Frog Day

I ripped out the Shoulder Scarf to be restarted - there was a small strange place that bothered me and I couldn't seem to straighten it out so I'm starting over. I hadn't got far, so no big deal. I also made the decision and ripped the Lamb's Pride Cardigan and am in the process of ripping the Celtic Knot sweater. It came to me that if I don't pick a project back up when the season rolls around again, there's a reason. Both of these were heavily modified patterns and I can't remember exactly what I was thinking or doing, even though I did keep (pithy) notes. I've probably progressed enough since setting them aside that I wouldn't do them the same way now. Sometimes you just need to retain the lessons learned and move on. The Malabrigo sweater is next. I don't think it will be as hard to rip that as it was to rip out all those lovely cables. That takes 2 more projects off my to-do list for the year! I think April is spring cleaning month in one Ravelry group I'm in - UFOs. Knit ‘em, rip ‘em, or toss ‘em!

Finished Objects!

The Tangled Yoke and Rib Warmer are both done!

I used grosgrain ribbon on the Tangled Yoke button flap to make the buttons more likely to stay on and not damage the knitting. It could really use ribbon on the buttonhole side, but I'm not sure I'll be able to psych myself up for all the measuring and sewing involved. It's a bit snug on me, which would be fine if the buttons would stay closed, but it looks better on DD.

I ended up using an odd skein of Silk Garden to edge the rib warmer instead of my Einstein Kureyon. The pattern called for 5 inches of kniting under each arm before turning to go up the fronts. I thought that sounded like too much and only knit 4 inches, but I wish I'd knit only about 2 'cause the arm holes are a little big. I wasn't sure what effect decreasing rows there would have on the whole entity, never having seen one of these in the flesh before. I figured this would be a test run. I've ordered a leaflet from Schoolhouse Press with other options. I have to say that I do like this versions method of doing the back in one piece (not being a fan of seaming in general and seaming garter in particular!)

And I've started something new - the Anne Shoulder Scarf only in Smooshy instead of Anne. Love the color - it's called Good Luck Jade. This was souvenier yarn - from Island Knits in Pawley's Island, SC. Spring break was good knitting/reading/watching movie weather.

A little stash enhancement -

Donegal Tweed from Orchardside and Araucania Naturewool from Yarnela (eBay.) Probably the tweed for a vest - no idea on the Araucania. It may be my favorite yarn ever and I am hoarding it. I have eggplant, brick, tan, blue-green, and a few odd skeins of light blue and brown. I want more.

Re-evaluating 3 months in

Original goals for this year:

• Shawl-collared vest (new) COMPLETE
• Fix DH's sweater (needs to be lengthened) DONE
• Finish Tangled Yoke (needs buttons and underarm seams) Underarms done
• Toggles on CPH
• Finish (???) Malabrigo sweater (UFO - just needs sleeves and neckband)
• Finish Silky Wool sweater (UFO - I think it just needs sleeves)
• Finish Cotton Patine top (UFO - seam and knit edging for armholes)
• Bird's Nest shawl (UFO - maybe 25% completed)
• Heartland shawl (UFO - maybe 15% completed)
• Lamb's Pride cardigan (finish or rip - needs sleeves, seaming)
• Einstein coat (UFO - about 20% completed) Now over half-way done
• Celtic Knot (UFO - about 30% complete)

I guess that's not too bad for less than 3 months work. I have started another project - a version of Elizabeth Zimmerman's Rib Warmer Vest that was in an old issue of Knitters Magazine. I'm nearly halfway done with that. I was wearing the Shawl-collared vest so much I figured I must need another vest! I'm using some Bartlett 2-ply I got on eBay years ago. It's a pretty Bronze color. It's been hanging out in the work basket with the Noro Einstein coat and they look so nice together that I may use some of that Noro for the i-cord edging.

I've modified the Einstein design by knitting the body in one piece for a few inches to avoid having batwing sleeves. I'm pretty much flying by the seat of my pants with this one, making it up as I go along. As you can tell from my past history, I'm not put off by the idea of ripping it out if it doesn't work.

Speaking of ripping out - I'm leaning that way on the Malabrigo sweater. I love the yarn and the sweater is just not living up to expectations. Someone at my knitting group was telling me of a way to alternate yarns when knitting in the round. I may start over trying that. I've pulled out the Celtic knot pullover and Lamb's Pride cabled cardigan, but no decisions yet on their fates.

Progress Report

I've finished the modifcation to Husband's sweater to make it longer. No pictures - it looks the same as before - just longer ;o)

That's 2 down, 10 to go. I don't know if I'll be able to tackle the seaming of the Tangled Yoke in the next week - it's looking pretty hectic and I need to be able to slow down and concentrate. I'm thinking this will be the plan when I do get around to it:

1. Seam underarms
2. Block
3. Darn in ends
4. Sew grosgrain ribbon on button placket
5. Sew buttons
6. Wear it!

Still wearing the vest everyday. I've gotten lots of compliments on it.

I have to decide if I'm going to frog the Malabrigo sweater before I knit any more on the sleeves. Need to slow down and concentrate for that too. My best bet at this point is probably to pick up the Not-so-warm Einstein. Everything else just takes too much thinking for my poor overloaded brain.

What did I wear before I finished this vest?

I finished the knitting except for the button tabs a few days ago, and started wearing it as soon as it dried after blocking. I got the buttons and tabs on two days ago. It's very warm and comfortable to wear, although I do need to wear it with a turtleneck, which is okay since I can't stand to have my neck exposed in cold weather anyway. While I was working on it, my fingers did get better, but that may have been partially due to the warm weather we were having. Now it's cold again, I'm done with the vest, and my fingers are starting to split :o( Maybe I should fondle one of the remaining skeins twice a day?

I've ripped out the ribbing on Husband's sweater and knit most of the additional stockinette. I inadvertently picked up 6's instead of 7's and didn't realize it until I noticed a definite ridge where I started knitting again. By then I'd knit too much to rip out, so I'm hoping that blocking will disguise the ridge and that the tighter gauge will work okay since DH's hips are smaller than his tummy!

I've decided to use some grosgrain ribbon on the buttonband of the Tangled Yoke cardigan. I really hate sewing buttons on knit garments, and I'm hoping the ribbon will help make the job easier and more durable.

I'm really not happy with the patterns the variegation is making in the Malabrigo sweater. It looks better on the reverse side, so I guess I will wear it that way unless I decide to rip it out. It's hard to alternate skeins to avoid that issue when you're knitting in the round!

Nearly done

The shawl-collared vest just needs buttons and tabs. Now I have 3 sweaters to sew buttons on and 2 that need tabs. At least I finally found buttons for the Tangled Yoke cardigan, so once I get the buttons for the vest I can have a finishing party.

Started taking the ribbing off of Husband's sweater - pretty tedious. The old ribbing was an inch and a half. He wants it 3 inches longer so I think I'll knit 2 1/2 more inches of stockinette and then 2 inch ribbing.

The color of this yarn (Cascade 220 in Lichen) does not photograph well - it's a really lovely green with heathery bits of other colors. I'll try to get a picture outside once I get the reknitting done.

Progress report

Moving right along on the vest - the body is complete and one armhole and shoulder are done. Just the other armhole/shoulder and then the shawl collar left (which I understand takes forever.) My finger tips are in better shape, but I don't know if it's the lanolin-rich yarn or the warm weather we've been having. I bought 2 different sets of buttons to try out for the Tangled Yoke, and dug up instructions for lenghthening DH's sweater by ripping out the cast on at the waist which should be a lot quicker than rekniting from the armholes up. I also knit a few rows on the sleeve of the Malabrigo sweater when I needed some mindless knitting and the vest was at a point that required too much attention.

I hope I can make it to our knit group tonight. I haven't been in ages because of scheduling conflicts. I think we will have some new people that found out about us on Ravelry.