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

It's a winter wonderland here.

Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR. It's almost time to make some knitting commitments for the winter. UFO's show your faces, it's your chance. I know I have a few around somewhere, ha, ha.
-Deb

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS to everyone. I hope now that the major festivities are over that you get some time to knit for yourself. Here's hoping this next week is relaxing and that you get some 'me' time.

This is my adaptation of my own pattern the Take It From The Top. I added a cable down the Front which adds quite a bit of interest to the knitting. Cables pull the fabric in so on the first round after finishing the short rows I increased 4 stitches across the cable panel, 2 sts for each cable crossing (cable crossing on the right side and cable crossing on the left side makes 2 sets of crossings, at least that's what I figure). At the bottom I'll decrease 4 sts so that the bottom edge won't flare out.

This a little big due to my slightly looser gauge - because swatches lie! I seem to relax as I knit and revert to my loosey goosey ways. To correct this I'm knitting 2 more inches to the bottom of my bust and then I'm going to decrease at the imaginary side seams to get the body a little smaller, 1-2" less or 2 sets of decreases. I love the top down for this. I can adjust as I go. Each time I knit myself a sweater I get a better idea of how to make it look a little better on me. Fingers crossed on this one.
Deb

I've been a bad blogger. I'm not absent, just knitting on several projects at the same time. I'm running 2 KALs (knit-a-longs) so thought I would knit both of these sweaters for myself.

The Braids Cardigan is coming along really well. I'm now on the first sleeve (which makes a very awkward photo so I'm waiting until the sleeve is done). I'm enjoying visiting this pattern again and can't wait to have this one to wear.

My Take It From The Top pullover with the added cable in the Front is really fun to knit. I love that cables keep me moving forward, ticking off each crossing. I almost have it sorted out where I have to cross next so I can lose the cable directions.

I have also been working diligently on the Plus Cardigan book. One sweater done and working on two more. They are my secret projects which will be revealed in January when I get them finished. Lots and lots of knitting going on here. Time to get back to it.

Knit on,
Deb