Elann Community Chat Center

acb - all messages by user

9/29/2005 9:42:05 AM
Eileen and Ann - You`ve done it again!! Thanks very much, CBM. I think black is the perfect backdrop for neutrals - very simple, yet elegant.
10/1/2005 6:58:03 PM
Note for everyone Oh, Bri - you just look so beautiful and so happy in those pictures, that I`m sitting here grinning from ear to ear. Congratulations and warm wishes for a long and happy life together!
10/3/2005 12:49:31 PM
Ann.....Elann designs Hi Libby,
Yes, I designed and knit the skirt. My family called it "the never-ending skirt" while I was working on it, but it didn`t really take as long to knit as it seemed to them. I think it earned that name only because the lace pattern is quite simple, so it was my knitting- while-watching-Law and Order piece for quite a few episodes!
10/3/2005 1:52:31 PM
Ann.....Elann designs I find skirts that are truly circular like this one very fun to wear, because no matter what your body size, the bottom circumference of the skirt makes your body seem tiny by comparison. I`m pretty large, and I don`t feel fat in the skirt. It`s increases are done using the pi formula (circumference sts increase by double in 2 places, such that the skirt has 3 tiers). If I tie the skirt at my waist (which is very adjustable via the drawstring), the first tier falls nicely over my tummy and butt, and then the second tier begins just above where the tops of my thighs normally bulge out in fitted skirts, so the end effect is very smooth-looking and flattering, if I do say so myself:-)
10/3/2005 3:19:46 PM
Ann.....Elann designs Hi Laura,
You could certainly modify the design in this way, realizing, of course, that you wouldn`t end up with a flat circle when blocking. I`ll try to post the circular pattern within the next week, with a link to it for chatters only, so that everyone can get a better idea of the skirt`s construction. If you modify it to a trumpet, Laura, be sure to let us know (and be sure to post a picture)!
10/4/2005 11:39:02 AM
Ann You`re welcome, Libby. Yes, you do need to wear a slip.
10/4/2005 11:39:02 AM
Ann You`re welcome, Libby. Yes, you do need to wear a slip.
10/4/2005 11:39:02 AM
Ann You`re welcome, Libby. Yes, you do need to wear a slip.
10/4/2005 11:39:02 AM
Ann You`re welcome, Libby. Yes, you do need to wear a slip.
10/5/2005 10:15:38 AM
SK You`ve not changed I agree 100%!
10/6/2005 10:25:28 AM
Newest pattern for cashmere... Thanks very much, Laura! The pure cashmere is my personal favorite. After its first wash, it`s amazingly soft, delicate, and cuddly.

For those of you who have been discussing dyeing the natural off-whites in the Far East Collection, I would recommend washing the yarn well first, to remove all traces of spinning oil. Acid dyes are best for animal fibres - I really like the dye supplies offered by Pro Chemical Dye - here`s a link to their starter kit for acid dyeing: http://www.prochemical.com/catalog/wfkits.htm
10/6/2005 3:56:21 PM
Dying for Cashmere Hi Amy,
See my note about dyeing 2 threads down, in the discussion of the pattern for cashmere.
10/7/2005 10:19:27 AM
Dying for Cashmere - more It`s not difficult to use acid dyes, Amy, and the results can be spectacular - as intense as you wish. The most important things to keep in mind for success are:
- tie your hanks in many places, so they don`t tangle, but tie them *very* loosely in each spot, so that your yarn is never bunched up anywhere
- pre-treat your hanks by washing them throughly in Synthrapol (to remove spinning oils)
- follow dye maker`s directions carefully
- keep your hanks moving in the dye pot for even color.
10/7/2005 10:20:30 AM
Dying for Cashmere - more One more tip - practice acid dyeing at least 3 times on less expensive yarns first!
10/7/2005 10:26:25 AM
A message for Ann I really appreciate your loyalty to Elann, Evelyn! We used to offer Brown Sheep yarns by special order, but in the end decided that special orders were just too difficult to manage, especially when faced with back-orders. I agree with you 100% that Lamb`s Pride Bulky is a great yarn, however, and I`ll keep your suggestion in mind.
10/10/2005 9:42:24 AM
Chant-chant I do not need cotton angora Suzann - I have to show you some mercy here, and let you know that there have been delays re the planned merino project, and we may not be able to offer it this season.
10/11/2005 10:42:37 AM
Luna Skirt As promised, here`s the secret link to the Luna Skirt pattern, which is not yet officially posted in the Free Patterns section:
http://secure.elann.com/ShowFreePattern.asp?Id=97024

Some of you have mentioned trying it in another Elann yarn. I was thinking Den-M-Knit would be fabulous, because it could be casual (because of the yarn), yet dressy too (because of the lace). If anyone tries it in another Elann yarn, be sure to let me know!
10/11/2005 10:42:37 AM
Luna Skirt As promised, here`s the secret link to the Luna Skirt pattern, which is not yet officially posted in the Free Patterns section:
http://secure.elann.com/ShowFreePattern.asp?Id=97024

Some of you have mentioned trying it in another Elann yarn. I was thinking Den-M-Knit would be fabulous, because it could be casual (because of the yarn), yet dressy too (because of the lace). If anyone tries it in another Elann yarn, be sure to let me know!
10/11/2005 3:15:15 PM
Luna Skirt Hi Laura,
Your plan sounds interesting, and it has far fewer stitches to work! With your hip size, I really don`t think you would need to cast on more than 160 stitches, however - the lace pattern is very stretchy - i.e. the top tier of 160 st can be actually stretched as wide as 54", but if you wanted to use smaller needles, I can see your thinking.

Am I right that your goal is to have a skirt that is essentially straight until it reaches just below the knee, with a flounce at the bottom? That`s the way I envision the pattern you`ve written above.

When you first talked about trumpet shaped, for some reason, I was thinking more of a fluted shape, with a smaller bottom circumference than the circle, and more gradual increases. e.g. 160 st for first tier, then 240 st for second tier, then 360 for the 3rd tier. To get this 1.5x increase, you would change the increase row formula to *yf, k2*. With this increase formula, of course, each tier could be as long or as short as you desire, and you wouldn`t be trying to make a true circle.
10/11/2005 3:15:15 PM
Luna Skirt Hi Laura,
Your plan sounds interesting, and it has far fewer stitches to work! With your hip size, I really don`t think you would need to cast on more than 160 stitches, however - the lace pattern is very stretchy - i.e. the top tier of 160 st can be actually stretched as wide as 54", but if you wanted to use smaller needles, I can see your thinking.

Am I right that your goal is to have a skirt that is essentially straight until it reaches just below the knee, with a flounce at the bottom? That`s the way I envision the pattern you`ve written above.

When you first talked about trumpet shaped, for some reason, I was thinking more of a fluted shape, with a smaller bottom circumference than the circle, and more gradual increases. e.g. 160 st for first tier, then 240 st for second tier, then 360 for the 3rd tier. To get this 1.5x increase, you would change the increase row formula to *yf, k2*. With this increase formula, of course, each tier could be as long or as short as you desire, and you wouldn`t be trying to make a true circle.
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