Plus-size project

Enough rejoicing about finishing something. On to the next project.

Robin Hunter and I are working on a Plus-size Top Down V-neck Cardigan booklet. Yes, it's a mouthful. All the cardigans are worked with charts for multiple gauges from sports weight up to chunky/bulky. The writing is almost done YAY. I'm afraid that is why there have been long silences between posts lately. But now it's time to knit up some more samples. It begins, as do lots of our books, with a Basic Cardigan.

This one is done in Knit East by Fleece Artist, worsted weight. I've had it up before so you might have seen it then. Now I'm working up a second Basic.

Different wool and weight. This time it's Cottage Colours by Cabin Fever in Aran/Heavy Worsted weight. I think I'd like to do a collar on this one and pick a different border pattern. Lots of time to contemplate these changes as I knit.

More to come. This is the beginning, sample knitting is my life for the next couple of months. I'm going to have to pace myself because I would, of course, like them all done yesterday.

Deb

I couldn't blog before I finished my mission.

Yes, done. I had to go back and add on another inch or two at the bottom since I stopped a little short the first time. It's drying nicely now and tomorrow will be ready to wear. YAY.

Mission to Finish

My mission, if I decide to accept it, is to finish this pullover over the weekend (and into next week to be realistic). This message will self-destruct in 30 seconds.

-Deb

Dreams of a new project

At what point in the knitting of your current project do you start thinking about the next one?
I finished the sleeves on my Braids cardigan and I can't stop myself from imagining another new sweater for me. Maybe in purple, or red with cables?

I have the buttonband to do but that's, what, an hour's work? Sewing in the ends and sewing on buttons will take a bit more time but so very close to being done.
I have a pullover on the go too so I'm trying to be true to my current projects but it's getting harder and harder.
-Deb

Waist Shaping

Dpn lovers seem to rule in the comments from the last post. Who knew!

I've been working on shaping my Take It From The Top .

I thought this pullover was a little big across the top so I took it in under the bust. I worked a decrease before and a decrease after the two imaginary side seams, work straight for 1" and did it again. Then I worked straight to the waist. At the waist I worked a set of increases at the imaginary side seams. I have boxy hips so I worked another set 1" further down so that I get a flare right away. I worked 2" straight, worked another set of increases. I need to try it on once more to see if I need a 4th set. Probably depends on how long I want to make it.

The shaping looks fairly subtle from the side but it seems effective.

I think I'm there and I'm going to make it the same length as this T-shirt. Yay, only a couple more inches to go.

Have you experimented with shaping that's not in the pattern? How did it go?
-Deb

DPNs and me

Sometimes it's a little thing that is blocking the progress of a sweater. Not that knitting a sweater isn't hard enough. It's a BIG project after all and takes quite a bit of perseverance to get to the end. A small road block can turn it into a UFO. I find that usually I overlook the little voice in my head that's trying to tell me something and try to push through. But this time I listened. I started knitting my  Braids Cardigan sleeve again. The little voice shouted ' I hate this needle'. It needs to be very loud for me to hear it. I probably didn't pay attention for the first inch or two and then I listened and even did something about it! I know, shocked me too. I got out my double pointed needles, the really old plastic ones that I love. Finished the first sleeve in a flash and started the second one and am looking forward to finishing it up too.

This is Cascade 220 in Cranberry.

I'm starting to find that 16" circulars are cramping my hand. And I  like using double points. I've been knitting a long time and way back, in the day, there were no alternatives. I've tried the magic loop and using 2 circulars just in case they were better. But for me the double points are still the best. Although I know you can get rid of second sock syndrome by using these methods, I always go back to my little sticks even though it looks like you're wrestling with a porcupine and always in danger of poking your eye out. We have a bond, my dpn's and me.
-Deb

UFO's: Own Up

It's the new year and time to stop, have a look around at all the piles of knitting I've been moving around for the last few month and own up to a few of my UFO's. Time to come clean.

My redo of the Take It From The Top with a cable pattern down the front. I'm doing this as a KAL so thought I'd knit a new one for myself. I also did some shaping and learned a couple of things but that's for another post. Back to the UFO's.

My Braids cardigan is coming along but keeps getting bumped back in the queue. Must move it up. I could be wearing this since as I look out the window, it's snowing.

Knit but not written up. Or sort of written up but not checked and double-checked. So close to being finished but not quite there.

Plus sized version of above without buttons. I've had a think about this one and it needs some patterning on it and to be in a lighter gauge. Now a recalculation of stitche numbers and a reknit are needed. But I like the shape of the neck.

Oh my, the list is getting long. I'm stopping here since I can't face anymore. But I do have 2 more sweaters started and I don't even want to think about all those second socks. . .
Note to self: finish something!! Hope your list is shorter.
-Deb