My first of 8 in 2013

One down, seven to go!

One of my knitting goals was to follow along with Kirsten’s 2013 Mystery Sock. I knit them mostly two at a time, until I realized the needle size I was using would result in too long of a foot to finish the pattern, so I switched to smaller DPNs after the heel and gusset, and back to the original needles for the toes.

I used Sundara Sock in Adobe that I got from Bertha. It was just right for this pattern. Thanks, B!

My 8 in 2013

Stephanie has a great idea, here.

My goals for this year are:

1. To run at least one official 5K. (I don’t know if I can commit to 8 without having done one first.)
2. Make a quilt for a someone secret (the fabric has been purchased!)
3. Knit ThroughtheLoops’ 2013 Mystery Sock (Ravelry)
4. Knit-a-long with my ZPDK: Azzu’s Shawl (Ravelry)
5. Get a great photo of  the two of us for this year.
6. Sew a new dress.
7. Begin to reduce the amount of “stuff” I own. As much I am attached to many of my things, I think much of it is weighing me down.
8. Run 100 miles in 2013.

A Proper January

I’ve been away, but I’ve been living in a winter wonderland.

Tube Socks

Senior year is taking it’s toll and all I’ve got for you is a pair of ribbed tube socks.

Beatnik

Pattern: Beatnik, Knitty, Deep Fall 2010
Cast on: June 15, 2011
Finished: August 5, 2011
Needles: US 6 for ribbing at hem, cuffs, and collar. US 8 for body and sleeves.
Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers, 5.5 skeins.
Size: Small (36)
Modifications: I worked set-in sleeves instead of working separate pieces and sewing them in.

It turned out great! I’m pleased it fits and, as a bonus, I had just bought the yarn specifically for this sweater and then I turned right around and made it quite quickly.

Summer Sorbetto

I’ve been following Sew Weekly for many months now, but Mena’s recent challenge caught my eye. Her Day Two, the Summer Sorbetto, was what I was instantly drawn to. It may have been the gingham or the pleats added to the neckline.

You can download the pattern here. I printed out the pattern, taped it together, and cut out a size 6 to get my desired finished measurements, but I altered the pattern a bit, mostly due to the sleeves. My second alteration was length. Mena said that she added two inches to the length of the top by cutting the pattern at the natural waist (I assumed this was where the notches were on the pattern pieces) and then I taped in a two inch strip before cutting my fabric. I only did this because I prefer my shirts longer.

I added sleeves, just as Mena did for all of her Sorbettos. There’s a PDF version of the sleeve pattern located here. This piece of the pattern doesn’t have a marked size. I was going to gather the tops of the sleeves, just like Mena, but the pattern piece was too small for my pattern and I ended up being about 3/4 inch too short around the arm hole, even without the gather. (I learned to gather though!) I didn’t want to cut more sleeve pieces, so I basted the sleeves and side seams to fit before I permanently sewed. I sewed a 1/4 seam allowance on the underarm of the sleeves and then tapered back out to the 5/8 seam allowance of the side seam. I ended up only trimming a small amount from the side seam. I’m really glad that I basted all the major seams (like they tell you to) to make sure it fit correctly.

I had to babysit soon after I finished all but the pleat for the neckline, so I took photos before I left.

Yesterday, I got up and made the pleat, sewed it on, and started my day. I went to Barnes & Noble with C’s mom and sister to look for a couple books. I got a coffee, but I guess I forgot it was in my hand when we got back in the car because I spilled half of it all. over. my shirt and skirt. No worries though, one of my grandmothers is master of stain removal. As soon as we got home, I took my clothes over to her house and she started soaking them. As soon as I get them back, I’ll get a photo of the completed shirt.

Be on the look out for a finished sweater! I’m nearly finished with Beatnik

Summer Spinning

As the Tour de Fleece ends (so I hear), I give you my usual contribution to the cause.

From this:

Pausing to capture this:

And ending up with this:

Details
4.1 ounces of merino wool from Yarn Hollow, purchased at last year’s MI Fiber Fest.
chain plied into approximately 276 yards of heavy dk/light worsted weight
spun on my Louet Victoria
Another lovely from Rita at Yarn Hollow.