It's the Great Pumpkin!

It was not my intention to knit a garment worthy of what I must call my personal Halloween BOO! It just happened! I don't know if you were able to catch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on tv this week. And yes, that is my copy. I don't know why we watched it on tv and then proceeded it to watch it on dvd too. Sometimes there is no logical reason why one finds something fun.

Well, if you ever wanted to know what the Great Pumpkin really looks like or just care for bit of fright click here. And here is the Great Pumpkin in a better mood (drawn and carved by my mini and she still has all of her fingers however I have and increased amount of grey hair, whew). I'll be hiding the kid's carving kit next year. I know, the sweater is still scary nonetheless. I think I know what I will be wearing on Halloween night. And no, I won't need a coat and may not be able to wear it if it's above freezing. This sweater is hea.....vy!

Project Specs:
Pattern: Rebecca Green Ribbed Sweater
Suggested Yarn: GGH Zermatt
Yarn Used: GGH Zermatt color 08
Needle Size: US 35 Addis
Gauge: 5-6 sts/10cm (does it really matter when using 35's)

Have a safe and Happy Halloween.

Armed but not dangerous

As you see from the button, I have joined the scarf Style knitalong. I think its pretty cool how you can choose anything you want to knit from an entire book. There are many scarves in that book I would love to knit and I just decided to start with this one. It's the cover knit. And for someone who thinks sleeves seem to go on and on, I sure know how to pick a pattern (k3p3 rib) that is a bit much for someone with longer than average arms.

I made the sleeves a lot longer than usual and it's such a cozy length for me. My office is always cold so I know I will be pulling them down as needed only leaving the tips of my fingers out whenever I need to use the computer. I may have gone a tad to far in length for some, but I have loooong arms and growing up always looked like I borrowed the sweater of a younger sibling and sported the 3/4 length way before it was in style. I am really loving this length at the moment (secretly, I think it is the fact that it makes me feel as if my arms are shorter than average that draws me into that look). I consider this another plus in knitting your own garments. Can't beat the customization.

I was really excited about this knit when I first saw it in scarf Style. I must say that my initial excitement was squashed a bit when I voiced that I wanted to knit this. "Who would knit that" is what I got (at which point it no longer became a group knit with increased potential for unwanted banter). Can't we all just knit along, lol? So for anyone with similar thoughts, I already heard it. I try to make it a habit of knitting what I want and usually have so many knits going that I just tend to leave certain ones aside if I feel any type of negative vibe headed toward the knits. It's just not worth the dialogue to me. In my opinion, the cover pic is beautiful and if I am not feeling the shrug look, I could always sport the wrap scarf look. And if push comes to shove (knit comes to unknit); I'll just rip it. Uh oh, am I explaining. Darn and I so want to be a BadAss.

The funny thing though is that with every little stab at this pattern I got, the more I knit on it. However there are so many "who would knit that"'s that I have knit in the past that I really enjoy that mere words aren't going to stop me from cast on, finish, or wearing for that matter. Here are just a few of many:

I love these knits, lol!

Now this is not to say that all of my "who would knit that"'s have all worked out to my liking. Believe me, there have been some ripping par-tay's for some that didn't measure up to my expectations. I actually have a scary knit perfect for Halloween that I need to photograph. However, even without a finished knit I have learned something valuable about knitting or at the very least "what not to knit" or how to knit something a bit differently. And yes, I am happy for you who know without knitting and ripping, lol. There are just some things I gotta try first. But I have to say, I have never seen anything that has made me want to discourage a happy knitter to go happily along with their knitting way. I feel it just a matter of choice and we are all at different points in knitting at different times and I enjoy my own at whatever place it happens to be and the places where others are visiting in their knitting adventure as well even if they are not places that I will be booking a ticket to anytime soon if ever (how about that for the longest run-on sentence ever). I have a pretty good sense of humor and really don't dislike any of my loved knits any less with the "eww, who would knit that"'s or the "real knitters don't knit with chunky yarn" or the "that is so ugly" patterns that I adore so much . Why exactly must you say that? Next time I'll have to ask. I have to say that my personal favorite is "you won't be knitting long, you go for the quick knits deary". Deary, who says that anymore? Regardless, whether my adventure is short or long, I have definitely enjoyed every knitting minute of it. I've learned something at every stitch. But I have to say that I am stomped. What do you say to that? Or am I the only one that get's stuff like that. I am a bit tired of the "hehe " and the don't know what to say smile that I usually deliver. It's just not so funny anymore. Hope I haven't lost my sense of humor. Or maybe this has more to do with me trying to give up coffee. Is it making me grumpy? Don't answer that, lol!

recycled

It could use a bit of blocking. The starting point of the seams could use some water,tug and pin but this one has already hit the road so it'll have to wait on the next wash for that. And I'm not lookin' back. The temp is really dropping around here so I'm trying to get some mileage out of it before it has to be parked as a result dropping temps. I think this is definitely the start of taking a lot of knits out of retirement. I wish I had done this before now and can't way to recycle the next piece. And Mindy I do find comfort in the fact that Jessica probably wouldn't wear this, lol!

Books & Mag

In the past few months, there have been a few books that I have had my eye on that I have heard were just fabulous. Finally after looking at the majority of new books out there I finally decided to get the two of the latest knitting library must-haves. Ann Budd's Book of Sweater Patterns was one of them. An excellent way to generate some stash busters along with 1000 Sweaters. That book has some great style elements that you mix and match. What a great idea for a book.

My Knitting mag arrived (still no knits for me). Inspiring articles and insider pics, but nothing which warrants renewal for me.

But I have to say that Scarf Style was just so surprisingly good. I didn't think a scarf book could contain so many great and unique knits (and I mean unique in a good way). Along with the cover scarf, here are a few of my favorites: Backyard Leaves, Forbes Forest (and yes I know they are both green), and Ruffles (and I don't mean the potato chip). I would like to try more difficult stitch patterns and techniques and feel like small projects are the way to go for me.

And from Last Minute Knitted Gifts which is another fantastic book, there is this simple Hourglass sweater. The model is wearing it in this pic with some cute animals. The bunny and elephant are my favorites. There is also this beautiful chevron scarf knit with Koigu. I have not had the opportunity to knit anything using the chevron pattern or Koigu. So this one is definitely climbing up the list of must-knits. Also featured is a pashmina cowl. It may be my only chance to knit with such a luxurious fiber as I would never be able to knit an entire sweater with it due to cost. I think this is a great little project for fiber de lux. There are a many other projects that included in this book as well. I was a little peeved that the tank pattern in the last picture is not featured in the book though. I was also really impressed with a section on wrapping hand knit presents which displays so many great ways to present them. Oh yeah, this was a books about gifting and not about knits for yourself, lol. I'll have to knit myself some presents too I guess.

And from Debbie Bliss Seven, I just love this Isabelle poncho. I am really intrigued by the construction of Sandie. The sleeves and yoke are worked as one piece. I gotta try that. There are many other cute knits in there too.

Jacke in Apricot

Here's a side view.

Project Specs:
Pattern: Rebecca 27 Apricot Jacket
Suggested Yarn: GGH Java
Yarn Used: Rowan All Seasons Cotton (Color Fern)
Needle Size: US 6 Addis
Gauge: 16 sts/10cm
click to enlarge photos

For a closer look at the detailed pics, zoom out for full view of left , middle and right photos.

I really enjoyed this pattern and would have never attempted it if Marta hadn't assured me that it was a pattern that I could knit. Thanks a bunch for the words of support! It's a pattern that I instantly fell in love with, but was not a pattern I would ever really knit any time soon. It was one of those "one day" knits. I used to be scared of yo's (don't really know why). I must say I didn't quite understand every detail of the pattern and just relied on the pics to fill in the gaps and I think it turned out okay. I never really let the grey areas stop me and just knit through them hoping the end result would okay. It was funny knitting it because I eventually only carried a pic with me while knitting it and my knit buds would turn the photo over to reveal the pattern and only found numbers of increases or knit 'til x cm's (only a few lines) that I copied from the German instructions (once I didn't feel the English one's were helping me). Also, once I thought one side of the front was okay, I just carried it around in order to knit the exact reverse of it. I think it helped even though I was the mad row counter most of the front through making sure the slants were mirror images. It's amazing that this sweater was never shelved with what I considered not the clearest directions, but then I don't think many translated directions (or any directions, lol ) are ever that clear and have decided to just grin (sometimes frown) and bear it if I think the pattern design is worth it. I surprisingly enjoyed the crocheted edge and button loops, too. Here's a button close-up.

I have to say that best part of this knitting this pattern (for me) was that I went with my gut the whole way through and for once never let the words "you can't knit this" enter my mind. And let me tell you that doesn't happen often. I'm not exactly saying just diving in it and going for it without a plan is the always the best way to go, but at some point in my knitting I wanted to give in to the needles and the knitting motion and just go. I really felt I want to knit this so it feels right and not overanalyze every step ripping and reknitting to my hearts content (make that discontent) the whole way through. For me this led to more thinking about the knitting and how each row relates to the next. I was often asked how it was going and I could only say, "I'll know if the puzzle pieces fit". It wasn't until I pieced it together that I could say I think I may have a sweater. And boy, I enjoyed every uncertain moment of it. At times, I know I get caught on the words "it's a difficult pattern" and I think it affects my knitting. A prime example is the fear of the Audrey collar. That fear really held up a cast on of only 12 stitches. I am hopeful that this little sweater will give me the boost to try a bit more than knits on large needles in St. st. as my most commonly knit piece pick. I have noticed that a lot of first time knitters are diving in intarsia, fair isle, cables and lots of other knits I fear as their first projects. And as I wait 'till completion to tell then what an advanced technique they chose and how gorgeous it looks, the reply I most often get is "I didn't know it was supposed to be hard". Boy, sometimes not knowing is a good thing.

Audrey is back thanks to great knit buds!

With encouraging nudges from Eilene and Lauren I cast on for the Audrey collar, again. It was all going well until I noticed this (I knew I should have headed over to the Audrey Knitalong page for a refresher first, but I knew if I didn't cast on this very minute, I wouldn't start). I think (and I am just guessing) that I left out a row and of course it was on the fourth pattern repeat in. Ugh! I was soooo close. So after work I popped by Knit Happens and was greeted by Holly who is just one more reason to head over to Knit Happens. As always, she was helpful and is just an all-around great person to sit and knit with. As it turns out, in addition to the mistake, I wasn't that happy about the "look" of the lace". The yo's or yfrt's are not defined (more like downright sloppy). I have seen it on the web and in person (or do I say in knit, lol) and it didn't quite seem right. I was lucky enough to see Cindy's Audrey lace first hand. The diamond shapes were very defined (perfectly shaped). So I asked Holly, whose opinion I greatly value what she thought. Rip or put that bad repeat in the center of the back. And she gave me exactly the answer I needed to hear which was that I needed to rip it. It must be a skill to be able to put it as nicely as she did. Holly is the master of delivery! Interestingly enough, I don't usually need coaxing to rip, but this lace was a special case. It's only been holding up Audrey for..ev..er. So I left Knit Happens feeling really good about working on the lace again (Audrey is not going in time-out again.). Then I get home and there is the most specific, detailed well written fantastic way to approach the lace from Martha. As I keep checking my email, I run across even more awesome direction from Lauren and additional info and tools about lace knitting in general from Exina (love her lacework). Just the perfect ending to a knitting delimma that makes me want to try it again. Though the pressure is on now, with all these excellent tools and wonderful encouragement, I have never felt better about approaching the lace head on.

It's nice to know that even if you are not a knitting guru (though that was the cutest quiz and I do love to knit) that you are a part of a knitting circle that is filled with knitting goddesses.

Thanks! You guys are fabulous!