Time for Gelato!

Baby "Gelato" Garter Stitch Jacket is complete and being modeled by Matilda, our bear who was a wedding gift 27 years ago and traveled the coast with us on our honeymoon. Since no babies live here, I had to find a suitable "stand-in."

(Edited to add these pics in the daylight! Poor little sweater is not quite dry and the wind was twirling it around a bit, but hub caught it finally. I know it looks big here hanging in the air. It is the 6/9 mos. size)

Well it was time for a trip to Trader Joes to get some lemonade, avocadoes and their fantastic tiny sugar plum tomatoes. They taste like candy, seriously. We are in the middle of a regular Seattle heat wave, breaking records today. No AC in our house means it's a toasty 82 degrees inside right now. Whew! So, what better time to try out some gelato flavors. On the left we have Villa Dulce Mint and Chip. Very delish! And then there's the local folks of Snoqualmie Gourmet ice cream who put out this snazzy gelato flavor, Raspberry Honey. You can really taste the honey on the "finish". Very refreshing!

Now, my Drops Garter Stitch Baby Jacket is complete with buttons and is ready to be blocked. I think I shall name it "Gelato", in honor of the occasion. There is a hint of pink and sort of a dark mauve so I went with little flower buttons that looked whimsical and funky.

Shown before blocking, below:

And shown here, blocking. Should dry quickly in this weather. Better pic to follow, I'm sure, when we are back to daylight.

Again, this was knit from side to side, on size 2 needles, using fingering weight yarn. (like you would use for socks) The pattern was a free Drops pattern.

I did the 2nd size and used 4 skeins Aslan Trends, Sante Fe -merino wool/polyamide. I have enough of the 4th leftover probably for some little item. I chose to do only 3 buttons at the top. Machine washable, cold water, dry flat. How about that? I still can't believe that. So I hand washed it and then spun out the excess water a bit in the washer. Funky...whimsical!

Blocking Loppem

I would have to say, I now see the difference in a blocked garment first hand. Blocking is where you get it wet and lay flat, shape it and let it dry, or lightly steam it to shape it.

Wow, what a difference blocking makes in smoothing out your stitches! All the increases that showed up so much, now have been diminished. And the sleeve banding finishing pulled things in just right. I did a stitch pick up of only 61 stitches to do the final 4 rows of banding on same size needles, 9. Ta Da! It's really, really done!

28Thirty Progress

Blocked and sewing on buttons next... I even gave it a little tumble in the dryer on very light heat (superwash wool!) at the end of blocking.

So evidently the cat has put her claws of approval on this one as good for camping out on. I leave for a few minutes, and see what happens?

I am not sure about the waist shaping until I block this and see how it all comes out. I think my experimental shaping may have done the trick. Above shown in natural light.

This one showing more the true color of this yarn and how the sleeve ended up. I didn't do the cuff as long as pattern called for. And omitted the purl ribbing down the sleeves. Now I am about 6 inches into the 2nd sleeve and will start decreases. I think I avoided the "armadillo and Michelin man" thing by omitting the purl ridges and doing decreases every 5th row after 6 in. stockinette was knit from underarm.

Blocking Everyday Cardi

Finished Everyday Cardi while camping this weekend at Deception Pass! Now blocking it while slightly damp. The button bands came out cute and the rolled collar is a nice touch. Next up: shopping for the right buttons. This is a rugged and warm sweater! Then I will be excited to begin the next sweater in my queue: Loppem by Norah Gaughan from her Vol.3. It will be a yoked sweater with cabling down the front in this Cascade 220 blue:

Blocking Worked!

Ok, forget that this is a badly self-taken picture and the orange tank doesn't match....

Yay! The goal was to stretch out the bottom a bit. The blocking worked and I can button the sweater if I want to! But I may not even want to. Now I can move on to Everyday Cardigan once again. Working on the back now, 22 inches seems really long. I may decide not to do that many inches. We'll see...This is a dropped sleeve loose- fitting pattern. Very different from what I just made in its fit and sleeve type.

On to the closing ceremonies and doing a few more inches. It is pouring rain here by the way. Not exactly August weather!

Blocking V-Neck Cardigan

This is a shot of blocking the cardigan out on the bottom. I'm letting it dry for a few days...smells like a wet dog. In the meantime, a little hike to Twin Falls with the hubby and a picnic lunch on the tailgate!

I have just received my "invitation" and have joined Ravelry the group of knitters/crocheters/etc. and am learning now how to set up the whole thing. It will take me some learning. Wow, there is a ton of info and groups on that site! I am only beginning to get into it. If you go on, I am NeenerKnits. But you've seen it all here on the blog!