Quickie

Ok, I LOVE this sweater!
And what is happening here? Knit cigarettes?

Not-so-Cropped Carie Cardi

I'm working on Stephanie Japel's Carie Cardi from "Fitted Knits".

I'm using US 15 needles with Kraemer Yarn's Bear Creek, purchased at NW Handspun Yarn in Bellingham, WA. It's a super cute knitting shop, and Bellingham is a great town. I was up there over Thanksgiving visiting Mishon, who is a Kninja crocheter and my former housemate (my favorite housemate!).

The Bear Creek is nice and woolly, though not especially soft. It is definitely softer than, say, Reynolds Lopi. It has great yardage (130) for a great price ($15).

I've knitted the bodice and have yet to start the sleeves. My intent was to lengthen the shrug to a sort of babydoll-shaped jacket. I followed the instructions for a size 36", except that I added one row of stockingette before the garter stitch, extended the garter stitch for 11 rows, and then knit some more to lengthen it.

Here is how everyone wishes it were fitting:

(I'm making a funny face because my mom was asking me a question as she took the picture. She and my dad are visiting nextdoor for the weekend.)

Instead, it's HUGE. I swear my gauge is close to the recommended 6 st/4". It's hard to tell with such bulky knits.

I also would have liked the garter stitch to have landed higher, like right under my "best girls".

As I launch into my complaints, I should confess that I am too lazy to put my stitches on string and try it on in progress like you're supposed to. My fault. :)

I was thinking, however, that I could cross the front to make a wrap style. I think I'll get the sleeves on before I rip out the body and see what I think. This is the effect of the wrap on the fit:

Any thoughts?

Knitting in the dark

I went with my sister Katie to see the Pacific Northwest Ballet's performance of Romeo et Juliette. It was fabulous! The choreography was very different, very modern but still graceful. I absolutely loved it.

But... since I'm an addict... I still knit through the entire performance. I made these two Calorimetries in the dark!

To knit a Calorimetry I reduce the instructions by 1/2. I cast on 1/2 the number of stitches (60), and make my short rows after sets of 2 stitches rather than 4. I knit until it's 4" wide and then continue back for the second half.

I bought this Filatura di Crosa Print in Black from Bad Woman Yarn in Wallingford Center. Great store... Very helpful, friendly, and beautiful sales people... ;)