crumpets

strap issues?

2005-10-12T14:06:00.000-07:00

So, I'm almost done with the endless stockinette for the skirt. I think I'm leaving off the edging (opinions? does it roll endlessly without the edging?) but my more important question is this: has anyone done the straps differently? I'm thinking of using ribbon instead of the crochet chain and/or i-cord, but worry about (a) attaching it and (b) having it look strange if the color doesn't match perfectly.

Would that look weird?

Also, pictures coming soon -- I'm working with KnitPicks Shine and I'm down to the last skein and a half! Yay!

at long last!

2005-10-06T15:59:00.000-07:00

I'm done!!

More on my blog.

almost done-- help!

2005-09-28T15:41:00.000-07:00

I'm >this< close to being done-- just in time for my daughter's 4th birthday! However, we moved a couple weeks ago & I packed up all my patterns. I'm wondering if anyone can remind me what the directions are for the crochet straps?
Thanks!!

Arg -- this is harder than I thought!

2005-09-02T16:37:00.000-07:00

So, I know that I'm WAY late with this, but I'm just now starting crumpets, and already I'm doubting myself. Is the bodice REALLY this hard? I consider myself a fairly accomplished knitter, but that cable row is kicking my butt. Any suggestions? Other than to just power through it?

I just finished the first 8 rows and I am totally looking forward to the miles of stockinette at the end. :)

My Completed Crumpets!

2005-08-27T00:33:00.000-07:00

She is finally done just in time to give away tomorrow! I'm not sure about the elastic inside and I rewove the ribbon about four times trying to find just the right look! I am so happy that she is done! Crumpets was a fun yet challenging knit - I learned bunches while making her. This may be the most complex project I have done thus far! :)

Technical specs: I used almost three skeins of Cotton Ease in Candy Blue. Did the picot cast on from Vogue Knitting (Boy was that fun - Not So Much!!!), made adjustments in the ties, and used more beads than the pattern called for - not sure how many but maybe 1 and a half times the amount. I swatched and then cast on for the 1 year old size - but as the bodice came together I realized this was going to fit a two year old! I adjusted the length to compensate. Lined the bodice with elastic. If I made this again I would possibly use a smaller size needle as she seems a bit loosely knit. I would also buy a longer length of ribbon than the pattern calls for. I'm not sure I'd use the Cotton Ease again as it was VERY splitty on the needles. Note to self - if you make this again make the ties way way longer than you think they need to be! I also added some clear nail polish on the ends of the ribbon to keep it from fraying (sometimes you gotta improvise at midnight!) ;)

almost there...

2005-08-24T08:30:00.000-07:00

i don't know whether i am just a slow knitter, or if it's just that i don't have enough time to knit. or maybe it's that i get distracted by having too many projects going on at once. but anyway--i am ALMOST done with the skirt on crumpets at last! i thought i should post a progress picture, which i took this weekend in a coffee shop in beaufort. i made the hippie act as my hanger for it. :) sorry again for the poor picture quality--it seems all i ever have on me with which to take pictures is my phone! and even though this is taking me FOREVER, i still love how it's coming out! now, on to the crocheting...

Way Late

2005-08-01T07:33:00.000-07:00

I know I'm way late in finally getting this posted (profuse apologies) but at least they're posted! Right?

Edging help needed!

2005-07-29T23:59:00.000-07:00

I am trying to finish my crumpets and am working on the bottom edging. The directions say to chain seven and slip stitch to the front and back of the sixth stitch. I understand the chain seven part but the after that I am lost! Can anyone help???? I so want to get her done!!! :)

Hi Everyone!

2005-07-15T23:54:00.000-07:00

Although it is a bit late in the game I am jazzed to be a part of this KAL! I have been working on my Crumpets for a few weeks now (not awfully consistently) and here is my progress thus far.

The picot cast on was terrible and took me forever and then I messed up the pattern once and had to frog about three inches back to the beginning - but I finally made it through the bodice and I am looking forward to finishing the skirt. I was trying to make the one year size but it seems to be turning out the size of the two year so we will be sticking with that!

I have enjoyed seeing everyone's pictures and reading about your progress on the project - so those of you who are still knitting keep updating!

edging

2005-07-14T11:41:00.000-07:00

A couple of people have asked me to post directions to make the edging I used on my dress. here goes!

First let me note that the pattern is meant for a (multiple of 6 plus 3) but that I just fudged it, as I always do. I find crochet very forgiving in that way. If you do not have the right number of cast off stitches on the bottom, you can figure it out as you get to the end of the row and just decrease or increase as needed. I believe the size 2 works out just right anyhow, and yours probably will too.

Multiple of 6 plus 3

row 1: (with RS of dress facing you) attach new yarn if needed and hdc in each bound off stitch as if it were a chain (under both loops).

row 2: 3ch (counts as 1 dc), skip 1st hdc, 1dc into next hdc. * 1ch, skip 1 hdc, 1dc into each of next 2 hdc; repeat from *

row 3: 5ch (counts as 1dc, 2ch), 1sc into next chain-space, * 4ch, 1sc into next chain-space; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, 2ch, 1dc into 3rd of 3ch at beginning of previous row

row 4: 1ch, 1sc into first dc, *work 5dc into next 4ch-space, 1 sc into next 4ch-space; repeat from * to end, placing last sc into 3rd of 5ch at beginning of previous row. fasten off.

When you block the dress, it will lie flat with this edging.

yay!!

2005-07-11T16:23:00.000-07:00

A big thank you to Jackie for taking on admin duties for the KAL. I'll keep up as best as I can over the coming couple months of craziness!

FINALLY making headway

2005-07-08T15:55:00.000-07:00

i was so excited to get going on this, and then one thing after another happened, and i kept getting delayed. but now, finally, i am cooking with gas, and i LOVE it! i am using a hand spun yarn, which is a nightmare, as i keep hitting knots in the yarn where i have to stop, cut the yarn, and restring all those beads over and over again--YUCK. but i think it's coming out pretty well, in spite of a few technical difficulties. i have about an inch more knitted than what you see here. sorry the picture isn't better--i took it with my phone.

as you see, i am getting a little help from my friend here. with fergus's assistance, i am hoping to get through most of this top over the weekend. :) the truth is, fergus is a great cat who mostly just sits on my lap when i am knitting, but he is a major needle thief! what kind of cat is not interested in yarn but wants the needles instead? the mind boggles.

more and better pictures to come, i promise!

admin help!

2005-07-07T19:43:00.000-07:00

Hi there everyone! I am the midst of a major move and will have sketchy internet access for the next couple months-- is anyone willing to take over the administrative duties of the site? At this point, it really just means sending invitations to those requesting to join and changing the HTML to add new members as they arrive.
Please let me know if you are interested!
Thanks.

Picot Cast On

2005-06-17T09:47:00.000-07:00

Can someone gently explain the Picot Cast On? I am comfy with knitting and purling, increasing and decreasing. Can get help from the local yarn shop but one lady I asked hadnt heard of it.

Is there a step by step instruction somewhere?

Thanks so much!

Debra

Done!

2005-06-13T17:54:00.000-07:00



So cute!

Here's the stats - six-month size, Lion Brand Cotton Ease in Lilac. I used a little over the two skeins required, probably due to the fact that I had several knots in the first skein that I had to deal with, and I lost some yardage there. I used size 5 Addi Turbos - started the bodice on 16" circulars and switched to 32" circs at the waist. I crocheted shoulder straps in two parts so they can be adjusted at the shoulder.

I enjoyed the pattern but not the yarn so much. I know the washability factor has made it a favorite with many knitters but I found it a wee bit splitty and heavy, and those knots were really annoying. I'll make the pattern again in different yarn.

I love the smocked effect! That was a fun stitch to do. The crochet at the bottom was a bit of a challenge for me but once I figured out what the heck I was doing I finished it up quickly.

I do have ribbon for it - matching lilac organza. I left it at work, but hopefully I'll get a picture of it with the ribbon before I give it to little Charlotte's dad.

Intro

2005-06-08T22:28:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

My name is Debra and I just joined the knit-a-long. I hope I am not too late. Has everyone finished the dress already. Im a relatively new knitter but feel ready to take on the pattern. I've stared at it for about a month now, its sort of hard to take the leap forward and pick up the needles.

I've decided (I think) to use http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/yarn_display.aspx?itemid=5420122 for a size 6 dress. I dont know how to adjust for differnt yarns/needle sizes. Has anyone used this yarn who can guide me a bit. Any insight you can offer would be fabulous!

Thanks so much!

finished Crumpets dress

2005-06-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

I have finished! I knit this with Filatura diCrosa yarn called Brilla, in color 834. It is a smaller gauge, but I knit too loose so it worked out. I made the size 2, but I think I made it a bit longer. I made a couple of changes; I did not string beads on despite spending $20 on lovely beads because I simply forgot. No excuse, really since this was my second try! The first cast on was too loose, so I started again on a smaller needle (4) and I omitted the picot edge. I used a crochet edging from the Harmony guide which I will post if anyone is interested. I also made thicker straps: ch2, sc, then sc in the upper horizontal loop of that sc until I had a length I wanted. I cross the straps in the back. The dress was very heavy when completed, but adding one layer of elastic to the top of the bodice helped greatly. At some point I will add a few more elastic rounds. As you can see from the picture, it has a lot of drape.

that is my daughter, with almond butter butter on her face :^) she adores this dress to the point that I have had to hide it (!)

More photos on my FO gallery.

Michelle

one more photo

2005-05-26T15:10:00.000-07:00

Thought I needed to post a close up too....I love the way the beads look. I chose a matching ribbon for the belt and straps.

I'm DONE!

2005-05-26T14:54:00.000-07:00

Look, I finished Crumpet! It turned out so cute! It is in the mail to a sweet 2 year old in Indiana. Hopefully, her mom will send me a picture of her in it soon. Thanks to everyone's advice in getting me through the pattern. Maybe one day I will make another...if I am lucky enough to have a girl of my own.

Greetings!

2005-05-22T07:12:00.000-07:00

Well, I joined this KAL a while ago and haven't posted because I've been too lazy to take pictures! I am making the six-month size for a friend's newborn - she was premature so she won't be wearing it for a while. I'm using the Cotton-Ease in lilac - very pretty! I'm not thrilled with the yarn - there were three knots in the first skein, so I have more ends to weave in than I should. I can see where it would be a bit heavy in a larger size. I'd like to try this pattern in Knitpicks' new cotton blend called Shine.

Also, using 36" needles was completely impossible - I wonder if that is a typo? The bodice for the 6 month size is 17" around - I started the dress on 16" circulars and changed to a 32" at the increase row. I'd rather cram a bunch of stitches onto a smaller needle than have them stretched out on a larger one. This would have been a perfect project for my new Denise interchangeable needles, but I got gauge on 3s and the Denise needles only go down to 5. I'm using Addi Turbos, which are great with cotton yarn.

Here's a picture from a few days ago - I'm about halfway through the skirt now. You can see that my top edge is curling a lot - how have people solved this? Blocking?

slooooowly but surely

2005-05-20T18:48:00.000-07:00

I'm certainly not making fast progress on this dress, but it's coming along. I'm about six inches into the skirt. I'm making the size 4, and it is starting to feel really heavy! I'm using the recommended Cotton-Ease-- has anyone else noticed that is starts to feel heavy?
How's everyone else doing?

knit the beads

2005-05-10T12:19:00.000-07:00

Miriam
I have my yarn and beads.I would like to know the best why to knit the beads.I have the TLC cotton yarn.

couple questions!

2005-04-28T09:23:00.001-07:00

I am making sloooooow progress. Can I just say knitting time has been le suck since I went back to work? Wah! That aside, I have a couple questions. One, the top of the bodice on mine is curling up like crazy. I used the picot cast-on. Did this happen for anyone else? Did it settle down with blocking?
I figured out how to crochet a simple chain for the straps, but I don't think I'm up for the crochet work around the bottom of the skirt. Shetha, where did you find instructions for the picot cast-off?
thanks!!

Slowly but surely...

2005-04-27T05:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm working on 3 projects right now and Crumpets is the one I pick up for mindless knitting. I do really want to get it done, but the other two projects are actually time sensitive. I suppose I could argue that this one is too though (since by the time I get it finished my Itty Bitty may have already outgrown it!).

At the top, I actually cast on double the no. of stitches called for, then K2Tog all the way around the next row. For the bodice I used Cascade Fixation Effects and for the skirt I'm using Rowan All Seasons Cotton.

Since I used the Fixation I omitted the eyelets for the lace and instead I plan on knitting a flower in the Fixation to attach to the skirt as a decorative feature. I also don't think I"m going to make it quite as long as the pattern calls for because Itty is crawling, not walking. A skirt that is too long would just make things difficult for her so instead I'll make a pair of diaper covers out of the Fixation as well.

Ta Dah! (X2)

2005-04-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

Well I finally finished the second crumpets and I have photos to share:

This crumpets is for a friend's little girl who will turn 2 on May 1. It's in the 2 yr size and I did the normal cast on and bind off, with the crochet trim. I used TLC cotton plus again (which I love for this project) and I did the beading. It turned out that I needed 225 beads instead of the stated approx 113. That was mainly because I did 9 repeats of the beaded row and each one needed 25 beads. I typically got a guage of 1/2-in per 5-8 repeat... so to get 4 inches I had to do at least 8.

Anyway enough of the technical stuff. I probably won't make another one real soon but I do see myself using this pattern again. Maybe scale it down a bit to a 3 mo size and add lace to the hem for a christening gown? Add a baby bolero? Wouldn't that be the cutest...

This pattern is so beautiful and so versatile. Libby is a genious!

have yarn, will travel

2005-04-21T19:02:00.000-07:00

impatience is already winning. i am SUPPOSED to be correcting a horrible mistake i made on the baby blanket i also have on the needles right now, but instead i went yarn shopping. and then bead shopping. but look what i got!!! even more excited to get started now! just praying that my guess at how much yardage i need to make a top instead of a dress is not wildly off. time (and wendy) will tell...

forming a plan of attack

2005-04-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

ok, so i have read the pattern about 75 times, now, and i am NEARLY ready to go yarn shopping. this is my first knit-along, and i am still something of a newbie, so expect many questions and a ton of screaming from me. :)

i think i am going to copy what wendy did and make a top rather than a dress. and wendy, if i am looking at girlfriend's top correctly, you did a plain cast-on rather than the picot one, yes? i think that plainer top is what i will do as well--seems like less frilly is maybe better for something to wear with jeans. (and of course, i am terrified of the picot cast-on, too, but we won't talk about that...)

so that leaves me with needing to learn to use a cable needle, beading, and crocheting. whoo hoo! totally excited to get started, although realistically, i may not get anywhere till this weekend. trying to show a modicum of self dicipline and finish up a baby blanket before i start this one, but i am not very patient, so we'll see.

thanks for letting me join up kind of late, carole!

New Duds for Girlfriend!

2005-04-18T19:51:00.000-07:00

I am finished. And I loved just about every minute of it. This is a super-fun pattern and even though I made a lot of adjustments, the original pattern is fantastic.

This is what I did differently: I used variegated yarn in a cotton/nylon blend. I didn't make it dress length, either. I thought it would be more useable for Girlfriend in a shorter length that she can wear with jeans. I also did half of the increases for the skirt portion. Since this was to be a top, I thought it didn't need the extra gathering at the waist. Anyway, I will most likely knit another one, maybe even for myself. I'm wondering about the Fixation yarn...this is what I would use if I'm doing a grown-up (and strapless) version for myself.

finished!

2005-04-18T07:10:00.000-07:00

I need to get out my digital camera, but I finished my 6mo crumpets saturday night (then ripped the straps out and redid them sunday morning)

Now I'm going to make a diaper cover to match (since I panicked and went and got another ball of yarn, then didn't even need it - finished the dress with about 8 inches to spare!) but I'm having trouble converting the pattern I found down to where it's small enough. My baby cousin was born Jan 31 and is TINY and this pattern is way too large....I just gotta sit down and figure out the math but I haven't done it yet

photos coming soon!

Nearly Done!

2005-04-16T18:57:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm nearly finished, I can honestly say I'd do this one again. I am making it a bit shorter than the pattern so Girlfriend can wear some jeans with it. I love the variegated yarn, although the beads don't show up that well. I will be shopping for some ribbon tomorrow. .

phew!

2005-04-16T16:23:00.000-07:00

I finally got through the first 8 rows! Loooove how it's coming out! I gave up and switched to a 29" needle, because stretching the stitches over the 36" was driving me crazy. It's cool to see how it all comes together after the first set of the repeats.
How's everyone else doing?

Ugh: Needles

2005-04-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

So, I should have waited to get my needles after reading Shetha's comment on my blog. I ended up getting 32" needles and they're too long! Even with my Fixation stretched out to the hilt it's still too tight. I finally ordered some 24" ones and hopefully that will work out better... but for now I'm on hold.

On the bright side, I'm loving how it's turning out (even though I only made it through the first 4 rows).

How is everyone else coming along?

~L

Getting Started

2005-04-11T22:36:00.000-07:00

Hi ya'll. I bought some really pretty Cotton Fleece in Terracotta and made it through the picot cast-on. It' not as hard as it looks. But some advise for those of you who have never done a beading project before, like me....thread your beads before you cast on! I didn't and now I'm trying to figure out what to do next. I guess I will just cut the yarn after row 2, string the beads and then rejoin the yarn...just another end to sew in at the finish. But I am still having fun and that's all that matters.

bought the yarn and beads!

2005-04-09T19:05:00.000-07:00

I guess I'm sort of swaying to the right or left of center here. Couldn't find exactly what I wanted. My idea was to do the dress in a tan color cotton and some turqouise beads. Since I couldn't find a Girlfriend-friendly tan color, I opted for a variegated cotton/nylon ribbon yarn in some wild purples and some blue beads.

I love all the stuff you guys have done so far. This is a neat little pattern, isn't it? So many variations we can do, too!

My First KAL

2005-04-08T21:04:00.000-07:00

Hi ya'll,

Here's to my first KAL. I will also get my yarn tomorrow...and get started on the little dress. First, I've gotta figure out the picot cast on...and this will be my first cable too. But I know I can do it! Lookin' forward to hearing about everyone's progress. Just wish I had my own little girl to give this to.

Very Excited to Be a Part of this Knit-Along!

2005-04-08T17:16:00.000-07:00

Hi guys, so happy to be a part of this knit-along! I will shop for my yarn tomorrow and was thinking of using GGH Somoa...or maybe All Seasons Cotton. I do have some leftover skeins of yellow Cotton-Ease in my stash, but I want something new.

I think I will do the beading, but make it a little top instead of a dress....is that okay with everyone? My daughter is super active and she'll get a lot more use of it if it is short.

I'll keep you guys posted on my progress and will also show progress on my blog. I just love this pattern. Another thought: I could also do it in something stretchy like Cascade Fixation and not put straps on it....for us grown-ups. Sounds cool, huh? (sans the beads)

Quick thread-the-bead tutorial

2005-04-08T13:27:00.001-07:00

I will post a quick run-down since someone might need it (soon!).

Materials:
Regular sewing needle
Sewing thread - strong thread is good -- cotton or silk if you have it.
Your beads
Your yarn

1) Cut 15-20" of thread
2) thread the needle with your 15-20" of thread and then tie a knot with the two ends of the thread. This creates a loop with the sewing needle on it.
3) "hook" your yarn through the thread loop.
4) While holding the doubled yarn, drop a bead onto the sewing needle and then pull it down onto the doubled yarn.
5) Add your beads several at a time, pushing them down onto the yarn as you go. Note: Always leave one on the doubled section of yarn to keep it from slipping off the thread loop.

And there you have it! I suggest revamping the calculation of the # of beads needed -- I think the pattern way underestimates it. For instance, the 2 yr size says 113 needles but as I look closer, it seems like I'll need about 225 or so. I guess maybe the pattern intends only one side to be beaded (ie the front?) but it doesn't indicate such a thing. I guess what I'm saying is probably double the # of beads listed in the pattern... better too many than too few.

Good luck!

Crumpets V1

2005-04-08T09:52:00.000-07:00

Stats:
Size 1 yr
No beading
Sub yarn: TLC Cotton Plus
Picot Cast on
Picot Cast off
Elastic insert
Crocheted tie straps

Other things to note:
I added fray-check to keep the delicate ribbon from fraying (I hope this works!)
I made a matching diaper cover with leftover yarn

Here are the pics:

For more you can view my blog entry about it here.

My next one is in lavender size 2 yrs with the beads already strung. If you guys need to know how I strung them -- I can write up a little tutorial. It worked surprisingly well! I'm a bit afraid I didn't string enough of them, though. Also, I dug up an old (ripped) tulle skirt in my closet that matches the yarn. It's all I can do not to make two skirts for this one... interchangeable knit and tulle skirts. It would be a dress-up dream!

me again

2005-04-07T23:43:00.000-07:00

jaysus! Ok, I just ran into the same problem as what made me rip it out earlier. Ok, the first row. It states, K2, *P2, K4 repeat from * to last K4 stitches, P2 K2.I'm knitting the size 4, so I have 162 stitches cast on. I have checked & double-checked, and I did indeed K2 then P2 K4 until the last six stitches. I'm a little confused about what until the last K4 stitches means-- does she just mean last 4 stitches??

Also, tell me that it just LOOKS huge because it's stretched over the long circs!!

waaaahhhhh

2005-04-07T18:12:00.000-07:00

I managed the picot cast-on, then screwed up my first row! I tinked it back, but somehow messed it up even more. I gave up and pulled it out. That took me quite a while & I was so excited to actually get the pattern underway! Wahhhhh!

I can see the finish line from here...

2005-04-07T07:49:00.000-07:00

After running into a minor disaster with my crumpets, I'm almost done. Nearing the end of the skirt, I discovered that I did not have enough cotton to finish. Eeeeek! And I couldn't even find the color online anywhere (apparently, it had been discontinued), so I made a bold move, and decided to mix it up a little.

Here's a picture of the wee dress on my blocking board. As you can see, I ended up finished it using a variegated ribbon yarn (the name currently escapes me), and I really like the way it turned out!

I'm wetblocking the dickens out of it, and pinning it within an inch of its life because I found that the different textures of the two yarns encouraged curling.

I also added a border of the same ribbon yarn to the top, and decided to make the straps and waist ribbon out of the same.

So, hopefully by tomorrow, all will be blocked and dry, and I can weave in the ends and attach the straps. Then, all willing, I'll be able to post pics of my wee model, Abby, wearing it!

My crumpets #1

2005-04-05T15:42:00.000-07:00

Hello, folks! I'm Shetha, from Portland, and Carole was kind enough to let me be a part of this blog! I'm currently in the process of binding off my first crumpets, which I'm working in the 1 year size for a little girl who was born last Oct. Yes, she's only about to be 6 months old but mama's milk is working its magic! Anyway, for a few more specifics about my first crumpets:

I'm not using beads... she's too young to carry glass around. I have purchased beads for my second one.
I used the picot cast on that I found in the Miss Dashwood pattern in knitty
I am horrible at crochet and it hurts my hand so I'm also doing the picot cast off, which can be found buried in the directions for the Eyelet Skirt pattern, also on knitty.
Instead of Lion Brand Cotton Ease, I am using an olive-y green color of TLC Cotton Plus, which is so very soft. I got gauge with this yarn on size 6 needles.
I plan on using the elastic for the bodice *and* crocheting straps *and* making a matching diaper cover, just to be "lady-like".

I'll outline the plan for the second one after I finish the first one (which will be later this week). For now, here was my progress as of Sunday night:

Oh and just a scandalous note... I was searching for a diaper cover pattern and it led me here:
Little Turtle Knits patterns
Not nearly as cute, really. But a little curious, just the same...

Picot Cast-On

2005-04-04T19:06:00.000-07:00

Can anyone explain to me how to use a picot cast-on? I've searched my books & online, and I've seen about seven different versions, but they all involve binding off stitches, which I assume I don't want to do, since it changes my stitch count.

I promised pictures!

2005-04-02T19:20:00.000-08:00

Right now, I'm done with the bodice, and I'm slaving through the many many rows of stockinette on the skirt. I'm a fast knitter, but it still feels like millions of miles of stockinette!

Here's a closeup of the bodice detail. I have to say, it's an amazing stitch.

Here's a shot of the whole thing, so far.

A few more inches, and I think I will be done - I should have just enough yarn left for the straps and the trim.

-Gabby

went shopping!

2005-04-01T12:37:00.000-08:00

I went and bought the yarn and beads today! Viv (my 3 y.o.) and I picked out the "sugarplum" color of LB CottonEase.
and some clear glass beads with a slight iridescence.
I stopped by the LYS to pick up the needles, but they didn't have the recommended length-- I was wondering, though, isn't the bodice awfully stretched out on those 36" needles? Also, the woman working there said something about threading all the beads on with a beading needle, which I have never even heard of! Are they widely available? I can't wait to get started!

Howdy howdy howdy!

2005-04-01T10:45:00.000-08:00

Hi!
I've just joined up, and I'm all excited about working on this gorgeous design. Right now, I'm working on the bodice, and I think I'm almost done. Maybe another inch or so.
I'll post pics later -but here's the details on my version, so far.
I'm using Twiley's Cotton Freedom in Magenta, and I'm using size 7 circs instead of the size 5 recommended. I'm making the 2 year old size for my boyfriend's niece, and since it's for her, I left out the beadwork. (She has a tendency to pick beads off clothing.)
Also, I've set up a knitting blog that y'all can check out - http://chymerikaen.blogspot.com

-Gabby

hi!

2005-03-31T11:14:00.000-08:00

I am so excited by the adorable dress! I have way too many projects on the needles and in queue, but no way can I resist knitting this for my little miss. I haven't decided on color yet, but I'm leaning towards lavendar. I think I need to go look before committing.
If this pattern is an indicator of things to come, I'm going to be super-excited about chiagu.com!