the Akamai Knitter

Today was a lazy Sunday in which I finally took out one of the shawls I have languishing on the needles. This is the Shaped Triangle shawl that I started in August of this year. I took a break from it back in October, but I finally have my mojo working again thanks to Ali over at Alianne Knits. She recently finished the Hexagon Spider’s Web Shawl from the new Victorian Lace Today and that’s inspired me to finish my own shawl.

I’ll probably not be able to finish it in the dashing fashion Ali finished her gorgeous shawl, but I hope to get at least 3 repeats of the edging done a day, which amounts to 30 rows. I’m trying not to set a goal that is too unobtainable as I’d also like to get some gifts done as well.

Among those gifts are the entrelac scarf and I’d like to start the Shifting Sands scarf by Grumperina for my Great-Aunt Eleanor. I have some Andean Silk in Hyacinth that will make a beautiful scarf and I’m looking forward to learning how to cable without a cable needle.
Before I forget yet again, on Thursday there was a small earthquake off the shores of the Big Island, but I felt it all the way over here on O’ahu. There were no serious damages or power outages reported. It was rather startling, but not nearly as nerve-wracking as the quake in October. It obviously wasn’t that big since I didn’t even remember to post about it until now.

After finishing the my first entrelac scarf, I decided to start a second in brighter colours. This scarf is intended for a small person, 3 years of age, so I thought the bright colour scheme would suit her well. I’ll have to confer with her mother to see if she’d like the colours and to find out what length would be appropriate. Apparently I’m just not done with the hated weaving in of ends.

I’m still chugging away on the Danica Scarf, but the more progress I make, the more ends I have to deal with. It feels like I spend more time sewing in ends then I do knitting. Still, I persevere and I’ve got over 30 inches done so far. Not bad for someone who is catching a cold.

Speaking of which, the cold probably explains the brevity of this post.

The quest to outfit my close friends in handknits continues as I started the Danica scarf last night with some various worsted weight wools that I have lying around. (This is a really bad picture of it, but it’s the best I could do. Artistic photographer I am not.) It’s been great trying out a new technique and the instructions are very clear and easy to follow. Somehow I’ve even learned how to knit backwards, even though I’m not doing anything fancy like purling in the front and back yet.

I’m hoping this will be good gift for a male friend and I’m worried that because it’s not machine washable it will wind up either not being used or becoming fabulously felted. I’m hesitant to broach the subject with him, because I’m about as subtle as a steam train when it comes to bringing up these types of things up with friends. I tend to be blunt and honest to the point of tears.

I figure I can always give this scarf to the Dulaan Project and order some superwash yarn for my friend if I decide to go the safer route with my friend. I’d love to hear what you all have to say about giving handwash items to friends. Any disaster stories you want to share? Any encouraging heartwarming stories?

Even after a marathon session of Pride & Prejudice, I still have most of a repeat to do before I’m finished with the not so Secret Project. I had a really hard time getting going on this project because I felt a shawl would have been more appropriate to work on. What I’ll try to do is watch Ugly Betty to finish off the scarf and that should be more in theme with a hot pink and black skull scarf. My hands have been aching so I’m not sure how much I’ll actually get done.

I haven’t actually measured the scarf, but this is turning out to be one really long scarf. The intended recipient is 5’7″ and I’m imagining this scarf hanging down past her knees like some kind of Dr. Who scarf. It’s making me rather nervous. This is the part of Christmas knitting that drives me up a wall.

I envision these perfectly made handknits and then I run into problems. I used to just throw up my hands and give up in disgust, but this year I’m trying to barrel my way past them. Somehow I hope they’ll work themselves out and that the recipients will appreciate them despite the flaws.

BTW, I’m a little behind on my emails. If you’ve emailed me recently and I haven’t gotten back to you, it’s because I’m trying to rest my hands. I seem to have spaced out and missed a few days of my medication. Bad Opal! No biscuit!