To Finish or Start Something New: That is the Question

Because I'm horrible at finishing, I guess I should really get back to that Philosopher's wool shawl. Or the Merry Widow Shell.

But I can't stop thinking about the A-Line skirt from Vogue Knitting. Check it out:

I really wanted to make it in the yarn pictured above (Koigu KPM), but I didn't want to spend $100 on a skirt. Plus, I'd like to change the original pattern from front/back to 'in the round', and I'd rather not experiment with $100 of yarn.

So, I'm going to try out a less expensive yarn (notice I didn't say "cheaper") from Brown Sheep. It's fingering weight (Cotton Fine), so it should take me a year or so to finish this--just in time for next spring!

Since pink isn't really my color, I'm doing the body in sage green, with the same cream/white accents pictured above.

So... maybe I'll get a few more rows done on the shawl while I'm waiting 7-10 days for the Cotton Fine to arrive from Patternworks.

The Crazy Dress is Back!

A few months ago, I finished the Crazy Dress I made for Jordan on some super-cheap, bargain basement yarn I got from Knit Picks. She loved it, crazy colors and all, and she likes to wear it around the house.

Unfortunately, the yarn was a little heavy for the pattern, and it really hung on her.

Eventually I decided to wash it, and since I didn't really care much about its condition, I washed it in the delicate cycle with some of my (non-hand-knitted) sweaters.

To make a long story short, it felted. I'm guessing the agitation of the machine was responsible, because I washed it in cold water.

Anyway, it fits her great. She wore it to see the Lion King today. Sometimes, experimentation works out.

Back to the Merry Widow

Ever have one of those projects you have trouble with, put it down, then can't get up the motivation to get back to it?

I'm dealing with that on Joan's Merry Widow Shell (Knitting Lingerie Style). I had trouble with the chart, but a Ravelry buddy helped me decode the directions. Now I just have to pick it back up again and forge ahead!

Maybe my incentive will be having another summer sweater to wear.

Lacy Tee

This beautiful sweater is from Joan McGowan-Michael's book Knitting Lingerie Style. I love the color, and the yarn is beautiful (Cascade Sierra).

I started this on Valentine's weekend 2009 while my in-laws were visiting. Done in a month! That might be a record for me.

This is another swimming lesson sweater. How would I get any knitting done if not for swimming lessons?

Unfortunately, it's a bit small. If I can get back to exercising regularly and take off a few pounds (which I need to do anyway) it will be perfect. Here's a closeup on the edging:

Fit 'n Flare Skirt

I've said this before, but one of the things I love about knitting is that each piece carries so many memories. Take the skirt at left, nearly finished:

I may refer to this as the "family vacation skirt" from now on.

I began it in the car driving to our Lake of the Ozarks vacation in July 2008. I worked on it during that trip, then it sat for a few months while I made some baby things for a friend.

I picked it up a couple of weeks before our trip to Austin to visit family there. I got a lot done by the time we arrived in town, and was finally able to try it on--it's knitted from the waist down, so most of us probably can't get those 24" circumference needles around our hips until there's some length on it. I was sorry to discover it was about 2 inches too big around the waist and hips. So... I tore it out over Thanksgiving and started over.

(This, children, is an important lesson on checking gauge.)

I've been making good progress, mostly during swimming lessons at the YMCA and at synagogue during Sunday school.


Here's a closeup of the hem (the "flare"):