Friday, November 30, 2007
Just in time!
Just in Time
Juliet done, but no Tree Jacket yet!
I'm not done with the Tree Jacket yet, I got stuck working on Christmas stuff and hats and other winter stuff. It's been -35C here with the windchill for the past week! I can't wait to finish it though, as I have a feeling that I will be needing it since they're saying it will be the coldest winter in years!
Juliet front
A very sad Juliet
Tree Jacket not finished
at http://mollymenmymini.blogspot.com/ I have enjoyed watching everyone knit and
seeing the different yarns used and the way each of you personalized your own. Thank
you for letting me participate, I have learned a great deal!
Tree Jacket done!
I hope everyone has a great holiday season and that we can pick some cool new patterns.
More details on my Blog.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
A Tree Jacket!
It's a bit bigger on me than I would have liked; being a bit on the short side I tend to wear things that are a little more fitted so that I don't feel overwhelmed. I probably could have gone down a size...and the sleeves are pretty big. I've never blocked alpaca yarn before and I didn't quite know what to expect. Nevertheless, this is easily the softest, cuddliest, most comfortable sweater I own. And super warm. I used KP Andean Silk in Hollyberry.
Thanks for the KAL! I am really looking forward to the next one!
Juliet Failure
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tree Pullover
I chose to lengthen the body as mohair has a tendency to flyaway a bit since it's so light. I also put a small bit of the lace pattern at the sleeves with what yarn I had leftover. I'm rather pleased with how it turned out.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Where for art thou Romeo?
I cast on for this sweater on Sunday, October 14, 2007, and finished it Saturday, November 17, 2007. It was knit using Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky on Knitpicks Options size 10 1/2 needles (32 inch cord.) Due to a number of the comments I read about this sweater, I knit a size small rather than the medium I usually knit in Zephyr Style patterns and am really pleased with the result. (Thanks everyone for the great advice!!!!!)
I don't think I will get to Tree Jacket this KAL as I have a number of other sweaters in my queue for which I have the yarn before I purchase the yarn for that sweater but I have greatly enjoyed participating in my first Sexy Knitters Club KAL! I'm looking forward to the next one!
You can find more info about this project on my blog.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Tree Jacket - almost finished
Now to the lack of electronic magic, I finished Saturday night. It is currently blocking and I will be having a FO post up really soon. I finished every last scrap off yarn that I bought. I don't think I have ever cut it this close.
I love the pattern and can't wait to wear this. It is my Christmas sweater.
Progressing . . .
I like this pattern. It is mindless enough to knit while watching TV or at knitting group, yet the little lace pattern adds interest.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
FO - Juliet
Here is my version of Juliet. I may have to rip this back again - and make the lace portion an x-small as it's a bit too big for the top portion. I do love the color and the pattern and since it's a quick knit, I'll see how it fits my Mother first and then mull it over. Here's my FO pic. More details on my blog.
Tree jacket completed
size 8 needles. I did add the lace to the sleeves instead of doing the garter stitch but everything else was per the pattern.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Juliet GRR
Frustrated - Tree Jacket Sizing
Anyway, like numerous others here and on Ravelry, I can't seem to get the right size. I have a 38" bust and 15" circumference arms. After reading all the problems people have had making sizes too big for them, I decided to make a small. I want it to be form fitting. The problem now is that, although I got gauge in St st, the garter section is huge already, and I have only done 16 increase rows! I need to increase a bit more for the arms, but I'm worried that if I do the remaining 8 increases (64 sts), it may become too big. This seems pretty ridiculous considering I'm normally a snug medium. I know others have had issues, but can someone with my chest size tell me which size they made, modifications, if any, and how their Tree Jacket turned out (tight, loose, perfect)? Help!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Top 20 Nominations for January 2008
Hello all you sexy knitters! Today is a special day because it's time for the top 20 nominations for the very first SKC KAL in 2008! Hooray!
The top 20 nominations are determined by your nominations and how much positive feedback each nomination post receives. Unfortunately, we can only accept 20 nominations at a time for voting purposes. We're very sorry if the pattern you nominated was not chosen this time. Please don't take this personally, and please, if you strongly believe in a certain pattern, definitely nominate it again next time!
Without further ado, the nominees are:
- Matilda Jane from Ysolda
- Snow White from Ysolda
- Dahlia from Winter 2007 Knitty
- Abotanicity from Winter 2007 Knitty
- Tilted Duster from IK Fall 2007
- Gathered Pullover from IK Winter 2007
- Something Red from Wendy Bernard at Knit and Tonic
- Flair from Wendy Bernard at Knit and Tonic
- Bella Paquita from Marnie MacLean
- Giselle from Marnie MacLean (available at StitchDiva)
- Drops Jacket 103-1 from Drops Design
- Drops Cardigan 88-4 from Drops Design
- Deep V Argyle Vest from Eunny Jang
- Drops Cable Bag 98-54 from Drops Design
- Blanche by our very own SKC member Just Call Me Ruby
- Chinese Lace Pullover
- Daliet Blouse (and here)
- Juno from Rowan #40 Booklet
- Cable Collar Cardigan
- Military Cardigan from Veronik Avery's book "Knitting Classic Styles"
So pick your favorite and be ready to vote when our poll is up, in the next couple of weeks! Happy Perusing!
two in progress
At my request my mom sent me some buttons from her collection so I've been trying to decide which will be for Juliet. I think these...
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Completed Juliet
Here is another completed Juliet. I really enjoyed this pattern. The top knit up very quickly and I will definitely knit at least two more during the spring/summer. I used Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Priarie Lupine. I knit the XS, knit garter stitch past the bust line and made the longer version. I am very happy with how it turned out. You can view more pics on my blog: Yarn It.
Tree Jacket
Here's my completed Tree. It's my first KAL and only my second attempt at a sweater. Because of the ease of the pattern instructions, I was brave enough to attempt a couple modifications of my own. My only complaint would be that it's a little large under the arms. (I know size has been a common topic in this blog, but I still didn't believe that I should knit an XS for my 5'11" frame.) That being said, I love it and have worn it several times already.
Updates Updates Updates!
We will be wrapping up the current knit along at the end of this month (November) and will spend all of December taking nominations for the next knit along which will start in early January. This allows all of us to get our Christmas knitting done and get through the holidays without having to worry about another knit along to keep up with. Please do not begin posting nominations until December, as any nominations posted before December will not be considered in the final nomination selection.
For those of you who completed either a Juliet or a Tree Jacket, or both, please send me an email with either a pic of your completed project or a link to your blog post showing your completed project so that you can be entered into our knit along drawing. Be sure to put "Juliet/Tree Jacket KAL" into the subject line of your email so that you don't get lost in the shuffle of my email inbox. The drawing winner will be announced in December.
We are still unsure how many of you didn't receive copies of our first newsletter, so if you had signed up to receive our first newsletter before it was sent out (October 23rd), please leave us a comment here. If most of you didn't receive your newsletter, we will resend it out to all of you. And get ready for another issue, as Lisa's got some terrific info in store for all of you Sexy Knitters! If you haven't yet signed up for the newsletter, be sure to do so by clicking on the newsletter button on the right hand side of the site!
Thanks again to all of you who participated in the Juliet/Tree Jacket knit along. I can't wait to see all of our December nominations!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Tree Jacket Progress shot
Sunday, November 18, 2007
As Promised
So, I finally got a picture of the Tree actually on. I was acting a bit goofy and apparently decided my boobs needed a little enhancing. Silly, I know - they attract enough attention all on their own! But, here's a picture of the Tree "Jacket" after it was finished blocking. I have worn it twice, and really LOVE it! I'm so glad I knit this one!
And, last night I started Juliet. I am using Patons Shetland Chunky for a Christmas sweater for my son, and I persuaded myself to get some in Medium Blue for my Juliet since I like it so well. I was thinking of trying to redo the pattern for a worsted weight yarn (not so sure that my ample frame needs a thick, heavy yarn), but decided to try it in this, and if it doesn't feel right for me, I think my sister will love it. So, wish me luck. I'll post pictures as soon as I get to an interesting part!
:O)
Friday, November 16, 2007
Juliet
Thanks!
Michelle
Hoping to get this baby off the needles this weekend.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Juliet And I Are On a Time Out
Thanks!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tree House Update - Expect the Unexpected
I should have remembered the cardinal rule especially with a newborn in the house again: "Expect the Unexpected"
I thought I was a multi-tasking genius until...
+
1 dose of Ovol
+
knitting in progress
=
A projectile assault on my Tree Jacket
(and my shirt, the armchair, a nursing blanket and a cushion)
A washcloth, some Woolite and fifteen minutes of gentle dabbing later...we're back in business and I have finally reached the end of the garter stitch torso. Now it's on to the body and it looks like I might even finish this project in time (shocking for me as the world's self-proclaimed slowest knitter - although several others also seem to claim the title). So far I am amazed at how well (and quickly) this pattern is coming together and I love the use of increases to magically form the cap of the sleeve. And of course the best thing about knitting in the round - there won't be any stitching required at the end (the stage of each project where I always seem to lose steam).
A tree that's growing, Fancy that!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Juliet: Still in progress...
I am farther than this photo shows, I'm on the 5th repeat of the lace section...I think I will do 6 in total. I've never bought buttons before and I'm not sure where to find some nice ones. I checked Michael's but they have a very limited supply, and not much that I liked. Any suggestions? Should I head out to a fabric store?
Thanks!
Shannon
Juliet Help
Knitters-Delight
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Did you miss it? Plus: Call for stories
(Unfortunately, photobucket won't let me put a picture of the whole thing in since it's too long, but (shameless plug, hint, hint) if you sign up for the free newsletter, next time it will be delivered to you in its entirety in your In box.)
Coming up in the next newsletter, we have the Sexy Issue. Okay, they're all Sexy Issues, so I guess I'll call this one a Sexy to the Bones issue: what makes a pattern sexy, and how does construction impact its sex factor?
Would you like to be published in the newsletter? We're looking for stories on:
- Shaping techniques (short rows, princess seaming, etc.) - you only need cover one technique in the article, so pick your favorite.
- Modification dos and don'ts - making a pattern all your own
- Photography tips (knittymuggins, this one has your name all over it!) for showing off your handiwork at its best
- or whatever else you can suggest
Lisa
I Did It!
Here's my version of Tree Jacket, blocking. You can visit my blog to see how I changed it up a bit to suit my tastes and yarn choice! Or, I'll post again when I have pictures of the finished object actually on my body! I really, really, really loved knitting this one, and can't wait to wear it once it's finished blocking. I plan to do so tomorrow, so stay tuned!
:O)
Friday, November 09, 2007
Juliet, another to join the finished list.
My mods:
I ended up decreasing a total of 8sts in the garter section to make bust darts, and increasing the stitches by 14 for the beginning of the lace pattern. The only problem from doing that was that it gapped too much when done up! So I ended up deciding to have it button up all the way down the front.
The only other thing I might do is to sew satin ribbon to the inside edge to work as a facing, which would limit the amount of pulling the buttons may do to the edge. I'm sure I'll blog about this soon enough, it's up on Ravelry at least!
Thursday, November 08, 2007
my dueling juliets are finished!
Tree Jacket
Finished Juliet Awhile Back...
I'm not loving it, but I am going to give it one more chance with a tighter fitting cami and jeans. I'm thinking what I need to do is less increases for the lace section (when transitioning from the garter stitch to the lace) so it won't be as wide, and then maybe lengthen it. I really can't pull off garments with a lot of ease.
Thoughts?
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Finished Tree Jacket!!
For more details and pictures, see my blog!
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Juliet
Ok, time for some specs -
Juliet
Now for my sister's Juliet. I cast-on Sunday night but haven't gotten much done since then.
I wanted to start the Tree Jacket pattern but I couldn't find a good yarn for the pattern in my stash so I ordered some. It should arrive on Wednesday so I can cast-on then. Can't wait. I really enjoy knitting the Zephyr Gals patterns even if the sizing can be a little wonky.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Tree Jacket progress
Sunday, November 04, 2007
kind of a Juliet
I have had such bad luck with Juliet. I started out kniting medium. Then I realized I should have been knitting a small. But I was too unmotivated to rip and just kept going. When I got to the lace portion I switched to a different color double-stranded (solid brown). And I didn't like that either. So I just ended up knitting more length to the garter section in the original yarn, instead of lace, and added a ribbed waistband at the bottom. I also added ribbed bands at the armholes to bring the sweater in a bit more. And I added buttons for the full length down the front. In this configuration it's wearable, but I still difficult to find something that works with it. All in all at least I have a cardigan, but it's not as nice as what everyone else has. In any case, I'm looking forward to the tree sweater being more satisfying. I at least already like the yarn more than what I used for Juliet. Staying positive! :)
One down, one to go!
The yarn is Cascade Venezia, a bulky yarn of 70% merino, 30% silk. The sweater knit to gauge on size 10.5 Knitpicks Options needles. It is a size small with no modifications. The buttons are mother of pearl.
I swatched for Tree Jacket. I am using Tahki Savoy which is the most incredibly soft yarn. It is worsted weight 52% silk, 48% merino. It swatched to gauge on size 8's. I also tried a couple of things with the lace. I am trying to avoid the twisting that everyone is experiencing. I knit the first two repeats of the lace with K4, YO, K2tog, YO, SSK. I could see that it was going to twist, so I tried the next two repeats as suggested on the Zephyr Style message board: K3, K2tog, YO, K1, YO, SSK. That looks like it will go straight, so that is how I will knit tree jacket!