Applied I-Cord Bind-Off:
CO 3 sts
K2, K2togtbl, Sl3 (from right needle to left needle)
* K2, K2togtbl, Sl3 (from right needle to left needle) *
repeat from * to *
I went with poeticknits to Wool 'N Things Thursday. She was doing a yarn run and I had some yarn shopping to do as well, so it was great to both go to an awesome LYS as well as hang out with an awesome person. She's a riot.
I successfully picked up the missing yarn for Arbor, and finished off the bottom of the piece at home that evening. Picking up the stitches along the neckline is taking FOREVER but it'll be worth it. Once I finished off the bottom, the rest of it fit better, so I was much less worried about how the bodice would fit. I did do an extra decrease row since I have pretty narrow shoulders. I shouldn't have worried, the neckline ended up WAY too small. I ripped it out once and did it again, and I'm thinking I may rip it out a second time too *sigh* At least it's wearable in the mean-time, just not as open as I would like.. Learning the I-Cord bind off was a bonus though! I must have glazed over that part when I read the pattern the first time through. One complaint about the pattern (though, not bad if there's only one) is that she doesn't mention how much the i-cord bind off pulls in the neckline. It's ridiculous.
I also managed to pick up some sock yarn for christmas slippers at the yarn store, as well as some cool toys for the swap I'm participating in. All-on-all a very successful day!
Friday I had a job interview. I think it went pretty well. I don't talk about what I do much here, mostly out of respect for fellow employers/co-workers. Since moving to Ottawa I've had a lot of different jobs in my field, but recently have really enjoyed contracting out to firms, rather than full time employment. Full-time is still my end-goal, but I'm happy with how things are going right now (even if that means I'm broke). Regardless, maybe this interview will turn into something, maybe not, but I'm trying to be flexible about it. No stress!
Back to the knitting! Not much progress has been made on the sock. I did turn the heel, and though it's quite tight, I think it's wearable. I think if I do this pattern again, I'll have to adjust the numbers a bit, make the sock a little bigger. Anyway, here's a progress pic.
I'm very excited about finishing Arbor. I'll be able to start something else. I've had some projects that I've wanted to do for awhile, and I have all these possibilities going around my head. I love this hobby ^_^
This first photo demonstrates the tight neckline
Another from the front, after a day of wearing (it hasn't stretched at all, which is awesome!)
And one from the back, where there might have been some slight stretching, but I'm not overly concerned. I still think it wore very well.
I was able to wear it Saturday for the first time. It wore well. I was happy with the amount of stretch over the course of the day; not too much, but a little in all the right ways. I stand by the fact that the neckline is still too tight. I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but I need to rip it out. Again. I'm very happy otherwise. I'm glad I decided to make the arm holes smaller, since they're perfect now. I'm happy I decided to lengthen the twisted rib by 2 inches, and think another inch wouldn't have been a bad thing. I think after opening up the neckline, I will have a near perfect item of clothing. What a fantastic experience!
Last month was some close friends of ours' first wedding Anniversary. To celebrate, I wanted to take them out for dinner. They suggested a movie as well, so we went to see Kung Fu Panda. It was a riot. You should all go see it if you haven't already! It was well above my expectations, and one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. On that note, if you can find a smaller theatre showing it, BenX is another fantastic movie that isn't getting nealry enough attention. It's Finnish with English subtitles and is one of the first movies I've even seen address bullying in a realistic light.
Look at this picture again
Verrry tight on the heel. Do I keep telling myself they're fine and keep going? Or do I rip them out and start again? They're wearable (most likely?), just tight. Please take this poll.
I took Arbor out of hibernation today. I had another project that needed to be completed before I would let myself get back into this one. Frogging made a huge difference. It fits now (at least the bodice, and the waist). I’m a little concerned about the neckline and worried I’ll run out of yarn before the end…
Here are some progress shots. I still have about 8 inches to add to the bottom, and finishing needs to happen on the neckline and arms. I may need to do something creative if the neckline doesn't work out the way I hope it will. Regardless, I think it's turning out pretty decently. Progress shots anyone?
I did end up running out of yarn about 1.5 inches from the bottom *le sigh* I will have to track down another ball in this colour. Maybe I'll get lucky and get something in the right dye lot. Or am I dreaming?
I made more progress on my socks over the weekend. They now cover my toes, which to me is very exciting. Chris (live-in fiancé) laughs at me, but it makes me happy. Two photos, first is knitting while camping, second is my progress shot.
As July approaches, and we near the half-way point of the year, I started thinking about new year resolutions. I didn't make any "typical" resolutions, but I did have some knitting-related ones. Let's check them out and see how I did.
- Finish this sweater this year. I don't know how ambitious this is, but I do know that I have a crappy attention span so we'll have to wait and see if I lose interest or not.
I finished the sweater in question in April. It doesn't fit quite right but I'm not losing sleep over it. It was a wonderful experience, and I was even more energized about knitting when it was finished. - Go to at least one knitting gathering a month
I've actually managed to do this. It makes me a little sad that I was right in assuming that only one a month was do-able. If I had my way it would be more of a weekly thing. - Participate in at least one swap per season
Well, I tried. I was in a swap for the Winter, but my swap partner never sent me my package. Not only that, she lied about it. *sigh* Lesson learned. I am in another swap for Summer, but I guess I missed the spring swap opportunities. There was just too much going on, what with losing my job and having no money. - blog at least once per week (to encourage knitting? Perhaps ^_^)
This is going so well. I've blogged at least 5 times a month every month this year so far. March was the best with a whopping 11 posts! I've only done 4 in June, but this post makes 5. So far, I'm doing really really well. - knit a pair of socks!
Definitely. I started my first pair of socks last weekend. These will definitely be done by the time it gets cold enough to wear them ^_^
I'm going to start over with the resolutions because these ones are pretty much covered!
- Finish Arbor before the fall, so you can actually wear the thing.
- Finish those socks by fall, so you can wear them!
- You know those endpaper mitts you knit? Well, you only knit one and need to knit the second one already!
- Knit something in lace using the Fiddlesticks yarn you bought on a whim before you start something else.
- You know that pink young touch yarn you got from that nice lady at WWKIP day? Well, figure out what to make with it already!
- You're getting married, so you'd better get moving or you won't have a venue!
The Knitasaur is hosting a contest, in search of the perfect measurements of people's arms and hands! So, go enter in your measurements and say you found it through me!
In knitting news, Arbor has no changes since the other day, I'm moving and having panic attacks about moving my stash, and managed to make some progress on my blanket! (mom and dad, don't touch that link!)
Love and tea,
riizu
I've made major progress on Arbor (ravelry link) over the last couple of days. Not only am I nearing the halfway mark, I've managed to separate for the (short) sleeves, and am almost ready to finish the bodice. I believe the next step is to try it on to make sure I haven't messed anything up. The white/provisional cast on edge at the top of the picture below is where the neckling "will be".
And here is my sleeve cap. I'm very excited about the construction of this shirt. I'm hoping I might even have it done in time to show off at the next Carleton Knit night!
I feel the need to say, learning to do a Russian Join has been my saviour! You just can't do a spit and splice join with cotton, and I've barely had to do any weaving at all. Fantastic.
I feel guilty about my last post, and how sadly lacking in photos it was. To make up for it, I'm posting again, about my knit shirt. I'm knitting Arbor in a cotton dk yarn, and I'm nervous about this project. Last time I got over-confident so now I'm not so sure.
Well, I have made progress since the last time I posted about it, so here's an updated photo. I've reached the end of the first skein, but now the first repeat of the pattern. Check out my project page on Ravelry!
I'm still working hard on mom and dad's christmas surprise, but needed to work on something a bit more challenging, and Arbor's lace was just the challenge I needed. I think I'll work a bit on Arbor and then go back to the 'surprise' this weekend.
