I have to say that I am almost afraid to think that I may just have knit a sweater that is actually going to fit! So far my track record for sweaters has not been so great. I tend to think that I am bigger than I am and my sweaters end up ginormous. This isn't saying that I am not bigger than i would like, but I am doing a lot right now to change that and so far so good :)
Ok...back to the sweater. I am finishing up with the cap on the last sleeve today and then it will be time for blocking, seaming and putting on the neck and front bands.
I can honestly say that I have not worked with cotton for an adult sweater, so I am not quite sure how one goes about blocking cotton.
I am hoping that those of you more experienced knitters in blog land will help me with this. Is it better to steam block as I know cotton grows when it is wet, or is it better to soak and block?
In addition to the knitting projects that I am finishing up, I have been dyeing like a crazy woman getting ready for the upcoming fair. Ken likes to tease me with his not so witty words of "eye of newt and stir the cauldron"...aggh. I keep threatening to put him to work if he doesn't knock it of!
The first batch of Splish Splash rovings I dyed up were done in a SW merino that I picked up a last fall from a well known vendor. I was told it was merino, but I am not quite sure that is the case. I decided to use this as my play roving for experimenting, so I guess it's ok. It's definitely SW something...LOL.
The newest batch of rovings is a SW BFL which I really am excited about. A little fly away to handle, but that fly away part translates into softness, which is nice.
As anyone who works in the fiber business knows, an important part of the business end is making sure that a product is something that you yourself would buy.
This is the fun part.......I can actually justify sitting behind my wheel and spinning. No need to even feel guilty that the dust bunnies are multiplying like bunnies do :)
Those rovings look good enough to eat! Especially the orange one... but ALL of them, truly. :-)
Posted by: Beth S. | Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 11:15 AM
I soaked and blocked my Hey Teach and it came out perfect ( I adore it) but it was a bamboo and cotton blend. I have the opposite prolem to you. I seem t think I am a lot smaller than I actually am and so my sweaters are all too small.
Posted by: alison | Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 01:52 AM
I love that orange, very Fall'ish!
Posted by: Raquel Moreno | Monday, September 15, 2008 at 06:07 PM
Splish splash is looking mighty fine hanging there! You just know I'll be buying some just as soon as I can!
Posted by: Jewel | Monday, September 15, 2008 at 12:56 AM
OMG! Happy birthday! You are just the best.
Posted by: Laurie | Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 06:00 PM
Happy Belated Birthday!!!
Posted by: Mary E.Dadds | Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Oh my - Many blessings on your birthday (a couple days ago!)
Your Hey Teach (that is what it is, isn't it?)is looking good :-) I haven't had any luck at all with my cotton sweaters/tops this year - so I'll be interested to know how yours turns out... maybe I'll try once more (?)
Love all the rovings - I'll bet that they will sell out fast!
and isn't it just the best "having" to test spin some (giggles)
Posted by: Teyani | Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 12:02 PM
It's looking great! I really like this one. Happy birthday!
Posted by: tiennie | Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 01:15 AM
Your Hey Teach is so pretty! And that roving, such a teaser! I really hope to get some!
Posted by: stacey | Friday, September 12, 2008 at 07:04 PM
Blessings to you on your birthday, Kim! Your sweater is going to be fabulous, you know. I can't wait to see it!
Posted by: Lynne | Friday, September 12, 2008 at 03:29 PM
happy BD one day late! (how did everyone know?).
that row of rovings looks yummy; hope you're having fun dyeing fiber instead of yarn.
Posted by: anne | Friday, September 12, 2008 at 12:02 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I want some of that BFL too! Hope to see you Saturday.
Posted by: Manise | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Happy Birthday, Kim! Everything looks lovely!
Posted by: Heather | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 08:51 PM
I roll my cotton sweaters up in a damp towel and leave them overnight then block in the morning (ala chick knits method) - http://www.chicknits.com/block.shtml
and it has worked perfectly!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Posted by: Pat | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 08:43 PM
Happy Birthday. Have a great weekend!
Love the new fiber, it looks great hanging there.
Posted by: Suzanne | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 08:20 PM
Mazal Tov! Happy birthday :)
Posted by: Rachel | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 05:58 PM
Happy birthday! What fair? When? Where?
(Yeah, I'm way behind again. I'm such a loser.)
Posted by: Lucia | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 04:25 PM
Happy Birthday!! Hope you have had a wonderful day. Can't wait to see your beautiful sweater all finished...
Posted by: Gina | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Happy Birthday, Kim! I remembered all on my own! I hope we can celebrate this weekend!
Posted by: Teresa C | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 03:58 PM
happy birthday kim!!!!!!
Posted by: vanessa | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 03:24 PM
GORGEOUS COLORS! Have a marvelous Birthday!
Posted by: Rosa | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Happy Birthday Kim!
I would wet block a cotton sweater. After all, you plan on washing it eventually!
Posted by: claudia | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Hope your birthday is going great! I want some of that BFL but I guess I'll have to wait until after the fair.
Posted by: Carole | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Happy Birthday!!
Your sweater is going along wonderfully.
Posted by: Karen | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Happy Birthday! Have an awesome year!
Posted by: stephieknits | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 02:01 PM
I'm SO looking forward to making another big purchase from your booth this year Kim. I'll bring cash this time so I don't have to send my hubby to find an ATM machine! LOL Or maybe I should send him anyway so he isn't bored while I spend the afternoon at your booth. HA!
Posted by: gail | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Happy Birthday! Hope your day is GREAT!!!
(via Margene)
Your rovings are beautiful!
Posted by: Jan | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 01:48 PM
Happy Birthday, Kim, and I SO know what you mean about those sweaters that don't fit. I'm going to stick to baby sweaters for the immediate future! Yours looks like it's going to be lovely...can't wait to see it finished.
Posted by: Marcia | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 01:43 PM
Happy Birthday! I hope the sweater fits perfectly! The roving is so yummy...I love all the colors! :)
Posted by: Ruinwen | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Happy Birthday, Kim! Your rovings are lovely - Enjoy your beautiful new sweater! (Margene sent me, too!!)
Posted by: Elizabeth L in Apex, NC | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 11:48 AM
I'm inclined to agree with Elizabeth. Treat the sweater the way you expect to treat it from here on out. It should soften and be lovely to wear. The fiber is GORGEOUS!
Happy Birthday, again, dear friend.
Posted by: margene | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Happy Birthday! (Margene sent me...)
Posted by: Doris | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Happy Birthday!!!
And ditto what Elizabeth said on the wet blocking/spinning in the dryer. I can't wait to see how it turns out - all the ones I've seen so far have been very cute.
Posted by: Cheryl S. | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 11:08 AM
I think your rovings are lovely! And Merino is so lovely to spin. Looking forward to seeing more.
And yay for you with the sweater! I'm going to start one for me soon, and I worry about the same things-- will it fit? argh.
Posted by: karen | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 11:02 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, grrlfriend! To a wonderful year!!
Posted by: Kathy | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 10:54 AM
I finished a cotton sweater recently and I soaked and blocked. I spun the pieces in the washer so it didn't take forever to dry. Can't wait to see yours!
AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!
P.S. That fiber? Gorgeous.
Posted by: elizabeth | Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 10:50 AM