Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Work in Progress - Boring Knitting

All of my projects are boring right now.  I am definitely not going to keep up my finished object a week  streak.  I'm still pushing through it though because I want to finish them.  First is a simple scarf.  The interesting thing is the yarn - it is 100% mink.  It is from Lotus yarns and I don't see it listed on Ravelry, the name on the label is Mimi.  I bought it at the summer TKGA show; a friend and great knitter was an enabler on this one.  This is a simple diagonal rib pattern with two strands.  The sample had been put in the dryer to make it fluffy.  It was a dream.  It is pretty nice now but I'm hoping that finishing will help.

Bigger project is a skirt.  I'm halfway through - hmm, hadn't thought of it that way before.  More encouraging.  But it is boring and a rather slow project.  I'm not even going to put up the picture because it is not very interesting at this stage - it looks like tweed, which is what I was trying to do.

I haven't been feeling well lately, allergies, stomach issues, etc…  My husband's recovery has been slower than we were hoping.  He started therapy yesterday and today is the first day that he can drive so hopefully that will make it better.  I have struggled to get back into my daily routine and it all leaves me feeling a little down.  It occurred to me yesterday that I need a more exciting knitting project and that would make me feel better.  So, that hasn't translated yet into the energy to go upstairs to my yarn closet and figure out what to start swatching.  Hopefully today.  

Our guild has Chris Bylsma coming in this weekend for a one day workshop.  She is doing the mornings on necklines and the afternoon on edgings.  I may have that reversed.  I have taken her Design in a Day class before and she is a very good teacher.  I don't feel that worried about necklines but I honestly struggle with edgings.  I have come to hate ribbing.  Just tired of always doing it.  I go out of my way to find other things to do.  So these workshops should be good.

I promise to try to perk up today.  Checking out the great WIP's at Tami's will be a help.


Friday, September 6, 2013

Finished Object Friday - Second Custom Fit Sweater


Happy Friday!  Here is my second finished CustomFit sweater.    I am really happy with it.  It is a modification of Dansez by Amy Herzog.  Much thinner yarn and using the CustomFit software to customize to my measurements.  It fits very well, especially under the arms which is always a tricky part for me.  It does have more fitted sleeves than I would normally do - I have pretty thin arms so no commercial pattern would be as close fitting as these or even the right amount of ease that I would like. I could have modified that in the software but didn't catch it in time.  The yarn is soft so it is fine.  

CustomFit software is getting closer to being ready for release.  Amy and team have been working like banshees on it.  I want to do a cardigan but haven't started swatting or thinking about it yet.  I have three very boring projects going on and I'm trying to stay focused to finish one of them.  At least one.  Actually I have more than three projects on the needles because I have a pair of socks that I always forget about and I have the Bee Keeper's Quilt that I go in stops and starts on.  I really do need to finish one thing, don't I?

Head over to Tami's and Wisdom Begins in Wonder to see all the great projects.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Work in Progress Wednesday

We're back to the regular school year routine.  Back to school has been smooth - hard to believe that next year will be college not high school.  Guild started last night for the year.  I have the honor of being the president this year and it is more hectic than I expected, even after being on the board last year.  But we had a great meeting, good turn out and we're in good shape on membership - lots of new members, several previous members who have come back, and people just getting their renewals in faster than last year.

Our program was the first part of a KAL for an Elizabeth Zimmermann set in sleeve pattern using EPS.  I'm just going to do the doll sized sweater to get the techniques.  This is how much I got done in the doctor's waiting room this morning.  My husband has the green light to start physical therapy Monday, which means he is then cleared to drive and won't have to wear the sling/contraption he is in. Good News!  I will be very glad when he can drive, he definitely has cabin fever.


My major project right now is a skirt, top down.  You can see the black waistband and the body of the skirt coming out.  I'm probably three inches further on this now.  Very mindless knitting which is good but I might be bored quickly.

Head over to Tami's to see the other projects.