Knitting – Page 39 – Elliebelly Knit & Dye Works

Emmaline — Finished

Posted on April 28, 2010 by Joyce Makes Art

Early this morning, in a strikingly bad example of IPhone photography, your intrepid blogger announced that she had finished Emmaline. (Actually, Emma was finished on Saturday, ends woven in Sunday, but this has been the first opportunity to photo and perhaps I should have waited for a better one, give the outcome of the picture)

The photo displays neither the best nor the worst features of the finished garment to advantage. The worst was likely the size choice. I knit a size medium, but probably should have done a small. The armholes, and possibly the neckline as well, will require a bit of crochet device for a good fit. On the plus side, the yarn is cotton, and the pattern calls for a machine wash and partial dry in lieu of blocking. I am hopeful this process will result in a more desirable fit.

The best feature of this sweater is undoubtedly the simple, but very elegant, yarn over patterning along the yoke. Although the yarn is bulky, the sweater itself is soft and comfortable and perfect for summer. I could see reaching for this to go out to dinner after work, to wear to the farmers market, and on and on. I would, and am actually thinking about, knitting it again. The soft sea foam green cotton yarn that I'm using for the lace baby blanket I'm in the middle of would be perfect.

Emmaline

Posted on April 13, 2010 by Joyce Makes Art

This is the start of Emmaline from the new Knitty. I think I’m in love and, because of the bulky gauge, it should be ready to wear in no time at all!

More Squares

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Joyce Makes Art

Three at once. I’m finding that’s the best way to work on the quilt. One just started, still on short needles. One midway, on the longer needles. And one close to being done (or in this case just completed).

It’s fun watching the squares come together. I like the mild blue-gray square as much as the more vibrant turquoise and green square.

What A Square

Posted on March 3, 2010 by Joyce Makes Art

It’s too rainy for a run in Washington this morning, so I started my day by finishing off this square. One down-countless more to go!

Finished, With A Little Help From A Friend

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Joyce Makes Art

After a lot of "I hate finishing sweaters" procrastination, I finally sat down to finish my Manos Silk Shrug before Christmas. And, I ran into a problem. No matter how carefully I thought I had blocked it, it really didn't look at all neat when I began seaming. The yarn was a pretty silk/merino base yarn I've knit with before, and I couldn't figure out what the problem was. I finally decided to take it to my favorite local yarn store to have them give it a good blocking and do the seaming for me, before I did the ribbed trim. It seemed like a decadent escape from work. In the pre-Christmas frenzy, I decided it was worth it to get it done just right, because I loved how the pieces had turned out.

I picked it up this week.

Not only had it been seamed, but they had done the ribbing — you can see it around the edges, you pick up the stitches and rib for several inches. It was all done. I put it on and haven't taken it off since.

The Manos yarn is really pretty and nice to work with, and the Debbie Bliss pattern is simple, with some interesting shaping, but other than the finishing quagmire I let myself get into on this one, it's an easy and rewarding knit.

Sweetpea Progress

Posted on November 3, 2009 by Joyce Makes Art

This is my progress on Sweetpea. The back is complete, up to the armholes shaping.

What a quick knit! I like the barely spun, bulky yarn. It’s soft and pretty.

I’m a little bit nervous about the short row shoulders-I seem to have a real knack for missing the wraps. This is just a few of them, so hopefully I’ll get them all the first time through. I’m really looking forward to seeing this one all knit up!

A Little Holiday Crafting

Posted on November 2, 2009 by Joyce Makes Art

Ellie has an absolute requirement that the cornucopia comes out the day after Halloween. There was a year, back when she was in first grade, where it failed to make an appearance. The result was unfortunate, involving a long series of entries in her school journal that convulsed both her teacher and me in laughter when we read them together. Since then, I make sure the cornucopia comes out in a timely fashion.

But, this first dash of the holidays always makes me think about gifts, which in many cases means making gifts. I don't want to reveal too much, but thought I would share pictures of a couple of early gifts in progress. First, some roving in one of my favorite colorways, Copper Patina. This is Blue Faced Leicester roving, which is very finicky too dye — requiring a very slow temperature rise and then sustained, consistent heat before cooling overnight in order to avoid felting.

This roving always turns out so soft and so beautiful that I forgive it for all the extra attention it requires.

I'm also dyeing up a skein of Blue Faced Leicester aran weight yarn, here it is in the first of two baths it will go through, as a present for a special friend.

I feel good about having started. I still have time to make a few special presents and get in some early shopping before we hit the serious baking season sometime around Thanksgiving. I've also started in on my holiday knitting project, The Sweet Pea Sweater, which I'm knitting for myself. I did the border on the back of the sweater over coffee this morning. The yarn is luscious and bulky, and although I'm not a quick knitter by any means, I hope to have some time to work on this and perhaps be wearing it for the holidays.