Fishtail Lace Top-The Saga Continues

After testing a number of different lace patterns, I decided to use a plain stocking knit stitch for the top portion of the sweater and the main part of the sleeves.  The rationale for this design change was that using two different lace patterns involved more complex changes in terms of math and shaping and that the stockingknit stitch offset the beauty of the fishtail lace.

To offset the top portion of the sweater, I reduced the number of stitches to make it more fitted and used 4 rows of garter stitch instead of a ribbon used in the model.  I shaped the armholes to accommodate a set-in sleeve which I like. 

For the sleeves, I knitted 3 repeats of the fishtail lace to have a frilly cuff. Then I reduced the number of stitches and used 4 rows of garter stitch to set off the lace.

Origami Cardi Progress

The Origami Cardi has been a challenge due to the unusual shape. While I’m adept at modifying knitting instructions for  yarn and needle size, this project requires more faith since it doesn’t conform to routine sweater shapes.

Despite this, I’ve really enjoyed working on the sweater. Here are some initial shots of it now that I’ve finished the back and fronts. The pieces are pinned in place.

Origami Cardi Pinned In Place

Origami Cardi – Back and Front held to show construction detail

Shaped Lace Tee – A New Knitting Journey

During our Labor Day adventure to Montauk, I bought 3 skeins of Brown Sheep’s Cotton Fleece in dusty rose to make the Shaped Lace Tee in Knitting Lingerie Style at Purl By the Sea. In the interim, I considered making the camisole lace top out of some Italian made off white cotton and merino fiber that I had purchased at Silk City Fibers. I’m on a campaign to knit projects for my upcoming wedding and honeymoon so the move to white seemed logical. Due to the thin size of the fiber combined with my looser than gauge knitting, I decided to knit it double. A small swatch revealed a dreamy soft fabric that was too thick for the type of garment I wanted.  This was enough for me to put aside this wonderful fiber.0

Back to the Cotton Fleece…the initial swatch and related calculations revealed that my stitches where in range. While at Purl By the Sea, I checked Knitting Lingerie Style to determine how much yarn to purchase. While the clerk was helpful, I wish that she had suggested buying an extra skien since the Cotton Fleece gauge differed from the pattern and they were having a Labor Day Sale. The good news is that the Cotton Fleece is the same fiber content and has more yardage. After additional calculations, I hope to have sufficient fiber.

The pattern recommends changing needles for the waist so that decreases aren’t necessary. This is a great idea to maintain a consistent number of stitches for the lace pattern. Instead, I will make decreases since I like fitted garments that emulate the gradual curve my body has.

So I’ve plunged in to casting on and knitting the tee (which will be a tank) without looking back. (Of course, I should have washed a small swatch to test it. I know…) As often happens about an inch in, I decided that, despite my calculations, the piece was too long. So I went down a size and started again.

The issue is the the top uses lace with a 9 stitch repeat so that the sizing jumps from a 33.5 inches to 38 inches which is a challenge if your measurements fall in between. I don’t have a good fix for that except to try smaller needles to adjust for the difference.

Having started the back of the tee two times, I realize that the piece curls over significantly. My concern is that this issue may not be corrected with blocking (which can be touch and go with a largely cotton fiber) or a crocheted border. At this point, I decided to check the book and Ravelry. At this point, it occurred to me that this was the same lace pattern as the After Dark Nightie! I pulled out my nightie and realized that it had 3 rows of garter stitch which made it lay flat.

So back to the beginning again…This time I plan to use a smaller needle size to accommodate the smaller size. (Note: I like this type of top to fit snuggly which means making it with zero ease.) In addition, I will use 3 rows of garter and a crocheted cast on to help it lay flat.

Thanksgiving for Knitters

For knitters, there’s always something to give thanks for, whether it’s frogging a mistake so that you have more knitting to do or moments that would otherwise be spent waiting for subways, MDs and other events that can be filled with knitting.

NYC based knitters can give thanks for The Point’s Post-Thanksgiving Sale where you get 15% off of your entire purchase (of $50 or more) so you can make your holiday gifts or just give yourself an early one (and what knitter doesn’t deserve more scrumptous yarn for new projects?)

Make sure that you mark your calendars–Friday, November 23rd through Sunday, November 25th. See you there!

Knitted Lingerie Style Laced-Front Sweater-Finished!

The Laced-Front Sweater from Knitted Lingerie Style is finally a sweater!

I really enjoyed knitting the Brooks Farm Harmony and love the way that the rose and brown colorway worked for this pattern. I was surprised at how long it took me to sew together the sweater and knit the i-cord. 

At first, I was disappointed that, despite my extending the front panels, there was still a large gap at the bottom. It has taken me a while to get used to the style.

 

Cross Your Heart Sweater-No Longer UFO!

The Cross Your Heart Sweater has been in the UFO pile since I lost interest after I finished the knitting. Having pinned the pieces in place to see how the piece would look finished, I realized that despite the use of alpaca, the sweater is waaaaay too itchy for me. This didn’t helped my motivation one bit.

Finally, I pushed myself to sew it together! It’s a great going out top and sexy to boot. Here’s what it looks like:

Front view of Cross Your Heart Sweater

 

Cross Your Heart Sweater from the Rear

As you can see, the Cross Your Heart Sweater has a seam up the back. This comes from the fact that have of the stitches are in reverse stocking knit so that the texture mataches back and front.

Laced-Front Sweater Comes Together

One of the benefits of knitting the Laced-Front Sweater is learning how to do an i-cord, which, after the initial thrill of creating a cord, is rather boring and best accomplished on subways and other means of transportation.

I-cord in process

At Jennifer’s recommendation, I measured the placement of the loops for the laced-front at home where I could determine the best placement and check how they looked in a mirror. My finance thought that the orange and green stitch markers I used to hold the sweater together added to the look!

In terms of sweater’s finishing, my gripe with the Knitted Lingerie Style pattern is that the directions stated to make five loops while the photo showed 6. After completing my sweater, I regretted not having another set of loops to extend the lacing.

Despite my issues and pattern modifications, I’m happy with how my Laced-Front Sweater turned out! The Brook Farms Harmony was a great substitute yarn for this pattern. The ribbing created a wonderful design although the broken rib stitches don’t really show through the colors.

Fishtail Lace Sweater Evolves

I visited The Point to check out the sample of their Fishtail Lace Top to see how the fishtail lace meets the eyelet lace used for the upper portion ot the top since the pattern has no photograph to use as a guide. I discovered that where the two sections meet there is no rhyme or reason as to how the two lace patterns come together. I’m sorry to say that this didn’t surprise me since many patterns, like many mass produced clothes, neglect these details.

Fishtail Lace Detail

Since the Fishtail Lace consists of an 8 stitch repeat and the Eyelet Rib consists of a 6 stitch repeat, it’s less surprising. With the help of Jennifer, one of the new employees, I persursed the 365 Knitting Stitches a Year perpetual calendar. After reducing my options, I decided to use the Feather Rib (November 14th on the calendar) which has a 5 stitch repeat. I like the fact that the lace portion of the rib has a vertical which is similar to that in the center of the Fishtail Lace.

When I tried on the lavendar store sample, I realized that the pattern needed modification to meet my measurements. The drawstring came through the middle of my bust, which was neither comfortable nor attractive. As a result, I decided to make the body a bit wider than usual so that it would flair under an empire waist drawstring.

I plan to reduce the number of stitches at the drawstring. Based on my size, I will go from an 8 stitche repeat to a 7 stitch repeat. This will require an adjustment to the Feather Rib. Further I intend to have the verticals (for lack of a more professional word) align. This should reduce the top to a more fitted form.

Knitting Across Oak Park – Soccer Moms, Mexican Food, Cappucino and Beads

As an added bonus to my Omaha trip, I stopped in Chicago on my way home to visit close friends in Oak Park where I can have stuffed pizza and Mexican food!

On the trip from Omaha to Chicago, I sat opposite a woman who crocheted a baby cap while I worked on my Fishtail Lace Top. I felt that I was making great progress learning the six row repeat until I realized that the four rows that I had knit needed to be unknit! Net knitting = 0 rows! UGH!

It was a regualr Saturday for my friends and their younger son was competing in his soccer team’s playoffs. So we headed to the soccer field where I put my lace issues behind me. Bundled in folding chairs on the sidelines, I watched my friend’s younger son and his team play soccer yarn in hand. Not having children of my own, this was a new experience. While some of the parents shouted words of encouragement to their sons, the rest used the time to socialize and catch up on the latest school gossip.

Knitting with friends during the soccer playoffs in Oak Park.

Beyond brief words of greeting, I used the time to learn the six row repeat of the fishtail lace which I seemed to master by the end of the first match. I periodically looked up to watch the players run from one end of the field to the other impressed by the variety of red, orange and yellow trees surrounding the playing field.

After the game, we had a girls’ lunch at a local Mexican restaurant followed by coffee at The Buzz, a local cafe where I hear there’s a knitting group. The walls are filled with paintings by local artists and there are comfy chairs in the back. Unfortunately, there was a couple that appeared to be on a first date so we decided to sit at a table where we continued to catch up and I continued to add rows to my Fishtail Lace Top!

Fishtail Lace Top close up with The Buzz Coffee Cup

 

Heidi Cohen in Noro vest, knitting and cappucino in hand

We surveyed a few of the local shops. I was enticed by the local bead emporium called Bead in Hand where I found materials to make some unusual stitch markers. While it wasn’t yarn, it did have a yarn use! Then we headed back to the soccer field for the next playoff game.

Knitting on Small Planes

Since rediscovering my knitting passion, I tend to view airplane trips as opportunities to knit. When I fly, I use either bamboo or plastic circular needles since they quietly pass through the TSA’s screening and they don’t cause problems if I happen to have seat companions.

On the flight from Chicago to Omaha, the gentleman across the row from me inquired about whether my knitting was a security threat. (Mind you, I was using Crystal Palace Bamboo Needles which are a combination of bamboo and plastic with metal joins.)

I must admit that I had to restrain myself from laughing out loud at the prospect! Instead, I asked if he was wearing a leather belt. When he answered in the affirmative, I told him that he could do more damage with his belt than I could with my knitting needles (which were otherwise occupied creating my Origami Cardi!)

I must admit that, in about 3 years of knitting on planes, this was the first time that anyone had questioned whether my knitting needles were safe!