My Sock Break Project

Mondo Cable Shell- Back View

A few false starts or more precisely false cast offs and my non-sock project is complete.  I ended up doing 3 cast offs...complete with the ends woven in...before I was pleased.  Why so many?  The first cast off was done according to the pattern.  I didn't like the fit.  At all.  It was too short and I'm not the type that wants to wear an exposed midriff.  The edge rolled enough that my husband even asked "why."  You know it's trouble when he notices.  Why indeed...so on my second attempt I did an inch or so more ribbing and switched to garter for a few rows. The thought was that the garter ridges would prevent the rolling of the stockinette. I cast off and was not happy.  Still to short.  Still too wonky.  Frogged the garter rows back go the ribbed section.

Extra cable cross

On my third attempt I measured the amount of yarn left...26 grams and figured I would continue the ribbing and add another cable cross.  By the time I was down to a couple of grams I decided to try an i-cord bind off.  Problem solved.  I like the fit.  The edge looks so much better and actually looks similar to the arm and neck edging.  No more exposed midriff and it fits rather well. 

Mondo Cable Shell/Vest

Details:

Pattern:  Mondo Cable Shell/Vest by Bonnie Marie Burns (aka Chicknits)

Yarn: Roslea Organic Merino by Three Irish Girls; 100% organic merino wool; 8 oz/480 yards; Colorway:  Sea Nymph.  I used all but the 7 grams of yarn from my gauge swatch.

Needles:  Addi Clicks US 7 and US 8

Gauge:  18 stitches /24 rows over 4 inches of stockinette stitch

I-cord bind off

Modifications:  I added length to the vest by continuing the ribbing for a total of 3 inches.  I also did an i-cord bind off rather than the pattern's ribbed bind off.  The overall effect looks more clean and the overall effect mimics the neck and arm hole edges.  Another benefit of the i-cord is that it helps prevent the edge rolling up.   I really dislike hems that roll and find myself constantly pulling on it.

After blocking the vest is now 23 inches long which better fits my torso rather than the pattern's called for 20.5 inches.  No other modifications were made to the vest. 

A few words about the yarn...Roslea Organic Merino.  Once again I chose a yarn from Three Irish Girls Stash Menagerie Club.   I so enjoyed the feel of knitting with this yarn.  The merino was soft to the touch and I really think it will feel nice against the bare skin.  Three Irish Girls once again did a terrific job dying the yarn...lots of subtle variations of color and no harsh pooling of color on the finished garment.  I wish I had a few more skeins in my stash to knit a sweater.  I may have to remedy that unfortunate state of the stash.

No April Fool's

Mondo Cable is done.  I think it is anyway.  It may need to be tweaked a bit more.  No Fooling.  I changed a few things and it still doesn't look quite right.  It's taking a soak and after it's blocked I'll see how it looks.  When your husband says it 'something looks off' you just know more ripping and knitting is in your future.   All the blocking in the world probably won't change anything, but I thought I'd give it a shot.

At the moment still no April sock started...after spending the day playing with tile my hands wanted a break tonight.  Hopefully tomorrow will be good news on the knitting front and new socks will be started.

Progressing Quickly

One cable &  joined in the round

I've got to say that this shell is progressing pretty quickly.  Really enjoying knitting this top.  For a number of reasons...first it's not a sock.  It's pretty clever construction that moves top down.  That's a good thing because you can try it on as you go.  I have yet to do so...probably should too.  I don't want any surprises when it's done.

After some knitting magic I've joined the right to the left sides and started knitting in the round.  One cable is done...5 more to go till I'm done.  Pretty sweet.  Better stop the bragging now...remember what happens when one gets too cocky with one's knitting.  Hope to finish by the end of the week so I can cast on April's sock...still no pattern or yarn chosen.  I should get on that soon, but now I'm possessed...knitting the shell and watching eaglets. 

I haven't mentioned watching baby eagles have I?  I've been following two nests...one more local and another out in the wilds of the Midwest.  It has been fascinating watching these birds and equally interesting how some people react to watching nature. 

A Brief Break in the Sock Action

Back view

Since I finished my March socks a week ahead of schedule I decided to take a break from sock knitting.  I managed to cast on the Mondo Cable Shell  by Bonnie Marie Burns of Chicknits last night.  I have had the pattern for ages.  I had thought the computer 'ate' it when it crashed awhile back.  Thankfully it was merely 'lost' in a file I don't remember creating...does that ever happen to anyone else?

Color Variation

I'm using another skein from Three Irish Girls.  It's called Rosea Organic Merino which is 100% merino...oops, organic merino.   The colorway is a semi solid collection of purples called Sea Nymph .  I love the name although when you see the color it doesn't scream either the Sea or for that matter Nymph to me...not that I know what a nymph looks like, ha.  I got lucky and it's knitting up at the correct gauge and the variations of color are looking splendid so far.

Only one concern...is there enough yarn?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  I have a double skein that's says it is 480 yards at 8 ounces.  After weighing it I have a wee bit more at 8 5/8 ounces...pattern calls for 475 yards.  So if the Knitting Gods are kind I'll have enough...if I get cocky you know what will happen.  I'll get  smacked down with at least an inch left to knit.  The plan...not to get too full of myself.