One and Only

First things first . . . Happy anniversary, Chappy! I told you two weeks ago about the imposter who almost snuck into our lives. But anyway . . . I'm never sure if this will work, or not, but here's a couple-minute video snippet of the highlights of Chappy's first day with us. Our arrival at the breeder's to see the puppy pile just waking up. ("Red Ear" is the sulky-looking one at the bottom of the pile.) A bit of me trying to choose my puppy. And then a minute or so of Chappy romping around our slippery-floored kitchen. I, at least, think it's absolutely worth watching, but I'm a little biased. As I say, I hope it works. Let's try that YouTube thing, and there's also a link to download the .wmv file)....

Download chappy_homecoming_2001.wmv

Now, with that obligatory, "I adore my dog" moment over with . . .

I started the swatch for my Autum Rose.

In fact, I started it last night, on Suzanne Ebony US #2 needles, but I was having trouble with the chart. I was having trouble with the print-out of my colorized version, so I was working off the main chart from the book, but I'd lose my place, or I'd get confused . . . the "pattern" is the lighter yarn color, with the background being darker, and yet the black-and-white version of the chart has the pattern showing in black squares . . . so I kept getting mixed up as to which was which and where I was, and it was a mess! So, I stopped after about 6 rows, until I could revamp the color version so I could work off of that.

But then, I pulled out a measuring tape, just to get a very rough idea of the size . . . and it looked like I was getting about 24 stitches to 4" rather than the 30 the pattern called for. So, just before bed, I switched the swatch to US #1 Addi Lace needles, and those are the needles I've been using for the rest of the swatch. I'm happy with the way the fabric looks, so, that's all that matters, right? I'll crunch numbers as needed later on, when the swatch is complete, washed, dried, and measured (from where I switched needles, of course).

I do keep wondering, though. Someone (Alice Starmore, maybe?) is supposed to have said that you should never change both colors on the same row, that you get a better and/or more subtle effect if you change only one at a time . . . so I'm wondering . . . what if I adjusted the pattern just a little, so that I change one color at a time? I'm thinking about finishing the swatch with that in mind, just to see what it looks like. Because, well, I'm curious. Not to mention that it's completely unlike me to simply use the colors called for in any pattern, ever, and since I am doing that . . . I'm kind of feeling like I should play around a little more . . . Or is that just silly? (Although, of course, we're just talking about the swatch right now, and it's MY sweater, after all, so why not....)

I've got to say, though, the fringe of loose, broken ends on the swatch is kind of driving me nuts. Since the sweater is knitted circularly from the right side, I'm only knitting my swatch from the front--as I finish each row, I'm breaking off the yarn, sliding back to the other end of my circular needle, and then knitting the next row . . . but that trail of broken ends is kind of bugging me . . . But then, you know how I like things to be tidy.

Knitting isn't all I did today, though. I had a coupon to DSW that was about to expire, so Mom and I went shoe shopping. Because, what better way to spend the hottest, most humid day of the summer so far than to look at autumn footwear, right? You, in particular, should like the sneakers--they're brown corduroy, but with an argyle motif on the side. Playful, comfortable, and knit-like, what could be better?

The only hitch? The boots. The salesperson forgot to remove the anti-theft dye device from the zipper, so either I have to take them back to have it removed, or take Mom up on her offer to do it for me. How silly! But I love them, anyway. they remind me of the flat, scrunchy boots I wore most of the way through high school. For whatever reason, I've always loved wearing boots.... Isn't it autumn yet??

Also, this arrived today, too. Four ounces of Lincoln wool in "Harvest Haze." Pretty, no? I've never spun with Lincoln before and have absolutely no idea what to expect.

Oh, and my niece is moved into her dorm room and is now officially a college student. Now my sister just needs to get my nephew ready for high school on Monday and then, hopefully, she can breathe a sigh of relief. It's been kind of crazy over at their house lately.

Last, just before I forget--here's my very hot and hazy Saturday Sky picture for Sandy the Birthday Girl. I'm just sorry it's not a "better" sky. Hot. And hazy. And did I mention that it's hot? Not triple digits, like huge chunks of the US has been suffering with lately, but still . . . hot.

Comments

[Amy]

I couldn't get the video to work, but that might just be me. Happy anniversary, Chappy, and many many more!

[pixie]

Yeah in hindsite I wish I could have just done one of the medium golds as a background color for the ENTIRE thing and then only had to deal with the ends on the "colored" rows.. would have been easier to knit, needed less yarn.. but who knows if it would be as pretty.. so hard to say! Whatever makes you want to knit it and finish I say is good motviation.

[Carrie K]

Switching up the colors makes it more yours, if you know what I mean.

Happy Anniversary to you & Chappy! and may you have many more.

Boots! I love boots. It can't be autumn fast enough for me.

[Chris]

Happy anniversary, Chappy!! Oh, you'd hate my pseudo-circular swatches - I just leave long loops of yarn behind and don't break them off. Even messier! :)

[JessaLu]

Happy Anniversary, Chappy! Jazz watched the video with me and she thinks you're very cute! ;o)

Like you said - it's your sweater so switch away!

[minnie]

for once, we had the lovely weather today. a gorgeous day for liam's birthday, fer sure.

and i read somewhere that you don't have to break the yarn, just loosely strand it across the back. of course, i did that with ONE color, and not 5 or 6! (i seem to have the same gauge with circular AND flat knitting, woohoo!)

[CindyCindy]

I only got the video of Chappy's first time home. OMG, how adorable. How did you avoid bringing them all home????? As for Autumn Rose, it will be lovely.

[Karen]

Give Chappy a big anniversary bone for me! I was able to view the video . . . not the YouTube but the .wmv one. I swatch the same way as you, but I tie knots and snug them up real tight at the beginning and end of every row. This keeps those first couple and last couple of stitches from getting sloppy-looking.

[lisa]

I think it's funny that baby Chappy was more interested in your feet than a stuffed dog! Switch away says I, but only if you want to. I haven't swatched color work, but have heard to do it like Minnie and Chris say.

[Micky]

Happy Anniversary! Hope you get extra doggie chews and treats for the cuteness.
Lovely swatch! I say if you want to change around the colors, go for it. You are the one who will wear it after all.
:)

[Julie]

Oh -- Chappy was an adorable puppy!!

[Kim]

Happy anniversary Chappy! Autumn Rose is so pretty! Better to play around with the swatch than have to do any major frogging. I'm glad to be back from vacation but so much catching up to do!

[Sheila]

Chappy is so cute and as a pup even cuter. Happy Aniversary with many more to come.

[Judy G.]

How can you not feel happy when you see a dog wag its tail? Happy anniversary.

[Phyl]

Love the shoes!

[Carol]

How adorable! It's hard to concentrate on knitting with all that cuteness going on! I love your style in shoes! And DSW is my other playground. I got the same boots! Oh, this is FL? No matter;)

[Marnie]

Awwww, the Chappy movie is too much. So you knew what you were going to call him before he came home? Wow, that's impressive. We always have to meet the pup, get to know her, debate, reject each other's suggestions and finally come up with THE name.

[Carol]

I was in Italy this spring and they were having summer weather. Everyone was wearing shorts, mini skirts and their boots. So go ahead!

[Ina]

Happy Anniversary Chappy! Such cute puppy video!!

Autumn Rose looks more distinctive in your swatch than in the other photos I've seen. Wowza!