Rambling Rose without the Effing

Yeah, so I'm sufficiently over myself enough to start Rambling Rose again. Thanks to Ailuros and to Hollypots for pointing out simple math ... grrrr.

The stitches outside the pattern repeat within the bold lines are done only twice: at the beginning of the row and at the end of the row.

THE ONE TIME I DID NOT MAKE A COLOR WORKING COPY, THIS HAPPENS. Grrrr.

Make color copies so this kind of thing does not freeze your brain. pink squares, black lines, red squares all look the same in black and white. Sigh.

Rambling Rose has been recast and so far, so good. This pattern presents all kinds of complicated math issues because of the scalloping along the bottom. It allows for two sizes: 30" and 43" and I can't imagine anyone else having such an issue. *rolleyes*

I have no patience for the intense math required in order to successfully modify the pattern down to a size 34" so I'm playing around with needle sizes. I'm knitting the 43" using size 3 needles. The sleeves are quite snug in almost every photo I've seen of the finished project so I think in order to keep with the overall style (super chic fitted body), I will knit the size large arms but taper to the smallest size so that there is a flaring of the sleeves; a bell of sorts. We'll see how that works out. I'm confident ... lol

The yarn is Socks That Rock in Oregon Red Clover Honey from Blue Moon Fiber Arts and it is beautiful. I wanted to do a dark wine/red/bordeaux but the pattern is so delicate that I think a bold color would overshadow it in the fine yarn I'm using. Go bulky all the way or go fine.

Rambling Effing Rose

This pattern is pissing me off good. I've started over 3 times and I've cursed so much my cats think I was raised in a damned barn.

This is Rambling Rose from Laura Zukaite. I am taking this chick's name in vain big time. I've called her everything but a child of God. Devil's spawn was a good one. Hmph.

This is one of those times my friends wonder what's so relaxing about knitting.

I never said knitting was relaxing. Half the time it isn't. It just keeps you from stabbing the knitting needle into the throat of the nearest beast snapping and popping gum ... knitting may keep your ass out of prison but it isn't going to keep you calm.

CO 67 sts and work Set-up row of Scallop Rib chart

The scallop rib chart (set up) is: (each figure representing one stitch, the V being slip 1 kwise)

V, k, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, kk

The V stitch is outside the "pattern repeat" and the two knit stitches on the end are outside the "pattern repeat"

Also, the set up row is read from left to right and the first row from right to left. I can look at the photos and see how it is SUPPOSED to look but the stitch count is confusing me and what to do to make the scalloped edging is nuts.

My issue

W T F

Using 67 stitches, I can't repeat the block of stitches because I run out. If I don't repeat the block of stitches, I don't get the scallop effect, which is the sl 1 kwise, right?

W T F??? Many people have scrapped the scalloped edge and done a traditional rib but I am not walking away from this ...

How do I get this damned thing going???

And because of this *&$*%& scallop hem, there are only 2 sizes, 30" and 43"

Women have obviously increased this using some intense math for larger and smaller sizes but I'm just going to use tiny needles and knit the large. I'm also going to modify the sleeves so that the scalloping is flared.

Btw, I'm doing this in one color. I have NO patience for dangling effing bobbins and intarsia and snarled, tangled, jumbled, annoying things of yarn.



__________________

Lonely Liesl ... scrapped

I don't like how the silvery-gold threads come together in the garment. For a shawl or scarf, I'd love it. For a sweater. No. Too ... Christmas tinsely. So I've ripped and moved on. If only other decisions could be made so firmly.

Lovely Liesl

I was flipping through Ravelry and was stunned when I found this pattern. I couldn't wait to download it and begin.

I also found the perfect yarn for this yesterday at Seed Stitch in Salem. It's a feathers and fan pattern and it is very similar to the ubiquitous (in knitting communities) Lady Sweater.

I love how this feels and I'm sufficiently over myself after my little how the fuck does a cable cast on work at the end of a row meltdown.

I'm just trying to convince myself it isn't really Sunday night and tomorrow isn't really Monday and the whole wretched work week isn't really about to start again.

I have completed Sexy Lace!

I stayed up until 3:30AM this morning finishing and weaving ends and other impossibly annoying and teeth gnashing things preventing me from a) reveling in it and b) calling it a done deal.

I forced myself to sit patiently while sewing the arm sleeves and weaving in wild, errant strings and hiding knots. Sigh. What a big pain in the ass it all was.

Then I submerged Sexy Lace into a cold wool wash and soaked her for 15 minutes. Wish I'd photodocumented that but hey, it was 3:30 in the damned morning.

My notes from August 6 until today:

August 6, 2009 - Had a moment of DUH in joining last night but wanted to get the pieces on the needles before going to bed. It’s joined and the ribbing has begun! I am so excited - Sexy Lace is almost completed!!

August 7, 2009 - I don’t know my work life was suddenly so crazy but suddenly everything needed to be done last year … very annoying, lol … I could barely work on Sexy Lace.

August 8, 2009 - Maybe 2 rows completed yesterday. Grrrr. And I am running short of this yarn. Jill told me she ordered more - I’m not sure if it is in but I have no patience. I think I’m totally adult A.D.D. … I have dissimilar yarn that will complement the Dream in Color: a dark, dark vino that will do well here in a pinch.

It looks pretty good!

The other yarn is from a frogged sweater for an ex-bf. I had forgotten the rules: NEVER KNIT A SWEATER FOR A MAN WHO IS NOT YOUR HUSBAND … will not forget again, will not forget again … anyway, I frogged that suckah the other day and reveled once again in how beautiful the yarn is; soft and gorgeous and luxe. Blends in very well with Sexy Lace.

Almost on the 2nd decrease round on the yoke, then one more then a bind off. So excited. If I have to stay up late tonight, I just may.

August 9, 2009 12:41AM - I finished it! Yay!! I am sewing the sleeves and weaving ends. I will take a photo of it before it is washed and blocked, then I’ll have a photo of me wearing it!

I LOVE THIS PATTERN!!

August 9, 2009 10:43AM - Sexy Lace is drying after a nice blocking. I added a close up of the lace panel.

Thanks to Cecily for such a lovely pattern. I had so much fun knitting this and the sweater is gorgeous. I tried it on last night and it is absoeffinglutely stunning. yippee!