Yarn Crawl

FO and New Project

I had been waiting until the weather was nicer and I had a better tan to show the Swing Top, but got motivated to wear it today. My final is tonight and this outfit is comfortable yet pulled together - perfect for a long day (7 am - probably 8 pm today).

Here it is:

Pattern: Swing Top by Sharon Shoji, from Classic Elite Summer Book 1
Yarn: Cascade Pima Tencel in Teal - just over 4 skeins
Size: between XS and S (gauge was a little between the two)
Mods: converted pattern to knit in the round instead of flat; shortened the armholes and body each about an inch

Here's a closer up shot, although I'm giving Jim "the look" here:

Here it is with the jacket I wore over it:

Thoughts: I like this top, but the swingy silhouette is not the best for me. This might look even better accessorized with black in the fall or winter, worn as a vest with a short or long sleeved black T-shirt underneath.

In spite of this, I started another project yesterday that has an empire silhouette, although a closer fitting one - Ophelia! Adrienne was trying to pick a yarn for this yesterday and I was making some suggestions, as we both didn't want another expensive cat blanket made of Blue Sky Cotton (unfortunately, her most recent project came to this end, although her kitty Asia loved it.) I started swatching up Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece and then Rowan All Seasons Cotton, as I had both in my stash and could help her decide that way, and I enabled myself right into starting the project. I liked the Rowan All Seasons Cotton much better for this as it's a thicker yarn without the weight and stiffness of the Blue Sky Cotton. This pattern is super quick and I got about 5" done on the body last night (knit from the bottom up.) Check this out!

This is a truer representation of the color:

Hope everyone is having a great week so far!

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.

New Kim Hargreaves Book

I had mentioned earlier this week that I bought what WAS the latest Kim Hargreaves book. However, this morning, I received an email notification that her newest spring book is out called Nectar.

Taking a look at some of the new designs, I see that they are very much in line with the trends for the season, including flouncy hems with or without ruffles, deep-V pullovers and one button cardigans that button lower on the body than previously, and roomy sleeves. There really seems to be something for everyone with the bolero length still holding on for a few designs, some tunic length tops and regular mid length sweaters. A few of the designs look very much like the ones seen in the Spring '08 issue of Interweave Knits, and a few others are reminiscent of recent Zephyr Style designs like Juliet.

I tend to really like the cropped sweaters layered with long tops underneath or the long lengths by themselves, as I think those are the biggest departure from the same old, same old look, and they personally work well on my short waisted figure. When I do mid-length sweaters they can tend to aggravate the short waistedness if they're even a little bit off. This is another reason I love being able to make my own sweaters because RTW sweaters never fit me exactly right.

I see that the the in-depth collection view for the Heartfelt collection that I bought last weekend has now been removed from the site, so I'll try to take some pictures of it to show.

Weekend plans - this is the last full day Friday at work that we'll have for awhile as our "summer hours" start next week. We basically work a little extra from Monday through Thursday and then close the office at 12:30 on Fridays. This year it is planned to run from May through the end of September, and I can't wait for those half days to start!

Tonight I'm just going to work on some sewing projects, most likely, and tomorrow morning I am trying another new hair salon that just opened up on our main street, then we are probably going over to Jim's aunt's house for a visit (and to borrow her power-washer as power washing the decks is one of Jim's upcoming planned projects.) Then we'll make a stop over at Whole Foods and shop for my debut cooking night that night. After that, probably more sewing, or maybe some knit project finishing that day. Sunday at 11:30 I have a wedding shower to go to for one of Jim's cousins, Jane, who is getting married in July. So that is pretty much my weekend - a bit more "scheduled" than usual, but reasonable.

What are your weekend plans?

Remainder of Weekend Update

I finished the Tea Rose Halter on Saturday afternoon (although I still have to wash it to see how far lengthwise it is going to "grow".) I decided I was going to wear this with white pants and a white tank layered underneath it with thicker straps. As I didn't have a layering piece in my closet that fit that description, I decided to make one. I picked up this pattern:

and made a muslin of the version in the upper right. It looked like it was going to be kind of boxy, but the muslin actually fits perfectly. I was able to make the muslin in about a half hour, so this should be quick. I'm going to make it in plain white cotton broadcloth. It's exciting to think in terms of outfits now - I can knit one piece then sew something to go with it, or vice versa. I'm getting into it.

I also got my kit of knit swatches for my Understanding Knit Fabrics class, and labeled them all with my P-Touch labelmaker. I am going to put this thing to more use in spring organizing projects.

I went to Wool and Company with Heather yesterday and picked up the newest Kim Hargreaves book. I had been eyeing it for a while, and there are some really cute patterns in there. After shopping, we tried a local restaurant that had outdoor seating on a rooftop terrace. It was great to be able to sit outside in the sun!! I am so looking forward to more warm weather!

I also picked up Twinkle's Big City Knits on Saturday at Barnes & Noble as I had a 25% coupon. I know the sizing looks goofy in the book, but I really like some of the designs. She is kind of in the same genre as the Loop D Loop books (as far as chunky knits) but the construction makes a lot of sense and the patterns are well-written and logical. I had a lot of fun with that Tea Rose Halter and found out that Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece makes a great chunky fabric when held doubled. It's not too bulky and drapes nicely, and is not too hot. I plan on using it to make some of the designs in the book, even those that call for wool.

On the Swing Top I talked about a week ago, I am done except for the shoulder seams and neck/armhole pickups. I wasn't in a finishing mood so I didn't work on it this weekend. Last night, I did start the Captiva Tee (thanks Katie! I am finally getting to this after receiving it from you in my first Secret Pal round!) with my Lotus Yarns Nirvana Worsted in "Wish You Were Here" as I needed some mindless knitting. Mindless knitting is almost like a requirement for me for during the week after work, or on weekend nights. I wouldn't knit half as much as I do if I didn't always have a project like that on the needles. I guess I need a lot of "zen" time to zone out and calm my mind. That's why that "knitting is the new yoga" cliche really is true for me. There are times I want to challenge my mind with my hobbies (and usually? that's with sewing projects for me lately as those aren't relaxing, more like engaging and engrossing) but much of the time relaxation is the goal.

I started my newest audiobook, Spin, yesterday, and after a slow start (probably the first 20 minutes) I am totally into it (hence another need for the mindless knitting.)

I've decided not to artificially limit the number of knitting and sewing projects I work on (not that I have been doing that much of that anyway.) I feel like I'm constrained if I do, whereas the more different options I have with projects, the better I feel.

So that's the update! How was YOUR weekend?

New Project!

I decided to start a new project last night. I am using two skeins of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in CW-790 (Columbine Blossom) held together, and with that I got both stitch and row gauge on the recommended needles - a rarity for me! I went with the 31" size as Twinkle's designs always stretch a lot. I considered even going with the 27" shown on the model, but decided that might be a little too much for it to stretch.

I don't know how many skeins of yarn I'll ultimately need, as the pattern is written for Twinkle Cruise, with FOUR strands held together. I did some research on this yarn and it is light DK weight; therefore, I thought I'd try two strands of BSCF with the thought that I might need three to get the gauge. Nope! It worked perfectly on the first try. I will need two more skeins at the most, as I am between 1/2 and 2/3 of the way through both skeins and have just started the waist ribbing (yeah, gotta love those size 11 needles!) Perfect new mindless project; I started it at the beginning of Atonement (the book is much much better) and ended at the end of Kramer vs. Kramer (another Netflix movie I had never seen when it was originally out in the 70s.)

Here's a picture:

although the color is actually really like this:

Blue seems to be really hard for me to photograph well!

Oh, and based on the results of the poll, I will go with Fabric #3 for that dress!

At first I thought a bigger print might be too much, but I think a smaller print might be too cutesy for that design. So I'm going to trust you all! I already have two potential pairs of summer shoes picked out to go with it:

(more of a butter-yellow color)

(more of a bright neon yellow than green)

or gold? I think I like this best, actually.

What do you think?

Swing Top WIP and Misc. Sewing

I started this from the new Classic Elite Summer Book 1 about a week ago and have really been enjoying working on it (the tank/vest shown here:)

Here's my version so far, knit in Cascade Pima Tencel from stash instead of the recommended Classic Elite Premiere (which I think is identical in every way except price.) I converted the pattern to knit it in the round until the armholes. I divided it at the armholes about 1" ago and am working on the back first.

Yesterday I went to Jo-Ann's and found the Tru-Grid I needed for my "Copy your Favorite Pants or Jeans" online sewing class over at Patternreview.com.

I haven't worked with it before. It kind of feels like interfacing, and is used for pattern drafting. I read you can even make a muslin out of it because it's actually fabric.

Then I found this little invention - I needed a new ironing board cover and I didn't realize they made ones with sewing markings:

This will be great when I have to press back a certain measurement!

After I got home from my shopping for that stuff and for a wedding shower for one of Jim's cousins the end of this month, I got a pedicure in a color I love, Pompeii Purple. It's like an iridescent pinky-purple and screams SPRING! You can see how my feet are so wide across the base of the toes here (or maybe those are the dreaded bunions I keep hearing about. They've always been like that since I was a kid though and not wearing high heels, so I don't think I did it to myself with high heels, like some people say.) Anyway, that's why I'm so glad I can fit into the Coach shoes out of the box, because my feet are weird. But aren't everyone's in some way, really?

When I got home from all of that, we went to this Italian deli we love in town and picked up some great sandwiches and soup. After that, Jim was watching golf downstairs (the Masters tournament, which is on all weekend) so it was knitting and Netflix movie night upstairs. He had turned off the heat downstairs as the temperatures were in the 60s this week and he didn't mind sitting under a blanket to watch golf and then Star Wars on TV, but I had the heat on upstairs and worked on the Swing Top while watching two 80s movies on the Netflix Watch Instantly feature - Reversal of Fortune and Steel Magnolias. Of course I'd seen Steel Magnolias before, but it had been a long time. I hadn't seen Reversal of Fortune before and it was very good, starring Jeremy Irons and Glenn Close (there's a name from the 80s for sure!)

Today is still part of "Masters Weekend" and Sunday is my sewing day. I'm going to work on the Anna Tunic

today and hopefully finish it (though I don't want to jinx myself.) I got my Grande Skinny Latte and am ready to roll.

Here it is so far:

I have to rip out the front yoke seam and redo the gathering because I went "off" a little when sewing it together. I had mistakenly cut off one of the gathering threads in between sewing them on the body and "putting the body aside" to work on the yoke, so the gathering didn't work all that well. I did the belt because I wanted to see how this was going to nip in once tied. I think it will work. I'm skipping the flower.
I haven't sewn the back yoke yet, but just kind of placed it to see what it would look like, but check out those buttonhole loops!

I was really happy with these once I figured out how to set my machine for edgestitching (it involved using the "D" foot, which has a split down the middle that you use to line up the fabric, and moving the needle all the way over to the left) and stopped getting the "thread nest" underneath the strips.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Sweetheart Vest and Anna Tunic Progress

I finished the front of the Sweetheart Vest tonight and tried it on. I actually really like the way it fits now, and it is hitting the same spot on me as it does on the model, as I only shortened it 2". This is usually the amount I need to adjust patterns to make them fit me the same way they do the models, lengthwise, and this worked out well.

The armholes and neck are pretty deep on the pattern, but will be narrower once the neck and arm bands are added.

I also started a new sewing project this morning, the Anna Tunic by Amy Butler. I bought this pattern a few months ago but hadn't had a chance to start it until now. I felt like making something out of cotton, as it is so easy to work with and I had quite a bit in my stash.

I'm skipping the flower - a little too cutesy for my taste - and making the tunic length with the belt. There is a choice of lengths included in the pattern: cami, tunic and minidress. I decided to make the tunic length unadjusted, which is 27.5" from the back neck and will hit me on the upper to mid thigh, so it may be more like the minidress, but I am planning on layering this with a long sleeve black top under it and a pair of slim black pants for the current weather.

I am working on the yoke and buttonhole loops now, which is Step 4 of 9. I used muslin for the lining like the pattern suggested and I wasn't sure how I would like it - but it is actually really soft and looks nice. Here's a progress pic - disregard the goofy threads hanging - those are for the gathering stitches for later when I connect the yoke to the body of the garment.

I ran into a sewing machine problem when making a narrow band for the buttonhole loops that maybe someone has some insights on. I had to crease a strip of fabric lengthwise, then fold each side toward the crease and press it, then fold it over and stitch the fold down. Well, this all worked out great until I got to my machine and it would NOT move the fabric strip with the feed dogs!! It kept getting stuck and thread was tangling up from the bottom.

I'm not sure what to do to fix this. I tried adjusting the tension up to 9 and fabric weight to "heavy", but it didn't work. And this is my Viking 960, the workhorse from the 80s with the super strong feed dogs! It wasn't even my "wimpy newfangled made-in-China overpriced electronic" one. So my next move is going to be to try it on the other machine, because there are more settings on that one that I can play with, unless someone has an idea for how to fix this?!

Bought Yarn for Equinox Yoke Pullover!

I just bought yarn for the Equinox Yoke Pullover with part of a very generous Elann gift certificate I just received. It was on the cover of Fall '06 Interweave and I've had my eye on it for awhile. I even tried it on at a trunk show awhile back, which confirmed that I should definitely go with the smallest size, the 34, which is my usual size anyway. The sample was a 38" and it was way too big on me, as 38" finished measurements always are. I remember I was surprised at this as I was still pretty new to knitting and was in the mindset of "positive ease" rather than zero or negative. I had been put off by the large number of skeins it requires, though, because of all the colors.

Enter Elann. Now that they have pure alpaca in so many colors, the price is substantially lower for the same yardage of 100% pure alpaca. They had all the colors except for one - which I had already bought of the recommended yarn from another source about a year ago - tell me that isn't a sign!! This will be my fall fair isle project! I guess I always have to have at least one "epic" project on the needles (like Mirepoix, the Lace & Bobble jacket, etc.)

Cable Down Raglan Progress

Last night I didn't get much done as I was really wiped out, and we got a lot of snow. I had zero energy so I ended up going to bed really early. I really need to get my clothes together for the trip though! I have my three formal night dresses figured out, as that's actually the easiest part, but I need to figure out the other nights, and daytime wear for excursions, etc.

Here's the beginnings of the Cable Down Raglan:

Today I plan to sew the buttons on 28Thirty and weave in the ends, because I want to wear it tomorrow! I have my MBA class again for the first time in what feels like forever, now that classes are back in session after the tragedy. However, I should be able to work in some time today to do it during the day.

28Thirty Progress

It was snowing pretty hard last night and the roads were a mess, so I decided to opt out of sitting in my class working through finance problems in unison. I emailed my homework to our professor and told her I wouldn't be able to make it. No biggie, as I took a look throughout the book and I've already done all of these types of finance problems covered in the class before. I'll just get the assignment for next week online.

Anyway, so last night I stayed home. I got two more pieces of fabric underlined, so there are four more to go. I also finished the body on 28Thirty and started the first sleeve on it. I didn't adjust the length at all, but I think it's going to be perfect as is. I'm thinking turquoise buttons for it.

I also started the first sleeve on Wicked and that's what I brought with me to work today for today's earnings webcast at 9.

South America is coming up - the 29th! I plan to blog about the shore excursions soon!