Blame The Yarn...

Good Morning Everyone!

I'm just going to start off by thanking Paula for her comment regarding my "twist" issue. This past week has been extremely emotional for me. My mind has not been wanting to focus, knitting is my comfort, but sometimes it tests me when I don't deserve to be tested. Enter Antipodes, lol...I was so excited to use a new technique I'd seen. I don't like using a backward loop cast on, I usually substitute a cable cast on, the edge is more stable and honestly, looks better (thank you, Mimi for the high standard of finishing). So I get to the section to connect the two fronts, excited to try out this variation of the cable cast. It works beautifully, it's going to make picking up the neckline stitches super easy. Just so you know, I AM NOT WORKING IN THE ROUND!! This section is worked flat and I am going along and after a few rows I straighten the stitches to admire my work and it's not flat. It is definitely curling around my needle, so I try to untwist it near the join and keep going, certain it's fixed, denial has set in. I have that nagging feeling that it still isn't fixed, yep, I'm right. Let the frogging begin.

I channel Sandy, who always says, "Just follow the instructions." I decide I've cursed myself by going down my own little side path and do the stupid backward loop cast on. I take the extra precaution and put clips on the section to prevent twisting it again. I'm only dealing with 44 freaking stitches, how hard is this? I'm knitting this section so painstakingly slow, paying extra attention to each stitch, making sure it's not twisting, I get through the first row, remove the clips and subsequent short rows, I'm feeling really good, I stop to check my work, Holy shit, I can't even believe my eyes, it twisted AGAIN! I have no idea how this is even possible, it's never happened to me working a garment flat. Annoyed doesn't begin to explain what I'm feeling, and believe me, my bandwidth was already very low. Let the frogging begin, again...

This time, I decide to use my new cast on technique, afterall, THREE TIMES THE CHARM, RIGHT?!?! I do learn from my mistakes so I added 2 extra stitches and decided to work the row even and then decrease on each side for the neckline front. IT WORKED!!! I posted my success, I knew you were all waiting to hear the outcome. God bless Paula, she said, "Fabulous! So sorry your yarn wasn't cooperating!" Nothing like a little validation and transference of blame, it was totally the yarn's fault! I am happy to report that my sweater is coming along nicely, I even enjoyed knitting the section of colorwork flat, which I usually hate. This sweater has been interesting to construct, the pattern is extremely well written and walks you through each step. I will say this, if a section appears to be unclear, TURN THE PAGE!!! It's all there in black and white.

The KAL gals will be meeting this Saturday, August 22nd from 9-11:00, it is the official cast on day. I jump started mine so I could be the leader and beacon of light should it become unclear how to proceed. So if you'd like to join in, you're not too late, the more the merrier! If the Antipodes isn't your thing, my friend Carly dropped off a gorgeous vest for me to borrow as a shop sample. She saw that I had received baa ram ewe Woodnote dk, we were discussing what to knit with it. I immediately thought of Thea Colman, guess what? She'd knit the Reposado vest recently, it is now in my shop for you to see! It is absolutely beautiful, my friend Linda was recently in and bought yarn to knit one. I think this is a sign...unfortunately for Carly, hers fits me perfectly, good luck getting it back, lol (just kidding). The days are getting noticeably shorter, sunrise isn't until almost 6:00 and sunset is before 8:00, FALL IS COMING. Vests are perfect for this time of the year, light layer over your flannel shirt is perfect! Stop by for a lot of inspiration, I have LOTS OF VESTS!!!

We will be meeting tomorrow evening, Wednesday 6-7:30, for Stitch and Bitch. We will continue to meet outside as long as we can. As you know, I only have 7 lawn chairs available. You can certainly use one, but if you could bring a chair as back up, some of our newer friends don't realize the chair situation. Make it a great day and I hope to see you soon!

Katy