Corset Pullover

corset1
Originally uploaded by Frith.

It's lovely and perfect.

What? What's funny?

Oh, that.

Well, due to a bit of, er, user error, the neckline was about 3 inches too deep and the darn thing was slipping off my shoulders. I wound up detaching the sleevecap, cutting the shoulder bind-off, and redoing the 3-needle bind-off 3 inches sooner. Reattaching the sleeve took some tugging, as I had lost about 6 inches of armhole. This crazy picture above shows the new and old shoulder.

D-rings, ahoy!



I did some searching on the Web, and it looks like most people left off the straps. Me, I really like the straps, even though I ironed and starched them within an inch of their lives and they still want to curl. But I think they really make the sweater.

Corset Pullover
Pattern: by Robin Melanson, available free here,
Yarn: Filatura Elena, 10 balls (just a bit of the 10th) for size 32; Yes, the very yarn and color used in the pattern. So sue me.
Needles: U.S. 8
Notes:
I abandoned this project because the cotton hurt my hands. But now that I'm not working on the computer full-time, the yarn doesn't bother me at all. It's really sproingy.

Other than the shoulder thing, it wasn't too complex. I did have to graft live stitches to bound-off twisted rib on the neckline, but I'm happy enough with the results.

The neckline is still wide on me, but I don't feel like it will slip off.

All in all, I'm pleased. I think it's a very creative design, and it will be perfect for spring.

Sockies!

P1010124
Originally uploaded by Frith.

My first little sockies are done, and I'm so proud.

Pattern: Fibertrends Raindrop Lace Socks
Yarn: Too lazy to look at the moment, but they were from a yard sale in Berkeley
Needles: 1.5 dpns

I started these before Christmas. The first one took several weeks. The second took about three days. I was so proud of the first, I wore it every evening this week. The other foot got jealous. It threatened to kick the hands if it didn't got its sock soon.

I see more socks in my future. I want to try different heel and toe methods, too. Not that I have any idea which heel and toe methods I just used, but I like variety.

Next up: the corset sweater. It's languished in my knitting basket for way too long -- partly because I dread trying to remember where I left off. I really should take better notes as I knit.

First Sock

sock1
Originally uploaded by Frith.

After years of hating wearing socks, I've had a change of heart (or perhaps a change of sole). My feet get cold easily in my old age.

I picked up some sock yarn and a few patterns at a yard sale in Berkeley. My first sock is a Fiber Trends Raindrop Lace Sock. Hopefully it will have a twin in good time.

I don't have much to say about the process yet -- I haven't reached the heel, and I've never minded dpns. And since I'm taking extra-special care of my hands these days, it might be awhile yet before I even finish.

I have discovered a weakness for knitting socks while taking a bath. The air is warm, so my hands are happy. I'm warm, so I'm happy. And my fingers aren't in the water, so they don't get too wrinkly. Aside from the yarn tail getting soaked, it's bliss.

Genius, pure genius.