Thursday, July 21, 2005

slow knitting month...

In case you couldn't tell from the fact that this is only my 4th post this month, I haven't been knitting much. In turn, I haven't had much to say...well not much to say about knitting anyway. Ask my about my crazy mother, I'll tell you something. Ask me about the weather, I'll tell you it's hot and humid. And that's just it...The weather is throwing me off. All I want to do is sleep all the time. Even watching a movie feels like a chore.

So, it was a huge relief when I finished knitting B^4 last night! Yup, no more lugging around the beast. I'm going to weave in the ends tomorrow. Hopefully, I also have time to wash and block it.

Usually, this is the point when I would be looking forward to starting something new...Unfortunately, that's just not the case. I would like to work on one more cottony, summer project. And, I will most likely be Posy, since I've already done a swatch. I have lots of thoughts about what I want to make next, but I don't really have the drive. Maybe it will rain soon...

Thursday, July 14, 2005

big bad baby boredom...


I picked up B^4 the other day after a two week hiatus. Once I realized that I wouldn't be able to complete the project in time for the baby shower, I lost motivation. I told the mother-to-be that I was knitting something else, but didn't mention that it was a blanket. I didn't want to ruin the surprise,and I had just seen her showered with several gift, including some of the softest baby blankets in the world.

This week, I received a thank you card from the parents-to-be. That was just the motivation I needed to return to knitting B^4. Don't get me wrong, I love the project. The best part of this blanket is its simplicity. You get a marvelous looking blanket using such simple stitches. At the same time, the worst is its simplicity! I had run amuck with so much stockinette and reverse stockinette. But, I'm getting back on track.

As of this morning, I still have 10 rows of the body and 20 rows of border to complete. I have decided to continue bringing this project with me to work...which, of course, sucks when it's 90+ degrees out. But, I'm truly focused finishing, and will not begin another project until this one is off the needles.

So, what have I learned? 1) Allow as much time as possible to complete B^4, or any other large, repetitive piece that is meant to be a gift. 2) To maintain interest and motivation, the next baby blanket I make as a gift will be a little more involved. 3) Don't knit large pieces on the bus in the middle of a DC summer!

Wednesday, July 13, 2005

new yarn...


I know that one of my big goals for this year is to reduce the size of my stash...But,I just couldn't help myself. Last week Elann had Silk City Perle 3/2 Cotton featured. At $11 per 500 gram cone -- 1,386 yds each -- I bought two! I got one cone in Henna, a deep red/brown, and Silver Sage, a light green. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do with them, but I wanted them.

I would consider using the Silver Sage to make Hush-Hush from last summer's Knitty. Or, perhaps I could get lucky with my gauge and make a cotton version of Rowan's Butterfly. Hmm, both projects seem so girlie. That doesn't really bother me as much as making sure I have somewhere to wear either one.

Monday, July 11, 2005

maya, i'm over here...


I didn't really go anywhere...I've just been a little to busy to blog. Right after the overwhelming family weekend, I went straight into 4th of July mode. This week, that included shopping for food for 8 people and packing it all up for transport to a cabin.

But, to round up the knitting haps...I did not finish the blanket on time for the shower. I should be finishing it up this week, if all goes well. The mother-to-be did enjoy the sweater, and I got several oooh's and aaah's from the other moms in attendance. I picked up Toledo over the weekend and went over it weaving in ends. I should have a finished picture some time this week. I also started the Fiery Bolero from this summer's Interweave.

Once I finish these projects, I will be wiping the slate clean. All of my other UFOs will be ripped out and returned to the stash. I know that sounds really serious, but there are only 2 projects that will be getting the axe.

There you have it...my update, in a nutshell.