Dianne is slow going

I might be slipping into a knitting funk. Nothing I've been working so far is distracting me enough to spend hours and hours on. In fact, I've been doing the laundry, mopping the floors, cleaning the house, pulling out weeds, and other various chores that I normally would happily neglect - and have been - in favor of knitting. Clearly something is amiss. Something like my Knitting Groove.

Three start 'n stop projects to talk about:
Dianne

Hey now, a real blocking board!
Can you see the boo-boo in the lace pattern? No? Great.

The front of Dianne has been done for some time now. Nothing but stockinette from here on out and it's so boring, I find it difficult to get myself motivated to finish. Only a few inches completed so far, and it's killing my hands for some reason.

Chevron Rib Tank
To change things up I started the Chevron Rib Tank, free from interweaveknits.com.

Just a few rows into it and I discovered I didn't like this pattern. The chevron is extremely steep, it practically goes down to the crotch, and plus, it's only on the front, while the back is straight across. Goofy McGoofers. I'm going to rework this pattern to reduce the length of the chevron, or come up with something new entirely. But for now let's just put it aside.

Cotton Tank from Phildar
Once the tank project was nixed, I decided I'd start on something else rather than return to Dianne: a cotton tank from Phildar Tendance Famille, using Cotton Ease in yellow. I like this pattern. It's simple but interesting, which is half of how I would describe Cotton Ease. Simple yarn, uninteresting colors. The price you get for the yardage of Cotton Ease is fantastic, but the color choices are pretty much primary school. Is yellow my color? All feelings revolt, but I'm feeling frisky...We'll see how this goes.

The M1's that make the diamond pattern
in the center are also making small decorative holes.

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Filed Under: Adrienne V | Phildar

AJ has buttons

I picked out little mother-of-pearl buttons for AJ yesterday at Windsor Buttons. The buttons' own bluey iridescense matches the teal of the yarn. Fantabulous! Only half a sleeve to go...and the slip crochet edging (slip-stitches not so easy, maybe I'll try single)...and the sewing of the buttons, which hey, just occurred to me, I don't think I know the proper way to sew buttons?

I also purchased two more Phildar magazines - the latest spring and the latest spring Famille. I don't know the reason why I haven't completed anything from Phildar when I love their stuff, AND their patterns are easy to follow. Everyone gets a chart! My second sweater was supposed to the Drapey Shoulder one, but it's so far been woefully neglected as I plough through one Rebecca project after another. It's funny how I've been totally on the Rebecca-only train. Kind of just happened.

Tulips in Copley Square

Still too brisk out to really feel like spring, but it sure looks like it. By the way, thanks for all the nice comments you guys left about AJ. I hope to take her on her first Grand Day Out this weekend. Fingers crossed...

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Filed Under: Phildar | Rebecca 27 | Apricot Jacket

Superbowl XXXIX or Super-knitting-like-mad I

Superbowl Sunday at Paul & Leah's house outside of Boston, far enough outside the city that it was practically the wilderness to me. They had a fire going, comfy cushions and pillows strewn everywhere, tons of clam chowder, chili and desserts, I sat myself in the rocking chair and knitted throughout the entire game, more feverishly so in the last 5 minutes. I can get extremely worked up about a sport I care so little about. Remember Smarty Jones's quest for the Triple Crown? I hadn't even heard of that stupid horse until two days before the event, but it didn't stop me from weeping bitter bitter tears when it was all over.

from Phildar's Tendance Automne 04/05

I've completed the back and started the front for this little sweater. Feeling leery about it. We'll see. The drapey collar is supposed to be as long as the sweater body from bottom to armpit, around 16 inches. That seems nuts. I just realized that this sweater isn't coat-friendly since the collar acts like a mini-poncho. What have I done? It's too late to stop.

Below is a pic of one of the back/front pieces. One of these days it will miraculously morph into something wearable but for now, the ribbing is pulling the width in so much it looks like a dishtowel. A soft, absorbant dishtowel.

for a giraffe

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Filed Under: Phildar