Proof positive that I am officially back in the zone:
A finished knit!
AND might I add, a fab new camera so's I can dazzle ya'll with (for the most part...)some non-blurry images for once.
Head/hair flip notwithstanding, at least the shrug is in focus! I haven't entirely figured out how the stinking thing works yet I must say...and when I think back to all the SLR photography courses I took in college NONE of those seem relevant now.
But I digress, this has been wedding shrug experiment numero deux...
the deets:
yarn: about 2.5 balls worth of Elsebeth Lavold's Hempathy in "Sunflower" (I think? somewhere else this colour appears to be listed as "citrine" hmmmm) 41% cotton, 34% hemp, 25% modal.
needles: 4mm and 4.5mm
pattern: Two-tone ribbed shrug from Stefanie Japel's Fitted Knits 16 inch size
mods: smaller yarn, slightly smaller needles and shorter sleeves.
I was looking for an excuse to knit with Hempathy. Why did I need an excuse? um, I guess cuz I never really knit with summer-weight yarns, and I've definitely never knit with Hemp before. Anything knit, reagrdless of what it's made of is going to be hot as far as I'm concerned. Around these parts there is simply no relief from a 50 degree humidex, so what's the point? Well, Vegas may be a different story. It's hot there, but it's not sauna hot. A girl can cover up a tattoo in a place like Vegas...
Hempathy is predicatably scratchy. But also, it's not. There is a roughness to it that is not unpleasing. Never fear, there are no dreadlocks in my future... Plus, it likely softens up with a good blocking (which I didn't bother with --maybe later).
And this pattern...straight forward and well-written. It went up like a charm. This was actually the first thing I've knit out of this book. When I first bought it a couple years ago I felt like there were many patterns in it that I was drawn to, but in the end, not so much. Maybe my knitting tastes have changed? Maybe I got tired of looking at that weird waist-band included in every sweater? Who knows, but the bloom was defintely off THAT rose for me. When I went though it again though it seemed like there was a lot I'd over-looked.
Was this the best yarn choice for it? Again, not sure. (The pattern calls for worsted weight) so I was pretty much just knitting a bigger size on only slightly smaller needles. It came out fine, I love the colour, the airy-ness etc. but the collar definitely does not stand up the same way it should with a thicker yarn. And I feel like all my woven-in yarn ends are highly visible (they likely are not but I'm definitely aware of them).
In the end a cute shrug, but far too casual for a wedding I think (also tattoo pretty much visible through it...) in that plain stockinette. The drama factor I was hoping for with the collar didn't really pan out in the somewhat drapier yarn.
I think I might have to stick to a lace pattern if I am indeed going to go the shrug-route. But for now I'm going to hold off a bit.
Plus it's almost SUMMER...I have more relevant things to knit like uh, mittens:
(why I suddenly became obsessed with having to knit these I have no idea, but I'm glad I did and they are WAY cute)
and scarves...
Just when I thought I was getting somewhere on this last one I got to the middle section in the pattern that states: "now carry on in this ribbing for 47 inches". SAY WHAT???? 47 inches before I can even begin the final 3 feet???? I thought it HAD to be a type-o.
Nope. I went back and checked out the final measurements. You are supposed to knit this scarf for NINE FEET. Presumably so that there is lots of length to tie it into a bow, but come on. Ugh this is going to be a long-ass slog. See you in September.
Just kidding. All this scarf knitting is peripherary as far as I'm concerned. I'm currently debating on what sweater project to sink my teeth into. And some hats.
Essentially I plan to ignore the fact the summer's coming and continue to knit like it's still winter. Suck on that one mother nature.
10 comments:
I am impressed with your ability to knit scarves. They make me INSANE. i have absolutely zero patience for them which is why I've recently fallen in love with shawls and of course have always preffered a cowl.
I just made a deal with myself that after I finish the sweater I am *thisclose* to finishing I will spend at least one month on projects other than sweaters. Unfortunately I only have an itch to do hats and blankets. Good summer knitting? Not so much... <3
Woah - that still seems a lot of knitting for someone recovering from a wrist injury!
Love the colour of this shrug, but dare I say I like the green one better?
Does this mean you found a dress?
Cute in that yarn - I made this in KSH recently and had the same wish that the collar could somehow stand up. Ah well. Glad you're back on the knits.
Also, I did not find a dress. I've found several "back-up" dresses in the process though...
Sarah --great minds think alike! it's beautiful in the KSH...you are braver than I to attempt it in that!
yes missus!! I'm a makeup artist- you get 60% off it you work there!
i understand - i am addicted to sweater knitting too. regardless of the ridiculous southern california heat!
9 Feet! Holy crap! You are a dedicated woman.
I knit that same shrug, once, but missed an important part of the pattern. It turned out weird. I like yours much better!
i love the shrug, it looks great! i saw the fitted knits book and i locked in on that pattern, i really want to try it! but i've never made a sweater before, the biggest thing i've knit is a shawl so i'm kind of nervous.
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