Well, I didn’t get this post out very early today. Our internet was down for awhile. On a totally unrelated note, I got lots of laundry done this morning. 😉
Although it looks as though I there’s a lot of knitting here, it’s really not as much as it seems. I finished my ginger cardigan, weaved in all ends and blocked it. Done! I’ve never finished an adult sweater, and this one was all fingering weight on top of it! I was right in thinking it just needed blocking. After of day on the blocking board, it really started laying perfectly and I’m so very, very pleased with it. The belt however, that Knut suggested isn’t working super great. That’s no big deal, though.
So I’ve committed myself to finishing the pattern writing for the ginger cardigan by lining up my favorite tech editor and telling her when she should have it in her inbox. I’m thinking this pattern will be out around Easter time.
I really want to show you pictures of it worn, but I want to take some good photos of it for the pattern, and I’ll probably have to model it. I just haven’t had time for Knut to take pictures of me in it, but the weather is holding nice, so it shouldn’t be too long.
In the meantime, I’ve been working on a Little Pearl Vest for my niece who will be turning 2 soon. This time I chose a little elephant motif. I first realized I messed up the elephants when I saw the second row had longer trunks than the first row. I decided to leave it, but now in the fourth row, I see that I’ve accidentally eliminated a whole row of the pattern, so I’m having to back track a bit. I’m really annoyed with it right now.
So when I’m annoyed, what do I do but cast on something else. I picked up some lace weight wool and want to try my hand at designing a shawl. I absolutely love the yarn. (Malabrigo lace) The fabric it is knitting is insanely soft. I have been forming so many shawl ideas in my head, but there are drawbacks to that. I’m designing/knitting them because 1)they seem really fun to knit and design 2)It’s knitting up surprisingly quickly 3)Shawl patterns rarely need size grading so that sounds fun.
However, I don’t at this time wear shawls that often. I’m a little worried that I’m going to knit up 5 different patterns because I enjoy it and they’ll just sit around. Don’t get me wrong, I’d like a few. I just don’t need as many as are in my design notebook.
So any sisters/moms/cousins/friends who have interest in future shawls, drop big hints around Christmas/birthdays.
Silje and I are still reading A Little Princess
. I had an embarrassing time of it last night. It was the chapter where it was Sara’s birthday party and Miss Minchin finds out that Sara’s father has died leaving her penniless. So she puts an end to the birthday party, makes Sara change out of her party dress, humiliates her in pounding in where her new place in society was. She was no longer an heiress, she was a beggar and should act like one.
. I had an embarrassing time of it last night. It was the chapter where it was Sara’s birthday party and Miss Minchin finds out that Sara’s father has died leaving her penniless. So she puts an end to the birthday party, makes Sara change out of her party dress, humiliates her in pounding in where her new place in society was. She was no longer an heiress, she was a beggar and should act like one. Miss Minchin was just so mean, and when she was done with her self –imposed job of humbling the little girl, she asked Sara to thank her for showing kindness to her by giving her a home (where she was to basically be Miss Minchin’s slave). The proud Sara boldy said “You are not kind, and this is not a home.” The meanness and cruelty shown to Sara on the day when her world caved in had me crying.
No, I mean really crying. I had to stop reading over 5 times so I could gain control over my voice so we could finish the chapter. The book is way more in detail and shows so much more than any movie ever did. I haven’t started bawling during a read aloud since last year when we read Mountain Born
. Once again, Silje was just fine, and rubbed my back and kept telling me it was just a story and it would all be okay.
. Once again, Silje was just fine, and rubbed my back and kept telling me it was just a story and it would all be okay.
Jessica Snell says
March 21, 2012 at 4:50 pmOh my goodness, I can see how that left you crying!
Katy says
March 21, 2012 at 5:44 pmI love and hate that book at the same time. The first time I read it, I was so sad I had to stop midway and I didn’t come back to it till a year later. I’ve yet to see a movie that really got the sadness of that book.
Tracey says
March 21, 2012 at 6:33 pmCongratulations on finishing your sweater. I will be very excited to see the pattern when you have it ready.
I remember crying while reading certain books to my children; they use to look at me, pat my cheek and tell me it was ok, it’s just a story!
Have a happy yarn along day.
little macaroon. says
March 21, 2012 at 7:38 pmI’ve never made a grown up sweater before either… perhaps when your pattern is ready I’ll need to give it ago!
Stacy says
March 21, 2012 at 8:08 pmI love the picture of your projects…something about the light and the beautiful yarn colors. A Little Princess was a great book. I remember that part, I think I cried too. I remember reading The Color of My Words to my #1 and sobbing during it, she was fine, just like you described and kept reassuring me.
Jen says
March 22, 2012 at 1:49 pmAwww! That’s so sweet. Your child was comforting YOU.
Mom says
March 29, 2012 at 4:06 amThey are all cute of course, but 4,5, and 6 show the sweater well! Great job, Gretchen! I love the color choice…and it matches the color of the chicken as well! 🙂