Almost There

There is a sense of relief and freedom that comes when a major project, like Rosarie, is finished.  Saturday night at 10:00pm the last threads were woven in, but by that time I was so tired I couldn't celebrate and just headed for bed.  The next morning was cold, gray and snowy and,even while Rosarie sat next to me, I just couldn't find the energy to block her and sew on the buttons.  If the sun had been shining, and there had been hope of a photo shoot, surely I would have found the energy.  As it was I stayed in my PJ's and knit the day away on Gloria, finishing up the second front.  Thank goddess we started the Sunday Stitch 'n Bitch group as it was only for this reason I dressed and left to be with the grrls. Tonight will be the best time to sew on the buttons and block my long time companion, Rosarie.  Maybe then my feelings for her will change and we'll be best friends again.

The last time I had strong feelings at the end of a project was when I finished Hanging Vines. That feeling was closer to mourning as this lovely project would no longer be 'in process'.  I quickly turned to Seaweed for comfort and found it in her beautiful waves and spaces.  Seaweed has again become my comfort and I tured to her throughout the weekend.  It would be very easy to exclude all other knitting as she is a joy to knit after the dense fabric of stranded knitting.  There seems to be a hole in my life if something in my knitting life isn't creating holes.

Gloria is quick knitting and the sleeves have just started to grow.  She should be finished before the end of the month and that means two sweaters will be complete, both from my stash.  If Seaweed doesn't take over completely there will be some sock knitting to show soon.  I might take a stash dive tonight and see what else pops up.  Each month I keep a running list of projects to document and date each step.  This month the list has stayed rather short compaired to other months.

*Rosarie 1-1-06 to 2-18-06
*Teri's Bag 2-05-06 to 2-09-06
Gloria 1-29-06 - In process
Child's First Sock 2-07-6 - In process
Seaweed - In process

Swatching for Cutaway continues. It seems that over the last month the last swatch shrank or I was over zealous and didn't count carefully enough. I'll keep you posted.

Comments

[jessie]

Rosarie is so beautiful. And you are so motivated to have stuck with it. Let's see the FO pictures!

[michele]

Oh good...I was wondering about Cutaway...and I can't wait to see Rosarie modeled! Take care.

[Lucia]

Rosarie is stunning! I have just started to do stranded work, and now I see it everywhere. I have been awed by some of the projects people are doing. Or have done, in Rosarie's case. Congrats!

[Anna]

Rosarie is lovely, what we can see. :) You make me wish I did colorwork.

[Beth]

It's like your nose has been to the grindstone to get through winter! Wonderful to have so many completed pieces for the effort - plus you've balanced it with enjoying the knits. :) The best of both worlds.

[Cara]

Rosalita! Come out tonight! ;-)

[Vera]

Whew! You pushed to get Rosarie done. Looking forward to the FO photos.

[Chris]

Hopefully the elements will converge harmoniously today for Rosarie finishing!

[Kathleen]

Long time companion! I don't think so--you really knit that quick!

[Rachel]

I can't wait to see the finished Rosarie. It must be gorgeous. I'm sure Cutaway will be a breeze to knit after all that colorwork! Aaah, stockinette stitch...

[stitchnsnitch]

I hate it when swatches shrink (or grow) after being put away for awhile. I think they do it on purpose to punish us for not starting their project immediately. ;)

[Carole]

I always keep track of my projects with a start and finish date, too. And I love when I can check one off! Hanging Vines is still one of my favorite things you have ever knit.

[Vicki]

I end up checking my own blog entries to figure out start dates for my projects!

Rosarie is stunning; looking forward to her debut.

[Jennifer]

Rosarie, how gorgeous is she? She will be so lovely with buttons and modeled. Of that I'm sure!

[Ruth]

Rosarie looks beautiful ... and I know what you mean about soothing knits. I've been working on a Clapotis for my sister in law, and its long rows of stockinette rows have been a balm to the spirit.

[Norma]

I agree with Katy -- long-time companion? NOT! I can't believe how you whipped through that. Makes me feel like a slacker. Can't wait to see the modeling shots.

[Beth S.]

A little slump at the end of a project is quite normal, I think. You'll do the buttons when you're ready--and I think that will be soon. :-)

Meanwhile, I'm glad you picked up Seaweed. She's been very patient, and deserves to be finished. ;-)

[christine]

Maybe it's a AS thing......Rosarie is beautiful! She certainly can wait a while for her buttons and blocking. She probably could use the rest.......;)

[Zarah]

What yarn are you using for Cutaway? I am alomst done with mine. Only about 5 more inches of sleeve to go!

[Snow]

Is your encouragement to buy a Starmore kit born of your satisfaction with Rosarie? Or are you just wanting to see me go insane? ;-)

[--Deb]

I can't wait to see the finished photos, either--the progress ones have been so gorgeous. And, I entirely understand what you mean about when a big project comes to an end--no matter how much I've enjoyed it, I'm always just a little relieved to get it DONE.

[janine]

Rosarie is looking beautiful. I look forward to the final photos:-)

[Agnes]

Funny I had the same feeling about the socks for my sock pal. This is why I stop working on it and turn to knit the socks for my husband. In my case, I think both the yarn and the pattern contribute the pleasure of knitting.

[claudia]

What a lovely selection of February projects.

[Stephanie]

Gorgeous projects and Rosarie will be finished when it's her time. As you always tell me, enjoy the process.

[JessaLu]

I can't wait to see Rosarie! :o)

[Imbrium]

Hrm...I need a PJs-and-knitting day.

I can't wait to see Rosarie in all her glory!

[Laura]

Do you need another comment on how fantastic Rosarie is? ;) Of course you do! Gorgeous. Just gorgeous.

[Risa]

Rosarie is absolutely inspirational. I know what you mean about the end of project feelings. Sometimes, I get into such a funk at the end of one that I flounder around looking for the next one that actually sticks. I wind up casting on item after item until that feeling goes away. Similar to the post great book let down as well. I look forward to seeing Rosarie in her full glory.

[Laura]

It sounds like Rosarie turned into heavy work instead of staying fun until the end. A demanding boss. As if you felt her forcing you to do the work because if you put her down until another time that time would be far off? I'm glad she's mostly finished. It must be exhausting to be a demanding boss - her buttons and blocking can wait until you're refreshed.

Thank goddess it's JUST KNITTING! :)

[regina]

Rosarie is simply breathtaking. you are, as always, an inspiration. Colorwork is very much on my mind right now.

You are such a prolific knitter! wow.

[Anne]

Anxiously awaiting the modeled view - I do love those colors!

[vanessa]

you are so temptimg me to knit rosarie. it is so sumptuous!

[Scout]

I love Rosarie. So pretty. And I love that ChicKnits pattern. Hummmmmmmmm. But the last time I started a garment it stayed on the needles. *sigh*

[caroline]

M, will you let me pet Rosarie when I come out there? hee.

[Birdsong]

I have been known to "hide" a favorite near completion from myself, getting other things in between me and completion so that I don't need to go through that mourning phase quite yet. I am anxious to see you modeling Rosarie though, as she is a real gem!

[Birdsong]

P.S. I just might have to make Cutaway, took a look at the website and noted that her model was in the "donkey" colorway of Cashsoft, a favorite yarn of mine. Are the stars lining up?