FO Pictures…

Okay, so that probably isn’t the best picture of the multidirectional :-) But, I had to get the loveseat in somewhere, right? And, it seemed after two weeks, that DH just isn’t too willing to model the scarf for the knit blog.

Sz US 8 (5 mm) Needles
Noro Silk Garden #47 - 4 Skeins with only yards to spare
83 inches X 5.5 inches
Completed February 12th, 2005

In true fashion, since I completed the scarf we have had almost exclusively 50 degree days here, despite the fact that February is *usually* our coldest month. Now, March is generally the snowiest, so there is still some chance he’ll end up wearing it more this season than the three times he has so far, but I’m not counting on it. LOL!

I’m hoping to head to Textiles A Mano this afternoon with at least one prototype of the super sekrit project so I can get some feedback. But, I have voice lessons this morning, which at the time that it is seems to take up the entire morning, even though it is only 45 minutes and 15 minutes drive each way. But, I think I can get one prototype completed - I hope…

Forgot, DH’s Multi-Direction is Done!

I finished the knitting on it on Friday evening before the midnight showing of Casablanca. I had roughly 4 yds to spare I think. Not much anyway.

I wove in ends on Sunday and I blocked it yesterday and he got it as a Valentine’s present. He’s wearing it at present (or rather, he wore it to work today) because it is snowing big time today. I’m so glad. He just about left without it, but then he remembered he had a scarf and put it on. Had he left it, I’d have a photo for you. But, I’m glad he wore it.

I was all worried that my getting it done would seal us having 50 degree weather for the remainder of the winter like we’ve had for the majority of the new year so far. So, hopefully I’ll talk him into a photo shoot over the weekend sometime when he’s home during daylight hours.

Cutting It Close . . .

Wow, I think I’m cutting DH’s scarf close….

We’re having some puppy issues with the dear Emma (okay, she isn’t really puppy and really don’t know how old she actually is, if we listen to the rescue she’s 3.5 years old, but we’re expecting more like 5 years old) so I was up before dawn and knit on it while I took in The O.C.

I attached the last (#4) skein yesterday. I’ve completed 1, plus a bit of one triangle, then got to the half-way point where I needed to decide whether to start the decreases for the final 1/2 triangle or if I could continue and finish this triangle and then do the final half one. So, when I got to that point I weighed the remaining skein on the scale and I was at 21 g/50g. Looking at past skeins it looks like I get *just* under 3 full triangles per skein so I’m gambling and finishing this triangle and then doing the final triangle. I think I’ll make it. But, just in case, I put in life lines on each half at the mark where my knitting stitch would change to the decreases. So, I’m mostly set if I do run short.

My Ebay yarn arrived (I’ll post pics next week, batteries are dead)! Yippeee! 1700 yds of Cascade Sierra in #8. It is scrumptuous. I can’t wait to start designing my own spring/summer sweater for it. :-)

I also made a purchase other than the needles to continue the multi-directional when I went to Textiles a Mano on Wednesday and I’ve swatched for Clapotis. Okay, so Clapotis doesn’t *really* require swatching, but I did it anyway just to get an idea. I chose a cotton rayon tape (my colorway is not in that pic) that knits at a worsted weight. It’ll make a great all-season fashion accessorie. Laura tried to talk me into this really bright orange, but I went for a multi-color that is pushing me out of my comfort slightly - it has a fair bit of blue. But it also has gorgeous greens and a tiny touch of coral. I think it’ll look really great with this J. Jill outfit I bought with my birthday money last year. Other than that, I’m not really sure what it goes with. Though I suppose it would dress up a simple tee and jeans too. I need to fashion a spool to pull the yarn from though so the ribbon doesn’t twist like mad. Oh, and it was a bit of a bitch to ball because it was so slick. But, I love the splash of shininess the rayon gives it! *swoon*

Tonight, the midnight showing of Casablanca - on the BIG SCREEN! I’ve never seen it on a big screen and we haven’t upgraded that one from VHS to DVD either! And, it’s like a double date because we’re going with another couple (whom I met through SnB too), LOL!

Have a great Valentine’s Weekend to those who celebrate (DH and I are just cooking a more elaborate meal than we normally would on Sunday evening, so it’s non-commercial and quality time together)!

Crack! :-(

Well, last night finally picked up DH’s multi-directional scarf again after having no touched it since his dream where he damned my scarf making. I probably would have worked on the second Spearfish sock except that I would have been trying once again to knit that lacey bit at SnB.

I did bring the completed sock to SnB and everyone raved. It fit Ashley, who appears to more or less have my sock pals dimensions! So that is no longer a big worry. But, I pulled out the multidirectional to knit. It’s a great conversing project. It seemed the Silk Garen was sticking to the needles more than normal. With roughly 45 minutes remaining I looked at my needles more closely only to discover a rather large crack is in one tip of 8mm bamboo tips from my Bamboo Sister Interchangeables.

I’m a little concerned because I bought them off of Ebay. Now, it was from someone who posts a set or two for sale every week so they are like a store. They are made by Plymouth. Has anyone else had this problem and did anyone (seller or manufacturer) stand behind them? These sets are pretty spendy (even with Ebay savings) and this is ridiculous.

This also means that DH’s scarf is on hold indefinitely as it appears I don’t even have straight needles in 5.00mm. I’d go buy a pair of Addi’s, except the only LYS in town that sells them (well, who is open on a Tuesday, anyway) traditional has prices from 10-30% over MSRP. Sometimes I feel in such a spot that I *need* it in an instant gratification sort of thing and it’s worth it, however, Addi’s are expensive enough without marking them above MSRP. The store in Loveland carried Addi’s as does Textiles A Mano (who are only open tomorrow). I suppose that is okay though since I have to write, write and format today for my class lessons. I don’t really have knitting time today anyway. But, I felt kind of bad telling DH that his scarf was going to be delayed further. If it takes too long winter will be over for this year!

Multidirectional Madness!

Also in my The Knitter.com order were these 4 skeins of Noro Silk Garden, No 47…

Which after many episodes of Millenium and a taco bar birthday party over the weekend became this…

Once again, I’m using a sz 8 (US) needle. It makes a nice soft fabric - not too stiff and not lacey.

DH made a special request for this particular pattern a few weeks ago. I had originally had other plans in mind, but when the man asks for something specific, that is what he gets because that way I know he’ll wear it. I’m feeling a tad bit of a crunch though because his birthday is the 25th. And, while I had gotten him other gifts and he chose the yarn and has seen me knitting the scarf I’d still like to be done by the 25th.

However, pacing is not in my vocabulary… It seems after feeling a crunch I’ve pushed a bit too hard. My wrist started aching last night. I thought it would be better this morning, but it’s not. So, I have the wrist brace on once again :-( That’ll make Stitch ‘n Bitch interesting this evening. I’ll perhaps have to bring my laptop and my stitch books and work on my Sockapalooza sock design instead of actually knitting. We’ll see I guess.

Speaking of Stitch ‘n Bitch, there is a chocolate tasting that is overlapping into Stitch ‘n Bitch time tonight. Can it get any better than great coffee with great service, free chocolate and a bunch of knitting and bitching?? I think not!

Some of you out there reading this better make it this week, we’re very nearly a month into the new year and you aren’t meeting your resolution! ;-) You know who you are, so there is no need to name, names….

EDIT: Sorry, I hadn’t read your blog yet. You gotta make it soon, though!