Ribs and Lace Tank

Pattern: Ribs and Lace Tank from Interweave Knits Spring 2007
Yarn: Plymouth Fantasy Naturale (can't remember exactly how much, I used 2 skeins plus several balls left over from another frogged tank, but I think it might have been 3 or alittle more for the smallest size)
Needles: 10 and 4
Mods: I left out one repeat of the Crest of the Wave lace pattern and changed the decreases above the bust. I did K2tog instead of SSK and reverse. I didn't like the look of the decreases as written so I switched them from full fashioned to blended (or the oposite, I always get what is blended and what is full fashioned confused. Which one is this?). Now I kinda wish I didn't change that (not going to go back and redo though) as it's kinda tight on the sides of the bust there and I wonder if the pattern as written would help with some give there. I haven't worn it for any length of time yet so it will probably relax some with wear too. It might be that it's too small for me there anyway.
Anyway, love the tank. It was fun to knit and the lace went fast. The ribs on smaller needles did take some time though.

How to make cleaning fun

Knit yourself a dust mop cover. After seeing a some Siffer covers over at Craftster, I decided I needed one too. So I got out some Acrylic and this was what I got. Actually anything to avoid any actual cleaning (or the Master program - how I hate the written work). I think this actually works better than the microfiber cloth covers I use now. And this makes for some nice easy summer knitting and car rides. I just knit the bottom, single crochet arounded the entire edge (I haddone a provisional cast on and did a crochet bind off, picked up stitches around the crochet edge knit the ribbing. Even added some short rows to make things interesting (I had forgotton about the little plastic piece that holds the handle flat).

Right now I'm working on a tank top and thinking what else I can cast on to avoid that written work. I had told myself I couldn't knit anymore swatches until I got caught up on the questions and pattern writting. So I just do knit swatches anymore. I am coming up with some nice ideas for the vest.

Slip-sliding away

So I knit these slippers for the kids (pattern from Felted Knits ). I added some of the puffy fabric paint to the bottoms (and not just random, but a pony and flower for the girl and a shark and motorcycle for the boy, by their request), but I think it made it more slippery. The kids are having a blast sliding around the house. So I guess I need to try something else (I just finished a pair for myself that needs anti-slip something). Guess I'll be hitting the fabric store this weekend to see if they sell suede.

Also finished my Cable Down Raglan (click on pictures for a better view). Love it. I went with short sleeves to get more year-round wear out of it. Used just over 3 skeins of Cascade 220 Superwash on US 7's.

And I can't figure out why these photos aren't showing up right. If you click on them, it opens a new window where they look fine. Maybe I should figure that out.

I'm a slacker

I totally intended to keep this blog up. I don't know how people can knit and blog too. I don't think I've touched level II in a long time. DH keeps bugging me to "just do it", but other knitting and life has gotten in the way. We are in the middle of replacing all the carpet in our house (about 1100 sq ft) with bamboo. I can't wait to get that done. I've finished some project which I think the pics are on flickr, but I can't remember all the details now to post about.

So I had intended to get some more work done on level II. I've had the History of Hand Knitting book checked out of the library for probably close to a year now (just keep renewing it, aparently there's not a great demand for this book around here) but haven't started the report at all. Then the other day I was looking through the current IK mag in the store and saw this:

I thought "I have some stash yarn that will work great", bought the magizine, dropped everything else and cast on. It's a beautiful sweater and even the cable chart errors won't stop me. And being that I live in Florida, I won't even get the wear it until next winter, but that won't stop me.

I'm addicted

To headbands:



They are so quick to knit, use up left over yarn and allow you to expirement with different stitch patterns. The yellow is some Sugar n Cream yarn, the lace one is some hand-dyed (Easter egg dye) Lionbrand Fishermans. The purple is my favorite, knit with Cascade 220 Superwash. They are all my design. I love the drop stitch cable. And the rib band allows for a better fit and less bulk at the neck. Maybe I'll get around to writing up the patterns. The last one is adapted from Jolly Roger Ski Band knit with Paton's Classic Merino.

Adamas

I had been rushing the last couple weeks to get this done in time for a Christmas party this weekend. I really like the pattern and it was really easy to knit. Blocked it on my daughter's bedroom floor. It was my first try blocking something like this. It did turn out smaller than the pattern because I knit tight. I though about adding another repeat, but since I'm short, this works great I think.
Here she is blocking. I used crochet cotten held down with some weights (I knew those would come in handy one day) and pinned out the points (well the string between the points).

I'm going to get dh to take some more photos this weekend when I'm more dressed up.

Details:
Pattern: Adamas
Yarn: Shadow in Campfire
Needles: US5
Finished measurements: 64" x 32" Told you I knit tight.

Well now that that's done, I can go back to Level II. Well except for the headbands I need to make, and maybe this top, or...

Shedir

Pattern: Shedir
Yarn: Plymouth Galway
Needles: US4
Modifications: I left out one of the pattern repeats and a couple rounds of the ribbing. I also did a tubular cast on.
Notes: Since I used a worsted weight, I used 4's and knit tight. Sorta hard on the hands. It's too long but looks ok, fits dh well. If I was to make this again, I would use a lighter yarn. I wish I had left out some of the multiple work even rounds on the decreases. I got this yarn maybe a year ago with plans to make myself a hat with it. I think it turned out pretty nice and very warm looking. Although being knit so tightly and living in Florida, it won't get alot of use.
Top:

On a model (I'll have to get dh to take another pic with me):