This one should have been finished this weekend but I hit a snag.

I’m stuck on the last four stitches of each button band.  After a few hours of trying all sorts of ways to finish those darn stitches I gave up. It will have to wait until Jean can show me the proper way.

Normally finishing an invisible cast off isn’t difficult but the ribbing on this cardigan is a tad different than normal. Instead of starting and ending with two (or three) knit stitches mine starts and ends with four.  Jean suggested doing this when I mentioned that my first and last buttons seemed too close to the top and bottom edge.

I’ll go ahead and sew on the buttons this week after I have a chance to steam the bands into shape. It looks a little curled. I shouldn’t have gone down 1mm in needle size and decrease 10% of the picked up stitches.

About working the button band …

stitches were picked up along the front edges and knit back and forth. Here’s one more hint about how it was done – the short rows are done between the holes.

So for now I’m on to a new project, the v-neck cardigan. Here’s what I got done today on the long car trip home from Winthrop.

It’s Rowan Wool Cotton on 3.75mm needles. The stitch pattern and idea is from an old Kim Hargreaves’ pattern called Alice (in The Ultimate Knitter’s Guide by Kate Buller).

This weekend was all about buttons, button bands and buttonholes.

Jean demonstrated one of the same technique taught in her button hole class at Madrona. Lucky for me. I was too tired to fully comprehend it during the Madrona class.

She comes up with the most interesting techniques. I won’t give it away but will mention I’ve never seen it in any reference book and it uses short rows.

Here’s a closer look.

Sorry for the short post but … I’m tired after another 10 hours of classes.

The most difficult garment to date is finally finished.

Remaining projects:

– Round neck cardigan
75% finished, only 1.5 sleeves to finish + button band

Would have been much further if I hadn’t miscalculated the sleeve increase and noticed the problem after knitting half of one sleeve.

– V-neck cardigan
Knitting not started (even though half should be done).

– Crochet vest
Have no idea what I’ll do with this one. I know that some folks are very sensitive when knitters offer negative comments about crochet … but honestly, I’ve yet to see a crochet garment that I’d like to make or wear.

– Own design
Mulling over several ideas

A weekend of blocking, sewing and very little knitting.

I just keep plugging away.

Coming up …

– Finish sewing v-neck pullover
– Pick up and knit neck ribbing for the round neck cardigan
– Finish round neck cardigan sleeves
– Acquire buttons for round neck cardigan
– Finish v-neck cardigan drawing
– Button band swatch for v-neck cardigan
– Knit arms, back and front of v-neck cardigan to bust
– Design notes for round neck pullover &  v-neck pullover

Time?
Two weeks and counting.
It will be a miracle if I can get this list of tasks done before the next set of class .

For the past couple of days I’ve been sitting at the dinning room table diligently sewing the arms onto the round neck pullover. Occasionally one or the other  feline would jumped in the middle of the operation to “ask” if I needed any help. As I worked on securing all the loose yarn ends, a small pile of yarn bits developed. After the operation was finished all bits were promptly thrown into the garbage bin.

Well, this morning I awoke to see one of the silliest things … a 20cm piece of Panda Cotton hanging out of Sophie’s rear end. Paul couldn’t help but laugh until I explained how serious this problem could be. I’ve heard this type of incident can be a life threatening ordeal. I was a bit horrified. I’ve always tried to be very diligent about not leaving yarn lying around, especially bits and pieces.

After a bit of Internet research we decide to call the animal hospital to see what they’d recommend. After all she was still being her precocious self with no signs of vomiting or discomfort. Of course, the animal hospital recommend we bring her in.

So what can a vet do in this situation? I think she as puzzled about this predicament as we were. Since Sophie seemed normal the only thing that could be done was to take x-rays to check the intestines for any abnormalities. After 15 minutes of waiting the x-rays were finished and everything looked OK. At that point we could really only monitor the situation, give her a dose of laxative and take her back at the first sign of any problems.

Fortunately, several hours after our hospital visit Sophie pooped. A quick check of the rear showed no evidence of yarn.  We sifted through her stool and saw what looked like the rest of the yarn.

So, here’s a word of advice for knitters with feline companions. Be ever so diligent about yarn tails, because you never know where they’ll end up.

On another note, I’m so happy finally have this one finished. Besides th incident with Sophie, it was a minor ordeal getting the pieces together with this loosely plied yarn.

It was another weekend of NV classes with Jean.

What did we do?

Saturday:
The v-neck pullover was suppose to be finished except for the ribbing around the neck. I hit a snag with the lower ribbing and was only able to seam the shoulders.

In class we reviewed picking up stitches, discussed lining up the rib stitches to fit around the center knit stitch(es) and figured out the rate of decrease for the center stitch.

Jean also checked our round-neck cardigan graphs that indicate the armhole, neck and sleeve cap decreases.

Sunday:
In the morning we drew the button band onto the v-neck cardigan pattern and learned a few details about adding darts.

In the afternoon we got feedback on whether our yarn and stitch pattern choices were suitable. Jean then covered invisible cast ons.

I wish I had more time to give a detailed account but I’ve got a pile of laundry waiting for me.

The fourth project, a round neck cardigan, was started this week.

Previously Jean had us do a provisional cast on and work the rib after the pieces were finished. However, this time I’m working the rib immediately after doing an invisible cast on. That ‘ so my 2×2 rib will correctly line up with the stitches in the pattern.

Unfortunately, I didn’t do this with the v-neck pullover and now have the daunting task of figuring out how to graft the ribbing to each piece.

Although Jean didn’t teach this cast on technique in class I was able to easily follow her instructions on the DVD.

It’s really quite simple. Here are a few photos of the process.

Start with a provisional cast on from a crochet chain and knit a few rows.

Start ribbing …

Alternate between,

1. Purl two stitches on left needle
2. Pick up and knit stitches from crochet chain (horizontal bumps) twice.

After working a few rows undo crochet chain and pull out waste yarn.

What a beautiful and easy beginning.

Left to do:
– finish round neck pullover
– v-neck ribbing, blocking and sewing
– round neck cardigan back and right front
– v-neck cardigan swatch

…so much to do and so little time.