Learning about patience...

I was telling Molly the other day that knitting has really taught me to be more patient. Well... little did I know that I had more to learn. Last night I went from this:


to this:


I checked my stitch gauge, but I never checked my row gauge. I have never checked row gauge before, but when making a skirt, apparently it is important. The row gauge the pattern called for was 29 rows = 4', I think. Mine was 35 rows. No wonder my skirt was seeming rather short...
So I decided to just start over from the lace. I checked my stitch gauge again before ripping, and it was off, so I just decided to rework the entire pattern. I measured a skirt that I already have and that fits nicely & decided I wanted 7 inches between the waist and the widest part of my hips. I needed the skirt to be 20" across at the hip and 17" across at the waist. And I wanted the skirt to be a total of 28" long. So I got out my calculator and got to work figuring out how many stitches equaled 20", how many stitches equaled 17", how many rows equaled 7" and so on, and figured out how to space the decreases to make it all work. It was at first annoying, and confusing, but then once I got the hang of it, it was quite satisfying. I basically rewrote the pattern (except the lace part), and it really wasn't that hard. So if either of you think you may need to do this, let me know and I can give you more specifics on how I figured mine out. Until then, good luck. This better be a pretty grand skirt, thats all I've got to say!

Rethinking...

Okay, I was thinking about this some more and realized that I want the extra rows at the bottom, before the decreases rather than after the decreases. So If you are going to stay with the length as it is, the pattern changes would be as follows:

Work 17 rows even (6 rows + the 11 rows)
k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1
work 11 rows even
Repeat last 12 rows 5 times (101 sts remain)

It think that should work better & that way the waist won't be really long!
Hope it makes sense! Good luck with your hat, Jamie & have fun on vacation... You really should be going some place warm, though. Its wonderful here, 80 degrees, sun's shining, light breeze... I sound like a jimmy buffet song or something!

Pattern Adjustments

Hi girls! I have started working on the stockinette part of my skirt. Last night I tried to figure out how to adjust the decreases so that the skirt will fit me. So, here is what I am going to do:
I followed the pattern up until the heading "All sizes:" on the second column of the second page. I didn't change the first paragraph (Rows 62-67) at all. But in place of the second paragraph, I am going to do this:
Work 11 rows even
Decrease row (k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1)
Repeat these 12 rows 5 times
Work 6 rows even (101 sts remain).

I added the 6 even rows to keep the lenght correct, but if either of you wanted to shorten the skirt at all, you could omit those 6 rows. If my gauge is correct, 101 sts should equate to about 19". From this point I am just going to wing it to make it fit my waist. I am most worried about it fitting my hips. I hope this helps!

Here is a picture of my finished honeymoon cami and a baby hat I made for Afghans for Afghans. I am trying to use up some of my leftovers, so I am making some stuff for charity. They need infant hats and other childrens warm stuff right now (hats, mittens, socks, etc.).

We're Back!

Molly drove all the way back on Saturday, so I had lots of knitting time in the car... I've got the lace and eyelet finished my first panel. I mis-read the pattern - I didn't realize that the lace was suppposed to be done in a larger size needle than the stockinette part, so it is all going to be done in the same size needle. I hope that it still looks okay.



We had a nice time on our little road trip. Gulf Shores turned out to be not what we were expecting. There wasn't anything to do except sit on the beach,and it was cold and dogs weren't allowed on any of the beaches, so we decided not to stay. So we went to New Orleans instead. Neither of us had been there either, and we had fun just walking around and exploring. It is a very pretty city. Yesterday we went back to Nashville and I dropped Molly off at the airport early this morning. And now its back to work...

Three panels down, three more to go!

Hi girls.
Hope your weekend/week together was nice. We got a late-season snowstorm Friday which dropped ~7-8 inches of snow. It was beautiful. Because of this, we stayed close to home this weekend and packed (a little) for our upcoming trip. I mostly did a lot of knitting. I knit on the skirt Friday, and a hat for a friend on Saturday. Sunday we met Kane's family for dinner near Cumberland, MD for his birthday which is tomorrow.
I'll post more pictures of the skirt as I have them and will post a pic of the hat that was such a pain. I followed the pattern to the letter, did my decreases at 4" and it was entirely too short. It's for a friend we go skiing with every year. Last year in Telluride he asked if I could knit him a hat "sometime". Just so happens that sometime was 1 week before this year's trip to Park City!
Anyway, Molly hope your trip home is safe.



Kane's family after his birthday dinner. From left: Jessie (Carrie's girlfriend), Carrie (Kane's sister), me, Kane, and his parents.

Hope you have a good week! ~Jamie

Two down and I'm ready!

I am really impressed. You got a lot done in one night, and it looks really nice! I can't wait to get started on mine - I've only got the first four knit rows done right now. However, I finished my socks last night and they look fabulous! I hope some sock weather turns up one of these days so I can wear them. And I finished my honeymoon cami, but it is too short. I have a rather long torso & I added an extra half inch, but that wasn't enough. So I am going to rip out the bodice and add another inch to the body. But first I am going to wear it at the beach and then rip and redo.
We are leaving tomorrow morning and we probably won't post while we're gone. But, you never know... Knit lots while we're gone & we'll try to do the same!

My progress....

As I mentioned yesterday I thought it was a good time to start the lace. Turns out, I was right. I needed the quiet. I did very well until the last two rows, which I had to rip out because I was getting tired and wasn't paying attention. However, I like how it's turning out. I kind of wish I had gotten a smaller gauge yarn, as this might show the lace detail better, however, I don't want to knit this forever, so I think this was a good introduction to lace. I'm starting my second lace panel tonight. I'll post more tomorrow if there is more.
Happy knitting,
Jamie

KAL

Hi girls,

Sounds like you are having a nice break and visit together. I got my yarn today, and I'm working on my gauge swatch right now as I type. I ended up getting the Rowan summer tweed, 70% silk, 30% cotton. I chose a denim-y tweed that will be nice for summer. I looked at various others, considered the Manos cotton stria, which was nice, but reminded me of a washcloth. So, it would probably be comfortable, but I couldn't imagine a washcloth and lace combination.

I tried a 6 and my gauge was loose, so I changed to the 5 and so far, it looks dead on. I'm glad the designer got back so quickly about the pattern shaping. I made a note of that. Tonight is going to be a good night to start, as Kane is working his last night at ski patrol. This certainly doesn't seem like a project I will be able to do with an audience, so I'm going to leave this home for my knit group. Which reminds me, what a nice knit group you have. They all look so friendly and young. I'm not sure if Bill told you about my knit group experience, but it was interesting to say the least. They were a bit stand-offish, asking tons of questions about where I get my yarn, telling me that they hate the owner of the yarn shop I visit frequently.... Nevertheless, I 'm going to give it one more chance. One of the nicer ladies said that a lot of the members were out the night I visited, so maybe I can sit away from the negative people. Anyhoo, I must get knitting. My first attempt at lace.....very scary..... ~Jamie

Progress...

Here is Molly's progress on the first lace panel of the skirt. It has been a bit frustrating, and not as easy as I first said. I think this is her third (?) try. I am on my second. Once you get the hang of the pattern, it goes okay but it has taken us a while to get the hang of it. I think this is common with lace patterns, at least in my very limited experience knitting lace. I think it looks fabulous, though! I love the texture of the yarn. She is working on the second panel now (there is 3 for each side of the skirt).
I got an email back from Kat Coyle, the designer, and she said to just adjust the decreases so the hip part is about 1 inch larger than your hips. (So if your hips are 39", then you would make the hip part of each panel 20", for a total of 40" around the hips). Then just follow the pattern for the waist shaping and it should all work out. I think that seems easy enough, but we'll see as we go along. I am trying to finish my socks before I start working on this one. I did work on it last night at knit club and thats where I messed up and had to rip out and start over. Its too hard to concentrate when everyone is talking. Since Molly was there, we took a picture of our knit club last night. (I'm holding Molly's knitting while she is taking the pictures. Hers was more interesting than mine.) Anyway, can't wait to see the yarn you picked out!

Our Very Own Knit Along!

Dear Jamie,
We wanted to write to keep you posted on our adventures in the south. Nothing too exciting yet...
Lots of Elvi in Nashville


You really aren't missing much, we didn't find anything that great in Nashville, although we did go to a yarn store - and neither of us bought ANYTHING! We did a little thrift-store shopping and got a few good deals, but thats it!

The whitewater festival was a bit of a drag. Not nearly as exciting as we had hoped. The playhole was lame, even from a laywoman's point of view, such as myself. Molly did get hit on twice, though, so that was pretty neat.


However, we have decided to do a little knit along of our own, and we want you to join if you're interested. We are going to make the 'laces and bows skirt' from the Knit Cafe book. It you don't have the book and don't want to buy it, I can copy the pattern and send it to you. There is a bunch of information about the skirt here (she refers to it as the daktari skirt). Since she had problems with the suggested yarn, we decided to try one of the substitutes she listed - we are using Jaeger trinity (its cheaper too). Molly chose a green color and mine is light blue.

Sooo.. if you're interested, let me know and I'll send you the pattern. Talk to you soon! ~Jill & Molly

OMG! You have to watch this

You must watch this. It is hilarious. Hilarious, I tell you.

The way things are

I'm glad yall didn't think I was a nutcase for posting those weird things yesterday. I always get suckered into an online quiz. I just can't help myself.

But anyway, I got a new camera, so I've been taking lots o pictures lately. I don't have any finished projects, because (suprise!) I actually have work to get done these days. But I have had a little bit of time to do some knitting and I thought I'd show what I'm working on.


So here is how my socks are coming along. I love them! The yarn is so fun because I never know what color is going to pop up next. I did them in a 2x2 rib, so they are very nice a squishy and comfy. I keep trying the finished one on, but then my other foot always gets cold...


And this is my Honeymoon Cami, sans honeymoon. But anyway, the lace bottom part just isn't looking like the model one. I redid it 3 times. Either I just don't get it or something is wrong. I think it might be the yarn. I'm fine with the way it looks, though, so I am (obviously) forging ahead.

And my next project... Print-o-the-wave stole. I have been slightly obsessed with knitting impractical things lately (is it possible to be only slightly obsessed?). This is one of them. I will have no place to wear this shawl, but maybe I can hang it on the wall or something. That is, if I ever finish it. I have deemed it my summer/Bankhead project. So hopefully, but the end of summer it will be finished. I have wanted to try the lace thing for a while now. But first, I must tackle the task of winding the 1,300 yard hank into a ball. That alone could take me weeks.

Purple, Your Aura is Purple...

I couldn't resist...

Your Aura is Red

You have a high level of emotion. This can mean passion, but it can also mean rage. Usually, you don't take these emotions out on others. You just use them as motivation - and it works! The purpose of your life: embracing all the wonders of the life, lots of travels, and tons of adventures Famous reds include: Madonna, Marilyn Monroe, Jennifer Lopez Careers for you to try: Dancer, Boxer, Surgeon

What Color Is Your Aura?

What color green are you?

You Are Mint Green

Balanced and calm, you have mastered the philosophy of living well. Your friends seek you out for support, and you are able to bring stability to chaotic situations. You're very open and cheerful - and you feel like you have a lot of freedom in life. Your future may hold any number of exciting things, and you're ready for all of them!

What Color Green Are You?

New finished project

Here is a picture of my first sweater and a hat to match. This was a gift for a good friend of mine having a baby next month. The sweater ended up being a little bigger than I wanted, but happily, babies grow! I learned how to do matress stitch with this project so it was well worth it. The pattern for the sweater was from Mason Dixon knitting and the hat pattern was from a workshop I took in October. Hope you both are doing well and that you have a smashing time next week at the beach....I'm expecting a lot of relaxation and knitting from you two! Also, don't forget the sunscreen. =)

Knitting again!

So I finally finished this felted bag I've been working on for my friend Sarah... Since Christmas. It actually felted really well with two washes in the coin operated ones in my building, and the bag is kind of hairy from the kind of yarn, Reynolds Lite-Lopi. I put one of the buttons on it that you gave to me for Christmas Jill, I think it looks really good!

And, we had a SNOW DAY today! The University shut down completely today at 2:30 because of the blizzard we've been getting for two days. The branches outside my window are so heavy, and it's supposed to keep up all night... I definitely had a snowball fight today, tomorrow's Friday, and Saturday I'm going cross-country skiing so at least I have a reason to like the snow now!