Greetings dear Unravelers!
I am short on sleep this week as I am staying up late to soak in every moment happening in Chicago! But all that watching means I have made some excellent headway on knitting projects!
I finished my August socks with lots of time to spare and I have a nice fat bottomed Gnome close to completion!
I also reached my first color “shift” in my shawl… woot! Gradual and perfect!
Knitting perfection!
But not all knitting has good news this week. That sleeve I had underway? Well after almost 2 full pattern repeats, I ripped it out. I did not like how it looked… perhaps because my gauge in the round was WAY off and it pulled in horrendously. I am back to contemplating workable solutions… the solution that has percolated to the top might be the best solution. I am contemplating a number of options from picking up stitches and not joining in the round, knitting flat from the cuff up and seaming it in, figuring out how to make it a “vest”, or tossing the patterning all together and just knitting a plain stockinette sleeve…. and currently the last option seems to me to be the smartest option. If you have any other ideas, chime right in… I’d like to get this in the done and ready to wear category especially since we’ve had some hints of autumn in the weather this week!
The reading though… I finished Brian Doyle’s One Long River of Song, which is a collection of his essays that were published posthumously. I loved each and every one of them. They are perfection… some I even shared with Steve (the Pants essay was particularly perfect! lol) I have not stopped thinking about them since I finished it!
I also finished P.J. Tracy’s latest from the Margaret Nolan series, City of Secrets. This was my first Tracy book and while I thought the book was good…there was so much backstory that I struggled with, rather the lack of my knowing the backstory! Sometimes you can read a series book without having read any of the prior books, but this book needs the reader to have some backstory. I did feel it was very realistic though… and there was a wild twist. If you have read the previous books in the Margaret Nolan series, I think you will love this one!
My current read is Rilke’s Sonnets to Orpheus, Emergence Magazine’s Time, and the latest Gabriel Allon – A Death in Cornwall.
And there you have my week… what about you? What are you making this week? (And a wee reminder from Monday, Kay and Ann are organizing a Makers for Kamala online event… you won’t want to miss it!)
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Wow – your knitting is looking gorgeous! I love that sheep bag and all the pretty pinks peeping out 🙂 Good luck figuring out the sleeve situation.
I haven’t watched much of the convention but have had it on in the background while I do other things and get the kids settled for the night. I am going to have to find a way to watch Michelle and Barack’s speeches from last night! And I’m going to do my best to watch the whole thing on Thursday.
I love the colours in your knitting.Seems you have had a good week.
I have watched a little of the convention, but the main speakers are on too late for me! I have a feeling I’ll need to record Kamala and watch her speech later.
If your gauge in the round is so far off from your gauge flat that it’s making your sleeve not fit, then I’d find a way to knit the sleeves flat, too (either knitting them separately and sewing them in or picking up and just knitting back and forth and seaming the sleeve).
I read several of the Monkeewrench series many years ago….must refresh my memory on them. Also see if library has the series you’ve mentioned.
I’d go with plain stocking stitch sleeves. It might not be what you wanted but could be the best option and will blend in with the patterned front/back. Seeing if you could make it into a sleeveless vest could also be an option.
That gradual shift is perfect, and I look forward to seeing more when you get to them! I don’t have any sleeve advice, but might choose the “pick up stitches and knit flat” option. YMMV and whatever you choose I hope it’s something that works and that you love. That sweater is too nice to not have sleeves!
I haven’t watched much of the convention but as soon as I’m done here I’m going to go watch the Obamas electrify the Democrats!
I never like knitting sleeves in the round, personally . . . even if it’s not an issue of gauge, so I vote for Knit Them Flat!!! Although the plain stockinette would work, I think the patterned sleeves would actually look better, design-wise. (But really, who cares what I think. You do YOU! XO) I just can’t stay up late enough to watch the convention live, but I am enjoying catching up the next day! Knit on!
I’m feeling a bit of the lack of sleep as well. But, I’m glad I stayed up to watch the Obamas speak. Your shawl is gorgeous – love that (very) gradual shift of color. And your socks are fun (and also look great with the shawl!). I’m intrigued by the Brian Doyle book. Years ago I picked up Mink River, but could never get into it. Perhaps I would enjoy his essays more.
I have done that with a sleeve, worked back and forth instead of in the round. I riding the high of finishing a pair of socks!
I usually go up at least two needles sizes when I knit sleeves in the round… though I prefer NOT knitting in the round at all ever. ha.
Love the color shift — such pretty colors to begin with!
One thing about living in the CST zone is that “late night” TV isn’t that late! (It’s still pretty late for a work day, tho.)
The colors in that shawl are perfection. As for the sleeve dilemma, I might choose stockinette in the round but I don’t have the sweater in front of me. Just trust your judgement as you have a lot of knitting experience. What interesting reading. I am glad to know who is organizing the Makers for Kamala group. I’m off to learn more about that.