Persimmon nearly done

Just a bit more to go and it's done.  The only thing I really have left is the buttons and any embellishments I decide to add.  I like the fit and love the color. Simply Soft always has a wonderfully soft feel and is perfect for Fall temperatures.

Keep stitchin'

Persimmon

Getting back into blogging seems to be a bit difficult for me but I'm trying.
My latest project is a top-down cardi in garter stitch.  I using the seamless method that Britt Schmiesing teaches with her cardi Seelie.   The instructions are very easy to follow and several have been made by ravelry members.  I found Britt when I went on a hunt for a top-down cardi that creates the button band along with the sweater rather than picking up stitches afterwards.  So was born Persimmon which is the name of the colorway of the yarn,  it's Caron Simply Soft.
The knit work was going pretty fast until I got to the sleeves.  I've ripped them several times trying to get the perfect fit.  The real problem came in when I decided that I should be knitting them in the round rather than back and forth like the body.  Mind you, this is after I got about an inch past the elbow!  The first sleeve was almost done. Once I started knitting in the round I noticed the stitches didn't look the same, I hated the look.  I finally realized its because the sleeve must be knit back and forth in order to blend with rest of the sweater.other than that the body is finished.  I remembered to mark the button band side so that I won't end up with buttons and holes that don't line up evenly.
This  is going to be a nice Fall sweater.

Keep stitchin'

$5 more finally done!

Seems like it took forever to finish this top.  This was my first time knitting a piece that is totally striped. Having to keep changing the yarns and making sure I kept up with the number of rows too kept me on my toes.  I only had to rip maybe three times and only a couple of rows rather than the half my work so it wasn't so bad.  I will definitely make a couple more of these in the fall for winter 2013.  But for now, it's time to start on some spring/summer garments.

Keep stitchin'

$5 more

All done with one. I had a few challenges but overall I love
I started the second almost immediately using three colors this. The fit will be more relaxed on this one. I wasn't sore about the stripes but now I really like them. Honestly, I could make this top over and over.

$5 in Paris...I wish

Wow! has it really been a nearly two years since my last post?  Really wasn't my fault :) I kinda got lost when google started adding circles and all that stuff that I still haven't figured out yet.  All I know that I couldn't sign into my own blog.  Now that things seem to be back on track I'll try posting some things.
I am still stitching, what else is there to do?
Right now I'm working on a rounded yoke, ribbed, raglan top called $5 in Paris. Some have changed the name based on how much they spent for the yarn.
I'm loosely following the directions so I've had to rip and repeat several times, just can't get the body to way I want. I have learned some things that will help me get the fit right from the start with the next one; there will be a next one. I do think I am on the right track finally, now that I am finishing up the second sleeve tonight.  My goal is to have this top finished, ends weaved in, soaked, dried and ready to wear next week. Of the wearing is based on the weather, don't know what's happening with the weather here but it ain't cold!

Well this went good so I guess I'll be loading some pics soon.


Keep stitchin'

Robert Earl is coming!

Robert Earl finally sold the house down south and is coming for his sweet Alberta!

She and Duke the pit bull are so excitedly planning for his arrival. I guess Alberta will be needing a new dress!!


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Heart on my sleeves shawl/wrap

After finishing the NatCroMo 2011 challenge I wanted to continue with the freeform. There's a neverending borage of ideas flying through my head. I literally see everything in fiber art these days. I started making making little bullion spirals, tri-color spirals, paisleys and all sorts of things just for practice for that 'Big Project' living in my head. At first I thought I was making another wall hanging, something a little more balanced and thoughtout than the last one, when I was struck by this one little bullion. Just a simple red bullion, because I had some leftover red. I decided to add some orange top stitching, just practicing what I've read in Prudence's book. Well, since I wasn't feeling the orange top stitching I decieded to try some reverse single crab crochet (crab stitch) right over the orange top stitching and WOW!!! I loved what I had in my hand! No longer was it just a scrumble, it became an abstract heart.

Once I saw this lovely heart I knew what I wanted more hearts and this would become the theme for my piece. I needed to figure out how to put them together so I started adding the creamy open lace. That's when it hit be that should make a wrap instead of a wall hanging! I wanted my hearts to be different, especially since I was having trouble replicating this particular bullion heart. I started making paisleys and didn't care for it because one showed the wrong side of the work so I had to figure out how to reverse the pattern, I'm quite proud of myself.

I also got a leaf pattern from DeLeewit's Corner on raverly that I made hearts out of.

So now I have a nice freeform wrap with hearts all over my sleeves plus a few other spirals and goodies thrown in here and there. I love the crab stitch running through the wrap holding the individual pieces together adding that extra touch to the wrap.

Keep stitchin'