Not Even Close

Of all the unsurprising things to happen this month, the "dnf" status on my NaKniSweMo cardigan is least surprising.  But, hey, this isn't actually a race.  I can still knit the sweater.  It's not as though my yarn, needles, and pattern disappear at midnight.  Still, it is a little disappointing to have only completed 44 rows.  Yes, the rows before the increases.  Oh, well.

While I might currently lack the objectivity to assess what I have accomplished, I do know it has been a very full month.  I'm plugging away at the laundry from our travels and trying to get ready for next month.  December is nearly here, and it is never empty.    

Bits and Pieces

Blergh.  I think I'm coming down with a cold.  Actually, I hoped to be well in its grips by now so that I would already be on the upswing early next week.  Now I'm hoping that it's not going to be much of anything and that by Monday this will not even be a memory because I'll be so busy.  

I have been doing a bit here and there.  I've finished spinning what I would guess (ripped it in half and then that half in half, but no weighing, so, whatever) is about one-quarter of the fiber I started yesterday.  I think I might even have some nice yarn when I'm done, but there's still a long way to go.  My knitting isn't much to show.  When I'm not working on the Featherweight Wrap to knit, I'm off in Mochimochiland, and as it is there unwritten, "Some assembly required."  Oh, yeah, I need to find the rest of the pieces before I can begin assembly.  Ahem.  But maybe some medication is in order first.
  

    

  

I'll Totally Finish This By Month's End, Right?

I finally cast on for my NaKniSweMo Featherweight Wrap to Knit.  It really was deciding the color that was holding me up on this.  Making decisions like that has been an issue for me lately, but I went ahead and picked one so I could move forward with this.  Then there was a brief interchangeable search.  I did manage to round up several wayward interchangeable components and (somewhat) returned them to their proper home.  Thinking back, I don't remember where the cable I was seeking had been hibernating, but I did find it.  I could have begun the sweater without finding it, but eventually, it would be a problem to work the sweater on the short cable length I had used to knit the sleeves on the previous sweater.  

Anyway, I'm (barely) on my way.  Impressive, no?  I hope to curl up on the couch with the project and catch up on some shows, but this is a time of many interruptions around here.  If I make a bit more progress, it could be a good companion to other goings on, but for now, it's fits and starts.  One day, I will have a new black cardigan.  I feel rather doubtful that I will finish this month, but soon I think I might have opportunities for some good knitting time, so there is still hope.        

What to Do When There's Nothing You Can Do

Late Monday night the phone rang with news of a relative far away hospitalized in ill health.  She's too far away to visit, so what to do?  Well, I do the crafty stuff, so I guess I make.  The problem is, I don't know just what to make.  Maybe some little bitty things from Mochimochiland, like the Thanksgiving turkey and pie, or would something woven be better?  What do you think--weird little stuff or something useful/practical?  She definitely needs a new embroidered handkerchief or two.  I'll finish adding the bamboo to the one with the panda.  I'd like to get something to her soon, so I'd better hurry.  I guess getting my NaKniSweMo on the needles will have to wait.  Then again, if I cast on, I'll have it cast on, right?  Guess I better decide on the color, eh?  Which do you think I should choose?  What?  I'm not avoiding things.

      

If Squish Thinks I Can...

That's right, I'm sleep-deprived and suggestible, so I'm NaKniSweMo-ing it, and so is Stacey!  I'm making another Featherweight Wrap to Knit.

Now I just need to decide the color and get knitting.  Should it be black, beige, or purple?  Of course, I need some sleep first, or counting all those stitches to cast on just isn't going to work out well.  Night-night, all.  If you have time, please put my yarn, pattern, needles, and stitch markers in a project bag and set it next to my purse.  Tomorrow starts early and will be long.  

 

UM...Meow?

Does it mean that I will bring bad luck when I cross people's paths while wearing this? Black cats may have a bad reputation, but they get good marks in my book for keeping me company.

I also love that I have so much company with time confusion. I enjoy the time change not only for this reason, but also, because for a few more days, I will almost feel like I am somewhere between on-time and ahead.

Everything :: About You
China :: Doll
Essence :: Ecstasy/Nothing Lasts Forever
Immediate :: Gratification
Obstruct :: Bowels
Force :: Hand
Constellation :: Project
Intuitive :: Simple
Complain :: Whine
Train :: Wreck

Inauspicious Beginning

NaKniSweMo is here, and I am playing, (Halloween Vest) however the start has not been what I had hoped. I was checking which size I would knit, measured myself, (eek!) and cast on for the appropriate size. Just a few rounds in, it seemed off by more than a little. Then I got out the calculator and checked numbers with the gauge in the pattern, and was glad I had not gone any further. If I continued with those numbers and that gauge, I will have a garment about 5" larger around than the size I was knitting. For now, I am tossing it aside and playing Wii.

Since we're all friends here, I'll show you what it looked like off the needles.

It Fits!

I could not wait any longer to find out. Now, I just have to wrap it, and wait for Christmas to see her open it.

Friday Frog

When I first thought of knitting a February Lady Sweater, there was no doubt in my mind that it would be for me. However, I did not get around to starting one until NaKniSweMo. I thought of making one for me and one for my sister. I loved the idea of using the same yarn in different purples. I had one that I knew she would prefer, and I love the other. I thought that I would knit mine first, working out any modifications and stumbling through any problems. Then I would knit hers, and it would benefit from any improvements. Then I thought that it would be better to knit hers first so that it could be a Christmas present. Also, if I did not have it in me to knit back-to-back FLS, hers would be done.

There is another reason I knit the FLS for my sister. If you remember the Annie I was knitting for her, you might also recall my worries about its size. Well, I put it on waste yarn and tried it on me. It was too big. My gauge was correct. I decided to do a little research. It did not take long to see why I was displeased with the way this top was going. You see, when I first purchased the pattern, the only modeled picture was on a mannequin. I thought it was going to be close fitting. I did not have the benefit of the human modeling it with a belt. This was not the look my sister wanted. I will give this top a go again in the smaller size, and hope it works. However, I am not so keen to start it again just yet. The big fail has squashed my enthusiasm for the project for now.

When I knew what must be done, I could not immediately frog it. I had to set it aside and try to shake off the experience. It kept creeping in on me, leaking anxiety onto my other knitting. I finally was able to move on, and was ready to do what had to be done. Satisfying.

Whew!

Time to cast on something new.

All By Myself

None of the other Skanky Knitters could make it out to Starbucks tonight. Therefore, I have resorted to taking my own sweater-in-progress shot and blogging it. If this sweater makes it, it will be so close. I keep looking at the dwindling supply of yarn and knitting faster. That's the way to make this work, right?

One Week Later

I am flying along with the February Lady Sweater. I would have shown it before, but I cannot get a nice picture of it. I decided that I could not wait any longer to show it. I promise that it is much nicer than this, and it keeps looking better each time I check the fit. I have not decided how long to work the body, but I am already thinking about buttons.

Las night, I had reason to browse my button box, and I confirmed my suspicions that I do not have any that will work for this sweater. This means I have a nice outing to look forward to soon. I like to shop for buttons. They are lovely little treasures.

Ah, but I am getting ahead of myself. I do not know why I am so excited to have this finished. I love knitting it, and I still have most of the month left to complete it. I suppose it is because I am happy to make this for my sister, and I think she will really like it. I almost want to give it to her before Christmas.

If you have the yarn, needles, and desire to knit this sweater, I highly recommend it. This is such an enjoyable knit. The pattern is easy to follow. It is amazing how quick a sweater works up in worsted weight yarn. I just might have the body finished by the end of the weekend.

Autumn Afternoon

Weekend knitting was productive. We had a niece for the day on Sunday. All that stands between her and felting her purse are about five feet of i-cord. I kept my needles flying alongside her. She needed encouragement to keep going. The poor dear struggles with a chronic state of boredom, and difficulty keeping to an activity beyond the shiny stage. The fact that she is this close to the finish is quite an accomplishment for her. I hope we will be able to spend time with her again soon so she can complete it.While she worked on her purse, I was busy with a sweater. By the time she left, I only had one more set of raglan increases, and I started reading discussions on the February Lady Sweater. I wanted to familiarize myself with modifications others have made (no need to re-invent the wheel) and make myself aware of problems people have had with the pattern. Considering the fact that Ravelry shows 1013 finished FLS, I figure that the pattern is good, and I should achieve the desired results. However, having just enough yarn to knit the sweater has had me a bit anxious. Add to this the sizing issues people have encountered and the fact that it is a gift, and you will find me constantly checking and re-checking. I have already put it on waste yarn and tried it on, and it looked like it might be OK. For now, it is almost time to separate the sleeves from the body, and I am looking forward to the shorter rows.

When Abbreviations Attack

I decided to take a double plunge. Not only am I doing NaKniSweMo, but also, NaBloPoMo. After I saw that I would be in good company, and received a bit of encouragement, it became an easy decision.

It was easy to plan for NaKniSweMo. I only hope the knitting goes as smoothly. I will be knitting the February Lady Sweater for my sister. I did not tell her about it, but I think she knows I am planning a new knit for her. We discussed purples, and I think I know which she would prefer for her sweater.

I was surprised at how quickly I was able to come up with a nice plan for NaBloPoMo. I do admit that much of it relies on me making a fair amount of knitting progress. That concerns me a bit, but not too much. I think I might have fun with this.