I washed and swatched the 265-yard skein of group shawl yarn that I took home with me after last Tuesday’s gathering (thanks to Cindy Williams, lussina222@aol.com, for plying it!). I used eights to swatch, and think that we might have to up our needle size. Even with my loosy-goosy knitting, I think the fabric isn’t drapey enough for a shawl. I’ll confess, though. I only did a four inch square swatch. But I got the idea pretty quickly that I didn’t like the resulting fabric that much. Think I’ll try again on tens and see where that takes me.
I still need to research the best way to do the square center for the shawl. Anita says to start with a slip knot and a crochet hook and eight loops. I need to just sit and play with that for a while and see what happens. Whatever I do, I’ll write down the steps…not that we’d want to duplicate the shawl, but it might make a good story/article for SpinOff or (even better) Knitty.
The silk scarf is pretty nearly finished. I managed to knit another fourteen inches or so, which puts my length right about 45 inches (roughly). It’s a good length for the scarf, and I may stop there–especially because blocking it is going to make it longer. Have to remember to borrow the blocking wires from Viki…or get tons of pins/tacks for the foam board. I’m glad I have a whole room I can use just to let the scarf dry unmolested. Between the kids, the dog and the husband, it might not survive otherwise.
Speaking of kids and husband, I’m getting sick of the lot of them…more literally than figuratively. Last week all three of them each had some sort of contagious disease: Luke had an upper respiratory virus, Hannah had pinkeye, and Eric had strep throat. So I would work all day, then come home and have to pick up the house, make dinner, and nurse all three of them. Blech. I’m glad my birthday’s coming up–I could use some spoiling!
Speaking of spoiling me, aside from some sock yarn (regia jacquard in blues, purples and greens), I have shown remarkable restraint in buying myself presents for my birthday month. Part of it is the dread in the pit of my stomach from how expensive my mouth is going to be. Since my dopey health insurance won’t cover the jaw surgery the orthodontist wanted, I’m stuck paying cash for an appliance that might or might not be able to reposition my jaw enough for him to be able to make adjustments. Oh wells. At least I can eat chips and salsa again!
Happy Fat Tuesday, all!
–Annie (who celebrated with Sushi and chocolate cake for lunch with a Blenheim’s Gingerale chaser)