WIP-a-palooza
I've got a bevy of WIP's and one FO.
I have to admit, knitting is addicting as all get out. I still love love love crochet (that's what my finished project is), but maybe because it's new to me, it feels like there's so many different things you can do with knit.
Enough simpering though, here's my goodies:
I started the Branching Out scarf from Knitty some time back, but for some reason I haven't been all that quick to finish it. I do a repeat of the lace pattern every so often when I'm sick of working on something else. I'm not really fond of the yarn I'm using either, so that may be why I'm putting off finishing it. Either way, I could be using fur balls my cat coughed up and I'd still love the design of this scarf. It's super simple as long as you can follow instructions, but it looks really hard!
Next up is...the Bear Claw Throw. I'm working on this for the long term knitalong at Dancin' Needles. I had originally started it with size 10.5 needles and it was too huge. Big blankets and throws are good, but not when they compromise the design. The pattern looked streched out, messy. I pulled all 54 rows out I'd done and started over. I'm still using needles larger than what's called for in the pattern, but I didn't have 8's. Nines will have to do, and are. I'm very proud of this WIP because I've never done such a large project before. The pattern is quite beautiful and though there's a lot of switching back and forth between purl and knit (which is why it's taken so long for me to get as far as I have), it's a pretty easy knit. Forgive the picture, I had to photoshop it to get it bright enough to show the pattern:
Next up is another project I'm super proud of. Granted, I'll probably be embarrassed to admit I made it once I really know what I'm doing, but for the time being, I'm just happy to say that I'm making a...sweater!!!
I've had a hell of a time finding a pattern that will not only fit me, but will flatter me and will be comfortable all at the same time. I don't think that's asking too much. But let's face it; when you've got a 52 inch bust, there's not a whole lot of choices out there. Most of the patterns are either too small, way too colorful, are too form fitting for my tastes, or, are just plain ugly in my oh so humbled opinion.
I took matters in to my own hands and decided I would make the easiest sweater I could make. Rectangles baby, it's all about the rectangles. There won't be any shaping in this garment, just a big, comfy sweater that goes down past my butt. I'm making it quite a bit larger than I need it, but that's a comfort factor too. I'm leaving a rolled edge on the neckline, bottom and sleeves because I've always hated ribbing that grips my butt and thighs...blech!
I didn't want it to be too plain, so I'm doing a simple cable down the center of the front. I love cables with a passion, but I'm still a little unsure of myself, so I went for an easy one I knew I could make.
Here's the start. I'm using those too big 10.5's and they're perfect for this. I've only been doing one or two repeats of the cable a night (10 rows) but it's really working up fast. The fabric it's making is loose, but not so loose that you can see through it. It's working up soft and has really good drape!
I'd thought about knitting it in the round, but I'm still a little iffy on my circular knitting skills and don't want to frog it if I screw up. It's a (for the most part) mindless knit, and since I put stitch markers where the cable pattern starts and ends, I don't have to think about it too much. A very good movie knit if I do say so myself.
Finally, my FO. I had the same problem finding shrug patterns as I did sweater patterns for someone my size. So I improvised and came up with my own pattern. Seriously people, don't let the idea of making your own throw you off. It's just a rectangle. Measure the largest circumference of your arm, by how wide you want it. Mine was 30 inches (for a 3/4 length sleeve) by 18 inches (my big fat upper arm). Pick whatever yarn, thread, hook and stitch pattern your little heart desires. When you're finished crocheting or knitting (mine's crocheted by the way), fold the rectangle in half and sew the length of what the arm is. I did this by folding the width of the rectangle in half and holding it up to the center of my chest. I eyed the length from the center of my chest to my armpit, put stitch markers in and sewed up what was left at the ends. Very very simple.
There's my bevy. Heh...love saying that word.
I'm going to be doing some construction to my site soon. Nothing serious, just updating some things, getting rid of others. I realize that won't mean much to very many people since because I haven't been updating, not many people have been visiting...I promise to change! Heh...
