Okay, I’ve got a busy and picture filled post to share with you today!!! From mishaps to successes!
Let’s see… at the time of the last post, Feb 5th, I wanted to share with you my personal story illustrating how tenet number three of Dolores’ campaign platform, “Knitting will become a mandatory subject in American public schools”, would have helped this knitter. As many of you know I am now serving as a substitute in some of the public school districts near my home. Last Tuesday I went to substitute in the same class I had been in for Monday afternoon. Since I’d been there the day before I knew that I’d have a half hour at lunch with a half hour duty free time available during the day. Since I’m not the regular teacher I have no planning to do during prep periods so I knit. An hour to knit! Wonderful! I needed to turn the heel on one sock and then pick up the stitches on both of them on the gusset. I pulled my knitting out of my bag and… no extra needles. Two socks, both with a heel flap complete, one with the heel turn complete which meant that each sock was on only two DPNs and to complete my plans I had to have one needle to knit with… and if I wanted to pick up the gussets on the two socks I’d need at least four more needles. And there I was… NO NEEDLES to work with… and a free HOUR… Luckily, on (most) every teachers desk in America exists… paperclips…
I was able to get the heel turned on the second sock! But, had Dolores been in office, I could have wandered down to the mandatory knitting classroom (let’s really dream, I’d possibly be the teacher IN that classroom) and borrowed some DPNs and not had to play “Knitting MacGyver”!
I finished my suit!!! It turned out quite well if I do say so myself! The pictures aren’t that flattering but it is the type of suit that, when on, gives the wearer, me, a feeling of confidence and attractiveness.
Of course, I could have gotten a bit better dressed to model the suit and that may have made a difference! I’m sure the pictures would have been more flattering had I not whipped off my pajamas just to model the suit for pictures!!! So ignore the unkempt hair, the unshaved legs, etc. and just drool as I do at the awesomeness of the suit! (What, modesty?)
Here’s a picture showing you the interior lining of the jacket as well.
The suit fabric is brown twill and the lining is a brown bemberg rayon. The pattern is
Simplicity 3688 and is my first attempt at a lined jacket that has lapels and a two piece collar… there were some struggles with the lapel and I’m sure the next one will turn out better, but for my first suit, I’m very happy with the result. The next pattern I’m doing is going to be much more mindless… that jacket, with the lining, and the interfacing, was up over 24 separate pieces… so next is a nice simple jumper dress with pockets… perfect for teaching!
My socks are coming along nicely… now that I have actual needles to continue my knitting with! As you can see, I’m working on the gusset now on both.
I’m excited to see them coming to completion (well, coming along more like… completion is still a few weeks away I’m sure!). But, being that I’m now heading down the foot, my mind is starting to ask, “What socks are going to be next? What yarn are you going to use next?”. With this stash of sock yarn to choose from… it is hard to decide which to do next!
Betsy came over yesterday… I was planning on cleaning the upstairs computer / library room… she was going to help… We didn’t end up actually doing that but we still had a great time. She stopped at the grocery store, picked up ingredients, came over, and made a chicken pot pie!
It was soooo yummy! Instead of cleaning… we knitted. I know! Imagine that! Besides, how could I ask Betsy to help me clean? She made us dinner!!!
I had left my knitting sitting on the couch… not sitting where I sit, but right next to it… I was holding one of the kittens, went over to the couch and sat down… let’s just say… Size 1 (2.25mm) DPNs? Go really easily into butt/thigh fat… OUCH! OUCH! OUCH! At first I just thought they sort of poked me and I went to push them away… but I soon realized that they were in me… and Betsy said I started pulling them out and just kept pulling… I’d say it went in a good inch… OUCH!!!!! Montey and Betsy thought it was funny and laughed much sooner then I appreciated! LOL!
I think that’s all the news and such I have to share with you today… I’ll leave you with a picture of the kittens…
China on the left, Tippy on the right
They are almost getting too big to share that basket!
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