final olympic update

(or should that say "finally! an olympic update"? ;-))



yes i'm posting the large version...i'm a gold medalist and i'm proud of myself for earning it (and very impressed with franklin's creativity)



(as always, click image to enlarge--this photo used with permission of ThreadBear FiberArts...THANKS rob!)

Pattern: Oat Couture's Bistro Shirt

Yarn: Tahki Stacy Charles' "Tweedy Cotton Classic" Color 480

the yarn knits up very nicely, though there can be some uneveness of stiches (which fortunately evens out in the wash *whew*)...at this gauge (18/24=4"), the fabric is rather open and soft, draping beautifully, and isn't overly heavy, which is a bit surprising considering it's cotton. i got quite a few comments on how nice it felt :-)



at a distance (in other words not when it's under your nose while being knit on), there is a kind of odd 'stripey' effect, which may possibly be due to my difficulty at keeping an even gauge (or just the way the yarn knits...hard to know for sure). i think the neckline on this is a bit low--i'd probably wait another inch or more before starting it. if/when i work with this again, i will WASH the swatch before starting--i think i could have gone down to 8's on this, and still had the proper gauge once it was washed--it did expand some.

this turned out to be an enlightening project, despite its simplicity. i learned that i don't much care for unrelieved stockinette worked flat rather than in the round--it gets boring quickly, and seems to drag...and the addition of even the simplest detail (ie the sleeve shaping) made it go faster. i find i have a harder time keeping even when knitting with cotton, especially when the gauge is a bit looser than the yarn calls for. using a long cable (yay for Denise needles!) and doing all the parts simultaneously was a very good idea for me--everything "matched" (ie row counts, length, width)...i'll remember that. there's something very frustrating for me in finishing the back, and then having to 'start over' working the fronts.

amazingly enough, i've proved that i actually CAN keep (mostly) to one project without going insane (mostly ;-)) if i have to...but i'd rather have a little more variety. i'll just have to remember i do get finished quicker if i'm 'exclusive'.

and now...as antidote to stockinette....something to challenge me ;-)



yes i know it doesn't look like much yet...more info when i'm a bit farther on :-)