Tuesday, March 25, 2008
FO: Capecho Cabeled Bolero
I believe I started knitting this last summer? It's been a while. A looong while. So long that I think I'm probably considered back "off the bandwagon" on this knit.
I loved the pattern so much when I first started. Making each pentagon felt like completing mini projects and kept me motivated to keep cranking those suckers out. So, the actual knitting on this sweater happened very quickly. The seaming? That's another story.
I cannot express how much I HATE to seam. I don't understand this about myself either. I like to sew (although I have almost no knowledge of the 'correct' ways to do it - I usually make things up as I go) which would lead one to think that seaming wouldn't be such a pain for me. But it IS.
Finally, I got my act together and finished this unique little number (cape? bolero? shrug?). I have to say, I do think it looks pretty nice.
DETAILS:
Pattern | Capecho Cabeled Bolero by Norah Gaughan
Yarn | Filatura Di Crosa Zara
Size | xs
Needles | 5
I am most disappointed about the length of the back. I sized down my needles pretty drastically because I saw how baggy a lot of the finished sweaters were turning out. I'm still happy with that choice because it really is a good width on me... but I wish that the back (and I guess the front too) sat a few inches longer.
Also, you can see from the pictures that the collar tends to want to bend inward. I attached a second button to the inside of the collar to try and keep the fabric folded under from drooping down, which helped one problem but created another.
My overall opinion about this is: I think this is a really creative pattern that required some creative problem solving from it's knitters. The sizing was just all wrong, and very deceptive by the way it was photographed in Vogue Knitting. That being said, I still had a lot of fun making it and recommend any adventurous knitter to give it a try!
I loved the pattern so much when I first started. Making each pentagon felt like completing mini projects and kept me motivated to keep cranking those suckers out. So, the actual knitting on this sweater happened very quickly. The seaming? That's another story.
I cannot express how much I HATE to seam. I don't understand this about myself either. I like to sew (although I have almost no knowledge of the 'correct' ways to do it - I usually make things up as I go) which would lead one to think that seaming wouldn't be such a pain for me. But it IS.
Finally, I got my act together and finished this unique little number (cape? bolero? shrug?). I have to say, I do think it looks pretty nice.
DETAILS:
Pattern | Capecho Cabeled Bolero by Norah Gaughan
Yarn | Filatura Di Crosa Zara
Size | xs
Needles | 5
I am most disappointed about the length of the back. I sized down my needles pretty drastically because I saw how baggy a lot of the finished sweaters were turning out. I'm still happy with that choice because it really is a good width on me... but I wish that the back (and I guess the front too) sat a few inches longer.
Also, you can see from the pictures that the collar tends to want to bend inward. I attached a second button to the inside of the collar to try and keep the fabric folded under from drooping down, which helped one problem but created another.
My overall opinion about this is: I think this is a really creative pattern that required some creative problem solving from it's knitters. The sizing was just all wrong, and very deceptive by the way it was photographed in Vogue Knitting. That being said, I still had a lot of fun making it and recommend any adventurous knitter to give it a try!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
argo tea cafe
Knitting is a unique craft because it is mobile.
What other DIY project can you stick in your bag and work on in a bus? Or in a waiting room? I love that my knitting can go everywhere with me.
One of my favorite places to sit and knit is Argo Tea Cafe. It's like Starbucks but with the most delicious and creative tea drinks I've ever heard of (and without the big corporation mentality - free wireless!). If you're ever in Chicago, you should stop by and try it out.
[Talk about speed knitting... the camera can't keep up with my fingers!]
Friday, March 14, 2008
WIP: Drops Jacket
Maybe this is why I have trouble finishing my projects? I can never knit just one at a time.
After knitting away like crazy on this sweater when I first started, I put it down for a week or two and then forgot where I was. Because the instructions are translated (actually, I don't even know what language they were originally written in?) some of the directions are a little strange. Instead of telling you every ___ number of rows decrease one stitch, they give a measurement (i.e. decrease ___ number of stitches evenly until piece measures ___ cm). I tried figuring this out and translating it into a number of rows, but it wasn't quite even with my gauge. So, I just used my own abstract method of guessing when it was time to decrease as I knit. My decreases were turning out pretty good.... I thought. The problem with this method is that as soon as I put my needles down for a little while, I completely forgot where I was and how many decreases I have left. So, that's where I am now. I've been too distracted with other things (ahem... the Phildar vest) to take the time and figure it out.
Monday, March 10, 2008
WIP: Phildar Vest
Well, I said I've been knitting during my absence, so here's some proof:
It will be this vest from Phildar:
What inspired me to cast on was seeing how stylish and easy to wear Anne's (Another Shopgirl) vest turned out.
The color of my vest is a bit distorted in the above picture, it's actually more of a muted rosy pink with flecks of grey and brown. I looove the yarn - it's Blue Sky Alpaca's "Melange" - 100% alpaca.
I've never knit anything from a Phildar magazine before, but so far the instructions have been simple and easy to read. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this one!
It will be this vest from Phildar:
What inspired me to cast on was seeing how stylish and easy to wear Anne's (Another Shopgirl) vest turned out.
The color of my vest is a bit distorted in the above picture, it's actually more of a muted rosy pink with flecks of grey and brown. I looove the yarn - it's Blue Sky Alpaca's "Melange" - 100% alpaca.
I've never knit anything from a Phildar magazine before, but so far the instructions have been simple and easy to read. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this one!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
a broken record?
I know it seems like I'm constantly going on (and on) about Twinkle in this blog, but no other designer brings the same breath of fresh air to handmade knits as Wenlan does.
While poking around on ravelry today, I discovered these:
If you can look past the terrible styling of this model (and that hair - eek!) you'll see that these are actually very lovely designs. I don't believe the patterns are available to purchase yet, but it looks like they may be for sale on this website sometime in the near future.
What struck me most about these, is that I also found the same exact design by Twinkle for sale on shopbop for $257. I just love that although Wenlan sells her designs off the rack, she also makes them available for those who know how to knit themselves.
These pictures give a much better look at the design. Also, it's interesting to see that she is selling the tank in what appears to be cotton, while her pattern (published by Classic Elite) calls for mohair. I don't know about you, but I'd much rather wear a halter top in cotton than the itchy alternative.
While poking around on ravelry today, I discovered these:
If you can look past the terrible styling of this model (and that hair - eek!) you'll see that these are actually very lovely designs. I don't believe the patterns are available to purchase yet, but it looks like they may be for sale on this website sometime in the near future.
What struck me most about these, is that I also found the same exact design by Twinkle for sale on shopbop for $257. I just love that although Wenlan sells her designs off the rack, she also makes them available for those who know how to knit themselves.
These pictures give a much better look at the design. Also, it's interesting to see that she is selling the tank in what appears to be cotton, while her pattern (published by Classic Elite) calls for mohair. I don't know about you, but I'd much rather wear a halter top in cotton than the itchy alternative.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
FO: Elephant
Hello... hello!
I hope that everyone hasn't forgotten about me! I'm here, and I'm knitting away as always.
Due to a lack of accessible internet, and a lack of finished projects, my blogging has been a bit... well, nonexistent. I hope you'll all forgive my absence.
Now, on to what I have done...
Meet my Elephant:
He comes from Joelle Hoverson's Last Minute Knitted Gifts.
Ever since I started my new job, it seems like everyone around me is PREGNANT. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but the idea of having a kid at this point in my life is more than a little frightening. It's no understatement when I say that thinking about having a living creature swimming around in my stomach makes me feel a little woozy...
Okay, so maybe that's not the most girly or motherly way to look at it, but what can I say, that's just how I feel.
Despite all this, I'm SUPER excited for my boss Kristy to have her first baby girl. And that is how this little elephant found its way onto my needles.
I used Alpaca With A Twist's "Baby Alpaca" along with the recommended needle size. I like this yarn, it's super soft and easy to work with, AND it comes from my home state of Kentucky. All good things if you ask me!
I hope that everyone hasn't forgotten about me! I'm here, and I'm knitting away as always.
Due to a lack of accessible internet, and a lack of finished projects, my blogging has been a bit... well, nonexistent. I hope you'll all forgive my absence.
Now, on to what I have done...
Meet my Elephant:
He comes from Joelle Hoverson's Last Minute Knitted Gifts.
Ever since I started my new job, it seems like everyone around me is PREGNANT. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but the idea of having a kid at this point in my life is more than a little frightening. It's no understatement when I say that thinking about having a living creature swimming around in my stomach makes me feel a little woozy...
Okay, so maybe that's not the most girly or motherly way to look at it, but what can I say, that's just how I feel.
Despite all this, I'm SUPER excited for my boss Kristy to have her first baby girl. And that is how this little elephant found its way onto my needles.
I used Alpaca With A Twist's "Baby Alpaca" along with the recommended needle size. I like this yarn, it's super soft and easy to work with, AND it comes from my home state of Kentucky. All good things if you ask me!
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