I love that knitting place I get in right after finishing a project. Half finished projects call to me. New ideas and new yarn seem possible (OK, both are always possible, but suddenly they seem justifiable). I start leafing through books and magazines and swatching my stash.
First, the old: I've been working on this Rowan sweater for a while. All that stitchwork takes time, but it does look pretty good. Lots of grow-room, but that's ok by me. Made it to gauge and pattern, but my munchkin is slim. This one better last a while.
Here's a photo taken yesterday by the sweater's future owner (age 7). Sorry it's blurry, but it was raining (after a 5-year drought we're loving this) so the room was dark. My lap is full of August. Big pretty boy and a box of rocks (sad, but true). He's also AlphaKitty in this house and feels free to take over any space as his own. Claude, our small gray boy, is prettier, smarter and more than 5 lbs lighter than August, and also usually has the good grace to curl up next to you. Love em both dearly of course.
So… why the photo? For documentation of two of the excuses I have for having to do the front neckline four, yes FOUR times! August took over my lap while I did the initial counting and small child kept taking my photo - certainly enough to kill concentration. I did one side 10 rows up and the other side two times (another issue) only to find the neckline 15 stitches off center. Corrected that and did it all again only to decide that I really didn’t like my fashioned cast offs (that's totally my fault). I typically do cast offs one or two stitches in and like that look, but it was too much with all this patterning. Took a breath and ripped all the way down to the divide and started over. Two hours to get that neckline, but it was right, finally. Finished the back up to the neckline that night. Today I did a 3-needle bind-off on the shoulders and picked up around that cursed neckline. Will finish this afternoon and start on the sleeves. With all this rain she can wear it now, so I want to keep it moving. Here’s the latest:
Swatched the meandering leaf scarf out of Scarf Style last night. That’s a pattern you can’t look away from, but I did enjoy the challenge. Ripped my swatch because I didn’t have the right yarn (weight, texture or yardage) – I was just playing. I think I will look for that yarn though.
Cast on Knitty's Cozy with Rowan’s Summer Tweed. It’s a little rougher and heavier than the specified yarn, but I think it’s working. I want to finish this first ball then reevaluate. See wearing this with jeans and a fitted t or turtleneck. I’ve got three other colors of this in my stash (let’s not go there – I just like it), so it will be nice to have something other than a sweater in this yarn.
The last evening standing before I went to ER I finally cast on the front and back sides of the Cinema sweater. This had gone quiet for a while, but I hope to finish in a few weeks. Seems good for casual holiday outings – bright but good with jeans and boots, etc. Glad I dug up this very long #11 set – much easier to see what’s going on.
Hum, what else? Found a great poncho on Jackie’s site (look on Oct 13 – it’s her own design). Right out of this month’s Vogue Knitting, but in a smaller gauge. I’ve wanted one that’s not fringed and doesn’t make me feel like I’m trying to dress 22. Not wanting to insult anyone at all – I’ve seen women of all ages look great in some ponchos – just talking about my own comfort level and style. I’m 39 and short – I don’t want to be a fashion fatality.
More thoughts, but that neckline’s calling me to finish today.
WOW - I'm blushing! I'd be happy to share the pattern if you're interested. I LOVE the color of your cozy. I have some Mandalay in a crimson that I'm saving to start mine!
Posted by: Jackie | October 27, 2004 at 05:09 PM