Kiri on Size 4US

Ok - I did it. I started Kiri on size 4 needles. I am now up to the same point as I was on my first start of Kiri using size 6 needles - 40 rows. It only took a couple hours to get to this point versus several days using size 6. Working with the smaller needles was tremendously easier than working with the larger size. I had more control of the yarn and no need for tinking this time (well, maybe a few stitches required tinking, but not nearly as many as before).

Below is a comparison of the 2 Kiris side by side. The one on the left was made on size 4 needles and the one on the right was made with size 6. Obviously, the one on the left is a lot smaller, but that's OK. I'll just do extra repeats to get the size I want. I'm only 5'1" anyway, so I was not planning on making a large shawl. The cute little girl in the picture is Cleo. Of my 3 cats, she's the most interested in knitting. Oh - what she will do for some yarn...





Here are the 2 Kiris close-up. The top one is the size 6. I am going to go ahead and frog the size 6 and work on the smaller one. It will be a much happier experience, believe me. Also, if you notice, I am not using markers with my second start on Kiri. I found that they got in the way with such thin yarn. As I get into larger repeat rows, I may have to start using the markers, but for now I'll go without.

Kiri on Size 6US

I started Kiri a couple days ago and have had nothing but problems. It's me, though, not the pattern. My stitch count is off. I have had to tink back too many rows to count. It takes getting used to working with such thin yarn. I'm using KnitPicks Alpaca Cloud in Sunlight. I really like the yarn, it's just that it is real thin. I am currently using size 6US needles, but think I will frog what I've got and go down to size 4. I think I want a tighter fabric. I also believe that I will be able to read my knitting a little easier and figure out what I've been doing wrong to keep ending up with the wrong stitch count. These are pictures of Kiri on size 6 through row 40. Take a good look, because you won't see her again. She's going to the frog pond soon.

Knit Kippah & Invitations

I just finished knitting a kippah for myself. It will make its debut at Jacob's Bar Mitzvah in November. I used Jennifer Tocker's pattern. It took just a few hours to complete. I used some leftover Koigu sock yarn on size 1 circular needles, using the magic loop method. My talit has burgundy & gold in it, so these colors will be perfect. I blocked it using scrunched up paper towels enclosed in a plastic bag.




After DAYS of finalizing the guest list and formatting the envelopes (both inner & outer) I have finally begun the printing process. The outer envelopes are complete. I still have to print the inner envelopes and hope to have that completed today. I'm just waiting for some final pieces of information. See all those boxes? Each piece of the invitation comes in a separate box. Here are my two helpers, the Bar Mitzvah boy himself and my sweet little "alien" kitty who jumped into the box because he thought he was a part of the invitation.

Elephant dishcloth completed

I did it. I finished a UFO. I started this dishcloth weeks ago, but soon tired of it and put it down. This morning, I decided that today was the day to finsh it. I really want to start on Kiri, but told myself I could not until at least this dishcloth was off the needles. This was a KAL from Luv-2-Knit Dishcloths.




So, I will soon start Kiri, although there are other things I'd like to start, as well, like the Flower Basket Shawl from the Fall 2004 issue of Interweave Knits and the summer top from Knit 'N Style-August 2005. And, of course, I am still working on the Union Square Market pullover. I made some headway on the first sleeve yesterday. I'm not sure if I will work on it more today, or just wind my hanks into balls for Kiri. I'm going to use KnitPicks Alpaca Cloud in Sunlight. I also got some Alpaca Cloud in Peppermint, Moss and Autumn for the Elizabeth I scarf patterns. The Essential in Dusk will be for the Flower Basket Shawl. From Michaels, I have Patons Grace for the summer top. This is the first time I've actually had stash and multiple projects. Usually I work on one project at a time (not counting socks).

Finally - another post...

Ok, Ok - I know - it's been almost a month since I last posted. And to think, when I started this blog, I figured I'd be posting everyday!!! But, after being on a computer all day at work, sometimes I just don't want to turn one on at home. It's been real hectic at work. We're working on the 06 plan and it's been taking up a lot of my time. Year-end is fast approaching, so I am gearing up for that as well. And with all the SOX stuff and forecasts left & right, it just never ends.

On the home front - Al had is surgery a week ago and now is in an extended care facility. We are hoping he'll be out of there soon. He just is not real motivated right now, for some reason. He only just started eating again yesterday. (He had not eaten since last Sunday - a whole week without food). We've been visiting him everyday, hoping that seeing his grandsons would perk him up a little. Charlotte has barely left his side.

Things are moving along with the Bar Mitzvah planning. The invitations are finished. We've just got to work on printing the addresses on the envelopes. There's also the inner envelope we need to print on as well. I hope to get the invitations mailed out by the end of August. So far, we're on track. We met with the caterer Saturday to start planning the menu. If weather holds up, we will be able to have the whole reception in the court yard. It will be really beautiful.

Since I last posted, I have completed 2 dishcloths (and am now out of the dishcloth mood). I have one more to finish - the elephant KAL which is SOTN. I've just got a few rows left - just need the motivation to complete it.





I also completed 2 scarfs and a baby hat & matching socks. One scarf is for my sister (the colorful one) and the poodle looking one is for me. The hat and socks are for Linda from work. She is expecting her first child at the end of October- and it's a girl!!!







I have finished the body of the Union Square Market pullover. I'm not sure how the whole thing will work out. My row gauge was off so I had to knit less rows than required, and I am not sure if this is going to mess up the shouder cap shaping of the sleeves. I went down a needle size for the sleeves, because when I used the size 4, the bell shaping turned out huge. I'm using a size 3 needle now so I'll see how that turns out. At this point, though, I am seriously contemplating ripping the WHOLE thing out. I keep telling myself to just complete one sleeve and see how well it works into the body. It's a good thing I am more of a process knitter than a product knitter. If I have to rip the whole thing out, I really won't mind all that much, because that means there's all that more to knit. I've got a few things in the pipeline, as well. There's a summer top I want to make (Knit 'n Style-August 2005, pg. 46). And there are 2 shawls I'd like to start soon - Flower Basket Shawl & Kiri. Oh, and I almost forgot - I still have a pair of socks SOTN. I'm just past the gusset, so am nearing completion. It's just that I have been working on too many other things right now. Maybe once I complete the Union Square Market Pullover (if I don't rip it out), I'll try to finish the socks. Ahhhh - so many things to knit, so little time to do it all...