Pattern: Cozy from knitty.com
Yarn: KnitPicks Dye Your Own Fingering Weight... 100% merino wool. Dyed with Black Cherry Kool Aid using the steam method. I used just under two hanks and only stopped because I was tired of sitting under it.
Tools: Size 9 metal needles... Boyles, I think. More straight pins than I planned to use.
Mods: I did the same garter stitch at the end that I did according to the pattern at the beginning. I think it made the piece look a little more even and balanced.
Lessons Learned: Going with the flow of the pattern made making this much easier. I am ashamed of how long it took me to find the flow.
Always use a thimble when pinning. No matter how much you hate thimbles. It will save the mouse finger from a great deal of pain later on.
Washing the home dyed yarn after dyeing and before knitting is a happy thing. I did not worry at all about bleeding during the blocking/pinning process because I had already washed and conditioned my yarn.
Taking pictures of yourself while wearing something you made is not easy and editing said pictures can be downright depressing.
Note to Self: Get married, so someone else can take the stupid pictures next time.
Do it again: I will knit Cozy again. It was a lot of fun once I found the rhythm and flow of the pattern. It wasn't about trusting the pattern. It was about knowing where the stitches were taking me. Once I got that, the knitting became much easier for me. However, it will be a while before I'm ready or willing to pin block another. It took over an hour of sitting on the floor of the garage... sweating and swearing for most of it.
Finished length is over six feet long and about twenty-two inches wide. We will not be discussing how long this took.
No, we won't.
Oh, and I totally love it. ::bounces::
OMG Cookie, it's gorgeous!!! And it looks very difficult. I'm quite impressed. You did very very well!
Posted by: Susan | Saturday, July 15, 2006 at 02:57 PM
That is totally amazing...I am so impressed. I printed out the cozy pattern. I may need to come to your house for lessons.
Ann
Posted by: Ann | Saturday, July 15, 2006 at 06:33 PM
That's very pretty, and I like your KA color. It looks more lacy than I would have imagined the KP-DYO yarn would be. Very nice!
Posted by: Dave Daniels | Saturday, July 15, 2006 at 06:57 PM
It looks gorgeous! How did you like the yarn?
Posted by: Frarochvia | Sunday, July 16, 2006 at 07:06 PM
I know nothing about yarn or patterns... or kitting for that fact. But I do recognize good work and a cool pattern when I see one. That pattern is sooo cool! It'd make a great tanktop (with cami under it), wrap or a lot of other fun things. You do beautiful work!
Posted by: Sprite | Monday, July 17, 2006 at 02:40 AM
Great job, Cookie!! I have a large hank of undyed lace yarn that I'm too scared to go near so I admire your courage!
Posted by: Bonnie | Monday, July 17, 2006 at 11:37 AM
I love your version of Cozy MUch better than the one pictures at knitty. It's either your picture or the blocking, either way I love it.
I think I want to try this now. That way I can ask you when I get stuck what the heck I'm doing. *L*
You took great piccies of it alone. Although I'd love to see a full size piccie of it when you get a minute. ;)
*HUSG*
Posted by: KnittyOtter | Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 10:23 AM