Good Morning Everyone!
We are finally benefitting from all the cold, dreary rain, sort of. I love seeing the flowers and watching my gardens get lush, but with this comes, you guessed it, BUGS! OMG I have a welt on my forehead the size of Texas, thank God I just had bangs cut. It itches something fierce, I also have two of it's siblings nicely tucked behind my left ear and another one on my shin, I'm a mess...I'm trying so hard not to dig at them, but it's as difficult as leaving a hair in your mouth, tough to ignore. At least the bugs weren't up yet when Bernie and I went to Hard'ack this morning, it was a bit chilly which usually keeps them at bay. The wildflowers, on the other hand, are simply exploding. I don't recall seeing so much trillium, yellow trout lillies, purple & yellow violets and the moss is beautiful. I do love Spring and watching the landscape come back to life after the long dark days of winter. I'm also much more accepting of Bernie's early morning Reveille at 5:00 when it's at least light out, early bird gets the worm, in Bernie's case, the squirrel, he has the scars...
I'm pleased to report that my Drawing Sweater IS FINISHED!! For the first time ever, I actually wove in the ends before I was done knitting the sweater, no idea how that happened. I was watching 60 Minutes and decided it was time to weave in the ends. When opportunity knocks, we listen, right? I'm never in the mood to weave in my ends, this was definitely a first, I've worn sweaters without weaving the ends in lol...anyone else? I did get her nicely laid out in the sun after her long soak to relax those stitches. I've been a bit concerned about the lack of stitch uniformity in the alpaca yarn, hoping that it would even out after blocking. My stitches are extremely consistent, I knit on the tight side of the spectrum, so this yarn was throwing me off a bit. I've never knit with 100% alpaca so I'm not sure if this is the norm or not, my stitches look curled. I haven't checked the sweater this morning, but I will say, from a distance, the sweater is beautiful and I'm happy. I'm going to cling to that feeling of happiness and hope that the sleeves no longer look like they were knit on different size needles. I couldn't help but notice that my sleeves look different, like fraternal twins different, WTF?!?!? I have no idea, so don't ask me unless you want one of my surly responses lol. Tell me it's gorgeous and you have no idea what I'm talking about...
My Manarola sweater is creeping along at a snail's pace. There's a pretty good chunk of the color work that involves three colors, UGH!!! I'm trying desperately not to lose my shit when the yarn gets all tangled, even though I'm sooooo careful not to do so. It doesn't seem to matter what I do, in a matter of minutes it's twisted and curling up on itself. I no sooner get myself into a good rhythm when I'm forced to stop in order to alleviate the yarn that has become a tourniquet around my finger. First world problem I know, but one would think, by now, in my long knitting career, I'd have figured this out, NOPE! Do not suggest using two hands to carry, I can only perform that task with two colors and it isn't pretty. That said, it will be worth every bit of my frustration, the sweater is so BEAUTIFUL. I'm desperately channeling a sense of accomplishment with each completed round, and forcing that frustration away. I was going to say that soon I'll be finished with the color work and will likely start complaining how boring it is after dividing for the front and back. Guess what? The entire sweater is color work, so hang on, it's going to be a long ride.
I just realized that I get to cast on another project!!!! OMG HAPPY DAY!!!! I do have swatching in my future, ANDRA has sent me my mini skeins to play with before she gets here on WEDNESDAY, MAY 24TH FOR STITCH AND BITCH, MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!! I likely have a couple days to start something new before my package of goodies arrives, she better have put chocolate in mine....Mother's Day is this Sunday, I have some adorable Yarn Bouquets available along with kits, gift certificates, and my extraorinary power of suggestion. We will be meeting for Stitch and Bitch tomorrow evening, Wednesday from 6-7:30 I hope you can join in the fun. Make it a great day and I'll see you soon!
Katy
P.S. I'm just going to tease you by saying, GET READY FOR CHRISTMAS IN JULY!!! OMG wait until you see what Carrie and I have planned......