Yesterday I got home from work around 1 pm and started working on a gift for my other friend/co-worker's 40th birthday party today. I had made a different top for her earlier this week but I didn't like how it came out so I'm tweaking it and keeping it myself. I finished this (Simplicity 3918, view A) at about 3:30:
She is about my size, so I tried it on and determined that the bust was too low on it so that the gathers under the bust weren't really gathering anything. I took up the shoulder/sleeve seam about 5/8", but the bust could stand to be a little more fitted. I'll see how it works for her when she tries it on - hopefully I'll have modeled shots of it later today. I know for sure I'm going to make the next size down when making this again - I'm thinking of making it for me in this fabric:
Actual knitting: I haven't shown a progress pic of Forecast in awhile because I've just been hanging out on Sleeve Island and it hasn't been very interesting. I'm almost finally done with the second sleeve. I am debating about what I want to do about the button bands in the front until I wash it and see how much the Lamb's Pride relaxes. I changed the sleeves to eliminate the ribbing sections and just did the bobble pattern all the way down to the garter stitch cuffs.
Today I broke my provisional cast-on cherry. Somehow with all of my seamless knits I had managed to avoid the provisional cast-on, and I think it was because of the long-tail cast-on that is required for one version. I avoid the long-tail cast-on like the plague, and always use the knit-on cast on to start projects. I think it's because the knit-on cast-on is the first cast-on method I learned and I liked it, so I figured, why bother? Long-tail always looked fiddly to me and I didn't see any upside to using it. Well, I used it today with Wendy B's provisional cast on method, as it looked easier to me than that crochet-hook method (we all know how successful I am at crochet) and I actually got it right:
The light green yarn is my waste yarn and the tan one is my Joseph Galler alpaca that I'm using for Silken Scabbard.
Since I'm so close to finishing Forecast, I figured I could cast on a new project I really wanted to work on. I reworked the row gauge math on the sleeves for Mirepoix, as I am getting 7 rows to an inch on the ribbing and I am supposed to be getting 10.5 (have to reknit the first sleeve that I mindlessly followed the pattern on) but that yarn (Louet Gems) drives me nuts with its constant twisting up and I can only handle it for so long. Plus that one is going to have to be steeked, and is generally high maintenance and a PIA. It's lucky it's going to be finished, is all I can say. It can't expect me to finish it quickly too (although "quickly" is relative as it will be a year since I cast that on in October.) Dirndl Raglan is going along smoothly (I have about 11" done from the armhole) but that is my background mindless knitting project. Silken Slip just needs straps and the bottom fabric skirt section to be sewn on.
So all of that is justification for why I cast on YET ANOTHER knitting project!! Jim always tells me I shouldn't explain myself so much, but I always justify everything in my mind as part of making a decision, so I explain my reasoning to anyone who wants to listen (or is trapped and can't get away.) I plan on finishing the sleeve on Forecast before the party this afternoon and washing/blocking it to see how the sizing is looking, so progress will still take place on the other WIPs.
Hope everyone's having a great weekend!
I think I have that same Simplicity pattern. Does it have a sleeveless version of that same top? If so, then I do--along with a silky fabric to make it. I like patterns with seams under the bust. They seem to flatter those of us who are less than well endowed! I'm making two yoga tops in a similar pattern for knits. I love Silken Scabbard too and I'm looking at some KnitPicks Elegance for it. I can't decide between two colors thought. Plus I did just buy yarn for the Opulent Raglan so I may just have to wait. Bullseye came out and I really want to make that with Tilli Tomas. I'll wait until Stitches East to get that. Are you coming to B'more this year for that?
Posted by: kozy Kitty | August 16, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Hopefully the top will fit your friend well. The fabric you have selected to make another top looks like a good choice. Congrats on your provisional cast on. Forecast will be done in no time. I'm STRONGLY considering frogging mine completely. I may do it again much later in the future.
Posted by: Jeanine | August 16, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Well, you could make money out of your sewing!
Posted by: sandra | August 16, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Hee hee... I love that part about your "provisional cast-on cherry". Glad you figured it out! I think that color will be great for Silken Scabbard - just right for fall. And Forecast will be gorgeous on you too!
I know what you mean about having to explain why you cast on for something else... I feel a bit like that when I cast on for something new, yet have 4 UFO's just hanging out already. But we all know you'll finish each and every one (unlike me), so no need to explain :)
Posted by: knittymuggins | August 16, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Loooooooove the blouse - your friend is going to love it. Of course the knitting project is coming along nicely.
Posted by: sheila | August 16, 2008 at 11:41 PM
I can't be the only knitter who has unfinished projects languishing on needles, and I don't feel as though I need to justify them. You certainly don't -- you finish a lot, you do a lot of things, and you think about what you knit.
So have fun (remember this isn't like piecework or anything, where you Must Finish These Things Now). It must be fun to knit fast! Bobbles and all.
Posted by: stefaneener | August 16, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Ohhhhh I LOVE the print in that first top!!!!! Forcast is looking great!!!
Posted by: adrienne | August 17, 2008 at 08:33 AM