A year in Review (kinda)

So, I haven't blogged in about 5 months. I got lazy.

Anyway, here's a view of some projects I've done this year:

January:
Ice Cream Arms












February:
Greebo & You





















March:
I got nothin...

April:
Again, nothin. What was I doing those two months?

May:
OMG IT'S PINK!!




















June:
Got lazy again.

July:
Hid from the heat, I guess.

August:
Nessie 1















September:
A Rug (crocheted!)















October:
Mermaid















November:
Andrew's Epic Whip















December:
TV Scarf









Now, I have a PLN for 2011. I have eleven projects (1 per month, with 1 month for rest). I have it pretty organized too. Want proof? Okay:

Technical (Directional) Difficulties

Amy and I went on our second-half-of-the-year yarn crawl today. And got some wedding prep stuff. Sounds like a good trip huh. It was. Even with our, ahem, mishaps.

Mishap #1:

On the way up, we managed to babble our way past our exit. Oopsie! We saw the exit before and the exit after (which we took).

Mishap #2:

Somehow, we managed to drive from Indy to Beech Grove without realizing it until we were there. The main things that pointed this out were the sign with "BEECH GROVE" on it and the street signs became brown instead of the green we're so very very used to.

Mishap #3:

Still looking for the right friggin road. (Psst. I was looking for the wrong blasted STATE. I kept looking for Washington Ave. instead of Virginia Ave.) Finally ended up stopping at a gas station for directions. Easiest way to get this point across? Stating "I've lost my road!" We were only off by about 5 blocks all in all.

So we finally get to Mass. (No not church, it's the wrong day :p I'm talking about Mass Ave. Knit Shop.)

Mishap #4:

Eek! There's NO PARKING available! We asked a kind lady about alternate parking options and she was very helpful. We got a decent parking place.

After a pleasant hour or so, we realized we were pretty hungry. This was easily remedied, as we'd already decided on where we were eating. I had checked out directions before (twice!), so had a pretty good idea of where we needed to go to get to the restaurant (previous difficulties notwithstanding).

Mishap #5:

No problems getting to the interstate, or finding either of our exits. Unfortunately, we didn't ever think about the exit being CLOSED! So, backtrack to the other interstate and more familiar surroundings.

Off to the restaurant we go! I don't think there were any more mishaps after we ate. We were only slightly miserable due to food intakes. Most of the rest of it passed in a happy food/flower/creativity haze.

And now I need a nap!

That thing in the bag

So, are you still curious about what Ames had a grip on?

It was this:

Bet that wasn't what you thought it was, huh.

In other news, I'm making fish. Yes, you read that right. Fish.

A lot of fish. How many? About eleventy-five. I figured it up (because I'm insane like that), and I think I have about 98 more hours of fish to make. And then another 5,468 hours of sewing them together. (okay, I may have exaggerated that number.)

And by the end of this madness, I'm supposedly going to have a throw-sized blanket. For me. Because at least that way, I know it'll go to someone who appreciates all the hours of work (both physical and mental) that went into it.

I told someone I work with about it, and she offered to buy it from me when it's done. I kinda laughed and shrugged it off, because I know for a fact that she would state a ridiculously low amount for it. Probably something in the range of one-tenth of what the materials cost. Bah, I say! No freaking way!

And that's about it.

Got My Malabrigo

So a few weeks ago, Ames and I did our yearly trip to Mass Ave. We got our yarns, had a great meal, got semi-lost, found the trail again, and then went home to be slightly miserable from eating too much. It was great.

I have almost one sleeve of my hoodie done. Man, but it is slow going - unless I have a movie playing...

The cat is driving me to drink, I swear. She keeps yelling at me to get up! Earlier and earlier each day. I've taken to throwing things like the pillow at her, but it doesn't help. Much. There's an 89% chance that she's plotting to kill me in my sleep. I think there's a 105% chance she's just wanting to make us crazier. Good thing she's cute.

All I Wanted Was Some Malabrigo

Yesterday I woke up feeling a little froggy for some new yarn. I really wanted to get some more Malabrigo Worsted to make a little something selfish. The nearest yarn shop that sells it is about an hour away. So I called my friend Squee and invited her to come with me. Great! Yarn company and a chance to show off my ring!

All goes well in the beginning. We stop for road sodas and are on our way. We get on the interstate - no problem. Mom returns my call en route so we're both chatting at her while I drive. Again, no problems.

Suddenly, I start fishtailing. At 70mph. With traffic in front and behind and a friggin semi next to me. Big Problem!

As soon as I figure out something is wrong, I turn on my hazard lights and pull over. Unfortunately, I'm in the passing lane so I have to pull off on the wrong shoulder. Luckily, it was wide enough for my vehicle.

Squee is giving Mom the rundown of everything that's going on and I'm just hoping traffic clears up enough so I can get to the proper side of the road.

We get over there, I get out and lookit the tires... Yep, one of my back tires has blown. Which is weird, because the tread is still really good on them. The air was fine when we left so it couldn't have been that. Upon closer inspection, the radial? blew out and I could see lots of the wire threads just hanging there.

So, now to change the tire. I have the spare in the trunk. I heave out my little hydraulic pump jack and kneel down to place it. Did I mention I have on a long skirt? Anyway, I get the jack in place and begin the process of changing the tire. (Thank You Mom! for making sure I know how to do this!) Guess what. The jack doesn't have the juice to lift up the car. Bugger.

Luckily, a nice gentleman stops and offers assistance. All I really needed was a jack, but he went on to change out the tire for us. Thank you so much, sir!!!

Next order of business: Find A Tire Shop! But first, to get to the nearest exit. That is NOT something I want to do EVER again! We had to drive ELEVEN MILES. On the INTERSTATE. On a DONUT! You can't drive more than about 45mph on one of those. By now, my nerves are pretty much shot. All thoughts of the lovely Malabrigo have been removed forcefully from my brain.

We get to a tire shop. They're closed on the weekends. *grumblegrumble*
We get directions and go to a second tire shop that we were assured is open on Saturdays. They're also closed. *grumblegrumblemutter*
We find Wal-Mart. *grumblecursegrumble* Fine. Whatever. Wal-Mart it is. By this point, I just want to get the blasted tire and go home. If I'm changing out one, I might as well change them all. And what the hell, let's get the oil changed while we're here.

**TWO AND A HALF HOURS LATER**

Car's ready.

Total price: $386.77

By this time, the yarn shop would be closed by the time we got there. And I had to use the yarn fund plus about half of what I had saved for a spinning wheel for the tires. So the wheel must now wait another month or two...

At least no one got hurt.

And I still want my Malabrigo!

Swap Stuff Received

Recently I was in two swaps. Both had deadlines of Halloween.

The first (Love Bites II):



and a close up:



The second (Detritus swap):



and a close up of the yarn:



I loved everything in both boxes! I'm just not witty enough to gush properly at the moment.

A Knitting Checklist

Borrowed this from SleepingSi.

Bold for stuff you’ve done, italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and normal for stuff you’re not planning on doing.

1. Afghan
2. I-cord
3. Garter stitch
4. Knitting with metal wire
5. Shawl
6. Stockinette stitch
7. Socks: top-down
8. Socks: toe-up
9. Knitting with camel yarn
10. Mittens: Cuff-up
11. Mittens: Tip-down
12. Hat
13. Knitting with silk
14. Moebius band knitting
15. Participating in a KAL
16. Sweater
17. Drop stitch patterns
18. Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
19. Slip stitch patterns
20. Knitting with bananafiber yarn
21. Domino knitting (=modular knitting)
22. Twisted stitch patterns
23. Knitting with bamboo yarn
24. Two end knitting
25. Charity knitting
26. Knitting with soy yarn
27. Cardigan
28. Toy/doll clothing
29. Knitting with circular needles
30. Baby items
31. Knitting with your own handspun yarn
32. Slippers
33. Graffitti knitting: knitting items on, or to be left on the street
34. Continental knitting
35. Designing knitted garments
36. Cable stitch patterns
37. Lace patterns
38. Publishing a knitting book
39. Scarf
40. Teaching a child to knit
41. Knitting to make money
42. Button holes
43. Knitting with alpaca
44. Fair Isle knitting
45. Norwegian knitting
46. Household items: dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies…
47. knitting socks- or other small tubular items- on two circulars
48. Dying with plant colours
49. Knitting items for a wedding
50. Olympic knitting
51. Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
52. Knitting with dpns
53. Holiday related knitting
54. Teaching a male how to knit
55. Bobbles
56. Knitting for a living
57. Knitting with cotton
58. Knitting smocking
59. Dying yarn
60. Steeks
61. Knitting art
62. Fulling/felting
63. Knitting with wool
64. Textured knitting
65. Kitchener BO
66. Purses/bags
67. Knitting with beads
68. Swatching
69. Long Tail CO
70. Entrelac
71. Knitting and purling backwards (I'm counting this as I do it lefty anyway. I can knit right handed, and
72. purl right handed enough to teach.)
73. Machine knitting
74. Knitting with selfpatterning/selfstriping/variegating yarn
75. Stuffed toys
76. Knitting with cashmere
77. Darning
78. Jewelry
79. Knitting with synthetic yarn
80. Writing a pattern
81. Gloves
82. Intarsia
83. Knitting with linen
84. Knitting for preemies
85. Tubular CO
86. Freeform knitting
87. Short rows
88. Cuffs/fingerless mitts/armwarmers
89. Pillows
90. Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
91. Rug Knitting on a loom
92. Thrummed knitting
93. Knitting a gift
94. Knitting for pets
95. Shrug/bolero/poncho
96. Knitting with dog/cat hair (kitty sheds into whatever I'm working on anyway.)
97. Hair accessories
98. Knitting in public

Eeeeee!

I just ordered my very own (and first ever) laptop today! In about a month, I should receive it. Oh, and I got more yarn to add to my stash too!

Unfortunately, Murphy had a chat with Karma, and my luck has pretty much sucked the rest of the day. Nothing major, except maybe the dryer, but you know how all those little things can pile up.

Right?

Life, the Universe (of Yarn) and Everything

Yes, I've been gone a while. No, I don't want to rehash it. Suffice it to say that it involved my Mom, the Hospital, Scalpels, Staples, and a lot of knuckle-gnawing. Things are better now and I want to share some of the nicer things that have happened in my absence from blogging. The first photo is a progress shot, badly taken, of my Coachella tank top. I'm loving the way the yarn is feeling. 65% silk, 35% bamboo. Yum! Oh! And it's on a cone, so very few tails to weave in due to not having to join a new ball of yarn! Win!

There's two stories to this picture...

I'm telling the funnier one here. That swirly knitting thing there is a hat, knitted in the round. But wait! you say. Doesn't knitting in the round use more than 3 needles or a circular needle or something?? Well...yes. Yes, it does. Usually. Unfortunately, the 4th needle for this hat kind of ... died.




Yes. Died. See this bent and twisty sad looking piece of metal? Yeah, that was my 4th needle. It got used for some ... repair work ... and didn't quite make it through alive. No, it can't be bent back into its original straight and pointy-ness. Trust me. I tried.


Oh, but the next picture cheered me up to no end! I kind of needed some S.E.X.
No, not that kind of sex. Stash Enhancing eXperience(s). So, I went online and got lured in to some sample packs of summer yarns. And then, Ames and I went on a Yarn Spree! This photo is a melding of the two experiences. No, I'm not telling how much I spent. But I did stay within the budget I set myself (somehow). Oh and some of the yarns aren't shown, but that's because they are duplicate cakes and one is being used for a "secret project."

The last photo is, I guess, my birthday gift to myself. A drafting table (that tilts!), a stool to sit on. 3 different types of drawing tablets (only one shown, but if you look in the bottom left corner you can see just a little bit of another one), and a whole lotta pencils! Colored pencils, drawing pencils, some charcoal sticks...

And, of course, I haven't had a chance to sit down and actually use any of it yet...

So, see. I haven't fallen completely off the face of the planet! I'm still around. Just doing a little more lurking that chatting.
:D

Igor/ina Hath Arrived!

Tho, the very very awethome mithth Ganyah (who wath very brave and organithed thith thwap) then protheeded to thend me thith really, really great parthel:
The thent me not one, not three, not even five, but THEVEN kindth of yarn! Not ballth. Not hankth. KINDTH! I felt a little inadequate, having only thent her two meathley ballth of Malabrigo Lace. But that'th not the point. The point ith that the included thome really thpiffy thtuff to go with the yarn. And chocolate. And fudge!

It'th next to impoththible to get my camera to thow any kind of detail. But the big red thquare ith a dithcloth, and it thtateth "(Eye) (Heart) Igor" and the thtitch markerth almotht vithible at the bottom there thpell out "I (heart) IGORS" and altho have the great A'Tuin.

The altho included a copy of the Igor Thawl (available through the MMario yahoo group) and thome additional information about it. It ith all beautifully held together with a purple butterfly paperclip. Now, thomething funny that I'll thare with my three readerth ith that I theriouthly thought about thending thith thame pattern to her! But I wanted to include enough yarn to make it ath well, and couldn't dethide on a particular one to go with it (none were ... Igor-y enough).

You thee that cute little Klatchian Army Knife there on the right? Don't let it fool you. That little thucker ith wicked tharp! I know thith becauthe it bit me the firtht day I uthed it. Not to worry, though. Remember, you're reading the tale of thomeone who can draw blood while painting, fer cripe'th thake. But that'th a thtory for another time. And, yeth, Ameth, that ITH a pink meathuring tape you thee there.

Even the OH commented on thith parthel. He wath gobthmacked when I held all the yummy new yarnth in my armth to thow it off to him.

Adventures of a Koolhaas

I'm attempting to make this hat (pattern available here). The keyword being attempt. This pattern is starting to just piss me right off.

Don't get me wrong, I adore the hat. I want one! I want to make the damned thing. And I want mine to look like this picture! But in a different color.

Unfortunately, this is the first pattern that has boggled my modifications. Usually, I can just work a chart from left to right with no problems. This one has been ... well ... frustrating.

Attempt #1:

Cast on. Work the requisite 10 rounds of 2x2 ribbing, no problem. Change needle size (as per pattern) and begin working lattice pattern. Learn how to cable without a needle (+1 exp.) and get to row 6. Pause to rest fingers, notice blisters forming on index finger (definitely have a good and pointy needle, at least) and look at hat. Pattern is not emerging. Throw project down, eat chocolate to calm down. Frog and restart.

Attempt #2:

Cast on. Work the ribbing. Change needle size (still with the pattern so far), and begin lattice pattern again, being careful to use a consistent technique on the cables. Work to row 7. Pause to apply ointment to blistered index finger and look at hat. Pattern still isn't emerging. Throw project down in disgust, wander off in search of chocolate, muttering about patterns that aren't cooperating. Frog and restart....

Attempt #3:

Cast on. By some miracle, the yarn is not looking any worse for wear. Work the ribbing. Have a stroke of genius before starting the lattice and insert lifeline. Change needle size, start lattice pattern. Get to row 6. Stop to check progress of both pattern and healing finger. Finger is doing well, and pattern is almost emerging, but still doesn't look quite right. Deep breath. Inhale chocolate. Choke on chocolate pieces going into lungs. Stumble out of room in search of liquid, tangle yarn around legs, trip over cat, bang head on wall. So now we can add mild concussion and a lovely blue-tinted face (hey, at least it matches the yarn) to the poor battered, blistered index finger. Once streaming eyes clear up, look at hat again in the hopes of it magically looking correct. Nope, still not quite right. Sigh, because it's late at night and the neighbors might complain if I start screaming, frog, storm away to play video games and plan on restarting tomorrow.

To be continued....

First FO of the year!

This is my first completed project of the year! No matter that I started it last month. I finished it today!

The pattern is Clamber and can be found here.

OH even commented on it. In a positive way :P

GIFTS!

Ames and I exchanged gifts today! See, we did but we didn't know what we were getting each other. Waaaaay back in August or something, she had the awesome idea that we could make each other "knitter's survival kits" for Christmas. So we did. And that was really all that was said about it at the time. We didn't set any limits (as far as I know anyway) and we really had to work on keeping our ideas and things secret. Which is kind of hard when you're buying stuff together. See that little purple bag under the L? We both bought that bag for each other. We actually agreed to get one for each other and change the inner contents. It was great fun to do. I think we're going to keep doing this for the holidays for each other. Does that mean we just started a tradition? Hmm.

So, to list all the spiffy notions and everything:
Photo 1:
The bag everything was in (Stoplight red with orange interior and scads of little pockets inside! The perfect sizes to hold needles and notions and even the keys on an attached lanyard.)

Photo 2:
(Clockwise from top)

A handmade yarn cake holder in green (sitting atop my niftiful card)
Size US 6 dpns
My awesome crocheted "LISHY"
A toolbox filled with more notions (listed below)
Size US 2 14" Straight needles
The purple bag filled with Hersheys Bliss (w/ almonds)
A ball of Patons' Classic Merino in colorway Palais

Photo 3:
(On the lid)

Straight Magnets
Stitch holder
Cable Needle

(In the compartments, Top Row and Large Compartments)

Measuring Tape and Thimble
Scissors, Row Counter, and Stitch Markers
Hand Lotion
Assorted Sewing Needles

(Bottom Row)

Needle Coils
Sweater Needle Holders
Assorted straight pins, safety pins, and buttons


Is this not the coolest gift or what???

If you want to see Ames' goodies (as in her gift, get yer head outta the gutter, you!), check out her blog. I'm sure she'll post it soon ::grins::

KNITTING!

Thanks, Cheeky!

What is your all time favorite yarn to knit with?

My first yarn crack was Caron Simply Soft. Now... KnitPicks lace weights.

Your favorite needles?

At the moment? My US 2 Addi Turbo Lace circs.

The worst thing you've ever knit?

The first pair of socks I made (with acrylic yarn...boy, were they stinky!)

Your most favorite knit pattern? (maybe you don't like wearing it...but it was the most fun to knit)

Whatever lace I'm working at the moment!

Most valuable knitting technique?

Well Duh! Knit and purl stitch.

Best knit book or magazine?

I don't know about best, but I still use my copy of Easy Knitting since it has a tiny stitchionary and instructions on designing your own sweater.

Your favorite knit-a-long?

Does the Pratchgan count as a KAL?

Your favorite knitblogs?

Look at my links.

Your favorite knitwear designer?

Maybe Shui Kuen Kozinski. Lots of pretty shawls!

The knit item you wear the most? (how about a picture of it!)

Honestly? Probably my cuffs. Photo? Ok here:

Thinking

Here's a photo of the swatch of what I am currently working on. Yes, I swatched. I figured out that I blocked it out just a little too aggressively, so when the project is finished, I have to remember to be a little bit gentler.

Halloween was good. We stayed in and watched a few movies. Now, we're bracing ourselves for the upcoming holidays and flipping coins to see who's going to which ones.

I almost have my homemade swift workable. So far, it's only cost me about 2 dollars. Unfortunately, I have to go buy some more materials. I'm hoping to keep it under $20. And not buy any lincoln logs.

I'd give a better post, but I'm still kind of sleepy.

The tank is done!

See, here's a headless me to prove it! Too bad the blasted thing decided to pooch out in a couple of awkward places. Now it can be thrown into the bottomless closet of doom!
















Went to the family reunion. Was told that my attendance was 'mandatory' since one of my grandmothers was supposed to be there. Key words = supposed to be. Guess where she was. Not at the reunion. She went to Tennessee. Argh! Still, I guess it was okay. I saw some other family members (also not at the reunion), spent some time outside of work with Mom and Pop.

This coming weekend, though, I am not making plans!!!!! Hey, Ames. Our weekly ritual does not count as plans unless it can get us out of some other obligation lol.


Here's a photo of my current project. It (hopefully) will be a shawl. Yes, this is what most of my projects look like in the beginning. Only not quite as neat. Yes, there are two balls of yarn in a 'yarn bra'. (I did not name the thing, I swear!)

This shawl is the Forget-Me-Not Shawl over on Elann's site in the free pattern section. I hope I'm up for the challenge. I'm currently on attempt #3.

Attempt #1 was frogged due to my inability to count.

Attempt #2 was going well until I got to the second pattern row (row 11 I think) when a simple yarn over made me have a headdesk moment. Did I mention that this was after I forgot how to do my decreases and had to look them up on KnittingHelp, then remember how to properly reverse them to suit my knitting style.

And, before I got to the pattern rows on attempt #3, I had the bright idea to look at the written pattern (since I learned to reverse decreases on the written patterns) and compare it to the chart to see if I needed to change things up in the chart.

I think this is part of the reason I have trouble knitting something *exactly* to pattern. I always, always have to change something. Ask Ames. She's dealt with me and patterns before.

So, needless to say, I'm pretty sure that the tapestry that I'm doing has to be frogged and restarted as well because I did the decreases in the wrong flipping direction. Yes, it matters. Well, it does to me.

I'm going to go forage for chocolate now....

Shawl n Crawl

Firstly, I finished a shawl! It's the Luna Moth shawl and I really want to make another one, but in a different color. This one is going to be a Christmas gift for one of my grandmothers. She requested one and survey says that she'll like it. Cross your fingers...















Secondly, Ames and I went on a yarn crawl today. We had funds, a full tank of gas, no a/c, polar pops, and a fistful of directions. Believe it or not, we found our way to the first stop with no problems. No wrong turns, either!


See, we even have photos with some of our yarn cakes.









The owner of Clementine's was kind enough to let us know that what we had planned on as our second stop no longer existed, and printed out some directions for us to a different place instead.

Third stop: Mass Ave. Knit Shop! I had been here before, but it was Ames' first time. She reacted much the same as I did when we walked in. Which was to stop, gape, and absorb the atmosphere. Sometime during our perusal, the rest of the road trip just kind of ... disappeared. But, neither of us were disappointed with that fact. We spent several happy hours petting yarn, picking brains, concocting patterns, and yarny goodness! I even tried my hand at making yarn cakes with my purchases:










The cakes you see in front of me were wound by me, with one exception. Don't ask which one because I honestly don't remember.










Behind me, you'll see Dru hamming it up as well. (Forgive me if my spelling is off, Dru!)
















And then, much later in the afternoon, we decided it was time to take our new stuff home and introduce it all to its new friends in our stashes. Of course, it's all clamoring to be used right now but I shall be strong and finish the buddy tank first!

(Oh, and you can see my new, much shorter 'do as well.)

Intermission

I may have to *gasp* take a break from knitting. Or get a hand masseuse. But I really want to finish the eleventy billion projects I have around the room. Honest!

OH once suggested that I need another hobby. After my incredulous look, he hastened to clarify that I needed another hobby that wasn't knitting related. Doesn't that constitute heresy or something? Of course, then I turned him into my human swift for a while and he didn't mention it again.

What all do I have on the needles today, you ask? Well, I'm so glad you did ask. I have:

1. A hat for Pop (probably for xmas) over halfway finished.
2. Wristwarmers/cuffs for a cousin of mine (barely started).
3. Tank top (buddy knit with Ames) small amount finished so far.
4. A swatch/tapestry that I'm designing (roughly a quarter finished).
5. A shawl (Luna Moth Shawl) that is over halfway completed.
6. Another shawl (Kiri) that's been hibernating for a while now.
7. A scarf (Candle Flame Scarf) that's hiding out in one of the knitting bags.
8. A blanket/throw for an uncle. He's been patiently waiting for this thing for over 2 years.
9. Two! baby blankets that need sewn together.

And that's just off the top of my head. That also doesn't count all the things I want to make. I think I'll save that list for another post.

I'm going to go eat more chocolate now, I think.

Pratchgan 2008 - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Way back in December, I joined in with a group of fiber-artsy people over on Ravelry to make an afghan for none other than Mr. Terry Pratchett.

Well, earlier today our wonderful organizer, Shirley, had the privilege of presenting the Pratchgan to Mr. Pratchett in person. She's posted about it, with photos! over on her blog.

She also wrote a letter explaining what it was and why we did it. Here's what the letter says:

Dear Mr Pratchett,

The Ankh-Morpork Knitter's Guild is a group on the fibre arts website ravelry.com where fans can come together to indulge our passion for all things crafty as well as all things Discworld.

At the end of last year we were trying to think of a way to show our support following the news of your Alzheimer’s diagnosis and being a bunch of knitters and crocheters (not to mention spinners, weavers and dyers) we decided a Discworld-inspired afghan blanket was the way to go.

Since 26th December 2007 ninety-nine people from all over Roundworld have contributed a square or two, causing my postman to start giving me some very strange looks. The project thread on ravelry has been a joy as people suggested themes, egged each other on or just had a rant when a brilliant idea turned out not to be so brilliant after all. Somewhere along the way the project became known as The Pratchgan 2008 and the name has now firmly stuck.

We send you this gift and the accompanying letters with all our love, to let you know that a bunch of strangers are thinking of you and also with our thanks for all the years of laughter that your books have brought us. If you ever manage to find the time to join ravelry (a wee birdie has told us that you spin and weave so it’s not entirely outwith the realms of possibility that you might feel the urge to join some day) we’d be honoured to have you as a member of the Guild.

We hope you enjoy The Pratchgan and that it brings you as much pleasure as we’ve had creating it.

Warmest wishes,

Shirley (ravelry name cherryred)
On behalf of the Ankh-Morpork Knitter’s Guild

I feel truly honored to have been a part of this. And yes, I did get a little bit teary-eyed at all of it.

T-I-P Update

Here's a photo of the tank I've been working on for about a month. Long time huh. I think there's something like 50 hours in it. But, keep in mind that I've been writing the pattern as I go, and a hefty chunk of those hours were due to my attempts at complicated math, visualizing, looking up stitches, etc.

Anyway, the pattern is solid. I like it, though there are a few tweaks I'll be making to it.

Please ignore the whimpering you hear in the background. It's my conscience and pride either dueling or commiserating.

I forgot to take it out of my bag today when I went to work. That's no big deal in itself. But it let me see/feel how the yarn felt in 'normal' weather instead of just in the A/C. The consensus states that it would be insanely warm during the summer and the pattern isn't really conducive to wearing over another shirt when it gets cooler out.

So, I decided to frog it. I'll remake it with a different yarn, and possibly larger needles. Which will involve more complicated math, visualizing, you get the idea.

Yes, I'm insane.

Hand over the chocolate!