From the Process to the Pit

What do you do when you finish knitting something you loved so much, where every stitch was a pleasure and a joy? I wouldn't recommend jumping into a pit but that's just what I did.  If knitting is a garden then Hanging Vines was the rose...Chamomile is the weed. This project is not about the process, it is project driven and only because she WILL be a nice sweater when finished.  Since this WAS finished once upon a time, I know it will be...otherwise I could not continue.  After knitting with the silk/merino of Judy's beautiful yarn, the Summer Tweed cotton/silk feels like rope.  The needles are large (8's again) and the stitches are hard to form. This is causing pain in my hands and arm. Sitting with perfect posture is the only way to keep the pain at bay (this is a good thing).  The body is finished and only the sleeves remain...it will be a sweater by months end (it must be!). After seaming up the sides I tried it on and found it fits perfectly. This has helped me to go on.

The Seaweed Wrap has been hanging around here too long and her pattern is enough like Hanging Vines that she will be the right piece to knit. ('The process' returns.)  I bought the kit from Virtual Yarns some time ago and knit only 12" over the last year.  It's time to invest in this beautiful project again. The wool is such a rich color of rust (Tormentil) with tweedy flecks of deep gray, gold and bright red. Now that the temperatures are cooler this will be a lovely knit to have in the lap (if it ever grows long enough).

But what should appear in my mailbox on Monday!? When you have a fabulous Better Pal, who seems to understand the lace addiction you enjoy, and knows just what will feed your spirit...gorgeous, gorgeous silk, lace weight...how can you not dive in?  The colors are my favorites!  Since several   other people have knit the Diamond Fantasy Shawl,  I was aided and abated into buying the pattern. It arrived late last week and with the yarn and pattern nearby (who puts away knitting patterns the minute they arrive?!) I had to cast on just to see if it would work.  But, again nearby, I saw the 'must have' new shawl book, which also arrived last week, and looked through it for inspiration. Inside is a simple shawl pattern with a beautiful edge and I'm considering it instead.

Donations have slowed down a bit for Give A Little. We continue to give away thank you gifts and there are dozens to give. Please check to see if you have won a prize. 

Comments

[Lee Ann]

The colour of your Chamomile is so gorgeous, you *have* to finish this...and a little hyper-good posture is a good thing ;-)

[Carole]

I've been eyeing that Diamond shawl, too. And the seaweed wrap is going to be gorgeous!

[Kim]

WOW.......it's all good, the things you are working on. I love your Seaweed shawl!

Amazing that over 89,000.00 have been raised for Katrina!! Let's hope that we won't have to do this again for Rita. :(

[Cara]

Oh no. Is that book really good? Would I like it? Do I need to buy it? Tell me honestly, please.

Your DFS will be GORGEOUS! And it's such a great knit. Can't wait to see what you do with it!

[Lolly]

That yarn for the Diamond Fantasy shawl is lovely. Good luck on those WIPs, Margene!

[Norma]

Vote for Chamomile, vote for Chamomile!

[Laurie]

Maybe a set number of rows per day for Chamomile? A goal to attain, then permission to work on something joyous? I'm going to buy lace yarn at Rhinebeck for something icelandic. The shawls PULL me in.

[Teri]

The yarn from your Better Pal is so pretty that it would look great as anything!

[Judy]

I hate knitting with Summer Tweed so much that 2 summers have passed now with this one lovely hjalf finished shell still on the needles. YUCK!

[regina]

The seaweed wrap is beautiful. And that silk is incredible! I'm sorry Chamomile isn't cooperating. It will be a lovely sweater, though, and as you point out,you don't have more to do.

[La]

I've been eyeing that diamond lace shawl for a little while now.

That silk lace yarn is gorgeous! A lot like the colors I just did leaf lace in. Who's the manufacturer? I LOVE silk and silk-blend yarns.

[MJ]

Wow, your BP rocks. Shimmery silk... gorgeous. And of course, yet another lace book to add to the wish list! So many projects, so little time...

[Kathleen]

Ooh...that new yarn is goregous!

[Patti]

That silk lace-weight is GORGEOUS. Who made it?

P.S. I sent you an email re a gift for donators.

[sandy]

GO ahead, finish that camomille. :) Do it! Don't make me take out my pompoms!
Love the seaweed. And dang it all, I did not get an invite into the BP's. I pouted, but I'm over it. I think.
haha!
xoxo

[stephanie]

I know just the shawl you mean in the "must have" shawl book.
Do that one.

[Dianna]

If you are having pain while knitting, look at the type of needles you are using. Circular needles are better for repetitive work type injuries, as they keep the weight of the project centered on your lap, instead of having to be supported by your wrists. Also, the material of the needles makes a difference - wood & bamboo are warmer to the touch, and gentler to the hands and wrists for that reason. At least that is information that was passed on through Knitter's magazine about 10-12 years ago to avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & aggravating arthritic hands and wrists.

[Wanda]

Garments made of Summer Tweed are really beautiful, but knitting with it is the absolute pits. I attempted one of my first summer garments out of Summer Tweed and only finished the first piece of it and got tired. Hands hurt from knitting and it felt like I was knitting with burlap. After it sat for 2 years and a friend tried to finish up the first piece for me, the yarn had started rotting and broke. I ripped out the whole thing and will never knit with it again, although when I see it knit up, I am tempted.

[Birdsong]

Wow, you have been so productive of late! I am envious, as I am not getting nearly enough time to knit, and just found a shawl pattern I can't wait to make top of the list, once a few things in the way get done. When that feeling of crush happens, it turns into product instead of process for me... oh, well!