A Good Friday Night

We had a great Friday night.  Bruce & I competed in an APDT rally trial Friday night.  We got qualifying scores in 3 out of 4 runs.  He did really well -- not a peep out of him in his crate and he actually visited with some people.  Here are his ribbons:  (As I've stated before, he's secure enough in his masculinity to be proud of his pink ribbon.)

 

What are his ribbons posing on, you ask?  (Shush -- its my blog and if I wanted to pretend that you noticed the knitted item under the ribbons, I will. So there.)

Why its the Autumn Mystery Shawl -- FINALLY off the needles.  I bound off between runs last night.  The last skein of yarn showed up on Wednesday, but I just didn't have the time or the patience to work on the shawl until Friday night. It isn't blocked yet, nor have I woven in the ends, but I just had to share! 

I took these pictures, standing on the couch, with one foot on the edge of the coffee table (white splotch in the corner of the picture) for balance.  It takes up the entire coffee table right now.  It is going to be HUGE once its blocked.

 

 Look at how dense the fabric is now... anybody want to block it for me?  I've got pins and wires and a hatred of wet wool..

1 FO and 2 WIPs

Shades of Green Clapotis:  Finished Object

The Clapotis (Ravelry)

 in Brooks Farm Solana (Ravelry)

  

One Row Handspun by Somebody Else Scarf: WIP

One Row Handspun Scarf (Ravelry)

in Illinois Green Pastures Collection 80/20 Alpaca Wool

StormWater Scarf: WIP

StormWater Scarf (Ravelry)

in Handmaiden SeaSilk (Ravelry)

Fixing the Clapotis

My plan for last night was to sit myself down and fix the Clapotis. The Husband had the camera out and ready to take pictures of the step-by-step surgery. I had a note pad right next to me and I jotted down every little step I took. I planned on having a great little tutorial complete with pictures:

Then I gave my Clappy a bath and set it down to block the corners only -- I didn't like how much they rolled and one end seemed more like an amoeba than a corner. As I was stretching it out, both of my fixes came undone. So with wet wool, I had to do emergency surgery. (And you remember how much I love wet wool!) So no tutorial. Sorry.

At least Tyler got a good chuckle out of it:

Lizzie understood my frustration and took it out on a cardboard box:

To Block or Not To Block -- That's One of the Questions

My Clapotis is off the needles. It has been off the needles for awhile but I had to clear off my KNITTING TABLE of DOOOOOM, so I could spread it out and take some pictures. I used Brooks Farm Solana (Ravelry) and did 8 straight sections. I have a little leftover ... I need to weigh it so I can see if I could've gotten another straight section.

Isn't it beautiful? But do you see the mistakes? Let's look a little closer.

How about little closer?

Yup -- I forgot to drop a stitch.

Twice.

Any suggestions on how I can fix this? I didn't notice until I had bound off all the stitches.

I know that most folks aren't blocking their Clapotis, but I think that it would look a little better if I get rid of the serious curling on the corners. Any thoughts?

A Sense of Accomplishment

After the frustration of knitting, and tinking and frogging, and knitting and tinking and frogging some more, this weekend I managed to find a sense of accomplishment.

Friday evening, I knew I was too tired to do any good on the Mystery Shawl, so I left it in its half-frogged state. It took a lot of self-control not to cast-on again right away. Especially since the 3rd clue was being released in the morning along with the first clue for the Halloween Mystery Shawl. Instead, I cast on for my Shades of Green Clapotis (link to Ravelry), (to keep up with the Second Wave Clapotis KAL) and only after carefully weighing my yarn. I got through most of the increase sections and then off to bed -- without having to tink or frog. (Ahhh -- success)

Saturday morning found Bruce & I at an APDT Rally trial. This was our first indoor Rally trial as well as our first foray (outside of Wednesday class) in public without The Husband. Bruce is a very soft dog and because he's so soft, he's very shy and easily scared, and I didn't realize it until he had developed a few issues. We've been working the past two years to get to the point where he can compete in conformation. (If I took him into the ring, he'd either bolt the minute the judge approached him, or would bristle up, barking seriously and would get excused.) My goal for Saturday, was to not be excused. Bruce did really well, he was nervous, but still managed to maintain his cool. We made it through the course but we NQ'd because I gave him a treat at the wrong point. No big deal -- I was thrilled that he made it around the course even though he wasn't always focused on me (okay - he barely focused on me). Our second run, was much better and not only did he not freak out -- we managed to get a qualifying score. So Bruce has the first leg of his Level 1 title. Here's a picture of his ribbon:

(Bruce is secure in his masculinity and is not upset about the pink 5th place ribbon.)

Saturday afternoon, I was super tired and didn't want to risk doing horrible things to the Mystery Shawl, so I continued on with my Clapotis. Until I took a nap. When I woke up, refreshed and revitalized, I re-started the Mystery Shawl. I didn't finish the entire first clue and when I got tired -- I switched back to the Clapotis. (Aren't you proud of me???)

Sunday morning -- Bruce & I were back at the Rally trial. He was even better at paying attention to me outside of the ring -- not so much in the ring though. He was also pretty tired. We NQ'd the first run -- my fault because I didn't do the correct thing at the sign. The 2nd run -- we lost 20 points out of 200, but then got the full 10 points for the bonus -- but we were over time. :( But, he sniffed and allowed somebody to pet him. He didn't flip out when somebody walked behind him. It was an awesome weekend for us.

Sunday afternoon -- back to the Mystery Shawl and I have diligently been putting in lifelines -- you can see them in these pictures:

Now I feel like I accomplished something.

When I got tired, I switched back to the Clapotis. Here's what it looked like today:

The increase sections are done, and I'm working on the fourth of the straight series. I used this information to figure out how many straight sections I could do. I came up with 8.8125. So now I'm thoroughly perplexed -- do I dare go for 9? Or play it safe with 8?

What WAS on My Needles on Wednesday

Yes, Wednesday was yesterday and I did have something on my needles. I had planned on pinning out the Mystery Shawl (Clue A complete!) and taking pictures. But, I also had to go to Rally class with Bruce. So no picture.

I could've taken a picture today -- except that I decided to work on it when I got home from class and I learned a very valuable lesson:

Mystery Shawl 5 + New TV Season = FROG

I actually took it off the needles last night in frustration. Here's how I learned this very valuable lesson:

The 2nd clue was released on Saturday. I was feeling a bit behind because it took so long for me to pick a yarn. I figured I'd print out both clues on Monday at work, enlarge the charts, and cast on Monday night. It shouldn't take that long to catch-up as I've been seeing people post their completed clues within 24 hrs. My yarn arrived Saturday and the Husband was kind enough to wind it into cakes on Sunday. Printed the pattern at work. I got home and knitted up a swatch for Secret of the Stole.* Then I cast on for MS5 and that was the end of me. I became addicted to watching this thing grow. I cranked out about 20 rows without incident. I'm thrilled -- I'll catchup in no time! Woo hoo!

Then a new show started (Chuck if you're interested). Knit, knit, knit -- wait that doesn't look right -- what did I mess up? Hey wait, what just happened on TV? Rewind, watch, pause (oh how I love my TiVo), find the mistake, tink back a bit. Okay, knitting again. Going good. Huh? I'm reading the wrong row? Tink, tink, tink. Fix. Knit, knit, knit, knit -- wait this isn't garter stitch, crap -- rip back 3 rows (why does Heroes have so many subtitles?) Head up to bed, knit a few more rows. Just one more row and then I'll go to sleep. Wait -- its 1 am???!!!??? Crap.

Tuesday -- get home and start knitting again. It is basically a repeat of Monday, except with different television shows. (Journey Man on TiVo from Monday, House and Bones.) Oh - and ripping back the last four rows I knit last night. Ahhh Clue A is completely done. What? 1:30 am??? Crap.

Wednesday -- get home, do house stuff, go to rally calls, come home and start knitting again. Repeat of Monday, with different TV shows. Yes, it includes the ripping back. Head up to bed -- knit a few more rows -- find an error, tear back the 4 rows to get to where I made the mistake. Picking up the stitches, realize that there's another error, three rows down. (Of course, I didn't figure this out until I had picked up all the stitches and done one or two rows.) I did this three or four times. Seriously, I ended up working on the same rows that I was working on Monday night.

However, I cannot stop wanting to knit this thing. Look at the colors, the details...

But the poor yarn, I swear I've knitted the same yarn four or more times. It is tired. It needs to relax -- especially since my knitting tightened up A LOT while I was stressing. I've decided to frog the whole thing. I'm going to see just how kinked the yarn is -- if it is really bad, it'll be re-skeined and given a light bath. Luckily, I've got 3 other cakes to work from. But not tonight. No. I am going to wait until Saturday. The Husband is in a golf tournament -- gone all day. Bruce & I have a rally trial in the morning, but other than that -- I got nothing... except laundry. (Why is there always laundry to do? Seriously, it never seems to get done.) The Husband was also kind enough to run out during his lunch hour to get me some embroidery floss to use as a lifeline. I'm not working without a net again! I'll worry about this on Saturday...

No, tonight -- I'm going to start on my Clapotis -- after all that

How about some puppy pictures? (I have no idea why I cannot get a decent shot of Tyler & the Mastiffs together.) He was on one side and they were on the other -- the gate was open, so I don't know why they thought they had to stay in "jail".

What Was I Thinking???

So, I finished a bunch of stuff. Great.

I've got a bunch of stuff still in progress. The progress only tells part of the story...there's more. (Sorry -- the links are to Ravelry.)

So, what do I do? I sign-up for not one, not two, but THREE mystery shawl/stole projects.

First, the Mystery Shawl -- they're already on clue 2 and I just got my yarn. But isn't it beautiful?

Next, the Secret of the Stole -- At least I have the yarn, but I haven't done the swatch yet. I'm only a little behind.

And finally, the Halloween Mystery Shawl -- at least this one hasn't started yet. I'm waiting for the yarn I ordered from ColorfulSheep on etsy. Its called Blood Roses. Sounds great for a Halloween-themed knit, doesn't it?

And as if that wasn't enough, I also joined the Second Wave Clapotis KAL. My yarn is wound, I've found all my stitch markers and my needles are ready. But I haven't even cast on yet. Sigh.


I did manage to get the Rose Garden Shawl (Ravelry) finished. Its waiting to be blocked.




There's also the Jute Rope Scarf on my needles too...


What am I thinking?

Blocking...Ugh

Is there anything more tedious and boring than blocking? I've been blocking my 90% finished items since Sunday. As one dries, then another one takes its place.

It started with the Diagonal Lace scarf:

Then the Mini-Clap:





There's still a little room left -- so Huff the Merino Dragon gets his turn on the board.




The Mini-Clap dried the next day. So, in went the Besotted Scarf (The Husband's Birthday gift).

Yesterday, Huff and the Diagonal Lace Scarf dried, so I replaced them with My So-Called Scarf and the Sproingy Scarf.

I think the worst part is leaning on the moist surface and having it seep into your skin. Granted threading the wires through is tedious, but really, I hate the damp.

Stayed tuned...Finished Objects Coming Soon.

So Happy Its Thursday...

I'm glad that this week is almost over. Every day that passes is one day closer to the end of heat for the girls. I think that Morganna is done and Lizzie is only a few days away. It'll be nice to not have to keep one eyeball on the dogs at all times. Most folks think that you just have to keep the male away and everything would be fine. Which is true - except that sometimes the girls are a little forward and are willing to meet more than halfway. Of course, my two girls are hussy. Sigh.

Since Wednesday is Bruce's Rally class day, I've decided that this Thursday will be "what's on my needles" day. Hey, if Lime & Violet can do it, why can't I?

First up -- the Storm Water Scarf (Ravelry Link). I've been working on this while I'm commuting to/from work, so who knows how long it'll take to get done. I'm using Sea Silk in the Mermaid colorway. When I first saw the skein, it really reminded me of the ocean -- now that it is knitted up, it reminds me of black purls. (Linky to picture of skeins -- not mine so not being shown) What does it look like to you?

You don't get a ton of stitch detail from this picture, but isn't it cool?


Here's a better picture:


Another picture -- highlighting my Signature Needles. I really like these needles -- nice and pointy.

I'm working on the Rosebud Shawl - a free pattern from Briar Rose Fibers. It is knitting up very nicely. Simple pattern, easy to memorize -- nice for driving or just hanging around watching TV. It started with The Husband winding the skein of Fourth of July in to three continuous cakes. Aren't you impressed with his "leaning tower of yarn"?


Here's the WIP:


This picture really shows the pattern of stitches, but the color got really wonky for some reason:

I also got some stuff from etsy in the mail, but you're going to have to wait until tomorrow to see it. :D

I almost forgot: Today is The Husband's Birthday. And if you ask how old he is, his response will be, "Younger than Errs."

Happy Birthday my love.