Waiting is the hard part....

Mr. Greenjeans is done with the exception of drying and some buttons. I should have photos tomorrow. Not sure why I was procrastinating, as I had the neckband done in about 3 hours. Yesterday's blog made me realize that I just needed to pick it up and Do It!!! Pre-blocking fit looks good... so this one might be getting a thumbs up.

More Cotton Ease Love

No pictures today, but I'm halfway done with Matt's Gedifra sweater. The back is done and one sleeve. I'm debating if I want to do the other sleeve or the front next.

I have to say that st. st. sleeves are not a favorite thing for me to knit. (Yawn) For some reason, that first sleeve flew off my needles, and I think it's simply that I like knitting with the Cotton Ease. The tighter gauge looks fab (and very even) and the fabric feels wonderful. There is a reason I'm obsessed with this yarn!

I've been playing around with some other things, but when I'm knitting, it really is mostly on Matt's sweater. I will say that Mr. Greenjeans is all finished except for the neckband ribbing. For some reason I'm procrastinating on it. So close, yet just not motivated to finish it up (probably a spring thing... it's way too warm to wear any time soon, but I should just get it done so it's done, eh?).

Oh, and a quick Ratchet & Clank update. I've now played thru twice: once normally and once in challenge mode... now I'm going thru to try to get all the gold bolts/skill points.

Okay, off to do a little knitting this morning before I tackle some game playing!

Some Knitting/Swatching

While I might be spending some, well okay, a lot, of time with Ratchet and Clank, I am still doing some knitting.

Matt's Gedifra sweater is 1/4 done... meaning that I have the back done. I've cast on the first sleeve, which I am adding some ribbing to. I'm a little concerned about the raglan shaping (which was not well written in the pattern at all), as I had to add a little armhole depth for Matt's more manly build (his biceps need room). I noticed several people on Ravelry that have knit this switched this to a seamless top down... which is brilliant. Oh well, it just might need some tweaking at the top to get a decent fit.... I might even have to do some (gasp) math.

Meanwhile, while I was working on the ribbing (on size 5 needles) I thought I would take the 6's to reswatch the Cotton Ease St. Brigid.

St. Brigid in Cotton Ease
click to enlarge
While I'm much happier with the density of the fabric and the measurements look good (prewashed/blocked and still on needles... not exactly accurate at this point), I'm not as much in love with it as I thought I would be. (ya, and don't go by color. Didn't feel like trying to correct it this morning). I have some Cascade 220 coming from Webs (it's the anniversary Cascade 220 stash building sale time again) and I might swatch one of the colors up in that.

I love the pattern, but I'm really struggling finding the right yarn for it. I think 'cause I know it's a once in a lifetime type project that I want it to be "perfect". I bought some of Alice Starmore's new yarn for it, but was disappointed in it (I find the yarn too thin and soft for decent cable "popping" and I chose a really dark color... close to the dark purple that's in the book and just wasn't happy with how the beautiful cables weren't really that noticable).

The Cotton Ease is close. The structure of the yarn (being very round) is giving me nice cable "pop" and the color is light enough to show them off, but for some reason I'm not sold yet. So I'll try the Cascade 220 (all of the colors I have in stash are fairly dark, but I ordered two lighter colors) and decide after I swatch it.

Of course, I could finish one of the many projects already started.... bwahahaha.

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

So far, the newest game in the Ratchet and Clank series doesn't disappoint. These games are quite simply... fun. They're funny, clever with varied gameplay (no simple button mashing here). I think they're the best franchise in gaming.

Yes, I know some will say Super Mario or Final Fantasy or even the Grand Theft Auto... but no other game has allowed me to use a weapon that turns my enemies into sheep (and with the proper upgrade, black, exploding sheep).

You simply can't beat that.

Busy...

I had a wonderful birthday, thanks to Matt. The Phillies game was perfect... the weather, the seats, the game. The PS3 is set up and the new Ratchet and Clank game hasn't disappointed yet (and he also surprised me with the Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters for the PS2... yes, I have the PSP version, but I'm not fond of playing it on the PSP. We'll see how it plays on the PS2).

Thanks to everyone that left me birthday greeting! I truely appreciate it!!!

Found It!

So the notebook was in one of my other knitting nests (ya, don't ask. There are very few places in this house that doesn't have knitting tucked into it somewhere).

However, it didn't have the notes I was looking for... which is this:


Yep, a nice little post it note with my sleeve decreases (and how far I am). Maybe I need a better system?

However, I did need the notebook for something else. I use my notes from my Spring Forward as my template if I plan on adjusting a pattern to get the right fit. So... I started swatching St. Brigid:


The new Cotton Ease in Blossom seemed to just call out for a heavily cabled project, and I think St. Brigid fits the bill. However, I have some concerns about the big oversized boxy shape. So I'll be doing it top down with inset sleeves. That's swatch #1 there, but I'll be frogging it. I much prefer the tighter fabric I'm getting with Matt's Gedifra sweater, so I'm going to shoot for that gauge for it (and I might have to finish his sweater to get the size 6 needles from it...)


...and it's moving along very quickly (again, ignore the color... not. even. close.)

Well, I've got a busy day ahead of me (how nice of the Phillies to know it's my birthday and schedule a day game!).

Why I Don't Like Cleaning

So I have this notebook. With ALL my good knitting notes in it... you know, my Spring Forward, Matt's SOA, etc.


That's what it looks like, just in case you run across it somewhere. I checked my Fall Back Cardigan project bag and it's not in there. It's not in any of my travel bags (as I take it my classes a lot to show students how I work my numbers). It's not next to my knitting nest... and I think that's the problem. We did a family room re-do this year and stuff got rearranged. Well, I obviously rearranged it some place "safe".

It's not the end of the world... but I'm on the second sleeve of my Fall Back and it has my notes for what I did for my first sleeve. Plus all those fab notes about Matt's SOA which is quite handy.

Ya, house cleaning is very overrated.

Hi, my name is Cindy...

and I'm an addict.

I am officially up to 14 different colors of Cotton Ease. (Blossom and Turquoise has been added to the collection). I'm trying very hard to not to "complete" the collection.

Hmmmm... Hazelnut

Gedifra 509
click to enlarge
Well, the photo is a wee bit closer today, but still nowhere close to the actual color of the Cotton Ease Hazelnut.

So it's moving along, with the cable variation section done on the back. Now it's just the "spine" cable the rest of the way. I do think I might add a little length on this for Matt. I think the styling of the sweater will be more attractive in a loose/casual fit for him. The pattern is written for a 23.5" finished length, but I think I'll shoot for around 25" for him. He doesn't like his sweaters real long, but I that's about what his Ike is, and since he hasn't taken than off since I finished it (except when I changed zippers), I think that's what I'll base this on.
Ike
click to enlarge
I ordered two more colors of the Cotton Ease (I may be addicted) and they should arrive tomorrow. I'll try not to cast on something new.

I'm Not Swearing Off Acrylics... but...

So I finally finished up the Cables & Rib Cardigan. Basically ended up having to finish it twice, as I needed to remove the sleeves and take 6" off (and remember how hard it was for me to finish up the knitting on those??? I then had to rip back a repeat and a half off each sleeve. Damn, I'm short).

Let's go over the project stats and look at some photos, eh?

Cables & Rib Cardigan by Jodi Lewanda
click to enlarge
Pattern: Cables & Rib Cardigan by Jodi Lewanda

Source: Nashau Handknits booklet "County Fair"

Yarn: Vanna's Choice in Dusty Blue

Changes to the pattern: a change in gauge (to make the 48" a 44"). Had to shorten sleeves by 6".

Problems with the pattern: the only thing is the yardage suggested in the pattern. The 48" size required 20 skeins at 136 yds (2720 yds) and I only used 1360 yds. To the point I'm wondering if the yarn they suggested was doubled? Considering the gauge, it might. No mention of that in the pattern, tho'. Just as an FYI: my yardage total includes the extra 6" I knit on both sleeves.

Overall impressions: I loooooove the pattern. The stitch is the kind I love to knit and I truely had a great experience knitting this. However, since I did substitute an acrylic yarn, I couldn't get the ribbing to block open at all so I have a very warm very snug fitting sweater that I probably won't be wearing much (remember I'm much bustier than my dressform). However, I'll happily call this a "swatch", as I did find out that I don't need nearly as much yarn as the pattern called for. This allows me to be on the lookout for a yarn choice that I'm going to love, as I think this one is worth finding the perfect yarn.

Cables & Rib Detail
click to enlarge
Krap Dressform Photo
click to enlarge

So I'm not sure what I'm going to concentrate on now. Probably Matt's Gedifra sweater, as I just love the way it's looking (and he's very very excited about it. That always helps). Unless I get distracted by something else?

Second Sleeve Syndrome Cure

I have about 4 more rows to go on the last sleeve of the Cables & Rib Cardigan. Do you like how I say last sleeve, like there are numerous ones to knit instead of just two? Sigh, why is that second sleeve like knitting 4?

Anyway, I'm really struggling thru it. I so want to get this cardigan done. The fronts are blocking right now, the back it blocked. While the sleeves are blocking, I'll seam the shoulders (via 3 needle bind off) and get the neck and button bands done. Then I'll just have the sleeves and the side seams to finish. I'll have it done by the end of the weekned...

unless I get distracted by this:


Don't even look at the color. It's not even close, even with some time spent in Photoshop. It photographed very green, yet the color is an odd brownish color. It's one of the new colors of Cotton Ease called Hazelnut. So very very Matt.

The pattern is by Gedifra (booklet #033, design #509, here's a beautiful version by Jenna). The pattern is sized and shaped for women, but I'm just not doing the waist shaping and I plan on doing a slightly different neck shaping. Thanks to Matt's sizing, no other changes are needed. I'm also using a little heavier weight yarn than the pattern calls for, making a really nice dense fabic. Plus I think it really "pops" the cables. I actually prefer Cotton Ease knit much tighter than the label states. Let me say that Matt is thrilled with it and was very pleased when he found out I was knitting it for him.

But... must finish these last 4 rows (ya, I'm blogging in the late afternoon... think I'm procrastinating??? I mean, 4 frickin' rows!). Hopefully I'll have finished photos of the cardigan up soon!

Quick Progress Update

with no photos...

Mr. Greenjeans is getting there. The sleeves are both done and I'm better than halfway thru the cabled rib section on the bottom. I'm trying not to think about all that neckband ribbing.

The Cables & Ribs Cardigan is progressing really well. The back and fronts are done with the first sleeve better than halfway. I actually hope to finish that sleeve today.

After these two are done, I'm going to concentrate on springy/summer projects. While it's still a bit chilly, my brain is ready for warmer weather.

Unless of course, the new Ratchet & Clank game is as good as "Going Commando".

Two Weeks to Knit

So I have two projects that I would love to finish within the next two weeks. As I know once I have my PS3 (with the latest Ratchet & Clank game of course), my life will focused on that.

Mr Greenjeans is extremely close.

Mr. Greenjeans in Visions
click to enlarge
One sleeve done, the second sleeve is at the cuff and the body is about halfway thru the ribbing. I have to say that I've been very pleased with the Visions yarn. It's a very subtle striping (so subtle that when I tried to use it for Sonnet, it got lost). I did have to do the math for a different gauge, but this is going to be a lovely little cardigan when done. It doesn't photograph real well and I spent a lot of time in Photoshop trying to color correct it. Let's just say that it's prettier in person!

I'm still plugging away on the Cables & Ribs Cardigan. I have to admit that I'm not in love with my yarn choice. Not that there's anything wrong with the yarn (it's quite nice to knit with), but it's not going to block well at all.

Cables & Ribs Cardigan
click to enlarge

I went ahead and blocked the back already, and as expected, it only blocked a little. There's a bit of a difference, but not much. It's fine for what I wanted, but I will definitely knit this again (and maybe again). I love the stitch pattern so I know I won't mind knitting it again. In a blocking friendly yarn.

However, spring fever has hit. I'm ready to switch over to some of my lighter weight projects (and why Patrick is still sort of being ignored). Plus I ordered some yarn from Knitpicks. I got one of the new colors of Cotlin. Yum! and the new Comfy (of course I've got to try the cotton/acrylic blend!) The Comfy is very soft with a sheen to it. I will say that it's on the lower end of it's gauge range. I would consider it a true worsted weight yarn. It's very soft. It would be perfect for baby items, that's for sure. We'll see how it pills..

Okay, must focus and get at least one of those sweaters done... for next fall.

It's Knitting Season!!!

Yay! Baseball season is underway... and it's my favorite sport to knit by. Maybe I'll get some things done.

I'm mostly still working on the Cables and Ribs Cardigan and Mr. Greenjeans. Matt's Patrick is still sitting next to me, but the weather has just been so springesque that I can't bring myself to work on it.

Spring also brings racing season and Matt's already done a few races. This year he gets to race in the 40+ Cat and did his first one on Saturday. The racing style is very different and actually harder than the Cat 3 races (which he is also still racing). Those 40+ guys can be any cat, and there are some pretty strong riders in there! I'm not sure which races I'll be going to (bathroom facilities are usually the deciding factor for me...) but hopefully I'll get some good racing photos. In the mean time, here's a link to Matt and an other rider trying for a break in the 40+ at Kirkwood. The photographer is a pro and his photos are beautiful examples of what racing is like in Lancaster County, PA.

I'll try to get an updated photo of the Cables & Rib Cardigan today while the sun is shining (hoping to get the right front done first).

(okay, I also was browsing the Strasburg photos and found a pic of Keith, aka: The Brazillian)