just another raveller

Everything is moving slowly. The Spring, the workweek, the knitting. I moved the Hemlock Ring to a longer needle and have slogged up to row 112. There are now 536 stitches on the needle. There are 36 more rows at the end of which there will be 792 stitches. Worsted weight. Pain in the neck. Literally. I've put it aside and returned to the cardigan.  I'm stilling proceeding slowly towards the underarms on the fronts and the back. You may remember that I'm working it in a small lace stitch. I've been a little worried that if I make a regular set in sleeve that somehow the lace stitch will conspire against me and it will end up not fitting. I had in fact chickened out of doing a set in sleeve and was ready to do a drop shoulder style and avoid the whole question of fit.  Setting the project aside for a few days was a good idea. I have come to my senses. My plan now is to get the fronts the same as the back, blocking them to be sure of it and put in a life line. Then I can ...

My sciatica is driving me mad. So mad, that I uncharacteristically phoned my younger sister at 8:15 this morning in order that she could remind me which Yoga poses help relieve this condition. Frances was somewhat surprised but generally sympathetic. Sympathy from a fellow sufferer was key. Answer: gentle Sun Salutations and carefully executed Downward Dog.  I blame The Book. On Wednesday I stood up for 2 hours during The Celebration of The Book.  at work. On Thursday morning,  I stood up and climbed up and down a step stool for three hours installing the faculty authors' Books into a display. Later that day I sat for several hours in one of those nasty folding chairs that they have in school auditoriums and movie theatres listening to eminent authors speak. Now I lie recuperating under the Grey Amusement. In knitting, I am on row 88 of the Hemlock Ring Blanket, really an oversized doily which I am knitting in Berrocco Ultra Alpaca on 4.5 mm needles. I'm on the third skein and...

First, I've decided that setting in sleeves once a month is enough - The Koigu cardi, which will henceforth to be referred to as The Big Swatch, is going to be a drop shoulder affair with gussets like a gansey, but open in front. I'll use the Fleurette pattern all over but may intersperse some seed stitch to give the eye a rest. My hope is that it will drape nicely and look elegant. I think the challenge will be to knit it the right size. I'm worried that the lace will stretch out and I don't want it to end up looking like a dressing gown. Secondly, I've given in and cast on for another project - the Hemlock Ring Blanket. I saw it blocking, here, looking like a big chocolate cookie. That did it. Time to cast on. I've had this pattern in my queue for a while. Doesn't it look like a relaxing knit with all that feather and fan? Plus, since I cannibalized my own grey lap robe to finish the Grey Amusement , my office chair has been naked. I know, this isn't...