WIP: Lilo's Patterned Cami

This is the cami front I started while watching the Federer-Roddick Wimbledon final. Two more nights of tv knitting, and I finished it. There's no pattern - yet. I'll write it up afterwards. I just followed the shaping of one of Lilo's t-shirts with an inch added to the width, so she can wear it up to next year. I made the neckline a V to follow the pattern that just showed itself on the bottom panel.

Here's the back panel started. I ran out of variegated cotton so I had to return to the mall to buy another ball.

Anchor Lifestyles crochet cotton is pricier than my usual brands, Cannon and Monaco, about P52 (USD 1.07) compared to the usual P35 (USD 0.72). Mind you I'm comparing mall retail prices, since I'm not buying in bulk. Anchor, like Cannon and the local Red Heart, is made by Coats Manila Bay, Inc. "The only ISO 9001 certified thread company in the Philippines." This is the very lovely colorway KAM17 / 210783 / 65-PHHT. It's supposed to be a size 10 thread, but it's just very slightly thinner than Cannon or Monaco. Softer than Cannon, with more sophisticated colors.

I'm using US size 2 (2.75mm) bamboo circular needles, which give me a gauge of 9 stitches by 12 rows. I think my Addi or Inox 2.5mm circular needles would give roughly the same gauge. Again, it's all stockinette and shaping. No fancy stitches. It'll expand sideways to accommodate at least 10 months worth of child growth.

Stay tuned, folks, I might finish it by Wednesday.

On The Needles

My tank top, still only 1/3 of the front done, because...

I finished the front of Lilo's cami. I started it at the height of the Federer vs. Roddick game of the Wimbledon Finals, and finished it two days later, while watching re-runs of The X-Files. Started on the back part and need to buy one more ball of that colorway to be able to get that cami done. Yes, I made it up as I went along. Stockinette and shaping, mostly. Family feedback: cute so far. I hope the finished item looks good on her.

Lace wrap, shelved.

Practice lace for the hem of Lilo's cami. If this drives me nuts I'll crochet the hem.

Cheers!

Knittipina Report 003

What have I been up to?

[Before this I was derailed by a couple of vintage fountain pens I was restoring to working order. Maybe I should have a separate pen blog for that.]

I got a little tired of knitting the lace wrap thingy, so I'm putting that aside. I actually started a basic tank top that I am making from scratch (writing pattern as I go, but made with tips from Stitch 'N Bitch Nation and Teach Yourself Visually Knitting Design. Woke up very early last Friday with a low grade fever, and couldn't sleep, so I made me a schematic based on my favorite cotton v-neck t-shirt.

I knitted steadily, got my proportions wrong, and unraveled half my work. Today, since I am still recovering from that souvenir from the flu season, I discovered where I went wrong and am prepared to frog the whole thing. Yes, the masochistic Gravelcat will start all over again! This should be frustrating for most people, but you see I had a Eureka moment. Today my best friends are my yarn winder, my measuring tape, my calculator, and of course, my needles.

Worldwide Knit in Public Day was a no-go for me, as it wasn't wise to leave quarantine, what with the AH1N1 virus spreading in nearby schools. My friend May told me to stop knitting as I might be knitting continuously into the night. Yes, that danger is ever present, but then my fingers need rest too.

May you all knit in the best of health!