Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Presto ProtoPretty Chango! (wink, wink)

295-9597_IMG.jpg

...green yarn becomes...

IMG_7818
IMG_7819
IMG_7814

ProtoPretty DNA sweater shell or tank by Chris O'Brien
Jo Sharp Soho Summer DK Cotton 100% Cotton (109 yards / 50 g per ball), ~5 balls of the color "Rockpool"
US 4 (3.5 mm) 16" and 24" bamboo circular needles

Yes, it's true - my ProtoPretty DNA tank has magically appeared. It only took me 3 months :)*

*Please note that it shouldn't have. I just had too many things on my plate.

This is a great design that combines three beautiful patterns: diamond background lace (1), modified torchon insertion (2), and DNA cable (3). I pretty much followed the instructions for the smallest size, and it worked out well.

IMG_7805 1
IMG_7803 2
IMG_7823 3

I enjoyed the Jo Sharp Soho Summer DK yarn, but I had to be a little careful to keep from splitting the myriads of thread-like plys.

The only problem I had (or thought I had) - aside from occasionally messing up the lace patterns - was that my stitch count didn't always match the pattern when I got to certain landmarks (e.g. after binding off for the armholes). I was 4 stitches off. Luckily I realized why pretty quickly: the width of the modified torchon insertion chart is 19 stitches for the first three rows and 17 stitches for the final three rows. Due to gauge differences, etc., I was simply ending up in a different part of the chart than the designer did, and since the modified torchon insertion chart is worked twice for each row of the pattern, this put my stitch count off by 4 stitches. Mystery solved.

The pattern doesn't specify how many stitches to pick up for the armholes or neck, which is fine by me. Sometimes it can be nerve wracking trying to match the # of stitches suggested in a pattern. I tried to pick up stitches in ratios that made sense with the composition of the corresponding edge. Also, I made sure the number of stitches I picked up in each armhole was the same.

IMG_7822

I think it worked out nicely :)

The DNA cable also looks quite interesting on the "wrong" side (click for closer view):

IMG_7802


Malabrigo Scarf

I should also mention that I finished the Malabrigo Scarf I started in late August (don't worry, this one only took me a month!).

IMG_7836
IMG_7832

Malabrigo Scarf by me
Malabrigo Merino Worsted 100% Merino Wool (216 yards / 100 g per skein), 1 skein (exactly) of the color "Charrua"
US 5 (3.75 mm) bamboo circular needles

Key:

S = stockinette (knit on right side, purl on wrong side)
R = reverse stockinette (purl on right side, knit on wrong side)

Pattern:

CO 26 sts.

Work in garter stitch for about 3/4 of an inch, then work
bands of stockinette and reverse stockinette stitch as follows:

8 rows each of S,R,S,R,S,R,S,R,S (= 9 bands)
10 rows each of R,S,R,S,R,S,R,S (= 8 bands)
12 rows each of R,S,R,S (= 4 bands)
12 rows of R (= 1 band - this forms the center of the scarf)
12 rows each of S,R,S,R (= 4 bands)
10 rows each of S,R,S,R,S,R,S,R (= 8 bands)
8 rows each of S,R,S,R,S,R,S,R,S (= 9 bands)

Work in garter stitch for about 3/4 of an inch, then bind off.



Of course, I love the yarn (so soft, and such lovely colors):

IMG_4515
IMG_7772
IMG_7774
IMG_7773

Squooshy!

IMG_7778
IMG_7784
IMG_7776

Moana agrees :)

33 comments:

Oiyi said...

The vest is a cute idea! And that scarf is so pretty!

Sarah said...

What a great vest! I think it probably would have taken me just as long, what with three stitch patterns to keep track of. I completely agree with you about picking up edging stitches -- I almost always disregard the recommended number and pick up as many or as few as the space seems to need.

That scarf must feel fabulous to wear!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful vest! The color and pattern combination strike me as very dignified (though not stuffy). Well done!

Knittymama said...

Wow!!! That vest is amazing! And I love the colors of the scarf.

Thea said...

both are lovely - the colors of the malabrigo look great on moana - and the vest is gorgeous!

Liz K. said...

Wow. That vest is amazing. I love the shirt you paired it with too.

missalicefaye said...

ooh--awesome vest! Love the squishy scarf, too. :)

Disentangled said...

Such a beautiful vest! Lovely work and one of my favorite colors! :)

Jeannie said...

Very pretty vest! The scarf looks so cozy too.

June said...

DNA cable, yay! :)

Anonymous said...

Love that vest! It's flattering and nerdy in a cute way. Good deal! The teacher in me is jealous; I wonder if I can in some way incorporate literature details into a design of my own :)

Alison said...

Beautiful vest!

Anonymous said...

I agree - it DID turn out very nicely! Love that green, too!

spajonas said...

ooohh, i'm in love with your DNA vest!

Anonymous said...

The DNA vest is lovely, and it fits you perfectly!

Lisa Stepi said...

That vest is beatiful! I've got some Jo Sharp Soho Cotton and I've been wondering what to make with it - I think I know now.

Anonymous said...

The vest is beautiful, and the DNA thing adds a nice does of witty cleverness to the aesthetically pleasing!

I would love to squish your squooshy scarf...and Moana!

handknit168 said...

really love the DNA sweater pattern, and it is very beautiful in dark green colour.

Linda said...

I love the vest and the back of it is particulary pretty in the pattern. Snuggly nice scarf too!

Elizabeth said...

That vest is just beautiful! Well done!

Kara said...

The vest is amazing!

Laural said...

Oooh pretty finishes! Great job!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, such gorgeous knits! The vest is just amazing & I love the simple yet interesting pattern for that scarf (plus I know the yarn is yummy!).

Anonymous said...

The vest is beautiful and fits you perfectly. I love that shade of green.

Anonymous said...

I just did one little baby hat with the Jo Sharp cotton, and the splittiness drove me nuts. I can't imagine doing a whole vest with it (yours looks lovely, btw).

It's nice to see Moana modeling the Malabrigo; I would have thought for sure that it would be Bug sporting those colors.

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a beautiful vest. Lovely color and fit. I can't believe you figured out the gauge issue. Sounds like the sort of thing that would make me cry at about 2 a.m. and run to my LYS screaming "fix it!"

Beth said...

Wow ... every time I come here I get so inspired by your amazing creations, then absolutely depressed that I so suck at knitting. Haha. Still, I LOVE coming here!

Rosina said...

Wow! The vest looks great :) Thanks for sharing your experience using the DNA cable pattern.

Anonymous said...

Oh yay! I've had the DNA tank in my queue for a while now and it's great to see it up close. Perfect fit. So pretty!

I just knit the Brea Bag w/ Malabrigo...it IS soooo freaking soft and squooshy.

Kasia said...

Love your new FOs! I should be now back to blogging and blog reading again... it seems like ages...

Anonymous said...

What a lovely tank! It really only took one skein of yarn?
I'm quite impressed with your ability to knit lace - something that still escapes me. :)

Anonymous said...

The vest is really beautiful and the scarf looks warm too!

Darcys Knotty Knitter said...

The scarf is yummy and the kitty is a cutie:)Hugs Darcy