Switched yarns

Well, I didn't like how my Welsh wool was turning out, so I went back and changed yarns. I'm nw using Pachuko naturally colored cotton in 3 shades. I plan to use darker color on the arms and get lighter toward the middle. Because this yarn shrinks when machine-dried, I plan to hang dry/dry flat the kimono. I have a lot of machine-wash-hang-dry stuff, so that's not too bad. I bought this yarn for the heck of it when Elann carried it - it' been well-aged in the stash!

Iron_knitter (Catherine) in snowy Wisconsin

A Project Summary

Folks have been interested in the types of patterns we are going to use in the project. I meant to post this a couple of days ago, but I am getting ready to leave for Stitches West and prep took priority. But before I run out into the VERY RAINY day, here is the "plan" for the stitches:

• Jan - Knit & Purl Combinations
• Feb - Simple Lace
• Mar - Slipped Stitches
• Apr - Clustered Stitches
• May - Patterns with Varied Stitch Counts
• Jun - Ribbed Patterns (combined with other techniques)
• Jul - Brioche Type Patterns
• Aug - Tucked Stitches
• Sep - Elongated and Dropped Stitches
• Oct - Twisted Stitches
• Nov - Cables
• Dec - 3-D Patterns

As I stated before, each month will have 2-3 patterns. I am not giving you all the details, because that would be a bit counter to the concept, but hopefully this list will help!

Please keep in mind that this is a plan. I may need to change the order slightly based on trying to build on previously covered skills, but these will definitely be the primary topics! There will also be other tips, tricks and hints based on what we are covering that month. Hopefully this helps with planning -- or at least gets you even more excited!!!

Public outcry!

I feel such a sense of accomplishment now that I've learned to knit lace patterns! I was sad when I finished the panel and wondered if anyone ever threw a temper tantrum to get the next installment early...nothing ventured, nothing gained!

I'm so glad I found this project!

SSK Plan

Gwen,
Can you please give us some idea how many of each type of pattern designs are included in the kimono, so that we can plan our strip placements. So far, there have been patterns that create linear texture and a selection of three lacy designs. Will there be other pattern styles like these?
I am thinking about how I want the types of patterns to progress up the sleeve, for example. And what type of pattern I will use for the border of my front panels (down the middle).
Since my kimono is longer that yours, I want the designs to provide the appropriate effect on the front and back.
If I want to include a lacy design on the front or back, I want to make it long enough (or short enough) for that placement. I do not want to have to go back and unknit a bind-off to make a strip longer, or to unravel to make a strip shorter. There is a lot of work and time invested in this project and I am sure you want all of our kimonos to be pleasing to the knitters.
What can you tell us about the number and types of designs that will be coming up?
-Sahara

Swatches

Hi all: Well, I'm not sure when I am going to start. Right now I have the 3 swatches done for January and one of the three for February done. Will have the other 2 swatches done this weekend. I keep going back and forth on waiting to get more swatches done so I can put them side by side to see how they will look together, or going for broke and starting the actual strips. The swatches are gorgeous and I'm building up the anticipation of actually starting.

It's nice to see though that I am not the only one who is still "thinking". LOL

Once I have all 6 swatches done, I'll take some pictures and post them. Maybe even move them around some and see how they look together.

Happy knitting all :)

Anticipation

I have not started my project yet, as my New Year's resolution was to finish my projects before starting a new one. I am almost finished with the fingerless gloves I am knitting for the boyfriend (let's hope he doesn't break up with me, though I have knitted him a sweater vest in the past), and as soon as I finish with those, I shall begin the kimono for ME!!!

This will be one of the first garments I actually make for myself, so I am pretty excited.

Gwen, hope to see you at Stitches West!! You were my favorite teacher last year, and I have made several felted oven mitts using the pattern I took from the class.

creatively behind

Hi everyone,

I am behind for a couple of reasons. I decided to wait til I had more than one set of monthly instructions to start, just to help me visual the project. I know this is supposed to function kinda like a mystery project, but hey, I read the end of mysteries before I start the book! So it was great to see the sample completed here on the blog. I love the Feburary stitches, and was delighted to see pictures of strips from January's booklet on the Yahoo!group pictures. I am now really eager to get started.

I also delayed starting because I am going to tweak the shape a bit. I don't think my sleeves will have batwings, as intriguing as Gwen's construction appears to be. My body and batwings do NOT go well together! But I figure this party is all about creativity.

Just got it

Just opened the package. I'm sitting amid packing boxes - we just moved - I'm already behind!