Got started, am having some sizing issues

Hi everyone,

So, I finished the top a few nights ago, and the thing looks TINY on me. I'm between sizes, so I went with the smaller one to account for later stretching. But when I tried it on the top barely covered my nips. It kinda looks like that's how marnie's fits too in the picture, but I'm worried. Maybe I'll just make the bigger size (it didn't take that long, really) and see if I like it better. Also, I've started the sleeves (in the bigger size), and they're going ok. I'm doing them top down so that I can lengthen them easily.

huge mistake

Just so others can know - when I first started, I cast on 164 stitches (I'm doing the large size). Happily knitting along, I get to the first increase. What's this? I should have only cast on 148?!? Aargh.

Anyway, just wanted to share that.

Bella Paquita

Ok, I've gotten started -




The yarn is Wool-Ease and I'm trying to bring the illusion of petals over water. We'll see how it looks.

Partial Paquita Top

Well, I've gotten the first part of the top of the Bella Paquita done. I'm working on the sleeves right now and the lace will follow. I'm having a lousy times following directions. For some reason, directions and I don't play well together. I won't tell you where I goofed, that'll be my little secret, but reading are hard. That's all I'm sayin'. :)

I'm using Valley Yarn's Colrain in Olive Grey for this. I love this yarn. It's so incredibly soft and just glides on the needles. This yarn tried to appear in the Minimalist Cardigan, but it just wasn't working for me, way too much moss stitch. So, here we go again. This time, I think it's working!

Can't wait to get going!

Hello everyone, very excited about my first ever KAL. I'm going to be knitting Giselle in Debbie Bliss (Angora, cotton mix) in Maroon. I got the yarn for a steal on e-bay; and being the world's most impatient knitter, I'm knitting it on 4mm (all that was available at my LYS) rather than the 3.75 my swatch indicates....so I'm going to knit the next size down with the hope that it'll turn out the right size in the end. Rather nervous about the pattern which is about the most complicated thing I've ever seen!

Bella Shoulder Shaping

Hi everyone. I have been working on Bella and just finished the top. There were some questions about the shoulder shaping. Here is how I worked mine. I used a combination of short rows for the front, and slipping the extra stitches on the back. This left all of the stitched on the needle for the 3 needle bind-off. It left a "long stitch" on the inside (as you can see in the pic), but over all I think it worked pretty well. I'm so excited, this is my first KAL. (In case anyone is interested, I am using Patons Classic Wool in Leaf green)

I knew this stash yarn would find a good purpose...

I have had this Horstia Maulbeerseide Schurwolle (say that three times fast) in my stash for three years, and now I'm going to use it for Bella Paquita. Hooray! The skeins not pictured are already knitted up in the top of the sweater. The chart is making me crosseyed, but I think it's turning out OK.

Also, this is my first SKC post. Hi everyone!

Fashionably late

I know that I'm late to the party but just wanted to quickly post my second Juliet. It's knit from Rowan Cotton Angora in a lovely berry color.

I'm also still (sorta) working on my Tree Jacket....I hate garter stitch in the round!#@^$%

Decisions, decisions!

I have the yarn for both patterns! Elann Incense in Brick Red for Bella:

Handmaiden Double Sea in Perwinkle and Handmaiden Sea Silk in Ebony for Giselle:

This silk/seacell blend is simply delicious! I'm leaning toward doing Giselle first simply because I have such an aversion to charts! Once I finish the baby sweater I'm doing, I'll cast on!

Started Bella

Wow, talk about creative! This pattern is definitely outside the box. No wonder Marnie's stuff is so amazing. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do but I think I'm getting it. I had to really think about which way to make the increases since it's up to us and that reminded me of Annie Modesitt's and EZ's philosophies about leaving the "how" to the knitter. I am loving it so far. I decided not to be too anal and am just highlighting the row just finished on the chart so my eye knows where to fall. That worked for the mystery stole 3 although on that one I also had vertical lines every 10 stitches cause there was so much going on. Well I just thought I'd connect with my fellow (addicts) knitters. Enjoy!

thank you

Thanks for the KAL invite!! I can't wait

KAL Winners

At the time voting ended (which was midnight last Monday night) we had an even tie between Bella Paquita and Giselle (both by Marnie MacLean). Bella Paquita is a free pattern from Marnie's site, and Giselle is available at Stitch Diva for $7.00. At the time voting ended, Snow White by Ysolda had 11% of the votes so will not be included in this KAL despite coming in a close third. There are no other knit alongs (that I'm aware of) for the Snow White pattern, but for those of you who prefer to knit it, please feel free to start your own knit along for it!

We'll officially begin the Bella Paquita/Giselle KAL on January 21st and will continue it until the end of March, but for those of you who are chomping at the bit to start, please feel free!

As always, you'll need to request posting privileges to post for this new knit along as all previous posters will have to be deleted (due to technical Blogger reasons).

Tree Jacket Dilema

I know we're currently voting on another project and all but I am a slow knitter and I am still working on the tree jacket and I ran into a problem.

Alright, so here's the deal.

I am on row 23 of the 24 rows that I am supposed to work before I separate the sleeves. Here's the problem.. At the beginning of row 23 I have 248 stitches. After I do my increases and then purl all the way around I will have 255 at row 24.

After I do my increases and then purl around I'll have 262 (at end of row 24).

Problem: I should have 272. Do I rip all the way back to the color for 10 stitches? I don't know how to adapt patterns very well so I can't alter the pattern and expect it to fit. Neither, sound pleasant. So I was wondering if there is a way to add 10 extra stitches without having a huge hole or making it noticeable?

Please help me! I really don't want to rip back!

Voting Time

It's time to vote for the next SKC knit along pattern! You do not need posting privileges to vote (although you do need to be a member of the SKC) so choose your favorite pattern and place your vote. Voting will end on Monday at midnight and we'll start the knit along on January 21st. The duration of the knit along will be determined by which pattern(s) wins and will be announced after the voting is over. Have fun!

Choose Your Favorite!
	Military Cardigan
	Cable Collar Cardigan
	Juno
	Daliet Blouse
	Chinese Lace Pullover
	Blanche
	Drops Cable Bag 98-54
	Deep V Argyle Vest
	Drops Cardigan 88-4
	Drops Jacket 103-1
	Giselle
	Bella Paquita
	Flair
	Something Red
	Gathered Pullover
	Tilted Duster
	Abotanicity
	Dahlia
	Snow White
	Matilda Jane
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Nominations Out

I guess I have to say that I am a little disappointed in the nominations that were overlooked. The list includes so many thick, long-sleeved sweaters and has overlooked some of the most "sexy" spring sweaters. Since the KAL will last a couple of months I was expecting to see more short-sleeved and, well, sexier sweaters. Hey, this is the "Sexy" Knitters Club. What happened to the cute tank by Nikki Adams? I also am disappointed to not see "Sizzle", "Lemonade Sweater" or the "Day Flower Lace". Anyone else feeling like I am?

Finally...Tree Jacket Finished

After issues with size, length, and color, I'm just glad this is finished before the new year! Couldn't take decent pictures wearing it since I was alone.

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft [100% acrylic; 330 yds/302 m per 170g skein]; colors: Black; two skeins

Care: machine wash warm, tumble dry low

Needles: US 8 / 5 mm circular, US 8 / 5 mm double-points

Pattern: Zephyr Style

Date Begun: November 24, 2007

Date Completed: December 31, 2007

Modifications: Cable cast-on, funnel neck, elbow-length sleeves, non-biased lace pattern (yo, ssk, k2tog, yo) from Fantasy Knits

Nomination?

I would love to nominate the Razor Cami.
Found here....
I didn't like the pics posted on the original site, but I googled others who had done the pattern and I LOVE how the top can turn out! Also looks great on fuller figured's, no boobs and big boobs! The majority have said it was a very fast and easy pattern and I love the cost.....
Melissa

In the nick of time!

I wet blocked my tree jacket last weekend and it is now ready to wear! I am really pleased with the results.

Details:
Tree Jacket by Zephyr Style, Size XS
8 skeins of Tahki Savoy (52% silk, 48% merino: 109 yards per skein, color 104)
Addi Turbo needles size 8: 16 and 24 inch

Modifications: Altered the lace pattern to K3, K2tog, YO, K1, YO, SSK which kept the pattern from twisting.
Otherwise I knit exactly to pattern specifications.

I will say that this yarn is one of the softest things I have had against my skin and it feels fabulous. I'm also always amazed at how silk/wool blend yarns totally change when wet blocked. The stitches meld together and look so much more even!
This one is a winner!

Nominations

I just got the email from Stitch Diva that their new pattern, Giselle, is finally available! I've been waiting for this one to come out! There are 3 versions of this sweater. It is the newest by Marnie Maclean.

Lemonade Sweater Nomination

I absolutely loved this sweater the first time I saw it and was disappointed when it did not win in a previous KAL. Would love to try it this time around. I know I am anxious to start a spring sweater! And......the pattern is free!