Taking a note from Something Red

In retrospect, although I'm very proud of Something Red, I doubt I will wear it very often. It doesn't fit me, not really. It's sort of gapey in the boob area, and it just doesn't feel flattering. I like the color I chose, and I think the knitting is decent, but it just doesn't fit.

The reason is clear now, and I think I know how to fix it. When working the increases, I kept increasing well past the point that I needed to stop for my body. This is an obvious realization for most knitters, but there you go.

I now know what a sweater should look like when it's time to separate the sleeves. I'm taking this new found knowledge in my next sweater attempt (even though I have a vest and my Central Park Hoodie on the needles, I know), Pink, by Wendy Bernard. I just got Wendy's book, Custom Knits, and the first design is a basic raglan sweater. I decided this is a good place for me to try again, and hopefully end up with a better fitting sweater that I can wear regularly.

I cast on with one of the first yarns I purchased, Berroco Touche. It's so soft, and the color is really rich. It knits up beautifully. I'm not sure about stripes (the design features a couple of stripes on one sleeve), but I've got three possible yarns to use for that purpose.

Hopefully, I won't lose momentum on this one.

Ravelympics

So, if you're not a knitter, or, if you're not a raveler, let me tell you a little about the ravelympics. It's a knitting event that takes place during the Olympics. There are different events, based on what you intend to knit, such as the Bag-and-Tote Backstroke, Hand-Dyed Hurdles and the Itsy Bitsy Bikini Backstroke. The object is to complete an object for whichever category you choose from the time the Olympics start to finish.
Since I am apparently really presumptuous about my knitting abilities, I signed up for two events: the Shawl Relay and WIPs Wrestling. For WIPs Wrestling (that's works in progress wrestling for you, mom and Jill) I'm hoping to finish two projects that have been sitting for months.

The majority of Something Red (and Yellow) was completed this spring, including on my New Mexico trip. All that's left is the collar. You knitters know that's a pretty intimidating portion, but I'm hoping I can knock it out. I'd really like to wear this in the fall.

The other WIP I'm hoping to wrestle is my Zig Zag Pillow. I started this last year (I think it's my oldest WIP). Since I'm only doing a pillow front (and then I'm going to use fabric for the back), it's possible that I could wrap it up during the Olympics.

And finally, to really prove my insanity, I'm hoping to start AND finish Angela's wedding shawl. Har. Considering I've never done a full lace project (unless you count Square Cake). The plan is Juno Regina in this yarn:

So, these are the things I'll be focusing on in the next few weeks. Hopefully, I can accomplish at least one of these three outlandish goals.

Motivating forces

After finishing Square Cake for Terra, I felt revamped. While I enjoy knitting gifts, if I feel forced or pressured to finish something, my excitement for the project immediately ceases. I seamed the purse on Friday night, and immediately jumped back into Something Red.

It's really coming along. I'm another inch and a half past the yellow stripe now. I've probably got another inch and a half or two inches left now, and I've decided to do the remaining portion in yellow. I'm really embracing yellow, which is odd-I've never really cared for it in clothing for myself. The wedding is this weekend, but I'm hoping to start the sleeves before Monday. We'll see.

I've also started a sock for myself, using the Yarn Love Juliet yarn I got from Woolgirl about a month ago. I've cast on thrice for the sock, which I originally planned to do Charlotte Schurch's Slipped Stitch Rib pattern, but then, when I had to cast on fewer stitches, I switched to her Waffle Rib II pattern.

I've tried to convince myself that these are tight enough around the calves, but they're not. I will, for the third time, have to frog them. Luckily, this nice yarn can take a beating, so at least it's not a total waste. Plus, I'm getting pretty good at using the small needles (I'm using 2.5s). Also in that picture, you can see my second tattoo (the other is on the left ankle).

Here's a cute picture of Bella, just because.

Back to work!

FO: Square Cake

I sewed up Square Cake last night. I was feeling sort of lazy, so I hand-sewed the lining, and I really like how it turned out.

Talk about cutting it close! The lingerie shower is this afternoon, which is when I'm gifting it.
Details:
Square Cake, by Jairlyn Mason, Knitty
Yarn: Tilli Tomas in Hope, less than 1 skein
Size Size 6 dpns, size 4 circ
Time:3 weeks
Gift for Terra's wedding
I enjoyed this pattern, and if I make another, I won't buy the Tilli Tomas yarn again, I will use smaller needles, and I won't get lazy with the straps like I did. The yarn is so expensive, and the sequins made things a little difficult. They got stuck on the yarn when I was seaming, and made the knitting a little slower than I would like. The finished product looks nice though, so I guess it was worth it. I like the fabric I chose for the lining-it's very girly, which I think is what the recipient would prefer.

I hope she likes the purse. She asked for something she could use on the big day, for her makeup and such. I know she will probably also use it on her honeymoon, and when she goes out.
All in all, I think this is a pretty successful gift. :) We'll see how she likes it.
After I finished the purse last night, I picked up Something Red (and Yellow) and got a few more rows knit. I started a second stripe of yellow, and I probably only have about 2 inches left on the body. Maybe I'll be able to start the button band this week.

Yucky

Since Saturday, I've been blessed with a sore throat, which progressed into a cough, general stuffiness, and general grossness. I don't get sick very often, so I really shouldn't complain. The shitty part is that I was home two days from work (usually a good thing, right?), but I didn't even have energy to knit. All I could do was stay in bed and watch a little crappy TV in between naps.
I'm still plugging away at Something Red (and Yellow), but it's hard to see progress on the looooooonnngg rows of ribbing. I finally decided to do one increase row, and I think it's going to fit nicely.
I've also done a little bit of embroidering in the last few days-it's really fun. When I make some progess, I'll show it off.

WIP-Something Red and Yellow

After losing some steam on this project in the last week, I got through several rows of ribbing before taking this picture last night. I'm really liking the fit so far. I've been debating about how to do the short-row collar, as well as the increases in the ribbing.
Here's some of my thoughts on the matter:
-If I make the collar as wide as it is in the pattern, it will overlap in the front (this tells me I probably could have made a smaller size), which I don't want, so I will definitely make the collar more narrow.
-I think the fit is loose enough without adding ribbing increases. I do like the sway the increases provide, and I"m wondering if I could create the same effect with some decreases instead, or if it will look alright with just straight ribbing.
-I'm also considering doing the short rows in yellow for emphasis, or maybe yellow with a thin red border.
Anyone have thoughts on these modifications?
I'd like to crank this out in the next week or so. I've got to get started on the Square Cake for Terra's wedding. It's almost April!

Home

Sarah and I had a blast in New Mexico. We hit seven yarn shops in four days. It was amazing. I have lots to say about the trip, but let's just let this picture speak for itself. This is after four of the seven shops:

Enough said. I will give more details on my stash additions soon, but I also have my something red (and yellow) to show you. I made lots of progress on the trip, so here's me with the sleeves on scrap yarn this morning:

Yep-very exciting. I'm debating doing little cables instead of ribbing at the bottom, as you can see Fancie Pants did here. I'm not sure yet. I will be adding another yellow stripe just above the ribbing/cables, or near the bottom of the garment, as well as on the sleeves.
That's all for now. More stash and trip pictures to come.

Santa Fe: stash and WIP update

Good morning! Sarah and I are in Santa Fe. We arrived Sunday and we've had such a wonderful trip so far. We've had amazing food, met lots of nice people and of course, purchased stash enhancements. Yesterday, we visited 2 local yarn stores, Miriam's Well and Needle's Eye. Each one had great selection and very knowledgeable owners. At Needle's Eye, I bought some patterns and this:

Araucania Nature Wool, 4 skeins, Rust
I'm not sure what it will be, but the color is gorgeous with slight variations.
At Miriam's Well, I bought two types of yarn: Crystal Palace Taos in Sedona, 2 skeins

and Elsebeth Lavold Cotton Patine, 8 skeins, 4 each of honey and faded blue

I've been working on my SOmething Red and Yellow, although the progress seems slow as the rows get longer and longer.

We've had fantastic luck with restaurant choices. I've eaten some green chile chicken stew, blue corn cheese enchiladas, potato crusted salmon with leeks, and a wonderful calzone. Mmm. I've also tried a couple of local beers, always a plus. :)
Today, we're driving to Taos and tomorrow, we head to Albuquerque.

Travel and such

This afternoon, my mom leaves for a 17-day trip to Turkey and Paris. She's never been out of North America, and she's excited/nervous/scared. I'm jealous/envious/excited for her. :) She asked me what type of souvenir I'd like, and after some serious thought, I requested some yarn, if she comes across any. I imagine that especially in Turkey, wool is plentiful and easy to find. I was going to write down for her specifications for yarn I'd like, but this morning, I told her to just look and feel, and that she is perfectly capable of picking something good. Also, of course, I told her not to spend more than she wanted to, because, as we know, you can easily throw down an arm and a leg for some yarn.

Sunday, I leave for New Mexico (just one state over, so not quite as exciting as Turkey and Paris) with Sarah. I'm really excited to be off work for a week, go to yarn shops, knit, eat good food, and just have some girl time with Sarah.
I still haven't figured out what I'm going to take to work on, but I started Something Red and even though it will be a large project, it would be good for a trip like this, where I'll have lots of time over the week to work on it. Whether I bring it or not, I will also be bringing some sock yarn to start practicing. I think this trip is the perfect time to learn, and not just because Sarah will be there to help me. ;)