Wednesday, May 31, 2006

My SexyKnit....
















This is my latest sexy knit project. It's the "Tissue Tunic", or atleast the version of it that I made. I made it in less than a week start to finish and only occassionally working on it during that time. If you notice in the picture, I am at the hospital on dh's floor. The picture, sorry about the poor quality of it, was taken by a highly impressed nurse technitian.

I wear it over tank tops as a bit of cover. It's done in navy blue alpaca and it's cool enough to keep on when I step outside (for a cigarette in the smokehole), but it's also warm in the hospital's air conditioning inside. It helps to make me feel just a little sexy in a non-sexy situation and enviroment.

**Tomorrow sometime I will update my personal blog, http://caffinnascreations.blogspot.com, with updates on my dh.**

C'est fini!

In the nick of time as today is the last day of May, I have finally finished my Somewhat Cowl! Woo hoo! I have displayed it on a dress form because, as with all sweaters I am now making, I knit it to the size I am becoming. I was able to try it on but it was not fit for public consumption. I will post photos in a few months of the "new me" with my SW.

For reference, it was knit in Lion Brand MicroSpun. The color is called Lavender, but to me it is a solid Periwinkle. I don't think I will ever knit with that yarn again because of the squeaky factor on the needles.

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Not finished in time


My Orangina is still less than 1/2 way done. However, it has improved greatly since following Mary's wise advice to use stitch markers for every repeat. (and Mary's looks lovely!) Hopefully she will be done before the next KAL starts.
I put it on scrap yarn right after taking this picture and have cast on for side 2. You can see more at my blog.

New Vote???

Okay Sexy Knitters... I've been monitoring the site for the past couple of days and am considering stopping the current poll and starting over for 2 reasons. First, two patterns were left out of the voting poll that quite possibly should not have been left out. When my helper composed the list for me, I didn't notice that the list was in alphabetical order (yes, I'm that thick sometimes) and assumed that bottom nominations were the least popular (based on positive feedback left in the comments) pattern nominations. Because of this incorrect assumption, I left Tubey and Waves off the voting poll thinking that they were low popularity nominations and that it was a valid reason to eliminate them. WRONG! And I'm very sorry.

The second reason that I'm considering a re-do on the voting is because it appears that one of the patterns (The Prosperous Plum Tank) is written in only one size (28" bust) and by looking at the comments, many of you were unaware of this and wish you could change your vote.

So. For now, we will continue with the current voting poll, but I want to also get your opinions on whether or not you think we should re-do the voting with a second poll which would include Tubey and Waves (replacing the two current lowest scoring patterns) and with the new information that the PPT pattern is written for one size only.

Please take a second to vote "yea" or "nay" regarding whether you favor a re-do vote.


Do you favor a re-do on the current knit along vote? "Yae" = New Vote, "nay" = No New Vote
Yae
nay
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Holy cow, when did May end???

It has hit me that I have today and tomorrow to complete Orangina!! Can I do it? I don't know, but dammit I will try!!!

Way cool suggestions for the KAL!! I'm excited to see what happens.

PPT

Hi, I'm new here and looking forward to participating in the next knit-a-long. Thanks for having me. I'm an avid, lifelong knitter and always have several other fiber crafts on the go too. Most notably right now, spinning and weaving.

I've noticed that the Prosperous Plum Tank is right up there with the higher number of votes. I would love to make that tank top, but there is NO WAY I will fit into a 28" top. Does everyone who is voting for that particular pattern realize that 28" is the ONLY size it has been written for? Even with 4" of negative ease allowed, that still only amounts to fitting a 32" bust.

Monday, May 29, 2006

Orangina At Last!


Orangina is finally done with only 2 days left before the May 31 deadline. Nuthin' like dragging it out to the very end. I admit I was slow with this one but it was worth it for me. I'm really happy with how it turned out. Check out the details on my blog.

FO somewhat cowl

I finished it, even the tiny bit of sewing. And it turned out it was a really great choice for my second sweater, now I just want to make more and try out different things.

unfortunately I can't show it off, as my camera charger is lost somewhere in all my stuff. And buying a new one costs the same as yarn for the cabled sweater I'm planning to do (in alpaca).
If I find it soon I'll show it off.

The Somewhat Cowl fits great, the first garment I've had for years that actually fits snugly without being to short or anything. :D

I give up.



It's 2 inches too wide and 4 inches too short. I give up. I was never ment to have this top.

Finished both

Hi there
I am a happy owner of 2 lovely handknits, thanks to this knitalong. I've finished both Orangina and Somewhat Cowl. They are both very sexy knits!

Here's Orangina - I've showed it off before.
And here's Somewhat Cowl all completed as well. I knitted this in Debbie Bliss Cathay in black. The yarn is gorgeous when knitted up. It drapes really well. All my friends think it's gorgeous and I've had requests to knit more. Hmmm... I don't think so. I need my time for the next knitalong. Looking forward to the next one.

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Time to Vote!

Here y'all go!!! Have fun! Voting will end Wednesday at midnight!
Choose Your Favorite Pattern
Asana
Bad Penny
Calla
Cleo
Corset Pullover
Croisette wrap-around cardigan
Hush Hush
Jacket with Circle Effect
Lelah Top
Mesilla
Persephone
Propsperous Plum Tank
Razorshell Lace Cami
Shapely Tank Top
Shapely Tee Sleeve
Shimmerino Slip-On
Sneak-a-Peek Tank
Soleil
Sonata Crest of the Wave Tank Top
Tempting II
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Will she make the deadline??!!


I don't know whether I'll make the deadline or not, but I'm trying, I swear! I've got four inches of the bodice, ribbing, sleeves, and cowl neck to do... is it possible with a 15 month old running around?! We'll see, huh? Send me speedy needle vibes!

oops!!

Is it too late to add in one more?


http://squeakyweasels.blogspot.com/2006/05/protopretty-dna-sweater-shell.html

Holy crap, I love it.

I'm as surprised as anyone to discover that my Orangina does not make me look like a dwarf draped with a fishnet, and in fact, it looks pretty darn nice. I was a little worried because I'm short, flat-chested, and long-waisted, but this doesn't seem to matter.


Details to follow on my blog -- I don't have time to write a full post, but wanted to celebrate finishing anyway!

Saturday, May 27, 2006

Done and done!

Well I posted about 2 weeks ago saying that I would be finished in time (even though I had not even joined my somewhat cowl in the round) and I am proud to say that I am finished! Here's a picture. Now keep in mind that this is the first sweater that I have ever knit and I have only been knitting sense Aug 2005. I used cotton fleece on size 5 and 4 needles. It knit up really easy and I only had to frog a few stitches here and there. The hardest part was picking up for the cowl, but other than that, it went very smoothly. I have already started on my next sweater, the wavey line sweater from vintage knits. It's so cute!

top nominees!

Hey sexy knitters! I'm Jeanie's little helper :) This is the list of the nominees for the knitalong with the most buzz (we try to keep the nominee list to around 20--these are your top 22, or all of the nominees that got some woohoo) ;) Start checking them out, because voting starts soon!
Asana
Bad Penny
Calla
Cleo
Corset Pullover
Croisette wrap-around cardigan
Hush-hush
Jacket with circle effect
Lelah Top
Mesilla
Persephone
Prosperous Plum Tank
Razorshell Lace Cami
Shapely Tank Top
Shapely Tee Sleeve
Shimmering Slip-On
Sneak-a-Peek Tank
Soleil
Sonata Crest of the Wave Tank Top
Tempting II
Tubey
Waves

Volunteer needed!

Edited to Add: Wow, several of you wonderful Sexy Knitters responded right away with offers to help! Thank you so very much! We should have a list of the nominations for you shortly (to review) with the poll following shortly after that! Thanks again!

Ack! I missed my own deadline of getting the new knit along poll up on May 25th! Of course when I originally chose May 25th, I didn't even think about it being the last day of school! So sorry, but we'll just move all the dates back a little if we need to... no worries -- worrying is VERY unsexy ;-)

As y'all have probably noticed, the SKC has gotten quite large and I'm really not able to handle a lot of the "managing" of the board myself, so I'm putting a call out for a volunteer to help me gather up all the official pattern nominations (including the links to the patterns). Please contact me at yarnaholic1963@yahoo.com if you're interested in helping out. As soon as I have the completed list of nominated patterns, I can put together a poll for us to vote -- I'm hoping this will be ready within the next day or so if I get a response to my request for help.

Thanks Sexy Knitters!!!

Friday, May 26, 2006

Voting???

As a newbie here I was just wondering, will there be a poll or how do we 'officially' cast our vote?

almost finished!


All I've got left is seaming and blocking! Then I'll have a fully functional Orangina (or as I like to call it, Aquafina). I used Rowan Cotton 4-Ply in "Tear".

Victory feel soooooo good. =)

Thursday, May 25, 2006

ROCK!

Finally! A finished object that I absolutely love! It was a simply delightful pattern to work, my first in lace, in fact. The pattern was easily memorized and was interesting yet mindless enough to knit while enjoying season 1 of Galactica on DVD. I used the rec'ed yarn, and knit the small size with a CO of 112 but only ended up using 4 balls of rowan 4-ply in a color most-not-me tutti-fruitti. But forget about how easy and fun it was to knit, how brilliantly simple the construction was, and instead just look how cute I look!

I loved this KAL! It was so fun to see how all the SCs and Oranginas came out. Thanks! Can't wait to see what we're gonna knit next!

Also, for those of you inclined towards such things, I've got a new podcast! Yeah! So you know... go listen...if you want, and then go subscribe in itunes...if you want, and then leave me a review...if you want.

how about this sexy little thing for a nomination?

http://marniemaclean.com/patterns/Diamonds/Diamonds.html Cute & perfect for summer!

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Sexy Nomination

Hi Sexy Knitters,

I would like to nominate Katie's Razor Cami. It's a beautiful new pattern, and it's even free!

razorcami5[1]


Hope this one wins, because I'm making it anyway :)

Happy Knitting!
--Illanna--

Somewhat Cowl Finished.... I think

Well, I finished my Somewhat Cowl on my trip out of town this weekend, but am seriously considering frogging it...

My bust measurement was 37 1/2. I made the 36" and it just seems too big all around...It fits nicely through the bust, but the sleeves were too large, and it's pretty loose through the waist and just looks like a big square on me. It's not at all like the sexy versions that I've seen you all wearing. It's a nice sweater, not really sexy, and I'm not really sure that I'll wear it much this way... *sigh* comments? Opinions? Help?

Sexy Knitters Club

New Nomination:

For the next KAL, I'd like to nominate a couple of Garn Studio patterns:




















http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=82&d_id=15&lang=us




http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=94&d_id=13&lang=en



I am looking forward to my first KAL!

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

New Nomination/Finished Somewhat Cowl

This is my first official post to the group, although I've been here since a bit before the last vote, and all through the KAL for Orangina/SWC. I chose to work on the SWC, although I also knit the Picovoli for my sister during this time. I love the knits suggested on this site, I feel so empowered by knitting whole garments in such a short time. I will DEFINITELY stick with Sexy Knits!!!

I wanted to nominate this top for the next KAL if there is still time:



The free pattern can be found here:

http://www.craftown.com/knit/pat7.htm

What do you think?

Also, wanted to post pics of my SWC - not on, but hopefully pics will follow on my blog. The SWC is currently upstairs, blocking/drying on the spare bed! So you'll have to do with pics of it last night after I finished tacking down the cowl:

Monday, May 22, 2006

orangina coming along beautifully

i started on my orangina this past tuesday...with ridiculously optimistic hopes of having it done in 4 days...
needless to say i didnt finish it by then, but i have already completed about 22 inches of lace between the front and back panels (i tried necia's suggestion of working them at the same time, but i got frusterated when it took forever to see any progress--so i switched to working one at a time)

i had a run-in with a gate latch and recieved a painful blood blister on my thumb, causing me to knit slower than usual...but i still hope to have it done by this weekend.
i love the detail of the lace!

Hush Hush!

OOoooooh, I second the nomination of Knitty's Hush Hush. Very sexy, and perfect for summer.

Progress!

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I've had about one thousandbillion less problems with the second half. I've only had to frog about 6 rows because I was off on my last two patterns repeats. Not bad at all. I may make the finish line yet!

Somewhat Blue Somewhat Cowl!

Well, I finished it last night at around 5pm - all ends woven in and everything! (A small blessing from an abysmally slow day at work.) This picture was taken before blocking, and there's the slightest amount of rippling where I picked up stitches for the cowl, and the cowl ribbing is pretty bunchy still. After blocking, both matters should resolve. She really just needs a nice, relaxing bubble bath to settle down!



I made the sleeves a bit longer to cover the flubby bits on the back of my arms, added the waist shaping Wendy provided instruction for (thanks, Wendy!), although I probably could have gotten away without it. I also make the cowl itself shallower - I was just ready to be done with that ribbing! I love how it turned out. Now, if we'd just get back to our regularly scheduled cooler Spring weather rather than the 80s we've been having lately, I could actually wear it once or twice before putting it away for winter...

Finally

Well I was really slow with this one, but it is now done. Voila!



Kelly

Sunday, May 21, 2006

New Nomination!

I'd like to nominate Waves, the newest pattern from Saunshine, the creator of Calla and Diamonique! She's offering this one to us FREE for her blogiversary! Happy Blogiversary, Saun! Great pattern!

Ms Marigold

Another project for consideration.



http://www.zephyrstyle.com/catalog/item.cfm/2367447/2803300

Saturday, May 20, 2006

New Orangina

After a somewhat successful Somewhat Cowl, I decided to start an Orangina, and I can't get more than 2 inches on my needles without having to frog! The pattern is easy to memorize, but I seem to keep adding stitches. Any one else have this problem? Any suggestions? Frustration is setting in...

Just Keep Knitting...

I'm going so slowly on my Somewhat Cowl, but I promise I'll finish it eventually! I might just have to sit out the next sexy knit, but keep those FOs coming - ya'll are doing some awesome jobs! Progress pics on my blog.

Cute ...

http://www.lanagrossa.com/service/mdm/05_2004/index.html












http://spunmag.com/article/050410bevin

Friday, May 19, 2006

Somewhat Cowl Complete

I finished my Somewhat Cowl a bit ago but am finally making a post. I loved this pattern. It was perfect for me on the days when I needed some mindless knitting that I could put down easily to take care of my four kids. I love the way it turned out and will be knitting a long sleeve version in black when fall rolls around. You can check out the details on my blog
if you like.

Finished Camisole Tube


I finished the purple top today, while driving up to Taos (to have breakfast with a friend, can anyone say hello Julia Roberts?) I decided to do ribbon for the straps, instead of the spaghetti straps. I rather like it, although I think it will fit better (and hang a little less) once I block it.

I started it on May 7th and finished May 19th. I used TLC Cotton Plus yarn (cheap, but I figured it would do the trick) and made a size medium. Again wondering if I shouldn't go smaller. What do people think is the best way to get your size right? I measured around the "outside" of my chest - and yet things keep being too large.

And yes - you might be wondering ... my husband did have something very colorful to say about this top as well, "The ribbon is pretty. Are you planning on wearing the rest of it outside the house though? That could quiet possibly be the most hideous top on the planet. Do they have competitions for things like that?"


A very late start

~ 6" long

I started Orangina last Saturday. I doubt that I'll be finished by the end of the month. This will be my second major lace knit (the 1st being Branching Out). I think it will be a very sexy top once completed. I love seeing all the completed FOs!

Question: How much ease is there in the finished project?

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Still knitting!

Though my progress is slow, I'm still working on Somewhat Cowl - I've finally slipped my sleeve stitches off and will soon join in the round. Deadline schmeadline, right?!

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Another nomination




Hi everybody,

I'd like to nominate Asana from knitty. I love the simple style, the openings in the back and the ribbon straps.

http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTasana.html

Love the pics of the finished Organinas and SWC's!

Off Topic - Knitting Reviews

I've created a blog dedicated to reviewing knitting "stuff". I've found that a number of people have tried patterns/books or tools and found errors or issues. I'm creating a forum dedicated to talking about that. Come check it out.

Thanks again for all the support sexy knitters (did you ever notice that when the blog spell checks knitters it find janitors - what is up with that??)!

You could say I am Somewhat excited!

The Somewhat Cowl I knit for my Mom is finished! After seeing the finished result I know I will knit one for myself as well! This was a very enjoyable knit, as well as an easy one! I was most concerned with picking up the stitches along the neckline, however, it turned out beautifully on my first try! Here is a look before blocking. (Keep in mind the dress form is mine, and I am bit smaller than Mom.)
Yarn: KnitPicks, Shine (60% cotton/40%modal) color: Orchid; 9 skeins used for size 38 bust.
Modifications: I shortened the sleeves a bit and only knit 5.5 inches of cowl.

Wendy, Thanks so much for such a great pattern!

Amanda
auntieamandaknits.blogspot.com

Another Nomination - Persephone

I am not always a huge fan of Berroco patterns, but I found this one, called Persephone,
while browsing and I really like it. I think it would be perfect for for a knit along as many different variations could be made with color and yarn types.


Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Late I know!


Okay guys, I got a little disinterested in my Picovoli, then the KAL ended... I didn't even have time to knit the Cowl! Auggh the angst I go through when I see how beautiful y'alls have turned out... But here is my half finished Piciovoli.. Please don't laugh at my tardiness ;) I am pretty pround for picking it up again.

Monday, May 15, 2006

Another Nomination


Another one from the Knitty archive, Bad Penny by Stefanie Japel.
The lace edge at the bottom and the openings formed by the way that the shoulder is made add sexiness. However, it is also conservative enough that sexy knitters like myself could wear it to their jobs working with teenage boys ;)

Sunday, May 14, 2006

And yet another ...

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTw.html












http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/PATTmesilla.html

Nomination!


Jacket in Alpaca and Safran with circle effect.

a few nominations

here are a few from my files:



coco by berroco



marilyn by berroco



sassy sweater by jenna adorno



tubey by cassie rovitti


i also *love* the corset pullover from interweave knits that's already been nominated :) and the corset top that was nominated in the last kal, though i can't find the pattern for it again--maybe whoever nominated it before would nominate it again, if that's not against the rules? (apologies if it is!)