There is no question. To Birch! After dinner I went home fully planning to do some work around the house. When I got to the mailbox and pulled out the small grey airmail bag from the UK all thoughts of laundry, vacuuming and addressing my flylady hot spot went right out of my head. I got the twins down and went about Birching. Resistance if futile you know. I quickly pulled out the pattern book that arrived last week and photocopied the pattern page. A needle hunt was then commenced. I saw Stephanie’s post yesterday on her beautifully completed Birch and noted that she used the 4.5 mm needles. The pattern was specifying 5mm or a US8. Having spent Sunday fighting with my only free set of 8′s and disliking intensely the new Balene II’s, I figured if it was good for Stephanie, it was pretty darn okay for me. I had two free sets of Addi Turbos in the 4.5mm and thought that a good omen. I stayed up far later than I should have and made it through the first 4 rows of Birchy goodness.
Here’s Birch reclining on my desk chair a few moments ago. I won’t be going anywhere without Birch for the foreseeable future and even changed purses so I could carry it safely with me. Always. I don’t think I can truly express my pure joy at the yarn. OH. MY. GOD. I. LOVE. IT. There is something almost orgasmic to working with the Kidsilk Haze. It is purely divine. The color?! Gorgeous. I can see glints of the silk peering out between the fuzzy delight of the mohair. I could just plotz.
Other projects? I have other projects? Oh yeah, I do. I’m an inch short of finishing the first sleeve for Trellis. Yay. It seems my gauge is off a tad but heck, its a baby sweater, big is good, right? Fits longer that way. Longer sleeves are just excellent right? I vaguely remember the sleeves getting too short before the body got too small as the twins outgrew clothes. I’m not that far off, just a smidge. No one will notice.
I’m still chugging along on the silly sock. I added a couple of rows this morning on the train as it was a bit crowded to pull out anything larger. I find knitting socks to be ideal for knitting while crammed into a four-seater at the end of the car. The PATH train was a tad more spacious and while I wanted to dive into the sweet pool of birch, I knew I’d miss my stop if I did. I worked on Trellis instead. I’m proud of me too.
Birch. Birch. Birch….
Craft on.
10 responses so far ↓
1 Helen // Jun 21, 2005 at 11:35 am
Stop! Please stop this torture. I feel myself being drawn to this, especially after having joined a lace list.
The color is lovely, BTW.
2 Nancy J // Jun 21, 2005 at 2:37 pm
I wish I could work with that yarn — yours is so lovely. My throat and eyes swell shut when I work with mohair…
3 Margene // Jun 21, 2005 at 3:40 pm
Another tempting lace shawl. Yarn and pattern in my stash but your color is just too beautiful for words. I’m trying to resist!
4 Deb // Jun 21, 2005 at 10:04 pm
It IS a lovely yarn, isn’t it? I really want to do something else with Kidsilk Haze, very soon! I’ve even got some sitting in my closet, twiddling its yarn ends . . .
5 Laurie // Jun 21, 2005 at 10:44 pm
I fondled some today at the Fiberloft….in Dewberry…I was SO tempted, but other things were clamoring for my attention. Got some Noro for Auntie.
6 Cassie // Jun 21, 2005 at 11:16 pm
I’ve been having my own private little war with Birch, but I have to admit, the feel of the stuff in my hands has helped me to stave off any dissatisfaction with the project. It is really and truly heavenly to handle.
7 lynne s of oz // Jun 22, 2005 at 9:16 am
I found you again, Risa! Puter problems – lost all my bookmarks…. Glad to hear you are over the sinus headache – they can be awful – throbbing teeth etc. Noice stash enhancement too.
Birch is tempting but the cost of the pattern book makes me say umm no thanks… Everyone seems to love kidsilk haze – $26-26 a ball here. Ouch!
8 Erin // Jun 22, 2005 at 9:45 am
Wow, that color for Birch is perfect. It’s going to look fabulous!
9 Nancy // Jun 22, 2005 at 7:44 pm
Are you doing the st st or garter version? You know I love everything about it… knit on.
10 Donna // Jun 29, 2005 at 3:51 pm
Can’t wait to see your progress on Birch. I think I really NEED to make it! I love the color. I was debating between the colors,blushes or liquer.