it's finished!

It’s finished! My Drop-Stitch cardigan is done. It took four days to knit, a month plus to age in pieces, and then about a day to seam and finish the last bits. I’m really happy with how it turned out. It seemed that the i-cord edging along the front was going to do me in, but I persevered. The sleeves seemed very bell-like before they were seamed, but I’m pleased to report that they are, in fact, just lovely. I did the collar about an inch shorter than called for in the pattern, but everything else is done by the book.

Pattern: Drop-Stitch Cardigan by Amy King, Interweave Knits Fall 2005
Yarn: Tahki Bunny (not nearly the 12 skeins called for) from yarn.com
Needles: size 8 bamboo, then size 6 for the i-cord edging

There’s quite a bit of yarn left over, and I’m going to knit Dulaan items with the left-overs. I saved my swatch for any emergency repairs that might be called for. I’m just very pleased with it, and plan on showing off this sweater on Tuesday when we are having dinner with relative/knitters.

So what’s next?

happy new year!

Yay! The sweater is blocking! The sweater is blocking! Judging from the very rainy and foggy January 1 we are experiencing, it's going to be a few days (at least) before it's dry enough to start sewing together. The pieces bathed in some of the "celebration" Soak, and turned the water a very bright red. I'll aim to have it in wearable condition by next Sunday, because sadly, I have to return to work tomorrow. I love the woman of leisure thing. But: Hubby and I are going on a weekend jaunt to San Francisco at the end of next week, so I'll have short weeks at the office to ease into the new year. What shall I bring to knit on the trip? Hm... With the new version of Blogger, I put together a knitting queue, in hopes of keeping fun projects in the front of my mind.

In other news, today we learned that some dear friends are moving to northern California. Sigh. However, we are also expecting (hoping) for a significant change ourselves over 2007, which means that I'm jumping on the

bandwagon. Here are my rules:

1. Vacation purchases don't count (it's a souvenir).
2. No buying sale yarn (I don't knit it any faster).
3. The project term shall extend from January 1 until July 31 (guilt-free buying before my birthday, and hopefully we'll be moved by then).
4. If a specific gift is required and I really don't have the yarn in stash, I can buy what I need (but need to keep in mind that I've got almost two boxes of baby-type yarn already).

My resolve is already being tested. This morning I got an email from a sort-of local yarn shop that is closing, and of course, having a large sale. Gah! Rule #2! Must resist! But seriously, I have way too much yarn, and moving it would be no fun at all. We need to purge, and this is a good way to start.

the sweater grows

I'm pleased as punch with my sweater. The fronts are done, and I finally get to start the sleeves... where the stitch dropping starts. Woo hoo! Hubby is home for the weekend, so I probably won't get quite as much done as I did on Thursday and Friday, but I hope to be blocking by January 1!

The origami tree at the MNH is really wonderful. There was a table with volunteers from the Origami Society of the USA (or something like that), who were demonstrating how to make simple animals. I could have filled up the camera's memory with photos of these guys.

i lurve it already

I started my Drop-Stitch Sweater yesterday, and I'm loving it! I'm also loving just sitting around and knitting... which could get really habit-forming. The arm decreases are done, and the back should be finished this evening. I had to stop and take a picture before all natural light disappeared. It's lovely to still have light at 4:30pm!

I've upgraded to the new Blogger, and it seems that my picture is fairly cropped, among other issues. I have a lot to learn about this new version! Oh, and if you were considering going to the Museum of Natural History this week: DON'T! It's a crazy madhouse. But the origami animal tree was really cool, and I'll share pictures of that treat soon.

(ETA: Ah well, the picture thing seems to have resolved itself. Thanks Blogger!)