Girl Who Knits

Yes, Blithe really is finished...

I tried to think of a really clever way to write this post but was at a loss.  I asked Kara for inspiration and she told me to "let the sweater speak for itself."  Who am I to argue with that?

 Hello my pretty knit.

 The ribbed sleeve is one of my favorite design features. 

The back of the sweater.  Obviously.

I realized today how rare it is that I actually knit a weather appropriate garment in time to enjoy it for the whole season.  And here it is, warm weather around the corner and I have the perfect cap sleeved cotton shirt ready to wear.  Yea me!

The stats:

Pattern: Blithe

Source: Kim Hargreaves, Shades of Pale Collection

Yarn: Rowan Cotton 4-ply, Steel Blue 

Needles: US 1 & 2 straights

Mods: I extended the length of the body by adding about 2 inches to the straight rows after decreasing for the waist.

Notes:  As far as the fit of the sweater goes, hands down this is the best fitting sweater I have knit.  Kim's design is really well written and easy to follow.  I will not hesitate to buy a kit from her again.  The yarn is both nice to knit with and makes a great fabric.  And the design of the sweater is both modern and classic.  Anyone who is contemplating this knit, I give it an enthusiastic thumbs up. 

Did I mention yet that I love it?  Quite a lot actually.  A little secret about me is that I am rarely pleased with a knit when I am finished with it.  I am a perfectionist and very hard on myself which means I am never quite satisfied with the end product.  This shirt, however, was a different story as soon as I put it on.  I am simply happy with it.  That in an of itself is really something.

I have been very monogamous lately.  No wondering eye or even a fleeting temptation.  From the moment I cast on for Blithe, I have been wholly committed.  Oh wait, I did knit those baby booties...but that doesn't count right?  It was gift knitting.  (Oh my goodness, I cheated without even realizing it.  And now I am justifying it.  Yikes, I am one of THOSE guys.)  Oh well, let's pretend the baby booties didn't happen.  Monogamy suits me I think.  Stuff gets done.

See Blithe blocking...

Sorry for the bad picture but you get the idea.  The two pieces at the top are the wee little cap sleeves.  I can't wait to show you the cute ribbing on them.  I will try and seam tonight and will for sure have a FO post by the end of this week. Yea!

So what's next? (Perhaps I am more aptly described as a serial monogamist.)  I was going to tackle the Dollar and a Half Cardigan but I am not really in the mood thanks to the changing season.  I am thinking I might wait until the end of summer so I can have it for the fall.  So instead, I am thinking...Bella.  This is a new Norah Gaughan pattern from Interweave and you want to hear the best part?  It is FREE.  Honestly, I am shocked this is one of the free web patterns.  I love the elegance and details of this top.  It is so beautiful.  Seriously, do yourself a favor, open the pattern and scroll to the bottom for pictures of the collar and cap sleeve.  You're welcome.  I will try to make it to my LYS in the next couple days for yarn.  Anyone want to join me?  I can't wait to start, which means that it was time to move on I guess. 

Please don't feel abandoned Blithe, we had some great times.  Sorry about that weekend with the booties.

Words are a powerful tool.  I was reminded of this through several events recently--the last being Imus and his ignorant, racist, and sexist words said on the radio.  Words mean something.  They can hurt, heal, uplift, degrade, clarify, mislead, and empower.  After some reflection on words this week, I am resolved to use mine more carefully. 

There.  I said my peace about the heavy stuff.  Now onto the knitting. All this talk about words...for some things however, I have no words.

(Sigh.)

 And close up:

I think Kim Hargreaves should be my new best friend.  You hear that Kim?  BFF's forever.

You all have heard me talk about my sisters. My girls. One I knit with, the other I have knit for. We like to sing Karaoke Revolution and eat REALLY large bowls of Baskin Robbins ice cream (Peanut Butter-and-Chocolate and Gold Medal Ribbon to be exact.) I love my sisters.

Last weekend, little Bri got engaged. To a boy named Adam (note to self: must find out if Adam is okay with me writing his name and talking about him on my blog.  Update: not only is he cool with it, I even got permission to post a picture.  Point for Adam.) I am thrilled about this news. I like this Adam since I think he knows how lucky he is to have my sister love him. Bri is happy in that good wholesome way which makes me feel right about things.

Cute Bri and Adam 

I have been asked a lot how I am feeling and if I am okay with the news. Well, we are not living in Jane Austen times. I am okay with the younger sister getting married before her elders. Bri is no Lydia Bennet either. She is smart and knows who she is. She has a career she loves and a great perspective on life. She is ready. I think the only thing I will have a hard time with is that this event changes everything. It an ending. She is no longer only my Bri she is also some guy Adam's Bri. I have to share and I am not sure how I feel about that.

On the other hand, I am gaining another brother right? Maybe he will let me knit him a hat or something--that could be fun. So it is also a beginning.

Much like life, knitting also has it's beginnings and endings. (Nice segue right?) Soon to be ended is my Phildar Zip Cardigan as the zipper arrived in the mail Friday! As soon as Ann can get her sewing machine over here I will have a FO. I am so excited to show you this sweater--I think it is going to be one of my favorites.

As for beginnings...my knit picks needles arrived today too so work on the Dollar and a Half Cardigan can finally begin.

And of course, I mustn't forget Blithe. See what has begun...

(fyi-color less baby blue in real life--is is more like a nice deep gray blue)

One thing knitting has taught me...new beginnings can be a very good thing.

For those who were wondering...my biggest loser competition ended at work and I, alas, did not win.  I did, however, lose 12 pounds which is great.  The winner was really die hard about the whole thing--didn't even have cake on his birthday--so I guess he deserved to win.  I guess.  I am glad I participated if only because I learned what devious and competitive co-workers I have.  I would do it again in a second, only this time I would know my enemy, urm...competition better. 

In other news, something special arrived in the mail this weekend...

My Blithe kit!!!

It came wrapped up all pretty with tissue and ribbon which made it super fun to open.  Like a real present.  I also love the way the pattern is printed on nice card stock.  I am NOT regretting the kit purchase.  I give Kim my seal of approval--awesome customer service and the product itself is exceptional.  Now if we could only work on that currency conversion rate...

I was planning on not starting Blithe until mid-April BUT I am waiting on the new KnitPicks options needles I ordered last week in order to start Dollar and a Half Cardigan AND since I finished all I can do on the Phildar Zip Cardigan until I get the zipper in the mail...I swatched and casted on for Blithe last night.  Awww Yeah!!!  I will post a picture as soon as I have a couple inches done. 

For the record: I already love it.

Can't stop thinking about this:

It is Blithe from Kim Hargreaves' new collection Shades of Pale.  I wants it. 

Here is the problem though, I can't just buy the pattern.  I have to buy the full kit.  From England.  In Pounds.  Ugh.  What a hassle. 

If I do buy it, I am thinking of one these colors...

Manderin:

Steel Blue:

Aubergine:

What do you think?