Proof that I wore a skirt today. Yay! And look like Holly Hobby. Boo. All I need is a bonnet or some gingham. How do I manage to put together such frumpy outfits? And I forgot a necklace today. I never do that. I guess I didn't need to wear tights, but it's a bit cold still and they're sort of a security blanket. And I could have worn a blouse, but what color? Any tips for me?

Progress Report

I've just finished repeat six of Citron. This project has been on the back burner for a bit while I've been making baby things and finishing other projects - a scarf for my sister, and Emmaline. Well, Emmaline's not quite finished, or rather it is, but I might have to undo a bit and add in some increases, and use a different bind off. My friend Linda suggested an elastic, stretchy bind off in a recent comment that I think I'll try out on this, because aren't garments meant to be comfortable and not cut off your circulation from the hips down? I don't like the idea just straightaway ripping out rows until I think I've reached the right point, then making sure all the stitches are caught and aimed the right way. I think it's time for a lifeline! This will be the first time I've threaded one through stitches that aren't on the needle. I'm not sure how this works, so I had to look it up.


Anyway, back to Citron.

Emmaline undone?

Finishing Emmaline has been an obsession of mine for the past 6 weeks. Each day, whether it was a knitting day or not, I would check my progress on the garment and the pattern. Would my slight modifications be enough to account for my hourglass but plus-sized build? How will this yarn act once it's on my body and reacting to gravity?

After finishing the written pattern minus 6 rows in the center, I decided to add 17 more rows of length to it and struggled through the last rows. I just want it done already! I measured the remaining yarn to make sure I would have enough for the final purl row and bind off purled edge. I finished, unpicking and redoing the bind off halfway through for a looser edge, and had about 10 yards to spare.

What I hadn't taken into account is that now the edge extended to the top of my hips. Darn! Definitely too tight/too long. I think I will have to unravel a bit and try again. In fact, it looks like I will have to undo all of the added length rows and add some increases. I will not add as many rows for length this time - maybe only 12 additional rows.

The bind off edge I ended up with was unforgiving, but I had tried hard to keep it loose. I don't want to do the sewn edge bind off because it will take forever to pulled that long end through but that might give me a better fit. I have read that a few people did the bind off using a needle one or two sizes up, and that might be an easy solution for this top.