Summer Of LOVE

Backstory

Pattern: Tunic with Lace Pattern #42 from Rebecca magazine #27
Yarn: GGH Safari [nylon/linen blend] in purple
Needles: Size 5 circulars and size 7 to pick up stitches around the neck
Exposition: Like I said in a previous post, I've had my eye on this pattern for a few years. I was drawn to the beachy summery style, the bell sleeves and the bit of lace. It was never high on the priority list, and since I didn't have appropriate yarn, it sort of fell by the wayside. Fast forward to this year when I just so happen to have found some Safari on uber-sale at a LYS. I was just too excited to cast on! This is the perfect beach cover-up for my family reunion trip!

Unfortunately, the pattern is written in a single size: 34/36". I normally make the 36/38" in Rebecca patterns, and although the pattern looks loose fitting on the model, I was concerned about the resulting fit on my body. I did a little preliminary measuring of favorite t-shirts, consulting with my mom [the knitting guru] and comparing the finished measurements alongside a similar Rebecca pattern using the same yarn [in the 36/38"]. What I did as a result of those findings was completely haphazard. I omitted two of the waist decreases, dropped the armhole down 2cm and left cookies out for the knitting fairies. Of course, I didn't know what to do when it came to matching up the extra 2cms on the sleeves, so I just knit and extra row and blocked, blocked, blocked. I was also concerned about the edges of the size vents curling in, so I after the edge stitch, I purled one of the knit stitches. I don't know if that one purl stitch made a difference, but it's not curling, so I'm going with it.

Now onto the good stuff. I'm so excited this is done! This was my first time using this yarn and I really regret not getting more. It's so soft and has a wonderful drape that shows off my stomach to its full advantage when not properly sucked in. I love the bit of lace; it made what could have been a boring knit more interesting and adds a little delicate touch overall. The longer length is perfect over some short shorts or for a little bathing suit modesty. The final fit is a little tighter on me than it is on the model, but that's okay. Since I fill it out a little better it doesn't seem as low cut and I don't need to add on the little ties. It was perfect for a visit to the museum today. Light enough to carry in my purse and the perfect weight to keep me warm in the air conditioned galleries.

Nothing else to say other than, 'Virginia, here we come!'

Boy, Am I Tired!

What a weekend! Saturday morning, gf and I left for NoCal to visit with my brother, sil and nieces [for my niece's birthday]. We met the family in Santa Clara, where the birthday girl was participating in the National American Miss Pageant. She's 8. Don't worry, it wasn't a 'look-too-grown-up' kinda pageant...she still looked very much like herself [the Pre-teen participants would be marked down if they had on any visible makeup]. We didn't really think that she'd win [since it was her first time and all], but she made it to the semi-finals, won 2nd runner up in the casual wear category, was awarded the Miss Personality, and was 2nd runner up overall! We were so excited! What a birthday present.

Since gf and I didn't really have anywhere else to go for the week, we hung out for the 4th. It was a lot of fun hanging out with my sil's family and lighting fireworks [since they aren't allowed in LA and most of OC, I haven't lit fireworks since I was a teenager]. We drove home yesterday morning, and I'm so exhausted! Now I have to focus on getting ready for the family reunion next week. Hello, jet-setting summer!

Speaking of the family reunion, I finished up the Tunic! I just have to finish off the neck and you can expect pictures as early as tomorrow!

Tunic Sleeve #1

So, I'm temping this week at the Tragic Kingdom. AAAaAAaAAAAaAAaAAnd....guess what I finished during my 2 hour trek from Hollywood to Burbank this morning? YES!! Tunic's #1 sleeve! For those of you not familiar with LA, that's a 2 hour trek to take 3 buses a whooping 6 miles!!!! The length of my travel had to do more with late buses than it did with traffic, but still...6 MILES!?!?! If I wasn't trying to properly allow my hair to air dry, I would have run instead...bwah hahahahhahahahah!!! ahem.

Of course, I didn't bring anything else to work on, because I didn't think I would get it all done during the morning leg of the trip.

Speaking of temping, people...people, hear me now....if you have a desk and on that desk sits a computer and attached to that computer is a keyboard and mouse, please...take the time clean it before you go away on on vacation and hire somone else to sit there in your filth for a week while you are out and about enjoying yourself [and getting paid]. I swear to God, I am one bad experience away from being totally OCD-washing-the-hands-50-times...and the woman that I'm filling for is really pushing me over the edge. Thank God I can type by touch, because I would really be grossed out if I had to hunt and peck. I feel all creepy crawly itchy just sitting in her cube!! So, please, for the love of Pete, when you go on vacation...even for a day, please, please [with sugar and a cherry on top] clean up your desk. Clean off your phone. Clean the mouse and get the cooties out from in between your computer's keyboard. I swear to god, if I can find another one to switch one out for this week, I will. I might have to go buy a cheap one at Big Lots...that's how bad it is.

Now...Back to knitting and more pleasant thoughts...I'm going to start on Tunic sleeve #2 tonight. Just two sleeves left to do! With the temp job, it's going to cut into my daytime knitting, but I think that I can squeeze both of them out by the beginning of next week.

Time has flown and I get to wash my hands and go home! JOY!

Sleeves, Sleeves, Sleeves, Sleeves and a Skirt

So while I was deciding on a solution for the Cropped Sweater conundrum, I picked up the Lace Tunic and have been working on the front non-stop. Lo and behold, I finished the front in about two days. Not bad, especially considering the length of the damn thing measures 80cm.

That means I have 3 weeks to complete 4 sleeves.
TOTALLY DO-ABLE!

The first sleeve of the Cropped Jacket is almost done...just those pesky 22 rows. And the extra ball is on it's way from Jimmy Beans Wool, so I can continue the sweater as originally planned.

The first sleeve of the Tunic in Lace Pattern has been casted on and I'm about 8cm in so far. Not bad, and the lace pattern around the bell of the sleeve will keep my interest.

And the last thing I wanted to update you about was Walking After Midnight. The skirt itself is finished, but it is bigger than I expected. My plan to wash, block and make adjustments to the waistband was thwarted by a small apartment made even smaller with the addition of a houseguest. GF's mom was staying with us and I didn't want to make the space any smaller by attempting to block it. She left yesterday, so blocking will take place tomorrow. The weather is especially warm, so it shouldn't take too long to dry.

Ok, time to get back to the tunic's sleeve. 3 weeks is a long time, but it's not that long.

Picture Proof

I haven't posted any pictures of my progress lately...due mostly to laziness and...well you can fill in any number of excuses. I found time today while waiting for gf to get out of a meeting.

Cropped Jacket sleeve #1. I have 10 more repeats or so from this point before the armhole bind off. Yeah.

The front of the tunic. I have quite a bit to go and don't even want to think about it. This is one long ass sweater.

Here's the completed back. I really love the lace detail at the shoulder. And I'm really enjoying working with this yarn. It's got a great feel to it. I've got to get this done! I can't wait to wear it!

Either/Or, Neither/Nor

I've been struggling the last two days in an attempt to figure out which of my two summer WIP's I wanted to complete in time for the July family reunion.

I have exactly a month before we leave.

I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to continue working on both [the shawl that I wanted to make works up pretty quickly so I will take that along as my vacation/airport project]. I completed the back of the Tunic yesterday, and will cast on for the front this afternoon. As for the Cropped sweater, the back and both fronts are done...so all that is left are the two sleeves. The two loooong sleeves. I'll probably cast on for those later this week.

Wish me luck, the countdown begins!

My Cup Runneth Ovah!

Hey everyone! GF and I are back home! After spending 3 days in the hospital [her in a cozy bed, me in a cot], she's hit all of her post-abdominal surgery milestones and was released this afternoon. It's nice to be home. She's recovering amazingly. Thank you for all your well wishes, we really appreciate it! You guys are true friends and amazing spirits.

Like I said before, the time spent in the hospital was well-spent working on my current projects. Most of them I would like to have done before vacation in July, but I don't know how feasible that deadline is at this point. Walking After Midnight will be done this week for sure, but my other two projects, the Cropped Jacket in Lace Pattern or Tunic with Lace Pattern, are and either/or situation. I would prefer finishing the Tunic, but the Cropped Jacket is a sure bet. Hmmm...what to do, what to do?

I think I'm going to start another crochet shawl what I consider my options.

...And The Lord Leadeth Me To Stockinette...

...and it was good.

Well, I decided to take everyone's advice and give Walking After Midnight a well deserved break. I have to agree with Stacey, that my anticipation to finish is getting the best of me. I think most of the mistakes were made on rows that I had ripped back and recrocheted. No more crocheting complicated patterns on an empty stomach or at 1 in the morning.

While I regroup, I decided to pick up a new project. One that is a lot of stockinette. One that is mindnumbingly boring.

Hello, Tunic with Lace Pattern #42 [that name is so damn creative and really distinguishes it from all the other tunics with lace patterns]. I've had my eye on this sweater for years. I wanted to knit it for gf, but she didn't like it. So here I am! Knitting it for me.

This one is from Rebecca #27. I'm knitting in the called for yarn, GGH Safari in lilac. But since it's just one size [34/36] I'm a bit concerned. I normally make the 36/38 size in the Rebecca designs, so if I omit a decrease or two it should make up the difference, right? I have more than enough yarn. The finished measurements on the diagram is 45cm which equals out to 17". But since that's only 1/2 of the front, the finished measurement will be 34". That seems small. I don't really know about all that ease stuff, so I'll have to do some serious weighing and measuring when I get home. It's always better to have a little 'wiggle room' in one's tunic, right? Especially since I'll probably be wearing a tank under it.

Why is it even the patterns that seem like they would be easy are turning out difficult?