Design Process

Designing always ends up taking more time, effort and brain power than I plan for. It seems, every time, as if it's going to be easy (this time). I have the idea, I have the sketch, the yarn, the time--I'm ready to go.

I write the pattern as I'm working, and there is most certainly ripping out and re-writing that goes on. I usually end up with at least three drafts of a pattern before I finish the (first) prototype.

So, the prototype is finished, as it was today. And I looked at it and thought Mmmmm--something doesn't look quite right. And it was the proportion of the body of the sweater.

And so it was back to re-figuring what the new length would be, and re-writing the pattern to accommodate those changes. I think I'll start knitting the (second) prototype tomorrow.

At least I took a break this afternoon from sitting in the house and went down the street to Java where I had a cup of coffee and a Harvest Bar (buttery coffee cake topped with dried cranberries, apricots, dark and light raisins).....yum.

Maybe if I take a break every time I run into a problem with a design or pattern writing and go down to Java, I can grow me a backside that'll fill up a pair of big-ass-mom jeans.

Tattoo

A couple of days ago, I did what I had been thinking about for a while: I got a knitting tattoo. A ball of yarn, it's on my left inner forearm just below the elbow. Yes, it's real. Yes, I really did it. I feel very strong: Allie says now I can get in a fight at a bar.

Knitting Class

The class is really moving along this year. Luis and Sara are two of the more prolific needle-workers in the group; it seems that every week, one of them (at least) has something new to show us.



This is Luis modeling the poncho he made for his mother. She didn't care for the color of the first poncho he made, so this is his second attempt: we're hoping she likes this one because it is beautifully made as well as striking in the color combination. He is amazing: he worked out the stripe sequence himself, added the fringe, and figured out how to add on a stand-up collar. His current project is the Einstein Jacket designed by Sally Melville for her "Knit Stitch" book.



Sara is a crocheter. Last winter, she made a shawl-collared jacket in a deep green, chunky yarn; this is a baby blanket that she made of granny squares. Now she's working on a shawl.