I am both bored and boring

I am dutifully knitting the first sleeve of Beadwork it is endless diamonds, boring, I am not working on Trip Trap, because it is almost to the sleeves and I don't know if I can deal with 2 sweaters at sleeves, at the same time. One after the other is one thing, but 2 at the same time? Don't know. Besides the Beadwork on tiny needles, just doesn't get anywhere fast enough.

I have been contemplating the next sweater. There are several candidates:

The Jester from Philosophers Wool, I have the kit, (Yes, me, Ms I don't do no freaking kits) which comes with everything except the needles, even the buttons. and it is a Cuff to cuff (which I will probably knit as a cuff to center, cuff to center, 3 -needle bind off on the outside, after a row or 3 of reverse stocking stitch. Pro: knit in worsted so a 5 or 6 needle which will knit much faster than either Beadwork or Trip Trap. Con: Sweater for *me* so a longer project than a kid project. Pro: It's for *me*!

The Trillium or Pansy from Philosophers Wool, more traditional stranded knitting, which I need to swatch so I can decide if I want pansies or trilliums (one is right side up the other upside down) Basically the same pros and cons as Jester.



The Flower sweater for the youngest granddaughter, which is in time out because the pattern as given in the book only has the flowers up the fronts, while the picture clearly shows the flowers going around the bottom, (OK, I just took a better look and what looks like the sweater having the flowers around the bottom is actually the top of the purse, but I want the flowers around the bottom so I will go do the math myself, and be less grumpy about it. Still grumpy about Sweater Wizard though) so I have to tear out the 2-3 rows of the beginning, and re-do the math and figure the spacing. None of this is difficult, just need to do it. and I am ticked off with sweater wizard which will not do a 7 stitch repeat, (wants an even number)
I should check and see if there is an errata sheet for this book. Just checked the publisher who doesn't seem to have errata listed for any of their publications, not a good sign.
Just tried the designer and the pattern name, no errata. I sent an email to the publisher will see if I get an answer.

The Lizard sweater for middle grandson, the back and sleeves are just stripes and I could do them for a rest, 10 rows of this 2 rows of that, 10 rows of this again. Then the lizard on the plastic bed machine. It has the benefit of being fast and small and I would feel like I had accomplished something.



then there is the Enchanted Forest Sweater that has the sleeves done! No sleeves! Just the very interesting cable patterning.

In the mean time I have been finishing socks.

The Jaywalker's for the granddaughter,




the red Trekking XXL,


the Regia Bamboo are all finished.



One of the Regia silk is finished and the other is being worked on.




So now I am going to put in a DVD and sit and knit, either on Beadwork or on a sock, or Trip Trap, or the flower sweater. But something.

Confirmation!

Took this test recently and have confirmation that what I am called at the yarn shop, and sometimes on Odd Tuesdays is true.

What Kind of Knitter Are You?

You appear to be a Knitting Goddess. You are constantly giving and are unconcerned with reward, you simply want others to love knitting as much as you do. If someone wants to knit miles of novelty yarns, you are there for them. If someone wants to learn short row shaping, you can help. There are no taboos in knitting, only opportunities to grow. Everyone should have friend like you around if they want to learn to knit, and there's a good chance that your passion has rubbed off on a few others.http://marniemaclean.com
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Go To Your corners. AND STOP FIGHTING!

We have finally had some winter here. Freezing rain covered the trees with a coating of ice which made them sparkle like diamonds in the sunlight. This is the tree in my front yard.

And the view from my kitchen window. That is ice on the trees. And 4 inches of snow on the ground. Click on the pictures to see all the pretty ice in the bigger pictures.



Beadwork and I are sitting in opposite corners and glaring at each other(I feel like all the children are home and carrying on like the siblings that they are). I need to sit down, do the math for the sleeves, (I am such a hypocrite, every afternoon when Sierra and I do her homework I do the "We're doing algebra, isn't this fun!" happy, happy, joy, joy dance), and look at me it has been 2 weeks, just tear the darn sleeve out and get over yourself!

And I haven't touched Trip Trap because I am almost finished with the 2nd front and then, guess what! all that is left is *SLEEVES!* and I have been pondering over the method of "doing the sleeves" I mean Vivian Hoxbro gives perfectly good direction to make the sleeves, even provides 2 booklets of instructions, for goodness sake, but can I follow directions? Absolutely Not! (which come to think of it, might have something to do with the ripping out so often).

But as I was considering what to write about this matter, it occurred to me that the sub-conscious had been at work, and what I want/need to do is to work the sleeves from top of the sleeve around the underarm to the other side of the top of the sleeve, which will let me use the: pick up stitches down both shoulders and sleeves on each side with the accent color, and then 3 needle bind-off the entire top, making an accent stripe all the way down the sleeve. 3 needle bind-off on the top or inside?? More to ponder.

So to avoid any possibility of more sleeves I have been making socks, and trying out new toes. I have used the figure-eight cast on for toe-up socks for a while, and I like the decorative braid effect it creates on the toe, (and my toes are not particularly sensitive and don't mind it) but I have a friend who has very sensitive toes and can't stand the ridge. (yes a very slight ridge but she feels it), so I looked on the Internet, (of course) and have tried some other toe-up sock starts.




One pair of socks uses the Turkish cast on, slick, easy and I kept it snug first try. These are Regia Silk, and I am so looking forward to having them finished, because they are almost as soft as my Debbie Bliss Cashmerino socks.

One pair Regia Bamboo using the crochet over the needle with waste yarn, work 4 rows st st and take out the waste yarn, carry on as if a regular figure-eight. See it here. Which I have been using a lot since AmKamin reminded me of it, last year.




And one pair of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Childsplay, using the Knitty magic toe. These are knit up to just past the heel using a 2X2 rib on the top of the foot, then increase to 56 and use the Jaywalker pattern for the leg of the sock, these are for the youngest granddaughter to match her Childsplay sweater. I am on the 3rd sock because I did not like the first sock which was worked from the top down and decreased for the foot. I am thinking that if I add something else in, for the toes and heels, I may get a pair of grandma socks to match Rayne's.




And now, even though procrastination is my middle name, I am going to rip out Beadwork, AGAIN!!