This week is photography week for the Need An Accessory book. Here's a little sneak preview of some preliminary shots.

Lots more work to be done yet.
Deb

I'm working away on my square necked pullover. It's an interesting exercise. I'm playing with changing the rate of increase on the different sections of the pullover to get the look I want. I increased on the sleeve sections at a slower rate than the Front and Back. This changes the raglan line slightly, flattens it out, away from a 45 degree angle.

I then stopped increasing on the sleeves altogether which is working. I was going to make up the full number of sleeve & body stitches by working increases every round at the bottom of the sleeve but this is the part that's not working very well. The increases worked every round are not happy. I also changed the rate of increase on the Body and that must be redone also. Too many changes at once I think.

I'm liking the neck though and the general look. I'm going to tackle the neckband on this sample and then cast on and begin again with a new approach to the increases. The fun continues.
-Deb (just a tiny bit frustrated)

Finished the bag. I really found working the slip stitch pattern a breeze. Worked most of it in the car. And working with only one colour every 2 rounds makes the knitting very easy. A good colour burst with no complications.

This stitch can also accommodate really bright colours. I'm very happy with the orange which can sometimes overwhelm a garment. This bag can take it!

The handle is worked by picking up stitches from the cast on edge at the top. It's worked like a large buttonhole, cast off stitches in one round and cast on more stitches on the next round. Then work for 1" and Cast Off. The Cast off is going to keep it from stretching because as we all know, a tight cast off will not move at all. One more garment, can we call them garments(?), finished for the Accessory Book. Now to finish the matching mittens.

-Deb

Counting down to the end of our Need An Accessory book, due out in July. My goal today is to finish a tote bag I'm working on and the matching mittens. Rather a flamboyant colourway, orange and blue in a slip stitch pattern working only one colour each row. I'm really liking it, bright colours make me smile.

- Deb

That little bit wasn't a keeper either. Sigh. So I tried starting with the neckband and working the ribbing down.

The idea is to fill in some of the square neckline at the back with a ribbed neckband using short rows. I cast on and working down, worked short rows with the ribbing. It works, the back of neck is a good 1 1/2" higher than the Front and it's also narrower which will help it sit on the shoulders really well. But the directions need to be written out stitch by stitch and if the knitter goes slightly amiss then it won't work. There is too much room for error and frustration right at the beginning of the project.

So now I've decided that it would be best if the knitter works the body first. I'm going to suggest that the knitter work the neckband when they get to the end of the first ball of yarn. Then when they try it on the neck will be finished and sit properly. The directions will say to pick up around the neckline and work the ribbed neckband up. The short rows will be easier that way.

The square neck seems quite large but when it's worn will look more like this. And it will be filled in with the ribbed neckband too.
At least, this is my vision. Fingers crossed.
-Deb

Spring is about firsts. The first time you don't have to wear your boots, the first time you can go out without your heavy winter coat, the first time you can wear sandals, the first time you can wear short sleeves. Aaah, it's wonderful. I think if you live in a place that has no definite change of seasons you miss out on these lovely feelings. We're off to do a little 4 km hike today, a first for this spring.

So a first for me is to limit my knitting time. I'm under orders from the chiropractor to ease up due to tendinitis. So I have to prioritize my knitting. Not a bad thing I think, but really difficult. I have a couple of ideas rattling around in my head and am anxious to get them on the needles. But they are going to have to wait.

Today I'm spending my hour or so of knitting time on a square-necked top down. Just getting started. I've already scrapped the two starts I made earlier. This one's a keeper.

I can't wait to see how it works out.
-Deb