One Step Forward...two back

So...I have been knitting this darling, cropped shrug.  Love the pattern, love the yarn. Actually saw it made up in a little shop in Pine, AZ. I tried on the sample. The owner sold me the yarn and gave me the pattern.

This is what is looked like about a week ago - 

This is what it looks like now.

Did I think it was too large? Yes!  Did I try it on until I was nearly done? No.Was it wide enough for an elephant? Yes.

So there you go. My friends all tease me about my matra

"Just keep on going, it'll all work out!"

Yeah, right.

Reality bites!

Back to the projects!

Eylet Yoke Cardigan # 70205A

I finally finished this sweet, little sweater. It's a size 2. The eyelet yoke was fun -- although I ripped it out several times! I'll put a little button on for a neck closure. This soft, variegated yarn is 100% cotton. I bought it when a local knit shop closed. I had hoped to make a shrug for me. Of course, there was not enough yarn. The pattern I used is from Lion Brand Yarn. All their patterns are on-line and free!

Yesterday I made this simple, knit top. I traced the shape of a favorite ready made t-shirt. I found the fabric at SAS last year. I think it cost $1.50. (SAS has three locations in the Phoenix area. It's a strange warehouse place where most of the fabric is sold by the pound. And wow, you have to dig through stacks!)

Soft and filmy knit is so nice to wear although working with it is a challenge for me. I am wild about using the three thread narrow overlock for a finished edge. I believe it works better than a rolled hem. My serger did not want to stay on track when it went over a side seam. With the three thread overlock (narrow) I kept having thread chains hanging in the air, not attached to the edge. After several frustrating tries, I remembered to use a narrow strip of water soluble stabilizer. I guided it under the edge as I sewed the hem. That did the trick. I sure like to practice on an inexpensive fabric before I use the good stuff.

Astonishing Sweater

My talented friends! It's enough to make me want to quit trying to sew or knit - only kidding!! The darling, complicated sweater above was made by Jo Anna. She will yell at me, but I had to show it off. From the details you can imagine how many colors she carried across the back. Just thinking about the chart makes me tremble. Can you even imagine the retail cost of such a sweater? This woman knows no fear with her projects! If I am not mistaken the sweater was made for her sister's grandson. The parents worked for DOT - you see those men at work! (If I am wrong, Jo Anna can comment with a correction. LOL)

Here comes the segue....I bet that little boy, wearing the sweater, would love seeing the tortoises. Because the DD was out of town, I babysat (from oldest to youngest) Francis, Bonnie and Lift-Kit (formerly known as Lucky.) Lift-Kit is so named because she walks high off the ground and does a great big lift-up when she is irritated. At my house she climbed right out of the baby compound and lived with the grown ups. The box turtles and the tortoises pay no attention to each other.

My linen skirt and blouse look great together. DD even borrowed the whole outfit. Ohhhhh, nice compliment.

While out to lunch with my talented girl friends - look who I spotted at Postino's bar! Ah, ha! Can you name the cute couple?

Knitting Projects

Hot off my needles - my new Hug Wrap. This my second try. The first got ripped out after it was 3/4 completed - why? I didn't have enough yarn. Drats! The off white yarn here is a bamboo blend - which has a nice feel.

The pattern is easy except for a little trick called the provisional cast on. The actual pattern had two loops that joined at the front. (Click on the Hug Wrap link above). Looked dopey on me so I just made those ends into a bow.

Below is the yarn I wanted for my hug-wrap. Now it is almost a little girl's cardigan. Another new pattern for me. Here it is - five separate pieces. Now on circular needles, in careful order. I will start on the yoke this evening. After the patterned yoke, it is sewn together.

I'll let you know how it goes. I'm aiming for a size 2. There are two little grand nieces in Utah, surely it will fit one of them!

My Knitting Projects

A fellow blogger didn't know I liked to knit. That inpired me to post a few of my favorite projects. As I mentioned previously my knitting is not exactly exciting. And I have not had anything on my needles lately, except some samples. There are such beautiful yarns out there - silk, rayon, soy, bamboo just to mention a few. I love the feel of nice yarn.


Here are are a few things I've enjoyed making. At the top is one of the shrugs I liked - when I made it. Yes, later I hated it and gave it away. I bought the yarn and pattern from a nice knit shop on 7th Ave.

I've made several felted purses. It really is facinating to felt them in the washing machine. The first purse has a "before and after." Hopefully, you can click to enlarge and see it better. (I understand sometimes that works and other times it won't enlarge.)

I tried three times but this peach shell picture turns itself sideways when I load it. Strange, it is correct in my folder. If you know the trick, please advise. This shell and the green cardigan were made for my daughter. I found the yarn and patterns at a VERY swank knit store in Scottsdale. I used large needles with double yarn.

Last and not least - the socks. My first time! Very fun - but tiny needles. Knitted on size 1, dp needles. Arg! I riped out a million times on the heels. My husband felt sorry for me, but I was so determined to get those heels right.

The yarn is a lovely sock yarn from a cozy little store in Texas. I have no idea why one is very evenly striped and the other came out in blotches. I like them both. As far as I know, there is no control over the pattern that sock yarn forms. It seems to have a mind of its own. Then - what do I know? Advise is welcome. Please post your comments - it's easy, give it a try.