Dropping the Ball (of Yarn)

Summer has kept the Dubh House incredibility busy this year. There have been summer camps, home improvements (now 1/2 done which means each one is 1/2 done not that we have accomplished 1/2 of them), a family vacation and the inevitable worries about how fast it is all going. All this to say that PFF has been updated solely by the lovely custardfairy. No more I say. ;)

Today I want to talk about knitting magazines. Most of them are worthless to me unless I want a specific accessory pattern. The reason is that most of them do not have a significant number of plus sized patterns to warrant the price (Vogue Knitting about $10.00, Interweave $7.00). But I often find myself buying knit simple. In the Spring/Summer 2010 issue a full 7 of the 14 sized women's patterns are 3X. 3 more go up to 2X which means the majority of patterns have sizes that I can consider. Highly recommended!

Some of the things I am thinking of making from them include:

Things That Scare Me

I will be honest, I have never knitted a Vogue pattern. They scare me, a lot. However, one of the things I love about winter is when you can bundle up and that makes me love this sweater. Me, the sweater, leggings, a book, some tea and a fire, sigh. It makes me consider breaking down and knitting Vogue.

Bigger is Better

Vogue Knitting Fall 2007, Special 25th Anniversary Cover Pattern

Shiri Mor designed this oversized cabled pullover.

Well that and these fingerless gloves for which I cannot locate the pattern.

Vogue Knitting, Holiday 2009

Two Projects: Airy Crochet Shell and Grecian Tunic Top

A couple of fast projects that can be easily sized up for larger sizes.

The first is the Airy Lace Shell from Lion, which is a crochet pattern. It's written up to 2X (50 in. chest) but you can easily size this up by looking at the sizing patterns. Each size adds an additional six chains to the initial chain, and because it's a repeating pattern length can be added without much thought. For anything above the 2X I'd add at least one more skein of yarn to the total. If you're like me, you overbuy yarn anyway so you'll have extra on hand.

What I really like about this option for the bigger sizes is that it's lacey and airy, which means it takes less yarn than more dense, bulky designs - that translates into a more affordable garment for someone who may need to purchase up to three or four additional skeins to size up the project to meet his or her needs. Fantastic!

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90416AD.html?noImages=

The second project is a Grecian Top that couldn't be simpler to whip up in an hour or less. The top consists of two pieces of fabric attached at stragetic places, and is worn over a tank or shell. I adore the yellow version. This is another pattern where you use your own measurements to create the garment. As a bonus, the measurements are simple and don't have to be exact since the finished top will be loose and flowing.

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/04/how-to_grecian_tunic_top.html

What She Said

My dear friend already laid out the rules and biases of this new place very well. So, yeah, what she said. :)

When she recently posted her bolero pattern elsewhere I realized that I was tired of searching for larger sized patterns by using the term "plus size" and getting returns where an XL is considered plus size. I am a 3X and have been for about 10 years now and am increasingly tired of stores which charge me unreasonable amounts of money for clothes which generally are, well, ugly. I do not want to wear a tent nor do I think Polyester is a fabric which one should put on their body. So I suggested a site where we can come together and share ideas and patterns. And as always my dear custardfairy took it and ran.

So here is my first contribution, a lovely pattern from knitty.com for a skirt which runs from a M to a 4X.

Bell Curve Skirt
Ravelry has about 148 projects with many different kinds of yarn if the recommended yarn is out of your price range. For me $130.00 for yarn is a bit over my pay grade.

And, may I say, the only thing that would make this better is if you could have the shoes she is wearing as a reward when you finished knitting it.