8.23.2002
Friday

It's not a good sign weatherwise when you need your car a/c on before 5:30am. Ga-a-ack!

I did a bit on Rosendal last night -- here is a photo, showing the front steek. The steek will be machine stitched before being cut open -- the typical Dale of Norway technique. Same with the armholes.

I woulda got more done on Rosendal last night but was not only distracted by domestic incidents (e.g., exploding microwave), but finished up a sock and cast on for another. Wanna see my provisional cast-on? Do ya? Huh?

That's the crocheted chain with stitches picked up in the "bumps" of the center of the chain, then knitted back. I did a short row toe on the train this morning and am now ready to begin the foot.

I hope you all have a great weekend. I'll be buying a new microwave.

8.22.2002
Thursday

Ah, it was nice to have some extra knitting time yesterday. I made good progress on Rosendal. Photo here. I love Dale of Norway sweaters and I love the ones knitted at the finer gauge, like this one. Knitted from Daletta wool at 7 stitches/inch.

This will be a short cardigan and it's knitted in the round, with steeks. The pattern directs you to cast on 4 stitches for the center front steek. When the body is done, it's machine stitched on either side and cut open. Then you pick up stitches for the front bands.

Now I personally think a two-stitch steek isn't enough when you're picking up stitches. The pattern tells you to pick them up with a crochet hook, which minimizes pulling on the knitted fabric, but still . . .

So I added two stitches for a total of six. Three on each side. After knitting the front bands I can always trim it back down to two stitches.

I updated my sock-in-progress pic too -- here.

8.21.2002
Wednesday - Home Improvement

No work for me today -- I'm at home waiting for a couple of people who are gonna install stuff in my home. Ah. home improvement. More important, enforced knitting time! I can't go out -- I have to knit.

Yesterday at work Odie and I got lots of attention for our new ID chains, courtesy of Kate. They all wanted to know where they could get one too.

Last night I did a bit of knitting on Rosendal -- at least I'm into the colorwork. See here. Not the best photo and the colors are paler than shown, but you get the idea. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have lots more progress to show you.

And here, for your viewing pleasure, is a photo of Izzy, being chatty.

8.20.2002
Tuesday

Excitement! I got stuff in the mail! I got my trade items from Kate!

I opened the package to a lovely aroma -- Kate had tucked a fragrant bar of soap inside. First, the purse!

Isn't it adorable? I put my stuff in it immediately!

Then, the necklaces!

My photos don't show how really gorgeous they are. And last but not least, the ID chains!

You can see that I've already put my work ID on the green one. And I'm wearing it now. The blue one is for my friend Odet -- I'll give it to her this morning.

So Kate, you are a star! Big internet kiss: mmmmmmmwha! Thanks so much!

I also got some sock yarn in the mail -- the Lorna's Laces fall colorway for Socks Digest subscribers. You can see Izzy playing with it in my new blog photo, above left.

And I have a wee bit of progress on Rosendal -- here is the photo. How is it that the hem facing takes foreever? Since taking that photo, I've started the colorwork, so the next photo will be far more exciting.

Again, thanks everyone for your compliments about my fair isle!

8.19.2002
Monday

A full weekend -- here are photos of Saturday morning after running errands.

But the big news is . . .

I finished my Fearless Fair Isle! Photos are here. Finished it up Saturday night and took photos on Sunday. Yes, in 90+ degree weather.

Also worked on my sock-in-progress -- a blue jacquard -- photo here.

And last night I cast on and barely started Dale of Norway "Rosendal." No photo yet, as I'm still on the bottom facing. It's a short cardigan in off white, light blue, and putty. Very pretty!