Green Sweater

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile. Busy knitting, going to the gym and being sick the last week. Anyway I am thrilled to be one of the few who ordered quickly enough last Weds for the Elizabeth Zimmermann Green sweater kit from School House Press with the original wool like EZ used 60 years ago. I received the kit yesterday, I can't wait to get started. Regretfully it is 3rd or 4th in line right now. A couple gifts need to be finished and my annual Christmas sweater (Blue Sea) needs to be finished as well. For those who don't know the story of the Green Sweater I post more information later or you can visit Brooklyntweed's blog, he has the info there.

Purple with pink daisies

This is a knitting challenge I gave myself. Do a child's sweater with only my knowledge from EZ. I got the sizing right after one pull up back to the design, I needed to reduce stitches after the 2 color knitting. The sweater was getting wider which is not needed yet for a small child sweater. This is the first time I knit sleeves from the cut arm hole. It worked fine the the two sleeves are only off by one stitch. I may try again, but how do you know when to stop and make sure the sleeve is long enough with the shoulder drop? I used Dale of Norway. What beautiful wool, after blocking the stitches were perfect and had a nice shine. I had the ribbon in my stash to add the detail and cover the cut edge, which didn't look that bad.

Green Basket Weave

I decided to knit a woman's sweater from a pattern for the fun of it. I couldn't let the pattern alone, I did the collar and button front a little different. Also I used a cable pattern for the ribbing.

3rd time is a charm???

I have been having a great summer biking through the rolling hills and bluffs of Juneau County. I cruise along thinking I like my bike and how far can I go, the weather is wonderful I am not sweating into my eyes. Well in the past 3 weeks I have had 3 flats. Last night was the last, I may have decided my road riding is over for the season. I went out for a quick spin, needed be home before 7pm for the start of "Dancing with the Stars". Once I was at the edge of town a little after 6:30 something didn't feel right. The @#$% back tire was flat again. This is a new tire and tube. Why me? So I walk the mile and half home, just in time. The thoughts that go through your mind while walking. Even if I had tools and tubes with me it still would have taken too long to change in the middle of town. The thought I may pursue is asking the city for tube money since all of my flats occur when I bike through town. They do a terrible job with sweeping the streets, all I do is jog around crap on the streets.

Couple new hats

Here are a couple hats I have been working on. Practicing with reverse twist purling (braided stitch). Also a couple pictures from our day at Devil's lake.

Fun Wisconsin Weekend

Had a great time this weekend. Tami and Colleen came up from Chicago. Spent Sat at Devil's lake near Baraboo, hiked around the lake, I had forgotten how high the trails take you. We picnicked on the north side and just enjoyed the day. Sunday I went for a nice road bike ride. Ended up logging in 30 miles. Found myself on some new roads with new vistas south and east of me. The weather was great. The ride just made me smile.

Ganomey Hat

About 2 weeks ago I received my latest Vogue Knitting. The more involved in knitting I get the smaller the world gets. Ideas and techniques are starting to repeat. Reading Meg's article on the Ganomey from Elizabeth I realized I have the pattern in at least 2 books at home. I didn't think it looked like something I was interested in. Well I changed my mind and thought it would be a good idea for Christmas presents for all of the young children of my friends and family. The pattern as any from Elizabeth relies on gauge. I choose some blend yarn for ease of parental care and started knitting. Wow what a fun and easy pattern. I knit 4 in the past week, even with getting a crown, biking and driving way up north. The pictures only show 3, two were knitted with the same size needles. The first one I did in size 6 with worsted weight, thinking it would be too big for a 5-6 year old. Well it may fit a new born. Then I went with size 8, I think these are going to work for lower graded kids. Then I am thinking what size needle do I need for an adult size. The 10 worked but with the worst weight the hat isn't as tight as it should be to keep your head warm. I will use thicker wool for my next adult. I don't like knitting swatches especially for little projects. So why not knit complete hats. I forgot to mention the pattern includes inserting a ping pong ball in the end and tie in. I think it is a wonderful addition. As EZ says the hat will float if it falls off in the water. I will certainly experiment with colors and stripes like Meg did in the Vogue article.

The green is size 1o, red size 8 and the blue size 6 needles. All are knit with the same pattern and stitches.