fini, fait, dessus!!!

stick a fork in it, its done!! and i am finished, done, and over it!! fini, fait, dessus!
this is the aforementioned top that was causing me such consternation in my previous post! observe it is finished!! and after the chorus of "alleluias" all i can say is: "hey, its not half bad!"the major lesson i learned from this knitting adventure was and is: finish your projects in a timely manner especially when they involve a lace pattern that you have drafted and then lost! one must strike while the iron is hot or at least while the brain cells still retain some memory of the pattern. fortunately for me, the yarn i used allowed me to clearly read what was happening as i knit! whew!

the pattern i sort of used as my jumping off point was the 'sleeveless tuxedo shirt' from interweave knits, summer 2007. in reality, the only qualities shared are the name! my changes included:
1. knitting the top in the round up to the armholes instead of knitting a front and a back (that would have involved sewing side seams which is totally unnecessary in my estimation!).
2. adding a lace pattern to the bottom edge and knitting in stockinette stitch (pattern called for reverse stockinette).
3. knitting the lace section as part of the top instead of knitting it separately and sewing in after completing the top.
4. knitting the shoulder pieces as part of the top instead of knitting separately and attaching after the fact.
5. picking up stitches and knitting a garter stitch rib around armholes and neck.

since i did a three needle bindoff at the shoulders i had no seams to deal with - the only sewing involved was working in the ends!! yippee, yippee, yippee! the above picture was taken after it was blocked. the yarn i used was from my stash (yeah!!) and is a combo of 52% silk and 48% wool, sort of tweedy, and was knit on a size 3 needle.

following closely on that top's heels was the 'lotus blossom top' from interweave knits, summer 2006. i pretty much stuck to the pattern as written with the exception of adding an inch in length to the upper body area. loved the yarn, classic elite 'pebbles', and the fact that it once again (dang, i'm good!) came from my stash!!

i'm really starting to feel giddy again - like i've got my knitting mojo back on track!! c'est la vie!