2 days 'til the show /knitting ramble

So, we're swamped. By got half a day at home Sunday; he'll get a whole day off next Sat. We plan to sleep in, way past 8:30 (which is, by comparison, sleeping quite late), and spend quality time with the cats.

Robyn's a bit disappointed, I think, that By won't have any of his metalwork to put in the show, but by the time he thought about it, there just wasn't time. Maybe next year (okay, we've said that before). I'm going to try to push him a little more next year to plan and complete something with the show in mind.

I've been knitting way too much while he's gone. I'm trying to finish a couple of projects to have for the show, and I think I'll make it. Won't be doing much for a couple of days afterwards; my hands really need the break.

I went to Yarn Barn unsupervised again yesterday--just needed a couple of skeins to finish the hairpin lace shawl. Did I mention that By took the time to make me a hairpin lace frame? It's rosewood and springsteel, and is *so* much nicer than the ones I could find for sale online. He's so sweet! Anyway, I ended up leaving with those 3 skeins, plus some stuff out of their clearance pile (a big bag of Rowan brand chenille, which normally runs about $17/ball, for much less), and some stuff to start a new project. This is one I've been contemplating for a few months. I've been doing these big colorful triangular shawls, partly as relaxation knitting, and partly to explore color and textures. I've got 4 finished, and another half done. I've been thinking about doing a large shawl in one color, with very similar hues, and just play with the textual changes. Reading some of my books last night, I found a nice, very simple circular shawl worked in the round. Which means I can start with the 4 skeins I got yesterday, plus a little that I've already got, and just add more stuff in later. I'll probably start it Thurs night, since Robyn lets me knit while I play banker for her.

Errands, etc

Looks like the blouse to go under the corset won't get done in time; I went to Lawrence shopping for something that would do. Got a black lace top that matches the skirt; it's a bit more goth than I had in mind, but it's comfy, and it's not too bulky under the corset. I hope. I'd gone to the yarn store (again!) after getting the blouse, kinda looking for something to do another quick scarf that would better matchthe final outfit. But, they didn't have anything the right color, in the fine mohair yarns. I think the rust/reds of the one I've almost finished will do.

I have to put the knitting down for a few hours today. Besides having errands to run, my joints have reminded me, forcefully, that I just can't knit 10 hrs a day 3 days in a row without paying for it. Ouch. I'm getting old. But, two projects are completely done, and the other three that I want done by Thursday will take an evening of finishing work. So, sore but accomplished.

Something accomplished, anyway

Two of the scarves are finished. One for me, one's a surprise for someone. The hairpin lace one still needs a little work, but I've been redesigning parts of it as I go, and I don't need it done right away. So, everything I felt I *had* to have done by Thursday for the show is done now.

As a reward to myself, I started the white shawl early. So far, I've used a cotton chenille, a mohair/acrylic blend, a flat rayon ribbon, and a nice worsted wool, and it's about 16" across. But this is the fast part. I may have to stop and get a longer circular needle (or two) to make this easier to work during the show. We'll see. I've managed to knit past the stiff joints and into the "what joints?" stage. I may not knit this weekend.