Raspy

Raspy

Pattern:  Kim Hargreaves, Rowan Denim People

Yarn:  8 balls Cotlin (Cotton/Linen blend) – Knitpicks.com

Needles:  #4 US Knitpick Options Circulars

Modifications:  It has been awhile since I finished this sweater so I’ll try and remember all the modifications.  I enjoy knitting in the round whenever I can, and considering this sweater was so simple, I decided to use circular knitting.  Instead of setting in the sleeves I used a chapter out of the Cobblestone experience and set aside stitches for the underarm, which I kitchener stitched to the body of the sweater.  I added a couple more waist decreases, omitted several bust increases, and lengthened the entire sweater. I chose not to do the boat neck because I really don’t like them.

Notes:  I’m so-so on this project.  I like it enough and I’m sure come winter, it will get some wear.  I like the fact that I used a yarn that can be machine washed and dried.  The dropped stitches make it look interesting and kind of trendy.  Overall it was a very simple pattern, even a beginner could turn this sweater into an “in the round” project.

Just can’t make up my mind

Sleeves or spaghetti straps?  I think I’m leaning more towards the sleeves but I really like the straps.  ACK.  That’s it, I’m just going to have to make two Molly Ringwalds.

Complete but not really

I have a couple of projects that I’ve finished, but not exactly finished.

The second hemlock ring blanket is done but I haven’t blocked it.  If you’ve made one and blocked it, you probably understand my hesitation.  It’s quite an undertaking, probably moreso than actually knitting it.

I finished Raspy but after trying it on I realized I needed to rework the neckline so that the back has more height than the front.  I’m also not completely sold on the sweater.  It’s nice enough, maybe once it is washed and dried it will be more appealing.  Even though I made modifications, it is still pretty loose and I’m not a huge fan of loose fitting clothes.

I did start Molly Ringwald.  She’s lovely so far and I love the color.  I realized while going through all my works, I don’t knit with blue or green nearly enough.

And the rockets red glare

Well everyone except us.  Firecracker/works ban in our town due to the burn ban which is at high or maybe even something above high like eminent or whatever.  Either way the consequences are dire if you’re caught, the imperative word being “caught” with fire inducing contraband.  It wasn’t spelled out in the letter taped to our front door but it is Texas and if the laws to be have no problem putting mentally ill people to death, I’m pretty sure they won’t have any qualms putting burn ban breaking criminals to death.

Oh and Happy Fourth of July!  Enjoy your fireworks and your firecrackers and all that jazz while we here in central TX go without.  We are so deprived.

Funniest thing ever

Knitting with lace weight mohair blend yarn. Hahahaha.

It’s funny because it’s certifiably insane to knit with lace weight mohair yarn.  In fact, I’ll go out on a limb and say it’s certifiable to knit with any weight yarn that has mohair.

It’s going to be real purty though!

Summer time blues

Because nothing makes more sense than knitting a wool blanket in 100 degree Tex-Ass weather.  Yes, another Hemlock Ring Blanket.

A cute little girl sweater from Cleckheaton No. 951 – Design 3 minus the hat.  I have some pink and green leftover so I may knit a pair of Saartje Booties to go with it.  I think the model really makes the sweater.  My daughter has had that monkey (which is really a gorilla but at the time her little three year old mind could not discern between the two) since she was three.  She has aptly named is Monk Monk, and it is a girl.  If you look closely you can tell she’s a girl because her fingernails are painted and she’s wearing lipstick.  Oh and as soon as I finished the sweater she grabbed it and shoved her “monkey” through all the holes and declared that it was a perfect fit (!) for Monk Monk.

As soon as the blanket is finished I will mail them off to the recipient and then hopefully – closure.

Show-Off Ruffle Skirt

Show-Off Ruffle Skirt

Pattern: Can be found in Lace Style

Yarn: 7 balls of Knitpicks Cotlin

Needles: #4 US Knit Pick Options 24″ Circulars

Pattern Notes: Another Kat Coyle creation. I wasn’t impressed by the pictures in the book but every Kat skirt I have ever knit I have loved so I assumed that the Show-Off skirt would be no different and I was correct! I love this skirt! The bobbles started out as fun but after the 5th row they became tedious. I modified the lace and bobbles section by splitting it in half – front/back, so I wouldn’t stress myself out with having to knit 307 stitches at one time, plus I rather like my slits to be on the side. I am a huge fan of brown but after knitting the front half of the lace and bobbles, I wasn’t exactly sold, but after I finished it and added the red ribbon I was definitely sold on the brown. I only completed sevens bobble rows, I also only knit 12 rows after each decrease. Instead of a knit waist tie I just added more red ribbon.

I am not a huge fan of knitting with cotton but this yarn was a cotton and linen blend and I really really like this yarn a lot. I will definitely knit with Cotlin again and this may be my go-to cotton/cotton blend yarn.

Oh woe is me

My show-off ruffle skirt is coming along smoothly or so I thought.  I was into my 5th bobble row before I noticed the difference in spacing between the 3rd and 4th bobble row.  Two rows short.  *sigh*  I didn’t have the heart to rip it back and fix it so I continued and finished the bobble section of the skirt.  Except now I’m working on the second half of the skirt and I’m going back and forth between doing it correctly or doing it to match the first half.  It isn’t entirely noticeable, but darnit….  This is one of those dilemmas in which the desire to have a perfectly made skirt is battling with not wanting to redo all those bobbles.  *%$#@)*

How now brown cow

Brown is the new black.  You heard it here first.  Brown is the redheaded step child of colors.  It doesn’t help that people equate the color of brown with poop….  It is a perfectly lovely color, and usually in its various shades, looks perfectly lovely on all people of different color tones.  Right now I’m going through a brown phase, so you may see a lot of brown colored items coming from me.  Can I just say how much I dislike making bobbles?

Thelma and Liz

Prophetic.  Driving off a cliff.  I don’t exactly hate this finished object, but I don’t exactly love it either.  It was an extremely quick knit, I think it took me maybe four days, five – tops.  The original pattern doesn’t call for any shaping whatsoever and I’m definitely in the camp that believes that shaping makes any knit object look better on a person.  So I did a little waist shaping and a little bust shaping which definitely adds to the appeal of the top.  My main issue has to do with the fit of the top section of the shirt.  I find it to be too short up top, and I’m not exactly thrilled by the fit.  I used Classic Elite Cotton Bamboo which I really liked working with.  I’m not a huge fan of cotton, but with the bamboo, it gives it a shinier look and it definitely gives it a softness and makes it easier to knit with.  I’ll work with it again, for sure and believe it or not, I only used three balls of it to make this top.