My latest project. It’s a simple ribbed scarf that I’m making for Fred. The beginning is in a simple garter stitch. I changed my mind on the pattern, and just left it in for a border. A little weird, but I like it.
Knit using Berrocco Ultra Alpaca. I have no idea what an Ultra Alpaca is, but I hope it involves jet boots.
Update: I decided I didn’t like the results, so I ripped it apart and started over. The end was goofy, and it wasn’t wide enough. Try again!
Me beanie hat! Done in Noro Kureyon yarn, which is weirdly stiff and lumpy. I expected the hat to be scratchy when I was done, but it’s not at all. It’s very comfortable to wear. Unfortunately I made it a bit too big, and I’m too lazy to frog it out and try again.
The photo doesn’t do the colors justice. They’re much more vibrant in real life. I will try again later.
The big green bag, made with Lambs Pride Bulky yarn, knit in the round, and then felted. A lot of shrinking. It used to be a lot bigger. Now it’s super dense. I can damn near carry water with it now.
No, I don’t feel super femmy for making a purse. I mean a tote. It’s not a purse! It’s a tote! For carrying around my knitting! Not a purse!
Secure in my manhood!
Such as it is.
Here’s my first knit project. It’s a lovely cream and brown scarf done in super bulky wool. Very simple, as first projects ought to be. And yet I love it. It’s very comfortable, and suits me.
Don’t emotionally scar your children.
There are some really nice things that you can knit for your family. And some really horrendous things.
1. There is not enough hand sanitizer in the world to get me through the workday among all these sneezing, coughing sickies.
2. No matter how much I love Winter, a fresh snowfall in mid February is guaranteed to make me say “enough, already.”
Knit two, purl two, chase cat away.
Knitting is proceeding at a feverish pace. I’ve had three classes, and have finished two projects so far. (Pictures to come.)
1. My beginners scarf. Like the vast majority of beginners, my first project was a scarf. Giant needles and super bulky yarn in a soft cream and tan variegation. A simple garter stitch, which means knit a row, flip work over, repeat for the length of the scarf. And it turned out nice. Big fluffy thing, very warm, and very pleasing.
2. Tote bag. A big felted bag, done in a deep emerald green variegated. After finishing, I washed it for about twelve minutes in hot water, which shrunk it and fused all the wool together. (Felting is AWESOME.) The stitching all disappeared, and the bag became very fuzzy and solid. Dense beyond belief. I’m very happy with the results.
My current project is a scarf for Fred, done in a nice worsted (or is it sport?) alpaca yarn in a muted brown color. I originally was going to do it all in garter stitch, but changed my mind and went with ribbing instead. I left the first few rows in garter to create an end, and I like the result so far. Constantly switching between knitting and purling is a bit of a pain, but it’s good practice. And Fred is liking the results. We’ll see how it goes.
After that, I have a knitted cap to make for my class, done in a self-striping Noro yarn, all green and blue and brown, with a jolt of gold. And then Fred wants a burgundy colored tote.
I just got started and I’m up to my ass in projects already. What the hell happened?
The Zinc Anniversary.
We’ve both got colds, and we’re both going home early. How appropriate is that? Happy Anniversary, honey!
Stupid viruses.
Has it been that long?
On February 6th, 1998, I went to a house in North Minneapolis for the first time. For a date. Terribly nervous. And a little freaked out.*
I never left.
Tomorrow, on Wednesday, Fred and I will be celebrating Ten Years Together. Ten years of abundant joy, a small measure of tears, a handful of quarrels, a pinch of worry, and a gallon of comfort. Ten years of squabbling over paint colors, of teasing unmercifully, and of smiling. Ten years of genuine happiness.
Happy Anniversary, My Dearest Fred. I love you with all my heart.
Now, how in the Hell did those ten years go by so fast? Good grief.
*(I left a just-in-case note on my desk back in Mankato, detailing my location should things go awry.)
