Cat Bordhi

Yes, I am a bad blogger...life keeps getting in the way.
I am knitting...although things tend to slow down in the summer. I am hoping to really keep at it...especially with the gig of sample knits! Fall knitting is right around the corner:)

I am currently working on a CEY Top Down Leaf Tee for Shall We Knit in Allegoro.



It is knitting up nicely. I was doubting the sizing chose, but I think it will be just right. The drape is really nice in this yarn. I am a little worried about the neck line...it is rolling a bit and it would have been great a little tighter...FYI maybe use a smaller size needle when casting on. I am hoping it will not drop off the shoulders...there are not many who have knit this design on ravelry so I couldn't read up on others opinions. A good blocking will help the roll and the neck can be tightened if necessary.

Friday night was the Cat Bordhi cafe breast cancer fund raiser event. Cat was at Meme's cafe in New Hamburg giving a sock talk. I did finally finish up one of the Coriolis socks.



I went with the whirlpool toe and increased the 4 sts. I also did some increasing up the leg for my calf.



The design is really neat. I have the second sock on the go. I wanted to get at least one of her socks under my belt before I met her:)
Cat spoke a lot of the evolution of sock knitting as well her new way of knitting socks. Very interesting and inspiring. I have a few ideas for designing some socks Cat Bordhi style.
We had a great evening...even having a bite to eat and a drink after with Cat and some knitting friends! I sat at a table with Cat Bordhi...only a knitter would understand.

The socks progress...then regress...then progress...then...

Things were going so well. I actually have finished up the plaid socks. I need to block them properly...they are a little tight fitting and blocking will help (well, thinking the pattern through thoroughly before casting on...then recasting on...oh that would have helped.)

I don't know what it is...the inner knitter speaks and I think, yes...they WOULD be better if I would have...
And I don't listen. I swear it happens in every project. Yes, I learn things as I go and would apply the to "the next" project. It is always "if I were to knit these again...". Yet I knit things so quickly...why not rip back and make it right...er...um...near perfect?!?

So that is the story of the two different socks I have on the go.
Escher. I am knitting with Tanis's sock yarn. (I still need to tell you all about the frolic and my love for Tanis's yarn) I absolutely love this yarn and would highly recommend it. There is a rumor that Shall We Knit may be stocking it for those who are local!



So I knit the sock toe up to the heel. Then I couldn't decide on a heel so I knit the second sock up to the heel. Then...oh then...I decide that the toe is too short and they are a bit too tight. I should go up a needle size. Yup. I ripped both back and now have one at the leg.
I stopped knitting because they are a little tight on the leg. Yeah. So I am thinking that I should go up another needle size for my humongo calf...yet I am not sure so I have left it and started knitting....

The Cat Bordhi Spiraling Master Coriolis socks. I will be listening to Cat speak at a "sock talk" next friday so I should really have a pair of her socks under my belt...no? Well...I cast on with the a, b, c, d stitch markers and started the whirlpool toe. Well, I didn't like it...but the problem was really all the dang stitch markers. I don't like stitch markers, they get in my way. I know there are some really cute ones out there...so many talented people making stitch markers but I hate using them. I can't stand things dangling from my knitting. If necessary I use a very small metal circle one...just the circular top thingy...nothing hanging from it.
Anyway, back to the socks. I decided to make a regular toe with judy's magic cast on and away I went. I knit a little at monday's knit and chat..then continued the next day making a fabulous coriolis band...then realized that with this toe I can't make the band go up the leg.
Yeah...that is why she says to do the whirlpool toe.
I settled for the basic coriolis sock and turned the heel. Now I have decided it is too tight. It needs a few more stitches around...and the toe section should have been 1/4" longer.



I haven't ripped it yet...but I started a second sock with the proper toe and 4 more stitches.
All for 4 more stitches.
Yup, that is the way I am doing it now...near perfect.

Cream Enchant

I am a little behind in showing you a FO...I finished it up a couple weeks ago.

Enchant



Pattern: Enchant by Kim Hargreaves found in Nectar
Yarn: Rowan Calmer...not sure how much because it was recycled from Air...that was never worn.
Adjustments: None. Knit to the pattern. Note that it is knit in one piece...then the edging is knit seperately and seamed on. So you really have to love seaming.



I love Kim's patterns. They are well written and so wearable...I know you have heard me say this before.



I love wearing tank tops...all year long. I layer them with whatever...or on their own in the summer. This little shrug is perfect for going over top of a tank. Plus I have already worn it...this is a good sign!

At this past Tuesday's guild meeting we were so lucky to have Sally Mellville and her daughter as the feature speakers. They have written a fabulous book Mother-Daughter knits 30 knits that flatter and fit. Sally spoke to having pride in your craft and wearing your hand knits. Knit things you would wear...shapes of items already in your wardrobe.
I understand knitting for the process...totally...but I would really like to wear what I knit. Sally had some great ideas for your perfect length of knits and what to wear with them...but no skinny pants for me;)
Thankfully...Liz picked up the book! I am really drawn to the Camelot Coat, the Classic Shirt, and the long and short of it pullover...to name a few! Just filling up the queue!

The good the bad and the ugly.

Life has been gettting the in way of blogging lately...but I have a few moments to tell you about the latest sample knit for Shall We Knit!

So this is the good.



Pattern: Naturally jacket and hat K586
Yarn: Dawn 2 ply in lime green, 3 balls for the sweater and the hat in the premie size.
It is the cutest little baby sweater! The pattern is fairly simple with a little lace detailing.
I must confess that I am a fan of seaming. I love putting the pieces together as flawlessly as possible. Now, I am no professional. I have learned through experience and some on line and book reading.


I wouldn't normally knit a hat flat, especially a baby hat. But, being a store sample I knit it as written. I would suggest knitting it in the round...it is bad enough some babies get a flat spot on the back of their heads from lying on their backs...could you imagine that with a seam line!?!

So here is the bad and the ugly.



This was knit, by me, about 6 years ago. I don't know why I have saved it. It was never worn, thankfully, because Matteo came out as a boy! I really had no idea about gauge...look at how wide it is! And the seaming up is horrible. Oh, it is so bad. But I took photos of it to show you my progression as a knitwear seamer!

Here is the set in sleeve...before


and after...


The shoulder seam before...


and after...


Look at this underarm seam...what was I doing?!?


Thank goodness for learning mattress stitch! For those of you who are still in the beginning stages of learning how to seam and finish off your knits (I don't think I will ever stop learning)...there is hope!