Before and after

Camisole top before:

After:

I've been slowly knitting this top this week, all the while thinking something wasn't right. I couldn't put my finger on it, my gauge was on, but I had too much length for where I was in the pattern. I kept reading the pattern trying to figure out what went wrong. Finally this morning, I read the increase instructions and realized I'd knit 2 additional rows between each increase row. No wonder I had so many inches. Once I tried it on my suspicions were confirmed. I also realized it was going to be a little larger than I'd hoped. This whole ease thing is still confusing to me. So I spent a few minutes ripping out my work and telling myself that knitting is not a race. I'm not in competition with all of the great knitters in blogland. The goal is to get a finished product that I'm proud of, proud to wear, not to be the first or the fastest. I think if I focus on this, I'll be more satisfied with my progress.
I'll cast on one size smaller later today. I'm off to see monster house with the kids.
Have a great weekend everyone!!

We're back

Safe and sound, after some scary moments, which included: a fire at 2 in the morning, a hurricane, and loss of power. Because of these events, we were only able to visit 2 of the 3 scheduled ports. It was a little disappointing, but overall we had a great time. This was the first cruise the hubby and I took our kids, so it was very different from our usual relaxed vacation.
Due to the additional time at sea, I was able to get some knitting done. One calla Lilly sock is almost done, and I'm to the armholes on the camisole.

I have another week of vacation so I plan to work on these exclusively.

Cruise by blogging

Ok!! Quick cruise update.
We are supposed to be in Cabo San Lucas right now, but...We are trying to outrun a Hurricane and our ship has just lost power!!!
yikes

More later.... where's my life jacket.

Cruising!

We are off to cruise the Mexican Riviera. Be back in a week. Making the trip: petals, ballet camisole and peaches and cream cotton for MDK dishcloths.

See ya
Shar

Well, I couldn't resist, I casted on for the ballet camisole with my new knit pick needles.

First the needles, one word, sharp. I didn't realize how much I push the tip of the needles while I knit. Definitely the sharpest needles I've used. But, I love them. They feel just like Addis with a thinner, more flexible cord. The join is smooth and seamless. I'm sure they will be my number one needles. The only thing I'd change would be to be able to join the cords to expand the length when you want to try on your garments.

I'm preparing my knit bag for our cruise. I'm trying be realistic and limit what I bring. As of today I'll bring the camisole, petals sock and the shawl. We'll see what actually makes it into the suitcase.

Now off to work for me.

Enhancement

Major enhancement occurred this weekend, no not my boobs; yarn, needles and patterns. I think I'm out of my knitting blahs. I've noticed when I'm not into knitting, I'm not into stashing either. But the feelings, the love is back. I made a trip to my new favorite yarn store, Unraveled, and picked up this On-line clip mercerized cotton, grey cotton classic, and four skeins of Koigu.
The On-line is for the new ballet camisole from Magknits, cotton classic will become CeCe and the Koigu is for shawl.



I picked up these patterns and trekking sock yarn from my local yarn store. I have the yarn in my stash for the sweaters. I plan to knit these once the weather cools down.

I also received the knit pick needles on Saturday. I plan to test them out on the camisole. They look and feel great and the cord is very thin and flexible.

I'm off to work. I decided not to take today off because I'm off for a 2 week vacation as of Friday.