one more sleeve...

That's how much knitting is left on my Aran Tee! After getting a little frustrated by my sewing project (and running out of fabric), I clear the deck and relaxed with some knitting. Unfortunately, I became very frustrated with the knitting once I got to the front neck shaping. It took about 6 attempts to knit the neck before I realized that I would need to write out instructions for each row, including a stitch count for each row. For some reason, I just couldn't get the berry stitch pattern to work once I started making decreases at the neck.

It's going to be another busy week chez needleGirl if I'm going to finish this sweater and my sewing project before the start of Sock Madness. Now that I have more fabric, tonight is going to be devoted to sewing. Hopefully, there will be some extra time later in the week to block the Aran Tee.

it's always the knitting that suffers...

I've been pressed into service! I'm working on a top-secret sewing project. (Yup, I can sew when the spirit moves me.) I'm hoping that it's only a short-term thing...no longer than a week. Unfortunately, this project is eating away at my nighttime knitting. I might post the results her in a few weeks, but no promises.

I'm making steady progress on the Aran Tee. I manage about 5 rows on the way to work, and another 5 on the way home. I'm still a few rows away from the armhole shaping for the front. I would like to finish knitting this project before Sock Madness begins in a couple of weeks...Thank goodness for short sleeves!

call & response...

I started writing a response a comment to my last post (left by Jessi). Once I saw it was getting a little long, I figured I’d just turn it into today’s post:

I also think I might have a sizing issue. I was really disappointed that the pattern is written in such limited sizes. I'm working on the 34" size, which should be okay, but very fitted. The next size is 38", which would be much too big. I'm sure I could have add more repeats of the Berry pattern to get an inch or two larger, but then I would have to work out the shoulder shaping.

I really like Swish. The yarn is pretty soft on the hands, and is kind of springy. I’ve never worked with Wool of the Andes, but this stuff has a lot of give. With any luck, I will be able to block the pieces out and get an extra inch in the bust.

I picked the color to fit in with my wardrobe. I wanted a neutral color that fits with my standard black and blue, but didn't want to worry about stains or it getting dingy. I’m pretty set in my ways, and gave little thought to joining Project Spectrum.

Also, Jessi, sorry that your Aran Tee didn't turn out the way you wanted.

i love aran...

I'm absolutely pleased with this project. The aran patterns are easy enough to memorize, yet complicated enough to keep it interesting. I just completed the back, and am a few inches into the front.

more cables...

I have decided to shelve my Gatsby Girl Pullover for a while. I know I said that I would complete all of my 2006 UFOs before starting my 1st seven, but I just couldn't bear to know any more 1x1 ribbing. I still love the pattern, and think that the yarn is perfect for it...I just need a little space. In the end, I will most likely substitute one of the 1st seven for this project. It may be cheating, but I'm not buying any new yarn (yet).

With nothing else on the needles, I turned to my list and chose the Michael Kors Aran Tee as my first new project for 2007! This pattern is from the Holiday 2005 Vogue Knitting. If it weren't for this pattern, I might not have bought the issue. I knew that I would never get to knit it in the Plymouth Royal Cashmere recommended by the pattern. (At $32 a skein, times 9 skeins, I might as well go out and buy an MK sweater). But, I also knew there would be a ton of substitutions available.

My version will be a bit more practical. I'm using Knitpick's Swish. I bought it last year to make a baby sweater. Even though I only needed two skeins I bought ten so I could get free shipping! Cast on Friday morning, and have been flying through the rows every since.

The patterns are a lot easier than they appear. The trickest part has been remembering to put the bobble in the middle of the diamond motif. I have made a couple of small mistakes, but figure I will live with them since they are on the back. I will be much more careful when I start the front.

The yarn is great, and shows the stitch patterns really well. I've heard that the yarn tend to shrink when you machine dry it, but I don't really plan on throwing this piece in the dryer. I can't believe it has taken me two years to start this project.