I have about another four inches to work up on this piece, before casting off and making another identical piece. I've been counting rows so that I make the next piece identical in length. I hate seaming when one piece is evenly slightly longer or shorter than the other. So far I've used almost three hanks. The size I'm making requires ten hanks so if I figure another three for the back, that's six and if I use two for each sleeve that's a total of ten--perfect. I think I purchased eleven or twelve hanks so I'm good.

Labels: Gypsy Mesh Pullover, knitted tops

The company I work for participates in a wellness program where if you meet your goals or maintain your good results for cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, etc. each quarter, you receive a gift certificate for $20 (used to be $25). I chose Borders Books for my gift and purchased this book:

I really like this book and can't wait to start a project from it. Projects have minimal finishing, sleeves are done by picking stitches up at the edges or sweaters are knit in the round from the top down and there are vests knit in the round. There is a beautiful cabled tunic that I'd love to make for my daughter as well as a "northern lights" sweater that is great. Not to mention the adorable striped pullovers and the twisted cable pullover for my son--oh, did I mention the Chanel jacket??

I also really like that the materials are worded as for the type/weight of yarn recommended not a specific name brand which we all know can be discontinued and unless you know the weight of that yarn, you've got to figure your gauge out with less information to work with.

I love it.

Labels: knitting library

turned into being a big pain in the you-know-what-row. I had to rip back about five times to get it right--it's not difficult at all, you just really need to concentrate on this pattern. The ability to concentrate while I'm knitting these days doesn't happen regularly.

You can see the 'big eyelet row' in this picture along with some progress beyond:

In working the row immediately above the eyelet row, you're supposed to knit one, purl one, knit one in the double yarnover of the big eyelet row--that took me a little while to figure out too. I mean there's only two stitches and the pattern wants you to work three stitches--huh? You end up increasing a stitch each time and although the pattern says this, I couldn't figure out how. I finally got it.

I have since put a lifeline in this project (I removed the lifeline before taking the pictures yesterday-- but, believe me, it's back in--very necessary for this project). As soon as I got the 'big eyelet row' right, in went the lifeline.

I made a mistake too:

The yarnover is off too far to the left. I can hardly tell so I didn't bother ripping back to it--it doesn't bother me. I really don't know what I did unless I knitted in Row 1 pattern when I should have been knitting in Row 3 pattern at this point or vice versa.

Also, C is starting to show an affinity toward string:

(future knitter?)

Labels: Gypsy Mesh Pullover, IK, knitted tops

to finally knit something for myself. I've started the "Gypsy Mesh Pullover":

and I must say that as for gauge, well, I'm winging it. I think I'm a-okay but will of course check throughout. You had to swatch in pattern stitch and there is a decent amount to keep track of in the pattern stitch with all the yarn overs and well, I just didn't feel like swatching (bad, bad, bad and I may come to regret this decision later).




The yarn isn't too bad to work with, not a lot of give to the cotton and for me not having a ball winder or a swift, I'm risking a really bad tangled mess with this stuff but I have a system and as long as C the 11 mo-old doesn't mess with this system, I should keep my sanity with the yarn. I love the gold color and as that's what attracted me to the project in the first place along with the design, I'm keeping it as it called for in pattern.



I hope my finished result turns out well.

The Good & Plenty socks are finished! Now, I have to get them to my sister as this was supposed to be a Christmas 2005 gift:


Note to self: must never underestimate the fascination an 11-mo-old has with the bright blue 'on' button for the computer. This is my second attempt at writing this!

Labels: Gypsy Mesh Pullover, IK, knitted tops, socks