Road Work

The highway between Thornbury and Meaford is under construction - passing lanes are being constructed.

Early this morning, when I attempted to post, it didn't occur to me that my lack of internet and phone service might be connected to the road work. Listening to the news at noon, I learned that the cable had been sliced at the highway construction site. Hmmmph! I was not impressed. So anxious was I this morning to post about my new summer cardi, that I spent w-a-a-y too much time on the floor, in the confined space behind the desk, dripping sweat on this hottest day of the year, while I unplugged and re-plugged computer cable connections. I must get over this notion that computer problems are always my fault.

Feeling better and less frustrated now, thank you, I give you Sit Com Chic.

Sit Com is very chic indeed.

Sit Com has the makings of a great sweater template. It fits well and is a straight forward design that would easily lend itself to adaption. I can see my self making this one again.

Sit Com Chic - Details
I made the 40" size. That is my standard for a light sweater with a couple of inches of ease.
Sit Com is knit in one piece from the bottom up. It starts a couple of inches smaller than the bust, with increases beginning at the waist to take the sweater to it's finished size.

The yarn I used was Cotton Tweed by Cabin Fever. I loved it. It had never previously been on my radar because of the high - 55% - Acrylic content. But I stand corrected. This is a lovely yarn. It knits nicely and has great drape. It is a bit warmer than pure cotton might be, but for a cool summer evening, I think the sweater will be just perfect. In fact, I can see this blend being a perfect weight for many months of the year.

Modifications.
Only one, but it was a big one. I used DK weight yarn instead of Knitting Worsted. That meant there was a bit of math involved to change all the KW numbers - cast on, cast off, decreases, increases - to DK numbers appropriate for my yarn. Fortunately, the pattern had great graphics, which allowed me to cross reference my numbers with measurements.

Oops two mods. The pattern calls for a 2 row reverse stockinet edging along the front bands. It wasn't enough to prevent the fronts from serious curling, so I worked 4 rows of garter stitch instead.

I'm very pleased with this sweater - the side order to my main menu of spending the year with Elizabeth Zimmermann. The colour is neutral enough to go with most things in my closet, it fits well, the one-button closure is very trendy and it's done! Now back to Elizabeth.

Sue's Gift

Sandy's sister Sue - we affectionately refer to her as the bag lady - sent pounds and pounds of yarn to knit group yesterday.

Sue is a craftsperson of extraordinary talent. Her specialty is felted bags. Here is her picture from last September's Knitters Fair with one of her wonderful creations.

Like most knitters, she grows tired of her stash from time to time. Lucky for us, she has chosen our group as her personal stash disposal site. Thanks Sue. We LOVE your 'cast offs'.

The tables at knit group were covered - I mean covered - yesterday when I arrived. Sandy had done a fantastic job of displaying the yarns by colour. It meant I could just stay at the green table.

Nicki whispered conspiratorially in my ear, as soon as I started my search. "I grabbed some greens for you in case you got here too late." Now that's a friend for you. She opened her bag and I 'oohed' and gave her a big kiss.

Look at my haul.

There are 4 balls of Twilleys Freedom Spirit.

This is a current yarn and a current colour. We sell it at the store so I can top up my 4 balls, should I decide I need more. Thanks, Sue.

These are 4, 28 G balls of Patons Moorland. It is navy tweed, 100% wool in a lovely DK weight.

This, like the Twilleys is a yarn from Great Britain. Certainly not the Patons from Canada we know and love love to hate.

Then there are 2 lovely, Uruguayan, hand-spun, kettle-dyed, balls of green with bits of orange. This is a chunky weight yarn with 128 metres per ball. Last time Sue sent yarn, I grabbed 2 identical balls, one of which I used last winter to knit the Spiral Mitts. Now I have 3 balls - or 4 again, if I unravel the mitts. No, I wouldn't do that!


Thanks, Sue. Everyone appreciated you generosity. We look forward to your next de-stashing.

Thursdays Are For Knit Group - Survivor In The Fall

Knit group was a loud affair today. One late-arriving knitter said it sounded like a party happening as she climbed the stairs.

Maybe because our boisterous knitter,Pat, rested and looking good, is back from her trip to Nova Scotia. Apparently the relatives down that way 'stole' the socks she was knitting. This pair, she declared she's keeping for herself. Keep your eyes on your needles Pat -those are my colours.

Sharon finished her Top Down cabled sweater and hat.

Made with Naturelle, 100% wool in a lovely off white, we sure hope 'Mom' knows how to launder hand knits.

Bonnie struggles still with assembling her little cardi. Nicki tried to help her make sense of the origami-like garment but when it came time to go home, Bonnie was still sweater-less.

Sandy is having a knitter's moment with some Sari Silk.

From Nepal, the yarn is spun from re-cycled saris. I just happen to have a little Sari Shawl pattern in my pattern stash, so Sandy's in luck.

Sandy's sister sent bags of unwanted yarn. We love Sandy's sister. I'll show you my haul tomorrow.