3.14159 winding down

I'm coming to the final rows of my Pi.  I had to dig to find another skein of the yarn I'm using, that's it, no more to be found...unless he is hiding real good.  I've had this since maybe 2002 or 2003 when I skeptically placed my very first order with Smileys Yarns.  I had never ordered yarn online and certainly had never heard of Smileys.  I knew Joanns, Woolworths, Franks Nursery&Crafts and small shops around town.  I was so afraid of getting ripped off but my yarn came, quickly, and I've been a fan every since.

Hoping to get out and get some bright sunny pics this weekend.

3.14159

For those who don't know, 3.14159 is Pi.  I have made a couple of shawl and find that knitting lace shawls is a lot of fun and produces beautiful pieces. After creating several shawls, following someone else's instructions it was time to do my own thing.
I'm using Elizabeth Zimmermann's pithy instructions for creating a circular shawl based on pi.  I pulled out some of my stitch books to find my own patterns and got to work.  I've found a couple of diamond and leaf patterns that are pretty and pretty easy to follow. It's slow but steady work watching it develop. 
The first pis shows the color the  best but the pattern shows very well.  I'm up to 576 sts now and have started repeating the patterns I chose rather looking for new patterns.  I want the shawl to be bigger than the ship wreck shawl so I'm focused on just clicking away.

I actually started on this shawl December 5th, it sure seems not I have been working on it so much longer.  Hopefully I will finish this up next month.  Blocking is going to be really hard, my apartment does not have the floor space.  I saw a pic where someone had blocked something vertically, I think that's what I'm gonna have to do. 

Keep stitchin'

Homemade Icord needles!

I love gifting me cause nobody else will.  I saw a video on YouTube that shows how to create your own dpn's and straights.  I thought this would be a great way to make some new cable needles since I do NOT like the ones I bought from Knitpicks. I love how pretty they are but working with them sucks.
So after watching this very detailed video I decided to give it a try.

The purpose for these needles is really because I like making Icord drawstrings for skirts, bags and maybe a hoodie one day.  Those 7" dpn's are a nuisance to me, way too long for 3-5 sts.  Now that is no longer a bother for me. 

The first pic shows my finished needles in sizes 3 and 8.  The store didn't have any other sizes to choose from.  For now these sizes will do fine.

The second pic shows the actual size of the needles they fit nicely and will make sliding from one end to the next quick and easy.

The third pic shows the comparison of mine to the purchased needles.  I think I did a great job!  They're smooth with no ridges to catch the yarn.  The only thing I wish I had is a dh, boyfriend or dad who is into woodwork so I could steal a little stain and sealant to coat them and add some color.  You know I'll be surfing around to see if someone has an easy solution for that too.

Finally the last pic show that I am, in fact, able to knit perfect Icords with these guys.  

It's a little rough because I'm not used to working with wood and the size.  The adjustment got easier, on both sizes as I continued to work with the needles.  I don't have any wax paper so mine are not as smooth as they will be after that coating that comes from waxing.  However, I think this is a wonderful idea and I'd like to make some straights just so I can bling them out with some shiny stones or something.  But they'll be for decoration, not to used at all.

Keep stitchin'

Retro Inspired complete

Just in time for the holidays I have another top done and I love it!  I got a great fit with this one giving me a real understanding of what 'negative ease' really is all about.  It's a word I've heard so many times in the sewing, as well as, the knit/crochet world.  This top is not zero negative, which I don't do much of anyway, it's probably half inch to an inch...breathing room.

I wasn't crazy about the moss stitch because it seems to puff out a bit, it's kind of grown on me now.  I especially like the way it lays on the collar.  I would reconsider using it as a bottom hem because of this tendency to puff or roll, unless I did something wrong.  I think it's great for sleeves if I plan to turn the cuff up, there's a nice crease there. 

I did excellent in the waist shaping and hip proportions, the entire sweater for that matter including the length. This sweater provides ample butt coverage though it would not be considered a dress option.

Even though I stated I did not care for having to start this top with individual pieces that had to be put together, I enjoyed learning a new technique and will most likely use it again.

The only mistake I made is in decreasing at the bust to start waist shaping.  The top was not going to have the fit I wanted so I started decreasing and they were not spaced out enough or maybe I should have started sooner.  I think it's because I was busy trying not to mess up that beautiful stranded work.  Anyway, I have a slight pucker under each underarm.  Hidden away from the world so it's not even a big deal I just want to learn from it so it won't happen again.

Keep stitchin

Retro inspired

I started a new sweater at the beginning of the month after the pattern I bought got a bit boring to me.  I'm started to look forward to doing my own thing rather than depend on someone's instructions to guide me through. It really take the pressure off when I don't feel I have to match what I see in the book or on paper.

What I did this time is use a cardi, Retro Peplum, designed by Ann Budd as inspiration to create a pullover.  

Ann Budd’s directions, just like Doris Chan, can be a real head scratcher until you finally get it.  Then you wonder what all the crying was for, it’s all pretty cool and easy to follow.

While taking a look at the Retro Peplum, I had to read several times to make sure I was clear on the starting point.  Having never created a saddle shoulder top, let alone top-down, I was intrigued.  Ok, create the two saddles (rectangles) cutting yarn and securing with a stitch holder. Got it, set aside and wiggle my toes happily as I move on to the next step.

Hmmm, lets read that again…and again…and one more time for good measure.  Oooooook, now I’m on board!

-  Start at the end where I just finished knitting (live end).  Work to the other end where I began (cast on end) picking up 26 stitches. I only had to find a way to sneak in two extra stitches because I neat edges gave me 24 stitches. I was careful to pay attention as I slipped the first stitch of every row creating my selvage.

- Cast on 42 stitches using the Knitted CO which happens to be my favorite CO. Now started at the opposite end of the second saddle, pick up 26 stitches ending at the live end this time.  There should be 94 stitches.

Whew got through that and it’s time for shoulder shaping. Shoulder shaping is simple k2, p2 until the next row when short-rows start. OMG, why do short-rows make me so nervous! It’s actually not the w&t but the pick up on the return that gives me trouble.

Rows 1 and 2, wrap&turn, no problem.  Remember you are going all the way across to the opposite shoulder (saddle) for the first w&t.  Rows 3 and 4 pick up the w&t and then do ANOTHER W&T.  Rows 5 and 6, pick up the last w&t and knitted in pattern to the end of the row.  Yeah! All w&t’s done.  On the next part of the adventure. Simple 2x2 ribbing until piece measure 4” from pick up stitches at saddle NOT center back.

After I finished all the back ribbing, picking up the stitches and doing the same on the front halves with two skeins of yarn was easy.  I chose to work with dpn's instead of trying to keep the yarn from getting tangle using circulars.  This made life so easy for me and helped me get the fronts done much faster, IMO.

Introducing another color to create my first stranded pattern was fun.  I found a pattern for a pair of mittens that had the look I was trying to achieve.  I used that pattern and added a few extra rows of my own for a different look.  I wish I had repeated the whole series again for a wider band, I really love how it came out.  I fought the urge since I don't have that much white yarn, I have to reserve some for my sleeves where I'll be repeating the pattern transition.

I made sure to take my time and sketch out my grid for the pattern so I can have the exact same pattern on my sleeves.  I thinking of doing an icord neck with ties to finish it up for a causal look.

Keep stitchin'

Shenanigans Sam

Last week I was reading about the Christmas Elf.  I had never heard about this little guy until recently (last year).  I said I was going to make a couple and never got around to it...until this year. So I made one with the intention of gifting it with the cute little story that goes along with it.  Mine came out kinda creepy looking and made me think it would probably scare a child so I'm keeping him for myself!
Making it was quite easy though time consuming with all the little bits. I picked a name for him after he immediately begin to look for things to get into like my penny cup.

There's no telling what he'll get into between now and Christmas.

Keep stitchin'

Land ho!

My shawl is done!
I made several mistakes along the way, such is life.  Being human I've had my share of crisis and struggles.  So my shawl shows the points during the voyage when I was adrift.  But like any good sailor, I was able to weather the storm, check my navigation and bring her to shore.
The blues remind me of a sunny day and clear waters.  But as evening approaches, you see dusk, with the threat of a storm approaching in the purple skies.  The ship is tossed during that storm with several dropped stitches.  I recover and try to find the my lost stitches though not always successfully.  Once I reach the shore, even in the night, I can see the remnants of sea glass and shells that have washed ashore.  And I smile because I still made it to the end.

This shawl was definitely a whole lot easier than I expected it to be.  I'd say the hardest part was starting the circle.  After deciding to go with Emily Ocker's Circular Cast-on it was easier.  Of course starting anything with so few stitches is going to be bothersome to start so be prepared for some rough waters.  Find a quiet place to start your circle and work the first 4-5 rounds.  After that, you've got something to work with and life gets a little easier.

You can hardly see them but those little glints around the edges are the few beads I scattered.  The things that flicker in the night when the moonlight hits them.
Hopefully the ruffles will lay flat once the shawl is blocked.  The patterned leaves are beautiful and I am able to see some hearts.  I want all of that to show after blocking.  All in all I did enjoy making this and just may make another one next year.

Keep stitchin'