May 2009 Archives

I started Connie Chang Chinchio's Tie Back Shell (Knit 1 Spring/Summer 2009) for the second time today. The shell looks like one of my old favorite lace pullovers that got caught on something and ripped last year. I've been thinking I'd like to make something to replace it and when I saw Connie's design I knew it was the one.

I started out with some eggplant Louet Linen because I love the way my Lacy Skirt with Bows works with the lace. It's got great body and washes up beautifully - nice and open without any pressing.

I washed the swatch and dried it a bit in the dryer. I know the final product would have fluffed up more. When I went to make the center bow/band though the yarn looked terrible. It just wasn't a good fit.

I was ready to ditch the project for something else with the linen (I really have an itch to use the linen) when katrinkles' finished Tie Back Shell came up on my friend activity this morning on Ravelry. Her project did me in and I had to find another yarn to use for it. (click through if you didn't - her project is really beautiful).

I went for Classic Elite Bam Boo this time. It's been in my stash for 3? years and the color is a great fit - black will be so veratile. I already have a skirt picked out to wear with it for the FO pics. I know, I'm getting ahead.

I'm more convinced this yarn is a better choice. It's closer in density to the original yarn, although the Samoa has some microfiber to keep its shape better. If the design used a lot of ribbing I wouldn't have picked it (the bamboo would never hold its shape) but since the bulk of this is lace and stockinette I think I may be able to squeak by.

Of course, I need to get through 70 inches of 1x1 ribbing for the tie before I can move ahead. Good times.