Fiber Arts Friday: Summer Cardigan, part 7

Since last time, I have separated the Upper and Lower Panels, stitched the Upper Panels together, and made the Sleeves.  I also added a row of Single Crochet to the bottom of the Upper Assembly to aid in joining to the bottom panel, and counting stitches...

After counting and marking stitches on both the Upper Assembly and Lower Panel, I was stunned to realize they match.  Exactly!  182 stitches, each.  This is a wonderful result and not, at all, expected.

So I seemed them together using the counting stitch markers as reassurance along the way.

With all of the pieces joined together, it looks a bit like a doll dress. :-/

So I'm not loving this as much as I hoped, yet.

Blocking helped, but it still seems fat around the middle.  :-/

I may take it apart and re-seem the Upper Assembly to the other side of the Lower Panel, which is the cast on edge.... But in the meantime, this project is complete.

I am now at four active projects.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Summer Cardigan, part 6

Since resolving the 6-row mismatch on the upper panels of my Summer Cardigan last time, I began pinning the pieces together.

There is a suspected 3-stitch discrepancy on each of the front panels.... so 6-stitches over all.  But I decided to start the join between the upper panels and lower panel as indicated by the instructions.  Then I decided that I needed more safety-pin style stitch markers to pin the rest of the piece together.

I set this project aside to wait for the stitch markers, and somehow lost the crochet hook.  ???? 

Then, as I made a plan to purchase a new one, I found it. whew.

I pinned the upper and lower panels together, and felt that I might be able to make up the stitch difference.

But that was not the case.  There is a lot of curling at the ends.

Here, you can see the starting point, and the 3 extra stitches on the upper (floral) panel.

And here you can see that I still have 3 stitches to account for on the lower (Solid) panel at the other end.

So for now, I think I am going to separate the upper panels from and lower panel, then stitch the upper panels together, and remove the 3 extra stitches from each of the Upper Front Panels.  Then I will block all of the pieces together again.

I'm almost resigned to re-making the lower panel, but I want to be very sure how many stitches to cast on.

So, Happy Fiber Arts Friday?

Fiber Arts Friday: Summer Cardigan, part 5

Whelp this sat for a couple of weeks, waiting for some quiet time to pin the pieces together.

So after confirming that I know the crochet slip stitch, I clipped the pieces together, being careful to match the rows from the bottom...

There is a mismatch of 6 rows between the front and back floral panels.

While it was blocking, I just thought the back panel was more stretchy than the front ones.  sigh.

After sitting in time out a little while longer, I re-pinned the panels,

and ripped out the 6 extra rows.  I think I will re-block these before stitching together.

I began stitching the upper and lower panels together... because this is the order in the instructions..

While the seem is looking fine, I began to worry about the 3 extra stitches on each of the front panels.... I confirmed that the stiches cast on for each section of the upper panels matches the number cast on for the lower panel... but I did not take into account these 3 extra stitches.

So I don't know if this pattern was Tech Edited or not.  I don't believe it was graded well, or maybe it was released prior to testing each size.

Other than a delta for casting on, and a few large categories on sizing, I don't see the detailed instructions for each size, and I've already mentioned a few sets of instructions that are not quite correct.

Anyway, at this point, I've ordered some more stitch markers/pins for the Upper-Lower join, but I have a feeling that the lower panel will need to be 6 stiches narrower... if so, that means ripping out and re-making the entire piece.

This will be going into timeout for a while and there is now little chance it will be ready to wear before the snow flies.  :-/

Happy(?) Fiber Arts Friday.

Fiber Arts Friday: Summer Cardigan, part 4

In a surprise turn of events, all 4 panels are complete.  I decided to verify the row count on the lower panel when I thought I had two rows to go... and I had exactly 30 rows complete.  WooHoo!

The apparent reason for this is that I missed counting two rows during the first skein... which means my weight estimates were a bit high last time.  I was expecting to need two full skeins plus a little extra to finish this panel.  Now I have about 20g of the second skein available for seeming.

After confirming that the stitch count of the three Floral Panels match the stitch count on the lower panel, I washed them according to my regular process.

Then taking some of the techniques I learned in my Finishing Class earlier this year, I blocked the front and back panels on top of each other, to aid in matching rows.  It's not clear in this photo, but they don't exactly match in height.

You can see that my stitches got progressively more loose on the solid panel.  Hopefully this won't be a big deal in the finished garment.

Next step is seeming!

Happy Fiber Arts Friday.

Fiber Arts Friday: Summer Cardigan, part 3

I did figure out what was going on with Row 10 of the first Front Upper-Panel by taking a screen shot from the pattern website, zooming in, and counting stitches.

It turns out that the number of skipped stitches is not correct in a couple of places on the written pattern.  Once I confirmed that what I had was the same as the photo, I was able to move forward quickly.

As of this moment, both front upper-panels are complete.... and they match... and they each weigh the same.  :-)

I have 1/3 of the lower-panel to complete... and have ordered some new blocking boards.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Summer Cardigan, part 2

Summer Floral Cardi, Yarn Chicken Status...

• The Back Upper-Panel is complete at 92g with 20g of it's skein remaining.
• The Lower Panel is just shy of 50% complete and has consumed one full skein, 118g.
• The first Front Upper-Panel is also nearly 50% complete and has used 14g thus far with 101g remaining.

Therefore I expect to need the following in order to finish this project:

• Lower Panel (118+small %): 120g
• Front Panels (14x3): 42g
• Stitching four panels together and making sleeve caps: UNK

At this moment, I have 20+101g or 121g remaining.  Which means I am at least 41g short in my initial purchase of yarn.

So I am very happy to have received the additional yarn, but will likely only use half of one skein.  I really(!) like working with this yarn... so the extra 4.5 skeins bought in late July will not go to waste.

I've also run into a point of confusion on the first Front Upper Panel... I believe I have crocheted everything correctly up to this point, but the instructions on Row 10 don't jive with the stitches in Row 9.  There are no errata available at the time of this writing.  So this will require more study.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: Summer Cardigan, part 1

I had been thinking about this project for some time.  I love the simpleness and subtle feminine feel of this design.

I also liked the idea of working this in cotton as the pattern calls for.  However I did not want a 100% cotton yarn, which can be tiring to work with since it does not have much give... and a 100% cotton will sag if the garment is too heavy.

I found the perfect yarn at Yarn Fest earlier this year and bought 3 skeins.

The yarn is a Merino + Pima Cotton blend, all grown and milled in California.  This is a natural (un-dyed) yarn with loads of character.

I have done very little crochet in recent years and have done even less to a written pattern that needs to be a specific size when finished.  So this entire project is an experiment for me.

The written instructions for the Floral Array in the top portion of the cardigan was confusing...  Specifically the Horizontal Petal.  I just did not understand what it was telling me to do.

So I bought a copy of the dictionary that the stitch pattern came from... which didn't help much, other than making it clear that the cardigan pattern was written correctly, and that my trouble was me.

I finally found this YouTube video, which is for a different but related stitch.  After watching it a few times, and going back to the schematic in the book, it finally started to make sense.

After a few more tries, I got the Horizontal Petal figured out and was then able to move forward relatively quickly.

It doesn't look too bad in this photo, but this pattern will benefit from blocking, which I will do before stitching the four panels together.

The nice thing about having a pattern that is constructed in sections is that I was able to work on the lower piece which is only double-crochet and practice consistent tension while I contemplated the Floral Array.

At the moment, the lower piece is about 30% complete and the Floral Panel is about 50% complete.  The two upper-front panels are not-started.

In weighing my progress and remaining yarn, my concern about not having enough yarn is growing, so I ordered a few more skeins in late July.  The pattern calls for 880 yards for the size I am making and I have 900 yards.

So, if we assume that I am crocheting at the same tension as the author and that each of my skeins are exact in their measurement... this is going to be very close.

Happy Fiber Arts Friday!

Fiber Arts Friday: My Cup Runneth Over

It's been a while since I sat at my wheel and I want to spin.

I have a vast supply of lovely fibers in various forms, but just a few in roving... Bison+Silk, Navajo Churro and Green Cotton.

For the last few years, if I didn't have a specific plan I would spin the cotton, but the kitten has done some work of her own and I'd have to fix it first.

So do I spin the Cotton, or Bison+Silk which is very soft but possibly challenging or Navajo Churro which drafts easily but will be rough on my out-of-practice fingertips?

Hmmm.... off to ask Hubba for his opinion.  :-)

Enjoying the bounty of Fiber Arts Friday.

Growing Cotton

It started as a tip for shearing.

They had to live on my kitchen counter for a while because it snowed.

I planted the one tiny thing that survived the kitchen in an old whiskey barrel,

It grew

and grew.

Then it flowered.

The flowers were yellow one day and pink the next.

Each flower lasted only two days. 

The flowers turned to bolls.

The bolls grew

and grew.

I sure wish I could see what's going on inside those bolls.

We had our first frost last week, but have mild weather for the near-term forecast.  I sure hope this plant does what it needs to do before the snow and freezing temperatures come.

Fiber Arts Friday: Tour de Fleece 2014, part 4

It's the last Tour de Fleece post for this year.  I'm a little sad. :-(  I've had a whole lot of fun for the past several weeks and have had my most productive Tour ever.

Friday, July 25th

I received a surprise 1/4 ounce of raw cashmere in the mail a few days ago from an awesome shearing client.  I washed, picked, de-haired and carded it yesterday and spindled a bit today.  OMG, I love this stuff.  :-)

Also spun some of the silk from last week.

Saturday, July 26th

Only 5 minutes for spinning today.

Sunday, July 27th

One more eighth of silk.

I have 7/8 ounces to go.

Epilogue

I'm disappointed that I did not finish the green cotton.  But in reality, it will take 3 weeks of an hour each day to finish the singles. Then I have more cotton after this is finished that will be put together for an eventual weaving project.

I'm also a little disappointed that I did not finish the silk, but this was not on my To Do List at the start of this year's Tour.

I spun everything I put in the queue for this year's Tour de Fleece and some more.... I've never had such a productive year.  It's amazing how much one can do without having a Day Job to go to. ;-)

In the last few weeks, I've spun five total skeins and part of three others.

Romney Lamb + Alpaca (80/20):  3 7/8 ounces, 426 yards, staple ~3.5 inches
Charcoal Llama:  1 1/8 ounces, 99 yards, staple ~2.5 inches
Brown Llama:  1 1/8 ounces, 93 yards, staple ~3.5 inches
Llama + Bamboo:  2 ounces, 140 yards, staple ~3.75 inches
Homegrown Medium Silver-Grey Alpaca: 3 1/4 ounces, 172 yards, staple ~4 inches
Cinnamon Silk:  7/8 ounces, staple ~3 inches
Green Cotton:  1/2 ounce, staple ~0.5 inch
Cashmere:  1/4 ounces, staple ~1.5 inches

Which means I spun a total of 13 ounces and more than 930 yards... or just over a half-mile during the last few weeks.

top to bottom:
cotton, romney+alpaca, llama, llama, llama+bamboo,
alpaca, cotton, silk, cashmere

Because I think it's fun to see the different staples all together.... lined up in the order that I spun them.

As I mentioned above, the cotton is planned for an eventual weaving project.  The llama- and alpaca-based yarns are planned for a different eventual weaving project.

I have entered the 2-ply, home-grown, home-processed alpaca in the County Fair this week.  It will go into a knit hat once I spin another skein.

I've spun nearly every day since the Tour ended on Sunday, so hopefully I will be able to continue this momentum thru to next summer.

Happy Spinning and Happy Fiber Arts Friday.

Fiber Arts Friday: Tour de Fleece 2014, part 3

We're nearing the home stretch.  After this week is over, only a few more days of the Tour de Fleece.

Friday, July 18th

I decided I should finish out 3 ounces, which should be half of the never-ending green cotton from last week.  But there wasn't much time for spinning today.

Saturday, July 19th - Challenge Day

I spindled silk.... this was my first time with 100% silk.

Sunday, July 20th

Back to my wheel and a small amount of cotton.

Monday, July 21st - Rest Day

I didn't feel much like resting today, so I finished out what I thought was half of my never-ending cotton.

Turns out it's only 2 3/4 ounces.... I spun about 1/2 ounce during this Tour de Fleece.

It feels good to have this off of my wheel.  I will spin the remainder and then ply them together.  But I am going to take a break from this cotton for a little while.

I have 3 ounces to go.

Tuesday, July 22nd

I much prefer spinning on my wheel over my drop spindles, so I moved the silk to my wheel... it's going faster on the wheel, but the fiber is squeaky.

Wednesday, July 23rd

Thursday, July 24th

I'm about 1/3 finished with the silk single.  I plan to ply it when I'm finished.

I think it looks pretty in the sunlight.

Happy Spinning and Happy Fiber Arts Friday.