Misty Alpaca

I started and finished a project in one week.  I think that's a record for me!

Le Petite Echarpe

Referenced in my April 10th post (Misti Alpaca Chunky with a FREE scarf pattern) is finished.  The stitch pattern was fun and produced something rather different. 

I made two adjustments:

• After the cast-on, I was ready for a wrong side, so I did a row of purl.  If I made this again, I might try a different cast-on, one without the right side/wrong side definition of the long-tail method and one that matches the pattern better.
• I was ready for the bind off on the purl side instead of the knit side, so I improvised a bit.  I first tried a straight purl bind-off, but because it was looser and wider than the body, it flared.  The instructions had an alternative for the knit side, but not the purl side.  So I did P2tog, *P2tog, pass the previous stitch over* and repeated across.  It was ok, but then I thought the cast on looked bad, so I picked it out, and did a K2tog bind off to match at the cast on edge.  

When things go wrong . .

This week I finished knitting a project that was disappointing in the end.  It was echo a drop-stitch mobius, the book excerpt in Spring 2011 Interweave Knits. Cowl, capelet or scarf, I really liked the way the stitch pattern looked and the versatility the piece advertised.

I wanted to get to work on this project, so I made a fast substitution. (mistake)  The pattern called for 4 balls of Loop D Loop; it has 55 yds per skein and a gauge of 2.5 sts on a size 13.  I purchased 2 skeins of Mirasol Ushya (114 yds, 2.25 on a 15). The pattern says gauge is not critical, but I was a little small.

The pattern calls for a finished size of 10 x 38.  I have a finished size of 9.75 x 31.

Echo Mobius

I have 3 nieces with narrower shoulders and so I will probably pass it on to one of them.

I checked the Interweave Knits website for errata, but didn't find anything.  I also checked Ravelry for any pattern notes.  No one complained about a yarn shortage, but they did mention the bind-off instructions begin as clear as mud!  (There was also some talk about the buttonholes, but I thought those were fine.)

I did not follow the recommendation for the bind-off exactly.  I had been dropping the stitches in the drop zone all along, so I just dropped during the bind off and grabbed the last stitch to bind-off.  (I know that's a poor explanation, but it made the bind-off match the cast-on!)

I could purchase another skein of yarn and make it longer, but the yarn didn't have the drape and shine I decided the project needed.  So, I will look for someone the project will fit!

Knitting Retreat #15

For the 15th consecutive year, my knitting group enjoyed a great weekend at a B & B with lots of knitting, shopping, and laughing.

Shops this year:
Knitter's Palette
Steven Be
Lila and Claudines
Darn. Knit. {Anyway}
The Yarnery

The first four were all new to me and most of my group.  (The Yarnery is one of our old standbys!)

I spent a little money and added to the stack of patterns I'd like to knit and cupboard full of yarn.  I picked up two different colors of Plymouth Mushishi (but I have three different one skein patterns in mind).

I purchased one skein of Misty Alpaca Chunky with a FREE scarf pattern. I wound that into a ball last night when I couldn't sleep -- it had a knot -- most annoying.

A pink and green Zauberball for fingerless mitts.  I have to rewind and divide it into 2 balls so I can work both mitts at the same time and have my colors go the same direction.  But it is really screaming "Knit ME."  It will probably be on size 1 or 2, while the other yarns are all to be worked on 11 to 13's.

And one book: Viva Poncho.  There are two patterns I liked in it: Eleanor, a raglan poncho with a single cable up the front and back; and Greta with stockinette and reverse stockinette.  Part of what makes that extra funny is that I have an niece Eleanor (Ellie) and a sister Gretta (remember your grade school phonics, long e or short e, my sister's is really the one spelled correctly).

I also carted some works in progress with me.  I didn't finish anything, but I made some good progress on a couple of projects that just need to be wrapped up.  I'm home alone this week, so maybe I will remove something from the UFO pile for good!