Basketweave

I know, it's been a while with the stitches. So long, that I forgot where I was. It didn't help that I had some stitches swatched that I hadn't blogged about, so if you are keeping track (and I really hope you have more in your life than keep up with my swatch count) I apologize if I missed a stitch or two.

Barb says this pattern is known for it's "ease of working and handsome appearance."

I have to agree, it looks really good and I don't remember it being a pesky pattern at all. (Probably because I don't remember knitting it.)

Nirvana

I think Kurt Cobain is messing with me from the afterlife. I look at my closet and all I want to wear is a flannel shirt and a green Mr. Rogers-esque cardigan.

Okay, so I probably have these urges because ...

-Seattle weather has been nothing but rain, gray and cold.
-Heating guys have a part on order so they can't turn on the radiators in my house.
-I'm reading Charles Cross's biography of Kurt Cobain, "Heavier Than Heaven." (I got to hear Charles Cross speak about Cobain, Jimi Hendrix and Bruce Lee as part of the P-I's Writer in Residence series. Every now and then, my job gets some pretty good perks.)

Instead of the cardigan, I decided to knit up a hat instead. Something that makes me think of the Pacific Northwest.



I decided on Brenda Zuk's Seaman's Cap pattern. I knit is using one skein of Debbie Bliss's Donegal Chunky Tweed. I wanted a more substantial hat, since it has been so chilly, so I knit with 5mm (US8) needles, instead of the 7mm (US10.5) that was recommended on the label. I love it, mainly because it was a fast knit and it keeps me warm, but I guess it's been a while since I wore anything 100% wool because I notice it irritates my forehead.


I don't consider myself allergic to wool, rather, I think my forehead may be a sensitive spot. I also didn't block it yet (IT'S BEEN CHILLY). So maybe after a good soak it will soften up a bit. Or maybe I'm in denial.

If it doesn't, maybe I'll sew a lining into it.

Speaking of which, I have a dilemma. I need to do some sewing for some cushions.



(I picked the green pattern, I'll use the yellow for something else, and just in case you are wondering, I'm really not over my beige phase, when I bought these, I was trying to find some gray fabric. These are the runner-ups)

I've blogged about my mom's sewing machine which I've sort of adopted and it is totally fine, I just find myself trolling craigslist and ebay looking at Husqvarnas and Berninas.

So what do you guys think? Should I be happy with my mom's 25+year-old Kenmore that she bought at Sears (I know this, because I remember being there when she bought it.) or get a fancy new-ish machine that practically sews everything for me? (Which I think could be helpful since I am lacking in sewing skill.)

(Little background about me that may or may not be helpful ... I drive a 10-year-old Honda Civic hatchback, I am easily swayed by shiny electronic objects and I have a big-fat mortgage on my 95-year-old house.)

(Oh, and I don't plan to give up the Kenmore, it would become my backup.)

(And, if you have any suggestions for a new machine, they would be much appreciated. I realize this sounds like I already made a decision, but I really haven't.)

Entrelac

I never thought my little foray into knitting backwards would turn into this, but here I am.

I received many great suggestions on projects that had entrelac, but I discovered something about entrelac as I was swatching.

I'm not a fan.

As a knitter, I'm not really into the finished objects, which you might have discovered if you read this blog with any regularity. I'm much more into just the process of knitting, having something in my hands while watching television or listening to the radio.

So entrelac, and for that matter, lace knitting, forces me to have to pay way more attention to my knitting rather than paying attention to say "Lost" or "This American Life."

With this being said, I decided to create a pattern which would showcase the entrelac, while allowing me some good TV watching time (since the fall season has started).

When I started, I meant for it to be a baby dress that as the girl got older, it could be used as a cute top. Right now, it's more of the latter. Mainly because I didn't add any stitches for the "skirt" portion of the dress. I was tempted to go back and add stitches, but I decided that if I did that, I may have nothing to show for all my entrelac effort.

So I'll figure out that stuff later. Hopefully I'll be done in the next couple of days to show the finish top.

Oh, and by the way, you guys were right! Knowing how to knit (and purl) backwards is totally helpful when doing entrelac.