Weekend progress

In addition to the very large pile of laundry ( including my sweetie's pile of hunting gear that needs up be cleaned with the special soap that smells like dirt before being packed away until next fall) and other housework, I managed to make a bit of progress on the first installment on the Elegant Ensemble:  fingerless mitts. 

Even though there are two mitts (as I continue to have two hands) I thought these would be the quickest start. Definitely smaller than a scarf, and likely to be used longer through the months than a hat or even ear warmer. 

Today, it us all about the first in the series. 

The only one that wasn't bored

This morning, my usual court was running a bit late. I am used to the odd stares and intrigued looks when I knit, but I always want to point out: we are all waiting, and I am the only one not bored.

I took it to a new level today. I finished my swatch, so I started asking about needle size. I knit the swatch in four different size needles, and had it narrowed down to two, but really couldn't decide beyond that. After a couple muggle opinions, I remembered that there was a fellow knitter one floor up. Ironically, she cast her vote for the same size as the muggles. 

So, I started the first installment of the Elegant Ensemble: the fingerless mitts. 

Today, it is all about the unbored. 

The Elegant Ensemble

The yarn is here! The yarn is here!  Waiting for me when I got home from work today.  In the 45 minutes before it was time to leave for Cub Scouts, in addition to cooking dinner, corralling children, and eating dinner, I was able to gather everything I needed to start. 

Or at least swatch. Swatching really is the slow water torture or knitting. Before you start, please practice, because I am not sure if I can remember how to knit. Doing it for twenty years, but this may be the project where I forget. 

Today, it is all about the testing. 

The Goldilocks Comparison

A few months ago, I frogged the Swirl Skirt, intending to re-start. It was way too big. It would have been mid-calf on me, which was far longer than I had pictured. 

I took a break, and tonight, I re-started. I am only two inches in, but I am already starting to worry that it is too small. I am too old and plump to want to knit a miniskirt. It is hard to judge length on the needles, so I am reserving judgment a little longer. The first inch put the skirt mid-thigh. The second inch has the length three inches above the knee. So we will see if the third inch drops the hemline another inch or two. 

I am starting to feel like Goldilocks in this skirt. "This one is too long. This one is too short."

Today, it is all about "just right" length.   

Two shades of gray

I have spent more time than I will admit to anyone coasting around Ravelry drooling over yarn.  I had a few yarn ideas from the LYS and Knit Picks, but also thought I might find something nice through the stash buying on Ravelry. 

It didn't take long for a firm idea of what sort of yarn I was looking for:  crisp twist/plied, light to medium gray, quality/upscale fiber.

I browsed  yarns.  I pored over details about yarn, comments and descriptions.  I compared various pictures of the same colorway, to eliminate monitor/color issues. I took notes on fiber content, gauge, and general attributes.  I scoped on what other knitters had made from this yarn, judging their final products (taking into consideration the variation of patterns and user idiosyncrasy.) 

I mean, this time I have done my research!

And now I have it narrowed down to two sellers.  Same yarn, slightly different shades of gray, close in yardage, and close in price.  So which to buy. . ..

I am tempted to contact both sellers, and see who responds first. 

Today, it is all about the response time.   

Double Header

I haven't been able to attend Knit Night in months.  It always falls on the same night as Bugaboo's Cub Scout Pack Meeting.  However, this month was the Pinewood Derby Race, so pack meeting details were handled there.  (Bugaboo received a very nice trophy for "Best Tiger", thank you for asking.  I don't know who was happier and more excited, my son or my husband.)  So imagine my glee when I saw Knit Night on my calendar, and realized that I could attend for once.  Knittervention fell on the same night, so I spent one hour at Knit Night, then proceeding to Knittervention.  A knitting group double header!  Three hours of knitting pleasure. 

I spent the first hour working on my Sequined Scarf.  Then I changed locations, ordered a pint of cider, and started Kitchnering.  Yesterday morning, I searched for my red handknit socks as a shield from the single-digit temperatures, only to remember that I had never finished the final seam.  Actually, I had two pairs of socks, finished except for the final seam. 

I took both pairs with me to the office, my head full of delusions that I would be able to Kitchner the seam and still wear the red socks that day.  I finished Kitchnering at 10pm.  Not much point then, but at least the socks will be ready the next time it is freezing cold and I wear the red shirt.  After I weave in the ends. 

As I got dressed this morning, I put on a purple shirt, and realized that the purple socks would have been perfect with it.  The purple socks that were still in the bag waiting to be Kitchnered.  The purple socks that maybe I should have done yesterday, instead of doing the red socks that I had no realistic way of finishing. 

Meanwhile, I have spent entirely too much time online today, researching yarn/patterns for the Elegant Ensemble.  I am trying to not get impatient, and do my homework. 

Today, it is all about the starting and finishing. 

 

    

Elegant ensemble

I wore my cozy new ear warmers to court  this morning. The good news is that my ears were toasty warm. (Though I will concede that it was not as frigid as last week.)

The bad news is that I don't feel like the ear warmers are as formal or matching for business wear. I just used the cute yarn that was already in my stash, but it doesn't match my full length purple wool work coat. 

It got me thinking: I need a elegant looking winter accessories ensemble. Something that would match my coat and each other, and would look formal enough to wear with a suit. 

I have been a knitter for over twenty years, so I am again wondering why I do not already have something like that, but I am focusing on the future. 

I spent some time online, browsing. I am picturing a gray ensemble: hat, ear warmer, scarf, maybe some fingerless mitts if I have enough yarn. Nice yarn, luxury yarn. 

I have finished two projects, so technically I am allowed to start something new, under the 2 for 1 vow. 

Today, it is all about the coordination.