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!

Three Needle Bind-Off

My preferred shoulder seam is a Three Needle Bind-Off.  With square shouldered patterns it is very simple.

With shaped shoulders, the pattern is usually written with lots of binding off.  I want to finish my shoulders with live stitches so that I can Three Needle BO.  This can be accomplished with Short Rows.  I have used short rows occasionally, but with very specific instructions.  (Short Rows next time -- it's a lengthy subject!)

Three Needle Bind-Off:

1. Garment parts should be held so that right sides are together. (The Knitty explanation makes this seem much more complicated than it needs to be.)  Occasionally, for a design feature, instructions will suggest wrong sides together. If you want your seam to the wrong side of the fabric, right sides need to be together. 
2. K2tog, with 1 stitch from the front needle and 1 st from the back needle.
   Repeat line 1.
   Pass the 1st st (on the right needle) over the 2nd st for the Bind-Off.
   Repeat lines 1-3.

I watched lots of Video to find one I liked to share with you.  I didn't find one that satisfied me, but I picked two that were close to what I wanted.

This video has no audio, but it was short, to the point, and correct.

Three Needle BO video:
There are some suggestions that I don't do. "Hold both yarns together." I have always just used one and when I am finishing, the other yarn gets sewn in like the other ends.  "..Needle same size or smaller."  I wouldn't use a smaller needle.  I have used a larger needle for binding off, but never smaller.  With most bind-off situations, care should be taken to avoid getting too tight. Finally she frets about a loose loop at the edge of the knitting.  I clean that up that bit if needed when I am sewing in my ends.

A Bead Knitted Bag

This was in my Knitting Daily e-mail today. I had to share because I think it is absolutely gorgeous. I have never tried beaded knitting, although I have friends that have. The pattern is in Knitting Traditions Winter 2011.

I may have to make an additional purchase.

Success with Purl Side Decreases

Here are my 'decrease every row' results:

This is the sleeve opening.

On the left side you can see the left sloping decreases accomplished with an SSK on the knit side and a SSP tog tbl on the purl side.

On the right side, the right sloping decrease is a product of K2tog on the knit side and S(pwise)P PSSO.

These are the same decreases I decided to use last week, but after working with them, I gave them new abbreviations.

Using these sets of decreases worked well for me!

Use SSP2tog tbl and SPP

If you need something that looks like an SSK, use SSPtog tbl.

Slip 1 kwise twice,

return to the left needle,

purl tog tbl (insert right needle into back loop of the second stitch on the left needle from left to right, and then through first stitch on the left needle; purl).

It is complicated, but usually you aren't decreasing across an entire row on the purl side, so I chose it for it's look on the right side of the work.

Need something to look like K2tog? SPP!

Slip 1 purlwise,

Purl the next stitch,

Pass the slipped stitch over.

I got these mixed up 20 times just writing these two posts, but I think the finished line of decreases is worth it.