Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Hello!

I'm new to this KAL, so I just wanted to take a minute to introduce myself. I just cast on for this skirt earlier this evening, tried it on after 4 rounds, and found it was too big. I've ripped everything out and am going with the smaller size. I am a bit scared of knitted skirts, but after seeing so many cute Indigo Ripples out there, I thought I'd take a shot at it. I'm using Rowan Denim in the Memphis color (medium blue). My goal is to have it done by July 17th - we've leaving for Lake Placid, NY on the 18th so I can do Ironman USA on the 22nd. Lake Placid seems like such a cute little town that I thought I needed a cute skirt to walk around in! Hopefully being a part of this KAL will help me meet that deadline.

Anyway, just wanted to say hi. I'll post my progress as time goes on.

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Getting ready...

I'm dying to knit this skirt but I have another project on my #6 circulars right now so it is going to have to wait. I do have the yarn ready though... Knit One Crochet Too 2nd Time Cotton in artichoke 534.

The yarn is a little more green than in the photos... exactly what I had in mind!

2nd Time Cotton

2nd Time Cotton

2nd Time Cotton


Blog posts here.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

i finally finished!

After putting the needles down for nearly 3 weeks, I got off my butt and finished the darn thing.
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketPhoto Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
More details in my Nitting Ninja blog.

Monday, June 11, 2007

c'est fini

It's done! Sorry that I don't have a modelled shot - my skinny friend and I are nowhere near the same size.
Here's a close up of the lace (colour is more accurate in the first picture):


And here are the stats...

Yarn: Lana Knits allhemp3 (fingering weight); 5 skeins in deep ocean (that's only $30 CDN for yarn!)
Needles: no-name 2.75mm circs for the stockinette portion and 3.0mm Addi Lace circs for lace section
Mods: sssk mirrored decrease; M1L increase in Rnd 25; modified the increase rate to accomodate the difference in row gauge but kept the number of sts increased identical to the pattern; knit the largest size in the pattern for a 28" waist finished size; stockinette portion is 13" long and overall length is 21"; crocheted chain (using 4 strands) instead of i-cord for the waist tie

Things I learned... You can't do i-cord using a non-stretchy yarn. You must wash and block hemp to get the right gauge. If you're using hemp for lace, use the pointy-est needles. If I make this again, I would use a longer circ.

I love the hemp. It can be tricky to work with but the end result is breathtaking. The drape is incredible and the resulting fabric is incredibly soft. Plus it's machine wash & dry!

I look forward to seeing more finished skirts.

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Off to a late start...

I joined this KAL awhile ago, but had a couple other things ahead of it in the queue...

I finally managed to start knitting this today. I'm using Rowan Denim in Nashville (that dark, dark blue), and US 5 needles (like everyone else, I was wowed by Eunny's finished skirt). I decided to try my hand at modifying the fit of the skirt. I won't get into the exact way I'm going about it, but the end result (I hope) is that instead of hitting at my waist, the top of the skirt will sit a couple inches lower -- low waist or high hip (I really can't stand having anything tight around my stomach).

No pics yet, but I've got about 3.5-4 inches done (one ball of Denim). And tons of blue dye on my hands.

Finito!


Finished just in time to greet our first wave of summer visitors, which starts Monday. I might be able to get some better pics, but this was it for now. The hubby is working long hours, so it's dark by the time he gets home. I did draft my 3.5 year old for a pic, it's surprisingly good (it'll be on my blog soon), but didn't really show the skirt.







The pre blocking picture scared me, but after a good washing and some pins, I am pleased with the shape. I can't wait to see how it "wears." So, final specs:
Yarn- Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece- color wolverine
Mods- used the sssk mirror decrease, worked 50 rows of the lace pattern rather than 60, made the stockinette stitch panel longer, and crocheted a tie rather than using the I-cord.

Good luck fellow ripplers, I can't wait to see all the finished skirts!

Friday, June 8, 2007

almost done

I am on row 57!!!!!! And every row has 288 sts in it. Can you believe it? If I never knit another fingering weight skirt, it will be too soon. What was I thinking when I started this? I blame it on the hemp. I wanted to use it sooooo badly. But I am very pleased with the results.


And here's a close up of the lace. Can you see the M1L increase that I used? If you look closely you should be able to spot it.


I hope to finish the skirt this weekend and then I get to start the i-cord for the waist tie. I'm real excited about that - not!

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

The Indigo Ripples Skirt has had to take a back seat. I tried on what I had done and it was way to big. I mean another sizing dimension altogether! I have decided to put it to one side until I get the exact yarn as I don't know if it was caused by the yarn or my bad maths. (most likely the maths combined with my lack of skill with circular needles!) Once I save up and get the yarn then I'll know for sure!

Hopefully I might get it this weekend (payday woohoo) if I can find a supplier!
Otherwise any substitute yarn ideas would be most welcome!

Monday, June 4, 2007

Do-Over


I have started the lace, and in fact, stopped somewhere near round 31 and proceeded with the ruffle. I have since botched up part of the ruffle and I think I will frog it and try again. I have also decided that I like the skirt with more lace, so now I am going to try and figure out where I stopped and pick it up. This may mean frogging the whole thing, but I hope not. Of course, I didn't write anything down- that would be too easy!

Friday, June 1, 2007

FYI: Pattern Correction

I just wanted to remind everyone and also inform those that are new to this KAL, there is a correction for this pattern. It can be found here:

http://katcoyle.blogspot.com/2007/04/indigo-ripples-skirt-errata.html

I know a lot of you are just starting into the lace part of this skirt and that is the part of the skirt that this correction is for.

For those of you that just joined, don't be shy, jump right in and tell us about yourself and your skirt!

Thanks!
Teri
(Your hostess)


Hello fellow Ripplers

I swear I am not taking pics of the skirt with my beverages on purpose- coffee this time. It's just that's where I have been working lately and I only have so much time before the wee ones are up, so I take what I can get as far as photo ops go. I am about 24ish rows into the lace at this point. I haven't used many stitch markers in lace knitting before, but I swear by them now- especially with frequent interruptions. I wasn't going to go the full length on the lace, but I haven't decided where to end, so I'll just keep knitting. Ciao!