Swatch Fwatch

Have I mentioned how much I hate swatching? For real. Hate. I know it's necessary, but I don't like it. It delays my project starting process and is just annoying. Here's my swatch for my Featherweight Cardigan that I would like to knit sometime this century.



This swatch should be 4" across. I am exactly a 1/2" off. Which is much better than the 1-1/4" off I was before I washed the swatch. This means going up a needle size will work. Most of my anger about swatching came before the washing. It looked like I was going to have to swatch a few more times before getting what I needed. I guess this means that I'm not all that mad at swatching afterall. I changed my own mind. Now, if I knit this sweater and it's a bagillion times too big or small, I will go back to hating on the swatch again.

The Head

I'd like to introduce you to someone. Her name: The Head. I purchased her at Hobby Lobby(my new favorite store since moving South). She was only $5, but will be my hat/scarf and whatever else model for a lifetime. I will keep her safe and locked up in my office/craft room. Because I'm so excited about my purchase, I decided to retake photos of recent knitting projects with her modeling them. This has nothing to do with my abundance of free time. Let the show begin!

Here The Head is modeling my 16 Cable Hat. Remarkably, she even makes my photography look better. I don't know how she does it, but if we all had this ability, we would all be models, wouldn't we.



Next, The Head is wearing The Cashmere Cowl. Knit out of cashmere lace, The Head can wear this anywhere, from a brisk walk along the water, to a shopping adventure outdoors.



In this next shot, The Head dons The Darkside Cowl by Sarah Fama, knit out of The Plucky Knitter MCN worsted yarn in the popular colorway Honey Wilkes. I know! She made me forget about the clutter on my desk too. I didn't even notice it! She is amazing.


Lastly, although she resisted, The Head models my current work in progress, The Slouched Tuva Hat. "I don't want to model a hat without a top. What if everyone sees my thoughts?" were her words. I didn't say she was smart.



And there you have it! The Head. I am currently searching for someone whom I shall call, The Body.

Spring Forward

I finished my Spring Forward socks and I'm very excited. I only started knitting them in (cough) December of '09.



The first sock went VERY smoothly. I can't say the same for the second sock, however. I had to restart that sock at least four times! I kept screwing up and when I'm working with fingering weight yarn and size 1 needles, little can be fixed without ripping. Anyway, I hope the person I am gifting them to, loves them and that they get a lot of wear. I used Wollmeise in Fleiderbusch and I absolutely ADORE the color.

Well, with the Girasole and the Spring Forward socks done, I was left with no works in progress! Can you believe it? I'm not counting the old old projects that I haven't touched in years, of course. So...I decided to cast on for this.



I'm using Bryspun needles for the first time (size 4) and I feel that the hat is really quite small. I'm also not really like knitting with plastic. I'm going to truck along, though and hopefully it will turn out the way I want.

The homefront has calmed down, but it always does. We;ll see how it goes next Thursday!