Ooh, Shiny!

No, that's not me being distracted by a new project. That's just what it looks like around here.

Here's the recipe:

First, you have a messy, sleety storm to put down a sheet of ice on anything that wasn't cleared, salted, or sanded. Allow to rest for two days. Then, have another storm to add an inch or so of snow. Blend rain with sleet and pour over the top. Add massive amounts of wind to polish, and then drop the temperature dramatically to freeze everything solid.

The result is that, while our roads are clear, everything else is completely locked in this slick, smooth, shiny coat of ice. (I drove past a car dealership earlier that looks like it's not going to be able to move any new models for months . . . literally.) It's not a deep layer, mind you, but it's strong and can support a person's weight without a crack.

It's really very, very pretty. How often do you get to walk through a world that looks like it's made from blown glass?

But cold. Did I mention that it's cold?

There are a couple of new projects in the works, though, but not of the "ooh, shiny!" distraction variety.  The only active knitting project I've got going right now (other than the ongoing socks in my purse) is my lace shawl, which is nearing the end. Then, I'm halfway through making a Tudora, which is a nice, quick little knit, and I'm gearing up for my next sweater.

Yes, yes, I know, my Autumn Rose isn't entirely done since I haven't finished off her seams, but she's definitely off the needles, the ends are woven in and that makes her an Alteration project, not a Knitting project any more, so I need a sweater on the needles. And I've got the perfect one.

Remember a couple of weeks ago when Silvia posted pictures from the new Phildar book? Well, I fell in love with that cardigan, and Silvia, while an enabler, is a helpful enabler. She bought two copies of the book--thus saving a fair amount of money on the postage from Canada--and is forwarding on my copy. Not only that, but she scanned the pattern and e-mailed it to me so I could get a head start. Can't complain about that, now, can I?

I've got the perfect yarn in my stash, too. At least I hope I do. Eleven skeins of Karabella Aurora 8 in a lovely, dark denim blue. I fully expect my gauge to be different (when is it NOT), but it should be in the ballpark and certainly close enough to be reasonable to tweak the numbers if necessary.

The only question is whether I have enough yardage. Let's see...Phildar Partner comes 72 yds to a skein, Karabella Aurora 8 comes with 98. The pattern calls for 13 skeins of Parter which is (tap tap tap) 936 yards and I've got (tap tap) 1078 yards of Aurora . . . even allowing for (cough) differences of gauge, I think I'm okay, there!

Though . . . drat . . . I just realized that (thanks to Silvia's scan that I should have looked at more carefully before I picked up the needles) I should have done my gauge swatch with 1x1 rib, not stockinette stitch. Oops!

Comments

[Teyani]

that camel colored cardi is adorable. I hope you have enough yarn to make it. Denim blue would be great - that kind of wonderful pattern makes me almosy willing to spring for the shipping costs.

hey, btw, I tried to answer (again) your nice comment on my blog, and it bounced back as a permanent failure. (bah humbug)

[Sil]

Ooh, fingers crossed on gauge goodies! I hope the P.O. is working OT getting that mag to you...

[Chris]

Oh, look at all that ice - slippery! What does Chappy think of it? I'm going to cross my fingers about having enough yarn.......

[Kim]

I am really enjoying looking at the shiny landscape! Especially at night with christmas lights to give it a glow. It just might be hard enough to ice skate on (but I ain't gonna try it). I love both new projects! You need a break from the Autumn Rose for sure.

[Deborah]

Love the winter pictures! It definitely helps set the holiday spirit. The new sweater is going to be awesome in that blue!

[Lorette]

Oooh, ice! That means the ER will be full of little old ladies with broken wrists and hips. Be careful out there.
I love that Phildar sweater too. I also love the color yarn you're using. It does seem a bit odd to have the gauge swatch in ribbing though. I'm not sure I've ever seen that.

[lisa]

Kind of looks like that around here, though we didn't get the rain and I imagine it's deeper and not quite as crusty here. But we did go out on snowshoes at lunch in it...good fun. I liked that tudora too, and the scottish kilt hose. What a great looking cardi!

[JessaLu]

Nice ice pic!

I like the Tudora - it's on my 'to knit someday' list. Yours looks great so far!

Love that sweater!

[Kristi aka Fiber Fool]

Oooo, I like that cardi. Do you recall what the largest size is??

[Carrie K]

Details. Did you knit the new gauge swatch yet? Pretty!

And wow is that ice ever pretty! Dangerous as all get out though, I'm sure.