I'm out

I've decided to DQ myeslf from the Ravelympics. I began to suspect I would have to do this when I sat down to write out my little row cards for the lace pattern on the front of the sweater. I realized 2 rows in that it's lace knitting (pattern on every row) as opposed to knitted lace (pattern on every other row), and I realized about 4 rows in that it's pretty complicated lace knitting. Which means I had zero chance of finishing it in a house full of husband, toddler, and baby. I do like them very much and enjoy spending time with them all, but none of them are conducive to concentration. So instead of trying to knit it and a) getting no sleep, b) getting frustrated and c) still not finishing, I decided Friday night to throw in the towel and work on other stuff over the weekend. I have promised myself that the lace sweater is the only thing I'll work on during my commute until it's finished, so it really shouldn't take too much longer. I only have the front piece left, after all -- both sleeves and the back are fini.

So I worked on sewing Zack's blanket together -- I'm a little embarrassed that this isn't done yet -- and on a sweater design knit with two strands of sock yarn held together. I think I'm going to like it when it's done, but it's a little mindless for the nonce. I also have a shawl I'm about a third of the way into that I'd like to finish off (more mindless knitting), the Pyramid Jacket that I've started the second sleeve for -- again, mindless (but requires counting), but the yarns I'm using are so delightful that it's a treat to pick it up, Zack's BSJ that he may well be too big for now (in which case it will go to our dear friends Ab And Dave, who just had a little boy -- congrats, guys!), a sweater for Becky that never got past the cast on edge and now almost certainly will have to be cast on at a larger size, a lace tunic pattern from The Point out of a wonderful merino cashemere blend, another little lacy summer top that I'd like to wear at least once this year while the weather's still appropriate, my top down cabled sweater...and that's just what's languishing on the needles that I can think of off the top of my head. And doesn't include any sock projects.

I've also got a couple of special requests from special people, but they're quick knits (one of my little shrugs and a sleveless Sahara), and my "reward" sweater for when I finish the Ravelympics sweater (it's a bulky wool so I can't really cast on for it yet anyway, because it's still hotter'n Hades here -- I'm thinking it's going to be my Rhinebeck sweater, but I'm really hoping to have it done for OW which is a couple weekends before Rhinebeck), and I'm going to be participating in the Sock Knitters Anonymous Knit-A-Long on Ravelry, which is a different pair of socks every month (but you have two months to finish, so you cast on September's socks before 9/30, but then you have until 11/30 to finish them, even though you have to cast on for October's socks before 10/31. Follow?). I'm planning on participating every month, and I would appreciate it if you would all stifle because I know what you're thinking. Finally, there are a bunch of sweaters I've been meaning to knit forever (Ragna, I'm looking at you) and a couple that I already knit but back in my cheap cotton yarn days so they, well, suck, but I love them and want to knit them properly, so they're on the list, too. Oh, and I want to make a new hat and scarf to go with the new winter coat I'm going to get this year.

Wow. I have big plans. I think I've just overwhelmed myself. I might need to go lie down now.

posted by Laura Y. @ 3:10 PM