Pink lady knits

5.15.2007

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly...oh, and the Lace

Let's go in order, shall we?

The Good.
The yarn for my sock pal, plus a few extra skeins arrived yesterday in the mail. I was so excited to see it that I went and picked it up before work. The Fleece Artist Brick Merino is beautiful, and slightly more variegated than the web site photos showed. After seeing and touching this yarn, I can safely say that Saucy is the right pattern. I will cast on soon for these socks. I really want this project to last me a while...so I plan to knit a bit, set them down, then knit some more. I don't want them to be finished in a few days.

Fleece Artist Merino in "Brick"

From Left to Right: Regia Cotton in "Parakeet", Noro Kuryon in "175", Fleece Artist Merino in "Brick"

The Bad.
A while ago, I knit one Jaywalker in some beautiful Austermann Step. I really liked the way this looked, but I wasn't happy with the result of knitting Jaywalkers on size 1 needles. I need to learn my lesson (this is the third time I have gotten the Jaywalker smackdown) and knit them on larger needles...or add a stitch here or there. Anyway, I will rip out the offending Jaywalker, and I cast on last night for a Gentleman's Winter Stocking, like the one I made my Dad for Christmas. I think they will be awesome, and I am really looking forward to knitting the Dutch Heel again!

The Ugly.
Have you ever knit something that was SO beautiful in the pattern that you knew immediately that you would make it for yourself? You buy just the right yarn, you carefully swatch and you begin to knit. As the fabric takes shape you love it, and you see the details from the pattern form and you just know it will be perfect! Then you finish. And it's not. It's AWFUL. It makes you look 20 pounds heavier and about 4 months pregnant. It makes you feel sad because you tried so hard and you wanted it so badly....and it just didn't deliver. Such is the case of the Seaberry Shell. With that in mind, if you have about a 36" bust and NO STOMACH to speak of and are relatively short (about 5'4" or under) this sweater could be yours. I can't bring myself to rip it out just yet....so if you want it, speak up. If not, I will rip it out and make it into something that I thought of while getting ready for work this morning...

Seaberry Shell, IK Spring 2006. Knit in Patons Shetland Chunky, held double.

The Lace.
Ahhh, the lace. I swatched for my Mother in Law's Bed Shrug this weekend and got 3" instead of 4", which isn't that bad considering the fact that I am using teeny tiny silk yarn and #2 needles! She approved of the pattern, with the modification of picot edging instead of the ribbing that is there (I wanted to dress it up some) and LOVED the color. I will be casting on for this tonight, I can't wait to get started, though my hands need to adjust to the fine nature of this yarn.

Handmaiden Silk Lace in "Antique Ivory"

Up next in the queue is the Lace Tube Top from Fitted Knits for my best friends birthday...can't wait to get started!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry about your shell, darling! It DID turn out beautifully. I think that's why I wouldn't be able to stand the suspense of knitting!! LOL! The lace, though, is beautiful. Be careful of your nail beds, and don't knit on that long enough to bother your wrists (says Mother Hen).

Did you finish VJ's sweater, btw? I don't remember seeing that.

Courtney said...

Thanks. It was a real bummer. Hopefully someone will want it...we'll see. If not, I have backup plans for the yarn.
Thanks for the nail bed warnings...lord knows, I need them! I'll be careful Mother Hen!
Ummmm, no. I actually decided that the pattern I was knitting for him wouldn't work because it was too narrow of shoulder. I am going to start a drop-in class at the yarn shop for his sweater...and do set in sleeves! Ohhhh, Ahhhhh!!!

Elise said...

Ugh, sorry about the seaberry shell. Sometimes that's the way it goes you knit and then rip. I figure it keeps me occupied longer and I end up buying less yarn.

And I love the fleece artist yarn. It is so pretty.

Courtney said...

lilachica,
yeah, it's a bummer....I am thinking of ripping it and making a cute cropped cardi with 3/4 length sleeves. We'll see.
Thanks for the yarn compliments! I Can't wait to get knitting with it!

Elizabeth said...

Awww... sorry to hear about the Seaberry Shell. But it's happened to all of us before - for me, a number of time, believe me! At least your Sockapalooza socks are coming out beautifully...