Seeing Double

I am working on the sleeves of my Ella coat. I decided to make them both at the same time just to keep things consistent. In an effort to minimize having a ridiculous amount of mini yarn balls, I came up with an idea to keep everything together. I knit one sleeve from the inside of the ball, and the other sleeve from the outside. Secondly, I am alternating starting the even numbers of rows on the wrong side or right side for each color. This allows me to have some space when weaving in ends, so I am not weaving 2 colors next to each other. Some of the color bands are only 2 rows long, so it makes the fabric very dense if I'm weaving in a section that have 4 tails in a row. I have to keep on mind that I still have to seam this all together on the end. My darning needle is going to need some space.

The goal for the KAL is to have the sleeves completed before next Monday. For NaKniSweMo I finished a pair of sleeves in 2 days. But this is NOT November, and this is NOT a Stockinette sleeve done in the round with minor cable detailing at the cuff. I'm not even going to talk about the amount of ends to weave in, which could take up some significant time. Thank God for reality TV playing in the background to keep me awake late at night.

The stripes also account for the fact that Ella can't commute with me. But, I did manage to make use of my train time today. I casted on for Ella #2 today.

At this point, I am at Bedford Avenue, on the L train.  The last stop in Brooklyn.

I am making it in a color scheme that revolves around orange. This new Ella is actually for my mom, and I have chosen the size 44 for her after careful measurements. I asked my mom to choose which color comes next when I started to set up the color scheme. Her response "They all look pretty. Pick whatever you want." My result ended up looking like candy corn, but what the heck.

I will fix that by adding some bling with Tilli Tomas Flurries. I can't wait to see this Ella come to life.

Weaving, weaving, weaving in.

I finally finished my Ella bodice. I was afraid I was falling behind, but I was able to catch up after 2 nights of watching reality TV. The bodice fits great. I am still getting used to it being slightly larger than when I usually make sweaters. Most of my sweaters don't have 2 inches of positive ease. But yet and still, I am loving it.

My only qualm about it is the amount of weaving in for all of the loose ends from the stripes. But the payoff is great with all the lovely colors.

Here are some progress pictures.

My nice weaving.....

....and the rest that needs weaving. Ugh!

Also, I would like to introduce you to my newest little cousin Caleb. He was born in Trinidad yesterday morning at around 9 AM. He is 8 pounds and the sweetest thing ever. I'm kinda bummed that I can't make anything woolen for him, because he lives in a tropical island. Does anyone have any ideas for something cute for him?

Lastly, plans for Ella L'Orange are underway. I recently got my package of yarn from The Loopy Ewe. I am waiting on 2 skeins of Tilli Tomas Flurries from Fabulousyarn.com. I am so excited to start this.

Ella week 2 and soft yarn for a tough guy

This is the second week into knitting this glorious coat. The assignment for this week is to work the armhole shaping and separate the back from the left and right fronts of the sweater. Special care was given by Nora when it came to instructions on how to get the perfect fit.

#1 Measure the distance from natural waist to underarm. Mine would be 7 inches.

#2 Work the bodice to an inch or inch and a half less than that measurement. So, I stopped at 6 inches.

#3 Make sure the increases fall at the center boob point of your bosom. Sounds kinda funny, but it's perfect because you ensure that the front isn't lopsided. I still have a little room for a ruffle in the front, so I am happy with my progress thus far.

Separating the fronts from the backs required binding off mid-row. That was no problem. I am happy with the way the back portion is turning out, and I happy that I am almost through my second color pattern repeat.

Did I mention how much I love this yarn? Shepherd's Worsted is a dream to knit with. I completed the Festivus gift for "The Brain". He loved the feel of the yarn so much that he tried it on, stayed in my house for an hour chatting, and never took it off. I asked "aren't you hot". He said it felt too nice to take it off. That's the best complement a knitter can get. For those of you still contemplating on a yarn choice for Ella, this yarn is tough-guy approved.

Falling in love, falling in love again!

With ELLA!

This sweater created such a buzz during Vogue Knitting Live. At first, I caught a few stares, and some oohs and aaaahs. But pretty soon, I was chatty with everyone about the KAL, and how awesome it would be if they join. I would like to give a big hug to Mindy and Linda again. They were the last set of people that I talked to, and we have been emailing ever since, discussing our plans. Ella has already allowed me to make friends from far away places. As long as there is stash, a knitting friend will last!

There are a few reasons I love Ella so much. I would compare it to Urban Decay's NAKED makeup palette. The eyeshadow kit was an instant sensation upon release, because it matched practically everyone's skin tone. From fair to dark, warm to cool, there is a set of colors in there that works for everyone. Also, the range of looks can go from natural to smoldering smokey eye. Beyond that, a second palette was just released this month.
Ella's construction allows for a beautiful fit on any body type. Petite? You can shorten it. Long torso? Make the bodice a bit longer. Not into long swing coats? Make it hip skimming length. Super romantic? Add more to the ruffles. What I love most is the fact that you can do so much with the color scheme. Solid with contrasting ruffles, stripes all over, stripes only in certain areas, solid and variegated striping effect. The possibilities are endless.

So, without further adieu, I present to you the beginning of my love affair. Ella in the NYC Diva Colorway. My color palette includes Shepherd's Worsted in in Baby Pink, Pink, Hot Pink, Zinnia Pink, Creamsicle, Orange, Antique Rose and Tilli Tomas Flurries in Stargazer Lily and Hibiscus.

In this picture I worked the pattern to the second increase. My striping pattern has even numbered rows for every color. Some stripes were started on the purl side to even out the amount of loose ends on each side. I didn't want them all to be stuck on one side of the coat.

This yarn feels like heaven. I can't say that enough. It is soft, plush and lofty. In my hands it feels like what my hair feels like immediately after a deep conditioner, minus the water. Half of my knitting time is spent just touching the knitted fabric.

Ella is so pretty, that my mom hinted at wanting one. I guess it's time to reinvent my color scheme to an orange palette. This sweater feels so good, I would gladly make 2. I guess it's time to see what colors The Loopy Ewe has. Too bad there isn't a store on NYC that carries Stonehedge Farm Shepherd's Worsted. I guess I will just have to wait for shipping.

Ella's journey to Vogue Knitting Live in NYC.

I had a conversation with Melissa from Noni designs. I can't remember it verbatim, but it went a little something like this.

M: Nora and I will be in NYC the weekend of the 14th. It would be cool if we could meet up and go to La Casita. (she knows this is my favorite yarn store)

S: Yes, La Casita would be wonderful.  They have a Friday night knitting group.  It would be perfect.

M: Great!  I can't wait.

S: What are you doing Saturday?  You know Vogue Knitting Live is happening, right?  It would be awesome.  You can show off Ella, and we can get more people to join in this wonderful KAL.  I can even walk around with you, and model Ella for everyone to see.  It would be awesome.  

A few days later, here we are.   



Shameka in Nora's Blue Ella



It was so much fun walking through the crowd and talking to the wonderful knitters at VK Live, and seeing their excitement over the coat.  Then, when they realized it was the fabulous Nora Bellows who designed so many gorgeous bags at http://www.nonipatterns.com/ they got even more excited.  " I made your bag" "I made your flowers" "I'm so excited to meet you, can I give you a hug?".  Instantly, I whipped out my Iphone, and started inviting people to the Ella KAL Group on Ravelry (I love technology).  

The KAL starts tomorrow, so don't hesitate to make a decision.  YOU KNOW YOU WANT THIS COAT!  The sizes range from a 32 bust to a 52 bust, and the A-line skirt is perfect for many shapes.  You create the bodice, then pick up stitches and knit the skirt from the waist down, so you can make it as long as you want.  Nora will be adding little variations to the design on her BLOG, and will post every Monday to keep us on track. 

How Ella Fits:

The drape is absolutely beautiful. It is neither too tight, nor too loose.  It makes me feel very pretty and girly.  I thought of doing a Tour J'ete with this exciting declaration of beautiful femeninity I had on.  Yes, I did feel extremely feminine in traditional "boy" colors.  But, it's the embodiment of the sweater that makes you feel that way.  The fabric makes you feel very warm and snuggly.  Most snuggly sweaters feel a bit frumpy, but Ella is hip, cute, and dare I say Sexy.  I love it! 

After Vogue Knitting live, we went to an Indian restaurant nearby.  Nora sat next to me and we discussed pattern writing, color theory, knitting techniques, and yarn selection.  She even hand-wound a perfect Golden Yarn Egg.  I think it's a lot cuter than a yarn Cake. 



Nora, Ella, and the Golden Yarn Egg!





A closer view.  It's perfect!

 Nora is such a talented designer.  She gave me a little insight on the upcoming project that she has, and I got a glimpse of how much research went in to creating her unique patterns.  I must say I was blown away.  As soon as I have permission to talk more about it, I will. Trust me, you will be blown away as well. 

It was an honor to spend such an amazing weekend with Nora and Melissa. Noni Designs Rocks!

Cast-On time is in less than a day. Is your Ella ready to be created?

A Conversation with Ella

Me: I really want to start a sweater in the first month of 2012.  I joined this 12 sweaters in 2012 group on Ravelry, and I want to do much better than I did with 11 in 2011.  If I can get a sweater a month done, I will be so happy, and very, very warm.

Ella: I think you need a coat

Me: No, I need a sweater

Ella: I mean a sweater-coat.  Trust me, you will like it.

Me: It has to match my personality.  It has to be fun and colorful.  It has to be sassy and fashionable.  It has to be girly.  It has to match my pretty little high heel shoes

Ella: I'm PINK.... well that is if you want me to be.

Me: Where have you been all my life?

Ella: I've been reinvented

Me: So when can I meet you?

Ella:  Sometime mid-January

Me: Do I really have to wait that long?  Why are you being elusive?

Ella: Every woman has to keep a secret to herself

Me: Well, I can't wait to meet you

Ella:  I will be here before you know it! Here is my spokesperson.  I was created by Noni Designs.  You should check out their blog soon.  They have a lot of fun things going on over there.  Not to mention things to do with soft, squishy yarn.  Pretty soon there will be clones of me, but I want you to know that we are good friends from the very start.

Me:  I'm going to call you my NYC Ella.

NYC Ella:  I love that name. I look forward to meeting you in a New York minute.