The Yoke's On Me

I finished weaving in all the ends of the sweater at lunchtime yesterday. Even with short sleeves, I think it's still a bit warm out to wear this, but it will be perfect for fall. The yarn, 50% Merino wool and 50% silk, knit up into a great fabric that showcases the lacework nicely. I could probably try to block out that lace a little more, but I think it will be okay. The chart is 39 rows and there is an error in row 35. Luckily I thought to check the Rebecca forums and there the correction was! Other than that, the pattern is easy to follow and fun to knit.

It's Blocking

I finished the lacy yoke on the sweater last night and just pinned it for blocking. I somehow got off on the chart by a couple of stitches and didn't realize it until after I had just started the ribbing on the neck. I had to rip out several rows, but it didn't take long to reknit. I really like how the yoke turned out. It looks much better in person than it does in the magazine photo.

Joined at the Pits

Yesterday I joined the front, back, and sleeves together, so now I'm knitting in the round. I have 288 stitches on my needles! I started the lace motif after three rounds of stockinette and on the second row of the chart I noticed something funny. Because I'm knitting in the round and only on the right side, all even rows should be straight stockinette while the odd rows follow the motif pattern. I had just finished the second row, but had followed the third row of the chart. So, I had to frog all of those 288 stitches to knit a stockinette row. Now I'm back on track on row three of the chart. Woohoo!

This and That

I finally was able to cut out my fabric for the gingham sundress. After seeing this dress by local designer Elizabeth Dye, I was more inspired to make view B of the dress instead of the halter style. Over the weekend, I also finished the front of the sweater with the lacy yoke. Once the back and the sleeves are done, then the yoke is knit in the round, combining all the pieces. I'm about halfway through the back, so here's hoping all that stockinette stitch knits up quickly!

Lint is Closing

Today was the first day of LYS Lint's going-out-of-business sale. This is sad news for the local knitting community. Everything is 30% off and there are still lots of bargains to be had. I managed to snatch up this silk wool for my next project, a sweater with yoke from Rebecca 33.

The sale will go on until everything is gone. Stop in and wish Melissa and crew good luck!

Melissa Shrugged

I finished the armhole edging and seaming of the shrug last night. I think the sleeve length is perfect and I like the shaping in the front. It actually turned out much better than I thought it would, but I still I don't know if I'll ever really wear it. I'll try to find something to pair it with in my closet!

Halfway There

I have been working steadily on the ribbed shrug and have completely ignored starting the gingham halter sundress for now. The shrug is coming along nicely and I really like the subtle shaping. I should be able to get this finished sometime this weekend. I also started classes this week: fashion sketching and patternmaking 2, which accounts for the lack of posts. In fashion sketching, we learned how to draw a fashion croquis (French for sketch) and in patternmaking we are drafting personal fit slopers, starting with a bodice. Fun stuff!

More Projects

I started some new projects this weekend. I have a good chunk of GGH Cascade that I scored from a craft swap in this deep rusty red color. It's basically polyester, and I couldn't think of what I would possibly make that I would want to wear. I searched through some old issues of Rebecca and finally decided to make this ribbed shrug, from the cover of the latest issue. I'm not really a shrug person, but this might be something I could wear during the summer. The fabric is knitting up nicely and doesn't feel as scratchy as I thought it would.

I also headed up to the Fabric Depot for their 40% off fabric sale and got this great pima cotton gingham for yet another sundress. I'm still trying to decide between the halter and the regular sleeveless view. I'm thinking the halter with the ruffle might be cute.

Wonky Rebecca Sweater

I finished seaming up the sweater last night. I'm not sure if I like this sweater at all. You can sort of see how it still leans to the left side. And the seams are all weird and tight because of that too. I was hoping that if I threw the sweater in the washer and dryer, some of the problems might be corrected, but it doesn't look like it. I've used the KnitPicks Shine before, but with this project I had a horrible problem with it leaving a thin coating of fuzz on myself whenever I'd knit for extended periods of time. I then made the mistake of washing it with other clothes and there were tons of yarn pills on everything! This may be a wear-around-the-house sweater only.

Spring Break

It's spring break here in PDX and I decided to take a few days off this week. That means lots of time for knitting, sewing, cleaning, and getting the new basement ready and furnished. Yay! I finished the sleeves up for the Rebecca sweater last night and plan to cut out the fabric for the Built by Wendy top this afternoon.

Knitting and Sewing

I spent the weekend working a bit on the relief sweater sleeves and buying more fabric for yet another Built by Wendy top. I also bought a Simplicity 3833 retro pattern for a simple shift dress. I'd probably make the sleeveless version. The Amy Butler fabric is for the cute top with the elasticized neck and sleeves. The raindrop fabric is from the Follow Your Imagination line of Prints Charming fabrics for Free Spirit. I think I'd use this fabric for the dress, though I want a contrasting fabric for the bodice, like on the cover of the pattern.

Done and Done

I finished the back of the relief sweater several days ago. It leans to the left because of the nature of the relief stitch pattern. I think it will be fine once it's blocked. The front is turning out the same way, so I don't think I'm doing anything wrong. Or at least, I hope I'm not! I also started my next sewing project, another Built by Wendy coat, last night. I cut out the pattern on Saturday and it took forever. I had to cut the fabric and transfer all the markings, as well as the lining, and the interfacing. I was watching TV at the same time, so I wasn't working continuously, which would explain the two-hour duration. Once I started sewing though, the project went by fast. I love the raglan sleeves–sewing them in makes everything so much easier. I have to attach the collar and then it's on to the lining. This coat could be ready to wear by the end of the week!

What a Relief

I made a trip out to Kinokuniya yesterday to check out their expanded crafts section and found these three books. The first book features all different kinds of slippers and shoes to sew. The second book has patterns for accessories and decorations made from felt. And the last book has lots of cute dresses and tops to make.

Also pictured is the back of the Rebecca sweater. The sweater is knit in a relief pattern, which consists of slipping yarnovers over purl stitches. The pattern is just enough to keep things from getting too boring.

I Do Remember How to Knit

I stayed up way too late yesterday swatching and knitting for the Rebecca sweater. It felt weird to actually be knitting. It's been about two weeks since I last knit and I rarely go that long without some kind of knitting project. The color of this yarn is starting to grow on me. It's a color I don't have in my wardrobe and I like the brightness of it.

I also have my next sewing project lined up. I bought this fabulous trees fabric from superbuzzy and decided to make a lightweight lined coat. I got yet another Built By Wendy pattern that I hadn't seen before. I'll make the longer coat with the short sleeves. It will be perfect for springtime.