Tunic or Not Tunic, that is the Question

With the Knit Knackers on Ravelry I’m doing a loosely structured KAL. We all couldn’t decide on one single pattern to work on, so we picked from a list of patterns to work on simultaneously. I choose the Coffee Tunic.

This has turned into a perfect project for late night pumping because it has simple to follow directions which don’t have to be referenced often and it’s easy enough to work on in low light (ie, a night light). I’m not too fond of the decreases right now, but I’m going to go ahead and work them as the pattern is written. I fell in love with the increases and decreases on the Twist & Shout sweater and think that something like that would be much more streamline. Here's how the decreases look as written:

Many other Ravelers noted that they originally cast on 224 stitches instead of 220 then increasing 4 stitches after the initial ribbing. I did not, a fact that I discovered later would have made my life easier. I really struggled with figuring out to increase the stitches without messing up the established ribbing. As many suggested (and I ignored) there really is no reason NOT to start with 224 stitches. So future knitters of this pattern, take heed and cast on the larger number!

Despite these two parts, I'm really enjoying this project and it is inspiring in me the want to design and make more tunics like it. I know, hold my horses, I’m not even half way finished with it, but the basic framework for a tunic worked in the round is awesomely simple in construction and has the potential for a lot of variety. I can play around with colors and cables, as well as the decreases and neckline, and I don’t even need to worry about sleeves. It doesn’t get much better than that, my friends!

Little Did I Know...

It’s been a while since I’ve updated Knitosphere because of a major change in my life, the addition of my daughter Skylar Sheree. Whoa nelly has the world changed since she entered our lives on December third! Yup, that concept of “everything is going to change” is a cliché for a reason.

The biggest change that I did not expect was how little knitting time I would actually have. In all sincerity I actually thought that I would have more time for knitting while on maternity leave. Oh my blissfully naivety! Images of me happily knitting while my cherub suckled at my breast were replaced with the frustrating reality that it takes two hands and a lot of false starts to get a hungry screaming baby latched on, then continual monitoring because she is a “bad eater.” (La Leche Leaguers relax, no need to give me advice, I have been working with a lactation specialist). This wasn’t the only knitting bubble that was burst – I also imagined that I would be able to knit while Skylar napped. Ha! Turns out that nap time isn’t just for baby!

Now, nearly 8 weeks later I am finally finding my knitter groove, one little row at a time. Sure, it’s not as much knitting as I had anticipated, but I am pleasantly surprised with the progress that I am able to make in small bursts while I pump breast milk or hold a sleeping baby in my arms - that one took a little bit of figuring out on my part, Proof that it works: