DPNs, BOs & Holding Stitches… Whew!

Well I’m still working on my tank and I’ve managed to start the back armhole shaping. I knew there was a reason why I like to crochet the armholes and neck shaping, because knitting them is an acrobatic stunt…lol.

When I opt to crochet armholes and do neck shaping I just bind-off the whole project and pick-up stitches with my crochet hook and sail along from there… easy as pie. Well, I decided this project was going to be ALL about knitting and truly learning how to shape and bind-off strictly with knitting, so I started the bind-off to separate the back and front. After binding off the required stitches, for a nano-second I was stumped… then figured it out and moved on. (In the process I also learned why I kept ending up with purl stitches in my other projects when it should’ve been knit sts…)

Now, its time to continue armhole shaping and shape the neck simultaneously… What!!!! the X#$*^ - I was like oh darn… why didn’t I just do crochet....lol. After k 17 sts – attach 2nd ball and BO 26 center sts – k to end. I sat there staring at the garment saying now how in the world am I suppose to do all that….lol.

Again, I strained my brain and was like ok… add’l needles are in order... and pulled out my dpns. Mind you I still had my option needles dangling from the front section holding those stitches, and a dpn on each side of the back of the garment, and using straight needles to continue working the straps.

Please tell me there’s a better way!!!!!!
BTW... I tried it on and man-o-man... the yarn feels sooooo good against my skin and it miraculously fits well.

YO & K2TOG & CashSoft

I'd purchased 4 balls of Rowan Cashsoft yarn in Heather from Elann.com and started working it up Saturday night, in an attempt to make the Prosperous Plum Tank. I've gleamed knit lace projects and wondered how did they keep the holes from looking like mistakes, so I figured doing the PPT would answer my question, since it had a few rows of eyelet. I opted out of the picot trim and jumped right into knitting it. After the first of row of yo & k2tog, I became a lil worried... it was starting to look like a major mistake, but I immediately push the thought aside and continued on. After doing a few knit rows, I was like ooooh I like the eyelet... ummm let me see. As you will see, the 10" I've done so far doesn't resemble the project I had in mind. So I've foregone my initial intent and continued on between knitting rounds and eyelet rounds. I'll do another 2" inches of the knit/eyelet rounds and 3" inches of straight knitting then start shaping for the armholes/neck.
But can I also tell you about Cashsoft by Rowan, which is 57% Extra Fine Merino 33% Microfibre 10% Cashmere is so darn soft and its has a bounce to it. I was concerned initially that once I started working it up I would have lil fibers flouncing around me, but nope... I guess the acrylic microfibre keeps it in check. Cashsoft is also machine washable... I am so psyched about it ... well I need to do a lifeline to check the shaping and then move on to the finish line.

Have you worked with Rowan Cashsoft before and what did you like or dislike about it.

The Finish Line…

I’ve noticed a lot of knit garment edges are ribbed or allowed to curl. My last project was a simple tank and I opted for the curl but after wearing it, I realized I hate the curling. I was constantly pulling at the garment and at some point marched upstairs, pulled it off and ironed it flat, which lasted all of a minute and it slowly curled again.

Can we talk crochet…., ok don’t start…….. I’ve heard that some knitters will never allow crochet to mingle with their knitted garment, but I would just like to say, I love it. Using crochet to finish up my garments work better for me. I do crochet bind-off which is easier than the knit bind-off that often ends up tight and unsightly. Can I just say Crochet also helps in covering up the remaining woven in tails or loops left when different color yarns have been used, a row of crochet neatly finishes an exposed edge, and it helps hide imperfections.

With that said this Twisted Tank will get a dose of a crochet row.

What’s your take on this….?

Twisted Tank

For my next knit, I selected a project from Hip To Knit by Judith L. Swartz. Her book is a good choice for new knitters, which has basic knitting instructions throughout and a variety of projects from socks to sweaters in several styles. I followed the pattern for the Ribbed Ribbon Tank, and modified it by doing garter stitches, quasi cable and a racer back (let's just say I changed it all around..lol) and I crocheted the straps and racer back part. I used Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in perry primrose and love the way it works up. I also tried my hands at cables... its hard to see it and its more of a twisted/crooked cable than just a cable...lol. In the end this project was more about tension and I think I was able to work that out.