Sloped bind off

I learned about the sloped bind off yesterday.  I’m up to the armhole shaping on the Lace Edge Top and remembered reading about the sloped bind off to prevent the stair-step effect when binding off for several rows so I decided to use it on the armhole. 

You can learn about it here.

I have been knitting for a very long time and did not know about this technique.  Wish I did.

Isn’t the internet great?!

I got a lot of knitting done yesterday since I’m off on Mondays during the summer.  My plan was to declutter/clean something but I couldn’t decide what it would be. 

I ended up going to the doctor for a pain I’ve had in my leg for about a month.  Over the weekend I discovered a lump or hard spot where the pain was centered so I thought I should have it checked out.  I really don’t like going to the doctor for every little ache or pain (or I’d be there every day!) but something told me I should go for this.   Good thing I went as I was diagnosed with superficial thrombosis.

So I got some meds in me, elevated my leg and knitted most of the afternoon and evening.

Sell or donate? Pattern decision

I really need to and want to declutter.  I kind of got of track the past week or so but am determined to start back up again by going through one drawer or cabinet a day.

I want to reap some monetary benefit from all this stuff and have a yard/garage sale with but that takes a lot of time (and help).  Do you find it better to donate or hold a sale?

My goal is to finish part of the basement for a proper craft room where I can organize all the many materials I use and to also have a place for my kids and grandkids to be crafty.

I decided to knit different sweater/shell/tank out of the Cascade Ultra Pima. 

Lace hem Topping from Creative Knitting July 2008 issue

It’s from Creative Knitting magazine July 2008 issue and it’s featured on the cover.  The yarn is supposed to be a worsted weight (same problem I have with the Eileen shell from No Sheep for You) but since this isn’t supposed to be knitted as tight as the Eileen, I decided I can use a knitting gauge/stitch converter and still make it fit.  What a FABULOUS tool this converter is!  As it turns out this converted to the exact stitch count for a larger size so I can knit this without having to blindly convert the shaping !

Yarn isn’t working

I spent $$$ at my LYS on Friday on this gorgeous Cascade Ultra Pima in Heathered Pansy (3705) to knit the Eileen Shell featured in No Sheep for You.  It’s a substitute for the Louret Sales Euroflax Geneva (which is no longer available and would have been way above my price range).

The pattern calls for a worsted weight and I was advised by the salesperson that I could substitute the Cascade Ultra Pima for the Euroflax.  Gauge is 20 st x 24 rows on Size 2 (2.75mm) needles.  I’ve swatched this starting on Size 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and finally got the correct gauge on a size 7 needle.  This is supposed to be a very tight knit but it’s not happening.  The DK weight just isn’t a proper substitute.  I should have known but I just wasn’t thinking.  In the meantime I ordered some Comfy Worsted in Peony from Knit Picks just in case I need to change the yarn.

Questions abound.  Well, maybe only three questions…

  1. Do I use the size 7 needles since that is what gauge was?
  2. Do I figure out what size to knit using a smaller needle so I get the intended denseness?
  3. Do I go with the above mentioned yarn from Knit Picks and save the Cascade Ultra Pima for something else?

I’m not good at substituting.  But then I don’t think this was completely my fault.  The advice I received from the salesperson wasn’t exactly right IMHO.

Please help!

Periwinkle, Sky Blue, Aqua, Lime

 

In addition to the Heathered Pansy color I also bought  (from l to r) Periwinkle (3726), Sky Blue (3727), Aqua (3732), and Lime (3739).  Not sure what I’m going to knit with these but I loved the colors and the feel of the yarn.  With so much swatching I’ve done over then weekend I do not think will not get tired of this buttery softness.

FO – Eyelet Sweaters

I can finally put these sweaters in my finished objects category!  Here are some pictures of the eyelet sweaters I knit for the twins.  Yes, they are two different colors though in person they don’t look as different as they do in these photos.  I also included photos of the sweaters with the dresses, too.   The store didn’t have two of the same dress in the size I needed but the twins aren’t identical so I (and my daughter) think it works out fine.  Aren’t those dresses just adorable?     

My own pattern

Two Eyelet Sweaters

This sweater is knit with Bernat Softee in ecru.  The white yarn didn’t go with the dress.  This yarn looks yellower in the photo though it does match the dress.    

Ecru sweater

Sweater 1

This one was knit with Bernat Sport in white.    

White sweater

Sweater 2

I am debating whether to write out the pattern to post.  It’s fairly easy but I used three different patterns and rolled them into one.  I’m not sure if I will be violating any copyright laws by posting the pattern and claiming it as original.     

I used the border and eyelet pattern from one sweater.  The body and sleeves from second pattern.  The length from a third.    

Would you call this original enough to post the pattern?