Spring Flair Recognized

Wendy's design for the Flair was based on an earlier design for a children's Swing Coat. Being the not so much fashionista that I am, I didn't realize that this was a "style" of coat and thought it was a coat for Wendy's little girlfriend to wear on the swing. Today I wore it over a like-colored green springish sweater. The principal not only recognized it AS a SWING COAT, she also noticed the neat and tidy raglan sleeves thanks to the circular knitting. The final product may not have been everything I'd hoped for BUT it was recognized for it's redeeming qualities (a good design and an effort at better sleeves) I'm calling that a success today as I frog and redo the "adass" socks. Those metal dpns are just too slippery for knitting while backseat gaming. Will the adass socks get done in time for adass day? Stay tuned...

More Lessons Learned

Things I have learned from my Spring Flair

1. I know why I've read so much about knitters not loving button holes

2. A row or two makes a difference in buttonhole placement.

3. Blocking makes things better.

4. I know why I have not knit anything for my husband yet. (After the first presentation with buttons slightly askew-even more than pictured- the first thing he said was "you're missing a button." NEVERMIND the 1/2 million stitches I made out of one strand of yarn.)

5. I know that when I finally knit something absolutely fabulous I will know it thanks to my husbands committment to the truth.

Hope Springs Eternal

After some blog cruising of late, I've seen many many daffy-dils. None however had any sock yarn growing in them. Yes, as reward for some housecleaning (including the evil ladybugs) and in mourning for the pricey bag (which the LYS owner says to keep shrinking/washing until you can't see the stitches anymore) I purchased a sure winner in 2 skeins of sock yarn- this particular brand includes soy and shrimp shells. It was slightly pricier than if I had ordered on line but you can't get instant gratification on-line.

And, true to the title of this blog, where but in the heart of an intermediate novice knitter can you find such hope in the next finished piece? I spotted some perfectly matching buttons for the Spring Flair. I have about 20 more REALLY LONG rows until I think the body will be done. The sleeves are much like knitting socks, so if the body fits, we're home free. If it doesn't there will be a whole lot of frogging going on to the point where it's too small and then I'll try again. Unless of course this occurs a few rows after the collar in which case I will proceed to make some socks.

An update on the visit to the vet- all is well, however Sophie has been prescribed an antidepressant for anxiety- I told you it was a psych visit!

blurry flair with flab

A better photo op was not possible- dear husband is engaged in some serious play station gaming and I could only step away for a few minute from my "backseat gaming duties" While I find playstation's Sly Cooper's Racoon Thievery frustrating to play, I am most excellent at spotting what is missed out of the corner of my knitting eye. Thanks to Denise's needles, the Spring Flair has been resucitated from it's previous use as a faucet cover. With a longer cord and the proper "stoppers" at the end I've discovered that it won't be so small and will likely fit nicely over a tank. The 3/4 length sleeves designed by Wendy will be just enough to cover the arm flab when I get to that point, so Flair is on the burner again.

So the NEW AND IMPROVED goals for next week (spring break)- Finish the felting project, get to the bottom of the flair, and get both cats to the vet and home without any major injuries.

What cracks me up about that is that on the calendar it says "Annabelle-4:00" on Monday and "Sophie-4:00" on Tuesday as if they have seriously important appointments to make. If that were the case I would say that Sophie is headed to the psychiatrist for her anxiety issues and Annabelle is headed to a talent agent to make use of her dramatic ways. Sorry about their luck. They should just be relieved that they aren't facing the fate of the last cat I took there... poor Kitty.

Throwing in the Towel?

It may be time to frog and start over again. Wishing that this were big enough to be a comfortable fit will not make it so-at least that is what I was thinking on Saturday. Today it sits in punishment upstairs-banned from the holy knitting area. Will it be another lesson re-learned about knitting swatches and checking sizes? Only time will tell. How far am I willing to trust blind faith as I battle against the amount of time this thing will realistically take to complete? On a side note, this in no way reflects the quality of the yarn or Wendy's Flair pattern- both of which are nice. Instead it is a reflection of my continued experimentation with letting go of denial of the way things are..or not.

always check gauge

Gauge for the Flair pattern:

18 sts and 22 rows = 4” (10 cm)
in Stockinette Stitch (St st)

My gauge-
9 sts and 11 rows =2"

and yet its just feeling small- I must go forth failure or not.

It still seems kind of small.

Spring Flair

With my new respect for the March "Season of Crankiness," I will try to keep these posts as forward thinking as possible. Wendy's Flair is coming along nicely. If you look closely, you can see the raglan sleeves as well as a few daffodil buds. This green was not the color I thought it would be when I ordered it on e-bay from the Cucumberpatch but I am slowly growing fond of it. I have some daisy buttons from a previous ufo that I may try. They're not really my style but if you're looking for "non-knitters envy" at a conservative West Virginia school, they're just the thing.

As to the gym- it's been a three-day a week event so far and while not as much as I had hoped, I was able to change from the "fat wedding band" to the "thin wedding band." Those of you who have a collection of "fat clothes" in your wardrobe clearly see the significance of this.

Get Outta Here

They tell me that this will make a sweater without having to sew up any seams. Sometimes when I read the directions I don't understand them until after I have done them wrong. I'm not going to set my expectations too high. I'm also bidding on some dark green yarn to make another vest out of. I haven't taken V is for Victory off in 3 days!