Friday, May 02, 2008
Today was a good day :o)
I was able to get in my early voting for the primary election Yah!
And today was beautiful to wear my new F.O.!!!
I couldn't have ordered up more perfect weather!
~ Project Details ~
Pattern: This is Ms. Marigold by Zephyr Girls and she is "The Do-Over". Because last spring I started on one with lots of stars in my eyes and zeal in my needles! ;op
It is a great pattern, but my first run with it I had the wrong yarn :o(
Since I wouldn't heed to my inner voice and face reality I actually finished it up with the purple (minus the borders) but finally wised up, and this one is now balled up in a corner somewhere Haha!
Because I really don't feel like fussin' over it, I will more than likely just trash it. Especially at this point since it has been sitting all knitted up for almost a year! Haha!
Yarn: After much research on my very handy dandy Ravelry community. I noticed how my sistern Marigolds that I really liked were made with Elsebeth Lavold Silky TWEED.
Everyone keeps thinking it is in the wool but it's not (even though I would love to knit with the silky wool in the future!)
I love the "tweediness" about it :o)
It is made out of 40% silk, 30% cotton, 20% merino extra fine, and 10% viscose (what in the world is that?)
In colorway #11 called "Straw". Bingo! That is what it reminds me of when I think about it!
I like the speckles of orange, yellow, and dark brown.
But I really love the "look" of how it is knitted up!
It is a bit 'splitty' and sheds a bit, but I didn't mind it at all because it was looking that much better than how my first try came out!
I was so delighted I found the right yarn that worked out for me in this pattern! :o)
Size: I made the 'medium' size in the 36" bust and it fits me nice and comfy.
There was some negative ease to this pattern as I truly measure at 38" across the fullness of my chest. Not surprising, since negative ease is pretty common with the Zephyr patterns.
The pattern has you start out with knitting it almost like a vest before you join it in the round, which I thought that was interesting.
Time: I finally completed this on last Saturday (but had some hiccups/tweaks that needed to be made - more to read on that below).
However, I did mention that this is "The Do-Over" and I started the second try back in November ;op but sent it into "hibernation" mode since it was getting too cold outside to work on a silk/cotton blend fiber!It started warming up around here, so I decided to pull it out again and finish it off!
Needles: I used my neglected Denise needles (lately I've been monogamous to my harmony sticks ;op) in US 5",
and then used some Susanne Rosewood needles in US 3" for the ribbing areas
Cost: I snatched up this yarn last summer during one of WEBS many closeout sales for only $3.99 a hank!!This pattern only took 4 hanks with some to spare! ;o) So the project is valued at $16 bucks!
I do have 2 extra hanks (over estimated!)
I am also discovering Zephyr patterns have you end up getting more yarn than you truly need. But I rather have too much than not enough yarn.
So I need to figure out what I will be doing with my extra yarn.
And because I always value your feedback, any suggestions? :o)
What I learned: I finally sucked it up and picked up my neckline!! :o)
all 206 stitches! :oD Even got bold and did the armholes too!! Haha!
After that mini victory, I quickly discovered knitting is not always perfect
and my neckline was depressed on one side! (please excuse my bellydancing tank! ;op)
I went and ripped back on the neckline (and you know how much I detest going back!!), thinking I just had a lazy bind off on that side. It helped some to frog back, but I still didn't feel secure in the slight gapping that was still happening in that spot.
So after going to the BAM knitting group on Wednesday night I got the below suggested items based on Kate and Rachel (both blogless) being so very helpful ! Thank you ladies!
Yes! That is a "blocking/pressing ham" :o) I had NO clue what that was, let alone the importance of it until the other night! Haha! And some elastic sewing string.
This is what you do with that fabric ham!
Help it mold/block to a curve area! I also steamed blocked the ribbing as well.
Then added the elastic string to help it pull in some
Viola! 
I really liked and wanted my V to be "deep" ;o) Some knitters joined in the round earlier not to have that plunge look, which that was another factor of this pattern that attracted me.
By the way, you do work the neckline back and forth (which is different since most patterns have you do it in the round). Then you seam it to the mid-section (I did mattress of course).
Modifications: What initially attracted me to this pattern were the ruffle sleeves!!
But I ended up deciding not to do them! Go figure!
Afterall, that would hinder my GW flow wouldn't it!?! ;oD
I initially started out crocheting the armholes as the pattern suggested,
but after a very slow run (y'all know I am not proficient in that skill yet!) and it not looking all that smooth with this particular yarn I scrapped that!
So I went ahead (like a champ I might add! haha) and picked up the armholes for 3 rows of ribbing like my sistern counterparts did, so I just followed suit! ;o) I picked up 94 stitches on the right armhole, and only 82 on the left armhole. The 94 was perfect!
The other side bunched up a little bit on the front, but I left it b/c again I ain't ashamed to be called a lazy finisher! ;op Nothing a little steam blocking couldn't smooth out! :oD
Within the pattern itself I did the following:
~ Part B: Increased 4 times instead
~ Part E: It took me 3 increase repeats
~ Part F: Did the cable CO and followed Tip #2 doing two waist increases only to make room for my little b.uddha belly ;op
Other than that I followed exactly as written.
Verdict: I will be getting lots of wear out of this piece!!
And do it with a variety of looks: long sleeve, collar, short sleeve, and tanks
It felt really good to get this project off my WIP list!
And even better to exercise my right to vote (lookin' knitterly cute of course!)!!
Great job!
And congratulations on the vote!! I voted on Tuesday - it felt so liberating!
Now - to get out all the other folks!
Keep up the good work!
:)
I love the boob blocking tool-- Those are some great tips--thanks for sharing with us in yet another fabulous post!
I can't believe you'll trash yarn. Really???
and marvelous. and fantastic. i would have said those too! :)
By the way? Viscose is cellulose (from wood or cotton) treated with a carbon-based solution to make rayon (in sheet form) and rayon (in spun form).
i must go over and buy it now.
I just purchased the pattern and will be casting on today!!
I love the color too. I got the bluish/grey. We'll see . . .