New Skirt, New Hair

I finally finished it and the best part is it fits!!! I was worried that this was going to be too small once it was washed. It blocks great and shrinks in length only and by blocking I mean wash it and through it in the dryer. I actually started this last August. Other than blue fingers from it bleeding on my hands, the Rowan denim was great to knit with. My favorite part is the lace and the ruffle.

Pattern: Indigo Ripple Skirt
(Ravelry link)
Source: Interweave Knits, Spring 2007
Yarn: Rowan Denim
Color: Nashville (8.5 balls)
Size: Smallest
Needles: US Size 4
Modifications: I did the usual mods. I cast on for the second
smallest size and increased until I had the correct number for the
smallest size. I also lengthened the stockinette portion of the skirt to
15 inches before washing. I did 50 rows for the lace portion and crocheted
a chain for the draw string with a size H hook and the yarn held doubled.

I wore the skirt to the grocery store yesterday and some lady stopped me to tell me how cute my skirt was and to ask where I bought it. I proudly said I made it. This is definitely one of my favorite knits and will be a summer staple.

I also got a new hair cut by a stylist trained on how to cut curly hair. I learned about how curly hair should be cut in the book Curly Girl. If you're a curly girl you've got to get this book. It has taught me so much about how to care for my hair. It even teaches you how to make your own shampoo and curl refresher.

The hair cut was very different from any that I've ever had. The stylist cut my hair dry one curl at a time. She also taught me how to properly apply product and gave me some great styling tips to help avoid frizz. I got her name on the naturally curly website. I was a little worried going to a new stylist because I've had some really bad hair cuts. My hair shrinks when dry so if it's cut too short I can end up with baby doll bangs. Usually not a good look for me. The hair is cut with the natural curl pattern so my hair actually ended up curlier after the cut. It's a little shorter than I wanted but I am still happy with it.

Too Nice For Yoga

I'm a huge Knit and Tonic fan. Wendy's patterns are so fun to knit and easy to modify for a perfect fit. I can't wait for her book to come out. I pre-ordered mine on Amazon.

This is another one of Wendy's great patterns the Yogini Bolero. I was worried when I was knitting this because it looked way to small. I'm really happy with the final product and the fit. I'm thinking of making another short sleeve version out of Blue Sky Skinny Cotton. I also bought some Cotton Fleece in a deep purple to make a long sleeve version. I love these fast knits.

Pattern: Yogini Bolero
(Ravelry link)
Source: http://www.knitandtonic.typepad.com/
Yarn: Hemp for Knittig Allhemp6LUX
Color: Zinfandel (2.5 hanks)

Size: Small
Needles: US Size 5
Modifications: Instead of the 6 decreases for the
optional shaping I only completed 3 decreases. I also
lengthened the top. The size small says to knit until the
top measures 10.5 inches from the cast on before binding
off. I knit until the top measured 12 inches before binding
off. I have broad shoulders so I think that's why I had to
lengthen the top. Because this is knit from the top down you
can try it on as you go so you can achieve a perfect fit.

Another blog that I love to read is Lara's blog. She knits so many great things and all of her FO's fit great and are so flattering. She had a contest for her blogiversary and I was one of the winners. I won a hank of Sundara 100% hand-dyed superwash merino wool (fingering weight) in the colorway Bird of Paradise.

I can't wait to knit this up. I'm not sure what I want to make with it. Socks? A scarf? The hank is 350 yards. If anyone has any pattern suggestions leave me a comment.

Eyelet Cardigan

I finally got some pictures of my finished Blue Sky Alpaca Eyelet Cardigan (Ravelry link). I have mixed feelings about this top. I don't like the way the sleeves fit. They are too wide. As I wore the top throughout the day the sleeves at the elbow kept getting wider and folding up. I'm not sure how to fix this. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

Pattern: Eyelet Cardigan
(Ravelry link)
Source: http:www.kpixie.com

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpaca Dyed Cotton
Color: Orchid (4.5 hanks)
Size: Small (34)
Needles: US Size 6
Modifications: I shortened the sleeves. Instead of doing all
the ribbing I did only half of the ribbing the pattern suggested.
I didn't want to fold up the ribbing but I have to anyways because
the sleeves are long and too wide. I wish I would have made
them shorter. I also made only one button hole at the top of the
button band. I did not find a button I liked so here I have a brooch
holding the sweater closed.

I am still working on the indigo ripple skirt. I'm finally done with the increases so it's easy mindless stockinette until the skirt is 14 or 15 inches. I haven't decided yet. I'm making the skirt longer than the pattern suggested because I don't want the lace to come up too high on my leg. I love the Rowan denim the only problem is it leaves my hands blue. I'll have to make sure when I wash this I don't throw it in with anything that it could bleed on.

Ribbed Lace Bolero

I finally got the DH to take some FO shots of the Ribbed Lace Bolero. This is a really fun pattern.

Pattern: Ribbed Lace Bolero

Ravelry Link
Source: http://kellymaher.wordpress.com/

Yarn: Lion brand cotton-ease
Color: Charcoal (1.5 skeins)
Size: Cast on 98 stitches
Needles: US Size 8 & 10.5
Modifications: None

If I make this again, which is possible, I will cast on less stitches. The bolero keeps sliding off of my shoulders. I didn't measure as the pattern specifies to custom fit the bolero. I just thought 98 stitches sounds good. I did do my gauge swatch but as far as the measuring part I threw caution to the wind. I still like the way it fits and will get a lot of wear out of this. Plus with how affordable cotton-ease is, I can always make another.

I have been working on the Shetland Shorty. This is going pretty fast now that I got gauge. I had to go down to US size 3 needles. I hope it's going to fit because right now it looks like it will fit a 9 yr old. This is an addictive pattern. I hear it calling my name.

Picovoli

I finally finished Picovoli. This was one of the projects I found in my closet that I had started last summer. The DH was working late so I had to take my own bathroom mirror shots.

Editted to add: I had the DH take some new FO shots because the bathroom mirror shots were blurry.

Pattern: Picovoli

Source: Grumperina
Available here and on Ravelry
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cathay
Color: Teal 07 (4.5 skeins)
Size: 32
Needles: US Size 6
Modifications: None

I am very happy with the way this turned out. I tried it on before I did the picot edging around the arms and I thought it made me look like a linebacker. Once I finished the picot it looked much better. I like the pattern shaping, it is done in all the right places and is very flattering. I have knit too many sweaters that are boxy and not very figure flattering. They usually end up never being worn or being frogged. I think this one is a keeper. I'm also almost finished with the Eyelet Cardigan. I just need to finish the button bad for the left side and set in the sleeves.

Nella

I finally got the DF to take a picture of me in my Nella Cropped Cardigan. He was in the middle of watching a basketball game so I was lucky to get him to take more than one picture. I really enjoyed this pattern and am pleased with the way it fits. I love the length of the sleeves.

Pattern: Nella Cropped Cardigan
Source: Fiber Smarts
Available here on Ravelry
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden (5 balls)
Color: 243 purchased at Studio Knit
Size: Small
Needles: US Size 6
Modifications: Because this pattern was only available
for the medium I modified it to make a small. First I used
size 6 needles instead of size 8. My gauge was 16 stitches
and 24 rows for 4 inches measured over the st st portion of
the sweater. I picked up two stitches under each arm because
I was worried that they would be too tight. Because my sweater
fits a little higher up on my shoulders it ended up being a
little shorter than I wanted, so I picked up stitches at
the bottom of the sweater and knit 4 rows before biding off.
I would have knit a couple more rows but I was affraid I
was going to run out of yarn.

(I swear my hair did not look that bad from the back)

This was my first time doing applied i-cord so I used this tutorial. It was really easy and definitely worth it, it gives the neckline a very finished look. Now I just have to figure out what to knit next.

Short Post

I finished my Nella Cropped Cardigan today. I don't think mine will be as far off the shoulders as the original pattern. Probably because I modified the pattern to make a smaller size.

My DF has been sick hacking and coughing for the last two days so it might be a little while before I can get him to take a picture of me wearing the sweater. Pattern details and modifications to follow. Off to bed, I have to get up early tomorrow. Good night and sweet dreams. Hopefully I spelled sweet right. When I was in grade school we use to get our pictures taken every year and I would exchange pictures with my friends. It was customary to sign and date the back of the picture before giving it to the intended recipient. On more than one occasion I wrote you’re a really sweaty instead of sweetie. My friend’s sister still calls me sweaty to this day.