I *Was* Doing Well...

Until my computer caught a virus and has been off for the passed bit. But I have lots of knitting finished :)
First off, both the Sparkle Sparkle Wings and the Shimmering Leaves were well received by H and S respectively :) I also started and finished another "Pimpeliesse" (entitled "Ocean's 11 Peasy-easy Scarfy-dealy"  on Rav) for this year's GBS WinterAngels Gift Swap :) It turned out fabulous :) I used Zitron Trekking HandArt Flame in "sanisbar"; blues and greens, very oceany.
On a sad note, I've lost my Peasy-easy Scarfy-dealy :( Wore it to work Monday and it's disappeared no-one has seen it and I've checked the lost & founds of the mall, bus and library :( 
On to happier events: I finished "Twisted Leaves" (knitty.com/Twisted by Jodie Gordon Lucas) :) I now have a properly fitting pair of my own handknit socks to enjoy this winter :)
Progress is slow but steady on both "Galaxy 660" (pattern: In The Pink) and "Kinelea Lace" (pattern: Ardrum) and I'm happy to say I'm taking a break from lace by knitting a sweater for myself. Currently titled "Teal Sweater" on my projects page, it's the "Dahlia" from knitty.com (designer: Mary Weaver) not sure which issue but it was 2007. It's a lovely top-down raglan with cabling in the 'skirt'. Am using Bernat Natural Blends Wool Blend in "New Teal" which is a lovely rich tone :)
I have 3 minutes left in my library time so I will tag this the next time I get a chance.
TTFN

Feeling Defeated By My Knitting

Things were progressing on the Sweater. Then yesterday I discovered I'd made a mistake in the "Dutch Knitting" on the shoulder. Had to tink a couple rows. No biggy that. Decided I'd try the Butterfly st I'd used on B's socks to give the rest of the shoulder & possibly down the sleeve a different feel. (Really trying for a Kathryn Alexander look on this.)
This morning: I calculated the # of sts needed & started the set-up row... didn't come out. At all. WTH?! Counted sts on needle...uh-oh. I didn't inc back up to 83sts on the front after I knit the revK1b. I worked the "C.A." on 57sts. When I rejoined the front/back, I just knit right across, never thinking... (Well, I should've listened 2 weeks sgo when S said it looked like it was pulling up, but I figured it was because the needle was still very close to that section.) I wound up frogging the almost completed shoulder (7/9"), and the last 1 3/4" of the front!! (And when I checked my notes, I didn't even say that I'd dec'd for the revK1b!! So of course I didn't inc!)
All in all, I just feel very defeated. I get going along really well & it's looking great. Then I discover mistakes that will really affect the look of the Sweater ie the shape, the neckline, etc. I still love the yarn & I know when I quit making these little glitches, it's going to be a really cool piece. The kind people ask where I got it. I wonder if "real" designers go through this? Maybe they've learned to be more meticulous in their notes?

Latest on "The Sweater"

8/10 - 3:27pm: have about 4 1/2" done on the shoulder (out of 9); feel the need to switch st patt again soon...

And more on the Sweater...

8/03-10:51p The front/back are rejoined & am 1 1/2"into shoulder. Looks GOOD! Will switch to "D.K." soon...
That's the latest notes from my knitting notes.
(As it's now after midnight, I'm sending Happy 11th Maureen-iversary wishes to my Maureen. Special treats when I get home from dance.)

The Sweater is growing...

8/02-6pm: have knit about 6/8" of back using the cellular automaton technique (several lovely mutations involved!) & am intending to finish back w/ this. I now notice that the Tweed st that ended the front seems to pull in & will have to tink this & do something else... Eureka!: use the c.a. & this can then join f/b & cont the first bit of the shoulder. am thinking the "Dutch Knitting"after that...
11:07p Finished back & tinking front. Starting c.a. ..

Front of Sweater!!!

This shows the entrelac section (right shoulder) and a good bit of the front of my sweater. The colors in this yarn are so pretty!

View Photo

Sweater Update!

Have the front of the sweater done through the neck opening! H & S were impressed when I showed it to them on Tuesday. Now am debating patts for the back. Thinking of starting with Tweed st. It would blend the colors nice. Just not quite sure. May have to just start knitting & see how it goes. what's another trip to the frogpond? Am so happy with how it's looking. Will post pic(s) soon. I still need to take them. That's all my news that's fit to blog.
TTFN!

Sweater Progress Report

Chose the "Dutch Knitting" pattern for next bit of sweater. Have done 12 rows & it looks really good. The colors are coming together so it looks like the entire piece was planned out! Very cool! Will continue with this for at least half the neck area. Not sure if I want to have back exactly the same or if I'll play with it as well. In other news: Maureen is mad because I sat here & let my Mom comb her. Oh the horror of it all! :) Heehee :D
TTFN!

Frogpond Express

Have once again frogged the sweater back to the end of the E sec. The K1b was forming nice stripes but working side to side when turned the "right" way: horizontal stripes in green & purple across the "ladies". Not what I need. Am on couch, under fan, with st treasurys trying to figure where to go next. Like the "Diagonal bar" & "Dutch Knitting" out of Barbara Walker's 3rd book. Will have to see.
TTFN!

Notes from this Knitter's Notebook...

Have had more problems with the sweater so have tinked back on it. At least it wasn't a complete frog this time! Have decided to give everyone a taste of how the mind works. Here's a bit from my latest project:
Summer/Short Sleeved Sweater for Self
yarn: Noro Taiyo (6 balls from GW trip!); needles: 4.5mm circ.
Pattern: Garter Top from Spring/Summer Knit.1
not working out; frogged May 27

Attempt #2: self-design May 28/09
same yarn and needle
CO52sts. Seed St w/selvedges for 3".
CO57sts at beg of next 2 rows; cont in Seed for 1" more.
not big enough around for arm!

5/28: Attempt #3 self-design same yarn/needle
(*Crocheted CO looks nicest)
*CO 55 sts. Seed st w/selvedge for 1". 54sts=14 1/4"; 8 rows Seed st=1"
Inc each side of NR (57sts), work incs into patt.
Work 7 rows in Seed st; rep inc row (59sts). Work 8 rows in Seed st;
Next Row(RS):
CO 55sts, work in Seed to end (114sts)
Next Row(WS):
CO 55sts, work in Seed to end (169). Work in Seed St for 8 rows more.
Base Entrelac triangles: over 12 sts in Seed.
work 7 triangles: K2tog on last st of tri7, work 7 more tris (168 sts/14 tris)
Next Row(WS): Entrelac Rectangles in St st over 12 sts, picking up on WS. Ede tris @ each end, keeping neat edges.
First Side (WS): End Side(WS):
1)P2 PU&P12sts along the selvedge
2)K1, M1, K1 1)Sl1, K11
3)Sl1, P1, P2t 2)Sl1, P9, P2t
4)Sl1, K1, M1, K1 3)Sl1, K10
5)Sl1, P2, P2t 4)Sl1, P8, P2t
6)Sl1, K2, M1, K1 5)Sl1, K9
...last row(WS):Sl1, P10, P2t. ...last row(WS):P2t, sl last st to RHN

6/22: After almost finishing 3rd row of E rec, have admitted to self that the edges aren't deep enough & 12sts is too large for the E base: Frog/Tinked back to last row of Seed st.
SO: w/169sts on needle, am cont'ing in Seed until (4?5?) incehes from CO for Frot/Back

Am now thinking the "half-rib" from Mom's bed socks (Knitter's mag) over different st# may be better; all rows of pieces done in same st = better gauge than switching back and forth. Will see when I get there...