Phew!

I will have just enough yarn to finish up this version of the shaped lace tee from Knitting Lingerie Style! The sleeves are done in a different dye lot, but it made no difference. I just have to crochet the edging for the neckline, weave in those ends and steam it thoroughly.

I made the sleeve caps shorter this time to avoid the wrinkles that happened when I made the first one and I think it worked out well. Eventually, I'll go back and improve the sleeves on the original...

Shaped Lace Tee Repeat

The seasons are changing here! Check out this sky picture from last night. If there weren't leaves on the trees in the foreground, I'd think it was a winter sky!

Fortunately it wasn't cold and Jeff and I took advantage of calm weather to burn the summer brush pile in the garden.

I have a number of knitting projects on the go now. I've gone from working on just 1-3 things at a time to casting on anytime I feel like it and it turns out I like knitting that way and I feel like I get more done. I actually have a bit of a stash now as well, though nearly everything is set up as kits for upcoming projects.

In order to finish one of my summer tweed projects over the summer, I had to cut into a stash of it I had for another project. I tried to find a new project for using up what remained, but it is going over. Luckily I've been able to order another skein. Although it will be a different dye lot, I'm hoping it will not be noticeable used for the sleeves. You will recognize the Shaped Lace Tee pattern from Knitting Lingerie Style that I have made once before. I've made the bottom border a little longer this time and increased the overall length about an inch.

While I wait for my yarn order, I will probably go back to working on the seaming and neckline of the Noro shrug. It is close to being finished!

OMG, Crochet!

Just edging for a neckline, but the only successful crocheting I've ever done. Ta Da!

I really like the way this tidies up the edge and definitely want to try it again. I followed the directions in the back of the book: Victorian Lace Today.

As soon as the neckline was done, I pulled it on over the boring white tee shirt I had on and snapped a pic. You can see a pucker at the top of the sleeve in this picture, but that seemed to relax out as I wore it. I don't think it helped that my tee shirt was wrinkled up under it! Anyway, I haven't woven in the ends from seaming the sleeves, so if I need to, I can try to sew the cap better.

The length worked out well as it covers the belt band of my jeans and there is no danger of tummy hanging out. Despite tummy coverage, it does seem a little risque! I'll have to get just the right tank to go under it, if it is going to see the light of day. And, the weather will have to get *a lot* warmer ;-)

Nearly There!

It still needs a crochet trim along the neckline. That will be a first for me. I have a few ends to weave in as well. I have left them trailing while debating about whether to tweak the sleeve seams a little. Don't the sleeves look funny? Fortunately, they do form to the shape of the arm when it's on.

Front:

Front sleeve seam detail:

Upper back:

Back sleeve seam detail:

This and That

I've finished the front portion of the shaped lace tee, so now I really must stop procrastinating about frogging the back a little to re knit it a bit shorter. It's been a rather strange feeling to be knitting a lacy summer top with a wool blanket I keep over the back of the couch in winter pulled over my shoulders!

While procrastinating on the shaped lace tee, I've made a good start on the front and back sections of black raspberry, working them in parallel.

Cold weather always makes me want to cook, so I can stand next to the warm cook top or oven! A few nights ago I improvised in the kitchen and made this chicken marsala. It's not at all healthy, but it's fall comfort food and tasted soooo good!

Saffy and Silas are enjoying the crisp fall air as they have nice furry coats to keep them warm. They were intently watching a squirrel when I snapped these pics.

Oops...

I got a little carried away and knit too many rows for the back between the underarm shaping and shoulders, so I'll have to frog the top part of this to decrease it by about 5 rows! I also knit the body slightly longer than the pattern called for, but it will suit me OK. I didn't intend to make it longer, but precision has not been my thing lately while dealing with the headache/cold I've had! But it's funny, I just lined it up on my recently finished Krim Tomato out of curiosity and it is identical in length/shape! Impreciseness seems to have lead to precision after all! This should fit as well as Krim! Now, I just have to make the front match up. Oh, It's hard to see, but I did opt for the waist shaping using the smaller needles.

I've also made the cap sleeves. They look a bit pointy to me! Do they look right to you? I've never done this kind of sleeve before.

Happily, I was able to knit both in pattern and have them turn out the same.

FO, New Project, Much Anticipated Books

Anytime I finish a pair of anything I’m relieved! It’s so hard for me to get to a second sock, glove or sleeve. I've gotten so I'll usually knit them at the same time, but I made the wrist warmers one at a time and was worried about getting to the second one. At last, here is the mate for the formerly lonely left wrist warmer! These are warm and cozy and I’m planning to wear them a lot this fall!

I've also gotten to work on the shaped lace tee. This is the back in progress, about an inch and a half from where I'll start the decreases for the armhole shaping. The yarn is wonderful and the pattern has been easy to work from so far.

The vine lace pattern makes a pretty trim. Here's a detail pic.

I am looking forward to some new books coming out soon. Next week, I should be able to find the latest Peter Robinson book at stores! The Inspector Banks stories are my favorite mystery series. I will try as usual to make this book last several days, but I always end up reading them in just a day or two as they are too good to put down!

One of my favorite cookbook authors, Nigella Lawson, has a new book coming out at the beginning of November. I'm really looking forward to seeing the quick and easy recipes she has to offer.


Thanks so much for all the positive comments on my Krim Tomato top! Also for the well wishes. I still have the cold, but I guess the upside is that I've had some quiet time for knitting while trying to get better.

Mags, Yarn Mail, KALs, Tomato Update

Jeff and I went to Barnes and Noble Tuesday night for coffee and browsing. I look forward to getting my copy of Simply Knitting each month, so I was glad there was a new one! I think it might be nice to make the blue top shown on the cover sometime. It would be good to wear next summer. If I knew how to crochet, I'd make the purple shrug!

I also got the September In Style. The big fall issues of the fashion magazines are my favorites as I love the range of colors and textures you can wear in cooler weather and there is much more knitting pictured.

Part of my gift certificate order from The Irish Ewe arrived yesterday! Yarn mail makes me so happy! It's the Cascade Sierra for the shaped lace tee from Knitting Lingerie Style. The Cascade Fixation was backordered, but I will wait for it since I have plenty of projects OTNs for the time being!

I wound this into balls last night when I was too tired to do anything requiring much mental effort! It cooperated very well, no tangling, so I think it's going to be very pleasant to knit with.

In anticipation of working with the Cascade Sierra and Fixation, I have joined two KALs:
Knitting Lingerie Style Along

Romantic Hand Knits Along (cover of book for now, suspect a proper button will be available soon!)

Here is a progress picture of Krim knit to the waist and ready to begin the increases for the hips.

I've actually done a few rounds of increases since this pic! When I was two or three green rows below the pattern band, I transferred the live stitches onto scrap yarn and tried it on. The top part fits! As long as the rest fits as well, I'll be thrilled!