Rosi can chat on the phone.

Rosi can model.

Rosi can even salsa (well, too!).

But, Rosi can most definitely NOT pilot an airship. I’ll leave that to Zylphia.

I saw this pattern somewhere in the knit-o-sphere and I KNEW I had to make one. It was a [...]]]> Rosi can bake.

Rosi can chat on the phone.

Rosi can knit.

Rosi can model.

Rosi can even salsa (well, too!).

But, Rosi can most definitely NOT pilot an airship. I’ll leave that to Zylphia.

I saw this pattern somewhere in the knit-o-sphere and I KNEW I had to make one. It was a bit slow going at times because: sock yarn + size 4 needles + size 46″ bust = a whole lot of stitches on the needles at once. But OMG is the finished sweater ever so worth it.

I only did the lace insert in the front as I felt it didn’t need it in the back (and it made for a faster knit).

I didn’t gather the neckline with a ribbon. I just let it lay across my shoulders boat-style.

I have to wear a tank under the top so my boobage doesn’t show. Heh.

The sleeve detail is awesome. I love the gather at the top, the length and the bit of lace at the bottom.

The pattern itself is well-written and easy to follow.

I gotta tell you that this is the sexiest sweater that I own. I have worn it ALOT after I made it and compliments abound when people see it. I feel great when I’m wearing it and feel all sexay!!! See my excitement?!

So, Zylphia, have fun on your airship. I’ll continue having fun in other ways!

 

Zylphia Pilots Her Airship

• Source: Sunset Cat Designs
• Size: XL, 46″ bust
• Yarn: Malabrigo Sock, 2068 yds total
• Color: Boticelli Red
• Needles: US size 4
• Cost: 4.7 skeins at $14.60 per skein = $68.62
• Started: February 2, 2011
• Finished: May 16, 2010
• Mods: See above.

Anyway, I finally took pictures of my simple black cardi I made for work.  [...]]]> Sometimes I wonder where these designers come up with these names.  Audrey in Unst.  I had to Google Unst because at first I thought it was an emotion (you know, like Jackie in Pain or something).  Apparently, Unst is an island.

Anyway, I finally took pictures of my simple black cardi I made for work.  It’s the Audrey in Unst pattern (SURPRISE!) from the Fall 2009 Twist Collective.  In this case, it’s me in Staten Island (HEY!  It’s an island!!!).

I used one of my fave yarns to work with, Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in Black.  But guess what?  The shit ain’t BLACK black.  It’s more of a washed out, dull black.  Annoying as all get out when you try to wear it with BLACK BLACK pants.  I mean, black is supposed to go with everything, but, guess what??  Washed out black doesn’t go as well with BLACK BLACK.

I might’ve knit it about an inch longer than called for in the pattern.  I can’t remember at the moment.  Let’s pretend I did.  I definitely know that I opted to lengthen the sleeves somewhat.   I didn’t want elbow length.  I went for 3/4 – could’ve gone longer but I was bored and had Holiday knitting to do!   Also, I went with plain ol’ k1, p1 ribbing everywhere it called for twisted rib because the non-blackness was just washing out the twisted ribbing – pun TOTALLY intended.

I love the little detail at the neckline, just enough lace.  For the buttons, I went to what Cristi calls the Button District here in NYC.  It’s not really a BUTTON district.  It’s just the Fashion District’s button shops of which there happen to be more than many.  In this instance, I visited the shop where the dude helped me pick out buttons for my first Tempest, Lou Lou Buttons.  Lou did such a good job on that selection and I needed help picking out buttons again.  He didn’t disappoint me as I knew he wouldn’t.  He picked out some very nice black buttons that have some sparkle to them and stand out just the right amount without being flashy or BLACK BLACK (sigh….).

All in all, I’m pretty happy with this cardi.  It’s quite warm, light and comfy which is what I wanted in a work cardi.  The pattern is well written, too, so no complaints there.

Cristi and I are in the middle of planning a 2011 KAL.  We hope you’ll join us.  More details to come soon!

Audrey in Unst

• Source: Twist Collective Fall 2009
• Size: 48.5″ bust
• Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool (6.8 skeins = 1305.6 yards)
• Color: Black
• Needles: US 3, 4, and 5
• Cost: Yarn – 6.8 skeins @ $6.43 per skein = $42.72
  Buttons from Lou Lou Buttons on 38th street and 6th avenue in NYC – 11 buttons @ $1.19 each = $13.09
  TOTAL COST: $55.81
• Started: September 15, 2010
• Finished: November 11, 2010
• Mods: I did not do any twisted ribbing. I did plain k1, p1 ribbing throughout.  Sleeve mods:  I wanted a longer sleeve so I repeated the decrease round every 9th round 4 additional times to what the pattern instructed. Then I knit 6 more rounds in stockinette and 24 rounds in k1, p1, binding off in pattern on the 24th row. This got the sleeves mid point between the elbow and wrist. I could’ve probably gone a bit longer as I had enough yarn but I decided to stop there.

I must say that this is the garment with THE most work that I have ever knit. This coat surpassed even my seamless EZ cardigan!

The knitting of it was fun with the crazy construction of the coat. But that crazy construction also meant [...]]]> Warning: This post is EXTREMELY pic heavy. )

I must say that this is the garment with THE most work that I have ever knit. This coat surpassed even my seamless EZ cardigan!

The knitting of it was fun with the crazy construction of the coat. But that crazy construction also meant that seaming it was alot of work! Add to that the fact that I wanted it lined. Yea, I didn’t do the lining but if I WOULD HAVE it would’ve been even more work!

I chose a nice, silk rayon designer lining in bright colors for my coat.  It adds warmth and helps the coat keeps its shape.

My best friend, Moises, is a tailor (lucky for me!).  He did the cutting and sewing for the lining.  He cut each piece of lining out before I seamed the coat together to ensure that the pieces were all the same (and plus, it was just easier!).  He folded the back in half and laid it on the fold of the fabric to cut that piece.  Since the fronts were the same, he used only one front and cut two pieces (one for each side).  The sleeves each had a different angle, not your standard set-in sleeve here, nope!  So he cut those individually.  Very importantly, he cut all the pieces at least 1″ larger all the way around to give him a seam allowance plus a margin of error in case the coat grew when blocked.  It did grow, but not too much.

He seamed all of the pieces of lining together while I took the coat home, soaked, blocked and seamed it up.  I brought the coat back to him and he attached the lining.

To give the lining some looseness and at the same time, keep it in place, he attached 4″ x 0.5″ stripes of fabric at 8 key points along the shoulders and underarms from the lining to the coat (sorry, I didn’t get a pic of these!).  The lining came out FANTASTIC!  Thanks, Moe!  Love you, bro!

By vote, all of you chose my big, brown square buttons which I think were a great choice.  Thank you, reader(s)!  )

I am extremely pleased with my new coat and if you catch me at Rhinebeck in two weeks, you’ll get to see it in person!

Clasica Coat

• Source: Interweave Knits, Fall 2009
  
• Size: 50″
  
• Yarn: Cascade Eco Wool, 4.16 skeins, 1988.5 yards
• Color: Black #8095 (altho it’s more of a chocolate brown)
  
• Needles: US Size 8 and 9
  
• Gauge: as pattern
  
• Cost: yarn – $55.96, buttons – 3 * $2.80 ea. = $8.40, lining – 2.5 yds at $8 per yd = $20; GRAND TOTAL = $84.36
  
• Started: August 14, 2009
• Finished: September 27, 2009
• Mods: I added an inch to each sleeve and the lining.
  

I did end up emailing The Powers That Be at Ravelry [...]]]> Hi, everyone.  I’m sorry I posted that crazy comment and then disappeared for a while.  I cannot tell you how much all of the supportive emails have meant to me.   All of your comments have meant so much to me.  I love you all.

I did end up emailing The Powers That Be at Ravelry but I was told that the comments section basically belongs to the user and they cannot control what is written there.    BUT, I have decided to ignore this person and keep it moving.

On the 20th of August, I turned 35.  For a birthday present, Bank of America gave to me a PREAPPROVAL FOR A HOME LOAN!!!  WOO HOO!!  That’s right.  After fighting my credit score for sooo long, I finally was approved.  So we’re house shopping.  I have learned so much and everyday I have a new headache and to think that I’ve only been at this for a week and a half.  LOL  If you have any homebuying tips, DO please leave them here for me!!

As an added bonus, I’ve received several lovely gifts from my friends (Thanks ya’ll!!!).  One of them is a handmade project bag made for me by LeTeisha.  It’s totally my color and the fabric is nice and sturdy!  I immediately put my one major WIP in there.    She also sent me a booklet full of doggie sweater patterns.  SOOO Cute!  Thanks again, babe!!

I have been steadily working on my Clasica Coat from the Fall 2009 Interweave Knits.  I chose to use Ecological Wool for it’s price and for the great wear I am getting out of my seamless cardigan that I made last year from this same yarn.  It doesn’t pill horribly as a lot of sweaters seem to do for me and it’s also suuuper soft and warm.  I plan to line the coat with fabric to actually wear it as a COAT coat. 

I hope to finish it in time for Rhinebeck.  Can you believe it’s about 6 weeks away already???  TIME HAS FLOWN!

Catch ya’ll later!  SMOOCHES!