After all the precipitation last week, we got another 7 inches dumped on us on Saturday. Dad and I had been planning to drive up to Maine but it was out of the question. We went to Skip’s and sat, warm and snug and watched the snow coming down - very heavily indeed. Skip’s is a very comfortable place and serves what you might think of as plain, home cooking. I had one of their Saturday specials - baked lamb and rice and I want to tell you, I’ve had lamb in places that would consider themselves much better than Skip’s - but I’ve never had better lamb than I did Saturday :) If you’re ever in the Chelmsford/Lowell, MA area, I highly recommend it.
Slow and steady…
We’re making slow progress on the sock but it there was enough of it tp finally try on last night - another advantage of making the socks from the toes up - you can try them on as you go. For me, this is a serious consideration, especially since between the fine yarn and the teeny needles, my tension goes to hell. But it fit fine and felt wonderful which inspired me to work on them a little more than I usually would at one go. It is so fun to watch the sock and the design of the yarn take shape as you go around and around! I would never have thought I could get into making socks so this is a bit of a surprise :)
About half height…
The bag is maybe about half as tall as I want it, perhaps a bit more. After I had complained in Friday’s post about how awkward I found working with 5 DPNs, Becca recommended trying two circulars instead. So Friday night, I searched through my needles and found that I did, indeed, possess two, size 6 (US) circular needles and gave it a try. While there’s still a bit of awkwardness when going from one needle to the other it’s nothing like the DPNs and has made the work quite a bit easier. Thanks Becca!
Okay, the reason I am making this bag (and considering a fancy shawl and maybe even a cotton sweater - gulp!) is because I’m going on another cruise. It was pretty unexpected but dad found an exceptionally priced trip (an Atlantic crossing) on a line he really likes (Crystal Cruises) and asked if I wanted to go along. So at the end of April, we’ll be sailing across the Atlantic from Ft. Lauderdale to Lisbon. There are no stops on this cruise. Just nine lovely days on the ocean :)
So, I did spend some time thinking about what type of shawl might be appropriate but didn’t really get anywhere. And again I am considering the possibility of a sweater - somewhat ruefully - because my track record with such things is appalling - as you know :) Maybe this will be the charm?
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Mmmm. Skips. My co-workers used to pine for Skips meatloaf. And I never met a chicken there I didn’t like. :)
On the shawl/sweater idea - consider a triangle, knit from the point up. Once it’s bigger than a handkerchief you can always bind off and say it’s done for the time being - then go back later, pick up the stitches and make it larger. That way you’ll be done in time for your sailing date. Guaranteed.
Oooh, fantastic socks. I love the way the design is coming along.
hooray for the trip!!
are you considering a dressy sweater or just a plain cardigan? all cotton?
i can never work successfully with 2 circs but have promised myself to learn how- it surely has to be less trouble than manhandling an ever-increasing project on dpn’s but i always manage to get myself all turned around and end up knitting on ‘the wrong side’ about halfway though-
feel free to send snow here- this grey blahness is most depressing-
stay happy-
Kim - You know Skip’s! Way cool :) And thanks for the tip about the shawl/scarf - that’s a pretty neat idea!
Pam - Ain’t it cool? They are going to be so much fun!
Barb - I’m considering a casual, pull-over type sweater with…mmm…short or three-quarter length sleeves.
The two circs thing defeinitely takes getting used to, but I like it better than umpty-teen straights. Three seems to be the maximum number of straight needles I can comfortably work.
Oh, a cruise! how relaxing that will be. I think a nice open stitch triangle shawl would be great. You’ll make the right decision on that, I know. Sorry about all the snow.
~DAWN
That cruise sounds delightful! How about making that feather and fan comfort shawl ? You could do it in a lovely pale color, it’s lacey, and very nice looking. Did you try making a huffy puffy yet? Remember we talked about it being like yorkshire pudding.. one third each flour and milk, one egg… hot oven, eaten with steamd apple slices and cinnamon/sugar . Yummy! betty
Ooh, awesome, a cruise! Man, I would be a knitting fool getting ready for that!! And in April you will still need cardigans, etc. I have not made enough shawls to suggest a pattern, but a laceweight yarn with some silk content would be just the ticket!
Dawn - It will be great fun and dear, don’t apologize about the snow - it’s not your fault :) Wanna send some sun up from Tennessee? I’d love to see it again - LOL!
Betty - Nope, haven’t tried it yet - but it’s on the list. How did the shawl come out?
Laura - Well, that makes two of us (about the shawl) - Heheh… I’ve been looking at patterns all afternoon and I’m not getting anywhere either except that I seem to have decided that lacey would be good :)
I’m glad the two circulars technique is working for you! Nine days on the ocean with nothing to do but nap, read, eat, and knit? Cool!
