The CJ Ruffled Scarf

On the heels of my last scarf project and determining that the project I want to make out of the yarn I have simply does not exist yet I decided to design my own scarf pattern. (I know, "oooh, challenging." Bite me.)

After frogging out my attempt at a "knitted jar" original pattern as being too painful to complete (two strands of Lamb's Pride Bulky on size 6 DPNs at a gauge so tight the wooden kneedles I was using were threatening to snap under the pressure) I decided my first pattern will be easier on my hands. It'll be a nice and quick knit, even if the planning stages are driving me batty. So many.. pretty.. stitch patterns.. Must.. type.. like.. William Shatner...

Anyway. They final product specs are a secret which is why I've been silent lately, working on it in unpublished posts.

Love you all,
CJ

I'm blue, da ba di da bu...

Projects OTN (AND I've been working on):

1.) Medium blue Chenille Magic Scarf
2.) Medium/Dark blue "My So-called Scarf"
3.) Medium blue MS3
4.) Medium blue baby kimono
5.) Light blue mittens
6.) Medium blue (mixed with other colors stranded-style) swatch for an EZ yoke sweater
7.) Blue novelty yarn scarf in a lattice lace on size 19s.
8.) Blue-green (but mostly blue) dishcloth


The blue! The BLUE! *cries* I swear on all things woolly I did NOT plan on this. The MS3 signups closed before I got a paycheck from my new job so I had to CO with the only laceweight wool I own: denim-colored Cashwool from Lane Borgosesia Baruffa. That was what made me realize just how many blue items that are in the works.

In happier news I've identified the problem: I need to meet people with a favorite color other than blue. TBT loves dark blue, Meli loves all blues, my sister loves blue and I can't help but knit for her especially in blue since it looks so nice next to her bright blue eyes. My mother requested a blue scarf, my dad wants a Rams hat (dark blue and gold), and I've been planning to make a blue sweater for a year.

I want to cry.

The baby sweater, chenille, novelty yarn, sweater swatch, and mittens have been buried deep in the stash and the dishcloth frogged since no matter how soft and dreamy the yarns may be there's only so much blue a girl can take. To ease the monotony on my eyes I've cast on a narrow red fun fur scarf for the Stitch 'N' Pitch knit night at the baseball stadium. No pattern, just mindless garter in Cardinal Red to distract me from the blue and the fact that the MS3 is kicking my butt.


Maybe I can foist an Atlanta Falcons (red and black) colored cap off on TBT. They're his favorite team. Or maybe complete my Transformers reversible Autobots/Decepticons design. That would break the monotony. Or maybe I'll resume work on my Fire Engine Red EZ Pi Shawl too, or a yellow dishcloth.

Knitting Lessons: the new lessons are in green.

Important Knitting Lessons

1. Never believe a book or pattern when it says you can fudge the gauge on a fitted garment like a sweater, hat, or sock.
2. Always make a swatch using the stitch you'll be using for a sock no matter what the book or pattern notes say, even if it means multiple swatches (St st and pattern), and even if it's only for your own reference.
3. To preserve their sanity a knitter should have projects in a variety of weights, knitting styles, textures of yarn, difficulty, and project lengths in progress at the same time
4. To prevent the desire for self-impalement on their sock needles as a relief from the monotony a knitter should not forget the importance of varying the color family of the yarns in their various projects-in-progress.
5. In cleaning skyscraper windows, rock climbing, and most of all knitting intricate lace safety lines are NOT a stupid idea.

Trudging along.

I'm pleased with myself. In the course of two hours I have both 1.) watched 3/4 a movie (Short Circuit to be precise) before realizing "oh wait I can knit while doing this" and rushing to the bedroom to grab the da(mn) Bears scarf I've put a deadline of Monday on ... and 2.) knit a full six inches on it. Considering it's about ten inches wide, knit in the round, and I had to make three color changes I'm pretty pleased.

It's the last one I knit in the round, except MAYBE a "Magic Scarf" for an Aunt who wants one.

With any luck I'll be able to finish it today and do some end-weaving. I'm actually considering making him a matching hat, too, since there will be enough yarn for it.