. So, add 2 extra purls, which brings you up to 182 sts. Now there are 6 leftover. I decided to just keep these in st st, with a k3 at the beginning of all RS rows and ending with a k3 on all RS rows. This made picking up sts for the button band easier. I guess the "ideal" situation would be to have exactly a multiple of 9 + 2 extra purl stitches + 2 extra st st so you can pick up the button band easily, but don't have these extra st st stitches showing (though I don't think they are a big deal). If you zoom in on one of my posted photos, you should be able to see the sts I am referring to.

So I did:

k3, [9 st repeat here 20 times], p2, k3 on the right side rows
p3, [9 st repeat here 20 times], k2, p3 on the wrong side rows

When you do the increases for the flares (I followed Wendy's guidelines), all the p2's in the pattern and extra p2 you added become p3 and then p4 (and p5 if you need more room, I did). The p1 between the cables do not get any increases.

The math can get a little tricky. For example, if you had 180 sts, this is exactly 20 repeats. But, you need the extra purl stitches at the end. So to get 182 sts I would do another increase at the neck on each end to get the extra 2 sts before starting the cabling, because if you do only 19 repeats of the pattern, this leaves 9 sts: 2 purls at the end and 7 leftover. This 7 doesn't split in half evenly.

I followed the same plan for the sleeves, except I didn't do extra sts in stockinette. I just kept them in reverse st st. I believe I had 59 sts for the sleeves. This gives me 6 repeats of the 9 sts (54 sts) with 5 leftover. I added the extra 2 purl stitches at the end of the last pattern repeat, so I still had 3 leftover. I just tacked on 2 purls at the beginning and 1 purl at the end. Since this was going to be where my seam was (I don't knit sleeves in the round....), the extra purls were OK. When I did the increases on the sleeves, I only increased the p2's that were sandwiched between cables and not the ones at the ends. I did 2 increase rows on the sleeves.

This was tricky to try and explain, so I hope it's clear! Try and have a plan of attack as you're increasing the v-neck past the armhole. If you need help or want a second opinion on your stitch count and how it converts into cabling, please feel free to email or comment!

Something Blushy Finished

Not only another FO this week, but a pink one! Ha ha, I think I've satiated my need for pink knits for now. Here is "Something Blushy":

Pattern: Wendy Knit and Tonic's Something Red

Yarn: Valley Yarns Southwick (cotton/bamboo) in color Blush, 8 balls

Modifications: I changed the 2x2 ribbing to a cable pattern, inspired by Ivy from the fall '06 Knitty. Because of the cabling and the disaster of my last cabled cardigan, I did 2 more increase rows to create the flare in the body. I also did 2 increases across the sleeve so it flared. For the buttons, I debated between doing buttons all the way down or just one. I had this pair of buttons and decided the two together would give it a unique look.

This sweater was really challenging to photograph. This is a pretty spot-on representation of the color.

Verdict: I went back and forth on my love for this while knitting it. I started thinking it was going to be too girly, especially with the cables. But as I was finishing the button band, I felt like it had a vintage-y look to it, particularly with the buttons. So, in the end I am really happy with it. The Southwick yarn was a little splitty, but this is a lightweight yarn considering its DK gauge. It's really soft and much lighter than other cottons (or cotton blends) I've worked with, like Touche, Elann Sonata, Tahki Cotton Classic, Cotton Fleece, etc. It held its shape through blocking and hasn't stretched out. I'm not familiar with the characteristics of bamboo, so we will see how it holds up, but I think the bamboo is what gives it the lovely drape.

I chose to knit it in this color because I needed a replacement for a longtime loved pink cardi with 3/4 sleeves that I'd had for many years. It was my favorite summer cardi and one day, it met its end when it got washed with a new pair of jeans that bled all over it (and nothing else in the wash!). I think Something Blushy will be a good replacement.

Ms. Marigold Finished

After a bit of frogging and re-knitting, Ms. Marigold is finished.

Yarn: Berocco Touche, color Bubblegum #7932, 6 skeins.

Pattern: Zephyr Girls, found here

Bill finds his inner-photographer.

Modifications: When it was all said and done, I pretty much followed the pattern as written. I added the shaping past the armhole at the sides instead of only in the front, and I also added some waist shaping. I sewed down the ruffles on the sides so they didn't just "sit" there. I did seed stitch borders instead of ribbing.

Verdict: Good! It's a cute little summer top, and I wore it out to dinner on Saturday. It's just a tad snug, but I am expecting cotton to stretch a little, so we'll see. I LOVED working with the Touche. It's a cotton/rayon blend and totally soft and a little shiny. Not splitty, just real nice. Softer than Cotton Fleece. I got some in the dark purple to make Rusted Root next.

I decided to fancy it up a little more by adding beads along the neckline. I tried to string them directly onto the Touche yarn, but that wasn't happening easily. So, I bought matching sewing thread and carried it along with the yarn and pulled up a bead when I needed it. They are a little loose, and carrying thread along with yarn is a pain in the you-know (there was an event involving me, scissors, curse words and a tangled mess), but I think it was worth it.

See the beads?

I'm glad this one's done, but funny thing, it really isn't. I re-knit the bottom hem twice and the neckline twice. Got the ruffles on the first try. But, after wearing it on Saturday, I decided it could be a tad longer, so it's on needles right now awaiting an extra inch or so of seed stitch. Then, I swear, it will be finito!

OMG, I'm in heaven!!

I checked my email this morning and there was my invite to Ravelry! I just stopped and stared. I've been waiting for this moment for over a month.

I know it's hard to tell each other's traits through a blog, but I am an overly organized person. I am the type who is constantly cleaning out drawers, buying organizing bins and keeping things straight. I can't stand clutter. Ravelry is knitting heaven for me.

I am getting stuff up and am running home to photograph EVERYTHING today. I've been thinking that I should start taking photos of my stash, and now I will! I am going to look for you all to add to my friends section.

Ms. Marigold and Something Blushy are on their way to FO-land. Progress report soon.

Blogiversary and WIP update

Here is a look at the knitting pile occupying me lately:

Something "Blushy", aka knit and tonic's Something Red. This is attempt #2 at making a pink cardigan with cables to give it a fitted look. It needs to be blocked, but I think it gets at what I was going for. Unfortunately, I ran out of yarn here - with about 1/3 of the sleeve to go. Order for 1 more ball has been made. This should be done next week.

Trellis, from Knitty. I'm not sure yet who this is for. I have 2 pregnant friends and depending on who has what (sex-wise), this may get done speedy or slowly.

My poor mother's lingering sweater. I know she won't wear this 'til fall, but I really need to get my act together and finish it! I've got the back and one sleeve done and just started the front.

Ms. Marigold. Ah, Ms. Marigold. Those who read last week's post might notice that she looks a little shorter. Hmm. Well, I was just about finished the bottom last night and decided to try it on. It was way too big! I ripped back to the armhole and am inserting decreases instead. I tried it on again and am glad to report it fits. Maybe this one will get done next week too.

Last, and yes, least, is the Cable Down Raglan. Why did I cast this on? I don't know. I've wanted to get it going for a while and think it will get good wear on cool nights and early fall. Isn't there enough in my WIP pile as it is, though? What was I thinking? Seriously.

And, this week is my approximate 1 year blogiversary. Thanks to those who read and/or comment. I think the feedback, advice and help we share in this community is just amazing. So, thanks!

Ms. Marigold: Revisited

Last summer I knit Ms. Marigold using elann Sonata. This is what she looked like:

Hi, I'm Ms. Marigold. I'm too short (see Amanda pulling my sides down?) and too tight across the middle.

To make a long story short, I ran out of yarn for this project twice, which means the little ruffle was not very ruffly, and well, that's what I like about the project. In the end it took me 4 balls of Sonata, though I could have easily used 5 to make it longer and rufflier. So the total cost of that project was about $7.92 in yarn + who knows how much in frustration.

What was the fate of Ms. Marigold? Well, she was placed in a bag to be donated and may be in the land of misfit knits for all I know. I figured since I could buy a sandwich combo meal for what she cost to make, it wasn't worth frogging. It felt good to send her away and start over.

I bought some Berroco Touche in a yummy bubblegum color (and bought LOTS of it, no running out of yarn this time!) and have re-started my new, improved Ms. Marigold:

A few changes this time: I cast on for the 36" version and followed instructions to the point where the armholes are formed. At this point, there are no stitch counts. This section was tight on me the first time, so I took a tape measure and measured myself around where the front section would join. I estimated I wanted it to be 30" around, so at 5 sts/in, I needed 150 sts total on the needles after increasing and casting on the center 10 sts.

I had my problems with the pattern, but mainly I thought it was kinda half-a**ed. For $5.50, or whatever it was, I don't necessarily need a schematic, but this pattern was just poorly written, not to mention the underestimate of yardage! Anyway, I know the Zephyr Girls have improved their patterns since, as I purchased a copy of Wicked, which has schematics and stitch counts. Usually I like figuring things out and designing a little when I knit, but I don't want to feel like I have to make up for what a pattern that I purchased lacks.

Now I just have to go round and round til I reach the bottom hem. AND! I bought some fun beads to try decorating the neckline. More on that later.

Baby Booties

Thank you for the lovely comments on Swan Lake. I wore her to work and got many compliments. The Cotton Fleece was a little warmer than I expected. Has anyone machine washed Cotton Fleece, or do you follow the instructions to hand wash cold?

Some of you may have noticed that I am not really a sock knitter. Well, more accurately, I've never thought about knitting a sock nor owned a skein of sock yarn. Maybe I'm missing out on something, I don't know, but I've just never been excited by the idea of knitting a sock. I'm not saying anything negative about knit socks - the ones I see in blogland are lovely, but I just don't get the "OMG, I MUST knit that!!" feeling that I get from sweater patterns. Case in point: this week I found the Maude Louise sweater pattern by Knitting Kninja and practically squealed in excitement.

Tonight we are going to a duckpin bowling birthday party for my 3-months pregnant friend. We don't usually exchange gifts, but since we are being fed and entertained, I though it appropo to bring something. So, I pulled out some leftover Swish in red and green and knit up some little baby booties.

Pattern: Angora Baby Booties from Last Minute Knitted Gifts

Yarn: Knitpicks Superwash Swish in Fired Brick and Dublin

What I Learned: This is why I brought up the whole non-sock-knitting thing. I was delighted at the construction of these and made me really appreciate all those lovely socks you all knit.

Modifications: I cast on 18 sts instead of 24 and followed pattern using a 2/3 stitch ratio.

Verdict: Well, they're a little big, but they're intended to be Christmas booties (baby is due December 2) . So maybe they'll go over socks. They remind me of those pull-on flippers snorkelers wear. Bill said they are Freddy Krueger socks.

Swan Lake Cardigan Finished!

When I started this pattern, I wasn't expecting fabulous results, but I am thrilled with how it turned out!!

We took these pictures this morning before I left for work and right before Bill got in the shower. I caught him just as he was getting in the shower, if you know what I mean. Well, he decided to bare it all outside while snapping these pics (even though I did offer my lovely pink robe). I couldn't help trying not to bust out laughing at what neighbors would think . . . fortunately, we have old ladies in the houses next to us and no children.

Anyway, here are the details:

Pattern: Swan Lake Cardigan, by Joan McGowan-Michael, Interweave Knits Spring 2007

Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Banana, just less than 4 whole skeins, size 3 circular bamboos

Size: I followed instructions for the smallest size, 33 1/2"

Modifications: I pretty much knit this one exactly as written. The only change was the middle section of the body. I knit the number of rows called for by the larger size because I wanted it to be longer. After years of knitting, I have finally realized I like my knits to be around 14" long before hitting the armhole shaping.

The only other change was that I could not get the gauge called for the in pattern. I went down to size 3's and still was getting 5 sts/inch, which is why I knit the smaller size. I figured it would come out closer to the 35" one, which I wanted, and I think it worked.

I worked an extra round of single crochet around all the borders before doing the rev sc, and I omitted the tulle.

Verdict: Oh, I really love this. It's so different from anything else I have and I love the puffy sleeves. They are so darling, if I do say so.

I got the buttons at Joann's with another project in mind, but when I put them up against the Swan Lake, I thought they went just perfectly.

After knitting this, I am ordering McGowan-Michael's Lingerie Style today. Her design was simple enough but so effective in its results. I can't wait to see what she's cooked up in her book.

Almost done!

Over the long weekend, I finished all the knitting for the Swan Lake Cardigan. Then I started seaming. Fun.

I started by sewing the sleeves into the armholes, even though the pattern says to seam the sides first. I think this makes it harder to the set the sleeves in properly, so I ignored the instructions. After seaming the first sleeve, I realized I had done it completely wrong. The sleeve is supposed to be puffy (DUH) and only be about 1 1/2 long. I set it in so the sleeve was about 5" long and not puffy. I freaked out, thinking the sleeve pattern was incorrect, but then I realized that I needed to make much bigger pleats.

Better.

So far, so good. Then I started seaming the sides. Reverse stockinette. Ugh. I did the first side on Monday and it came out really crappy - all bumpy and uneven. Yesterday, I found this helpful website with a simple technique for seaming reverse stockinette. It also works for garter stitch.

I started the second side seam using this technique and I think it looks OK so far. It even stretched flatter when I tried it on.

Then, on to the crochet. I am not a very good crocheter. I only do it when I have to, and not only does this pattern call for regular crochet, it calls for something crazy called reverse single crochet (rev sc). What? I looked at the instructions and Googled and realized it's kind of the equivalent to knitting through the back loop. It's also called crab stitch. So, I started rev sc on the sleeve border.

I couldn't get it to stop curling in, so I started with a round of single crochet and then worked the reverse sc. I think it turned out close enough to what the pattern looks like in the magazine.

Tonight: Finish seaming side, re-do first crappy side seam. Work crochet border on second sleeve. If time permits, move on to the body crochet, which involves making button holes . . . . yikes. Maybe an FO post by the weekend?

Swan Lake Progress

A little knitting monogamy this week has given Swan Lake a boost in the WIP pile. I finished up the back at the end of last week, knit the right front over the weekend and am about 1/2 way through the left front, with hopes of finishing it tonight.

It looks all twisty and long, but that's the stockinette sides pulling in. I'm really excited to see how it turns out. The chart has actually been extremely helpful and I'm glad the whole garment is mapped out on it.

Loving the Cotton Fleece.

With the long weekend approaching, this baby might be finished next week!

One other little tidbit: Last spring, before I started blogging, I knit two little hats for a co-worker who was expecting twins, one boy and one girl. He showed me these pics of the now one-year olds modeling the little bunny ear-ed hats!

Boy bunny.

Girl bunny.

Too cute! Here's the pattern I used.

I've been tagged! Trip pictures!

This is the first time I've been tagged, so I am probably excessively excited about this. Thank you Monica (aka Rubys & Purls) for picking me! Here are the rules:

Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those who are tagged need to write on their own blog those 7 facts as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

Seven random things about me (that you probably don't know):

1) My dad was National Bridge Champion in 1975 and 1989.
2) I sing in my church choir.
3) I've played piano since I was in 3rd grade.
4) My great uncle, Joe Ostrowski, pitched for the Yankees in the 1951 World Series. I must clarify that I am most definitely NOT a Yankees fan.
5) I first saw the musical Les Miserables when I was 12 and have seen it at least 7-8 times since (I've lost count) in New York, Washington DC and London.
6) I will order any dessert that has peanut butter, no matter what it is (pie, cake, torte, ice cream . . .)
7) I became a member of Pi Mu Epsilon in college for achievement in mathematics.

Now, I'm tagging:

Marly
Diana
Meredith
Karma
Yuvee
Kimberly
Silvia

Here's a few pictures from out trip out west. The Grand Canyon was definitely the highlight of the trip - truly breathtaking.

Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona, AZ. It's built into the side of a rock - cool!

Bill & I at the Grand Canyon



Diet-busting strawberry donut from Donut Man, on Route 66 in Glendora, CA. This place is about 35 minutes east of LA. If you live out there, you MUST find this place and have one!



Happy Cinco de Mayo!


Friends TJ and Anna, who live in Encinitas, helped celebrate.



Sunset on our last night, in La Jolla.

PS. I've switched over to Haloscan to moderate my comments. I got emails from 3 different people who had different problems with the Blogger comments. Hope this is easier!

Rrrrrrrrrip

I've been spending a lot of my knitting time in the past 2 or so months on this:

It's a top down v-neck with lotsa cables. Well, it's headed for the frog pond.

I had an idea in my head of what I wanted, and this is basically it, except the fit is way too small past the underarms. I must say, I got it to fit perfectly through the yoke - I just used Fitted Knits as a guide to how many stitches to cast on and how many increases to do.

But, I did a stupid thing. I put in these shaping darts along the bustline (you can see them in the photo), and I didn't know, from my lack of cabling experience, that these things together made for a very small body. And, it made this weird "boob cup" so that the sweater looks silly if it's unbuttoned.

I even hoped that putting on the buttonband would help, which I made extra big.

Then I thought maybe sewing on the buttons would help. The fit is OK, but I am just not loving it. And I want to love it.

I had been doubting the color all along, too. It's Debbie Bliss Cathay in color 09 and it's too fleshy of a pink. I have pretty fair skin, so I do better in brighter colors.

See how it pulls up in the back from being too tight? Yuck.

I am going to try again, this time doing something more along the lines of Something Red, but still with some cables. I am going to use this:

Valley Yarns Southwick - a 50/50 cotton/bamboo. This stuff is lusciously soft and shiny, and I LOVE this pink. I know it doesn't look different from the Cathay, but trust me, it is!

I have no idea what I'm going to do with the Cathay; I've got 9 balls of it (1 not used at all). I will probably wind it into neat balls and put it on Destash. If you're interested or want it, shoot me a line.

This is not all bad, though. I learned a lot about cables and fit and negative ease and all that, so it's all mostly good.