Zeneedle...needleart as life

Comes Around

For the next few days the cold is taking hold. The skies are blue, but the "i-word", is being bandied about and from my window the view is somewhat hazy. This is not my favorite winter condition...far from it.

The carport garden Smith built never quite got off the ground, as the seeds were sown a little late in the year. They didn't germinate and grow as expected due to the cold October we had. A few baby leaves of lettuce and kale have been thrown into salads, but over all the ground awaits the returned of the sun (as do I).

While I was checking out the very small, and now frozen, radish plants, Smith decided to snap a photo of my finally finished, Mondo Cable Pulli. I let this project go dormant a couple of times during the process and wasn't sure I'd ever bother to tie up loose ends. However, I'm glad I did, as it is happily off the needles, and on my body.

I made a few modifications, such as limiting the "trapeze" effect of the body and lengthening both body and sleeves. Short rows were added to the back right under the armscye. This little trick keeps the back from riding up unflatteringly. Other "mods" were more mistakes than true mods and I don't, usually, confess my knitting errors.

Bonne Marie's pattern has some very cool techniques, such as the way she finishes the neck band. The trick is simple elegance and it brought a smile to my face, as it was just so creative.  At first I thought it would be hard to make the neck band look smooth, like it was one piece, but by following the instructions the neck band looks lovely.

This sweater also reminded me (one more time) that I'm not a fan of raglans. The shoulders feel too snug, simply not as comfortable as set-in sleeves...I think I've knit my last. I'm also not a fan of worsted weight pullovers, another thing to be wary of in the future. The yarn wasn't a favorite (maybe it's the pullover problem), but the color is exceptional.  

So, back to the garden...we're dreaming and planning what we'd like to plant in the box come March. Salad lettuces, herbs, and greens we can cut and eat immediately will be mostly likely.  Lists are being made in anticipation of ordering seeds late next month. We know the season of snow (although not much has arrived) will give way to the growing season, eventually.

Henley Happening

Saturday afternoon the sun decided to come out of hiding and show her beaming face. Smith was in the garden, so I ran over to see if he could help with a Henley photo shoot, but, as you can see, I could not get the hang of it.
The garden just wasn't the right spot and I could tell Smith was itching to get back to work in the dirt. dang  What to do?

Later in the day I mentioned the photo shoot fail to Suzy and she offered to come right over and take charge.  Maybe two grrls together could figure out a good way to show off my exquisite Henley.

We set off to find a lovely spot for our colaborative effort and my first thought was to go swinging. (You never know what will work.) Suzy tried and tried, however, as you can see, that idea was a fail, too.

Suzy then decided a pretty red tulip would help the situation but, have you ever smelled a tulip!?

We ended up laughing more than photographing. (I tried to discard the tulip behind a forsythia bush but, sigh, Suzy insisted I keep it.)

Suzy also told me over and over to turn around.  I was getting a complex, but she said the back of Henley was amazing, as it showed off Kim's fabulous dye work. The only place I alternated skeins was the front (and I'm not sure I needed to). That should tell you what a master Kim is with the dyes.

Why I had so much trouble knitting this sweater, and trying to get a photo of the finished project, is a mystery but, for some reason, it has been a trial.  The yarn is wonderful, the pattern perfectly written, but they almost did me in.

Seriously, Henley is my new favorite sweater. The touch of the fabric against my skin is silky soft and the fit is just as I hoped it would be; not snug, more like a favorite T-shirt and easy to wear. I made the body and sleeves longer, omitted the waist shaping and found the perfect buttons.

My job is done.  A great big Thank You goes to Kim and Anne, who make a fine duo, and to Smith and Suzy, who had to put up with me.  Now, it's onto wearing and loving my Henley.  Raveled here

To Everything

As the last button was sewn into place, as the last of the finishing was complete, as this saga of a sweater journey came to an end, my breath caught, and I sat in stunned silence.  A silence of peace, of inner prayer, of simple joy.  This journey now moves into a new phase, a phase of giving warmth, softness, luxury, and a gigantic hug from Kim.  Glorious!

 

Kim's Kashmir yarn has survived this journey in grand fashion.  She was knit into another sweater, completely frog, washed, and then, continued on her journey to once again be knit, frogged, tinked and knit again.  She came out of it all looking like Cinderella at the ball.  A knitter must be grateful for a yarn that is willing to do what it needs to do and become something to love. This yarn, fortunately, continues to be beautiful, elegant and splendid. 

Anne's Sprössling pattern is well written with simple finishing techniques for a happy ending.  The only modification I made was to add 3" of length before the waist shaping.  (After trying it on I realized 2" would have been enough, but I am happy.) Oh and, a little extra on the sleeves, too.

The lovely tiny buttons were found at Blazing Needles, a LYS with a spectacular selection. (Buttons for Que Sera were also found, but we'll save that for another day.)  Because of the added length extra buttons were needed.

The simplicity of garter stitch hems and edges compliment the elegance of the lace.  There was no fussing or futzing the numbers for the neck band to look good.  Everything simply fell into place as the sweater came together. The front band pickup was magical, as the first time I tried, the band had no excess, nor was it too small. 

The knitting journey is over and it's been quite a humbling path.  This sweater had it's way with me (all difficulties my own and not the yarn nor the pattern) and it took awhile for me to realize the journey was NOT hard, and that it was my own angst and inability that stopped me from moving forward. When I (finally) broke through that wall, I knew all was well.

Pattern: Sprössling by Anne Hanson
Yarn: Kashmir from The Woolen Rabbit
Raveled Here

Power Sweater

I love this sweater THIS MUCH!

Last week Kym commented that Miss BB would be a "power sweater" for me and I would feel its power every time I wore it. She was so right! Miss BB is not a hard sweater, in fact the pattern is well written and straight forward, but I had so, so many problems from ennui to multiple frogging episodes and screwing up the back cable. (While I don't believe in pointing out problems I don't want anyone to think my back cable is right…it is not.) However, I power through, fudge and fix as I went and in the end I'm very happy with the result. Miss BB looks great, feels great, and makes me feel great, too.

At times I just didn't know if I could/would finish, and yet, I knew the end product would be worth the arduous process. Getting the brain in the right gear has been hard (I'll tell you more about that later). But, the bottom line is of all the sweaters I've knit in 2009 (Eleven), Miss BB may just be my favorite. 

Pattern: Miss BB by Chicknits
Yarn: Beaverslide Worsted, Glacier Blue – 5 skeins
Needle: Addi 6 and 8
Time to Knit: November 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009
Sweater #11 for NaKnitSweMoDo (now 2010)
Raveled Here

Big and Cozy

What's soft, cozy, warm, colorful and a little too big? My big comfy sweatshirt of a Noro sweater, that's what. The yarn is soft and comfortable against the skin and, while it is a bit too big, it is warm and warm is needed as winter returns.  It's snowing!

The Noro Silk Garden yarn has been hiding out in my stash for a couple of years and I'm very happy I bought it when I did, as it's one of my favorite Noro colorways. The colors were left to flow as they might from ball to ball, which creates confusion of how the colors should flow as only one of the seven balls used had no knot. The color sequence changed radically quiet often, but it matter not one whit to me. Every piece has its own character and color flow and the sweater is meant to be fun and comfy. Warm and comfy is key during the cold winter months and this sweater fits the bill.

When my weight begins to return (the docs say it will take a couple more months) it will fit a little better, but it is the big, cozy sweatshirt I imagined. Knitting with Silk Garden was more enjoyable than I thought it would be and it becomes even softer after a bath. (Make sure you wash your swatch when you knit with this yarn.)

The sweater took longer than expected.  I started August 30 but didn't get very far as I was in hospital the next day. As soon as I could I started knitting again, which wasn't until September 27th, it went fairly quickly.  I still didn't finished until October 22.

Pattern: Basic Pullover by Jane Ellison in Knitting Noro
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden - color 201 - 7 balls
Needle: Addi #8
Raveled Here
Sweater #10 for MoDo

Finally Tempest2

Near the finish line of Tempest2 several concerns came to the fore. They were niggling concerns, but they halted the process and forward progress. Unsure I could face the truth of another unwearable sweater it was decided that ignorance was bliss. Shelley suggested that trying a sweater on in its unfinished state right before bedtime may not have been the best idea, but the concerns were (or so it seemed) legitimate.

As the blocked pieces were unpinned, the first concern to present was the limp, almost slippery and lifeless fabric. Maybe Koigu wasn't the best yarn for this sweater.  The yarn used for Tempest1 had been very different as its finished fabric had body and shape. Worry over this new Tempest flooded my mind.

The second concern presented as I tried T2 on for the first time. There was no way to hold the front pieces together without buttons, so I tried to pull the sweater into place and use my imagination. The body seemed too long and unflattering.  Even more unflattering was the short sleeves…what had I been thinking by having them hit just above the elbow?

The final concern was the color. Was too light, too washed out and not as beautifully blue as I'd hoped? The white wasn't white and the blue wasn't strong. Bleh…this was not going to be a sweater to love, to wear, to live in…or so it seemed.

Nearly a month later, this past Sunday morning, I realized it was time to face the music.  This was the day to fit in a photo shoot, confess my mess and move on. I sewed each button (all 14) into place and then slipped Tempest2 over my head. What a pleasant surprise met my eyes! She looked fine, maybe not great, but fine, and wearable. I tried her with blue jeans and that was great. Then I pulled on a pair of white jeans and that was great, too. What a relief to have Tempest2 wearable, lovely and finished!

Pattern: Tempest from Knitty
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM - 6 skeins, P418
Needle: Size 6 & size 3
Time to Knit: July 19 – July 31, 2009 (Stalled adding buttons until Aug. 23)
Modifications: No stripes, body 2" added before waist decreases, double start cast on and 5 rows of garter instead of hem - sleeves shorten to above elbow
Sweater #9 for MoDo
Raveled Here

The Quiet Knit

Looking back, I realize this sweater has been on my needles and I haven't mentioned it once on the blog. It was only a swatch the last (and first) time you saw or heard about this project.  The problem is I update on Ravelry as I go along and forget to share the pictures and problems here. Friday I had intended to share my complaints on this sweater, not realizing it could actually be finished this weekend. Gisela was one of the most unique and interesting projects I've ever knit and it was 100% because of the Habu yarn.

Knitting a wiry, hard to handle string was not exactly enjoyable and patience was required with every stitch. Errors were easy to make if I wasn't carefully and each stitch had to be deliberately formed, which made the project drag.  Knitting with this yarn wasn't an fun process and every little anomaly in my knitting shows in the fabric.  Blocking helps but only to a degree.

To keep the project simple, and finishing to a minimum, I opted to knit the body in one piece, with no shaping. Once the body was completed the rest of the knitting went quite quickly and the yarn became easier to handle as my experience with it grew. Sewing together was a challenge as the fabric (and yarn) has no give. It was difficult to manipulate the sleeve into the armscye, but the rest of the finishing went smoothly.

In the end, I am more relieved this knit is finished than I am happy with the end product. I am decidedly a wool grrl and I plan on sticking to wooly yarns from now on. Gisela does, however look good with almost anything. I've worn her with jeans as well as slacks and my work mates thought she was uniquely interesting. They made more comments than usual and noticed Gisela as something new without my prompting.

 

Pattern: Gisela
Yarn: Habu Gima A-174 
Needle: Addi Lace Size 8
Time to Knit: June 20 to July 18, 2009
Sweater Number Eight for NaKniSweMoDo

Calming the Tempest

In all honesty, I really couldn't be more pleased with Tempest.  After all the problems and angst, her troubled spirit has calmed and she is lovely and enjoyable to wear.  No complaints here. It really doesn't matter if anyone else thinks the sleeves are too short...the fit is flattering and fine.  There is joy and relief in Zeneedleland.

The yarn was wonderful to knit, should wear well (even at the loose gauge) and the sweater is comfortable. With nothing underneath it will be wearable in the warmer months and with the addition of a t-shirt it should be comfortable in cooler months, too.

 

Not only is Tempest one of my favorite knits, there are plans for a second.  Now that I know the pitfalls, I expect the relationship will be smooth sailing.

Pattern: Tempest by Ann Weaver in Knitty Spring 08
Yarn: Araucania Ranco Solid 120 (Black) 107 (Gray) 
Needle: Size 6 and 3 Addi Turbo
Time to Knit: May 23 to June 20, 2009
Modifications: Started with garter hem of 5 rows. Sleeves are shorter (an error). For more details see the two blog posts that outline the process here and here. 
Sweater #7 for MoDo
Raveled Here

She's So Haute

Every knit has its own personality, its own attitude. Some knits are easy to understand, easy to get along with and a joy to be around. Other knits have a sense of entitlement, can be difficult from the get go, and have an attitude of being better than others. Their arrogance can be hard to handle, but sometimes they get their comeuppance. (One can hope.)

Harmony was arrogant from the beginning and she felt she was too good to be seen at the park sitting on a mere picnic table. She deserved to be seen in the conservatory, deserved to be waited on hand and foot while sipping tea and nibbling crumpets. The event of an elegant High Tea was much more her style (or so she thought.)

Once she understood that what she deserved and wanted would not be in her future she tried to get cute, coquettish and sexy.  This attitude really didn't suit her looks or style.

After all was said and done she settled into her own and came down to earth, enjoyed her day in the park and time with the boyz.  She's learned to be herself, a comfortable, happy grrl with frills and pearls, a grrl who fits in anywhere.

Pattern: Harmony from the Nectar Collection by Kim Hargreaves size 38
Yarn: Summer Tweed – Blossom 541, 9 skeins
Needle: Addi Turbo Size 8
Time to Knit: April 20 to May 23 2009
Sweater #6 for NaKniSweMoDo
Raveled Here

The Liesl Dilemma

It's a little difficult to blog about something you've made but don't like very much.  The difficulty isn't the pattern, it's the knitter and the choices made.  With Liesl, what you see is what you get.  The neck determines the size and fit...what you have in the end is determined at the starting point.  If you want a larger sweater, one that buttons in the front, you must make a wide neck. If you make a smaller neck you'll end up with an open front.  That's what the pattern pictures show and that's what you get. 

Liesl is cute, I'll give her that, but I'm not cute, not into cute and because of the way she fits, I'm constantly pulling, adjusting and just feel funny wearing her.
You can see in the back view how the sleeves are small, tight and pull uncomfortably across my back when I move or lift my arms.  This style isn't suited to someone with square shoulders and it was a poor choice of pattern for me on many levels, even if it is cute.

This is the classic case of "knitter, know thy pattern, thy limits and thy style".  Liesl was quickly knit, fun to knit and certainly has charm.  Its charm is suited to someone younger with a different body type.  I do like the way LIesl looks from the back if I'm not moving around. 

 

A knitter has several choices to consider with Liesl when determining fit and style. Make your choices based on use and body type, think through what you want from this sweater, and you'll be much happier with the end result.

Pattern: Liesl by Ysolda

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Eco Cotton – 7 balls 613 Red

Size: 37 Low Neckline

Time to Knit: April 10-16, 2009
Sweater #5 for NaKniSweMoDo