Dog Days & the Mysteries of Gauge
Summer is just dragging on around here. Let's get this additional proof of my weirdness out in the open -- summer is my least favorite season. Always has been since childhood, without a single year of deviation since. Not saying I don't have fun in the summer - of course I do - but I've never been sad to see it go. Yeah, like I said, I'm weird. In the past week we've gone to the beach, taken evening walks, gone to the park - I am getting out in it - really. I think I'm just a change addict. I love all the promise of a fresh start that Autumn brings. Now if I could only order up a bit of Autumn around here...
Luckily our modified year-round school ends later and starts earlier. My emotionally high-maintenance DD has been in third grade for a week so we've already had a week of AM and homework drama. Won't bore you with details (I am already bored, no need to share). She's generally excited about school, loves her teacher and is completely capable of the work. Good news is that a short chat with her teacher this morning reassured me that this problem does not show in the classroom. Great, it's me. Why does it always have to be Mom?
At least my plants like me:
That one on the bottom has the most amazing blooms. The "legs" are 6 - 8" long! Took that one with the straight needle for a reference point we knitters understand. We bought it out of bloom, so this has been a surprise.
I've not got many fiber thrills to show. The Koigu shawl continues to grow, but as the pattern is the same I'll wait for more photos.
I did try to CO my Philosopher's Jacket this week. One mystery of knitting is how sometimes I can reduce needle size, and reduce it again, and still get the same gauge, just with tighter stitches and a sore hand. What's up with that!?!
This pattern uses a st st hemmed cuff, which I think is a nice detail for keeping the fair isle at the wrist from showing and getting caught on things. The turned under part is knit on US 5's (the body on 8's) at 21/4 in. I'm getting 16 st/4 in ... maybe 17 if I manipulate it a bit. On 5's! It's obviously huge just looking at it. And it was uncomfortable to knit the Aran weight yarn on 5's. Going to do the math and redo with fewer CO stitches. We'll see if this means the whole body will have to be recalculated.
Their instructions say to knit the sleeves first, take your gauge, then knit the body size that best renders your gauge to the final measurements you want, so I've got some wiggle room once I get a reasonable sleeve opening set up. Still, their patterns are boxy so I want to be careful and not end up looking like I'm wearing my big sister's jacket. As it is, I've put this aside for a few days.
The sewing continues. Here's my second bag.
Yeah, we wear our pj's as long as possible around here as you can tell by my little Vanna. I like how it worked up and the size is perfect for a project on straight needles and a magazine or book. Yes, I know the pattern is upside down - at least it is on both sides. Planned for it the other way, but must have turned the pieces while cutting. Guess there's a good reason to mark direction huh? Anyway, thankfully it's fabric by a quilt designer, so the pattern reads well from any direction. That streak in the photo appeared while manipulating it - oh well. You'll just have to ignore it because I am. That's the kind of mood I'm in today. Almost afraid to knit anything challenging because I'd probably let the pattern go to hell with barely a shrug.
Thanks to you all for the very nice comments on my Portland post. Looks like we're not the only ones who enjoy that city. And big thanks for your compliments on my sewing efforts. I've been carrying that bag around since then and love it.
Just got the latest Pottery Barn catalog and I'm feeling so damned stylish that I might just have to take a lie down! Amy Butler is certainly keeping up with the industry with her stripes and floral combos. The cover bedding is a nice match for my first bag. Never thought I'd be on the front end of current fashion with my little whims.
Going to rip off these tied boxes - they look dead easy (famous last words). I found this "home decorating" fabric (on the right) on sale at JoAnn's to make boxes for the girl's rooms. If it works I'll sacrifice my fabrics. Watch this space...
This is my dinning table right now. Working on Ditty Bags for the girls with Kaffe and other prints. Sorry it's a little out of focus. We're having a very gray day around here and I'm too lazy to get out the tripod. Ya get the feeling there's a theme? LAZY!
BTW, my apologies to those who read my last post on that first evening. As you well know, I forgot to run spell check. You're in on my dirty little secret. I was brushing my teeth at midnight and had one of those sudden "Oh @#$%!" brain flashes. Now you know why I failed my high school Senior English paper (pre-PC).
