Your opinions wanted! (fabric and knitting related)

First, I simply adore crane fabrics! I have a yard of this one added to my small fabric stash, and I've no idea what to use it for. It's a cotton, and so beautiful! I don't quilt, and it doesn't match my "decor," anyway. I already have several fabrics waiting to be made into purses. Any suggestions? Here are some pics, and I used a penny to help see the size of the prints.






Secondly, I've finished the back and both fronts of the LG wrap sweater! YAY! I can't decide if it's going to work as is (with sleeves, of course), or if I need to add something. A possibilty is searching through Knitting On the Edge for a nice edging to go around the wrap, and picking up stitches to add a couple (or a few) inches of ribbing at the bottom. I want to decide before I do the sleeves, so I can just make the sleeves shorter if I have to. I'd prefer long sleeves, but I think 3/4 would work if I need to make changes and start running short of yarn. Anyway, I pinned it together, and tried it on. What would you do? Finish the sleeves and sew it up, or pick up for the edging and ribbing?


Oh, by the way, I should add that I'm not at all a fast knitter. Nearly all of those pieces in the last post are the result of several months of knitting!

Sewing Plans

I think I may get more sewing done if I list the projects I have in mind to do soon. Mainly, this is one of those posts where I try to get my thoughts in order.

First, I want to get Burda 7993 done. I have some plain pink cotton for this, for now. I hope to get something cuter later. I have an Amy Butler print that I am starting to think may make a cute top. The pattern pieces are cut out, but I am still trying to figure out this whole fitting thing as described in my Fit For Real People book. It seems very lengthy and complicated. I thought all I'd need to do is figure out a full-bust adjustment (FBA), but apparently there are loads of other steps to attend to first. The fitting is really the reason I haven't started on the muslin yet. It's confusing and a bit scary.

Next, I'll either have Vogue 8196 (another shirt, minus the puffy sleeves), or New Look 6644, a DRESS (and the matching jacket). I don't have fabric for the shirt yet, so I may wait on it, plus I am eager to work on the NL dress, but if I feel I still need a little more practice before undertaking the dress, I'll go for the shirt first. I could use the AB print I mentioned above for the top, or find something else. I have some pinkish lavender linen for the dress.

Then, I will do the dress I posted about before. I'll be using view D of Vogue 8280. I found an eyelet fabric that I think will be perfect, but don't actually have it yet. Someone recommended that I use cotton batiste, too, so after I find out what that is, I'll be using that for the lining. I need to find a pattern with a v-back to use. I've found so many with v-necks, but hardly any with a v-back.

Then, I want to do my interpretation of the Kara Janx Kimono dress using New Look 6674. I want to do it in a dark pink rayon MC with a light pink rayon as the CC edging. I'm going to make changes - if I can figure out how to add a 3/4 sleeve, I will do that, and I am definitely carrying the CC down the front of the dress. Oh, and I'm going to make a fatter belt like the inspiration dress has. I love this dress so much! I can already see how great it's going to look... so I hope I am not getting my hopes up too much.

Then I want to attempt my EvaDress pattern... in silk ottoman taffeta. I think this is going to be a huge challenge, which is part of the reason I'm putting it off for so long.

Oh, and I have to make a purse using this Amy Butler fabric:

I have about 2 or 2.5 yds of it. The pattern I want to use only uses about a yd (or was it half a yard?), so I don't know what I'll do with the rest. One of my friends thinks it would be a cute top, too, but I just don't know. Oh, there's a quarter on there for reference.

This is by no means an exact schedule of the sewing I'm going to be doing over the next few months. These are just things I want to get done, and definitely don't want to forget.

PS. Knitting related news is that the back of the LG wrap sweater is almost done.
Also, proof of how ridiculous my inability to stay on one project is. Here are all finished (or very nearly so) pieces of sweaters:

The front and back of the Gatsby Girl:

One front and the nearly completed back of the Lana Grossa sweater:


The back of the Rebecca Apriot Jacket:

Sewing is great because...

I saw and adore this dress. Here are some pics in case you don't feel like clicking the link.





It's gorgeous, but it's also $550! OMG, who pays that much for a dress? Or any piece of clothing, for that matter? Not I. So, thanks to the lovely ladies at Pattern Review, I'll be making this dress for a very small fraction of the price. I'll use view D of Vogue 8280, and some eyelet fabric I'll be ordering online. It is going to be divine! I've been told how to do the white panels under the black eyelet, and am hoping for tips on how to give the pattern a v-back like the dress has, and (maybe) how to move the zipper to the side, instead of the back. Maybe I'll finally have found that perfect "little black dress" that has always eluded me?

In other sewing news, I made myself proud today. I was given a dress as a gift, but it turned out to be too large, and I couldn't return it. It fit me like a sack, so it has just been laying around, waiting, and envying my t-shirts and jeans, since they actually get worn. I made it wearable today! I added some darts to the front (like princess seams, I think) and shortened the straps, and it is actually flattering now. Yay! It was almost too easy. It's a spring/summer dress, so it will be awhile before it has an outing, but I think it will be nice for church.

In knitting news, I'm over the halfway mark for the back of the Lana Grossa Wrap Sweater. This thing grows so quickly! I hope to finish it soon. I am pretty aggravated by all the of projects I have unfinished, especially when I really want to learn fair isle NOW. But I really need to finish these things. They have sat around far too long, and I know as spring and summer get here, I will want to knit things like Orangina. Plus, isn't Eunny's book due out soon?

Like the list needs to be any longer...

I recently found two new sweater patterns that are too cute.

Vex, which can be purchased here, and Wicked, which you can buy here. I don't have them yet, but I've been ogling them quite a bit! And Vex is knit in MALABRIGO! Swoon!

FOs! (Bet ya didn't even know I was working on them)

I have two FOs to show ya! First, I test knit for Sylvie's Cactus Mittenettes. I love this pattern, and these gloves! They are SO EASY. SO QUICK. And I don't even have to say "SO CUTE," because you will see that shortly! I knit these in less than a weekend (really, less than 2 hrs/mitt, I think), in worsted Plymouth Galway, some green color I had lying around. The green is actually much brighter than the picture. I really recommend this pattern; I think it will make great last minute gifts, and not to mention very nice for those balls of splurge yarn! The Galway was a little scratchy, but softened up nicely after a soak in hair conditioner. I probably have half a ball left... definitely enough for another pair. My non-knitting roommate admired them, and I think I may whip her up a pair. Anyway, on with the pics! Please excuse the poor quality, as I took these with my camera phone... my digicam needs batteries.



The next FO is a hat I started awhile back. It's a pattern made up by a member of LJ's Knitting community, and the pattern can be found here (scroll down to the comments to find it). I used a random yarn found at Goodwill, it had no label but I'm fairly sure it's 100% acrylic. The color is very pretty, and it was $.50, so I had to get it. I wanted to make the hat longer than in the pattern, but I started worrying that I wouldn't have enough, so I didn't. Turns out I had plenty left to do a few more rows, but oh well. It covers my ears if I pull down hard enough, and the yarn is not very warm anyway. I'm happy with it. It's nice for cool, but not cold, days, and for bad hair days as well. If I knit another, it will be in a nice, warm yarn, and I will make sure it covers my ears. I'd love another, but knitting the dream swatch for 18 or 19 inches on size 2 needles seemed to take FOREVER, which is why I started this nearly the day the pattern was posted, and just now finished it. As usual, please forgive the lack of makeup.


Also, anyone want to get rid of their copy of the Nov 2003 Spring IK? Hehe. I really want to knit the Remembering Honey sweater in there!

In the sewing news, I got this pattern. It reminds me of the Kara Janx Kimono Dress. If only it had the fantastic sleeves! Now to find fabric to get that look!

New Pattern, Finally!

I've wanted this pattern for a long time, but haven't placed a KP order in awhile, so I'd been delaying ordering it. It finally went up for automatic download, so I got it! It's the Kimono Styled Sweater. I've been thinking about what yarn to use for it, because I think after I finish several of my current projects, I am going to start this one up immediately, since I have wanted to make it for so long. Of course, I could, and may, use Merino Style, but after working with Rowan Felted Tweed, and seeing how fabulous it looks with cables, I am thinking of using that. I'm not sure, because this sweater is more heavily cabled than Gatsby Girl, so it may not be a good choice. And I'm not sure if the tweedyness would look right with the styling of the sweater... of course, I was unsure of that with the GG, too, and now I think it enhances it! I absolutely adore the yarn, and WILL definitely use it again for a sweater, and for anything else. I can even see myself getting single balls of this yarn to make hats/gloves with... and I never randomly pick up just one ball of yarn. I am thinking particularly of the color Melody. What is your opinion?

Another thing, I'm not sure about the sleeves. There is no shaping for the sleeves at all. Should I try to add shaping?

Take that, Rebecca!!

I FINALLY found some clearer instructions on the Craftster Knitalong for the R. Apricot Jacket, and yesterday almost finished the entire back! Yay! LOVE the BSCF, and the color is great! The instructions in the mag are almost useless, but it's finally coming along. :-D

Progress

Since I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get my dadgum progress bars back onto my sidebar, I thought I'd write and bookmark an entry for now to tell my progress. I will continue to update this entry whenever I have more stuff completed, and instead of percentages, I am just going to write how much I have done, which I think will be a little more accurate - I am poor at judging percent. Scroll to the bottom to see my latest progress.

As of beginning this post today, my projects are:

Gatsby Girl - front and back complete. Sleeves remain, not started yet.
Sideways Spencer - Left sleeve complete, getting to the neck shaping.
Lana Grossa Wrap Sweater - Need to frog and start over on size 10 needles.
Danica - Have a couple of the triangles done.
Apricot Jacket - back is almost complete.
Butterfly Jacket - about 1/3 the back is done, but may need to rip, since I think I need a little waist shaping.
Ella Scarf - all the flowers are done and just need to be joined, but I think this project is at home.
Delphine Sweater - bottoms of sleeves are done, back is about 1/2 done, but needs to be ripped and reknit - looks too small.
Butterfly Dress - cast on and knit 1 or 2 repeats for the hem.
Dream Swatch hat - the dream swatch band is almost complete.
Dusty's socks - I finished them, but they still need to be washed and dried, and I need to reknit the toe - the foot is much too long.
Entrelac hat - need to rip entirely, and start trying a different pattern.
Sunrise Circle Jacket - about 1/3 of the back, almost the whole left front, and the left sleeve complete.
Deep V Argyle Vest - started a swatch, but can't get comfortable with holding the yarn in my left hand (ironic, since I am left handed!).

Now, I know most people are doing a "knit only from your stash" thing. I'm not confining myself to stash, BUT I am making a goal to finish at least every thing on this list this year (except maybe Delphine, and I really think I have a better idea now of how to do it, so hopefully it as well). I can purchase more yarn if I want, but I haven't been in the habit of getting yarn with no purpose for it, and don't plan to change that now.

Mon, 01/29: Rebecca Apricot Jacket back is finished!! Yay!

Sun, 02/04: Cactus Mittenettes and Dream Swatch hat are finished! No progress on other projects.

Wed, 02/07: The right front of the Lana Grossa Lacey Wrap Sweater is done!

Sun, 02/11: Only a couple of inches left on the back of the Lana Grossa sweater!

Thurs, 02/15: The back and left front of LG sweater are done!

Thurs, 03/08: One sleeve of the LG sweater is done, and about 3/4 of a sleeve for the GG sweater is done.

Tues, 03/13: The other sleeve of LG is done, and she is now blocking! Once I get it seamed up, I'll post and see what people think I need to do to finish it.

Tues, 03/27: The LG sweater is finished, save finding some way to close it. The end is in sight for the GG, too... I am on the last sleeve, and over half done with it! YAY!

Sun, 04/01: Gatsby Girl is done!

Spring IK preview!

Thanks for the suggestions on the fabric. I love the idea of a halter dress! There were some other really good ones, too. I hope to find a halter dress pattern that uses the right amount of yardage. Suggestions will always be welcome!!

I am a little disappointed that no one really noticed the paintings (not fishing for compliments!). I guess it's not really a style everyone can appreciate, though, and this IS a knitting blog, so it's not too shocking. And I'm such a poor photographer, I had no hope of doing them justice!

Anyway, no fo yet! Dusty's socks are getting there. I am over 50% done, probably almost 70%. I need to figure out how to do the progress bars on the new format.

Question!!: Would one skein of Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock be enough for a pair of ankle socks for size 5, 5.5 US feet? Or for gloves for small hands?

The new IK preview is up, and I think it's gonna be a great one! I'll go over the things I like.

Entrelac socks! Love 'em!I don't know how many times I have said Eunny Jang is a genius, but she really is!

Ribs and Lace Tank looks like a pretty design, but probably not one I'll knit. The photo doesn't really show enough, but generally tanks do not look good on me. Plus, it's really long.

The Green Tea Raglan looks simple, classic, and very wearable! I really like it. Down side is all boring st. st., but will be good for reading and knitting.

I like the shape of the Dollar and a Half cardi, wish I could see the detail. The jury's still out on this one.

The Bonsai Tunic looks like another very pretty design that is not wearable for me.

The Swan Lake cardigan is another of those that I need to see in better detail to decide, but looks promising.

I like the Slanted Neck Pullover, but someone posted on the knitting comm. that people would go around telling you that you'd messed up on it. What do you think?

I love the Clementine Shawlette, and that is also my grandmother's middle name. I've been thinking to knit her a shawl, perhaps this is The One?

Love the Cable Down Raglan!! Stefani Japel is an amazing designer!

The Ruffled Surplice is nice. I like the airy feel of it, and of course, the wrap styling.

I love the Keyhole Top! Love, love, love it! Unfortunately, I don't think it would be flattering on me. But I love it!

I can't tell the stitch pattern on Grumperina's socks, but I adore the color enough to say that it's a great pattern, hehe. I must find a skein or two of LL in that color, just for me!

What would you do with this fabric?

I received this gorgeous fabric from overseas. I am at a loss as to what to use it for! It is almost 40" across, and I have ~2.5 yds of it. It feels similar to a quilting cotton, but I think a little heavier. I don't quilt, and I don't want to use it for a purse, either. What can I do with it?





EDIT: Oh no! I just realized my knitting progress bars have gone away! How can I fix this? Yikes!! Someone please help!

Surprise!

My first ever paintings!

All of these, except the fish, were done on watercolor paper with house paints. The fish is on canvas, and uses house and oil paints. They are posted in the order in which I painted them. I did this in a weekend Watermedia Encounter class offered by M. Douglas Walton.






This was such a great experience, and I can't wait to do it again! Not sure how long it will be, though. I loved every minute, and I am very happy with my first efforts. Hope y'all like, too! :-)

New Blogger Templates?

I just switched my template to the new Blogger stuff. I'm not sure that I should have. I can't figure it out now, and I barely understood the old version!

PS. Stay tuned for something I've been working on that I think you'll really enjoy seeing. Coming very soon. :-D

Gatsby Girl Sleeve Length - Your Opinion Wanted!

I've finished both the front and the back of my Gatsby Girl pullover from IK Fall 2006. Now it's time to start the sleeves. I cannot decide whether I should knit them as is (right below the elbow), or lengthen them to the wrists. I am using Rowan Felted Tweed (50% wool/25% alpaca/25% rayon). I live in Louisiana, but contrary to popular belief, it does get rather cold here! I also get cold easily, and generally have the view that if it's cold enough for a sweater, it's probably cold enough for long sleeves. On the other hand, could this possibly make the sweater TOO warm, due to the alpaca content? And would I be messing up the look/style of the sweater by doing this? What would be the best way to lengthen the sleeves, anyway? I could just make them longer, but cast on the same amount of stitches (so that the sleeves are not fitted at the wrist), or I could figure out how many to cast on, and increase up to the amount of stitches the pattern directs (to make the sleeves more fitted)... what would look better?

Also, I had another question. I generally keep the leftover yarn after a project, in case I ever need to mend it. But I don't want to keep too much... I don't want yarn to take up a ton of space and never be used, because I'm saving it "just in case," for something I hope never happens! Does anyone else do this? How much do you normally hold on to for mending purposes? A few yards? More than that? I want to just measure out (or estimate) some yardage from the leftover skein, put it in a baggie and mark it as being for mending purposes, and be able to use the rest of leftovers for any other little project I might choose.

Ok, finally... if you have what seems to be a great idea, and a wonderful (but possibly delicate) new yarn coming, would you use the yarn for that idea? Or not risk it, and use a different yarn for your design? I've thought of something I just HAVE to try, and I am thinking of using the Kimono Angora Pure for it, but then again, I could just go the Knitpicks route, since my designs never seem to work out anyway.

Update on Gatsby Girl Progress

I've finally completed the front of the GG. That means only the sleeves are left... but I am going to try to get Dusty's socks done before I start on the sleeves. I pinned the front and back together, and tried it on... so far, I am really loving it! I can't wait to have this sweater complete.

Also, which one do you think would be more flattering? Tiffany's or Ginger? Or neither? I think both are gorgeous, but can't decide which, if either, would flatter me.

Edit: Thanks for the comments. stitchywotch says:

It's hard to pull off sweaters with little ties at the waist.

I rather think this is not true for me. I have two sweaters with little ties at the waist (Rambling Rose is one), and I think both are flattering, since they really define my waist. I'm more concerned with the very high neckline of this sweater, since I am rather busty. Tiffany's is a lovely, graceful, and delicate looking sweater, imo, but it might look better on a willowy girl than on a curvy one.

Both comments so far are in favor of Ginger. It's beautiful, isn't it? But I just realized it's for a aran or worsted weight, and I think the Kimono Angora Pure I got for a ridiculously low price is a dk or thinner. I could probably use it, anyway.

I am still interested in hearing opinions, so please keep posting! :-)

More Fabric Questions (Burda 7993)

I thought the Burda 7993 top was definitely one of the cutest I've seen, so I just had to get the pattern. My roommate gave me a Hobby Lobby gift certificate for Christmas (she is so sweet!), and it dawned on me that I will have occasion to wear the blouse in the near future if I make it. So, I was thinking of looking around this weekend for fabric, but I'm not sure what to look for. I have a weakness for fabrics with the sheen pictured in this top, and since I can already see it looks great in such a fabric, that's what I'd really like to find. I'm guess it's probably not something I'm going to find at Hobby Lobby, but it can't hurt to look. What is this fabric? The recommended fabrics are: Cotton fabrics, viscose, poplin. I don't think it's cotton (unless it's some weird satin cotton I've never heard of but sounds nice, hehe), or poplin. Is that viscose? I thought viscose was rayon, and it doesn't really look like rayon to me (speaking, of course, with little-to-no knowledge on the subject of viscose/rayon. I'm talking, of course, about the view with the blue top. Thanks!

FO: Pomatomus SOCKS

Yes, that's right. I knit socks. Pomatomus socks, to be exact. I'd planned on knitting these for a long darned time, but kept putting it off for bigger projects, and the whole idea of "what's the point in spending all that time knitting socks when you can buy a pack for $5?" Learning we were going to Kansas (a very, very cold area, if you ask me), made me think that nice, warm, thick socks might be nice... and I did already have the yarn. Since we drove there, I had plenty of time to work on them, but I didn't manage to finish when I wanted, although I did finish them on the trip. They are the last FO of 2006.

I was originally going to knit them in some Knitpicks' Palette in a lavender color I got on a whim, for socks, but with no pattern in mind. I started on them in that yarn, decided I'd rather have oceany Pomatomus (-i?), so got some Cervinia Calzetteria in the color Capri. Very pretty, and very oceany. I love how this yarn knit up in this pattern.

I LOVED this pattern! I'm not sure whether I've ever actually said I'd knit a pattern again, but this one I WILL. It was fun, I love, love, love the "scales" and have thought to use them in other projects. The only downside is that, as written, the socks are too big around for my size 5 US feet. I should have foreseen this, but didn't think about it until I was pretty far into the first sock, hoped it would come out ok, and kept going. And it did come out ok. They make good, comfy lounging socks, but I doubt I could wear them under shoes, except maybe my cowboy boots. They will be good for very cold weather, in which I need to layer socks, if ever that occurs. Next time, I think I'll try size 1 needles.

So here are some pictures (probably more than post about a finished pair of socks really needs):






Dusty liked these and wanted a pair of socks (plain ones, not Pomatomus - too girly for him). This is a big thing, since he's never really wanted me to knit anything for him before. He asked for black or grey, so I got this:

It's a charcoal grey color, with some specks of white in it. And it feels very nice! I hope the two balls will be enough. Now I need to find a sock pattern for men, in fingering weight. Any recommendations?

I also found this vintage pattern:

Isn't it great? I see it in some kind of stretchy, satiny fabric... what do you suggest?

I've got to start making up some of these wonderful patterns I have. If only I had more time and space!

I also got the pattern for Eunny Jang's Anemoi mittens. I can't decide on a yarn or a color, though I am dying to make these. After Dusty's socks, I may start on these.

I know I'm not supposed to be starting on new projects, but I HAVE been putting a lot of time toward Gatsby Girl, and I think that counts for something. I'm getting close to finishing the front... but then there will be two sleeves to go. After that, it's back to the Sideways Spencer, and I'm going to dig out the Rebecca Apricot Jacket, since it will be warmer then, and a cotton jacket will be more suitable. But I've been dying to try fair isle... so the mittens will come soon!

One of my Christmas gifts was C. S. Lewis' Space Trilogy. I'm currently reading the second, and I love it thus far. Yay! :-)

I also added Nicky Epstein's Knitting on the Edge to my knitting library. Yay! I have very few knitting books, but I really want to get all of hers. I've thought all the ones I've seen were really interesting.

No longer MIA

Sorry it's been so long since I updated. I've been pretty busy, and actually have some finished projects to show!

First, I want to show off some new jewelry. These are creations of Lauren at Cult Designs. Aren't they adorable?

Kissing Kiddie Earrings


Message in a Bottle pin


I just adore them!

Now, for the things I've been making.

First, for my mom's Christmas gift, a hat and scarf set. The scarf is, I think, Paton's Pebbles. The hat is crocheted in good ol' Red Heart, and edged with the yarn I used for the scarf.


Scarf and hat set for my sister-in-law. I don't recall the name of this yarn, but it is so soft and cuddly. It was hard to give away, but worth it!


I finally tried my hand at making cards. I did some Christmas cards, for Dusty, his parents, and grandparents. I used cardstock, those cute lil scrapbook thingys, and construction paper. I printed words out from my computer. Sorry the pictures suck. I am a poor photographer, and I always seem to have trouble with things reflecting the light from the flash.


This is the one I made for Dusty's parents. I think it's soooo friggin' cute! Yes, I'm that modest.


I did this one for Dusty's grandparents. I just love that Santa!


Here's the one I made for Dusty. I am very happy with how it came out!


I loved making the cards... cute, fun, and not very time-consuming. I can easily see how they COULD be, but these didn't take me too long. I need to work on things to put on the inside of the cards. I had no ideas for that, so I just cut some of the background paper, printed out "Merry Christmas" or the like, and wrote a note in them. I definitely want to make more cards in the future... though I will still buy cards from the store as well.

For Dusty's mom's Christmas gift, I sewed this purse. I think she was pretty happy with it. She didn't realize I'd made it until Dusty told her, so that's good!

The pattern is Indygo Junction's Metropolitan Handbag. I'll review this pattern at PR, and link to it when I do. The fabric is an Amy Butler print I thought would be perfect for her. The fabric flower tutorial can be found here. I love the flower... so cute and easy to make!




Of course, I had to make something for myself, too. I used the cloche pattern from Lion Brand, written specifically for this yarn. Now, I don't know if my head is small or something, but the hat, knit to gauge on the specified needles came out WAY TOO BIG. I wish I'd taken a picture of it... it was really funny! I decided to be lazy, and instead of undoing the whole thing, and re-knitting it, I decided to try felting. I know, stupid. I should have realized that the added structure felting would give would be a bad thing for this hat. Anyway, I felted it and it still sucks. I thought it would be super cute, but it just looks super silly. I think it looks better in these pics than in real life. I have an idea on how to save the hat, but it will be very different from this style. We'll see if it works... nothing to lose now! That will be awhile, since I'm leaving for Kansas soon and didn't bring the hat with me.





I'm still working on Gatsby Girl, and since I only brought that and the Pomatomus, I should start really making some progress on it.

Edited to add: The link to the pattern review is here: Bag pattern review.

Edited again to add: I got the AB fabric from Fabric.com. Has anyone else had problems with their design wall? I got another fabric to use for the band originally, but it turned out to not be a match at all, though it looked very nice together on the design wall. How dependable is it really?

Fabric Questions

So, let's say you had the pattern for this dress and you wanted to make it. What fabric would you use? I am really planning on making up one of my vintage dress patterns soon, and this may be the one. I think it's just fabulous.

No update on the knitting progress, as there has been very little. I did start on a bag for Dusty's mom over the weekend, but I'm not completely happy with it yet, so it's not finished. I'll have pics of it when I do finish, though... fortunately, I never have to worry about her running across the blog, since she doesn't really use the internet. hehe.

Choosing Colors

So, I raved about the Venezia Sweater. We all know it's gorgeous. I've been thinking of it since I got the IK mag with the pattern. There are a few problems about knitting it, namely: 1) I don't recall how much it would cost for me to make the sweater in the yarns called for, but I do remember that it was much more than I can fit in my tight budget for quite a while, 2) That's a lot of colors, especially to someone who has done no colorwork, 3) I don't really wear those colors, and though the sweater is beautiful as is, I wanted to knit this sweater in colors I'd wear often. I wanted to use Knitpicks' Palette, but it didn't have enough colors, and I have no idea about matching/changing colors. Anyway, Superstitch at the Craftster Knit-Along posted the chart she'd revised to fit the colors and yarn she'd wanted to use, fewer colors than originally specified. So I messed around with her chart, and tried out some color combinations I usually like, to see how they'd work in this. I tried to keep my colors as close to the Knitpicks' Palette colors as I could. Not all of these combinations I really love, but here are some I fixed up, and I'd like to hear opinions on whether any of these work. Suggestions are welcome, too. I definitely want the pink in there, as I'm sure is obvious, since pink is the color that flatters me best. Note that these are not in any particular order of preference, and are rather in whatever random order blogger chose to put them. I have been particularly obsessing over pink and brown together, and pink and gray, but I am not sure how they will work in this sweater. The others are just fun color combos I was messing with, and didn't expect to work, but thought they actually looked pretty, at least on the chart... I don't know about a sweater. So, let me know what you think, please!

What would you attempt if you knew you would not fail?

One of my friends posted that quote in her journal a couple of days ago, and I've been thinking about it since. Probably a lot more than I have.

Speaking of attempts, I forgot Christmas gifts! Actually, realizing it's Dec 1 made me realize I have only a couple of weeks to make my Christmas gifts, and I haven't even started yet. Yikes! So now I have to attempt to make Christmas gifts in a hurry.


I posted this at Pattern Review already, but not everyone goes to that site (though they should!). I love this coat. Unfortunately, they don't have it in anything near my size. Does anyone know of a pattern that I could use to replicate it?


Also, I fell in love with this bag:

I think I've posted about it before, but I couldn't find the post, and I can't find the site it was at. Anyway, I remember it was around $300 so there was no chance of my buying it, but I thought I could try something similiar to it. I love the print the most, but of course, I've never seen anything very close to it. I did find an Amy Butler print that reminds me of the fabric, which will work. Then I found this sewing pattern. The shape of the first bag is pretty similar, though I'm sure it's much smaller (which is ok, since I usually prefer smaller bags). I think it would be possible to use that pattern to replicate this bag. I just found the pattern today, so I haven't purchased it yet.

I also want to make the Amy Butler Weekender bag, and I found a great fabric for it, but it's one of her quilting cotton prints. Could I use that for the bag? I like a couple of other of her bag patterns if not.

Gatsby Girl has hit the point of "Omg, this sweater is taking FOREVER." I know it will so be worth it, but with the 29 degree morning, and 44 degree temperature right now, I wish the sweater was already finished!