Nearing the End of the Duchess

Last Sunday's rain delay in Daytona that was briefly interrupted by the Daytona 500 (Yea Junior!) provided me time to finish the last sleeve and pick up over 350 stitches around the fronts and neck of the Duchess of Cambridge cardigan.  I have over half of the 3 1/2 inch border done.
Perhaps by tomorrow I can cast off.  Then I can return to the SWestie Shawl, as well as other WIPs (Works in Progress) as I contemplate new projects.

I have a semi-stealth project in mind.  I can probably post pictures, but won't mention who it is for, once that is begun.  For now, I'll just say February Baby Sweater.  And maybe a blankie to go with it.
Once I spend time on the shawl again, I will think about casting on.
I wonder what the weather report is in Phoenix this weekend come race time?

Now Is The Winter of Our Discontent?

Many of my friends, neighbors, and others across West Michigan have been channeling William Shakespeare and Richard III lately.  Conversations and FaceBook are awash with mutterings and grumblings about the weather.  And the temperatures.

And I have to confess that, contrary to popular opinion.....I am not one of them.
I have been completely enjoying this winter.  Sure, I got stuck in the driveway one evening.  I have arthritis in my knee and hands that has started acting up more. And it is hard to convince Lizzy, my dog, that she really needs to take a walk some days.

But come summer, when the heat of July and August are once again upon us, I will be longing for weather like this again.  This is not the winter of my discontent.

The So Sari Shawl Finished

The fuzzy wuzzy sari silk yarn has been transformed in to a wonderful shawl.  And with about a skein to spare as well.

The yarn over holes are a bit subtle but their still add an airy quality.  Funny thing though; as holey as it is, it is very warm.  As I finished it during the recent (and very brief) warm spell I wrapped it around me as I knit the last few rows.  And it was very warm.
It has been passed on to it's owner and I am back to working on the Duchess of Cambridge cardigan.  I hope to cast off the second sleeve either today or tomorrow.  Then comes the long task of picking up the stitches up one side, around the neck and down the other side.  And some tedious hours of 1 x 1 ribbing to finish that project.
This shawl was project five for this year.    I promise not start anything new until I finish the cardigan and SWestie shawl.
Except for a possible pair of socks.
I hope.

Let's Go Racing

At long last, NASCAR is back. Not the regular season but the first race: the free-wheeling, free-for-all called the Sprint Unlimited. I am ready. My knitting is at hand and ready to go.

But the one dark spot is that for the first time since I have followed the racing, my man Mark is not here. Mark Martin has once again retired. He tried before, and that didn't take. But it seems this time that he means it. He is at least off the track. Hope he enjoys retirement. At least it was his decision.

So now, who will be my main driver to root for? I really don't know. I picked Brad Keselowski as my driver on my NASCAR app, mostly because he is from Michigan. But Tony is back, Kyle seems less intense, Jimmy is on a roll, and there is always Jr. I like all of them, and more.

Today I may have Brad, but the position of favorite driver is up for grabs. Now excuse me. The flag will drop soon.

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And I'm Off

The real Winter Games began competing on Thursday, so I started to knit then. Once swatching was done, and the sample approved, there was no reason to wait.

I ended up with size 13 needles, a bit outside my comfort zone. And apparently the ball I chose to start with was the one used in the bottom swatch. It knit up thicker than just the size 11 needles would account for.

it ran out after about three or four inches and the next ball wasn't so fuzzy. But I decided to add random yarn over holes every couple rows to make it more light and airy.

You can see both sections here as Lizzy models it. I will just save the thickest and fuzziest to use at the final end.

PS...You may notice that I avoid the O word when referring to the Games. The official "O" committee threatened to sue in the past when knitters used the word when they celebrated the games with knitting. So I prefer to ignore the the official group.

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