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October 18, 2005
I've Been Busy
For most of last week I didn't have anything. Frieda still wasn't finished, the sock was boring, and I hadn't done a lot of knitting. Well, I'm here to tell ya that things have changed.
Frieda is finished. What do you think?
Project Specs:
Pattern: Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk Frieda
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk in Color 11
Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows over 10cm
Needles: Size 6 and 8 addi natura needles
Modifications: I completely changed the sleeves with the help of Grumperina. The ribbing is longer - to match the body - and the overall sleeve length is 20" rather than the 17 3/4" specified by the pattern. Additionally, the sleeves were made considerable narrower throughout - a much better fit. I believe that if I had knit the sleeves according to the original pattern I would have run out of yarn. This is all there was left.
And all of it was in pieces 18" or less because of all the knots I had to cut out.
Next up, the first Gryffindor Sock. This is only the third sock (the first two were a pair) that I've knit top-down and you know what, it's pretty good. I am quite pleased with the heel - no holes and when you use a chain stitch, picking up stitches is a snap.
I like the twining cable pattern, even with the self-striping yarn (which I wasn't sure about), and the toe is good. Not pointy like the last pair I knit top-down.
I've already started the second sock, and I hope it goes as well as the first. Have a great day.
Edited to add: I've updated the photo thanks to Lynette. She lightened it and made it better. Now maybe you can see the details.
Comments
gorgeous!! both of them. i think frieda turned out pretty good. the deep red color is lovely. great work!
and the socks! lovely stripes! i love it.
Posted by: blossom at October 18, 2005 2:10 PM
Fantastic knits! It's hard to see frieda's brilliance...a close up please!!!! The shape looks fantastic on you. Love the sock, it is gorgeous...can't wait to see the pair.
Posted by: Carolyn at October 18, 2005 2:15 PM
Frieda looks awesome! And she fits you perfectly. Yay! I'm wishing a little bit that I had done mine in same red that you used - I just love the sweater in that color.
Did you do anything different on this sock to make the toe less pointy, or are you just following the pattern? I need to figure out the secret to less pointy sock toes. Sock #1 is super cute!
Posted by: Cyndi at October 18, 2005 2:28 PM
Freida looks wonderful on you! Look at that, the sleeves fit! The socks are coming out very cute, too :).
Posted by: grumperina at October 18, 2005 2:45 PM
Frieda looks like she fits you great! Congrats on a finished sweater!!
Posted by: Diana at October 18, 2005 2:58 PM
Great job on Frieda! It looks great! Only having that much yarn left would have stressed me out. I'm glad you had enough!
Posted by: Angela at October 18, 2005 3:34 PM
Frieda is too gorgeous for words. Excellent, excellent job.
Posted by: Purly Whites at October 18, 2005 4:53 PM
Freida is simply lovely, and the sock looks wonderful! I will have to try toe-up sometime.
Posted by: caitlyn at October 18, 2005 4:53 PM
What else can I say? Frieda is a beauty, a great color! Love the way the Gryffie socks are turning out.
OK, about the first picture. It's a little hard to see the detail of Frieda because she's in shadow but otherwise the lighting is nice (dusk?). Are you using Adobe Photoshop or some other photo-editing software? You can lighten up the shadows while keeping the highlights by fiddling around with the color controls.
Posted by: Lynette at October 18, 2005 5:42 PM
Yes you have been busy! The sweater fits you really well. I'm jealous. I love that HP sock yarn, too.
Posted by: Zarah at October 18, 2005 6:01 PM
Wow!! You have been busy! Frieda looks great on you!! I love the color, too - so perfect for Fall. And I love the HP sock - completely fun. I am so impressed with all you've gotten done!!
Posted by: Kathy at October 18, 2005 7:06 PM
I LOVE the sweater! And it fits you perfectly! Oh to be able to knit something perfectly for myself. I'm working on it. I am so glad you finished. Is it cool enough to wear it yet? Congratulations! The socks are looking great!
Posted by: Stephanie at October 18, 2005 8:03 PM
I think Frieda is awesome and it fits you perfectly! Congrats on the FO!
Posted by: Agnes at October 18, 2005 8:14 PM
Frieda turned out great! Looks really good on you! Your socks are USC (University of So Cal) colors!!
Posted by: Karyn at October 18, 2005 9:03 PM
Freida looks gorgeous in this colour. It fits so well too.
Posted by: erin at October 18, 2005 9:27 PM
VERY nice sweater, great fit and the socks are SO fun
Posted by: April at October 18, 2005 10:53 PM
Two lovely projects you have here, Steph! The sweater came together SO well--glad you had enough yarn. I really think that the fit is perfect for you :)
and those Gryffindor socks are awesome!
Posted by: Lolly at October 18, 2005 11:24 PM
Ohhhhhh, Freida is GORGEOUS!!!! And that sock is way to cute, man I wish I had knitting success of this quality... you did some fine work here. Can't wait to see what's next...
Posted by: Sarah at October 19, 2005 12:33 AM
What a beautiful Frieda!
Posted by: Wendy at October 19, 2005 4:22 AM
The sweater is gorgeous! I freely admit I was wrong about the sleeves - the extended ribbing looks perfect. Love that sock yarn too.
Posted by: PumpkinMama at October 19, 2005 6:45 AM
OH Frieda looks awesome! You did a great job, as always. I really love the color, I can't way to get my Cashsoft in that color, it's so rich and perfect for fall/winter.
The socks are too cute. They really came out nice.
Posted by: Rebekah at October 19, 2005 10:38 AM
picture is much clearer today! It looks awesome! Congrats.
Posted by: Carolyn at October 19, 2005 10:40 AM
Frieda is gorgeous. I much prefer your version to the pattern. I love the fitted look. Great job!
Posted by: Annie at October 19, 2005 12:25 PM
Your sweater looks great! I have some of the Gryffindor sock yarn, too, and I think I'm just going to make a plain pair of socks with it. I'm loving how yours are coming out, it's great to see how a colorway you already have will work with another person's idea.
Posted by: Jenn at October 19, 2005 12:45 PM
Love your Frieda. I am working on Paula (from same pattern book) and was also wondering what to do with the sleeves since the math added up to too short and too bulky sleeves. I think I will try and adjust them as well. Great job!
Posted by: Erin at October 19, 2005 1:31 PM
Love your Frieda. I am working on Paula (from same pattern book) and was also wondering what to do with the sleeves since the math added up to too short and too bulky sleeves. I think I will try and adjust them as well. Great job!
Posted by: Erin at October 19, 2005 1:32 PM
Oh my gosh.. The sweater looks AMAZING on you! I mean, absolutely amazing! Wow... Okay, the socks are cool too ... I like how you did a higher leg :)
Posted by: Dani at October 19, 2005 5:41 PM
What they said! Really, it's beautiful and I LOVE the length of the sleeves...nothing worse than sleeves that are just a tad too short. You may have inspired me to try another sweater when I'm done with these bears.
Posted by: Marcia at October 20, 2005 9:35 AM
Frieda is fabulous!! (so are the socks)
Posted by: Judy at October 20, 2005 12:04 PM
freida is gorgeous! simply gorgeous...you are going to get so much wear out of her.
Posted by: jacqueline at October 23, 2005 12:55 AM
I LOVE how Frieda turned out!! What a gorgeous color & such a fabulous fit! Was it hard to modify the sleeves? Did you have to modify the body also? You looks great in her! :-)
Posted by: Eilene at October 25, 2005 6:11 PM
