Day 26: I think I can.....

Not, not Blogtoberfest - with only 5 more days, I know I can do that.

No, this is my current nemesis, the millstone around my neck, my albatross:

The deadline-knit birthday jumper for my goddaughter-niece, Little Miss M. I am so ready for it to be over, because there are about a hundred other things I want to cast on right now, and I can't until I Get. This. Done. It feels like it just keeps going and going and going....

The body is done. The sleeves are done. Even though I looked at PJ siting in the back of the car while we were driving yesterday, to see he had TWO dpns in his hands. Two dpns of course means that one has come from holding live stitches, which it clearly wasn't when he was using it as a drumstick. But the stitches were saved. (I am rubbish at picking up dropped stitches, hence the angst. Luckily I was about to be surrounded by several other knitters, so it was only momentary). Note to self: don't leave knitting within his reach in the car.

I'm currently picking up the neck. So a few dozen rows of 1x1 rib.

Then I just have to sew in the ends of all those stripes. Just thinking about it makes me want to weep for all the other things I could be knitting.

Soon.

***************************************************

And the fascinating results of yesterday's poll have option A, paper over, out in front by a country mile.

Which is my preferred - nay, essential - option. I'm with quiltingmick, I'll change the rolls at work if they don't go over, or other people's houses.

No compromise, no surrender!

And I'm behind on Blotoberfest Inspiration Words. How about nemesis? What's yours?

Saturday is for swatching

You're probably aware I've had a bit of mental blockage about starting new projects, particularly larger items, since the Princess arrived (Ok, ok, long before that). I've spent the last few weeks trying to actively play down the angst and get myself a bit organised - lots of Ravelry-ing, updating and prioritising my queue, a good Toss of the Stash (you are so not seeing the photos of that little exercise), researching patterns and yarns. And polishing off a few lingering WIPs.

While I still have a few of those pesky WIPs hanging about, Ive made some good progress and finally my head is in the right place to make a start on some new projects.

My German god-daughter, Little Miss M, turns 4 at the end of October - the end of autumn start of winter in Europe - and I have (for better or worse) started a tradition of knitting her a jumper for each birthday. So I've ordered the yarn from Bendy for that, but in the meantime I thought while I had the desire to cast on, I'd run with it. I've paired off patterns and yarn in the stash, so had a few options.

What's a procrastinator to do when faced with choice?

Why, swatch of course! So I picked two - one big (gotta get back on the big-things horse, its been way too long) and one small.

The "big" project is a Goldilocks project: not too big to be intimidating, not so small as to be avoiding the issue, but j-u-s-t right.

Stephanie Japel's Back to School U-Neck Vest from Fitted Knits. An adult-sized garment, but not the whole catastrophe of front, back and two sleeves. Easy does it, don't want to get spooked.

When Lincraft had their Balmoral Tweed out for $2 a ball a few weeks back, both Bells and I snapped up 10 balls with exactly this pattern in mind. The yarn is listed in Rav as DK/8ply, even though the ball band says worsted, and others have told me I'd have trouble making the 18 sts / 10 cm gague required. And the yarn did feel a leetle thin as I was knitting it.


Well ner-ner-ne-ner-ner, because I got 17 sts on the 4.5 mm needles recommended! The fabric is only slightly more open than I would like, and so I'll go down to 4 mm (I typically gain or lose a stitch per needle size) and just keep an eye on the length and reckon I'll rock it in.

I'm loving the waffle stitch that makes up the bodice too.

My "little" project is of course something for the Princess. (Btw - I've shelved the Wollmeise for now. Too much pressure. Thanks for all your suggestions, but as Beloved is fond of saying "it needs a little bit more thinking").

Given that spring has sprung, I figured I'd better get cracking on some lighter-weight garments for her. I'm hoping the berry baby hat has broken the hoo-doo on knitting for her. So first cab off the rank is Blossom, a sweet little sleeveless (hmm, pattern developing here!) wrap around dress.

Big W had a $2 yarn sale last week (what is it with me and $2 yarn???) and I got 4 balls of Cleckheaton Cocoon, a yarn whose colours I love and have been dying to try but was put off by its 4-ply-ness.

So after all the chores were done, I retired to the deck with a cuppa and the latest Yarn to swatch.


I'm still waiting for it to dry (yes, people, I even wet-blocked my swatches!), but it looks like I'll come in a stitch under the 24 sts required. The fabric is quite open, but is lovely and soft and drapey even before a bath, so I think it will be lovely for this garment.

The Princess seemed quite pleased with this outcome when I told her.


Now I've just got to decide which one to start first...like right now.....arrggghhh, the indecision is killing me!! Maybe I'll swatch for something else.....

Decisions, decisions

I have mentioned to a few people that I was completely stunned when I discovered the Princess was a girl. Speechless even. Beloved says my face was priceless at the moment I was told.

You see, when she was still on the inside, I was convinced she was a boy. 99.9% certain. I felt it in my waters.

Just goes to show what my waters know. Nuffin'.

It took me several days to come to terms with the fact that I had a girl. I kept opening her nappy to check. Yup, still girl-bits. I may have even said to my mum "What on earth am I going to do with a girl?". Because after nearly 3 years with Pirate Jim, I feel like I understand what makes boys tick. (Can someone remind me of that statement every 12 months or so? Ta). I was all prepared for another boy and not at all ready to start thinking about how girls work.

So now that I have a girl, there are so many cool things to knit. For some reason, I feel that "girls" knits are so much more creative and interesting that "boys" patterns. And more interesting colours too. Probably a bit gender-ist of me, but nonetheless that's what I feel.

And so with the huge range of choices available to me, I am completely and utterly paralysed by indecision. I have no idea where to start. There are probably only a couple of cold months left here - it will take me time to knit, then she'll grow, so maybe I should knit for next year, after all she was gifted so many lovely things that fit now.....(and if I was a half-decent blogger and friend, that last phrase would be linked to the post where I'd thanked everyone for their gifts, but well, I'm still working on that!)

But there is one thing I've decided on. Given there was purchasing of yarn whilst in labour with the Princess, some of said yarn should make a garment for her. Remember the Wollmeise?

150g / 500 m / 574 y of 100% merino superwash 4ply / fingering weight in stunning reds to almost orange colourway.

But what to make? There has been some discussion with helpful people about the February Baby Sweater (Rav link), which I love. Classic, but contemporary. But y'know, I don't really "get" EZ, and I know I'd just get all angsty about trying to follow her "pattern", especially after reading some of the issues other Ravellers have had with it.

And so, dear readers, I am seeking to draw on the wisdom and knowledge of Blogland. What should I make? Something for now, something for next year? It's going to be an heirloom (I hope), something special to keep.

Should I suck it up and try the FBS? Do you have another suggestion? I would really like to knit something for my daughter!

Tell me what to do before my brain explodes!

Did someone say nesting?

I guess maybe I have been. Just a little. That big long list of Things To Do Once I Start Maternity Leave is slowly getting shorter. I have been cleaning, washing, baking, making (more) lists, sewing, and yes, some knitting too.

I figured that despite recieving many gorgeous gifts already (about which I will blog later), I really should knit something for the Bump myself.

Inspired by Bells, I started a Pi Blanky a couple of weeks ago, in Bendy 8ply Classic in Tuscan.

You need a nice warm, bright blanky in the Canberra winter. I'm keeping it simple, just the YO increases for the pattern, although now I'm in the "knit 48 rounds" section, I've put in an extra row at 24 rows.

Although it's great, mindless round-and-round knitting, Ive decided to put the brakes on because I've got some outstanding gift knitting on the needles.

That didn't stop me casting on a pair of longies in Happy Spider 8ply Wakame.


What did stop me, however, was getting to the gusset of the longies and needing a second pair of 4mm dpns. Now I know I have at least one more set (I'm sure I've two), but do you think I could find them?

Not in my needle cases or boxes (just dont ask. I am in dire need of needle storage solutions.)

Not in this knitting basket......

And not in this knitting basket.

What I did find, though, was a huge bloody shambles of WIPs, random small purchases, sample cards, ball bands and general crap.

It called for some cleansing. I am pleased to report that I frogged no less than five languishing WIPs:

• a BSJ in Happy Spider 4ply (I just can't get the hang of this pattern, as much as I long to),
• a beanie in Jet that I can't get the cable pattern to work for,
• a baby kimono (from a Sirdar pattern - in pieces! Why would I knit one in pieces and then sew them up? Hah!)
• a Debbie Bliss baby jacket both in pieces (hah!) and 5ply (w-a-y too slow)
• a baby beanie in Peaches and Cream that just wasn't working.

And relocated no less than 25 balls of yarn back to the stash cupboard.

Still no 4 mm dpns.

But it feels much better! And I have identified some good hospital knitting:

• Cobblestone jnr for PJ; Im up to the sleeves and just need to concentrate
• Monkey socks that have been OTNs forever
• the rest of the Pi Blanky

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got stock on the stove, 2 loads of washing to hang out, and I believe there's the back of a cupboard somewhere that might need cleaning....

Bump-date

First, a public apology to Bells, for suggesting she could ever be anything approaching unkind. The irony of the rudeness of calling her unkind (even a teeny bit!) is not lost on even me! I claim a failure of my brain to come up with a better word and lack of rigorous editing, rather than intentional slander. Sorry Bells.

***************************

Now. It has come to my attention that there have been questions asked about The Bump.

So I thought - even at the 11th hour - I'd make sure everyone has all the information they need.

Listen carefully, I will say this only once.....

Everything is fine. No issues with the Bump, no issues with me. Apart from mild annoying wakefulness in the middle of the night (usually 1:56 am to around 4am, then 5:01 am to 6-ish) and an unspeakably painful pelvis, we are both very normal (quiet in the back) and healthy.

My due date is 26th June. That's the doctor's due date. Mine is 3rd July. We'll see. Place your bets**.

No, I don't know the gender. I'm not ready, and once you know, you cant unknow. I did half-wish I knew when I was browsing the baby clothes sale at a local department store but.....no. Still not ready.

No, we're not particularly hung up on gender-specific colours. Bright is good - of any colour. Pale yellow is not. Frills and fluff are not a favourite either. I'm right with you on the pale pink frou-frou thing Amy. (this is not intended to sound presumptuous - but I know it has been asked)

As I mentioned last post, there has been some expansion. Even though everyone keeps telling me I look very "neat" or "compact", I feel like a hippo.


I was going to entertain you with a photo of what used to be known as my belly-button, but decided against it.

Despite my very best intentions, and an ever-increasing Ravelry queue, I am yet to knit a single thing for this baby. Not a sock, not a hat...nada. I do have one thing on the needles, nice mindless knitting, but it's got a long way to go.

Bad Mama.

*************************************

**Kate's comment on the last post arrived just minutes after I wrote that sentence and I say YES - lets have a guessing comp!

Leave your bet for date and time (Australian Eastern Standard Time please - no way am I figuring out where you're from and what time it is there compared with here.....) in the comments and there will be a prize for whoever gets the closest!

It can be either side (before or after) - just the closest. Entries close when I go into labour - although I wont be blogging that, there will be some who know when it happens.

Note to Beloved: if I give away some of the stash, am I allowed to replace it?

WIPs in crisis

My task for this weekend was to get my WIPs into order: do an inventory, assess the priorities, and formulate a plan for getting them off my worklist so I could get onto all my wish-list projects without too much guilt.

Oh dear.

It seems I have a teeny-tiny problem with finishing stuff I've started. But then anyone who has given up checking on the WIPs and FOs list on my sidebar might have twigged to that.

I'm not going to do a pictorial inventory (no point killing off your download limit as well as mine); a list will give you sufficient idea of the magnitude of my problem. We know how much I love a list.

In no particular order:

1. Isabella - cast on 21/10/07, 20 rows completed

2. Dashing - cast on July; 1 mitt and about 15 rows of second mitt complete

3. Spider socks - turning heel on second sock

4. Monkey socks - cuff and one patter rep complete

5. Beloved's Jet jumper - cast on 1/12/07; about 50 rows of back complete

6. Cable vest for PJ - cast on 2/01/08; half of back complete

7. Branching Out - cast on January 08; only half a dozen rows complete and will probably be frogged

8. Adult cable beanie - up to decreases but still need to work out pattern

9. Checkerboard dishcloth - one pattern rep complete, but using 2 strands 4 ply together and cant memorise pattern

So you see, I have some work ahead of me. To borrow a turn of phrase from Beloved, this needs a little more thinking. I would welcome any advice on how to approach what has become a very hostile knitting basket, full of truculent and nasty WIPs.

And all the while there are a dozen more projects calling to me, and yarns in the stash begging to have some attention paid to them.

While you're contemplating that, I would like to canvass opinion of the final WIP, as I have been undecided about it for some time.

10. Baby singlet in Happy Spider hand-dyed.

This is most of the back of a baby singlet in Ms Spidey's Pansy colourway. I'm not convinced.

So if you comment on nothing else (and let's face it, I don't really need more grief on that list), answer me this:

Frog it and go for socks or a BSJ, or persevere?

The lines are now open.....

Sweet surrender

You are going to think I'm the worst kind of trollop, but I'm here to admit that I am smitten once again.

Last time it was the flashy, trashy Clappy that came on like the executive assisstant after a few bubblies at the office christmas bash*; this time I have been gently wooed and finally succumbed to the subtle and serene beauty of the humble sock.

I'm not going to claim it's been all sunsets and heavy breathing - no indeed, this relationship got off to a slow (dare I say rocky?) start - those first few rows on dpns made finding our rhythm together a little tricky.

I was slow to warm up to the round and round and round of rib, then stocking stitch. But I thought we were getting somewhere - like ready to start the heel.

Then, as is often the way, it took an outsider to observe that things may not all be fine and dandy. "Hmmm, its rather...big, dontcha think George?" observed Bells on the weekend. "But I'm using Happy Spider's basic pattern in the small size! How can anything possibly be wrong?" said I.

A count of stitches showed that I had 76 - fine, if I was doing the calf shaping as written into Ms Spider's pattern. Which decreases the number of stitches to closer to 60 when its time to start the heel. Der.

Luckily for me, Ms Spider's patterns come with a free 24-hour counselling hotline. Several angst-ridden emails and a calming phone call later, she had the sock and I back on speaking terms, and we felt like we'd really turned a corner in our relationship.

And here it is: one sock, stitch count waaaay out, but with a turned heel and partly decreased gusset:

Isn't it pretty? It might be a little wonky, but but I'm satisfied now that the sock and I are back on solid ground. I'm flying down the foot, and have discovered what everyone else already knows: the deep and abiding love that is sock knitting.

A comfortable, easy relationship; now we've got the maths sorted, certainly not high maintenance. No jealousy here - its happy to be picked up and put down at a moments notice, for a round or two while Pirate Jim eats breakfast or while I'm waiting for the pasta to boil (assuming the pirate isn't trying to play with the knife block or pretend the dog is the dishwasher and trying to find the place to put the detergent tablet).

It might be short grabs of togetherness, but its quality time. And that's what counts.

*disclosure: I have edited this analogy - my first attempt was a little unthinking and possibly hurtful to people I care about. Sorry if you read it and were offended - that wasn't my intention. Think first, post later, George!