Why yes...

...yes, I am a glutton for punishment. More on that later. First I have some pictures to show.

I finished my Katia Alba shell yesterday. My impression is kind of "eh," but I do think it will be useful enough over the summer. This used Katia Alba Yarn that I got for cheap from Elann. The pattern is from the Katia magazine #44, and I got gauge on US8's. It seemed a little more fitted on the model, and when I initially saw the photo I was drawn to the waist and sleeve shaping, but they didn't seem to translate as well in real life, at least not on me. Oh, and another problem was some inadequate directions for the waist shaping that I had to modify. I think I ended up with what was intended though. But I'll wear it. :)

After finishing the knitting on the Alba shell this weekend, I had strong urges to cast on something new before I did the finishing. Some surfing around the web brought my attention to the Ribbon Xback from the current Knitty, via this knitalong. And I just so happened to have some Crystal Palace Deco Ribbon in my stash. What the heck, those people seem excited about the pattern, and their FO's look pretty cute, so I cast on. I'll admit that the thought of using US11's and a quick knit was part of the appeal of this pattern.

So now for the part where I'm just unnecessarily punishing myself in the name of "fun." Remember how I mentioned that back at Easter I bought this yarn, with the intention that the soft, pink Rowan Cashsoft would become my very own Fruity? I know that some people have been knitting this without the all over beading, but I've decided to bead the darn thing, so I went to my LBS picked out several types that might work, and swatched. I don't have a decent picture of the swatch to show (beads just don't seem to photograph as nicely as they look in person), but I've now strung my first ball of yarn and have the beginnings of a sleeve:

Say it with me... "oooh.... ahhhh..."

So that will be 2600+ beads strung on 7 balls of Cashsoft, knitted on US1/2. (Right, the pattern calls for US2/3, but I'm closer to gauge with the smaller needles. Note she said closer, not on the money. I may have to pull this all out yet, but I'm betting on getting it to grow a smidge with blocking would be easier than trying to shrink it.)

Comments

[Tanya]

Oooo. Ahhhhh. The beads are really quite nice. You are quite the adventuresome knitter :)

Tanya

[Lauren]

It looks great! I don't see a difference between the fit on you and the model.

[Laurie]

I totally disagree with you on the Katia top. It looks much better the way you have knit it, and the way it fits you, than on the model. I can't believe you've done it to me again (*busily scribbling down "Katia #44"*). I love the stitch lines at the drop of the shoulder. You couldn't make a schmata if your life depended on it.

[Mardel]

Ooooh! AAHHH!!! The beads really add to the sweater and will be well worth the bother I reckon.

I really like the Katia Alba shell on you also, no "eh" there that I can tell. It is a classically elegant sweater and the waist shaping and detail at the shoulders are just enough. I can easily believe that it will be worn a lot.

[Vicki]

I think the top looks great on you! Definitely summery. The sleeve is beautiful, I love beads.

[Liz]

As everyone else, I don't see much difference between your shell and the one on the model. Maybe it's the trick photography.

Ooh, aah on the Fruity, indeed. That is going to look so nice with the beads. Mmmm hmmm.

[Karen]

I think your Katia top fits you great! You are knitting a beaded sweater on size 1's? You are a brave woman!

[Jenny]

Fabulous one, I bow at thee with thy beading. Holy moly. Wowie wow. Boy, it will look so pretty but my headaches for you already!!!! And yet, strangely, it makes me want to make it too... I am getting very sleepy... ;-)

The Katia top is really cute! I think you will get a lot of wear out of it.