Sweater progress

As predicted not a lot of knitting got done this weekend! The conference was super! So many great talks and getting to be around people who love what I do too! The hard part is that there were 5 special sessions in Topology at the same time! Not very often that you have to choose between so many great talks! (and I'm a little behind on my sleep)
During the conference I saw an albino squirrel! I'm sorry I didn't have my camera to share it with you, maybe I'll see him (or her) again--not quite what you expect to see every day!

So how about the sweater! So it's coming along nicely. I've done all the decreases for the armholes (see how nice they look--I'm rather proud!)

Now about 8 inches and I can do the neck shaping! (the pattern doesn't make sense to me for the neck shaping, so I am going to look for an errata page before that--could just be me, but....I'd rather not have to redo it) Here's another pic with a 12 inched ruler to help give you a better idea of the size:

I'm enjoying the yarn it's very soft! Knox thinks so too, she keeps wanting to be on my lap and "kneed" my sweater (YIKES!) She will start off in a very safe place on my lap and then try to sneak a paw onto my sweater, so I've been watching her like a hawk :) Socks don't have the same appeal to her I guess. On other cat news---we found out Knox likes to "straighten" pictures! We have a picture above our couch and it kept getting crocked! Saturday night DH found her perched on top of the couch "straightening" the picture!

Promised Sweater Pics

Do you check your gauge? I must admit I hate checking gauge. It feels like such wasted time and feels like going to the dentist. So as a general rule I just wing it, but.....we've talked about this sweater, so....I checked my gauge.

On the first try I was close. 23 stitches by 32 rows instead of 22 by 30. My initial response was close enough. Then I did the math (haha) and realized that being one stitch off would amount to 2 inches in the final product YIKES! (I wasn't worried at all by the 32 rows) Now if I were good and did things just the way I should, I would knit another gauge swatch using the next size up, but come on, I did it once....so I just went up one size and started. (this may prove to be a crucial mistake, but I hope not)


I did notice that the yarn shows my stitch imperfections big time--who knew I had imperfections in my stitches? alpaca does, that's who! So I blocked the swatch (I did this before I measured it too) and blocking isn't my favorite, but it was so worth it! All the stitches lined up and the fabric felt so light, I can't wait to wear it! (see all those stitches looking so happy--the color is more acurate in the first pic without the flash)

So I've started the back...I think I've done about 9 inches. The yarn is really soft, but I have found where one ply is broken occasionally in the yarn and a knot or two in the skein, but I'm not complaining. I just make sure to check the yarn for a row before I start the row (did that make sense) so I'll keep you posted on the sweater, but fair warning it could take a while.

On another note, my dear mom found this awesome new tea! Blueberry Green Tea by Republic of Tea. It is good for you and tastes wonderful. The blueberry adds a nice sweetness without being overpowering! Enjoy your day while I enjoy my tea!

Oh the possibilities!

There is something about yarn....sitting there full of possibilities....it can be anything....looking at it, touching it I dream of what it could be. In that state it is perfect, there are no imperfections just possibilities. But I know, it is there to be used. Using some yarn seems natural....it calls to me....it is low risk. But some yarn is so precious the miror thought of it not being there...in it's perfect state...is totally scary. Sock yarn isn't too bad, after all it isn't that much yarn (most of which is easily accesible) Now granted I know that you can always frog a project, but somehow the yarn is now tarnished...maybe a better way to think of it is that now it has history...you look at it and it screams failure. This gorgeous yarn I got from my grandma when I was home for Christmas. Grandma who patiently taught me to knit and crochet. As a little girl I would watch her fascinated and I asked if she could teach me to do that. She of course, put down her project to help me.

This yarn is special because it's from grandma, but there is more. It isn't just random yarn my grandma had it's from Mrs. Campbell! Now Grandma encouraged my craftiness a great deal. When I was in 5th ??? grade she bought me a knitting machine from Mrs. Campbell. It came with lessons. Many a weekend I would go with Grandma to see Mrs. Campbell for my lesson. She was a sweet lady! But most of all I remember lots of time with my Grandma and Grandpa! after all, lessons mean spending night, going out to dinner, watching TV (Grandpa would let me pick) Fun times! (Probably baking cookies with Grandma too) So this yarn, all 11 balls of 100% alpaca from Grandma who bought it from Mrs. Campbell is full of possiblities.

Since getting the yarn, I've been dreaming what should it be, what would be fitting for this yarn. I want it to be something I would wear and like. I've read about alpaca. It doesn't have the same memory as wool and can stretch more than other yarn (seams seem to be a good thing when working with alpaca, helps the garment keep its shape) So I think I found it! (from Amazon, Classic Knits)

The sweater on the front. A classic V-neck sweater. Ribbing on the cuffs and hem. The measurements of the finished garment match those of one of my favorite sweaters...so maybe just maybe it will work. Although I'm one to risk gauge, not when it comes to this. So in the days to come.....if I'm brave...I'll risk the yarn ..... in all its perfection.