Sunday, June 29, 2008

Idget

We got Toaster a friend. His name is Idget, which is the name he came with. It really fits.

Unfortunately, Idget is the victim of 'second child syndrome.' Even though we got him two weeks ago, we just got around to taking pictures of him.

He's a strange looking dog, which is what I love about him. The woman at the rescue thought he looked like a tall, skinny pig. I think he looks prehistoric. Rob calls him the alien dog.

Friday, June 13, 2008

You should see the other guy

I'm sporting a (slight) black eye at the moment.

The light is broken in my closet, so when I bent over to get something, I slammed my face into my bike helmet. Ironic that something that is supposed to protect me could do so much damage.

At first Rob wanted me to tell people he had punched me, but then he decided I shouldn't do that because the bruise is kind of wimpy and he didn't want people to think he couldn't punch very well.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Off to NY

Rob and I leave tonight for MOCCA.

I'm excited about going to New York and seeing friends, but I am NOT looking forward to the flight. Flying is such a pain in the ass. Last year when we went to Mocca, we missed connections on both legs of the trip and were stranded in Cincinatti for hours. At one point, a very unhelpful gate agent told us we might be there for days.

This year, we used miles for the tickets and are on two different airlines. Fingers are crossed there are no missed connections -- being stranded is much less fun when you're by yourself. Even my bike is happier when it's left behind with Rob's.


If there are no more posts to this blog, it means I have been permanently stranded in an airport, doomed to eat fast food and never shower for the rest of my life.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Gelato Pattern

Here’s the pattern for the tank I posted a few weeks ago.

The top is designed to hit well below the waist – I hate when I raise my arms and my “muffin top” pops out. I also tend to sweat and hate getting pit stains, so it’s cut low under the arms.

This is my first attempt at writing a pattern with sizes. I did my best but, even so, I am 98% certain there are going to be errors. I’ll apologize for those up front and ask that you please let me know if you find any so I can correct them for future users!

SUPPLIES
Knit One, Crochet Too Italian Ice [76 yd per 50g]
MC, Color: 520, Spring, 4 (5, 6) skeins

CC1, Color: 212, Petal Pink, 1 (2, 2) skein
CC2, Color: 258, Carnation, 1 (2, 2) skein

Size 7 dpns (Some of the work done on dpns can be done on straight needles, but I prefer dpns because their smaller length makes maneuvering easier.)

Size 9 24-inch circular needle
Tapestry Needle

Stitch Holders or Safety Pins
Stitch Marker

SIZE
Small fits bust size 34
Medium fits bust size 38
Large fits bust size 42

GAUGE
18 sts/ 27 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on larger needles

BODY
With CC1, cast 128 (146, 164) stitches onto circular needles. Join to begin knitting in the round and place marker.
Work 6 rows in garter stitch.
Using MC, continue in st st until work measures 6 (6, 6 ½,) inches from CO edge.


WAIST SHAPING
Decrease Round: Decrease 4 stitches, evenly spaced through work.
Work 3 rounds in st st.
Repeat Decrease Round.
Work 3 rounds in st st.
Repeat Decrease Round. 116 (134, 152) sts remain and work measures about 7¼ (7 ¼, 7 ¾) inches.
Work 10 (12, 12) rounds in st st.
Repeat Decrease Round. 112 (130, 148) sts remain.
Work 12 (14, 14) rounds in st st.

Increase Round: Increase 4 stitches evenly spaced through work.
Work 3 rows in st st.
Repeat Increase Round. 120 (138, 156) sts on needles.
Work in st st until work measures 14½ (15 ¼, 15 ¾)

Using CC2. Work 6 rows in garter stitch.
Cup Set Up Row Small: K 3, BO 12, K 5, BO 20, K 5, BO 12, K 31, BO 4, K 28
Break yarn.

Cup Set Up Row Medium: K 3, BO 14, K 5, BO 22, K 5, BO 14, K 37, BO 4, K 34
Break yarn.

Cup Set Up Row Large: K 3, BO 15, K 5, BO 22, K 5, BO 15, K 45, BO 4, K 42
Break yarn.

LEFT BREAST CUP
Slip last 28 (34, 42) sts that were knit in cup set up row onto size 7 needle. First stitch to be knit should be closest to armhole. Slip all other sts onto stitch holders.

Using CC1
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl

Size Medium Only: Row 3, knit; Row 4, Purl

Size Large Only: Row 3, knit; Row 4, Purl; Row 5, knit; Row 6, Purl

Short Row Shaping: Knit to last 3 sts of row. Wrap next stitch. Turn work and purl to last 3 sts of row. Wrap next stitch, turn, knit back to last 4 sts of row. Wrap next stitch. Turn, purl to last 4 sts. Wrap next stitch, turn, knit back to last 5 sts. Wrap next stitch, turn, purl back to last 5 sts.

Size Medium Only: Wrap next stitch, turn, knit back to last 6 sts. Wrap next stitch, turn, purl back to last 6 sts.

Size Large Only: Wrap next stitch, turn, knit back to last 6 sts. Wrap next stitch, turn, purl back to last 6 sts. Wrap next stitch, turn, knit back to last 7 sts. Wrap next stitch, turn, purl back to last 7 sts. Wrap next stitch, turn, knit back to last 8 sts. Wrap next stitch, turn, purl back to last 8 sts.

All Sizes: Wrap next stitch, turn, knit to end of row, picking up wraps with regular sts and knitting as one stitch. Turn, purl to the end of row, picking up wraps with regular sts and purling as one stitch.

Continue in st st for 10 (12, 14) rows.
Decrease Rows: Row 1: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: SKPO, K to end of row
Row 4: Purl
Repeat Rows 1 through 4, 2 (2, 6) more times. 22 (28, 28) sts remain

Row 13(In size Large, this is Row 29): Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog
Row 14 (In size Large, this is Row 30): Purl
Row 15 (In size Large, this is Row 31): SKPO, K to last 2 sts, k2tog
Row 16 (In size Large, this is Row 32): PurlRepeat rows 13 through 16 until 1 st remains. Place on stitch holder. Break yarn
.
Trim and Strap
Outside Trim: Place the first 3 sts that were knit in cup set up row onto size 7 needle so that first stitch to be knit is furthest from cup.

Using CC2, SKPO, K, pu 1 stitch on edge of cup. Turn work. Knit all 3 stitches on needle. Repeat until the trim reaches top of the cup. Place remaining 3 sts onto stitch holder with single stitch left from knitting cup. Break yarn.

Neckline Trim: Beginning where cup attaches to body and using CC2, pick up 3 sts along the BO part of the Cup Set Up Row.

Turn work. Knit all 3 stitches on needle. Turn Work. Pick up 1 stitch along edge of cup. K 1 stitch, K2tog. Repeat until the trim reaches top of the cup. Transfer 4 active sts from top of cup and outside trim from stitch holder onto needle with live sts from neckline trim.

Strap:

Row 1:K, K, SKPO, SKPO, K. 5 sts remain.
Work in garter stitch until strap is 10 (11, 12) inches long long. Place first 5 live sts from the cup set up row onto a dpn. Use 3 needle bind off to attach strap to back of top. Break yarn.

RIGHT BREAST CUP
Slip next to last 28 (34, 42) sts that were knit in set up row onto size 7 needle. First stitch to be knit will be closest to neckline.

Using CC1
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl

Size Medium Only: Row 3, knit; Row 4, Purl

Size Large Only: Row 3, knit; Row 4, Purl; Row 5, knit; Row 6, Purl

Short Row Shaping: Knit to last 3 sts of row. Wrap next stitch. Turn work and purl to last 3 sts of row. Wrap next stitch, turn, knit back to last 4 sts of row. Wrap next stitch. Turn, purl to last 4 sts. Wrap next stitch, turn, knit back to last 5 sts. Wrap next stitch, turn, purl back to last 5 sts. Wrap next stitch, turn, knit to end of row, picking up wraps with regular sts and knitting as one stitch. Turn, purl to the end of row, picking up wraps with regular sts and purling as one stitch.

Size Medium Only: Wrap next stitch, turn, knit back to last 6 sts. Wrap next stitch, turn, purl back to last 6 sts.

Size Large Only: Wrap next stitch, turn, knit back to last 6 sts. Wrap next stitch, turn, purl back to last 6 sts. Wrap next stitch, turn, knit back to last 7 sts. Wrap next stitch, turn, purl back to last 7 sts. Wrap next stitch, turn, knit back to last 8 sts. Wrap next stitch, turn, purl back to last 8 sts.

All Sizes: Wrap next stitch, turn, knit to end of row, picking up wraps with regular sts and knitting as one stitch. Turn, purl to the end of row, picking up wraps with regular sts and purling as one stitch.

Continue in st st for 10 (12, 14) rows.

Decrease Rows:
Row 1: SKPO, K to end of round
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Knit to last 2 sts, k2tog
Row 4: Purl
Repeat Rows 1 through 4, 2 (2, 6) more times. 22 (28, 28) sts remain

Row 13 (In size Large, this is Row 29): SKPO, K to end of round
Row 14 (In size Large, this is Row 30): Purl
Row 15 (In size Large, this is Row 31): SKPO, K to last 2 sts, k2tog
Row 16 (In size Large, this is Row 32): Purl
Repeat rows 13 through 16 until 1 st remains. Place on stitch holder. Break yarn.

Trim and Strap
Outside Trim: Place the 3 live sts on the cup set up row that are closest to the cup onto size 7 needle so that first stitch knit is furthest from cup.

Using CC2, knit all 3 stitches on needle. Turn work. Pick up 1 stitch on edge of cup, K one stitch, K2tog. Turn work. Repeat until the trim reaches top of the cup.

Place 3 stitches from outside trim onto stitch holder with single stitch left from knitting cup. Break yarn.

Neckline Trim: Beginning where cup attaches to body and using CC2, pick up 3 sts along the BO part of the Cup Set Up Row.

Turn work. Knit all 3 stitches on needle. Turn Work. Pick up 1 stitch along edge of cup. K 1 stitch, SKPO. Repeat until the trim reaches top of the cup. Transfer 4 active sts from top of cup and outside trim from stitch holder onto needle with live sts from neckline trim.

Strap:
Row 1: K, K, SKPO, SKPO, K. 5 sts remain.
Work in garter stitch until strap is 10 (11, 12) icnhes long. Place last 5 live sts from the cup set up row onto a dpn. Use 3 needle bind off to attach strap to back of top. Break yarn.

FINSIHING
Weave in all ends.

Enjoy!

NOTE: This pattern is for personal use only. This pattern, or works made using this pattern, may not be sold.

Are effigies back in fashion?


This is hanging off a telephone pole about a block from my apartment.
Charming, isn't it?