rThanks to everyone for their encouragement regarding the Ingeborg kit. Yes, I bought it. Not a terrible surprise. Heck, I think I finalized the order before I actually finalized the blog post. I have until Saturday to finish my vest as that is when Ingeborg is going to be delivered according to the shipping notification I got. Kidding. Actually Klaralund is up first and then Ingeborg. I’m done now. Seriously done buying yarn for sweaters. I’m up to my eyes in sweater yarn. I must have enough for a dozen sweaters, easy. While I’m a fast knitter, I’m not that fast. Not to mention, I’m going to have to pack all this stuff soon, move it, and find a new home for it! Speaking of which, the folks and I discussed the whole moving timeline. April. I’ll need to start the whole sorting/packing/cleaning thing after the Olympics with the aim of being fully out of the apartment by April 30th. Nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I just hope it isn’t an oncoming train.
Anyway, I made further progress on my vest. Completing two and a half repeats in the medium orange. As of the end of this morning’s commute, I’m two rounds from finishing the third repeat. With a total of 5 to do before the black border below the snowflakes, I’m getting awfully close. With recent daily production, I should be done with this section easily tonight.
I have to thank Stephanie for thinking up this whole knitting olympics thing. At the rate I was going in trying the whole colorwork thing (remember I’ve been knitting 30-mumble years now), I don’t know if I ever would have tried it. It was the striving to rise to a new challenge that finally got me to try it. Now? I love it. I don’t care if I medal or not, that isn’t the point of the Olympics is it? I don’t think so. Only a small percentage of the 2400 atheletes in Turin will be taking home a medal, but they all get something out of the games, don’t they? I think so. If I don’t finish (and no I’m not using this as an excuse to fling the vest aside and start Ingeborg when it arrives), I’ve gotten something out of these knitterly games. I got a new found love of colorwork; a technique that I’ve admired greatly from afar, but can now enjoy myself. I pushed myself and I succeeded. The medal will just be icing on the cake.
Lisa tagged me with the show your knitting space meme. Please excuse the mess, but heck, the place is inhabited by a lazy-arsed, domestically challenged knitter, two short people and 3 cats. Welcome to my less than neat cluttered abode…
I can usually be found parked on the end of the couch that is currently free of knitting and cat(s). Unless of course there is a child there conveniently located next to the telephone and cluster of remote controls for the various electronic goodies opposite. If a short person has taken over the favored spot, I have been known to relocate to the white chair my spokescat Sara is modeling. That basket on the "end table" is a collection of the various projects in the "Active" knitting list including, but not limited to, my Diamond Fantasy Shawl, Birch, mittens and FLak sweater. It also houses, sometimes when the kids leave it allow, a tape measure, nail clippers and a variety of other knitterly doodads. There are three wheels in the spinning wheel gaggle at the other end of the couch: Lendrum Saxony, Majacraft Suzie Pro and Lendrum upright. Actually tucked between the Saxony and the end of the couch is a paper shredder and a totebag with other "wips", including Eris. Here’s the view from the beloved spot:
I hate to say it, but that overflow of yarn, isn’t the entire stash. There’s more and I ain’t showing it. The yarn in the cabinet tends to be my sock yarn and laceweight stuff. On top of the entertainment center in "yarn overflow" is the bulk of my Rowan stash, along with 3 packs of the Jaeger Shetland Aran. I had the TV for a change so instead of Big Comfy Couch, you can see South Park 
Now that I’m mortified that others are seeing my clutter, I’m going to code a new tool. As for tagging someone, if you haven’t been tagged yet, consider yourself tagged!
Craft on!
13 responses so far ↓
1 Carole // Feb 16, 2006 at 11:17 am
I wanna see the rest of the stash.
2 Kris // Feb 16, 2006 at 11:21 am
Risa, you just made me feel a whole lot better about MY working space(s) (yes, of course more than one) and stash. There are other people out there who have priorities more important than stupid housecleaning! How refreshing to know that I am not alone. Thanks, I needed this. :O) And I love your yarn cabinet.
3 margene // Feb 16, 2006 at 11:43 am
You’ll do it! Colorwork is rewarding and since your working on vest you will get the gold!
4 pixie // Feb 16, 2006 at 12:45 pm
ur burnin the midnight oil!
Last night I put down my mohair cardigan (when I hung up my Olympic hat) and grabbed my yarn for the helloyarn.com skully fair isle hat! It’s a cute little small hat and I’m going to do it in baby blues. So I was trying to swatch (in the round, 3 stitches) and it feels like SUCH a mess. Do you knit fair isle with a color in each hand or both in the left? I can’t remember. All I know is your stitch definition is GREAT, some fair isle knitters who try the first time, the stitches are wonky or kinda disapear. Yours is very very clean! I WANT MINE TO LOOK LIKE YOURS!! lol
What did you use to “learn” or did you just go for it?
5 April // Feb 16, 2006 at 12:45 pm
wow! that’s a nice giant yarn cabinet
6 pixie // Feb 16, 2006 at 12:46 pm
er i mean in the round, 30 stitches.
7 --Deb // Feb 16, 2006 at 2:16 pm
I think your vest is looking fabulous–and agree. Your color definition is great!
And, April sounds good–just pick a moving day that’s not raining, is all . . .
8 Christine // Feb 16, 2006 at 3:25 pm
Your place looks a lot better than mine… and I don’t even have any short people!
Your vest is really coming along nicely! Glad to hear that you are enjoying the colorwork.
9 Angelia // Feb 16, 2006 at 4:20 pm
I’m with Carole …the rest of the stash! Wow. That wasn’t all of it in the picture?? Oh, I am soooo stash challenged.
The vest is amazing.
I see that Queen Sara is doing her job. You know. Overseeing the house.
10 mich // Feb 16, 2006 at 7:26 pm
The vest is coming along so nicely. Go, go, go!! (yes that’s my cheer) I’m so proud of myself for restraining I did click on cara’s link – but I closed that new tab so quick like.
You have your wheels with the kids – do they leave them alone? I could not tell by the picture if they were empty or not. I have to take bobbin and all off incase one of the brood decides to take mine for a spin.
And your space is not all that bad – you still got floor!!
11 lynne s of oz // Feb 17, 2006 at 5:54 am
I’m loving your vest, Risa, though I’d do one for me in the violet colours. So lush! And seeing your space is interesting. Noone sees my space cos it is spread over most of the house (but interestingly not the bedroom!)
And the move is going to be so good for you as long as you can get along with *living* with your parents. Has to be better than having that crappy landlord above you! plus the kids will have a place to play…
12 Kim // Feb 17, 2006 at 10:30 am
Your vest is looking lovely and you have done it so quickly! I ma impressed!
13 JessaLu // Feb 17, 2006 at 12:47 pm
YAY!! You have a moving date!!! That’s gotta have you smiling
)
Your vest looks great! Holy yarn stash, Batman! I’d say that I want to see the rest of it however, since I have a large-ish stash myself I know how much work that involves. So…take pictures when you’re moving it ;o)
Hmmm…do I want to answer the call to show my knitting space…hmmmm