One Week Later

It's springtime -- this sky photo was taken at 7:15 pm, and it was still light out.  Little by little, it seems that winter is leaving us.  Of course, I'd just spent an hour sitting on a metal bench in an ice rink while DD had her skating lesson, so it seemed positively balmy when we got outside. 

I was surprised, because usually I freeze at the rink no matter how bundled up I am, but this week I was comfortable enough to knit while she skated.  Usually my dad takes DD to skating class and she doesn't want anyone else to come, but he's away this week so I took her.  And I must confess that I brought some knitting with me in an attempt to identify a knitter whose child also takes skating lessons at the same time.  A few weeks ago, this knitter admired the sweater (Williamsro child) that DD was wearing in class and sought out my father to find out who knit it because she just started knitting and really liked it.  Alas, my openly knitting for an hour did not draw out any new knitting friends.  It didn't even elicit any comments from anyone.  Perhaps I will have better luck at my next attempt to encounter knitters in public.

My knitting in public was Conwy II.  I am actually about halfway done with the foot, so this photo is a bit out of date.  However, when I picked up the stitches for the gusset, I surprised myself.  I usually end up picking up a few more stitches than most patterns require, and that doesn't really bother me.  I'd rather pick up more stitches and have the sock look nice than pick up the lesser amount specified in a pattern, which will result in holes/gaps in the gusset.  I picked up way more gusset stitches than I usually do, though, on this sock.  I think I picked up 14 extra stitches -- look at the number of stitches on both of the bottom needles in this photo.  (I did write down the exact number somewhere so I can make the other sock to match.)  I'm hoping things will all work out, but I'm a little surprised.  So, of course, I have a question.  What happens when you pick up gusset stitches?  Do you ever pick up a lot more than the pattern specifies?  Any potential drawbacks to doing this?  Any disaster stories I need to hear?

These aren't new socks, but I wore them the other day with my Keen mary janes and I was so pleased that I took a photo.  These are my first socks ever, Broadripple.  I still love them, but Cascade Fixation doesn't have any wool so I find these socks aren't that warm in the winter.  They're perfect for this change of seasons that we're having now, and the bright colors hit the spot, too.

It's been a strange week, with some really crappy days and some lovely springlike days.  I've had ups and downs, too, dealing with the Beast's death.  I really appreciate all of the kind comments and e-mails that people have sent.  I haven't yet responded to everyone, but I will.  Sometimes it's just difficult to think about him too much right now, but I wanted to let everyone know that it really has touched me to have heard from you all.

I've been knitting a little this week, and one day I decided to tackle the Tea Rose Halter Top (scroll down) from the Spring 2007 Interweave Knits.  You might recall, I knit the entire thing in one day, way back in the spring of 2007, but I didn't crochet the straps because I needed to buy the right size crochet hook.  I did buy one, and promptly lost it.  I finally bought another one and did the straps a few weeks ago.

Here we are, with the straps attached the way that they are in the version in the magazine.  I know the t-shirt I'm wearing underneath isn't optimal for wearing under the halter, but it still just doesn't look right.  This is another one of those things that looks fine on the model in the pattern photo but doesn't look fine on me because I have a completely different body type.  When, when, when will I ever learn?

Well, I decided not to totally trash this.  I remember it looking okay when I tried it on sans straps after I first finished knitting it, so I tucked the straps in and played with it a little until I figured that it was just a matter of the placement of the straps.  I detached one, which wasn't a whole lot of fun because I had already woven in the ends and had apparently done a better job than I usually do.

Here it is with the straps placed differently, though I haven't yet finished attaching them so this technically isn't a finished object yet.  I think this looks much, much better than it did before.  After I did this, I popped over to Ravelry and checked out the other versions of this that other knitters have made, and I definitely think that this version looks better on me.  The straps placed close together look better on women who are, um, smaller.  If the weather holds, I will attach the straps permanently and take this top out for a spin.  It will be interesting to see what sort of reaction it gets.  Not that it's going to happen, but if I ever make this again for myself, I think I might do one or two more repeats of the lace pattern below the ribbing.  The length is fine as it is, but I think a tiny bit longer would make it more versatile. 

I'll get a better photo once this is really done.  I suppose I'll have to ask DH to take the photo.  I don't think he's ever seen this project.  It will be interesting to see what he thinks of it.  I don't think he will like it, but he might just surprise me.

Comments

[--Deb]

The halter looks just wonderful!

[2paw]

I usually end up picking up more gusset stitches than the pattern says as I like a long heel, I just decrease every row, instead of every second row, until the correct nuber of stitches I would have had anyway is reached. I have had no terrible conniptions.
Love the halter top. I have been looking at that, considering it. I agree about the straps, I would have to wear them like yours too!!
Glad you are surviving the Hard Parts of Life....

[wendee]

Great idea to change the placement of the straps on your halter. I prefer it that way - regardless. Looks great!

I'm totally inconsistent when picking up my gusset stitches. I've never picked up too many more (usually just 2-3 per side than the pattern) however sometimes I'm lopsided - more on one side. I never notice in the finished product. Not sure what to tell you - but I wonder (no idea what the outcome will be) if you don't do a knit row between your decreases once or twice. Just to get your counts down quicker.

[Danielle]

I almost always pick up a few extra gusset stitches, although not as many as you. The result is a longer gusset (duh!) and a wee bit more room in the ankle -- which is good for me, since I have narrowish feet, but not particularly narrow ankles.

[Britt]

Wow, I love that top! I think you are right, the straps look better where you placed them the second time. :-D

[Karen]

I love your shoes:) The halter looks great. The second strap placement is perfect.
Grief takes time. It's hard. There are no shortcuts. You just have to plod through it one step at a time.

[Nancy]

The halter looks fantastic! If I get down to a size 14 I'll make myself one as a reward.

It's amazing how the strap placement makes such a difference.

[monica]

Pretty morning sky! The halter is so cute!

[Debby]

I'm catching up on my blog reading, and I saw your post on Beast. I am so, so sorry and I hope that in time, you will remember the happiest memories and not these difficult ones. ((hug))

On another note, the straps do look much better the way you've placed them. I'm sure the mystery knitter will turn up and identify herself soon.

[alexandra]

That is a really cute top--much better than the magazine photo.