Status Report

On the knitting front it has been a week shaped more by minor setbacks than by progress.

First off I have all the little pieces of Sheelagh finally knitted: the waistband and the two i-cord ties.  The waistband gave me fits, not because it was difficult but just because I was none to clear-headed when I started.  The first time around I had trouble keeping up the k1 slip1 pattern and had to rip it out after I had almost finished the piece.  Then, being tired and not thinking too clearly I tried other stitches which did not work as well as I would have liked either. Another evening I got a few inches knitted, fell asleep in my chair and awoke to find a cat sleeping on my lap and my knitting off the needles.  Only as I put the knittng back on the needle did I make the connection to double knitting, which is surprising because I did make a double-knitted vest once years ago.    Suddenly, once I understood what I was doing, everything became much easier.  I suppose I was more tired and stressed than I had actually realized.  

After knitting and reknitting the waistsband several times, it needed blocking, but the pieces are all ready for assembly now.

I had also started a new project and then ripped back about 2/3 of what I had done after finding a series of errors early down.  I hadn't noticed them until I was in different light.  There are dangers that come with knitting black in dimly lit rooms.

The yarn is Taglia by Lana Grossa, a cotton tape that I am finding I really really like as the fabric is light and cool despite the rather large gauge.  It does unravel easily and you have to knot the ends together.  I've found that a bit of fray block on the ends does wonders as well.

The pattern is Glee Club by L'Atelier.   It was their May Sweater of the Month, and I am just as happy that I did not get it knit over the summer as it was so hot and humid for so much of the summer that I would not have worn it anyway.  My chosen black and turquoise colorway however will lend itself perfectly well to warmer fall days and work well throughout the spring.  It is a quick knit, and should be finished soon enough, but not too soon as I have two sweaters ahead of it in line for sewing up.