A little steam

 

A little steam fixes everything with wool. The collar and hems lay flat now rather than curling. The only seams I actually had to sew were on the cuffs. The knitting took a right angle turn when I finished knitting in the round—cast on 13 stitches and knit the cuff as you knit around knitting 2 together or 3 together as you knit to the sleeve. It wasn’t as complicated as that sounds. Now I need to go someplace chilly so I can wear it. —Ann—

Off the needles

 All those loose ends to sew into the knit. That’s what happens when I knit with 2 strands of fingering yarn.  I wanted the yarns to blend together not stripes. I used 526 grams of yarn out of 800+  grams of yarn. I had 5 full balls 3 were a medium blue that I bought for another project and didn’t like. Perfect for this sweater and 2 other balls intended for socks. There are seeds left for another sweater or socks. The ends are sewn in and buttons attached. I wish my buttons were a little bigger but where am I going to find buttons now that JoAnnes is gone. So sad. The pattern is Chanel Blues by Hinterm Stein a different type of construction for me rather than the usual top down raglan sleeves. The collar band was knit first with short rows so it curves to fit the neck then stitches were picked up to knit each side of the front and while attaching the shoulder to the back.  The sides were joined after the sleeve openings were shaped. Then the sleeve stitches were picked up to knit the sleeve caps first with short rows then knit in the round. The only seams to sew were the beginning and end of the cuff.  Just follow the directions row by row.  I have knit other sweaters by this designer and am always pleased with the fit.  It just needs some steam on the front band and hem.

This is going to be my go to sweater. I can dress it up or down to fit the occasion. 2025 is half gone. Seize the rest of the day and year. —Ann—

Progress on my sweater

 Will I ever get cross wise and length wise gauge right?!?? Re knit the sleeve again. How many decrease rows do I need to get in the next 4 1/2 inches? These sleeves will look good on an orangutan! Do some math, rip the sleeve back to the bottom of the arm pit and do a decrease row every 5 th row instead of 8 th. So far so good. A few really hot days a good day to stay in in the AC and knit, a few windy days a good day to stay in and knit, a rainy day a good day to stay in and knit.  Do I need much of an excuse to knit??—Ann—

Quilt top finished!!

Quilt top finished!! Now my least favorite step in quilting……the backing especially if I need to sew chunks together……and I am determined to use fabrics from the stash.  —Ann—

More therapy

 

I started cutting strips for the borders and kept getting distracted because I wasn’t thrilled with the plan. It was so boring with limited fabric……..aha do a piano key border! Isn’t that much more interesting and also able to incorporate more fabrics including some of my pansy fabrics which have become wonder what I am going to do with those fabrics. I’m using the back side of a couple fabrics because they blend in better. I paid for both sides of the fabric, use that side too. It’s going to mean a lot more sewing time…..more therapy.  —Ann—

Therapy

A little time in the sewing room was like therapy for a somewhat chaotic life. Indecision on the borders was the hold up on this quilt, that and too many other things demanding my time. I completely used some of the fabrics.  Ask myself what would grandma do?  I made the quilt longer by almost a full block by sewing 8 more blocks then cutting them in half and sewing to the other end. It still needs a 2 1/2 inch border of purple all the way around. I’m auditioning some purples that were at the bottom of the stash and then to find enough of a purple for the binding. Decisions, challenges, progress and therapy—Ann—

New chair in the sunroom

 Friday I bought a new chair for the sunroom……. I need to scrub those labels and off why did the manufacturer put them there?!??  I had a high back chair that matched the lounger but one side was ripping away from the frame and a support broke off the bottom. I frequently stop to consider the consequences so my very active imagination saw me falling through the seat and getting stuck, really stuck with the little wires gouging my flesh, hubby off fishing, the phone out of reach and the doors all locked. So I went shopping and found the perfect chair for the sunroom.  While I was drinking my coffee sitting in my new chair I thought I really should tidy up this room. Piles of projects all over the floor, books, papers, yarn, plants, you get the picture since I don’t post pictures of my messes.  A book shelf is what this room needs an hour later after looking at book shelves on line I take a tour of the house.  I have a bookshelf downstairs stuffed with quilts.  Perfect!! Decide I will clear out the sunroom vacuum and dust everything and above all put a time limit to finish before lunch.  I was done at 11:30!  Sit down in my new chair in my tidy sunroom and have a glass of ice water.  I’ll deal with the mess that is being relocated after lunch.  This looks like the perfect place for a glass of wine later.  Enjoying the weekend—Ann—