Our Common Thread: Part Three

As I mentioned on Monday, I managed to get TWO finished objects while I was at my knitting retreat. I spent most of Friday working on my Cherry Pie skirt, because I knew if I didn't get it done last weekend, I ran a dangerous risk of not ever getting around to it. I hated having to rip out the folded hem, but it really ended up being worth it, and re-knitting the moss stitch border really only took a few hours.

Construction notes: after checking gauge, I cast on for my exact waist measurement, knit a 6-round folded casing for an elastic, then continued about 6 inches, increasing 4 stitches every 6 rounds or so. Once that section was done, I doubled my stitch count by knitting into the front and back every stitch for one round, and knit until I was almost out of my main color. Then I did the colorwork chart from the sweater (I had to increase just 3 stitches before starting the chart) and continued on in my contrast color for another 11 rounds, then did 12 rounds in moss stitch and bound off in pattern.

I'm so happy with this skirt now-it really hangs and drapes much better, and I feel so great wearing it. It's a great length, and it breathes well enough that I think I can definitely wear it through spring-maybe not well into summer, but overall I think this is going to be a really flexible skirt.

Ravelry Page: Cherry Pie Skirt

Pattern: Cherry Pie, by Teresa Gregorio

Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Worsted, "Squirrel Heather," and Brights, "Hot Tamale"

I also finished my Springtastic Socks for the Holla Knits KAL on Saturday night! These really flew off the needles once I went up a needle size and added the contrast cuffs, heels, and toes. These came out absolutely perfect-and I have just enough of the striped Patons left over to add a square to my sock blanket.

These are so comfortable, you guys. Once these were done, I didn't take them off for the rest of the retreat. The lace and cable pattern was a bit overwhelming to keep track of at first, but starting over really helped a lot-it's amazing what a simple gauge change can do (although becoming more familiar with the chart certainly didn't hurt)!

Ravelry Page: Springtastic Socks

Pattern: SpringTastic Socks, by Stefanie Goodwin-Ritter

Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks Stripes, "Sailor Stripes," and Knit Picks Stroll Tonal, "Pearlescent"