Sunday 27 September 2009

Two Steps Forwards, One Step Back

Puzzle Wrap
I decided just to finish off the Puzzle Wrap with the yarn I had, and did my four little cast-offs, one for each point. I wove in all of my loose ends. Then the next day I decided that after all I do want it to be very long (it's 72 inches just now, pre-blocking) and actually I do want to put beads on it.

I got another ball of yarn almost instantly from AllSewYarns on eBay, who always posts things at the speed of light, but I'm now drumming my fingers waiting for the beads and trying not to think about the postal strike. I am passing my time by unweaving my loose ends and undoing the four cast-offs and picking up all the k2togs and ssks so it's probably a good thing that I'm not in a rush. I haven't photographed it because it's a mess of loose ends and dropped stitches, and it's not a pretty sight.

Just Another Raveller asked me if I would knit it again, or if I'm glad to be done with it. Usually when I'm knitting something I like, I think constantly of other yarns I would like to see it in, or alterations I might make 'next time' I knit it. I didn't do that with this pattern, but no, I'm not glad to be done with it. I like the yarn and I'm looking forward to the occasion when I shall wear it (hurry up, beads) so I'm feeling fondly towards it. I'm pretty sure I could stand to knit it again.

Golden Gail
I'm getting on quite well with the golden Gail. Now that I've got past the unconventional nature of the chart, it's a straightforward and gratifying knit.


The designer has posted a description of how to block this shawl. I don't understand the language it's written in, but it has such fabulous fotos that it doesn't matter.


Reversible Knitting
I pre-ordered Lyyne Barr's Reversible Knitting a while ago, to the extent of actually paying for it, and got an email from Amazon on Friday telling me that it is on its way: according to their tracking information it is presently in Droitwich.


Then today I heard from Judith that her copy has already arrived - on a Sunday, no less - and it is unbearably exciting. She directed me to this very detailed review here by Grumperina, which includes lots of illustrations and also pointed out that it is available at a better price at W.H. Smith's. I am now in a frenzy of impatience.

5 comments:

Sea said...

am currently awaiting 4 knitting books from Amazon. Delivery supposed to be 30th Sept...day I have hospital appt. ***deep breath**** my life WILL STILL BE SAME AFTER IT....****fingers crossed****
Surely the palm reader wasn't so vastly wrong?

Mary Lou said...

Gail looks lovely, and you are right re. the photos of the blocking. Portuguese?

Anonymous said...

Your link to Grumperina's review has sold me on the reversible knitting book, while your link to the photos on the Portuguese blog has sold me on the Gail shawl. This has been an eye-opening post. Thanks,
Gretchen

Knitting Linguist said...

It's hard to be waiting for the mail. Sometimes I think my mailman considers me to be a stalker; I'm not sure he realizes it's all about the knitting gear... The shawl is stunning; I love that colorway!

Raveller said...

My copy of Reversible Knitting arrived about a week and a half ago. I ordered in back in the Spring (?) when you first mentioned it on your blog. Visually, it is a very inspiring book. I haven't had a chance to swatch any of the stitches since I've been so busy, Now, I'm very tempted to bring it on the plane with me!