Knowledgeable Knitters Know

Yes, they all know that exciting feeling when a bottom up, one piece sweater finally reaches the underarm divide. This time is even better, because now I am done with the lace and can do straight, easy peasy stockinette stitch.

Doing knitting happy dance.

Reached armhole divide,

Now cruising on to the end.

I have a very nice picture of the Lilac Cardigan, showing that I have reached the arm/back separation. However, the Internet is feeling groggy and my photos won't sync up. I'm not even sure if I can post this. So imagine if you will, an expanse of lilac lace, with the center section continued a couple inches farther, in stockinette. Pictures will follow when the Internet feels better.

I can almost see the end in sight. I may have to scour around in the button tin soon.

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Reading and Knitting

With all the knitting going on here, you would think that is all I have been doing in my spare time. But that isn't so. I have been doing a fair amount of reading too. And even discovered podcasts!

One of my fiber friends posted something on Facebook around the first of the year with a link to a blog called Modern Mrs. Darcy. It was a list of books. I can't remember if they were must reads, or favorite reads or what. I went to the link and was fascinated by the website. As a result, I signed up for the newsletter and am following the blog. And I started a reading journal. In addition to the knitting, I am tracking my reading.

It is very interesting. I am on the verge of finishing my journey through the Mrs. Marple novels on my Nook and Kindle apps. Just one more after the one I'm on now. I am on the third book in another historical mystery series, the Lady Darby series by Anna Lee Huber, and recently read another e-book in the Hildegarde Withers mystery series. I picked that one based on an old movie I had seen based on the book: The Penguin Pool Mystery. And I have already found another series I want to read, the Maisie Dobbs series.

You would think that would cut back on my knitting time, but actually not. That is why I love e-books. I can prop up my tablet and read merrily along while knitting up a storm.

If you love to read, and write, I do recommend e-books as well as keeping a reading journal. I even broke down and bought a copy for my kindle app of that stupid book I lost back in December. And no, the original book still hasn't turned up.

Oh yes, I started another slipper yesterday, and am over half way through the first one, thanks to reading and knitting.

 

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Zillionaire Fever

The news has been abuzz all week or more with the latest gianormous lottery jackpot. It may be fun to dream, but a billion and a half? What would that do to a person or family? I cannot even think of it.

Of course, I don't have to think of it, seeing as how I didn't buy any tickets. And if I were, I think I would buy for the Michigan lottery, not Power Ball. The Power Ball odds are now so bad, that no one has won (possibly with the exception of tonight) since they rigged the odds to make bigger jackpots in November. Or in other words, they made it harder to win.

So instead, I will dwell on Grammy time with my handsome Little Farmer.

But just in case, I did remind both sons that their cousin is a financial and investment advisor.

 

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Reading Your Knitting

I find that is is a very useful thing to be able to read your knitting.

That fact has come back to me as I return to the Lilac Cardigan. Since I knit while watching tv, I don't always catch a misstep on the purl return row. But I do try to pay attention on the pattern rows. And I have gotten pretty good at reading the pattern to tell when I am off a stitch or two.

Now that I can see how the pattern stitches stack up, I find, if necessary, I can drop down a couple rows and correct the missing yarn overs. And occasionally even finagle my way through a "sl, k2 tog, psso" that is in the wrong place or incomplete. But only if absolutely necessary.

But bear in mind, I know my limits. As darkness falls, I still need to have sense enough to put this down I favor of a garter stitch shawl, or a stockinette vest. Fewer unplanned "design elements" that way.

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Socks Class

I have been reviewing my new (free!) Craftsy class on socks. It has three pairs as a knit along with a pink haired Lucy Neatby hosting and instructing. So of course, I ended up swatching and casting on. I haven't actually measured and swatched socks in a long rime, so I thought this would be a good time, as I try to follow the instructions for the first sock pattern, Smocked Guernsey Socks. There will be two new patterns the first of February and March. So I need to get cracking on these. No pictures yet.

On the Stonehenge Hitchhicker front, I have finished the first yarn cake and have done a good chunk on the second one. Even on the needles it is looking pretty good.

And extremely warm.

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