Pattern: Gypsy Mesh Pullover/Spring 2004 Interweave Knits
Finished Size: 38" (96.5 cm)
Yarn: Reynolds Gypsy (100% Cotton; 82 yd/50g): #423 gold, I used 10 skeins as pattern called for
Needles: Clover Bamboo US 8 (5mm) circular
Changes: One minor one. I bound off the neck edging knitwise instead of purlwise--I liked this bind off look better.
Comments: I came across knots in the middle of at least two skeins--very annoying--especially what I paid for the yarn.
I like this particular style completed in the cotton fiber, and overall I'm pleased with the quality of the yarn--nice drape and it makes for a sturdy garment. The color is another thing that attracted me to knit this pattern up in the first place so I'm pleased with the gold--it goes with a lot.
I will wear this a lot--especially Fall and Spring. I love it. I've already worn this twice this weekend! I wore it to my cousin's wedding with a skirt and it was great with jeans on another day as well!

Labels: Gypsy Mesh Pullover, IK, knitted tops, Norah Gaughan

After drooling over Alison's sockapalooza knitting and her rendition of the embossed leaves socks using Lang Fantomas, I can't stop thinking of getting this yarn and trying to knit myself a pair. Eventually.

I think back when I subscribed to Interweave Knits that I may have *gasp* thrown this issue out so instead of purchasing Favorite Socks which has the embossed leaves pattern in it, I scoured the city of Boston searching yarn shops for the Winter 2005 issue:

and I found it for a total of $7.34 at Newbury Yarns! Now, on Newbury Yarns--I have mixed feelings on this yarn store. I love it's convenience to where I work in the city, but the prices are ridiculous and today I discovered that the website no longer comes up (I checked their link out of curiousity because I noticed someone different running the shop today when I walked in). The new owner, or so I think it was the new owner, was rude. She didn't seem to care that I was there to purchase anything and as I stood at the register, she kept listening to this knitter go on and on and on and on and on about his needles and this and that and what's best, etc. instead of excusing herself to help someone that was actually going to BUY something, that someone being me. Granted he was there first, but HE actually had to tell her to go help me. Common sense--does it exist anymore? Then I commented on the adorable crochet teddy bear on the table and she just smirked and shrugged her shoulders in a snobby way. Well, I wanted this issue so badly, that I wasn't going to let her reaction deter me from purchasing it. But I will never purchase another thing in that store again. I scampered out with my prize in hand, never to return again. Weird phenomenon, these LYS owners, very weird. Alison, I feel like your kindred spirit in a weird sort of way--the embossed leaves calling my name, the rudeness I experienced today, wow.

Labels: IK, Knitting in the Boston MA area, socks

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

Something for me? For this Spring? Made on time? We'll see.
From this issue of Interweave Knits:

(Spring 2004)

I want to make the Gypsy Mesh Pullover (no picture unfortunately--but I'll post one soon) designed by Norah Gaughan. It's made with Reynolds Gypsy--a course cotton that may not be fun to work with but the finished result will be substantial and sturdy, I believe. I have the color Gold that the pictured pattern was made in as well. I purchased this yarn at "Snow Goose" in Milton, MA--the only time I've been there and it is a gorgeous yarn shop. I actually bought this yarn right after I got this issue of IK (spent a ridiculous sum of money on it but I needed to make this sweater right then you see) so I've had the yarn for three years . . . just . . . waiting . . . and collecting dust in it's see-through plastic bag. I brought my then 5-6 mo. old son with me to the store (he's now almost 3 ½!). I remember trying to navigate in this delightfully cramped store (though not thinking so delightfully at the time) with his big bulky carriage--I was that desperate to yarn shop! I must get to this store again!

Anyway, I promise pictures of the finished Good & Plenty socks -- the toe to be grafted tonight on the second sock -- and pictures of the yarn and pattern of the Gypsy Mesh Pullover next posting.

As for the designer, Norah Gaughan, well it seems I might have to get her book:


My eyes are drawn to her knit designs. As I was flipping through my notebook full of patterns, I noticed that I have a lot of hers and never realized it. Whether it is from IK or Vogue's KnitSimple, her designs are simple yet elegant--I guess they are attractive to me anyway.

Labels: Gypsy Mesh Pullover, IK, knitted tops, Norah Gaughan