The Analyzing Knitter

Intarsia and Knitted Babes

I am taking an Intarsia class from Sarah. I have to say that I am getting my monies worth since I have started the project TWICE already of no one's fault but my own. Luckily, Sarah is great at getting people back on track. I am very glad I did not withdraw from the class--which I strongly considered after the mess I made of my project. Not being a fan of tangled ends everywhere, I will probably not knit pictures into my sweaters, but I am glad I have picked up a few more techniques from a pro.

The new project that has taken me by force is Knitted Babes designed by Claire Garland who also has a book Knitted Babes : Five Dolls & Their Wardrobes to Knit & Stitch. I saw the book at a Beyond the Rainforest, a yarn shop in Flint, MI and thought it looked fun. Then I listened to one of my favorite podcasts, Knitcast by Marie Irshad. Go over for a listen. You do not need an iPod to listen to her shows where she interviews various knitters and designers. That was all it took for me to order, purchase, and receive this.  I will introduce you to Bea Bop when I get her knit. For a preview, here she is. I received all of the materials, including various needles. Ordering from England, I thought I would be waiting for a long time to receive it, but it was here in no time. I also ordered a little French friend, Fifi. Aren't they ADORABLE? Ok, now I have to find a quiet, non-distracting (impossible situation for me as I am distracted by just about anything) place to knit my intarsia project, watching every row, reading my chart, and hopefully, getting my homework done before class (However, before this can happen I have to write a letter of recommendation for someone, shop for my husband's birthday present, shop for gifts to take to Lyon, go to work, and write at least one of the papers I am presenting soon.)  YIKES--I am feeling distracted already.

Finito

I finished River at the camp this weekend--now I am waiting for the beads to arrive. Then onto the knot.  Here are the pictures:
I used the Icelandic cast off. I love the way it turned out with a lacy edge. Now onto blocking.

Near the Finish Line

Here is a quick post of my progress on River. I decided to use the 4mm Swaroski beads in the knot. I hope to finish it this weekend. Then I have to shop for the best outfit to go with it.

Here is what I finished in the meantime. Aren't they cute?

Needlepoint -- A diversion

Here is a picture of one of my favorite needlepoint pictures. It is Mindy handpainted canvas that I started in 2000 when one of my son's began college and I finished it when he graduated in 2004. The gold is a metallic thread and there are little moon buttons in the corners. I used to do a lot of needlepoint.  This is also supposed to be a diversion from questions about River--that I had to rip out stitch by stitch for about 12 rows only because I did not look to see the pattern was messed up. Oops. Oh well, I making progress once again, but I need some help. My very smart mother suggested that I use Swarovski Crystals for the beads, which I think is a GREAT idea. Has anyone used Swarovski crystals for River? Also, I am debating between the clear and clear AB (scroll down to Crystal Clear AB) that have a little metallic look.  Any suggestions? Ok, ok. Here is a photo of River: 

Raquel Rocky: "Bowling for Dollars"

Note: We must have caught Rocky because we caught a very pregnant, very upset, very aggressive female two days after we caught the one described in this posting.

A couple of nights ago I was awakened by noise coming from the roof. It sounded like someone was pushing a round object across the rafters. It was LOUD. I tapped on the screen to see if I could scare the animal away. She (I refer to all creatures with unknown genders as "she.") quieted down and then began what sounded like bowling. By this time my husband, my brother-in-law who was visiting and I were awake wondering if a bowling alley had been constructed in the rafters. My brother-in-law and my husband, heretofore referred to as "the trappers," decided to trap this creature. The planning for this event took an entire day of buying a trap, devising a pulley system as we have a contemporary tudor with a multi-layered roof, and deciding what bait to use to lure her inside the trap. The head trapper (my brother-in-law) decided tuna fish would do the trick. (I was afraid that we would trap all of the neighborhood cats when the word got out that there was tuna on the roof. I did have to explain this to Shoulie who was rather upset about some stranger getting tuna when she gets none--well, I gave her a little but don't tell our Vet.) The trap was placed outside the second story bathroom window and this is who we found in the morning.  Now before anyone gets worried, here is the end of the story 
We sang, "Born free, as free as the wind blows
As free as the grass grows
Born free to follow your heart

Live free, and beauty surronds you
The world still astounds you
Each time you look at a star

*Stay free, where no walls divide you (as in do not find your way back to our house)
You're free as a roaring tide
So there's no need to hide. . . la la la la.... "

Knitting Update
Here is River: I am planning to wear this at a dinner in Lyon in October. I hope I can get it done in time!
I had to rip out Dianna No.4 because it did not line up quite right at the seams. I was about 3 stitches off. Sarah helped me figure out where I went wrong. Sarah is a great teacher--I go to her for help when I am striving for perfection . . . which is most of the time. Thanks Sarah!