Ribs and Lace Tank

Alright, swatches have been washed and dried.  I'm using King Tut cotton yarn.  My sis bought it on sale at Little Knits...it's still on sale for those who are interested.  I'm definitely going with the swatch knit on US9 needles.  It looks so much better.  The swatch that was knit using the US10 needles looked like Crapola when it came out of the wash and no amount of blocking was going to help.

Now I took the wet swatches, threw them back into the mesh bag I use for delicates and threw them into the dryer with a two towels and dried them on the Normal setting on high heat.  This is the setting I use to dry all clothing with the exception of Bree's stuff which gets low heat....if I don't her fleece pjs will shrink up.  Those things are hard to get your hands on in the summer time.  Sheesh, there are some of us that run a/c at night.

Good news, the swatches came out without any visible shrinking.  I wouldn't dry this on high all the time but it's good to know for those "Oops" moments where it accidentally gets thrown into the dryer on High heat.

I washed the swatches with Bree's clothes which are ran on a Heavy cycle and an extra rinse.  I'm not sure how the yarn would take to fabric softener since I don't use it in Bree's load....her skins a tad sensitive.  The only thing special I did was to put the swatches into a mesh bag to keep them from snagging on Bree's stuff.  The Velcro on her bibs can be pretty harsh on other clothing.

And since not post is complete without pictures, I give you a few shots of Zeus taken by Kaity.  The poor baby is finally looking good enough to take pictures of....It's a long story....don't ask!  Suffice to say hubby is no longer allowed anywhere near the clippers used to groom the dogs.

New Knitting Goodie

I picked this up from an etsy seller.  The seller name is Hide and Sheep....cute name.  :~)




This row counter bracelet has a toggle on it so it closes and won't slip off your wrist.  My wrist is about 7" around and it fits my wrist with plenty of wiggle room for the beads.  I also love their needle hugger stitch markers which come in a large range of sizes and colors.  Hide and Sheep has great customer service and fast shipping.

Tank Progress

Swatching is complete for the ribs and lace tanks.  Here's a shot of the 2x2 ribbing knit up on DPs.




It looks to a little shy of 4" but it isn't.  I think it may have just been the angle I shot the photo.  I've noticed that when I knit socks using Magic Loop my gauge is the same as when I'm using DPs.  So I'm hoping that I won't have an issue with this top.  I'll have to keep and eye on it and check my gauge when I get a few rows into it.

Here's a shot of both swatches I made with the lace pattern. 




I used a US10 on the one on the left and a US9 on the swatch on the right.  I've got gauge with the second one.  I was happy with the first swatch until I finished the second one.  I like the fabric of the second swatch much better.  The stitches are a little tighter and the swatch has a nice feel to it.  If you click on the picture it will open up to full size and you can see the stitch detail better.  I think you all will agree that the swatch on the right is the better one.   :~)

I'm off to enjoy the A/C before Kaity drags me outside to play in her swimming pool.  Shawn set it up so it will be in the shade this afternoon but it's still pretty hot in the shade.  Ack, I hate the heat and it's suppose to hit 106 F today *sigh*, I hate summer.  I'd be happy if there was a place that stayed about 75 F year round.

Almost A Problem

Now you all know that I started swatching for my sister's Ribs and Lace tank.  I got gauge with the larger needles though I am knitting a swatch with a size smaller needles to see what I get.  I'll be prepared when I block them.  I didn't get gauge with the US 4's on the 2x2 ribbing swatch.  Turns out that I'm short a few measly stitches when I stretch out the ribbing *sigh*.  Normally I'd say no biggie, grab the next smaller needle and swatch away.  Well the next smaller needle is a US 3 which I didn't think I had.  So I was a tad PO'd. 

I forgot all about the needles my mom gave me when I first started knitting.  They are a mix of various needle sizes and lengths.  She didn't need them because she had bought her KP Options set.  So I gave them a new home.  Well I dug through the bag and found a 16" US 3 circular needle. 

Now here's the thing, the pattern calls for a 24" US 3 circular for all sizes of the pattern.  I'm making the smallest size so by the time I'm ready for the US 3 needles there will be a total of 152 sts on the needle being worked in the round.  I'm a thinkin' I need to try to get 24" circ before I hit this point in the pattern.   It's driving me crazy!  Not that I have to drive far to hit the point of insanity.

Update: I gave in and order the one lone needle needed to complete the tank.  One dang needle and shipping: $7.78.  But hey by the end of next week I should have my needle.  :~)

Bree is up tonight for some reason.  So now I'm sitting here at the computer wishing I was swatching for the tank instead of sitting here with a baby on my lap.  I need a vacation....alone!

I leave you with another shot by Kaity:




Looks like Bree is a star trying to avoid the cameras.   I think she was trying to grab the camera from her sister.   :~)

Swatch #1

I'm doing the "I Got Gauge Without Swapping Through 500 Needles" jig!




Isn't it a beautiful site.  Swatch number one for the Ribs and Lace Tank is done.  From experience with this yarn, it doesn't stretch out more when it's wet then when it's dry.  I'm still going to wet block it and remeasure just to be on the safe side.  Then for S&G's I'm going to throw it into the dryer and run it through a normal dry cycle.  This is for my sis and I want to see what will happen if she accidentally throws it in the dryer.  I know from experience with Bree's halter top that it will not shrink at all when dried on low heat but I want to see what happens when it's on normal heat.  My sis is careful and has taken very good care of the socks I've knit her.  I think I'm make the Jaywalkers for her. 

So one swatch down, one more to go.  The next swatch is 2x2 ribbing for 31 rounds on size US4 needles *sigh*.  I'm so glad I know how to Magic Loop.  Since this top is knit in the round I need to swatch in the round....pain in the butt end if you ask me but I don't want to end up with a monster tank or a tank small enough to fit Kaity so knit in the round I shall.  :~)

Kaity has already claimed this swatch.  I must crochet her some handles and turn it into a purse.  Don't know what to do with all those swatches?....just ask a group of kids, they'll come up with lots of things.  4x4 swatches work perfectly for picnic blankets for Littlest Pet Shops when they go out exploring.  :~)

Eleanor's Irish Eyes

WooHoo!  I finished up my Eleanor socks tonight.




Socks stats:
Yarn: Scarlet Fleece, color Irish Eyes
Needle: 32" Knit Picks Classic Circular US 2/3mm
Pattern: Eleanor by Gigi Silva of Momma Monkey & Socktopia
Mods: I added a few more rows to the heel flap but other then that I knit to the pattern specs.

Oh yeah, I wear a US 10 womens size shoe and my foot circumference measures 9.5".  The lace is fairly stretchy.  If you have a fairly skinny foot I would go down in needle size to make sure they a snug on your foot.

The Scarlet Fleece is a tad scratchy, kinda like knitting with Opal or Regia but I have a feeling it will soft up with wash. 

Well I'm off to work on the swatches for my sisters tank.  She's coming home on Wed....Yippy!  We'll be going to see Harry Potter together.

A Few Updates

Hi All!  I just wanted to make a quick post.  I worked on my SOS socks last night.




I need to put 3 repeats on the foot and then the toe.....Yippy!  I'm so close to finishing up my first pair of SOS socks.  There are people who have already finished several pair of socks so far and we are only like 11 days into SOS.  I think these people are knitting socks exclusively....I can't do that.  I love socks but I have to knit a little something else too.  :~)

I did a bunch of cleaning yesterday and some how managed to hurt my back so now it hurts like crazy.  Good news is, I don't have anymore cleaning today.  I can sit back and relax.  The bad news is I still have to pick Bree up and carry her about....that's going to hurt.

Hope you all have a great day.