It was rather cool here this morning - about 59ºF - and I decided to put on the Autumn Seeds sweater. We went out to do some pick-up shopping - you know, milk, bread, etc., and on the way I stopped at a convenience store to pick up something to drink. When I got to the counter, the Indian gentleman behind it did a mild double-take and started studying my sweater. He told me it was handmade (it wasn’t a question, but simply a statement of fact) and that it was beautiful work; that in India and Nepal they made sweaters like this. A little stunned, I thanked him and told him that I had made it, that it was my first knitted sweater. He looked it over again and said, rather wistfully I thought, that it was beautiful. I thanked him again and backed out the door, my face as red as my top, I’m sure :)
It’s not every day that you get complimented on your knitting by the Indian gentleman in the convenience store!
I have two finished objects to show you! First…
...the Kimono Scarf.
I would like to do this again someday in a softer yarn and a different color - probably a different, solid color :) It was interesting at first to see the play of the color and the pattern - but I was tired of it by the time I finished. I don’t think it’s all bad - actually it’s kind of playful and would be fine with a casual dark sweater. The stitch pattern is beautiful and I will definitely be using it again - perhaps in another scarf or maybe in a shawl of some sort :)
The ends are still out because this hasn’t been blocked yet. I’ll weave the ends in then.
The other FO is this -
...pair of little person socks - the first I have made from Charlene Schurch’s wonderful book. I liked the process and I love the way the socks turned out.
I’m basically caught up now. I went through my work basket the other day, ripping, tossing, organizing, storing and generally just cleaning things up. I have two things on the immediate horizon, and will be starting one of them tonight! As it’s a bigger project, I’ll probably be filling in with some smaller things.
I tell you what, though, this bead knitting has got me all in a twirl! In fact I bought some more beads to play with this morning - who knew it would be this much fun :)
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Ha! In 59F weather I’d be freezing my big ol’ patooie off. Here in Hawaii, people break out the sweaters when it dips into the upper 60’s!
I adore the Kimono Scarf. The colors! The patterning! It’s just gorgeous.
Think I’m going to be home sick with the kids today! But it is no surprise to me that oyu got complimented on your beautiful first foray into garment construction!
Opal - Well, everything’s relative they say :) 59 is only cool to me and I try to keep the apartment at about 70. And yes, I open windows in the winter too!
Thank you for your kind comments on the scarf. It was an experiment with mixed results :)
Nat - Are you sick, or the kids? Or all of you? In any case, I hope you all are feeling better soon!
The sweater is voluminous, but it’s a gorgeous color and quite wearable. The compliment was quite unexpected, but not unwelcome :)
I love the scarf. That yarn is pretty but you can also picture that scarf pattern in a solid color looking good, too. And those socks are so cute. The color is gorgeous.
Doesn’t it feel good to finish (or admit you don’t want to finish them and roll up the yarn) projects? I am in the middle of doing it and feel ‘lighter’ already. It’s almost like the unfinished items are lurking around, like cats that want to be fed, twining around your ankles to slow you down and give them attention. 
Lydia - It does indeed feel good to come to grips with your knitting and to finally know what stays and what goes :) Your comparison to knitting projects being like hungry cats is incredibly apt and I note that a lot of knitters have cats…including myself :)
