Knittingupastorm

Monday, March 05, 2007

Well I will be damned. When I read Yarn It's post about her not-so-wicked Wicked, I couldn't imagine why she didn't like it. And, now I know! This sweater is not flattering on me and it is way too itchy.

(Larger)

You can't really tell how much it doesn't fit me. Let me see if this picture tells the story:

(Larger)

It is way TOO big around the neck line. I should have cast on for the smallest size to compensate for my rather smallish shoulder width and then increased until it fit me. The arms are way TOO big as well.

I am now sure this yarn is not meant for me. I first used this alpaca to knit Something Red and that sweater looked horrible on me. Then I frogged it only to realize that alpaca is really kinky once you knit and frog it. So, I had to put the yarn into hanks, wash them and wait for them to dry. All this work and look - the thing is sucky!

I am going to put the remaining 2.5 balls and this sweater in a bag and put it in the GoodWill box. Maybe someone else will have better luck with the damn yarn.

On another note - my Essential Striped Sweater is coming along nicely - the 2nd sleeve is almost done and I think this one is a winner. I'll take a picture of it this week, hopefully.

Have a good one.

Labels: ESS, Wicked

posted by Lisa @ 9:23 a.m.

Sunday, February 25, 2007

The time has come to show some actual knitting content - with pictures and everything! I like to post pictures, but my camera's batteries needed to be re-charged, and for whatever reason I never plugged it in til yesterday. I walked by the damn thing every day, and kept saying to myself I would plug it in later. Well that later never came until yesterday. Not only did I get my ass in gear with the camera, but I am in the home stretch of finishing the ESS. See:

At this point I could decide to knit 1x1 ribbing as the pattern states, or knit the neckline like the Somewhat Cowl. I don't have this pattern, but I am guessing they are pretty close to being one in the same, except for the neckline. But no, I will complete the 1x1 rib - because I want a easy breezy sweater for those not so cold to wear a polar bear, but just cold enough to layer without a coat.

I think I'm going to like this sweater. I made some mods as you can see - I started the 2x2 ribbing at the elbow, just to give it some kick, and added decreases so it will fit over my hips. Also, instead of 1x1 ribbing at the bottom, I knit 2x2. No biggie, but I like the changes.

There is more good news for me in the knitting department, I can start knitting on Wicked again because I'm almost done with ESS and I have washed and dried Alpaca to continue with Wicked. See:

I have about 3" to knit before I start the decreases! I am still trying to decide what border I should add at the bottom - a 2x2 rib, seed stitch or the crossover pattern like the top. I have a ways to go, but I would like to resolve it soon.

BTW - I am posting this on Sunday morning KID FREE! The girls slept at my in laws last night and we watched movies until 1am this morning. Lucky girl, aren't I?

Labels: ESS, Wicked

posted by Lisa @ 8:45 a.m.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Tonight I am going to see Menopause OutLoud with a bunch of friends. When I was first asked to go, I had never heard of this show, but apparently it is supposed to be really funny.

I don't care if it is or not, but it would be nice. At least I get to go out for dinner and a show and escape reality of my life for one night. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with my life, but I find any excuse to get out of our nightly ritual. Which is - to ask two little kidlets to brush their freaking teeth 20 times and then completely loosing it until they do it. Oh yeah - and putting on their pjs? Takes about 10 reminders, and of course me loosing it. All part of having small kids I suppose.

Not much progress on ESS, just plugging along. I really hope it fits now because when I get to the sleeves, I plan on knitting a 3x1 rib from the elbow to the wrist, which I think will add a nice detail to an overall plain sweater. I wish I would have thought about this one a bit more, because I would have put a nice cable down the centre front, I have enough yarn, but maybe for the next one.

We will see.

Have a good one - I'll try and post tomorrow about the show.

Labels: ESS

posted by Lisa @ 9:45 a.m.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

I cast off for ESS last night and the damn sweater is too freaking tight around my hips. This really shouldn't surprise me because I know how big they are. So, I ripped out 5" and will increase 4 stitches (=1") every 6th row until I have 4" more in width. Then ribbing, then EZ sewn off cast off method. I need all the elasticity I can get.

No biggie, really. If this doesn't work, I am going to rip everything out and give one of my knitting buddies the yarn. Why? Because this would be 2nd sweater I have used this yarn for and it didn't turn out as well as I would have liked.

Hey knitter buddies - don't get your hopes up too high, I have a feeling it will work out for me. But just in case, I have a plan for this yarn come what may!

Labels: ESS

posted by Lisa @ 3:59 p.m.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Much knitter progress has been made this weekend. The Essential Striped Sweater is about to get a ribbed bottom today, so that means, on to the sleeves and ribbed neckline and I'll have a nice cozy, comfy sweater.

Too bad it is about to warm up in Toronto, so I might not get to wear it, or I'll sweat to death in it. But we will sew!

I am using my new Knitpicks circular needles and I am LOVING them. I didn't think I would love needles this much, but I do. I think they make me knit fast, is that possible?

If this sweater turns out how I want it to, I have a whole pile of odds and ends of Patons Classic Wool and Peruvian Highland wool to make another one. Yeah - more stash gone!

Have a good one.

Labels: ESS

posted by Lisa @ 10:19 a.m.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Still plugging along on my ESS using Peruvian Highland Wool from elann in sage green. It is kind of weird, but this colour feels really scratchy compared to the other colours I have used in the past. I have made a ribby cardi, sitcom chic and a few pairs of socks with this stuff and quite enjoyed knitting with it. But the sage green colour feels much more like itchy wool. Weird, eh?

Yep, I think so.

Not much knitting last night due to V Day - yep, wine, flowers can make a girl feel all so grand - so much so that I forgot about my knitting.

I'm on track again.

BTW - I am nagging my tech support guy, aka, Chris to change the look and feel of my blog - hopefully he will get it done soon. I have had this template for two years now and frankly, I am quite sick of it. I want something different. I've picked something and it is still in the green colours, but crispy and nicer and well, different than what I've got.

Maybe some bribery to get him going? Yeah, that's the ticket.

Labels: Blog Template, ESS

posted by Lisa @ 9:01 a.m.

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