Reknit Complete

(...with pictures, hee, hee)

I had no intention of taking pics on this number since I think it could stand a wash and block first. Especially since it seems to be the exact size of some of my fav knits and tee's, though it seems that those knits and tee's that I based the perfect fit on don't seem to fit so perfectly at the moment (its amazing what several months of snow,rain and overall yucky weather weather can do to an exercise routine and directly affect ones waistline...definitely time to pull out out the sneeks and hit the pavement). Boy, I wish I cound do indoor workouts, but I even prefer yoga outside though my Levi's are telling me shape up or size up right now. And I have to admit that before I wet block I usually have to wear it first to give a test spin and then move on to washing it and then forget about taking pics of reknits by that time so I thought this one shouldn't be any different.

~with tee or without and with collar folded or up~

Project Specs:
Pattern: Rebecca 19 Mottled Sweater
Suggested Yarn: GGH Via Mala
Yarn Used: Noro Kocharan (two strands held together)
Needle Size: US 15 (one size smaller than suggested)
Gauge: almost 2.5 st/in (preblock)

Gotta love that all in one piece, in the round, no seaming pattern!

~i know, i know, i could stand to have that lighter stripe a few inches higher, lol~
~stay tuned for the magic of block 'n grow~
(though i'm not looking forward to the lightest part of the knit in the mid region either...let me stop before i rip this again...though if i move that to the bottom it could give the illusion of some shape there..hmmm...ok i'll stop...for now)

See, now that's something that I would not have even seen if I hadn't seen a picture of the sweater on (you thought I was done with that, right, lol). I don't have full length mirror and don't want one, but I think its quite interesting how things can look great looking down and just dead wrong head on. Wonder what other "color collisions" I have had in the past. Sure it doesn't help that is a wee bit short in the front (resulting in a slight tug of the front and coincidentally causing a "lowering of the light". I like the roll, but I should've thrown a purl row in there just where I want it to stop. Guess I just should have blocked it to spare you the dialogue about it. And just to compare the fit and look of the same sweater knit with one taking the finished size into consideration and the other...not, I took a pic of the brown mottled that I can put about three layers under and have (i'm not even kidding). I must admit that I really like the fit of the oversized brown, but feel so limited by the fact that if I wanted to wear it without a tee, I just can't (not that it would ever happen...i layer everything, but knowing I can't bothers me. I mean you could see through the armhole if I tried let it travel "without tee" and don't even want to think about the "bra antics" I'd have to go through to work it. But on the other hand the smaller version is perfect at the armhole, but a little snug at the bottom (so either I need to incorporate more stitches or stomach crunches in the next go round...yes there will be another). Blocking should help that I think. I just need a bit here and there and here again. That Kochoran seemed to grow with every wash the last go round. I kept thinking "are you done yet?" and it just kept right on going. If I hadn't ripped it, I would probably have a knit dress by now.

So overall, I'm pleased with it.

But I've got one more comment in regards to the circ knitting. I didn't really struggle seaming my first garment (the knitting was the struggle), but it did anx me enough to try the circular knitting (eliminating most of the seaming at least) which I incorporated into most knits for a while, but I have to say that if you ever rock from side to side in one of those circular numbers that are knit too big and fall below the hips (like my brown one) you may feel a bit...like a bell. But of course it could be because I occasionally shake from side to side and say "diiiiing doooonggg" when I wear it...why...I don't know. I have the feeling that this is one of the things one of my close friends would say "don't share that..." thought with those that don't know you "...the may get the wrong impression". And what impression is that exactly? I have to admit that even if it amuses me (and only me as it seems), I just can't stop until its not funny to me anymore, lol ;)

Size does matter...

I have been working on my Noro Kochoran reknit and it's going quite well I think. I really like how it knit up using a smaller needle size.

Reknititing in a more appropriate guage is great. Here is what I started with. Not only does it leave me with a knit that actually fits in a manner similar to the look of the original, but look what I have leftover. And with that unused skein, I should be able to easily make something else. Woohoo, now if that's not a reason to check and recheck gauge I don't know what is. What is currently rewound is two strands of Kochoran held together, so I may have to separate the strands depending on what I choose to knit. The brown and browner one has become a wardrobe staple as is. I wear it layered over many things thoughout the fall/winter. I think the wool just works at that size, but the kochoran combo just hung like it was obviously too big. Must commit to swatching it up like Colleen. Thanks Colleen for letting me know what I need to be doing. Maybe it will cut back on the amount of frogging happening on my little lily pad.

Mini's favorite scarf goes up in smoke?

I finished this scarf ages ago and it has definitely become mini's fav (though i have to admit that i did not enjoy knitting it). I decided to take a pic of her it before it was completely picked apart as she's started to come home from school with pieces of it asking me to "knit them back on please...isn't that cute?)

The reason this scarf has come "top of mind" though is 'cause someone mentioned that they thought Sirdar Fizz was recalled due to the fact that it is highly flammable. They thought that an email was going around about it. Has anyone else heard about this? I must say that I also heard that its certain colors and maybe dye lots, but all that really doesn't matter. That scarf is history in mind if it has the remotest chance of harm. And I don't have the ball band anyway. I'll have to knit up a replacement scarf. Don't want to see mini's face when I tell her that the scarf has to "go away", though I'm sure she'll grow to love a less dangerous pink number in the future.

I found this yarn in stash and for the longest time could not figure out why I would buy one ball of yarn especially this type as I don't enjoy knitting with novelty though it is so soft and appealing to look at. But, as it turns out this yarn was to be knit along with the sirdar fizz in the above scarf. Its so funny 'cause I remember knitting the scarf feeling that "something was missing", lol. Oh well, at least that leaves this yarn for a potential boa though I'm not quit sure I want to use it for such now. I don't think the fluff is going to be long enough to simulate a boa. I must say it was a mess trying to find that end though, but eventually I did and now the ball is rewound and ready to go. Hmmm, wonder what I'll make with it. I know, it would make the perfect...BUNNY!

Lemony Snicket Week

A Series of Unfortunate Knits

~manos, why aren't you cooperating?~
It all started with the shark attack on my clapotis and went downhill from there. I have done a bit of unraveling, but have yet to knit up those unfortunate stitches.

~lara girl, behave why dontcha~

I've been knitting on "Lara girrrrl , you too small". Remember her. It was quite funny to be knitting one sleeve to another and I'm feeling that its on the big side. I'm on gauge but something doesn't feel right. And without schematics, I'm just a bit lost. Maaaaan, If I have to knit this again...but have I stopped knitting yet...NO. And you guessed it, I now have a new name for it. It's now "Lara girrrrl, you too big". Not a fan of those baggy sleeves that I know are gonna grow even bigger with wear and wash. And that collar goes up to my ear (did you catch that?). It appears that Lara is Audrey's cousin. That family has something against me. So now I'm working on "Lara, you betta fit" or at least that's my hope.

Then we have this GGH Kid Soft number. Any guesses what this was going to be? No guesses from you Ei (cause you know what it is). Isn't her new layout just beautiful. Thanks for encouraging me to knit this sweater. Now if I just can just get my act together. It was supposed to be a wrap cardi, but somehow ribbing started to emerge from the ball of yarn. But look. Another supposed to be "easy knit...will travel" did not hold up well while I yapped it up with friends. I must be more careful about choosing an appropriate "mindless knitting" for the road. Mine have required more thinking than anticipated. You (or shall I say I) can't be lookin' off from this mohair before it takes off on it on (if only it would take off knitting itself up and not dropping down) But I finally got a rhythm going and finished the back, but wait. This is about unfortunate knits right. So here the unfortunate thing. When changing from the smaller ribbing needles I picked up among the many addis floating in my bag the wrong sized addis, UGH. So now that darn thing is way to small. And I thought it looked pretty good, but it doesn't! It's just pretty small! With the many sizes of addis floating in my bag, I have decided to put a bit of the yarn on each of the corresponding needles, so when I pick it up from stitch holders or whatever I can identify the proper needles easily. For some reason I thought it would be fairly easy to rip. How easily we forget. So once again, I used Anita's tips for ripping mohair for those problem sections and it is coming together for me now. That remote has been quite handy.

~ggh soft kid making a come back~

Sometimes, I just don't know when to quit. I try to make a habit of putting knits down when they are working against me at the moment or when we just aren't vibing. But I gotta remember not to pick up something else and just start battling with that as well. Some days I just gotta "Step away from the knitting" and that would be all knitting and just take a break. I need to pick up another hobby. Hmm...I'm not reading as much as I'd like too. I'll have to pick up a good book.

Scotchgard your knitting...

~eucalan no rinse wash~
While sitting at work I spilled coffee all down the front of my favorite sweater. Missed my mouth completely. And that would be coffee complete with hazelnut creme, milk and sugar. Okay so it's really syrup, but you get the picture.

As I slowly look down reaching for a Kleenex and trying not to make it run even further down my sweater, I notice that it really just sitting on top of the seed stitch not really being absorbed in. I lightly and I mean lightly dab on it a bit and notice that it is being completely absorbed by the Kleenex. I go to the next spot and the next spot and the next spot...ok I won't take you through every spot, but I tell you there was a lot of coffee there and every spot came up not leaving a hint of coffee. I was amazed. Another reason to run out and buy another bottle for sure. And yes, I had to tell everyone that passed my office within the next few minutes (some found it interesting and others, you know). But my 3 minute game of "where are the coffee spots?" was quite entertaining (yes, i'm easily amused).

~favorite sweater less 10 minutes after arriving home~

So why may you ask did I have to make a mad rush to throw it in a bath less than 10 minutes after I got home. Because when I got home (while telling someone about my sweater that survived a coffee shower), I ironically spilled a boatload of marinade down the sleeve of my sweater while transferring some salmon into a baking dish. Now I love the smell of white wine and all of my favorite spices, but I really don't want to transfer to all my furniture and things, nor do I think others would share my love of that fragrance for long.

Irony...is it really funny or am I just settling for laughter, lol?

More on bunnies...are you surprised?

I was using some white leftover fill from another project for bunnies I and II and though I have a bit left, I really don't want to use it to stuff a black bunny due to the fact that I don't want white showing through (i could stand to go down another needle size but don't think it will matter if use a substitute stuffing in this case). Ironically, while trying to wash all of my knits before storing them away, I have come to realize that I have a pair of arm warmers when i wear them (legwarmers when mini wears them) that need to be retired. They have been washed many, many times and are past there peak. I have been thinking about what will become of them (though that didn't stop us from wearing them into the ground, hee, hee). So I've decided they will live on...in a bunny, of course. So here is mini gearing up to recycle an old knit.

~with a little moral support from strawberry shortcake~

And here is what we ended up with (mini insisted that strawberry shortcake, orange blossom, and pinky pie get in the shot along with just her hand). Quite big on direction today, lol. She's runnin' this bunny show. And then we went in search of the perfect face...

~wall o' felt~
Right after I took this photo she raced to that boa in the corner and declared that she has to have one...in pink, of course! Hopefully this stash yarn will do the trick. Ideas started to come to mind once we entered the aisle of felt. Mini thought it was soooo soft. And this led to thoughts of what this bunnies face should look like.

~armed with the comics and mini's crosswords we had our own little bunny face think tank~
And this is what we came up with. We are both pretty happy with the beginnings of a new look for our bunnies. Haven't decided on a mouth yet. I think we are way into enjoying the whole process of it.

~i don't know why they are happy, its not like i have a mouth, which i would tell them if i had one humph...~
Somehow I must have knit in a bit of an attitude on this bunny. Definitely have to remove that before we stuff it.

Posted by froggy at 07:08 PM | Comments (32)

My stash...or yours?

GGH Trikolore
100% pure wool
77yds, 100grams/skein
color 42 (greens, blues, purples)
7 skeins total
click for close-up

I originally purchased this yarn to make the single button serendipitous cardigan from Hollywood Knits. I was really drawn to the pattern pic though this yarn would be great with other patterns as well. The pattern calls for 6 skein (smallest size) to 7 skeins (largest size). And I would knit one up myself it I didn't have one already using another color of Trikolor though I'm actually tempted to make another one as this sweater is among my favs. And you know, the designer knit this sweater for Kate Beckinsale to wear in Serendipity during an ice skating scene in NYC Central Park (and yes i had to rent it to check out the sweater in action). It was a cute movie with John Cusack and a side of John Corbett is always nice. Ok, back to the yarn...so the lot would cover all sizes and just in case you are a gal that needs choices, see another color below...

GGH Trikolore
100% pure wool
77 yards, 100grams/skein
color 25 (turquoise, rust, blues)
8 skeins total
G...O...N...E!
click for close-up

The yarn retailed at 13.75/skein and I'm offering it up at $10.75/skein. Yarn has been stored in plastic bag in plastic bin in a smoke-free home. (Email me if you are interested and once I get your location I can give you a definite price on shipping based on your coordinates, hee, hee. I accept paypal and will ship locally and internationally. Any takers?

color 42 (greens, blues, purples) still available

Bunny x2

~mini with ggh esprit bunny number two prior to 'da stuffin' party~

I kind of thought my fascination with bunnies would end with Easter, but it did not. I'm lovin' Kate's Bunny pattern and have not yet knitted it to my hearts content. I took Kate's advice and stayed away from the black yarn for the embroidery this time and feel a lot better about my second attempt at it. I tried a simple x for the nose/mouth using the tail from my Rowan Magpie Rogue swatch and tied a couple of knots in a strand of yarn trying to place the second knot right over the first for the eyes using some leftover scrap from my Rowan Polar Neckwarmer.

~bunny stuffing and just a coupla bunnies~

Mini enjoyed her stuffing party and was able do it without any direction this time. She luvs her bunnies and if you thought two bunnies were enough...

think again.

Air & Space Museum saves a rainy day...

We've had some rainy days lately and though it doesn't take a rainy day to get us to the museums, the museums do provide a great place to learn and play.

~me and mini at Teaism~gotta love that magnetic travel Connect Four
It was nice to stop for tea and warm up a bit before leaving the city. Somehow, we just can't leave DC without stopping at Teaism. I've made a bit more progress since we got home.

This mottled sweater which is being reknit is going quite well. I knit this when I knit only as directed (by pattern) and did not swatch at the time so this new knit is using a size smaller(US15) than the pattern suggests (though i still didn't swatch, lol). But I think it is lookin' about right compared to another one knit on the larger sized needles(US17). At the moment, I have no plans on reknitting the brown mottled sweater (especially since i just wove in the ends). It fits very well over turtlenecks and/or tees in the winter and has an oversized look unlike the pattern pic (but i like it), but the Noro Kochoran grew a little bit more than I liked with washing so I'm hoping that even though it looks a bit small that one wash will ease it into "just right".

~yep, still eating easter eggs~

Late fix

I wanted to join in on Alison's February Fixathon, but I knew there would be no chance of me squeezing that into my February line-up. So as usual, I'm late to the party. But better later than...you know. So I started with one of my first sweaters which I obviously knit before I became mad about loose ends. It's amazing how I won't wear any knit now unless all (ok, at least most...i have been known to finish weaving ends during lunch at work a time or two during that first day wear) of the ends are woven in. But now the ends are no longer loose. I am aware of what a little task this actually was. It only took minutes. But at the moment those ends started to bother me, that sweater was thrown in the "must do something with that" basket and it's been there for months. Why must I make a production out of such little things in order to do them at times?

Then we have the worn out and washed a million plus times Phildar Kate. That neckline needs some serious help (and yeah, so much for i'll do that last end later...try much later, lol). If that neckline isn't proof that I need to get with short rows fast then I don't know what is. Its not like the neckline was all that great to begin with (those ladders are just a pain when it comes to picking up stitches). But after the umpteenth wash those holes have just gotten bigger. So I tried to come up with a fix using a crochet hook. I'm temporarily happy with the current fix. At least enough to give it an immediate wear though I think I may need to practice a bit more with crochet hook as I'm thinking a smaller hook may have worked out better closing up those gaps a bit better as they are still quite visible. It took forever to get around to "take 1" so I don't know how likely it is "take 2" will ever happen. Maybe a few million washes from now. Hmm, maybe I should just unbind and rip the collar out and try it with shortrow shaping...'cause its still looks a bit wacky, but I did enjoy wearing it again. Kate does deserve a proper fix.

Then we have mini's button headwarmer. Looks like this now. I really need to secure buttons better. Mini just loves to twist and spin them. They're all back on now, but for how long?

And in "why didn't I fix that lace before I seamed it" news, we have Audrey's collar that was just bugging me so I decided to rip it off and block it. Now why I didn't block it first?