Caren Knits

Charlotte's Almost Done

I'm posting today's entry just in time to post an FO sometime over the weekend. I've only got ten rows to go, then blocking, and crochet edging. Yippee! Here's how it breaks down:

Mon 7/26/04
Total time spent: 3.5 hours
Rows completed: 17
Last row completed: 95
Average time per row: 12.35 minutes

Tues 7/27/04
Total time spent: 5.25 hours
Rows completed: 23
Last row completed: 118
Average time per row: 13.7

Wed 7/28/04
Total time spent: 4 hours
Rows completed: 14
Last row completed: 132
Average time per row: 17.14 (must have been distracted!)

Thu 7/29/04
Total time spent: 2.75 hours
Rows completed: 12
Last row completed: 144
Average time per row: 13.75

Have a great weekend!

Webbing Right Along

Charlotte is going just fine, thanks. Now that I've gotten the hang of it, I'm flying along. I have no idea if I'm a fast Charlotter or a slow Charlotter. I guess I'm just a Caren-speeded Charlotter. Here's my progress since last we spoke:

Total time spent up until now (not including false starts and major ripping sessions): approx 2 hours
Rows Completed -- 34
Average time per row: 3.53 minutes

Fri 7/23/04
Total time spent: 1.5 hours
Rows completed: 8
Last row completed: 42
Average time per row: 10.8 minutes (heh -- you can tell I was chatting, checking out everyone else's knitting, etc.)

This session of knitting was done at TKGA in Manchester. Woohoo!!! A terrific time was certainly had! We shopped, we knitted, we knitted, and we shopped. Personally I shopped for shawl yarn. Big surprise, huh? Since I'm clearly in the midst of a shawl ADDICTION! I'll have to keep you in suspense for now, since I haven't gotten around to taking pictures of the goodies yet. Suffice to say, I have yarn for the next 3 or 4 shawls at least. :-)

Sat 7/24/04
Total time spent: 3 hours
Rows completed: 20
Last row completed: 62
Average time per row: 9 minutes

Sun 7/25/04
Total time spent: 2.5 hours
Rows completed: 16
Last row completed: 78
Average time per row: 9.375 minutes

Both of these sessions were done almost entirely at home in my comfy chair, listening to audiobooks. Guess the rows are getting longer now, huh?

I'm off to knit a bit more tonight, so I won't log Monday's time until next post. I just finished row 87 at Stitch N Bitch tonight, so I'm almost done with the solid color #3 section and about to add in color 4 for the alternating rows starting at row 91.

Charlotte Musings

Remember that log of my Charlotte time that I started to keep yesterday? Well that first hour the other night got blown all to hell when I picked it up the next morning. Here's how it went:

Thu 7/22/04 -- 1:00pm to 2:00pm -- 1 hour
Beginning Row -- 23
Last Row Completed -- 1

Yup, you read that right. I discovered an added stitch somewhere around row 16 or 17. BY the time I'd spent an hour trying to tink back to it and realized I still had 3-4 more rows to go, I ripped the whole darn thing and started again. I figure, if it takes longer to fix than the amount of knitting-time already invested, you're better off just scrapping it.

Thu 7/22/04 -- 2:00pm to 3:00pm -- 1 hour
Beginning Row -- 1
Last Row Completed -- 1

Yes, well, um... After the first go-around, I decided I wasn't all that fond of the 7 cast-on stitches in the center back, when compared to the two stitch border extending out from them. So I spent a fair amount of time fiddling around with different cast-on methods, looking for something a little bulkier yet still elastic enough to stretch properly when blocked. Since I was at my LYS for Thursday afternoon knitting club at the time, I browsed through Vogue Knitting and a few other general knitting knowledge type books. One of my knitting buddies suggested casting on 14 stitches and K2tog across the first row to decrease back to 7. I gave that a shot and proceded about 4 or 5 rows. Then I found that the two bottom corners of the cast-on row made a kind of a funny bump that I didn't like.

So after a bit more fidgeting, I finally decided that the thing I didn't like was going to be behind my neck and hidden by my hair anyway, and this was just really waaaaaaay too far into the realm of obsessive compulsive perfectionista behavior, and should dial it back and just start re-knitting the thing already.

I put it down and spent about the next half-hour browsing around the LYS. The shop is moving to a new, larger location across the street from its current spot, and they're having a great sale this week to reduce the amount of inventory that needs to be moved. Yesterday was 25% off all yarn in the store. I recently realized that the Irish Diamond Shawl in the Folk Shawls book (see July 20th blog for photos and links) calls for a much lighter weight yarn than the Cascade 220 I had in mind, so I was on the lookout for something to use for that shawl, and also for some red variegated laceweight or fingering weight for my sister Amy's poncho.

Nothing jumped out at me, even on sale. BUT!! That's OK because today I'm joining my knitting buddies at the TKGA convention in Manchester, NH (only 20 minutes away) to knit and shop and shop and knit. I've been looking forward to this for months. I'm not taking any classes, but I can't wait to scope out the vendor marketplace and hang out there and knit all day.

You may recall about 6 weeks ago when I went wild and crazy at A Good Yarn in Brookline Village, that I promised myself (and my bank account) not to buy any more yarn until this convention. I allowed myself one exception: the Koigu for a Charlotte or two. Well, I have kept my promise! Not a skein, not a ball, not a hank has been purchased since then (save for said Charlotte). So you can bet I'm looking forward to the Marketplace today!

Anyway, back to the musings...

Thu 7/22/04 -- 3:00pm to 4:30pm -- 1.5 hours
Beginning Row -- 1
Last Row Completed -- 26

I knit for a bit longer than headed over to Margarita's Mexican restaurant where I was meeting a friend for dinner.

Thu 7/22/04 -- 4:45pm to 5:15pm -- .5 hours
Beginning Row -- 26
Last Row Completed -- 31

Knitting while drinking a pina colada, what could be finer?

Thu 7/22/04 -- 8:30pm to 10:15pm -- 1.75 hours
Beginning Row -- 32
Last Row Completed -- 34

"Huh? What's that? 2 rows in 1.75 hours? Are you the absolute slowest knitter in the history of the world? I mean, heck, the rows at this point only have about 75 stitches apiece."

I know, I know. That's what you're thinking. But let me explain. You see, the very first thing I did when I sat down was reknit row 31 back across what should have been the row 32 purl row. When I turned it around to purl, I was suddenly facing the right side. Now, THAT was a first for me. I've never actually done that before, and I NEVER pick up a piece of knitting mid-row and knit back the other way. I just DON'T.

So that was a minor annoyance but didn't take too long to rip back the one row. Funny thing was, as I was knitting it, I was thinking the left-hand needle stitches that I was knitting into seemed to feel kind of strange. Should have listened to myself sooner!

Anyway, I got it fixed and moved onward, only to realize at around row 35 that I was supposed to have added in my second color way back at row 27. Arrrrrgggghhh! This time, I refused to tink. I yanked the needle out, riiiippppppped back to row 26 and picked the stitches back up. Gotta love that nubbly little texture on the Koigu -- I didn't drop a single stitch!!

And there you have it, the method by which one can knit forward a grand total of 150 stitches over 1.75 hours!

Leaf Lace Shawl Revealed!

Photos first of course, then blabbing...

I can't tell you how thrilled I am with this shawl. I had a great time knitting it and the result is more than I ever could have asked for.

The Specs

The Pattern: Fiber Trends' Leaf Lace Shawl.

The Yarn: 50% silk 50% merino fingering weight from Ellen's 1/2 Pint Farm, purchased at the NH S&W Festival.

The Needles: Denise needles size US 6.

Pre-Blocked Size: 70" x 30"

Finished Size: 90" x 45"

Begun: June 17th, 2004

Completed: July 21st, 2004

What's Next?

Charlotte!

I cast-on for my first charlotte last night in this colorway, which I made up myself at Patternworks (in person). The darker purple will be the top middle, the light-light blue will be the outside edge.

Someone asked me yesterday how many hours it took me to complete Leaf Lace. I knew it had taken 5 weeks, but I had no idea of the hours. So I've decided to keep fairly close track of my time on Charlotte, just to satisfy my own curiosity. I'll keep a log here of course. So to begin:

Wed 7/21/04 -- 11:30pm to 12:30am -- 1 hour
Beginning Row -- 1
Last Row Completed -- 23

Jezebel Sez (TM Wendy)

Don't Baaaahhhtha Me, I'm a-Sunnin'!!

Knitting on the Edge

Err... Make that "Knitting on the Edging" of the Leaf Lace Shawl. Yes, sirree, the main body is done! I've only got about 13 rows to go to finish it. YAY!!! Should be done today or tomorrow, with time to block it before showing it off here and at knitting club at my LYS on Thursday. Maybe I'll even wear it to TKGA on Friday. Coolness!

In other knitting news, I've been on the prowl for my next shawl project. I've had such a wonderful time with the Leaf Lace, I just couldn't wait to start another. A couple of months ago I reported having bought a bunch of Cascade 220:

with the intention of making the Oat Couture Celtic Cardigan.

However, I've now decided that this yarn is too dark to properly show off the cables etc. in the cardi. So instead it has now been earmarked for the Irish Diamond Shawl from Folk Shawls (first photo below book cover).

I'll look for something for the Cardi at TKGA this weekend.

Also, my sister has requested a lacy-type poncho. We discussed the differences between a "big square with whole in the middle" shape versus a "two rectangles with ends sewed to sides" (ala Wendy's Colinette poncho) shape. The advantage of the two rectangle method is that I can take virtually any straight lace pattern, stole pattern, scarf pattern, etc. and work out the # of repeats to get the rectangle size we want. So I think I'm going to go that way. There are several possiblities in the Folk Shawl book, and lots of others on-line.

She has requested a lightweight "variegated red" yarn. I'm thinking Koigu PM "solid" (which you know will be variegated in its solidness). I'll keep an eye out for that at TKGA too. If I don't find it, I can always head up to Patternworks. (Have I mentioned I LOVE living in New Hampshire?) Any New England knitters want to join me and we'll make a day of it?

Row 145

I know, I know. I've been terribly remiss in posting lately. There just doesn't seem to be much to say when the entire knitting content of my life has been Leaf Lace Shawl progress. I promise a picture one of these days. Apparently our digital camera battery has died and Mike hasn't been able to locate the charger. You'll just have to trust me when I say that it looks spectacular, and I can't wait to show it off.

In adoption news, the social worker has forwarded our completed home study to her supervisor for review. We should see it in the next week or so. Then it's on to the international agency in San Francisco for translation and forwarding to Russia. It's happening - it really really really is!

In decorating news, Mike is painting the third (and we hope final) coat in the library. It's looking great thanks to the many tips tricks and hints I received from my knitting buddies Judy and Deb, and the wonderful guy (also named Mike) at Hammer Hardware in Merrimack, NH. This hardware store has probably the best service of almost any store (of any kind) I've ever shopped at. Everyone on staff there is friendly, knowledgeable, and full of advice.

Misc. knitting items to share:

I just cannot get over how much I am enjoying knitting this lacy stuff. I've got about 2400 yds of lace weight cream baby alpaca. I've been browsing all kinds of patterns both online and in books and magazines. Anyone have any favorites they'd like to share?

I've joined Heidi's new Secret Knitting Pal 2 program. Head on over to Heidi's blog to join us!

Are you a Bad-Ass Knitter? I'm not quite there yet, but I'm definitely working on it. Thanks Wendy!

Row 107

A lovely holiday weekend was had by all.

Saturday evening we attended a gathering of New Hampshire libertarians and free-staters at our friends Cal and Karen's house. Their house is situated on the top of a hill with a panoramic view of the Manchester skyline. We had perfect front porch seats for Manchester's fireworks, not to mention yummy burgers and delicious sangria. Yes, I knit Leaf Lace.

When we got home, it wasn't too too late, so we decided to watch Spiderman 1 on DVD in preparation for seeing the second one. When we saw it in the theater, it was at a drive-in, and I spent the first 10 minutes fidgeting around with seating arrangements etc. So it was nice to see it again in a more comfie arena. And of course I knit through the movie.

Sunday we painted the primer on the walls in the "library." I'm really looking forward to this room being finished being decorated. It's going to be a rich dark red/maroon with white trim, and will contain my grandfather's dark wood piano, several maple bookcases, and a couple of comfy reading chairs. The primer was tinted for better coverage. So for 24 hrs the library was pepto-bismo pink!

Then we went to the Merrimack 4th of July Parade. We planned well and arrived in time to get good parking and seats in the shade. The parade was a hoot. Definitely a semi-small-town affair, with appearances by Merrimack's own Miss Teen New Hampshire, Governor Benson, and the friendly folks at Less Mess Garbage Disposal company, whose sign read "If Feedom is What Your Wanting, ...something something...". I was so dumbfounded by the missing "r" from "Feedom" and the missing apostrophe and "e" from "Your" that I don't even remember what the rest of the sign said. And people wonder why we're planning to homeschool our kids? And yes, I knit Leaf Lace.

Sunday evening we were off to gathering #2 at a neighbor's for yummy chicken and "it's a small world" conversation. Turns out the couple hosting the get together are from Michigan and met in Ann Arbor. DH Mike grew up in Ann Arbor and we, too, met there in August 1987. A little relationship tidbit: Mike was 16 and in the summer before his Sr. year of high school; I was 20 and a Jr at University of Michigan. Scandalous, huh? :-) Oh yes, and I knit Leaf Lace.

And here we come to actual knitting content. One of the hosts' grandaughter (14 yrs old) asked about what I was knitting. I pushed everything down on the cable and added an extra length (gotta love those Denise's!) so that I could stretch it out so that she could see the pattern more clearly. Apparently I didn't click the join together all the way, because as I pulled it across to stretch it out, the join came apart and I lost about 10 stitches. I spent about 1/2 hr or so trying to knit it back up, but it just wasn't working. So I finally surrendered and ripped back about 5 or 6 rows. Then spent the next 1/2 hour after that, trying to pick it back up again. Life line? Oh I stopped doing THAT rows and rows ago once I realized I would never be more than two rows past a mistake before I caught it. ARG!!!

I finally did get it fixed, and I'm happy to say I'm now back to where I was and more.

Mike wasn't feeling up to going to fireworks on Sunday night, even though I kind of wanted to. So we compromised and watched the Patriot on DVD instead. Boy that evil British colonel sure was an a**hole!! Glad he got what was coming to him in the end. :-) I think we may make it a tradition to watch this movie every July 4th. Fun stuff.

Monday morning we painted the first coat in the library. It's definitely going to need at least 2 and maybe 3 coats. We'll see how it looks after the second coat. Yes, yes, I know you want pictures... I'll post them sooner or later.

Monday afternoon we went to see Spiderman 2. I really enjoyed it. The opening title sequence was really terrific. There were hand-drawn/painted (a la a graphic novel or comic book of course) scenes from the first movie. Just a single image from several points to jog the viewer's memory about the important events in the first film. Very nicely done. The plot itself could probably have been done in 30 minutes, but you don't really go to this kind of movie for plot. There were several great scenes between Peter and Mary Jane, and of course lots of Spidey swinging around. I've been a big Tobey Maguire fan since Pleasantville, one of my favorites.

I didn't knit during the movie, although I did bring my knitting, intending to at least knit while we waited. But it turns out we cut the timing kind of short and got into our seats after the previews had already started.

In adoption news, our homestudy may be finished this week, or next week at the latest. Then it's off to the international adoption agency in San Francisco for translation. Our referral could be just a couple of months away! To quote Carrie, YAY! :-)

What's on tap for this week? More library painting and more knitting!

New Knitty!

And is there really anything else to say? I mean, since you're going to go read Knitty anyway. :-)

Go read Knitty.com now.

See you tomorrow!