Monday, June 4, 2007

Knitting and Crocheting Updates

After realizing to my horror that my original gauge swatch must have been terribly off, I had to frog this sweater and start over. Thankfully, it seems to be working up much quicker this time, and I only have to knit 3 more inches before separating for the armholes. I love stockinette knitting. I usually work on this while watching TV, and it's fun to finish watching my program, to find that I've magically knitted another 2 inches!

This is the Column of Leaves scarf that I'm still plugging away with. I've gotten the pattern memorized, now, so it's knitting up a lot faster. I just love the color variations in this yarn. I've knitted about 3 feet, and I'm hoping to have enough in one skein to knit an entire scarf. That way, I can use the second skein to knit a matching hat. Wouldn't that make a lovely gift for someone!

This is the "Impossible Dress" that I've been attempting to knit for Breanna. I hate this pattern. I just can't stand knitting it, but I'm too stubborn to give it up (and the Dutch in me is too stingy to let all that yarn go to waste).

I finally got past the awful frill at the bottom, and then had some simple stockinette with occasional shaping to worry about. However, somewhere along the line I got off on the shaping row, and I made a noticeable mistake. (Grrrrr.) Now I have to decide if I should frog it for 3 inches, or try to remedy the error with a crochet hook. *Sob* And I thought I was almost done with the skirt portion!

On a happier note, I got another repeat done on the White Diamonds Lace Scarf. I think this will turn out to be a really beautiful pattern, although it's time consuming. I think the pattern is too complicated to be memorized (at least, I can't seem to get it memorized). I just work on it here or there if I get a few moments alone. The pattern repeat is over 28 rows, so it takes awhile to get a goodly amount knitted.

I've FINISHED some things! Woo-hoo! This is the crocheted rug for the bathroom. I LOVE how nicely this came out. It lays beautifully, and the colors are quite nice, if I do say so myself. It's pretty big (almost the length of the bathtub). I added a scalloped edging because I have to have frills somewhere on it, and eyelet rows every 3 inches. (Hmm, can't really see those in this picture, can you?). It does tend to slide about on my linoleum floor, though, so I think I'll just whip stitch some carpet matting to the bottom to help it stay in place better. I really don't want to wipe out in the bathroom and have a "help, I've fallen and I can't get up" situation! I'm planning to make a similarly crocheted mat for the toilet, but I have to let the blister on my finger heal up, first. Crocheting with three skeins of yarn at once is rather tiring for my hands, and I haven't crocheted anything in a long time.

Finally, I have another scarf to display. I started it on Friday afternoon, and finished it on Sunday afternoon. Cables are so much faster to knit now that I don't have to use a cable needle. ( If you haven't learned this technique, yet, I'd highly recommend this site. Great way to learn!). It's a mohair-like yarn that's a little thicker than worsted, but not quite chunky. It will be in the post tomorrow and off to some lucky person! (Could it be you?)

7 comments:

Brenda said...

You have some wonderful projects going, Rachel! The White Diamonds Lace Scarf is really a beautiful lace pattern! I know I certainly couldn't memorize a 28 row pattern. I hope things start to go more smoothly on the dress for Brianna.

Danielle said...

Oh I really appreciate any help you can throw my way with sweater pattern advice. I'm just coming up dry with what I want next....I love the color of the sweater your knitting right now. I'm sorry that you had to frog and start over again, but hey at least your enjoying the speed and ease of the second time around. The scarf is looking really pretty too. The dress for Breanna is really frustrating you a lot, I hope things smooth out on that one too! I hate that when you feel such frustration over a pattern you really want to finish. I also love both of the scarves you've knit, especially the leaf one your working on--wow you memorized the pattern, you're amazing!

Danielle said...

It's just me again--you and I have such similar tastes in knitting I swear--I was looking at your list of things you want to try knitting, and I've printed out the flower bag, and the katja baby top awhile ago. We are kindred knitters or something like that, LOL!

Anonymous said...

What a great feeling to finish something... :) Love your finished works of art.

Scrapbooking--About the acid free paper...definitely make sure your pix are on acid free paper. The other issue is page protectors. None of my old albums had them and I think it's air that's the real problem. Air and dust do a terrible number on pix. Now, as soon as I finish a page they go into a page protector. :)

Well, I am going to bed. Good morning. :) Love, Angie

WELCOME TO TuttleTime! said...

The rings are still not working...how long did it take for yours to work?

Violiknit said...

Wow, you must knit fast! I love those scarves and the rug and that cute dress!

Michelle said...

You've been so busy! I love white diamonds and the bathroom rug.