After much knitting on Friday and Saturday, I reached the top edges of the hat where you knit each stitch together with the one 3 rows below, creating a sort of rolled edge. I measured the hat at that point and realized it was way too big. The pattern says it has a width of about 8.25". On size 6 needles, I was getting a width of nearly 10".
On Sunday afternoon, I sat at Borders and ripped everything out so I could start over. I used size 4 needles and now have a width much closer to 8.25". The fabric is tighter too, which is nice because I felt it was too loose and had too many holes before.
At the rate I'm knitting the hat, I can probably finish it tonight or tomorrow. I could potentially even finish up a pair of Knucks made in the same Rowanspun yarn. I don't think the socks will happen. They would be the odd ones out since they wouldn't be made with a matching yarn.
The Rowanspun is softer than it felt in the skein. I hear it blooms and gets much softer after a good wet soaking.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Current Project Status
Quick update on the status of my active projects.
Rona Lace Shawl - It's been a while since I've worked on this because it is now at the point where each round takes me at least half an hour to finish. With at least 50 more rounds to go, I'm not looking forward to all the time I still need to spend on this.
Crusoe Socks - I'm past the heel on the 2nd sock. These may be done by this weekend but I've got a few other projects I need to start.
Vixen Camisole - I started this the same time as the Crusoe socks. This is also almost done - it's such an easy pattern that I've just been flying away on it. I also may finish this weekend (although I'd still have to buy the ribbon for the straps).
Projects I plan on starting and completing by next weekend (they're going to my uncle for his 70th birthday):
Comfy Socks - These socks are knit with a bulky yarn. I actually made a pair using this pattern for my grandfather. Unfortunately, I gave them to him right before he was taken to the hospital and he never got a chance to wear them before he passed away. I put the socks in his coffin before the was cremated since they were made for him. I should have some bulky yarns in my stash I can use for this - Moda Dea Tweedle Dee & Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky. I've got some leftover bits Cascade Magnum I could use for stripes too.
Morgan Hat - This type of hat is called a "flat top", "golf cap" or "driver's cap". An excellent item for an elderly gentleman! I'm thinking of using my Rowan Rowanspun 4ply in Sludge, doubled. It's dark and has a tweed look to it. I've even got some super heavy interfacing I can use for the lip of the cap.
Knucks - These are fingerless gloves that still have a bit of each finger. I'm thinking of also doubling up the Rowan Rowanspun 4ply in Sludge for these. I'll have matching hat & gloves.
* My thanks to the wonderful people who replied to my post on Ravelry with their suggestions.
Rona Lace Shawl - It's been a while since I've worked on this because it is now at the point where each round takes me at least half an hour to finish. With at least 50 more rounds to go, I'm not looking forward to all the time I still need to spend on this.
Crusoe Socks - I'm past the heel on the 2nd sock. These may be done by this weekend but I've got a few other projects I need to start.
Vixen Camisole - I started this the same time as the Crusoe socks. This is also almost done - it's such an easy pattern that I've just been flying away on it. I also may finish this weekend (although I'd still have to buy the ribbon for the straps).
Projects I plan on starting and completing by next weekend (they're going to my uncle for his 70th birthday):
Comfy Socks - These socks are knit with a bulky yarn. I actually made a pair using this pattern for my grandfather. Unfortunately, I gave them to him right before he was taken to the hospital and he never got a chance to wear them before he passed away. I put the socks in his coffin before the was cremated since they were made for him. I should have some bulky yarns in my stash I can use for this - Moda Dea Tweedle Dee & Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky. I've got some leftover bits Cascade Magnum I could use for stripes too.
Morgan Hat - This type of hat is called a "flat top", "golf cap" or "driver's cap". An excellent item for an elderly gentleman! I'm thinking of using my Rowan Rowanspun 4ply in Sludge, doubled. It's dark and has a tweed look to it. I've even got some super heavy interfacing I can use for the lip of the cap.
Knucks - These are fingerless gloves that still have a bit of each finger. I'm thinking of also doubling up the Rowan Rowanspun 4ply in Sludge for these. I'll have matching hat & gloves.
* My thanks to the wonderful people who replied to my post on Ravelry with their suggestions.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Circle of Crafting
I've been knitting so much stuff recently that I'm at that point again where I'm feeling the urge to work on a different craft for a bit. After receiving my new heddle, I never took the time to put the warp back onto my Kromski loom. I wanted to take it out of the closet on Monday but I got preoccupied. Last night at the knitting group, we had two people who were spinners. Maybe I should take out my drop spindle and give it another whirl? :P I was also thinking about digging out my jewelry wire and pliers so I could try to making ear cuffs.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Updated projects with photos
I took some time this weekend to upload photos of projects I hadn't yet uploaded onto Ravelry. Here are just a few photos:
Muffin playing with the bumble bee toy I made for her:
"Crusoe" socks (because they're "stranded"):
"Monterey" socks from The Eclectic Sole:
"Endpaper Mitts", pattern by Eunny Jang:
Muffin playing with the bumble bee toy I made for her:
"Crusoe" socks (because they're "stranded"):
"Monterey" socks from The Eclectic Sole:
"Endpaper Mitts", pattern by Eunny Jang:
Thursday, March 19, 2009
dramaz?
I love my online communities but I think reading about the drama that inevitably goes on is getting to me. I need to focus more on my knitting!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Seaming sucks
I didn't realize it would take so long to seam sleeves. Because there's all these curves, diagonal lines, and matching rows to columns, I have to make sure I line up the pieces perfectly. Otherwise, it will look really crappy. My sweater should be done by now but I put off blocking & seaming the pieces in anticipation of the suckiness. The pieces got washed and blocked. I looked up instructions on what to do and then started to realize how annoying this could get.
The pattern for the Multiplicity sweater calls for a slip-stitch selvedge. I can't actually seam into the selvedge stitches because they're too big, so I have to make my seam one stitch into the fabric. At least those big slipped stitches make lining things up easier. Some people suggested using a three-needle bind-off for selvedge stitches like that, but I wasn't sure if that would turn out pretty, and that would mean picking up stitches. In the end, I used this blog post's guide to seaming sleeves. I used tiny little safety pins to pin the pieces together.
In the entire 2.5 hours of Tuesday's knitting night, I was able to seam the shoulders, match up one sleeve to the front/back pieces, and seam up half the armhole. I finished the rest of the armhole last night. I did rip back two times because I wanted to get it right. The sleeve edge does seem to be a little shorter than the sweater armhole allows for, but I was able to match it up evenly. Now it's time for the second sleeve...ugh. Once I finish it though, the rest of it will be smooth sailing because it will be matching up stitches one-to-one.
The pattern for the Multiplicity sweater calls for a slip-stitch selvedge. I can't actually seam into the selvedge stitches because they're too big, so I have to make my seam one stitch into the fabric. At least those big slipped stitches make lining things up easier. Some people suggested using a three-needle bind-off for selvedge stitches like that, but I wasn't sure if that would turn out pretty, and that would mean picking up stitches. In the end, I used this blog post's guide to seaming sleeves. I used tiny little safety pins to pin the pieces together.
In the entire 2.5 hours of Tuesday's knitting night, I was able to seam the shoulders, match up one sleeve to the front/back pieces, and seam up half the armhole. I finished the rest of the armhole last night. I did rip back two times because I wanted to get it right. The sleeve edge does seem to be a little shorter than the sweater armhole allows for, but I was able to match it up evenly. Now it's time for the second sleeve...ugh. Once I finish it though, the rest of it will be smooth sailing because it will be matching up stitches one-to-one.
Friday, October 24, 2008
WIP Progress
I'm slowly but surely getting through all these piled up WIPs now that my pieces to my sweater are done.
Clementine Shawlette
- I decided not to graft in pattern and just do the kitchener grafting described in the instructions.
- The yarn relaxed a lot after washing, and the shawlette is longer than I expected. To wear it, I'm going to have to pull the ends up, causing the back to droop low, which isn't a bad thing.
- The ends still need to be woven in.
Monterey Socks
- I bound off the first pair of socks.
- The ends need to be woven in.
- I need to make the 2nd sock.
Marilinda Socks
- I started the 2nd sock.
- I need to finish the rest of the sock, from the cuff on down.
Rona Lace Shawl
- I have not worked on this much.
- Same, I still need to finish around 40 rows.
Multiplicity Sweater
- I finished the front, the back, and the 2 sleeves.
- It's been washed & blocked.
- I need to seam the pieces together, first the front piece to the back piece, up the sides and across the shoulders. Then, each of the sleeves need to be set in at the armholes.
- I need to buy buttons.
- After seaming, I need to knit up the cowl neck.
Clementine Shawlette
- I decided not to graft in pattern and just do the kitchener grafting described in the instructions.
- The yarn relaxed a lot after washing, and the shawlette is longer than I expected. To wear it, I'm going to have to pull the ends up, causing the back to droop low, which isn't a bad thing.
- The ends still need to be woven in.
Monterey Socks
- I bound off the first pair of socks.
- The ends need to be woven in.
- I need to make the 2nd sock.
Marilinda Socks
- I started the 2nd sock.
- I need to finish the rest of the sock, from the cuff on down.
Rona Lace Shawl
- I have not worked on this much.
- Same, I still need to finish around 40 rows.
Multiplicity Sweater
- I finished the front, the back, and the 2 sleeves.
- It's been washed & blocked.
- I need to seam the pieces together, first the front piece to the back piece, up the sides and across the shoulders. Then, each of the sleeves need to be set in at the armholes.
- I need to buy buttons.
- After seaming, I need to knit up the cowl neck.
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