just one more photo i promise

Since it's *really* finished this time, complete with crochet trim along the neckline (thank you mum!)...

join me for an evening at the ballet

The Ballet Pullover is finished!!

Feast your eyes...


And because I couldn't resist showing it off...





This is my favorite knitted item thus far. It actually FITS!

I technically still need to finish the crochet trim on the neckline, but I'll need mum's assistance for that since I tried and hopelessly failed to do it on my own.

In knitting this up I've discovered a few things...

1. knitting with two strands of yarn is tricksy because both want to twist in and of themselves as well as with each other

2. rings can be used as stitch markers when you small markers won't fit over the size 11 needles

3. sleeves aren't as scary as I had originally imagined

Perhaps heels aren't as frightening as I imagine them to be either. We'll have to wait and see, for I really *really* need to finish that PBS.

no power? no problem. uh, not quite...

But with nothing else to do, why not knit?

I've always said that knitting calms me down - it really helped me not to go into too much of a tizzy during the hurricane.
I decided to forgo the PBS in favor of something a little easier to work on in low (or no) lighting.

I started off well on Sunday, though the going was a little slow.
Until the power went out that is.

Here is where I was on Monday morning (note that there is low lighting - the power had been out since Sunday):


And here is where I paused on Tuesday evening:

I don't think I could have chosen a better foul weather project. The color is very calming (to me at least) and it just feels so nice.

I decided to check my progress, and was found strutting my stuff around and about, but I was told I looked quite silly. I don't think so! :D



Almost there! Just a few inches on the bottom and the sleeves!

while anxiously awaiting mother nature's wrath

I've spent a little time knitting.

Yes, a LITTLE.

Precious little.

As in swatching for the ballet pullover.

We all must have our priorities, and while I'd love to spend all my free moments knitting, it just can't be done. The PBS must come first - deadline and all of that.
I've been making fairly good progress. I needed to unravel the end of the first ball because I ran out of beads for the last couple of bead rows.



But, alas, the lure of the Napa has been too strong for little ole me.

Hence, I bring you the swatch.
And so I must quote in my best Rob Reiner imitating Cary Grant voice...
"Hello, Diane, take a look at these swatches!"

and another shot just for fun because the color appears different in various lighting...


If all goes according to plan (tempting fate here are we?) I'll actually manage to get a bit of free time to start the sweater.

I have a feeling I'll squeeze it in at some point - sweater disease is difficult to overcome!