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

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.

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

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.

I spent a couple beautiful days on Lake Michigan with some of Cameron’s family.

Kristy, my mom, and Dee, our friend from Boston, and I went wedding dress shopping a few weeks ago. I haven’t chosen anything yet, but talk about exciting! That’s about all we’ve done on the wedding front, although we’re (I’m) hoping to have it August 2012. We have a lot of things to think about.

I’m not sure much of my sewing adventures have made the blog, but this is what I’ve been up to:

Practice, practice, practice.

I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you had to go, but I know you’re alright now. I’ll miss your bark and your sneaking onto the couch that you were perfectly allowed to use. I’ll miss your chasing Gizmo through the house (I’m not sure how much he’ll miss it, though). I’ll miss your perfectly gray coat. I’ll miss that little ball of fuzz that would collect on your slip collar. I’ll miss the way you sat on furniture or the steps. I’ll miss the way you chased invisible squirrels. I’ll miss the way you begged to go outside to eat the snow. I’ll miss being greeted by you. You always knew when I was coming back. I’m sad I didn’t get say “good-bye” and I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you.

You’re going to be a hard dog to beat, Fletchie.

I live in a place where it snows, quite a bit, actually, and I love it. (It’s the wind that sucks.)

Classes are getting to a point where we’re ready to take exams. I think my professors are trying to get the exams out of the way before Winter Carnival next week. I was going to participate in the VITA (volunteer income tax assistance) program, but I got a job instead. I start on Saturday. This will be my first job that has anything to do with accounting and I’m nervous, but pretty excited to get hands-on experience. I haven’t knitted much, but that’s part of my plan to help me stay on track. I’ll be really busy with a part-time job and school. I’ve been using C’s laptop because mine has been having some issues that I don’t have the know-how to fix. I’m still taking photos, but they’re fairly boring because it’s usually dark out by the time I get home and unwind.

Just a little something to stay updated. I’ll try to come back with photos of the statues from this year. I’ve volunteered to help with one of them during the all-nighter. That should be interesting, but maybe I can just play the role of photographer. ;)

I made:
seven pairs of socks (one not photographed yet)
four scarves (or shawls)
five hats
seven skeins of yarn
two sweaters
a vest
a pair of fingerless gloves
a few dish cloths
a cat bed blanket
and earbud covers

I didn’t meet all of my goals I set last January, but I certainly made an effort. I didn’t knit for anyone that I don’t already know, but I knit several gifts. I didn’t move around as much as I should have, but I’m still making an effort to watch my portion sizes (it’s really hard around the cookie holiday). I do feel good about myself, so that’s something. I hope to keep improving on that aspect of my life.

I’m not making any resolutions this year, but I’m going to take a leaf out of Rachel’s notebook and learn to love what I have and where I am. I know I’m always rushing into the future, day dreaming of what’s to come. I need to appreciate today for today. I doubt I’ll lose my future looking self, but I want to keep tabs on it.

Here’s to a fantastic 2011, even though it’s got an eleven in it.