Another Hussif Section Completed

Yesterday I finished the long-tail chain star section (left triangle).

There are two complete sections left to do and then I need to decide how I will modify and complete the top section.

I didn't like how the called-for lettering looked when I stitched it with the Sulky and still need to determine something else to go in there.

I started an Elizabeth Zimmermann seamless Percentage System sweater last night with my handspun. As usual, I started a sleeve and determined my gauge, then calculated the key number (K), which is the desired bust size plus positive ease multiplied by the number of sts per inch.

The other measurements, cuff, yoke, underarm sts, neck opening, are based on this number. Any yarn can be used as long as the correct key number is determined. I'm using a bunch of my beautiful handspun but will need to knit it in a scrappy way as I don't have a sweater quantity of any one colourway. So far I have decided to alternate colours every second round.

I started the body and got the ribbing done. 

I'm still deciding whether to increase stitches after the ribbing. EZ suggests casting on 90% of the K sts then increasing evenly to 100% after the ribbing. I didn't want the ribbing to pull in a lot so basically I cast on 100%, but I'm at the point where I could add more sts. Another thing I could have done is cast on 100% of sts with a smaller needle and then just switch to a larger needle for the stocking stitch. So many decisions to make when creating one's own design.

What? Geri's knitting a pullover sweater??? Yes and no. I do plan to cardiganize it once the yoke is done so I have added 5 stocking stitch steek sts (try to say that 5 times quickly) which will be at the centre front. I will also make all the colour changes there do when I cut the steek after anchoring the sts with my sewing machine (some of the yarns I'm using is non-felting superwash) all the ends will be snipped as well with hardly any ends to weave in.

When I do the sleeves, I will knit them in the round, two at a time with the outer strand of the yarn on one sleeve and the inner strand of the same colour on the other. Just like Two At A Time socks. As scrappy as they will be, I still have a desire to have the sleeves match each other somewhat. 

Another project I would like to have completed by next Wednesday (our May Trillium Guild meeting) is another Wildflower Hearts piece stitched up with the new mystery silk floss I purchased at Kimat Designs. I want to make sure the entire project can be completed with only one skein. I'm planning a guild project for the fall and one of the pieces that can be used for it can be the Wildflowers Hearts pattern. 

I did this one with Sulky threads - one strand for all of it.

I had this much Sulky Petites left on the spool. All that satin stitch used a lot of thread.

When using regular 6-strand floss, I use one strand for all the 'filigree' back stitches and two strands for the Rhodes hearts, circles, squares, and satin stitch borders.

Also on my 'to do' list is to frame my Token of Fall and make a project bag with the Drawn Thread 'Simply Summer' sampler.

I have a couple of projects kitted up that I could start any time. 

Last night Skip, David, Susan, and I attended a showing of "Peace by Chocolate" at our local theatre. Aside from the 4 of us, there was only one other person in the theatre. It made for very comfortable, mask-free viewing. We went for dinner afterwards at State and Main and were able to dine outdoors. The patio was pretty crowded but being outdoors made it more comfortable for us. It was our first movie and dinner out since 'before times'. Plans are shaping up for other outdoor and far-flung activities. This is very good for my mental health.

And my biggest news this week... several months ago, I contacted a relatively local, relatively new stitchery designer offering my services as a model stitcher for her burgeoning business. I didn't hear anything back so put it out of my mind. This week, she messaged me back asking if I'm still interested in stitching models for her and have worked out an agreement. She has a series coming out at Market next March and is stitching each individual one herself to check pattern and colour accuracy. She would like me to stitch them as one large piece which can be used for display at trade shows. 

Speaking of model stitching, the other day I watched Teresa Kogut's FlossTube about a retreat she recently attended and was so pleased to see some of the models I have stitched for her still being used in her pop up shop.

'Heaven and Nature'

'Above All'

'Hazel's Halloween Friends'

But right now I need to sign off and get some housework done.