Knits that don't fit

I finished Vanessa. I am not happy.



From the front, not too bad. Looks a little big and gappy.



From the side you see more bagginess. Yuck.



And the back is just a disaster.



Pattern: Vanessa from Rowan RYC Classic Art.
Yarn: RYC Luxury Cotton DK in Damsel - 9 skeins
Needles: Sz 6 Clover Circulars.
Dates: April to June 30 for main body. July for additional ribbing and seaming.
Mods: I knit a larger size for the ribbing. This is what I think caused the huge bagginess. It also came out wayyyyyyyy too short, so I knit and added on 3 more inches of ribbing.
Thoughts: The yarn was delightful. Soft and pretty - very nice to work with. The pattern was fine, even for a Rowan pattern, though it never tells you to make 2 sleeves. I understand that it's implied, but c'mon.


It is way too big in the bust, even though I followed the measurements for the 36" bust for all but the ribbing. The ribbing is not attached in an attractive way, hence the "ribbon" of extra yarn to cover up the seam.

If I didn't know about the bagginess in the back I might wear it. I might still wear it, since I made it, darn it! But as hubbo said, "It's not your best look." Le sigh.

It is hiding in the closet now, for the foreseeable future. Em, if you want to try it on you have to come to Texas! :)

I can't decide if I am up to ripping it. Maybe after the disappointment wears off. Grrrr.

Dreams.......

Are a many splendid thing....




Sadly, my Mystery Stole and I can only dream of the polka-dot jersey, as we fell far short of any goals I had set. I'm four rows away from finishing Clue 1, and Clue 5 comes out Friday. Yikes. I've been a bit too stressed to concentrate on lace, and this has been to the Stole's detriment. C'est la vie. There's always next year.

Some things never change

If the rate at which I cast on for new projects is in direct proportion to the slowness of kitchen progress, what do these photos say about this week?




In the interest of full disclosure, there are at least two projects that didn't show up for the photo shoot.

No doping here

Which is a shame really, 'cause it would really help at this point. I'm woefully behind on my Mystery Stole - the combination of Harry Potter, kitchen sloweness and starteritis have not helped either. I'm hoping to make some progress on it tomorrow.

Fingers crossed that I'm not the next to drop out of the tour!


I have to get it finished, because this came in the mail last Friday. I need to feel the bee love soon!

When cats attack

I did finish the book, and I won't talk about it here except to say that I thought it was great, and I'm about to reread it. I'm also very sad that the series is over - I know I can reread the books over and over again, as I have done so many times with other books, but it's just not the same as reading about new adventures. Sniff.

I haven't had a chance to take any knitting pictures, as we got another terrible thunderstorm last night, so today you get cats.





They have been enjoying having the dogs outside, and having various construction materials around to play in/on/around.



And apparently, Otis thinks it's too hot out, and needed to hide in the fridge.

I'll be back

When the socks and I are finished.

Scarves and Such

More updates on WIPs today, as I have dead camera batteries, so I can't show you any new stuff!


In that recent bout of starteritis, I started a "My So-Called Scarf" out of Brook Farms Four Play. I ripped out the previous incarnation as it was too tightly knit. Now, on a size 11 needle (like the pattern calls for!) it is much better.


The beginnings of the Snowy Triangle Scarf from Handknit Holidays, which is just a multidirectional scarf. This is in Paton's Soy Wool Stripes, which I enjoy working with.




Sophie is much further than the picture shows - about four rows and some i-cord from being done.




The Rutabaga bag hasn't seen much progress, as I don't like working with the hemp yarn for too long.





I started the Jumbo Elephant from Zoe Mellor's Knitted Toys the same night I started the snake. I haven't worked on it since, but I really want a new toy for me!

There are a few more knits lurking in the wings, but they need to have their picture taken before their blog preview. More tomorrow!

Socks, socks, socks

Everywhere I look it's socks! OK, not really, but I do have quite a few pairs on the needles.

Hubbo's first sock, and the first Jawoll sock are done. The second Jawoll sock has begun.








The Online Summer sock is through the gusset, thanks to a 2 hour wait last week at HP5.







The Child's First sock is about 3.5 repeats into the leg. I'm loving the pattern and yarn, but it hasn't gotten worked on much, due to the concentration required!






The Yarrow Rib socks are coming along slowly, as I'm finding the yarn (Austermann Step) pretty slippery, and so I don't enjoy working with it for long periods of time.







This sock is the Diagonal Rib sock in Socks that Rock mediumweight in Lemongrass. Started about a week and a half ago on a pretty bad day. The cheery color helped the day get better.





A plain stockinette sock with a picot top in MadelineTosh yarn in Ginsing. I was a bit sad when the colors started pooling, but then they started swirling, and I'm OK with that! These lovelies travel to Hubbo's soccer games and get worked on there. They're a bit further that the photo shows - nearly ready for the heel flap!



And these two are the Knee High to a Grasshopper socks and the Solstice Slip socks from the Rockin' Sock Club. I'm a bit nervous about the grasshopper socks, as I'm attempting them top down, and I've heard that the socks have difficulty staying up, since they're so stretchy. We'll try. I like the Solstice Slip socks, though I'm only one repeat into the pattern.

I have more socks waiting in the wings (and some taking naps), but I've got to get some of these finished first!

The state of the sweaters

Though my recent project starting disease has been well documented, I have, amazingly enough, been making some progress on existing projects as well.


Rusted Root is nearly past the sleeves - then it's just round and round until the body is done. I'm hoping it will go much faster when I reach that point.



This is the back of Cherry. Going fairly quickly, when I work on it. I'm really enjoying the yarn, so that makes it an enjoyable knit (Rowan Wool Cotton).



The bowknot cardigan is also going quickly when I spend time with it. It's mindless for the most part, so I just have to want to work on it to make progress.



Picovoli is not faring as well. I'm finding it tedious, and I'm worried about gauge issues (my row gauge is a bit off), and while I know I can just try it on from time to time (since it's top down), I don't want to work on anything that might cause problems. (Perhaps this is because I still haven't tackled the monster that is Vanessa?)

Just barely started are mom's sweater and Camisa. I really like Camisa, but I haven't been spending time with her - if I could just get the basket weave panel done, it would be mostly stockinette - nice and mindless. Perhaps that's a goal for this week. More on mom's sweater as it progresses.

Not pictured is the shaped tank top, which isn't very interesting to look at, but is nearly at the armhole shaping.

Maybe before school starts I'll have a new sweater. If I can keep from starting a new project.

It's not all starteritis 'round these parts

I can actually finish something!



Pattern: Slithery Snake from Knitted Toys by Zoe Mellor.
Yarn: Odd bits of Wool-Ease (green and natural) and Red Heart (blue)
Needles: Sz 8 Clover bamboo circulars
Dates: early July-July 14
For: The Neph who turned 4 on Saturday!
Mods: Didn't do as many colors, went with a larger gauge yarn and needle, didn't follow the pattern exactly (as I seemingly can't read), was a touch shorter than the finished measurements.
Thoughts: Cute! Went quickly, though I was disappointed not to use up more stash yarn. Must find more uses for it.

Also: There is a minor error in the pattern - it calls for you to cast on 12 stitches, and then to increase in the first row to 12 stitches. You should cast on 8 instead.


There are also a few finished dishcloths around here (hey, if I can't do dishes, I can at least gather supplies for when I can, right?), but they are not really picture worthy.

I've been lax with giving you details on the knits in progress. Expect full updates this week - all of your questions will be answered!

And the kitchen? I don't want to talk about it.

Dudes. This has to stop.

Perhaps this is how I'm dealing with the stress of the kitchen?

We have a winner!

Carol c'mon down! Carol - email me your address so you can get your goodies!

I entered everyone who put some shade of green into the basket - it's really hard to determine which shade is exactly correct, but according to Behr it is Grass Cloth.


And look, there are two cabinets up! Woo Hoo!

BTW - I think it is totally weird that both Stephanie and I are painting our kitchens almost the same color! What are the odds?

Must run - we're off to see Harry Potter at midnight! Dorks!

If everybody else is doing it, why shouldn't I?

I'm a follower. Tell me something is cool, and I want it. Tell me only a few people can do it, and I want to do it. Tell me I'll be more beautiful if I knit it, and I'm there. Wait....haven't found that last one yet.

I was on the fence about the Mystery Shawl. Do I really want to invest all that time into knitting something I have no idea if I'll even like when I'm finished?

Apparently, yes I do.


End of Chart 1, Clue 1.

I'm a bit behind. But I'm motivated, since I also joined the Tour de France KAL. Hubbo and I have joked for the past few years that I should do some sort of KAL for the Tour, since we watch it every year (go Robbie and George!). Debby and Meg were sweet enough to let me in a teeny bit late, due to memory lapse. The mess in my house might have had something to do with my forgetfulness.


I'm racing for the polka-dot jersey - my favorite. I think this means I'm a glutton for punishment.

Anybody else starting something supercool I need to join? Forget that I have 30 million other things to do - I want to do what you're doing!

Kitchen contest!

First, an update.


All of the joint compound has been applied, and the texture is done (more is done than the picture shows). This is all that has been done this week though. :(

We are hoping to have the cabinets installed this week, and to do floors, and perhaps countertops next weekend. Fingers crossed that things start to move more quickly.


Now, the contest!

We painted the kitchen today. What color did we paint it? Guesses should be detailed - just guessing white (as an example) may not be good enough. The more detailed you are, the better chance you have of winning! (I'll give you a hint - we used Behr paint.)

In the event that more one than person guesses correctly (or close to correctly), I'll draw a name.

What can we win? Dishcloth cotton, of course, for your own mini kitchen makeover! (Non-knitters - if you win I'll come up with a different prize.)

The contest will close at midnight PST Monday, July 9. Winner (and paint color!) announced on Tuesday.

If you happen to know what color it is, please, don't ruin it for everyone else! I'm looking at you friends and family whom I may have told!

I'm just a girl who can't say no

All started this week. And there may or may not be more where these came from.

Baby's been a bad, bad girl

I haven't been blogging much in general, and very few posts have had actual knitting content lately (beyond a few FO and notes about starting new projects!), but today is different! Today I bring you my nemesis.



Vanessa is really pissing me off. I found her. I cast on. The ribbing looked way too small. I thought "I don't want the ribbing making me look any more pudgy than I already am." I decided that I would knit the largest ribbing size, and not do any increases for the waist shaping. Mistake #1.

I never measured Vanessa. I never even glanced at the schematic for her. I thought, "Look at the picture. I looks long on the model. I won't need to add length. It'll be nice and long." Mistake #2.

I never held Vanessa up to me. I never tried her on prior to seaming everything and weaving in every end. Mistake #3.

The thing that's really pissing me off? I never have done any of the stupid things before. I'm usually very careful to look at the finished size measurements. I add length to almost everything I knit. I always measure, I always hold up pieces to myself and try it on as I seam.


Now I know the price I pay for being an arrogant knitter. I'll spare you the belly shot of me trying Vanessa on. It may scar you for life. To help solve the problem, I've bought another ball of yarn, and I've knit 3 more inches of ribbing. Now I have to figure out how to graft in ribbing. (I didn't pick up and knit down 'cause then my "v"s would have been facing the wrong way.) I haven't figured out a solution for the lack of waist shaping issue (other than eating an entire panful of brownies every night, which isn't really the look I'm going for today), but I'm thinking about trying to take it in in the seam somehow.

The ribbing is finished. The grafting should begin tomorrow. Don't blame me if I start more new projects instead (this would be in addition to the several I've started recently and haven't shown you yet. More on them later.).

Lesson learned? You are never "better" than your project, and don't trust models. This one probably had a torso measurement of 15".

Grrrr

The main reason there haven't been more kitchen pictures? There hasn't been much kitchen progress. Don't get me started. Suffice to say, that things have been moving, well, what I would call s l o w l y.


The rest of the floor came up last week, and the bottom cabinets were removed.



Hubbo had a great time with the mortar that was under the ceramic tile.



A sheet wall was erected, then a wall of 2x4s (it looked like we were going to put back up the wall), and slowly, over several days, the beams that are transferring the load to the other walls went in.



Then the sheet wall came down.

Sheetrocking has begun. Things are still moving slowly. I thought we'd be starting to install the cabinets by now. Hahaha.