Granknit State

She's seamed. She's blocked. She's on my body.

She's Orangina!

...or as I said before, Aquafina.

Pattern: Orangina by Glampyre
Yarn: Rowan 4-ply Cotton in Tear. Barely 4 balls.
Needles: Size 3, 24" circular Addi Turbos.



I was duped into starting this project by Chrissy as part of the Sexy Knitters Club knit-a-long. It was easy enough for her to do since I already had 4 balls of the specified yarn sitting in my stash. I had some real trouble getting gauge for this project - I couldn't get stitch gauge until I moved up a few needle sizes, and that scared me. Chrissy assured me that the lace would stretch (especially since it was cotton), so I moved back down and knit on the specified size 3's. I am so glad I did so, because the end results are perfect.

The lace pattern repeats over four rows and is very easy to memorize. I was so amazed at what I was creating - it was just so beautiful:



...beautiful, but very see-through. Luckily I found a tank top at New York & Co. that matched well (as you can see).

The back and front are worked separately and then joined in the round for the five inches of 3 by 3 ribbing at the bottom. I almost complete the whole thing in three balls. I had to bust into the fourth ball with only about 6 rounds of ribbing left and I used maybe a yard for seaming. I was so nervous in the beginning that I had Chrissy pick me up a fifth ball, just in case I'd need it. Now I have almost two full balls left over. Oh well, I'm sure I'll find something small that I'll want to knit out of cotton.

Anyway, I was a bit weary about how this would look on me, but I absolutely love it and I'm sure I'll be in it all summer long. And the best part of all? The tank top has a shelf bra built in it. Now, anyone that knows me knows that the term "shelf bra" makes me shiver. I can't do them. That is, I couldn't until now. I've lost enough weight and inches around that I can pull this one off successfully. It looks right! It feels great! Oh joy of joys!!!



I am one happy camper.

Victory is always sweet, but it's especially sweet with this one. Orangina - or as I call it, Aquafina - is 99% finished and ready to roll. All that's left is the side seams and a nice blocking. This was my first real, honest-to-goodness lace pattern and it turned out better than I could have expected. I stop short of saying "perfect" because the thought of blocking 100% cotton gives me the willies (the term "stretch" could take on whole new meanings), but I dare say that I did a darn good job.

Good thing I bought that light blue tank top, or else this would be obscene.

There will be more to report when we're truly done!

I am a terrible, terrible knit blogger. I admit it. I've cast on new things. I've probably finished a thing or two. Have I mentioned it here? Nope.

I'm 3 inches away from finishing Orangina. Three. Lonely. Inches. I can't wait. Then I'll seam the sides, join the shoulders and be done. I'd like to wear it to Chrissy's graduation party the first weekend in June. I think I'll be successful.

I've also started my first pair of Jaywalkers using the Lorna's Laces yarn I bought at Purl SoHo. That stuff is like butter. *swoon* It's also my first time doing an Afterthought Heel. So far, so good. I'll knit another two inches or two, pause and put in the heel. That way I can measure properly to get the best fit for my foot.

I went to Florida last week and it was nothing short of wonderful. Cecily came with me and she posed for photos on the lanai at Eric's parent's house. Actually, she posed on the waterfall that flows into the pool that is located on the lanai - dangerous territory for a knitted robot, but exciting nevertheless:

She's so cute.

I predict that this particular knitted toy is going to find herself in many interesting places coming up...

My dear friend Chrissy knit me a fabulous birthday present: one of Jess Hutch's Robots. From the moment I unwrapped it, I was in love. Chrissy had named her Cecily early on in the knitting process. She said I could change it, but I just love the name.



Don't you just adore the fact that she's posing with the tulips? Yeah, I thought so.

Cecily was made lovingly out of Brown Sheep Worsted. I say "lovingly" because I know that Chrissy isn't all too fond of working intarsia, yet she did so for me.


I'm humored by her backside.

I have a feeling that Cecily is going to become a traveling companion, much like that gnome or Flat Stanley. I think I'll photograph her in exotic locations. Because how many people travel with a knitted robot???



That's what I thought.

Because I'm a glutton for punishment (and project monogamy doesn't suit me), I've joined the Green Gable KAL. I'm especially excited that I cast-on this project yesterday (using Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in "Rue"). I realize that Orangina should be getting my full attention right now, but I just couldn't resist a quick-to-knit project...

I owe you photos of my recently finished objects. I'm such a slacker...

As if I didn't have enough.
I simply must make the following items from the brand new knitty.

Hedera:


Nautie:


Reid:


I don't know who I'll make Reid for, but I will make it eventually. It's just the cutest little baby sweater. And Nautie? How adorable are knitted crustaceans? Really? And those socks are hot. And I do like Nagano Sakura, but I'd probably make it into a belt.

Those are pretty much the only things I like out of the new issue though. Anatolia is nifty, but it screams "mom" to me. Maybe it's the woman in the photograph. That, and I think the feature item, Mesilla, is god-aweful. But hey, they can't all be winners.

(this will be repetative to anyone who read my LJ, but my head hurts too much to be original twice...)



The bolero is knit in one piece in three stages. After knitting 1.5 inches, 3/4 of the stitches are put on holders and one side is knit up. Then 1/2 of the stitches are removed from the holder and knit up to create the backside. Then the last 1/4 is knit for the second side. Attach the shoulder seams and voila! All that's left to do is pick up stitches all the way around, do 2 rows of k2, p2 rib and bind off.

Here's the Baby Bolero, peeking out the window. I thought it would be a good way to show off the backside of the garment.

I'm just in love with this little item and I'm so impressed that it took a total of about 7 hours to create from start to finish. I'm still debating on whether or not to put a little button with a loop on the front for closure purposes. I just donno. What do you think???