Denim Pullover
Yarn: Bernat Denim Style in Indigo (Cotton/Acrylic)
Pattern: Bernat’s Free Online Patterns
Started: September 15, 2004
Finished: May 21, 2005

The hardest part about this sweater? It is huge. It took up my whole table while seaming! This can only be attributed to what Jenna refers to as men’s long ape arms… Kris played a good mannequin throughout the whole process. I knew ahead of time that this was going to be a tad too big for him. I tried to make some adjustments while seaming, but they did not remedy the problem. It is not gargantuanlly big, but we would both like it to be a little smaller. I was hoping a few cycles in the wash would make the cotton in the yarn shrink–anyone have any other tips?

Even though it is too big, I am happy with this sweater. I finally cleared it out of the plastic bag sitting in my stash… now I can have my big stitch holder back. I learned how to make a cleaner pick up stitch for the neckband. I took the time to do a good finishing job, and that made a real difference.

In celebration of Kris’s pullover, I decided to tell you a little more about him. You know enough about me… now for my "other half". He signed the appropriate waivers, etc., so all is fair game

Kris loves aquariums like I love knitting. After we got married, he picked up an old 20 gallon tank from his parents’ house that he had as a child. He filled the tank with some cute neon tetras and some rocks and a bubbling treasure chest. We had fun watching the new entertainment, and not so much fun flushing the fishies down the toilet… but his interest increased, and his skills improved… Kris has a tendency to get "really into" a hobby–he did the appropriate research, drafted a proposal, and then sat me down to discuss the possibility of getting a bigger tank. (Yeah, it was really that organized). A 75-gallon tank for the basement. For those of you that can’t really visualize this: it is about the size of a coffin and filled to the brim with water. Sure, I wanted to encourage his hobby–I like to see him interested and having fun. Before long, he had set up a lovely aquarium in our basement with exotic freshwater fish and amazing aquatic plants. It is not uncommon for us to watch the aquarium instead of the TV. Now, three years later: we have five aquariums… three big ones (75g, 54g, 40g) and two small ones (10g, 20g). Kris has also joined a local chapter and serves on their board as the website administrator. He assisted in the planning and organization of a large conference last winter where people came from all over the world to discuss aquariums, aquatic plants, and fish. (Like Stitches is for us!) He has also become quite the underwater photographer:

Top to bottom: A snail in the tank bottom; flowering ammania gracilis; Amano shrimp eating algae; Congo tetra; and Angel fish.

Kris also loves hockey. He has played the game since he was a tot. Through high school, he played ice hockey as a forward. In college, he began playing roller hockey with some of our friends from high school in an adult league at the local facility. For five years they played together… and then this year, the team disintegrated… he joined another team where he only knew one person, and three weeks ago, they started their summer season.

That’s him: #9. He is a good player, and I am not just saying that because I am married to him–he has had several seasons as one of the top 5 scorers in the league. Although his old team was filled with drunkards and "baby-daddys", they had at least 5+ years of hockey chemistry between them. They did not lose games very often. The new team is 0-3-1. Here’s hoping things will get better with the new guys. I am often the (lone) fan in the stands. I bring my knitting to accompany me.

… and there is more… he plays the guitar, is a master gardener, and an awesome cook. What is not to love? I think this boy-man deserves another sweater… I am thinking the Manos zipper cardigan in Last Minute Knitted Gifts (sans orange zipper, thank you) but that can wait till fall. This time, I will measure him to get the right fit.

… and me? Well, I am having lunch with Eilene today.

I would love to have a visit from the seaming fairy this weekend… she can magically turn that into this:

However, I think she is booked solid through the weekend… so, I will have to tackle this sucker myself. I don’t know many knitters that like to seam, however, it is a part of the process, right? You can’t have an FO without it. (Stating the obvious is my forte) With the aid of my new fancy blocking board (okay, you caught me–it is not that fancy–I only paid $7 for it!) this blocking and seaming will be a cinch, I hope.

After I finish Kris’s pullover, I will return to my many "ladies in waiting"… Balmoral, Lucky Clover, Boatneck… and I will cast on for the afghan for my sister’s wedding present. I realized that I don’t have to rush the afghan since I will be visiting her in Hawaii in October… it is not like people really use afghans in Hawaii anyway… but I am still going to make it…

Many thanks to Leanne for sending me this Rowan Calmer. I love the texture of this yarn. Any suggestions about what to knit up with this?

How did you know, Maryellen, that I adore origami? This card and origami giraffe really brightened this rainy Maryland day! I have been on a serious green kick too, so these colors are perfect! I need to find some pretty origami papers… I used to be good at the folding, wonder if I still have it in me?

…and in honor of Chelsea’s Flower Picture Week, I snapped these shots of the primroses on our front porch, right after the rainstorm.

Kris and I are gonna go and stand in line waiting to see Star Wars tonight … I was thinking of starting on a sock while waiting…Â

Yesterday when I was with dear Donna, we talked about our affinity for blue. Yeah, most of my knits are in the pink/purple color family, but I took a look at my stash and saw the lovely blue yarns that I have collected in reserve for some great projects in the future…

…and right now, I am finishing up Kris’s blue pullover. This sleeve has another 9 inches left until I am ready to block and seam it. I will be so happy to have this one out of my stash–it has been lingering way too long.

The Bernat Denim Style is a good yarn. I saw someone sub it for Debbie Bliss Cotton Denim Aran and it was a close match and much cheaper as a whole. I know that this pullover is going to be too big for Kris. I am hoping that it will shrink a little in the wash and be a better fit. I should have made the smaller size… can’t wait to be done with this one.

… and when you dig a little deeper into the knitting bag…

… you find my Cotton Ease pullover in Candy Blue. This will probably be one of the brightest things in my closet when I finish it, but gosh, I love this yarn. I just discovered it too, and now they are discontinuing it. Just my luck. I do plan another trip to JoAnn to stock up on some more.

These blue buttons were another gift from my dad after his South American trip. They are made with an amazing cobalt blue base and a mother of pearl face. I have to find the perfect cardigan to use these on–ideas? They are large buttons, so maybe only a one or two button cardi would be best, and the leftovers could be used on another project or in some jewelry…

Today was a wonderful day outside… see the blue sky!

The scarf collection has to new handknit additions–both summery and sweet as sugar:

The Trendsetter Dolcino was purchased at FAS for some "swatchage". I was really attracted to the texture and color (Pink 25), and this drop-stitch shows of the yarn very well. Perfect match for summer cardigans, tees and tanks.

… and another pink one…

I have been using a lot of cotton lately, and lovin’ every minute of it. This Aurora Bazar is a great heavy worsted weight cotton that is a dream to work with. The color was the star in my book, so a simple stockinette showed off the variegation well. All About Yarn only carried this one line of yarn under the Aurora brand–I wonder if they other yarns are as good?

As I looked over my stash, and my projects, I noticed the WIPs that have been sitting for an ice age. I am embarassed by them… and now the time has come to decide whether they should stay or go. Frog or Finish?

Exhibit A

I was really excited about this cardigan a year ago, and now it does not really tickle my fancy anymore. Sure, I would still wear it, but I can think of some other patterns that I would like more. I had a complete back and the left front panel almost complete–but then I frogged the panel because the cable was wonky. So, should the frogging stop there? Methinks I should cast this cardi into the frog pond… Verdict: Frog!

Exhibit B:

Kris sometimes hints that he wants a sweater… he saw this pattern in the craft store last year, and he chose the yarn for it that day. The sweater is simple and handsome, and while the yarn, Bernat Denim Style, is not the same color I would’ve chose, I do like it and would work with it again. Verdict: Finish!

I had the back and 3/4 of the front finished before it went into exile, so, last night, I finished the front, and nearly one sleeve (not pictured) while watching Numbers and Life Aquatic (weird and whimsical flick). So, with a little more work (others have called this stage Sleeve Island…) I will be moving this pullover into the FO category… just in time for Kris to put in the top of his closet waiting for cooler temperatures. I wish I had finished it earlier so he could get one decent wear out of it before Maryland swampiness sets in.

Also on the needles: Cotton Ease boatneck pullover, Balmoral’s second sleeve, and my long-neglected Lucky Clover cardigan.

I took the advice of Heidi and ordered 13 skeins of KnitPicks Andean Silk in Lettuce for my sister’s wedding afghan. (Included in this order were two skeins of Sock Garden in Geranium, because I fell in love with Elisa’s last week!) Once this yarn comes, I need to get a move on the afghan. There is not really a chance that I will finish in time for the wedding (June 4th!) but, I hope to get it to them soon after. It still has not really occured to me that my little sister will be getting married and moving to the other side of the world yet… hmm…

Kris and I are planning to go to the Wine in the Woods festival late Sunday afternoon. We have been going to this festival for as long as we have been legal, and it is always a good time. If you happen to be there, and happen to see me, don’t be shy

That’s right… I am a cradle robber.

Kris turned 24 yesterday… I am a whole 6 weeks older!

Happy Birthday Bear!

So we celebrated Kris’s birthday tonight with dinner and drinks!

I am wishing Kris a happy birthday! Yummy Appletini with a cherry on top!

Thank you for the kind comments about my Christmas gifts. It was so cold here in Maryland today, I hope that they all were able to use their warm presents!

So, the post-holiday knitting spree has begun. I am finishing up all of the things before the holiday knitting started. I knit ALL day yesterday… and my wrist pains prove it. Wow… I feel like such a wimp, but my left wrist feels like it is broken! It is strange why it would be my left wrist. I knit continental, and all my left wrist does is stay there and hold a little tension… the right one is the one that is working. Nevertheless, my little velcro bandage seems to help a little. I am knitting through the pain!

The Kris sweater is growing fast. I worked on this while going to PA on Christmas day, and also on the way home (even though it was getting dark…) I am about 1/2 way through the front. The back is already done, and then with the sleeves… I think I should be able to wrap this one up soon–enough time for him to wear it before the spring!

I need a portable project for all of my train riding, and this lovely mohair is just the ticket. I am in love with this colorway! It is the simple fan pattern that I have been working on alot lately. I think my fingers have it all memorized, after mom’s Christmas stole! The next portable project is destined to be some socks. I cannot wait to tackle those bad boys!

I found the only redeeming quality about the new FCEK to be this cardi. So, I am officially adding it to my list of Things to Knit. I like the simplicity, and it can be dressed up or down… just like me Other than this one, this mag sincerely sucked… come on designers! Let us have some quality stuff!

Lolly got some great knitty books for Christmas! Can’t wait to dig in!

…I also received some lovely presents & cards from some knitty friends!
Thank you for thinking of me!

Countdown to the NEW JOB: 7 days!