I could write an epistle on knitting the Renny sweater so far. Or better yet, NOT knitting the Renny sweater. Or more accurately UNknitting the Renny sweater. Over and over and over and over... I've lost track of how many times I've frogged a basic sleeve. Or I should say TWO basic sleeves.
I've had gauge issues - too tight and too loose. I've had knitting with hot hands issues. I've had two sleeves not matching exactly perfectly issues. I've had making sloppy turns for magic loop issues. I've had skeins of handspun yarn not matching exactly issues. And I now have friends who probably won't answer the phone if I call them one. more. time.
The latest?
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The latest.
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Sigh.
I was going to carry the most recent two sleeve starts to the house Monday night. I sat them on the stone steps of the Wool House so I wouldn't forget them. And forgot them. They spent the entire Tuesday getting blazed by the sun...and then it rained on them. And my 'looks just like Renny' notions bag.
One of the last texts kbdoolin sent (before she's probably stopped talking to me) says "That poor sweater." That was before this happened. I was going to text her my latest tale of woe last night...and couldn't even find the words. I just gathered everything up and headed to the house.
I pulled off a bunch of the wettest outer layers of yarn (which is surely to become the next crime - insanely tangled yarn when I try to wind it all back on) and spread them out as best I could. This morning I carefully moved it all outside. The yarn feels pretty dry, but the notions bag is still quite wet. Luckily this is Renny yarn and not some fragile silk/merino blend. If anyone can survive knitting with me, it's Renny.
I did start one of my sleeves for the last time again last night while actually watching some of the Olympics for the first time. I knit to the first set of increases and wanted to then start the second sleeve, but even though I had a dry ball of yarn that I think will match the first one, the needles (bamboo) were so wet that I knew I was just asking for yet another gauge issue. I'm learning. The hard way. As usual.
Amanda Owen is another one of my favorite Twitter follows. Frequently over the years though I've thought, hmmm, maybe a bit too "Hollywood". A dress out in the field? You're going to clip all those sheep yourself? And you just had a baby? A real shepherd stopping to serve daily tea to hikers?
It only took a few more than 140 characters to convince me otherwise and now I've stuck her in my top five (or two) folks I'd like to meet and places I'd like to see if I ever get on an airplane. The Yorkshire Shepherdess is one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read.
She has a new book out now, A Year in the Life of the Yorkshire Shepherdess, and I can't wait to get my hands on it. In fact, I might just go order that right now...instead of attempting to re-wind all that yarn ;-). I believe that's spelled p-r-o-c-r-a-s-t-i-n-a-t-i-o-n. Next week's progress report will. be. better.
Joining in with Ginny...
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