This week has been a little all over the place, but thanks to a productive weekend (last weekend) and a lovely meet-up with Andrea and Sara this morning, it hasn’t been a total write-off.
Grace is all wrinkled because I unceremoniously shoved it into a bag and then shoved the bag into my pannier. That’s the price of patio knitting.
I was decidedly behind my self-imposed Grace schedule until today. To get this finished before the end of the month, I need to be finished the body and button bands (I’m worried about my yardage, so I’m leaving the arms until the end) by the end of next week. I haven’t had much time during the week to knit, and now that the weather is improving my weekends have been filling up with outdoor time – I’m not complaining, but it is making it more difficult to get this cardigan finished! Anyway, I’m heading toward the final hip increase now and after that there’s just the ribbing and the body is done. I was thinking about adding length, but the body measures 14 inches now with three inches to go, so I think I’m going to be fine, assuming I can find some knitting time.
Of course, knitting time would be easier to come by if I weren’t distracted by my sewing machine. Something about the warm weather and all the lovely fabric my LYS is now carrying has got my thinking about summer tops and dresses, and while I’m always game to knit some, sewing it so fast! Ahem, that is, assuming you don’t spend an entire afternoon sewing something that is (at least) five sizes too big. That’s what I spent last Saturday doing, and let me tell you, while I certainly learned from my mistakes, I kind of wish I had learned faster.
I really like the test-pattern-ness of this print (Color Me Happy by V & Co.), which gets totally lost if you’re not right up close.
Anyway. I was tackling my third (and then fourth) attempt at the Scout Woven Tee. This is a boxier style than I typically wear, but I like the idea behind it and I think, once I get the pattern figured out for my body, that it’s a top I’ll wear a lot in the summer. This version took me two tries (the enormous one, which did not get photographed, and this one) and I’m mostly happy with it.
What do you think?
Looking at the photos, I think I could take some width out of the waist area and the neckline might be a bit too wide, both of which I think I know how to fix. The pulling at the armhole is another issue. I suspect this means I need to go down a size and do a full-bust adjustment, but I’m not sure (do you know?). I like the idea of this top enough to keep tinkering with it, so if you have ideas/comments about it, please let me know!
Pans & Needles 
Your knitted top is lovely. I have always been a fan of the Chile pepper color. Your polka dot fabric is awesome.
Thank you! I really love the colour of this cardigan too. It’s going to be perfect for my otherwise very blue wardrobe 🙂
This is awesome. 😀 I cannot sew (except buttons and I think I can sew a decent seam by hand), sewing machines are scary things who are just WAITING to shoot the needle right through your finger … But I love the two sewn tops! 🙂
“Grace” is also fantastic, I’m pretty sure the colour will suit you well.
YAY for patio knitting! If the weather improves, my knitting group might be able to sit in the sunshine next month … I’m REALLY looking forward to it, it has been raining the last week almost nonstop and will continue this one as well …
Have a wonderful sunday! 😀
Thank you! The more I knit with this colour the more I like it.
It has been a rainy week here too, but here’s hoping for a nice weekend!
The Grace is looking great! Did you and Andrea knit the same thing (in practically the same colour) at the same time?!? 🙂 How fun/bizarre.
I know! It’s a strange coincidence brought about largely because I was slow to come back to Grace after casting it on last June(!). Andrea’s definitely been a good influence, though, and I will fully credit her when this is done 🙂
It was so nice to finally meet you IRL, Angela. I must confess that I am glad you’ve got the sewing bug into you – it is a great companion hobby to knitting and a wonderful skill to have. This weekend I had time to sit and knit so the body of my Grace is done (first sleeve will get started tonight) which I think puts me in line to be finished by the end of the month – yay!
I agree! It was so nice to hang out and get to chat in person.
I just finished the body of my Grace tonight (I thought I’d have time earlier this week, but somehow no). How are your sleeves coming?
The sewing bug has bitten me hard. Since talking to you and Sara last weekend I’ve decided to tackle a skirt this weekend. I have some linen/cotton blend printed fabric that I’m going to use for Victory Patterns’ Madeleine skirt.
Even if you don’t make your Grace deadline, you’ve knit so much of it at this point, I think you’ve got the momentum to finish. I’m rooting for you!
I am definitely going to finish now! I can’t wait to wear this.
I am clearly way behind on my blog reading if I missed this post! It was great to meet you IRL and I agree with Andrea and am happy to see you get the sewing bug! The two hobbies really do compliment each other! I quite like this version of the Scout. Very cute fabric! It’s a simple pattern but it can be a bit tricky to get the fit perfect given how the bust is drafted. It’s definitely worth the effort though as it’s a great basic, block that you can alter to your hearts desire! I’ve made versions with curved or dropped hems. I made a version with overlapping front panels that had curved hems (drawing a blank on the technical terms but the front of this shirt reminds me of a tulip). I’ve seen button up versions, long sleeved versions, etc. Not to mention that it uses a small amount of fabric so this can be a great pattern to use to showcase a rare, expensive or all around special piece of fabric!
How goes the Grace?
Grace continues more or less apace. I’m about a third of the way through the first arm, but since I did the button bands and collar band first, I’m feeling pretty good.
I am definitely going to keep working on Scout. I’m going to try going down a size and doing a small FBA to see if that fixes the problem of extra fabric pulling. It’s a style I can see myself wearing a lot once I figure out the fit.
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