It’s cold in here. Not really cold, you know, it’s sixty-two, according to the thermostat, and I’m in no danger of dying of exposure, but my toes are cold. Turned the heat on in the middle of the day. Feeling wild and crazy.
But this: I am driving to San Rafael tomorrow to get more Paton’s Classic Merino to start a simple cardie. I am desperately in love with this yarn. I’m wearing the Must-Bolero right now (as I have been almost every day recently) and while I wouldn’t walk out of the house in this particular ensemble (gray sweats pants, yellow socks, a holiday “I Gave Blood” shirt with dancing drops of blood wearing red and green elf hats, topped with the cabled shortie), I’m mostly warm. My top half is, anyway. I LOVE this yarn. Soft, light, completely cozy yet it hasn’t been TOO warm, which is usually my problem…. I need more.
(I know you can’t get over the dancing holiday blood drops (they’re holding hands, wrapped in garlands of Christmas lights). Neither can I. And what makes them worse is I actually DIDN’T give blood last week – I went in to Red Cross, but my iron was too low. They gave me the shirt when I walked in, and then when I tried to give it back when I left, all to a person shook their heads kindly and sadly: “No, honey, you just keep that. Our gift to you. Happy holidays. Oh, good luck to you…..” Sideways glances, poor low-iron thing…….)
Where was I? Oh. The Paton’s yarn. And it’s cheap! One of the best things about it.
And MORE knitting content. Here’s a photo of where I am with the ribby cardie:
I’ve dubbed her, as of last night, Olallieberry. The actual berries are darker, blue/black, but this deep Jo Sharp red is just the same shade as the jam. It’s not a great picture, but the thicker stripe is a gray/bruised purple, and the darker one is a deep purple with flecks of bright blue thrown in, all in Jo Sharp SilkRoad Aran Tweed. And I got a little crazy non-symmetrical with the one sleeve. Just needed to.
This cardie feels good to work on, soft and thick and kind of stubborn, if that makes any sense. A sturdy cardigan. Loving it. And you canNOT go wrong with a BonneMarie pattern, no?
Hey! Have you noticed I haven’t been writing about writing? That’s because I haven’t been doing much of it!Yep! I’m in a slump. I WILL walk to the coffeeshop as soon as I post this (or after I cruise some sites) and I will write today. Haven’t really written in almost a week. Feels like pushing mud to get to the page, although when I get there, the words are ready to happen. But getting there, bleah. I have to promise myself a chai latte (and maybe a ginger cookie) today – that’s the only thing that’ll get my ass into write-mode.
It’s a chai, heater-on, soft-wool wearing kind of day. Yep.
Read this on one of my spinners lists and thought you would enjoy 😉
KNITTERS’ NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
‘Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
There was unfinished knitting not under the tree,
The stockings weren’t hung by the chimney with care
‘Cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
But I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep—he was no help at all.
And the sweater for him was 6″ too small.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my needles to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash.
Tripped over my yarn and fell down in my stash.
The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
Reminded me how far I had to go.
When out on the lawn I heard such a noise,
I was sure it would wake up both Dad and the boys.
And although I was tired–my brain a bit thick,
I knew in a moment that it must be St Nick.
But what I heard left me very perplex-ed
For nothing I heard was what I expected.
“Move Rowan! Move Patons! Move Koigu and Clover!
Move Shelridge! Move Starmore! Move Spinrite!
Move over!
Lopi, don’t circle around, just stand there in line.
Pay attention you sheep and you’ll work out just fine!
I know this is hard as it’s just your first year
But I’d hate to go back to 8 tiny reindeer.”
I peered over the sill. What I saw was amazing:
Eight woolly sheep on my lawn all a-grazing!
And then in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa’s big boots stomping on the porch floor.
I rose from my knees and got back on my feet.
As I turned right around, St Nick I did meet.
He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toe
And his clothes were hand knit from above to below.
A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back.
And his toys were all stuffed in an Aran knit sack.
His hat was a wonder of bobbles and lace
A beautiful frame for his rosy red face.
The scarf on his neck could have stretched for a mile,
And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.
On the back of his mitts was an intricate cable.
And suddenly on one I spotted a small label:
“S.C.” in duplicate on the cuff.
So I asked, “Hey, St. Nick, did YOU knit all this stuff?”
He proudly replied, “Ho, ho, ho, yes I did.
I learned how to knit when I was just a kid.”
He was chubby and plump, a well dressed old man,
And I laughed to myself, for I thought up a plan.
I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
And the next thing he knew, he was tied to a chair.
He spoke not a word, but looked down in his lap
Where I laid down my needles and yarn for a cap.
He began then to knit, first one cap then 2–
For the first time I thought I might actually get through.
He put heels in the stockings and toes in some socks,
While I sat back drinking my scotch on the rocks.
Quickly like magic his needles they flew,
By Addi! And he was soon finished by two!
He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
And over his shoulder he looked back at me.
I heard him explain as he sailed past the moon,
“Next year start your knitting sometime around JUNE!”
can i have a sweater? it’s cold here, too.
I LOVE the ribby cardie, the colours look great. Makes mine in one colour seem rather boring!
Oh, Rachael, I wish I were hanging out with you today! I promise I wouldn’t distract you from writing when we’re in the cafe! I LOVE your Ribby Cardie. You have this habit of mentioning casually that you’re working on something, and then SHAZZAM! Up pops a photo of some fantastic nearly finished thing that is amazing! You have a great sense of colour, too.
As a blood donor who is prone to low iron, I’ve seen those looks, too. (Tsk tsk, get this girl a steak…) But I’ve never been given a T-shirt! Lucky you.
You’re right–I couldn’t get past the elflike dancing blood drops. Until, that is, I got to your Ribbie Cardie! Olallieberry is the perfect name and it looks so gorgeous.
I tried to find the Must-Have pattern at the yarn store but they didn’t have it.
The coffee shop part of the place had chai truffles. Curious. Didn’t have one, though.
Ooh! I *like* the asymmetry. (Actually, I usually like asymmetry–it’s just physically painful for me to do myself, damn Libran impulses :)) And, uh, Rachael? You ARE a Californian, aren’t you…it takes copious amounts of propane to get the temp above 62 at my house…ever. My dishsoap congeals from the cold.
Love me some of that Jo Sharp SilkRoad Aran Tweed! That stuff is great! And the cardi is too!
That is a great color combination. I’m not sure what I think about the asymmetry, but then again, I’m known for my lack of flair. Can’t wait to see you model the finished product.
Glad to hear you’re wearing the must-have…mine is still pissing me off and it’s not done (now it’s just the little things like constant screwing up of the cables).
Sorry to hear you’re in a slump too. Must be the holidays.
And you don’t know cold. It’s -4C (less than 32F) here with a windchill making it feel like -12C and this isn’t even a cold day. But I agree it’s a sweater wearing, snuggling in kinda day. (I would add, writing but I’m not that ambitious!)
Brava! Ribby rocks!
Honey, I am SO loving that ribby! Trying to recall, did you make the first pattern version previously as well? Copying Ann, I bought yarn for the original; now I don’t know which to knit! Coincidentally, I was s’posed to give blood yesterday, but I didn’t go because I’ve got this cold thing that I hope is not flu! (Thanks for your concern, love) Last year I got a T-shirt, but it didn’t have dancing drops, darn it.
PHILADELPHIA, PA
I’m looking for someone to make cashmere sweaters for me. Any help where to locate someone (bulletin boards, listservs, etc.) is appreciated!
– cold in Phila