RIP

Let us take a moment of silence for those knits which are no longer with us....

Butterfly, you seemed like such a good idea at the time. Silky, green, with what seemed to be a forgiving fit, and in a gauge that wasn't going to take half of forever. As I knit you, it became obvious that you were a bit of a tease, eating up more yarn in a shorter period of time than it seemed like you should, creating pieces that didn't look proportional, and generally talking a good game and not delivering. Sadly, though I finished you, I am not pleased, and after you have sat for an appropriate amount of time in the back of my closet, I will reclaim your (horribly expensive) yarn for another purpose.

Ms. Marigold, I tried. I really did. I knit you twice, and still the sizing didn't work out. I think, ultimately, the fault is mine. I always want the cute, fun clothes - the kind that are meant for teenagers without boobs - and in the end my obvious cleavage, long torso, and squishy belly were not the match for your fun and sassy design. Fantastic yarn, though.

Ballet Camisole, last night I sent you to a good home. As I pulled you out of my drawer, your soft silkiness caressed my hands, seeming to say, "No, don't let me go!" But then I remembered how I hated the way you fit - how you bagged and gapped (although the shaping made is a surprisingly attractive baggy, gappy pink top) - and I handed you over to Caitlin. I hope she appreciates you more than I did.
From these failures I have learned that I must lengthen all tops by at least 2 inches, and that if it doesn't look right, it probably isn't.

Onward. Webs is having their summer sale. I caved. Yarn for the Dollar and a Half Cardigan and for the Deep V Sweater is on its way to my new apartment!

In which our heroine is distracted

The back of Thermal is finished. It was a lot more work than I was expecting, because you do the thermal stitch starting on the wrong side, so the "bump" rows are purled instead of knitted, making it a longer process. I started the left front yesterday evening but in all the excitement of the Ugly Betty season finale and the Grey's Anatomy season finale, I screwed up. Can you blame me? Lexie Grey?! Priceless! So, I had to frog a couple of inches and I decided that maybe I should watch the TV or knit, not both. TV won.

In other news, I'm wearing the Ballet Camisole for the first time today, and my reservations about size are confirmed. It's now officially almost too big - and it's growing as I wear it, so things are just getting bigger. It's not that I can't wear it. It's just bigger than I'd like, and when you're wearing something with a low front, too big means gappy providing more opportunties for inadvertantly displaying your... goods... for the whole world.

I think this is happened because a) I didn't choose the right size and b) because of the gauge. I had to use a bigger needle size than I'd have liked to get the correct gauge, which means there's just more expansion of the garment. If I were to knit it again (and I would, because it was a fun knit, the shaping is great, and the yarn washes like a dream) I would use a needle one size smaller and knit the next smaller size.

But really, can you beat a machine washable and dryable knit? Didn't think so.

May Day

Or M'aidez! Because, dudes, it's hailing.

But the Ballet Camisole is done! This pic makes it look really pretty.

Pattern: Ballet Camisole by Alexandra Virgiel

Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport in Coral

Needles: US 6

Modifications: Used only the larger needles (not smaller for the ribbing) because I didn't have the correct size.

I'm not sold entirely on this pattern. It's on the verge of being too big. I washed a swatch in the hopes that it would shrink a little. It didn't. In any case, the fit is not horrible, just not perfect. So I'm washing it today instead of blocking it, and I hope everything falls into place.

Incidentally, does anyone know how to make blogger not skip a line when you press enter? Because the whole pattern notes thing all spread out is getting on my nerves.

And let me apologize in advance for the crappiness of this next pic. See comments above about hail. This is my newest project: Thermal from Knitty Winter 2006. Yes, I know that sweater weather is (mostly) over, but I don't care. I don't have much else lined up (except finishing Ms. Marigold, which is taking a really long time) and this yarn and the pattern have been in the queue since this winter. The yarn is Knit Picks Gloss in Woodland Sage. It's a fingering weight yarn and US3 needles, so it's not like it's going to be a real quick knit, but that's fine with me. I'm really enjoying the process of this sweater. With the others that I've made since starting this blog, I've felt really pressured to finish, because I needed something to keep me warm or I needed the distraction. Now, since I don't need wool to keep me warm, it's all about the process, and I couldn't be happier. It's a very stretchy fabric, so it should fit wonderfully.

In other news, I'm going to be radio silent for the next week or so. I'm headed on a family vacation to Santa Fe, and I'm so excited. I've never been to the southwest. I'm looking forward to experiencing a totally different landscape and everything that goes with it.

Other things I love

I love books. Love them. Last year when I moved to North Carolina, I had to get rid of a bunch of books - half of my library to be exact - and I cried. Because books have always been my best, most loyal friends. And even though I gave a bunch of them to a friend I knew would take care of them the way I would, and the rest went to the library to finance even more books, I spent a couple of days depressed.

Why am I going into this? Well, I imagine there will be a number of entries on this blog involving books, and I thought I'd give you fair warning. And also, because this blog has to do with a book about knitting. Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter to be exact.

I bought this book last week and finished in two days, and that was by holding back. This book is an addictive collection of short essays perfect for before-bed reading or in a quick moment running from one place to another. Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (Go to her blog if you haven't already. You won't be sorry. Go now.) has an incredible voice, and an unabashed acknowledgement of her knitting neuroses. I can't personally identify with a lot of her craziness (I like to pretend that I'm perfectly normal all the time) like her numerous essays about her stash, but every single story has an element of humor which I highly appreciate. I've not read any more of her books, but based on this one, my library is in serious trouble.

Oh, and the Ballet Camisole? Off the needles. I just have to add the crocheted edgings and ruch the front (which may be interesting... may have to find some elastic thread). Initially, the top is on the verge of being too big. Knit Picks Shine Sport is supposed to be machine washable and dryable, so I put a swatch in the wash yesterday. If it shrinks a bit, that wouldn't be the worse thing ever.

FO shots later this week?

The view from the other side

Well, I've survived my recital, which wasn't nearly the dire situation that I was leading you to believe.... not in the end, anyway. There was a pretty scary half an hour where my mom and I hit both a train and a bridge (and what seemed like every single red light) getting to the church, which meant that we were 20 minutes late, leaving me and my accompanist excatly 40 minutes to warm up for the both of us. But in the end, everything was fine. I even played better than I was expecting for the most part. So now it's on to grad school planning...

And in knitting news, I finished one of my socks.

Aren't the colors fun? The colors turned out way better than I was expecting. The yarn is very interesting, too. It's a cotton/wool/acrylic blend that has a crepe-y feel - and is more comfortable than I was expecting. It's quite light and airy. It will be interesting to see how it washes - supposedly machine washable.

The one thing I don't like is the heel. You can't really see it in this pic, but it's a little long for me, which means that it's kind of baggy. It's a case of "I was following the directions, even though I suspected that this would happen." So, the other will be made to match (because I'm for sure not going to rip it out to the heel) and I'll know in the future that I really only need a 2 1/4-2 1/2 inch heel, no matter how many chain stitches the pattern says to have. More info on pattern and whatnot when I finish the second sock...

Also, I'm nearly done with the knitting on my Ballet Camisole. It looks like it will fit (yay!) although it may be a little shorter in the length than I'd like. It's funny. I've had this problem a couple of times lately, and I wonder if it has to do with the width-length ratio, but it seems like everything I've been making lately looks a LOT longer in the pictures with the patterns than in the ones that I make.

I'm thinking of stocking up on some sock yarn for summertime knitting. Anyone have suggestions? I'd like something that's beautiful, but also washes nicely....

Mmm... new socks

Thick Woods(wo)man's Socks

Pattern by Elizabeth Zimmermann

Knitting Around

Yarn: Knit Picks Shamrock in Dougherty (about 3 balls, I think)

Needles: US6

Modifications: Went down two needle sizes to change the pattern from a men's sock to a woman's. Also changed the length of the cuff and foot obviously. Omitted garter stitch edging on heel flap in favor of slip stich edging.

I finally managed to finish these socks. I had one whole one plus the cuff of the second done for months. It's been staring at me in an accusatory way, demanding that I finish it just in time for... spring. The nice thing about knitting socks on size 6 is that I knocked off the whole heel and foot in one evening. These are lovely, thick socks for lounging around on a Saturday or wearing in delightful combination with my purple Crocs. I was trying to use up the extra from knitting socks for the guys at Christmas, but I still have a significant amount left.

Here's a peek at my Ballet Camisole. It's quite nice to knit - lots of easy stockinette with shaping to keep it interesting. I'm starting the shaping for the bust.

And tonight? Swatching for my next pair of socks with the new Kalamazoo yarn.

Excuses

Lots and lots of excuses for why I haven't been knitting.

Recital, grad school, mom's week o' birthday, Easter, and traveling... It's been crazy around here, and it's only going to get crazier, at least until we get past the recital. 10 days, only 10 days left until I get up in front of a church full of people and prove to everyone that I haven't been wasting my life. Here's hoping that I don't embarrass myself.... at least in a musical way. Tripping on my heels is still an acceptable way to embarrass myself while not reflecting on my life.

Oh, and let's also hope that it warms up around here, so we don't have to worry about that pesky little detail of heating the church which the secretary mentioned might be a problem.

So as far as knitting goes both Ms. Marigold and the Ballet Camisole are growing, but slowly. No pictures to post because there's really nothing to see, just lots of stockinette.

I'm heading to Kalamazoo tomorrow to visit my brother, and I hear there's a yarn shop to visit. There's true brotherly love. Not only did he notice there was a yarn shop, but he told me about it, and is now obligated to take me there. Where I will immediately collapse into a pile of reverence. I haven't been in an actual yarn shop since I was living in Ithaca. I'm super excited.

Chicago Minibreak

Well, I have returned from the Windy City refreshed and relaxed, with pitifully few pictures to show you. I'm not used to taking a lot of pictures, which I always regret. It's a vicious cycle that I am working on breaking. So I will share what little I have.

This is a view from Millenium Park facing the Michigan Ave. skyline. You can see that lump of polished stainless steele slightly to the right of middle. That's the Bean, or the Cloudscape, depending on whether or not you are the residents of Chicago or the artist.

This is also Millenuim Park. This is the coolest ampitheater I have ever seen. It opens up when it's not the end of March, and they have concerts there. You can sort of see this at the top, but it looks like the music is literally blowing open the front and the steel is peeling back. Behind it is an underground theater specifically designed for chamber music. They take their music seriously in this town. So why am I not living there, again?

I went to see the Chicago Symphony and saw one of my musical idols Hilary Hahn. The whole concert was amazing, starting the the overture to the Flying Dutchman moving through the Goldmark violin concerto, and ending with Tchaikovsky's Symphony no. 6. Plus I got my CD signed Hilary.

I went to the Shedd Aquarium, which was super cool. I didn't take any pics, unfortunately. I say Pacifc White-Sided Dolphins, Belgua whales, sea otters, sea horses, penguings, live coral, and hundreds of fish. My favorite was a sea horse called a Weedy Sea Dragon. Here's a link to some pictures, but the pics don't really do this cool animal justice.

Another favorite of this trip was visiting my cousin out in Glen Ellyn, a short Metra ride away. Got to see his apartment, and we had dinner at the most amazing restaurant, Mykha. It's technically Vietnamese food (which I'd never had before, but has become my favorite) but there's some Mexican flavor thrown in. And the presentation! Here's my (slightly overexposed) dinner. Note how my salad looks like a tropical bouquet.

And it tasted just as good as it looked.

In knitting news, I have only 4 1/2 repeats plus the ending border left on mom's Trellis. Still probably not going to finish by Wednesday, but I should have it done by Saturday, which is the big family party. The Ballet Camisole is started, and Ms. Marigold, sadly, has been frogged. I finished the body only to have my fears realized. It was too small. I wondered as I saw how tight it was on my 32" needles. I have cast on again for the one that's 2 sizes up. The difference in sizes is a matter of stitches, so I don't know that it will be significantly larger. I'm making gauge, so the whole thing is a mystery to me. I'm going to have to do some modifications on the armholes and the depth of the V too, in order for it to (hopefully) fit. We'll see

Look out Chicago!

I'm leaving for Chicago at the butt crack of dawn tomorrow, and I'm so excited. A little CSO, a little shopping, a little museum-going, and a whole lot of spoiling myself. Here's a preview of my plans for the train ride:

That's mom's Trellis, Knit Picks Shine Sport for the ballet camisole, my iPod (on which I have 2 new CDs and 2 new audiobooks), and Meg Cabot's Size 14 is not Fat Either. I have been very good about this book. I bought it last week, and I've been saving it. It has not been easy. Add the fact that it's a sequel (to Size 12 is not Fat) to the fact that I love Meg Cabot and have since before the Princess Diaries was a movie, and you have one very, very good girl. Well all that goodness is about to be rewarded.

I think I'll make Meg Cabot an honorary Double G Knitster. Not only is she awesome, but our names both have 2 G's in them! Which just ups her coolness quotient.

All I have to say about the next pic is "addictive."

Ms. Marigold has been incredibly addictive for the past week. It's flying off my needles and I'm not even trying that hard! Plus I love the yarn. I love the color, I love the feel of it in my fingers, and I hope I'll love the feel of it when I wear it. I'm slightly concerned about size, but I think that once I finish up the ribbing at the neck and arms (I've elected against the ruffle. I have rather manly shoulders to begin with, so adding a ruffle on top is like icing a 2x4) and block it, it won't look so small. Once I get an idea of how the yarn will wear, I'd really like to knit something else out of it. A cardi, perhaps?

Adding greatly to the speediness of this project were two excellent movies - Proof and Casino Royale. Go rent them now.