Thursday, March 09, 2006

warm and cool

Ribby Cardi
2X2X3X1 all-over rib; collared version
Knitpicks Wool of the Andes Natural-4 hanks
Size 5 Clover Circs, Size 6 Addi Turbos
Started: 2/23/06
Completed: 3/8/06

I know nobody believes me, but it actually gets cold in Hawaii occasionally! Take this past week, for instance. We've had torrential downpours and flashflooding all across the state. It started raining so hard this morning that Bossy turned to me, eyes wide with wonder, and asked, "Is God going to flood the whole world again?" We've been reading a children's version of Noah's Ark at bedtime, so I think the concept's been weighing heavy on the poor little guy's mind! I had to chuckle at his remark, but after listening to the thunder rumble for hours, I could certainly see how he might start to wonder about that covenant. Granted, even with all the rain, the mercury has yet to dip below 70, but trust me, by Hawaii standards, it's chilly!

Enter, Ribby Cardi! I saw this pattern and knew it would be the perfect solution for staying warm and looking reasonably cool. "Reasonably" is through no fault of the pattern's, mind you... "reasonably" cool is just a best-case scenario for a harried mama of 2 who just as often as not has clean and combed hair with graying patches and remnants from Stinky's breakfast crusted on her clothes. I'm sure that others with combed, un-gray hair and clean clothes look fantastically cool in this cardi! Overall, I'm very pleased with the way this cardi turned out. I went with size 5 and 6 needles rather than the 6 and 7 called for in the pattern since I knit loosey-goosey. I knit a size 36 bust as I didn't want anything overly-fitted, but I'm kind of wishing that I'd stuck with a 34 instead. I think a 34 would still have been large enough to accommodate thick shirts underneath and not appear overly-fitted, without being as loose as this 36. In any case, I still love it! (PS: Note my little flash of Project Spectrum March Spirit under the cardi!)

The zipper installation was tedious but not nearly as bad as I'd anticipated, thanks to a wonderful tutorial link from Amanda. Thank you, Amanda!! I went with a heavy-duty Coats & Clark zipper designed especially for jackets, so it's sturdy and zips well. Next time, though, I'd love to try a custom zipper, just to compare. Do any of you have recommendations for any fave online vendors that you'd like to share?

In the end, I found the zen in all the ribbing and grew to love it. Plus, I'm happy with the finished look of all that ribbing. Actually, the worst part in making this cardi was waiting for the blocked pieces to dry so I could start seaming! Patience is a virtue and all, but with all of the recent rainfall and humidity, I had to wait a full 48 hours for the pieces to dry. Which wouldn't have been so bad in and of itself, except that I had to police Stinky, who kept threateningly hovering her foot above the drying knits, Karate Kid style, all the while giggling an evil laugh. Had it come down to it, I would've chosen the cardi pieces in a heartbeat. Now that the cardi is done and keeping me warm and cool, I can finally cast-on guilt-free for Project Spectrum and the Sampler Stole. Stay tuned!

Lest you think I've forgotten, I know that I owe some of you outdoor Hawaii pics on threat of bodily harm. As soon as the weather cooperates, I promise to hold up my end of the deal! And finally, I was tagged for a meme by Lynda- thanks, Lynda! Get ready for a voyeuristic experience because here, ladies, is where all the hot action takes place... knitting action, that is! That's my half of the bed where I sleep-knit most nights till the sleep half finally takes over. And I'm a very lucky girl because that's the beautiful Elizabeth Austen knitting bag that my sweet mom gave me for Christmas. Now you've got the down and dirty on my late night escapades!

53 comments:

Jo said...

Your Ribbi Cardi is very nice - that is another pattern I would love to try... but I'm a little daunted by the zipper. And just how cold is cold in Hawaii? My sister lives in the Yukon, and every once in a while I'll listen to CBC Radio online in Whitehorse - and have to giggle when the DJ says, "And there will be a high of minus 18'C today..." Spring is finally coming here to Delaware.

Anonymous said...

Oh Chris your Ribby is wonderful. I think it looks great on you! Thanks for sharing the zipper tutorial. I'm going to need that.
Now don't tell us it's cold in Hawaii. We all want to believe that it's always a warm sunny paradise. In MA today we are hoping for 60 degrees and even though it's supposed to rain it's going to feel like spring.
Karen
http://nothingbutknit.blog-city.com/

Mimi said...

Ah,It's nice to see you in full picture. I think you look wonderful in the photo and the ribby cardi looks great!
I've been thinking to knit a zipper cardi for me and DH but i am afraid to install zippers.
Nice to look at your bedside with your Kitty and the pretty knitting bag. :) Have a great knitting weekend!

Sonya said...

Chris, your ribbed cardi is wonderful! Just perfect for a chilly day. And thanks for passing along the link to the zipper tutorial. I fear the zipper. I'm looking forward to your outside pics. Everything here is brown, brown, brown. I know spring is coming, but let's see some green Hawaii!

Alison said...

Love it! You did a wonderful job with it, Chris! I've got to put Ribby on my to-do list (a very long list already:)

Don't you love the Wool of the Andes?

Jenn said...

That looks great! There is a certain zen in all that ribbing, and after I do ribbing for so long and try to go back to plain stockinette, my fingers sort of is miss it.

Were the zippers hard to set in? I've been eyeing the drop stitch hoodie from the Spring IK and it involves 4 zippers and I'm a little apprehensive. I will have to check out the tutorial.

Have a great weekend! :)

Karen said...

Chris, your sweater came out so beautiful!!! It looks like something you'd plunk down big bucks for in The Gap (hurrah for Wool of the Andes, my favorite bargain!!!) You did such a wonderful job on Ribbi, I'm really impressed. At the risk of sounding like all the previous comments - I so fear putting zippers in a knitted garment. I'll have to book-mark that tutorial in case I ever work up the courage. All that rain - yuck - makes everything so gloomy. Don't you hate when the clothes just won't dry (from the girl who never uses the dryer). I hope it clears up soon so poor little Bossy won't have to contemplate building another ark. Can't wait to see what you've got cooked up for Project Spectrum and your stole. And I'm with Scout - I'd love to see some outdoor pictures of your neighborhood!!

Scoutj said...

Great job on the Ribby! If you're ever really wanting to do it again you can finish mine okay? HA!!!

And yeah. I guess I'll have to come there to cause the bodily harm huh? I'll give you a little bit more time. Then I'm coming baybee!

Mintyfresh said...

Fabulous job on the Cardi! It really looks cool and warm, all at once. Perfect for a breezy evening, I bet.

Laura said...

I'm sorry, did you say that the temperature has NOT dipped below 70 degrees? And that it's chilly? Hee hee.

Your Ribby Cardi is great! I love it -- I think the fit is nice. I can't wait to see those pictures of Hawaii. I am almost ready to cast on for the Sampler Stole. I just need to finish those mittens!

Have a good day, Chris, and try to, ahem, stay warm. LOL!

Chris said...

Your Ribby cardi looks great and is fabulously flattering, too. See, knitting it wasn't blog death. ;)

Erica said...

I love your ribbi! I just ordered some yarn for mine. And the zipper installation looks great!

Jenn said...

See? I told you that you would beat me! Though I am happy to say that I'm on the final sleeve! Woo Hoo!
Yours looks great - love the natural color - goes with everything!
It's supposed to be 83 here today - no cardi weather is coming....
Can't wait to see your sampler stole!

Anonymous said...

Very nice!! I have several cardis on my "want to knit" list and you might have inspired me to get moving on at least one of them ...

Anonymous said...

Nope, sorry, don't believe you, but the cardi looks lovely!!

Jennifer said...

It looks lovely on you. I like the collared version. Wait! There's a collared version? Cool!

That is so cute how your little one was worried about another "Great Flood." After hearing about your weather out there, I can see why!

Lynda said...

Your Ribby Cardi is great! I think the fit is perfect, easy and not tight, very wearable, and chic! I can just picture Stinky playing with you, hovering her little foot over your blocked knitting. I keep finding cat prints across my stuff while it's blocking!

Thanks for the picture of your knitting spot! How risque! Love the knitting bag!

Terby said...

Super cute! I might finish mine after all... Thanks for the inspiration. Yours looks so polished, really nice job as always.

carrie said...

that looks like a great sweater to just throw on and run to the store. comfy and cute!

Kim said...

Ribby turned out great! And I will back you up on it getting cold enough for sweaters in Hawaii. People need to remember that heat and cold are relative--if you live where it is 80+ degrees most of the time and the temps dip into the mid to low 70's it feels cold. I grew up in Western New York and I know cold--I lived in Hawaii for a few years and there were many nights and few days when I felt the need for a sweater.

msubulldog said...

Look at that rockin' zipper! Nice work, lady. :) It is such a great looking sweater and looks so good on you!

Oh, Bossy's question just breaks my heart. The things kids stress over! (Aaron was just saying the other night that he has nightmares about a vacuum cleaner--ha,ha,ha--poor kid.)

*I'm also glad to see how many zipper-phobic knitters are finding that tutorial now! Go for it, girls! I even sent the tutorial's author an email thaking her for such a great lesson. :)

Olga said...

Woo hoo! Cool cardigan, for sure! And your pictures are so cute. I know what you mean about feeling cold in Hawaii...I get the same scoffing remarks too when I complain that it's chilly and in the 60s here! Nice job with the zipper too! It all really looks fantastic. I want to make one, and was thinking of using cotton, but cotton has no stretch, and I don't want to be wearing it around my ankles!

Agnes said...

Have no self-doubt! You look super cool in that cardi! I have the pattern too and would really like to make one ... just have to find another colour to go with the Russet Highland Wool I already have. Nice job!
And I do believe you ... it would really get cold (ok, maybe not cold, but cool and fresh) in Hawaii. It is under 50 here today!

jessica said...

Love it! It looks wonderful! You did beautiful job. I really like the color too. It will go with anything and make one cool mama! I'm going to be instaling a zipper soon, so I'm deffinetly going to bookmark that tutorial, thanks! By the way you look great in it too;o)

Too cute about Bossy & the flood. Gabe loves that story because of all the animals. We try to make all the different sounds... but what do giraffes sound like anyways?!hehe, Take care:o)

Lynette said...

Ribby Cardi is quite flattering on you, congrats on a terrific job! I enjoy knitting in rib as well, the rhythm is calming.

I've been to Hawaii a couple of times and attest that it can be "cold" during a rainstorm :-)

Unknown said...

It looks so good!! I love it in all one color, nice choice. We also live in a tropical climate, and a cardigan is perfect when it gets chilly. Great job!

I am also impressed you did a zipper...that still scares me.

Anonymous said...

Your cardi looks great! Nice job!

And chill is relative. When I lived in warmer climes, 60's and damp would chill me to the bone. When I live in the mountains or in northern climates, in the spring, freezing seems warm enough to go without a jacket!

Debi said...

I hear ya on the "70 degrees is sweater weather"! hehehe...

It's GORGEOUS Chris! And I don't think it looks big at all! It's a lovely classic you'll reach for all the time! And well done on the zip! For custom zips try www.zipperstop.com -- they are so awesome!! I send Jeff a butterfly of my yarn and he matches it perfectly and sends it back so I have it in two days -- all for about $5 for a 27 inch custom seperating zip including shipping!! Can't beat that with a stick! :)

Thanks for all the wonderful compliments you gave me Chris!

Anonymous said...

Ribby turned out great in that creamy yarn and you're chic! I went to Hawaii (Oahu) for my honemoon and it was in May but I remember that in the mornings and evenings it could get chilly, so you'll get plenty of use out of ribby.

amylovie said...

You look SMASHING in your new cardi. Great work. I'm looking forward to seeing you next project.

Amy

lexa said...

I love your cardigan! It turned out sooooo nice! Wonderful!

Catherine Kerth said...

oh i love the cardi! it really does suit you nicely and i like how it is natrual... sorry its been raining so much there, i love thunder storms but i hate it when it hails! seems to do that alot in texas lately! love your hello kitty :)

Anonymous said...

Your cardi looks so comfy! I've thought of making one of my own but all that ribbing is very daunting to this 'thrower'.

SAM said...

You are "one cool mama!"

Acornbud said...

Wow your cardi came out so great! Nice finishing and fit. You look cool mama! With all the rain it's amazing anything dries before the mildew sets in. That scarf coming up is really going to be beautiful.

WandaWoman said...

Your cardi looks really great Chris! I'm so impressed that you did the zipper all by yourself. Great job!

stricken madchen said...

I love your new Cardi! And I must say you make quite the beautiful model. ;-)
Michelle

Casey said...

Great job on the cardigan! I've had the "wish I'd knit a different size" thing happen to me, too. I with there was a try on before you knit option. Even with measuring myself, comparing sizes of things I like and reading the pattern carefully, I never really know how it's going to fit!

Sorry about all the rain! My friends just took a vacation to Hawaii. They thought they were going to get away from the Oregon rain and ended up in the Hawaii storm. They still had fun in your state, though!

Allison said...

Wow - great work on that sweater! It looks fantastic on you. I also really like that bag :) Hope you have a good weekend.

Anonymous said...

Oh so you're crusty all over, too? Sometimes I'm really surprised that I'm dressed when we walk out the door. There's always so much to do with the monsters that I forget I have to look presentable.
Oh well, I love your ribbed cardigan. You look great in it! I have the pattern and now I really want to knit it. I just have to figure out what color.

Cathy said...

Chris, that sweater is gorgeous! You did a fantastic job on it - I love the color and the style - perfect with everything. We are having rain here (not nearly as much as you!), makes everything all muddy and gloomy. Stay "warm" in your sweater and enjoy the rest of your weekend :)

Cat said...

Oh, I like your Ribbi Cardi!! Stay warm, Sweetheart! The pastry is a typical Swedish Semla - the traditional day to consume the semla is Shrove Thursday but they are nowadays seasonally available from New Year's until the start of Lent.

Anonymous said...

It really is cold here!! And I've been freezing all week. I really need to learn to knit because your ribby cardi looks just like the thing to warm my chilled bones.

It looks amazing!! And fits you perfect.
Stay warm and dry!

:)

Knittypants said...

Your Ribbi Cardi turned out so well! It looks great. I have some yarn stashed away to make myself one in red.

jennifer said...

ribbi looks great - what a great fit! hope you are doing well with those little adorable munchkins!!!

Dina said...

Your Ribby looks kickin'... great job on sewing the zipper! And you look so cute wearing it! Hear you on the food splatter matter -- walked out of the house today with what I think is peanut butter on the sleeve of my jacket -- who knows how that got there!... and I see I'm not the only one who knits in bed! LOL ... hope Bossy's not too worried now that the weekend has come and gone :)

yahaira said...

your cardi looks so comfy and cushy, great job. I love the natural color you chose, it dresses it up a bit without being too much.

Bron said...

love the cardi - it looks fab!!!!
I'm looking for a rib knit card to do myself
yours is very inspiring! =)

knittinmom said...

Ribby Cardi! Yay! It looks fantastic. Bossy's reaction to the Noah's Ark story is too funny. Isn't it strange what kids decide to obsess about? Sydney's current obsession is monsters... And I love your Hello Kitty doll. My mom used to stock my Easter basket with Hello Kitty stuff every year, so she has a very special place in my heart! Have a great week, Chris!!! Also, I can't remember if I e-mailed you to tell you there's a little card in the mail for you (finally!), so be on the lookout.

Ragan said...

Your Ribby is very nice! I am sure that it will be enjoyed for years to come! AND...IT DOES get cold in Hawai'i!!! No one believes me either when I tell them that. I would wear thermal pajamas at night...since we didn't have HEAT in our little house. BRRR. :)
I sleep knit as well, and much to my hubby's dismay...fall asleep with the needles in hand. OUCH.
Have a wonderful day!
Thank you for all of your wonderful and cheerful comments...they always make me smile.

Sayward said...

That looks like it fits you perfectly! (Could you shrink it, just a bit, if you need to?)

My best friend, who's originally from New England, claims it is never cold enough to even wear socks in Hawaii. You have no idea how many times I've offered to make her a pair. Maybe Hawaii feels extremely warm year round to someone who grew up with winter.

What a lovely knitting bag!

Chris said...

Thanks for the comment! So, I just learned that if you order directly from Cucumber Patch instead of from their ebay store, it's much cheaper. I got Mermaid from the ebay store for $120, but it's $99.10 at their regular store....

KnitPastis said...

Your Ribby Cardi looks perfect! I don't like my sweaters too tight either. Finally someone knitted it in a solid color. I have been wanting to see it this way. Great job!