my life as a crocheter & knitter & working mom

Monday, June 23, 2003

I'm about 71/2 inches into the back of the Kolibri tank, but I'm going to drop it for a while. A, it's not going to fit me by the time I'm fnished and B, I've got baby things to make. One of my very good friends (I've known her since we were in first grade) is having a baby in August and I need to get a blanket done for her. So, I'm picking that up tonight.

Friday, June 06, 2003

Finished the Kolibri swatch today. I've decided to go with garter stitch. If I have enough leftover, I might make a stockinette one, too.

If I get a chance this afternoon, I'm going to figure out the number of stitches/rows my pattern needs. I've already got a schematic with the measurements (not to scale but taken from another tank I like). Hopefully, I can cast-on tonight.

I really want to be able to wear this tank to our company summer outing July 2. Think I can get it done?

Monday, June 02, 2003

Hey, I'm back.

I had a nasty sinus infection for most of May and that really cut down on the knitting and the desire to post. I got meds and am feeling back on my game. Got out of the habit of posting, though.

The KG pillow is done. I wound up ripping out all of the intarsia last week and went back to stripes. I was not happy with the intarsia at all. But, I’ve got the side seams finished. I want to run it through the wash before I put the form in and sew the bottom. Molly’s gotten a hold of it a few times and it’s covered in dog hair.

I have to give Molly credit. She was really sweet yesterday. I was knitting and she just lied down on my hip and let me knit while she napped. We did it for hours (most of the Yankees’ 17 inning marathon yesterday). I wouldn’t have been able to finish the pillow this weekend if she hadn’t been so cooperative and totally disinterested in my knitting.

I may not have been very productive or talkative lately, but I've been on a knitting shopping tear. I bought 11 skeins of Dale of Norway Kolibri in orange (discontinued and on deep discount at Herrschner's) a few weeks ago. It came in the mail last week. I've also bought 26 skeins of Reynolds Pebble Beach (21 in watermelon and 5 in brite blue), again deep discount (52% off) on a discontinued yarn at Herrschner's (plus, free shipping). Those balls haven't shipped, yet.

My husband is not pleased. I have sworn off any more yarn buying until I finish something (hence, roaring through the KG pillow yesterday).

Next on the needles is tank in the Kolibri. I brought two skeins and my needlemaster to work today so I could start swatching. Tonight, I’m going to measure my favorite tank and follow those dimensions to fit Bella from Berroco. Although I don't have a copy of the pattern, since it doesn't require any shaping, it shouldn't be too hard to wing. I'm also thinking doing Berroco's Jenna with the Kolibri.

I started my the swatch and so far I just love this yarn. It looks like silk and it’s working up pretty easily. Although, it’s not too tightly spun so ir splits a little. I’m thinking I won’t be able to use Jenna without a serious overhaul: 1) the pattern only goes up to large; 2) the gauge on the kolibri is not going to be right, it’s way too loose on 7s.