Tuesday, November 25, 2008

A Job Almost Well Done


There is nothing like weaving in the ends of a finished project that makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over. I'm closing in on doing just that with my pink sweater. I'm 2/3 of the way through with those pesky sleeves. I'd have been done by now if this yarn were anything except boucle. What a major pain in the arse. I find myself having to watch every single stitch because to drop one stitch would be a tragedy of monumental proportions. This yarn is so highly textured that I think it would be nearly impossible to pick up and weave a dropped stitch correctly. Looking at that picture below, would you recognize that as stockinette stitch? I need to shut up now or I'm sure to drop one just for having the cheek to discuss it while there are still live stitches on the needles. Murphy's Law and all that.


To make matters worse (and put the kabosh on my knitting), I have a rather long burn on my left index finger. You know, the one that tensions the yarn. Ouch. That'll teach me to try to make my curly hair straight using a flat iron. There I was, whipping through my curly locks with abandon and half-heartedly paying attention. I saw my finger going in the iron just a split nanosecond before the iron closed on it. I think I said ouch before it started to hurt. I also burned myself searing the pot roast on Sunday. The pot was smoking hot when I laid the roast inside and hot oil splattered. The roast was good, the burn not so much. Sadly, the hot oil splattered on the tender side of my forearm. Hopefully, with burns out of the way for the week, it should be safe to cook on Thursday. It just wouldn't be a holiday meal if I didn't burn myself in some manner. Maybe I should use pot holders that come up to my elbows-just in case. Or, I could use a grease screen. Duh.


In the meantime, I've just completed these socks that I started before I left for Virginia. The Newark layover knocked a big chunk out of these socks. These are done in my new favorite sock yarn, Mountain Colors Bearfoot (sorry Lorna's Laces). I can't tell you the name of the color until the recipient has opened her package. That should be sometime later this week. I hope she likes them. How could she not? I knit these socks in various places and have knit peaceful thoughts into each stitch-being in the mountains helps with that. I used 1 skein of Bearfoot, US Size 2 dpns, 60 stitch cast on and my Plain Jane sock pattern. There is nothing fancy except this fabulous wool. Next up will be a pair for my own feet out of this same color. My daughter picked out wool for socks for her own feet and I was secretly thrilled when she picked the Lorna's Laces and Jitterbug. That leaves all the Bearfoot for me. I may make hers as a stocking stuffer (fitting). I can't believe I've never knit a pair of socks for her. Don't go feeling badly of me or too sorry for her-remember she is the owner of the beaded cashmere hat and plenty of other hand knit items, but never socks. She's modeled plenty for me because her foot is a more appropriately sized ladies foot. I've just never made a pair just for her. Soon habibi, I promise.


8 comments:

flydragon said...

How about knitting yourself a set of arm warmers/grease blockers?:) Loooove those socks!!!

Brenda said...

I like the sweater and the close up picture you took. It is very hard to see any stitching. I tried the eyelash yarn and don't think I like that much, but at least the boucle yarn makes a beautiful garment even if it is a pain in the arse. I am stuck on my socks at the heel, and need to watch a video or something to figure out what I am doing. I hope I am successful because for some reason I think if I can knit socks I'll feel like I can knit anything.

Rudee said...

I thought about arm protectors in wool flydragon. Wool is flame retardant and doesn't melt like acrylic so it's an idea.

Brenda, sockitecture (sock architecture) is a fabulous lesson to learn. It teaches you to handle more than 2 needles, how to do short rows which makes the sock heel turn, increases, left and right leaning decreases, picking up stitches and weaving. It's all in one easy to take along garment. It's my favorite thing to make without making a huge commitment in money. Usually one skein and you're good to go. Love. It. Stephanie Pearl McPhee's (The Yarn Harlot) book Knitting Rules is what made the whole thing click for me. Videos helped but her book did it. I consider it a must read for knitters. I am completely self taught (if you consider her words are what taught me). One day, I'll post a picture of my first pair which could have fit Andre the Giant. These days, I don't think about what I'm doing, it's all in my head-thanks to The Yarn Harlot.

sandy said...

Came by to catch up a bit! Enjoyed reading through your posts. Just don't have time right now to drop many comments! But you entertained me as always.

Anonymous said...

I have told you before, you can't cook meat on high oven temps...when you do, the grease splatters all over-including your tender forearms....cook on low heat and the benefits are: tender meat and no burns!!!!!

Rositta said...

I love that word "habibi". Your knitting is wonderful. I have some boucle in my stash hidden far away and I will probably never use it in my lifetime. I started knitting with it some years ago and changed my mind pretty darn quick...ciao

Anonymous said...

Beautiful work, really, really nice. So cozy and warm, perfect for now.

Sorry to hear about your burns! That sounds so painful. Feel better. I hope it doesn't stop you from knitting for too long.
XXXXXXXX

Anonymous said...

What about a pair of leg warmers? I bet your daughter would look really cute in those!!!...She will appreciate the socks too. So a pair of both will be great!
xoxox