Sep 26 2005
On the Flip Side
Just because I have not had a lot of time to knit in recent weeks does not mean that I am not thinking about it!
Case in point: I just purchased some Handpainted Bulky Wool to make this little number for that special man in my life.
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This raglan zipper cardigan is from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. The Manos del Uruguay that the pattern calls for was a little too rich for my blood, but this stuff is a perfect substitute (at less than half the price!) I am quite fond of the color of it (Date Palm), and will probably start on this one in the winter. Kris will probably not wear it until it gets really cold anyway, and in Maryland, that means January and February.
Kris’s thoughts on the sweater? "Cool, but not the orange zipper". I think I can handle that. He is a man of many words.
I have had my eye on both of these books for a long time, and I finally hit the "Confirm Purchase" button. Haven’t received them yet, but I know that I will love them.
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This weekend was filled with more reading of books and writing of essays. I managed to rig up a little system to read and knit at the same time…
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With my feet acting as props for the book, and with the yarn placed in between my feet, I was able to read and knit a few inches on Hourglass as well. This can only be done for short amounts of time, however. It results in feet cramps! I did read two whole chapters this way though! |
I just finished my second skein of Knit Picks Andean Silk. That means I have 9 more to go, and about 80% more sweater to knit. Just when I was thinking that there was no other option but a mismatched Hourglass, I got a message from sweet Sunshine Dani. Dyelot 82501? She had some leftovers from her Hourglass! and she is sending them my way!! How lucky is that? Thanks so much, Dani girl! 
My beloved socks are growing so big. This is the second Opal sock, and the first Fixation sock (can you see the little diagonal ribs?) Both of them saw a little action while riding the train this weekend.
| Now for a little more reading before I head off to class this afternoon… I will curl up on the couch with these girls and finally finish these last chapters! (I caught Bella mid-yawn! hehe) |  |
Have you thought about trying those book weights? I dunno if that would be more trouble than it’s worth, but I’m sure it beats foot cramps!
And great minds….I just made an order from Handpaintedyarn.com as well…although not as altruistic as yours.
I love your method for studying and knitting at the same time!!
That handpainted yarn looks yummy.
*hrmpf* I started this sweater in the original yarn and my best friend who was meant to get it, told me that he dislike the colour.
Perhaps I should start it again with the yarn you use. Does it have the same yardage and gauge?
Sibylle
Your Hourglass is looking lovely, I love the colour!
The yarn you picked out for your hubby’s sweater is beautiful. He will look quite handsome in it.
Amy
I love what you’ve chosen for your hubby’s sweater. I think I have overlooked that pattern in the past, and need to give it a second look. I persued the Handknit Holidays book at the bookstore this weekend, and thought hard about purchasing….
It’s gonna be a green sweater fall! Who did the handdyed? Any chance crazy Southerners can get their hands on some?
Very nice job hodling the books with your feet. So far I’ve only attempted knitting while reading articles or other things that stay flat on their own. You’ve inspired me!
weird, I was thinking of knitting that up for my boy as well. KAL perhaps?
I still havent managed to knit and read at the same time, I dont think Im coordinated enough.
Glad to hear you are surviving all that school work (and that you were able to sneak in some knitting time as well)
At least you got a little play time in so you’re not a dull grrl!
love the improvised book holders! woo!
I love the diagonal sock…you are so bad for having 2 sockies on the needle!
I agree…no orange zipper.
ooo new books!
Either you are really flexible or you’ve got great eye sight!
oh a good dog snuggle sounds so nice right about now. That is a great sweater for a guy, I may just have to show that one to my hubby and see what he thinks, I’m always looking for husband appropriate sweaters since he is so stinkin picky.
I love the orange zipper! but I can see why a guy wouldn’t like it :). It will be really nice with that yarn!
I still haven’t quite figured out how to read and knit..I’ll have to try your method.
LOL! “Cool but not the orange zipper…” Sounds like something I’d hear around my own house. That is a great choice and I love the yarn you chose - getting a deal on subsitutions is always a good thing. Your dogs are just the cutest by the way (I think this is probably the 3rd or 4th time I’ve brought this up) - give them a belly rub from me!
I love your choice of yarn for the zipper cardigan. My boyfriend wants me to make it for him, but he wants to use a red zipper.
Those books looks jummy, and so does the yarn. And you are knitting the same socks that I made. What are yours called? I called mine raspberry socks!
The are my favourits, but strange to see “my” yarn on your blog! hehe. I like the green of that sweater too. I think I wanna make green socks soon… someday! 
wow, those handpainted bulky wool will make a great sweater!! and, please let us know how you like melanie falick’s new book!! i love her books but i have yet to see this one.
Look how clever you are, reading and knitting at the same time, I think my head would explode! I just got the Last minute knitted gifts book and I really really want to knit the hourglass sweater, so I cannot wait to see how yours comes out… Loely socks also, they are both soooo pretty! AND you are going to Hawaii, oooooh I’m a bit jealous!
Great yarn and I’m sure Kris will be so thrilled with it. I like the orange zipper, but I can see why he might not want the orange zipper. Great progress on the sweater too. I love it when I can knit and read for a bit, it just seems like all of my favorites things coming together. The socks look beautiful too. I like the diagonal ribs on the Fixation sock as well.
i keep seeing that handknits book - very tempting.
also, i like your new pic of yourself on the right hand side - so mysterious with all those shadows. very cute pic of you
I love that cardigan from LMKG — my husband actually likes the orange zipper. I have a some hand-spun, undyed yarn I got in Australia that would be perfect, but it didn’t come with a label so I have no clue how much I have!
Great reading/knitting technique! But if it gives you cramps you might have to give it up and find something else…
Don’t forget to tell us what you think of the books when you get them.
That handpainted bulky is a gorgeous color- can’t wait to see how the cardigan turns out! Your recounting of Kris’ response cracked me up. Male verbosity never ceases to humor me.
Your reading/knitting technique is sheer gehius…I wonder if I can tweak it so I can manage to hold the kids down (literally!) and get more knitting down. Though I imagine the arch cramps might be worse than with books.;) I’m glad you were able to squeeze in some knitting this weekend!
That goes to show you how resourceful you are! Where there’s a will, there’s a way (to knit while studying). I like the sweater you picked out for Mr. Lolly! I wish I could do the same for my man, but I just know that he wouldn’t wear whatever I poured my blood, sweat and tears into. He’s too picky. Have a wonderful week, Lolly! Don’t work toooo hard!!
When I suggested to Cobra that another zipper color could be used, he said he actually liked it. I guess they can always surprise you.
Your knitting and reading solution is clever, so sad that it causes you pain. Maybe you can get one of those easels they make that are usually for cookbooks? Sometimes I find that I can knit while looking at something lying flat on a table.
get my email?
Hourglass is looking good. I need to get back to mine and get it finished.
Mrs. Bookish uses a stapler, and that seems to work pretty well for her. I just try to hold the page open with my toes.
Very low tech. 
I love Chris’ sweater! Lovely color!!
Where there is a will to knit, there is a way.
You sure are busy. I’m impressed at how much you are getting done. I love the socks, but you’re right what shoes?
The hand-dyed yarn for hubby’s sweater is gorgeous er, I mean manly, yeah manly! It will look great!
Levenger probably has a rockin’ bookstand that would take the strain off your feet! I still haven’t perfected the knitting and reading together thing. Browsing magazines is about the best reading I can do while knitting. The yarn for your husband’s sweater is gorgeous, BTW!
You are hilarious! I’ve always wanted to be able to knit and read at the same time! But I still can’t imagine how it is done - you are either amazingly flexible or have an uncanny ability to read small print at a distance!
i love that jacket for chris. and i am impressed with your multi-tasking abilities. you certainly are a woman of many talents.
You should try one of those cookbook stands. You know the ones that you see in catalogs? they’re clear plastic—self standing….have a lip on the bottom edge to support the book and keep it open………
Love that ribbed cardi for Chris! Great pattern! I didn’t know about that Melanie Falick book….I’ll have to go check that out! Your socks are so cute. I love that diagonal design!
I have been thinking of that sweater for my Father in Law…..Can’t wait to see how your’s turns out.
ANd I LOVE your pink socks!
i just received “handknit holidays,” and it’s a lot of fun. i like the ruffly scarf an awful lot, but i dunno about wrapping presents in it …
I love the colour of the yarn for your hubby’s sweater. I also like the look of the handknit holidays book. I think I might just have a little look in amazon.
That looks like me! I sometimes use my feet to hold my book open….while sitting on my bed or the sofa…once I start getting stiff I’ll move to my desk where I have drawers that pull out. Then i can sit in my chair while knitting/reading with my book jammed under the ridge of the desk…sitting in the drawer….(if that makes sense…i’m not sure if it does…)
What did I tell ya about reading and knitting at the same time??? Anything’s possible huh?
I love that sweater for your man. I’ve always wanted to make that… now I just have to find someone to make it for! I wonder if my brother needs a sweater…hmmm…
Now that you have figured out how to knit and read can you figure out how to knit and drive because that’s what I’m trying to figure out! Ouch on cramps in the feet!
Ooooh your socks look great, very nice diagonal pattern. Great yarn for the new sweater! The dogs are so cute.
I would love to hear how you like Handknit Holidays after you get it. I have had my eye on that one too.
that chunky boy sweater will be so cute!