Russian Prime KAL

KAL yahoo group

2007-02-05T12:35:00.000-05:00

If you didn't receive an invite to the Yahoo Group, please go here and request an invite. I emailed all the authors that were listed as of yesterday.

2007-02-03T11:02:00.000-05:00

I Gotta Get Going

I got my yarn yesterday. Now, I need to wind it. My swatch is only at about an inch. Maybe tomorrow during the game would be a good time to work on it all.

I too, have old eyes so I blew up the chart and am shading it in with a pencil. Then, I'll run it through my copier again so it won't smudge. I think that will help so I can glance at it from the table next to me.

I'm On My Way!

2007-02-02T21:39:00.000-05:00

How gorgeous is this . . .

I'm working this in Quebecoise and strangely got gauge on the suggested Size 6 needles (this is truly unusual with my normal death-like grip on the needles -- maybe it's due to working with two colors). The part that shows white is actually a very light grey.

I gotta tell ya -- I really love working this pattern. So interesting without being annoyingly difficult for my middle-aged eyes. I'm up to about line 35 in the chart (I started this yesterday morning) and right now my hands are hurting a bit. I'll probably switch back and forth between holding both colors in one hand and holding one color in each hand. I'd blow my brains out if I had to stop because I had worked my little hands to death.

swatching

2007-01-31T11:58:00.000-05:00

I have seen a number of posts about swatching. Here is my question- Do I swatch using 2 colors or 1? Help!!!

Getting started

2007-01-31T08:13:00.000-05:00

I have my yarn and will do my swatch tonight or tomorrow. Hopefully I will cast on tomorrow. I am going to go with a color scheme of burgundy and cream. The task seems somewhat daunting but from everyone's comments I think do-able.

Get Ready, Get Set

2007-01-30T22:56:00.000-05:00

GO

February 1st is the start date that many KALers have chosen to start the Russian Prime KAL. So get your needles together, your swatch knitted and your charts blown up and assembled.

It seems from reading the posts that a finish date of prior to Camp was mentioned - so that would be July 6th (the first full day of Camp 1) right?

(Alternatively there is no hurry - dive in when you can)

Shall we get a list of who is planning to start on Feb 1?

general

2007-01-30T16:31:00.000-05:00

I am wondering if everyone is still out there. Haven't seen any new posts lately. I am all set to start knitting on February 1st and sure hate to be knitting alone.. I am using some "stash" for my sweater. It is a discontinued yarn that I have been saving for something special.

Holly

Hmmm... am I cheating?

2007-01-24T20:40:00.000-05:00

I'm already started and well along with mine. Related posts on my blog.

But I just heard about the KAL.

LP

sizing

2007-01-21T17:31:00.000-05:00

In the book, the sweaters are listed by finished dimensions, I think. Is that right? I'm trying to figure out how much ease he needs, but he doesn't have any similar sorts of sweaters to measure, just sweatshirts. What is typical...2 inches? 4 inches?

Swatching Progress

2007-01-20T20:55:00.000-05:00

Hi all,

I have knitted about 15 rows of a swatch, is that enough? I'm using Good Old Cascade 220, since I had 12 skeins in Mystic (a lovely purple) and only needed to buy the Natural (which I bought today). I can probably wait until Feb 1 to cast on, but I'm not guaranteeing it! I'm jazzed about this!

Maybe I'll make my swatch bigger to kill time. Or, I could cast on and just lie to you guys and pretend I didn't. Ah, the beauty of the internets (sic).

Ready, Set....... (wait for it!)

Successful posting...

2007-01-20T20:20:00.000-05:00

Hah! I figured it out. I have this tracking problem with my vision, that is ONLY a problem when looking for small buttons on websites. But I new it HAD to be here, somewhere, and I did manage to find it!

I've decided to make the sweater for DH (Abe) and we've decided on alpaca, grey and blue (knitpicks). I LOVE alpaca! This will be hard enough it's gotta be in a yarn I love.

I also managed to snag a copy of MS Knitting from the local library. I HAVE it somewhere, but can't find it. Since the charts are too pale for me to read easily, anyway, I'm going to regraph them on the computer, and print them out for myself in colors that work better for me, anyway, so I'll be fine when I need to return the book.

This will be fun!
Colleen

choices

2007-01-20T17:04:00.000-05:00

Anxious to get started on the swatching. Is that alright? I was thinking of trying something other than the Quebecoise since I have done 2 using that yarn. I was thinking of Zara at 5.5 stitches per inch or ultra alpaca at 5 stitches to the inch. I was also thinking of maybe trying it as a cardigan????????? A mind is a terrible thing to waste. I am also looking forward to the charts with larger "thingies" Had the same problem as Amy with the book charts.

Holly

Priming the Pump

2007-01-20T15:34:00.000-05:00

Starting to Prime the knitting pump: February 2nd (Groundhog Day) seems somehow appropriate...
Ending date: By 2007 Camp, or when the well runs dry...

(In other words, any date is OK with me.)

Since my languishing Mimbres is being knit in quebecoise, I think I'll go with J&S red and white, since I have enough of that in my stash. I'm wondering about peach and cinnamon....no! no! cannot wonder or I'll find myself wandering off into Troubleland....

Nancy, near c-c-cold Pgh

16 brave folks...

2007-01-20T14:43:00.000-05:00

have signed up. There are 10 outstanding invites.

No one has rushed to suggest a starting date ;o so I will get it going:

How about Feb 1st as a start date? For those so inclined.

and now, someone give me a realistic finish date - before first sessions of Camp? or what? (I am not participating in the knitting at this date - just providing geek expertise)

Its your KAL. Let us know what you want to do.

getting started

2007-01-20T12:53:00.000-05:00

It is so exciting to see so many people interested in the Russian Prime knitalong. I've reviewed the pattern and it seems a little intimidating. The steeks alarm me. But the yarn has been ordered and I am waiting to hear more about a start date. LuAnne

Getting started?

2007-01-19T17:59:00.000-05:00

Wow - as of today 13 folks have replied to the invites and joined up! And there are about 8 more invites waiting for responses.

So a few things to throw out:

1. Starting Date
Do you want to pick one?

2. Ending Date (optional)
Do you want to pick one- with the provision that any one can continue on?

3. Project info
As you figure out what you are going to do - write a post and let us about it. Posting is really easy with the new blogger - and adding photos is even easier! Email me if you need help!

4. Posts
When you write your post there is a little box "Labels for this post" . You can use this to "categorize" your post - and then others can read thru them if they are looking for help or whatever.

For example, if you have a special tip, why not put "tip" in there; or special technique - "technique".

Can't wait to read about all the sweaters and wool/color choices!

Welcome!

2007-01-18T20:13:00.000-05:00

This is a new KAL for anyone who would like to work a Knit Along (KAL) for Meg Swansen's Russian Prime Sweater. It was suggested in an email from Amy Detjen and others were interested so here we are!

The Russian Prime was designed by Meg Swansen and is found in her book, Meg Swansen's Knitting starting on page 36.

Quoting from the description on page 37:

This circular garment is constructed along the lines of a classic Norwegian dropped-shoulder sweater, with a few added details. "

Availablity of instructions as per Meg :

- The original Wool Gathering was #49 (Sept '93) (Out of Print)

- A VHS video was made with insert-instructions and charts. (Out of stock?)

- The book, Meg Swansen's Knitting, published by Interweave Press. Alert: IP has dumped the book and Schoolhouse Press may have the only remaining copies.

- A new DVD version of the video (with insert instructions and charts) (ETA by early March)

To join the KAL and be able to post to this blog, please send an email.

Looking forward to lively discussions, lots of photos and great sweaters!