I made it!!

I finished Guinevere despite ll the issues I had. Full post to come when I get my camera back but here's a quick shot. I can't wait for the next ravelympics!

I'm back baby!

I'm back in the game and not stupid! A nice raveler sent me a chart she had made for Guinevere and from that I realized there was no way I could get the pattern to work out with the number of stitches I had. It turns out there was a line missing from the pattern that affected certain sizes. Annoying but at least I was right, I just should have been more confident that I knew what I was doing and should have charted it out to begin with. Ah well, at least things are all set now. I'm not sure  will finish by the end of the Olympics but if I get enough knitting time this weekend I may at least come close. I've been staying up later than usual and am past the armhole shaping on the back. I still don't have my camera but I realized my husband's computer has a built in camera! He's been good about this Ravelympic push even if he doesn't quite understand it, so he was more than happy to let me borrow his laptop for a few minutes. He's a computer science grad school so it's tough to get it away from him. Here is a less than perfect shot of my progress. The yarn is tough, probably not the best for a speed knitting project but it seems to be working up nicely so far. I'm hoping to pick up my camera this weekend so hopefully I can get a better picture then. Now I need to get some sleep, it's past my bedtime again. 

On your mark. Get set.... Rip!

I left my camera at my parents house this weekend so no photos this week :( Not that I really have anything to show as I have knit about an inch on Guinevere and can't get the freaking thing to work out! I have knit this one row for two days. I get decreasing in lace but for some reason I have one less stitch on my needles when I get to the decrease at the end. I'm pretty sure now that there is no way of finishing by the closing ceremonies but I really wanted to make this. I may give it one more try this evening after work but I don't know. I don't like feeling stupid like this. The Campanula I made last year had decreasing in lace and I didn't have to rely on the chart once I got the hang of it. Why is this one so hard? I should have known this project was cursed when I had to wait longer for the yarn and do some math for a wacky gauge. ah well. Such is life. I'll return when I get my trusty camera back.

Progress

I've been completely monogamous over the last week or so and have made some nice progress on the banded peasant blouse. I am about 5 inches into the body which is almost half way. I really like this project. The Louet Merlin is wonderful and I think will be great to wear. The simple eyelet pattern is easy, yet entertaining, and with no waist shaping doesn't require too much attention. I really enjoy knits like this, if it is easy enough that I am not making mistakes then I'm not getting angry which makes my husband happy as well :) I think I scare him sometimes when I get frustrated... Anyway, here is my progress so far. It isn't much to look at so far so I panned up and snuck a puppy shot in. Penny is giving me her "Please don't make me go outside in the rain again you know I can hold it" look. In my defense I've been at work all day, she really should have to go by now.

I can't wait to have this finished so I can wear it but I decided to join the Ravelympics which I just realized start tomorrow not Saturday. I'm in the sweater sprint event with Guinevere so I'm not sure when or if I'll be working on the blouse. I was so relieved my yarn was here when I got home today, it gives me just enough time to swatch tonight. This is going to be a real challenge but I'm looking forward to it. I'll try to post my progress and lovely new yarn tomorrow. Yoga time!

FO:Cotton Bamboo Girl Tank

Pattern: Cotton Bamboo Girl Tank by Sara and Joelle Meier Rioux

found in Classic Elite Make it Modern

Needles: Clover Bamboo US3 16" and Susan Bates US5 29"

Yarn: Classic Elite Cotton Bamboo 6 skeins of Orchid Ice

Buttons from Joann Fabrics

The cotton bamboo tank is done and already worn to work today. I love it! I'm learning the hard way that I need a bit of negative ease in my garments. This tank is just a little too baggy and since I'm sure the cotton will stretch I do wish I had chosen the small size. It's no big deal, I can take the side seams in if I really want to. I think I'll wear it a couple of times and see what I think. The pattern is really easy and very well written, it was so pleasant to knit. Picking up stitches for the armholes while not my favorite part, made for some nice cap sleeves. I'm probably in the minority but I don't really like to wear sleeveless shirts to work but the cap sleeves are just enough to make me comfortable. The yarn is amazing. Soft, silky and not too heavy. The color is a beautiful mix of purple and pink, I wish the pictures could capture it. I absolutely love the cotton bamboo and I am going to get more of it I promise you. Perhaps a flutter sleeve top is in my future. This booklet is hands down my favorite pattern book and I'm slowly going to make everything in it. I don't have too much more to say about this, it was just a nice, easy, fun knit that I really enjoy wearing. The only slight complaint, it wrinkled during the day easily.

A nice shot of the very cool short row cap sleeves

And the buttons that are a perfect match, how lucky was that! Thanks to my husband who came with me to Joann Fabrics on our anniversary and helped me pick them out, what a sweety.

My sister's gift is all done in time for her birthday tomorrow, as payment I'll get some shots of her modeling it this weekend.

Pick up 711 stitches

That's how many stitches I have picked up in the last week. 355 to finish the cotton bamboo tank (now finally dry so photo shoot will come shortly).

196 for my sisters gift soon to be done. 160 stitches from the cast on edge to make the folded hem on my newly started Banded Peasant Blouse. I don't know why I didn't just do a provisional cast on so I didn't have to worry about picking up stitches. My hands hate me for blindly following the pattern. If you make this save your hands and do the provisional cast on. I'm really liking the Louet Merlin and the eggplant color for the band is so much nicer in real life, I'll get a better picture once I am further along.

I started Guinevere but totally wasn't following the chart so I had to rip it out. I am thinking of using that as an unofficial Ravelympics project but I'm not sure I can finish it in 17 days and I'm still not sure I want it in white. I know I have the yarn and should use it but I don't know. Anyway I am glad to be past the difficult parts of my projects and have some nice, albeit long easy rounds to work on.

FO:Button Up Shrug

Pattern: Button Up Shrug from Classic Elite Make it Modern Kristen TenDyke

Yarn: Classic Elite Soft Linen a little over 4 balls

Needles: Denise US5 and US6

These are probably some of the most unflattering pictures of myself but I'm in a meh kind of mood. This has been done for a month but I just got enough energy to do the FO shoot today and get it out of the way. If I could keep this shrug on I would like it but the button holes need tightening and I'm not sure it will ever sit well on my shoulders. I guess I should have made the smallest size (I made a medium). I know what needs to be done, I need to rip out each end and make it shorter, then maybe it will be wearable. I really don't want to do it. I have to decide if it is worth the work and frankly I'm not sure it is. The shrug looked really cute in the booklet but the arms are big and I'm not sure it flatters my body at all. As far as the pattern goes this was a very easy knit but I don't like how loose the button holes are and may try another method if I were to make this again. The yarn requirement is way off which is annoying for such an expensive yarn. I have nearly two complete balls left over which is about $20. I don't see any finished ones on Ravelry yet so I'm not sure if it is just me, it will be interesting to see some other finished shrugs. I've been knitting like crazy lately so I should have some more flattering FOs to show very soon :) Now if you'll excuse me I have some seaming to do!