Well, I don’t envy you with only 20 days to finish your project.

I’ve got much more than that for my crafting project, which is to make a costume for my Mad Tea Party on the 19th of May. Still, I don’t know if I can finish all I’ve signed myself up for.

I went with friends to Joann’s and picked up patterns and material, now it’s just a matter of cutting it out and stitching it all together. I’ve signed myself up to make:
A jacket with tails (made out of a velvety feeling brown cotton)
A double breasted vest (in indescribable patterned material for this project)
A shirt with a poofy splash of fabric that kind of works as a tie, I guess (with a bright blue cotton cloth)
A pair of pants (from a very LOUD blue and white striped material – the material is almost physically painful to look at)

I’ve got all this to do, plus the writing I promised you and failed to deliver on schedule.

I bought a stand-up cake mold in the shape of a bunny, that I want to try out for the party. Think that’s enough cake, or should I also attempt to make the cat litter cake for it’s hideous effect?

What a shame it’s too tight because it’s gorgeous! Usually 60 stitches works for me but then I’m a loose knitter. Do you knit tightly? Perhaps you need a pattern with more stitches?

I am sorry for your woes. 60 stitches seems sufficient and sometimes the gauge problem can be the difference in the ‘stretchiness’ of some yarns or even the needles – she does use Addi’s in the pattern and it is possible you are tightening up (particularly given the deadline and all!). I would suggest using a 3mm and see what happens or if you can get your hands on a 2.75mm Addi that may make a difference. It is hard to measure the exact gauge on lace because it is more condensed when knitted and then stretches. If you are feeling you are knitting tight, try the 3.25mm. It is a beautiful pattern and the colour is tremendous. I am sure if you are a bit late your pal will understand.

Hmmmm….I don’t know that I’d go up to a US3 needles. It might mean the yos are too big and the fabric not so dense. Does the pattern give you a gauge in st st? I’d do a swatch (in the round) and go from there…maybe you can fiddle with the pattern to co 72sts?

Don’t feel bad.. I just frogged mine yet again. The yarn is soaking and will be drying tonight. I think I am switching yarns though. What I did was used a US 2 for the cast on and ribbing portion and switched to US1s. That seemed to work. I was down on )s when I made a huge boo boo that had to be frogged. The yarn doesn’t want to be used. So I am looking at a new pattern too. But try using a larger needle for the cuff and slowly working down to a 1.

You could try adding a stitch or two to the stockinette column separating the leaf repeats – so instead of starting with a single knit stitch, you’d knit two or three stitches, continuing with the rest of the chart. You’d need to swatch to see if you like the effect, but that would give you some extra room, and put the stitch count at either 64 or 68, and I know I can get a 64 stitch sock at 8 spi over my size 9 foot (if that helps).

I wish I could help you, but it sounds like you have some solid advice from others. I hope you finish!! Maybe you could send your pal a placeholder with a note, but if I know Amanda, she’ll post a Bloomin’ Feet update and your pal will understand.

if you are pressed for time and need extra width I would go with the size 3 needles.
You can use the size 2 dpns for the heels and toes. I can’t wait to see your socks they sound really nice and I like the colors in that yarn!

I started over again too. But I am MUCH happier and I think she will be too. 20 days you say? I really need to get knitting!