Ravellenics Update

For those of you that have been participating in the Ravellenics, you know we only have one day left to finish our projects. I haven't been posting a lot, but I sure have been knitting. After finishing the Big Montana Tunic (again), I wanted to knit just one more sweater for myself. Last Saturday, I received a sweater's worth of yarn I had ordered from Webs' summer sale and so of course, I cast on.

The yarn is Classic Elite's Moorland, a really interesting blend of merino, alpaca, mohair, and acrylic. This blend really lends to a soft yarn in a marled color, that also sheds and splits. It's really beautiful but can also be a pain when you're trying to pick up a dropped stitch. 

The pattern is the Bailey Cardigan by Amy Christoffers. Right now that I weigh about 55 pounds more than I normally do, I'm all about the open front cardigans. At this point I've knit the entire body, woven in all the ends, and blocked it. I'm working on the sleeves (which are knit in the round then set in) and am anticipating that I'll be done by the closing ceremonies!

I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.

Big Montana Vest (Again)

Those of you that have been following my blog since the beginning (has anyone, really?) might think you've seen this project before. And you'd be right.  This is the original Big Montana Tunic (from Interweave Knits Fall 2009), reworked in the same (frogged and washed) yarn, only with a few modifications this time. 

After reading that old post, I realized that I originally inteneded to reknit at a tighter gauge, but I didn't do that. I did however, take out the shaping. The tunic is A-line but I don't think that's very flattering on me since I'm on the short side and the piece is already so bulky. I cast on for the smallest size and did one set of decreases to get the bust size for the second size up. I also knit the sweater to 16.5" instead of the 19" recommended by the pattern. I think the mid-hip length will be more flattering. I'm aiming for a "hug your curves" kind of look. That's all to be determined considering I can't try this puppy on quite yet.

I was also able to pick up the appropriate amount of stitches for the cowl (didn't pick up enough last time) so after blocking it's laying a bit better than it originally did. 

My final modification is yet to be made: I'm thinking of over-dyeing this. My goal is more of an olive green so I'm on the lookout for lemon-lime Kool Aid (you have some? Send it my way!). I'm not sure why I bought this color, besides the fact that it was on sale and being discontinued. Either way, I'm not in love with it and it's headed for the crock-pot.

Pattern: Big Montana Tunic by Cecily Glowick MacDonald

Yarn: Tahki Yarns Montana in Cherry Blossom #006 (4 skeins)

Needles: US11 (8mm) for ribbing, US13 (9mm) for body, US15 (10mm) for cowl

Began: July 27

Completed: August 1

Ravelry Link

I feel like I'm making good progress on the 2012 knitting goals. I've knit the four pair of socks (Goal #3), fixed the Montana Tunic (part of Goal #2), and have made 3 of 5 sweaters for myself (Goal #4). I'm swatching tonight for sweater #4 and have yarn lined up for #5. 

Finally, I'm still looking for test knitters. Please email me if you're interested or have any questions. Details can be found here. 

Montana Tunic: Check.

Yes, it's really true. I have finished the Montana Tunic. My picture is lousy because I finished just in time for the sun to go down and to have to use the artificial lighting in my dining room. But at least there's a picture. I'll work on getting a better one tomorrow.

Ravelympics medal for completing the Montana Tunic

It feels good to have this project finished but truthfully? I may ultimately unravel and re-knit it. You ask why? Well, the large gauge (the body is done in size 13 needles) and the reverse stockinette stitch lends itself to some stretchiness and I feel like knitting it on smaller needles could get me a better fit. Also, I think it is too long for my frame. I'm not very tall to begin with and this is just a wee bit too long. I would like it to be mid-hip length. At this length I could probably wear leggings with it, but I'm not really the leggings kind of girl.

So tell me, what do you think? Should I reknit this or leave it as is?

Pattern: Big Montana Tunic by Cecily Glowik

Yarn: Tahki Yarns Montana in color Cherry Blossom (4 skeins)

Needles: US11, 13, and 15 24" circulars, US11 16" circular

Began: February 12

Finished: February 23

Ravelry Link

Chef's Hat?

I have finally completed a project for Ravelympics. The Montana Tunic has been causing me distress so I thought that I would do some instant gratification knitting to make me feel better. And thus, the Shroom Hat was knitted. It is a free pattern from Knitty.com and calls for two skeins of Spud & Chloe Outer. While I do have the yarn, I didn't want to use it just yet. I instead used a skein of Malabrigo Yarn Chunky. I started this last night during a movie and finished this morning while waiting for a seat at Wally Waffle. This may be the first hat I've knit that I will actually wear. It comes low enough to cover my ears and puffs up on the top. Since I have a ton of hair I can't really pull off the beanie/skull cap look. Of course, Adam did say it looks like a chef's hat which took a little wind out of my sails. I'll just ignore that.

Ravelympics medal for knitting a hat

Ravelympics medal for using only one skein of yarn.

Hopefully I can get a better picture soon that isn't taken by me in my bright yellow bathroom.

Pattern: Shroom by Lee Wood Juvan

Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Chunky in Paris Night, 1 skein

Needles: US9 16" circulars for ribbing, US11 16" circulars and DPNs for puff stitch

Began: February 20
Finished: February 21

Ravelry Link

Keep On Keeping On

I would like to start by thanking everyone for all their advice both on my blog and on Ravelry. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and have a hard time when things do not go my way. I received some great advice on blocking. The general consensus was that I shouldn't jump to conclusions and see how it turns out after blocking. This includes advice from my mother who, after reading my blog, called me yesterday to give me the I-Don't-Think-It's-As-Bad-As-You-Think speech.

So, I've blocked the blasted Montana Tunic. Last night, I gave it a good, cold soak in the washing machine then let the spin cycle run. After, and thanks to the advice of TwistedinStitches on Ravelry, I beat it with a wooden spoon for a few minutes. Once this phase was complete, I pinned it out my blocking space (otherwise known as our office/room where we put stuff we don't want to see or think about). I left the ceiling fan on all night, and thanks to copious amounts of sunshine today, the sweater is dry. I will wait to try it on until I am finished. For now, I'm off to stitch up the shoulder seams and add the cowl and sleeve ribbing.

My sophisticated blocking set up: two old bath towels on the floor. 

Help! Knitter Down!

The Montana is not everything I had hoped it would be. I've finished the back and am working on the neck shaping but made the mistake of trying it on last night after I got home from Stitch 'n Bitch at Craft Akron. I took a look in the mirror and boy oh boy, are those ladders noticeable. It was really disappointing. I may have to reknit the entire thing at a smaller gauge or something. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what else I can do besides pull it tight. So my completion plan for Ravelympics is to just finish and block the darn thing (definitely using the beating method) and then frog the sweater if completely necessary. If anyone has any suggestions for how to fix the laddering, I am SO open to suggestions.

If you click on the above picture and make it larger you'll see what I am talking about on the left side. While it isn't that noticeable laying flat, putting it on and stretching it out makes it just plain obvious.

A little dog stuff but mostly knitting.

Work on my Ravelympic project has been off to a slow start this week. My in-laws came over for a visit last night so not much knitting was done. Additionally, Timber's mom (yes, the dog) Chloe won Best of Breed yesterday and went on to compete in the Herding Group at the Westminster Dog Show! We were glued to the television and so excited to see her and Timber's breeder Lori. They both looked great and did a wonderful job. You can watch the judging of the Swedish Vallhund Group here (Chloe is the 7th Vallhund to go up and Timber's brother Toby is the 3rd).

Chloe

Ok, ok. Back to knitting stuff.

I've completed about 15" of the body portion on my Montana Tunic. I need to have 19 1/2" before I separate the front and back for the sleeves. The great thing about this project is big needles and big yarn. Even though not much knitting is getting done, I still feel like it's progressing. 

This is a picture of the lace panel. You can kind of see what I was talking about earlier with the ladders. If you look closely, you'll see that the left side is a bit looser than the right. I read in a Ravelry forum that it helps if you beat your knitting with a wooden spoon or a spatula after you've soaked it and before pinning it out. This is done to even out the stitches. Let me tell you, at this point I'd love to beat this project but I'll have to wait until it's finished.

Ravelympics Progress or Lack Thereof

Obviously, not much has been accomplished. It's kind of a sad thing really. I started my Big Montana Tunic Friday night just like a good Ravelympian. I continued it Saturday afternoon during a drive to and from Cleveland. After I had used up an entire skein I felt pretty darn proud of myself. Then I took a good look at the lace pattern I had knitted. The part where I had gone from knitting back to purling had some pretty bad ladders (and I don't mean the climbing kind). I was really disappointed because the side of the lace patter where I went from purling to knitting was fine and I generally have pretty good tension and don't get ladders in my work when using circular needles. I was considering just continuing with the sweater and then blocking the bejesus out of it later but I really want to wear this sweater and I'm not fully sure the ladders won't remain, even after a severe blocking. So I pulled back to the ribbing, something like 12", and started the purling and lace portion over again. Wish me luck.

In other news, the Spud and Chloe yarn I had ordered arrived Friday! I'm very excited because even though I haven't used this yarn before, I've been drooling over it since it was first debuted. I ordered three skeins of the Sweater (worsted weight) in Rootbeer

and one skein of the Sweater in Toast.

I have a very special project in mind for this yarn since it is a superwash wool and cotton blend. I'm hoping to get started soon, but at the rate the Montana Tunic is going, at least after Ravelympics. It's a good thing I didn't make a resolution this year to buy less yarn because at this point it would be way out the window.