A Productive Week

Wow! It's been one busy week, and the weather is not helping either. We had trees on our property trimmed and removed. The fig tree was really getting out of control. However, I am really missing the Magnolia tree we had on our front lawn. It has been dead for awhile, and we didn't even know! I didn't realize how much I would miss having a large tree on my lawn though. Replacing this tree is very high on my list of things to take care of this weekend. We are probably just going to get another Magnolia tree. Do you have any suggestions?

I frogged the Live Oak Shawl that I started awhile back and casted on again with a smaller needle (US size 4); I am really liking how it looks with size 4. I am about to start the lace pattern, so I guess you can say I am 50% done!

I am not liking this shade of pink...

On an exciting note, I finally ordered a nice brown 22" separating zipper and finished installing this zipper into the Quilted Diamond Vest for my mom. I ordered the zipper from Zipper Stop; it was very hard for me to find the right color from local craft stores. The selections just weren't very good. I think I visited over 10 websites and watched at least five different YouTube videos before I figured out the best way to install a zipper into a knitted piece. I took a few in-progress photos and will share with you how I installed this zipper. I think I did a pretty good job. I will ask my mom to model for this weekend so you can see it :)

Knitted Vest with Zipper

Remember this vest I started last year? I finally dug it out of the basket this weekend and finished seaming the shoulders and sides. I also picked up stitches around the neck and finished the collar. I had so much drama with the zipper but finally got the right one for vests. Who would have known that there is so much to zippers?!

 Separating vs. regular zipper

I first got the 22" "polyester" brown zipper shown on the right, then realized that this will not allow me to "open" up the vest! Duh! This just isn't going to work! Why do realizations always occur after I have already made the purchase and opened it!? So I stopped by another fabric shop in the area that carries "separating" zippers, such as the white one shown on the left in the picture. See how these two look different? You want the white one on the left for cardigans, vests, or jackets, and the one on the right for purses, etc. 

Separating zipper in action. 

I wish the store carried this zipper in brown though. They had such a small collection of separating zippers, so this white will have to make do. Now that I finally have the right zipper, I can insert it. I have never inserted zippers into knitwear before. I basted the edges of the vest with a bright yellow yarn so it can be removed easily later. We will see where this takes me! Wish me luck :)

How hard can it be!? 

By the way, we are celebrating Lunar New Year tonight. I wish you a very happy Chinese New Year. It's the year of the dragon. What's your Chinese zodiac sign?