Monday, August 18, 2008

The Beast is Slayed

Everyone can breath a sigh of relief - the cat hair scarf project is over.

I wish I could say that I took a stand on behalf of all knitters of taste and esthetic sensibility - that I told this strange man that his scarf looked like cat barf, and in the name of all that is good, and lovely, and right with knit garments, I was refusing to knit another stitch. But,I went the easy route, and told him that Mr. Tall was horribly allergic to it, and I just couldn't keep it in the house. He took it very well, and seemed to see a lightbulb of sorts - "hmmm, I guess I would have to be careful wearing it, I couldn't wear it around anyone allergic to cats." I was disappointed, although not surprised, that he didn't just say, "oh, that's not what I thought it would be at all - that's horrendous," but I guess that was too much to hope for. Whatever. At least I'm no longer contributing to this complete knitting affrontery.

So, I've sort of been involved in the Ravelympics. I say "sort of" because I really don't have that gold medal spirit, or attitude, for that matter. First, I didn't start a new project - I just chugged along on a WIP, for the WIP Wrestling event. I've been test knitting a Manos sweater for Courtney. Big bummer of a competitive project, because it just never even had a chance of "qualifying" - a. I started it without having the whole pattern, b. because it's test knitting, there were a few glitches to be worked out, which stalled the project, and c. it's a really big sweater. And, I can't photograph it - what's the point of posting at the finish line, if everyone can't go ooooo, aaaaaahhhhh!

I have the back, and half a front done of the Mystery Manos Cardigan, and I treated myself to casting on a second Ravelympics project - the Rectangle Stole from Blue Sky Alpaca.
Originally, I had been planning to knit the new Eunny Jang bias stole in the Fall IK, but, after reading the pattern, it just seemed like a pain in the butt. The lacey faggoting is one strand of chosen yarn, but the garter ridges are formed with three strands held together. Eh, I don't love it that much that it's worth the hassle of winding off extra balls of yarn. This simple Rectangle Stole, on the other hand, is sooooo easy. If I had cast on during the opening ceremonies, I certainly would be in the homestretch now.

The yarn is Noro Silk Garden Sock - and as you can kind of see in the picture, there's a subtle, natural colorway striping going on. At first I couldn't decide if I liked it, or if it just looked like dirty yarn, but I decided I like it, and I think it's going to be yummy for fall. I haven't had any Noroesque problems with the yarn - no breaking, no knots, no straw or other foliage. But, alas, after the nice treat of casting on, it's back to the Manos sweater for the remainder of the games.

6 comments:

Lisa said...

I am absurdly relieved that the hairball project is no more!! I love my cats, but just wearing the occasional light covering of cat hair skeeves me....bleh.

Anonymous said...

i always passed it up because i'd never seen one up close, but it looks nice.

that is one desperate man. the fact that he shaved the cat over a period of time and saved it for such an occasion is beyond me. you're a brave woman and don't let anyone tell you differently.

WandaWoman said...

Question for you regarding the Blue Sky Alpaca rectangle stole. did you make any modifications to the stitch count since you are using the sock yarn? Or did you keep the stitch count the same? I ask because my mother asked me to make her this wrap, and using Noro Kureyon sock yarn might just work. I can't use the SilkGarden, although the colorway you've chosen would be perfect, because I'm allergic to the mohair content in the yarn. Thanks!

Life's a Stitch said...

I've just finished a shawl (crochet) with the same yarn, same colour. I'll be posting FO photos on Fri.

Life's a Stitch said...

PS I used four skeins and there was a knot or two in each, but no other Noro issues.

Sachertort said...

I had the same reaction to Eunny's scarf -- way too much trouble. So now I'll take a look at the Blue SKy stole. Thanks