knit1frog2

look who's branching out!

Well, I'm not sure what it is, but first I was addicted to sock making, and now it seems to be scarves...though this will definitely need to be blocked once it's done, the pattern is taking form!

if you squint your eyes, you can see leaves!
okay okay use your imagination...

I'm using D&S for this scarf and a size US8s circ.  The pattern said to use straights, but I haven't used straights in months now.

knitalong day

I've joined yet another knitalong...check out the new button on the RH side...yes indeedy, it's Another Weasley Along!  I figured this would help to keep me motivated and on track to finishing my nephew's hppoa scarf that I started last month (and um, that I haven't worked on for quite some time...).  Yes, knitalongs are a fun thing.

before I was side-tracked by the hourglass & the burger!

block o' burger

Shhhh...the burger is blocking...

finally an excuse to break out the board!

Well, while my roommate was away, I blocked the burger last night in the living room.  I thought about stuffing it under the sofa so he wouldn't see...but I left it out since it should be dry today and I will be able to put it away.  I still have the fringe to put on, but it's turned out pretty cute! 

Note to self:  next time, use both needles plus one smaller to cast on.  The cast on side wound up tighter than the cast off side.

I can't wait to give the finished product to MF!  Wonder if I can find one of those styrofoam-like bottoms and wrap it in plastic!  That would be a funny wrapping... ^_^

hourglass is pau

Okay okay, so I haven't blocked this sweater (b/c I don't have a spray bottle!  I need to find one someplace...) and I thought I didn't like the neckline...but um, I tried it on "backwards" and I like the way it fit that way much better!  Isn't that funny?  Now I have to remember that the sleeve with the thicker yarn goes on my right arm.  Should be easy enough!  (What went through my head immediately after typing this was: "thicker=bigger=stronger=more-dominant=right-handed=Iamabigknittinggeektobethinkingofthis!")

my mannequin shot

Things that I did differently on this sweater than the pattern called for...

• the two and a half extra hanks of yarn that were actually needed to knit the sweater
• a knitted hem was done on the bottom and cuffs of the sleeves (just wish I had finished the neck off this way as well) b/c I really hate weaving in the ends (hate it!  can't stand it!  it's the whole reason why my NBaT sits in a neat pile not seamed together...bah.)
• instead of a ssk opposite of the k2tog, a [sl1 knitwise, sl1 purlwise, twist & transfer back to the left needle and k2tog like usual] was done so it matched its mirror stitch better
• many more dec rows were done on the neckline.  I really think the larger sizes were not fully tested.  If I left it per the instructions, it would have fallen to my waist!
• Even though I followed the width for the 41", I followed the length proportions for the next size down (thanks Kristin for prompting me to post this part!)
• I pretended that I didn't mind weaving in ends and finished this sweater up in record time

For next time...

• knit a smaller size (I always do that, I see myself bigger than I am, I think...)
• even more decreases would be done to close up that gaping neckhole even more
• close up the arm(pit) holes early on, b/c waiting until the end leaves them all stretched out and weird, plus there's the added bonus of not having to deal with it later!

All in all, it was a fun project!  I would like to try it in a different kind of yarn...something a bit more drapey perhaps...though I'm loving the large size and comfy feel of the Cash Iroha and I'm still trying to come up with something to do with the extra hanks... ^_^

burger for a veggie

Hmmm, I've been away entirely too long.  I've since finished my hourglass sweater (pics to come b/c I'd like to block it somewhat, and truth be told, I'm not in love with the neckline...)  I haven't been able to knit much and this makes for one crabby person.  Combine that with other factors in the equation and it's not a good outcome.  I couldn't leave work fast enough today.

So, an update...the lastest project is a scarf!  It's for MF (not for me!) and it was sitting on the counter near the kitchen.  Mamma Jean (MF's mom) kept thinking it was hamburger and wondered what it was doing out on the counter in such warm weather!!  Well and MF is a vegetarian.  hahahaha.  But now it's known as the burger scarf...see what she means?

extra lean ground beef I tell ya

But here's really more of what it looks like:

I'm really liking the reds/pinks/oranges!

And of course you want to see a close up, don't you?

Ahhh, so I feel much better after posting, and I'm in for some good knitting time and catching up on everyone's blogs tonight.  (Sorry Eastside Stitchers that I didn't go to group night tonight, but you really would be happy I stayed at home this time ^_~.)

knitting in the round

Apparently, it's common knowledge (?) that knitting in the round often includes knitting the body and both of the sleeves in tubes and then joining them all together.  Now it is common knowledge for me as well since I wasn't in that majority previously.  Well check this out...

moving right along!

I joined all of the pieces last night...and at first it was a little awkward to move all of the pieces around...but I'm excited to see it all coming together!  Strangely, the sleeves are different b/c the skeins of yarn were different!  So one sleeve is thick and lofty while the other is thinner and more string like.  Weird how yarn is like that...

While putting this together, Monday night after seaming one of the sleeves, I noticed that the increases didn't match further down toward the elbow.  Yes, and you know me, I had to redo that.  Now each increase matches perfectly (remember I didn't knit these in the round so I had to seam up the sleeves).

Last Saturday I went to AS with Zina and picked up the rest of my Cash Iroha (and thank goodness I picked up a 40" circ so I could knit all of the pieces together!).  Karen is such a sweetheart there and comped me a hank for the previously anorexic one!  Now I have more than enough to finish the sweater...I'm wondering what to do with the rest!  Hmmm...a smaller version for my niece?  OSW?  Maybe combine it with another color and make another sweater?  Any suggestions?