Where to begin? The disappointment? The pain? Do I cry? Do I laugh?
You have seen me work periodically on my Lisa Lloyd vest. You heard me voice my concerns about my gauge when I finished the first side. Had I swatched? Nope….
Should I have swatched…..yep….and the real question is…..Have I learned my lesson about swatching?
I surely hope so!
I am sure that I will be able to pull this apart and make it work, but right now having it be too snug where it should not be and too big in other spots is just too much for me to deal with out wanting to cry, so this little vest has been packed away for now. I think I will wait until mid summer to tackle it again. Maybe I will be a bit smaller and hopefully over the agony of defeat. One thing for sure, I am going to order one of these~
Now on to happier things……
I am trying out a few new sock yarns that I am hoping will be a nice addition. I thought that I would try to knit up some samples so that I know exactly what the strong points of the yarn are and maybe what some of the flaws are too.
This is a blend of merino and bamboo and so far I am really loving it. The pattern that I am using is one of Marguerites
A few years ago, I made her old shale socks and to this date they are my all time favorites. I love the ribbing pattern that she makes for the foot portion of the pattern. It’s comfy on your feet :-). I started out using a size 1 2.5 needle but quickly realized that I needed to go down to a 2.25. Yes, THIS time I listened to that inner voice. So far….so good!
I have also been playing with the carder and the dyepots. This weekend, I took some Polwarth fleece that I purchased a few years ago and blended it with some pink silk/merino top. For some reason, the combination of pink and gray has really jumped out at me this season. They are not really my colors, although with my graying hair they could quickly become my colors….but anyhoo, I am really loving the combination.
This past week I found some great links on Cindy’s page for spinning your own sock yarn. This is something that I have never attempted, so I am going to snag a few ounces of this roving for myself and give it a try. The polwarth is similar in itchibility factor to merino, but a little stronger and of course silk always adds strength, so we will see. After the vest fiasco, I think I am going to stick to smaller projects until my wounded ego feels a bit better…LOL.
The Woolen Rabbit 
I want a dress form too. Thing is I don’t know which one to get. You can get a better price using a 50% off coupon at the same store.
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Can you push and pull the vest into submission!? It’s sad to put all that time into something and then have it not be right.
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The vest is so pretty. It’s a shame it doesn’t fit. It will be worth the effort to fix it. You’ll have more energy to deal with it later.
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I’m sorry about the vest.
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I’m so sorry about the vest. The pattern really is lovely…
The merino and bamboo look yummy; what a great combo. Your socks are looking great!
Ruinwen
🙂
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Ugh – I’m sorry about the vest. That so sucks.
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I suppose you’ve already tried blocking the thing? Then I guess it’s time to shove it into the closet for a while.
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Oy, it looks great, sorry it doesn’t fit.
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I’m so sorry Kim. Does the seedstitch make it harder to obtain a proper gauge and does it not block out as much because of it? Or does the pattern just run small? What yarn did you use? I have the pattern and was going to give it a try. The color and stitch definition is stunning.
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The vest looks fab! Don’t get too low over it. Have you tried a Wooly Board? It’s great for just that king of thing.
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I have every confidence you’ll get it straightened out and ready to wear for the fall. A little marinating never hurt anything!
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Kim, Kim, Kim. Do you want a hug?
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Ouch. Time outs definitely lend perspective. Take as much time as you need, and then it feels better.
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Sympathy on the vest.
Don’t beat yourself up to much about not swatching. Often when I bother to swatch, the gauge in the actual garment turns out different from the swatch. I’m just as accurate guessing as swatching.
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So sad. On the bright side, at least it’s only a vest and not a whole sweater! (Small consolation, I know.)
Lovely socks. I am hoping to start carrying some bamboo/merino/nylon sock yarn soon, but I was thinking I need some volunteers to give it a test run first. Your positive review helps.
My Real Vermonter mohair/wool/alpaca roving has arrived. Maybe you should practice some sock-yarn spinning on that….
Ack, a sales pitch. I’m sorry, I’m a bad commenter!
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I’m sorry. Time out is appropriate for that misbehaving vest.
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AARRRGGGHHHHHH! I feel the pain all the way over here in Michigan!!!! Copper and Penny are crying too!!! Nibbles is in dispair as well! It is a house in mourning for you! I shall toast the demise of that dratted vest this evening!
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I feel your pain!!! The vest is really beautiful, though. Love the sock and roving, also.
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