Block Party
The Back of the Phil Ruban Top
Gosh! There's just too much excitement here chez Keyboard Biologist. The back of the Phil Ruban top is finished. A big thank you to Carolyn who helped me with some French knitting terminology.
The back was a long slog. I decided to spice it up a little bit by short-row shaping the shoulders in preparation for a three needle bind off. I've wanted to try this ever since I read about it on Sarah Peasley's blog a long long time ago. It's hard to tell from the picture, but the shortrows are pretty neat. I'm looking forward to attaching the back to the front.
The one thing I still have to figure out is how I am going to finish the neckline. The pattern doesn't describe much, but I think the cast off edge on the back is a little raw. Of course, a lot will depend on how much yarn I have left after the front and the back are done. I've used just about 2.5 of my 5 skeins.
An I-cord bind off is always attractive.
The top looks beautiful. Love that color. Wish we saw more Phildar in the States, and I hope that will come with the interest that's been generated on Blogs.
I also love the short row shoulders and haven't used it until recently. I actually like shortrowing and even did an entire throw utilizing the technique. But for some reason, every time I get to the shoulders, I get that same clammy feeling that I do when I have to Kitchener. It is the damp of fear! I have a hard time "wrapping my head around it, it seems." Once I jump in, I'm fine [Not so with kitchener, I'm afraid], but I guess I just haven't fully internalized it yet.
Hooray! You'll LOVE your short-rowed/three-needle-bound-off shoulders!