Sunday Morning Potpourri

It's been an eventful weekend; I'm a little exhausted and need "me" time, although it's been a lot of fun.

So Friday afternoon my Zen came from Elann for ribbon shawl gifts throughout the year:

My co-worker that I gave the beads to a few months ago (who gave me the Elann gift certificate) fixed some jewelry for me, and so we decided to barter instead of me paying her. I offered to make her one of the ribbon triangles shawls and she picked out the pink yarn at the bottom of the previous picture. I started this on Saturday morning, as I was feeling lazy and up for mindless knitting and I just finished it now.

This is my "go-to" three hour gift knitting project - this one is a little bigger than the ones I've made with two skeins of Tartelette and I don't like the Zen quite as much. They're both cotton/nylon blends, with a railroad type of matte/shiny ribbon, but the Zen has a little lower of a cotton content compared to the Tartelette, and the Tartelette includes 10% of a different type of nylon (Tactel nylon).

Overall, the Zen is fine, and it's not scratchy or anything like some other ribbon yarns I've tried, but not quite as silky smooth or shiny as the Tartelette. I'll use up these other colorways but I will stick to Tartelette from now on. I'm debating whether I should make another black/silver one out of some Tartelette I have in stash and letting her pick which one she wants. I can always use the pink/purple one as something to throw over more casual summer dresses.

This is what the Tartelette shawl/scarf looks like (it also has lower yardage so it comes out smaller than the Zen version; also this picture shows it folded in half):

So yesterday we had originally just planned to go to the birthday party from 3-6 and not go back to the birthday boy's house, but we did end up going back there, and didn't get home until around 10 pm. The day was kind of shot as far as getting anything done (other than the shawl progress) as I started getting ready to go around 1:30 and then was gone from then until 10 but we did have a fun time. It was nice to reconnect with them, as we hadn't seen them in a long time.

I also got my new Interweave issue and I love some of the designs. Here are my favorites:

The Wakame Lace Tunic is at the very top of the list - beautiful design, the new tunic length that I've been into lately, seamless construction. Wow. I might even splurge for the Tilli Tomas Fil de la Mer, as I want it to turn out EXACTLY like this. Has anyone tried this yarn? Any insights would be appreciated.

Delft Tiles Tee - I've been wanting to try slip stitch colorwork, and this seems to be a great way to do it.

Although because it's slip stitch and not fair isle, as I originally thought it was when I saw the preview online, it won't be as hot as I thought it might be, but I really don't like the thickness of the Blue Sky Cotton. I made Tomato with it and found it to be really kind of hot to wear. On this one I might try to swatch Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece or some other yarn sub.

The other thing I don't like is that there is no size between 31.5" and 35", as 35" is a little roomy for me for a summer top, especially when they say they modeled it with 1/2" of negative ease, so any yarn substitution would probably also incorporate a sizing change to make this somewhere in the neighborhood of 33"-34".

Oh, and one other thing - I also don't like that it's knit flat. Is there any issue with converting slip stitch patterns to be knit in the round? I know there is with intarsia, but I would think slip stitch should be ok. Not sure though.

Next up, the Drawstring Raglan. I like the shape and construction on this one, so I would probably make it:

The Eyelet Surplice Dress really caught my eye too. I've never made a knit dress or skirt, so I am a little leery about it, but I think this is really cute. I am kind of between sizes on this one too, between the smallest and the second size - If I decided to go with the more fitted option, I think I'd make the smallest size, as I'm right on at the bust with that one even though the bottom for that size is a little bit small (like by an inch.) If I went with the second size, I would be modeling it with positive ease, like it's shown, but I don't know if it might look dumpy. Ease is usually NOT my friend in knitwear and I look better in fitted garments.

The Leaf Kimono top is cute, and I would probably knit it in hemp (Elann Canapone) instead of linen.

I do like the lace pattern on the Apres Surf Hoodie, and the delicate look of the yarn, but 1.) I don't really wear hoodies and 2.) I'm not such a fan of 4-ply weight yarn. So, I probably won't knit this, but I think it's really cute.

Today I have a free day to myself (big sigh of relief) and I'm not sure yet what to do with it. Part of me wants to finish up some unfinished sewing projects (putting hems on stuff, doing odds and ends), another part wants to pick out some fabric from stash and/or buy some new fabric to make that high waisted skirt (Vogue Fabrics is kind of calling my name) and another part feels like working on my new online class on "copying your favorite pants" over at Patternreview. It officially started on Thursday, and I have all the pdfs for it downloaded with pictures and instructions on how to do it, but haven't done anything yet. The class only lasts like two weeks, so I really need to work through it if I want to get help on it. Part of me says why bother with the fire drill, just save the pdfs for when I'm motivated to do it. We'll see what happens. So since I guess I didn't mention any knitting as a burning desire, I probably won't do that today (unless I decide to make that black/silver Tartelette scarf/shawl.)

However, on the knitting front, Swing Top and Tea Rose Halter are almost done drying as we speak.

(this next one of TR Halter was taken when it was still really wet, but it shows the design nicely even though it's way darker than it really is)

The utility tub is fully functional now and I used it for their "bath" on Friday.

The only thing we need to finish off the utility room is shelving for laundry detergent, etc. We decided not to do a pull down or over the door ironing board as they were super expensive and/or too small.

Comments

[adrienne]

That dress is gorgeous Robin!!!!

[kozy Kitty]

The FO's look great! I just love the swing top and I ordered CE Premier in Curry for that one! Your finished laundry room turned out nice. What about some wall cabinets over the washer/dryer for your supplies? That's what we did and it saves on floor space. It's also nice to stand at the washer and just reach up in front of you to grab the detergent and all! I also store my dying supplies in there since that is where that activity takes place!

I'm simply amazed at how you crank out so many projects!

[chrispy]

You should do the pants class. Pants have the most difficult bits to fit and you will want the help they offer. At least that is my 2 cents.

Yes slip stitch patterns can be done in the round. If you look at my Firebrick mittens in March, those are a slip stitch pattern in the round. Super easy, super fast.

[Stacey_CrimsonPurl]

Ooh I like the shawl! I could so make one to be my hip scarf for bellydancing!! :oD

Mmh I sure wish I could get excited about this IK also but last issue and this one doesn't make me jump at all!

Giggle @ your bras hanging from the ceiling!

[katie J]

What lucky office mates you have to score knitting gifts from you!

[Kerry]

Wow! That lace really did open up! It's gorgeous. Can't wait to see it on you!

[Zonda]

Nice FO's there! I love your new utility room too!

[Carol]

that is one fast and cute shawl! Must remember that...Did you buy a hanger for your ironing board? it's not a fold up thingie, but it would get it out of the way when you aren't using it. Which is the point of the fold up thingie...yes, that is the technical term for it. Thingie.

[Jenny]

The FO's look great! So does the laundry room. He did a great job! Those over the door and cabinet ironing boards are a huge PIA, so good call.

[turtlegirl76]

That tunic is on the top of my list too! I have no idea yet what I am going to sub for it though. I'm thinking linen. We'll see.

Love the shawls, they're very cute! 3 hours? Awesome.

[Michelle]

Great FOs, Tea Rose is gorgeous!

I love the hoodie too but I don't think want to knit it on such a small gauge.

Your laundry room looks great!

[Debby]

Your laundry room looks so clean and bright -- everything where you need it so it's functional too. Enjoy!!!

I'm so glad you posted about the IK knits you like. I was curious to see if you liked any of them in particular. Are there any you plan to start on right away? The lace tunic is pretty but with no waist shaping it would hang on me terribly. I can totally see you wearing the drawstring raglan and leaf kimono top.

[marjorie]

I liked that lace tunic also, and I thought that any lace/fingering weight yarn would work for it.

[Sharon]

Wow I feel like such a slacker LOL. The shawls are gorgeous. Progress is slow over here so I don't have too much to show for myself. Gardening was my poison of choice this weekend.

[Kat]

Wow! Those are great projects!!!