Feels Good

Way back in early 2010 I started to knit a sweater. It was a test knit and I managed to get all the pieces knit, and I even found buttons.


When I started to seam it up, I encountered major shoulder issues. There should have been a bit of cute puff on the shoulder, but instead I had pointy shoulders. It looked like an odd outfit you might find on Star Trek.


This is one instance where I really did not enjoy test knitting. When I made contact with the designer I was told, "Ok, I'll look at it, but really you should just reknit it". UM. That's not professional or helpful. My gauge was good. I'm testing a pattern to bring potential issues to your attention. I offered a few thoughts on what I thought would work. I was told, "That sounds good. I appreciate your notes." But that still doesn't help me with my sweater. I was so frustrated that the sweater sat. And sat. And sat. I never did try to redo the sleeves because I was just annoyed. Beyond the initial pattern revision due to a math issue, I never saw a revision of the pattern or even the final version so I don't even know what that is like. Anyway. 

Hello Ravellenic Games event, Frogging Trampoline. I have my yarn back.  I have great buttons to match! Now I need to find a better sweater.  I'm thinking maybe Snow White (no buttons needed), Arm Candy, Samovar, or even Notre Dame de Grace.


I am very surprised at how I felt ripping all that work out. It was addictive and therapeutic. And I can tell my seaming skills are getting better as it took me a while to find my ends! Here's to starting over!! 

Yarn Along - Ravellenic Games Progress

What are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Have you linked up over at Yarn Along?







I feel like I am off to a good start with my Ravellenic Games "competition".  I've started the sleeve for my Sweater Triathalon event, but can't share photos until the design is published. My Rhinebeck hat is started for a Hat Dash, but that is under wraps until Rhinebeck! I did have a super idea for my hat, in my opinion, while working on the Modular Relay race and I am very excited about getting started on it. I hope it turns out the way I picture it!





I can share what I have done for the Modular Relay with my minis.  Six out of the nineteen minis are knit up and the ends are woven in.  I have to say one of my favorite things about working with the minis is getting to try out new-to-me yarns.  I am learning that I really like a yarn with good SQUISH factor.  Skein Queen is one that I LOVED knitting with and I will certainly seek out more. You can see it second from the left, the muted blue-green hexiflat, 80% merino, 20% cashmere; I believe it is the Blush line.  Another good SQUISH yarn is Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks the Rock. I have knit with their yarns a few times before.  The colorway Electric KoolAid Acid Test is incredible. I had just enough to make one hexiflat, it is the first one on the left. I do not think I have ever seen a more vibrant shade of neon pink and I love it. I am not a pink person, so that is really saying something.  Every knitter should have this in their stash for knitting with in the depths of winter. I am making a mental note to seek out more of this particular colorway, asap.

Creative Knitting is not usually part of my reading rotation, but I happened to pick it up today just to see what patterns were inside.  I flipped to the back and spotted this! That's the poncho sample I knit up for Plymouth back in February. It was a fun pattern, this is the child's size 8, but if you look at my ravelry photo I was able to wear it! I think this must be similar to what designers feel when they see their design published - my knit is off in the world!

Olympic Trials

(Psst! There is still time to enter the giveaway for a copy of the Cast On, Cast Off book - click here and leave a comment!)

The Olympics are coming. I have no idea who any of the athletes are, but I am looking forward to watching some of the sporting events and I hope that some events are shown during the day (not just prime time) so that I can share them with the Lorax as well.  She is a gymnastics fan and I think she might get a kick out of it. The Ravellenic Games are also gearing up. I am anticipating being on a few teams and participating in a few events. Here's what I am thinking will be making the cut as part of my projects this year.


I have a set of minis from a swap on Ravelry, under the theme of "Muppets vs Sesame Street". When I first received my swap package I knew I wanted to work them up all at once as a group. My beekeeper quilt project needs an injection of good mojo and this seems like a good idea.  So, 19 minis to be turned into hexiflats for the "Modular Relay".







I was considering challenging myself to knit a sweater for the Lorax (Sundog, which I have the yarn and pattern for and have thought about making for her since it was published). However, the girl does not wear sweaters.  Handmade or storebought, it makes no difference.  Instead, I am working on a sample for Good Karma Farm (isn't it pretty? I love this yarn and pattern, Charleston Tea by BabyCocktails) and a new sample for Plymouth, so those would be great to get done for "WIP Wrestling" and "Sweater Triathalon" respectively.


That is probably enough, but I am still considering "Charity Rowing" and making some items for PatPatsHats, the "Hat Dash" for my own super-special Rhinebeck Hat, more "WIP Wrestling" for Dan's socks and my current cowl-in-progress.  I am sure I could find a few items for "Frogging Trampoline" and "Cast On Mania Trap Shoot" (start a project, work a third of it, start the next project) just sounds like fun.  Dangerous fun.