It’s been a while since I showed you my lace knitting, so here’s a somewhat mediocre picture . . . something about the blue Zephyr lace spread out over the red ottoman . . . unless you enlarge it (and, please do), it just kind of looks like a purple haze. But still, you can see the progress.

The Peacock Stole has been acting rather diva-ish the last few times I’ve taken her out of the knitting bag . . . which has led to her being promptly returned to the knitting bag. In fact, tonight, I stopped one pattern-repeat from the end of the row and just shoved her back while I pulled out my Celtic Dreams instead. But then I felt kind of badly about the rudeness, and we made up . . . she forgave me right after I knitted four rows. (Is it perhaps a mistake that I’ve been letting my knitting browse the internet while I’m at work? I think my peacock stole has taken quite a shine to Dolores.)

One thing I do definitely like is that, since this is a rectangular, stole version, the rows stay the same length all the time. No sneaky, triangular growth so that each night you find yourself knitting fewer and fewer rows. I do like that! There are some quibbles with the pattern, though–all my own problem, not the wonderful Fiddlesticks shawl pattern. But since I’m knitting this straight, I’m just knitting the “repeats,” the chart sections between the red lines . . . none of the shaping parts that would go into the growing corners. Which is fine, and is working out well . . . except for at the very beginning and end of each row, when I have to actually stop and think about whether I should do a decrease or yarn-over called for in the pattern, or would it throw off the rest of the row. (Since, of course, the original pattern might have a YO just on the other side of the repeat, so that if I do a decrease, I’ll actually be short a stitch . . . or whatever.) Anyway, it’s caused us some issues, but we’re getting along now.

I’m on row 174, which means I’ll be starting the last “pattern” chart next. So, really, progress is being made . . . although I have to admit, as always, I’m dreading having to do the whole thing a second time.

Second sock. Second sleeve. Second cardigan front. Second stole-panel. Why does it seem lately that everything I’m knitting comes in pairs? (grin)

Here you can see the progress on my second Celtic Dreams sleeve after, what, three nights of knitting? Yes, I can hear you squinting–there’s not much to see, just barely past an inch long. (Sigh) Of course, my continuing issues with 16″ needles didn’t help. My hands really aren’t that large . . . they’re a decent size with longish fingers, but not particularly large, and yet, managing to hold those short needles is hard. The grip always makes my hands hurt. And so I’m going to do this entire sleeve with the magic loop method. I switched the needle over tonight . . . well, it took two tries. I knit one row onto the longer needle and then stupidly turned the work, knit back on the same two needles and ended up with all the stitches on that 16″ needle again! (Sheesh. You know, the fact that I went on after that to have that little “chat” with diva-peacock says a lot about how tiredly stupid I was at that point, wouldn’t you say?)

Oh well. I also added another book to the library today–”Last-Minute Gifts.” It was on sale for a great price at Overstock.com (as was the first season DVD of the “Dog Whisperer”), and I figured that maybe there’d be a pattern or two in there to help use up some of my stash . . . you know, if I ever get the endless sleeves done. I don’t know that I love it, but I’ve seen worse pattern books, so….

Anyway, it’s been another rainy day–though not quite so miserably dark and gray as yesterday–so that’s two days in a row that Chappy hasn’t gotten out for a walk. Unfortunately, I don’t think chewing on his chocolate-scented Nylabone isn’t quite enough of a substitute.

Frankly, I’m just glad that tomorrow’s Friday. The weather is supposed to be better this weekend, which is good news. Not only will I likely get out for a walk (hopefully with my Trekking socks!), but Risa’s sister is getting married, and who wants a rainy wedding day?

Tags: General, Knitting/Spinning // 9 Comments »