The Sweater is finished...sort of (Blocking Question)

ok,

So I have finished the baby sweater and I think it looks pretty good. It was supposed to be a quick project; one you could finish in a few hours, but some how I managed to spread it out over a couple of weeks. But I am happy with it.

Now comes the questions. I need help with the blocking. Since this is a cardigan style, should I put T-pins down the front as well? It actually really needs it, but will that mess up something in the back? I would appreciate any info you all can share. I am making a couple of little flowers to cover up my mistakes and once I get it properly blocked, all I have to do is add on the buttons. Thanks in advance!

Eryka

This is interesting

I found this quiz on the Knitting Diva's site and thought I would give it a shot. Now I was sure that I would not be considered a good wife by 1930's standards, but I did not expect to do THIS poorly. Of course the questions are kinda lame. No where did it ask how much time I spend knitting, how many degrees I have, how faithfuly I pay my bills, etc. No, instead it asked if I shampoo my husband's hair or give him manicures. Other important traits were if one "dresses" for breakfast or squeezes the toothpaste from the top. Not sure why they selected these criteria, but it was an interesting test. I'd be interested to see if how others would fare in the 1930's

13 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Poor (Failure) Take the test!

I Did IT: I made SLEEVES!!!!

Hi all,

I want to share with you all one of my proudest moments in knitting. I, Eryka Jackson, made not one, but TWO sleeves! It was much easier than I thought and I think I am on my way to getting more comfortable with sleeves. As some people may know, this has been one of the biggest obstacles in my knitting development.

I started my quest with the Zimmerman February baby sweater, which Ellen and Kathy suggested I try at our knitting outing earlier this month.

Now, while I love the book and find Mrs. Zimmerman witty and rather enjoyable, I found the directions a little daunting. So after an in depth discussion with Susan Rainey at the last Minnesota Knitting Guild meeting, and unraveling all the work I had done on the Zimmerman sweater, I decided to try a doing a version of the 5-hour Baby Sweater, called the Baby Jiffy Sweater.

The directions were much easier to follow than the Zimmerman sweater and it knits really quickly. While I unraveled on Tuesday night, I didn't get a chance to work on it until Thursday. I am using Caron's Natural Blends, which is an acrylic bamboo blend. I love the color, but I think the yarn pulls to easily. Oh well, I am making it for Ava, who just turned one month old. So it will be something she can romp around in this fall. By the way, isn't she pretty?

On Wednesday night, I drove, the 68 miles down to St. Peter MN so that Amanda, president of the machine knitters guild, and I could work on my knitting machine. That was a LONG drive, but I was worth it. I have a new sponge bar, my needles have been rotated and I got a video to help me enhance my skills while I wait for her class in October. Amanda is such a great teacher, and she and her family are really cool!

Regards,

Eryka

Knitting Drama

Hi all,

We had a conversation tonight. Well we rehashed a conversation we have had before. He seems to think my "knitting thing" is going too far. He says I wake up knitting, I knit when I get home from work, and I knit at night before I go to bed. I knit when we go places and when we are just sitting there watching television. The problem is, I love yarn and I certainly love knitting. How do I cut back on something I look forward to doing?

What is wrong with knitting during mundane activities like driving (I'm in the passenger seat) or watching TV, or if we are just hanging out at a park. Its not like I take it with me when we go out to dinner or anything.

Has anyone had to deal with this problem? Any advice for how I should handle it? Should I make a schedule for knitting and blogging too (but that counts in the drama) Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Eryka

Moment of Clarity

I had a moment of clarity the other night. I realized that in the past six weeks I have bought an obscene amount of yarn. Moreover, during that time, I haven't finished anything. So instead of getting in my car and driving to Excelsior for Crazy Days at Coldwater Collaborative to buy even MORE yarn, I decide to stay in the house this weekend and work on using some of the yarn I purchased.

So, in addition to working on the Zimmerman February Sweater, which I started last week, I cracked open the skeins of Knitting Fiend Whisper and started making a lacy shawl. I made some progress on both. More so on the shawl of course, because it was more loosey goosey than the sweater. I had to start over on the sweater a few times to get the gauge right, but in the end it will be worth it. Also, I wasn't really happy with the yarn I started with. When I first cast on, I did so with a chain store acrylic, thinking it would be better to start with that so I wouldn't feel bad about messing it up. But after a few rows, I couldn't take it anymore. It just felt icky. So I am starting over with a bamboo cotton blend. Plus, my brother and sister-in-law just sent around new pics of Ava Reese, and frankly, she just deserves better.

So, in the next few months, I am going to dedicate myself to working my way through my stash and finishing up these random projects around the house.

My Knitting Secret Revealed!

Last night I went to a knitting group with several women including Ellen, Kathy, and several others I had just met. The full list included: Annie A., Lisa G., Chris, Kathy, Kim, Leslie,
Kari, Peggy, Lisa P. Karen, Annie M., and Ellen. We had a great time knitting and talking at Cafe Latte. Ellen wrote a really comprehensive post with photos after we got back last night, so I wont go into all that here.

But what I will talk about is Kathy's post. While we were at the Yarnery, I admitted to Kathy, that I had never made a sweater because I am afraid of knitting sleeves. Not that is not the first time I made that statement, I told Ellen earlier, but Kathy POSTED it to her blog! but, I guess it is ok. I am working on resolving my issue and they introduced me to a great lady that can help: Elizabeth Zimmerman.

Now I just started reading the almanac, but I must admit, the lady has spunk! I am starting to work on the February sweater. I feel "compelled" to do so, now that Kathy has put me on the spot. Of course it will be fun to learn something new. I must go to sleep now.

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