Is it Just Me?

The other day my new issue if Interweave Knits came in the mail. I'm usually so excited when it arrives and often post about what I want to make from the issue. Well, the most recent issue arrived and I was less than thrilled...now that I think about it the winter issue made me feel that way.

I thought it might just be me so when I was at Jennifer's yesterday I threw it out there and found I wasn't the only one. Then I went to the Ravelry group for Interweave Knits and got further confirmation from this discussion about whether on not to renew...182 posts on the topic so far and I really agree with #178.

Maybe they are trying to appeal to a younger crowd (okay I feel 25-30 but I'm really almost 47...). This top would never do for me.


Here's another young one too.




Then you get this sweater that is kind of matronly? There is no happy medium here.

However, I will make this baby sweater for the next girl baby I know of.

Unfortunately, I have renewed my subscription...I did it a few months ago. I hope that the next issue has at least one project I just "have to make". I think Knitting Daily will let me know what is in the issue and then I can decide if I want to spend the bucks (perhaps using a Borders coupon) to get the single issue.

I know I promised WIP pictures but right now nothing is exciting to photograph.

Back to the Drawing Board

I finished and blocked my Cathardigan but something wasn't feeling right. Check out the bottom and see how it pulls up on the right hand side? Blocking didn't do anything for this.

Fortunately, today I was asked to join Jennifer and her regular Wednesday group and got some great input and advice. Lisa and I looked at it and realized I didn't cast on enough stitches on the shorter side so it pulls up.

It was so nice to be able to discuss my efforts and have someone else confirm what I thought was wrong.

Time to rip out my neckband and start all over again. Otherwise I'm loving it.

More tomorrow - updates on 2 new projects I cast on for.

Quick Update Between Baseball Games

We have 4 games this weekend and I'm off to watch a friend's son's game next - good thing it is nice weather. I did however want to update you on my latest.

I completed the main part of my Cathardigan and I am really happy with how it is looking. (Like my toes in this shot?)

However, I decided I should have continued the neck and raglan decreases a few more times so that there isn't this strange edge at the neckline. SO, I'm going to rip out the bound off edge and do a few more rows.

Now my big question is what kind of neckband should this have? Do a simple k2p2 or should I replicate the border on the sleeves and hem? Any ideas. I don't think I want to button this so I could do something else all around the edge.

My KnitPicks order arrived and I cast on immediately for Miss America's refitted Tempting. I'm calling it TempTeen or maybe it should be TempTween as she is only 11. Here it is on #1 Son's baseball bag - I got this much done at the game yesterday afternoon and I'm taking it to the next game. Should be a quick knit.

The yarn for my Twisted V-Neck Pullover - not the red I thought it would be but doable.

I'm loving the Coffee color of the Cotlin - can't wait to start that next.

Hope you're enjoying this lovely weather and maybe even knitting up a bit while watching baseball.

Getting the Car Serviced Isn't That Painful

After cancelling my car service 3 times (life got busy and weekends were not working out to drop it off), I decided to suck it up and sit and wait for the car while it was being serviced. So, I went into the Toyota dealer this morning at 8:15 prepared with my knitting and my iPod. My new weapon on my iPod was the KnitPicks Podcast.

Now I had never really listened to one of these in full so I chose the interview with Wendy Bernard. As you know I love her Custom Knits book and I've made 2 Ingenues and a Slinky Ribs from it. It was so cool to hear her voice...I love reading her blog and now I can put a voice to her wonderful posts. The good news is she's working on a book like Custom Knits but including patterns for men and children. I can't wait! I highly recommend listening to this podcast.

So, my car service ended after only 45 minutes and the time flew between my knitting and my podcast. I think I need to download a few more! I did manage to finish the 2nd sleeve of my Cathardigan and have attached them to the body and am starting the raglan and v-neck shaping. More pics in a day or two.

Good Thing

It's a good thing that I only had nice things to say about our local library...as I was puttering through the library today and checking out the new non-fiction 746 section (knitting books), I was approached by a library employee who thanked me for writing nice things about the library on my blog. I didn't realize I was being read locally! I've been singing their praises on my blog for a while and am so glad they now know what a fan I am.














Okay, as promised, some pictures of my Cathardigan (cross between Cathay - the yarn I'm using - and cardigan). I've done most of the body and the second sleeve is now almost done. I'll join it together next and begin both the V-neck and raglan shaping.

I tried and added some interest in the back with a little section of ribbing with ruching feel.

Online Shopping

Well, Miss America and I sat down at the computer and decided to do a little fiber shopping online. She's wanting another creation and we found Tempting and decided to scale it down in her size. She chose Knit Picks Shine in Crocus.





















I also got some CotLin for making the cute top from Knit Simple - now I get to go button shopping too. I chose a dark brown which I read recently is the "new black".

Then, of course, you want to save on shipping, so I got some yarn so I can knit up the Twisted V Pullover later on for this fall. I picked Knit Picks Merino Style in Hollyberry.

I think I've lined up enough stuff to keep me busy knitting during baseball season. Tomorrow I should have an update on my Cathay Cardigan - I'm thinking of calling it Cathardigan.

It's Not My Fault!

Nope, it's not my fault that I had to buy the newest issue if Knit Simple...I blame Jennifer. Yup, in this post she showed the issue and it's cute coverup. So, when I was in Borders and bought the magaine, I blame it all on her!

I've already queued this cute top with a button band. I'm going to get some Knit Picks CotLin in a chocolate brown. I think it will make the buttons look wonderful. I also read somewhere that brown is the new black.

Thanks for all your input on my "What Was I Thinking" knitting. I'm not in love with the yarn and based on all your sage advice I'm donating the top to charity. Hopefully someone will love it.

What Was I Thinking?

When I took up knitting again a few years ago, I was desperate to knit anything and let myself think that this pattern was going to look good on me. It is a summer shell knit in summer tweed (I forget the yarn but it is a Classic Elite pattern).

I have never worn it as it looks like heck on - no waist shaping, nothing.

So, what do I do with this? I've never frogged a finished item before - it has side seams etc. Do I give it to charity, do I frog it and re-use the yarn?

What was I thinking????

An Ode to my Library

Library, dear Library, how do I love thee?? Let me count the ways...

This arrived (as per my request) the other day - it was stamped into the library brand new on April 7th and on April 8th it was in my hands.




Another winner of a book...however, I wonder why Interweave Press decided to give away one of their best patterns in the book for free??? I'm sure if I put my marketing hat on I'd understand.

I also love The Sixteen Button Cardigan and the Garter Lace Jacket (pictured left). One view has the 16 Button Cardigan worn backwards and it looks great that way too.

I've also asked my library to purchase Debbie Bliss' new book Design It, Knit It. I'll let you know how it is when it comes in.

So much to tell you

I have about 10 posts in my head but not enough time right now to do them. We have had vacation this week and blogging with kids around isn't easy - that and we ran away for a few days and visited my parents in Florida. It was freezing for 2 of the 5 days we were there which was a complete bummer for the kids who just wanted to be in the pool.

Anyway, wanted to share this cool offer for one free pattern from Sweater Babe. It is through Women's World magazine - a friend told me about it. You just email them and they will send you a file with pattern. I was glad because I've recently fallen in love with their Cables and Flowers Top Down Cardigan.

Pictures of my cardigan tomorrow and more of the things I've been wanting to tell you. Happy Easter!

Another Knitter in the Fold

Yesterday evening I was sitting at the YMCA waiting for my son who had a baseball team meeting. Of course, I had my knitting with me for the 45 minute meeting (not worth driving home and turning around and driving back to the Y).

I started knitting and noticed a young girl watching me intently...so I asked her if she'd like to see what I was doing. She plopped herself down next to me and watched me work on my new cardigan. Then she asked if she could try it - well I tried not to get flustered as there was no way I was going to let her work on my current WIP. So, I rummaged through my knitting bag and found 2 straight cable needles and another skein. I cast on 6 stitches and proceeded to show her how to knit.

Her mom came out (she was in an exercise room just down the hall and must have worried when she couldn't see her daughter) and I told her not to worry her daughter was no bother.

As with adults, when you sit and knit with kids, you start talking and opening up. Her name was Shayla and she is 10 years old and from a town nearby. She has 3 American Girl dolls and science is her favorite subject. She also has an aptitude for knitting - she made a 1"x1" swatch which I bound off and told her she could use as a coaster for he AG doll. Her mom asked where there were knitting stores and I put her onto the LYS which I know has kids classes.

It was great fun to turn another young person onto this wonderful craft. As an aside, I left all my notes for my cardigan at the Y. I called them and they found them and I just ran out and picked them up - Phew! It was a moment of panic when I couldn't find them...must have been too wrapped up in meeting my new friend Shayla and teaching her to knit.

Sit Up Straight!

All those times our mothers have told us to "sit up straight!" and I realized this week the importance of good posture - especially when I'm knitting.

Last week I woke up with a stiffness in my neck and right shoulder and upper arm. I blamed my pillow, took some Advil and went to my substitute job in the school library (where I get an 1 1/2 hour break and I knit while sitting at a desk and reading).

I used a new pillow that night and was in pain all night long. Some more Advil in the morning and off to work - when I sat down the twinge of pain hit me again.

I had a "I should have had a V8" smack your forehead moment - my posture while knitting at a desk these past 3 weeks has taken it's toll on me. I was holding my knitting to my left side and turning my head to the right to read (while sitting at a desk). Sit up Straight, Estella! What was I thinking!????

So, this is to remind you (and myself) to sit up straight, hold your knitting in front of you and don't twist your body while doing your work...my neck and shoulder are better but not quite 100%. My DH suggested I not knit for a few days - you should have seen the look I gave him.