Catching Up On Knitting
It has been near 50 here all week. It’s hazy and gunky so you can’t see the mountains on the other side of the valley (or much of the valley) but, the filtered sun does get through. We’re wondering what happened to the January chill (looks like it’s in the East) because we’re having a January thaw instead. Thank goodness there is no snow on the ground or we would be socked in tight.
On Monday night I finished the body of Lotus. I had finished her on Saturday but in preparing to bind off it became apparent that I had a serious error in the neck decreases. Using the neck steek method as described by Wendy here, I knit merrily along not paying attention (at least well enough). The decreases for both sides all ended up on ONE side (didn't read the pattern right). Doubling the number of decreases made the front shoulder much smaller than the back. RIP! Into the frog pond she went. It was fairly easy to do but I had a messy mass of yarn and had to carefully reknit the neck just hoping to have few tangles. The goddess was with me as there was no problem and everything went smoothly after that (just slowly). I love the little patterned detail on the shoulders (large pic above). She feels like a major accomplishment, and yet she isn’t near completion. Two sleeves, a ton of finishing to come and that could take several more months. (Cassie the body is 27" long!) This will be another joy to wear NEXT winter.
And the Ribby keeps on knitting with little effort. The back, one front and half a sleeve (more than is pictured) are now knit. It might go a little more slowly as I started the Sockapalooza sock, which is going very quickly. It's pretty and fun too! Stop by Katy’s to see the pair her mother Susan made. I'll have more details to share on mine next week.
Make the weekend a good one!
It had to be tough to pull out the top front like you did. Good for you for doing it quickly and making it right. I would have been tempted to put her in the corner and punish her for a few months ;)
ps - The shoulder detail is really gorgeous!
Posted by: jody | January 21, 2005 at 04:18 AM
Wow, Lotus is looking SO pretty! And I am wishing for some time to get going on my ribby......sigh.....
Posted by: Norma | January 21, 2005 at 04:45 AM
That's going to be *stunning* and well worth the effort!
Posted by: Julie | January 21, 2005 at 04:59 AM
An accomplishment indeed! Great job.
Posted by: Colleen | January 21, 2005 at 05:13 AM
Oh, Margene, that mass of frogged yarn is heartbreaking! You sound like you took it all in stride, though. After everything you put into Lotus, you had better not let your Charlotte-stealing sister anywhere near her -- Lotus is all for you and she's going to be fabulous!
Posted by: Susan | January 21, 2005 at 05:35 AM
Wow - that Lotus is amazing! I feel like I can only dream of knitting something like that - I'm very, very impressed.
My ribby cardi is going so slowly. I had the back finished but ripped it all because of gauge, and now I just can't get moving on it again.
Posted by: Cara | January 21, 2005 at 05:35 AM
Well, I'm within about an inch of finishing the body of my very simple you-know-what. And thankfully its nowhere near 27" long. And of course, its nowhere near as beautiful as your Lotus, either.
Posted by: Cassie | January 21, 2005 at 05:39 AM
Lotus is gorgeous. I don't mind making the steeks, they look so beautiful and the stitches so orderly. But, the idea of cutting them sends a chill up my back. Have a good weekend. The cold has settled in here.
Posted by: Judy | January 21, 2005 at 05:53 AM
Beautiful work, Margene! Glad you just tackled it and got it over with.
Posted by: Mary Beth | January 21, 2005 at 05:57 AM
Hey I hate it that you had to visit the frog pond but she looks great nevertheless. ~Smiles~ Hey on your socks that you are making. I didn't know there was such thing as a sock that knitted up fast?
Posted by: Nyxxie | January 21, 2005 at 06:23 AM
Lotus is just beautiful, Margene. I feel like I've been frogging more than knitting on my silly little mittens -- nothing compared to what you've had to do -- but what else can you do?
Posted by: Vicki | January 21, 2005 at 06:33 AM
LOtus is stunning! I can't wait to see her assembled. Looking forward to seeing another pair of sock as well ... I can't seem to get mine working. Could someone knit a pair of socks on 10.5 dpn?
Posted by: Sara* | January 21, 2005 at 07:29 AM
Lotus is a work of art~ truly beautiful. You amaze me with your productivity. Happy weekend!
Posted by: Annie | January 21, 2005 at 09:15 AM
Hurry up and finish Lotus already! I can't wait to see it!
Posted by: monica | January 21, 2005 at 10:15 AM
Lotus is gorgeous, Margene, and well worth all the time and effort. I need to get moving on Ingeborg. This is a good reminder.
Posted by: Nathania | January 21, 2005 at 10:23 AM
Lotus is so gorgeous I just want to swipe it!
Posted by: Heather | January 21, 2005 at 11:32 AM
Lotus is awesome!
Makes my fingers itch for my Shirt Tail Hemmed Fair Isle.
Posted by: Teresa | January 21, 2005 at 01:14 PM
Lotus is awesome!
Makes my fingers itch for my Shirt Tail Hemmed Fair Isle.
Posted by: Teresa | January 21, 2005 at 01:14 PM
Beautiful work on Lotus. I've got to start on my square for Erin soon. I love the yarn Meg brought.
Posted by: Shannon | January 21, 2005 at 02:28 PM
wonderful work! have a great weekend!
Posted by: froggy | January 21, 2005 at 03:00 PM
gorgeous colors! go fair isle, grrl!
Posted by: lynette | January 21, 2005 at 04:47 PM
Lovely work. It is so beautiful!
Posted by: Lolly | January 22, 2005 at 05:58 AM
Lotus is looking just beautiful. The colors and patterning are lovely!
Posted by: Deb | January 22, 2005 at 04:30 PM
Oh Lotus is so lovely! Your Lotus was actually the object that tipped my scales in favor of Fair Isle. I'm taking a class at Stitches and I just hope I can ever make something as lovely as this someday. Also, I'm living vicariously (again) through your Ribby, as it's been determined I won't be making this one even though I really want to do so.
Posted by: jenifleur | January 22, 2005 at 10:21 PM
Hasn't the weather been SO bizarre?? I see all of the great snow pics from NE bloggers, and I look out at my own rainy backyard...it's just not fair, is it?
Lotus and Ribby are both looking fantastic. I wish wish wish I were small enough for Ribby. Can't wait to see them on you!
Posted by: Kim | January 23, 2005 at 10:42 AM
Had to frog a Dale once, so I know the feeling. Sat in my knitting basket for three months while I waited for a miracle. It's gorgeous, Margene!
Posted by: Jean | January 24, 2005 at 02:01 AM
Lovely Lotus...wish I could be more competent in fairisle so that my future projects would be up to mark!
Posted by: Emy | January 24, 2005 at 03:23 AM