tangled up

As too many socks make you go blind (and there are more to come!), I thought I'd break up this week's posting sprint with news of a sweater - the Tangled Yoke cardigan from Interweave Knits Fall 2007. Tweedy goodness from Rowan...

I have swatched successfully - just two off on the row gauge, which is plenty fine with me - and WASHED Mlle. Swatch as well.

This is a highly important step in gauge-swatch-making, which I've never done before. I learned my lesson might well on my very last adult sweater project: washing the swatch is really super-duper important, because otherwise you might get a sweater that grows in water like nothing you have ever seen. (And no one else has seen the sweater either, because I put it on, cried, lifted the hem from around my knees, and folded it up and stashed it away in the cedar chest.)

So: I've knit a swatch, achieved gauge, washed the swatch, still been pleased with size of swatch, and now need to cast on somewhere around 200 stitches. That's a lot, and will likely be on hold until the weekend when I can sit and do it all at once. And then the knitting begins: a me-sized sweater on #4 needles. I might be nutso on this one, because that's a lot of stitches. But in finishing the sweater, I'll knock over a mile off my stashed yarn total. (Yes, I count my yarn in miles.)

the originals

While cleaning out the apartment, to prepare for an open house next weekend, I found some original treasures from my knitted past.

These mittens were the first (I think) successful knitted object I made. The yarn is Morehouse Merino, and I still love the varigated colors. They've been well-used, as evidenced by the blown-out thumb and top on one of them. The fabric is so soft, and I fell a little bit in love with knitting after seeing what I could make with these.

I'm not so in love with these two sweaters that I made ages ago. Therefore, off they went to the church thrift shop on Saturday morning. The blue top is very summery, but knit with the chunkiest yarn imaginable, and not terribly pratical for warm weather wear. (For me, at least.)

Yesterday we removed about a third of the furniture from our apartment, with the help of the BIL and SIL, who really went above and beyond the call of duty. They have a jump-to way about them, and announced that Sunday afternoon was the perfect day to move the furniture - and it was. It was sunny and warm, so there was no need to worry about coats or gloves or rain, and we had four people. Even though there's no moving allowed on Sundays in our building, we zipped the stuff out of there quickly, and got it into the in-law's house just as fast. If Hubby and I tried to do this ourselves some night after work, we probably wouldn't speak to each other for a week. So: thank you thank you thank you!

down and out

I planned on sharing some lovely photos of a finished Hourglass Sweater, but I've run into some blocking problems.

After blocking, the sweater is now huge, and I'm very depressed about it.

Instead, please enjoy some selections from the New York Botanical Garden's Orchid Show, which opened yesterday. Lovely, aren't they?

joining up

The sleeves are done, and the body is done, so now I just need to learn how to join them together and do raglan shaping. It would normally sound pretty easy, but it requires that precious commodity, time. Which I don't have much of right now.

We are trying to do some "staging" of our apartment for potential buyers. Among other things, this means that we have to be incredibly neat all the time. I'm hoping that this will become habit, and in the future I'll always go to bed with the coffee table clean, mail sorted away, and dishes all washed. I don't think this is a likely scenario. We are also tossing stuff with great abandon, and have some lovely family members who volunteered garage space for us to remove stuff to make our place look spacious and charming. Now we need to figure out what goes permanently, what goes into their garage, and what stays. What should happen with the little Yankee helmet that they use for dishes of soft serve ice cream at the stadium? I can't throw that away, can I?

So even though I need sitting and knitting time to calm myself down, I will just have to delay it for a while. Hopefully we'll have a deck and lounge chairs in Portland. That sounds like just the ticket.

day of triteness

1. Our lunch service is giving us Valentine’s Day cupcakes today. There was a line outside the Godiva store I passed this morning.

2. That little dog Uno is the cutest thing ever.

3. On this date in 1859, Oregon became the 33rd state of the union. (Not really trite, but interesting, no?)

4. I’m getting a little bored with knitting stockinette stitch in the round. The sweater is almost ready for the joining of the sleeves and the start of raglan shaping on the yoke. I’ve never done this, but maybe I’ll finish it before the end of the long weekend. And then I’ll meet the “Knit a Mile” goal for January/February. Good stuff!

bits of hourglass

The sleeves are done! The sleeves are done!

Now I just have to knit the entire body. There are many, many stitches required to make it all the way around my torso. But we don’t have too much planned for the weekend, so I might hopefully make some good progress.

Tomorrow’s big adventure is going to be test driving (what may be) our new car: the Smart. I will be taking lots of pictures (while Hubby drives). Can’t wait to tell you about it!

a new start

(First attempt on the left, the new sleeve on the right.)

The Hourglass Sweater is back on the needles. It turns out that my gauge for the sweater was spot on with a size 6 needle, and therefore the crazy modifications I'd made on the first go-around weren't really necessary. Also since starting the first sleeve, I learned that a turned hem should be started with a two-sizes smaller needle.

So I've started fresh, and I'm enjoying the counting necessary for making a garment, with the stockinette stitch keeping things basic enough for me to muddle through with a head cold. I will start some lace soon (and the Logan River Wrap is a great idea!) to remain optimistic that I won't be sick forever. And when I'm through with being sick, I'll have a great sweater to wear.

what's up with the OCD knitting?

Despite my earlier comments on not getting too involved in one large project right now, because of other-life circumstances, I seem to have fallen into knitting multiples of one little project.

Here are three pairs of Maine Morning Mitts from Clara Parkes’ new book: two knit in Ella Rae Palmero, and one (the purple on the right) in The Fiber Company’s Terra. I had plenty of yarn from the Ella Rae, and about a yard left over from the hank of Terra, so I was freaking out. But all was fine, and I love them dearly.

This morning I woke up and thought, “I’d love to wear the Cash Iro Hourglass Sweater today!” Of course, I’ve only got half a sleeve done, so it wasn’t a really practical thought. However, I’m considering ripping the sleeve back, because Pixie from the Ready, Set, Knit podcast recommended knitting turned hems on a needle two sizes smaller than the rest of the garment. I hadn’t known this, and now am concerned about bulky hems. Further, I’m still uncertain about my gauge, so I think that a trip to the frog pond may be in order. Half a sleeve is certainly a good sized gauge swatch, so I think that after some careful measuring, I can make a wise decision.

final finished object of 2007

One last finished object!

It's not blocked, and the ends aren't woven in yet, but I'm calling the sweater done! It's the uber-comfy Berkshire Pullover from Weekend Knitting. I used the Patons UpCountry from the failed, cabled turtleneck pattern. It's going to be lovely once I get that huge roll at the bottom to relax and just hang...

I added a little bit of waist shaping on the sweater, because I was concerned that it would be too tunic-y. I also shortened the sleeves by a few inches, because my arms are pretty short. I did this in just a couple of days, and am really pleased to have one more thing finished before the end of 2007.

I'll share some action shots over the weekend. I'm still fighting this cold, and am in no shape to have a picture taken! I tried to go to the drugstore to find some over-the-counter medicine, but the options are too too confusing when your head is swimming. I eventually left without anything. But it also appears that almost all the cold medication is now behind the checkout counter, and I have no idea how I'd be able to go up there and remember exactly which item I selected. There's your selection of symptoms, day or night version, rapid release or slow going... thanks, meth addicts!

4,000 word (photo) essay

Forming actual words into complete-ish sentences is a bit beyond me today. (I do not like leaving for work before the sun has officially come up.* Also, there are very few women (maybe 5%?) on the 6:49 train into the city. Interesting. However, it is fun to write mean emails before 8am to colleagues who haven’t done what they said they’d done. I Am Awesome; You Are Not.)

*I was awake because of a nightmare about huge bugs (with 8” antennae) crawling into the bedroom through the air conditioner. Scary. I didn’t peak under the curtain that’s hiding the AC, because I really didn’t want to know if there were bugs.

Sleeve!

Blinding Sock!

A possible replacement sweater for the very bulky yarn! (Berkshire pullover from Weekend Knitting)

And a very happy Hanukkah to y’all.

from the ashes

My hopes were dashed by the crash and burn of the Patons Urban Turtleneck, but I found something else to comfort me in this crazy time of December. I need stockinette stitch! So I pulled out my 2006 birthday present, 14 skeins of lovely Noro Cash Iroha.


The Hourglass Sweater pattern is rife with errors, including a big one about yarn requirements. As in, everyone who’s made the sweater has needed much more yarn than called for. My size requires 10 skeins, and I thought that I’d bought 12. This caused little nagging hints of anxiety, because what if that still wasn’t enough? Should I start it anyway? So imagine my surprise on Saturday morning when I discovered that I was terribly clever and bought 14! Plenty of yarn, and all should be right in the world (of this sweater).

I’m about 10” up one sleeve, and it’s already sucked up one skein of yarn. Repeat with me: 14 skeins will be enough. 14 skeins will be enough.

a dream is over

Years ago, I fell in love with this sweater.

I didn't buy the yarn or pattern immediately, and then had the pleasure of discovering each element separately (finding the pattern on a visit to Patternworks' store in New Hampshire, and the yarn at the Smiley's Yarn Riot at a super price). But I've never cast on for the sweater. I've had a conversation with the other Raveler that's knit the sweater, and talked about modifications (e.g., a nine inch turtleneck is pretty excessive, as is the cabled pattern on the back). But I never started it.

So after I determined that I'm making fantastic progress on my holiday knitting obligations, I thought it was a good time to start swatching something for me, and make myself a lovely sweater that I've been wanting for years. That's when the problems started. The UpCountry yarn is bulky: super-bulky, in fact. The recommended gauge for the pattern is 13 stitches for 4 inches, and when I finally arrived at this gauge, the swatch was about half an inch thick. I hadn't considered exactly how thick this yarn was, and wow: it's big. (I think that Hubby's comment was "It's sturdy!" True, but not helpful.) Sadly, I don't live anywhere that could handle wearing a sweater half an inch thick. I'm not racing in the Iditarod, nor swimming for my life in the Antarctic, nor living the life in Mongolia. I'm pretty much warm all of the time, so unless it's an outdoor jacket, it's not going to work out for me. So now there's 780 yards of yarn that needs a new project. Huge mittens, anyone? Speak up now!


To console myself, I started some Christmukkah socks with this Adirondack Soxie. Red, green, blue and purple: the colors of December.

overdue photo shoot

The weather is finally cooperating, so I can wear the Tilted Duster and not succumb to heat exhaustion immediately. When it's right around 60 and a bit windy, the sweater is perfect.

(Click here to see the inspiration for the poses.)

I like the neck, because it stands up enough to protect my neck, and I don't need a scarf. I don't have the willowy neck of Interweave's model, so I probably should have made it a bit shorter, but it's working out fine.

I need to add a hook and eye to close the points of the front. Right now, I'm using a safety pin, but a more permanent solution would be good.

So what sweater is up next? The Hourglass Sweater? The Half-Circle Cardigan? The Urban Turtleneck? I can't decide.

there's always next year

I can't quite speak about what happened in the Bronx last night. Give me some time to grieve.

But there's a finished sweater!

It's done! And too hot to try on, so you'll have to make do with pictures of the Tilted Duster lying about in repose.

Pattern: Tilted Duster, by Norah Gaughan in Interweave Knits Fall 2007 (featured on the cover)
Yarn: discontinued Rowan Magpie Aran, in color 315 (Mulled), 7.5 skeins
Needles: size 8 Addi circulars (down two sizes from what was recommened)
Buttons: from Tender Buttons
Modifications: Well, I cut a few stitiches from the skirt, because I just couldn't get that many pick-ups from the back of the sweater. But other than that, I found the patter really well-written.

It's ready to wear to Rhinebeck! Cooler weather is supposedly arriving - starting tomorrow.

teaser

The rolling sides of the sweater stand no chance against me, my blocking pins, and a crazy steam iron. I will triumph!

saturday photo essay

Arrive in midtown at exactly 12 noon.

Purchase long-overdue wedding present (and photograph for Hubby, who was away this weekend).

The button emporium to the stars. No, I didn't see anyone exciting there. There were lots of other knitters, though.

Oh, Upper East Side. You are too much for me sometimes. That's why I don't visit too often. I didn't dare inquire about the prices or fiber content of these sweaters.

The Spin-Out! It was a lot of fun, and great weather. Yes, the guy in the kilt in the foreground was napping with his head resting on his big combat boots. With all the fiber lying around, I think he could have asked for some to make a better pillow.

Back at home, with the rapidly increasing Tilted Duster, and my button find. The center of the buttons are much more purple than they appear. But it's really close to being done, so you'll have to wait a couple of days for the big reveal!

swinging along

I'm entirely behind in commenting on friend's blogs, and owe so many people emails! Apologies! TGIF, seriously. I need a break! But the Spin-Out is tomorrow, and I really want to attend, so it's back into the big city for me. (At some point in the afternoon.)

The Tilted Duster is coming along pretty well. I've got half of the skirt part done - a full 8 inches. It's starting to get really heavy, and after 4 rows my hands are screaming for a break. 4 rows = 30 minutes, if I'm feeling zippy... so there's another 5 hours of knitting the skirt, at least. Then there's the big collar thing. A trip to Tender Buttons might be in order on the way to or from the Spin-Out, because finding a really special button is a necessity. But I'm very happy that this should certainly be done in time for Rhinebeck. (There will be a better picture tomorrow, when there's sun and it's not 7am.)

tilting along

First: good news! My colleague Kian Tajbakhsh was released from prison this week. It was such a relief for everyone, and especially for his wife, who is due to give birth to their first child any day now. It's a good thing that this happened now, because if Ahmadinajad showed up in New York without releasing him... oh, the protests! I think we might still protest anyway.

And we had what is probably the last heirloom tomato salad of the year. I love the colors, adore the flavors, and wish that I had a big greenhouse (and land to put it on) so I could grow these all year long.

Second: my Tilted Duster! Two fronts, a back, and one sleeve are done. Before I can officially say they are done, I need some other eyes on my right-leaning decreases. I'm glad that there is 16 inches of skirt that's going onto the bottom of these pieces. This yarn rolls up like no one's business! I knew that I had to pin the pieces out for a picture, because otherwise they are just tubes.



So. The decreases:

Slip, slip, knit.

Slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over. (Thanks for the recommendation, Brenda!)

Do you have a preference? I'm leaning toward the Sl1, k1, psso version, but should I rip out the front piece and redo the ssks? It seems to be a little more subtle, and matchy with the k2togs. Can you tell if there's a difference? Am I crazy to be thinking about ripping, because you can't see anything? Please let me know; I'll be here working on the next sleeve!

out of it

I'm out of the groove, it seems. Being back at work, and trekking through midtown Manhattan seems a lot more tiring than I remember it. I was also very confused by the sight of flowery taxis when I returned on Monday. What gives? Ah, this. I thought it was to mark the cabs with the GPS devices or something. It's also supposed to be about celebrating 100 years of motorized taxis. It's not terribly diginified.

However, I AM into the Tilted Duster. The back and two fronts should be finished by tonight. The miles of skirt on the sweater will not be as zippy, I fear. On the right front, my ssk seem very prominent, and I might rip it out and fiddle with them to be less obtrusive. The Backyard Leaves ssk were done slightly funky ... and now I can't remember how to do it any other way.

Research! I would have done so last night, but suddenly remembered after arriving home at five minutes to 7 that Hubby and I had RSVPd to attend an admissions recruitment event for our alma mater. Which started at 7, and was 15 minutes away. We got on the road and weren't that late, but it made for a panicky evening. And dinner at 10pm.

But the Yankees won again!

a finished leaf

Yay! So much accomplished, and on a lovely Saturday, too.

1. A trip to the farmers' market in the drizzle resulted in quick shopping because there weren't many people there. And lots of good food.
2. At long last, I took four huge shopping bags of clothes to a friend's church thrift shop. They've been sitting around for way too long. While there, we saw that they also take household items, so the kitchen is going to get a de-stash session too. (There was also a lovely Gap cardigan with really interesting cables. So I got that as well.)
3. I finished the Backyard Leaves scarf! Still needs blocking, but it's really close.
4. Finishing the scarf nearly coincided with the end of the CD of Julia Child's My Life in France. I'm a very big fan of hers, and was very upset when she passed away on my birthday a few years ago.

So, now it's onto the Tilted Duster, from the cover of the recent IK. I heard that it's going to be a knitalong on the Ready, Set, Knit podcast, and then happily discovered that I've got the right yarn in my stash. It's Rowan Magpie Aran that I bought ages ago (see a theme here?), is the right gauge, and I should have plenty of yarn for the sweater. Can I finish it before Rhinebeck? The pressure!

Finally, my traveling sock hasn't gotten any screen time yet. Charade is a great pattern, and I'm enjoying it a lot. Once I'm back on the train twice a day (starting Monday - sob!), it will probably clip along at a much faster rate.