Ready for her Close-Up
Well, Ingenue is ready for her close-up!
Because she is totally finished. Ends woven in. Neckband seam sewn. And blocked and drying as we speak.
Which, okay, means she’s not actually ready to be WORN just yet, but the hold-up is more a matter of laundry than knitting. I did everything I could. The rest is just a matter of water evaporation and I have no control over that. I did spin the excess water out in the dryer, though, so it should be a speedier process than when I hand-wash in the sink. (A towel can only absorb so much, you know?)
Anyway, you should be proud of me. I went through my entire pile of items waiting for those final little details, and it took remarkably little time. Weaving in the final end of three socks and a pair of wrist warmers, for example, took about 8.3 minutes. I also tossed my Flutter-Sleeve Cardigan in the dryer this morning (final result, if any, still undetermined). The only thing left to really figure out is what to do with Autumn Rose.
There was one, tragic ending, though. My beloved Susan Bates darning needle that I’ve had for about 20 years wove in its last end. While giving a pull on the seaming yarn for Ingenue’s neckband, there was a “pop!” and … this. The eye of the needle is no longer an eye.
This isn’t world-ending, of course, but seriously. I’ve had this needle since I started to knit–about 1987. I’ve tried Chibis and other metal needles but have never been satisfied. The eyes are too big, the needle too stiff. I’ve even tried to find replacement plastic needles as backup for just this sort of occurence, but haven’t been able to find one. Again, the eyes are always too big. This one was perfect–big enough to thread easily, but small enough to weave in and out without snagging at the knitting. (You can actually get a pretty fair idea of the size of the eye from the picture on this post from last year.)
(Sniffle.) I guess I’m stuck with Chibis now, huh? How ironic. My veteran needle shuffles permanently off-stage just as Ingenue makes her debut. … like 42nd Street without all the tap-dancing and catchy tunes.
I’ve gotten some spinning done. This is the 4 oz of “Floral Camisole” I started the other day. I’ve got the first bobbin done, and am about halfway through the second bobbin. This is exceptionally speedy for me, I know, but the sooner I get this done, the sooner I can start on my MVFF cormo, so, why dawdle?
Otherwise? Today? It’s felt like Sunday, and the fact that I spent most of the morning in the kitchen, baking, didn’t help–since that’s something I usually only do on Sundays. I baked the cake for tomorrow, and then I made one of those two-layer oatmeal cookie/brownie things I’ve made before. And, yes, just as yummy as it was the first time. We’re all looking forward to seeing the family tomorrow!
Anybody else sad to hear about Paul Newman?
And, incidentally, did you know that today is the Worldwide Day of Play?? I didn’t, either, until I read about it at Liz Strauss’s.
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Tannenbaum.
House Calls
Oh my, Paul Newman. I will forever have a crush on him! It is very sad, when the heck did he get to be 83?
They make the smaller, finer Chibis, that I really love. I think it’s the ones in the orange case. Those are my go-to needles most of the time. That sweater looks as blue as Paul Newman’s eyes!
Lorette’s last blog post..Project Roundup, Part 3
2 layer oatmeal brownie????you tease~!
it looks great! hey, lol, i like chibi! smile**
Tanya’s last blog post..can you say true love?
my dad and paul newman were the same age. somehow, in my mind, as long as paul was still kickin’ it, my dad was still around. i’m feeling an inexplicable loss, now that my dad’s “mate” is gone (my dad died 7 1/2 years ago)
I have 2 Susan Bates Blue Plastic needles I would be more than happy to send you! I much prefer metal needles for sewing up my knit items. Just e-mail me and I’ll pop them out to you.
Sue
*moment of silence for a darning needle that had a good life*
Sad about Paul Newman, too – he was one of those people who seemed eternal.
Chris’s last blog post..In which the link thing gets completely and totally out of hand
Oh no! So sad about Paul Newman. He was awesome. YOur sweater is the same color as his eyes. Ingenue turned out great! I hope the dryer did the trick for Flutter Sleeve. And I think you should turn Autumn Rose into a vest. That pattern is too gorgeous not to be worn.
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Congrats on finishing Ingenue.
I too was sad upon hearing about Paul Newman. There was never a more classier (and gorgeous) act.
I found out about the day of play the hard way when nickelodean and noggin (and all the other channels my kids watched) stopped showing stuff. Thank goodness for the DVR because the weather outside wasn’t conducive to sending the shorties out there.
Risa’s last blog post..How do you get tomato sauce out of fur?
Really enjoyed reading all this especially within context of recent visit to Joan and Family.
KAthy also enjoyed it.