Eleven Stitches

Blue Gable

Where did this sweater come from?

Pattern: Loosely based on Green Gable from Zephyr Style
Yarn: Brooks Farm Harmony
Needles: US6 circulars
Time to Knit: Sometime in November 2006 - Sometime in August 2007

This was one of my oldest WIPs.  Simply put, it doesn't fit.  Well, it fits, but it doesn't flatter.  I noticed this quite a while ago, and I ripped it back to add some bust shaping and increase the size a little.  It only helped a little bit, and the horizontal striping hurt the cause.

So it sat in limbo for a long time, and then I had my younger (and skinnier) sister try it on.  It really looked great on her!  I only had to finish up a few things, and now it's ready to wear. 

I made a lot of modifications to this pattern.  I was originally inspired by Fricknit's version of this sweater, and I also wanted to knit long sleeves.  I just knitted them straight (no shaping) which gave me kind of a bell effect.  I also repeated the lace detail at the cuff and finished with seed stitch.  I added some seed-stitch short rows to the back neckline because it was curling so badly.  I also added some short row bust shaping.  I think I also did some waist shaping and hip shaping, but I don't really remember anymore!

I'm glad I have it finished up in time for my sister to wear it this fall!

Lessons Learned

My Back to School U-Neck Vest has taught me a lot of things.  This is what I've learned.

Math Size US9 and US7 needles, a little over 2 skeins of Malabrigo Worsted in Rhodesian, most of one skein of Malabrigo Worsted in Pagoda.  I knew I wouldn't have enough of just the orange yarn, so I added in the red along the edges.  I like the effect!  I added an inch to the ribbing section because I thought I would like the vest to be a little bit longer.

Reading Comprehension The pattern was well written, but be sure to check the errata.  Also, I think Ms. Japel must be a very loose knitter.  I always have to go up a few needles sizes to get gauge on her patterns.  I've read about some confusion about what type of increase to use when making the bust darts.  I just did a M1L and M1R and didn't worry about it.

Home Ec This vest was a bit big on me when I finished it.  I was a little depressed about knitting something that didn't fit, so it took me several days to block it.  Once I did, though, I liked the fit much better. 

PE This is a self portrait, taken on a timer.  Lots of wind sprints (of a sort) were done to get the best shot.

Social Studies A significant amount of knitting was accomplished while meeting with knitting friends.

Computers I finally started using a photo editor for this picture.  Since the camera's aperture was decided based on the door instead of me, all my pictures came out quite dark. I'm happy with the updated photo, and look forward to correcting color/brightness problems in my future pics.

History Time to Knit: September 5 - 15  Very quick!

Art I knitted a vest!  Isn't it pretty?

Things You Just Can't Learn in School Yay for this pattern, which is the Back to School U-Neck Vest from Fitted Knits by Stephanie Japel.  I think next time around I might knit a smaller size, but I'm happy with how this came out. 

Tweed Striped Sweater

I cast on for this sweater on an unseasonably cool day in August, and I wore it outside on a very warm day in September. When the temperature drops low and stays there, I'll be ready for it.

David wants to make sure you know that he took this excellent picture.

Pattern: More of a recipe, actually, from Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitting Workshop. It's a seamless V-neck sweater with inset sleeves.
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed in 20005, 5 balls and 04, 4 balls.  This yarn is now discontinued.
Needles: Addi Turbos size 7
Time To Knit:  August 11 - September 2
Modifications: I applied an interesting striping idea, "swatched" here.  I started with 1 row of green, 2 rows of purple, 3 rows of green, etc. Since the sleeves are a little longer than the body, they just stripe 1 row of each color until the ribbing begins.  I think this makes for a very flattering look, at least for my body shape.

David also took this picture.  In case you were wondering.

I used a steek to make the neckline.  I decreased one stitch on each side for every other row, got a little worried that this would make the neck too wide, and switched to one stitch on each side every third row.  When I was satisfied that the neck was big enough, I just knit straight for the remainder of the sweater.  The steek was also convenient for hiding the "jog" you get when changing colors while knitting in the round.

A few people asked me how I reinforced my steek. I didn't, actually.  When I got to the time when I had to do it, I was tired.  I didn't want to crochet.  I didn't want to go downstairs to my sewing machine.  The yarn is really grabby, and my test swatch didn't fray at all when I cut it, so I just went for it. It worked out quite well.

I love this sweater.  I'm still quite impressed with myself when I knit a sweater that actually fits me well, and this one certainly does. Now bring on some cooler weather!

Compare and Contrast

Today's Study: Kittens and Monkey Socks

1. Kittens and Monkey socks can both be found all over knitblogland.

Monkey Socks: Here and here, to name a few
Kittens: Here and here, to name a few

2.  Both are very fast. 

Monkey Socks: Knit June 1-4 and August 25-29
Kitten: Across the living room in 4.8 seconds

3. Both are soft and comforting.
Monkey Sock: 2 skeins of Apple Laine Apple Pie in Pretty in Pink, wool, mohair and silk
Kitten: See here

4. Both are able to raise the ire of a particular orange kitty.

Monkey: See below.
Kitten: Listen for scuffling on any (otherwise) quiet evening at Casa Eleven Stitches.

5. Monkey Socks Only: Knit on Susan Bates DPNs, size US1.

6. Kitten Only: Left oil paint footy prints on my craft table.

7. Both are photogenic.

Monkey Socks: See below
Kitten: See below

8. Monkey Socks Only: Modified with a picot cuff and longer heel flap.

9. Both are very welcome in their new home.

Because It's Been 4 Days Without a Sock Post

And finally, my third FO for the week.  The first sock of this pair was the one that got my whole single sock kick started.  After having so many difficulties in getting it to fit me, I couldn't face having to do a second one right away.  Fortunately, the second sock was completed without any major problems.

Pattern: Child's First Sock in Shell Pattern by Nancy Bush, from Knitting Vintage Socks
Yarn: Collinette Jitterbug in Velvet Bilberry, 1 skein
Needles: Susan Bates DPNs size US1
Time to Knit:  March 14 - April 18 and August 4 - 11
Modifcations: I only did 14 rounds of ribbing and only 5 repeats on the leg, I increased the heel flap by about 1", and I reversed the lace pattern for the second sock.

I got the idea to reverse the lace pattern for the second sock while I was knitting the first one.  The original only uses SSKs, and I was missing the (faster for me) K2togs. I was excited about flipping the pattern around for the second sock UNTIL I realized that now every single YO was in front of a purl stitch. I don't like having the stitches in this order, but I felt like I was committed at that point, so the flipped pattern stayed.

For the first repeat, I executed the YO P my regular way, but making a purl stitch with the yarn held to the back.  This makes a small YO that is sometimes difficult to find on the next round.  It's not very comfortable for me, but it does make the YO a similar size to my YO-before-a-knit-stitch. This got old rather quickly, and I then switched to wrapping the yarn entirely around the needle once, and then executing a purl stitch as normal.  The YOs are much bigger this way, but they are easy to execute, find, and pick up on the next round. As you can see, it made a difference in the lace patterning.

I only did 5 repeats on the leg because I was worried about running out of yarn. The Jitterbug skein only has 267 yards/100g.  This also means it's a thicker yarn, and my arms were getting a little sore after knitting it on size US1 needles.  I think next time I use this yarn I'll stick to patterns that require a size US2.

These socks feel wonderful on my feet.  They fit perfectly, and I know they'll be nice and warm come this winter.  This newest pair would have brought my single sock count down to 7, but as I have a new sock on the needles, my single sock count is soon going to be 8.  At least it's an improvement from 11!

My First Shawl

I've discovered recently that a shawl is very difficult to photograph.  All of you with the incredibly gorgeous shawl photos: I admire you even more than I did before.

Pattern: Shetland Triangle by Evelyn Clark in Wrap Style
Yarn: Artfibers Kyoto color 20, 4 balls
Needles: Knit Picks Options Size 9
Time to Knit: July 10 - July 26
Modifications: I added a extra repeat and left off the last 2 rows of the edge chart.

This was a really enjoyable knit, and a great first shawl!  I think Artfibers yarn worked really well in this shawl, too!

I calculated that I had enough yarn for an extra repeat, and I'm glad that I did.  It's a relatively small shawl even with the extra repeat.  I also feel satisfied that I was able to really maximize the amount of yarn that I had for it. Oh, and my calculations were spot on!  Yay for math!

Another thing I just learned: it's very difficult to hold your arms out straight for a long time.  David offered to do it instead.  He did a much better job, even if we didn't choose the greatest background for the picture.

This is a very pretty FO, and I'm really happy with it.  It will be great for a cool evening, or for some time when I'm feeling a little fancy.  Now I have to decide which shawl I want to knit next!

My New Bag

I've been wanting to make myself a new handbag for a while now.  I had all sorts of ideas for fabrics and shapes.  This is my end result.

I've found it easier to locate items in bags which are wider at the top than at the bottom, which is why I settled on this shape.  I like the combination of floral and polka dot fabrics, and I love my outside phone pocket and satin ribbon handle.

My new handbag also has an inside pocket, which I find useful.  It's a great excuse to use more polka dot fabric!

The one major problem with this bag, unfortunately, is its shape.  It really distorts when I pick it up by its cute satin strap.  I've come to realize that most bags which are wider at the top than at the bottom also are U or V shaped at the top so that they can distort gracefully.  Lesson learned!

Whew, Finally!

My Sockapalooza socks are done!  Just in time, too!  OK, I had some time to spare, but deadline knitting makes me nervous.  It invalidates the point of knitting (in my opinion) to be stressed out about it.

Pattern: Loksins! by Cassie of Too Much Wool
Yarn: Socks that Rock Lightweight in Sherbet, 1 skein
Needles: Susan Bates DPNs 2.75 mm (US2), Addi Turbos #1 2.5mm (first sock), Knit Picks DPNs 2.5mm (US 1-ish) (second sock)
Time To Knit: June 8 - June 25, and July 15 - July 22
Modifications: I started out with a picot edge. I knit the first two repeats on 2.75 mm needles to give a little more room in the top of the leg. I also grafted the toe when I got down to 16 stitches.

I liked the pattern a lot.  It's clever, pretty, and fun to knit. I was originally expecting to knit this pattern in a solid color, and I'm pleasantly surprised at how well it worked out with a variegated yarn.  I found that getting the Knit Picks DPNs made the second sock go much more quickly than when I was using the Magic Loop technique.

I'm planning to package up the socks soon so they can be sent off to my Pal.  I really hope that she likes them and that they fit!  It's been fun to knit socks to a different person's specifications.  Thanks, Alison, for putting together a great swap!

Two

Two socks of the same pattern and yarn.  You haven't seen that here in awhile!

Pattern: Merino Lace Socks from Favorite Socks
Yarn: Wollmeise Sockenwolle in Brombeere
Needles: US1 Susan Bates DPNs
Time To Knit: April 16 - 28 and June 28 - July 14
Modifications: Continued the purl stitches down through the instep (Note: This is not really a modification-- the chart in the Favorite Socks book is incorrect.)

The Wollmeise yarn is wonderful.  I was a little put off by it at first because it isn't as soft as say, Socks that Rock, but it is really smooth and strong.  I think in the long run, this yarn will wear a lot better than the softer yarns.  And the colors are so incredible that it's hard to describe.

One really cool detail from the Merino Lace Sock pattern is the heel.  The lace is carried down the flap.

With the strength of this yarn, I'm not too concerned about how it's going to wear.  And it's so pretty!

Another great thing about the Wollmeise yarn is the yardage.  Look at how much I had left over!

Surprise Completions

I'm back home again.  This trip is an annual thing, but it came up on me so quickly this year that I didn't get the chance to blog about it before we left.  David's family gets together every summer for a New England clam bake in Rhode Island, and this was my fourth trip. 

It's hard to think of a better way to spend the fourth of July weekend.  Lots of food and drink, the beach, water skiing, family tradition (the bake has been going on for tens of years), bonfires, fabulous backyard fireworks, and about 70 people who I'm starting to sort out how they're actually related to David. I also had no contact with the internet for three entire days.  I think the last time that happened was at last year's clam bake!

Something else I didn't get to blog about before it was completed?  Shedir.

Pattern: Shedir from Knitty
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Olive, 1 ball plus a smidge from the second
Needles: US 5 Addi Turbos and Fiddlesticks DPNs
Time To Knit: June 26 - July 6
Modifications: Bigger yarn and needles

David's father has been very sick recently, and Shedir seemed to be an appropriate gift. I knew that he had a large hat size, so I sized up the pattern by using Malabrigo Worsted and size 5 needles. This made the finished size 21" in circumference (perfect) and 10.5" high (too long, but the hat looks fine rolled up).  I used 1 ball + 1 yard from the second ball.  Given that I should not have done the last main body repeat to make the hat shorter, this could easily be made from one ball of Malabrigo next time. I finished the hat with only minutes to spare on the train ride to Rhode Island.  Do you recognize the lovely Amtrak seat fabric?

David also wanted to point out how this hat is similarly shaped to the bonfire.

I was planning to get a modeled shot once the hat had been gifted.  It's such a gorgeous pattern and a gorgeous yarn that the hat felt almost like a work of art.  But something strange happened for me once David's father tried the hat on.  It suddenly shifted from a thing of beauty to a thing of warmth and comfort.  It seemed like an intrusion to take out a camera, so I didn't.  I kind of like having it end up this way... not as a moment shared with the public, but one shared with those closest to you.