I haven’t written in a while and I am not sure why. I think it started with watching all the suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. After the hurricane struck, I felt guilty knitting. I was still doing it but I felt like I shouldn’t. I went out for ice cream and wished I wouldn’t have enjoyed it so much. Like I should deny myself the everyday luxuries of my life because others are being denied theirs. I feel less guilty now but still feel so sad for everyone who has lost so much.
I got some knitting done (although I wish it was more). Here are some updates…
Intarsia sweater: I finished all the pieces and seamed this baby up. Actually, I did this weeks ago. The night I seemed and tried it on was not a happy night. You have to understand. This project is a labor of love. It took forever to conceptualize and to get designed and started. It was expensive (although I love the yarn and don’t regret using it.) Then it took forever to actually knit the thing. I kept going because I knew how it would look. I visualized exactly how it would fit and what I would wear with it.
So I tried it on. Granted, I hadn’t yet done the neck ribbing or weaved in the seeming ends or done a final block but I was sure I could get a good idea of how it would look. With perhaps too much anticipation, I looked in the mirror and immediately felt like I was 5 and someone took away my cotton candy. It looked nothing like I pictured. Where I wanted it to be really fitted, it was loose. Where I wanted long sleek arms, they were well…not. Without further ado, I promptly took the sweater off, folded it up and did not look or talk about it for weeks.
Yesterday, I decided it was time to assess the damage. Do I need to re-seem? block? gasp…re-knit? Well, here’s the funny thing. It isn’t as bad as I remember. So it doesn’t look exactly as I pictured. So what? Really I think this is salvageable. I just don’t know how to do it. I think it is too bulky in the back. I also think it could be a little smaller all around. So do I re-seem? Try and shrink it?
Here are some pics…first, the mirror shot:
the front:
the back (picture makes my upperbody look HUGE):
I feel much better in general about this sweater but part of me wishes I could re-knit it so it will be exactly as I picture. But really, when does that ever happen?
Paula: I finished the back, left front, and am half way through the right front. Fall is beginning and I would love this one to be done by October.
Butterfly: I finished the fringe and started on the body:
Close up of the pattern (if you look hard enough you can see beads):
I love this knit, the only problem is that it is very intensive. I have to concentrate really hard so I don’t mess up that lace pattern and I haven’t been in the mood to do so. This is another one I want to get done by October so I need to step it up.
New Yarn: On a trip to LA over Labor day, my sister went to Suss Designs and got me this beautiful yarn:
Isn’t the color beautiful??!? I love my sister. No idea what I am going to make with it but it is really cool because it is two separate strands twisted together.
Basic Cable Hat: For my friend’s birthday I need to knit her something as I have been promising to for way too long. I am going to make the Basic Cable Hat from Stitch-N-Bitch Nation with this yarn (Lamb’s Pride Worsted) that I got at my LYS:
If this turns out I am SO making one for me too.
So that what I have been up to. Sometimes progress seems so slow.
The following 2 comments were originally left at blogspirit:
Hiya!
Would you mind passing this along to fellow knitters?
KNITTING COMPETITION
A signed copy each of the novel COVER THE BUTTER–hardback edition–for five winners who knit the most original and imaginative sweater for a featherless chicken! (In a very simple T-shape.)
Info here:
http://carriekabak.blogspirit.com/
Happy knitting!
Carrie
carriekabak@yahoo.com
hi,
your butterfly looks very lovely! and i can’t wait to see how paula turns out as i’m considering that project myself!!