Finished

So I did it . . . 

Adding the Crochet Trim

The tank is finished!  Yay for me!  I deserve a cookie . . . 

Finished Soliel Tank

However, now I'm confused:  I'm not sure I truly love it.  I really like the added lace with the added length.  The fit is good.  But I have some qualms about adding the purple crochet trim . . . hmmmmm.  I still have extra green Bamboo Silk so I could rip out the lavender trim if my heart so desires it, but should I?    

Tank Love?

I think I should live with it first.  I should step away, and work on something else.  Time and space will help me to look at with "fresh eyes".  Yup, that's what I'm gonna do.

I'm in the middle of writing a paper due this week  (Yeah, I'm back to working on another  course). Have a good week :)

About the Ripping . . .

Sometimes you have no choice but to rip out.  And no matter what, it always feels disheartening, even if you know you've made the right decision.

Prior to Ripping

My Garter Surprise must have had an error in the pattern 'cuz Block 9 called for 54 plus 54 stitches which was completely off (it should have been 63 plus 63 stitches for a total of 126).  In any case, I didn't like the off-centered colour block that had resulted; it had to be more even (like the version in the book pictured below).  

Original Baby Garter Surprise

So sadly I ripped.  Thankfully it looks better now (sorry for not having an updated photo).  This block will take time to finish 'cuz it requires 54 ridges (that's over 100 rows!).  Hopefully by working on it each evening, I'll make some headway.

As for my Soleil Tank, adding length didn't quite look right upside down.  So it too had to go "rip, rip, rip".  

Messed Up Lace

Since restarting and working the lace pattern as written, the addition looks soooo much better.  I'm hoping to work enough lace repeats so I've got enough length.  Then I'll finish off with a garter edging.

Better Looking Lace 

For me, following my "gut" and ripping out worked out well.  How about you? Ever had to rip out something that you've been working on for a long time?   I'm sure we've all done it.   

More Knitting

Garter Surprise Progress

My Garter Surprise is getting there. I finally reached Block 9--yippee! New colour change and with it comes intarsia (not my most fave technique). At least the end is in sight (ha! famous last words).

Soleil Tank Revisited

And I tried to finish my Soleil Tank. After seaming the shoulders, I tried it on and . . . too short (although the fit is quite good)! Since I've got leftover yarn, I'm adding a couple of repeats. I picked up from the garter cast-on edge and am working the pattern upside down (after adding another 20 stitches so that the lower edge will be a large instead of a medium). Hope this "experiment" works.

It's not a hat; it's an octopus!

And I started another project. Of course! This project is a special request from one of my "babies" (who soon will be 12, but just loves the toys I make. So there.). It's one of those "dastardly cephalopods" (seriously, you should check out our website 'cuz its funny when toys have adventures). We hit the local general store that carries a decent selection of colours. My son was quite pleased to pick out his own colours. Now he's patiently waiting for his "friend" to come to life. This is the fun part of knitting. I love it when recipients appreciate your hard work. That's the good stuff.

Later,

As for the Soleil . . .

Its done.  Sorta.

Side View

At least the knitting part is done.  Shoulder seams need to be sewn together and ends need to be woven in.  Then I've got to crochet a border 'round the neckline and armholes.  But the actual knitting part is done--it just ain't completely done.

Front View

As for the fit: a preliminary fitting proved successful--as in the tank fits.  Yay medium covers my perfectly plump self very well.  Only drawback:  it's a wee bit shorter than I'd like, but I can live with it.  Besides, I'm not sure but the silk-bamboo may stretch with wash 'n wear.  Only time will tell.

Lace Detail

For now, back to the Navy Bohus.

All Kinds of Progress

Sorta.  Over vacation, I did manage to get some knitting done.  Surprising how much one can do barreling downtown via subway train.  And there's been a smatterin' of knit time throughout the week.  Of course there's been this thing called "work" that has sucked up most of my time--go figure!.

First off, I'm close to finishing off the body section of my navy Bohus: just another half inch and I can join the sleeves to the body (although there's the small detail of actually making the second sleeve).

Bohus in Progress

The photo above is not accurate as I've gotten further along since photographing my Bohus.  My zeal for this project has not abated, in spite of the miles and miles of stockinette.  At present my only real concern is adjusting the yoke; thus far, my modifications have created the appropriate size (so says my tape measure).  I'm hoping this continues as I grapple with the decreases in the yoke (and don't get me started on the short-rows for the neck . . . that could be a little scary).

My other vacation project is my green Soleil.  I hadn't even swatched it when I left for Toronto.  Lo and behold, I've gotten to the waist.

Soleil Progress

It was the perfect airport/flying project (knitting is great for occupying one's hands and mind when one has a fear of flying--just saying).  The lace section was very easy once I memorized the pattern.   And the stockinette section hasn't been too mind-numbing, especially since I have to keep track of rows for the waist shaping.  And the silk-bamboo fabric: very nice feel and drape.  This is gonna be very pretty when its done.  I just hope it fits.

Oh My . . .

New projects!  I know I have lots on the needles already, but I wanted something new for my vacation projects.  If nothing else, I'm amply prepared--although seriously how much knitting will I get done?

I've already cast-on for the Dandy Neckerchief (Ravelry link) using the Patons Angora Bamboo.  Its a nice soft yarn--just right for a scarf.  Big plus for the pattern is that it starts at the point: I just keep knitting until I run out of yarn (although 400 yards should be plenty, right?).

Beginning of Dandy Neckerchief

And much to my surprise, I discovered extra balls of Patons Silk Bamboo: thought I only had 4, but in fact I had 7 of them!  Its the same yarn I used for my mom's lacy scarf back in Christmas 2009.  Instead of a scarf, I'm attempting a simple but shapely tank top: Soleil from Knitty Spring 2005.  Right now I'm still swatching: I either have to find smaller bamboos (only have 4.5mm, but probably need 3.75mm or 4.0mm); or I have to attempt a smaller size in the hopes that I end up with a bigger size.

Swatch for Soleil

I seriously doubt I'll have 'puter access while on vacation (my parents don't know much 'bout the internets, but at least they have air conditioning).  So there'll be "radio silence" whilst I visit with the family back in Ontario.  See you in a couple of weeks. :)

Orange Smoothie

Do you like? I really like. :D

I started this project about a year ago (my Rav notes tell me I began swatching at the end of June 2008 and cast on mid-July). As a beginner's first foray into simple lace, I enjoyed the knitting despite little hiccups (for some reason I was making my YOs incorrectly. Thankfully my mistake didn't really affect the overall design). This top also represents my real first attempts at short-rows and I'm quite pleased with my effort and the final result (thank heavens for http://www.knitting-help.com/ and their videos. I think I played their short-row tutorial ad nauseum while I worked on the bust).

My one big modification was shortening the length. The lace portion was supposed to be 14", but I only worked about 12" (I didn't actually write down how much, but it was between 10-12"). I thought the original top would have been too long on my body. The final length looks fine.

The other modification was adding a single crochet border along back and underarm areas due to lots of rolling (not sure if it was flaw in my gauge, yarn choice or pattern). Some might not mind a little roll; personally I don't like it. The crochet really helped alot. If I were to re-do pattern, I'd definitely add some ribbing to control it.