KNIT LOUNGE

My hearts on fire.....

Elvira!

 

I am so pleased with this top even though I had to rip the yoke three times

to obtain the correct width for the front and back, which now discreetly covers the bra straps. 

The material is Knit Picks Comfy Cotton fingering weight.

I used nearly every bit of the 654 yards and had only a few inches to spare.

For a bit of surprise I added three fire engine red buttons in the back.

Some of you might think it foolish to knit a top while I'm in the middle of loosing weight,

 but I purposely knit an A line shape so as my hips slim down,

 it will have a bit more flow and flounce around the bottom.  

And if needed I can always rip it out and re-knit.

I call this a total success and the price can't be beat.

For a small investment of $9.00,

I have a added a new top to my "endless summer" wardrobe.

Coming Wednesday, a Dukan update. 

I'm ready

One thing that I learned when I was serving in the U.S. Navy was to travel as light as possible but always carry the bare minimum with you until your sea bag is found again. Yes, the Navy is very good at sending you to one place and your sea bag to another. Trust me.

To this day I have maintained that behavior. However, I do not like to be weighed down with unnessecary stuff when I'm out and about even on Knit Group days yet I don't want to be in need of something either.

So I purchased this really nifty case in my signature color that  helps me stay that way. 

Tucked inside this little 3.5 x 2.5 case is everything that I might need when I'm away from home.

1. tape measure

2. cable key and a metal safety pin

3. large and small metal ring markers

4. locking markers

5. waste yarn for holding stitches

6. two end caps

7. darning needles in 3 different sizes

Did you know that you can use a heavier darning needle as a cable needle in a pinch? Well, now you do.

All of this weighs a whopping 2 1/4 onces.

Attached to this is the tinest pair of red scissors that measure 1  7/8" from Hiya Hiya. They are totally cute but between you and me, they are not the best tool in the shed. The blades are just little bent which makes for fiddly cutting.   

I'm ready and light as a feather. 

Obscene part II

Remember that I spent an obscene amount of money for a single knitting pattern?

Well that is only the begining my dear friends. 

The pattern calls for 2,133 yards of sport weight yarn. Lovely. Off I went to Knit Picks for the best prices on merino wool.

Are you sitting down for this? And may I ask you to please move away from the desk least you hit your head when you faint from sticker shock.

Cobblestone Heather in Stroll Sport 17 balls = $62.73  Ouch! Factor in the price of the pattern and the total is $97.73! I should not have done that.

 

I love, love the color but I'm afraid I'll look like Navy issue blanket considering the construction.

So I lighten up drasticly with Dove Heather Swish DK. 19 balls = $75.81! And for added excitement  let's add in the price of the pattern again. Drumroll please- $110.81!

 

Naturally, the Dove color will meld with more things in my wardrobe.  I should have seen that coming. 

It's a good thing that I have a birthday coming up 'cause Stonewall just bought my present.

Do you think I should tell him or wait till later? 

Busy Knitter

I could hardly wait to cast on and get going on my own South Pole last Wednesday evening. The pattern is dead simple if you know how to short row.

Then its been miles and miles of stockinette for my knitting enjoyment. At this time I've used three  and half balls of the yummy City Tweed DK, which I am throughly enjoying. To be on the safe side I purchased twelve. The milage is turning out to be pretty good. I can get three pattern repeats out of each 123 yd ball.

Should my math be correct six balls should take me around the entire body thus leaving five and half for the sleeves. I think I'm in pretty good shape and I'll have a few balls left over for cowl or a scarf. 

Naturally I made a few modifications primarily because I tossed the recommended gauge out the window since I choose to use a lighter weight wool. The needle I selected is an eight and I am getting four SPI.

For the back rectangle I choose to knit it fourteen inches wide, for me narrow is better. Though I did knit the proper armhole depth at nine inches.

 

As for the width of the circular strip I made it a touch wider so that it fits more like a jacket and the bottom edge lands in the most flattering place on my lower body. 

 

George gave it a once over with a healthy steaming to reassure me that I am on the right track. Fingers crossed.

Copy Cat

So I find this fabby sweater in Ravelry and the pattern is from 2003. 

 

The chances of locating the gem would be a hassle and not worth the effort when I could be knitting or reading or both this past weekend.

On Thursday I spent a bit of time studying the notes and pictures in Ravelry. I felt confident that I could recreate it without the pattern.

The original calls for each section to be knit independently and from the bottom up. Yuck.

Why do people continue write patterns this way? This is terrible for new knitters who have not developed the skills or patience for finishing work and advanced knitters don't want to be bothered with seaming. I would be the later. I have better things to do with my time.... I digress. 

A plan began to form in my wee little brain. 

I'm going to work it from the top down and use short row shaping to give the boat neck a graceful curve whilst giving my neck a little more comfort.  

 

As for the cables I don't care for the asymmetrical placement on the original. It would bother me to no end so mine are going to be symmetrical and retain the triangular shape.  

The back and lower body will be done in a 8x2 rib.

When all is said and done I'll only have two little seams to graft at the shoulders. That I can live with. And look, it's done already and took 10 minutes of time.

 

Once the front and back are done, I'll begin working in the round.

The sleeves will be "set in" similar to a short row heel and I'll carry on with the 8 x 2 rib. 

Well the plan seems to be working and the first sleeve cap is in. 

Woosh!

This week went by so very fast that I shall recap in bullet fashion....

* Stonewall Jackson and I quietly celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. I am amazed - that's a whole lot of crazy shared between two people. I want 20 more. Yeah! I like him that much! 

* By a strange course of events I managed to purchase a Nook for my Mother which included a fancy red leather case for 50 dollars!!!! Her signature color is red too. I gave it to her for her birthday. God is very good indeed.

* Ellie got a micro chip on Tuesday and her yellow id tag is huge.

* On Wednesday Ellie got into something on her 3 o'clock walk and her poor little face swelled terribly. Off to the vet we went. $75 bucks and one allergy shot later the swelling began to reduce. The doc thinks she might have been stung by a bee. There's no surprise since she chases them. Silly puppy.

* Ellie has gained almost a pound since her arrival making her a heavy weight at 6 lbs. even.  Her coat is shiny and she shed her puppy coat which has been replaced silky black wavy hair.  

* I finally finished my Plain Jane commission knit. Worked in Comfy Fingering. Love that stuff.

 

* Do you Lendle? My handle there is Knit Lounge. Feel free to friend me.

* J.K. Rowling announced that Harry Potter is coming to e-books! I can't wait. Though I'm sure it's going to cost a fortune to purchase the entire set. It's a good thing I have a job.

* I started a new sweater for my winter collection. Comfy Sport in Black. Lots of cables. Pictures to come.

* Somehow or another 20 lbs. of excess weight has attached itself to my petite frame. Scandalous. I have eaten every bit of junk food in the house and vowed not to buy anymore. I'm renewing my walking and bike riding again. Wish me luck, strength and determination. Mostly determination.

* I got a lovely bonus from my first and favorite Fetch and Carry Client and the money went straight to Knit Picks. Stonewall says money just does touch and goes in our bank account! I say that I am being a good citizen by keeping the money in circulation! After all it is good for the economy. I did my part, did you?

Two Bucks

The scenario:

You enthusiasticly fill up your Knit Picks shopping cart and your two bucks short to claim the coveted free shipping prize.  Arrrggg!

Then you desprately look for something that puts you over the fifty dollar mark. The problem is there is nothing else you need or what you truly covet will put your budget sailing over the edge and besides you really don't want to spend any more than what you planned for. 

But you go poking about anyway determined to spend the two bucks so you can save on the ridiculous shipping fees. 

Sounds familiar?

I found myself in the same place the other day and wound up getting the new Steeking Scissors. My old pair has gone missing so in the cart they went. I may as well get the best and they really are.

 

These little scissors are wicked sharp. Please be exceedingly careful and mindful of little children and men folk who like to examine every new thing that comes into the house or a blood sacrifice will be sure to follow! Ask me about that someday.

And whatever you do, do not take them near Dementors aka Airport Security.

They will confiscate them before you can explain that you are only a harmless traveling Knitter and only become dangerous when they take your needles away.  

They won't believe you!

Blush

No, dear reader, this is not what you think it is but it does bear a strong resemblance to it's older sister Breakwater.

 

I became quite enamored with the Linen Stitch detail on the collar whilst working on my Crimson Breakwater. Then inspiration hit me upside the head. OUCH! It has no choice since I'm so thick headed that it has to take agressive measures to get my attention. I digress.

It would be just fabby to have another top with similar details in a material that is more appropriate for the near tropical weather conditions that I must endure during my incarceration in Key West.

I dipped into my extensive Comfy Cotton Stash and selected a sport weight in Flamingo pink.

As I began to knit the collar, ideas began to take shape in my head. Linen stitch for the collar, sleeve and bottom bands, and the rest in simple Stockinette. Short sleeves would be a must. The upper body would be fashioned with negative ease to create a more shapely silouette. 

 

Just past the bust line I would add a wide band in the Linen stitch pattern, giving the top an Empire waist. Then I'd finish by fashioning a flattering A line shape in Stockinette then add one last section of Linen Stitch before binding off.

I love it!!!!!  The fit is positively divine and it came together exactly as I envisioned it.