the Akamai Knitter

While watching football this past Sunday, I managed to finish up the knitting on the Rock Lobster Lock Bag. The pattern suggests completing three repeats of the pattern, but after measuring the length after 2.5 repeats, I decided it was long enough.

Before felting, the bag looked rather pathetic.

The bag was magically transformed after felting.

The specs…

Pattern: Rock Lobster Lock Bag by Anne Hanson

Yarn: Ella Rae Classic (Color 28) and Plymouth Boku (Color 1)

Needles: Size 10.5US(6.5mm) and 11US(8.0)

Started: September 16, 2007

Finished: September 23, 2007

The other modification I made with this project was to add pockets. I knitted two squares of fabric approximately 9″x9′ and then sewed them into the inside of the bag as invisibly as I could. This is a terrible picture, but you get the idea. For another shot of the pocket, click here.

I had a really good time with this project. I loved working with the big needles and the big squishy yarn. The slipped stitch pattern was interesting and entertaining with just the right amount of challenge.

I really loved the colors of this project. I’m not sure how much of my wardrobe will match with it, but I find that I don’t really care. For now, it’s enough that I love the end result and that I enjoyed the process of creating it.

It seems the fog I was in on Monday was more due to a Fibromyalgia flare up then to any of the after-effects of the weekend. So instead of trying to put together a coherent post today, I’ve decided to just do a random list of my progress of some of my current projects.

1. I completed the Bee Fields Shawl on Wednesday. It’s currently soaking in some warm water with a few drops of soap in preparation for the blocking progress. I’m so looking forward to crawling around on my hands and knees. Not. :-P
2. I managed to turn the heel of the second sock and start the gussets of the Retro Rib Socks last night. Insomnia has its perks. I’m thinking of calling them Cafe au Chocolat. What do you think?
3. I’ve gotten past the first repeat of the Rock Lobster Lock Bag. I really love the yarns I’m using. (Ella Rae Classic and Plymouth Boku.) The colors are fun and seeing them evolve with the slip stitch pattern is highly entertaining.

For some reason, I felt like I hadn’t gotten much done this week, which is most likely due to the flare up. Making this list has really helped me feel like I’ve accomplished something. Sometimes we just need to take a step back and take stock of what’s in front of us to appreciate it.

Weekend plans include another trip to Isle Knits tomorrow to see if I can get more yarn for the bag. There’s definitely more Ella Rae, but there might not be more Boku, so please wish me luck!

I also have a couple of DVDs lined up, Wire In The Blood: Season 3: Disc 1 and Perfect Stranger. Nothing too heavy or exciting, but I think they’ll both prove to be entertaining. Of course, there will also be football. Mmm. Football.

I’m also going to be casting on for the Clapotis and I’m really excited. It’s just the type of knitting that I need right now. Miles and miles of soothing stockinette stitch. Just thinking about it makes me curl my toes in anticipation.

Well, I’m off to block the shawl. I hope everyone has a great weekend filled with lovely knitty type activities. :-)

I had another whirlwind weekend, where I watched two great movies and two great football games. I just love football season and Netflix. I also squeezed in a visit to Isle Knits.
I went into Isle Knits with a firm resolution to resist the sock yarn. Unfortunately, Sue had just received a shipment of Schaeffer Anne and one of the skeins jumped right into my hands. Honestly, I tried putting it down several times but after some discussion with Barb and blogfree Dana, I knew it had to be mine. After all, who knows when I’ll run across this colorway again!

After all that, I’ve been left with a case of Monday Malaise. I woke up feeling heavy headed and though I had planned to work on the Bee Fields Shawl, but I found my brain too fuzzy for lace. So I’ve jumped the gun and started the Rock Lobster Lock Bag.

I’ve become totally seduced by the big needles. Results are nearly instantaneous and the yarn? The Ella Rae Classic is so soft and squishy between my fingers. It’s heavenly. I’m eager to start using the Boku. The colors are so deep and saturated, I just want to drown in them.

Really this is the perfect project to cure my malaise and soothe my soul. I’m sure I’ll be back on my game tomorrow and get back to the lace. For now, big needles is just what I need.

There is one problem though. I might not have enough yarn for the project. I only have 2 balls of the Classic, which adds up to 438 yards. I need 500 yards. I have 3 balls of the Boku, which adds up to 297 yards. I need 400 yards. It looks like I’ll need to make another trip to the LYS.

What a travesty.