You know how I said something the other day about it being sixty degrees? Yeah.
That was the view from the window in my craft room this afternoon. I went to work as usual this morning, only to leave two and a half hours later when it became apparent that it was really snowing. It was, to say the least, an interesting drive home -- believe me when I tell you that I was very, very glad to pull into my driveway! This storm was preceded by the usual hype, but in this case I think it actually lived up to it -- it really came down hard and fast once it decided to start falling. Now it's sleeting quite heavily -- this will be a lot of fun to clean up come tomorrow!
So, needless to say, what with the early start to the weekend, I spend the afternoon knitting.
The prospect of a deadline was staring me in the face -- I need to have the samples knitted for my class by March 26, when we're starting registration -- so I decided to start the felted bag. It's going quickly -- I'm through 3.5 of the 5 pattern repeats -- and ideally I'd like to felt it this weekend.
Aren't the colors delightfully and obnoxiously bright? ;-) They remind me of the cover of the book Prep. The bottom of the bag is done in a slip-stitch pattern, and I love the texture it creates -- it almost seems a shame to felt it!
One thing I've learned in my knitting is that sometimes I just can't think too much beforehand -- I'm not always good at being able to picture things based on how they're described in a book and there comes a point when I have to stop trying to figure out what the pattern is saying, and just do it. I didn't quite get, from reading the pattern, how the slip stitches would work, but I just did what the pattern said and, miraculously, it all worked out. Amazing, that. Not difficult at all. I will say, though, as a tip for anyone doing colorwork with floats -- if you think your floats are loose enough, make them looser. I am knitting this on size 13 needles and I'm knitting very loosely, but I'm still afraid that my floats are going to make the body of the bag pucker a little. I don't think I could possibly make them any looser, though. Hopefully it will felt okay.
Gratuitous Cat Picture
Look who forgot to put his tongue away!
I totally know what you mean about needing to just follow the pattern sometimes, without thinking about what it's trying to tell you to do. Have you ever done entrelac? If you can pick up stitches, knit, purl, p2tog and ssk, you can totally do it. But when you follow the instructions, it seems so WRONG. And it looks wrong until you've done a few sets of blocks and they can finally lie straight. But once you see it, it's amazing. Anyway...love the colors in the bag. Please post FO pics, too!
Posted by: Shawna (sabowin) | Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 12:03 AM
Wow! That is definitely some color contrast on that bag. :) I had a bit of a time getting home yesterday myself. I just wish I had more vacation time so I could have left earlier. :(
Posted by: Jessica | Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 09:37 AM
Knitting during snow with a cat nearby. . . How much more perfect could anything be?
Posted by: Kim | Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 11:28 AM
I was planning to drive up to Ottawa today and visit Michaels (not my favorite craft store, but it's a craft store, and it's the closest one, and it's an hour away). I woke up to about 5" of snew. Craft store plans have been postponed.
What kinda yarn is that? It's bright, yes, but it's also shiny and soft-looking. Gawgeous.
Posted by: Kristen | Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 04:02 PM
I love the colors on your bag - you will be ready for spring, when it finally get there!
Posted by: Kim | Monday, March 19, 2007 at 05:55 PM