Wendy Knits

Dunno why, but I am In A Mood. Well, yeah, I know why. A large number of small things that add up to big annoyance, mostly work-related. Why is it that some people are incapable of following even the most simple of directions?

Grrrrrrrr . . .

And the crappy weather ain’t helping.

I ask you. It’s enough to make a girl want to use her size 0000 steel dpns in a way not recommended by the manufacturer.

Thank you for listening. Back to knitting now.

I worked on my beloved Abalone last night because there’s a problem with the pattern I’m test-knitting and I’m waiting for the designer to get back to me with how he wants me to proceed.

Ah, Abalone! Abalone! All other knitting is full of baloney.

Lucy agrees.

New Project

Woo! Woo! New project alert! What do you suppose this is?

What? You can’t tell from that photo? It’s Norfolk, from Alice Starmore’s Fisherman Knits. Knitted in the Peruvian Collection Baby Silk in the “butter pecan” color (purchased from Elann). I’m using size 2.5mm and 3.0mm needles and it’s my commuter knitting.

Perhaps it would be more accurate to say it’s my “knit a few stitches at work at lunchtime when I get a chance” project. I’ve not been able to knit on the train for a while — too crowded.

It’s a sick sick world when the train is jam-packed full at 5:30am.

My, I’m just a whiney girl today, aren’t I? I make no apologies, but revel in my whineyness.

But here’s something cheery — a finished Booga Bag. Isn’t she purty?

And what did I block her on?

Two small size Priority Mail boxes. They fit perfectly and the price is right!

We had a tie, and you’ll soon see why.

I got lots of fun entries — many of you suggested gloves or wristwarmers, sexy undies, hot water bottle covers, socks, hats, scarves, and little shoulder shawls. But the entries that made it to the finals were the ones where the person said she would knit something for someone else. And two really stood out from the crowd.

Since I only had the one skein of cashmere to give away, I flipped a coin.

The winner is Kerrie!

Here’s her winning entry:

I would use the 200 yards of cashmere to make a twisted rib vest top for Brooke (age 4). It would be a similar style to the picture attached below however a little lower at the front and with no stripes. It would be worked in one piece with ribbon fastenings at the back. I would also use a fine ribbon to make straps for the top of the vest, similar to the Phildar tiny tank that Alison, Claudia and a number of other people including myself made last year.

The stitch pattern would be my favourite twisted rib stitch worked over a number of stitches divisible by 4

Row 1 Purl 2 Knit 2 to end
Row 2 Purl 2 Knit 2 to end
Row 3 Purl 2 Knit 2 together but before removing stitches from left needle knit the first stitch again and then move them both over to end.

And she very cleverly attached a photo of beautiful Brooke.

Doesn’t this little sweetie deserve something knit from cashmere? I think she does, and I defy you to think otherwise.

But wait, there’s more!

The runner up was Johanne in Sweden, with this entry:

If I was to win that lovely cashmere yarn I would make a bucket o´chic-hat
for my daughter Elise.
You can see what she looked like aged 2 on the picture I´ve attached (sorry
I don´t hava a more recent digital photo of her).
But she is still blond with rosy cheeks and I think that she would do a hat
in the colourway peaches justice.

And she just as cleverly attached a photo of Elise.

Isn’t she adorable? How could I not send her something as well? So I’m sending off to Johanne a consolation prize of some Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock yarn to knit something for her little Elise.

I think the blue colorway will look lovely on Elise!

Thanks to everyone who entered! It was great fun!

(No doubt I will now be accused of excessive child sentimentality.)

My New Knitter

My new knitter came in the office on Friday with some more done on her swatch. Her tension has improved and her knitting is now very even. She told me she has a friend with a baby due in September, and would like to knit a baby blanket for her. So we’ll be looking for patterns for pretty, easy blankets.

Ex-TREME Hedonism! News

My dad emailed me to tell me that he loves his Ex-TREME Hedonism Neckwrap I made and gave him for Christmas. Thanks, Geane, for a great pattern! and for sending me the yarn to make it! What more could a girl ask for?

Abalone

I’ve made more progress. Here it is:

I started the armhole steeks this weekend. Here’s a close-up:

This is a long cardigan — much longer than most Starmore fair isles. It finally occurred to me that’s why it’s taking me so long to complete the body. Duh.

Today is a federal holiday, so no work for me! Yay!

Lucy celebrates by chowing down.

What a cute li’l swatch!

This is Lamullgarn, 100% lambswool yarn, available from NordicFiberArts. I’m knitting up a test swatch on size 3mm needles and am getting 7.5 stitches/inch. I thought this would make a nice alternate yarn for knitting gansies. Even in this dark color, the little seed stitch diamond I worked in the middle shows up well (though I can’t photograph it — there’s something about the color red!), so I’m thinking I’ll have to order me up a bunch!

Wendyknits Message Board

So happy to see so many people have registered for the Message Board. And a few questions are popping up on the board. Remember, anyone and everyone can post on the board — feel free to ask/answer questions, offer opinions, share experiences, etc. The only rule is . . . play nice! I do have the power to ban. Tee hee. Though I’ve never had to ban anyone from my comments (apart from SpamBots) so I don’t see it happening over at the message board either.

I’ll pop in to see what’s going on there and particpate as well, never fear. I think it’ll be fun!

New Knitter-to-Be!

Today at lunch I start teaching a woman in my office to knit. She’s very excited and motivated, so I think we’ll get on well. It’s been a long time since I taught an absolute beginner, so this will be fun.

Gratuitous Lucy Story

Or “Why Wendy Doesn’t Wear Eyeliner Anymore”

I have a lovely antique dressing table that was my grandmother’s, and every morning I sit down at this table, where I have positioned my 5x magnifying mirror, to attempt to apply make-up.

Note to women over 40: 5x (or higher) magnifying mirrors are depressing.

Lucy waits for this moment. As soon as I sit down, she jumps up on the table and immediately turns into a purring, quivering mass of affection. She stretches, she twirls, she butts her head against my hand. Imagine, if you will, attempting to apply eyeliner when suddenly a big furry ass is thrust into your face. The sudden impact of a kitty head against the hand holding the eyeliner. The mirror falling over from another kitty head-butt. I used to use liquid eyeliner. Ha! Not any more, after stabbing myself in the eye with it. I switched to pencil liner, but abandoned that after the first stab.

Now it’s simply eyeshadow applied with my pinky. Mascara? I’m a coward. I apply that standing up.

Yes, I realize I could shut myself in the bathroom to apply make-up, but I think Lucy looks on this as “Mommy and Me” time and I hate to deprive her of it.