Convertible Vest/Bag WIP

 

The first time I saw this pattern in Knit Tricks! by Rebecca Wat I was intrigued. I'm not into really boxy looking tops and I'm not into vests, but I love the idea of a vest that turns into a bag.

Basically, the pattern is 4 rectangles knit together. The long blacks ones make the front, back and sleeves on each side. And the multi-color ones are the sides.

I knit the black ones on my new Ultimate Sweater Machine which I'm getting better at using. I'm still dropping stitches, but not as often as at first.

I do like the speed of using the machine especially for endless stockinette, but I haven't quite figured out yet how to sit in front of it while being comfortable.

The thing is that there is a weighted hem that holds down the knitting so it doesn't come off the needles. However, you aren't supposed to let it land on your knees. So I have to back away more then I'd like.

But other then that I do like using the machine and I'm sure I'll be making lots more things with it in the future, especially if I figure out how to sit in front it comfortably.

I didn't knit the sides, which are in K2P2 using Noro Kureyon, because I figured it would be easier to hand knit then to try to manipulate the stitches on the machine. Plus I love knitting K2P2 much more then stockinette.

Now, I all have to do is the seaming and then find a zipper long enough to sew in. I hate seaming because it always looks so crappy. But I recently bought the Reader's Digest Knitter's Handbook by Montse Stanley for the TKGA Masters program I'm enrolled in. It has some diagrams and instruction on how to do mattress stitch that when I follow actually looks good.

Knitting Update

I was finally able to get some knitting done this weekend. I finished the left side of the Japanese Cable Vest and started on the right. It is a bit tricky because I have to convert the chart into a mirror image. I've got the first repeat done.

I also finished the knitting up on Mr Greenjean. I picked up the button band last night and spent 4 hours watching Law & Order plus Dexter working on it. Now all I have left to do is weave in all the ends and block.

I'm not sure if I like how the cardigan turned out and I may redo the sleeves at some time in the future, but for now its "done".

I also got a couple of swatches knit on my Ultimate Sweater Machine. I've been doing so much reading up on it on Ravelry and talking to my friend Angi, that when I did my first row, I didn't have any problems!

I just made sure to hold the yarn without slack at the beginning of each row and then let go as I knit the row. Stop. Then repeat. In no time I had several inches of knitting!

None of the projects in the pattern book that came with the machine appeal to me (but then again nothing is really appealing to me right now. I'm really going through the motions on my knitting right now) so I'm not sure what I'm going to knit on it as a first project yet. There is an Empire Coat on the Bond America site that I like. I've wanted to knit an extra long cardigan but the idea of all that stockinette was too much. With the knitting machine, it should take no time, at least the knitting part. There is still a bunch of finishing though. I'll have to buy a bunch of yarn for that so I may try something smaller using some yarn I have in my stash.

Knitting Machine and Life

My knitting machine came yesterday. I wish I was able to get really excited about it, as excited about it as I was when I ordered it. And I'm sure once I practice on it and get to really learn how to use it and get past this hellish week, I'll be excited about it.

I did read the manual that came with it and also looked through the pattern book. I want to watch the dvd before I use it too. I have a little experience with using a knitting machine from the one I borrowed last summer from my friend in my knitting group back in Texas. So the mechanics of it aren't new to me. But I really didn't get much time with that machine before we moved from Texas to Seattle, so I'll really be learning for the first time on this machine.

Luckily, my friend Angi has told me she will help me learn how to use mine. She is actually the one who inspired me to buy the machine now even though I've been wanting to buy one for awhile. She made some awesome legwarmers with her machine. And socks too!

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Okay, I am really not one to talk about my personal life on the Internet and I may regret posting this in the future. I am sick and broken hearted at the moment so I can't be expected to be thinking straight right?

So here it is: Amy has been having an online affair with a woman 15 years her junior. Amy told me Sunday night that she wants to break up. And she just spent the last 4 days with said woman in Portland. And tonight, Valentines Day of all days (geez), Amy is supposed to come back after dropping of said woman at the airport to "talk".

So now you know why a knitting machine isn't really exciting to me right now.