I am sure you are all wondering…whatever happened to Cherry and Erin’s participation in the Tour de France KAL. Well, I’ll tell you. I am not proud of this, but I dropped out. Don’t worry, no doping scandal here, I decided to order the yarn online and it arrived mid-sister’s wedding week. I had no time to begin while on vacation and by the time I got home, I realized I forgot the yarn at my parent’s house. Grrr.
Angel that she is, my Mom mailed me my yarn and I got it with just 2 days left in the KAL. I knew at that point I was defeated and would not this year win the Tour de anything. But all is not lost, last night, Cherry got swatched.
I can’t believe that the one color on sale happened to be something I actually like–that never happens. All the yarn for this project cost me about 22 dollars. The swatch knit up pretty fast so I suspect the sweater will too. It is so weird how much faster sweaters go when you are not knitting on size 2 needles. Go figure.
In other news, Bella Blouse is done, sort of. I say sort of because, well, I hate it. Not so much the sweater design, fit, and shape, but the colors. Remember how my vision was of two subtley different neutral colors making the sweater look all vintage-y. Well, not really how it turned out.
It looks like I have a white tank top on with brown lacy inserts added for “flair”. Ick.
On to plan 2: overdying. I have never dyed yarn before and don’t know at all what I am doing but I am going to try. Thankfully I have gotten some good advice from much smarter friends and I am doing my research first. I figure, if it looks bad, at least it is a great learning experience and a new skill gained.
On a different note, how excited am I for fall? Rowan just released their fall preview. The minute my fall Interweave Knits arrives there are about 4 projects I want to immediately cast on for. Then there is Autumn Rose…sigh. It is too much. We knitters are having a blessed season indeed.
The following 19 comments were originally left at blogspirit:
Don’t worry–you can still take the Lanterne Rouge!
Too bad about the Tour and that Bella didn’t work out. Hopefully dyeing will take care of it. The Chester bag turned out very nice.
Well… Your technique on the Bella Blouse is impeccable. (Let’s look at the positives, right?)
I’ve only dyed with Kool-Aid, which is fun, non-toxic, and ineffective with cotton. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
If it makes you feel better, I’m currently working on my first mosaic pattern, a baby hat. And it’s turning out super-ugly. The child who wears this will be mocked. Even by me.
A little dye job will really make it! Good luck…it will be fun and well worth doing.
I think the dyeing is the way to go. And my T de F project was dead in the water during the kal but I am determined to finish it, dammit!
I love Rowan! It’s been so long since I’ve bought one of their magazines because I just didn’t find more than one or two patterns I liked, but this new one looks promising!
By the way, I love the swatch! It’s going to look great!
Man there is a lot of cool stuff coming out. It makes me wish I could finish more than one project in a year.
Nooooo, I don’t dare click on that Rowan link you so temptingly provided (but I’m gonna, I know I’m gonna) — 4 projects currently on the needles, 3 others I’m really excited about getting started on, and now the new Rowan…and my summer vacation’s almost done — I need more time to knit!
Good luck with the overdyeing! I participated in the TDF KAL – but I’m still not done.
They can’t all be winners, right? I am sure the dying will whip that sweater into shape. Ah yes, the lament of knitters everywhere. And oh, Autumn Rose…you are probably one of the few who will actually start and finish that sweater before the end of this decade though.
Cherry is sure pretty! I hope the dyeing turns your sweater into something that you’ll love – the lace part is so nice!
Dying would also be really fun, I think! Good luck! (and Cherry is going to be gorgeous!)
i don’t know if you read chemgrrl chronicles (http://thechemgrrlchronicles.wordpress.com/) or not, but she’s also making the cherry right now if you’re interested in checking it out.
I saw YOUR NAME in print! And YOUR PHOTO online.
WOWOWOWOW ~ I can say I knew you when.
Brava!
Too bad about Bella. I bet it would look way better if you do the cap sleeves in the lighter color.
There are some amazing things coming out this fall! What are your favs from fall IK?
Ooh! Overdying! Messy! FUN!!!! Bella didn’t turn out more like you wanted it to. Hopefully this adventure will work out for you.
Guess the KAL was just not meant to be. I also guess that there was too much of a contrast between the yarn colours. Gee, that does look strange doesn’t it???
ROWAN! I have been thinking of the new mag coming out since i saw the preview. Oh man, i NEED to knit so many of those designs! Thing is, i no longer subscribe. Must, re-subscribe. I must…
Bella will be lovely once you overdye – perhaps a deep burgundy? Just be sure to get the yarn really wet.. dry fiber doesn’t take dye at all.
and be still my heart – Autumn Rose is breathtaking.