Time, Time, See What's Become Of Me
When even your father says "Yo, kid, post!" it might be time to you know, post.
In the two (three? seven?) weeks since my last update, I've been knitting furiously. I have not one but two finished objects, breathlessly awaiting appropriate fanfare.
Object One: Show Off Ruffles Skirt!
I finished this about 10 days ago, wore it to Sheep and Wool (fabulous time! hi everyone!) and got more compliments on it than I have ever recieved on any finished object.
It's the perfect skirt; I love it to distraction. Since it came off the needles (and out of the dryer) I've worn it at least four times. Hopefully, the weather will hold for an evening photoshoot sometime this week, because a skirt this great deserves a proper round up. In the mean time though, great pattern + great yarn (not great knit, great finish) + machine washable = Elspeth's most wearable knit ever.
And object two? There's a pleasing symmetry in posting a picture from Sheep and Wool along with a sweater made of yarn from (this year's!) Sheep and Wool. Woot!
I used Fibre Company's absolutely delicious Knightsbridge, in the apparently discontinued color Crayon, to knit Joelle Hoverson's Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. While not totally last minute, I did polish it off in ten days, including a weekend hiatus. It was super quick to knit on 5s and 7s (instead of 2s!) and when the weather breaks (85 today!) I'll snap a picture (or eleventy.) While the pattern left something to be desired (not the least of my quibbles is the yarn requirement, but I bought extra) the directions for grafting in the back of the book were the absolute best I've ever encountered. Hourglass is a going to be the perfect go-to sweater for the winter, and with the gorgeous, slightly shimmery-tweedy yarn, I can go from work to a date without freezing for vanity. Victory in our time!
With both those off the needles, I've cast on for Katherine Howard by Jade Starmore from Tudor Roses. I'm about two inches up the peplum and loving every single stitch. An ambitious project (no, really, Elspeth?) and one with a bit of lore associated with it. I'm still in a flat color work section, having changed (blasphemy!) the first level of intarsia into fair isle, but the pattern is so fun. Pictures soon! Hard? I guess. Awesome? TOTALLY.
glad to see you're back! nice job on the FO's! Hourglass is my favorite sweater I've knit so far - so versatile and comfy! your's looks wonderful - a quick one too!!! I can't wait to see that skirt in a photo shoot - it definitely deserves it!
Posted by: stacey | May 15, 2007 at 12:05 PM
Oooh, I got to see the original skirt in person and I loved it. Your version is beautiful and very feminine without being overly girly. it came out beautifully.
Posted by: Marnie | May 15, 2007 at 01:36 PM
I'm going to have that song stuck in my head for the rest of the day. Oy.
Posted by: dani | May 15, 2007 at 02:59 PM
The skirt looks fantastic -- you've really had a string of great projects lately. Apparently your method for choosing patterns really works! I'm sold. Katherine Howard certainly is a challenge, but I have no doubt you'll conquer it.
Posted by: nicole | May 15, 2007 at 11:15 PM
Can't wait to see the hourglass sweater and the skirt. Yarns from the fibre company are among my favourites.
Posted by: Gale | May 16, 2007 at 07:52 AM
Love the skirt! Which yarn did you end up using...the Rowan denim? I have a biggish butt, but I might give that one a go. Yours looks too good to resist!
Posted by: Niki | May 16, 2007 at 12:22 PM
1. Skirt is terrific, gives such a romantic look! I'd knit it yet I think my hair is too short to complete the Arthurian flair you have going on :)
2. Hourglass in 10 hours?! Plus a full-time job? All of a sudden I feel lazy...
3. Looks like you're going to be the very first to complete Katherine Howard! I read the linked page with the list of setbacks, and it sounds to me like you'll deserve a shrine after this one! I'm rooting for ya!!
Posted by: v | May 16, 2007 at 01:52 PM
I think the skirt is divine, although we need a better modelling shot than you sitting at the spinning wheel! Your public demands it!
Posted by: Gina | May 16, 2007 at 02:47 PM
Welcome back! I love the skirt - aren't Kat's skirts the best. I have never been a fan of AS's Katharine Howard, but I beleive that if it can be done elegantly, you are the one to do it (you can also pull off that silhoette in a way most - including yours truly - cannot). I look forward to seeing it!
Posted by: Julia | May 16, 2007 at 05:51 PM
I saw you go by at the Tess booth, and I was too shy to say hi. I can't get over how tiny you are, though! I loved the skirt - it looked great!
Posted by: Amanda | May 18, 2007 at 09:34 PM