Goal

Glancing at my blog, I see that I haven't had any real significant FO's in a long time. I know, I know, it's not *all about* the end results, but it does feel nice to finish something. So I have set the goal to finish the Grecian Plaits by WEDNESDAY and wear it to Sit 'n' Knit. I tend to work well with deadlines. Much like when I keep putting off that 15 page paper until the night before it's due because I just love the thrill!!

So I have only 20 rows left. Of course with the increases the rows are getting longer and longer but it's just stockinette so I can do it. It needs to be blocked too so I need to factor in that time.



I'm relatively pleased with how it looks so far. I've finally started utilizing the *wonderful* idea of using waste yarn to actually try it on instead of just going along blindly hoping to God that it fits. And so the top fits very well, and that's good. The problem is, however, that this yarn has such perfect stitch definition that any slightly sloppy looking stitch is very noticeable. At least to me.

I also want to change my blog name. (Just like Knerdy). Because I'm tired of it and it's long! I can't think of anything though. Ideas?

Ooooh

Um excuse me, has anyone noticed how awesome Norah Gaughan is? She's one of my favorite knitwear designers these days. Her patterns are imaginative, creative, and gorgeous. Last week at the yarn shop we got a new pattern booklet put out by Berroco designed exclusively by Ms. Gaughan. And wowza. I want to make everything in it! Everyone must get a copy of Norah Gaughan Vol. 1!! A small sampling of what I'm drooling over:




Many of the patterns in the booklet are made from Ultra Alpaca Light which is also what the Intricate Stag Bag is made from. And guess what? It's only $5.50/skein! Woo hoo. There are so many freakin' things I want to knit, I'm going crazy.

I'm nearing the finish line on my Grecian Plaits top. Can't wait til it's done! Then I can start something new.

Makin' Progress...

I've been working solely on the Grecian Plaits top this week although my free time in the last couple of days has been devoted to a Mr. Harry Potter.

I've been making alterations to this pattern left and right. Nothing too drastic. I figured that since I shortened the yoke so much I should somehow alter the rest of the sizing. I'm no math whiz (to say the least) so I was uncomfortable picking up fewer stitches than called for so I left out a couple increase rows. I also decided to leave out the garter stitch armhole border...for now. If it looks too "unfinished" I'll pick up stitches later or perhaps crochet an edging. The other day I made it down to below my bust and then put it on waste yarn to try it on. I think it fit pretty well. So I proceeded and now I'm almost done with the waist cable. Then it's straight shot stockinette with a couple increases. I usually hate lots and lots of St st but when the yarn is so delectable I let it slide.

Pics to come when I get over my laziness and put it on waste yarn again.

Ripping Good Time

Did you know that a double crochet (dc) in a British pattern is a single crochet (sc) in the U.S.? Because I didn't. So I was crocheting along happy as a clam here in the good ol' US of A on a Sirdar baby dress for the shop when I thought ...this looks a little large. A Google search later and *oops* I have to rip it all out. But it doesn't make sense...why do the Brits skip a single crochet and go right to double? And, if these patterns are going to be sold in the U.S., why isn't there some kind of note about it? We're not talking centimeters to inches here; we're talking a significant disparity. I'm not one of those Americans who expects everyone to speak English wherever I am in the world or anything like that...but would it be that hard to have some kind of conversion chart? I mean, I had to rip back pretty far.

Okay, enough bitching.

In other ripping news, I faced my demons and shortened the yoke for the Grecian Plaits top. I didn't measure (stupid?) but I tore out about 5-6 inches (about 13-15 centimeters....see it wasn't so hard to convert!!), and now the yoke looks a reasonable size.



I'm hoping that I won't regret it later although I can always go back...again...and redo it...again. But for some reason I don't think I'd have the wherewithal to do that. I think it would end up in the "WIPs bin"...for a long time.

I cast on for the Teardrop scarf tonight. I hope I enjoy this pattern. It's lace but it's boring lace. I had to cast on 326 stitches (teeny stitches with teeny yarn) so each row takes me a really long time. And so far, the only lace is at the ends and the rest straight knitting. I do like the Lacey Lamb though. And I learned how to add beads while knitting (without pre-stringing) with a dental floss threader. Genius! Pictures to come when I make some progress worth photographing.

I know when to accept defeat.

I finished the yoke for the Grecian Plaits top. Sort of. I followed the directions exactly. It is 46" long just like the directions said. I grafted the two sides together. But it just looks ridiculously big. So the question is: do I keep following the pattern and hope it turns out or do I rip back to a size that seems more reasonable? The smallest size given in the pattern is 37 1/2" bust and I usually make a 32" or so. All I know is that right now I can't visualize how this will ever work.


Today I'm teaching my first kid's crochet class. I made two little projects for them to try. A twisty scarf that just uses chains and single crochets.






(Pattern: Rivka original; Yarn used: Plymouth Boku)


And a little purse.










(Pattern: Rivka original; Yarn used: Debbie Bliss SoHo)


Hope it goes well!

So busy

I've been so busy the past couple of weeks. Working every single day at 2 different places (Yarn shop plus I help out at Vertigo Books when the owners go out of town). So I've hardly had any time to knit. Well, that's not true. I knit a lot at work, but it's store models and models for the class I'm going to teach. I'm teaching a kid's crochet workshop this Saturday. My first kids class! I'm so nervous. I'm making a scarf that they can make for their first project. It only takes chains and single crochets but it makes this cool swirl effect.

I've also been working on a baby sweater with booties for a shop model to show off Phildar Eponge. It's a really fun yarn, and the pattern is very simple, but it just doesn't want to get done.

At work they let me choose what to make in the way of models, so my next choice will be something I find more interesting. What I'd really like, however, is to have time to work on my ever-growing stack of WIPs. I seem to have set aside the Lacy Hug-me-tight for the time being, but I'm still chugging along on the yoke for the Grecian Plaits top. I'm concerned about the fitting for this. I still have a good 10 inches to go on the yoke but it already seems to be just about the size I want. I don't want it to be loose. I'm going to keep trusting the pattern for now and see what happens.

My copy of Scarf Style is now on the way after I found it on Interweave's wonderful Hurt Book Sale. I got both Scarf Style AND Wrap Style for $15 together!!! I'm so excited. Once that comes, the scarves shall commence. I can start the Teardrop scarf anytime since I have the pattern and that pretty turquoise Lacey Lamb is on the shelf in the shop waiting for me. Just have to get the beads. Actually, I'm going to go to Jo-Anns (blech) right now. Hey, it's all I have in this town.

I enjoy knitting

Nothing too exciting going on. I'm making some washcloths for Adam's mom for her birthday and I'll pair them with a bar of handmade soap (not made by me of course). Here's 2 of the cloths.



Turquoise Cloth...
Pattern: Leaf-Patterned Dishcloth from Things Stitched
Yarn: Tahki Cotton Classic, color 3816
Needles: Size 5

Blue Cloth...
Pattern: Travelling Vine Cloth from Smariek Knits
Yarn: Knit One, Crochet Too Ty-Dy, color 631
Needles: Size 5

The original plan was to make her the Tutu Tea Cozy from Knit 2 Together but I think it looks funny. I haven't added all of the ruffles yet...



If I can make it look presentable I'll give it to my mom for her birthday (I was planning on making her one anyway). I'm also going to make my mom a hand-sewn knitting needle roll since she's on a roll with her knitting! I'm so proud of my mom--she's made a gorgeous felted bag, a vest, and another bag is on the way!

I finished my dad's clogs. Just need to felt them. And I made a really cute wine bottle cozy for my brother for his birthday. I crocheted it out of some Lion Brand Wool-Ease from my stash and added some knitted leaves and grapes from the Holly and Berries pattern in Nicky Epstein's Knitting Over the Edge. Unfortunately my camera was misplaced when I gave it to him so hopefully I can get a picture at some point.

I also started the lace border of my Lacy Hug-Me-Tight. It's an interesting lace with fun doughnut shapes.




Oh and I think I'm going to use Ella Rae Classic for the Hideout Coat. I've swatched some in my stash and if I hold 3 strands together, it's just right.

Winter..?

Okay, I hate cold weather. But I kind of wish winter would hurry up. Just because there's so many great cold-weather patterns that I want to make. All of those incredible chunky sweaters from Big City Knits. And my latest obsession, the Hideout Coat from the Fall issue of Knitscene.


It's just such a great coat. And I've decided on a scarf for my mom (I'm going to start the scarves soon): the Teardrop Scarf from the same issue of Knitscene. One ball of Jade Sapphire Lacey Lamb which is really great stuff. And it's knit sideways which is intriguing. With beads.