Rhinebeck Sweater Progress

Let me reiterate how important it is to thoroughly read the directions. 

I misread the instructions and thought I had to knit 7 inches before starting the waist shaping. 

However, when I thoroughly read the instructions, it really said 7cm / 2.5 inches. This was so devastating. I had to rip it all out. 

So, instead of crying about it, I quickly took the needle out and ripped. 

I decided to catch up on 2 seasons of Nurse Jackie over the weekend. So, that brought me to the point where I had 2 more waist shaping increases to go. 

I'm now making positive progress. 

This morning, I started the ribbing. Woohooooooo!!!

Here is the front 

Here is the back. 

Next up....the hood and buttonband. 

How are your sweaters coming along??? 

Rhinebeck - A Month Away

A month from today, I will be hitting the road with my knitting divas and heading to Rhinebeck. We plan on spending the whole weekend surrounded by yarn fumes and much more. So, how is my sweater coming along??? 

During Labor Day weekend, I was unable to sit still long enough to knit. I spent the time catching up with friends and going to various social events. At this point, I had completed the upper back portion of my sweater. 

Last week, I got a serious allergy / sinus attack and had to stay home for 2 days on doctor's orders. My nose was stuffy, and head was groggy. I slept through rounds of medication, and then there was a period of insomnia. That's when my hands got busy. I worked on the left and right sides, picking up the stitches from the shoulders. 

After completing the armhole increases, I joined the front to the back. 

I am now working down the rest of the length of the body of the sweater. 

I'm currently 2 inches away from the waist shaping decreases. 

Aside from knitting, I've started thestress relieving activity of coloring. I recently bought gel pens and colored pencils. I also have acquired a bunch of coloring books. I have no idea how they got to my house, I swear. Lol. 

Here is my favorite Mandala with neon gel pens. 

My knitting group has enabled me, and now I am addicted to coloring. 

Happy knitting and coloring everyone!!! 

A WIP and a Swatch ... For Rhinebeck

I completed the sock from last week. Woohooooo! I just need to Kitchener Stitch it.  Hmmmmmm where did I put my Chibi needles?  

I will find them eventually. However, I didn't want to be stricken with Second Sock Syndrome, so I started sock #2. I haven't made it to the heel flap yet, but I should get there soon. In about 8 more rows.

Wait a minute!!!!  Something more important has come up.  Rhinebeck is in about 6 weeks and I need 2 sweaters. Eeeeeek!!!!  Let the madness begin. 

I started swatching on size 7 needles. Initially, I felt like the fabric was a little too loose. 

So, then I tried using size 6 needles above the eyelets, but I'm not seeing a considerable difference. 

I feel like the size 7 swatch is actually better.  So, now that I am more content with the fabric, I need to work out the gauge issues. The pattern calls for 18sts/inch. I'm getting 20. Sigh!!!!  I may have to knit a size other than medium to compensate for that. But this sweater is so pretty, a little math will be worth it. 

The pattern is called Fickle heart by Justine Lorkowska.   I have a soft spot for cozy cabled sweaters. 

The good news is, the ribbing is picked up from a provisional cast on. So, in the event that my row gauge is off, I can add length there.  

Also, I haven't washed my swatch yet, so that can have an impact as well.  

More on that soon. In the meantime, happy knitting!!!! 

A New WIP This Wednesday

During the last post, I had a plan for a sock, but no idea what yarn I was going to choose. Thankfully, between Instagram, my Knatural Purls knitting group, and my mom, we were able to pick a color. 

Cloudy Sunrise by Peepaloofields. You can check out her yarns on Etsy.

So, I started (without a gauge swatch) and I assumed that because her other sock yarn that I used was fluffy, and called for 56 sts on my size 1 needles, this must be the same. 

I casted on. 

I got home after work like "yeah, I got this".

Then, I tried it on and the heel flap wasn't long enough, and it was too tight. I just ripped it out. Didn't cry about it. I just pulled the needles out because I knew it was inevitable. 

So, I started again with 64 stitches, and that made the difference. The heel flap was wide enough, and everything was right in the world.  

I traveled to Citi Field on Sunday to enjoy Stitch N Pitch, and I couldn't find my Mets T Shirt, so I wore this instead. 

KNITTING IS SEXY. If you didn't know, now you know.

So, through sweating profusely, trying to drink anything I could get my hands on, running from a crazy out of nowhere thunderstorm, and wiping down wet seats to see the end of the game ..... I managed to turn my heel. 

I chilled with Ladybean73 who knits so she doesn't choke people. 

I also ran into Amy who runs the blog www.thestitchinmommy.com. 

The last time I saw her was during her wedding, before she became a mommy. It was a-freaking-mazing to see her again. We made plans for me to come over and hug the babies. Of course there will be knitting and crochet involved as well. She loves, loves, loves crocheting.  

So, I worked on the gusset on the train ride home. My Mekamika neon heart stitch marker decided that it wanted to join the Rose City Rollers party. 

I am currently on the long stretch to get to the toe. 

The best part is, it fits!!! Yaaaaay!!! 

Decisions, Decisions

I have come to realize that Stash Dash is totally not happening. Sorry to disappoint everyone, but it's summertime and It's very difficult knitting in this heat. So, on to my next big thing.......

STITCH N PITCH

I will be returning to Citi Field this coming Sunday.  A baseball game cannot rightfully be enjoyed without some startitis action.  So, here is my plan. 

I am jumping on the Rose City Rollers bandwagon. I have already downloaded the pattern from Ravelry. It's a free pattern. Woot woot!  It's a rolled cuff sock that is worked from the cuff to the toe. A few rows in, and you start the heel flap.  Once the heel is done, it's smooth sailing to the toe, which will be Kitchener stitched closed.  Easy Peasy!!! 

So, what's the hard part???  Picking yarn.  I have come to the point where I have so much yarn, that I'm getting paralyzed picking a color.  Yikes!!! I have narrowed it down to 5 choices, and posted it on Instagram to get votes from lovely knitters. 

Here are the contenders. 

1 - Haute Knit Yarn - Simple Sock - Bright Summers Day - Superwash Merino/Nylon

2 - MadelineTosh - Tosh Sock - Holi Festival - Superwash Merino

3 - Dragonfly Fibers - Djinni - Ode to Sock Summit - Merino/Cashmere/Nylon

4 - Miss Babs - Tarte - B.F.F. (Babette) - Superwash Merino/Nylon/Tencel

5 - Peepaloofields - Superwash Sock - Cloudy Sunrise - Superwash Merino

I respect all of these dyers so much for their amazing work. The colors are exquisitely beautiful. 

I will know at 9 am who the instagrammers choice is.  

Now, off to find sock needles. 

Happy Knitting Everyone!

Knitting Diva

The shop has been updated with Knitting Diva earrings. Get yours now at 15% off until Sunday June 14th at 11:59 pm. Code is WWKIPDAY15. 

Worldwide Knit in Public Day! - 1 more day

Worldwide Knit in Public Day is tomorrow. I am so excited. 

If you are in New York City, you must check out Knitty City's event in Bryant Park. It starts at 2:30 PM. They set up tables and chairs for knitters right near the Bryant Park Grill. 

In conjunction with Worldwide Knit in Public Day, I have these beauties to show you. 

I have decided to open my Etsy shop again, and these have been a clear best seller. I have even had inquiries before the shop opened for custom orders. Of course, I made the markers and shipped them immediately. 

My customer is totally happy with her purchase. I love making people happy...especially other knitters. 

The Etsy shop can be found at Mekamika.etsy.com. Check it out! 

Here is a pic of the business card that I designed for the shop. My main focus is embellishing knitting with pretty Swarovski crystals. A little sparkle will just make the knitting project that much more enjoyable. 

As far as knitting goes, I have tons of socks to complete. But, of course I am thinking of starting a new one, or a shawl. Here are the yarn choices.  

I'm contemplating the middle skein. Peepaloofields Dive Bomb in Orange. It knits up like this. 

And of course, I'm thinking of making socks with it. The pattern I have in mind is Skew from Knitty. 

I have had that pattern queued for years, and I think I finally found a yarn that would give it some life. 

The other pattern I have in mind is Swedish Spring by Maria Montzka. Here is a pic of her wearing it (from the Ravelry pattern page).

It was brought to my attention on the Yarngasm Podcast. Kristin of Voolenvineyarns.com is knitting one of her shawls. I have subsequently began listening to Maria's Podcast Stitched in Sweden. Around the same time I discovered the podcast, I bought a skein of Voolenvine's Stellar Banshee. I love the pink/purple flecks and that touch of almost neon yellow. Yet, I think it's subtle enough that you will still be able to see the shawl pattern. 

There is no doubt in my mind that the universe has brought these two together with shear timing and coincidence. It must happen! 

So, what do I pick first? 

Socks or a Shawl. I'm casting on tomorrow.