Schrodinger's Kittie

Well, I’ve finished the soon to be new grandbaby’s (well, Mike’s grandbaby #7) bonnet. Just have the jacket and booties left to do. In the spirit of never having enough projects on the needles, I started working on Mica’s shawl…and, continued work on Mike’s socks and Paco’s kiddo’s baby blanket. Though, seriously, by the time I finish that blanket, the kiddo will be a toddler.

I suppose my priority list should be Megan’s jacket and bonnet and booties (won’t take long) and Paco’s kiddo’s blanket. Then I can split my time between Mike’s socks and Mica’s shawl. Given how fine Mica’s shawl is, I’ll need the break. I’m making here the “Cobweb Crepe Shawl Project 5″ from Heirloom Knitting by Sharon Miller.  I don’t have any photos; but, when Mike gets back from Mazatlán, I’ll ask him to take some photos of the projects.

Or, I’ll see if I can get my camera in working order.  It’s being really weird, lately, and burning out batteries within minute – literally.

I really haven’t been up to a whole lot with Mike gone.  On Wednesday, I got hit with a migraine for the first time since December.  I’m 90% sure it was stress and depression combined that kicked it off.  Though I’m not sure depression is the right word.  Maybe “the mopes” would be better.

I had oral surgery on the 19th and the stitches got caught in my toothbrush on Thursday and ripped out.  It has hurt like crazy ever since.  I’m just hoping nothing gets infected.

Anyway – back to my knitting…and, I’ll work on getting those photos up!

Well, I am using a smaller yarn and a smaller needle than called for in the pattern, so I’m not certain why I’m surprised that I am coming in a bit under size on the Cobweb Crepe.

I am going to go get a size 2 (2.75mm) set of Addi Turbo Lace needles today (or tomorrow) and start over.  I do expect this to come out smaller than the 48″ that the original calls for because I am using a smaller yarn.  However, I don’t think it will be that much smaller.  Given my concern, though, I do believe I will up the number of stitches and rows in the centre pane to give me the size I need. 

I have 100m of the silk yarn, so running out is not really something I’m horribly concerned about.  I figure between uping the needle size to 2.75mm instead of the 2.25mm I am currently using and adding a few more stitches and rows, I should be able to get the size I’m aiming for without having to change yarns.

Why am I concerned about changing yarns?  Cost for one thing.  This silk is from my stash so costs me nothing out of pocket right now.  Also, I prefer to make newborn items out of cotton or silk or some other non-allergenic fibre.  At least until I know for sure that they aren’t allergic to animal fibres.  This way, I don’t spend a lot of time and love on a project – only to have it be unusable due to allergies…and the poor tot doesn’t wind up in hives over something I’ve given them.

So, as I feared, my left hand is just not co-operating for thread crochet on a large scale.  So, I am changing things up a bit.  I will still try to do the squares as I get the ability.  However, this means that it will take quite some time to make the number of squares required for the coverlet.

I decided that I would start up on the Cobweb Crepe Shawl (which will actually wind up being an heirloom quality christening blanket).  I’m using the gossamer silk that I originally intended to use for my wedding ring shawl and size one Addi Turbo lace circulars.  I’m already in love with it and I just started.  Here’s hoping it works out. 

No, I am not posting photos of the whole six rows of center pane that I got started last night.  It isn’t worth the … oh, alright.  I’ll try to remember to take a photo when I get home.  But, seriously, it’s nothing to look at, right now.

The pattern is coming from Sharon Miller’s Heirloom Knitting book.  It just dawned on me that the piece I’m working is actually the one that is displayed on the cover.  I’m a little slow like that, sometimes.

Yes, I realize that making it out of gossamer silk is a little – insane.  But, I know J & C will respect, honor and love the piece and the time and effort that went in to making it.  It will be an heirloom piece that they will give to their child on the birth of their first grandkid, etc.  It’s worth it, to my mind.  Besides, it’s a fairly simple knit so far as shetland lace is concerned – and it gets me back into the swing of gossamer knitting.  Maybe enough that I’ll start on my wedding ring shawl again………maybe.