Raspy – The Cheater’s Version

winnie — Wed, 26 Oct 2005 04:02:00 +0000

Raspy is done done done. And here she is, left view, front view and side view (I had to hold a mug cuz I didn’t know what to do with my hands). Note to self: Wear a black bra next time if I’m going to be using the flash on my camera.Pattern: Raspy, Rowan Denim People (sz Small)
Materials: Den-m-Nit Dark Indigo (13 balls – Diana was right, I did have enough to seam). Sz 4/5 needles for body, 5 for sleeves
Notes: No pattern changes except to lengthen sleeves so they’re 21″ before raglan shaping (25.2″ before shrinkage). I had to throw this in my dryer 3 freakin’ times to get it to shrink to the desired size. That was a bitch in itself. This is where I explain why I call it the “cheater’s version“. You see, after the waist decreases, the pattern asks you to start increasing for the bust – which I apparently don’t have. After seaming the sucker, I ended up with a very roomy bust. What’a a girl to do? I don’t have the heart to rip and knit again (esp. since I already shrunk it), so here’s where I cheated. I BACKSTITCHED. That’s right, y’all. I have no shame – and no craftsmanship for that matter. And here’s proof. It’s impossible to photograph dark indigo, therefore you get the overexposed shots above. But I did manage to get one where I processed like mad in photoshop to show you the details up front. It’s a little dark, but you get the drift.
I’d like to thank Diana, Jade and Michelle for offering their leftover denim yarn when I panicked previously that I was going to have no yarn to seam. Even though I did not need that extra few yards in the end, their assurance to send me that extra ball helped me finish this sweater. It’s no where near perfect – in fact, truly flawed, but I will wear it with grace. Fact is, if I hadn’t mentioned it, no one would ever know right? Say yes.

Spare me a few yards?

winnie — Tue, 18 Oct 2005 09:20:00 +0000

For starters, if you don’t know this already, Diana finished her Raspy. I have one word for it – perfection. That gave me the motivation to pick it up and start knitting again. When I ordered yarn for this sweater initially, I just looked at the yarn requirements for a size small sweater and it said 12 balls. So I bought 13 – you know, just in case. The yarn arrived and I took a closer look at the finished schematic size and noticed that the finished sleeve length before the raglan decreases was 17.5″. 17.5″? Oh SHIT — that’s like, 3/4 length for my long ass arms!!! So I hurried through the back piece to check how many balls it would require, and plowed through the first sleeve (lengthened, of course) like a mad woman. I recalculated and figured out that 13 balls of yarn would cover the knitting – SANS seaming. What??? Then I checked Elann, and for 1 ball of Den-m-Nit in Dark Indigo, plus shipping, totals approx 10 bucks. 10 bucks for a freaking ball of yarn to seam – when all I need is a few yards? I think my heart just sank.

So here’s the plea – does anyone have left-over Den-m-nit in Dark Indigo from their previous projects that they would be able to part with? I just need a few yards. Just a few measly yards. Please?

I’m going to be MIA for a while. Conference coming up in two weeks and I am running around like a headless chicken. Stress and I are like best chums right about now. And that last few yards to seam Raspy makes me want to punch myself in the face. Coulda, woulda, shoulda.

With that, I leave you with a plea and a partially finished pair of socks. Try not to look so hard at my tan line.

Edit: And thank you all so so much for the comments on Lace Leaf Pullover. Trust me, the kitchenering is not perfect. My camera just decided to compliment me once for a change. I would write individual emails to thank you all personally, but Blogger is being a bitch and displays 90% of commenters’ emails as “anonymous“. I will not be pegged a thankless bitch for Blogger’s f**k-ups… just so you know.

ShihKnits » rowan denim people

Raspy – The Cheater’s Version

Spare me a few yards?