Dawn Brocco's Life & Design Blog

Got a glimpse of the radiology map yesterday, showing the masses and the rad lines and strength levels - it looks like that laser system layout in that museum in Entrapment w/Sean Connery! I counted 11 machine movements with zappings.

On the way to rad sessions each day, there's one tune that keeps popping up in my head. And only at that time - "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah". But, I think "Zap-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" would be more accurate!

And I discovered yet another side effect that might hit me, as the esophagus is in the line of fire - phlegm. Enough to choke on and keep one awake at night. Great fun! I could be a thorough mess in a week's time, and hubby will need to scrape me off the floor and drag me to treatment each day. Hope not.

So, I've begun the baking soda with salt gargles, and will start the aloe vera juice as soon as it gets here, and not wait til the radiation has done its damage and I can't swallow. Just as I'm slathered in comfrey salve, even though there's no burns yet. The seabuckthorn seed oil is excellent in this capacity, as well. It's been used alone on burn victims and it works fast.

I know I'm due to put up part 3 of the Fana KAL and will work on it today and hopefully get it uploaded tomorrow. AND work of those 2 long-suffering patterns, so I can get them off to Cascade Yarns and onto my site.

And it IS July, right?! I didn't do a Rip Van Winkle and wake up in April?

Ya wouldn't know it from the temperature inside this house - 65 degrees. They should call it Global Cooling, not Global Warming. Am wearing my blue and white Fana pullover and 2 pairs of wool socks to keep warm. I actually thought about turning on the heat. In JULY! Of course, I didn't. I'm not THAT crazy!

So, the extra shims on the mask helped a bit more. Am down to about 3 hours of grid-patterned face dents, with a bit of lumpiness for a few more hours afterwards. Maybe it's the edema making the marks last so long? Or maybe I need more collagen? Which I thought I had a good amount of, as I have no wrinkles, still, at my age. But I can live with this. It's better than the 6 hours of deep marks from the trial run.

This rain is so glumpyizing!

Had no motivation yesterday, despite these 2 new patterns sitting here just THIS far from being done. Took an afternoon nap and went to bed early, though I rarely fall asleep til hubby comes to bed.

But if I lie on the loveseat instead, I DO fall asleep, which I hate, as ya gotta wake up enough to take pills, brush teeth, close windows, turn off lights, etc., walking around like a zombie, getting the heart rate up, so that when you DO finally climb into bed - and our bed is high, so climb is the operative word - *now* you're awake!

I did laundry, brewed iced tea, did dishes, vacuumed and planted more lettuce seeds - whoopdidoo. I did nothing and the day flew by anyway.

I have higher hopes for today. Which is helped by adding more things to that Institution of Daily Life called the To Do List.

One item which seems to have become a fixture on the TDL is ordering more stuff from Lucky Vitamin.

And since I'm being bombarded by people fussing over my herbal supplementations (out of concern, I know!), hubby included, I ran my latest find past the rad onc today, which she approved - Aloe Vera - to drink for the mucous membrane in my throat/esophagus which will soon be radiated raw and therefore painful to swallow, for weeks.

Aloe Vera helps rebuild the lining, which takes 28 days on its own to renew. It *can* get to the point of painfulness where painkillers are needed, and I *don't* want to go there.

Painkillers constipate bigtime (which for me always means then not being able to eat, from the bloat), besides sending one into La-La land, and I've finally gotten my bod to behave nicely on its own. That particular battle has taken years to set right, what with peri-menopause's hormone shifts, then chemo and sleep deprivation. It's been torture - for me, and for hubby to hear me complain all the time about my pitiful GI probs.

I'm not going there, pushy, know-it-all onc nurse to the contrary, who wanted to give me painkillers for the bashed, hurting rib, as well. Do they *have to* assume patients know nothing? And they wonder why people turn to alternative medicines? All they know how to do is drug you, not help you heal, because that's not what they're taught.

So, I'm thankful the rad onc knows about Aloe Vera, at least, and she hasn't objected to all the other stuff I'm taking. And we're gonna watch and wait on the hurty rib, to see if it gets better or worse after a week, which is fine with me.

It's amazing if anyone gets through Cancer in one healthy piece, not 10 broken-down pieces. But I'll be damned if I end up in the latter group. That's just not good enough for me. Call it stubborn, or what you will! I know I can do no less, no different and live with myself.

Again, that teensie frog got away from us last night, before we could photograph him. It seems to like that back porch railing, so, tonight, I'm gonna be ready for it!

Hi Anne etal,
I knew I didn't have sea biscuit spelled right! And I tried twice. I used to be an excellent speller. What happened?

Oh, yeah. Chemo happened. And menopause happened.

There goes the brain. flitting away on butterfly wings, bit by bit!

Yes, I'm afraid we humans don't learn unless we go through those fires. I've been through a few, and gained that self-knowledge, which I am grateful for, despite the pain of it all. But, I too, would have preferred not to have gone through it.

I am comfortably ensconced within myself and wouldn't want to be anyone else, as we should ALL feel about ourselves (though I wouldn't object to having a more bodacious body, so I could be chased around the house more!)

I think the closest I can hope for is a beautiful head of hair. This new hair is SO soft and SO wavy. Can't wait for it to grow more, then find a beautiful strawberry blonde shade and make it mine! In the meantime, it's getting babied with organic pure olive oil soap.

I have this tendency to not be the gentlest with things like dishes and glassware. I also tend to close cupboards and doors with a bit more oomph than hubby prefers!

I insist that these things should be sturdy enough to withstand a little oomph. Of course, these days, many things are NOT made well enough for oomph.

Like Corelle.

Durable, "Virtually Unbreakable", says Target's listing of a Corelle set of dishes. Ha!

The key word is "virtually". I've broken plenty. We have 2 plates left out of a set. Bowls long gone. Cups long gone. Just 2 plates left.

I have a part set of red and white Homer Laughlin dishes and bowls, bought at a yard sale when we first moved here - now all chipped, some cracked.

We learned long ago that we can't just buy any pretty set of glasses, either. I have some, but I save them for company. That's the only way they'll last.

Arcoroc, or other tempered glass glassware, is all that should cross our threshold and enter our cupboards.

So, when the other day I went and chipped one of the last 2 Arcoroc tumblers, I went Googling for new glassware.

And discovered Picardie! In a nice, iced tea size - 12.75 ozs.

I should have bought them at Worldmarket when I first saw them there, as they are now OOS. But I also found them at Design Within Reach. The original version, from 1936, not the new style version, which doesn't have the same nice design balance as the vintage ones.

But, we'll see how long they last around me!

PS
If they ever get to me. They were *supposed to be* in stock, but, apparently aren't, so I cancelled the order, as if I want to wait on stock, I'll order them from Worldmarket, where they're cheaper!

I've begun the next Fana design, and remembered to use the Denise ndl set that was kindly sent to me by the daughter of the owner. If you recall, I tried their size 7's on the blue and white Fana, but as the size 7 tips were close to the cord thickness, I had a difficult time getting the millspun wool sts to move along the cord.

But as this Fana is in Peace Fleece, I'm using size 8's. Well, actually, a size 8 tip on the right-hand side and a size 5 tip on the left-hand side of the cord.

This seems to be working much better than the size 7, and my fingertips don't feel poked to death. And, of course the plastic is warmer in my hands, which, with the Reynaud's still going strong, is a very good thing - I hear Martha Stewart's voice as I write that!

One of these days, I want to try a variety of their ndl tips with a wider variety of yarns, both wool and non wool and write a proper review. I'll get to it. Maybe as I try and knit up some caps and mittens for the kids in an orphanage in Romania. Densie has 2nds, too - $10 off their regular sets.

I almost had it. A picture of the tiniest frog/toad we've ever seen. Sitting on the railing on our back porch, last night. Went to get the camera and poof. Off he/she went, probably into the nearby jasmine bush.

It was as small as these. But much paler in color, like that whitish frog I posted about here.

This must be the Year of The Frog!

As long as it doesn't include frog-ging. We knitters aren't fond of frog-ging!

Labels: Denise ndls, Fana, frogs, Picardie

Anne asks,"Sometimes (but only sometimes) I wish we had do-overs in life. If you could wave a magic wand would you get rid of the cancer so you never had it? "

Without a doubt, Anne!

Some people say it makes them appreciate life more. I've always loved life and been a happy person, so that particular life lesson, I didn't need Cancer to teach me. If it has an ulterior purpose, I'm not aware of it yet.

Today went better than the trial run. My face was still marked for about 4.5 hours. Better than the 6 hrs from the trial run, but still room for improvement. One of the techs said he can shim the mask a bit more, which we'll try tomorrow. And of course, he and the nurse said that my skin's reaction to it is rare. Most people seem to only become dented for a few minutes.

It did feel better, not painful today. So, maybe I will actually sleep tonight? Which I didn't do so much of last night, with the apprehension keeping me awake, despite being totally tired enough to konk out.

And I began using the comfrey salve on the zapped parts already (upper chest, neck and upper back, as it comes from several directions to the masses), to help ward off burning, but we'll see.

And I regularly take my seabisquit pills, I mean seabuckthorn seed oil pills! They're not horse pills, really, (I just gotta toy with names), small enough to swallow easily, and they're anti-radiation, just like me, SO anti-radiation!

Got a 1-day reprieve from beginning radiation - the computer screen for the rad machine was glitching, so my appointment was cancelled. Well, I shouldn't say cancelled, it just adds a day onto the end date of sessions.

Spoke with 2 rad techs this morning. All they can do is try some shims. I guess between the mask and whatever it's snapped down onto.

We'll try it tomorrow and see if the bit less pressure on my face makes for shorter-lasting marks.

Doc thinks I could be allergic to the plastic in the mask. Could be, but I doubt it. I think it's just too damn tight! So they may give me a piece of it to wear on my wrist to see if I get a reaction. That anxiety/stress herbal can't come too soon!

I'm gonna soon turn into a plant. A radioactive plant, but a plant nonetheless, from all the herbals I'm taking and will be taking.

I really don't want to take a sleeping pill every night, to get through the upcoming stress, so I found a herbal (flower) sleep tincture, which I hope works.I also found an anxiety/stress herbal (flower) tincture.

I know I said I could get *through* these rad sessions. But I'd like to get through them with the least amount of stress as possible. And again, I'd rather not rely on drugs.

Am still also working on the edema - taking multiple B-complexes and Horse Chestnut every day with as much water as I can manage. And eating more protein. Had hubby get me a large jar of wheat germ, which I love and haven't had in ages. Don't know why. I think I just forgot about it.

Wheat germ has tons of protein and fiber. I'm also up to 4 miles a day on the recumbent bike.

I can't do more than I'm doing, but this water is a formidable opponent. I'd like to get to wear my wedding ring again, one of these days. Until then, it's safely ensconced in this beautiful little box.

I swatched the Peace Fleece for the next Kimono-styled Fana cardigan - thanks Anne! for suggesting a new design. I don't mind reknitting designs, but prefer to knit new designs!

I also have a Fair Isle to get supplies for. In Cascade 220 and their Cloud 9 (an angora/merino mix). I have a hand-me-up fingering wt. pullover DD gave me, which is wearing out big time. I love the soft colors and thought I'd do something similar in worsted wt wool, and have the accent colors in the angora blend to not only give a soft halo, but extra soft/coziness to the pullover.

Here's the tuckered out sweater:


Unless I make it a cardigan? Hmm, very possibly. With a collar and/or maybe corrugated ribbing.

And I'm finally at the final proofing/editing of 2 new patterns - Cresting Waves Clog Socks (in 3 sizes) and Chunky Cabled Vest (in 4 sizes), coming soon.

Labels: chunky cabled vest, cresting waves clog socks, Fair Isle, herbals, Peace Fleece

Thank goodness for Lunesta. I think that's the only way I'm going to get through the next month.

I WAS sleeping well, now that the AC is in our bedroom window, but after wearing that mask for the dry run, I tossed and turned all last night. Every time I awoke, all I could think of was that horrid mask and the welts it left on my face for 6 hours yesterday!

Yeah, not a few minutes or the 2 hours I've read others' say, in some cancer forums. 6 hours. Today the mesh marks are gone, but my forehead is still a bit welted. Bastards.

So, I dug up a photo of a patient wearing a mask, but with a pad underneath across his/her? forehead. I'm bringing it Monday to treatment. I want something across my chin as well, as that hurt.

The mask is not supposed to be comfortable, but it's not supposed to hurt.

And I will not end up locked up in the house for a month for fear of scaring small children if I go outside. Not to mention, yet another friggin' stab at de-feminization.

And the doc had said 3-4 weeks. Got the MVP paper yesterday - 22 sessions were OK'd = 4.5 weeks. I won't be done til the end of July.

People take anti-anxiety drugs to get through these sessions, that's how freaky and scary they are with that mask. I can handle the anxiety. I close my eyes and focus on my breathing. So, getting *through* the sessions shouldn't be a problem. Not having them mar my face might be.

PS
I called their answering service and left a message for the rad techs, who get there at 8 am on Monday. My appt isn't until 11:15.

Told her how long the marks and welting are lasting and suggested they find some way to pad my face or I won't want to come in for treatments.

I don't care if it means they'll have to make a new mask to accommodate the padding. Tough. It's my body, dammit.

First off, if you wish to make a sweater with a different length, you'll need to determine when to begin waist shaping, so, first determine your shoulder to waist measurement. Now, figure out how many inches will be needed for the waist shaping.

I am taking in 1" each on front and back on each side = 4" total. At 5 sts/1" = 20 sts. As decreases are made in pairs on each side of the waist, that's 4 sts per decrease rnd = 5 dec rnds total. I worked 4 plain rnds in between each dec rnd, for a total of 21 rnds: (dec rnd, 4 plain rnds) 4x times, then final dec rnd.

Now add half the # of plain rnds at the waist to find the center waist. I like an inch or so of plain rnds at the waist, in this case 6 rnds. 1/2 of 6 = 3 rnds.

So, shaping rnds plus 3 plain rnds brings us to the mid waist = 24 rnds total at 6.75 rnds/1" = 3.5".

Add this # to your shoulder to waist measurement and deduct this total from your desired sweater length. *That's* how far to work your main pattern, measuring from the CO edge, before beginning the next step, the waist shaping.

I didn't want a boxy sweater, as in the traditional Fana sweater. However, if *you* want it straight, please do so and ignore all shaping in this segment - just continue in established pattern, until you are at the underarms.

How long is that?

Well, for my 41" circ sweater, I want an armhole opening of about 8.5". So, subtract 8.5" from your total desired length and work to that point, for *this size.*. As I'm aiming for a 22" length, that would mean 13.5" from the CO edge.

For other sizes, figure about 40-45% of your body circ for your armhole depth. My 8.5" armhole depth is 42% of my circ - not too snug, but not overly deep either.

If I was using a thinner yarn, I might do a less deep armhole (about 40%), and if I was using a thicker yarn, I might do a deeper armhole (45%), as yarn thickness takes up a varying amount of *interior* space in your sweater. If you plan on wearing a blouse or knit top underneath, that also requires a bit more room in your sweater, for a comfortable fit.

Armhole depth can also vary with the thickness of your upper arm, AND how much room *you* prefer in your sleeves - some people like sleeves to be snug, while others like 'em loose! As Elizabeth Zimmermann used to say, Measure your favorite sweater! I would add, *in a similar weight fabric.*

The sleeve style? Not a drop shoulder, like the traditional Fana, but an inset square armhole. The shape is still square, not curved, but inset a couple inches to move the sleeve *seam* closer to the natural shoulder line.

I like this sleeve style a lot, as it's still easy to do, but gives a nicer fit than a drop shoulder. But I digress! First the waist shaping:


Dec Rnd: (Patt 1 st, ssk, patt 96 sts, k2tog, patt 1 st), place side marker; rep within ( ) once more = 4 sts decreased.

Patt 4 rnds even.

Dec Rnd: * Patt 1 st, ssk, patt to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, patt 1 st; rep from * once more.

Rep last 5 rnds 3x MORE = 184 sts rem.

Patt 6 rnds even.

Now the increasing:


Inc Rnd: (Patt 1 st, M1, patt to 1 st before marker, M1, patt 1), slip marker; rep between ( ) once more = 4 sts increased.

Note: Increase in pattern. That is, after patterning the first st, look at the patt sequence coming up, and make the st *in the color* needed next.

Patt 4 rnds even.

Rep last 5 rnds 3x more, then rep Inc Rnd = original 204 sts. The sweater is now approx 10.5 from CO edge.

Note: I've given the directions in the usual manner, that is, with the shaping beginning at the start of the rnd and ending at the end of the rnd.

Well, how else would it be done, you ask!

If you find, like I do, that your decs and ins do not line up, and it bothers you, as it does me, then work them this way:

Begin your shaping at the end of the previous rnd! Then work the shaping at the beg of the next rnd and at the opposite side, then do not work another dec or inc at the end of the rnd - it's been done already.

It may take awhile to get accustomed to beginning your shaping at the end of the previous rnd. Can't tell you HOW many times I get to the beg of the rnd and have to tink back a few sts to work that end-of-rnd dec! But, it IS an option.

Work even for 19 rnds (approx 3") = approx 13.5" from CO edge.

Coming - Part 3: Neck and Underarm Steeks, V-Neck Shaping

Another Fana installment coming soon - hopefully this afternoon.

In the meantime...
I had my radiation dry run today. I begin treatments on Monday.

And I have another tattoo. On my chest, in clear sight - eesh. The other 3 - on stomach and each side, at least are hidden by clothing.

So, looks like, for the rest of my life, I need to wear a necklace to hide the black dot on my chest, a scarf around my neck to hide the red, sunken area from the first biopsy, and a bag over my head to hide the alligator marks!

Just in case anyone thought I might have been a bit too harsh in my judgment of that horrid mesh radiation mask, made to fit our individual faces, I hereby state with no equivocation - This Thing Bites.

The masochist that thought this one up should be made to shovel dog poo the rest of his life.

Click, click, click as they tighten your face to a hard table over a hard neck piece, head tilted back as far as it will go, turning your face into an alligator for hours afterwards (I ain't joking!), crushing your lower teeth hard into your upper teeth. If you don't have TMJ before rad treatments, you might, afterwards!

One of the techs was doing the tightening, and after the last click, I said, Jeez. And she responded, Yeah, that's the one they don't like. As if I wasn't there.

I think they should all have to go through the motions, including their own face mask, to see what it's like.

The only good thing about this new experience is that they actually came up with a late morning schedule which hubby and I can manage, so I won't have to rely on strangers taking me and bringing me home, looking like an alien, and having to make small talk.

The lady that brought me last time was great, a nice lady, but a slow driver, (I kept wanting to put my right foot down, and I don't even drive!) and we talked all the way there and back - too much talking for me!

under my nose
I've done yet more googling for edema answers and have come up with B6 and Horse Chestnut.

Now I've been taking both all along. The B6 as part of a B-complex, as it's not good to take individual B's by themselves.

And the Horse Chestnut I've taken for years, for my veins. It helps keep my veins from popping out of my fingers, when I move or lift something heavy.

But I didn't know that the B's and HC *can* work on edema, at slightly higher doses. So, I'm trying it, fingers crossed.

Back to pattern and photo work for me. And printing a small order for a shop. Dr. Zhivago is on. It's overcast and cool out today - the perfect day for a sad, epic tale of love and life. (Correction - make that WAS just overcast. It's now raining *again* - about the 5th or 6th time today already.)

Am working on uploading some designs onto Patternfish. And just began my 3rd pair of Lopi socks for CIC.

It's been awhile since I worked up a batch of CIC socks. I usually get into a groove and can't *stop* making them! That groove hasn't hit me yet. Probably because too many other things weigh upon my mind, but all this rain hasn't helped, either! But, I'm forging ahead best I can.

And today the sun has finally decided to show his face. How emotionally debilitating the rain can be. It saps motivation and happiness.

Am still waiting on the rad onc to begin scheduling my treatments. I'm eager to get this stuff over with already. I know the daily sessions will begin to wear on me by the 2nd week, as it is, without the waiting testing my patience further. I don't want the rest of the summer pissed away with treatments. Still want to get that week away, *before* autumn hits.

Am considering whether to knit the 2nd Fana pullover sample in the same Softspun yarn or do it in Peace Fleece. Different gauge, I know. Do I *really* want to do a pattern with 2 sets of sizes using 2 gauges?

But I like the idea of a Father's Grey and Antarctica White Fana with a Perestroika Pink accent. As a cardigan. With the pink and grey checked border running up the front and around the neck, ala kimono-style. A mix of Norway and Japan. Talk about mixing ethnic styles in one sweater! Sounds like a separate design to me.

BTW, the KAL installments will be listed in my sidebar.

It's a beautiful day out today, so what am I doing? Detailing the kitchen! But then I think I'll print out those 2 new patterns I've been working on and sit outside to proof and edit them. And see if there isn't more lettuce to pluck for lunch.

Finished Sweater Size
41" body circ
37" waist circ
22" length
20" long sleeves from underarm

This pullover uses steeks at the underarms and center front. I hand sewed mine. You can machine sew them or crochet them - your choice.


This pullover is worked on 204 sts for a 41" finished circ, based on a colorwork gauge of 5 sts and 6.75 rnds/1" (2.5 cm). I'll be plotting several sizes, from about 36" to 48" circ for the pattern, which I'll write up and publish later.

So, for now, if you need another size than that which I knit, the stitch repeat of the checkerboard lower edge is 6 sts and the repeat of the main colorwork pattern is 3 sts. My size has 68 reps of the main 3-st pattern around = 34 reps each front and back.

4 hanks each Briggs & Little's new Softspun wool yarn (240 yds/4 oz hanks) in Cream and Wedgewood (blue).

I have a little here and will be getting more soon. Let me know if you're interested in particular colors. They also have a navy, black, red and mauvey rose - not shown on their site yet. I'll post a pic soon.

There are 2 upsides to a Fana, besides its ethnic charm! - it's lighter in weight than an allover-stranded garment. I used just about 23 ozs. of yarn for this sweater (12 ozs blue and 11 ozs cream), and it's a quicker knit than an allover stranded sweater, thanks to all those plain Stockinette rnds.

As I generally add 10% to the ounces I use in any design, to allow for knitter differences, even in this size sweater, I'd recommend getting 4 hanks of each color. I squeaked by with the blue, using just a few yards of the 4th hank, which I wouldn't have needed, if I hadn't of worked that last knit rnd in the garter stitch border (see below!)

If you need to figure out how much yarn you'll need for your size, here's how I figure it:
My sweater is 22" long and 41" around = 902 sq. ins. + 50% for the sleeves = 1353 sq ins.

I used 11 ozs of cream, so 1353 sq ins ÷ 11 ozs cream = 123 sq ins per oz for cream.

I used 12 ozs blue, so 1353 sq ins ÷ 12 oz blue = 112.75 sq ins per oz for blue.

So, to determine the amount of yarn *you* need, multiply your circ (for example 46") x your length (for example 24") = 1104 sq ins plus 50% for the sleeves = 1656 sq ins.

Now divide by 123 sq ins/oz for cream = 13.46 ozs cream. At 4 ozs/hank = 4 hanks cream needed *in this yarn*.

Divide by 112.75 sq ins/oz for blue = 14.68 ozs blue. At 4 ozs/hank = 4 hanks blue needed *in this yarn*.

If using 2 other colors, use the cream #'s for the lighter of your 2 colors, and the blue #'s for the darker of the 2 colors.

5 sts and 6.75 rnds/1" in stranded pattern with size 7 (4.5 mm) ndls, and 5 sts and 7 rnds = 1" in Stockinette. CO at least 4" worth of sts to work a gauge swatch.

Yes, the gauge isn't nearly square as is *typical* in colorwork patterns, BUT, as a Fana is only about 1/3 colorwork and 2/3 plain solid-color stockinette, we aren't likely to get that nearly-square gauge.

16" and 29-31" ckns, size 7 (4.5 mm) or size to give gauge
Stitch markers
Fingering to DK wt yarn - for steeks. I used sock reinforcement, which is about lace weight and sturdy - less than 1 spool used
Tapestry needle

If your flat and circular gauges vary, do as Meg Swansen does and bring your yarn around the back of your swatch, leaving a loose loop and knit the next row, again, from the RS. Be sure to leave a few extra sts at beg and end of row, as these will always be loose and should NOT be counted for gauge.

approx = approximately
BO = bind off
circ = circumference
ckn = circular needle
CO = cast on
k2tog = knit 2 sts together
ndl(s) = needle(s)
M1 = make 1 st by placing a twisted loop onto the right-hand ndl
patt = pattern
rem = remains/remaining
ssk = slip 2 sts, separately, knitwise, then knit them together from this position. Alternately, you can slip 1 st knitwise, slip the next st purlwise, then knit them together from this position.
st(s) = stitch(es)


I began with a garter stitch border, which, as Priscilla Gibson-Roberts says in Knitting in The Old Way, is the border on the best of the best Fana sweaters.

But as my garter stitch gauge is 4.5 sts/1", NOT 5 sts/1", as in the colorwork, instead of using a smaller sized ndl to get the 5 sts/1", I will CO less sts. I want the same 40.75" circ for the bottom, so it doesn't take in.


If your garter stitch gauge is looser than your colorwork gauge, as mine is, you'll need to CO about 10% less sts for the edge, then inc to the full count for the body of the sweater.

At 4.5 sts/1, that gives me 184 sts to work in the garter stitch. I worked 2 ridges plus a knit rnd.

I should have left off the last knit rnd and just began the checks after a purl rnd, which looks neater. I did this on the neck and sleeves on this blue and white sweater and will do so on the black and red sample to come next.

On the last rnd, increase up to 204 sts (approx. p9, M1).

Note: I'm working it in the round, as it's a pullover, so that means purling every other rnd, to create garter stitch. If this displeases you, then work the border flat (knitting every row) and seam it later.


Now, I've broken into k3 cream, k3 blue checks, worked for 3 rnds, then the colors are switched position for 3 rnds, then switched back again for 3 rnds. (See chart A.)


Many Fanas have more *rows* of checks going on, but I didn't want a very deeply checked border, as I will use it later at the neck, and I like a design element to be reflected elsewhere in a design, for balance, though if you like a deeper checked border both at the hem and at the neck, feel free to do so.

If your garter stitch edge wants to flip up once you begin the checkerboard, don't fret. Mine was tamed with a few puffs of the steam iron, for the photo. This isn't necessary to do with your sweater, as the bath it will get, when done, will take care of the flip.

To delineate the checked border from the main pattern, I've inserted a garter ridge. So, with blue, knit 1 rnd, purl 1 rnd.


Now, work 8 rnds of chart B = approx 3.25" from the CO edge.

I setup the rep with 1 cream, 1 blue, 1 cream, instead of 1 blue, 2 cream, or 2 cream, 1 blue, because, with the even # of reps around the body (68 reps, with 34 reps each on front and back), when I'm ready to divide for the v-neck, I will have 17 whole reps on each side of the v-neck, perfectly mirror-imaged.

On your last rnd, insert a marker at the side seam. For me, that means after st # 102. If you prefer coilless pins, then place the pin *between* st #102 and #103.

Coming - part 2: Waist Shaping

Labels: Fana, KAL