Long Time Coming

KNITTING
Here it is - the sweater I've been anticipating for months is now the sweater I'm falling in love with.  It is just challenging enough to keep my interest and make me want to pick up and knit a few rows.  It is easy enough to grab when I sit down to watch TV or  work on while reading on my computer. I am thoroughly enjoying this project!

Colorwork finished! (about 250 stitches around)

The sweater pattern and video are not overly clear (or I'm overly dense) regarding the start of the sweater and the colors.  I assumed that I would be starting with the main color of the sweater when casting on, then switching to the other colors.  But the instructions tell you to start with pattern color 1, which is not the same as the main color.  Point taken.  Rip out and start over.

Neck edge cast on in wrong color!

Neck edge in correct color

 I quickly had to leave the double pointed needles (used for small circumferences)  and switch to circular needles.  Since none of them were long enough, I had three going at the same time! I needed at least 24-32 inches and only had 16 inch circulars.  It looked and felt like knitting with stiff spaghetti!

Connected two circulars into one long needle - much neater

All that's left of the brown yarn

The brown in the picture above is all that's left of pattern color 1.  I dyed one skein (only 1) and nearly used all of it for the color work.  If I ran out, I was not going to be able to replicate the color.  Thank goodness there was enough!

Center section to be cut (steeked) Yikes!@#$%

The front center has a purl stitch that's repeated all the way down the front, and will eventually be cut and a button band will be attached. This is the process called steeking which makes a pullover into a cardigan sweater. The reason this is attractive, is that you eliminate having to knit lots of separate pieces and then stitch them all together.  This sweater is knit all in one piece.

SPINNING
 In the very small world of spinners, there's a little war going on.  Everybody wants to get a Turkish spindle from Jenkins, and the one to get is the Kuchulu.  But you can't buy one.  The only ones being made are other varieties of Turkish spindles, all just a bit bigger than the teeny tiny Kuchulu which will literally fit inside your eyeglass case.  You can hardly even buy a used one, as they rarely become available and sell in just a few hours after being posted. Wow.

The idea behind these itty bitty spindles, is that you can finally take your spinning with you, and discreetly spin without making a big scene.  Other people are on their mobile phones, checking social sites and emails, texting and chatting.  For spinners, we've had to make do with taking along a small pair of socks to knit, so that we can get our little fix, the same way you might play with your smart phone.  But there's not really been a way to slip some spinning into your wait time at the DMV, or before the movie starts.  Now there is!  Now there are some super small, portable, handmade spindles, perfect for spinning on the subway or in the car without disturbing the people around you.

READING
 I can hardly remember what my reading goals for the year were.  This is a shabby area for me that needs some work.  Being distracted doesn't help.  I want to put a Shelfari or something on my blog page and  maybe that will help.  Any suggestions would be appreciated!

PERSONAL
My parents came for a visit last week and it truly filled my emotional tank.  We spent some good, concentrated time with each other and the rest of the family here in Tennessee.  I am so thankful for them and cherish each and every time we spend together.

Yesterday we all helped my son and his wife do some cleaning on their new house.  It's been vacant for a long time, and needed some TLC.  We painted, swept, vacuumed, steamed, and power washed. Good as new! Moving day is next weekend, and I'm glad there's a little break between the cleaning and the moving.  My out-of-shapeness screamed when we hit the sack last night.  I seriously needed some painkillers!




 

Out of this Whorl

SPINNING
In whatever time I choose to sit and spin, I am rewarded in the mega category with this kind of stuff: beautiful wool and angora for my upcoming sweater project.  I need a catchy, cutesie name for the sweater.  Something that makes you tilt your head and smile.   Hope to cast on this week!

Spinning for Sweater Project - Kromski 12:1 Whorl ratio

Batts and another bobbin full of yarn

Yarns already in the stash

New kid on the block - 11 wpi

KNITTING
I finally finished and gifted the Argyle golf club cover to my son in law.  He really liked it and that makes all knitting worth while.  Its bulky, but wasn't too hard - it just took me a while to finish it.  I'm so glad  it turned out well, but I had a heck of a time getting a good picture.  The previous posts have better pictures for sure. 

Argyle Golf Club Cover for my son in law

actual colors

Argyle Golf Club Cover in color (purple and yellow)

Wonderful Son in Law - golfer extraordinaire!

Sweater Project Swatches
To start the sweater project I need to achieve 19 sts. per 4 inches or 4.75 stitches per inch.  In the picture below, the wooden needles at the top were probably the right size for the yarn, but the gauge was off.
The pink size 7 needles gave a closer gauge, but still not on the money. The size 6 needles in the second picture were about as close as I was going to get. 

Size 7 Needles - gauge too large

Size 6 Aero Bernat needles - gauge just right!

PERSONAL
Lots of things are happening with our family right now, and after a couple of rough weeks, there is a lot to be thankful for.  My SIL and DD are back safely from Disneyworld and they had a marvelous time!   My DS and DIL are finally closing on their house this week and will be moving soon!
My husband works a few hours a week for our church on Sunday mornings, helping with the worship band and singers during the service.  Each week there is a different "worship leader" or "song leader" depending on your religious persuasion.  I have to say that each one, while uniquely different, is a truly kindhearted and good person.  People give these folks a bad rap sometimes, thinking they're diva's or high maintenance.  I have to say in our case, they are far and away genuinely caring, humble individuals, and every week my husband comes home from church, glad that they worked together. We are truly blessed to know these talented people.

READING
I have Careless in Red by Elizabeth George on both audio and ebook formats from the library.  That way I can jump from one to the other.  Good book, good writing, but a little sad, which doesn't make me jump at the chance to read very often.
I'm also re-reading this book by Stormie Omartian.  Very good, every time I read it! 

GARDENING
We have had so much rain this summer, that our ground is soft and saturated.  My zinnia garden is full of flowers, and I cut a few here and there for vases in the house.  They are so easy to grow, I sometimes forget they're out there.  My roses and whirling butterflies have had bugs all year, and the blooms are weak looking.  I'm sure its from all the rain and lack of sunshine.  Too bad!