Friday, June 01, 2007

Simply No Title

I haven't had much time to knit this week but I did finish Bonita... and it is wonderful! The fit, the I-Cord edging, the remarkable 6 hour hem. It needs to be washed and blocked, or steamed or something... but I don't dare attempt such a thing on such a treasured knit right now. No, not this week. Images of a shrunken, twisted Bonita haunt my mind. And a modeled pic was out of the question because surely the frazzled, stressed out, pinched up look on my face would be unavoidable. To be honest, at this point I am simply relieved to have survived this week without stabbing anybody with my knitting needles.




While I'm a fairly easy going person for the most part, I tend to have a bit of a character flaw when it comes to dealing with certain types of people... most notably would be those with the tendency to be condescending and/or simply irrational.


Apparently, the good Lord wants to see me grow in my tolerance for such people because He has allowed many of them to interfere with my life over the last week. As much as I desire to be a gentle, tolerant person, apparently 3 is the total number of irrational people & situations that I can be exposed to before I freak out, go ballistic, or lose it entirely (all sadly appropriate terms). I do not confess this with pride, but with shame and a determination to accept the challenge of growth and learn to more effectively manage my knee-jerk reactions.


But to give you just a hint as to the kind of thing I'm talking about. An assortment of rotten banana peels, newspapers and peanut shells scattered about our back yard led us to the discovery of this "compost pile" our (quite possibly unstable) neighbor has started on our property in between our fences (yes, we finally put the wooden fence up to limit the interaction). Let it be known that we have completely "abated" the barking/howling dog situation. Completely. And it has been for some time. However, (now stop and think about this) what do dogs do if they can smell food on the other side of a fence? Although I'm sure you know, I'll tell you. They do three things... 1) Freak out 2)Bark and 3) Dig. Does this surprise anybody? You know what they told my husband? They said that our dogs (who don't bother them with howling anymore) were digging there (on our property) so they decided to fill it in with compost. They complain, we fix the problem (to the unanimous approval of all of our neighbors... who actually didn't really have a problem to begin with), and they start a new one. Does this strike anyone at all as normal behavior? Anyone? Because maybe I'm just missing something. My opinion however... the man is INSANE... and a school teacher. Nice combination.


Anyway, I want to knit. I need to knit. But truthfully, I'm almost afraid to knit. I was going to get to work on the IK Lutea Lace-Shoulder Shell but rumor has it there's a problem with the lace pattern and I certainly am in no mood to face that. I want to start the Rowan Maris cardigan but I'm in no mood to swatch.


With great enthusiasm I decided to indulge myself and cast on for the IK Montego Bay Scarf in this Handmaiden Sea Silk. It is so gorgeous, with all my favorite colors. It's a soft as can be and yet kinda crunches when you squeeze it. Ahhhh... a simple scarf knit with luxury. The deal breaker... the pattern calls for me to cut off a couple hundred 12" long strands to set aside for fringe. My week, scissors, and silk... uhhhh... I think not.



I could finish a sock. Better yet I could cast on for a new sock. Or maybe the Blue Sky Eyelet Cardigan. I already know the gauge for the Blue Sky Cotton, and how bad could I mess up 2x2 ribbing? Never mind, don't even answer. Hmmmm... Maybe I'll just read.

8 comments:

km said...

Where did you hear the rumor about the lace problem with the Lutea-Lace Sholder Shell? I'm ready to divide for the front and back...so I'll be starting the lace this weeekend or early next week (depending on other knitting). I did swatch using the cotton-ease. I knit about 5" stockinette then 4" of the lace pattern (# of stitches wide for the sholder). I didn't run into any problem, but I didn't finish the sholder or try to bind off...I just unraveled. I'm not sure if there was a lace problem if I could fix it. I chose this as my first garmet for myself...YIKES.

Charity said...

Chin up, Tammy, after a week like this, next one will surely be better! I'm so impressed with your Bonita, I can't wait to see it on you. And that SEEAAAA SIIILLLK! Soooo lovely. :0)

Tammy said...

Km - I read it in a comment on my post at the Interweave Knits board. There is a correction posted at the IK site so check that out. I can send you the link if you want.

km said...

tammy,
Thanks. After I commented here, I googled the pattern and found the designer's blog. She wrote about the misprint in the magazine. I think I'll be OK. And maybe I'll get around to photographing my knits. KM

Sarah said...

Ugh. Neighbors. Bonita looks great! Not a bad idea to take a few days off before blocking it after your week.

Angelika said...

Yeah, talk about neighbors. Mine kept me up until midnight. They suddenly thought they had to rehang something on the bedroom wall! Grrr. Had no other choice but to knit, since I couldn't sleep. Nice job on the bonita and I definately vote for the Eyelet Cardigan. It looks so nice. But the scarf is nice too. Oh, the choices we knitters face. Pull a number out of the coffee cup and make up your mind that way. Oh, how is the coffee thing working out for you?

Tammy said...

Coffee thing? Did I have a coffee thing? LOL Just kidding. I've cut way back... and some days I even manage to stay awake all day! It's going fine. :)

amanda said...

Bonita looks great on you. I think you should start the eyelet cardi, cause I think it's a great looking little number. good luck with those neighbors....