Posted under meanderings
I’m inching along on the Hidcote Garden Shawl. I’ve been working on it incessantly but it seems like I’m not getting much progress on it. I know this isn’t true. I’m halfway through chart 7 of 10. It just feels like I’m slogging through a marsh of endless lace. I bitch and I moan as I work my way through rows that get longer and longer.
I’m purposefully neglecting the We Call Them Pirates hat. I’m knitting the lining and working with sport weight yarn on size 2.5mm needles just make my hands hurt, which leads to more bitching and moaning. I’m just about done with that part, but now I need to tack down the lining stitch by stitch to the back of the hat. Blech!
While those two projects are giving me fits, I’ve been savoring every round of the Pomatomus socks. I don’t work on it often, as I like to save it for those rare occasions when I feel I deserve a treat. I finished the first sock, and I know that the second sock would breeze by if I gave myself half a chance.
As I work my way back and forth between these projects, I plan and dream of future projects. I think of the Forest Path Stole that’s in my future and I wonder just how much enjoyment I’ll really get out of it. The entrelac seems tedious, but the end product is truly lovely. I visit the KAL blog often to read about how others are doing and I am so tempted to just break my one shawl rule and cast on. I’m already late joining the party as is.
For my next sock project I have been browsing the book Knitting On The Road by Nancy Bush. The pattern that has caught my eye the most is the Traveler’s Socks. They first grabbed me when I saw them on Grumperina’s blog and they’re one of the reasons why I bought the book in the first place.
I’m not sure if it’s because the book and Grumperina both have done them in shades of pink, but for some reason I now seem to think that this sock should only be done in pink. The problem there is I am not a pink person. I have some lovely blue yarn that I really adore, but I cannot see it or any other colour as a Traveler Sock. So there’s a big brick wall when it comes to this gorgeous pattern.
So I’ve been browsing the incomparable Cookie A.’s other available patterns and dreaming of her unavailable patterns. Have you seen Gothic Spire?! I also ordered a couple of books, which probably won’t get here until after I have completed the sock.
All this has left me feeling extremely restless and apparently very wordy. Maybe it’s time for one of those rare moments with the Pomatomus sock.
Sue Johnson on 20 Feb 2007 at 3:58 pm #
I know exactly how you feel when it comes to finishing current projects and dreaming of new ones. It is a restless feeling. I often have trouble concentrating because I am looking at patterns, books, my stash. All the while planning and dreaming and concocting ideas and lists. So many, many projects. So little, little time. Keep on knitting!
debbie on 20 Feb 2007 at 4:27 pm #
i can relate to how you feel about pomatomus being like a treat - certain projects have that effect on me too-at work i dream about going home and parking myself in my chair and just knit that special project….and i do love grumperina’s traveler’s socks too, the cuff is very pretty as are a lot of the other cuffs in the book. i love the color of hidcote….
Lemma on 20 Feb 2007 at 4:32 pm #
Geez, Opals! You are weakening my resolve against buying more sock books. I don’t even have sock *yarn* right now (thought that will be fixed shortly).
I understand the color problem, though. Once you see a pattern done in the same color several times, that is the only way it looks “right”, sometimes.
Jeanne on 20 Feb 2007 at 11:40 pm #
Everything you are working on is so beautiful! Hidecote looks wonderful, and of course the pirates hat is cute. Its amazing how a really great sock pattern can just cheer you up, isn’t it?
Lisa on 21 Feb 2007 at 3:39 am #
Restlessness must be going around. I cannot wait to finish my Lopi sweater, I have a skein of Bearfoot that refuses to tell me what pattern it wants to be and I am dying to start new projects. Hmm….how about a restless KAL? hehe
Alison on 21 Feb 2007 at 6:26 am #
I love triangular shawls, but I really don’t like how the rows just get longer and longer. The beginning goes so quickly, then as the rows get longer, it’s disheartening to knit and knit, then realize you’re still not done with the row. You are doing a lovely job and you’ll get there.
As for the FPS, since there are three different patterns, it really does keep the interest pretty well. Each pattern is like doing a small swatch (granted, it is attached to a really big swatch:), so you do one and then, you’re ready for another pattern. The entrelac isn’t so tedious because of all the switching between lace patterns.
lobstah on 21 Feb 2007 at 8:29 am #
Ah, I’m in love with the Forest Path stole (don’t know when I’d ever have time to actually do it though) and the Traveller’s Socks! I think they would look awesome in any muted, pale color…what about a powdery blue?
Roseann on 21 Feb 2007 at 1:48 pm #
Thank you for your long & vibrant post. I find I need to be in the correct mood for sewing in linings, and having some chocolate handy helps. When I looked at your Hidcote Garden Shawl, my thought was “I must knit this shawl!”, great picture, beautiful color and splendid knitting. And those Pomatomas socks are very inspiring, I can see why they keep calling you back!
Meredith on 21 Feb 2007 at 4:55 pm #
I love the way the Forest Path Stole LOOKS but I HATE to do entrelac! Ahhhhh well, perhaps someday I will change my mind…I’m plugging away on my Shaped Triangle (which is looking very nice) and getting ready to rip out 8 inches of a scarf I started in purple Gloss and decided I want a lacier pattern. Opal, your pomatomus socks are beautiful, and so is the Hidcote Garden, so keep up the good work! I share your lack of enthusiam for sewing in linings and wish you well with that, too.
Latoya on 22 Feb 2007 at 4:24 am #
The lace is beautiful work. I’m sure it’ll be worth the challenges you’re having. You’re almost done.
Knit on!