FRIDAY!!

First, let me say THANK YOU!!!! to everyone who left a comment on yesterday's post. I will be responding to each of your comments individually, but I wanted to thank everyone as the first thing today. If you haven't seen yesterday's post, check it out as there is a chance to win a yummy 200 yard skein of Tess Cultivated Silk and Wool!

I'm soooo glad Friday's here. This is the first of our "summer Fridays" at the office, which means that we close down at 12:30 today. Obviously if someone had stuff that had to get done, they'd have to stay and do it, but I (and most everyone else) carefully arrange my work affairs throughout the week to get them done Monday through Thursday when these hours are in effect (through the end of September.) Yay!

I thought I would take a picture of some WIPs today, as I haven't shared any in a while:

First there is Mentionable - I'm still liking this project very much.

Note the beautiful stitch markers Monica made for me for my birthday!!

After measuring one of my knit fabric camis that I LOVE from Nordstrom and finding that they measure 30" across the chest, I decided NOT to put any short rows into this project as I am also making the 30" size. The pattern incorporates the short rows into the instructions and says how to add them if you want to, but they are optional. I prefer just making a smaller size than normal so that it stretches more for my bust/upper back than my waist and skip the shaping. That tends to look better on me.

As my back is wider than my front (too many lat rows on the Bowflex now and waitressing way back when, combined with that being my natural tendency) the short rows to make a bust "dart" do nothing really for me. All of that explains why I'm making the 30" size when I really measure about 34.5" in the full bust. I don't really have another choice as that's the only size that calls for one 400 yard skein of the Yarn Botanika and the other sizes take at least two, and I only bought one skein last year.

Last night I did the neck and armhole edging on the Swing Top and just need to weave in the ends and give this a SERIOUS washing and blocking. I can't wait to see how the lace looks after it opens out. I'm sure the top will be a little roomier than I'm used to (but not quite to Juliet proportions) after this, but that's why I shortened the armhole openings to control the silhouette. They were supposed to be about another 1.5 inches larger. They did get smaller with the armhole pickups, but are not too tight, and I think they're just right now.

Yesterday at lunch I decided to squeeze in some time to work on my newest muslin, Kwik Sew 3580.

I have seen a lot of high waisted skirts and pants lately and I thought I would try a muslin of the skirt variety to see what this design looks like on me. Because of my short waistedness, it will either really work well (camouflaging the short waist) or really look bad (emphasizing it), I think. We'll see which it is. I'm making View B, with the wrap tie and no pockets. On View A with the pockets - hello? Why would I want to put pockets like that right on my hips? Not for this girl. Anyway, in 15 minutes that I had left over at lunchtime at home, I marked and sewed the darts for the front and back. Next, when I sew the side seams, I should have a pretty good idea of what this is going to look like and whether it's a go-no go with real fabric.

Speaking of hips and feeding/starving them, we have been really good with the dining in this week. We haven't gone out for any meals at all since Saturday night, except for last night, which was "date night" and it's part of the plan to go out for that. We also had gift certificates from our birthdays, as this restaurant has a birthday club where you get a free entree (up to $25) each year on your birthday. Not bad for an initial nonrecurring $10 signup fee. I love Braxton's. So back to what we ate this week - just simple stuff - one night we made sandwiches with turkey sausage filled with cheddar cheese (120 calories each!) with peppers and onions in Turano bread. Mainly simple stuff this week to get us started (sandwiches.) I am getting inspired though by watching Top Chef, looking at recipe books, and talking to you all about your recipes. I really appreciate it!!

For the rest of the weekend plans, I am going to finish the Swing Top, finish the Tea Rose Halter (make the strap, sew it, and wash/block), work on sewing, and probably work on Mentionable. I'll probably do some of that this afternoon after I get off work. Tonight I am taking my friend Lisa (who was my guest blogger when I went on vacation) out to Blu Coral for birthday sushi, and tomorrow Jim and I are going to a 40th birthday party for one of his friends. That's it though for weekend plans! I might even get to play with that skirt book I showed yesterday.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Comments

[kozykitty]

I love that swing top! I just ordered some Classic Elite Premier in Curry for that one! Webs has it on sale for May. Also--they have Cascade Pima Tencel on sale really cheap as well! Is that what your swing top is made of? It looks like the teal I ordered for the Flutter Sleeve top in the Make it Modern book! Great minds think alike! I do have a question for you--did you knit the swing top in the round? If so, what modifications did you make? I so hate seaming stuff! Lucky you on those early Fridays! Of course, who am I to talk. In 6 weeks, I'll have everyday off!

[Kerry]

I love the colors you chose for both Mentionable and the Swing Top. I don't think I'd have the patience for all the seed stitch on Mentionable so my hat goes off to you for sticking with it. LOL I can't wait to see the lace on the Swing Top. It's so pretty already and you just know it's only going to get prettier with blocking. :-)

[Monica]

Um, now I need to make a Mentionable in pink! LOL That top will be so cute!!

The swing top is lookin' good too. I sometimes have to shorten the arm holes too. I don't like them gaping open - never pretty.

View B on the skirt will be perfect too. I have no idea who would want pockets on their hips either, no one I can think of at least!

[Adrienne]

ROBIN! I think you are single handly making me want to KNIT!!! OMG!!! I LOVE that skirt!!!!!

[Heather R]

I'm with you on pockets for Option A. I don't think it looks good in the picture or on the model either. I'm so envious of your summer Fridays!

[Jenny]

Mentionable is so pretty in pink! Where did you get the Yarn Botanika?

[Veronique]

That swing top looks really cute! Happy Summer Friday to you! We don’t start ’til after Memorial Day. Looks like you have a full schedule this weekend, as always. It leaves me breathless, your seemingly abundant energy to do stuff, to create stuff, to finish stuff and to blog about it all! It’s very inspiring and that’s also the reason why I love reading your Blog! Have a great weekend!

[tiennie]

Happy Friday and happy weekend to you! Good job for sticking to the eating at home. Cute WIPs!

[Debby]

Hope you enjoyed your first summer Friday with lots of good knitting and sewing! Now that you are almost done with the swing top and tea rose halter, will you put anything else on the needles, or are you concentrating on the sewing right now?

I'll pay most any reasonable price for pants with no pockets on the rear end (excluding jeans of course). They are very hard to find. Why they put pockets in a place many women like myself do not wish to emphasize is beyond me!

[sheila]

Your wips are looking good. Anxious to see your completed skirt as I have a short torso, and shy away for high-waist garments.

@ Debby: I am so with you with regards to rear pockets on pants, for me, when I wear my blouse or knit outside my pants, I have two bumpalumps back there that isn't flattering...lol.

[Bobbi]

yeah! Mentionable revived. Love that pink!