the blue blog archives: like a virgin

Thanks to all your help yesterday, I now have a plan about how to tackle the borders on Pagan. First, I hadn't realized that the bind off was supposed to be on the wrong side (thanks to Kerstin for mentioning it). Now that I think about it, Rowan seems to always have you knitting edgings and stuff flat and I always just ignore that and do it in the round. Usually it doesn't make a difference, but here it would. And upon further examination of the pattern picture, the edgings do look like the purl side of stockinette, which would match what you see at the bottom where the tank rolls up (Becky mentioned this last week, but I hadn't gotten that far on the tank and missed that detail). I think I can live with a standard bind off if the loops curl to the inside. But if I don't like it I'll give Zimmerman's sewn cast off another try with the same picked up stitches. And when I'm still unsatisfied, I'll break out, um, buy, a crochet hook and try the crab stitch. I have yet to be initiated into the whole world of crochet, but it may be time to change that.

In case you're worried that I sat around all day yesterday obsessing about Pagan, it will reassure you to know that I did knit a bit of smooch to keep my spirits up: the lace pattern. The directions for this part are very clear and it comes out looking like a dream. I love when that happens. You just follow the instructions unquestioningly and it works. It's like being a beginner all over again.

posted by alison at 7:20 am | in tank girl kisses , tank girls

Comments

I do like that lace pattern - I think I might be tempted to knit Smooch. I've got some Jaeger Grace which I think might be of a similar gauge. If so, I'll be joining the knitalong.

Posted by: Linda at May 29, 2003 6:39 AM

I love that lace pattern, it looks so stylish. Makes me wish that I was knitting Smooch as well but I don't have the pattern book and I really don't need to buy another one at the moment!

Posted by: kerrie at May 29, 2003 7:09 AM

The lace bit looks great! My ASC came this morning - I've done a swatch, and I'm going to start properly tonight, so I can be put in pink!
I'm glad you clarified the instructions for the border - I read it through and it is a bit misleading, thank you!

Posted by: Jen at May 29, 2003 7:32 AM

Pretty, pretty! I love lace patterns in the middle of St st! You go girl.

Posted by: Chris at May 29, 2003 8:39 AM

all you girls doing the lace edging on smooch have loved it - and they all look great! love it when instructions work, huh? :)

keep doing tanks! i'm loving watching the progress - i'm doing a tank of my own, but it is slow going and isn't one anyone else is doing...i like it though!

Posted by: melissa j at May 29, 2003 11:09 AM

Love the design details of Smooch. I have not seen this pattern yet. Does it come with options for the neckline or are folks doing the knit-a-long modifying the neckline themselves (to make it less of a scoop)?

Posted by: Maine Melissa at May 29, 2003 11:21 AM

Is it too late to join the knitalong & does it have to be the same pattern? OR perhaps I should start a knit along with the Cabin Fever tank top? I want to do this one & the pattern photo can be seen on www.tornadowood.com... or on the cabin fever website (which I THINK is cabinfever.ca.. they're in canada)..

Posted by: Jessica at May 29, 2003 2:33 PM

Have you tried the bind off yet, Alison? I couldn't visualize it until I did it. I really like how it looks and I'm kinda picky. It doesn't curl either. It lies flat. Don't be afraid of crochet. It's easy. Trust me. ;)

Posted by: Kerstin at May 29, 2003 2:48 PM

Hi Alison. I love all the tanks you're making. I particularly love Smooch, and am so happy that I just tracked down the pattern and yarn, and it will be mailed to me tomorrow! So please add me to the smooch-along!

Posted by: BrendaH at May 29, 2003 7:28 PM

What will be your next knit-long? When will you start? I would like to get involved. I love all of your previous projects.

Posted by: Kimmer at May 29, 2003 7:38 PM

Might was well add me to your tank girl list...I was inspired by all of your summer knitting, and I decided to make one up of my own!

Posted by: Julie at May 30, 2003 12:07 AM

Hello all! I hope I've gotten everyone added to the list correctly. Feel free to leave another comment if I missed you. I've made a separate little section for tank girls making other tanks. Now we can find all the tank girls out there, even if they're not just working on Pagan. Kimmer, all my knitalongs are listed in the sidebar there. If you're working on a tank, you can jump into the ever-expanding tank girls knitalong if you like.

Melissa, as for Smooch, it doesn't have any options for the neckline, but I think many of us will be shortening the V, since it's quite plunging!

Finally, I'm sick as a dog today, so I'll apologize in advance for not being able to get back to comments and such today.

Posted by: alison at May 30, 2003 7:39 AM

Get well Alison! And Smooch looks so pretty.

Posted by: Kathy at May 30, 2003 11:47 AM

I've gotten through the lace pattern on Smooch. This was not such a simple task given the fact that I'm mostly knitting while watching the kids. In fact, I realized this morning that I left off the last leg of the V on the left side because I was told to initially disregard it due to the sizing. Rather than start from scratch, I ripped down the four or five stitches and then manually inserted the yarn overs and the knit togethers. I've had more fun at the dentist - but it looks okay now.

Posted by: Gina at May 30, 2003 1:46 PM

So, YOU'RE the one responsible for my illness. :) Hope you feel better soon ~

Posted by: Kerstin at May 30, 2003 2:08 PM

Alison, I wanted to let folks know that, thanks to a tip from indigirl Amy, I found some Rowan ASC yarn on sale for 40% off at http://www.personalthreads.com/. There were four colors available at that price. So I can start Smooch-ing when it arrives!
Oh, do feel better, too --

Posted by: Maggi at May 30, 2003 3:04 PM

Alison, I hope you feel better. I look forward to reading the latest.

Posted by: Lynette at May 31, 2003 12:59 PM