WIP Insanity

Well, colour me stunned. I have COMMENTS! Okay, just one comment. But wow! Heady stuff. I didn't talk about it in yesterday's entry because, well, I hadn't noticed. But then last night I had the chance to check my email, and there was the notification right there. You coulda knocked me over with a feather. I have readers? Even if it's just one reader? Neat!

So anyway, thank you very much, Jo, for the emotional rush of receiving the very first comment ever on my blog. To address one of your points, I'm not sure if I'm a speedy knitter. I suspect I am - but then I look at what Hazel Tindall can do and I think yeah, maybe not. Actually I've been getting a bit obsessive about this issue lately. Anytime I see other knitters at work, I find myself taking surreptitious looks (probably not as surreptitious as I would like to think they are, but what the hey) to see whether they're faster than me. So far, I haven't found anyone who is. But that means nothing, because everyone I've seen knitting lately might be new at the craft, or their hands might be cold, or in pain, or something. So I really don't know. I've been thinking of getting my husband to time me. But then I think that would be ridiculously obsessive and unnecessary (not to mention that my hands would probably seize up under the pressure if I knew I was being timed) and I think, nah, don't bother. So, am I speedy? The answer shall remain a mystery.

To Jo's question, "Any pics of the baby stuff in progress?", the answer is unfortunately no. I don't own a digital camera, so if I do take any in-progress pictures, I would have to wait to finish off the roll of film, then wait for developing, then scan it...and by that time, the relevant blog entry would be weeks (if not months) old and the point would be completely lost. This is a shame, because I know my blog would be infinitely more interesting if people (myself included) could actually see what the heck I'm working on, but for the moment it ain't gonna happen. On the other hand, it is possible that I could bring some of my WIPs along to my mom's house whenever we visit and use her digital camera for the purpose. That's an idea that bears thinking about.

Spanish Knight sweater for Mom

Last night I decided to indulge. I got out a skein of the Lavold Silky Wool. I put it on the swift. I lovingly untied it. With reverence I loaded it up on the ball winder and happily wound a centre-pull ball. I hunted for my 3mm straights. I cursed at my failure to do so. I cursed again when I realised they were being used to make my Elizabeth I sweater. I may have hummed tunelessly as I transferred my Elizabeth I sweater project to some 2.75mm straights. I held the 3mms aloft in triumph, sat down with the pattern and the yarn and the needles, and began...to curse again. Why? Because I have no idea which size I should be making for my mother. Sigh. So...I called her up. Problem solved? Heck, no! I got my dad. He told me Mom wasn't there, she was at a meeting (so much for calling her on her mobile). Say, dad, do you know mom's chest size? 35 years of marriage, you'd think he'd know this, right? Nope. He even laughed when I told him this was information he really should know. So I shall have to call my mom today. However, as a last act of rebellion against the stupidity of all of this, I cast on the minimum number of stitches I would need for the project. So it's at least started. I again have at least 15 WIPs. So there.

Stornaway sweater for BIL (cream)

Nothing but sleeve. Lordy, I can't wait to finish this. Only 97 stitches per round and it is still taking forever to get to the cuff. Perhaps tonight.

Patons sweater for baby Rosatelli

This pattern is pissing me off. Or rather, it is my inability to follow this pattern that is pissing me off. Particularly, the fact that it is a simple pattern and I keep screwing it up is pissing me off. Every other row, the pattern calls for a K3, P1 repeat. And I have now developed the highly annoying habit of doing K2, P1 instead at some point along the row...and not noticing it at all until two rows later. I am really sick of having to correct this mistake. And there's still another sleeve to do after this one. Sob.

Elizabeth I sweater for moi

Note to self - I have put this project on "stitch holders" to free up the 3mms for the Spanish Knight project. Self, keep in mind that when you go back to this project, you will need to put it back on the 3mms. End of note to self.