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October 18, 2007
It's Important to Read
I made a lot of progress on the first Rogue sleeve yesterday. I finished the chart and the increases and then I counted. I was supposed to have 55 stitches and I had something ridiculous like 35! What the hell? I clearly did not read the directions properly for the increase row and I only did one increase on each end rather one on each end and one next to the marker on each end. Crap. So, I had to rip out to the turning row and start the sleeve all over again.
I'm so pissed at myself, but that's what happens when you don't carefully read the pattern. Lesson learned - again.
I got some new patterns in the mail yesterday - from Hot Patterns (my current favorite pattern company). I ordered a different pants pattern - one with a contoured waist and hopefully a better fit for my body type - and also a new dress pattern.
This pattern has gotten a lot of great reviews and I've seen some gorgeous versions. So, I'm inspired. I'm washing my fabric and then I think I'll try to cut. Keep your fingers crossed for me - my last attempt at a dress didn't work out so well.
Posted by Stephanie at 11:55 AM | Comments (11)October 15, 2007
Tried and True - Updated
The Curiously Clever Clog and I had a little heart to heart and we decided that the pattern shouldn't be as hard as it is. I ripped out what I had and bought the updated Fiber Trends clog pattern. I started the new clogs at about 6 o'clock Saturday night and finished the second one this morning. I love felting!
The construction of these is soooo much simpler than the Stitch Diva pattern. It's basically a sole and a top constructed with short rows. Then you go back and knit a second sole and bind the two soles off together to attach them. There's a seam down the center of each sole and that's it!
The reason I went with the Stitch Diva pattern to start with is that I have narrow feet and I have a hard time with things like clogs. The Stitch Diva pattern looked narrower with a more streamlined fit. However, Fiber Trends has revised their clog pattern. It's "updated with a narrower fit while still including information on adding width if needed." And it is perfect!
The felted fabric is very firm and I felted the clogs enough so that they are narrow enough for my skinny feet. I ordered the Fiber Trends two-piece slipper bottoms in charcoal. I hope they work on the bottom of the slippers to provide a little non-skid action without ruining the overall look of the clog. I'll let you know how they work as soon as I get them.
Happy Monday.
Posted by Stephanie at 1:30 PM | Comments (20)October 11, 2007
Part I Down
I finished the hood on Rogue yesterday while I was at the yarn store.
Pumpkin Mama gave me her directions for grafting the cables and it was very helpful. The process was much simpler with those directions!
So now I just have two sleeves and I'll be done. I wonder how long those two sleeves will take me. Last night I didn't feel like knitting on the first sleeve (you see why I'm worried about how long the sleeves will take?), so I dug to the bottom of the WIP basket for the Curiously Clever Clogs. It's getting cold here and I need some new slippers. I remember now why I stopped working on these. I got to the point where I'm supposed to attach the outer sole to the main slipper body.
Sounds simple right? Well, I'm having a really hard time figuring it out. I did a google search on this pattern and the only blog I can find with a completed pair is Indigo Muse. I e-mailed her to see if she can help me interpret the directions, but haven't heard back. If any of you are familiar with the pattern, I'd love some insight. Anyway, for now I think I'll go back to the Rogue sleeve and maybe just look for a new clog pattern. The thing I like about this pattern is the more streamlined style, but I guess I could knit one to figure it out and then rip it out and redo it. Although that doesn't really sound that fun.
Posted by Stephanie at 10:44 AM | Comments (11)October 10, 2007
Good Times
The weekend was fabulous, except for the flying parts. It's a long and mostly boring story and if you've flown any time in the last year or so, I'm sure you had a similar experience. I got to Philly slightly late for dinner on Friday night, but managed to catch most of wonderful food and a few of the super yummy sangrias. Oh, and just in case there was any doubt, I don't recommend changing your clothes in an airport bathroom. Saturday we did girl stuff - nails and shopping and then getting ready for the wedding.
The wedding was beautiful. Beautiful people and a beautiful location - what's not to love.
And the reception was full of fun people and great food. It's safe to say we had a good time.
The weekend was entirely too short, but it was great to get to hang out with such a fun group of knitters. I only wish we had had more time together.
October 4, 2007
Ooops
After reading all of your comments yesterday, I decided to cast on in a different yarn and see if I thought it was the yarn or the pattern or the combination of the two. I've had some gorgeous Sundara Yarn in my stash for a long time and since I seem to be on a red kick lately I was drawn to it.
I did the first set of cable crosses and had just started the second set when this happened
What is wrong with me? Why do I continually break needles? I know I'm not a tight knitter. Heck the needle that broke wasn't even the needle I was using - it was the one holding the stitches. And I loved those needles. They were nice and pointy. It isn't like I am without other needles. I have some very nice Lantern Moon Sox Stix (my second set, I broke a needle in the first set) and some really long metal ones in 2.25mm, but I'm just annoyed I manage to break so many needles. I considered going to the KnitPicks metal needles, but my preference for socks is a wood needle. Then I ran across their new Harmony wood dpns. The description claims they're very durable and you get six in a pack! I thought it might be worth a try so I ordered a set. Well, I didn't actually order them because they aren't available and they're going to notify me when they become available (the set isn't available either). Grrr. I am not a patient person. I hate to wait. Oh well, I'm not sure what choices I have. Anyway, I'm going to keep knitting on the second version of the sock and see what I think, but so far the smoother yarn seems to be working better with this particular pattern.
Tomorrow morning - early - I'm off to Philly for the weekend. I am not taking my computer (I know - the horror), so I won't be around until Monday. I promise to take lots of pictures and have lots to tell you next week to make up for my absence. Have a great weekend.
Posted by Stephanie at 10:54 AM | Comments (17)October 3, 2007
The Truth Hurts
Be honest with me, ok? What am I talking about, you're always honest with me. That's what I love about you guys. I realize I'm not very far into the sock (discounting the 2 1/2 inches of ribbing of course), but I want to know what you think of it.
Do the cables work? Can you even tell there are cables going on with this sock? This yarn might not have been the best choice for the pattern. It is kind of splitty and working the cables (without a cable needle - is there any other way?) is not that pleasant. I'm trying to decide if I should just keep going, rip it out and reuse the yarn for a different pattern, or switch to a different yarn and stay with this pattern. What do you think?
Thanks for the wonderful suggestions on the pants. I am not going to do anything with them until after I get back from Philly this weekend. I'm just not up to the challenge right now and I find that with sewing I have to be on my game or it just isn't any fun at all. So, Rogue will get some love before the weekend and then I'll decide what to do with the pants when I get home. Distance is a good thing in this situation.
Posted by Stephanie at 10:00 AM | Comments (22)October 1, 2007
So Begins Socktoberfest
Happy Socktoberfest to you all. Tis the season for socks, and I didn't have a single pair in the works. Sad and completely unacceptable, don't you think? Plus I'm flying to Philadelphia on Friday and there's no way Rogue is going to fit in my purse. I have a big purse, but not that big. Rogue's hood is almost done - another 10 or 15 rows I think - and that is one heavy sweater! So, after I made the decision that I needed to start a pair of socks, then I had to actually decide on a pattern. And after the pattern came the yarn. These are not easy decisions, people!
After much debate I decided on the Uptown Boot Socks from Favorite Socks. And I am knitting them in the Liza Souza sock yarn YaiAnn gave me. I went to the movie (the Kingdom) last night and made some progress on the cuff, so I officially have a sock on the needles! WooHoo.
The pants I'm sewing ... they aren't going that well. The waistband is HUGE and the legs/hips are tight. I don't know if I'm going to try to alter the pattern to make if fit or if I'm going to chalk it up to a bad choice on my part and find a different pattern. The legs/hips are a fairly easy fix. I can just add an inch or so to the pattern and I think that would be fine, but the waist is a different story. We're talking probably six inches.
What do you think? Try to alter the waistband or not? This sewing business drives me crazy sometimes, but when it works out it's pretty great. Sigh. Now I just wish it would work out.
Posted by Stephanie at 9:51 AM | Comments (20)
