Well, it’s not particularly fancy, but here’s my pink square for Warming Grace. Just a simple garter stitch, with YO increases along the diagonal, for a little lacy detail. (Very little, of course, but hey.) I’ll get it into the mail to Cynthia just as soon as I get a postcard to include in the package . . . and, of course, after it’s dry! I mean, really, who could resist those beautiful eyes of hers? (Grace’s, that is, though I’m sure Cynthia’s are lovely, too.)

Anyway, this only took me a few minutes this afternoon. I spent most of my knitting time today getting my Celtic Dreams started. I worked diligently to pick up the stitches along the saddles, and in however many hours I put into it today, I got all the way to row 8 of the back. It doesn’t sound very impressive, does it?

Yet, let me tell you, it actually is pretty impressive. Because knitting a cabled aran sweater in Aran-weight yarn in SIZE 2 NEEDLES is not easy. In fact, may I just say, “Ouch.” My left wrist in particular is sore tonight. Part of that may be from the sheer quantity of knitting this weekend–it was that fun, social thing–but some of it is is from struggling with this (relatively) big yarn on (relatively) small needles. I mean, really! 3 mm needles for this yarn is just absurd, and something of a struggle. Just getting through the first row was a struggle.

I don’t know about you, but while it’s not my favorite thing, I don’t mind casting on THAT much. I usually use the knitted-on cast on and find that’s pretty easy since it is, after all, almost the same thing as knitting. But what I do detest is knitting that first row. It’s always the tightest row of any project–that’s just the nature of cast-on rows–but in general, getting the stitches on the needle and the first row done is always my first big hurdle. Which, well, fine. That’s the nature of knitting.

But this pattern? It’s got increases in the first row. It’s part of the effort of avoid what the designer calls Cable Splay. Quote: “Special attention has been given to the technique of casting on fewer stitches than are required and increasing in the first row worked to compensate for the take-in of cables. This creates a smooth edge while avoiding ‘cable splay’ (the spreading out of the base of the cables).”

An admirable goal, and from a design standpoint, I applaud it. From a knitter’s standpoint–a knitter who loathes the first row to begin with . . . well, not only were there Purl-in-front-and-back increases, which were bad enough, but trying to do M1 increases off the cast-on row, while working in tiny needles with Aran-weight yarn . . . oh lord! Let’s just say it took far too long to get to Row 2.

I am absolutely dreading the start of the front . . . you know, when I eventually get there. At this rate, it may be a while. But still. The cables do look pretty, and my gauge isn’t too far off (grin). My saddles actually matched the gauge, but when I measured the width of the back (which according to the schematic should be 14″ wide), it was 16″. Obviously, that’s 2″ too wide, but darn it, I’ll take it. God knows I am NOT dropping down to size 1s. As it is, I’m using wood instead of Addi Turbos because the metal (for the first time ever) was too hard on my hands because of the extra effort of manipulating the Aran-thick stitches. Anything smaller is simply not an option.

One thing I didn’t mention in my account of Liz and Shelley’s visit (and Risa and the twins)? The awful weather we had yesterday. Cold rain, mixed with sleet, and even snow. Really miserable–which makes Risa’s bringing the twins Saturday morning that much more admirable, since she didn’t opt at the last minute to stay home in bed. And Liz and Shelley resolutely left at noon as they intended, despite the weather, so they could get home when they needed to. And after they had all left? I admit it. I took a nap with Chappy on the couch. It was just that kind of day.

But, the reward for the truly miserable weather?

The truly glorious sunset last night.

(Okay, I admit I tweaked this a little in Photoshop to make the colors a little more saturated, but really, even without digital enhancement, this was a gorgeous display.)

Today, of course, naturally, ironically, the weather was perfect. Mid-fifties, bright sun, just a lovely early Spring day. I ran down to Dunkin Donuts this morning for some coffee (the coffee maker was still tired from yesterday). I brought Chappy along. He really doesn’t much like the car, but the bonus about the 2-mile trip to Dunkin Donuts? He gets a bite or two of corn muffin. For some reason, Chappy adores the Dunkin Donuts corn muffins. He doesn’t like mine this much–I wonder if it’s the fun of going to get them himself, or if he likes the taste of those extra preservatives or whatever they bake into theirs that my from-scratch muffins don’t have? Either way, I would never consider taking a quick run to DD without bringing him with me.

He also got a nice, long walk this morning. And then a sample of tuna at lunch. (He loves fish–I never make tuna salad without offering him a taste of the plain tuna. He loves the Laske Kronch salmon treats from SitStay.com, and he is always thrilled if I add sardines into a batch of his food.) All in all, he’s had a good, good weekend. Guests. Extra treats. Playtime. A long walk. Lots of time with Mom (me). Is it any wonder he’s this tired? He might actually be glad to see the usually-dreaded Monday Morning . . . a chance to get some sleep!

Oh, and Liz? Chappy says hi, and that he misses you!

• Tags: General, Knitting/Spinning, Sky • Permalink:Weekend Update //