mamacate

Could be Worse

Thanks to the knitting goddess, and the process of blocking, and a little dumb luck, I think I can wear this thing.

Ignore, if you will, the goofy expression.  I mean, I don't exactly look svelte in it, but then again, I haven't devleoped the ability to knit a magic sweater yet.  I'll let you know when I work that one out.

So much randomness I've been saving up, but then I'm tired and there's this fiber work to do, and then all the worky works, and then there's going to work with people with whom I love to chat, and the chatting that ensues, which gets in the way of the worky works as well as the breaks.

Later gators.  But psst....two sleeps to spa!

Kepler, Esq., and the Wrath of the Knitting Goddess

Kepleresque.  She's a-blocking. I know that "trying out steeks" in handspun seems like madness, but this stuff is insanely easy and quick to spin, I have a few hundred extra yards at the end, more than half a sheep's worth of fleece in the basement, and for some reason, I didn't panic this time.  Given that I've been thinking about trying steeks for oh, five years now, and have always felt utter panic at the idea, I figured now was the time to go with it.  So go I did. I got Rhys to take a picture of me doing the dastardly deed.

Dude, I was so chuffed by the end of that scissor-wielding event that I even cut the kids' hair.  And while they don't exactly look like they went to the salon, it could be much worse.  Yippee. Then, after running around the house giving people unwanted shag cuts my victory lap, I picked up stitches around the neckline, just wherever I pleased, wherever it looked best, knowing I could just trim the excess as needed, and knitted a twisted i-cord around the neckline. 

Twisted i-cord is so clever I can't even stand it.  I am sure there are instructions for it in other places, but I used Joyce Williams' instructions in Latvian Dreams.  The idea is that you basically knit two i-cords, and alternate applying them to the edging.  Really, I suggest you try it.  It'll make you want to giggle.

By this point I was really quite pleased with myself.  I modified the heck out of this pattern, made the yarn myself, and it came out looking really quite a bit like a sweater.  I was so very cool.  I was tha bomb.  Knitting, you have been conquered.

(Cue dramatic minor-key music.)

You know where this leads.  We've been down this road before.  Pride goeth, you know the story.

Ya know how I've whined about mentioned my hormone issues here on the blog from time to time, like it's not the very definition of TMI?  Like that?  Well, I've basically gained 10 pounds in the past six months, and about 20 in the past year and a half.  I started this sweater six months ago, when I thought I'd be losing the 10 pounds, not gaining 10 more.

Also, you know how a lot of people told me they liked this pattern but worried it would make them look fat, but how I was all, "oh, I made it longer, oh, the structure of the band around the waist will hide my belly, oh, I increased the shaping, it'll be fine."

Yeah, it makes me look fat.  And it's too small.  And the yarn is really thick and thin and the thin spots, when stretched across the ample bosom?  Yeah, it's a charming look.

So, it's blocking (drying after wet-finishing, lying down and losing moisture, call it what you will, no pins or wires are involved).  I took this picture, while it was still the littlest bit damp, so no trying it on yet.  I stretched (sans pins or wires) to the best of my ability.  I'm hopeful.  But realistic.  If you see me wearing it at Spa, remind me to suck in my gut.  Because it looks quite nice when I'm not actually breathing.  And I have been thinking about whether wearing a girdle would be going too far.  The upside is that if there's anything that's likely to get me to actually stick to a diet and exercise regimen, it's handspun and my first steeks.

The tummy test tonight.  Please send my apologies, and my vows of humility, to the knitting goddess.  I could use a break here.

Fait Accompli

I'm a little worried about the neon factor, but yeah, it's the one that is calling me.  Thanks for weighing in.

Just a note that Steph is making this, and she also had the gall to link to another Hanne kit that rocks my world.  Who is enabling whom, I ask you?

I suppose queuing projects without actually purchasing them could be called progress, no?  Okay, whatever.

Kepler is mostly in a circle now by means of evil cable grafting, and I have not been committed to an insane asylum, nor have I chopped the thing up with preschool scissors, despite significant provocation.  Things are looking up.