Lively and Lovely

Every once in a while, Knit Night (second Monday of the month) and Knitter-vention (every other Monday) fall on the same night.  I usually try to hit both, leaving a half hour early for one and arriving a half hour late for the other.  This past Monday night, I was running late (ahem, read: my sweetie forgot about a meeting and was running late to watch the boys so I could leave), so I went straight to Knitter-vention, on time there at least, for a change. 

The company was lively.  Well, it always is, but livelier than usual.  An off-color comment here, a risque joke there, and a long discussion about self-defense with firearms.  (One of our crowd has a problem neighbor, one who has threatened to harm her, her husband, her infant, and everyone else in the neighborhood.  Poor lamb.  This is a "breaking news" story just waiting to happen.)   

The knitting was far less exciting.  I finished a row and started another on Fuchsia Wave.  I really should have more to show for over two hours of uninterrupted knitting time, but there it was.  Only  a couple more 640 stitch rows, and I can start the border.  17 stitches in the perpendicular border, 640 rows.  Oh, balls!  That is over 10,000 stitches.  Why do I insist on torturing myself by doing the math?

On a final plus side, the night was just a little chilly, just cold enough to throw Duchess over my shoulders.    Ditto this morning.  Lovely!

Today, it is all about the chilliness. 

   

Snowy pic

This is the time of year when I start getting sick of winter.  Sick of cold, dreary days.  I am firmly of the opinion that if it must be cold, at least give me some pretty snow to look at.  Indiana has largely been missed by the snowstorms that have blanketed the midwest this winter.  The predictions would be for snow, which somehow never materialized.  All winter long, Bugaboo has been talking about making a snowman, and we haven't had more than a dusting. 

Until this week, that is.  About four inches.  Not enough for a self-respecting snowman, but enough to serve as a backdrop for Black Rose.  I rushed right out in the frigid cold to snap a quick pic. 

I have passed the point where I had to rip back to a lifeline before.  Nearly four inches completed now.  Right now, it takes about 15 minutes for each two rows.  (The wrong side row is just all purls, surrounded by a garter border, so that one is fast.)  

As each right side row increases by 8 stiches, the width will quickly increase, and the time to finish it accordingly.  I am already over 200 stitches.  Why do I do this to myself?  Oh, yeah: gorgeously soft and bouncy alpalca + exquisite lace pattern = shawl fit for the red carpet.  Eye on the prize.    

I had Knittervention this week.  I took Fuschia Wave out of my bag, stared at it for 14 seconds, then put it away.  I just couldn't bring myself to spend the whole two hours picking up stitches.    I worked on Swirl Skirt instead.  I haven't photographed this in a while, and I have made a lot of progress, as you can see.  I am really loving the color progression on this skirt. 

It was also my birthday on Monday.  The pub gives a free shot of whiskey or bread pudding on your birthday.  My fiber companions requested the bread pudding as a birthday surprise on my behalf.  Good call, Theresa! Not exactly on my diet, but very tasty.  Besides, everyone knows that birthday calories don't count. 

Today, it is all about the snow.