Finally, some progress.

The buttons are on! All that remains is to sew on the loops.

I can't wait to wear it - I've already planned out my whole outfit to go with it. Is that obsessive?

Also, I stopped by Tuesday Morning yesterday and added this Laines Du Nord to my stash.

The color is a little off - it's more of a teal/emerald color. It's very vibrant. They also had a dusty rose and a lavender color that I'm considering returning for. I've already decided to make Fetching from www.knitty.com. My sister might go for them in lavender. :)

The last 100 miles

Do you ever get the feeling when you're driving someplace that the last 100 miles are the longest? That's how it's been for me with the Estes Vest. A month ago I was diagnosed with a skin condition on my hands that has prevented me from knitting much while I wait for it to heal. So my knitting time has been cut in half. No, make that 1/10 - it's been decimated. So I'm really surpised that I've made any progress at all.

I'm happy to report that despite these difficulities, I have finished the I-cord edging, bought the buttons, and crocheted the loops. All that remains is to sew on the buttons and the loops, then weave in the final ends. Unfortunately now I've lost my sewing needle and my spare is in the room with the sleeping (and sick, he has a cold) baby. So it probably won't get finished tonight, either.

I'm trying to decide what I want my next project to be. I'm excited about the Gathered Pullover from the Winter 2007 Interweave Knits. I'm thinking of using some Louet Sport from Pieces of String in Moorhead - she's clearancing out her yarn to make room for more finished products. I think Fern Green would be a great color on me!

Don't think I've been here before...

Okay, I have a confession to make - I have NEVER blocked a project before seaming it. I should also point out that I have only seamed one other project, but the fact still remains. So, am I doing this right?

I pinned everything out to measurements (and noticed a few mistakes while I was at it), then lightly misted it with water before leaving it sit overnight. I checked it in the morning, and decided to remove the pins despite some slight curling.

I have since seamed the shoulders, picked up and knit the neckline ribbing, and seamed the sides. Also, the shoulders were VERY wide, so I decided to do some tricky sewing instead of ripping back all four shoulders. I folded the shoulder edge over and sewed it down, then folded the flat edge back over again and sewed it down. It looks so good that I've decided to skip the I-cord on the armhole edging, especially since I definately do not want to make it wider again.

Now I have to pick up and knit the icord on the lower and front edges, then add buttons. Hmmm... I guess I need to go button shopping!

Oh, if I had known then what I know now, I would have cast on fewer stitches for the back front and done fewer waist decreases. I also would have decreased a lot more around the front of the armhole openings and a little more at the back armhole openings. I think that would have provided the room I need for my bust without giving too much room in the lower back and the tummy area. It would also have narrowed the shoulders for me.

Are we there yet?

I'm almost done with my Hills Vest! I'm starting on the front pockets, then I have seaming, weaving in ends, and the i-cord edging to do.


I like how the pocket trim looks with the turning row. It is so clean and easy to fold.

I still have to sew it to the edges after I knit the pockets. I'm planning to make them as deep as is reasonably possible - deeper than the pattern calls for.

Karen's Shawl is coming along nicely too. I finished the second repeat of six total. It's going to start taking a LOT longer though - last night I spent nearly half and hour on two rows!

It looks beter now that I stretched it out a bit. I'm sure blocking it will work miracles, as always. Pretty soon I won't be able to stretch it out the length of my circluars... It almost doesn't fit now. but it is getting easier to knit because the stitches are getting pushed around instead of me constantly having to readjust them.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood..

Well, my friends, I have reached a crucial juncture on my Estes Vest. This is the point at which I would typically begin making accomodations for my "assets." I deliberated over the weekend, pondering the best coarse of action. The size I choose has a scant 0.5" positive ease. However, because of the cables and because of the stretchy Lamb's Pride, I'm thinking there is more give in this fabric than than is necessary to adequately cover my chest.

Hmm. Yes. Definately. This is just the back....

On another note, guess what?

I'm going to have to get started on Karen's shawl soon!

5 skeins of Elann Callista in Morrocan Blue. It's not as bright as I envisioned, but it has this great shiny ply in with the cottony plys.. (plies?) The color is reminicent of my favorite boyfriend jeans. I hope the finds she finished shawl just as comfortable and comforting.