Elka knits
 
 
 
  Joanne  asked just that Question on Fibertraditions yesterday and so I decided to take a few pictures and do a mini show and tell.  Starting last Friday I am working on Marty designed by Kim Hargreaves for Rowan Book #24.  The original pattern calls for the now defunct Rowan Magpie and I am using Classic Elites Montera which is technically speaking a  heavier weight yarn.  Good thing too since the sweater looks like this on the needles:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Very skinny to say the least.  However on the model pictured in magazine the ribbing looks more like this:  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  I like how this would actually fit me when blocked out to look like it does in magazine.  I also like how the fuzziness of the llama and the heavier weight yarn in general keeps the stretched out factor from being overly obvious.  I also very much enjoy the idea of a super cuddly warm sweater for this winter.  I am, however, a wee bit concerned that my sweater shall become a tourniquet at the first sign of humidity.  I am willing to live with that fear.  After all I know what I look like nekkid and really skin tight might not be sexy on me but if I thought it was such a  huge problem I probably should, you know, diet.
 
  And on the subject of negative ease.....  I am ripping yarn for my other just cast on this week project out the fourth time.  Jaywalker socks.  I gamely cast on some beautiful Zebra Print Opal that was un cadeau de Lorraine into Michelle’s Marvelous Socks* a while ago and decided I did not like how the stripes were falling so therefore this Mon I started the Jays figuring chevrons would be ever so lovely.  I was oh so right but I foolishly decided to try on said socks and made the executive decision that they could be looser.  After measuring my foot I realized that the standard 7.5-8” socks I have been knitting from NB patterns were tight but wearable due to ribbing but that huggy chevrons would be more comfy in the real foot size of 9”.  Ripped that  yarn again.  Cast on Jays again.  Knit another 3” and  hated how the stripes were falling.   See the ugly spiral I was creating:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Look for pretty chevrons next week unless the first Jay cast on was a fluke of nature.  Because yes I ripped *again* and restarted the Jays *again*
 
 
yarny days and knitterly evenings, Elka
 
* for the visual learners Michelle has kindly done a picture tutorial of her socks.  Most clever.
 
 
Watcha Up To?
Friday, September 21, 2007