Saturday, February 25, 2006

And the Saga Continues...

I'm about shrugged out. I've torn apart and re-knitted shrugs all I'm going to. Time to move on. I'm getting the itch to Fair Isle/Norwegian. I've also had a request to create a poncho with an Aztec print band around the center so I'll have to do some homework creating a pattern from pics. Love the web for that! Good knitting weather here as it has snowed today and is to be followed up with an arctic blow, thank you Canada!
To conclude the shrug madness, I tore apart the wrap shrugs and created more classic designs using chunky yarns with large needles and small needles to fill requests for fashion and function. I do enjoy wearing them, sometimes you just don't need a whole sweater.

Friday, February 10, 2006

On The Other Hand...

My premier shrug came out beautifully, loads of compliments. Decided a slim I-cord finish aroung the edge would work fine.
On the other hand, my attempt at a criss cross shrug, very popular, even my hair stylist heard about it, a non-knitter but I love her anyway, failed and I'm trying to figure where I went wrong. Gauge was perfect but the math did not work. 75" x 12", 18.5" seamed for each arm end, that's 37" used up leaving 38" for the center. Unless you're the size of a 5 year old this does not fit. I queried the pattern originator and received a lovely response that if I look at the picture it's stretched a bit to fit. HuH! I pity the model after that shoot. I went on my own and ended up with a center section 60"! Almost twice the pattern! And you know, the bloody thing doesn't stay put. Annoying to wear. Not one to give up, I tried again using 1 strand instead of two thinking maybe the tension was too tight? Nah, still ended up with 60" in the center. I like the lighter weight but it creeps up and shifts like it's trying to get away. Stretched a bit my eye. I would have been better off just looking at the picture and winging it like I usually do and then wouldn't have gotten myself in such a fuss over the instructions.