I cannot believe myself. Friday I swatched Peasy. I read Susan's and Liz's comment, and saw what Susan is knitting (EZ Green Sweater!), and found myself swatching. I figured out a couple of things. Pattern calls for sz4s. I will be knitting with sz7s. But still, with the style of cardigan, I think the product will be fine. Second, the cashmere blend is going to be like buttah to knit. Very enticing indeed. But!
Then I got ahold of myself and said 'Self! This is where you got in trouble when you were young, giving into peer pressure! Snap out of it!'
I have 3 1/2 pair of slippers still! to make in the same two weeks, and am knitting the Feb Lady Sweater KAL with my knitterly peeps. Can. Not. Start Peasy! Not with a two week dead line. So I figured out gauge, found the right size circs, and put down the cashmere. Walked away from the cashmere. Picked up the Opal and started knitting a cuff during the opening ceremonies.
Paula, everything I knit in the round is knit magic loop. I love magic loop to death. But magic loop doesn't help me with short row toes/heels. Stupie short row heels and toes (heels and toes heel and toes)
Jan, there are dishcloth knitters in the Ravelympics, but their goal is who finishes first and how many are knit. I know you could do it.
So there is my final decision. Socks it is. Shorts rows are put down. For now. But Peasy is waiting in the wings.
Waiting....
Calling to me...
Tapping her foot....
Maybe she wants to go on a plane ride to Philly....
Showing posts with label ravelympics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ravelympics. Show all posts
February 14, 2010
February 12, 2010
Ravelympics
It’s time for the Olympics, and on Ravelry, it’s time for the Ravelympics!
(dum de DUM de DUM DUM DUM dum…sing along with me now, won’t you?)
The general idea of Ravelympics is to choose a project, cast on, during the opening ceremonies, and have it finished by the closing ceremonies. Two years ago, I knit this wonderful little dress for Grandbebe Girl during the Summer Games.
This year my challenge was going to be socks! With short row heels and toes. Figured that would be a new thing to add to my repertoire, and pretty much a slam dunk. Tricky part will be getting two socks knitted in two and half weeks, with leaving town the last weekend for the crazy desert town tying of the nuptial knot.
Whatever for the short rows. (Still being figured out. Stay tuned.)
So I toyed with the idea of a real challenge. I bought Peasy (Rav link) yesterday.
Yes. Yes, I did. I decided on Peasy over Audrey, for buying. (I have access to most of the other pattern discussed here already.) I thought, I could do Peasy, I bet.
Yes. Yes, I could. Not, however, with only 24 hours before the Games begin...no swatching done, the pattern unreviewed, no research or preparation.
No. No, I think not. Not with the wonderful Aarlen cashmere (Thanks, again, Martha!) at stake.
So back to socks. No one is going to drop their jaws at these, but I dare say I will get some nice wearable, good fitting, hand knits out of the deal.
In a reasonable amount of time.
And I have made a decision about the Aarlen. I am off dead center there.
I love progress.
Speaking of which, I have been conducting short row experiments. Testing variables! Eliminating factors! Results may be imminent.
Or not.
(dum de DUM de DUM DUM DUM dum…sing along with me now, won’t you?)
The general idea of Ravelympics is to choose a project, cast on, during the opening ceremonies, and have it finished by the closing ceremonies. Two years ago, I knit this wonderful little dress for Grandbebe Girl during the Summer Games.
This year my challenge was going to be socks! With short row heels and toes. Figured that would be a new thing to add to my repertoire, and pretty much a slam dunk. Tricky part will be getting two socks knitted in two and half weeks, with leaving town the last weekend for the crazy desert town tying of the nuptial knot.
Whatever for the short rows. (Still being figured out. Stay tuned.)
So I toyed with the idea of a real challenge. I bought Peasy (Rav link) yesterday.
Yes. Yes, I did. I decided on Peasy over Audrey, for buying. (I have access to most of the other pattern discussed here already.) I thought, I could do Peasy, I bet.
Yes. Yes, I could. Not, however, with only 24 hours before the Games begin...no swatching done, the pattern unreviewed, no research or preparation.
No. No, I think not. Not with the wonderful Aarlen cashmere (Thanks, again, Martha!) at stake.
So back to socks. No one is going to drop their jaws at these, but I dare say I will get some nice wearable, good fitting, hand knits out of the deal.
In a reasonable amount of time.
And I have made a decision about the Aarlen. I am off dead center there.
I love progress.
Speaking of which, I have been conducting short row experiments. Testing variables! Eliminating factors! Results may be imminent.
Or not.
August 16, 2008
Ravelympic Update, Day 8
(maybe?)
Well, the Miss Muffett in Blue....she is finie, and when done with this post, I will 'lightly block the picot hem', and officially cross the Baby Dressage Finish Line.
Observe the picot edging hem...
However, I could not wait. As I was finishing up the bodice, it was looking mighty tiny. I called the Grandbebe Girl's Mama last night when I was finished binding off, and asked if we might pop in. We tried it on, and it fit perfectly. Now. The original plan was to give it as a Christmas gift. Instead, Grandbebe Girl will be wearing through the fall!
See, twisted rib makes for very tiny looking...
I swatched for gauged, and 'gauged' that I would be best served to needle it down a size. Doing that might have worked if I wasn't dealing with a growing, living human being. I do believe she has put out some growthy spurts in the last few weeks. See, not my fault! Whatever, I am relieved she will get a few wearings out of it without A) reknitting, or, B) finding someone smaller who looks good in blue. C) is not an option. I would not, at this point, donate it for someone else to find it at a thrift store and wonder at the story behind it. D) holding on to it for the next Grandbebe Girl.
See! My new mad crochet skilz!
Other interesting events from last night. I popped into JoAnn's. Sugar 'n Cream is on sale this weekend for a better than usual price, and, well, what can I say? Old tapes play, and when that stuff is on sale, I. Must. Buy. While picking out a few balls of that, I ended up chatting with another Sugar 'n Cream buyer. She knits mostly dishclothes, but crochets, and we chatted about my needing to crochet around the neck and back opening of the newly finished dress. See, I don't crochet, except for button hole loops, and this was going to be a learning experience for me. Then I happened upon another knitter in the button aisle, with a portion of a handknit vest, made of yarn she had spun! She had just learn to spin, just bought a Kromski, and is expecting her own Grandbebe Girl in two weeks!
Lace panel insert (technical term....)
Summary for Miss Muffett:
This was not a difficult knit at all. Picot edging was only 8 rows to begin with. The lace panel insert is only 7 stitches wide, and a 4 row repeat. The rest of the skirt is all knitting. (Perfect for Olympic swimming watching!) The twisted rib of the sleeves and bodice requires a bit of attention but not really too much. Raglan decreases are just like sock toes. The only tricky part was getting the sleeves and the body on the same needles. The first row or two was a little tricky, because of the tight quarters around the armholes, and probably due to my inexperience in such things. After I adjusted, it went swimmingly. I even worked the crochet without the expertise of others, relying only on my Knitter's Companion, by Vicki Square.
AND! I promise faithfully, from now on, from the bottom of my heart (and on my copy 'The Opinionated Knitter' by EZ) that I will always always always knit for gauge when preparing to knit wearable garments that will need to fit living breathing human beings....
Well, the Miss Muffett in Blue....she is finie, and when done with this post, I will 'lightly block the picot hem', and officially cross the Baby Dressage Finish Line.
Observe the picot edging hem...However, I could not wait. As I was finishing up the bodice, it was looking mighty tiny. I called the Grandbebe Girl's Mama last night when I was finished binding off, and asked if we might pop in. We tried it on, and it fit perfectly. Now. The original plan was to give it as a Christmas gift. Instead, Grandbebe Girl will be wearing through the fall!
See, twisted rib makes for very tiny looking...I swatched for gauged, and 'gauged' that I would be best served to needle it down a size. Doing that might have worked if I wasn't dealing with a growing, living human being. I do believe she has put out some growthy spurts in the last few weeks. See, not my fault! Whatever, I am relieved she will get a few wearings out of it without A) reknitting, or, B) finding someone smaller who looks good in blue. C) is not an option. I would not, at this point, donate it for someone else to find it at a thrift store and wonder at the story behind it. D) holding on to it for the next Grandbebe Girl.
See! My new mad crochet skilz!Other interesting events from last night. I popped into JoAnn's. Sugar 'n Cream is on sale this weekend for a better than usual price, and, well, what can I say? Old tapes play, and when that stuff is on sale, I. Must. Buy. While picking out a few balls of that, I ended up chatting with another Sugar 'n Cream buyer. She knits mostly dishclothes, but crochets, and we chatted about my needing to crochet around the neck and back opening of the newly finished dress. See, I don't crochet, except for button hole loops, and this was going to be a learning experience for me. Then I happened upon another knitter in the button aisle, with a portion of a handknit vest, made of yarn she had spun! She had just learn to spin, just bought a Kromski, and is expecting her own Grandbebe Girl in two weeks!
Lace panel insert (technical term....)Summary for Miss Muffett:
This was not a difficult knit at all. Picot edging was only 8 rows to begin with. The lace panel insert is only 7 stitches wide, and a 4 row repeat. The rest of the skirt is all knitting. (Perfect for Olympic swimming watching!) The twisted rib of the sleeves and bodice requires a bit of attention but not really too much. Raglan decreases are just like sock toes. The only tricky part was getting the sleeves and the body on the same needles. The first row or two was a little tricky, because of the tight quarters around the armholes, and probably due to my inexperience in such things. After I adjusted, it went swimmingly. I even worked the crochet without the expertise of others, relying only on my Knitter's Companion, by Vicki Square.
AND! I promise faithfully, from now on, from the bottom of my heart (and on my copy 'The Opinionated Knitter' by EZ) that I will always always always knit for gauge when preparing to knit wearable garments that will need to fit living breathing human beings....
August 14, 2008
Some Blooming Things...
I've ridden to work three days this week. I've ridden home two of those days. Yes, I wimped out one day and called Wonderful Guy, who lovingly and faithfully fetched me. It looked rainy and blowey!
But I digress.
Riding has given me the opportunity to notice the change that happens in Northern Colorado in mid-August. Suddenly, and I mean, almost from one day to the next, there is a shift, and the shadows in the morning are different. Summer has started to wind down, and I panic.
Not yet!
Instantly, the lackadaisical attitude toward the yard and my growing friends that had crept in during the hot days of July evaporates. I realize my warm days are more precious and far fewer, and the evil first frost that will snuff the life from my tomatoes is mere weeks away. (Snow is forecast in the high country tonight. I kid you not.)
So I spent some time enjoying the yard yesterday.
But I digress.
Riding has given me the opportunity to notice the change that happens in Northern Colorado in mid-August. Suddenly, and I mean, almost from one day to the next, there is a shift, and the shadows in the morning are different. Summer has started to wind down, and I panic.
Not yet!
Instantly, the lackadaisical attitude toward the yard and my growing friends that had crept in during the hot days of July evaporates. I realize my warm days are more precious and far fewer, and the evil first frost that will snuff the life from my tomatoes is mere weeks away. (Snow is forecast in the high country tonight. I kid you not.)
So I spent some time enjoying the yard yesterday.
My, my! Joe Pye!
Just your common Tiger Lilies.
Nasturtiums I grew from seeds. Yes I did!
Chamomile.
A view of the stone bench from the chamomile's perspective.
The flower in the banner is giant blue lobelia.
Ravelympic update:
Sleeves are done!
Waist is done!
Sleeves are attached to dress!
Knitting on bodice has begun with raglan decreases (which are just like toe decreases for socks)!
(She might be knitting faster than the Phelps swims!)
August 11, 2008
Ravelympic Update, Day 3
...or is it four? Or does it matter? I think not.
I reached ten inches on the skirt of Miss Muffett in Blue last evening. Since I was waiting on the the response from Wisest Sister to The Needle Emergency, and could not continue with the waist and bodice, I started the sleeves.
Behold! Ten inches of skirt and the lace panel insert. Insert will lie in front off center of the finished garment. (See the little gold safety pin, I mean, stitch marker? That's center back.)
The Needle Emergency was resolved today, thanks to Wisest Sister and her post haste ways. I received 2 (yes 2!) size 5 - 24" circular needles with which to continue on my Ravelympics entry for the Baby Dressage event for Team Colorado. Many thanks and great accolades of praise for once again yanking my buns out of the oven in the nick of time, Wisest Sister.
Wisest Sister maintains the needle cache of several ancestors. Well, at least that of our mother and maybe her sisters. One of our aunts was known for going for the new-fangled. I will bet (and I could be wrong here) that this set of circs was Aunt Annie's.
See the hinges.
I am going to use the other, more conventional set. I am betting, since we do not see these for sale by the hundreds, someone figured out, back in the day, that there were some inherent problems with this engineering. I do not want to re-figure those issues out in the middle of this project. Oh, she is the wise one, she is!
I reached ten inches on the skirt of Miss Muffett in Blue last evening. Since I was waiting on the the response from Wisest Sister to The Needle Emergency, and could not continue with the waist and bodice, I started the sleeves.
Behold! Ten inches of skirt and the lace panel insert. Insert will lie in front off center of the finished garment. (See the little gold safety pin, I mean, stitch marker? That's center back.)
The Needle Emergency was resolved today, thanks to Wisest Sister and her post haste ways. I received 2 (yes 2!) size 5 - 24" circular needles with which to continue on my Ravelympics entry for the Baby Dressage event for Team Colorado. Many thanks and great accolades of praise for once again yanking my buns out of the oven in the nick of time, Wisest Sister.
Wisest Sister maintains the needle cache of several ancestors. Well, at least that of our mother and maybe her sisters. One of our aunts was known for going for the new-fangled. I will bet (and I could be wrong here) that this set of circs was Aunt Annie's.
See the hinges.I am going to use the other, more conventional set. I am betting, since we do not see these for sale by the hundreds, someone figured out, back in the day, that there were some inherent problems with this engineering. I do not want to re-figure those issues out in the middle of this project. Oh, she is the wise one, she is!
August 9, 2008
Why Does She Think...
...this is going to work?
My washed alpaca, waiting for teasing, carding, and spinning...NOT a cat bed.
And for something completely different (yet not so much, since still fiber related!), Ravelympics progress from yesterday.
Behold! The Miss Muffett picot hem and lace panel.
And because I misread the supplies and instructions, I am now in a position where I must find a set of size 5 24"circs, rather than being completely set for just knitting beginning to end.
Will I need them before Tuesday?
Should I buy them today, since the LYSes are closed on Sunday and Monday?
Will Wisest Sister have a set that she can mail to me?
Stay tuned!
PS I am very please with how the project is going, by the way.
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