Dear Libby --
I think that perhaps it's time to put the last post behind me an move on to a more enjoyable topic. I guess one thing that we learn as mothers is that the process is constantly teaching us something and constantly forcing us to draw on reserves of strength that we didn't know we had. Parenting is so much about the long haul... something I didn't really understand until Ms. Z came into the world. Perhaps Mr. C is sharing that with you, too.
Speaking of perseverance, I've hit a small milestone on your Dragon shawl.
Although this is just the corner, it marks the point at which I have actually started knitting bits of the dragon -- row 55. Of course, the bits aren't really visible yet, that's going to take another 10-20 rows before his foreleg really becomes apparent. But it's started, and after all that ring lace, it is definitely a milestone for this project.
Actually, though, the ring lace and I have begun to have a meeting of the minds. After I inserted those stitch markers, things go much better, and after 20-odd rows of it, my brain started to see the patterns it needed to see in order to help my hands make a better go of it.
And when you get it blocked out a little bit, it is quite lovely to look at. A fitting background for a dragon, I think.
This shawl is going to also have another unique quality -- I think it's going to have something of a minty fresh smell. You might notice that white line at the top of the picture above... that is my most recent "life line". Taking a hint some folks made after my previous post, I decided to try out dental floss instead of yarn. Definitely a good suggestion as it threaded in easily and slides around well without pulling out. I'm hoping I won't need to roll anything back, but, just in case, my Crest "Glide" is going to be there to make it a little easier for me.
I wish this were going a bit faster, but I'm finding it hard to work on when it's not daylight out. I need good light to deal with the tiny stitches. And even when I do have good light, the thought I have to put into the lace pattern means that I can't do too much without taking a break, lest my brain get tired and I make some mistake that means an unpleasant amount of tinking. So I get in about two rows a sitting, if I'm lucky... and only about 6 rows a week.
I guess I'm going to have to cop to that whole "slow and steady" thing... but, even at that rate, if I could keep it up, I should be able to finish before Mr. C heads off to college...
Love to you,
T
Actually, though, the ring lace and I have begun to have a meeting of the minds. After I inserted those stitch markers, things go much better, and after 20-odd rows of it, my brain started to see the patterns it needed to see in order to help my hands make a better go of it.
And when you get it blocked out a little bit, it is quite lovely to look at. A fitting background for a dragon, I think.This shawl is going to also have another unique quality -- I think it's going to have something of a minty fresh smell. You might notice that white line at the top of the picture above... that is my most recent "life line". Taking a hint some folks made after my previous post, I decided to try out dental floss instead of yarn. Definitely a good suggestion as it threaded in easily and slides around well without pulling out. I'm hoping I won't need to roll anything back, but, just in case, my Crest "Glide" is going to be there to make it a little easier for me.
I wish this were going a bit faster, but I'm finding it hard to work on when it's not daylight out. I need good light to deal with the tiny stitches. And even when I do have good light, the thought I have to put into the lace pattern means that I can't do too much without taking a break, lest my brain get tired and I make some mistake that means an unpleasant amount of tinking. So I get in about two rows a sitting, if I'm lucky... and only about 6 rows a week.
I guess I'm going to have to cop to that whole "slow and steady" thing... but, even at that rate, if I could keep it up, I should be able to finish before Mr. C heads off to college...
Love to you,
T
P.S. To all of you who left comments on Friday and to those of you who might not have done so but might have sent some good energy my way... please know that the weekend has been a good thing and I am feeling much better. All your thoughts and good wishes were and continue to be much appreciated. Sometimes I use my blog to document my craft projects... sometimes I use it to write and release whatever I need to write about. Thank you very much for reading and for listening to my voice even when it isn't always a happy one.
Hugs and happiness to you.
And have fun knitting the dragon's foot.
I'm glad that things are going a bit better. Hopefully things will continue to improve and life will be this pleasant rose colored world. But if not, people are here for you.
so glad you're feeling a bit better. If you are concerned about having enough daylight to work on the dragon shawl as the days grow shorter, you might want to consider an Ott light. I have one (a floor model) next to my knitting spot & I think it works better than a lot of sunlit days for making knitting easy to read. The dragon shawl is gorgeou - almost makes me wish I knew someone who would love it.
Good idea -- I have a small ott light for my desk, but I don't like doing a lot of knitting at my desk. Maybe I need to put one of the floor mounted ones on my Christmas list this year...
I'm happy you are feeling a little better. That is a wonderfully pretty color.
You can catch a tiger by the tail, but you (definitely) have to catch a dragon by the toe! Glad you're feeling a bit better--and isn't tonight date night?