Thursday, June 29, 2006
Voila, the Lotus Blossom Tank
Put a fork in me!
I am done! Well, I still need to wash & block this bugger and get DH to take a pic of me modelling (hah!) this thing, but the knitting is done.
Well, I hope I'm done. I did not enjoy picking up and knitting the finishings on the armholes and neckline. I simply had the worst time w/the SWTC Bamboo at this point. I hope the most egregious parts block out. If not, I'll have to go back and re-do them. Gah!
In any case, a quick recap of my tank - I knitted the size 39'' cause I measure 40." I got stitch gauge on size 7 (Boyes interchangeables) needles, but my row gauge was bigger (7.25 rows/in vs 9 rows/in stated in the pattern) in St st. Because of my larger row gauge, I only added 1.5" to the St st portion before splitting for the armholes and felt no need to add a 5th repeat of the alien heads.
Quick thoughts on this project - This was a fun pattern to knit. However, my enjoyment was tempered by the yarn itself. While I like the drape and feel of it, it still got tiring for my hands despite having more give than a 100% mercerized cotton yarn. It didn't bother me while I was doing the lace portion, but the knitting the St st portion got wearying. Oh, and yeah, splitty as heck. All of which is probably why I started losing steam and got really annoyed doing the armhole and neck finishing. I really hope the finish blocks out okay, 'cause I really don't want to go back and re-do them.
Now what do I do w/the 2 whole leftover skeins + the remainder of the 3rd?
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Red Lotus
I decided on red for my Lotus Blossom because I love the colour, and I already had one random ball I bought the first time i came across it. I got 2 more from the same store (18 months later) and they are, predictably, different dye lots, but that appears to make no discernible difference at all, fortunately!
I did 6 repeats of the lace, but haven't lengthened the base part of the stocking stitch element - may prove to be rash,
now I read Jackie F's comments from yesterday.
this pic is a bit shakey because I was on a train - and as usual with lace it looks like boiled ass (see Rabbitch's descriptions of her lace...). I've finished the front, and am almost at the short rows for the back. Which is good, because I want to wear it for Woolfest on Saturday (may be blocking it the night before in the B&B, methinks!) NB the colour above is the best I could get even with white balance, but it is really deeper - more like this.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Lotus Blossom Tank - front finished
I don't LOVE knitting with bamboo, because it feel so stiff to me, but I do really like the fabric it produces. Perhaps because it's so drapey, the garment seems to come out really big even if you get gauge on the swatch, so I'm knitting the smallest size, which seems absurdly small compared to my actual bust size. I did add some short rows to the front to make sure it was long enough that I don't flash people through the lace section. Otherwise, I'm continuing on and hoping for the best.
FYI: beware, the straps will pull up the front
While I'm here, I thought I'd mention something important for those who haven't completed the stockinette portion of the tank [BTW, this will make sense when reading, but you might not think of it while knitting]:
You might want to knit the stockinette section an inch longer. Most people are doing this anyway. But, even after customizing yours to make it long enough to cover the bust, you might want to add yet another inch. Why? The straps will pull up the front an inch after seaming. At least, that is to say, they did on mine. Thankfully, my tank still covers the bust, but with very little material to spare. This was an unexpected result considering I had already made my stockinette portion longer than the pattern indicated. So, if yours is only just covering the bottom part of the bust and you want to wear your tank sans camisole, you'll be risking exposing your bra if you don't make it longer. 'Thought I'd share - hope this helps!
Oh yeah - one more thing! The extra inch should be added while still knitting in the round. Adding any length after the armhole BO would disrupt the seaming.
Just getting started...ease?
What kind of ease should I plan for? I'm hoping that I can get away with an inch or two of negative ease.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Thar she grows!
One question, though: my bust is 33 1/2", the XS is 33 3/4. Should I be worried? After everyone's sizing issues, I'm a bit concerned.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Vacation Project 101
I love seeing everyone's wip & fo! Thanks to all the good advice, I've added the 5th lace repeat, and plan to make the stockinette section a bit longer too. I haven't taken it off the needles, but width seems okay. Now that I'm onto straight ss, this project is ready to get on the plane with me this Saturday to visit family and friends in Ohio/Michigan. Does anyone have an opinion on yardage: it took 1 skein = 4 lace repeats of size small, so that leaves 1 skein for the fifth repeat and all the stockinette. Do you think I should pick up another skein before I go???
Tried Mine On
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Nearing the armhole BO...
It's hard to see the lace pattern due to the flash. But, the picture I took without flash was too blurry.
Progess report and in translation
And out of curiosity, I asked a friend who speaks & reads both Cantonese & Mandarin to tranlate the Chinese LBT blog post, well the pic at least. It basically said it was the Lotus Blossom flower pattern in 100% cotton "thread" (probably yarn?) and she used 5 and 5.5 mm sized needles, but I'm sure everyone's already figured out the needle size part.
Edited to add: My friend also tells me the blog entry discusses how she felt about her accomplishment.
Bloomin' issues
Well... I *was* really excited that I finished the Lotus Blossom tank. The fabric is beautiful. The little alien heads/lotus blossoms are pretty. But it's just too darn short.
This look might go over well on the weekends but I really wanted to wear this cute little top to work. And while the layered look might be in style...
I'm just thinking not-so-much my style. It takes away from the cute shaping of the neckline and in my opinion looks a little dumb. Nother problem was where the lace began. I'm not exactly well endowed, but my little tykes could peek out at the bottom of the stockinette. If you've got a little more upstairs than I do (I think most women out there do) you may want to consider adding a bit more stockinette just for the sake of decency.
I don't think I knit it wrong. In fact, as I took a look again at the magazine I think it's a fairly short top on the models as well. I just don't own pants that come up to my belly button so I end up with the need for even longer shirts.
So... last night while watching Jimmy Neutron I frogged the top part back to the armpits and picked up the stockinette banner once more. I figure I'll add another 4 inches of stockinette to the top. The lace should start somewhere near my belly button and it'll give me the length I want.
Aloha!
I started this great tank on June 11th, but just found the KAL today. I could have used the emotional support during my gauging and lace-knitting (first time with lace patterns) but am thankful I found y'all now!
I am not using bamboo (my local yarn store is 60 miles away, and really small, and filled with nothing but eyelash yarn), instead using Filatura di Crosa Zara Merino from the stash...and I will run out. Yarn shortages in mind, I got gauge on a size 9 needle, which is making for a much looser and more open lacework. I am also incorporating one skein of grey into the green (waist, sleeves? Neckline?). I am at 1.5 inches of stockinette and I have about 200 yards of green left...
So I will be here, knitting, and holding my breath.
I love seeing everyone's photos, and it is comforting knowing y'all are out there!
Aloha!
Kel
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Having trouble already!
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Do I have everyone listed?
On the subject of my Lotus Blossom Tank - um, I started mine last weekend and 5 rounds in, I discovered I twisted my stitches. I haven't touched it since. LOL! Actually, I've been trying to finish something else and I just seamed and wove in the ends, so that is done. I'll restart LBT soon.
Someone on flickr.com has a gorgeous blue one
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
I've made progress on Lotus Blossoms!
Yup, thanks. Now, where once I saw lovely Lotus Blossoms, now I see only creepy Aliens Heads.
Nope, no nightmares here! Nuh-unh. Not me, no siree bob! There wouldn't be any nightmares here about being eaten alive and sky lifted to a flying saucer for scary tests. Just us Lotus Blossoms....
So, thanks. :)
Oh, and I've posted some progress pics on my blog at wordswitsnwool.blogspot.com.
It's fun to see everyone's progress. Keep it up!
Monday, June 12, 2006
Switching to the XS after the bust: here's the plan...
Has anyone noticed that the neckband is worked back and forth? Is this due to the curvature or length of the neckline? It must be easier (or necessary) to work back and forth, then connect each end in the front if that's what the pattern says. I wonder if it's possible to work the neckband in the round like the armholes? When I get to the point where I've picked up and knitted the neckline sts for the neckband, I guess I'll find out then!
Sizing Question - Please help!!
Also, how lacy (sheer) is the bottom panel? It is hard to tell from the photos, but it seems from the WIPs posted that it is not too sheer. Can you see da belly?? I hope not!! ;)
Thanks for helping!
Sunday, June 11, 2006
LBT Experience
Friday, June 09, 2006
Popping In To Say Hi
Here's a quick shot of my work in progress. I hope to get it finished up this weekend as I'm pretty sure it will go quite fast.
See it at flickr
Thursday, June 08, 2006
LBT WIP and bamboo yarn question
3/4 of my aliens have landed
Hi All -- I'm so glad I found you. I've finished 3 rows of the lace pattern and started slowing down a bit (i.e., another yarn, another pattern caught my eye ;~})... I'm counting on this KAL to be my inspiration to finish (quickly). My LBT is in purple. I got the yarn as a Mother's Day gift (if you send them to the right LYS store with the magazine and pattern circled, they come back with something you love!). I've never worked with bamboo before and was surprised at its crunchiness. I assume it will soften once washed and blocked. I'm making the smallest size because the last couple of things I made out of IK came out way too big... I haven't taken it off the needles yet to try it on, but maybe will do so after reading some of your comments. Otherwise, I'm loving the yarn and the pattern. I created a faux-chart for myself to speed the process along (no symbols, just abbreviations). I've thought about adding a 5th repeat but am not sure (1) I'll have enough yarn and (2) I'll have enough motivation. Fortunately, I like how 4 repeats look. Anyway, here it is so far.
Welcome to the Alien Head KAL!
Go have a listen. It's within the first 5 minutes of the show so if you don't want to listen to whole thing, you could stop after they talk about the KAL.
What's a podcast? FREE digital talk radio. Better yet, what's a knitting podcast? Knitters talking about knitting. You don't need an iPod. It's mp3 format, so you can listen right on your computer.
A little annoyed
I'm slowly progressing and finally get to row 10 where I switch needle sizes and what do I find? A lovely little knot where they joined the yarn. I wasn't expecting to deal w/any joining issues 'til I got to the end of the skein.
So, anyone who's knitted w/this bamboo yarn have any suggestions on how to do a join, other than the usual weaving type method? I've never done a Russsian join, but I thought that works only if the yarn is plied as the one cotton example I saw on an online tutorial somewhere. Are there any other methods? A name would be fine 'cause then I could just google it up. TIA for any help!
Chart Added
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Ready to cast on
Hi everyone!
I am excited to be a part of this knitalong. I have swatched and am ready to go. Admittedly, I did not swatch the lace or in the round but let's hope for the best. I am subbing with Elann's Sonata in Cape Cod Blue, a very economical choice suggested by Hellahelen over at Knitty, is she the same Helen on this KAL?
Looking forward to seeing everyone's progress,
Kerry aka hootsister
Monday, June 05, 2006
SWTC Bamboo Sahara
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Excited to be here!
Have you read through the entire pattern? I'm glad to see the use of Japanese short rows - that's how I do mine anyway. As for sizing: I'm a 37" bust size, so I'll probably make the 39" size. However, if I find the yarn is any bit stretchy when swatching, I might switch to the 33.75" size and do 5 repeats of the lace pattern rather than 4. I've never knit with bamboo. If it acts in any way like cotton, I'll really be leaning towards the smaller size because everything I've knit in cotton this summer has negative ease and fits nicely. Besides, I could always insert short rows at the bust if necessary.
Can't wait to start!
Saturday, June 03, 2006
About Bamboo Yarn
I checked gauge as I was knitting my swatch. It appeared as if my knitting was getting tighter and tighter. It went from 6 spi to 6.5 spi. I was a full stitch tighter than the pattern gauge. Yet the fabric I was producing was very loose and holey. In my short experience as a knitter, 1 stitch looser or tighter usually means about 2 needle sizes. In this case, I would probably have to go up to Size 7 needles. I worried about what my fabric would look like. Probably not something I would like very much.
I decided I would wash, block and re-measure gauge before I decided on anything, but even this worried me. Usually, blocking tightens things up, right? Anyway, swatch has been blocked. I am at 6 spi. Pre-blocking - I was at 6.5 spi. And somehow the fabric looks tighter than pre-blocking. The yarn softened - which I already knew it would do. But did it bloom?
If my math is correct, I can knit at my current gauge and follow the 39" bust directions, and I will have a finished bust of just under 36" which is what I want. The in-between size problem has been resolved!
I am happy, but nervous. I am going to check gauge A LOT. Here I go - I'm casting on.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Lotus blossom beginning. V. girly
blue, lavender, and aqua = + 1 girly point
lace = +1 girly point
cute shoulder detail (not shown) = +1 girly point.
I've exceeded my girly quota on this project! So I think I might stick to using this colorway (Intensity) for Heatwave after all. I've ordered some cobalt blue SWTC bamboo, and will start Lotus blossom again when it arrives.
No pictures yet...
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Hi Everyone!
Here's my yarn and swatch for my very first official knitalong. Not sure if I should be excited or nervous, but what the heck. I bought all 5 cobalt skeins left when Article Pract (Oakland, CA) cleared their lot of SWTC Bamboo 2-3 months ago. It's a good thing too since I know I'll have to lengthen at least the top half of the tank for sure. Will be knitting the 39" size. Got gauge using #7 needles (Boyes interchangeable).
Crochet-Chick on the knitty.com board
Swatch This!
The yarn is greener than I expected but I still like the color. I am obviously on the st st portion, and afer a few inches I'll go right into the lace pattern. The pattern calls for st st in the round and back and forth, depending on where you are in the pattern. I decided to swatch the st st back and forth, because in the pattern, the bust area is back and forth and that will either be my triumph or colossal failure in fit. When I get to the lace swatching, I'll do that in the round by carrying the yarn across the back of the swatch.