Monday, January 22, 2007

Projects and updates

I decided, based on Marcia’s success and Laura’s splendid example (scroll down a little) that I had to have - or at least try to make - The Republic Hat.  Remember that yarn I dyed last week?  I thought that would be perfect so I whipped out a ball of that and my trusty size 10 Addis and went to work.



Republic in the works



This picture was taken just after the flap bind-off and join to work in the round.  The circumference of the hat at this point, according to the pattern, should be 22”.  Mine didn’t look quite right, so I measured it.

26 inches…

Even on my oversized noggin, that puppy’s going to float.  And since it isn’t transparent and I can’t use it as a quick, warm substitute for sunglasses, something’s got to change :)

Did I swatch?  Unh-unh - so I only have my loose-knitting self to blame.  Now I’m trying to decide whether to rip it out and start over (which really wouldn’t be a big deal) or extend the bind off stitches so that the hat approaches a wearable circumference (wearable, that is, without the necessity of cutting eye-holes in it!) and yields an extra long button flap.  I also think I will fasten the flap with a crocheted flower (or several maybe) rather than a button - though I must admit, the button is very smart :)

I also started another blanket with the idea of using up some stash and giving me something to work on that I can actually cope with right now (i.e.: that isn’t either fussy or tiny).  Therefore this:



Van Dyke lace afghan panel



This is just the old Van Dyke lace panel upscaled in heavier yarn and bigger needles (moose lace, if you will) with an added 5 stocking stitches on either side to give it a bit more width.  I’m not entirely sure where this is going yet, but I’ll probably try for something more symmetrical than my Mohair Lace Blanket.  It’s still pretty much the same idea though - find a bunch of patterns that appeal, knit panels using those patterns in coordinating colors and sew/crochet/knit them together into a blanket.

Remember that second salvage sweater?  The red/cream marl?  I did a Heroes marathon this weekend and decided that unraveling a sweater was just about my speed :) Let me tell you, this thing was put together with a nail gun, seems like!  Though I don’t believe I’ve ever had an article of Eddie Bauer clothing, I can tell you this stuff is constructed to last through the next ice age!  After three hours, all I had succeeded in doing was removing and unraveling the funnel neck collar.



Collar yarn



I know winding this stuff into a ball is probably not the best thing for it, but it won’t stay that way for long.  I wanted to try to get a few of the kinks out of it.  In a couple of days, this (and whatever else I have managed to free up in the interim!) will get skeined on the swift, soaked/washed, and hung to dry.  Do you think that red is going to be colorfast?  Heheh - I guess we’ll find out!

I started chemotherapy again last week and it’s kicking my butt this time :) I have had to set aside the Madeira Lace Scarf and the Summer Garden Socks because I don’t seem to be able to summon the necessary focus for fine work right now.  I will not frog either project though and am hoping to be able to pick them up again sometime in the future.  Things may be a little more relaxed here at the Yarnpath as regular posting times occasionally yield to appointments or sometimes fatigue and Chatters may be postponed once in a while.  That said, I will try to keep things as they have been as much as I possibly can.

Hope your weekends were wonderful and your Monday tolerable :)

Babbled by Robbyn on 01/22 at 07:26 PM
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  1. Chemo? Hoping all goes well. Rest, do what you have to kick this thing back. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Robbyn. You’ve become a friend. And I don’t like it when friends suffer. {{{{{hugs}}}}}}

    Posted by Ev  on  01/22  at  06:45 PM
    Location : Kelowna, BC

  2. well, you know you have my love and best wishes during this time- while chemo might be whacking you in the backside right now, just think what it must be doing to those nasty cells! candles lit, prayers sent up, hugs from here to there, and good thoughts about making your pretty afghan- i think now is probably a good time to make a nice substantial ‘blankie’-

    mind the doctor!!

    Posted by  on  01/22  at  08:21 PM
    Location : looking out at the rain-

  3. You know good thoughts are winging your way from me. {{{{HUGS}}}}

    Posted by Joan  on  01/23  at  08:11 AM
    Location :

  4. Well, here is some virtual support while you’re going through chemo.  The colors you’re using right now are fabulous!  Haha, “moose lace”, I love it! I’m glad you’re trying Republic, it’s fun.  My yarn was very bulky so I only cast on 64 stitches and bound off 7 for the flap. I used #10’s but it made a very dense fabric--nothing wrong with that for a hat!

    Posted by Laura  on  01/23  at  09:16 AM
    Location :

  5. Ev - I am constantly amazed and profoundly humbled by the friends I have made through this blog.  Thank you for your good thoughts :)

    Posted by Robbyn  on  01/23  at  12:30 PM
    Location : Swimming in the stash :)

  6. Barb - I appreciate your love and prayers more than I can adequately express :) As for minding the doctor - I will if you will!

    Posted by Robbyn  on  01/23  at  12:31 PM
    Location : Swimming in the stash :)

  7. Joan - As if you don’t have enough to worry about!  I’m thinking of you too kiddo - we’re old soldiers and we’ll get through this too :)

    Posted by Robbyn  on  01/23  at  12:32 PM
    Location : Swimming in the stash :)

  8. Laura - You changed the cast on number of stitches!  Perfect!  Thanks for telling me that :) Now I will rip out the other and start again - makes more sense to do it your way.

    Yippee!  I do so want to make this hat!

    Posted by Robbyn  on  01/23  at  12:35 PM
    Location : Swimming in the stash :)

  9. Hi Robbyn, hang in there, sweetie!  I have been thinking of you and hoping things were going well.  Looking forward to chatting on the days we can.

    Posted by Rob  on  01/24  at  12:05 PM
    Location : back home

  10. I am mentally whupping those bad cells on your behalf, dear Robbyn. Please keep us posted during this time.

    Now, what the heck does the Republic hat look like? I clicked on the link but saw nary a picture!

    Posted by Ryan  on  01/24  at  01:05 PM
    Location :

  11. Hi Rob - glad to see you’re home :) I always enjoy chatting with you!

    Posted by Robbyn  on  01/25  at  12:29 PM
    Location : Swimming in the stash :)

  12. Ryan - Thanks, sweetie :) The image of a tiny Ryan armed with a bullwhip chasing bad cells through my system is very entertaining, if a little surreal.

    Sorry the links didn’t work for you - I have finished my own Republic hat and will post on Friday - promise!

    Posted by Robbyn  on  01/25  at  12:32 PM
    Location : Swimming in the stash :)

  13. Chemo? Eeks. I hope it all goes well. Did you enjoy the Heroes marathon? I adore that show and I eagerly await each week’s show.

    Posted by Opal  on  01/29  at  07:58 PM
    Location : Honolulu, Hawaii

  14. Opal - I don’t think I’ve so eagerly awaited the next episode of a TV show since I was about 12…

    The marathon was great fun :)

    Posted by Robbyn  on  01/29  at  08:38 PM
    Location : Swimming in the stash :)

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