About Time! (Gatsby Girl FO)

So the Gatsby Girl is done, and I don't think I've been happier with a finished item yet. Seriously, I really am happy with this knit. In theory, this sweater should not have been very flattering on me, but, though IRL it may be less flattering than in these pictures, I still think it is really flattering, especially for a sweater.

Project specs:

Pattern: Gatsby Girl from IK Fall 2006
Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed, color: watery (I think)
Needles: size 2 and 3 from the Boye set
Mods: Long sleeves instead of 3/4

I lengthened the sleeves, not because I didn't like the look of the 3/4 sleeve, but because my yarn has so much alpaca in it that I knew it was going to be a very warm sweater, and I felt that it would be more wearable and practical with longer sleeves. I don't like the look quite as much, but I am very happy with it. Many thanks to Jodi Green, the pattern creator, for helping me figure out the numbers for lengthening the sleeves.

The pattern was wonderfully written, easy to follow, and easy in itself without being boring... although the 1x1 rib sleeves were taxing at the end. In retrospect, I would have done a cable on the sleeves or maybe lace, just to make the sleeves more exciting.

The yarn is not something I would have chosen for this project if the ladies at the yarn store I visited had not suggested it and let me knit up a swatch in the store. I was shocked, because I thought the tweed would be too busy for this sweater, but I think it worked up beautifully. I do love the Felted Tweed, and already have obtained another sweater's worth. The fabric is lovely, the yardage is great, and it's nice to work with. The sweater is a little itchy, though. I don't think I'll be able to wear it without a shirt underneath.

The buttons are a little special to me. Someone gave me her great-grandmother's collection of buttons, and boy, do I love buttons. Especially old buttons. I like to think about what they were on before, but for these delicate little pearls, I just couldn't decide their history. I only found 4 of them, thought I could have sworn I had 6, which is the amount the pattern calls for. So, I mixed them with 3 rhinestone buttons I had, alternating every other button, and got the button holes crocheted, then found the other 2 pearls. Sigh. I like the mix a lot, though, and don't care enough to change it. I couldn't get a good picture of the buttons, too bad!

The color is really odd. When I bought it, I was convinced it was a greeny-teal color, but after months of looking at it, it looks totally green to me now, with only a bluish tint. Also, the lighting may have something to do with it... but I swear in the yarn store it was much more teal! I think the color's off in the pictures, anyway.

As usual, the pictures suck. I was able to get one decent one with the self timer on my camera, but none of the rest of those came out, so I did a couple in front of the mirror. Anyway, hope you like!






Edited to add: Link to Rowan Felted Tweed. I used the color "Watery."

Yaaay!

Gatsby Girl is almost done! I will finish knitting it tonight! I am SOOO GLAD! I have loved knitting this pattern, but 1x1 rib on size 3 needles can only be interesting for so long, haha. Anyway, yeah, just wanted to say that!

I'm also working on getting my fabric scraps organized into a book. I'm trying to separate them two different ways - based on fiber content and on weave (for the ones I have big enough scraps to cut, or two of the same), and adding information in there when I get it. I think it's going to be such a great and handy tool when "finished" (of course, I am sure I will be adding to it whenever I get a fabric I've never used before). If you have a million random scraps you don't know what to do with, you can send them my way. My goal is to learn and have access to as many different fabrics and weaves as I can, because I am such a hands on learner. I can read all about a fabric, but until I actually have it in my hands, I really can't judge it or picture how it will look and feel. Since I don't have a fabric store to go "experiment" in, I thought of this, and several nice ladies from PR sent me scraps.

I'm thinking of doing this for yarn as well. I have scraps of most of the yarns I've used so far left; only a few projects I think I used every yard on.

Also, does anyone know of a pattern that looks like this?



I know it's from Burda Easy Fashion, and I think from the Feb 07 issue, but I cannot find it anywhere to purchase! I thought there might be a single pattern out there somewhere that is very similar. So please let me know if you've seen anything. Or, if you know where I can purchase this mag (I looked at GLP's website but couldn't find back issues), or if you have it and want to get rid of it, or even if you don't want to get rid of the whole magazine, but know you are never going to make this dress and would be willing to sell me just this pattern, please leave a comment! I would really appreciate it! I just LOVE this dress!

Edited to add: FINISHED! The knitting, at least, on Gatsby Girl is DONE! YAY!! She is blocking now, and I am so excited. I hope to have it seamed this weekend.

I may be able to save the Burda blouse

I have had an idea, and can't wait to try it! It involves taking the shirt apart, so unfortunately, I don't know that I will have time for it today. I wonder how hard it is to do those fabric covered buttons, though, and whether Walmart would have any (since that's the only place around here). Hmmmmm...

Wow, inspiration!

I'm not a quilter, nor have I ever attempted to be, but wow, this quilting blog I ran across is so inspiring, I just had to share! These quilts are works of art (not that they aren't all works of art, of course!). Check it out if you'd like:

Nellie's Needles

Really amazing!! :-)

The muslin didn't turn out very well this first try. I'm going to give it another shot when I get some more sewing time. I have never done a lining, so after I get it to fit decently, I am going to try a lining before I make the actual dress up.

I have dress envy

Aside from study for multiple exams I have next week, what do you think I did today? Perhaps tried to rescue the disaster from the last post? Nope. How about knit on the Gatsby Girl? Nope. What about one of the other hundred projects I've started and not yet completed, then? Nope.

I cut out the muslin for Vogue 8280. Hopefully I'll be more pleased with this than the Burda shirt. I did finally crochet the edge of the LG wrap sweater, though, and wove the ends in. It's complete, I guess, but I still haven't found anything to close it with that satisfies me. I wore it on a cool day fastened with a cute little butterfly pin, but the pin is a bit heavy, and, being old, gave me a hard time getting it undone later.

If you happen to see any fabric with a print like that used for the dress "Rhoda" from this site, please, please, please let me know! I saw Stacey London wearing this on WNTW yesterday, and now I really want to make something similar! I just love all the black and white with splashes of pink, so fun! And how they brought the pink out with the trim. I've been obsessing over the thought since I saw the dress. I also totally love Barclay , Blair, and May in the black/white fabric. Any pattern suggestions there? Hehe. Unfortunately, I think I love planning new projects more than finishing old ones, but fear not, the old ones will get done (except I haven't yet decided about the Burda blouse).

Edited to add: Oh, and thanks, everyone, for the birthday wishes. I did not get to knit, but I did have a wonderful birthday, complete with a fabulous crawfish boil! :-D

Burda 7993 Progress

I've worked more on Burda 7993. In fact, it's nearly complete. I don't know how much closer to complete it is going to get, because I don't know whether I like it. I think it's either too big or too unflattering, or both. Too big can be fixed, but unflattering probably cannot, so once I decide that, I'll decide whether it's worth finishing. Progress is stalled, anyway, because I need elastic for the sleeves and don't have any. Anyway, here's what I've got thus far:



What do you think? Is this pattern worth finishing or at least giving another try? Or is it wrong for my body type?

Edit: Ok, normally I would be far too vain to ever put such horrible pictures of me where they may be viewed by anyone (and that's something, considering the crap shots I normally post), but several people have commented in the review I did at PR that the shirt is too small for me and that I need to go up a size. So here are some awful pictures of it with no waist belt ribbon thing. Too small? I'm worried because the next size up is a 36", which is what I originally tried to start sewing with, and everything I've made in a 36 has been less attractive and flattering than a burlap sack would be.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Maybe I'll actually get some knitting time today! There has been very little of that lately.

Finished? Object - Lana Grossa Lacy Wrap Sweater

Well, I've seamed the LG sweater, and now am trying to decide what else needs to be done. I still can't decide if all I need is to do an edging around the fronts, or if I need to add to the bottom, and of course, there is the matter of how to close it. I could knit the tie as pictured, or I could get some cute brooch/pin, or I could sew satiny ribbon in a matching shade. I was even thinking of finding ribbon to sew all around the bottom edge, and extending it for the tie... but that might mess up its stretchiness. What do yall think? And I still can't decide whether I should rib or do some kind of lacy rib at the bottom, lengthening it, since I am not "long and lean" as I think is normally the shape a sweater like this looks good on. Would it be more flattering this way? I definitely don't want something that makes me look dumpy, and since I love this yarn so, I want to love the sweater and have it as perfect as I possibly can. Or should I leave it be? Argh, so many decisions! Please give advice!! :-)



Edited to add: Link to FREE pattern is here: http://www.lanagrossa.com/service/mdm/08_2005/index.html

Sewing news

I made a muslin for Burda 7993 (the cute top). I did a 2" FBA, which worked really well, except that it made the vertical darts HUGE and you can see them through the muslin. That won't matter on the real shirt, because I don't think the pink cotton I have is as thin.

I didn't bother with any of the facings yet, and though I did the collar, I didn't do it right (you're supposed to cut 2 pieces, but I only cut one, whooops!), but I don't think it will matter too much anyway.

The FBA used up so much extra fabric that now I'm worried I'll always need to get more than called for by the pattern. That really sucks, because I've already got fabric for a few projects that will need an FBA, and I had bought only what the pattern called for. I really hope I don't need more!

Anyway, back to the top. One thing I'm not sure I like about the shirt is how much the ruffle at the bottom sticks out, and another is the puffy sleeves. The ruffle kinda poofs out (which it does NOT do in the pattern picture!), and I have never thought puffy sleeves would be super flattering on me, but as the sleeves on this top didn't look very puffy, I thought it might be ok. I still don't know, because I didn't have the elastic you're supposed to put at the bottom of the short sleeve. I'm going to cut out the fabric soon, and give it a try in the real stuff. Maybe in the cute pink, I will be happier, and I am sure I can figure out something to do about the ruffle and the puffy sleeves if I just hate them. Mainly this shirt was to learn FBAs, and because I thought it was super cute, but the fabric was so cheap that I won't cry if it doesn't work out, just sigh and be a little disappointed for a day or two.

Edited to add: FBA stands for Full Bust adjustment, and so far, I am not liking how this shirt looks on me... but I still need to sew on the ruffle and get that elastic.

FOs - Mardi Gras Gloves and Ribbon Purse

I figured since I'd be down south for Mardi Gras, and had that fabulous Mardi Gras Lorna's Laces, I should make a pair of gloves to wear to the parades. They weren't done in time, and it turned out too warm for gloves my entire vacation, but I am happy about them anyway. I could not find a pattern for fingering weight gloves anywhere, so I did these with no pattern! My first non-pattern project (aside from a couple of hats). I love the way the LL pooled... anything better could have been called a self striping yarn!




I've had this idea in my head for longer than I've known how to sew... a purse made of ribbons woven together. I was disappointed to find on Craftster that my idea wasn't original, and had already been executed better than I could have done, but I decided to make one anyway. I was actually going to follow the tutorial, but I didn't have enough of the ribbon, and Michael's was out, so I just wove the ribbons together, sewed it, put interfacing on, folded it in half, and sewed it together. I made the lining in the same way (minus the weaving, of course), from a fat quarter, but added pockets. It was really fun, and I ADORE how it turned out! I flatter myself enough to say it looks almost store bought!

I'm alive

I haven't dropped off the earth. I haven't been online much, and while I've been knitting, I don't have that much to post about. I do have a small FO to post... but I'm currently on vacation, and haven't bothered with taking pics yet. I've been working on both the LG and GG sweaters, got yarn for a couple new undecided projects, but mostly have had sewing on my mind lately. I think it's because of the warm spell we had that convinced me I wouldn't be needing warm things any more, until today when the temperature dropped 20 degrees F. I've got a sleeve finished for the LG, and about half a sleeve finished for the GG. I will not knit on ANYTHING else until both of these are done, darnit! I am so ready to finish GG, and LG is going so quickly that if I don't finish soon, you'll know it's totally out of neglect.

Pics to come soon! Also, pics of a purse I'm sewing. It's going to be totally cute, so keep a lookout for it! :-D

I'll also talk about the book I won in a contest next time I post. I'll be home, and more inclined to use a computer than I am now.

I also finally found THE CABLE used for the Delphine sweater! It really looks just like it! It's on page 100 of Gisela Klopper's Beautiful Knitting Patterns. I saw it today and just couldn't believe it! But I didn't get to buy the book yet. I wasn't expecting to buy a book today, and didn't have the cash on me. I will get it for sure, and then I can return to the Delphine sweater. Joy, oh joy!

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!