Sunday, March 05, 2006

I'm back, and I have the combination!

For no apparent reason, blogger has decided I may post photos again. So here is the Pinwheel Baby Blanket:


Geronimo has agreed to endorse the Pinwheel Blanket: "Geronimo says--it's good for laying on!"


Notes: I used 4 balls of Filatura di Crosa Baby Zarella in Pink (480 yards), and 2 balls of Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in Mulled Wine (220 yards) on size 7 needles. I ended with 550 stitches on the last round and used the i-cord cast off. It helps stabilize the stockinette curling. I-cord cast-off for 550 stitches really did take half a skein--I was glad I decided not to try for another row or two. The blanket is 32" in diameter, almost exactly what I was going for. I used one full skein of WotA for the center section.

More knitting:

I cast on for the Child's Placket Pullover from Last Minute Knitted Gifts in Knitpicks Shine Twist in Romance (for the same baby who will receive the blanket). I like the colors, and I'm enjoying the yarn. I love this pattern (and the book), but if you would like to make this sweater, be sure to check the publisher's web page for errata. This is the fifth of this pattern I've made, and it's quick and simple with a very nice result. I took a picture of Tubey, but since it's a grey rectangle about 8" long, it's pretty boring. I'll post when I get to an elbow stripe. I'm still working out the stripe pattern. I found great inspiration at Lickety Knit, where Rachel has posted photos of her Tubey, which is the most amazing one I've run across. My colors are completely different, but I'm working from the stripe pattern she created--once I saw it, I couldn't imagine my Tubey any other way. Here's hoping Rachel thinks that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Reading; I finished The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde. The short review is that I liked it. It's not as wildly complex as the Thursday Next series, but it was a fun meta-detective story with some surprising twists. There were unexpected bonuses like the entirely enjoyable character of Prometheus, and it addresses issues with gravity and thoughtfulness. I will definitely read the next one (I believe it comes out in July). Next up: a quick fluffy read, the first Blackbird Sisters Mystery by Nancy Martin, How to Murder a Millionaire. I haven't decided on my next substantial reading. I have The Year of Magical Thinking coming up for my book club, so I might need some fluff until then.

Writing: Still on Chapter 3 of the murder mystery.

Cooking: Nothing of note. Working on menus for dinner party and book club.

5 comments:

Knittypants said...

The pinwheel blanket turned out really nice. I like those colors together alot. Same with the Child's Placket Sweater, the color you chose is lovely.

snowdrop said...

cats just love to get all over everything, don't they?! the colours for your sweater are lovely... nice!

knottygnome said...

ooh, the blanket is very nice.

Steph said...

I like the round blanket, although I looked at the pattern and the beginning is pretty confusing. :-p Yours looks good anyway!

Rachel said...

Hey, just found your blog -- please copy my stripe pattern! I could even send you the chart I made to work from, if that would be helpful to you. It's a Microsoft Word document.

I love your two-color pinwheel blanket -- it looks great!