March 1.0

Mid March: project still in the early stages.

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February projects bled over into March, but I was confident I would have time to finish the Chainmail sweater, which I was really looking forward to. I decided to use stashed Colourmart merinos, in black and burgundy, and went searching for  a harmonizing yarn. I found a Rowan yarn in  pink. Not usually my color, but the yarns seemed to match ok in the store so I bought it.

I went ahead with the pink/burgundy color combination, partly to try new things, partly reassured when a search through Ravelry for this project turned up this  beautilful sweater with similar colors.

Ultimately (though not until after about 10 inches of the body was done) I decided against this and ripped it all out. I wish I could have made up my mind faster, but I still don't regret it.

Instead of pink, I chose a burgundy-green-purple-blue Kauni Effektgarn. This was a very different type of yarn than the merino. It was very hairy and sticky and really sorta scratchy. But the colors are gorgeous, and I do like the effect of color change in the pattern.

Next time: a finished sweater!

March: Beta Testing

 

March: "Chainmail Sweater"

As directed, I tried the pattern in a swatch cap first. It's the lovely Mirasol alpaca and a random green yarn I bought second-hand. The colors meld beautifully and I love it. Except I don't have the suggested medium color to match these, and the guage I got from the swatch cap indicated I would not have nearly enough yarn. So back to the drawing board.

And it's kinda pointy... which wouldn't be a problem in the sweater, really, but still. Otherwise this is my favorite hat I've ever knit!

March is the New February

I just couldn't resist finishing one more February project, even though it bled over into March. This, of course, made me behind on the March project, but more about that later. For now: Longies! 

Knit with Filatura Di Crosa Zarina. Usually I don’t choose varigated colors like this, but the yarn was so soft and squishy I was temporarily blinded. I ran out of the yarn on the longies and the store didn’t have any of the same dyelot, so I chose a pink varigation that matched the green of the blue/purple varigation, and used them in stripes on the legs and straight pink on the feet.

with matching BSJ

 The feet turned out really huge, but I think she’ll grow into them (given the genetic evidence).

like a little easter bunny

All in all, I liked many qualities of the yarn. It's soft and smooth, mega squishy and springy. It stretches to accomodate huge diaper butt. The color I chose is just a little loud.

Episode 3: Revenge of the Baby Sweater

I was delighted to knit this sweater again. The first time I used a heavier yarn and modified the stitch count a bit. This time I used a DK (and on the skinny side, even for DK) and it turned out a great 3 - 6 month size. My daughter is about 1 month old, and it is still a little large on her.

 

I do like this pattern. It's pretty easy (once you are used to EZ's general "pithy" style). The only thing I had a problem with was making up the sleeves. First I just sewed the edges along the perimeter: the initial stitches together, then extra cast-on stitches to extra cast-on stitches, and then arm edges to arm edges. And as you can see this made a pretty stupid looking silhouette there. On my second try, I gathered up the extra cast-on stitches and sewed them to the body. This makes a normal-looking sleeves and more ease in the underarm area. Surely this is what EZ intended, and maybe I'm just an idiot for doing it wrong the first time. But I know I'm not the only one who finds her directions "open for interpretation", so I hope this might help someone else.

 

I didn't have an opportunity to run out for the perfect button, so the button stash had to do. The contrast of the oatmeal color of the button is perhaps a little strong, but it went nicely with the burgundy and matches the natural colored soakers that usually grace the bottom half of my model.

February Episode 2: Attack of the Blankie

The February chapter held one large project, a square shawl, which turned into a blanket because I opted for stripes instead of a lace motif. If I had thought to look ahead to April and see that whole month is a blanket project, I think I would have chosen to ditch the square shawl and try the double knitting project. But we've been using the blanket quite a lot, so I guess I don't really regret it. I knit it somewhat smaller than suggested, EZ suggests 800 stitches (knit in the round), but I stopped at about 500. It's a fine size for covering up a baby in a sling as we walk around in the chilly spring air.

I like how the corners turned out, with the color from one stripe sort of travelling up to the next stripe. I used recylced yarn, and yarn from my Modern Lace Henley, and the purple was left over from child's boot socks. Can you spot the non-matching dye lot? The very last row of purple doesn't quite match!

The knit-on garter stitch border felt like it took forever, and I forgot the miter the corners. But I think it turned out fine anyway.

It's simple, but quite pretty I think.

No really, she loves it.

St. P4trix

Here's a cheer for all that's green and lovely--

yay!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Episode 1: The Moth Menace, director's cut

Casualties in the Moth War:

These booties were rendered completely useless, but the cap needed only minor repairs.





The sole of one bootie was completely chewed off by the buggers.

And Ruby's BSJ needs repairs...



...as seen in March 2005... now there is a hole in the sleeve and on the button placket :( We'll see how the repair process goes.

I now keep a sharp look out in my stash for the signs (which for me was never an actual moth, just eggs and little webby stuff). Also, any yarn acquired from a non-standard source gets The Treatment in the freezer. Moths are a social disease... take precautions... stay safe!