Vacation!

Happy 4th everyone and thank you for the wonderful compliments on my finished Buttercup.

Of course with a holiday weekend and a finished project, it begs the question, what's next? Well, I have a long list of things to make...a list that never seems to get shorter. Two hats for cousins and a small...hopefully quick project. I'll keep you posted on my progress...if I can pull myself away from all the 4th of July family fun.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Buttercup!

Backstory

Pattern: Buttercup by Heidi Kirrmaier [rav link]
Yarn: GGH Safari
Needles: size 4 and 5
Exposition: Let's all breathe a collective sigh of relief.
It's done! It's done!

Can you believe it? Well, believe it!

There are many Buttercups out there, and I have to agree with most of the knitters out there...it was pretty straightforward. Although I knit mine according to the written instruction [for the most part], I've seen quite a few people adapt the pattern for less of an a-line shape, others who added more lace to the bottom and/or the sleeves, and even one that is two toned...and it has proven to be a pattern that is very adaptable to the needs of the wearer. The only change I did make was to add an extra lace repeat a the bottom band.

I've used the GGH Safari once before and I will admit that I enjoyed it equally this time around. I love the suede-y hand and although I was a bit hesitant of the color, but now I have to say, I really like it...especially since I already own a pair of perfectly matched shoes. What could be better?

I was a bit concerned about how stiff it was when I finished, but as before, the yarn softened to a beautiful drapey material after blocking.

All praise aside, I have a two issues with my finished Buttercup. First off, the neckline is very wide. I have broad shoulders and if it's pulling a Flashdance, it's wiiiiiide. I'll get around to redoing it. I was also hoping for a cute poofy sleeve but alas, it doesn't seem to poof at all. No biggie though. I'm just happy it's done.

I Know What You're Thinking...

...well it could be one of two things.
1. She's still not done with Buttercup. The curse has struck again!
2. She's done with Buttercup! The curse has been reversed!

Well, methinks both would be sorta right. I am done with Buttercup. I've tried it on and I'm not sure how I feel about the trapeze-ness of it. However, I do know that I need to give it a good wash and block before I make my final decision. That will be happening tonight. Keep your fingers crossed!

I Know What You're Expecting...

...but unfortunately, perfection was not reached Sunday afternoon. There's still a chance for tonight though...I'll keep you posted.

Bloomin'

Despite dealing with a weather induced depression, I've been pretty busy. Instead of going directly to bed when I get home in the evenings, I've been working on Buttercup. And it's coming along very nicely. Can you say, "No seaming?"

I knew you could.

I finished 4 out of the 6 increases and am at the point of either finishing as directed or deviating and doing my own thing. I've checked out the finished tops on Rav and am still undecided, although I probably need to try it on again and go from there. I just need to find the correct length and flare ratio. I don't want it to be too sack-ish, I am determined to get it right the first time and I'm knitting on borrowed time, as vacation time is coming dangerously close.

I'm pretty sure I will have found perfection by Sunday afternoon.

No pressure or anything.

My Little Buttercup...

Vacation is coming up. You know what that means.

Not only deciding what project to bring along with me for the trip, but what projects to I want to try to finish before the trip.

One of the projects to finish before we leave is Buttercup.
Knitting the round eases my mind of any Seam: FAIL! issues. And it's been going along at a nice pace, which is also a good thing.

I'm excited to get back on the 'completed project' bandwagon.

...And It Won't Be Helon...

So much frustration going on here in Superstarra-ville.

All this work on fixing Galaxy has really inspired my crochet craftiness. Which, of course, reminds me of yet another long suffering project. Helon.

I really love this dress, but have been avoiding it like the plague. I'm about 4 repeats in to the larger motif and it's such a slog. I'm not a big fan of the pattern, to be honest with you. It's pretty, but making it is UGH!

So, as much as I love this dress, I'm really thinking of categorizing it as something that is not meant to be.

But...I thought of a compromise.

I bought a crochet stitch book for another project I'm working on and so many of the stitch patterns are so beautiful, I've been considering keeping Helon's shaping but using a different pattern.

In between working on the other 4,245 projects I've got going right now, I think I'll find some time to swatch and see what I can come up with. But as for now, Helon is officially history.