FO Friday….(err I mean Saturday): Abalone

I did a bit of monogamous knitting the last couple of days. And so I actually have a FO to show you!

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Well it’s done…but despite my best math and knitting know how it’s not quite right. Don’t get me wrong, the pattern is great! It’s written for small size only with directions/percentages given to help you “upsize” your garment. I should have been more meticulous…

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Here it is anyway….

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I completed this sweater in a little under a month. I used 3 skeins of Knit Picks Brava worsted in Wine knit up on size US 8 needles. I simple adore the color! (In math terms I used 657 yards or 300 grams of yarn)

I did my calculations and cast on 80 stitches and increased up to 149 total for the body section. I then knit 17 inches of stockinette up to the arm holes. Then I separated and knit another 7 1/2 inches of height for arms shoulders.

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Now looking at the FO, here is what should have happened:

  1. Cast on 90 stitches (ish) and worked up to 159 stitches (ish)
  2. Knit 19 or 20 inches of stockinette before getting to the sleeves
  3. Knit 8 or 8 1/2 inches for the shoulders/arm holes
  4. Paid attention to the written directions and added increase at the corners of the knit border so it would curl.

This was supposed to have been a gift for a very lovely, elegantly tall, and slender friend. This sweater doesn’t have a snowballs chance in you know where of fitting the intended recipient in any flattering manner. So into my closet it will go after some additional aggressive blocking. I would like it to hit past my butt at least.

Instead my friend for her birthday shall get some local Kansas wine from grape vines that I helped to plant. That’s sort of like knitting her a sweater right? Sigh….

P.S. this is one of my last FO from my 2013 Stashbusting efforts! It’s #45 and I hope to have a post with my final year end stats soon!

Oops!!

My Socktober Socks are looking good!

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Only one problem…I have size 10 wide feet. I have big lady feet, since I was like 12. I’ve simply learned to deal. I managed to adapt the pattern to fit said size 10 feet. However, I failed to calculate correct yardage on the project….oops! I only have enough yarn for a single tall sock or a regular sock with a partial toe section of hte second.

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Lessons learned….patience tested….I’m finishing this as a single tall sock and moving on. It is a great learning experience and I shall keep this as a sample sock. And by the grace of god my next attempt shall yield an actual pair!!

Happy Knitting!

Uh Oh #%36($ +>~ 42/;

GASP…..THE HORROR……I RAN OUT OF YARN FOR MY PROJECT….

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It’s 110% my fault. In my zeal to destash and cast on a project, I didn’t stop to calculate yarn yardage. I just grabbed stash yarn and went to town. See that small bundle at the top? Ya…that’s what I have left. Luckily I was able to source the necessary two additional skeins I need from the Internet for my Waves and Ripples blanket.

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I’m bummed a little. The pattern is easy to memorize and the yarn is yummy. I’m sad that I can’t keep knitting as this bulky project is flying off my needles! And how amazing is the zig zag and the cream/white contrast!? Sigh, now I have to wait for my Knit Picks box to here…guess I’ll have to cast on another stashbustin’ project. Stay tuned tomorrow!

Happy Knitting!