Sweater Woes

Damn you, Zimmermann! Would it have killed you to give finished sizes for your patterns?

Two weeks ago I started Baby Surprise Jacket #1. I got a little past the end of the decreases so I could estimate the finished chest, and it looked way too big. I checked my gauge, and it had grown in my switch from straights to circs. Well, poo. Normally this would not be an issue with baby things, but as they live in Texas, there's a very small window for jackets. So I frogged and went down a needle size, and for once in my life I got the gauge of 6 sts/in, which makes "a fine present for a newborn, and will grow with the baby" spot on. Still very concerned about the size, I found a handy little sheet that gave all the measurements for baby and toddler clothing. It said newborn to 3 months was a 16" chest. Okay then. Since then I've been knitting between classes and in those strange hours when it's too late to go to bed, but there's still time before I have to get ready. (Lately I have been primarily fueled by Red Bull, Snickers, and Famous Amos cookies.) As of this morning I'm up to picking up stitches and working the button band. The chest measurement comes out to 15". A tad small, but it's quite stretchy so I'll be ok.

Wrong.
In tiny print over to the side of the clothing measurement chart, it says that these are the body measurements, not the finished garment. It should be 18-20" around. This sweater isn't going to stretch that much. Now, normally I would just frog the thing again and knit like mad, but they are for twins, and I haven't even started the second one yet. The babies are due November 1, and I'd really like to have them done by this Saturday as I will be in Texas then.

Argsjlgdhalgsdfhsdfj!

Maybe I'll just start the second one on the larger needles and see how it compares. Stupid me, I didn't write down the measurement I got the first time.

I've also got to go to the bank, class, and work (I got a job as a seamstress) today, and write a film analysis paper. Joy.

Screw what I said before about grown-up winter accessories.

'Cause I really, really need to knit this. And the good news it will be from the stash! In acrylic, true, but I don't think I could stand wool on my face. I have to finish my Cherie Amour and two EZ Baby Surprise Jackets first though. As it is still hitting 80 degrees here, that is perfectly fine with me.

End Hiatus

I didn't really do much over the summer. Most of my days I got up, showered, and remained in front of the TV and watched X-Play until dinner. Yeah. In my defense, I really needed a break after last semester, and they don't have G4 in Oklahoma, so I was trying to get my fix. That also led to an epic hunt for We heart Katamari, but alas, it is not to be found. I did manage to get some crafting done though. I got the top of my toad quilt cut out and ironed, and made a Styracosaurus quilted postcard for a contest at my mom's favorite quilt store. My mom got 2nd place for her cute cricket one. The first place winner was a paper-pieced iris in some pretty ugly fabrics. I was not impressed at all. No pictures of the quilty stuff though.

Very very belated pics of what I sent for the I heart the Library Swap on Craftster:

Luna Moth Shawl in LB Microspun. A bit of a hellish knit. I'd never done lace before and something went HORRIBLY wrong in the last repeat and it took me days to fix it. Neat construction though.


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Fiver (from Watership Down) stuffie. From a very old pattern.

Simple book tote made with some really awesome fabric I got on clearance at Joann's. I'm also very proud of my seams.

Things completed since August:

Socks! I whipped out the first one early in the summer, but then fell into the second sock slump. I don't think I'll make another pair for awhile. Regia 4 color Bamboo. They feel yummy.

Quickie stencil. Technically 3 layers, but it's so simple it really doesn't count. It's from this video for Bright Eyes' "Soul Singer in a Session Band." I wanted to do the doves in bombs across the chest, but I figured that would be better done with screenprinting and it looked funky on my boobs.

Mr. Fred Jones the sock monkey, after the Ben Fold Five songs. He ended up looking less sad than I hoped. But that is monkeys for you.

Cat warming gifts for my best friend. Kitty sling lined with soft fur, some felted toys with jingle bells and catnip, and a silly card.

The sling modeled with the help of my Nabaztag/tag, WinnifredPHastings, or Winnie for short.

Progress on my Cherie Amour from Knitty. The yarn is Moda Dea Tweedle Dee in Cinnamon Twist, and I love the colors. They're a bit richer than in the picture. I wasn't too sure at first, but my mom thought it would be pretty and she was right.

And finally, the most exciting craft find of my life! Meet Estelle, my antique spinning wheel. I got her at an old farmhouse turned antique store behind my grandparents' house in Waukesha, Wisconsin. We had her Fed-Exed to Dallas, and it was a little scary. The box looked like it'd been through hell and back. Amazingly, Estelle was still in one piece. I think anyway. The wheel isn't sitting just right, but since I can't have her until Christmas I haven't been able to figure out why. Expect to hear lots and lots about our spinning adventures together next year.

I really love the footman. She's had some love.