June 25, 2004
Swatching the River Flow
I mentioned the other day that I got some delicious-looking Egyptian cotton from Elann. And I got some very good advice from my wonderful readers about how to measure a lacy swatch. So! I tried my new yarn and zigzag lace pattern out on US8 and US7 needles.
US8s
US7s
I haven't decided about the needle size yet, but you know what I remembered? I dislike knitting with cotton very much. This particular cotton, Filatura Di Crosa Millefili Fine, has a relatively nice hand, but I still don't like it. I was thinking that I should start switching over to cotton since I'm living in the 7th Circle here, but I guess I'm thoroughly spoiled to wool. Any tips for working with cotton yarn? (And don't worry; I'll measure my gauge *off* the needles!)
Of (Possibly) Passing Interest
Case 5: Fashion and Home Decor.
And, on this day in 1604, Shakespeare loaned Philip Rogers £2. With today's exchange rate, that wouldn't even buy a single skein of Jamiesons Spindrift, even if they would sell and ship to us.
Revolting!
I forgot to show you my perfectly revolting bruise!! Observe, and be revolted!
Isn't it horrible? You should see the rest of my leg--it's revoltingly livid from ankle to hip! (Yep. I tripped over a dachshund.)
Pups
Is it just me, or has this been a terribly long week? I'm very relieved that it's finally Friday. At noon I'm taking a long lunch and going with friends to see this, which I hope will be more interesting than studying my bruises. Then the pups and I are going to take the weekend off—and not a moment too soon.
What do you get when you cross a Great Pyrenees and a Dachshund?
A Pyradachs! (The puzzling kind.)
Oh dear. We wish you a happy Friday and a merry weekend. Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things. Cheers!
June 24, 2004
New Tricks
My copy of Nanette's wonderful little booklet, Stranded Color Knitting, arrived Wednesday afternoon about 4:00 p.m., and by 4:15 p.m., I'd already learned two new tricks for color knitting! Cool!
Chery, a pretty fancy norgi-knitter herself, has reviewed the booklet on her site, so head over there for more particulars. I'll simply add that I'm glad Nanette notes a difference between stranded color knitting and fair isle knitting, that there are two excellent patterns for hats, and more tips and tricks than you can shake a bunny tail at. Proceeds benefit pet rabbit rescue, and I don't know where you'll find this many good ideas, complete with annotated bibliography, plus the two aforementioned patterns, all for the low, low price of $9.99. What are you waiting for? :-P
Speaking of hats, we came across this site the other day and meant to share. It's got lots of cute little knit hat patterns to buy. And! You simply must go see the awesome Bucket-o-Chic that I suddenly can't find the url for. Hmmm. Let me see. It's a beautifully knit bucket hat in brown and cream, with charted celtic knots--really lovely. If you've seen it, please leave a url in the comments for the absent-minded. We thank you.
The marvelous Miss Wendy has provided the link to the beautiful celtic b-o-c! Thanks, Wendy, and great work, ZenKnits!
Pups
A dachshund walks into a bar. The bartender says HeY Pal! WhY the LoNG FacE?
Happy Thursday! Happy knitting!
June 23, 2004
Swatching Lace
Since I have the smartest readers in the knitting universe (see yesterday's comments), I am emboldened to ask a new question, regarding Gauge for Lace Knitting. I need to get gauge because the pattern I'm swatching for is a jacket.
So, if I may be so bold, I have the pattern, and I have the delicious cotton yarn and each lace pattern repeat should measure 1 in wide. Should the lace pattern repeat measure 1 in slightly stretched as it will ultimately be blocked? Or is the 1 in measured over an undressed repeat? The swatch is knit on 25 stitches. Your intellectual brilliance is much appreciated.
A Clarification
Wendy reminds me that what she actually said (see 22 June entry) regarding color knitting was "C'mon over to the dark side—mwah-ha-ha-ha-ha!" We stand corrected (and on the dark side!).
A Beautiful Blue Gansey
It's Sandrine's, and it's really lovely. The French knitters knock me out!
Pups
Didja hear about the dyslexic atheist?
He doesn't believe in dogs.
Happy Wednesday!
June 22, 2004
Tuesday Knitting
We are down to the last eight double increases on the Adult Surprise Jacket; when I finish those I'll be ready to knit even on 405 stitches. Your jacket won't be so large, I imagine; I'm making mine to wear as a regular coat in the mild winter here. No photo today, but it has finally begun to seem as if it will be finished. For a while I thought it was unknitting itself at night.
Is garter stitch a particularly slow stitch? I don't think I've ever knit anything so slowly as this. From working Fair Isles and lace, I'm accustomed to having large numbers of stitches on the needles——I can't figure why this particular knit is taking so long. Thank heavens I'm not in an ASJ contest!
Contests! That makes me think of fast knitters. Keep an eye on Françoise's blog, because she has finished the pieces to the Mystic aran with its magical anchors and will be assembling it soon. She's also got Donegal going, too.
I had a charming note from a reader over the weekend asking what might make a good first stranded knitting project. It made me smile, because while I was reading it, I suddenly remembered that I had written to Wendy asking nearly the same thing a little less than two years ago. I can vividly recall the trepidation I felt about color knitting, and it pleases me that I don't think twice about any type of knitting or steeking nowadays. Wendy's advice was "Go for it!" and to that I add knit something you really want to knit. Desire makes all things easier :-)
Markdowns on RTW Dale of Norway!
It's hot. Don't feel guilty if you'd rather shop than knit. Just be aware that these are machine knit. You could have a handknit one, you know, for half the cost and twice the enjoyment and only a few dozen ends to weave in.
A Question
I am very curious about the rationale behind this webpage. Why is it filled with text from Tolstoy's War and Peace? Does creating this type of webpage spark higher search engine ranks? I can't figure it out, but it seems a fascinating web artifact. What *can* the connection be between Tolstoy and Polo jeans and eBay? I also found similar pages over the weekend while using Google searches for 'sweater kits' and 'sweaters'. Those pages have been replaced with pages for an engine called Bandursban, so perhaps the link above won't stay long either. If it does though, and you know something about it, please explain in 500 words or less, and no fair using War and Peace portions in the answer. We thank you.
Pups
We had a very busy weekend. I believe I told you I was being an usher here, and I must say that while it was everything I hoped for, it also took a sizeable chunk of regularly scheduled sloth out of my Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the pups were enjoying the air conditioning and some special chewie toys while watching Bassmaster reruns. Say! That reminds me! That weird Pug-dog has some new summer frocks. Wild!
Tuesday! Mike would like to remind you not to walk barefoot on hot Texas sidewalks.
Cheers! and happy knitting!