So I don't think I mentioned that I'd been doing this blogging thing for three years in June. So now it's three years plus. Thing is I'm not doing it that much anymore, so I'm not sure how impressed I can be with myself at this point. It's hard to have something to say for that long. Aren't you sick of me?
Anyway, don't answer that, because tomorrow (Tuesday) is my birthday. I'm a rather boring age, 38, but that's okay, because it means I have a little while until I need to start thinking about being 40.
There have been comments from certain quarters about the need to observe the wild sweater in its natural habitat. My rack, that is. Well, that's part of the problem. See it took me a few wearings to really come to terms with the fact that the neckline is too wide and too low, and the raglan is too long and I will probably need to do something involving scissors and weeping and possibly also alcohol. There hasn't been time to come to terms with it.
Love steeking, love it, but the downside is that if you fucked something up, you're screwed because you've got yourself one-row strips of yarn there to work with. Ain't no frogging. I have evil thoughts that involve cutting and seaming around the shoulder tops but I'm not terribly optimistic. --Deb has been down a similar road and it hasn't been easy. I will probably put the sweater in time out for a while and wear it, because it's just barely wearable, but not quite nice--not as nice as I believe it should be--before I bend it to my will. I'll let you know when I get there, I promise. Heck, maybe I'll cut it in public again. Anyway, learn from my mistake. If you knit the larger sizes, make the neckline WAY smaller than the pattern suggests. If I rip and re-knit, I'm going to remove a whole pattern repeat. Did I mention I made the neckline over an inch higher than the pattern called for? Yah. Row gauge was fine while knitting, though I haven't had the heart to measure it post-blocking.
Oh right, did I mention a picture of my rack? Here you go:
I might entertain exhortations to leave it as is, but you'll have to see me wearing it and tugging at it before you can be sure. Anyway, pretty colors, huh?
In other news, Ellie got a new scarf. Laura talked me into buying this insane roving from Heather at the Fiber Revival, and when I got home with the skein, which I spun at the Revival, Miss Ellie declared that it would be hers. She preferred a Faroese shawl, but a quick calculation had me convincing her that a scarf would be a better choice. A brief negotiation on the topic of fringe had the deal complete. Two short evenings of knitting, a little fringing, and we've got a happy girl.
Of course, she's also decided that the scarf makes her a rock star. I tried to point out that she was already a rock star, but it can be hard to talk to rock stars sometimes, especially when they're rocking out. See?
Just so that my son does not suffer the combined indignities of not being the current recipient of knitwear (don't worry, it won't be long) and of not being featured on the blog in all his cuteness, I give you a picture of a couple of best friends.
Can ya stand it?
In wheel news, I have divested myself of a very well-loved wheel, because someone else loved it better. The Norm Hall needed to go back and live with Sara, which is okay because it's too similar in function to my other wheel. I've already used some of the proceeds to pick up a used Schacht, which so far rocks my world. I'll probably hang on to the Lendrum for travel (maybe...maybe not), but the Schacht could easily become my primary wheel. I just like spinning on double drive.
I think I'll go do just that. I need to come up with some solstice gifts for teachers, plus I have a deprived child who has no currently fitting knitwear.
Happy Birthday! Now, why am I not surprised you are a fellow scorp? I'm sure this has come up before, but since I'm a chin pube shy of the great 5-0, I'm excused from keeping track of stuff for the rest of my life.
Enjoy!
And nice rack. heh.
p.s. Be careful, it's deer hunting season.
Posted by: marcia | November 19, 2007 at 10:05 PM
Actually, the sweater looks pretty hip as is.
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY from one Scorpio to another.
The kids are so cute, Cate.
And I'll always be interested in what you have to say, even if it is about yarn. :)
Julie
Using My Words
Posted by: Julie Pippert | November 19, 2007 at 10:53 PM
Yup. Rackalicious. Clearly I won't have similar worries.
I wonder if you wouldn't be better off just reknitting the top bits. I know this involves the sleeve caps, front and back. But that's what I'd probably do...order another skein or two of the main colors and go to it.
Posted by: claudia | November 19, 2007 at 10:54 PM
And, happy birthday! I wish for you a fabulous 38th year.
Posted by: claudia | November 19, 2007 at 10:56 PM
What Claudia said. But with crying first. Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Juno | November 19, 2007 at 10:56 PM
Happy Birthday, Cate! Wishing you a wonderful year filled with much joy.
Posted by: Kathy | November 19, 2007 at 11:00 PM
Oh...... Well, if you need to steek in public again, I'm your girl for the documenting, and the nerve-steeling drinks both pre and post. But I must say, nice rack!
And happy birthday! :)
Posted by: Sarahfish | November 19, 2007 at 11:05 PM
Happy birthday! Nice sweater. Nice rack. Though I agree with you about the low neckline. And cute kids, as always :)
Posted by: Danielle | November 19, 2007 at 11:12 PM
I watched, with bated breath as you cut the steeks at the Marriott. (I was part of the Ottawa crew). What if you wore that with a darker colour shirt/t-shirt underneath - maybe the neckline wouldn't be so noticeable? Do you think?
HB2U, HB2U, etc.
Posted by: LB | November 19, 2007 at 11:25 PM
Happy Birthday! Once again we'll be the same age for a few months. Oh, and, um, *snigger* nice rack. Isn't this sweater supposed to show that off, though?
Posted by: Mel | November 20, 2007 at 12:17 AM
Happy, Happy Birthday! Savor the year and don't worry about that next 'milestone' year. Each year is its own special pleasure!
Happy Day (or day after, if I'm late! That comes with my 10years ahead of you age! :))
Posted by: Kathleen | November 20, 2007 at 12:20 AM
Happy Birthday Honey!
Posted by: Stephanie | November 20, 2007 at 12:37 AM
eek re the sweater - I totally get your issues with it (from a fellow well-racked one). And totally cool re the Schacht - I never thought I'd see the day where you contemplated parting with your lendrum!
Happy happy *happy* 38th - are the kids throwing you a party complete with pinata ROFL
Posted by: Sara | November 20, 2007 at 01:18 AM
Have a great birthday! Thirty eight is a great age. You can appreciate the confidence of life and yet maturity is optional.
As for the sweater...it is great. Probably a bit revealing on its own, but still beautiful.
Posted by: PICAdrienne | November 20, 2007 at 02:58 AM
Cool. It's your birthday, and we get a post! Hope you have a wonderful day.
Posted by: joan | November 20, 2007 at 04:55 AM
Happy birthday!!!
Love Ellie's rock star scarf, and Henry is totally a cutie-head. Love!
Posted by: Thorny | November 20, 2007 at 04:58 AM
Happy Birthday! Hope your day is great!
I see what you mean about the sweater. Wow. What did the neckline of the original look like? Was the pattern clear re dimensions?
Posted by: Riin | November 20, 2007 at 06:25 AM
Happy birthday!
Posted by: Dianna | November 20, 2007 at 06:37 AM
hey happy birthday honey. the sweater looks great but i hear you if it doesn't feel great.
Posted by: maryse | November 20, 2007 at 06:46 AM
Happy birthday! Navaho-plied, eh? Looks great! Your kids are beautiful. You're okay, too.
Hugs and many happy returns,
Laura
Posted by: LauraJ | November 20, 2007 at 06:49 AM
Happy Birthday, Cate! 38 is a good year, enjoy it. And, oh yeah, I miss you like crayzeee.
Posted by: Carole | November 20, 2007 at 07:03 AM
I thought the low neckline was the whole point.
Okay, maybe the colourwork too... ;-)
Happy birthday to one of my favourite people of all time. If I didn't have you to blame for all that is good and wooly, I'd be in deep shit.
Posted by: Lee Ann | November 20, 2007 at 07:11 AM
I personally think the rack is lovely. On the other hand, I could not wear it either, even if everyone told me how lovely it looked, because I like to, shall we say, hide my light under if not a bushel, at least a good tall fence. I mourn deeply for you.
My son always had less hand-made stuff than my daughter. I compensated with video games and oreos, which he preferred anyway.
Posted by: melissaknits | November 20, 2007 at 07:17 AM
Birthday? Did someone, actually two someones (you and the E. Juno), mention birthday? Well, hell, have a happy one! Have a bunch more happy ones! Give the kids a dozen hugs each, just cuz it feels good, and don't worry about the rack - it looks fine to me, and anyone who says otherwise is probably just a pervert anyhow.
Posted by: Lynn | November 20, 2007 at 07:27 AM
How about knitting a wider band around the rackline. I mean neckline. One that would match the bottom band and cuffs. You would need to do a bit of mitering in the corners but I think it would work.
Oh, and Happy Birthday! Have some fun.
Posted by: Paula | November 20, 2007 at 07:29 AM