In which I knit!

Shocking, I know.

Last weekend I finished the knitting of the Wisp! I blocked it very loosely, as I am really not well versed in lace blocking. Note to self: read up on blocking. I just washed it several times and pressed the water out by rolling it up in a towel, then I laid it out on a dry towel and sort of tugged it into shape. Part of why I think it’s a tad misshapen is that I started the very first lace repeat not knowing how to actually do a yarn over… *sigh* Sometimes I think I already know how to do a thing, then realize later, after knitting in an unfroggable mohair yarn, that I am just going to suck it up and keep going. So I think it actually came out a tiny bit narrower than the pattern called for. It’s ok, it’s really pretty anyway. Still need to get some buttons for it, then I can send it to my Mom!

I’m also chugging away on B’s second Cigar glove. For some reason, I fall asleep after a couple of rows whenever I try to knit on it. I think the small round-and-round motion is hypnotizing me! But I will finish it. You can’t stop me. Plus, I have an incentive now. I should really try to finish it before my new yarn arrives for my next project.

Next project: The Secret of the Stole ii. I’m really excited! I have never participated in a Knit A Long (KAL) before, nor have I tackled a lace stole other than Wisp. Yes, self, you really WILL need to study up on blocking. For serious.

So, the yarn is a gorgeous aqua shaded affair, merino and seacell laceweight. It’s got a bit of a sheen to it. The SotSii instructions mention it being suited for earthtones (meh… I prolly wouldn’t wear it) and a smooth, unfluffy yarn, with no beading. Works for me. The UK seller is sending it out today, so I’m not sure I’ll have it in time to swatch according to schedule – I may swatch using some other laceweight I got for Christmas from KnitPicks. That’ll at least give me a guess.

I really don’t mind swatching. Sometimes it is frustrating, but I guess I’m more of an obsessive knitter, and I really want to know what the fabric is going to look like when I’m done, rather than knit the whole thing, decide I don’t think the fabric is showing off the yarn to it’s fullest beauty, and then never look at the object again. I do tend to get erratic results from swatching, so that’s another reason. I often have to go down 2 or more needle sizes. A lot of people happily live in a swatch-free zone, and if that works for them, great! Doesn’t much work for me.