Cannes is complete!

Here is my completed "Cannes" from Rowan's Beach Cool Collection.



I used Rowan Cotton Braid in Matisse, and Cotton Rope in Calypso. The pattern calls for cotton glace worked double, but I couldn't find a color that I liked that worked with the Matisse. The cotton braid was a bit difficult to work with, as it is just a strand of cotton held together with a network of fine threads. It seems like a rather delicate yarn, that may wear rather quickly. The resulting fabric is incredibly soft though! I also really liked working with the cotton rope. It's a nice light, but chunky yarn - and there are some nice simple patterns in Rowan's Cotton Rope Collection that I think I'd like to try. Even with the splitty yarn, this worked up really quickly! (and that's a big bonus!)

Now I need to hunker down and finally finish up my Sitcom Chic. I could really use it at my psych class. The room is always freezing!

Dibs is Done!

I finished Dibs on Ribs 2 days ago, and yesterday had my first true experience with blocking wool.
I think it turned out alright. The lower front ribbed panel that had been puckering significantly seems to have flattened out, and with blocking I was able to get the lower sections to their intended length.

Here's some pics:


When I started this I was SOOO pleased with this color Kureyon. Now I think I need a break from it. I have a bunch more of this color. At this point I'm not sure if it will become a Rosedale sweater or a bunch of booga bags for Christmas gifts. We shall see. Even Remi wanted to get in on the action:


Now I need to decide whether to start something else (one of the bunch of tanks I want to do) or try to polish off something already started. Blaze is moving *really* slowly. I have about 2" done so far. I'm not very proficient with the cables yet, so it takes me forever to do a row. With Sitcom Chic, I'm at the point where I need to do the sleeves. I tried to use DPNs for the first time the other day... it was a mess! I may try the magic loop on them.

Symmetry is highly overrated!

Well, It's been a while since I've posted, but there HAS been knitting going on! I started the Dibs on Ribs sweater the last week of April, and have been addicted! I'm using Noro Kureyon # 139, which I just love. I really like the unique construction of this sweater. I was getting so bored with the long rows of stickinette in my Sitcom Chic, and this was a great diversion.
The lower part of the sweater is worked in two panels, with triangular ribbed insets at the lower front and middle back. You are *supposed* to begin both panels at the same location in the colorway so they are as symmetrical as possible. Well... I was off by a stripe. I'm trying to convince myself that it will be part of it's charm :)
Here are some pictures of the finished lower half, as one long strip, and then assembled:


lower front & back:


Since I took these pictures, I"ve finished the top part of the front, and I'm now working the back (which, unfortunately consists of looooong rows of stockinette with some shaping). I'm worried a bit about the sizing of the whole thing. This is my first sweater out of wool, and I'm hoping blocking will cure a few problems. (It will also be my first *real* experience with blocking!)
For example, I have the correct guage, yet the lower panels are an inch shorter then they should be. Also, the ribbed insert in the bottom of the front puckers quite a bit. (And that's certainly not an area where I'd lke to have extra puckering!)