Ripped, redone, and relieved

A row had been bugging me: a bright pink row of Peace Fleece that was the eleventh row in my blanket. The Peace Fleece was just much thicker and stiffer and rougher than any of the other yarns. I told myself it would soften in the wash, and it was just one row out of hundreds, and I kept going. Then last night, when I finished my work, I gleefully pulled out my box of new blanket yarn and arranged the blanket in my lap, ready to go. Bill looked over (we were on the couch watching TV) and said, "What's going on there? Look -- this part is all bunchy, and it doesn't look as nice as the rest." And he was pointing at the Peace Fleece. Arrgh! I knew it had to go. So I ripped back nine rows, pulled out the pink PF, felt relieved, and then started to work on my blanket again.

I started using the new colours right away, and it's so interesting to me to see how it's changed, and how different certain colours look next to other ones. Choosing colours is a big part of this project, and a challenge -- of course I could go out and buy yarn in my chosen palette, but it's much more satisfying (says me) to work with what I've got. Anyway, when I finally went to bed last night, I was two rows past where the blanket had been before the big rip. But just think of how much I can get done tonight!

The blanket lives!

I've had to ignore the urge to crochet for almost a week, since a certain pair of podcasters (Nicole and Jenny -- "Yay!") had let me know that they'd each be sending some of their own leftovers my way. Since I want some overall colour unity in my finished blanket, I had to set aside enough of my own leftovers so I could use those colours throughout. And I didn't want to go too far before beginning to incorporate some of the yarns that were headed my way. But now I can resume, because this box arrived this morning!


Is there anything lovelier than a box filled with yarn (that has your name on it and is delivered right to your door)? I'm so excited! Not only because I can work on my blanket again, but because this is a whole new set of colours (compare the pink/gold/orange/purple to my own dark greens, blues, darker pinks, and beiges) and a bunch of yarns that are completely new to me. I've never used Lamb's Pride before! I know it's very common south of the border, but I've never even seen it in Canada. And -- but wait, there's more! -- I'm relieving Nicole of some yarn that she no longer wanted, so it's a win-win situation. Hooray! Thanks again, Nicole. I'll be a happy hooker tonight!

It's back, and I couldn't help myself. Instead of working on a paper, I bought the procrastinators T-shirt from Threadless. (Thanks to Anne for the heads-up way back when.)

OK, so that's done... Now what am I going to do? Oh, yeah, work on my paper. Sigh!

Found object

My friend thrifted a bag of acrylic baby yarn a year or so ago, because -- why else? -- she and her roommate were having a pompom party. Anyway, tucked into the bag with the partial balls of vintage pink and yellow Sayelle was an index card, onto which had been typed a pattern for "Babies' Bootees." My friend recently passed on the card to me, and I thought I'd share it with you.



I have not used this pattern (I'm not even sure I understand parts of it), so I can't tell you what the finished bootees will look like. I also don't know if it's meant for sport- or DK-weight yarn. I do know that the needle sizes given on the back are Canadian; metric equivalents are 3.0mm, 3.25mm (US 3), and 3.75mm (US 5). I love that -- for different sizes, don't change the pattern, just change the needles! Anyway, if you use this mysterious pattern, let us know how the bootees turn out.

(I was going to photograph the index card on the living room carpet, but Mooky said, "Have you no shame? You poured catnip on this very carpet the other night, and although I rolled in it and thoroughly enjoyed it, I didn't eat it all. And you haven't vacuumed yet. It's a mess! I must insist that you move along, while I continue to lie on the offending spot, which, incidently, still has the faint aroma of my precious narcotic... Please, just leave me be.")

The obsession continues

So far I've used 9 different kinds of yarn, in 13 different colours. All have been leftovers, until last night. I bought a skein of O-Wool Classic because I figured this blanket gives me the chance to try new yarns and see if I like them. (The O-Wool is just slightly rough -- not rough, exactly, but kind of sticky -- but it's gorgeous. It's the second row from the top in the photo above.) I think this blanket needs some yellow or orange soon...

Added: Have you seen the knit vs. crochet mockumentary Wooly Bullies (found via Yarn-a-go-go)? Oh. My. God. It is so funny. (On crocheters: "It's just ridiculous, the things these people try to pull off as legitimate.") Go watch it now if you haven't already.

Interweave thoughts

The spring issue of IK arrived today, and I'm really not a fan of the changes in its design. Lots of the editorial pages look like ads, which is confusing. And I miss seeing the designer's name with each piece -- now you have to flip back to the patterns to see whose work you're admiring. Still, I like lots of the patterns, and the springy colours are lovely.

I simply must have a Dollar and a Half Cardigan. I love it so so so much; as always, Véronik is a genius. (And she's finally blogging!) There are other designs that I really like, but will not likely make: Kate's Keyhole Top is so pretty; Stefanie's Cable-Down Raglan is awesome; and Eunny's Entrelac Socks are stunning. I'll probably make Grumperina's Roza's Socks at some point. The Clementine Shawlette is awfully cute, too (without the little flippers at each end).

And did I mention the Dollar and a Half Cardigan? I don't just want to knit it -- I want to marry it.