A Poem. Sort of.

Rudee Bo Peep had lost her sheep

and didn't know where to find them.

Into the car they hopped,

drove to where they shopped,

so she could do some rectifying.

Bo Peep bought wool for spinning

at $26 dollars a pound.

She swore to her mate this was a steal

and ultimately, she made a good deal

and her bargaining powers were sound.

She went down the street to Rapunzel's,

lured by the sign that shouted YARN on the door.

She and her mate had a schism

when she picked up the Prism

and dropped more money in that store.

THE END

Relief

I got on the scale last week and almost fainted. I knew that I'd gained a bit of weight over the winter, but sheesh, 14 pounds? I need to stop making pasta and baking lemon bars. Perhaps it would help if my brain could recognize one lemon bar as a serving size. Here's the thing, I always get through the holidays without gaining an ounce, and then it all goes to hell on January 2nd. Come the beginning of March, I get on the scale and panic. You'd think the snugger fitting clothes would be my first clue, but I usually find an excuse to explain that. You know, like someone dried my jeans on high heat and shrunk them. Again.

For two months, I've been eating my heart out to help me cope with all of the stress I'm facing. Interestingly, when I'm stressed in a different way, with something like a major loss, I can't eat anything. Since I don't eat when I feel this way, I usually find another outlet for my anxiety, like spending money on things I don't need.

While this month has pretty much sucked so far from an emotional point of view, it does mark the end of my self imposed yarn diet. I won 11 skeins of Cascade Jazz on Ebay last Monday, and although I found no joy when it was delivered Thursday morning, I've been showing the 1100 grams of brightly colored yarn a bit more appreciation today. Since I saved $100 by winning it on Ebay instead of paying retail, I took the savings and bought 2 pair of Keen's last night. They were on sale too and I think I saved about $80. One of them is a pair of Mary Janes that looked cute with my too tight jeans and my hand knit socks. The other is a pair of fleece lined, boiled wool slippers. How could I resist that? See how that works? I take the savings and keep on spending. I recognize that I'm using some discombobulated form of rationalization-much like the shrunken jeans-vs-expansion of my backside thought process. At this rate, I may be broke by April 1st. But what the hell, it's only money.

I know you can't tell, but this is a raglan top down sweater in Jazz, a thick and thin yarn. I cast on Sunday morning, and I'm already working on the body.

At 3PM today, I'll make a decision on the house. I'm seeing one last property that's--heaven help me--two blocks from my favorite yarn store. In fact, it's so close, I usually park near that house when I drive to the yarn store. Just think of how much I'll save by walking there. 

Fitted Knits Thick and Thin Cardigan, by Stefanie Japel

Top photo google images.

One Thing Leads to Another

I am always amazed at the places my mouse can take me. Just point and click, or press enter, and I'm a world away. Today I was looking for news on Mt. Redoubt in Alaska. There are warnings this volcano could erupt at any time. One thing lead to another, and there I was looking at webcams from all over Alaska. No eruptions yet, but those people have drawn my pity just the same. The sun doesn't rise until 9:27 AM and sets at 5:22 PM. Honestly, I don't know how they do it! At 5:15 PM Monday, I had to wear my sunglasses while driving. I guess I should quit whining about the hardships here-at least we get about 2 extra hours of daylight than Alaska. That has to be awful. Of course, they get long days in summer, so maybe to them, it evens out. Here's hoping the volcano goes back to sleep.


On the knitting front, I came across a really cool website for yarn.  In an effort to keep from spending my retirement money, I didn't buy anything, and I didn't bookmark the site.  I'm having a harder time staying away from this month's Lorna's Laces at Jimmy Beans.   I've resisted for two lousy days. What are the chances I'll stumble?   Luckily, I've been waylaid by something else. While reading Wendy's blog, I saw the Stash Buster Blanket she's making and fell hard. It looked like it was knit, but it isn't. It's Tunisian crochet, and I'm smitten. This type of crochet is a cross between knitting and crochet.  I like that it's a stash buster blanket-the faster I get rid of stash, the faster I can buy again, so I bought the pattern at Stitchdiva and chrocheted a swatch. The pictures above represent a couple of hours of fiddling around with the different stitches. Tunisian crochet calls for big hooks and the one I'm using is a bit too small. Before I invested in the needle ($30) I'm trying to decide if I like this type of work. If you click on the picture, you can see the stitches in close up. When using the Tunisian simple stitch, the work appears woven. The familar V of a knitted stitch lies sideways. Like knitting, there are all sorts of ways you can manipulate the stitches to create others-including knit and purl stitches. Although Stitchdiva has a great written instructions I found a video tutorial. Not one to like traveling alone, I've provided many links. Now one thing can lead to another for you too.

Can You Stand It?

I have more pictures from a day in the life of Nurse Rudee. As I began working last night, it began to snow. Just enough to muck up rush hour and give me a white knuckle drive to the opposite side of town. Then it stopped. When I went to sleep last night, the weather men were predicting disaster by morning. Three to six inches of snow were expected. I think we're at about 9 inches right now. My drive has been cleared 3 times to no avail. It's still coming down and I can't see the drive. Don't you think that sounds like a perfect day to do nothing?

Not even the birds are out today. I think the weather explains their gorging feast of the past couple of days. After the snow, we're expected to descend into an arctic freeze. The critters always do seem to know better than the weather forecasters.

Even the low shrubs in my yard are nearly completely covered. The farmer must be snoozing too because I've not heard seen him yet today. It's past his bedtime now. He must be completely ready for tomorrow's 6 AM wake up call. If I were smart, I'd go to bed now so I could be prepared to wake up then too.

Instead, I'm busy with my needles. I'm making something rather special for one of our hospice doctors. Well, it's for her baby. OK. I admit it. I completely fell off my yarn diet yesterday and gained 300 grams of fiber and that book. Isn't fiber supposed to be good for the diet? I'm weak, weak, weak. And totally in love with this pattern.

So the doctor asked for a hat (after I offered) in red. Do you realize how many shades of red there are in the world? I couldn't decide. Instead, I bought bright red Cascade 220, and lime green and white. I'm going to make one of these hats in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in a cream color and use the red, lime and scraps of stuff I have laying around to make this. Maybe both. Red will be the primary flower color so she'll get the red to go with her baby's coat. The rest will be fluff. Aren't these hats the cutest things?

It's almost 8 PM. The kitchen floor is washed, the dishes are done, and Duke has been waited on and had his dinner cooked for him. Right now, he is in a turkey induced sleep. I'm considering taking down the Christmas tree. I was waiting to see if Someone else would do it, but since Someone was busy and Nobody wanted to take the incentive, I thought I should. Then I thought that over too. I think I'll wait until tomorrow. Maybe Somebody, Someone or Nobody will want to do it then. I'll enjoy it one more night and besides, it looks pretty with all that snow behind it. What's one more day? I'm off to knit some flowers.

But I'm Not a Liar

This has been a week for finishing projects around here. The garter stitch scarf, done in many shades of brown and charcoal is done. My spruce socks are done. Clapotis is done and waiting for me to take it to the post office. The front of the green sweater is done and awaiting the back hem and sleeves. We had a fitting today which motivated me to finish. It's stunning. The pink socks are not done. I started this pair while on the Breast Cancer 3 Day. I've pondered their existence ever since.

What a mess....

I've figured out the issue: I don't like doing socks on two circular needles. I think they're a pain in the arse. I have a feeling it's because I taught myself to make them on double points and now, nothing else will suffice except my Takumi Velvet needles. I will persevere and finish them and have been working toward that end. This morning, I completed and turned the heel, and picked up the gusset stitches. The mate isn't yet a twinkle in my eye. I have to get through the first one...ugh. Maybe I should just rip it out and start them the right way. Sometimes this old dog cannot be taught a new trick. I'm just glad I wasn't forced to learn math using an abacus.

There is a bathrobe clad woman who comments here, who seems to think that I am not quite forthright and that perhaps, I exaggerate when I write. I guess, that would make me a liar. I don't recall how she and I first began reading one another's blogs, but if you don't read hers, you should. I always leave there laughing. She commented on my last post that she wanted proof I did not go overboard at the yarn store on Monday. While it isn't the best quality, it plainly shows the truth of the matter. This photo is for Flydragon:

Seven buttons and 1 skein of Brown Sheep Bulky

I need to finish Rachelheimer's mittens with my Monday purchase. The beauty of knitting is that something like this can be made to fit. This child has the most delicate bone structure and store bought items seldom fit. Her fingers and hands are long and narrow. These mitts will fit snugly without slipping off her hands. I think all told, they only take a couple of hours per mitt because they're made with bulky wool. Next up for her will be some thrummed mittens but she'll have to wait for the soldier's socks to be knit. He's next on deck. I hear it's freaking freezing in the desert at night.

One down, a bit of one and a thumb to go. The white on the right mitt is scrap yarn that when pulled out, will free up live stitches to knit a thumb. It's magic. I love knitting mittens.

5, 6 Pick Up Sticks

Cast on with U.S. size twos for my mindless plain old sock. Nothing fancy but the yarn.

I have tried mighty hard to stop buying yarn. I've said many times that I have enough, but do I? Can there ever really be enough? I'm always enticed by new yarns or the same old yarns in new colors. In a way, I'm a bit envious of those with project fidelity. These are the knitters who buy only what they need and only when they need it. You know, I think that's not normal. While I'm venturing into this dangerous territory, does sock yarn count? One buys one and sometimes two skeins to knit a pair. It's not like the many skeins a knitter has to purchase to make a sweater. Or an afghan. I admit though, I have enough yarn to knit a boatload of socks. I don't think I could run out within the next year. I see a yarn and have to have it because I know when I go back to get it, it'll be gone.

Joined in a circle-well sort of. Looks more like a diamond to me, but it does knit a tube.

While in Virginia, I finished one sock that I was knitting and have cast on the second. These are for someone I know who just has to have these. My idea, not hers. I believe you haven't lived through winter comfortably until you put on a pair of hand knit wool socks. That's what I tell myself anyways.

Finished with sock one. I loves me some Bearfoot. This is close in color to what's in my hands.

The other thing I did while away last weekend was drop into the Needle Lady's shop. I always seem to get there right before closing. This time they were closing early and said if we didn't hurry, they'd have to lock us in for the night. One of these days, I hope that happens. Gee, what a horrible punishment for dawdling while perusing the yarn. Not. I scored 3 skeins of yarn. Sock yarn. My new favorite sock yarn is Mountain Colors Bearfoot. Love. It. It knits like a dream, holds shape and is sooooo soft. When I bought this, I found myself wondering if I already own it. Since I haven't yet organized all of my hoard yarn yet, I still don't know. Oh well, if that's the case, there will be two pair of those. While looking through the bins and trying to hurry, I fell hard for a new color of Jitterbug. It's fun and reminds me of autumn. The last skein I bought was from a local artisan, Blue Ridge Yarns. I've not tried it before but the colors spoke to me. That's all. Just 3. We won't talk about the two skeins I bought online last week. OK? That will be our secret.

From the top: Jitterbug, Blue Ridge and Bearfoot and all are true true to color. Can you blame me?

Despite being ill this week, I've made progress on a pair of socks and I cast on the sleeves for my pink sweater. I was beginning to think I never would. To make them even, I cast them on one long cable and I'm knitting them side by side. I have to thank Pink Lemon Twist for that idea. I would not have thought of this trick on my own. Doing it this way, they will have the same number of rows with increases that correspond. It's impossible to count the rows in the alpaca boucle I chose, it's way too nubby so I think this way will make for identical sleeves.

To keep it organized, each sleeve is knit with it's own skein of yarn that I keep in zip lock bags for sanity's sake. If I didn't, it would be a tangled mess and the sleeves would never be knit then. That's it on the knitting front. I haven't worked on my daughter's sweater in a bit but feel compelled to finish these two projects first. I hope I don't end up helplessly casting on for something else while organizing my stash this weekend.

What's on your sticks?

I Got You My Pretty....

It seems I'm waiting now in a sort of limbo on more fronts than one.  There is no news in respect to last night's post but I'll know soon enough.  I'm rather philosophical about the whole thing.  If it's meant to be, it'll happen.  I worry too about that old adage about being careful what you wish for, it tends to bite one in the ass more often than not.  Still, I'm ready and I think my interview went incredibly well.  We'll see.  

On another front, I've cast on a new pair of socks.  For me.  I'm waiting for Pixiedust to send me the socks she is making for her own target who is now my new target while I wait for my assassin to put me out of this battle.  Damn.  Hurry up Patty.  I can't start from scratch on my new target and must use the ones Pixie has made or I hope she's at least started.  A new Pixie was posted on the dead warrior site and I think it's her.  I can't tell though since she didn't make any other items public like her town, or surname.  Nothing.  Nada.  Zilch.  I am so not feeling satisfied here. Even a message like damn, these socks suck would have been better than nothing.  OK, I take that back.  No it wouldn't-but a little something would put my mind at ease.  I keep forgetting myself though.  She's dead. 

To alleviate my boredom and further my skill at procrastination (I still have to finish my sister's gift and that pink sweater), I went fishing in the yarn hoard supply and caught an already wound up ball of Dream in Color's Smooshy in Chinatown Apple.  I've cast on and knit the cuff and part of the first sequence in the gorgeous Terra Incognito pattern by Pink Lemon Twist.  So far, it's fun, complicated, lacy and twisted, but at least the pattern appears error free and makes complete sense.  The yarn is a pleasure to work with and for sure, I'll buy more.

This pair I cast on solely on the 2 circular needles and plan to do them start to finish in this way.  The needles I used for Sock Wars were both dpns and circs.  This time, only circs.  Next time, 2 socks at a time on one circ, I just need longer cables for the circs.  If you think this hobby of mine is inexpensive, think again.  A pair of Addi Turbos will set you back a pretty penny-as will hoarding yarn.  Shhh.  Don't tell my husband.  Or my kids.

When my Mom passed away, all of us kids were shocked at the amount of lottery tickets we found in the house.  Hundreds and hundreds.  I don't want my children to be annoyed with me when I'm gone, or think I had yarn "issues."  Well actually, it may be too late for that.  At least this is better than losing lotto tickets.  It could all be sold on ebay and would probably fetch a fair price.  I don't buy the cheap stuff.  Evah.

I was hunting on You Tube for an appropriate death knell for Pixie and watched a lot of clips from the Wizard of Oz.  If you think I'm wandering here, I'm not.  Besides, read my header; it plainly states I ramble on this site.  Don't say ya weren't warned.  Anyways, I watched the clip where the Wicked Witch gets it in the face with the bucket of water.  I love that scene.  And I love her last coherent words too.  So here's to your demise Pixie.  Now send those socks!

Sock Hockey Drama

Pixiedust's Easter Egg Detonator Sock and Detroit Hockey

v. 3

I tried really hard to use Tofutsies. I couldn't bear the splitting with every stitch whether I used my Takumi Velvet dpns (double pointed needles) or my Addi Turbos. Facing reality and acknowledging I won't win the Tofutsies prize, I took it off the needles without even trying to frog it. It's lying in a heap next to me. So, I took out the pastel limited edition Lorna's Laces from Jimmy Beans in Spring Forward and cast on. I knit the cuff-a very PITA knit one purl one rib for 12 rounds. When I started the pattern which is very pretty, I was doing my increases wrong and they left little eyelet holes every pattern repeat. I knew deep in my knitter's soul I was dead wrong after the second row of the pattern but I persevered another 2 rows for a full pattern repeat. In frustration, I emailed my friend Rositta who kindly set me straight. Thanks Rosibaby (her nom de guerre.) When I gently withdrew my needles to "frog" every so delicately to the end of my cuff, it all went to hell in a hand basket. And I cast on again.

I love sock architecture. It amazes me what I can do with toothpicks and string. Behold the cuff, leg, heel, heel turn and gusset of the pattern "Detonator." Bring on the foot! I like the appearance of this sock just fine but I think the instep is rather tedious. It's not as bad as some patterns but I'm finding it difficult to remember where I am and have taken to using my stitch markers to remind me if I am on row 2 or 4 of the pattern. As luck would have it, the sole and rows 1 and 3 are in stockinette which in the round is knit every stitch. I am done with the gusset decreases and it's straight to the toes for a shoe size of 9. Not as big as my freighters. Lucky me. I wish it was the second sock. If so, I'd have reason to crow.

Game 2 of Round 3 is a nail biter. One penalty after another. Tomas Holmstrom must have balls of steel. This man takes a hockey stick to the groin all through the game. He perches his gonads directly in front of the goalie and doesn't move. Even with a stick slammed up there. It must be obvious that I've stopped knitting for a bit-actually my fingers were cramping-to update and watch the game. Incidently, we won. Great game Boys in Red.

Ramping up...you may not see me

Just in case y'all were thinking I'm a bit crazy about knitting socks, this came along. It doesn't prove I'm not crazy-just that I'm not alone with this insane desire to knit warm foot coverings:

Reuters:

Die-hard knitters prepare for sock battle

By Claire Sibonney
Thu May 1, 12:10 PM ET

There may be nothing scary about socks, but a cut-throat competition involving hundreds of furiously fast knitters with pointy needles is enough to send even accomplished enthusiasts' pulse racing.

Sock Wars III, billed by its organizers as the "bloodiest death-by-knitting tournament," enlists players from around the world to take part in a game that shows knitting is no longer just a grandmothers' hobby.

It was started by Julie Gardner, a 31-year-old freelance TV and film production manager in Belfast, Northern Ireland, a couple years ago after she heard about StreetWars, a game that uses mock weapons and is popular on college campuses.

Gardner was excited about pitting knitters against each other with a sudden-death spin.

"I love the fact that we have had competitors ranging from teenagers knitting their first socks through to silver surfer great grannies in their 70s," she said.

Around 1,000 women -- and some men -- have already signed up for this year's tournament, which starts May 9. The deadline for applications on www.sock-wars.com is May 3.

Each contestant must knit a pair of socks from the same original pattern for another player in a specific size and mail it to another contestant, or target.

When the targets receive the finished socks from their assassins they are "killed," or out of the game, and must mail their assassins their unfinished socks. The assassins must then finish that pair of socks and mail them to their new targets. The last sock-knitter left wins.

Knitters from the United States, Canada, Britain, the Netherland and Australia took part in last year's contest.

"I think it's brilliant," said Amy Singer, the author of knitting books and editor of Knitty.com, an online knitting magazine based in Toronto.

Knitting's feisty new image has been boosted over the last decade by books such as "Stitch and Bitch," "Chicks with Sticks" and "The Friday Night Knitting Club" -- a bestselling novel that has been turned into a new film starring real-life knitter Julia Roberts -- as well as the Internet, knitting clubs and cafes.

Fans insist it's not just a fad.

"Knitting is not the new yoga, knitting is the new knitting," said Singer.

The prize for the past two tournaments has been a pair of socks. This year, every competitor is promised a pair of socks, while the grand prize winner will also receive a $500 supply of yarn.

Almost Heaven

I'm packed and heading out first thing in the morning.  A blissful (hopefully) 5 day retreat awaits.  I don't have a problem packing for vacation in a college town, that's easy.  Jeans, t-shirts, flip-flops, jammies and clean underwear. Clothing wise, this is a no-brainer trip.  No fancy dinners are planned though we do have a fancy Sunday brunch planned at a wonderful spot where my niece fell head over heels for a boxer pup last fall.  I'll wear jeans, a tee and flip flops to that and we'll take the dog to the spot we all first met her.

I'm packing the following meds: levaquin, medrol dose pack, albuterol and my personal favorite today, robitussin with codeine (I haven't slept due to my cough for 5 days.)  I promise not to take the codeine until I reach VA.  After that, I'm having a lie down.

I am having a bit of difficulty deciding just which yarn to pack.  I packed ALL of the yarn I'm using to work on my sister's anniversary/house warming gift (even the stuff to make the edging.)  I took out the yarn swift and ball winder and rolled it all.  I think it may be ambitious but perhaps I'll be inspired.  I packed the rest of the pink sweater yarn in case I get to start the sleeves (I am so close to binding off the sweater-I swear.)  I packed the Chinatown Apple Smooshy and extra sock needles.  Also in the bag are two other socks I'm working on.  That should do it and if for some reason I find myself yearning for something new, there are two decent yarn stores in town.  I should leave my amex at home.  I don't suffer from project loyalty (much) but feel inspired by a variety of options (yeah, right.)  I also packed one book, nothing special and my favorite, ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) review.  I can't believe I'm taking this......

As soon as Miss R is on the bus for school, I'm off.  I'll send pictures from the city that gave us 3 U.S. Presidents- Jefferson, Madison and Monroe.   If time permits, I want to wander around Monticello again.  At a store on the grounds, I can buy seedling plants from Jefferson's estate.  I'm hoping for a little lily of the valley and anything else I think may grow well this far north. I'm also hoping to snag my very own picture of one of these creatures.

 For my musical enjoyment today, I've removed the dog's music and replaced it with this:

Sock Love

Meet the foot of my friend Tina. Behold her first sock so fetchingly modeled. She is so proud, but I don't know who is prouder, her or me. She is my 2nd student ever and I am thrilled with her progress. She already knew how to knit but found knitting in the round daunting. She started this sock on the 7th. We met on the 9th where I showed her how to knit the heel flap and pick up the gusset stitches. She finished the first sock on the 11th and is now half way through the 2nd sock. The yarn, which is just about my favorite sock yarn (Jitterbug in the color Fire) was my gift to Tina to tempt her into sock knitting. Now I have to convince her she is indeed ready for Sock Wars. She may want to sign up quick-it closes to enrollment May 2nd. I hope for my sake I get her to assassinate with her size 7 foot instead of my friend Rositta's.

To repay me for my kindness and teaching patience, she told me about the yarn sale at my favorite yarn store. I had conveniently forgotten all about the sale. Nothing sings to a knitter's soul like the words yarn and sale in the same sentence. Nothing is more dangerous than taking another yarn loving person to a sale like this. I think a gang like mentality sets in and before you know it, you've spent a small fortune on all kinds of stuff you know you surely don't need.

While there, we found out that the owner also honors knitting nurses with a 15% discount during nurses week (the owner is a nurse-outstanding!). We're sure to go back for more fiber indulgence. While sales staff wound Tina's new found sock yarn into pretty little cakes of yarn in another part of the store, we looked in wonder and awe at the spinning wheels. This naturally led to a discussion about learning to spin yarn. It's on my bucket list. Apparently, it's on Tina's too.

Look at this booty.... Let's see, there is Stephanie Pearl McPhee's new book Things I Learned from Knitting, Melissa Morgan-Oakes 2-at-a-time Socks (it will be dog eared by May 9th), some new stuff from Brown Sheep (Wildfoote in Rock 'n Roll), Dream In Color's Smooshy (in Chinatown Apple), and three skeins of Mountain Colors Bearfoot (in Rosehip, Ruby River and Spruce). The Spruce is earmarked for this pair of socks. There seems to be a LOT of red yarn in there. I don't really know why but it sure is purdy.

All in all, it was a wonderful way to spend a rainy Saturday and my children's inheritance.

Who's Sorry Now?

Me.  I'm sorry I didn't listen to my little inner voice last December 20th.  I was sick of buying "stuff"-even yarn.  When I went to Jimmy Beans as I do on the 20th of every month to see the limited addition Lorna's Laces sock yarn, I didn't click to buy.  And I'm sorry because duh, limited means a point or level beyond which something does not extend.  Sold Out.  It does every single month.  The January colors were too cool for me and even though it wasn't technically winter at the time, I was already sick of feeling cold.  Those colors appeal to me now, especially since I can't have it and because I can see the end of winter being ushered out (after tomorrow's snow storm that we're expecting).   I'm a little sad that I don't own the very pretty Ice Storm Yarn.

I passed on February's color SWAK.  I just didn't like it-too dark, too moody and smacking of Valentine's Day.  I must be an aberrant female as I don't go in for the gushy love holiday nonsense.  So, I feel nothing having lost out on the SWAK yarn.  I bought some pretty navy Schaefer Heather yarn instead.   On Feb. 20th, I went back to Jimmy's and saw the promise of the end of winter in the Spring Forward colorway.  Of course, I bought it.  I don't like Easter egg-like pastels, but someone will.  

The yarn for April is called Lily Pad.  For some reason, it reminds me of my sister (or more appropriately, the beautiful, multilevel pond she has covered in lily pads).  So I'm clicking my option to buy and I'll knit some socks for my sister.  True, she could knit her own, but it's always nice when one knitter makes something special for another.  I'll leave them for her at her home in Virginia next month.  

OK then, since I now have my April Yarn from Jimmy Beans, you can go fetch yours.  Better be quick though; it sells out fast.  You don't want regret at having missed the boat. 

  

The Postman Rang Twice This Week

When you last saw this project, it was just in its infant stage.  I have knit my behind off trying to make it grow.  This yarn, a lovely alpaca and silk blend is so hard to knit.  The pattern is as simple as they get being all in stockinette.  A rectangle with armholes, sleeves knitted separately and then sewn in.  The curled edge of the stockinette pattern becomes part of the detail of the sweater.  How hard can that be?  I guess hard isn't really the problem.  This baby is tedious because the yarn is boucle.  What was I thinking?  This stuff is incredibly difficult to manipulate but the texture will be lovely-if I ever finish it.

As an incentive to knit faster, I ordered this pretty little shawl pin as a closure for the sweater.  It was out of stock when I ordered.  It arrived yesterday and all I can say is  I wish the sweater was done yesterday too.  It's a sterling silver ball of yarn on a rosewood stick.  Romi, your work is stunning.  Thank you.  I love it and I'm knitting as fast as I can!

As a carrot for finishing, I have stuck the pin in the sweater to get an idea of how much I'm going to love it.  The major production sweater is about 50 percent done at this point, not including the sleeves.  I'm wishing it was a tank top right about now, but then the pin would just look silly.

Part of my problem is project loyalty.  I just keep getting stuff in the mail that distracts me.  Like the pin.  And like this stunning sock yarn that just beckons me to get my swift and yarn winder out then cast on for yet another pair of socks.  This GORGEOUS yarn was my payolla for doing the nursing survey telephone interview.  Joanne has got it going (as nurses often do) and she is oh so wise.  I think this stuff will make me the paying customer next time around.  Thanks Jo.  Anymore surveys you want done?

The colorway is stunning- Mermaid Jewels- and once again, I find myself distracted.  That's why the sweater isn't finished. Stick a sock needle in it, I'm done resisting.

I Brake for Yarn

OK now. I am better today; it never ceases to amaze me that sleep restores one's mental health and emotional state like no cocktail could ever accomplish. This morning over a cup of coffee, I looked around the internet and came upon this question from Rotten Correspondent: If you had only one hour and $20, what would you do? You can see the entire post here because if you want to play the game, there are stipulations to her question. 

I knew what I would do: yarn store. What is it with me and yarn? Last night I came home from work to find the results of my latest fall into EBAY madness waiting for me. Twenty five skeins of Sisik, a lovely wool and mohair blend from Dale of Norway that is now discontinued (I have no clue why). All one color (lucky me, all one color lot too). What did I do? How in the hell can I use all this yarn? (Note to self: stay away from yarn vendors for a while. You can't possibly knit up what you own in the next 5 years so just STOP IT!) Wait a sec while I do the math here: that is 1,250 grams in weight or 44 ounces which sounds MUCH better, 3,700 yards (around 3400 meters) or 2.1 MILES which sounds much worse to me. Like I said, this is all in one color-black- although it does have beautiful flecks of primary colors throughout. For my size, I'd need about 1/3 of this total amount for a not too big sweater. Two skeins will make a pair of socks. That leaves 15 skeins of leftovers. I think I've officially crossed over into full blown OCD with yarn hoarding "issues".

Knowing myself quite well, I know that when these things are done, I will tire of this yarn (I will become enamored of something softer and prettier) and the remainder will be banished to one of the large plastic containers that reside under my bed. I will need to buy a new container to put it in because the others are STUFFED full. In fact, there may not be space under the bed for another box-and its a king sized bed. I should go to IKEA and buy some sort of yarn storage system.  I'm a bit afraid to do this though because I know I will feel COMPELLED to fill it up!

This mornning as I sipped my coffee and fondled my new yarn, I recalled a time in my distant past (when I was young and dumb) of a nite on the town and the game of making a pyramid out of shot glasses that my friends and I had emptied. Today I played the game with my yarn.