Purls and Pugs

Par-tay! Grrr!

So, here I am partying at the Bachelorette Party. Ok, I don't look so wild (more like a crazy person--it was the beer!), but this is a G PG-Rated Blog! I decided that the Puffed Sleeve Cardigan would make it's world debut on this night. I didn't wear it at most of the bars (too hot!!!), but it was very helpful when in the Limo or sitting outside of a house where all the keys are inside (yes, even Onstar couldn't help us). It's a nice cool summer sweater.

So, I also worked on some gifts for this party. I made a Thong-Th-Thong for the bachelor in a nice tiger print. I also made a matching Valentine's Thong for the bachelorette. I used Cascade Fixation and followed the patterns pretty much to the letter. I heard the Thong-Th-Thong fit perfectly. I told them I don't want to know the details!

 

Pattern: Valentine's Thong
Yarn: Cascade Fixation color 9966
Needles: Denise Circulars size 5
Notes: I decided the black ribbon would be the best bet. I think the pattern calls for an i-cord, but I was a bit time constrained...

Pattern: Thong-Th-Thong
Yarn: Cascade Fixation color 9966
Needles: Denise Circulars size 5
Notes: Yeah...'nuf said.

Buttoneer

So, I thought I would be smart and circumvent the whole button sewing process, so I bought the Buttoneer.  If I was actually thinking about what I was doing, I would have realized that I was just setting myself up for failure and disappointment.

There is nothing wrong with the product itself...just the way I intended to use it. The way the little fasteners hook the button on is just not conducive for knitwear. So, it took putting all 8 buttons on the Puffed Sleeve Cardigan and unbuttoning to see the error of my ways. So, it's back to the needle and thread for sewing on the buttons to my knitwear.

I am going to keep the Buttoneer for when I have an emergency with my non-hand knit clothes. It is actually kind of a neat little tool, but just not for knits. Oops. Guess it's back to Joann's for orange thread.

Puffed Sleeve Cardigan,Slightly Felted

Well, minus the buttons, I finished the Puffed Sleeve Cardigan. When I went to wet block it, I decided to be lazy and use my front loader instead of soaking it in a tub of water. Yeah, I slightly felted it. Though, I like the way it looks, to be honest. It gives it more of that worn, cozy look. Now I just need to get some buttons...I think I like the clear ones in the book's picture, so I'll be on the look out for those. I also like that it is a bit felted because the 36 came out a bit bigger than I had hoped. So, I just know now to make the Elizabeth Bennet Cardigan in the 34 instead.

Here is is drying on my mannequin....I stuffed the sleeves with tissue paper to help give it some body while drying. Too bad I don't have buttons...I would have been able to wear it tomorrow...oh, well. I think that's Yoda's sentiments exactly...

Orange you glad...

...that I have an orange pen! My friend from school Kim was so awesome and gifted me with this orange pen. I had no idea that there were really orange ink pens. Seriously, I need to get out to the dangerous stationary/office supply store more often. Ok, maybe not...I might end up with orange paper, pens, markers, paperclips....whew, then I'd need some blue thrown in there. *wink wink*

Speaking of orange, I did a bad thing while slacking...and you may have noticed the updated progress bar on the Puffed Sleeve Cardigan...um, I think I am actually closer to 85 or 90% done. Yeah, it's addicting. Oh, yeah, and the paper is about 90% done, too. I'm getting there...now I just need to get up to speed on my Operations Management class that began last week...

 **Note: Don't drink a bottle of Pepsi during class if you are used to only drinking Diet. And by no means eat a cookie while drinking the full sugar, grows hair on your teeth soda! Trust me on this....

Puffed Sleeve Wings

Ok, so I finished the increases for the Puffed Sleeve Cardigan. Yeah. It totally looks like it has wings. I know this is because of the 'puffed' part of the sweater, but, yeah. It does fit around well, so I guess I shouldn't judge a book by its cover...or maybe a sweater before it's complete.

I think the body is going to fly...ok, maybe if I didn't have to purl it would, but you know, that slows me down. I really need to try that steeking thing.

So, I managed to tame the wild Yoda long enough for a picture. She is totally cranky in this picture. I think she knows how to tell time. I really do. When it is bed time, she starts to whine and get all cranky...it's as if she is saying, "Damn it! I am tired, let's go already." Yeah, my dog swears. Where do you think she learned it?! So I guess I better get her to bed...

And back to our regularly scheduled knitting...

Now that I have bored you all with the fun facts of me, I have decided to go back to what I really know--knitting! So, I began the Fitted Knits Puffed Sleeved Feminine Cardigan before I left on my trip. Funny thing was I was having so many problems with the sleeves...I looked at the Fitted Knits a-long, the errata page, everything I could think of...and no one seemed to be having the same problem as me. So, I threw it aside and said that I would figure it out later.

And I did! If I would have actually read the instructions, I would be most of the way done with the sweater by now...oh, well, we all have our dumb moments, I guess. I guess the important thing is that I figured it out...

I bet some of you are thinking that this yarn looks familiar...and you'd be right. This used to be the Orange Crush. I figured since this new sweater calls for KP Merino Style, and I happened to have some lying around, I'd go for it...and who doesn't love orange...really, are there people out there that don't like orange?

Anyway, I am still increasing for the yoke and sleeves, but that's easy knitting and I should be done fairly soon with that portion. Stay tuned...I know you are all on the edge of your seats!