the blue blog archives: knitzophrenia (or how Bonne Marie is single-handedly keeping all my needles busy)

Every day it's another project that draws me in. After seeing Claudia and her sister (both of whom just finished ChicKnits Ribby Cardies) at Knitsmiths Sunday before last, I've been anxious to swatch up the yarn I had dog-eared for a Ribby Cardie of my own. I got this yarn back in January for free(!) in exchange for some acrylic yarns that I donated to a shelter in the area. My concern is the usual one that arises when using stash yarn: will I have enough? I knit up one skein (of thirteen) to see how far it got me. Result: I made it up to the elbow of a sleeve. Anyone out there have a feeling about how well this bodes?

ChicKami update: I'm almost done. After perusing the stash for the appropriate yarn, I decided that I should use a few balls of all seasons cotton I'd bought on sale and which didn't seem to go with anything but each other. Some math convinced me that there should be just enough to somehow mix the two colors and have it all come out alright. Then when considering how to redo the numbers for the larger gauge, I decided to cut out the waist shaping. Blame it on my first tank girl top, which I was wearing at the time and which I have fallen in love with all over again 'cause it is sooooo comfy. I was overcome by the need to have another top just like that one. So my chicKami will be more of a comfyKami. Should have pictures for you tomorrow!

In other chic-y news, Bonne Marie has started a gallery for the very chic garments created by her oh so chic readers. What a great idea! We'll have to send pics (or at least links) from the ChicKami knitalong over to her.

posted by alison at 7:43 am | in ribby cardie , tank girl chic

Comments

I love that first tank girl top as well. There's a sweater called "Bardot" in Debbie Bliss No. 5 with the same boat neckline. I'm seriously considering it for the fall. Tres chic. :)

Posted by: Kerstin at July 8, 2003 7:23 AM

Hi Alison,
Could you add me to the ChicKami knitalong? I just can't resist!

I like your ribbie cardie yarn...you'll be done before we all even start ours!

Posted by: Leigh at July 8, 2003 7:40 AM

Wait! Wait! Not so fast! :-)

Posted by: marrije at July 8, 2003 8:23 AM

I have been told to knit the back and it should use 1/3 of the yarn. As a guestimate, the front may use roughly 1/3 and two sleeve 1/3 (very rough). Based on your current progress, if you use 4 balls for sleeves, that is less than 1/3 of your 13 balls (it would be 1/3 of 12 balls).

Posted by: Nora at July 8, 2003 9:26 AM

I'm with Nora on this. I think you should be okay unless you do something weird like make it longer or add a frilly ruffle somewhere.

Posted by: Larry at July 8, 2003 9:28 AM

I've started smooch! And am trying to resist chickami. You've turned me into a tank monster too!

Posted by: Steph at July 8, 2003 10:13 AM

I finished Smooch. I'll be sending a photo to Becky of my finished product. I am starting Chickami today as I have a long plane ride and that tank is just the ticket!!!

Posted by: MKaye at July 8, 2003 10:23 AM

Can't wait to see the ChicKami and the Ribbie Cardi! awesome choice for the yarn for that one :)

Posted by: Carissa at July 8, 2003 11:19 AM

Hi Alison,

Could you add me to the Chickami list? I have the yarn and will start the tank once I finish the microfiber ribbon top.

I also plan on making the ribbie cardie. I think that knit-a-long starts in August. It sounds like you will have enough yarn for yours if you go by the 1/3 rule.

Look forward to seeing how your Chickami turns out.

Posted by: Melissa at July 8, 2003 12:03 PM

The spring issue of Interweave has an article on calculating how much yarn you need, just incase you want to doublecheck. But I agree with the others that you should be fine.

Posted by: Amy at July 8, 2003 12:15 PM

Unfortunately, I have no yardage info on the yarn that I've got for the Ribby Cardie. Bonne Marie gives a yardage estimate and the Ribby Pullover has a weight estimate, but I'm really out of my league trying to estimate these things. I'm hoping you all are right with your estimates.

Woo hoo, knitalongers!

Posted by: alison at July 8, 2003 12:24 PM

Nice start on Ribby. You really are easy, aren't you? ;-)

Who knows? I might make another one. But it has to get WAY COOLER before I'm able to think about it.

Posted by: claudia at July 8, 2003 5:59 PM