CRAFT Release Party

It's time for another CRAFT Release Party!

Sunday, June 1
12-3 p.m.
Twisted
2310 NE Broadway

Curled Up

I got the two fronts of the cardigan finished during the long holiday weekend. I started in on the button band edging last night, but didn't get very far. I'll be able to start in on the seaming of the sweater once the bands are completed. As you can see, the sweater is really curling up at the edges. Since the yarn is a wool/acrylic blend, I wasn't even planning on blocking it, but I may just throw it in the washer and then pin it to the blocking board. Maybe the waist ribbing will relax a bit then too.

Flutter Back

I finally finished some knitting! I got this back section done while watching the finale of Dancing with the Stars. I stayed up late too because I had screwed up on the neckline. I was supposed to mark off the center stitches to work up in seed stitch and then when I was casting off for the tops of the sleeves, one side had more stitches than the other. I had no idea how that happened. Of course, I had already completed knittin gthe seed stitch part, so I had to undo several columns of stitches and rework the seed stitch using a crochet hook. I had to shift the seed stitch neckline over about an inch. That took quite a while, but I managed to get to bed at midnight.

PS The sweater looks like it's made for Barbie with its super cinched in waist. I hope I can get that ribbing to relax a little bit!

Not Much Knitting

I started in on the sleeves after casting on several more stitches at each end. I haven't had much time for knitting the last couple of days, but will try to carve out more time after work tomorrow.

Much Better

This is the back of the Flutter Sleeve sweater. I just finished the ribbed waistband and the remaining top section of stockinette should knit up quickly. I'm liking the way this project is turning out much better than the fisherman's rib jacket. The weather here is a little gray still, so this could turn out to be the perfect layering piece.

Goodbye for Nau

Nau, a local clothing company focusing on sustainable and environmentally responsible business practices is closing. Everything on their website is 50% off. Go check it out!

R.I.P. = Rip In Peace

I spent a lot of Sunday afternoon working on this zipped jacket from the latest issue of Rebecca. I watched three movies while I was knitting: 27 Dresses, Feast of Love (filmed in PDX!), and There Will Be Blood. I finished the sleeves and was in the process of joining them to the body. I looked at what I had done so far, and decided that I didn't really like the way it was turning out. The fisherman's rib was looking really bulky and the selvedges were all stretched out due to the nature of the stitch. So, I ripped it all out and found another project. The Flutter Sleeve Cardigan from the Spring 2008 Interweave Knits.

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!

I finished my Liberty print halter dress last night aside from the hook and eye I sewed on this morning. The pattern, McCall's 5315, is starting to grow on me. I wasn't completely sold on it before I started, but I liked the halter and thought it would showcase the fabric nicely. There are four pleats on the front and the back and they create this slight tulip shape on the skirt, which is fun. I was hesitant to start the project for fear of working with such expensive fabric, but I decided I needed to suck it up and just go for it. I thought the Liberty cotton would be very delicate and unforgiving, but I was wrong. Even after ripping out the zipper once, as well as a couple of other minor seam mistakes, the fabric was no worse for wear and held up nicely. It was really great to work with and sew.

Click to see close ups of the dress bodice and the pleats.