Lacking Again...

Ode to joy. Boy, am I still failing horribly at keeping up with regular blogging. Sorry about that.

It's been pretty hot in LA lately, so crafting has been very limited. I did make a few more circles two nights ago, and only have about 10 more small ones before I get to connect them all together to the top. I WILL have it done by the weekend. Well, at least all the circles.

Work has been good...my boss took a new position, so I'm busy packing up files and stuff for our move to the new division. Fun stuff.

Time to throw some laundry in the dryer and go to yoga class...more later. Promise!

Galaxy High!

I've been having a flare up of my starter-itis. It's getting ridiculous.

I have this really cute tank top, but the straps are too tight so I thought I would modify it with a cute crochet border and straps a la Galaxy Top. I decided to do this 6 to 8 months ago and fashion trends caught onto my thought processes and went with it...as I was reminded Sunday as I looked through the July issue of Lucky Magazine. In a fit of renewed inspiration, I threw the magazine down, grabbed my crochet hook and thread and went to work. On making circles. Lots and lots of circles.

The top should only need 40, so I'm almost 1/2 way there. I hope I don't get distracted yet again.

From The Potted Plant Garden

A few years back, I stuck some "borrowed" jade plant into the dirt of one of my pots. It's the perfect plant for me, since it seems to thrive on neglect. I thought we have a good relationship going...it refused to die and I remembered to water it every so often.

Well, imagine my surprise when I noticed little flower bunches on it. I had no idea jade plants bloomed! Much less that my little plant would decide it was its time to flower!

Pretty pink!

A few buds.
The leaves are about the size of a fingernail, so you can see how small these flowers are.

Purty!

Ouch!

Hope you all had a good weekend. It was blazing hot in So Cal, so gf and I escaped to the beach. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time...even after a big wave knocked me over. Of course I landed right on a rock that left me with this beauty.

Not my butt. Just my upper thigh.

Lesson 1: Always respect the power of the ocean and watch out for big waves and rocks.
Lesson 2: Don't use the macros setting when taking a picture of your thigh...especially if you're posting it on the internets for the whole world to see. I have no shame.

Sunday was a little less exciting. It wasn't as hot as Saturday, so I stayed very still and knitted quite a bit on the Textured Tunic between moaning about the heat and napping.

I completed the body rounds and am now working on the front panel. I didn't add waist shaping...when I tried it on, it looked ok, so I didn't see any reason to rip back and add them in. Now just a few adjustments to the bottoms and I've got a one way ticket to sleeve island!

Impressive. Most Impressive.

So...I went on to Ravelry today and was clicking around on some of the completed Textured Tunics with Side Buttons and I noticed a few people lamenting how many times they had to frog and reknit due to gauge issues, shaping and other factors.

I suddenly became very concerned that my kismet sweater would be anything but.

I reached for my tape measure so I could recheck my gauge and realized I didn't have it because I loaned it to gf this morning before I left for work. DAG NABIT!
Well, I just so happened to have a paper ruler at my desk, so I measured my gauge. My row gauge was good, but the stitch gauge...16 when it's suppose to be 13. OOPS!

I suddenly became even more concerned.

So I thought I would thread a lifeline and try it on. Don't knitters sing the glories of top down sweaters because they can be tried on and adjusted during the process? Unfortunately, I didn't have any waste yarn. Ugh. I did have some thick black thread, so I doubled it up and laced it through.

Quick trip to the bathroom...

Looking pretty good, no?

Then I remember that I erred on the side of caution and decided to make a 39 1/2". My bust measures 38, so I decided to go with a 'shut up kid you'll grow into it'* mentality. I thought for a moment that the armpits felt a bit tight, but a little adjusting here and there eased the issue. I may have to try this on again when I get home and reevaulate. I'm not sure if it is poor sizing, the way the sweater was sitting, my recent 5+lb weight gain or my t-shirt bulking up under the pits, but I hope it will fit better once I can try it again.

Until otherwise, kismet is in full effect. Have a great weekend everyone!


*When we were kids, my parents would often buy us clothes there were too big. Any protesting was met with the above response. Not that I plan to grow into a 39 1/2" bust, mind you. Unless the chub from the rest of my body suddenly and spontaneously decided to relocate to the boob area, that might be okay. Thighs, I'm talkin' to you.

Progress Pictures

You guys are the best. Your comments are so encouraging! I hope this sweater turns out well, I'd hate to let you all down. Ha haha...

Like I said before, this yarn was bought with the intention of making the Textured Tunic...but the recipient was different. It was supposed to be for gf, but she didn't like the shade of green. So, now it's for me!

The color is Spring, which is a bright green with yellow and blue specks. It's pretty bold, but I think the shade will be okay on me. If not, I'll wear it anyway and you'll see me coming from a mile away.

I've already completed the raglan increases, put the sleeve stitches on holders and am now about to start the bust basket weave pattern. Not bad progress.

And remember these buttons? Also bought specifically for this sweater. I do believe I put them up to the yarn and being pretty pleased with the color matching, but that was way back in March and I can't remember if it was true or something I made up.

Wow. Everything is falling into place with this project. Is that a good sign or a bad one?

Moving On...

Thanks everyone for your comments about my last post.  I'm still eyeballing most black SUV's that pass me by everyday, but I've let the anger go and I'm a better person for it.  

Right?

I have started a new project.  It's the Textured Tunic with Side Buttons from Fitted Knits.  I'm using some Rowan Summer Tweed...and would you believe it's always been intended for this sweater?  I seem to buy yarn with one thing in mind and wind up making something entirely different, so it's nice to actually make the intended garment.  I don't have the camera handy, so unfortunately, I don't have a picture of my 16 rows worth of progress. 

I've noticed on Ravelry that a lot of people have added shaping, but a few of the finished ones I really like didn't mention making any modifications.  I think I'm going to follow the instructions as writing and see how it turns out.  I'm sure it will be fine.