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Sunday, March 27, 2005
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Another one done.
Continuing with the grand knit blog tradition of posting a picture of oneself wearing a new garment as soon as it is finished, regardless of how tired, worn-looking, or frumpy one looks, I shall show you my finished Take Me Along cardigan.
Above photo should not be construed as an admission of the creation of a frumpy sweater; I just didn't feel like arranging it just so. The above photo should merely be offered as proof that a) I completed a whole darn sweater, and b) it is neither too big nor too small, and, thus, a success.
Yesterday was spent seaming this thing and doing the collar and one button band. After a rousing game of "find enough buttons that match and look decent," I was able to do the second band and sew on buttons.
So, what's the verdict? I'm not entirely pleased. The biggest issue is the armpits. If I lift my arms, I've got four or five inches to spare between my sleeve and my armpit; it's a little awkward. And I wish I could say it was my fault, but my measurements are spot on with the schematic. The sleeve caps did not set in perfectly; I have a quasi-puffed-sleeve thing going on. And, I don't have enough buttons at the moment to make things sit well on my chest when I'm buttoned up, but no one says I have to wear this buttoned. And thank goodness I lengthened the sleeves and everything else, as I usually do.
Aside from those things, it's a good fit and nice sweater. I didn't even get too bored with it.
So, I started something else
My next project - or one of them - is the Lucky cardigan from Stitch 'n' Bitch Nation. Holy small needles, Batman. It's going to take me awhile to finish this baby; I can only hope that the finish product is worth it.
Shown perched on top of the too-floppy-but-very-pretty knitting bag I made this morning.
Recent acquisitions
Bobby spoiled me rotten again - this time with a gorgeous skein of Blue Heron Yarns beaded rayon in Rainforest. (I should've taken a picture.) I don't want to use this for a scarf or wrap - I want to wear this beauty. I don't think I have enough for even a camisole, but I'm thinking of combining it with some Dale of Norway Svale or some equally silky plain yarn and making a top of some sort.
I hear lots of praise of Cotton-Ease 'round these parts, so I finally bought some. I'm eager to fill my wardrobe with springy things, and strawberry cream-colored yarn is perfect for a springtime cardigan. Sitcom Chic was my original thought, but, honestly, I don't really like it. It's boring. I want something a little softer and more feminine. Shirley Paden's flame stitch cropped cardigan in Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2005 might be the ticket, though I'd change the flame stitch to something a little more subdued, maybe zigzagging lace. Other ideas, of course, are welcome.
I love this issue of Vogue Knitting, by the way; lots of gorgeous and creative items. The Summer IK looks like it'll be great, too. I love the Lace Leaf Pullover, and Dibs on Ribs is the Chosen One, the One my bag of Noro Kureyon shall become. They have been waiting for each other.
Tipper @ 10:05 PM * link
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Tuesday, March 22, 2005
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When things get tough, the tough buy yarn
The federal government should thank themselves for their quick tax return turnaround time, as I plopped my tax return money right back into the economy. This time it was at Amazing Threads' semi-annual sale, where I purchased some striping Gedifra at 50% off for a multi-directional scarf (I have an unhealthy obsession with making one, and it must be out of this yarn), two pairs of wooden straights for the boyfriend at 50% off, and a skein of Cherry Tree Hill ribbon yarn (in Peacock - you can imagine the vibrancy of the colors) at 30% off. I have ideas that I'm going to be a little more flamboyant, wardrobe-wise, as I'm so plain right now. Maybe I just needed more spring colors in front of me.
Then we went to Yarn Cafe, meaning to get me my Touch Me. (I can resist no longer.) They have oodles of it, in many colors except the one I want. They pleasantly took down my name/number and will see if they can order some. We also purchased yarn to follow the lead of the folks at 2ktog - the boyfriend and I will be making an afghan together. We chose Plymouth Encore in four colors (one light green, one dark green, one lighter blue, one darker blue), and it's really nice yarn. He came up with the pattern: patchwork-style, with lots of different stitch patterns used. He's already started on his second square. Now, if only I can get him to blog with me...
So, I finished my second Cascading Leaves sock, and the pair is gorgeous. I also started the back of my blue cardigan and am about half done with that. I don't want to be too optimistic, but I hope to finish this within the week, with maybe a few breaks for afghan squares. Then, I think it's onto the Lucky Clover Wrap cardigan, as my Rowan 4-ply cotton arrived yesterday. It's a very springy green color, not what I think of as olive at all, and HEAVY. I'm glad I will be using 11 balls, not the whole 20. I'd never be able to walk!
Tipper @ 5:39 AM * link
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Sunday, March 13, 2005
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I made it to Yarn Cafe.
And I was impressed.
Today was week #2 of Yarn Cafe in Maple Grove, and I was able to visit. This place is filled nearly to the rafters with yarn - too many kinds to list, but Rowan, Colinette, Crystal Palace, Cherry Tree Hill, and Schaefer, to name a few. The selection is wonderful and prices are lower than pretty much everywhere else.
Oh, and there's an in-store cafe and a decent amount of seating. Great concept, isn't it? They follow up on this concept with hours that are conductive for stitch 'n' bitches and simply going to the yarn store after five o'clock. (I can now get my late-Friday evening yarn fix, as they're open until 9.)
The fixtures and decor, while elegant, are dark, and I felt they needed more lighting. I also think they should reconsider the layout of the seating, as it was awkward, at least in the cafe area. The coffee (I had a white chocolate mocha) was delicious, but surprisingly cold - I hope this was a fluke.
Despite some negatives, which I'm sure will work themselves out over time, I highly recommend this store. It provides food for all of your senses.
Other things of note:
-I restrained myself from purchasing enough Muench Touch Me to make Vintage Velvet from Scarf Style, though I am currently regretting that decision. I bought a new coat last night that was so heavily discounted that it's almost calling for a fancy scarf that costs more than it.
-The boy who took my coffee order knitted between customers.
-The store made my boyfriend want to knit. I think that says something.
-I can't report on customer service, as I wasn't sure who was a customer and who was an employee most of the time (the place was pretty darn busy). I did get a pleasant and helpful answer to my one question. At the very least, I can't say that the service was annoying, as it can be.
Tipper @ 7:00 PM * link
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Saturday, March 12, 2005
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Awesome socks and awesome people
First, one awesome sock down, one awesome sock to go:
I can't believe how quick that one went. I should cast on for the other immediately so I don't "forget" to do it.
And Bobby is the coolest guy ever. He sent me this pattern from Art Yarns out of the blue. He remembered that I dug it! It's funny, cause when I was in Rochester, I tried to find the pattern at the yarn store I visted, since she carried some Art Yarns and patterns, but I had no such luck. Thank you so much, Bub!
Tipper @ 6:57 AM * link
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Friday, March 11, 2005
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I can't pass up a deal
I guess I will be making the Lucky Clover sweater from Stitch 'n' Bitch Nation. After I found bags of Rowan 4-ply cotton in my favorite color for $25 my fate was sealed. Because I needed 11 balls, I checked to see if I could get a single ball, which led to an amusing exchange with the lady about how she had to ask her husband because he'd get mad and when he'd go on a trip she'd open a pack and hide the rest. I couldn't wait that long, though, as the amount available went from 6 to 3 in a couple of days. So I bought two bags. I can always sell the rest (if you're interested in 9 balls, let me know), or use it to make another summer top for m-o-i.
My socks are looking gorgeous. Anne is like a thinner version of Bearfoot, and we all know how I feel about Bearfoot. I turned the heel last night; inspired by a livejournal friend's adoration of a regular heel flap, that is what I did. My appreciation for them has increased, if only because it's different from doing short-row heels all the time. I'm also a faster knitter than I used to be, and now properly slipping and picking up stitches.
Of course, that just reminded me of how I should have slipped the first stitch of every row on my cardigan. Seaming and picking up 1 billion stitches for the collar and button band will not be as easy as it could be.
I have my Hurry Up Spring armwarmers at work and I use them often. They get complimented. And they do make me wish spring would hurry up so it's not so damn cold all the time. Of course, once spring hits, then I have to deal with the dreaded air conditioning.
Tipper @ 9:30 AM * link
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Thursday, March 10, 2005
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I <3 socks
I needed a break from the cardigan, so I started a new pair of socks.
Cascading Leaves socks from Jean Townsend
I'm using Schaefer Yarns Anne in a green/gray/blue colorway and size 1 needles. This pattern is a pleasure to knit. Today I was eager to start my lunch break not because I was hungry, but so I'd have some time to work on these. All hail the one-hour lunch hour!
The more I hear about Yarn Cafe, the more I really want to go. My consolation for having to wait is that they'll have more yarn on the shelves when I finally get there. Sunday, I hope, will be the day we meet.
Tipper @ 12:11 AM * link
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Sunday, March 06, 2005
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Beware the madwoman with the needles.
The blue tweed cardigan is now approximately 2/3 complete. Behold!
To blame is my near-obsession with completing this darn thing. Not that I'm disliking it, really; I just wish to be able to move onto something else in good conscience. The Lucky Clover Knit Along is making me think of that as my next project. I'm even considering - *gulp* - using Rowan 4-ply Cotton and the size 2 and 3 needles. I need something cute to wear with my new skirt, though! Really! I'd rather cast on for some sort of sweater out of my Jaeger Luxury Tweed, but I don't think I'll be able to stand the sight of my size 6 needles for awhile.
My Ruffles scarf is gradually lengthening. Although I think the pattern is total genius, it's driving me a little batty.
The response to the Scarf Style Knit-Along continues to amaze me.
Yarn store wars
There's a new kid in town - Yarn Cafe. I missed the opening because I didn't plan on going because I didn't know for sure they were opening this weekend; not that I knew where it was, anyway. (Of course, on opening day, I was in the area - I just had no clue where it was exactly.) There's been some discussion of the shop on a local e-mail list. Much of it was positive, but some of it was disturbing.
Apparently, many people condone the practice of yarn stores trying to shut out competition in any way possible. Not only that, but they consider it at best rude and at worst conniving to open up a yarn store near the location of another. (Nevermind that some locations are just better for yarn stores than other. You'd think an upscale and rapidly growing area would be a prime location, no?) I like yarn stores to have competition - it forces them to better themselves. Lowering prices and making sure you have the absolute best customer service is a wonderful way to get and retain customers; let the strong survive! If an established store is threatened by the possibility of another store moving, maybe part of their game plan should include an assessment of what they're doing wrong so that they need to feel threatened.
I, like many knitters, shop at and spend money at many different shops in the area. I look forward to visiting and, I hope, finding yarn worthy of purchase at the Yarn Cafe.
Tipper @ 10:25 PM * link
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Blue tweed cardigan progress: right front finished. Four/five inches into the left front. The right front worries me (the arm hole just looks way too big, even when I shaved some length off of it), and the pattern is annoying. Shall press on. If worse comes to worse, the most I have to rip out/reknit would be the top of all the pieces.
Things bought: just one thing, a set of five DPNs in sizes 000, 00, 0, and 1. At Joann, Etc. They're Susan Bates, but the shiny aluminum kind. Only $10 for 'em all!
Tipper @ 12:43 AM * link
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