I have been meaning to mention that Nathalie of Knitting Natty has given me a “You Make My Day” award.  I am humbled and flattered - thanks Nat :) Please forgive me for taking so long to mention it - I’m a bit scatterbrained these days.

Last night, while I was watching West Side Story, I finally bit the bullet and frogged the shawl…

Sigh… I know I’ll find some appropriate use for the Manos, but I’m still a little disappointed; it would have made a magnificent fiesta of a shawl had there only been enough of it.  On the other hand, there’s no reason it couldn’t make some spectacular hats - definitely an idea to fiddle around with :)

And, just as an aside, do you think it’s possible to be too old for Romeo and Juliet?  I had loved West Side Story when I first saw it and I still think the choreography and Bernstein’s music are absolutely matchless.  But I found that I felt little for Tony and Maria or for much of the story at all.  Chalk it up to age and cynicism, I suppose.  The music is still, I feel, some of the best that’s ever been written for American Theater.

This is about 8 ounces of Socka Superwash sock yarn.  It is, at this moment, residing in the crock pot and it and I are (hopefully!) cooperating in the production of something like a bottle green color.  There are about 1150 yards of this stuff which should be enough to contemplate a lace shawl with.  Not exactly lace weight I’ll grant you, but a little finer than most of my shawls have been so far.  I’m still poring over stitch patterns so this isn’t an immediate project - at least I don’t think it is.  Knowing me, it’s entirely possible that the yarn will overpower me and never stop singing until I cast it on.  Some yarns are like that :) I have to exercise a little discipline though (something I am notoriously poor at) because I fell to the siren song of the Manos too and you can see where that got me :)





Remember on Tuesday, I was mumbling about using the stitch pattern from the One Row Handspun Scarf in a sweater?  Well…

I’m not sure this is exactly it.  However, I took out my very favorite pullover, laid it out flat on the bed and measured everything.  It is a drop shoulder cotton sweater that fits me exactly as I like.  I measured length from shoulder to bottom, sleeve length (and depth at underarm and wrist), neck and shoulder widths - everything.  Then I did a gauge swatch (horrors!) and determined that on size 7 US (4.5 mm) needles, I was getting 4.8 stitches and about 7 rows per inch in pattern.  And then I did some math and cast on.

The only thing giving me pause is the possibility of doing the top-down thing again only actually making something that fits this time :) I do wear Autumn Seeds and I don’t dislike it.  But there are definitely things I’d do differently this time - like lengthening the body, not making armscyes so big you could smuggle a bulldog in them and making a more regulation sleeve.  So I’m not entirely sure I’ll continue with the drop shoulder - though it would certainly be a simple enough way to go. 

Oh - and shall I tell you how much time I spent testing seaming methods on the swatch?  I have already rejected mattress stitch because I’m afraid it won’t be secure enough.  For now, assuming I go through with the drop-shoulder plan, I expect to do a crocheted seam which looks neat on the right side and would make for a good, sturdy seam.

The new kids are all doing well.  Sundance, here, is having his morning meditation :) Degus, like gerbils, have a tendency to “space out”.  They aren’t asleep and are aware - but they’re not entirely there :) We have also discovered that the degus (who’s systems can’t tolerate much in the way of fats or sugars) are absolutely batty about shredded wheat.  A little mini-sized biscuit to each of them in the morning, and all’s right with their world :) Forgive the schmutz on the tank - degus throw everything everywhere so it’s unavoidable.





Cocoa Puff is nearly full grown now, though she was only about the size of my thumb when we brought her home.  She’s a delight to watch and is fond of pumpkin seeds which she will eat right out of my hand.  Oh yeah - and we’ve also been able to determine that she is female :)





See the “Knitting Chatter” button on the side bar for more information.

With both a new router and a new modem, I can’t imagine what could keep Chatters from taking place tomorrow night.  I probably shouldn’t have said that; the gods love nothing better than a challenge :) But, I’m going to open up at the usual time and hope for the best.  Hope to see you there!

Have a great weekend :)