musings

i've started the sash of the kyoto sweater.
the jo sharp classic dk wool in black is, i believe, a nice touch.
i've modified the sash and now i've got even more stocking stitch to knit.
i'm desperate to cast on for the second ankle sock and keep promising myself that i will, once i finish 'this little bit'. my hesitation in starting the second sock stems from the knowledge that once that sock is finished, i can cast on for either the pomatomus socks in a lovely shade of fire engine red or a pair of black stockings. not to mention the felted camera case and felted mp3 player case that are sitting impatiently in queue and the felted slippers that will make my feet oh so warm. so, to circumvent the possibility of having even more projects in progress, i'll just leave them in the queue and keep knitting the sweater.
so little time, so much to knit.

state of things

the second sleeve is finished, and the top part of the garment is mostly sewn up.
i've started, ripped and started the trim again so many times i'm taking a break from it... 15 rows of 185 stitches shouldn't be this hard.
today, i bought two balls of jo sharp classic DK wool in black from woolbaa for the sash and am looking forward to casting on for it once the top section has been sewn together. i'm most pleased with the way that the restitched: salvaged 'charred aubergine' is knitting up.

merlot jacket

and here's the photo in colour.

view progress of merlot jacket

merlot jacket

i'm not sure what's happened to the colour in this photo... it's seemed to have drained out somewhere between photoshop and here. i kinda like the effect though.
so, the merlot jacket is finished, and i love it.

view progress of merlot jacket

finishing merlot jacket

the merlot jacket is almost finished. it's been blocked and i'm waiting for it to dry so that i can sew the buttons on. this is by far the most ambitious garment i have made. it's also been really nice to knit with new jo sharp yarn (yummy yummy yummy) rather than salvaged yarn for a change.
thanks to sandi marshall on about.com for her instructions on how to do whip stitch. thanks to studio knits for their instructions on how to sew ends in. thanks also to techknitting for her instructions on how to block. these techniques have allowed me to finish the garment in a very professional manner.

to do list

• merlot jacket:
• stitch up the right sleeve and side.
• finish knitting the collar.
• attach collar.
• sew in ends.
• block garment.
  
• attach buttons.
• photograph garment.
  
  
• restitched - salvaged 'charred aubergine':
• finish winding the last third of the yarn into centre-pull balls.
• weigh balls.
  
• photograph.
  
• find project for yarn.

merlot jacket

the merlot jacket is almost finished. the buttonholes were a success, my first buttonholes ever. i followed this tutorial and am very pleased with the results. all i need to do now is stitch up the garment, sew on the buttons and knit the collar to measure. i've cast on for the collar and am planning to stitch the jacket up after i've gotten some sleep.

i'll just knit a couple more rows before i go to bed...

merlot jacket - buttonholes

four out of five buttonholes finished, which means i've almost completed the right panel (for the second time) and then all i need to do is block, stitch it all together and knit (and attach) the collar.

buttons

buttonmania, a fabulous button shop in the nicholas building, melbourne, made these gorgeous buttons for me from japanese cotton. they match the colour of the merlot jacket perfectly.
the jacket is coming along, i'm knitting up the left front panel, the back and sleeves are finished, although i'm in a bind with the front right panel because it is supposed to have buttonholes. i do have options, but i'll figure out precisely what i'm going to do when i've finished knitting the left panel.

merlot jacket - update

the right sleeve is finished.
and i've found fabric for the buttons.

merlot jacket - right sleeve

i started the right sleeve last night.
the back and right front panel are finished.
it's progressing along nicely.

today

i have finished the back panel of the wrap jacket.
and have cast on for the right front panel.
i will post photos when i get the chance.

merlot jacket

i'm getting close to finishing the back panel.

merlot jacket

i've just started shaping the bodice on the back piece.
i wonder if i want buttons.
maybe fabric covered....

merlot jacket

yummy yummy jo sharp silkwood aran in merlot.
the beginning of the back panel.
i'm knitting on 4.5mm needles
and photos of what the garment will (hopefully) look like, courtesy of jo sharp knit issue 3

swatch

swatch with jo sharp silkwood aran in merlot using 4mm needles
it's for my wrap jacket.
4mm is a little small so i'll be using 4.5mm needles
it's time to cast on....

current project

the very beginning of my jo sharp wrap jacket.
using jo sharp silkroad aran in merlot.
am knitting the swatch to figure out my gauge.
such beautiful yarn to knit with.