The joys of knitting

Yesterday, I knit in public. I dragged the Turtleneck Tube Vest to Pumpkin Girl's soccer practice. I knit maybe half a row before the other soccer Mom on our team who was so busy reading her GAAP book looked over and chatted with me.

[V's mom]: what are you knitting?
[Me]: a turtleneck without sleeves
[VM]: that's very pretty! [pause] did you knit what you're wearing?
I had my Ribby Shell on.
[Me]: Yes, I knit it last year.
[VM]: That's very nice! It looks machine made.

Ariann

What can I say about this Bonne Marie design? It's perfect! I love it!

Ariann was started the weekend I noticed Copper Bear feeling under the weather. When Copper passed away, I found it very hard to pick up this project (or any other project for that matter) since I associated knitting to fond memories of Copper laying on my feet. The pattern is so easy to memorize and at the same time so easy to mess up. Ariann has been sent to "time out" a few times due to "user error". You know the drill, knit 18 rows then rip out 8 rows.

The holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas) were so hectic that I barely had a chance to knit. I mean all I did to finish this was bind off the collar, seam the pits and weave in the ends. I had to join a new ball to bind off the last 20+ stitches. Unbelievable! I bet if I knew how to do those spit joins, I would not have touched the 13th ball. Anyway, in all the excitement, I wove in the ends on the collar on the WS of the sweater. When I tried it on and looked at the mirror, I saw the bumps on the collar. Sheesh! Another ripfest but I fixed it almost immediately. Who needs dinner anyway, right?

Ariann
Pattern: Chic Knits
Yarn: 12+ KP Andean Silk in Chocolate
Needles: Addi Circulars in US #6, 7 (8 for bind off)
(10/14/06 - 12/29/06)

I finally got the courage to sew on the buttons last Thursday evening. Yes, it took me almost a month to get the courage to sew buttons on this. I'm still not sure on the placement though. It still needs a good blocking but that will come later.

Ribby Shell

Since I was taking pictures of some FOs, I dragged out Ribby Shell for a better picture.

Ribby Shell

Pattern: Chic Knits

Yarn: 3 balls TLC Cotton Plus in Cream

Needles: Addi Circulars in US #8

(08/22/06 - 09/16/06)

I knit the ribbed version. I will definitely knit another one ... maybe the flat-paneled version next. This has gotten so much use (even in the winter time). It is definitely a staple in my wardrobe!

Ribby Shell - it's about time

Still high from finishing off the kiddie sweater (or seeing my kid learn to inline skate on the road), I was itching to start another project. Then I remembered that I had 2 projects that just needed seaming so they can come-off the list. I opted for the easier one. Ribby Shell just needed the shoulders seamed (all 40 stitches in all). This is something I can wear to work - under a cardigan or jacket, so why not?

I was all ready for the photoshoot but then the camera said "card is full". It must've been the movies we took of Pumpkin Girl skating while Little Man was riding his bike earlier that afternoon. Hubby said it would take 31 minutes to download the pictures from the camera so I just went ahead and started dinner and totally forgot about the photo shoot until today.

Ribby Shell
Pattern: Chic Knits
Yarn: 3 balls TLC Cotton Plus in Cream
Needles: Addi Circulars in US #8
(08/22/06 - 09/16/06)
I knit the ribbed version. I will definitely knit another one ... maybe the flat-paneled version next.

My Beach Knit

I started this project at home way back when. I brought it along to finish up while on vacation. ChicKami was knit by the pool and on the beach. I overheard an interesting conversation while I was knitting poolside.

Man says to wife(?): What is she doing? Is that [overhead fighter planes drown all noise]
Wife answers: No, she's knitting. My mom used to knit.

I quickly pack up my stuff and go searching for my family in the indoor pool.

ChicKami
Pattern: Chic Knits
Yarn: 2+ balls TLC Cotton Plus in Mint
Needles: Addi Circulars in US #6 and #8
(07/25/06 - 08/18/06)
I knit the skinny strap version. I will definitely knit another one ... maybe the wide strap version next. TLC Cotton Plus is becoming a staple in my household. I love how it holds up in the washer and dryer. I just wish my local craft store carried more colors.

Beach bound

I'm still here. Visitors arrived at Casa Bear Knits on Aug 5th and stayed until the 13th. During that time, I must have knit all of 3 rows on my ChicKami. To top it off, sprinkler guys accidentally cut our cable access so no Internet access at home until cable guys fix it on the 21st.

After I dropped off the visitors at IAD on Sunday morning, we turned around and packed up the car to head off to our yearly beach trip.

Mondo Cable in action
Once we were settled in and everything, I pulled out my project only to notice that I had to rip out the last 8 rows as I had an extra stitch.

ChicKami on the beach
All is well now and I will have a FO to post soon. Pictures to follow later.

Mondo Cable

It all started as a stashbuster project. What to do with some Orange Cotton Ease? I kept looking at the Chic Knits site. Lo and behold, I saw Bonne-Marie's pattern in orange no less. A new project was born!

This will be a perfect tank to wear at the beach in August.

Mondo Cable
Pattern: Chic Knits
Yarn: 2 balls Lion Cotton-Ease in Orangeade
Needles: Addi Circulars in US #8, #9 and #10
(06/17/06 - 07/01/06)
Modifications: I added a purl ditch in the back. My row gauge was off so I had to add a fourth cable. I knit everything else as specified. Once I seamed the sides, I could not figure out how to seam the bound-off stair-stepped straps. Out came my lifesaver, I ripped back a few rows from the back/front and did some short rows and a 3-needle bind off.

New Technique learned: short row shaping

My First Cardi

Here she is ... Sitcom Chic. I stalled on this project a few times (sleeves and button bands). I got quite confused with the sleeves instructions so I emailed the designer, Bonne Marie Burns. To my surprise, I got a response back very quickly with some clarification. Talk about Customer Service (and this is a free pattern). Thanks Ms. Burns!!!

This project has a lot of firsts for me. I learned a lot! Let's mention a few:
1. Knitting sleeves in the round since I actually started this project before the Hourglass Sweater.
2. Now I know how to create eyelets.
3. Picking up stitches for button bands and collar.

All I need now is the perfect button.

Sitcom Chic
Pattern: Knitty Spring 2003
Yarn: Lion Cotton-Ease in Cherry Red
Needles: Addi Circular in US 5 and 8
(July 5 - September 26, 2005)