Rusted Root FO and Weekend Update

Well, I feel like I got a lot accomplished this weekend!

First up, I finished Rusted Root.

I like the fit of the body (could have been a little snugger but it is not 100% dry yet in the pics so it's bagging a little on the sides) but the sleeves are a little too tight and I'm thinking that I shouldn't have knitted these on a smaller needle as the pattern suggests. I made the same size for Green Gable and didn't have a problem, but that one didn't say to knit the sleeves on a smaller needle. May be reknitting them if I can find the woven in ends. It should be no big deal as it only was a few rounds.

The Airy Wrap - I reknitted the back and am a lot happier with the length now. I also picked up for the right front and have three of the lace repeats done. LOTS more to go for 45" though (and this is the smallest size.)

I worked on Orangina and got four more rows done. I figured out why this is taking so long - I got stitch gauge perfectly (even on the recommended size 3 needles!) but am not getting near the row gauge as I'm not using the Rowan 4 Ply Cotton, but am using Brown Sheep Cotton Fine instead. So I still like it (have just over 9" knitted on the back) but am resigning myself to it taking forever without monogamous knitting (which would make me crazy.)

I started the Fibertrends felted lamb on Friday night and I am almost done with all the picking up, etc. Next up will be seaming, felting and stuffing! This is a fun project for those times when you're in the mood for row by row instructions with something different to do on every row. And lots and lots of short rows!

I know what my next project will be and it's not any of the ones that were on my list the other day! It is the Ribs and Lace tank from the most recent Interweave Knits. Adrienne has this one on her list and so I took a look at it - ended up really liking it - AND I have some - you guessed it- Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece that will work well for this in my stash, in Terracotta Canyon. It is more of a dark mango than the bright melon color it looks like in the pic.

I swatched for it and love it. I like knitting with this yarn at a larger gauge - it gets very nice and drapey. I like the pattern too - reminds me a little bit of Eiffel except without all the pesky hemp-related hand injuries (LOL).

The last thing is that I got up early this morning and cut out all the pattern pieces for the wrap dress I pictured on my blog last Wednesday!! Here they are, piled up next to my sewing machine.

I have had this fear of sewing lately that I can't really explain - maybe more a laziness or hesitance to dig into it than a fear, exactly. This helped me break right through it. The way I told myself to look at it is, it doesn't matter how long it takes to lay out and cut the pattern pieces, because that whole process is equivalent to the knitting the pieces of a sweater. Sewing is just assembly. Now I know anyone could figure this out, but it helped me to look at it this way and helped me curb my impatience/hesitance to want to lay out the fabric just right and align the pieces exactly right on grain, etc. etc. The other thing I thought to myself is that doing something is always better than doing nothing - i.e. counteracting my perfectionistic tendencies with action.

I also went to Hancock Fabrics and bought this

They only had a yard left, but it was $1.99!! Cute, huh? I think it will make a cute little Lilly Pulitzer-esque summer skirt.

Another interesting thing is that I went to the eye doctor for a routine exam yesterday and they told me that my prescription had actually improved by a whole number in one eye (less nearsighted.) Instead of thinking that this must mean I'm getting old (especially as I AM doing my makeup a little farther away from the mirror now) I will take it as getting better as the years go by!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Comments

[Melanie]

!!! Rusted Root looks awesome on you! What a great color!

[Amber]

Rusted Root looks great!

It's funny that your eyes got better this year. I went for an eye check on friday, and my eyes got significantly worse. The doctor actually warned me that the prescription was so much worse that I was probably going to have a headache for a few days while I got used to it.

[adrienne]

Rusted root looks great and I am so glad we are going to do the ribs and lace tank together. I've done a little bit on it and it's looking really good so far! And take your time with your sewing!!!! As you said, it too is a PROCESS! lol

[Kristin]

I LOVE Rusted Root! Maybe even enough to add it to my mental to do list! It is so cute!

My eyes get worse almost every time I go. My husband worries that I'll be blind by 30, but the doctor always assures that it won't happen. My contacts are a -6.75...that is bad enough!!

[KeanaLee]

My you have been a very busy bee!

[Robyn]

Holy Moly you knit fast!

LOL... it looks great!

Robyn

[mary]

Nice... you got lots of knitting done this weekend. Rusted root is nice and I agree about the arms. I know someone who is knitting it up with straight arms, not gathered. I think both look great.

[Heather]

Your Rusted Root looks so good on you, bravo!!

[Maryanne]

Wow! You were busy!! Everything looks fantastic :) Can't wait to see your wrap dress when you finish....

[Koko]

Your Rusted Root is cute! It nice on you :) The color is great! And Airy Wrap looks gorgeous!!!

[FantasyKnits]

Wow, your Rusted Root came out great! I had the same problem with too tight sleeves after binding off, so I redid that. My orangina is taking really long, too!

[marjorie]

Rusted Root looks very nice. It's making me think about doing something with an inserted lace panel. I really like that.

I find that there is more inertia associated with sewing than knitting because it is more time consuming to lay out the fabric and cut than to pick up some needles and just cast on. I have to make a major commitment to sew, whereas knitting is something I can do for a few minutes, if that is all the time I have.

My vision started to "improve" when I was in my 40s, and it was a mixed blessing. I now have separate pairs of glasses for distance, the computer, and close work, since I couldn't manage bifocals. I told my eye doctor that in about 350 years, I'd have 20-20 vision at the rate I've been going--and he agreed.

[Lauren]

Rusted Root looks great on you! Too bad about the sleeves though, it still looks great.

[Lara]

Another beautiful sweater for you! Kudos.

As for the eye thing . .. I think you found the fountain of youth! Mind sharing the secret?

[lisa]

Rusted Root is very nice. Good luck with the sewing....

[silvia]

I'm about halfway through my ribs and lace tank- I'm interested to see how yours comes out. I left off one of the lace repeats to keep it proportioned for my height, but I'm worried mine is looking too big! Rusted Root looks very cute (if my R& L tank fails, it will becme a RR!).

[Carol]

Very nicely done! I know what you mean about sewing, I can be my own worst enemy avoiding the "process". Looks like someone is ready for summer!

[Bear Knits]

Rusted Root looks great! I love the color - so summery!

[Lara]

I love your Rusted Root. Redoing the few rows of ribbing will most likely loosen the arms up but it looks great!

I think I may use your idea of knitting Ribs and Lace with Cotton Fleece. That would be a great sub! I love the Karabella Zodiac but cotton fleece is much more economical. You choose a beautiful color too!

[tiennie]

Love the Rusted Root!

[Karen]

Rusted Root came out great! Man you knit fast!

[Monica]

Rusted Root looks really great on you! I can't wait to see how your airy wrap turns out! I am sure it will be great though!

[Michelle]

Wow your quick! Love the rusted root! Makes me want to start mine!!

[Romi]

Wow! Another awesome sweater! Go, Robin! :)

[Bobbi]

Rusted Root looks great! That color looks good on you.

[Jeanine]

Rusted Root is looking good! I haven't done much knitting lately. That's because I finally dusted off my sewing machine!