In my defence

At least I'm finishing something, if not my turquoise wool dress.

Gray Harmony

Here is my latest knitting project, which I think is quite successful.

It's made from a blend of 70% silk, 30% linen acquired from ColourMart.  The gauge is about 30 stitches to 10cm (4") so there are about a millionty-million stitches in this puppy.

It was an adventure from the beginning because I used a pattern available only in French found on Ravelry (it's called Harmony; look it up if you are a member).  Though it had been on the site for several years, nobody had posted about making it.

Harmony

The first challenge was to translate and understand the pattern.  This involved some e-mails with the designer who was very responsive and helpful.

The second challenge was to decide if the pattern as written would actually work in my yarn.  I decided it wouldn't so I set out to adjust on the fly.

The third, of course, was the actual knitting.  It took just over six weeks.  

Things I did differently from the pattern:  chose a different fibre with different properties; increased the number of stitches; changed the cabled rib pattern a little bit; knit in the round to eliminate seaming as much as possible; adjusted the shaping to create the cowl; added i-cord binding at the arms to improve the finish.  It's a good thing I'm apparently fearless.

All that said, it looks quite a lot like the picture on the Ravelry pattern page, so I'm very satisfied.

My new dress (to be)

I was going to call this post "introducing my new dress" but I decided that would be cruel.

A bit further along than flat folds

At least it's cut out...

This will be the sleeveless dress with the asymmetrical faux-closure from February's Burda.  I'm making it from turquoise wool crepe, which will be underlined with silk organza. The bodice lining is the China silk print and the skirt will be lined with slipperier Bemberg.

Since taking this photo, I finished basting the underlining in place and construction has begun.

"Harmony" knitting pattern
by Nadia Zarrouk - available
on Ravelry

However, again I've been sidetracked by knitting.  My new project is a pattern found via Ravelry.  So far I've done the 2nd cable twist row and it's looking good.  I have some stash fabric lined up to coordinate.  More on that later.

I'm making the top from a silk and linen blend (70-30%) fingering weight yarn, which I ordered from ColourMart.  Oh my, if you are a knitter, you should check out the CM site!  They have lots of really luxurious yarns (cashmere, fine merino, silk etc.) for very down-to-earth prices. Four cones, each about 500 metres of 100% silk yarn for $22 (shipping included), were delivered to my door on Friday.  

100% silk DK in maroon

Here's one of them, auditioning with a scrap of a beautiful wool bouclé from stash.  Did Chanel knit?