New Look 6729

My third time around and finally, I didn't mess up...lol

Pattern Description: 5 versions of misses knit tops

Pattern Sizing: 6-16.

Did it look like the photo on the pattern envelope ? Yes & No, I did Version D.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions for assembling the top was very easy. So easy that it is my 3rd time around with this pattern. The first time I used a sheer plaid and totally messed up the matching of the strips & plaids. The second time around I used a deep orange knit fabric and at the very end in my attempt to quickly iron it, I burned a hole in the blouse. Sheesh.

What did you particularly like about the pattern? You mean what do I love about this pattern? The sleeves are part of the bodice, which eliminates set in sleeves. Yipppeee!

Fabric Used: polyester/rayon /spandex blend in deep brown

Pattern Alterations made: The pattern piece for the back instructs you to do it in 2 pieces, but I opted to do the back as one piece, which eliminates a center back seam. The other thing that I did different was opting out of the side tie.

Would you sew it again? Oh boy would I… looking to do another one this weekend…lol

Happy Saturday All

How many of you had this for your Friday.... pretty to look at but a major mess...lol

Ok, on to knitting, my EE KCAL project is moving along smoothly, which is the Open-Neck Pullover by Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton, from Knit Simple Spring/Summer 2006 issue. I was checking out Ravelry and came across another garment by Cornelia that I'm looking to add to my knit list. Its the Gripsholm Cardigan, which was knitted by Wrypunster, totally love it.


Ohhh boy, I'm getting sidetracked...lol. Back to the matter at hand, the pattern calls for the garment to be worked up in seed stitch with a constrasting band done in garter, but after doing 10 rows of seed stitch, I decided that I would prefer doing the remainder of the garment in garter stitch. Also, instead of using the Tahki Cotton Classic that the pattern called for, I substituted using Tahki Donegal Tweed in Charcoal (100% new wool) for a winter garment. Swatching was a lil tricky but I believe I figured it out in that I had to cast-on for a small size to get as close to my size as possible.


I've completed the back, and for the constrasting band, using some leftover Kathmandu DK yarn in Grape ( 85% Merino Wool, 10% Silk, 5% Cashmere). I felt using the Kathmandu yarn would work well with the Donegal tweed in that they both have flecks of color and both have that slubbiness to it and must say both yarns are a charm to work with no splitting or shredding.
I've moved on to the front and modifing it a tad bit, by not making the deep-neck opening, which measures about 6" or so long from the constrasting band up to the neck. Instead of starting the deep-neck opening after the constrasting band I changed to the charcoal color and will continue working even for another 4" and then begin the neck opening and armhole shaping. I just feel that with such a deep opening I may end up with that D.olly Par.ton cleveage look...lol.

On the crocheting front, I was asked to do ponchos. The ponchos are for 2 lil girls that will be participating in a wedding as flowergirls and the moms wanted them to wear ponchos over their gowns, more so to keep the chill off their shoulders during the ceremony and reception. I'm using Red Heart Holiday Yarn and Red Heart Baby Econo Yarn together. The Holiday yarn has strands of metallic silver running through it for that glitter appeal, also the moms wanted royal blue ribbon included to match the bride's wedding gown. The picture doesn't do it any justice, but it's so cute.

Well one down and one more to go.

DH knew I wanted to purchase a sewing station and bookshelves for my new craftroom and he kept telling me to hold off on new purchases. Of course, I would get twisted everytime he'd say just wait. I said to him wait for what – by saying wait and nothing more, is not saying a lot. At some point I just settled into my new craftroom and didn’t say anything more about new furniture, realizing that the room was perfect just the way it is.

Remember this post: I Blamed It All on YOU!

DH called me yesterday while I was at work and told me I would have to take the LIRR. I started getting twisted about taking the train, but once he mentioned that he had a surprise for me... I was like sure, I'll take the train, matter of fact don't pick me up at the terminal, I'll take the bus... since you have that surprise waiting for me and all....lol.

Well I arrived home to find this in my craftroom. A gorgeous executive desk in glossy walnut, with deep drawers and a nice size pencil tray in the center.... and check out the cute brass pulls. To add to it, the desk is a whopping 5' long x 3' wide x 30" tall to serve as my cutting table.

and this is another part of the desk, the return , which also has the deep drawers and cute brass pulls, and will serve has my sewing table... so PERFECT!!!
I LOVVVVVVVVVVVE IT!!! I was all over him... talking about ooohhh honey this.... ooooh honey that, you are the best... and a bunch of smooches....lol.

and to think I was going to plop down a couple of hundreds for this, which he said would have been made of MDF and wouldn't last long.

DH had me laughing, talking about he started busting out in a sweat from the weight of the desk and that he had a hard time getting the desk through the door and had to remove the door and then shimmy the desk into the room. He said lawd knows... there would've been balls of fire to pay - if I didn't get it into that room....LOL.

To top it off he got both pieces for a mere $100.00 from a vintage shop!!!

WHATA MAN.... WHATA MAN!

psst... I wonder if he remembers that I want a bookshelf... hehe

Its Friday Nite, just got paid, the party's pumping..... feelin' alright... or something like that....LOL

Well last nite, I was happy as all get out that it was Friday, mingled with the family and enjoyed watching my daughter get ready to go out to a club.... Oh, how I remember those days. Then I sauntered off to my craftroom, with my yarn, pattern and my brown juice in hand. I did a swatch and thereafter cast-on for the sweater and was feelin' alright.

Please remind me that its not good to Drink while Swatching.... when I got up this morning, I decided to get in some more rows and immediately noticed that what I'd did so far looked too big or rather too long. I put what little I'd done on a lifeline and it was 24" wide... ugggh!!! It should've been 16", so I pulled out my swatch and just stared at it... like where did a I go wrong. Oh, I know it was the brown juice that fogged my judgment....lol. I ripped out what I'd done and started over. The pattern called for using Cotton Classic, which yields 20sts & 32 rows = 4", and I decided to use Donegal Tweed yarn as a substitute, and my swatch yield 18 sts & 26 rows = 4". I believe I figured it out correctly this time and what went wrong, I cast-on for the large and should've casted on for a smaller size to get the correct measurement and go up a needle size. So after reading about yarn substituion on Cosmic Pluto Knit and Samurai Knitter... I will press on....lol.

I think the yarn companies should put a warning on their labels.

Warning!!! Get Gauge with a Clear Mind.....lol

I finally narrowed down my project for Ebony Elite KAL. I spent all week looking for a project that would work with my stash... no luck. Then this morning I bum rushed to Borders to get Fitted Knits, finally deciding that I would like to do the Back to School U Neck Vest, but no luck... sheesh. On top of that I actually had to work for my money today. I was busy all day at work unable to really do any blogging and/or search for a free knit project... how dare they...lol. So I dragged myself home mumbling that I will go check out Garden Stitches. Well lo & behold my dbl blessed me with several hanks of Tahki Donegal Tweed in charcoal... doing the happy dance.So I decided on an Open-Necked Sweater by Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton from Knit Simple (Spring/Summer 2006) issue. The pattern calls for Cotton Classic, but I decided to make it a winter garment and did a swatch.... yes, Sheila did a swatch using the recommended US 7 needles, which is unheard of....lol. and the gauge was a tad bit big, so I may do one more swatch with a smaller needle. I actully did the swatch in the stitch the pattern called for which is a seed stitch. See, I'm behaving myself and trying not to deviate...lol.

For the constrasting band, I may go with a solid grey... time will tell. I'm so looking forward to the KAL, its my first and once this project is said and done, hopefully, I will move on to another one. I'm sure along the way there will be that feeling of - will I ever be done, so I will work on a few hats in between.

So, does everyone have their project & materials ready to go....?

Sand & Stone Vest

Project: Freestylin' Knit
Start & Finish: 2/6/08 - 2/12/08
Yarn: Caron 1lb (Lace) Yarn & Caron Simply Soft (Heather Grey) Yarn

Needles: US 4
Usage Guesstimate: Less than half of the Lace & half of the Heather Grey


In an attempt to add some variety into my officewear, I decided to knit my own vests with a lil pop and really like the laid back look. I followed Theresa's Picking Up Stitches Technique along the v-neck and armhole and it didn't work out, so I ripped it out and crocheted along the v-neck and armhole. Then I tried it along the bottom and ugggh I couldn't get the vest on....lol. So I had to rip that out and decided it was best to leave it as is. End result.... lovvvvvvvvin' it.

I spent the better part of the week, sorting through various knit mags looking for a project for Ebony Elite Kal. My mind is set on a vest project, and lo & behold I received my Spring 2008 Interweave Knit mag yesterday, which features some delectable knits, and a fab article on finshing. I have my sights on this beauty, the Aleita Shell. I was thinking of substituting yarn using what I have in my stash, which are Cashmere/Alpaca yarn and Silky wool, and know I would have to do some serious gauge checking, but on the other hand after reading through the instructions several times, I feeling somewhat skeptical, and honestly thinking I should look for something in my league... but a girl can dream.... right....lol

Also, I've been doing a lot of reading, sew trying to get a better grip on sewing....lol. I got 5 great Thread Magazines from Ebay, which are very resourceful.. and looking forward to returning to the sewing table. The Jackets, Coats and Suits takes you through various jacket styles & cuts, featuring techinques used by designers, such as Armani, Miyake and Dior. Fit and Fabric focuses on adapting patterns or copying your favorite clothes to sewing with knits. Great Knits, helps you expand on your knitting skills with techniques for designing a garment and helpful basic techniques to refresh. Distinctive Details provdes a wealth of information on handsewing to embellishing, and lastly Fit Your Figure guides you through the process of understanding the shape of our bodies, adjustments and alterations. Now that I'm loaded with a handful of resourceful books, I should be able to return to the sewing table with a lil more umph...lol.

On the knitting front, I've been doing some freestyle knitting and just enjoying the randomness of it and since I'm on a vest kick, decided to do another vest. I'm trying to use up my acrylic stash and using Caron 1lb yarn in Lace and Caron Simply Soft in Grey Heather. Talk about total randomness, I started this project in the round and then divided for the front and completed it and now continuing the back with the Grey Heather. I would like to trim out the V-neck with the grey heather as well.
Would like to know what Kal and/or Cal you are participating in.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Acrylic has a first name its s.y.n.t.h.e.t.i.c p.o.l.y.m.e.r

Since I've started knitting I found myself looking at and have purchased some high-end and/or eco-friendly yarns like hemp, baby alpaca/cashmere, silky wool, merino/wool/silk blends, etc. and have enjoyed the results. But its something about that Acrylic that keeps me going back. Ok, the somethings that I like about acrylic is its resistant to moths, chemicals, oils, non-allergenic, washable, dries quickly, shrink resistant and most importantly its Cheap. I have several garments that are 100% acyrlic and have stood the test of time b/c I make sure to care for the garment properly. Yes, its been said that acrylic can be a bit cheap looking, if not cared for properly and that it lacks some insulating properties, but whateverrrrr...lol

With all that said I dug in my stash and started wipping up this lil number, using Caron (beige) yarn and Red Hearts (Earth & Sky) yarn. Provided my freestyling knit goes well, I should have a pic of the FO soon.

Happy Saturday All,

I'm sure everyone is preparing for the Su.per.bowl, I'm not sure I can stand anymore ruckus over the whole Su.per.bowl fiasco. Every day this week, the Su.per.bowl was mentioned at least a thousand times to the point that there was a Gi.ants' scarf drapped over a desk :0

Once home the Su.per.bowl fiasco continued between DH and DB - from Bra.dy this, Stra.han that, Gi.ants this, the Pa.triots that. It was to the point that while I was cooking dinner DH had the nerve to switch from L.aw & Or.der to some darn sport channel... I had to give him that look "Maaaan if you don't switch it back to L&O... its going to get hotter in this kitchen"...lol.

I guess not being a sport fan is exacerbating it all....lol. My home will definitely be full of rabble rousers since DH is a total Sport Freak... the man watches sport religiously from golfing, hockey... awww just name it he watches it - sometimes I'll venture into his media realm and he's watching soccer.. mind you its in Spanish...lol - I know he's bilingual but spanish isn't his second language...lol - and to think I made it worst when I purchased him a 42" HDTV for his b-day last year.... ugggh! Sometimes my Honey Do list gathers dust, b/c I have to wait for a game to end....lol

Aww Man.. listen to me... falling into that Su.per.bowl fiasco...

So moving right along, made some headway on my daughter's tunic and finished one sleeve, also I've finished licking my wounds over the plaid blouse debacle and just decided this was the best option...

a la Garbage

Addio... Goodbye

and revisited the pattern. This time I opted for a Rust/Orange stretch gauze knit fabric (95% Cotton 5% Lycra), and realized I had to use my rotary blade, which was the first time... totally easier than the scissors. Also, BeSewStylish enlightened me on cutting a full back as opposed to the pattern instructions two back pieces.

I've baste stitched it and tried it on. So I'm feelin' better now, knowing that I used the right fabric. Now off to do a lil research on the best method for hemming stretch gauze knit.

Have a Fabulous Su.per.bowl Weekend.