Here is the kersti top down raglan, just past the point where the sleeves are held on other yarn (thanks ANN, recognize it?) and you continue knitting the body stitches in the round. The kersti is absolutely a dream to knit on bamboo circulars. I think I need to remember when swatching that the needle/fiber pairing selection has a great deal to do with the enjoyment of the actual knitting of the garment. Producing a swatch, and getting gauge is One Thing, but garment construction can be a long process, and for those of us who are easily bored/and or distracted/with not enough precious knitting time, this can be a critical factor.
Usually, my name generator brain cells would have LOTS of potential monikers for this sweater, but I'm stumped. So, what do you think? Help me name the kersti sweater.....please?
Today I am planning to actually procure the size 1US needles and attempt the magic loop technique. Elizabeth, I have not forgotten your generous offer of a tutorial, and will email you as soon as I have the little darlings in my possession. It's been JUST a bit crazy around here...and the worst part is, I can't share the Big News until next week. It's MIRACULOUS, though, let me just say that. HUGE.
I spent part of my afternoon yesterday with our marvellous maggi. She was the very first knitblogger I ever met *in person* and everytime I think about it, well, I'm kind of at a loss for words. She is an AMAZING person, someone I am SO proud to know, and she took time out of her day to sit and chit chat with me and meet the Puppy Princess. When I picked up Daughter at the library after work, she said *MAGGI was here, and I MISSED her? Mom!* She was really disappointed. I explained that we had some grownup things to talk about, just us two, and that we would see her soon. Promise. It just amazes me that my Daughter thinks my Knitting Friends are the Coolest.People.Ever.
She is RIGHT.
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Knitting with Bamboo
Here's the good news....The rain is Really Good for the bamboo, and despite nearly lopping off the end of my right index finger, attempting to assemble a metal bedframe, I can still KNIT. Typing is a little clumsy. No pictures of the actual injury, as they are, um, a little too bob it esque, if you know what I mean. Ewwwwwww. Stitches may still be required (not doing it myself, as it is my Right Hand, after all) but I figure I'm gong to the vet with Sandy on Monday, and I have a bloodwork appointment on Tuesday...so either of my fabulously talented doctor gal pals can sew it up for me neatly and we can laugh (at me) about it. OW.
Kersti swatch
It's a really rainy day, so this is the best I could do with the available light.....
I did two swatches. Initially I was going to make the body hugger raglan from The Purl Stitch, but in this colorway, IMHO, the 2x2 rib washed out the perfectly faded jeans color and obscured the rainbow. Sort of cloudy looking. The addi turbos were not the needles of choice, this time. Once I switched to clover bamboo circulars and made the stockinette swatch, I knew I LOVED it. Cue the angelic choir....this stuff is heavenly to knit.
Knitting, Rocks
Here's proof, that you attract more of whatever you focus on, into your life. Knitting and rocks appeared in my mailbox yesterday, sigh. I've been part of the International Rock Relocation Program for most of my life. I could show you pictures of rocks, every day, for Years and not run out of rocks. Everywhere I go, a rock or two manages to come home with me in a pocket or a purse. We play Poetry Rocks in the summer. The idea is to go for a walk and collect smooth stones, all about the same size. Then we bring them home and wash them and put them out in the sun to dry. The kiddos shout out words and I write them on the rocks with a sharpie. Place the rocks in a tupperware container and *shuffle*. Depending on the mood, we play either by timed turns or with scrabble rules. Choose rocks and make a poem. Read it out loud. Speech therapy plays at the pool. When my best friend moved away, I *rescued* a bag of quartz rocks from her yard. Brought them home, ran them through the dishwasher (okay, I knew I was remodelling the kitchen and getting a new dishwasher soon, but she never lets me forget this....what's in YOUR diswasher?) and proudly displayed them in my gardens. When the pond and the pathways were constructed in the yard a few years ago, Boy bird and I painted stepping stones to go along the path. The landscape crew was curious. Why was I putting stepping stones in a ROCK pathway? To STEP on, I explained, all the better to admire the Rocks with. Uh, hunh, lady, okay. SO, when I got a ROCK in the mail, I was delighted. Thank you for adding to my Collection.
Oh, you want to hear about that box on the LEFT? Okay, enough about rocks....let's get right to the Koigu. The kersti is fabulous. I had every intention of *just looking*, but I'll be danged if I haven't already swatched and started a top down raglan...oh, this is some powerfully persuasive fiber, folks. Get you summa this! In the box is the del sol Charlotte koigu as well. Isn't that a Fabulous colorway? (Excessive use of fabulous has been duly noted, sorry. It's the Threadbear Boys, fault, really....HEY, did you hear that they are Moving to Michigan? Hop on over and check out the News.....)
Things to do, places to go, Rocks to collect.....
Hope your Friday is, uh, Fabulous.
Rock on, Knitters!
Toadally Devoted
I finished the Cashmere Sigma tank last night and tried it on before sewing the shoulders....bleh. I love the pattern, it fits perfectly, and feels Wonderful, but, bleh. Worn as intended, under a suit jacket, it disappears. Looks like I forgot my blouse, which is Not the look I'm going for...heck, I've spent most of my life trying to get people to look me in the EYES and take me Seriously. Knitting the Emperor's New Tank top is not the way to go. I know exactly what it needs...more stitch definition, some textural interest. The good news? I'll have brand new, broken in cashmere to knit with after the Frogfest.
I like the SPA!
Here's the After photo of the Poodle Princess. Cindy said she was really well behaved. She came home with a huge, brightly PINK bow, which lasted exactly two nanoseconds. When it was removed she ran LAPS around the yard, zooming in crazy loops trying to outrun the baby powder smell. Danger Girl's doggie, fer sure.
My appointment went fine, Thank GOD, got some progress made on the RS project. Addi turbos+Cotton Fleece+Mostly Empty waiting room=Good Knitting Time. Public Service Reminder....have you scheduled your mammogram/regular checkup? The life you save could be your own.
We're off to the printer today to pick up another Painting. I finally found the exact frame moulding I was searching for and will have the custom milled sample by the end of the week. I will probably invest in a good mitre saw (thanks Daisy Winifred, for the Power Tool Pictures in my email box!) and some other framer's tools and begin to set up an assembly line to frame my own work. That way I have some semblance of control over the time line of my work. I have the space at the Studio to store the lengths of wood and the tools, and we retrofitted an old ping pong table for use as the Large Object Workstation. In a pinch of course, we can also have a rousing game of table tennis, should the need arise.
This is the LIFE!
I'm three months old and I have totally taken over the world. (yawn) Today I'm going to meet a nice lady named Cindy who is going to give me my first Spa Treatment. Mom has to go for her Big Girl checkup. Guess who is going to have more FUN? I betcha they aren't going to feed her treats and tell her what a good girl she is when SHE gets on the scales....That doctor better be nice to her though, she's taking those shiny metal knitting needles with her. Those look dangerous.