A Beret, Nearly

I hope all of you in the States had as nice a Thanksgiving as I did. On Wednesday, it was 60 degrees Fahrenheit here in Cleveland. On Thursday, we had lovely and festive snow. Yay! My sister and her boyfriend were here from St. Paul and my aunt Becky came for the day from Akron. We had a great day, watching football, eating a ton, and playing a new game, Bananagrams. It's like a fast and loose version of Scrabble. Very fun.

And here is my holiday weekend knitting, blocking on a dinner plate. With this cold weather arriving, I realized that I need a hat. I wanted something relatively simple, so that I could knit while chatting with my visitors. I chose Tweed Beret (here's the Ravelry link), from the Winter 2006 Interweave Knits. The yarn is more of the Cascade 220 that I also used for my Dashing mitts. I just finished it up; it's a great quick pattern.

Because I am a relaxed knitter, I used smaller needles than the pattern called for. Unfortunately, as a result, my hat is a little more cloche-like than beret-like. Hopefully, the blocking will give it a little more slouch. If not, it still looks cute. And I can always knit another!

Thankful

My blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving from Chez Affiknitty!

Perfect Happiness

I mean, really. Could it get any better than this?



ETA: Only if Thom were singing in my living room.

Gratitude and Missing Sock Mojo

Thanks everyone for your comments and emails on my last post. It occurred to me later that perhaps that wasn't the best title for a post in which I announce my impending divorce. Really, I am doing fine. Phoebe's comment (wish I could figure out how to link to a comment) involving the "frogging a project that just isn't working at all" metaphor really is spot on. I've always been one to stick with things even when it's clear something's not right (everyone together, now ... "Simple Knitted Bodice!"). I have learned the hard way, though, that some things that are broken cannot be fixed. And Tricia's comment as well was exactly right; once the first big hard step was taken, the subsequent steps have not been nearly as hard.

I am trying to respond personally to everyone's comments ... if you haven't heard from me, it's likely because you left your comment recently, or I can't find an email address for you. I am so grateful for your warm thoughts and support!

Meanwhile, I am Woefully Late in sending a sock to a friend. It was supposed to be with her last week, and I have not finished it. The Sox Boycott of 2007 didn't help, but frankly, I've also had more than my share of sock knitting problems with this project. Gauge issues. Bad yarn-pattern combo. And then another bad yarn-pattern combo. And now, we might be back to gauge problems. Or at least size problems. Sigh.

So, naturally, I want to work on anything else. But knitting my lovely red cables when someone is waiting induces much knitterly guilt. Maybe the procrastination doesn't count if I'm crocheting?

Sedge Stitch Washcloth (Ravelry link), pattern by Lion Brand. Inspired by brainylady.

Slinking Out from Under My Rock

What was that I said about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory?

One would probably assume that I've been hiding. True, it did take me some time to recover from that crushing loss. Rest assured, though, Ellen and I have been discussing sock yarn preferences and I'll be making good on that bet. Details to follow.

Here's what I have been working on. Lots of red cables.

This is the back of a Veste Everest, in Knit Picks Andean Silk from the stash. Another thing I've been doing is falling in love with this yarn. It's so yummy and soft. It has a beautiful little halo of fuzziness around it. I am sorely tempted to buy mass quantities of the stuff. Having recently moved into the Villa of Reduced Circumstances, however, it's probably not the best time for stash enhancement.

Speaking of that, you may recall that late in the summer I mentioned that big changes were impending Chez Affiknitty. Well, last week, one of those changes came to pass. This fall has seen my transition from stay-at-home to working mom. Now, I'm also transitioning to "single mom." It's a hard change, to be sure, but one that was a long time in coming. I could use a knitting-as-life metaphor here, I suppose, but I'll refrain. I'll just say that it's for the best, the boys and I are fine, and I'm very hopeful about the future.

I think I'll leave you with some music. It's pretty much been all Andrew Bird, all the time around here. Here's another track from Armchair Apocrypha.