Another Finished Top

** Updated to include new pictures **

I've finished my Calmer Tank Top (Ravelry: Lillian Tank Top). I must say it fits beautifully. It's now become one of my TNT patterns. I plan on knitting up several of these to wear throughout the seasons. I'm thinking of using Cascade Sierra, Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, and even Lion Brand Cotton Ease. Wool blends and cotton blends. The lace pattern is beautiful and the top knits up quickly. I managed to knit my Calmer version in under 2 weeks. That's during my lunch breaks and during the evening hours.















I was going to start knitting a different project, but I may end up knitting another tank top. I'l be back with pictures. :)

Happy Knitting!

A Hot Sunday

For a hot and humid Sunday (over 100 degrees), it's only appropriate to be knitting a lace tank top. I've cast on for a Lillian Tank Top pattern I got from Ravelry. It has a lace body, few rows of ribbing under the bust, and then stockinette stitch to the shoulders. It's knit in the round and then separated for the front and back. There's ribbing around the squarish neckline and armholes and also at the bottom hem.

I'm using Rowan Calmer yarn for this project. This yarn didn't sit for long in my stash. After seeing so many complements about the yarn I knew I had to try it out. The yarn is very springy and light. Produces beautiful stitches in my opinion.

Here's the base of my tank top:




I also came across some future projects:

Reid, by Berroco, is a beautiful lace top. Perfect for transitioning from Summer to Fall. I plan on using Bamboucle in Apple Red for this project.




Then, I saw Minnie, from the Cardigans book by Louisa Harding. This is a versatile pattern. It can be made long or cropped (e.g. bolero), cabled front or lace, and long or short sleeves. I actually like this version pictured here:



I also fell in love with Sofia, also from the Louisa Harding's Cardigan book. It's a beautiful cropped cardigan that draws/curves up the front and has short sleeves. Very cute and very shapely. Unfortunately, I can find a picture...but will try to post one later.

I'll be running my errands early this morning and then staying inside later today in the cool comforts of my AC.

Finished Pictures of Leaf Yoke and Chevron

A quick post with pictures of my finished tops....

Leaf Yoke:




Chevron:



Happy Knitting!

Another Top Completed and More Knitting

I got around to finishing my Leaf Yoke top the other day and wore it to work on my special day. I received a lot of complements. The top is very comfortable to wear and the Pebble yarn made the garment feel lightweight. I actually like the two color contrast yarns I used, but I plan on knitting another top in a single color.



I resolved the long armhole issue on my Leaf Yoke. First, when I was getting ready to do the I-cord BO, I picked up less stitches in the underarm area...about 44 stitches versus the 50 recommended in the pattern. It was a slight improvement, but the armhole area was still a bit "loosey-goosey" for me. I dove into my sewing notions stash and found fine elastic thread. I took my darning needle and threaded the fine elastic through my I-cord BO edge, making sure the thread didn't show on the right side. I pulled the elastic until the armhole area was slightly gathered and I knotted the elastic. I tried on the top again and the fit was perfect.

I'm still weaving in the ends of my Chevron top. Though I loved using 3 different colors for this top, the ends are a pain in my side to weave in. I have a few more strands left and I should be done.



I've been looking through Ravelry (my queue) and through my pattern books and magazines to find a new knitting project to start. I found a lot of sleeveless tops, but can't seem to find one that jumps out at me. I've also grown my yarn stash to include more cotton and cotton-blended yarns in light worsted and DK weights. I actually enjoy knitting with the thinner yarns.

In the meantime, I've resurrected a WIP from last year...my Lace Panel cardigan. I stopped knitting it last August which I regret now. It's taken me awhile to figure out where I left off and I've noticed my knitting skills have vastly improved since last year. My right front I'm working on now looks a bit better than the left front from last year. LOL!!! I'm glad I had documented this garment on Ravelry. Let's face it, my mind can only remember so much from last year.



So, I'm working my way towards the shoulder and I'm not looking at my notes from last year. See that vast improvement of my knitting skills? I can now look at what I knitted and figure out when I need to do my next decreases. Wonders never cease for me.

I'm still debating as to knit the short sleeves for this cardi or just knit an I-cord binding around the armholes and make this cardi into a vest. My "Simple is Better" motto keeps coming to mind as I really need to change this WIP into a finished garment and check if off my Ravelry list. I'll be back to post the results.

Happy Knitting!

Knitting Updates & Learning Another Technique

I've finished my Chevron Lace Top. Now, I need to weave in all those loose ends. My gosh, there are a lot. I feel proud of finishing this top as I made some modifications to the original pattern and it's been quite a few months since I have knitted a garment. I've had to take out my Knitter's Companion reference book to review techniques that I used to know. I had a huge "knitting high" over the last few weeks. Enjoyed it immensely. The top is done (minus the loose ends) and it fits. I ended up finishing the armholes using the I-cord BO. It was a last minute decision and my first attempt at this BO method. I spent time researching different I-cord techniques over the Internet. The technique I chose is from Knit Picks. Simple is better. That seems to be my knitting motto of late.

I ended up finishing the neckline with 1x1 ribbing. Would have preferred to finish with the same I-cord binding used on the armholes, but wanted to make sure I could get the top over my head. Ribbing finished made more sense.

I'm still knitting my Leaf Yoke top. I have about 4 more inches to knit in the body. My armholes came out really deep and I plan on using the I-cord BO as it will tighten the armhole space quite a bit. To match the armholes, I plan on knitting the same I-cord BO for the bottom hem. Again, simple is better. I also plan on finishing the neckline with the same BO method. I'm looking forward to finishing this top this weekend, if possible.

I enjoy knitting the I-cord BO method and like the finished/polished look. My knitting mojo is moving right along. Knitting is fun. Life is good.

Happy July!

I can't believe it's already July. This week, we've been having beautiful weather. No humidity and in the 80s. I've been out enjoying the weather when I can. This can only mean that not much knitting has been done.

Here's a status check on my two garments. I've got another 2 inches to go on the back section of my Chevron shell. After that is completed, I can finish the front.




I'm knitting my Leaf Yoke top when I happen to be sitting in front of the TV. Mindless knitting in the round.



My plan is to finish these two tops over my 3-day Holiday weekend. Plus, make two necklaces. Plus, re-organize my yarn stash. Plus, look for new knitting projects to start soon.