Garden Lupinus

I'm a super speedy knitter most of the time, except when confronted with decisions or transitions, whereupon my knitting usually ends up languishing in some corner for an irresponsible length of time. So, naturally, I wasn't very surprised when it came time to remove the sleeves onto waste yarn and Wicked went on hiatus. It's not that I don't know how to remove the sleeves (a pretty straight forward procedure!), but I start agonizing over whether I've knit enough or too much, and I find myself paralyzed, unable to move forward. The simple thing, as advised by the Zephyr girls, would be to remove the sleeves, try sweater on, and procede from a point of knowledge rather than speculation. Well, this has finally been done! And I'm getting back up to speed. . . Here's my progress thus far:







And some earlier pictures since I've been so lazy about blogging:








With any luck I'll be wearing this soon! Hopefully before the rainy season ends. . .

Edited to add:

Information on my fabulous dress form!

Pretty In Pink

When I'm in the groove, I knit fast and hard. My enthusiasm and determination propel me forward long into the night, needles clicking when I should be sleeping. Some might even call me obsessive. . . ; ) Conversely, I'm often slow to get started on a new project, second guessing every element of the process - yarn choice, pattern, needles (swatch did you say? but isn't guessing so much more "adventurous!?") Despite my aversion to swatching, I whole-heartedly approve of it and fully recognize the benefits, which is why I often have such a difficult time at the onset of a project, refusing to swatch, but refusing, also, to just dive in. In fact, this dilemna says a lot about who I am - an inherently lazy, procrastinating, perfectionist. It's a wonder I ever accomplish anything, sitting as I do, on my ass, anxiously twiddling my thumbs!

My intent for blogging today was to document my stash, my WIPs, and my pending projects, possibly with the intent of shaming myself into some knitting action, but the light was so murky that I was unable to capture any decent pictures. Instead I'll post two pictures for Kathy. What I won't do for the illustrious Grumperina. . .

I gifted this hat to a friend's daughter, but first insisted my son model it for my records. He wasn't particularly amenable to this, not because the hat is pink, which color he is very fond of, but because he is a boy and rarely stops moving! I was lucky to get the first altogether better shot, focused and with good composition, but my personal favorite is the second. Just look at his expression in that picture. Priceless. Oh, and in the background is the lovely quilt that my grandmother Dora made in 1935. Vintage doesn't get any better.




Eyelet Ruffle Hat
Clip yarn, color 196

Sleepless In Oakland

Knight Rider: Chain Mail Dress-up from New Knits on the Block by Vickie Howell.

40% completed over a one-week period at a semi-leisurely pace. 60% completed in a mad frenzy of postponed knitting over a 24-hour period.

3 hours of sleep last night, 8 hours of knitting.

Was it worth it? My little knight eagerly donned his costume this morning, wore it for three hours straight, through progressively warmer weather, without a single complaint, brandishing his sword hither and yon, and looking more perfect than I could have imagined. Yes.

I didn't manage to knit the hood, but justify this with "he probably wouldn't wear it anyway, because he's really sensitive to itchy yarn and he gets so hot that he wears short sleeves long into winter." Oy, maybe I'll crank it out in time for All Hallow's Eve. . .

Many thanks to Vickie who supplied me with a bag of the discontinued Soiree yarn that the pattern calls for! I had my heart set on this yarn as it really does look like chain mail, so I was thrilled when she came to the rescue. . . .

Yarn Habit

There is much yarn buying, some dyeing and not enough knitting happening around here. This is soon to change. I promise. When it does you will hear more from me.