Picovoli - c'est fini!

I'm just cranking out Finished Objects this year, and I think it has a lot to do with not allowing myself to cast on new projects until my UFOs are done.  Amazing how much progress can be made when you actually focus.  Quel surpris!   

I finished up Picovoli today and even wore it to knitting at the Whistlestop Pub which was nice.  I really enjoy meeting up with the San Diego knitbloggers because I've gotten to know them better over the last few months, and they are so much fun to hang out with.  In attendance were:  Heidi, Wendy, Hilari, Chris, Mary Kay, and I saw Kris at the Grove when we walked over for a yarn fix.  (for the record I stuck to my resolutions and did not buy any yarn - just Scarf Style which has Lady Eleanor in it.. which I am probably going to join the KAL once I get the yarn - which will be after I finish my Broadripple wrist warmers.  I'm just knitting the pattern until the cuff is about 3" long then I'm doing a stockinette palm with the thumb gusset from the BroadStreet gloves.

Yes - its true.  My middle name IS Frankenstein.

Ok back onto the subject of my Picovoli.

Pattern:    Picovoli on Magknits by Grumperina
Size: 40" bust
Yarn:  KnitPicks Shine in Orchid - lil' bit over 5 skeins
Needles:  Size 4 metal circs
Started:     Swatched on Jan 6 and knit a bit each evening and on the way to work
Finished:  Feb 5th

Some modifications to the pattern - I added about 2" to the bottom and just continued working the waist increases until it was the length that I wanted, and I only did 6 waist decrease rounds, and I probably could have used one or two more.  One thing I didnt like was how large the armholes were so if I were to knit it again I would make them smaller - they seemed to sag a bit.  I'd also go down one size because in my over estimation of what size I'd need and the underestimation of how much KnitPicks Shine would stretch - it ended up being a little looser than I wanted.   

Over all though - the pattern is very well written and while there is a lot of stockinette - the shaping is quite lovely.  I might add a lace inset next go around to keep things interesting.

I did try a couple of new techniques - the picot edging is definately something I would try again in another project, I also tried out the Russian Join, which I've decided is just not for me.  I wasnt able to get the two yarns well joined enough and I could see where the join was because the stitches were puffy.  I prefer my usual Doubling Up join where you knit with both yarns for 4-5 stitches and then you drop the old yarn and just knit with the new yarn.  It makes for a much smoother transition in all but really bulky yarns.

Here is a side by side comparison:

Comments

[spaazlicious]

You looked damned good. It might not have been the Picovoli though. ;)

[Susan]

That color is great on you! I agree about the joins, I usually do a doubled up join and then lightly weave it in, I tried doing the Russian once and I had about the same result.

[Mary-Kay Tilden]

I thought your Picovoli was STUNNING! You are a fab knitter I must say. Hillari and I saw the guy/girl later again, just as bizarrre as the first time. Great to see you again. You are one funny girl!

[Secret Pal]

Great job! I've never tried the Russian join...I usually double up, too. Seems to work just fine...

[Krys]

Picovoli looks lovely!

And I get the same results when doing the Russian join - I have no idea why some people like it so much. To each their own, I guess.

I need to be a more social knitter this year. Because I agree, SD knitbloggers are fun to hang out with!

[Megann]

Your Picovoli turned out fabulous! Love the color.

[Heidi]

Picovoli is wearing you, baby!

So, who actually went running last night? After two pints and a giant burrito, I confess the only marathon I did was 6 more episodes of Buffy.

[Nancy]

I went running - but only did 6 repetitions and one run up the hill.

[Jeanie]

Woohoo! You finished your Pico and it looks amazing! I couldn't get the Russian join to work either -- every time I pulled the needle through the plies it just came right back out. I'm sure I must be doing something wrong...

Oh and I finally made a Two Steps Forward button if you want to use it.

[marnie]

I have had good luck with Russian joins, but only when I taper the yarn ends. If it's a plied yarn, I work with half the plies and trim the rest off. This avoids those thicker bumpier bits. If it's wool yarn, I felt the ends together, again, using half the number of plies.
In either case, if it's a single instead of a plied yarn, it can be a little harder to split but with some patience, it can be done.

Looks great, though :)

[jillian]

Good job-that color is great for you! I have some Orchid Shine in the stashola myself :) I bet you could seam/sew in the sides for a tighter fit if you wanted!

[Inky]

You look lurvely in your new Picovoli!! I miss the Whistlestop soooo much, tho' we do knit in a very cool old building with excellent lighting, great coffee, great food and even music so I should not complain TOO much.

I'm pondering Lady Eleanor...what yarn are you using??