Save the last graft for me.
When last we left our intrepid (albeit High Energy) knitter, she was being VERY GOOD and knitting away on Madli's Shawl. She finished the required repeats. She finished the edging to put on the remaining side. She then reviewed Nancy Bush's instructions which state, "Graft the two pieces together with kitchener stitch."
I'm sorry. What?
This is Kidsilk Haze, Nancy. I can tell you right now it is NOT going to like grafting or any sewing of the sort! It will have none of it. Why Oh Why must I do this?
Highly Neurotic Jenny: "But, HEJ, Nancy's pattern doesn't use Kidsilk Haze!"
Highly Irritated Jenny: "Shut UP. But thanks for playing."
Well, here we are then, at this grafting situation:
Some tips if you are going to do this:
1) Start no earlier than 12:00am. Really, these things are best done late at night, when the senses and vision are dulled. Other late night activities to consider, dear bloggers? How about upgrading your computer system software? Or changing your hair color back to blonde from red?
2) Be out of provisions. Caffeine, sugar, chocolate, these things are only distractions from your task at hand. Be sure to have no reinforcements, so you can stop midway through to go to Kroger because you are going out of your FREAKING MIND.
3) Add another complex task. When doing a tough task such as this, I prefer to add a level of complexity, such as watching a movie. Best really, is a mystery with lots of characters who resemble each other, or even better, a subtitled foreign film. I chose a documentary. It was not as challenging as one might think.
Voilą
And she did it! Here's the finished seam:
And just cause I like you all, click here for a close-up.
Now, to block the damn thing...
Of a cottage on the shore.. of a dark... Scottish laaaaake....
Oh, the Police when they were cool. Before Sting went all soft. Oh well.
We're Waiting.
Oh, hi. And welcome. Want a tasty beverage?
High Energy Jenny has been Exhausted Jenny. Many crazy nights at work, especially the weekend of Auburn v. Georgia. My ER full of drunk teens, mostly. We all felt pickled, there was so much alcohol around.
However, because I am being really really good and being Knit-one-thing-at-a-time-or-mostly-so Jenny, I have finished twenty-eight TWENTY-NINE of 31 repeats on Madli's shawl!!!! I want to have it done by this weekend, because the husband will be out of town and I can block it on the bed. Priorities, you know.
I'll show a pic when it's all done.
I added a few new things to the Gallery so you might look around there, if'n you have time.
Picture, or we leave.
Ok, I did start a new fun set of mittens from IK Winter 2004. My LYS made me. Well, okay, maybe didn't make me exactly. But they were having a "buy 5 get 5" so, really, I call that coercion, don't you?
The cuffs are corregated ribbing, which I hadn't done before, and I learned the Norweigan purl to be more efficient at it. And it worked. A new way to purl. I love it. Here's a link to the .pdf for the technique: Hi, click me for the .pdf.
I am doing a little at a time on these, but I really am working steadily on Madli. Then, I have a list:
1. My sister's "Stripes Go Round"
2. A shrug my friend Theressa has commanded me wants me to make.
3. A Klaralund for my mom.
4. That turtleneck shrug deal from Scarf Style.
5. Finish Honeysuckle before another winter goes by.
Not necessarily in this order. And subject to change. And there are a FEW knits in the wings, of course... I'll tell ya, though, it's pretty cool how fast things go if you do just one at a time, huh? Pretty neat trick, that.
Of no particular interest, really.
1) I got a flu shot.
2) I lost my favorite tape measure ever that went with me everywhere. It's gone. It was so perfect, right shape, right size, didn't make noise, was 17cm around (why do I know this? IT'S a TAPE MEASURE!). Gone. Sniff. I got a new one at JoAnn's, but it's magenta for Pete's sake. And clicky. I'm not satisfied.
3) Have finished 22 repeats of Madli's shawl. They look the same as the previous 18.5, so there's really no need for a picture.
4) Ran 12 miles yesterday. That was a really hard one. Those hills are killing me. Six miles into it I really really really wanted to quit. But I coaxed myself into just running "to Anne's house," "to that ugly yellow building", "just one more hill," and I did it. I truly believe that running more than about 5-6 miles is IN YOUR HEAD. If anyone out there thinks they can't do it, you're wrong. If you believe you can, you can run it. Just do it.
5) Finished Anouk while on High Energy Hiatus (HEH). I love this pattern. Kate rocks. I used Nature Spun Cotton Fleece from my lovely LYS, and it turned out really well, I think. Take a look there!
I tried to intarsia the pockets and they looked SO CRAPPY. So I duplicate stitched them instead and I really liked it. Also, to sew on the pockets I referred to the Knitter's Book of Finishing Techniques which I LOVE. Nancie Wiseman, thou art smart.
6) Ate a funnel cake with Fasty McSpeederton at the Cotton Gin Festival and Race:
7) Had such nice comments from you all! Thanks so much, you guys. It's nice to be missed.
Well, hello there.
Hi people. I thought I'd post a little post here, but actually it's a BIG post, so be forewarned!
A friend of a friend suggested this idea on his blog about taking a picture of your day, hour by hour. I thought it'd be interesting... I couldn't do it on a work day, since I can't take pics at work, but here I document for you my day off work on Sunday.
2:30pm
Hi. I'm sleepy and the gnomes and I really want to stay in bed.
3:30pm
Walking a happy person who is getting her news. All the news that's fit to sniff.
4:30pm
Knitting on Madli's Shawl, from IK, in Kidsilk Haze. I'm working fast, cause I have a month left till I wear it. At this point I have 18.5 repeats out of 31 done.
5:30pm
The boy and I decide to take the tandem out for a spin. Lord is he silly.
6:30pm
Buying new bike shorts from Bike Nashbar. And no you can't zoom in to to see my credit card. Stop trying.
7:30pm
Carrie, John and I waiting for AM and Dixie Chick. We were so hungry, we threatened to eat Carrie. We were in a vegetarian restaurant, and they caved and seated us. We won!
8:30pm
Dessert. Yum.
9:30pm
Talking to my Mom-in-law on the telephone. Gabgabgab. My mom and dad: I will call soon, I swear.
10:30pm
Jenny actually starts in on a project for work she was supposed to start hours ago. Excellent. I HATE writing.
11:30pm
Still working. Have called in reinforcements: ipod, Lucky Charms, Diet Pepsi. Thank God for Diet Pepsi.
12:30am
Waiting for last page to print. So. Tired. of. Waiting. Have resumed Pajama Status.
1:30am
Kinko's. 1:30 am. The Jennmeister, High Energy Jenninator, Making Copies.
I am the ONLY one in the copy shop. This is a college town on Sunday night. WHAT?
2:30am
I'm exhausted and I deserve a movie. Goody. Headphones, laptop, sofa.
3:30am
Mid-movie, knitting up a storm! Almost 20 repeats down!
4:30am
Writing the blog. Too boring for picture.
5:00am
Must work at 5pm tomorrow. Maybe just a little Harry Potter time before I go to sleep...
Good night ya'll... More knitting soon.