Girl Who Knits

I haven't written in a while and I am not sure why.  I think it started with watching all the suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  After the hurricane struck, I felt guilty knitting.  I was still doing it but I felt like I shouldn't.  I went out for ice cream and wished I wouldn't have enjoyed it so much.  Like I should deny myself the everyday luxuries of my life because others are being denied theirs.  I feel less guilty now but still feel so sad for everyone who has lost so much. 

I got some knitting done (although I wish it was more).  Here are some updates...

Intarsia sweater:  I finished all the pieces and seamed this baby up.  Actually, I did this weeks ago.  The night I seemed and tried it on was not a happy night.  You have to understand.  This project is a labor of love.  It took forever to conceptualize and to get designed and started.  It was expensive (although I love the yarn and don't regret using it.)  Then it took forever to actually knit the thing.  I kept going because I knew how it would look.  I visualized exactly how it would fit and what I would wear with it.

So I tried it on.  Granted, I hadn't yet done the neck ribbing or weaved in the seeming ends or done a final block but I was sure I could get a good idea of how it would look.   With perhaps too much anticipation, I looked in the mirror and immediately felt like I was 5 and someone took away my cotton candy.  It looked nothing like I pictured.   Where I wanted it to be really fitted, it was loose.  Where I wanted long sleek arms, they were well...not.  Without further ado, I promptly took the sweater off, folded it up and did not look or talk about it for weeks.

Yesterday, I decided it was time to assess the damage.  Do I need to re-seem?  block?  gasp...re-knit?  Well, here's the funny thing.  It isn't as bad as I remember.  So it doesn't look exactly as I pictured.  So what?  Really I think this is salvageable.  I just don't know how to do it.  I think it is too bulky in the back.  I also think it could be a little smaller all around.  So do I re-seem?  Try and shrink it? 

Here are some pics...first, the mirror shot:

the front:

the back (picture makes my upperbody look HUGE):

I feel much better in general about this sweater but part of me wishes I could re-knit it so it will be exactly as I picture.  But really, when does that ever happen?

Paula: I finished the back, left front, and am half way through the right front.  Fall is beginning and I would love this one to be done by October.

Butterfly: I finished the fringe and started on the body:

Close up of the pattern (if you look hard enough you can see beads):

I love this knit, the only problem is that it is very intensive.  I have to concentrate really hard so I don't mess up that lace pattern and I haven't been in the mood to do so.  This is another one I want to get done by October so I need to step it up.

New Yarn: On a trip to LA over Labor day, my sister went to Suss Designs and got me this beautiful yarn:

Isn't the color beautiful??!?  I love my sister.  No idea what I am going to make with it but it is really cool because it is two separate strands twisted together. 

Basic Cable Hat: For my friend's birthday I need to knit her something as I have been promising to for way too long.  I am going to make the Basic Cable Hat from Stitch-N-Bitch Nation with this yarn (Lamb's Pride Worsted) that I got at my LYS:

If this turns out I am SO making one for me too.  

So that what I have been up to.  Sometimes progress seems so slow.