Category Archives: knitting

On the edge

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I finished the knitting part of my Lace Hem Topping and the two pieces were blocked yesterday.  What’s left is the seaming (ugh) and the crochet edges.  I have several crochet hooks and can do a chain stitch.  The finishing edges on this shell involve a row of single crochet once around the armhole and neck edges followed by a row of reverse crochet.  Does crochet even have rows?  

I did a search for these two techniques and think I have it but am open to more advice.  Can you direct me to any good videos that show these two techniques so I have the confidence to put this shell on my FO list?  Or better yet, come on over and show me!  

Of course I’m itching to get started on another project while waiting for the above shell to dry before seaming and adding the crochet edge.  While in my least favorite store the other day, I came across these fabulous colors of Caron Simple Soft yarn (worsted weight or #4).   

Caron Simply Soft

 

Colors from left to right: Pistachio, Blueberry, Strawberry, Persimmon (soft coral), and Sunshine.  They look a bit bright but they are very soft colors.  

I have three baby sweaters to knit for friends babies and grandchildren by September.  I need help with the color combinations.  Not sure what pattern I’m using but fell in love with this pattern.  It’s for adults but it couldn’t be that hard to take some elements and make it suitable for a  baby or child, could it?  

I think what I like is the texture of the garter stitch against the stockenette.  Do you think I could adapt my eyelet pattern for this?  Or perhaps the 5-hour baby sweater pattern, only make the garter stitch bottom edge extend more into the body by 3 inches and overlap the front edges by 3 inches?  I’m not sure how I would do the neck…and since the pattern is a neck-down pattern, I’d have to figure that out ASAP!  

Color combos?  I would use 2-3 colors for this.  Body (stockenette) in one color, bottom and front panel (garter) in color two, and an optional 2-3 rows in stockenette between the body and garter on color three.  I don’t have a scanner or I would show you my sketches.All sweaters are for girls…as if that should make a difference.  Two for size 6-months and one for 18 months.

Dropped stitches

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On the third row of the neck shaping I discovered this:

Dropped stitches

I somehow dropped the first three stitches.  It must have happened when I was detangling the yarn.  Fortunately I saved the project before it got off to much.  Now I only have 20 more rows and I can shape, sew the seams and block the finished top.   Will there be a fashion show by the end of the week?  We can only hope!

Last nights dinner:

Pre-kebab and dessert

Dinner on the grill

Disaster strikes

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I was messing around with my theme yesterday and lost my sidebar.  I think I got everything back in place but I don’t remember exactly what it looked like before said messing around.

I did consolidate all the sweaters in the gallery instead of classifying them by construction.  The gallery is sad but since I forget to take pictures of most of what I knit, it’s the best I can do for now.

I’ve knit several soakers for my daughter’s twins but I have no pictures of them since I give them to her just as soon as I finish them.  Maybe she can take some pictures so I can post them.  For those of you wanting to knit wool soakers for your cloth diapered babies, I use the Curly Purly Soaker pattern.  Love. It.

I managed to get a couple of hours of knitting in yesterday and finished the lace edging on the Lace Hem Topping.  Still not a huge fan of lace though I did get into the rhythm.  As a visual learner, I thought charts would be easier than written instructions and maybe they will once I learn what the heck the symbols mean.

First up this morning is cleaning, deep cleaning the bathroom.  Washing the rugs and shower curtain cleaning.  I might even tackle the linen closet or perhaps a shelf.  After all I have to do something to “earn” my knitting time.

Seaming

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I’ve read so many posts lately about seaming that I had to jump on the topic as well.   

I HATE seaming!  In fact I will avoid some patterns if they require a lot of seaming.  Sometimes I can adapt a pattern to eliminate the seams but not always.  I prefer raglan sleeve patterns over anything with a set-in sleeve. 

Since I’ve spent so much time making the “fabric” for an item, I want it as close to being finished as soon as the last stitch is bound off the needles. Granted some patterns are just to big and bulky to knit without seams but a baby sweater shouldn’t have a gazillion seams.  Is it just me or do you feel the same way? 

Just my rant for the day.  What’s your opinion about sewing seams? 

Lace hem Topping from Creative Knitting July 2008 issue

 

I finished the back of the Lace Hem Topping last night and already cast on and knit the first few rows of the front.  Yes, this will have seams but only the sides and shoulders.  I can handle that. 

I hope I can work on this over the weekend but I have neglected my decluttering goal for a few weekends and I really must do at least one drawer, cabinet, room or closet each day.  Period.  

Pictures of my progress will be posted…as soon as I have some progress.   

Thanks for reading.  =)