h00t and/or ORLY?

I had a few more setbacks yesterday, like discovering that I had cast on the proper number of stitches for the sleeve as written, instead of for the sleeve as I was modifying it (note: your wrist is generally a much smaller circumference than your upper arm). Then after I fixed that little problem and made the sleeves properly, I attached the sleeves and worked several rows before I noticed that, in fact, I had attached only one sleeve. More ripping. I did make it about halfway through the owl cable last night, and was able to bind off just as the big hockey game started this afternoon (and boy am I glad I was done with the knitting before the game -- I never would have been able to maintain even tension while watching that!).

I sewed on the very last eye just before the closing ceremonies began on NBC. As soon as the gold medal badge is available, you'll see it over in the right hand column there.



Despite the fact that I personally had a lot of difficulty with this pattern, I want to make it clear that the fault was all mine -- the pattern itself is very clearly written and easy to follow. I did make a few modifications, to wit:

- I did not work any of the short rows. I'm pretty curvy, and I knew I was knitting with a good deal of negative ease, so I basically decided to let my boobs do the work of the short rows.
- I (obviously) shortened the sleeves. Once I got over my attack of the stupids, all I did was cast on the number of stitches you should have after you've done all the increases for the long sleeves.
- I did not bind off the stitches called for at the armhole. I'm not sure what that's all about, but I've made enough sweaters with similar construction that didn't call for binding off stitches there that I felt safe skipping it. It turned out fine. YMMV.
- I added an extra row of plain knitting when I joined the sleeves to the body. The pattern as written seems to indicate that you should begin working the first row of the owl cable as you're joining, and frankly, that just seemed like asking for trouble, all things considered.
- I did not bind off with a larger needle, but instead used the elastic bind-off I always use on sock cuffs.

I am both very, very pleased with the end product, and very pleased with myself for getting it done. In addition to this project, I finished up Becky's sweater (finally!), did a pretty decent job of decluttering and wiping down surfaces in preparation for dinner guests, went to a rock concert, and pretty much maintained a normal life.

I'm taking a little break from crazy-making knitting and just working on a pretty Clapotis to wear at Fortunetide (the Otherworld ball) this year. And Becky's been demanding a scarf, so it seems like I'll probably cast that on sometime this week. Oh, and I need to make a dice bag before PAX East. After that, maybe, I'll get back to more complicated projects like the Simply Knitted Bodice and the Fishtail Lace Tunic. Or the Favorite Cardigan. Or maybe that cabled sweater from the old VK I've been wanting to reknit...

posted by Laura Y. @ 8:43 PM