Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Cold and stormy

Yes, that could refer to the weather, but also my nose: I tink I'm combing down wid a code in my nose.

Since today was a Nana and Tutu day i.e. we had our adorable grandson, there hasn't been any knitting yet. So I'll post a picture of something finished in November.










Pattern: Branching Out by Susan Lawrence.
Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy in Blue Lagoon
Needles: Addi Lace US #3

A really nice lace pattern. (And Free)

Lace Learning tip # 1. Count the number of stitches you have after every row. You wouldn't believe how easy it is to err with all those YO's.

Here is a copy of a Ravelry message I sent to a new knitting friend in Texas on this project. It is offered for your day's humor:
Ah yes, blocking. I envy you the blocking wires. I've only blocked my Branching out. Primative is all I can say. I pulled out a folded cardboard with grid lines (something I used in the 80's to lay sewing patterns on, found some straight pins, filled up the misting pump thing-y we use for hot weather (REI? WalMart?) and got to work. I sort of pulled it to a width and length that brought the pattern out and got started pinning. First I pinned the left edge then worked my way to the other end. Turns out I had to use every single pin in the house as it needed to be pinned about every 1/2 inch to look straight and not wavy. By the time I finished I had dents in my finger and vowed to invest in some of those cute pins with a flange to hold onto. Then, I turned on the mist thing-y and wet it down. Ok, you've probably already figured out that the cardboard was gonna get wet and smelly and yes it did. And as you know and I was reminded by my stupidity (well haste) wet cardboard takes a long long time to dry. So several days later the Branching out was dry enough to hold it's shape so I released it from the pins. I am pleased with it and DH actually complimented me on it. Which is a rare, rare event. smile.
So, having a good, waterproof surface and good pins are on my list before I try blocking again.

Since I ended this project before it got to be shawl/wrap length, it became the water feature under our Bronze sculpture.




Even Snowy likes it, I think, maybe not since he is lifting his paw up in a tip toe out of here sort of way.


Ok, I'll try to go work on that 2nd sock.

2 comments:

Olga said...

Hi yah! thank you so much for coming by my blog. I love your little poochie there,so cute. And in your last post, I LOVE that sleeping dragon yarn, what a cool color! I'd love to see the socks made from that.

Skylark said...

Woo hoo. Happy to see a comment. As a new blogger you can appreciate that I'm thinking. Thanks.

I'm planning to try the pattern Baby Fern for this yarn. I'm not sure how it will swatch. I have just one pr of 2.5mm needles and they are busy right now. Oh well, best to finish this project before casting on for more. Right?!