Girl Who Knits - green_gables

Green Gable Finished

noreply@blogspirit.com (Erin) — Tue, 6 Jun 2006 18:10:00 -0600

So my Mom is worried about me. She confided in my sister that she thinks I need a boyfriend since I have resorted to dating my lace.

Oh Mom...

My lace and I aren't dating. It is more like a casual summer fling. Feel better?

So Green Gable is done. Ta da!

What a satisfying and easy knit. I added several modifications after lurking in the KAL to try and fit my body better. I think it turned out really well and I am very pleased.

Project Details:

Pattern: Green Gable

Source: Zephyr Style

Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, 3 skeins Willow Leaf

Size: M (with modifications)

Mods: Many. Knitted 2 extra sets of the C&D rows, knit 5 decreases about an inch apart starting about 3 inches under the armholes, 4 increases an inch apart starting an inch after the decreases, used short row shaping for the bust, knit 6 rows of ribbing at the bottom of the shirt instead of 3.

Notes: I believe this is my first really wearable knit. Really quick and easy, I love how it is knit top down and how easy it was to modify for my body type.

So there you go. One headless close up before I go:

Indecision

noreply@blogspirit.com (Erin) — Tue, 30 May 2006 22:08:50 -0600

I bound off the arms for Green Gables and was finally able to try it on. Want to see?

I think I like it. This is a pretty good picture of the color although it is a bit more vibrant in real life. I am knitting size Medium--sort of. Really it is somewhere between the M and the L since I added some extra rows and increases. I am attempting to cater the fit to me and am going to make several adjustments to the pattern in order to do so. I am going to try short row increases at the bust and add more decreases at the waist. The beauty of this sweater is that I will be able to try it on as I go so I can frog if something doesn't work out.

I finished the left panel of Rambling Rose and I think it looks awesome. My only worry is that it looks a bit small. I hope I don't end up with a too petite sweater. That would make me sad. Here is a peek at the rose pattern. I only added one of the roses so far--just to see how it looks.

I am aware that I walk a thin line with this sweater. It could either turn out vintage and anthropologie-esqe looking or it could look really antiquated and grandma-like. Obviously I am hoping for the former.

Finally, indecision...I have been having some second thoughts on my first Amazing Lace project. I know I said I was going to knit the Baltic Sea Stole but now I am debating if I should begin with it since I realized I don't have enough of the yarn I was going to use. So now I am thinking it might be fun to find yarn for the stole at the Estes Park Wool Market. But then the official start of the Amazing Lace was yesterday and I can't wait weeks to start. I don't know why this project has been so difficult for me to make a decision on. I keep seeing more and more lace projects that I want to knit. Sometimes I feel panicked like I have to get them knitted soon or the good projects will go away or I will forget all the projects that I want to knit. I know, I am silly. I am now thinking I might start with something smaller...perhaps the Trellis Scarf from spring '06 Interweave. I have two very different yarns I could use for this scarf.

Kaalund Expressions in Silky Oak:

Anne, Schaefer Yarns in unique colorway:

Both are stunning yarns that I love. Which would you pick?

One lonely knitter

noreply@blogspirit.com (Erin) — Mon, 22 May 2006 21:45:00 -0600

So sister/roommate Kara is out of town for 10 days. Leaving me the house to myself. I used to live alone so I thought it would be nice to have the place all to myself and that I would enjoy my alone time but frankly, I am feeling a little lonely. I miss Kara...sigh.

I also thought that I would be knitting like crazy. I have been knitting but not crazy-like. It has been pretty slow going on all my projects and for some reason I haven't been able to commit to one. Each project is strewn about on the parts of the couch I am not sitting on, all screaming "pick me, pick me." I just need to settle on something, buckle down, and finish. Here are a couple updates:

Rambling Rose: I am on the left front (the part with the pretty rose chart).

See the beginnings of the vine? I am enjoying it so far but this chart is pretty slow going. I knit several rows and then I get tired. I am encouraged by the start though. I think it is going to be pretty.

What I have been working on the most is a new project...

Oh yes, I have joined the many ranks of the Green Gable-rs. I love the color I found at my LYS. It is Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Willow Leaf which is like a bright olive green. The color in the picture is not quite accurate—it is a bit lighter in real life. I am almost to the point where you put the sleeves on a holder. I can't wait to get there because then I can really try it on. I am loving top down sweaters mainly because you get to adjust the sizing as you go.

Next up, I need to start my lace project for the Amazing Lace...my team introduction is soon to come. So stay tuned for that.

Also, thanks to everyone for your encouragement on my Deep-V Vest. This week I am going to embark on operation goodbye wings. Cross your fingers.

As for tonight, I think I will get some knitting done. The question is...which project?