etc.

Last night I took about an hour - maybe two - after Binx had gone to bed, to catch up on projects. I want to finish some, so I can start others. I want to have Kepler ready to wear for a trip I'm taking to New Jersey next week.  So I got bundled up, went to the garage, and put my head down.

I kool aid dyed some yarn that's been half dyed for ages.  It's my first colorway, and I'm calling it Chenille Couch.  I think it would make some pretty fun socks, and might look around to see if there's a 6 spi version of the Jaywalkers.

Next I seamed the shoulders, arms, and sides of kepler.  All that's left are the armpits, and then adding the i-cord neck edge.  I'm not entirely satisfied with how the sleeves set in, and I think I might benefit from a refresher finishing class, but unlike those knitters who fix all their mistakes I normally just press on.  I figure I worked as carefully as I could, I can't do better, it's handmade, and I'm not likely to get much more time to focus any day soon.  All these thoughts run through my head, along with thoughts like Kay would redo this or Adrian's wouldn't be like this.  (In fact, the thought of Adrian's knitting did make me undo and redo one egregious seam). 

But I still have to block it again, and rest assured it's not as wonky as I'm making it sound.

Also, we took a little trip to the coast and I got to knit a bit on an old but much loved project that stil continues.  A psychedelic square - my 30th. I have just 50 to go, and another one on the needles already.  Sometimes when I love the squares I give them little names. This one is Scout Badge.

Finally, I got an email from Shannon that coverage on the art show she has curated - which features a mini-installation of the meathead hats - has begun.  A selection of the hats from the conference installation (a break-out session?) is on exhibit as part of the alt-fiber show at Assemble Gallery in Cleveland, and meathead knitting patterns and ear tags are on sale in the gallery gift shop. 

Sometimes it feels like slow progress compared to pre-Binx, but the blog helps me realize zthat another thing I wanted to accomplish actually came to be and at full quality.  (Yeah, my handmade sweaters have lumps and bumps, but my art work is done properly. It's important to me that it be nearly flawless if it's going into a gallery. So Binx & I had to take 2 trips to Oregon City to find the right cattle tags, but he got some culture).

Comments

[Adrian]

Oh, p'shaw! Everything I make has at least one wonky bit in it. I just knit so quickly the finished projects zoom past and no one notices. The wool you used is lovely. I'm so glad you finally found a worthy project.

That pink and green combo is one of my all time favorites. It makes me think of a rose in an overgrown cottage garden. I can't wait to see what you make!

[Kay]

LOL that I, me, ME? am serving as your guilty conscience on finishing? HAHAHAHAHAAHHAAH. Yes, I'm a perfectionist: When projects don't turn out just right, I abandon them halfway through sew-up. So very exacting am I! xoxoKay