Wednesday, July 30, 2003

I knit black garter stitch forever, and here's what I ended up with:

It's huge. 

Isn't that a great photo?  I'm proud of my focus and the fact that there's no glare.  Small thrills, sorry.  I decided to forge ahead to see what the next layer looked like, and went a little nuts.  I worked on it ALL DAY, to the exclusion of everything else, and here's what I ended up with:

A giant blob of wool!  I couldn't stop until I got to the pretty color (periwinkle!).  Gee, it doesn't look like much here, but it's actually quite large.  It weighs 330 grams so far, which is almost three whole skeins of Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted.  Let's see, if I knit up 300 grams of yarn a day, I should have my stash knit up in about . . . but if I also add to my stash at the rate of 300 grams of yarn a week . . . my stash will be knit up in, um . . . ouch!  I think I sprained my brain.

In other news, it was a day of coincidences (or as we like to say here, co-inky-dinks), but none were as strange as this:

On the left is the anniversary card I gave my husband today.  On the right is the anniversary card he gave me.  But wait, it gets better.  The outside of the card(s) says, "This is our day."  The inside says, "There are 364 other perfectly good days left for anyone who wants to celebrate . . . but today is all ours."  Inside the card I gave my husband, I added:  "Well, all right, so we're too busy today, and tomorrow, but Friday -- that's it!  Friday will be all ours.  Only in the evening though, and it has to be after 5:00 because Son Number Two has soccer until then -- but after that, whatever's left of the day, it's all ours!".  Yeah, I'm wordy, but you get the point.  Inside the card my husband gave me, he added:  "Well, Friday is, anyway."  We were both severely alarmed after opening our cards.

Be afraid.  Be very afraid.

Sarah

Tuesday, July 29, 2003

I had a brief visit from my brain this afternoon, during which I did the math for both my Entrelac knitting bag and the armhole modifications I'm making to Luisa (can't I ever knit anything straight from the pattern?).  Now I can knit away happily for a few more days.

At tonight's knit-in in Irene's lovely new home, I got about half of the base done for my knitting bag.  I'm fairly confident that this bag is going to work.  I want to get this project done SOON, as it is the model for my Introduction to Entrelac class that I'm introducing this fall, and I want people to be able to see what they're knitting.  I already have a model for the Entrelac Sweater Design class that will follow.

My grand plan for Sarah Peasley, Handknitter is to focus on a different technique each six months (or maybe each year -- we'll see how it goes).  I've been teaching Fair Isle for so long that I was getting a little burned out and wanted to try something different.  I'm really excited about the Entrelac projects, and I'm looking forward to developing Aran classes and maybe even some Intarsia (yikes!).  Then I would eventually get back around to Fair Isle, and start the cycle again.  This would be in addition to the regular classes (beginning knitting, finishing, Continental, socks, and my personal favorite, Seamless Sweater Design).

I can already tell you that it's not going to work out that way.  How do I know?  Because I'm starting an Introduction to Fair Isle class on Thursday, and I'm betting at least some of those knitters are going to be really miffed if I don't follow up with a Fair Isle Sweater class.  Heavy sigh.  There just aren't enough hours in the day to be both a knitting instructor and a mom (and a wife, and a laundress, and a cook, and a housekeeper, and . . .).  Heavier sigh.

And then there are those patterns I'm supposed to be getting caught up on . . .

And then I had an idea yesterday while trying to get caught up on my knitting magazines.  There was an article in one of them about knitting retreats, which mentioned that Meg Swansen's Knitting Camp was the "mother of all knitting retreats" (or something like that), and then mentioned several others, including Clara Parkes' Knitters Review Weekend Retreat.  And I know Annie Modesitt is planning a Seaside Knitting Retreat in New Jersey, which sounds like a lot of fun.  Anyway, my idea was to sort of host a very small retreat of my own, in some to-be-determined location (but within a few hours of my house -- I'm tired of driving!), including a workshop on some to-be-determined knitting project.  I don't pretend to be Meg or Clara or Annie, but I do have something to offer, and I'm always up for a knitting weekend.  Especially if there are great restaurants and a yarn store or two nearby. 

Just an idea I'm kicking around.  And I'll have plenty of time to put it together . . . when? 

I think I need to stop sleeping altogether.  Better yet, you know that thing Hermione had in The Prisoner of Azkaban that allowed her to squeeze more hours out of her day?  That's what I need.  That time thingy.  Anybody know where I can get one fairly cheap?

Sarah

Monday, July 28, 2003

I stole this from Sweatergirl:

She's throwing a knitting picnic -- come join us!  Click on the stolen button for more information (also stolen -- shhhh!  Don't tell!).

I got my confirmation for Stitches Midwest in the mail this weekend.  I'm taking two classes:  Where Do They Get Those Numbers, with Edie Eckman, and Fully Fashioned and Fabulous, with Melissa Leapman.  No homework from Edie, and about fifty swatches for Melissa (more like five).  Yippee!!! 

I spent most of today furiously knitting sample pieces for tonight's Beginning Finishing class, only to realize this afternoon that I didn't schedule a session this week so everyone would have more time to knit.  Sigh.  I must have left my brain at the lake.  Well, at least my little cardigan pieces are almost done. 

We went out for ice cream to celebrate my "unexpected" night off.  We went to the little outside window at House of Subs, which they leave open for a while after the restaurant closes so people can get their late night ice cream fix.  Son Number One asked "How do we know it's called the House of Subs?"  He has a good point, as there hasn't been a sign on the place for as long as I can remember.  I couldn't answer his question.   

If anyone finds my brain out there, please stick it in the mail. 

Sarah

Sunday, July 27, 2003

We got home from our great weekend at our neighbors' getaway at Hubbard Lake to find that my website, blog, and e-mail were still non-functional, but while I was investigating, they finally started working again, so I'm quick going to write something about the weekend to add to Thursday's and Friday's entries that were waiting patiently to be posted.

Here's where I sat most of the weekend:

Here's where I sat some of the time:

Here's what I looked at:

And here's what I did:

I love my neighbors!

Sarah

Friday, July 25, 2003

My web pages and my e-mail haven't worked since Thursday night, but I'm going to keep adding entries so I can post them when I'm able.

I ordered the buttons I need from Eaton Rapids today.  They'll mail them to me soon, and then I can finish my pillow patterns and get THAT project off my list.

I finished this today:

The girly version of Cameron's Cap.  Picot hem and a more feminine color pattern.  I'll have to write the pattern up when we get back from the lake, and then THAT project will be done.  We're leaving early tomorrow morning (Saturday), and will be back either Sunday night or Monday morning.

See you then!

Sarah

Thursday, July 24, 2003

Crisis averted!  I found a skein of the darker green Galway tonight at The Yarn Garden, and worked on the button bands when I got home.  Here's one shortly after the buttonhole row:

And when I got done, I started binding off with the nifty crochet hook technique, and tried to take a picture of it:

It's a little blurry, but it's not easy taking a photo of a two-handed technique, using only one hand.  In case you've never seen this, check it out.  Use a crochet hook in your right hand instead of a knitting needle (try to use a crochet hook the same size as the needle -- translate them both to millimeters if you can).  After knitting the first two stitches onto the crochet hook, use the hook to pull the last stitch through the first stitch.  MUCH easier than prying the first stitch over the last stitch with a knitting needle.  Remember that you're knitting and not crocheting, or you'll wrap the yarn around the crochet hook the wrong way.  Knitting wraps counter-clockwise, and crocheting wraps clockwise.  I LOVE this technique, especially for binding off lots of stitches.  The tension of the bound off stitches is nice and even the whole way across.

I didn't make it to Eaton Rapids for buttons, so the never-ending pillow project is still ongoing.  I'll call tomorrow and see if they can mail some to me.

I got the purple girly version of Cameron's Cap halfway done -- I used a picot hem and am now stuck trying to come up with a nice feminine Fair Isle pattern that's a 17 stitch repeat.  I'll try again tomorrow when my brain is fresher.

I feel like I'm doing a lot of knitting, but not getting anything done.  Here's what's piled around my knitting chair:

• The Squares pillow is waiting for buttons.
• Cameron's Cap is waiting for a cooperative Fair Isle chart.
• My Entrelac knitting bag is waiting to be designed.
• Sicily is waiting for ends to be woven in and buttons to be sewn on.
• Mary Tudor is waiting to be blocked and for the button to be sewn on, but I also am thinking about doing the button bands again on a smaller needle (not a happy thought).
• Tokyo is waiting for a button and button loop, but I'm also thinking it's too big.
• The Lacy Alpaca Scarf is stalled because I don't like the edging I was planning to use, and I'm thinking I need to re-knit the whole thing but I'm not sure why.
• The Cardigan with Crocheted Ridges is coming along, but I'm mad at it because the yarn knits up so unevenly.

Shoot -- half of these projects aren't even on my "What I'm currently working on" list, and there are about a half dozen things on that list that I haven't touched in months.

As I told my Beginning Finishing students tonight:  "Remember, knitting is supposed to be fun and relaxing!"

Sarah

Wednesday, July 23, 2003

Progress!

I took my knitting outside onto the patio and got some serious knitting done.  Here's what I did outside:

And when it started getting dark, I came inside and did this:

Ooh, hang on a minute -- I'm going to run down and straighten those crooked squares . . .

Okay, I'm back. 

So once again, now that it looks like this project is progressing smoothly, we come to a screeching halt with the realization that I'm almost out of the darker green yarn that I want to use for the button bands.  Cross your fingers for me -- I'm hoping to find more at The Yarn Garden in Charlotte when I'm there tomorrow night.  And remind me to go early so I can swing by Old Mill Yarn in Eaton Rapids for more buttons.

Mica did NOT enjoy the summer afternoon as much as I did:

The best thing that happened today was that I found what I want to knit while at the lake this weekend, thanks to Pam (who introduced me to this sweater), Karen (who had the pattern) and Karin (who fetched it for me). 

The sweater on the right is called "Short Sleeved Boat Neck Cabled Pullover", or "Luisa" for short.  It's from the Spring 1997 book from Adrienne Vittadini Yarns (Volume 8).  What yarn will I use, you ask?  Remember the lovely pale lavender Tahki Cotton Classic I bought about a month ago?  THAT'S what I'm going to use.  It looks like the gauge isn't a perfect match, but that's never stopped me before, has it?  I'm so excited about this project (a NEW one!), I can hardly stand it. 

We're leaving Saturday morning.  Think I can hold off starting it until then?

Sarah

Tuesday, July 22, 2003

I forgot to try Cameron's Cap on baby Sarah Jane while she was awake at tonight's knit-in/baby shower, so I'll just have to trust that the thing fits properly.  I'm going to test knit the pattern one more time (a girly version in purple!) and then I'll post it.  Maybe one of you can test knit it, pop it on an unsuspecting small child's head, and then let me know how it fits.  Please?

I made a little progress on re-working my "old" Beginning Knitting pillow cover.  Okay, in the future, it will be referred to as the "Squares" pillow, as opposed to the "Stripes" pillow which is the "new" Beginning Knitting pillow cover.  Together, they're called "Knits and Purls Pillows".  I know, I know.  A remarkably clever name, isn't it?

That's about it on the knitting front, although I'd sweater -- oops!  I meant to say "swear" -- isn't that a hoot?!  Anyway, I'd swear I did SOMETHING knitting related today, but for the life of me I can't figure out what it was.

This was e-mailed to me today from Mary Alice, who sat kitty corner to me at Knitting Camp (thanks, Mary Alice!):

Ignoring the fact that I've got what appears to be a triple chin, it's an accurate portrayal of how I spent my time at Knitting Camp . . . working on Sicily.  Where is Sicily now, you ask?  Right here next to me, waiting patiently to have it's ends woven in.  That's next week's project, after Cameron's Cap, the Squares pillow, and my entrelac knitting bag are completed (oh, yeah, like that'll be next week!).   

Sarah

Monday, July 21, 2003

I'm back!  Whew!  Gone two weekends in a row, and this weekend we're going lakeside again to our neighbor's cottage on Hubbard Lake.  Yippee!

I spent a very lovely weekend in South Russell, Ohio with my friend Melinda (who says "Hi!" to those of you who know her).  I took my two boys along, and they and her two girls played together amazingly well ALL WEEKEND.  It was delightful.  Thanks, Melinda!  Oh, and Melinda -- I am definitely missing a skein of light grey Lamb's Pride, so feed those cats some alphabet soup so they can tell us where they hid it! 

To make up for my absence, here's a weekend's worth of photos.

First up, we have a store-bought hat presented to me by Jessica:

Jessica wanted me to come up with a pattern for this hat, since it's now too small for her son Cameron.  The bottom orange sections are done with short rows, and when the hat is on a head, they become earflaps.  Here's my version (unblocked):

You can see a little better how the short row shaping works.  I'm looking for a baby's head to put this on, to make sure it fits right, and then I'll be posting the pattern for Cameron's Cap on the Free Patterns page of my website!  Fortunately, I'm going to a baby shower/knit-in tomorrow night, for a baby who has already been born, so she'll get to test drive the hat for me.  Watch for the pattern to appear on Wednesday or Thursday, along with Dana's Scarf (remember that one?).  I also promised a bunch of people my putter cover pattern, so I'd better get cracking on that one, too.

My knitting in Cleveland this weekend consisted of knitting, un-knitting and re-knitting a black garter stitch rectangle.  The finished version is shown at the bottom of the photo here (exciting, isn't it?):

I knit the top swatch last night and this morning.  I'm trying to figure out how to put Entrelac sides onto a garter stitch bottom and felt it into a knitting bag that will be the project for my Introduction to Entrelac class.  Not as easy as I originally thought, as garter stitch felts at a different rate than (from?) Entrelac.    After much figuring and calculating and re-figuring and re-calculating, and three emergency phone calls to/from Rob the Felting King, I decided to listen to the not-so-little voice in my head that was telling me to SWATCH!  Above you see the before photo (the pieces measure approximately 21 inches across).  Here's the after photo:

After two hot water wash cycles, the pieces now measure approximately 15-16 inches across.  Using these swatches, I think I can design my knitting bag with much more confidence.  Next problem:  when will I learn that adding old blue jeans to the washing machine to aid in the felting process just results in lots of denim-colored fuzzies stuck to my felted fabric?  Not yet, apparently.

I started a new Beginning Finishing class at Woven Art in East Lansing tonight (and I start another one at The Yarn Garden in Charlotte on Thursday night).  Angie, who was in my Beginning Knitting class brought not one, but two finished pillows to show me:

A little like my sample, from organic cotton, but with mismatched natural colored buttons (very cool):

And from leftover baby yarn with a beautiful sheen that didn't show up in the photograph:

This one has mismatched brass buttons.  The photos were taken at Woven Art.  Great job, Angie!

I'll leave you with one more photo, one of the newest residents at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and Son Number Two's personal favorite:

Sarah

Friday, July 18, 2003

I'm off to Cleveland to visit my knitting buddy Melinda.  See you next week!

Sarah

Wednesday, July 16, 2003

Here's what I brought home from Knitting Camp:

In the outer ring, on the left and top is a gorgeous deep red worsted weight merino wool from Kimmet Croft Fibers, one of three vendors who graced us with their presence on Saturday.  It wants to be a fairly simple sweater for me.  On the right is dark, dark purple Icelandic laceweight wool from Schoolhouse Press.  It thinks it wants to be a shawl, but since I don't wear shawls, I'll have to have a little discussion with it.  At the bottom is medium and light charcoal, black, and periwinkle Shetland wool from Schoolhouse Press, which wants to be a "purl when you can" hat (you've got to be a devotee of Meg's to know what THAT means). 

In the inner circle, the pattern is the Landscape Shawl from Fiber Trends (but I don't wear shawls, so I'll have to introduce it to the Icelandic laceweight and see if they can work something out), which I got from Mielke's Farm Fiber Arts, along with a cute children's book called "A New Coat for Anna" which I forgot to include in the photo.  I used to think I was buying these children's books about knitting for my kids, but I finally realized they were for me, so I pulled them off of my kids' bookshelves and added them to mine.  Anyway, this one didn't end up having knitting in it after all, but it's still very sweet.  The buttons are from a vendor that I don't remember the name of -- they're little pewter sheepies.  The tape of Elizabeth and the bag of killer weed from Meg's yard, er, I mean catnip, are both from Schoolhouse Press.

My husband just saw these photos I'm posting and said "Did you take those pictures at Knitting Camp?"  I said "Um, no."  He said "You mean you bought all that stuff?"  "Um, yeah."

Apparently I also brought home the "Marshfield flu".  A fast acting intestinal flu mysteriously hit about 20% of the Knitting Campers on Sunday afternoon (and the rest of Marshfield, Wisconsin, as well).  Most had recovered by Monday morning.  I was, luckily, unaffected, but I may have become a carrier, because Son Number Two had a nasty bout of it late Tuesday.  What a nice souvenir he got from Mom's trip!

Nanette asked about the lace cardigan I'm wearing in two of the photos in yesterday's entry.  The pattern is from the Spring/Summer 1999 issue of Family Circle Easy Knitting, page 28 (pictured in green in the magazine).  Here's a better view of it, modeled by my friend Dummy Sheila:

It's knit from a beautiful yarn that I don't remember the name of, sorry.  Meg spoke sternly to me about not including this sweater in my show and tell (I wore it the following day), but I just had it packed with one of my "outfits", and hadn't thought about it being handknit.  I wear it all the time.  It did turn out rather well (patting myself on the back).

And BrendaH asked earlier about my blocking wires.  They're from Fiber Fantasy Knitting Products, and I got them at my local yarn shop.  They're available by mail order from Patternworks, too, and probably other places.  I've never seen any other brands.  These come with a neon colored yardstick (I've seen yellow, orange, and hot pink), eight long wires, four short wires, two flexible wires, and not nearly enough t-pins.  I have since bought a whole bunch more t-pins.

I think that's about it for tonight.

Sarah

Tuesday, July 15, 2003

One time, at knitting camp . . .

I'm back, I'm exhausted, and I'll fill you in later.  Here are a few pictures to tide you over (please disregard that multi-chinned, gray-haired woman with the mugshot nametag -- I don't know how she got into my pictures!).

Here's Meg Swansen (and Elizabeth keeping an eye on things!):

And Amy Detjen having a wacky hair day:

And Joyce Williams after I had just pointed out that even on my knees, I was still taller than she was (she was seated, but isn't much taller when she stands up!):

And here were my fifteen minutes of fame, during show and tell.  Recognize that project? 

Did you notice what I'm wearing?  Sarah's Modified Sally's Favorite Summer Sweater!  It was a hit!

Sarah

Wednesday, July 9, 2003

Sally's Favorite is DONE.  Sewed the tails in during Son Number Two's swimming class today.

Sicily's second sleeve is on the blocking board.  I got 30 more rows done on the back today, which leaves 66 more to go.  I'm definitely taking the blocking wires with me.  I envisioned sewing the pieces together in the car on the way to Knitting Camp, but that ain't gonna happen.  Poor planning on my part.  I'm hoping to finish it this weekend, along with all the little projects I'm taking with me.  Here's the inventory:

Sicily

Putter Cover #1

Putter Cover #2

Cameron's Cap

Old version of Beginning Knitting pillow to be re-worked

Sample for Introduction to Entrelac class

I've packed way more yarn than clothes.  No big surprise there.

I probably won't be back online until Tuesday.  See you then!

Sarah

(You know, if that darned lake wasn't in the way, the drive to Wisconsin from Michigan would be a lot shorter!)

Tuesday, July 8, 2003

Just a quickie, because it's after midnight and I'm falling asleep . . .

This looks exciting:

But it's only the fronts and one sleeve.  I ran out of wires and out of room on my blocking board, or I could have added the second sleeve.  I'm hoping to block that second sleeve tomorrow night with the back, although it's still iffy whether the back will be ready or not.  I would much rather have blocked these pieces after weaving in the ends, but I decided I could weave in the ends after blocking. 

I chose to keep working on the back at the knit-in tonight, although I probably would have gotten more done at home.  I had a better time at the knit-in, though, despite a brief episode of what we amateurs diagnosed as stress induced vertigo -- I leaned my head back on the couch, got dizzy, and couldn't pick it back up without help.  Weird.

I got 42 more rows done on the back today, with 96 more to go (out of a total of 206).  Doesn't look good for finishing tomorrow.  Damn.  Maybe I'll just take my blocking wires and my spray bottle to Wisconsin with me, and block it on the floor of our hotel room.  That will have to do.

Oh, and did you notice that weird red leaf at the top of the middle piece on the blocking board?  I'm pretty sure it was supposed to be light green like on the other piece, but the graph distinctly said to use red (I just double checked).  Didn't notice a problem with it until tonight.  Double damn.  Duplicate stitch to the rescue?  I'm sure as heck not ripping it out.

I took a break from Sicily today to sew the seams on this:

It's Sally's Favorite Summer Sweater -- or should I say Sarah's Modified Sally's Favorite Summer Sweater?  No, I shouldn't.  It's almost done, it's definitely wearable, and I'll be taking it to Wisconsin with me.  I just have to sew in those ends that are artfully tucked in so they don't show in the photograph.  I can do that in the car on Thursday.  Did I mention that it's a nine hour drive?  Lots of knitting time!

Sarah

Monday, July 7, 2003

I had a lovely, relaxing weekend at the lake in Cadillac.  My husband and kids had a rip-roaring, splish-splashing weekend at the lake in Cadillac.  Yes, we all went to the same place.  I moved a deck chair down to the water's edge and didn't budge all weekend.  Everyone else threw on their bathing suits, dove into the water, and didn't get out all weekend.  It was bliss.

I'm almost done with Sicily's right front.  I'm giving up hope of getting the back done by Wednesday night.  I wanted to block everything before Knitting Camp so I could finish the sweater in the car and use it for show and tell at Camp.  I seriously doubt I can get it done in just two days, but I'll work hard tomorrow and see how far I get.

I finished knitting the sleeves for my version of Sally's Favorite Summer Sweater, and just have to sew up the side and sleeve seams and weave in the tails.  I could finish it tomorrow if I don't work on Sicily.

I took the original Beginning Knitting pillow apart (in the car, in the dark, on the way back from the lake).  I could get that re-worked tomorrow if I don't work on Sicily.

Today was spent not working on Sicily.  Instead, I prepared my notes for tonight's class (in between the taxi-mom thing), which was the final session of the new and improved Beginning Knitting Class.  I like the new version much better than the original one.  Much simpler, yet still challenging. 

I wished I had my digital camera with me when I picked up my sewing machine from the sewing and vac shop today, because there was a sign behind the counter that said:  "If you are grouchy, irritable or just plain mean, there will be a $10 charge to put up with you."  I got quite a chuckle out of that, which I desperately needed, since we had just waited a half hour for the drum teacher to show up for Son Number One's lesson.  He never showed.  I don't take kindly to people who waste my time, especially when I could have been working on Sicily. 

Nothing tomorrow except a little more taxi-duty.  I probably should pack for Knitting Camp, starting with figuring out what knitting project I should take.  I had HOPED to take Sicily to finish in the car.  I'd like to work on the sample for my Introduction to Entrelac class, but I have to design it first (oh, no problem -- I'll do that tomorrow while I'm not working on Sicily!). 

If I quit procrastinating RIGHT NOW, maybe I can get Sicily's right front done before I go to bed.

Sarah

Thursday, July 3, 2003

I managed a little bit of knitting today. 

Finished the back to my Cardigan with Crochet Ridges and started the left front.  Worked a few more rows on Sicily's right front.  Advantage:  forward progress!  Disadvantage:  nothing photo-worthy.

Here's what I worked on most of the day:

Yes, I FINALLY got one of my patterns written up, although I decided I want to re-design the pillow with the squares to make it a bit simpler to put together.  I think I'll take it apart and make the changes this weekend.  It currently looks like this on the back:

I'm going to change it so the back is made up of squares just like the front. 

I've never really been happy with the back -- especially the closure.  Should I give it side bands with button closures like the striped one has?  Advantage:  it would match the striped version better.  Disadvantage:  fourteen more buttons!

I could use some advice.

Thanks for your help with the charting software!  Sweatergirl suggested the cable generator.  I tried it (successfully!) but was repeatedly unable to save the generated chart in a way that I could pull into a Word document for my class notes.  I'll try again later.  Alissa suggested Stitch and Motif Maker.  That's probably what I'll end up getting.  Advantage:  I already have Sweater Wizard, Sock Wizard and Print-a-grid, all by the same company.  Disadvantage:  it's expensive!

Friday morning, I'll be having tea with LynnH.  Friday afternoon, I'll be poolside at the neighbors'.  Friday night, I'll be watching the skies explode while simultaneously swatting furiously at mosquitoes.  Saturday and Sunday we'll be with my father-in-law (parent-in-law!) at Lake Mitchell in Cadillac, Michigan.  The boys and men-folk will be frolicking in the water, while the women-folk relax in the shade.  What will I be knitting, you ask?  Pillow squares and Sally's sleeves, if you please. 

Sarah

Wednesday, July 2, 2003

I actually had a couple of hours alone today (amazing!).  I got back on track with three sweaters that were foundering -- the decreases for Sally's Favorite's sleeves are now mapped out, the midsection of Sicily's left front is started, and the back to my Cardigan with Crochet Ridges is almost complete.  I haven't been posting any photos of the Cardigan with Crochet Ridges because a) it's plain white (natural white, actually) stockinette stitch, and b) it looks pretty awful.  I'll attempt a little photo essay for you.

Here's a portion of the back of my sweater:

The stitches are horribly uneven, not at all like my usual knitting.  After knitting up a ball of the yarn (Blue Sky Alpacas 100% Alpaca), I paused to knit a gauge swatch (yeah, kind of out of order, but I had torn out the original gauge swatch -- a bad habit of mine).  Here's Gauge Swatch #1 after blocking:

Still a little uneven, but much better than the original knitting, and right on gauge. 

Next I tried going down a needle size, and here's Gauge Swatch #2 after blocking:

Much, much, better, but way, way off gauge.

I decided to stick with the original needle size after all, so that meant that the first ball's worth of knitting wasn't wasted (phew!).  Now the back is almost done, and looks terrible, but I know it will look better once it's washed and blocked.  I've decided there's something about the yarn that makes it knit up this way.  It's the same yarn I'm using for my Lacy Alpaca Scarf, the stockinette stitch portions of which are also a little uneven.  I think it's the same yarn LynnH used for her fingerless gloves this winter, but she used a much firmer gauge. 

I saw a model of this sweater, knit using this yarn, at Stitches Midwest last fall.  I fell in love with it and had to make it for myself.  Now I wish I could look at the model again to see how even the stitches are.  I'm also pretty sure the bottom is going to roll despite my best blocking efforts, but I don't remember the bottom of the model sweater rolling.  The photo in the pattern is kind of roll-y.  Hmmmm.

I also sorted through all my piles of paperwork today.  Now instead of three or four towering piles, I have ten or twelve small piles.  I'm not sure what that gained me, except that I can clearly see how far behind I am.  I actually worked on writing a pattern today, and promptly deleted it when I exited Word (Note to self:  When the computer asks you whether you want to save your changes, you should answer "Yes" rather than "No".  Better yet, don't try to write patterns and make Kraft Macaroni and Cheese at the same time.).  On the positive side, I learned how to make columns today -- a great technological advancement for my pattern writing!  Now I need to find out how to make charts and schematics.  Anybody know?  What incredibly expensive software do I need to purchase?

I'll have lots of free time tomorrow.  Maybe I can accomplish something that will result in more colorful photos!

Sarah

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