Still Plotting...
So, I'm on the track of a new yarn to try the Phildar Swing Jacket- Berroco "Zodiac," which I was ABOUT to buy from Webs Yarn- and then decided to sleep on it- and now the colorway I want is sold out.. boo!
I'm considering looking into Berroco's other yarns- I've found several of them online at a discount, so that's a plus. I want something with weight, but not a lot of bulk and also not scratchy or thick- I want this to be a spring jacket (which at this rate, I'll finish around June)
I've also started a surprise for weston's birthday (july- I'm starting ahead)- I'm making a quilt for our bed to match the new paint colors- it's going to be modern, not country at all- silver gray background and reds, purples, blacks, sagey greens and mauvey colors. I've never quilted before, so I'm really excited about the process. I'm loving the rotary cutter and mat, and the idea of making something big out of little squares and triangles.
Phildar, part deux
I'm so pleased with my previous Phildar sweater that I'm going for another one. #23 Asymmetrical Sweater from Tendances Automne 06/07. It's K3P3 ribbed, with an off center button band and a high neck. I have some acrylic in my stash that's soft and I'm hoping to achieve something close to guage with it.
I also want to make the phildar swing jacket from this same issue, but I'm stuck on finding the right yarn for it. I think this project will keep me busy for a while. I'd like to use up the "cheap" yarns I bought when I first started knitting so that I can justify buying some nice stuff for future projects.
My husband and I are going to Ireland at the end of April also- so hopefully I can raid some yarn shops overseas and get some great stuff :)
Le Phildar Cable Yoked Sweater est finis!
I'm so pleased!! It fits perfectly, after I lengthened the hem 3 inches... I'm wearing it out today- and I can't wait for someone to mention it :) hee hee.
Front:
Cabled Yoke Detail:
Back:
I don't think I ever imagined making a real sweater- especially from a french pattern company (although I did have help from a wonky english translation).
I used Caron Simply Soft Tweed, probably 8 skeins, and size 5 boyd needlemaster needles. I also did all of the cables using a bent paperclip :) Genius is the mother of invention..
Labels: knitting
And so the end becomes the middle..
I did it!! Well, I started to do it, and it's working. After consulting several resources online, I figured out how to pull out my cast on and pick up stitches WITHOUT twisting them, and I've already added 1.5 inches to my Phildar Cabled Yoke Sweater- invisibly. I was especially pleased when I asked weston where HE thought the former bottom of the sweater was and he didn't have any idea- and he was actually looking at it :)
The in-laws are coming to town sat/sun, and we're going to the IKEA in burlington- I can taste the meatballs already :) AND I hope to wear my new sweater then :)
Also, I should look for the camera cord, because frankly- blog postings without photos are kinda bland.
Monday....
Joanne and I went on a yarn shopping expedition in the snow on saturday. We had been planning it since our christmas shopping on elmwood was in danger of "shopping for gifts for ourselves" and it was great. Sadly Jill was not there, but we both walked away with some great buys. I bought some merino/silk blended fingering weight yarn which is hand-dyed a deep purple and blue, and a lace weight skein of merino in the deep purple. LOVE THEM. So, despite the fact is was snowing sideways, and there was zero visibility, I decided that I needed to go to Barnes and Noble and find a pattern book. I walked away with "Domino Knitting" and it's a great match for my self patterning yarn. I'm making a scarf (I think) and it's turning out pretty well. I LOVE the yarn, although I'm usually hesitant to buy yarn that self stripes, because I prefer solid colors and don't like unmatched stripes, but using this modular domino knitting, it creates a great/random effect.
My Phildar sweater hasn't changed much. I pulled out the "added" on hem because it looked messy, and I've decided I need a better reference book than my current Vogue Knitting- abridged version. I'm anxious to wear it- but, as they say Life gets in the Way.
Weston put in a new hot water tank sunday, and we went to a superbowl party- yum, swedish meatballs (imported from the Burlingon, ON, CA- IKEA!!) We had fun groaning at the game and commercials.. and the half time show- I mean, where did prince come from? Was Fergie busy or something? I realize he just won an award at the SAG, or was it Golden Globes? But it was for a theme song to some animated film I think- I don't think he's posed for a comeback anytime soon- although the electric turquoise suit and orange shirt would be a great new fashion trend. I hope the Fugster Girls comment on it- but it appears that they're covering NY fashion week- which is great, SP 07 fashion, and it's -20 degrees outside. When does that happen? Well, maybe NYC is slightly warmer- with the windchill it's only -12 degrees. :)
Finish line...
So last night, I finished it!! I figured out how to make an invisible seam- wove in all the loose ends and tried it on... The good news is, it covers my boobs perfectly, actually the size is SPOT ON!! The bad news, well- it's awfully short. I'm not sure if my row gauge was off or if french people just like exposing their midriffs..
So, I took back the needles, and picked up stitches along the bottom hem and will need to add at least 2 if not 3 inches. My mother suggested adding a cable/rib pattern to mimick the yoke, but I haven't totally decided on that.
Here's hoping that it will be ready to wear some time this week :)
72..74..78..80.. wait!
So, apparently I can't count. Regents Honors Diploma, BA cum laude and part of an MBA- and I can't count to 288 stitches.
Work on my phildar sweater is 1 step ahead and 2 steps back. I've brought together the front, back and sleeves and started the yoke in the round- 3 times!! One of these times I'm going to get it.. oy.
I'm really pleased with it though- I hope it fits, it seems kinda small- but as I told my sister- if it doesn't fit, happy birthday to you!!
