Yarn Along and Knit Along together

I thought I would get this yarn along post up early, because... well because it is also part of Twila Jean's knit along :)

If you want to see more in the Yarn Along series, you can go and visit Ginny's site at Small Things.  Twila Jean can of course be found at her blog, Twila Jean, and her 3 Hour Sweater Knit-Along can be found here.

So, back to my sweater for the knit along- the 3 Hour Sweater can be found here- it is a 1930's vintage pattern, which usually needs a little tweaking.
So far, my tweaks are to go down a size of needles from my last time (I did not like the gaps) and to knit in the round.  I added an extra inch to the ribbing, and I shall add another extra inch in the body- because my torso is longer than those of the 1930's- even with high waisted clothing the sweater was too short for my liking! (I prefer it to cover my belly button at least!).  I kept in the side stitches that I would have normally eliminated from knitting it in the round, because I felt like I would need the extra room ;)  I have spent about four or five hours on it so far, including one section of frogging when I realized I had mis-measured it.  I can't be certain how much time I have spent on it- because I usually watch TV or homeschool the kids while doing it.

I have such difficulty photographing red.  And the top is a really pretty colour, it lives up to it's cranberry claims :)  If you have never used Wool-Ease, it is certainly a nice, cheap option.  I would not claim it to be the best yarn out there, but it is easy to find and has lots of colours.
You'll note my reading this week.  yes, I am a huge fan of the ABC show Castle.  So I always read the books from the show.  They are not the most well written books, but the entertainment value is that you see little tributes to the show in there!  This one is better written than the previous two though!  And there is the October edition of Country Living UK beneath it- it was the LAST one in the store- Barnes and Noble never can keep it in stock for very long.  I know a lot of us Brits in the USA enjoy it for the flavour of home- but there are just as many Anglophile Americans who enjoy it too!  I would totally subscribe digitally- if it wasn't for the fact that my primary enjoyment in it is the feel of it when I read it.

The Circle Skirt and a Knit-Along

Some time ago I posted about Casey's circle skirt sew along.  I had long planned to participate- but I never got around to finding the fabric I really wanted, and so I resigned myself to not doing it.
Then one day, I realized I had some fabric in my stash that was more than enough to make a circle skirt.  And of course I was in desperate need of some separates.
So I cut out the skirt.  I was not finished in time for Casey's initial circle skirt party- but this time I made it :)
I never did get a petticoat made though (although I did take a good look at some 50's crinolines today for inspiration!).

 The skirt- starched, but sans petticoat.  I used the rolled hem finish, which I am quite impressed with!

And of course, the obligatory twirling picture!  It is a very comfy skirt to wear- and I daresay I was better dressed than most today ;) although my daughter said she looked fabulous in her jeans, t-shirt and brand new boots :p
The skirt is made from cotton, a floral I saw and liked because of it's retro feel.

Now the sew-along is over, I added myself to a knit-along!  (I did say I needed separates!).  This time it is for the 3 hour sweater, and is hosted over at Twila Jean's blog.  You can read about it here and here.
I have made this one before, and I think posted about it, but was not entirely happy with my yarn choice.  I liked the colour, but it ended up too floppy- so this time I chose the equally cheap, but a little sturdier Lion Brand Wool-Ease.  I was loath to make it in actual wool, because I worry I might get too hot- plus I have my Quick knit 1940's Style Sweater on the needles too. 
I am already making some modifications to the 3 hour sweater though- I am knitting it in the round (bottom up) at least to the arms.

And I am knitting it in red- a beautiful shade called cranberry.  We'll see how it goes!

Yarn Along: Wednesday 19th October

Ginny Says:
~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. ~ 

Yes,I am back for the yarn along this week.  I have been busy trying to homeschool the reluctant children- which allows knitting time because this pattern needs very little attention!  I finished the back of my Quick Knit 1940's Sweater.  It really is a very quick knit- I can't say as how I have spent lots of time of this sweater.  The stitch is a twist stitch- which you might consider a narrow cable stitch, but the authors of the pattern have told you how to do it all without a cable needle!
I am a little leery of how narrow it looks- but my gauge swatch (yes I did one for this- most unusual) knitted up the the right size with these smaller needles.  I am supposing it looks narrow and long because it stretches widthwise.  I think I shall make a sleeve next, before repeating this to make the front.
My book is one I picked up at the library because I thought it looked interesting- and might be a good geography book.  It is called Paris to the Past: Traveling through French History by Train by Ina Caro.  So far, I am enjoying the book quite a bit.


For more participating in the Yarn Along, go visit Ginny's blog- every Wednesday!

Knit Along: Wednesday 12th October 2011

Ginny over at Small Things says:


~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. ~ 


On my needles is the Quick Knit 1940's Style Sweater.  It actually is a very quick to knit pattern- but read the starting instructions carefully :)  I had to frog it a couple of times!

No book this week, but rather a magazine.  I had been hoping to get hold of the latest Country Living UK, but it wasn't there.  Instead, I had English Home- the December/Christmas edition.  I could not resist the allure of traditional Christmas eats and stuff :)
I do beg pardon for the quality of lighting in the photo- but apparently night-time is not the best time to take the photos ;)  Oh well, it does at least give a great look at the twisted stitch of my top!


Underneath, is a very bad picture of the skirt I am making the top for- my circle skirt.  I was too late for the initial circle skirt sew along- but Casey says she'll be hosting another party, so I shall try and get the petticoat done so I can participate :)
The skirt is finished though!


To see more knit-along participants, hop on over to Ginny's blog!