Friday, May 1, 2009

Tap tap...

Is this thing working?

Right after the last round with technology (the score is now something like Technology: 357; me: 0), I got a call from one of our IITS guys, telling me that it's almost time for my biennial refresh. The one where I get a new computer. I'm betting this sounds like good news (and I felt a bit better about it after I convinced him that no, I did not want to go from my 15-inch MacBook Pro to a 13-inch MacBook, thankyouverymuch), but we all remember what happened during a simple system upgrade don't we? Can you imagine what's going to happen when they try to move everything to a whole new computer?

Chaos. Mayhem. Madness.

I'm trying not to think about it. I work for the state, after all. It could be years before anything comes to pass.

Meanwhile, spring has sprung.
Younger Daughter really likes picking flowers for us. Unfortunately, this occasionally leads to the total and complete decimation of whole beds of flowers, so we've had to point her in the direction of things like these lovely self-seeding and well-spread nasturtium (although shouldn't the plural be "nasturtia"?).

I think I can get the pictures of knitting that I wanted to show you last time to upload. Let's see.
That's the shell I'm working on -- essentially a complete reversal of the Slinky Ribs pattern, done in Louet linen. At the moment, though, it's been put on another needle and set aside so that I can work on this instead (how is it that I only have one size-three circular needle? how?).
That is the back of Anne's Ondule cardigan (imagine an accent over that e); I've knit up through the peplum and am almost done increasing again after the waist shaping. Then it's a straight shot to the armscye. And can I just tell you how much I am loving this yarn? This is Briar Rose Grandma's Blessing, and it's so soft and squishy it's a crime. Honestly, I keep making Rick squeeze it when I'm knitting in the evenings; he agrees that it's pretty decadent. Unfortunately, that means I'm torn between wanting to knit slowly so that the experience will last, and wanting to knit quickly so I can wear it. Life is so confusing sometimes.

I've also momentarily set aside the SeaSilk scarf. Not because it's not gorgeous and fun to knit (because it is; this yarn feels almost like suede -- it is, to borrow a word that Ellen used to so perfectly describe Maplewing, unctuous), but because I'm having an issue.
Aren't those colors beautiful? I'm using the Trinity stitch from Victorian Lace Today, which I think is beautifully textured and works really well with the color changes in this yarn; it looks rich and jewel-like. But that's not the problem.
The problem is that, for some reason, I'm doing something very wrong with the faggotting between the edging and the body. It's not doing what it's supposed to, and I can't for the life of me figure out why. So I'll fiddle with it until I get it right, and then rip this out and start over. But that will probably wait while I work on Ondule. This thing is addictive...
I think I'm going to need to pace myself.

16 comments:

Willow said...

Ewww! Don't let them touch your computer! Bad things will happen!

You might check somewhere else and see if the pattern you're using for the edge thingie is actually correct. It's possible, just possible, that you are trying to follow incorrect instructions. Ask me how I would know that...

Wanderingcatstudio said...

I was a flower-picker known to decimate whole flower beds as a child and I must say... I haven't grown out of it, and now I'm passing the trait on to my neice... it's so much fun.
That lace yarn is GORGEOUS!

Lynne said...

Oo-oo! Lovely knitting. I love the colours in the Seasilk scarf.

I've finished the first 200g of mum's sweater - about 27cm. I was going to knit it completely in the round but I think I'll knit to the armhole then knit back and forth. Those yoked sweaters look so dated these days! Do you think I could knit the sleeves, leave the last row of stitches open and pick up the stitches as I knit across the back/front [like entrelac]? Would that work in stocking [stockinette] stitch?

I can't post to my blog; can't tell when mum might drop in for a visit and since she lives so far away I can't discuss my blog on the phone or that will remind her to look!!

Jane said...

Ondule looks gorgeous, texture and colour. Certainly looks a joy to knit

twinsetellen said...

I think you are right to focus on Ondule. That way you can put it on and then have Rick squeeze it. :-)

Bea said...

Everything looks great. I love trinity stitch.

Hopefully if they do upgrade your computer you won't get a 13 inch. Do they want to strain your eyes?

Nana Sadie said...

LOL
IT people. Oh save me...but then again, they can be useful. I'm not sure about the one's who are state employees, tho'.
;)
Lovely knitting. Lovely lace. The Trinity Stitch shawl did me in when I tried to knit The Meezer yarn in it. I did not like it at all. Frogged and reknit in another pattern (Star Of Evening). Now your's is lovely, but since I never made it as far as the faggoting? I probably can't help.

But having just read Willow's comment? Hmm...errata! Go! Look!

(and yes, "Nasturia")
(((hugs)))

FUZZARELLY said...

Ondule looks like an interesting knit, and the color is mango-icous.

EGunn said...

Ondule matches your Nasturtia very well! That must be a sign that you should knit on it. It does look like a fun pattern. I've been thinking about trying the Grandma's Blessing for a while, but haven't yet...might need to do that sometime soon. =)

Good luck with the computer upgrade; Branden does all of mine, and I have a hard time trusting even him to do it right. It's really a very simple process, though...just as long as they know what they're doing...

Rachel said...

Hmmmm,,, I love your ondule the color is amazing and the seasilk is beautiful too!

Carrie K said...

Pace yourself. But don't forget, you can buy more squishy decadent yarn. OTOH, that might cut into your traipsing-and-taking-fabulous-pictures time.......so never mind.

Gorgeous stuff!

Katie said...

Oh so many lovely colors in this one post! From the flowers to the yummy yarns, I needed this little breath of sunshine on this dreary Monday. Thanks!

Rachael said...

The colors in Ondule are just gorgeous! Lovely! Test knitting is just too much fun. I just finished the highlander and I'm trying to keep myself from asking Anne what's next...I have a few of my own projects I should be working on!

AlisonH said...

Nasturtium flowers are great in salads, I'm told--a bit peppery.

That Sea Silk is gorgeous. Sea Silk is a funny yarn: it looks nice in the skein, but it isn't till you start actually creating fabric with it that its full character comes through and it looks so velvety, shiny, soft, just luscious stuff. Have fun!

Alwen said...

Briar Rose, when she's at home, lives north of me, near where I grew up. But I usually see her at the Michigan Fiber Festival. Yummy!

Alisha said...

My youngest loves to pick the flowers. Thank goodness for dandelions...they keep her busy for the first part of spring and gives everything a chance to pop up so we can enjoy it a bit before she begins to pick them.