Discoveries from White Legs

It was 65 here yesterday! And pretty gorgeous today as well! To us, it was a HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE deal. I wore little flats with NO socks or tights----- there was no coat and only a 3/4 sleeved tee under my dress!

I have discovered two very important things however:

• I need to shave my legs
• I need to exfoliate
• and a little moisturizer wouldn't hurt the pasty whites either!!!

There has been no knitting (or creating) to speak of. But there IS the promise of spring which I find tremendously motivating!!!

What it Is--

So, I think I'm too stressed out. Work has taken me to the Crazy Place lately. I've discovered that while I appreciate lots of new clients and their projects, trying to do it all has left me a bit challenged. I'm re-0rganizing as we speak.

The WORST thing to come of it? The final straw? Remember the Eiffel Tower Shawl? Gorgeous, yes it is. I have spent days knitting, ripping, knitting, frogging, ad infinitum. I could not for the life of me determine WHY the stitch count was wrong. Every time. Frustration was enormous. I even "talked" to the fabulous designer Natalie Servant who tried so hard to help me. I'm telling you I was crazy about the whole thing.

Do you know what the problem was? This is so sad. I did not SSK correctly. That's right, somehow my brain forgot how to process a SSK (slip slip knit for non-knitters). It is something you learn right off the bat, it is basic, it is easy and it should not have run out of my brain. I screwed it up every row. Well duh------- of course the stitch count would be off and it would look like crap!

I've now fixed the problem of my complete and utter stupidity and am happily knitting along. Thanks Natalie----- and thanks brain, I am really counting on you not to leave me so soon!!! Geez.

My Valentines Day gift was a bit messed up too. (insert sniffle). Delightful French macaroons were ordered from my beloved Santa Fe. They were somehow involved in a big ole' mix up and arrived in a horrible condition.

That was the view when opening the box!!!!!! Seriously, these people might make fine treats but their packaging leaves a bit to be desired. Did I eat them? Of course. The thought behind the gift was so sweet that I had to! They were 75% of fabulous. And I hope their is a refund in their future for the condition they arrived in!

Back to it. Hope your Valentines Day was all you wanted and that your brain is in better shape than mine. (which is pretty easy to accomplish!)

Cardi Blocking---- Trip to the Eiffel

The cardi is blocking----- a nice wet block! I'm really thrilled that it's done, it feels REALLY odd not to be knitting in natural colored Eco!

I told her she could relax in the very cold basement on a beach towel. As this cardi is super warm, there will be no beach in her future! No buttons yet, the week has been too crazy to allow that to happen.

Although, I do have guests coming to dinner and have a clean house, laundry done and lasagna ready to pop into the oven---- doesn't that count for something I ask you??

What it really means is that I'd like to be knitting on my new project, the Eiffel Tower Shawl. So far this is all I have................. 23 rows.

That's Prince in the background keeping watch. I've done rows 21-23 four times now I'm missing something and wondering if I missed a bit of errata or if it's just me. Probably the latter. I am going to have to have a really mindless project and am thinking of casting on a simple little scarflette in that delicious spring green silken straw.

I've taken on another client---- and my workload was already getting my attention. My fear is that there will be even less time to knit. (Deep sigh of great impending sadness).

The really great news is that it should be in the 50's next week, I'm thinking spring!

Last Bit----

And today while watching the Caps/Penguins and the Blues game the blocked backs and fronts were joined at the shoulders and the gibbity zillion stitches picked up around the fronts and neck edge of the cardigan. Just a few more rows (although really,really long ones) and I can set my sleeves, stitch the sides and the cardi will be done.

Leaving me with the thought, oh crap---- buttons. I've had a VERY long time to consider buttons and I have none. Bummer. The buttons I originally purchased for the now frogged and repurposed cardi (aka boat cover) have been used for another project.

I'll get right on that!
******Edited to say that on my way to bed I've just finished the buttonhole row. 3 more rows to go, this cardigan should be done TOMORROW!!!!!!

Happy Groundhog Day

Punxsutawney Phil, that cute but reportedly cranky groundhog says (wait for it...) SPRING! Yes, the furry predictor of all things winter vs. spring made his prediction this morning that there would be an early spring! We can only hope he is right! Just in case you're not entirely positive that Phil will give you the true weather report, his counterpart Staten Island Chuck has said the same thing.

Here at Casita Contessa we dodged a bullet, yes we did. The forecast was dire, ice, power outages, blizzard conditions, snow in double digits and cold. All around me those predictions came true. By the light (the very, very, very cold light) of day it's not too bad. The car doors are still frozen solidly despite my best attempt to get around that issue---- and the 4 inches of snow was very light and powdery, easy to shovel a path for me (and the dogs). Under the powdery stuff is a couple of inches of ice and sleet but at least there is a layer of snow that allows walking without peril. We never lost power and jammies were the order of the Snow Day. It was actually kind of nice. I'll admit to not knitting one single stitch but I read a book and a half, baked chocolate chip cookies and even took a nap. I'm feeling like a kid in school and make no bones about not wanting to go back to school. Ever. Unfortunately the downside of the technology that creates my work means that my work travels with me, even when snowed in.

I'm looking forward to Mardi Gras............ St. Patrick's Day.............. Easter............... all things that mean the warm weather is on the way!

Thanks Phil (and Chuck), we're going to trust you on the early spring!

Storm of Epic Proportions---

The weather pundits have all of STL worked up to a froth...... mondo storm on the way, lay in supplies, fill the car, good grief it is going to be horrendous. It either will or won't be. I follow my Mom's rules: Fill a couple of jugs with water, buy a fresh jar of peanut butter, make sure you have bread and a bottle of Southern Comfort. I choose not to go the SoCo route as it doesn't work for me but I will admit I can make a martini if need be. My rules include having plenty to knit (check) and my Nook loaded (almost check).

I've chosen NOT to work today (yay) and the sleeves are up to 16 inches, 3 more inches (run screaming) and they will begin shaping (less stitches for the non-knitly). Still holding firm about not casting on for the Eiffel until the sleeves are about done. I'd like to hold out until the cardi is done but a girl can only hold out so long!

Loading the Nook has come down to trying to decide what I really want to read. An excellent mystery, something moving and spiritual, or a deep biography. All have their own merits and I really can't decide.

So, (sung to the tune of the Beverly Hillbillies):
On I knit.
Sleeves that is.
Two Sleeves.
*fill in the next round your own sleeve exhausted verbiage-----

We shall soon see whether or not the weather turns history making, or wimps out. I'm hoping for Big Wimp.

A foot of sleeves

one foot------- 12 inches. Now, I know that if I were doing one sleeve at a time, I'd be done. More than done. But the two sleeve at a time knitting has reached the INTERMINABLE phase. As in, dear gravy I'm sick to bits of these sleeves please can I be done with this cardi? PLEASE?

Patience while not being one of my virtues is once again being tested. That and sheer willpower, also not a strong suit.

7 more inches of sleeves until they're almost done, the shaping looks like it goes pretty fast. But I placed a marker on SATURDAY when I actually had a weekend to devote to my sleeves. Since Saturday I have only put 3.6 inches on the sleeves. Using the "yeah but you're knitting both at once" theory, that loosely translates into 7.2 inches. Reaching still further I put forth the supposition that if I remain in my pajamas boldly knitting on without going to work or putting much needed food in the house-------- I'd be done with the sleeves in 2 days.

Seeing how I do need to get to work, and it is a killer of a week on tap, that I have no food in the house and really, I can't knit in a truly productive way: the sleeves may have a bit of plodding progress. The truth always hurts.

My goal is to get the sleeves to the shaping phase BEFORE I cast on for the Eiffel Tower shawl. Really.

Isn't she gorgeous? Yum......... and in that beautiful sterling yarn? That I have re-swatched for (yes three swatches for a SHAWL) and changed my mind about needle size.