I Get The Fit Idea

For many years now, I have been very much a gauge person. Ever since my second camp when the lightbulb when off that no matter what the pattern says, I can make it to fit me my utilizing gauge and some measurements. The measurement piece came after a summer and most of a Fall of traveling to Des Plaines for a Knit to Fit Class with Judy Chan at Mosaic Yarn Studio. I learned so much that year about fit.

Now comes the tough part. What about flatter? As I blogged about yesterday, I think my sweaters fit, but do they really flatter my body? I have come to the conclusion that no, they don't always. And it is time for them to fit and flatter.

I went into the yarn room late last night and pulled some books that deal with fit and perhaps a little flatter. It seems that I have a lot of resources when it comes to this issue.


Cheryl Brunette's Sweater 101 is probably one of the first tools that I bought. My first one was in the form of a folder that had the info and I think I bought it at my very first Meg's Knitting Camp.


Recently, a friend camp indicated that Ysolda's new book had some great info in it. I bought it as an e-book and also got the hard copy which came almost as fast as a sandwich from Jimmy John's. I've yet to really look at it, but soon.


I've had Sally's book for awhile and I have to admit, there is just a few pages that interest me as far as fit and flatter. However, there are a couple of patterns that are on my list for the future.


Right behind Cheryl Brunette's book is Maggie Righetti. I love the first book from her that has some great knitting events and again, I remember getting it when I really became serious about knitting again.


Jean Frost book is a recent acquisition. I probably won't use it for it's intended purpose (getting jackets that fit) but rather for the pattern style's themselves. I love Jean Frost jacket books. They for me are so wearable for my work.


The final tool which is not a book but rather a printoff from Amy Herzog's blog last year. She has 10 installments on knitting for fit and flatter. I whole heartedly recommend you jumping over there and taking a gander. I went through it this morning and came up with some really good hints for making sweaters be flattering for this bottom heavy body.

It was an interesting read, and drove home some things I already knew but was trying to ignore. I made some notes to remember in my next sweater among other thoughts.
I may just get the hang of this fit and flatter thing.

I've Been Thinkin

Maybe it is the change of the seasons, maybe it's that I've lost a little weight, maybe it's because I'm going to be a year older than I thought I was, who knows. But, I've been thinkin way too much lately about my knitting.

Which is a good thing.

Yesterday, I pulled out of my drawers one of my sweaters from Knitted Jackets and wore it because it was chilly here in Central IL and was just what I needed to have on. I love it. It is comfy and cozy. But several things happened.

I seemed to be pulling on it at the shoulders quite a bit. Makes me think that the shoulders don't fit as well as they should. It my mind, it felt a little boxy through the waist and was sort of okay around the hip. (read that as the hips are the last to go when I lose weight) It was a comfy sweater, but in my mind just not real flattering.

I got several compliments on it. But today, a person that I know and who kids around with me about a couple of outfits that I wear to work that look good on me (read that as compliments me when I wear them and also read that I am not in any way offended by it), mentioned that yesterday's outfit was not one of them.

Again, I took this as not a dig at all but constructive criticism. And not something that I had not been thinkin about myself. I'm a watcher. And quite a few times I have wished that I could pull a look off that someone else has, but lets face it, sometimes no matter how much you wish you could, it is better just to not to.

And quite a few times, I am so guilty of putting something on for either work or not, just because it is there, when really what it should be is given to the goodwill.

As Fall sets in, it is time for me to take a critical look at the wardrobe and that may include the sweaters. It's time to weed out the closet, and only keep those things that look good and that I feel good in.

It may be time to start shopping and for me I think it is definitely time to find a shop that can help me find just the right style/size/look for me. I'm open to favorites? Coldwater Creek? Anyone want to weigh in?

And finally, it's time to knit sweaters that are flattering that fit well and feel good on and are worthy of compliments. I am very much on the soapbox when it comes to knitting to fit and have several books that address that issue. On my quest to make my sweaters fit even better, I think there may be some blog posts coming our way to deal with this for me very important issue.

Hang on!

Wednesday Website Kind Of


I love this pattern and my yarn! Yarn is Dolce by Cascade. Cheryl helped me figure out how to keep track of the rows in between cables so I don't have to constantly look at a chart. You can see it on the Knitted Jackets group page on Ravelry.

http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/knitted-jackets/1778745/1-25

Debbie helped me figure out once again on how to do the cables without the needle.

I love Bloomsbury from Knitted Jackets by Cheryl Oberle

Just A Couple of Finds

There is actually quite a few things in the new Debbie Bliss magazine that I like. From the start her magazine has had some appeal for me. It's too bad it doesn't come out a little more often, because I think she could give the other knitting magazines a run for their money.


Last Saturday at Knit 4 Tog, one of the ladies was knitting from this book. It has some really cute things in it. So after, I popped over to Ewenique Yarns and they had it. Debbie, the owner, gave me the sale on my purchases. Sale starts today for their Pumpkin Festival.

I bought yarn for a shawl on Saturday too. Would show you it, but the colors in indoor light just don't do it justice. And for those of you who think you know me, its purple. A nice dusty purple. Knit 4 Together has had the sample that I throw on when I get cold out there and I really like it, so now I'll have my own. Okay, now I'm done buying yarn.

Under the Influence

Not only is that part of the category for Knit Camp's Contest next year, but that is how I have been feeling for quite some time in my knitting.

On occasion, I will have an epiphany about this subject I will vow to do better, but then like a wave of a candy bar in front of a dieter I will succomb and promptly forget everything I have told myself I would not do.

After knitting yesterday and through last evening, I really had another good talk with myself. I have been so discombulated when it comes to knitting lately. You all know from other posts that I have a lot of projects on needles. I am easily led astray to cast on another project, mainly because I can. Some because of the need for other knitter recognition, some to be the first in the circle to try it, oh there is more rational there somewhere. It's a vicious knitting cycle for me.

Yesterday at knitting, I virtually had nothing to knit on. You see, when I am at the shop, I like to knit on their yarn. I came unprepared without my big bag of tricks, so I did not have the proper extra skein of yarn or extra needle to do what I needed. So I sat there and sort of shopped (but really talked myself out of adding to the stash, which I thought was pretty good of me and there is a whole other story behind that which I will save for another day - has to do with not just buying for the sake of buying) and visited.

Short story, long. I am going to knit what I want to knit for awhile. Not what others are knitting on necessarily, or what I should be knitting on (except for the twoper scarves) and enjoy it for the sake of knitting.

I AM IN CONTROL OF MY KNITTING! It's my knitting and I'll do what I want and not (read as try not to) just follow the leader. I feel better now.

Twoper

I am on a deadline. I have to knit 2 scarves a week every week from now until the second Thursday in December. Don't feel too sorry for me though. A friend helped with the ones I have so far and I've known about it for at least two years.

They are simple garter stitch scarves. They can be quite fun and just the right thing for idiot knitting while at knit night or in the car when I am not driving. And at back ups durning the constant construction that seems to be going on everywhere in Central IL. Oh, yes and I do knit on them at stop lights. Because some times it takes the cars in front of me a few minutes to step on the gas after it turns green.

I'm just sayin.

Happy Birthday Char!

Wednesday Website

Check out Bonne Marie's post It's All in The Details. This is about the third time this week I've seen this technique. Funny, I think I have been doing this for sometime. But Bonne Marie's pics/description says it really well.

http://chicknits.com/rambles/

Also, found a You Tube video where this is shown as well.

Five Hours Later

I went into the yarn room to tidy up a bit. It was getting a little overgrown and I kept picking up and putting things down to get to something else.

Once I started, I just kept going. I purged some yarn. I got a couple of bags of donation yarns for two of my friends who will use it. I took several things off of needles and had quite a few needles to put away. I had notions all over the place so now, they have been whittled down to a couple of containers.



The yarn wall needed some revamping too. That took me a little bit of time. A couple of revelations while taking yarn out and putting it back. Schoolhouse Press has way too many bins. Cheryl now has her own bin. I have a lot of sock yarn that I needs to be knit up for socks or shoulder shawls for me. There my colors Norma, sorry! And I remember what every skein of yarn was origianlly supposed to be.

Well, sure I have too much yarn...but someday I will retire and I'll be on a fixed income, I'll knit it up then.

There is now actually a place for me to sit without having to move a bag of yarn off of the chair. I actually could get the vacuum around the chair after I was done.


The best thing of all. I used some of my ends from my harmony needles. Several harmony needles have went back into their case and now have connectors on the WIP.

I feel good about my five hours of work today. Time to enjoy some knitting and netflix.

Feeling Pretty Good

I've got the linen cardigan drying on the table. Pictures next week on a body when it's dry and I am sure that it is worth wearing. I'm still on the fence about it. I do have to admit that the linen is drying pretty quick under the ceiling fan.



I just finished the Summer Open Cardigan from Knitting Pure and Simple. I told me that it would be the last spring/summer knitting I would do this year. I'll do some blocking on it and show pics of it next week on a body as well. I have to remember that this one is meant to be worn open and not pulled tight!


Now, I just need to decide what I am going to do next. Been thinking that it has to be something on my Harmony needles. I want to work on WIPS and get some needles back where they belong.

I'm involved in a couple of KALs too that need a little attention.

Maybe I'll go to the teal notebook that has all these paperclips in it signifying WIPS.


It feels so good to have some WIPS done!

Happy Birthday Kendra! Enjoy the Big One!!!

Can You Believe It?

It's September already.

Second day in a row in the 90's.

A Three Day Weekend.

Oy!

Happy Birthday Norma and Karen!

Finished But Not Blocked


I'm still not sure about this one. Everyone tells me that the linen will soften up after washing. I sure hope so and that it tames itself down. It sure was a wily one to knit.



Even though the calendar says almost September, which for me says, this is it start knitting fall/winter, I have one sweater sitting over in the corner that has two sets of needles in it. I am going to haul it out tonight and work on finishing it. Partly to get the needles out, and with still some 90 degree weather coming our way this week, there is a chance that I will be able to wear it a couple of times this year yet.

Then, seriously, I'll put the Spring/Summer knitting away, even though I did not accomplish what I had intended to. There is a hope for next year!

Happy 35th Anniversary to Us!

What A Great Time

Left on Thursday, got to Stitches in time for lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. I've had their pizzas from the grocery store and loved them. I did not realize that they actually had a restaurant that you could eat at it. Every year, my knitting friends introduce me to a new restaurant. How cool was that?

I took another class from Susanna Hansson this year. I learn so much from her. This year it was jogless stripes. Now, Meg has talked about them at camp, demonstrating them as well. I have read about them and watched them on videos, but never actually done them. Never really grasped the idea until I actually took Susanna's description and did them this year. It's really cool and I am anxious to do a little hat to do it over and over again.

Last year at Stitches, I bought the variegated Miss Babs yarn for a Wool Peddler Shoulder Shawl. This year, I deciced that I needed a solid to do a ruffle on it when it finally gets finished. Miss Babs herself helped me pick it out. It was nice to have the actual dyer, pull the right one off of the rack for me. This is now my fave piece of idiot knitting.

Years ago, I bought Jean Frost's first Jackets book and took her Jackets class. I loved it then and I can't wait to sit down and really peruse this one and see whats in it. I might have to save it for tomorrow, cause I am tired tonight.


I found this book and yarn in the Isager booth. The jackets in it are all done out of a very fine yarn and the needles for me are probably going to be around a 1, but the jackets all to die for. Plus this one is out of my norm for me.


Finally, I searched the show over and ended back at Webs for this great yearn from Cascade, Dolce. I have never heard of it, but it has the criteria that I was looking for. Pink but not bubble gume pink. Soft, definitely.

We had a great time at all of the events. I'm making notes for next year in my book as to remember things. Like where long sleeves, take sweaters to wear, long jammies, a robe and some knitted slippers for the pajama party.

I'm tired tonight, but it has been a great weekend so far.

Off To Stitches Midwest

As usual I couldn't sleep last night. I get so geared up re-thinking clothes and knitting. Then once I get both in my mind, I think about them as to not forget! Oy, it's a cycle.

Only going for a couple of days since I have other committments this weekend.

But, I am sure it will be just enough time to get me in some trouble, even though I tell myself I am going to be frugal on the yarn side.

As always, I have a list of a couple of things that I am looking for. I'll report when I get back.

Have a good knitting weekend blog readers! Talk to you soon.

Wednesday Website

http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com/

Ugh!

I did something to my back. Truly do not know what. I was sitting in my chair watching t.v. Thought it was indigestion. It just stayed. Tried to lay down in bed, but that didn't help it much. I could barely stay standing yesterday. Today has been a little better. Going to go to work tomorrow. Got to do some work so I can go to Stitches later this week.

I'm really getting tired of these things that cannot be solved with a pill.

Ok, I'm done whining now.

Playin Around

Thats what I am doin. This is that in between time, not quite Summer, but you know not quite Fall. The lazy days of a knitter who really should not be so lazy.

I am swatching my Wistful yarn that I bought from Chris at BriarRose Fibers. This stuff is sooooo soft. In my mind I see a cardigan, but I just can't decide what one I want to knit. There are so many possibilities out there that my mind is just boggled by it.

So, I've been toying with finding a stitch pattern that I like and using EPS, kind of sort of designing my own. The jury is still out on that one, since it would be so easy just to use one of the many patterns that I have. I've thought about it so much that it's kind of overwhelming....I will take suggestions. I think the yarn lends it towards some sort of stitch pattern.

About a week ago, I thought I would knit one of two last Summer sweaters. The yardage on each of these balls is relatively small. I thought I could knit a ball a day and have a sweater to wear for Stitches Midwest which is a week from today. If I get my butt in gear and do two a day, I could maybe make it.


Over on Ravelry, in the Knit One Knit All, we are doing a KAL on the Hand to Hand Cardigan. I'm using Rangely yarn which is a stiff wool, unlike a not so stiff one, so the knitting is slow going on this. I love the Lake Blue yarn. I told myself that I would knit on it every morning and I was doing really

well for about two days. Tomorrow, I gotta get back at it. I am going to wear this one this year when the weather turns chilly.

It's kind of fun to play around. No baby sweaters to knit for now, so I might as well enjoy my "me" knitting.

Wednesday Website

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obN5OzRfZjQ&feature=related

Another Beautiful Weekend

So much was accomplished this weekend. The kids from Cedar Rapids were home and we had a great time with them.


We went to the Peoria Chiefs game and at the end they have a short fireworks display. This is better than going out to the Pekin Park on the 4th of July. There are no bad seats in the stadium really.



The consensus was that next time we would get approximately the same place. We are protected from the fly balls by the home base back net. We are close to the beer, popcorn and bathrooms.


Even the Tall Guy enjoyed himself although, it was iffy in the beginning.


The weather was just right for a ball game, not too cool and not too hot. The Chiefs lost, but still we saw some good ball playing, despite the know it all from behind us. Ah well.

Scarf Mode

When I just want an idiot project I am working on scarves for our Girl's Holiday Bash in December. This year the theme is Comfy and Cozy or something like that. The plan is to have a scarf at everyone's spot for a giveaway. That means about 45 scarves. My friend Norma has been supplying me with some and I have been knitting some as well.

These yarns just jumped at me to be knit into scarves for the party. I'm kind of excited to see them done up. Most of the scarves I am knitting are just straight garter stitch, these two may be as well, but I am thinking long ways with some fringe off of the ends.

This Is Some Beautiful Weather


we are having in Central Illinois. Just like a Fall day. Now, I know it is only the middle of August and we could have some very warm days to come, but it days like this one that makes me thing that Fall will be here before we know it.

Where did Summer go? Well, for me it was spent working and going to Memphis to pack the kids, and going to Cedar Rapids to unpack the kids, then Knit Camp and then back to work and today, I took a day off. It has not been too long since my Knit Camp vacation, but today was a lot about getting some chores/errands done.

We have had an ongoing problem with our air conditioner for a couple of years and with the new bathroom in progress downstairs, we needed to have a pipe from it rerouted so we could put a door on the new bathroom. That guy came this morning.

And then a half an hour later the guy who owns the company that is going to remodel our upstairs bathroom came by to give me the damage. Crimey, it's a lot of $$ but it's time to bite the bullet. I can only imagine what the kitchen is going to be!

It will be around 8 weeks before all of the stuff is in, so we are going to have to live with the current bathroom until Fall really is here.

After they left, I headed off on some errands. Bed Bath and Beyond is becoming my new favorite store. Oh the stuff, got part of a birthday present there. Bought a smaller Keurig for my office at work. Picked up a squigee for the bathroom downstairs. Found a Chai Latte for my Keurig that will be perfect for those afternoons when I need a little sweet but don't want to raid the candy machine.



Believe it or not, I went to the Hyacinth and came out with no new Vera Bradley. I was actually looking for a birthday present from a discontinued pattern which they didn't have, so I didn't buy a thing. Thats a first.



And finally, after several weeks, went out to Sam's Club to get my official card. Now, I can buy Mystic Chai Tea online from them at their price.

Came home, had a spot of lunch, caught up on some things I DVDed, did a little knitting and now just kicking back. Only checked work email once early this morning.



Now, this is what I call a vacation day!

Wednesday Website

In case you want to know about modifications to the February Lady Sweater. This one is still on my to do list.

http://www.flintknits.com/blog/?page_id=183

Isn't this cool? Chris' daughter made our Ravelry banner look really cool and not so stretched. Chris is owner of Briar Rose Fibers. Not only is Chris a generous lady, but her yarns and fiber for spinning are unbelievable.

I have two of her rovings to spin and three of her yarns to knit. If you are at a Fiber Festival and you see Briar Rose Fibers, stop in and say hi to Chris for Penny.

Pure and Simple

I had a somewhat epiphany tonight. A friend of mine (Linda) will say, duh, haven't I been telling you this all along?!

Saturday nights lately for me seem to be the night I do laundry into the wee hours. While doing laundry, I surf the net and ravelry looking. Looking for possible new patterns. Like I don't already have enough, but looking all the same.

I've got a couple of projects that I am still working on for summer and early fall wearing. I intend on finishing them both. One will have to be sewn together, I hate sewing together or weaving or any of that fussy finishing business. Hence the reason the Bias Top sits on the coffee table where it landed after camp. The other project I have converted to knitting back and forth. It's out of linen and on a really loose gauge and is not my fave sweater, but I will finish it all the same.

I know earlier this month I said I was going to start knitting fall/winter, but today I realized while getting dressed that some of my over sweaters for both work and play are getting a little worn. And I have cotton yarns that would make great transition pieces.

So in my final look at the internet I wandered over to Patternfish, plugged in topdown women patterns. Hit upon some really cool top down patterns and some from Knitting Pure and Simple that I have not seen before. Some real contenders there for not only my cottons and some for the fall/winter season.

The Epiphany?! I like top down knitting. Really I do. Neat thing - KPS is converting all of their patterns so you can buy them in the middle of the night on Patternfish.

How cool is that?

I'm Sad

Fellow Knit Camper and all around classy knitter, Joyce Williams passed away today.

She is missed. We at Camp 2.75 were fortunate to have her with us this year. Who would know that it would be our last camp with her.

Just goes to show you! Enjoy life to it's fullest for as long as you can.

Wednesday Website

You have to listen to this podcast with Amy Detjen!

http://knitcircus.libsyn.com/

This Is It

Even though today was 100 degrees, I am starting to think Fall/Winter. But, before that happens, I'll need to/want to finish this last summer sweater. The rest of the yarn will go back into the bins for early next year, when the snow and wind is still flying, I'll take them out and work towards some Spring sweaters.



I'm hoping before that happens to be at my goal weight and to have made a dent in the wool yarn this winter. It would be great if my bins could hold some sweaters and if the stars are aligned the yarn room could hold a crib for a grandbaby, maybe?

We'll see.

Stick a Fork In It

Oh yea, I could give oodles of more knit camp pictures, but it's the first of August and time to put it to bed for another year! I've already put my time request in at work for my days off in a year...do you think I am ready to go again?


Greg's contest entry - The King and I-Cord

Al and his wife LeeAnn. Al is our photographer and kindly sends us all a DVD every year.


Mable knit two different vests, this one has the cutest do on it with the sheep.

Shirley and this unbelievable knitted dress. She is one amazing knitter!


Cully talking about the new book Knit One Knit All

A view from the inside row this year.



What a great camp this was. It's just like family now!