I've been homebound this weekend with Rachel. Our regular caregiver is off, the hubby is ill and in bed, so it's just me, the Rachmeister, Dukealicious and not a little yarn. With the exception of having to listen to moans from the sickbed, it hasn't been too bad a weekend. I think we had some weather problems last night, but it appears I slept through them. I have one evergreen tree lying on its side and my alarm clock is flashing so I think we lost power. Who knew? My feet were cold last night so before I went to bed, I cast on socks with a skein of Bearfoot in Spruce. My feet are still cold but we're getting there. One day, I'll learn to knit socks in super bulky wool if I need them fast.
I've been perusing one of the gifts I received for Christmas. I got Nicky Epstein's book Knitting on the Edge. Love. It. A big thank you to my sister in law. I'm totally snagging the ruffled seed stitch pattern to do the cuffs of my daughter's green sweater. I think it'll be prettier than the flat seed stitch. This book is full of inspiration. There are edgings knit from the top down, knit from the bottom up, and borders picked up and knit sideways. The entire book is chock full of finishing techniques for the knitter. Most of what I've looked at, I'm convinced I can do. One thing led to another and I'm pretty sure I'm going to take on a huge project with a beautiful edge in mind. I'm finally going to knit the Great American Aran Afghan for myself.
I bought the pattern book awhile ago but found it overwhelming. It's daunting, but done in 12 x 12 inch blocks, it shouldn't be too bad until it's time to put it together and do the edging. This book has totally inspired me to take that project on. I'm considering doing the entire thing in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. It's such beautiful yarn for what is sure to be a treasured family heirloom. Maybe I'll use Cascade 220 in superwash so it'll be easy to clean. There are plenty of pictures on google images that show this afghan done in every color under the sun-some all in the same afghan, but I think I like the idea of a solid cream colored afghan. This way, the stitch patterns are the stars of the show, and not the flashy colors. I'm not completely convinced I'll use the afghan pattern book either. I may just do blocks using my stitch dictionaries. It's not like I don't have enough of those to glean from.
So here is the goal: one block a month until 12 are done. This time next year, I should be contemplating the border. I'll get right on it-just as soon as I finish the second sock. Winter makes one contemplate a different kind of sock wars, one where feet armoured in wool are the ones that survive.
My left foot is very toasty...
13 comments:
LOVE your new header!!!! You have gotten me completely hooked on the sticks and yarn. Now when my husband and I go to the bookstore, you will find me at the knitting section. We have a routine now where we go get several magazines and a cup of good coffee and sift through which ones we want to buy. Mine have all been knitting magazines. My quilting has taken a backseat. I want some Debbie Bliss books, probably all of them, and all the ones you mentioned in your post. I saw all the Nicky Epstein ones. I will TRY to use the library, but Amazon may win over. I just finished getting an account with Ravelry but haven't had time to do much with it. Knitting posts coming soon!
Oh I forgot to ask what book Rachel is reading. I still think about the post you did about the Disney book she loved.
So lovely to have a project to keep you busy through the year. Hope both your feet are warm by the end of the day
Pretty good trick, knitting that sock with your foot still in it:)
May your right foot soon be as toasty as your left :-)
I have tried knitting, and I really wanted to like it. But I really didn't. So I guess I will stick to clay.
Brenda, the nice thing about knitting is it's portability. You can take it anywhere. Debbie Bliss has some nice books out there. I have a couple of them. Look on Amazon because you can get them used at times. Little Miss Innocent is reading Disney's Princess Collection. What she is really doing is waiting for me to turn my head so she can inch closer to the fire. This picture was from Christmas morning when it took four of us to keep her away from her perch. We eventually gave up and let the fire die out.
Sorry to hear your husband is ill; the flu is a nasty virus. Sorrier to hear he didn't go to the doctor! Crazy man. Seems like you're mostly enjoying the forced homebound-ness though. That happened to me sometimes when my kids were sick. You had to stay home and before you realized it, it wasn't that bad. (If the kids weren't that sick). Sock looks good! I'm impressed with your blanket project plans!
Miss, I have to work tonight so I'm not likely to finish the second sock for a day or two.
FLydragon-one must try the sock on to see when it's time to do the decreases. Perhaps leaving it there and knitting around my foot will save time.
Debra-you are an artisan with that clay. I've been looking at your work and I think it's beautiful. I wouldn't want knitting to take you away from that.
Sounds like you had an ok Weekend. I wish you good luck on your socks! I don't have a clue when it comes to knitting and now would only blame my failing eyesight ! :) Love the left sock though! I agree wth Brenda! I love your new heading too
Thank you Betty. THe header is a photo I took of the farm at the foot of my sister's lane. It's the farm of a neighbor.
I can't believe how fast you knit.......I am in awe, I cannot knit, totally hopeless.
Gill in Canada
It's a great way to pass thetime knitting and crocheting. I've done the same for the past few days. Completed a crochet matinee coat and a baby cardigan. Off to the dentist tomorrow and his surgery is near a big craft shop and a cafe/bookshop so I might just do what Brenda does and pop in for a coffee.
How nice to see a pic of Rachel. Wow, that fireplace is gorgeous. The "feel" of that sunny room is nice. No wonder you like to stay home.
Loved reading about your knitting stuff... although I don't knit I can appreciate the focus, and the joy you get...
Post a Comment