20-Foot Pole Needed
I am loving this Shawl-Collar Sweater pattern with the Karabella Marble because it took me only one ball of yarn to do the entire back. And even with the size 9 needles I'm using, the fabric is great and the stitches aren't too loose. True, I'm knitting up the smallest size, but any backside of anything I can think of is a winner automatically if you use just a few balls. Or two, or one in this case.
And these socks. These socks are okay. First of all, they were knit on size 1 needles but I had to make them short because I nearly ran out of yarn. The little stinkers took one hank each! It could have been the woven stitch pattern, but I think you understand where I'm going with this.
It's funny how our expectations of how much yarn you will use, or the size needles you'll need, affect the feelings we have before, during and after we've knitted something.
I'm thinking that's why scarves have been all the rage for so long. For the most part, they take maybe one skein of yarn. Most knitters, especially the ones who knit a lot of scarves, use large needles to boot.
But this is what I really wanted to say. That skirt? That Blue Sky Alpacas Pleated Skirt pattern I got? Aye. Even if you're not a fan of the pattern, you gotta love this:
Wouldn'tcha know, that depending upon your size, you knit it up with different size needles.
And here's the kicker: If you're knitting the largest size, you're directed to knit it on size 4's. And if you're knitting the smallest size, you're directed to knit it on size 2's. And when you get to the ribbing, the smallest size works it on zero's! The largest size works it on 2's!
Well, there you go. This pattern is loaded with all kinds of implications. (And I'm thinking a 10-foot pole won't be long enough.)
But I will say this much: Although I'm thinking I'll up my squat routine for it's debut, the chocolate is looking better and better. And I don't normally eat sweets.
BTW: This Blue Sky Alpaca yarn, the sport weight alpaca, is such a gorgeous color. I had some bad lighting but I still wanted to show you. It's a rich brown. I asked the girls at kpixie to choose a color for me--I trust them that much--and this is what came. I love it.
Ok, I will knit socks on 00's, 0's ,1's,2's, or size 3 needles, but NO way an entire skirt with size 2 needles.
I think you should just take the picture to a seamstress and have her make it up in a beautiful knit fabric. Less personal investment - lol!
Posted by: Lynae | February 16, 2006 at 05:39 PM
A skirt on size 2's!!! Yikes!!!
Posted by: Cheri | February 16, 2006 at 05:43 PM
That brown is just beautiful! That skirt will be fabulous if you can deal with the size 0 ribbing. And I blame you for tempting me to knit that Shawl Collar Sweater! :) One ball for the whole back?! Tempting, very tempting.
Posted by: Rachel | February 16, 2006 at 05:45 PM
I really like the color. The girls at the shop did a fantastic job. I think it will be a great color for the skirt.
Posted by: Ninabeena | February 16, 2006 at 06:10 PM
Doh, I am such a dork. I didn't realize the brown was for the skirt.
So, you ARE giving into the call of the skirt. I hope you prove yourself and all the naysayers wrong....
Posted by: Lynae | February 16, 2006 at 06:22 PM
I CANNOT wait to see your shawl sweater finito!! Once another does a pattern successfully, it makes it even more desirable!
Posted by: jillian | February 16, 2006 at 06:52 PM
Chocolatey brown is one of my favorites. And, conincidentally, chocolate. I'm sure you'll look fabulous and svelte in your skirt no matter what.
Posted by: Cara | February 16, 2006 at 07:08 PM
brown is also one of my favorite colors.. but size 2 needles? maybe for a pair of socks, but you are a brave woman....BTW I love your blog, and you are now in my bookmarks...
Heidi
Posted by: Heidi | February 16, 2006 at 07:33 PM
Yes! Knit the skirt! I was eyeing that pattern, but reminded myself that I've only worn my other knitted skirt once--bad color choice. I love the color you picked.
Posted by: marion | February 16, 2006 at 07:58 PM
Woah, look at you go on the newest sweater! I love the color of that yarn, I have been eyeing it on kpixie.
Posted by: Kaity | February 16, 2006 at 09:36 PM
Yep...that color will be great. I need some of that marble yarn! Love it all.
Posted by: michele | February 17, 2006 at 02:47 AM
i'm excited to see how that skirt comes out, because i've always wanted to knit a skirt, but keep chickening out!
Posted by: uglyagnes | February 17, 2006 at 04:24 AM
Oh, go ahead and knit the skirt, you know you'll love it once it's done. It's like knitting one giant sock, you like knitting socks right?
Nice socks on this post by the way!
Posted by: Trinamac | February 17, 2006 at 04:40 AM
the skirt is cool! i LOVE the chocolate blue sky. i ordered some chocolate allhemp3 from kpixie a week+ ago, for a sweater that will be knitted on 2's. lanaknits also has a skirt pattern, knitted with hemp, with a pretty lace hem. go check it out at kpixie :)
Posted by: graylagran | February 17, 2006 at 06:05 AM
Hum... A looser knit fabric on a girl with more to cover? Sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Posted by: LaurieM | February 17, 2006 at 07:06 AM
Wow - size 2's...or less, for a whole skirt! You're the only one I know who can pull this off - my hero! By the time I finished that .... well, no one wants to see an 80-year-old in a miniskirt!
Posted by: lynda | February 17, 2006 at 08:20 AM
I LOVE that chocolate brown colour. Other than needle size, what brand of needle would you use to knit the skirt?
Posted by: brooke | February 17, 2006 at 11:07 AM
Hey Brooke, brand of needles don't really matter too much. I just don't like the circulars that have squiggly plastic joins. Yuk...
Posted by: Wendy | February 17, 2006 at 01:23 PM
You are Wendy the Wonder Knitter. You *do* knit up stuff faster than anyone I've ever stalked. I have NO DOUBT you can complete that skirt and look totally cute in it. Plus, with the 2's, the fabric will be nice and hearty, so you won't suffer from any of that saggy-butt syndrome that I've heard plague knitted skirts and pants.
Posted by: Monkeygurrrl | February 17, 2006 at 01:31 PM
At the risk of being a big ole pain......any motifs worked in the past week?
;-(
Posted by: Lynae | February 17, 2006 at 04:00 PM
Lynae, you little stinker. NO!
Posted by: Wendy | February 17, 2006 at 04:24 PM
i have knit skirt aversion, so i will hold off on any comment there - but i am in love with those socks...i must get some of that yarn...enjoy your little stinkers
Posted by: gigi | February 17, 2006 at 06:28 PM
Hey Gigi, I just had some coffee with a gal who SAW that actual skirt at a conference just recently. She reports that it is to die for. I guess I'll just have to knit it and see... :)
Posted by: Wendy | February 17, 2006 at 07:00 PM
Hello Wendy,
I also decided on one more sweater and succumbed to the marbe-shawl thingie,but they recommend 9 balls of yarn in the pattern, how can you do the back with one, what happens to the other 8 (minus one front, minus two sleeve, and that leaves 5.. do all of these go into the collar?)
have fun knitting more and more and more and more....
Petra
Posted by: Petra | February 18, 2006 at 09:19 AM
I know, Petra, totally bizarre. But when this sort of thing happens, it is sort of nice! (I can either return some yarn or make a hat or something like that, too.)
Posted by: Wendy | February 18, 2006 at 09:59 AM