theraineysisters knitting and so much more

May 21, 2006

From Susan — Sunrise Update

Filed under: Current Projects,Sunrise Circle Jacket,Updates — lv2knit @ 11:26 pm

I worked a bit on the back of my Sunrise Circle Jacket.  I had to play around a little with the pattern.  One minor change is that I cast on, knitted the hem, and did the turning row on a size smaller needle than the body calls for.  I think this makes the hem nicer.  I also did not like the way she does her darts.  She has you do a centered double decrease which creates a strong line for about 2 inches (see photo in pattern).  I don’t think it looks that good.  I substituted ssk, k3, k2tog.  For the corresponding increases, I used lifted increases on both sides of the k3. 

Sunrise Circle Jacket Back Detail

The other thing that is unusual about the pattern is her use of “k2tog through back loop (TBL)” as a substitute for ssk.  She is probably trying to account for the larger st that occurs with ssk compared to k2tog.  This can be corrected in a couple of different ways, but her method leaves both sts noticeably twisted.  I prefer either to do a standard ssk but slip the second st as to purl instead of knit.  This twists the second st only and tightens things up.  If that isn’t enough, then I purl the two sts the “wrong way” on the row before the ssk is to occur.  This is very easy to do with raglan shaping because the location of the sts is known. I used both methods on the back of this sweater: the 1st when I did the darts and the second for the raglan shaping.

My only concern about the project now relates to gauge.  Mine is very slightly off — not enough so that changing needle size will help.  I am gaining about 1/4 inch per 4 inches, which doesn’t sound like a lot but could matter with the unique construction of the garment.  I am trying to tighten up my knitting slightly so the raglan armhole is not too deep.  

Sorry about all the technical knitting talk!  I’m sure it is boring to many of you, but this is the “knitalong” portion of the blog!

From Sally — Icarus Shawl update

Filed under: Current Projects,Icarus Shawl,Updates — Sally @ 10:11 am

As promised, here is a photograph of my Icarus shawl in progress.

As I said, I substituted Rowan Kidsilk Haze for the Suri Elegance alpaca that was called for. (I’m using color 589.) While at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, I saw the Suri Alpaca. It looks as if it may be slightly finer than the Kidsilk Haze and it has less “hairiness.” I think it’s a pretty yarn, but I prefer the kidsilk. It’s light as air and is a beautiful yarn to work with.

I’ve almost completed four of the six repeats of Chart A (the chart you work before the lace border). I’m still on the first skein of yarn. I plan on doing 1-2 extra repeats for a slightly larger shawl. Chart A is so easy and mindless that this is a wonderfully portable project. That may change when I get to the lace border.

May 20, 2006

From Sally — Sunrise Circle

Filed under: Sunrise Circle Jacket — surly @ 7:46 pm

This is the first time I’ve seen the color of yarn I am going to knit this jacket in. Of course, I can’t start on it yet because I don’t have the yarn. So Susan’s getting a head start.

In the meantime, I’ve started several new projects. My camera’s batteries are dead; I’ll update tomorrow after they charge with some pictures of my newest project and a visual update on my Icarus shawl.

From Susan — New Knitalong

Filed under: Sunrise Circle Jacket — lv2knit @ 6:32 am

Sally and I are starting a “Sunrise Circle Jacket Knitalong” for the two of us (any joiners?).  We have tried this before, with the Hanne Falkenberg Mermaid.  One of us did not finish, but I’ll protect her identity. 

I bought the yarn for both of us yesterday — we decided on Cascade 220 because it is very similar to Wool of the Andes, if not identical, and I could get my sweater started ASAP!!!

Choc Cascade 2403

Sally’s Color: Chocolate, Color # 2403

Cascade 2450

My Color, Mystic Purple Color # 2450

There are really too many colors of this yarn to choose from, but my color actually said, “Pick me.”  I had no choice.  Sally wanted a dark, rich color and this one is absolutely gorgeous.  It is dark brown with a hint of eggplant.  I could have picked a classier color, but my knitting friends said get a COLOR (not gray, etc.). 

You really need to look at the pattern to understand that this jacket is an architectural marvel (see link below).  The back is knitted normally.  The sleeve starts at the wrist and then the front, a semi-circle, is attached and made as one piece with the sleeve.  I started yesterday, but have not gotten far due to many time commitments.  And poor Ballerina is going to have to sit it out a while on the back burner.

May 19, 2006

From Susan — Knitting Bliss

Filed under: Uncategorized — lv2knit @ 12:45 am

What can I say?  I spent several wonderful hours with my knitting peeps and thoroughly enjoyed myself!  Did I knit?  Not a lot, but I did socialize and eat.  I also perused the Knit Picks color cards.  Sally and I are contemplating knitting the Sunrise Circle Jacket from Interweave Knits Projects. 

Sunrise Circle

It is a very intriguing design by Kate Gilbert.  There are several people out there knitting this up in Wool of the Andes, for very reasonable dollars.  The hardest part will be picking out a color.

Check out the upper right hand corner for the Wedding Purse Pattern, requested by aforementioned peeps.  I also made a simple lining that I did not describe in the pattern.

May 16, 2006

From Susan — Minnesota Knitters Guild

Filed under: Uncategorized — lv2knit @ 10:58 pm

Tonight I had the rare privilege of attending a Knitters Guild meeting.  I usually feel a bit guilty going to them because it means an extra evening out knitting in addition to Thursdays.  However, tonight I was doing my daughter a favor at the same time by dropping her off at an event in “Dinkytown” (the small campus town near the U of MN) which happened to coincide beautifully with the meeting.  The guest was book editor, Kari Cornell.  She works for Voyager Press and focuses her efforts on knitting anthologies and books such as Knitticisms…and Other Purls of Wisdom.  Kari is relatively new to knitting but quickly discovered its addictive nature.  Join the crowd, Kari!!

At the meeting we discussed the current knitting climate, and many others expressed what I was trying to say in my “who we are” section: knitting has become very communal and is best enjoyed when reaching out and connecting with others who share the same passion.  Knitting for me was very solitary through my early years — now it is something I associate with many different people: my sister, my knitting classes and my weekly knitting group.  Even those of you out there that I don’t know.  It has become a very shared activity and a lot more fun for that reason.

We also started planning the next “Knit Out.”  Knit Out is a national event that takes place in September or October.  The past two years we held ours in October at the Ridgedale Mall.  What a blast!  We had fashion shows, displays, charity knitting, knitting lessons, and the fastest knitter contest.  It is a great way to showcase knitting in all of its variations.  More info will be forthcoming.

May 14, 2006

From Sally — The Ugliest Sweater I Ever Knit

Filed under: Back Story — Sally @ 7:20 pm

Isn’t Susan’s wedding purse beautiful? Some projects are pretty and timeless. Others are — well — I don’t really want to say anything too negative (in part because I am the kind of person who believes objects have feelings. I’ve been known to apologize to a chair for bumping into it.)

Even so, I’ve been cleaning out my closet this weekend and there is one handknit sweater that I will never, ever wear again. I don’t know what I was thinking, although I do remember being quite proud of it at the time. It was knit side to side, a first for me. So it does get a plus in the learning category. It used multiple kinds of yarn — oooh, Aunt Bea. Another part of my learning. It was the first time I did applied I-cord. Woo hoo. I should be too embarrassed to post a photograph but hey — I’m a Clay Aiken fan — I’m used to being taunted. So, without further ado:

Its one redeeming feature is its beautiful amber buttons. I am thinking of removing them and — gasp — throwing the sweater away. I think I need some liquid courage to actually do it.

Remember when I talked about the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival? I did end up going at the last minute. My major purchase was some roving. I have a spinning wheel, but I am not a good spinner. I took a class a few years ago, but stopped practicing. Seeing so much spinning going on got me interested again, so I bought two pounds of Blueface Leicester wool. It’s soooo soft. I got home and pulled out my spinning wheel. It’s a Louet Double Treadle S-51 for those of you who care. I sat and stared at it, trying to remember how the hell to “thread” it and get it to work. Yes, it had been a long time.

I did finally remember, and I’ve spent a lot of time since the Festival spinning. There are occasional moments when I truly “get” it: the fibers pull just right, the wheel spins at the proper speed, and I produce an even, beautiful yarn. But that’s just occasionally. The rest of the time I’m producing novelty yarn. I don’t mind, though. It’s relaxing and addictive and I’m learning. And I’ve got at least a pound and a half of Bluefaced Leicester rovings left.

Finally, in honor of Mother’s Day, here is a photograph of a peony I cut from my garden this morning.

May 13, 2006

From Susan — A Project Complete

Filed under: Current Projects — lv2knit @ 8:09 pm

The Wedding Purse is done:

Wedding Purse

The lace edging is from Barbara Walker’s Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns and is called the Queen’s Edging (page 373) — the edging is very fun to knit.  I knitted the bag out of one skein of Dale “Stork” color #2, 100% fine cotton, on Size 1 bamboo double points.  The beads are Japanese silver lined size 8, color XLT Sapphire (138 total beads used).  I lined it in a natural cotton fabric.  And there you have it.

May 12, 2006

From Susan — At Linda’s Request

Filed under: Knitting Tips — lv2knit @ 5:04 pm

Friend Linda asked for the link for making graph paper.  I had it in an earlier post, but here it is again for LV:  Actual Size Graph Paper.  Thanks for your comments! 

PS — this link has been added to our “Knitting Tips” page (see upper right corner of this page).

From Susan — Ballerina Update

Filed under: Updates — lv2knit @ 8:14 am

As promised, here is a picture of the sleeve in progress:

sleeve

Someone asked me if I was working on the collar — it does look a bit odd, doesn’t it?  I’ll be finishing up the beaded wedding bag today and will place a picture then.  I think it is really turning out quite nicely. 

I was very sorry to miss knitting group last night.  I really wanted to go.  Actually, I needed to go!  I had such a busy week and really needed to unwind with my knitting peeps.  However, daughter Laura had school conferences and two works in the art show.  So, I was the the good parent and went to conferences instead of knitting group. 

I got this in the mail:

State Fair Book

Woo hoo — very exciting times!  The State Fair is around the corner!  Thursdays at Four is sponsoring a $25 Gift Card from Panera’s for the sweepstakes winner.  The State Fair is a big deal for knitters in the Twin Cities area so our knitting group decided to get into the action.

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