wifeKnits

Almost There

I’m almost done with Sigma. I’ve got a few ends to weave in then I have to do the crochet edge and block it. It feels good to be this close to finished. I can’t wait to be done. I’ll post pics after it’s completed. I also worked on Chamomile some this weekend. I am just about to the top shaping of the first sleeve. I would have done more, but I wanted to get Sigma done. And I cast on for a dishcloth that I’m going to make for my mom. She got me the booklet with 16 patterns so I decided to make the first one for her. I’m using Sugar and Cream cotton in a coral mix of colors. Real pretty.

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1/2 Sleeve

I’m about 1/2 done with the first sleeve of Chamomile. I’m finding that the Summer Tweed is rough on the hands to knit with, but it gets softer with wear. Already my sleeve is softer just from handling. I haven’t decided if I will cast on the 2nd sleeve or try the front next. I may just do the sleeve and get those done with. Saturday night, I tried working on Sigma and I kept having to rip it, so I ripped back to where I started and put it aside for another time. Haven’t had time yet to get back to it, but hopefully the second time around will go smoother. I made some headway on my sister’s scarf. I’m liking how the homespun is knitting up. It’s so soft and I know it will be warm. I just hope she likes it. It is an easy project that I can take with me and it’s mindless, so I don’t really have to concentrate on my stitches or rows.

I need more stitch/row markers. I also need more row counters and tip protectors. I guess I may have to make a trip to my LYS to pick up some more supplies soon. With more and more projects going on the needles at the same time, I’m running out of supplies to go around. I’ve actually been doing pretty good at splitting my time between working on Chamomile and the scarf. I sat Sunday night watching Charmed and knit on my sleeve for about 1/2 the show, the other half was spent working on the scarf.

I have a curiousity question for all of you. Do you keep more than one project together in a bag? Or do you have each project in it’s own bag? I keep each of mine separate in case I go anywhere I can grab one project to take with me depending on what I feel like knitting at the moment or where we are going. I don’t want to lug around stuff for more than one project because it gets to be too much, unless I’m going on a long trip. Then I’ll pack two or three projects.

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Chamomile Has Begun!

I’ve started Chamomile. Woohoo! Here is the beginning of the first sleeve. I really like how it is knitting up so far. I had to go up to a size US 10 needle. And for the smaller needle I also went up in size so I’m using US9. Hopefully it will all work out and I’ll get the right size pieces. I also finished the back of Sigma and put the front back on the needles. It’s on the way to being completed finally. I guess it’s been a productive day off. :) Of course, now that I have to go back to work, my progress will slow down again, but at least I can say I’m actually working on Chamomile now.

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Swatching

Yep. Chamomile has begun. I’ve started swatching. I’ve only done a little bit, but I think I may need to go up a needle size. I tend to knit too tight. I’m working on it and my purl stitches are looser than my knit stitches, but it’s going to take practice. So tonight I will probably have to pull out the US9 and swatch again. So far, even though the yarn is rough, I like how Summer Tweed looks knit up. I’m not sure how it will feel against my bare skin once I finish and try it on, but knitting with it isn’t too bad. It doesn’t have much elasticity though. But what little I’ve done really looks good. You almost can’t see the stitches because of the tweed.

Ok, I have a question for you more experienced knitters. If you end up going up or down a size or two from what the recommended needle size is and the pattern calls for 2 different size needles, do you go up or down the same for the second needle? Chamomile recommends US7 and US8. Of course gauge is on the US8, so if I end up going to US9, do I go up the one also for the second needle and use a US8 instead of US7? We will be going to Birmingham or Atlanta this weekend, so of course I’ll be visiting the local shops. I’m hoping to maybe pick up a ball winder and swift and definitely some yarn. Oh yeah, I’ve also got to get some needles for another project I want to do. I’ve browsed through my patterns and marked a few, so I can have some ideas for yarn in mind when I go look. Of course it will all depend on what kind of selection they have and their prices. I’m looking forward to this little trip.

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Chamo-along

Becky has decided to knit Chamomile with me, so we have our own little knit-along. If anyone would like to join, I’ll be happy to start up a knit-along with buttons and all. I’m hoping we can start next week, but if I get more people that are interested we may start a little later to allow folks to get the pattern and yarn. I’m looking forward to knitting this with her.

Also, I cheated and started my Booga Bag. I’ve finished the bottom and have started on the “wall” of the bag. I am really liking the color I chose and the stripes it is making. I can’t wait to get it done and felt it. I hope to work on it some tonight. I think I can get it done in a few days. Then I’ll post pics of my progress.

And yes, I FINALLY started on the shaping of Sigma. Hurray! I’ve only done about 8 rows into the back, but at least I’ve made it. It doesn’t seem so daunting now. I will definitely be working on it hard-core this weekend. I was getting really frustrated last night trying to purl. I felt so clumsy and couldn’t figure out a way to hold the yarn. Then I tried putting it around my neck and it seemed to go much better and quicker. So I will be purling around the neck from now on. I just don’t know what I’ll do when I have to do ribbing on Chamomile. I couldn’t get a grip on the yarn with either hand. Any suggestions on what I could try? I sort of feel silly holding the yarn around my neck, but last night it was the only way.

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