Sweater Gift

I'm making a gift for a good friend of mine--a sweater in Mellowspun (Mary Maxim), peach, sportweight yarn called the "Easy Lace Cardigan." I found the pattern in the March 2009 issue of Creative Knitting Magazine. It's like the ones I made a couple of years ago from my own pattern, only with knitted lace trim at the bottom of the sweater and the three-quarters length sleeves. Here's what I have done so far:




It looks straightforward enough, but of course, since I so wanted it to be perfectly done--I flubbed up a couple of things. I forgot to knit the last four border stitches (not seen in photo) on a purl side, and remembered four rows of 235 stitches each later. I didn't want to take the rows out, so, one by one, I let the last four stitches drop and rewove them with a crochet hook. Yuck! I hate doing that, as I'm forever knitting instead of purling, and vice versa. Got that done. Then, since the skeins of yarn are only 1.75 ounces or so a piece, there's the weaving the ends in--and I messed that up, even though I was painstakingly following the knitting as I wove them in. Honest I was. Made the border look terrible. So I unraveled the weaved in ends and did it again. I almost threw the whole thing out and said forget it when the last part happened, but now it's almost unnoticeable, so it will be worth it in the end.

Thankfully, I already have great patience because of raising a son with mental handicaps and autism, so I can stick with that sort of thing. Though it's a bit frustrating to hit the snafus on a gift, and also, when you only knit about one hour a day--for relaxation.

Otherwise, I've been working really hard on a new proposal for Steeple Hill LI Suspense while I wait for the copyedits on Mistletoe and Murder, due out in November. Deadly Reunion (w/a Florence Case) is still available.
Happy knitting!

Knitting wish list

Every year at Christmas, my husband requests a Wish List of gifts I'd like to receive. I am oh-so-happy to comply, as this insures that I never receive a toaster or some weird kitchen appliance I don't want. (I have received appliances before, but only ones I asked for -- my dh is no dummy!)

This year, my wish list contains a number of Knitting must-haves. I thought I'd share here:

I love books and knitting books are no exception. Two on my list are I Can't Believe I'm Lace Knitting by Kay Meadors, which I hope will help me overcome my frustration with lace knitting.

I enjoyed the first Mason Dixon Knitting book so much that I've asked for the second one, Mason Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines.

Knitting Little Luxuries: Beautiful Accessories to Knit, by Louisa Harding caught my eye because I like quick projects that are girly and fun.

I love knitting socks, and I love doing so on double points. So how about a set of these gorgeous Harmony DPs from Knitpicks?

And I'll need some more yarn for those socks, so I'd like this Meadows Sock Yarn Sampler, also from Knitpicks.

So there are some of my knitting wishes for the holidays -- what's on your Wish List?

PURRRR-fect Contentment (OT)

This has nothing to do with knitting (unless you count all the hair the cat is shedding as potential yarn) but I just thought it was too good a picture to pass up. This is Squeaky, the stray cat who showed up skinny and starving at our house two winters ago. She hasn't missed many meals since, and it shows. Ah, but that's okay. She's a lover and we love her lots.

Back to the book in progress. I'm envying Barbara's word flow as mine has slowed to a trickle. But such is the writing life.

I'm almost finished lining my purse. That's been more difficult than I imagined it would be as well. And I've started a V-neck pullover knit from the top down in a pretty lime green Silky from The Olde Stash. Unfortunately, I've had to tink twice but now I think I have the hang of it. I'll have photos (and more giveaway sock yarn) soon.

Maybe my problem with my writing and my knitting is I'm trying too hard to be perfect.

Goin' to Kansas City (shameless self-promo)

To the first-ever Kansas City Literary Festival, that is. It's on Saturday, May 19, from 10-6. The location is the world-famous Country Club Plaza.

Interesting stat: Kansas City is the 14th most literary city in the nation. Wow! I was born and raised there and only live a ways east of there now, and I didn't know that.

Anyway, Delphi Books will be at Booth 408 on Nichols Road (in front of Brooks Brothers) if you and/or anyone you know in the area would like to come by and say "hi."

Wish me luck, and I'll see you next week!

Fran

P.S. We're offering a great one-day special on Delphi Books: 1 book/$10, 2/$15, and 3/$20.