theraineysisters knitting and so much more

Well, I put this bad boy to bed last night at midnight.  My Whiskey Tunic is blocking for the second time: 

I worked on the crocheted edgings Wednesday evening without success.  The edge just did not look very good and took quite a bit of fiddling.  Even though I am a newbie crocheter, I have done single crochet edgings many times before, so I don’t think it was my technique.   I finally decided to throw in the hook and opted for a simple garter edge — I really liked the idea of the very plain bodice contrasted with the more elaborate skirt and wanted to retain that look: 

When I got it finished and tried it on, I was in shock and awe: it fit.  Yes, indeed, it fit.  Just like it was supposed to!  I didn’t really expect it, as my batting average has been low of late.  I re-blocked it because it was a tad too long (aarrgghh!  I did not need the 10th repeat!) and to smooth out the bodice from adding the edges.  It is the length I THOUGHT I wanted it to be, so I have no one to blame but myself. 

But, it’s done and I am happy with the result!  If I decide that it’s too long once I start wearing it, I’ll remove the skirt, rip back a repeat and graft it back to the bodice. 

I thought this seemed like it took forever, but when you think about it, it’s a lot of knitting even without sleeves.  I had 288 sts until I got to the bodice, and it is worked at a gauge requiring Size 4-5 needles. 

This final picture shows the side “seam.” 

The color here is terrible!

There is no visible jog or disruption of the pattern — yay!  That’s because there is a purl stitch that runs up the entire piece at that point.  Another reason to opt for in-the-round construction.

What’s up next?  A cotton dishcloth for someone at work.  This person has never shown any interest in my knitting whatsoever — which is fine, no one is obligated to care about my hobby.  But when I mentioned that I had just learned to crochet, she went absolutely crazy with excitement (I’ve never seen her so enthused) and asked if I could make her a dishcloth!  She had just tried a cotton dishcloth at a relative’s house and raved about how wonderful they are!!!  I said, “I can knit those, ya know.”  So, I am knitting her a Grandma’s Favorite Dishcloth!  Whoopee!!!!

PS: Here’s the dishcloth, mistake and all!  A mainstay in a knitter’s repertoire and my favorite dishcloth to use —

The pattern for Grandma’s Favorite Dishcloth (I used a size 8 needle, but a 6 or 7 is recommended; and I used Sugar and Cream yarn):

Cast on 4 sts.  knit 2 rows.
k2, YO, knit to end of row.  Repeat this row until you have 44-48 sts (mine is 48).
k2, YO, k2tog, knit to end of row.  Repeat once more.
k1, k2tog, YO, k2tog, knit to end of row.  Repeat this row until 4 sts remain.  Knit 1 row.  Bind off.

Finished size ~ 8-9 inches square.  That’s it.

The best laid plans as they say…I thought I would need 9 repeats of the little leafy doo-dads on my Whiskey (aka Sweetheart) Tunic, but I ended up doing 10.  It is still too short, BUT I am confidant (XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX crossed fingers and toes!) that blocking will give me the length and width needed.  I think I’ll be fine.  I don’t want the bodice sloppy loose, so I hope my strategy is correct.

I am on the back section now.  I did make a few minor changes to the pattern: I knit it in the round; I did not do the side decreases but rather shaped it by changing needles from a 6 to a 5 and then a 4; I lengthened the bodice so the stockinette starts beneath the bust line instead of right at the bust (at least I hope it does!); and I added the purl row before the stockinette to look like the finished project (this step is not written in the directions).  Here is the original Sweetheart Tunic:

I hope to be done with this by next week — again, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX!!!!!  I will be able to use my newbie crocheting skills around the neck and armhole edges.

PS — it was lovely to hear from so many tatters.  I may have to give that another try — after this project is done, of course!