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September 26, 2005
A Long Post
As promised, I have blocking pictures of Backyard Leaves.
And now she's all bundled up and ready to meet her mom. She's off on her journey today, and should arrive by the end of the week.
I debated for quite awhile about the "best" way to sew the 2 halves together. After some research in a couple of knitting books, I decided plain ol' matress stitch was the way to go. I hope Blossom is happy with that decision. If she'd prefer something else, I've included the extra yarn in the return package, so she can do what she'd prefer with the seam.
The back of Frieda is finished. Speedy knit, that one.
And I've started the cables on the front.
This cable business is a little tricky until you get the hang of it and those cable stitches are tight! I was very nervous because when I'm knitting the cable stitches there appears to be a huge gaping hole next to the cable (is this normal or am I doing something wrong?). I was pulling my hair out over those puppies. Then, much to my amazement, they closed right up on the next row - well, they're still there but you can't see them. One of those knitting mysteries I suppose. I hope that I get into the rhythm of the cables and cruise along on the front. It'd be nice to have this sweater in the next few weeks because we are fast approaching sweater weather around here. I have to tell you, as much as I love the feel of the Alpaca Silk, I've been quite annoyed with the yarn. I have run across three major knots so far - 2 in one ball and 1 in another - and a lot of twigs and little bits of stuff.
Of course, these knots show up in the middle or end of a row and require tinking back and cutting off a fair amount of yarn. Did you notice all the new yarn spots on the back? A lot from having to cut knots out. I'm worried that I'm not going to have enough yarn and am going to have to order another ball to finish. You'd think Debbie Bliss could produce a bit better product, especially for what this yarn cost!
I've been thinking about Butterfly a lot over the last few days. I'm intrigued by the pattern, the yarn, the colors, and the technique used to make such a lovely garmet. A while ago, I ordered a dvd on the two-handed fair isle technique. I watched it this weekend and it was quite good. There was also quite a bit on steeking and finishing, which I found helpful as well. I ordered some needles a few weeks ago and they arrived on Friday.
These will be debuted on Butterfly. In reading the Butterfly pattern I noticed that the finished measurement for the small (the size my sister bought for me) is 105.5 cm (about 41.5 inches) at the underarm, which is much too large for me. The petite size is a much better 96 cm (38 inches) around, but is too short. I sent an e-mail to Virtual Yarns explaining my problem and asking for advise. I got the nicest e-mail from Jade Starmore herself explaining exactly what I should do - knit the petite and make it longer - with specific instructions for how to do that. I do so love a company with a wonderful product and outstanding customer service! Very impressive.
Finally, I had a lovely weekend knitting, but also had to dedicate some time to reading my new book.
If you don't have this book, go get it. It's hilarious. I wish I had Stephanie's talent for making the every day things so interesting. I do believe this one is even better than the first (and I wasn't sure that was possible).
As you can see, I had a lovely weekend and today is my birthday, so today should be good too. Have a great day. Happy knitting.
Comments
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Leanne at September 26, 2005 10:15 AM
Happy Birthday, Stephanie!!! I hope you enjoy a wonderful day. =)
Yay for sending off Backyard Leaves! I’m sure that Blossom will love it as it is gorgeous!
And you certainly made a ton of progress on Freida! I’m sorry to hear that you have encountered knots and various types of matter in your Alpaca Silk yarn. That’s very annoying. But on the upside, your sweater looks beautiful!
It’s so nice that Jade Starmore responded personally with helpful advice! That is indeed excellent customer service.
Posted by: caitlyn at September 26, 2005 10:20 AM
Happy Birthday Steph!
The scarf is lovely, as is the sweater. I WISH that we were getting close to "sweater weather" -- it's 80 and humind here today!
Posted by: Cindy at September 26, 2005 11:20 AM
Lovely things all around, and Happy Birthday too! The scarf came out magnificent, it looks so perfect and pretty, she'll love it for sure.
Posted by: Sarah at September 26, 2005 12:04 PM
Well, a very happy birthday to you :) hope it is a great one!
The package for Blossom is lovely. How could she not love that? it is beautiful!
Sorry about the problems with the DB yarn--that is not fun to find twigs in it! Wonder if that is from the alpaca or the silk worm... hehe. Well, the color continues to stun me--so pretty!
Good luck with all of those cables!
Take care~
Posted by: Lolly at September 26, 2005 12:23 PM
Happy Birthday! Mine was yesterday, we're almost birthday twins!
Posted by: Cherylq at September 26, 2005 12:24 PM
Happy birthday, Stephanie! All your good knittery things make for a great day, I'm sure. The cables are looking fabulous, by the way!
Posted by: grumperina at September 26, 2005 12:27 PM
Happy Happy Birthday Steph! I hope you have a great day!
Frieda is looking terrific. She'll be a sweater just in time for chilly weather.
Posted by: Diana at September 26, 2005 12:40 PM
Happy birthday, Steph!
I've never worked with the Alpaca Silk, but I've had similar probs with other DB yarn. Though I kinda like finding vegetation in my yarn. Makes it feel more organic and traditional, like it JUST came from a sheep/alpaca. For what it's worth, I'm finding that the Knit Picks Andean Silk knits up to the exact same gauge as the Alpaca Silk...and so far, no knots!
Posted by: Em at September 26, 2005 12:43 PM
Happy, happy birthday, Stephanie! (My youngest son's b'day is tomorrow and his oldest brother's is Friday!) I had another idea for you for your sock class: Charlene Schurch's new sock book has a "class sock" in it...in miniature. That would be the quick way to go!
Posted by: Marcia at September 26, 2005 12:45 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Have a wonderful day!
Posted by: adele at September 26, 2005 12:49 PM
Happy Birthday! The scarf is beautiful! And Frieda is gorgeous too. I haven't done a cable project yet and if this is your first, your work makes you look like a pro! I have a "to be done" project with cables. I find twigs and knots through my yarn from time to time and it drives me crazy - the knots moreso than the twigs. Again, happy birthday! Oh, I hadn't heard of the book yet so thanks for the reference - I'll get it! Did you say this is the 2nd one?
Posted by: Stephanie at September 26, 2005 1:01 PM
Well she turned out beautiful, Backyard. I'm sure the receiver will love her. And Frieda is coming along so quickly! My goodness.
I'm very curious to have a review of the Holz and Stein, I've never seen them personally, but I hear wonderful things about them.
Posted by: Rebekah at September 26, 2005 1:35 PM
Happy Birthday. All your knits are looking quite nice - I'm loving the cables in that color.
Posted by: PumpkinMama at September 26, 2005 1:39 PM
happy birthday, and thank you so much for sending the scarf off to me so quickly, i can't wait to get them!
and, where did you get those lovely ebony needles? i love them.
eventually i'll order some kits from starmore and possibly kim hargreaves. they are expensive but i think the customer service makes them worthwhile!
i had no idea yarn harlot has a new book. i'll check it out!
Posted by: blossom at September 26, 2005 1:40 PM
Happy Birthday!
Nothing is worse than finding a bunch of knots in your yarn. I had some Adrienne Vitadini yarn and I swear each ball had at LEAST one knot in it. What made it worse was the fact that there were only about 50 yards on each ball. UGH.. I was so mad. But what can you do, right? But I did hear a tip somewhere. If you have a ball winder, wind the ball before you knit it, so you can catch any knots in there before you find them in the middle of the row.
Posted by: Angela at September 26, 2005 3:23 PM
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Linda at September 26, 2005 3:48 PM
Happy Birthday! Hope you are having a wonderful day.
Posted by: claudia at September 26, 2005 3:52 PM
Happy Birthday! I hope you have a great day!
The scarf is fabulous! And the DVD sounds like fun!
Posted by: Purly Whites at September 26, 2005 4:03 PM
Happy Birthday Sister!
Posted by: Wendy at September 26, 2005 4:05 PM
Happy Birthday! Love the scarf (also love the colour of that room!) Love Freida, I can't wait to see it done. Let me know how those needles work out, I am trying to find some I would like to use to knit River and I need to find that book!
Posted by: Carolyn at September 26, 2005 8:01 PM
Happy Birthday, Steph! You don't know me, and I've landed here via a comment to a blog, I think...in any case, the scarf is gorgeous, and I'm glad to read you. Yowsa, those are some nice needles you bought--I'd like to know how they work out.
Posted by: Lee Ann at September 26, 2005 8:24 PM
Happy Birthday plus a day! Sounds like *you* had a great weekend too! I didn't know Yarn Harlot has a new book out...it is destined for my bookshelf. I thought Frieda had cables on the back too, and I know what you mean about the holes. They close right up with the next cable.
Posted by: Lynette at September 27, 2005 9:06 AM
Happy Birthday!! I know I'm late - I was out of town over the weekend. I hope you had a GREAT Birthday!!
And Backyard Leaves looks beautiful! I'm sure Blossom just loved it!
Posted by: Kathy at September 27, 2005 3:00 PM
Hope you had a fabulous B-day! All your projects looks great. Cables are not hard at all. It goes even quicker when you don't use a cable needle.
Where did you get your Holz & Stein needles? I want some & can't find them!
Posted by: Eilene at September 30, 2005 1:57 PM
