Knucks

These photos are not great, I apologise. I've also since finished this half of the pair, but have not taken more photos. I'm not sure I'll leave it as-is, but we'll see. This is my version of Knucks, which was written by Pamela, who goes to my knitting group. It's an interesting pattern; top-down fingerless gloves. I made a slight modification, which was to work a decrease at each edge just after the end of the thumb gusset, because I have skinny wrists. I'm thinking I still don't quite like it and in fact I think I may make the whole thing a bit smaller. I worked the cuff in seed stitch, because the textured stitch that Pam suggested was killing my wrist to work, and ribbing didn't seem fitting, but I think I need to find something stretchier that will pull in a bit more. I'm also contemplating making the cuff longer.

The yarn is luscious. I am using the Rowan Felted Tweed recommended by the pattern, in "Midnight" (color 188 - dye lot R0133). This photo does not do it justice - it's rich and deep and looks like a starry night sky. Beautiful. It's also incredibly lightweight and soft. To be honest, I would never have made these based on the pattern, but I had a chance to try on a pair Pam made at the knitting group and the combination of yarn and fit won me over. I have been toying with full-length gloves, too, but we'll see.

Now, so I can throw the ball band away, the yarn is 50% merino wool, 25% alpaca and 25% viscose/rayon. A 50g ball has approx 175m/191yds and it can be machine washed in a warm, gentle wool cycle. Suggested gauge is 22-24 sts/30-32 rows over 10cm/4in with US 5-6 needles.

I worked these on sz 4's I believe. 

Clapotis

I am finally contemplating knitting a Clapotis from Knitty. I have four skeins of Manos del Uruguay which demand something interesting but not too fancy. I hope this will be just the thing.

I have two colors of Manos; one solid (dark blue) and one variegated (dark blues/browney-oranges/teals). I would like to do stripes. Fibonacci inspired stripes.

I am concerned about having enough yarn but will buy more if necessary.

I have two options. Each requires a different striping pattern. One will mean a shorter/possibly thinner scarf/shawl/wrap, the other a larger/possibly wider one.

Which striping pattern is more eye-pleasing? Keep in mind that the stripes will be at a 45 degree angle. Ignore the fact that I used a different color in the second option.

Lux Tank

I finished this tank top awhile ago, but the weather has not been cooperating and so I have not had a chance to wear it. On our recent trip to Minnesota, the weather was perfect, we were going to be in and outside, and I decided it was time to break it in! It is so comfy to wear, but I think I will be making another one with some modifications. I have no idea how to make said modifications, but I imagine I can figure something out. Here is a front view - please note that in person, you cannot actually see my bra through the tank! These photos were taken after a 3.5 hour plane flight and a long day of travelling, so the tank had a good workout!

The back is fine; I am pleased with how it turned out. It could be higher, but it is fine at the height that it is now, and the length is perfect at the back. The straps have a tendency to curl inward, and I'm not quite sure how to fix that. I'll attempt a more vigorous blocking first and see if that solves the problem.

The front is where I would like to make a few changes. I feel like it could use a little short-row shaping in the bust. This would then mean I could have it a bit more tailored in the bottom portion, perhaps with some decreases just before the lace pattern starts or perhaps just a smaller circumference all around and then the short row shaping would add enough fabric in the bust. I'm toying with thinking it would be nice to shape it as more of a scoop neck rather than a straight edge but I'm not sure it's worth it.

Another addition that I may try with this one is to string a thin ribbon through the top row of eyelets and put a little bow at the front. This seems to be the "in" thing lately, if Ann Taylor Loft is any indication, and I think it may help give it a bit more shape.

Finally, I need to do the side seams differently. On this one, I slipped the first stitch of each row to create a nice edge to seam. Unfortunately when I tried to mattress stitch the edges together, that meant there were big holes. Whoops. I guess that wasn't the best thing to do after all. So, I found another way of sewing the seam together - basically just whip-stitching it - and it made this interesting pattern. Not what I was going for, but I think it's nice nonetheless.

All in all, I'm fairly pleased with this - it's comfy, it looks good, and it fits!

ETA Yarn Stats so I can throw the ballbands away:
Classic Yarns Luxury Cotton DK, 50% cotton, 45% viscose, 5% silk. 50g ball has 95m/104yds. Color 0234 Dk Pink Slipper, dyelot 5L5. Recommended gauge is 22 sts/30 rows to 10cm/4in with US 6. Hand wash only, dry flat out of direct heat/sunlight.

Very Funny

Secret Pal, Part 2

I hope this is a reasonable photo of the organic cotton and the Plymouth Eros (something) that she included. I cannot wait to play with my new toys! :) 

Thank you, Secret Pal!

I received my final package from my One Skein Secret Pal today. WOW! I have the best pal EVER. She sent me a whole box full of goodies, including something for the cat! He LOVES his kitty wonton - I am not sure if it's stuffed with catnip or if it just holds an inherent appeal for cats but he pounced on it as soon as I showed it to him and spent a good thirty minutes cuddling his new toy.


She also made me a BEAUTIFUL purse! It's from a pattern called "Twitterpated" and uses one skein of Fantasy Naturale by Plymouth. She has sewn in a lovely lining that matches the yarn wonderfully and added a leather strap. The construction of this purse is amazing, I can never get my linings quite so neat! I really like the strap, too. I suppose it is only right to mention that the purse almost exactly matches the dress that I am probably wearing to a wedding this Saturday, for which I have (had!) no matching purse.

As if that weren't enough, I also got a skein of Blue Sky Organic Cotton in a lovely creamy color. I have been eyeing this stuff, but haven't tried it myself. It is just as soft as I imagined! Wow. I am not sure what I'll do with it yet, but something very special. The photo of the ball didn't turn out very well, so I won't bore you with it - but it is wonderful!

She also sent me several things which I am sure she just thought would be neat little additions but are things I have been looking *everywhere* for recently! It's as if she read my mind.

Item 1: mini mints (in a Red Sox tin - do you think she knew I'm from NH? :) ) with NO NUTRASWEET!
Item 2: A magnetic notepad for the fridge (for grocery lists) - it even has a matching pencil with a magnetic strip glued on to it!
Item 3: Travel size containers of Bath and Body Works (::drools:: I missed this stuff in England!) body wash and shower gel
Item 4: The Original Boston Baked Beans Candy Coated Peanuts .. I have to admit, I wasn't actually looking everywhere for these, but I *have* been craving something sweet'n'salty lately... ;)
Item 5: Burt's Bees Lip Balm. This stuff is wonderful but I never manage to find it when I'm looking.
Item 6: The most adorable magnet in the shape of a cat, with a little fish dangling from his mouth - and a spot for a little photo in the middle. 

A Year in the Making

 
I started these socks over a year ago. To be precise, I printed out the pattern (Kathryn Tewson's Universal Sock Pattern) on 6/8/2005. I will say that I don't remember if I did this in America or in England, so that could be either June 8 or 6 August. Either way, it was over a year ago. I finally finished the second sock last week at my knitting group, wove in the ends on Saturday, and sent them off to the recipient on Tuesday. They were for my mother. She received them today and really likes them! I was worried that the tall cuffs would be too tall to not have any shaping, but alas they are okay!!

Specs:
Kathryn Tewson's cuff-down Universal Sock Pattern, cast on 64 stitches. Two circs at once, size 1 or 2 (I don't recall). 8 sts/inch, at any rate. k2, p2 ribbing for 16 rounds. K3, p1 ribbing for 64 rounds. Sl 1, k1 flap-and-gusset heel. Approx 64 rows in the foot, with k3, p1 ribbing on the top. Knitpicks' Sock Memories in Morning Glory. 100% Merino Wool.