Remember yesterday when I said that sometimes simple is best, implying that nothing is better than k2p2 ribbed socks?

Well, I am not saying that that’s not true. But I will say that it is not true in this case.

Let me just say that the Shirley Stacy pullover has ribbed sleeves. Two of them. So I have to say that I am pretty sick of ribbing. But I also need to say that ribbed socks are my favorites to wear.

With all of this being said, allow me to show you the latest sock incarnation

Woman’s Fancy Rib from
A Pair of Socks pattern

The yarn is Cherry Tree and the pattern is Ann Budd. You can find it online – it is one of Interweave’s online/subscriber only patterns.

by the say way, my knitting ♥ belongs to Evelyn Clark but Ann Budd is hot on her heels

First off, I am a knuckle head.

That sweater is the Stacy Pullover, not the Shirley Pullover! [thanks to Jess for picking up on that] As for the modeling shot – I fear it will have to wait for: 1. better lighting 2. better bra

I am waiting for some Beaver to Slide into my mailbox. ; ) It is under consideration for my percentage sweater project. Of course, I could use some stash yarn. But that yarn was bought years ago for nothing in particular and as a result has sat, knit and ripped and now unknit.

Speaking of that , on my ladies lunch day last week, one of my dates mentioned her new approach to yarn purchases. She will not buy yarn unless her very next step is to cast on for the intended sweater/project. Years of knitting have taught her that should she buy something with the thought of knitting a particular project, if she doesn’t start right away, another pattern comes along and grabs her eye.

I am going to adopt this for my credo too. Except sock yarn, I will always buy sock yarn. My credo has an addendum! What I haven’t worked out is what my new philosphy will mean for my existing stash.

In more knitting news, I used my new Knitpicks needles to cast on for a pair of socks last night. These needles get a most definite thumbs up from me! After reading through my sock pattern collection and casting on for a few different patterns, I believe I will simply knit 2×2 ribs.

Sometimes simple is best.

Shirley Stacy Pullover from Big Girl Knits
yarn: Brooks Farm Four Play

Now that it is finally finished, I am for the most part pleased with this sweater. It is one of the few I have knit for myself that actually fits. It is on the short side, but that is the way the pattern is designed. I am not thrilled with the way the sleeve caps fit into the armscyes, but that is an issue with my row gauge and not the pattern. I ended up needing to ease in a full inch of fabric, which adds bulk, which I most definitely do not need.

BUT, I do like this sweater and want to concentrate on the good things. First and foremost being – IT FITS! It is also a bust enhancer. My bust is a mid-range bust, so enhancing is a good thing. It does wonders for my waist. As does the longer ribbing.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about this book. If you are a big girl, you should definitely add this to your wish list. If you are not a big girl, you should also consider adding this to your library – the beginning chapter on measuring yourself and adapting patterns to suit your figure are clear and consise and invaluable.

My next project is going to be a percentage based V-neck sweater (using E. Zimmerman and Jackie Fee as my guides) and also throwing in some waist shaping ala Big Girls. No patterns this time around – just a measuring tape and a calculator! yikes!

I wish I had something to blog about. It is impossible to regale you with tales of my adventurous knitting when what I am working on are 2×3 sleeves. I am doing them both at the same time, but that’s not exactly a high wire act. Now that the pattern stitch is ribbing, those areas of little-to-no color seem less offensive somehow. I believe they were more obvious within that honeycomb pattern of the the front and back. If I find them too visually distracting, I will heed Kathleen’s advice and take a Sharpie to them! no more ripping – this project has got to end soon. I feel as though I have entered a battle of wills with this thing. First came the test of feats of strength and now we have entered the stamina phase. I won’t be the first to blink, I swear.

This week is shaping up to be a social whirlwind. Yes, my dance card is full! Tomorrow I am going in to the city for a performance of A Chorus Line and dinner. Wednesday plans are in the works to once again head into NYC for a ladies lunch. Although given the company, a Broad’s Buffet might be a more accurate description! and Thursday is the weekly SnB hosted at my house this week.

For a self confessed homebody this is quite a week for to-ing and fro-ing. And with all this train travel, I think I will cast on for a pair of socks.