Twelve, Not Ten

 If blocking doesn't count, my hoped-for, 'ten-day' sweater turned out to be, instead,  my 'Twelve Day Sweater'.  Still not bad.  Timing a knit is not something normally done here, chez Brenda - counting those  high numbers can be a strain.  But for some reason speed appealed this time.  Started June 16, finished June 28.

If you don't count blocking.  Or weaving in of ends.  Today for sure but who wants a 'Thirteen Day Sweater'?

The vision was for a neutral-toned, summer cover-up and this fits the bill perfectly.   Knit with Cabin Fever Cotton Tweed on a larger-than-called-for needle to give a light-weight and hopefully, airy sweater. The ball band on Cotton Tweed calls for a 3.75mm needle to produce a DK gauge of 22 stitches over four inches.  However, it always takes me a 4mm to get that gauge and this time I used a 4.5mm for 20sts/4in.  The object was a lighter-weight garment to wear in hotter weather. 

Cotton Tweed is a cotton/acrylic, 45/55 blend.  Since past experience has taught me that I sweat  overheat when wearing acrylic - I liken it to wearing a plastic bag -  I  normally avoid it at all costs.   But Cotton Tweed is such a great yarn.  Featuring machine wash & dry, a price of  $7.50 for 230 metres and the  large cotton content, it is hard to resist. Here's hoping the looser gauge will compensate for the 55%    plastic    acrylic component. 

The Twelve Day Sweater is a pattern of my own design.  Knit top down, with yarn overs along the raglan lines and beside  the seed-stitch, front bands to make a hopefully,  heat-resistant, holey design.  I added a bit of waist shaping and a 'K1, Yarn over, K2tog' panel down the centre back.  More holes.  More air conditioning, I hope.

I'm pleased so far, but as always, the proof is in the wearing. Maybe over a red tee on Canada Day.

Thursdays Are For Knit Group

 A real treat for us today.  Sandy brought her sister Sue's (feltedwoolies on ravelry)  Ishbel to knit group.

 

 Ishbel, a beautiful, Ysolda Teaque design made even more beautiful with the Twisted Fiber Arts  50/50 Merino and Silk 'Muse' that Sue used.  Sandy brought along a bit of a skein in my colours -down in the  lower right of the picture -  trying to convince me that I should knit this shawl.    Not much of a shawl wearer, I resisted.  But once home and gawking at the shawl  on ravelry, I wonder if maybe Ishbel is a shawl I might wear.

Poor Carol.  Her Whisper Cardigan was giving her grief today.

She was just at the point of the 'afterthought' sleeves where she learned how difficult mohair can be to rip back. 

Gloria has started another 'doll' - Emily  - by Jean Greenhowe.

 

I love the colour, Gloria and my vote is that  your yarn is green.  Just like the picture.  Ever so cute.

Nicki is on  her last, gorgeous,  sock yarn square.

 Now comes the task of laying them out so as to offer the greatest appeal, then sewing them all together.  A couple of years back, someone asked Nicki if the squares took a long time to knit considering that the yarn is so fine.  Her answer still makes me chuckle.
 "Well, yea.  I have to knit the socks first."

Speaking of squares, Sandy loves her mitred square projects.

Take some sock yarn and some Koigu - leftovers all - add in one patient knitter and you get a beautiful baby blanket. Someday.

Today was my last knit group until late summer.  We are on our way to the trailer in Hearst early next week, where Thursdays will be for swimming or fishing or boating or hangin' out with grand kids.   Fun, but not the same.

A Diversion

Since my ten-day sweater isn't, I intend to divert your attention today with pictures of my re-structured green Cinnie.

The yarn, Sirdar Calico,  was originally knit into a garter stitch, top-down, short-sleeved, summer sweater that I intended to wear to my niece's New Orleans wedding.  But the sweater, while OK on it's own, just didn't measure up when in combo with the dress.  Ripped and re-knit as Cinnie, it looked much better.

Except for the pulling at the bust suggesting a bigger bust line than I've ever been known to have.  Ripped and re-knit  - again.  The second rip-back involved just the   edgings along the fronts and  bottom.  Thank goodness for top-down construction.  Shortened one inch or so and with more loosely knit edges, Cinnie is a clear winner. 

It looks great with my Aunt of the Bride dress.

 

 And should I ever entertain in my garden,

 

on a day of dappled sunshine, I have the perfect outfit for the occasion.