Oh, I am so very thankful for my knitting circle :)

The other night, I went along and took Winterburn and all the associated bits I needed to work this dratted cast-on. Now, let me just say that this cast-on is not the fault of the designer, but rather my inability to work a simple crochet chain. Yes, I am one of those people who knits, but does not crochet. And there’s a good reason for that. :p

As it was, I went to my knitting circle and the lovely ladies there helped me get all cast-on and working on the first of my sleeves. What’s more, I also have a second crochet chain all ready for when I come to do the next sleeve. Whoo hoo! Thank you so much to the ladies at my knitting circle, because now I’m back in the running with this sweater, which makes me happy.

As for the crochet, I still can’t do it — a fact that amused some of my knitting circle, even after trying to show me. I think I’ll look into other provisional cast-on methods at some point in the future, so that if I have to work a provisional again, it won’t necessarily include the dreaded hook.

Of course, I could always practice some more too… But life’s too short — and I have too much to knit up! Let’s see how I get on then, shall we? Until next time, knit on! :)

Coppertone
May 16 – June 2 2011
Zen Yarn Garden BFL Nylon Sock, “Mish Mash” colourway (393.2m)
Coppertone on Ravelry

Mid-last year, in amongst all the grieving I was going through (am still going through, to be honest), I read via my RSS feeds that WendyKnits was hosting a free knitalong (KAL) via her blog and in conjunction with Ravelry forum. The finished piece was to be a shawlette, and would feature lace, and would need one skein of sock yarn.

Free! Knitalong! Lace! One skein! Aiiiieeee!

It was just the thing I needed to help get me out of the latest black fog I was in, so I found some of the lovely Zen Yarn Garden BFL Sock yarn in my stash, and got stuck in. :)

The pattern for this KAL was released in five “clues”, one every week or so, and so I had a great time working each clue’s chart and then eagerly awaiting the next one. The pattern was clear and precise, and the yarn worked up beautifully. Though looking brown, it actually has lots of variations in the colour so it takes on a semi-solid toning across the lace. I was entranced by how the colours were revealed as well as the pattern itself, and I really enjoyed myself despite feeling emotionally numb for the most part. In fact, it was the interplay of colours that gave me the shawlette’s name.

By the time the final clue was released, I was sitting in front of the iMac, needles and yarn in hand, and ready. I pounced on the final chart as soon as it was available and whizzed through it — finishing this section in around 45 minutes. I had it blocking in no time at all, too, and it measures around 45″ x 25″ all told.

Now it’s one of my absolute favourite things to wear, and I will probably go back and do the pattern again — Wendy has since named it her Summer Mystery Shawlette.

Here’s some pictures of Coppertone on and off the blocking mat. As always, you can click these for larger versions.

Well, only a few days ago In I was blogging about Winterburn, and how I was hoping to move onto the sleeves within a day or so. Well, sadly that hasn’t happened. :(

I mean, I’m ready to cast on for the sleeves — but I’m coming up short. Have been for days. You see, despite the fact that I managed a provisional cast-on using a crochet hook for the body of the sweater (200 stitches), it seems my ability to do the same for the sleeves (48 stitches each) is severely lacking. So severe, in fact, that I spent over four hours the other day trying to get a decent crochet chain for my cast-on. Argh.

I grumbled on Facebook, and via text message to some good friends. My heart-sister, some 150ish miles away, gave me some good advice: “Don’t fret, lovely. Put it down. Out of sight. Kiss your husband. Make a cup of tea. Don’t look at it again for at least 2 days.” So I did.

And then I tried it again. And again. And again. And I still can’t get it.

So, it’s gone away into my knitting bag for now until next week’s knitting circle. I’m sure someone there will help me get cast on and busy again, and then we should have sleeves in no time at all! And in the meantime, I’ll work on Lovely Day some more… And maybe practice my crochet chains a bit more too. :p

Until then, knit on!