Well, I can confidently tell you that the “faux” seams on my Autumn Rose are no longer the least bit false. Not only are they firmly stitched in (by hand, with a backstitch with more of the Shetland yarn), but the excess seam allowance has been cut out of the sweater.

I know, scary, huh? I didn’t give myself time to think or fret over it after I stitched the seams. I just cut them. Bam. Done.

The next step is to block the sweater, but that’s going to have to wait until after Christmas, because I need the guest room bed and it’s, um, kind of occupied with things covered in wrapping paper at the moment.

It’s just a shame I can’t think of something to do that would solve the low-armhole problem. Because, really, it’s uncomfortably low under the arms. Yet another oddity I didn’t expect. Claudia and Cate both mentioned it, though, so it’s not just me . . . although I still blame my personal gauge issues. And, really, this brand-new, not-yet-worn sweater has had enough alterations, don’t you think?

Not only did I finally get around to doing the sewing on my Autumn Rose, but I actually tackled my mending pile, starting with that skirt that was determined to strew buttons everywhere I went. It and two pair of pants that had somehow lost the entire hem around an entire leg (each) have been sitting on my bedroom chair for weeks now, waiting to be fixed. Now, hemming and sewing/tightening buttons isn’t really that difficult, but . . . I don’t like mending, and so I let them sit. (Of course, this reluctance to sew them turned them into clutter which is even worse than mending in my opinion, but what can you do?) The point is, though, that they’re done now. Phew!

I also finished my Tudora today. Well, mostly. I actually ran out of yarn last night and had to cast-off several rows early so it doesn’t have as much shaping as it should, and to get a button-band on there, I had to dig out some purple Cashmerino Aran I had in the closet, because at least purple and green look good together, right? Now, I just need to sew on ITS button and it will be ready to wear. This, of course, doesn’t count as mending because it’s brand-new. It’s part of the creation process.

I also, today, wrapped my last couple of Christmas presents, took Chappy out for the first walk he’s had in a week, did some stuff on the computer, and baked a cake which I kind of made up as I went along (grin). It’s still warm, so I haven’t had a chance to try it yet, but it’s sort of kind of a fruit cake–as in, it’s got dried blueberries, cranberries and other dried fruits and an assortment of walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts in it, but NO candied peel or candied cherries or any of the other atrocities that go into traditional fruitcake. (No, no liquor, either.)

Really, it’s been nice to get things done today. Tonight, Mom, Chappy and I are going to watch Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and then tomorrow, we’re all heading up to my sister’s for our family Christmas celebration. Normally we do this on the 24th, but this year, my niece has to work, so –since Christmas is conveniently on a Tuesday–we’re doing the family thing on Sunday instead. (What we’ll do next year with Christmas on a Thursday, I don’t know.) The weather is supposed to be WET, though. Rain, not snow, but still . . . possibly lots of rain, especially in the afternoon. Which means that whenever Chappy needs to go to the bathroom, we’ll have to go stand in the rain, which is something he really hates to do (and then often won’t go), and the drive home is likely to be kind of miserable. But the day itself? Should be fun. You know, as long as nobody gets sick in the car….

Tags: General, Knitting/Spinning // 4 Comments »