knitting lemonade

Because you never are done learning the finer points of the craft we called knitting, Erin, the sister/roommate, and I signed up for a finishing class. Yesterday, we spent 6 hours learning how to seam sides, shoulders, and sleeves; make button holes; add a buttonband; duplicate knit; bind off; pick up stitches; and yes, even master the Kitchener stitch.
Do you see all those seams? They are my pride and joys...

And did someone say buttonband?

So, this concludes my entry that has no interest for anyone other than me...

Green Gables is coming along. I just seperated the sleeves from the body, so that means I have a lot of stockinette rounds ahead...wahoo! (Can you just feel my enthusiasm...) I am really loving how it's turning out. So Kara girl, keep on truckin'!

Edited to add: It seems like there is a lot of discussion about the size of my neckline on the Green Gables KAL. I have no idea why my neck is so small. And the more I think about it, the more it bothers me that mine is drastically smaller than the picture in the pattern. What did I do wrong? I am even knitting the large, so it's not a matter of the number of cast-on stitches. Maybe it is my cast-on technique (I used the long-tail method), or I cast on too tight, or the fact that it is not blocked yet. Ideally, I would like the neck to be a little wider than it shows in the pic. Any ideas what may have happened?

Okay, I got me some new sock yarn...Don't you judge me! I mean how could I resist these pretties? Especially when they are dyed by the awe-inspiring sweet georgia.

Meet River...

She just might become the increasingly popular Pomatomus from knitty.

And don't forget Willow...

I think that she will emerge as Anna's fabbity fab Elfine's socks.

PS - Don't you HEART my new button??

I found it on one of the most darling blogs: good to be a girl. Thanks Amy! Once I saw the Grey's Anatomy where Meredith replaced men with knitting, well, let's just say it hit a little close to home. And yes, I was knitting at the time...

Thanks for all the compliments on Rosie. I am little nervous about the final shape of the cardigan. I told the girl that designed the pattern over and over that I wanted this to be a fitted cardigan. I guess all I can do is knit and see if my nagging was effective. I want Rosie to be a sweater that I'll actually wear, you know? Wouldn't it be dreadful if Rosie just turned out to be a frumpy disaster?

In other knitting news, I cast on for Green Gable. A comment by HPNY Knits got me thinking about whether or not alpaca was the best choice for this project. After some research and talking with the ladies at my LYS, I have to agree that alpaca would is not be ideal. (I think that my sister/roommate Erin was secretly glad my alpaca didn't work out since I didn't ask her opinion during yarn selection process. She is very spiteful, you know...)

So while at my LYS, I picked up the Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece the pattern calls for. Still keeping within the green theme, I decided on this:

It is shade CW-365 Peridot (the yarn is not as light as it looks in the pictures). Perfect for spring, no? So far I am really loving this project. The pattern is simple and I am digging the yarn.

Planned alterations to the pattern: I am pretty sure I am going to make the sleeves longer. A girl just can't feel pretty if arm chub is hanging out. I might also add an inch or so to the overall length as well. And I need to decide if I want to add some more decreases to the body to create more shape. I mean, wouldn't it be dreadful if Green Gable just turned out to be a frumpy disaster?

The back of Rosie the Cardigan is done. On to the fronts and the sleeves...We can do it!