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.
Looks great!
Comment by Cheryl S. — June 26, 2009 @ 12:03 pm
What an absolutely stunning piece…I have to agree with your decision to go with the simple garter edge, it balances the intricate pattern perfectly. Just wonderful.
Comment by Tamara — June 26, 2009 @ 12:36 pm
Ooohhh…..Very pretty!
Comment by Kristin — June 26, 2009 @ 12:59 pm
I love the contrast of the sophisticated Whiskey tunic with all the technique you had to employ and the simple dishcloth. It captures the world of knitting as a continuum.
The tunic is a beaut!
Comment by twinsetellen — June 26, 2009 @ 2:08 pm
Wow! Your tunic is fantastic. Great color choice, too. I love it!
Comment by Lisa — June 26, 2009 @ 2:33 pm
Your tunic looks really good. I like the pattern and the garter edge.
Comment by Chery — June 26, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
Could we see the tunic on YOU, please? It is, indeed, a beaut. And I am looking forward to seeing what a Grandmother’s Favorite Dishcloth looks like!
Comment by Libby — June 26, 2009 @ 5:01 pm
so beautiful! what an inspiration!
Comment by Linda — June 26, 2009 @ 5:39 pm
This is REALLY lovely! I agree–please model it!
Comment by Mary Lee — June 26, 2009 @ 6:36 pm
Fantastic! And I think you’d have to add a big arrow to that image for me to see the “seam” – if there really IS a seam!
And the dishcloth is just a great big happy bonus, isn’t it?!
Comment by quinn — June 26, 2009 @ 7:02 pm
Mmmmm! I think the garter stitch edging is perfect! It’s a lovely, lovely piece. 🙂
Comment by Kym — June 26, 2009 @ 7:37 pm
Awesome!
Comment by Sigrun — June 26, 2009 @ 8:48 pm
Again….absolutely gorgeous!
Comment by Angela — June 26, 2009 @ 9:54 pm
absolutely lovely!
Comment by vanessa — June 27, 2009 @ 8:22 am
Whoops! Just now I scrolled down far enough to see Grandma’s Favorite Dishcloth – I think the folks were rushing me for dinner before. Not only have I already seen ’em, it turns out, I’ve made’em. It does my heart good to clap eyes on all that diagonal garter stitch once again. And all the YO’s that first made me think I was a knitting pro!
Comment by Libby — June 27, 2009 @ 3:56 pm
I like the garter stitch edging. That’s an absolutely gorgeous tunic.
I’m sitting here in front of my computer knitting a dishcloth as I read your post (only put it down to type this comment). Those dishcloths are great. Last summer I knit a bunch of matching pairs to use as napkins at the table–yay! no more paper napkins in the trash!
Comment by RuthieJ — June 27, 2009 @ 3:57 pm
WOWOWOWOW I love the tunic!! I just started mine today. I am taking a class from the designer, Marly Bird, and am really excited to get into it.
Comment by Nancy — June 27, 2009 @ 10:24 pm
Grandma’s Favorite Dishcloth can become an easy-to-knit baby blanket (using different yarn, of course) if you just keep knitting increase rows until it is as large as you want, then begin the decrease rows, knitting until you have 4 stitches left.
Mary G. in Texas
Comment by Katie's Granny — June 29, 2009 @ 12:55 am
Wow, you knit really beautifully! I would simply adore wearing that top. Just gorgeous… the color, the pattern, the high quality knitting. Excellent job!
Comment by C. — June 29, 2009 @ 11:55 am
It fits?!!! Hurray! Happy dance for you!
Comment by Deborah (aka Mt. Mom) — June 29, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
The tunic is fabulous!
Comment by ruth — June 30, 2009 @ 9:45 am
Fantastic ! I like the color very much !
Comment by Tulipe67 — June 30, 2009 @ 12:48 pm
I really do need to stop coming by your blog…. you girls have such a strong influence on what I desire to knit! thanks for the pattern 🙂 xoxo
Comment by Michelle — June 30, 2009 @ 3:08 pm
I love that – plain stockinette at the top and the lace pattern below. Very pretty!
Sigh. Isn’t it weird how people are completely enthused over dishcloths? OTOH, that can’t be a bad thing.
Comment by Carrie K — June 30, 2009 @ 5:45 pm
Just stunning!…oh, and the tunic isn’t bad either! 🙂
Comment by twinsetjan — July 1, 2009 @ 8:42 am
Great job! The longer bodice (than the original pattern) looks much better. It shows off the lace in a more flattering manner.
Comment by Anne — July 3, 2009 @ 11:22 am
Great tunic, but I gotta say, I love that dishcloth!
My aunt encouraged this pattern when I was a very new knitter and
it holds a very special place in my heart. I must have
made about a gazillion of them by now! Thanks!
Comment by Nettie — July 3, 2009 @ 3:40 pm