Rusted Root - FO

Here she is, Rusted Root. It was a long time coming. She was finished back mid-May but it took a bit longer (with the trip, and all) to weave her ends in and block her.

Details:

Start: March 25, 2007

Finish: May 15-ish, 2007 (knitting finished in early May but blocking only June)

Pattern: Rusted Root by the Zephyre Style ladies

Size: Medium

Software: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Buttercream - 3 skeins

Harware: size 6 Circulars

Note and Modifications:

The key note is that this lace requires practice. Seriously. This was my first lace work and the lace pattern takes awhile to get used to and get in the rhythm of. Like, specifically row 3 (I think that's the one, as I have tried to block it out). I frogged, painfully, 7 times.

A good resource is the Zephyr Rusted Root Message Board, which was really helpful in getting me through this. Especially that lace pattern.

I know it's totally anti-instant gratification but it's worth it to swatch this and practice on the lace pattern. Hopefully it'll prevent you from the frogland I entered.

Also, as always, I added a bit of length.

Finally, I love this yarn BUT, see below.

Can you see the difference in color in the front and back ?(click for close-up) I wet-blocked this and it dried on it's back. I blocked it on a dark green towel so I couldn't tell but I'm thinking the dye sort of bled. I need to reblock.

Whatevs, I'm wearing it tomorrow to work.

Operation

I needed to perform some very scary surgery on Rusted Root this morning and I will say it was not fun. Not fun at all.

I had been knitting along at a good speed and was quite excited about it. This morning I was just making coffee, whistling, thinking about how far I had come...And then it hit me.

I put my coffee cup down, clenched my fists and hissed quietly through bared teeth, "I forgot to do the shaping".

At the end of the day I had to pull out about 4 inches worth of sweater so that I could do my decreases and shape. Again, Vogue Knitting saves the day. Even though I know how to do this method, it's always reassuring to have the visuals in front of me.

I haven't knit an entire round since this happened as I needed a much needed break after the 1 1/2 hour surgery. Also, just thinking about getting to the lace part is incredibly scary and it's making me nervous. I have really no idea what row of the pattern I'm on. Ugh. I just hope it works out.

Anyway. Off to enjoy the weather. The storm is coming and we've decided to have movie marathon tomorrow so I may need to hit Purl or The Point for another project. I almost want to stick RR in the corner until she behaves and starts telling me things in advance so I don't screw up again.

I really need to step it up in the post-frequency department. I have so many random things to say but instead of doing 5 minute posts every day – they all stew in my head and come out all at once in a marathon post. Sometimes it's so overwhelming I quit before getting everything out. It’s not efficient and it makes me unhappy.

A bit of knitting progress to report – an almost FO and a new project.

Almost Finished: Hourglass
I almost finished Hourglass last Saturday. It is blocking as we speak and more on it next time with lots of details but here’s a final progress shot.

Next Up: Rusted Root
I finally made the decision last Thursday, when it was really hot out. Knitting Demi seemed entirely impractical. I raced over to Downtown Yarns after work to buy this yarn – at least right now Downtown Yarns (need my apt) and Yarn Connection (near my office) are the only places carrying Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece.

As for the color – I was envisioning yellow and while I was hoping for a brighter more pastel-ly yellow, this buttercream was the closest option and I’m happy with it.

I have a LOT to say on experiences with Hourglass and Rusted Root – more next time.