Guilt-Free Knitting has Resumed

When T was in town in August, we decided on the Green Gable pattern. A first attempt with some stashed cotton did not get row gauge, and was frogged. It was pretty, but it only underscores that row gauge for this knit is a must!!
I went looking for the yarn the pattern called for - Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (20 stitches/28 rows to 4 inches) and did not immediately find it in the lys. In fact one store did not carry it and said they did not like it, because it pilled. This was right away enough to turn me in another direction.

I found Berroco Softwist on sale for 50% off, and it got perfect gauge with US#8 needles. Great news: bigger needles = faster knit. Exactly what sounded good. I have read that some knitters have found Softwist to be splitty. This may tend to be true, but I am not having very much difficulty with this splittiness - I am just aware of it and am careful about inserting the needle. The content: 41% wool, 59% rayon makes a lovely fabric. The rayon really perks the wool up and provides a beautiful sheen. I rather like it and I went back to buy more of this great deal yarn.

I had to re-request the pattern from the Zephyr girls because I had originally bought it when it was first published. After doing a knitted on cast on the first time around with the cotton, I found the neckline too rigid and tight. I checked older posts and found out that a newer edition of the Green Gable pattern was issued which specified a backwards loop cast on which was required for a looser boatline neckline.

The Softwist and the backwards loop cast-on combined to make a sloppy floppy neckline. :(
I was having serious doubts.


Why was everybody else's looking so good? I checked out Ravelry and found some beautiful Green Gable sweaters with appropriate necklines. By the way I just was sent my e-ticket admission a few days ago. Hurray!!! I'm in and I love it just like the others. Check it out. I'm Zengirl if you're looking. Have patience if you're not yet it. The wait is worth it.





I stopped around the bustline and decided to do a light water soak and block to see if I needed to frog this second attempt.





Success! Roger it's a go. All it needed was a blocking. I needed to get this reassurance before proceeding.






On to the waistline decreases and then hip increases. All of this will be done holding my breath, because T cannot try it on. Not possible!! Let's pray.