"Where have you been??"

Did you know that pansies die if you don't deadhead them?

Yeah, I didn't either. I can only hope that the seeds they died to produce will germinate before the frosts. You know, the frosts in October. Or so.

What? Oh, you asked me a question?

Huh. Well, now, that's a gosh-darn good question, actually. I'm not really sure. Clearly, I haven't been gardening (dead pansies). And I haven't been knitting very much. And tonight was the first night I've watched television since before my mother's visit -- which has been over for a good 3 or 4 (or maybe 5) weeks now.

By the way, summer network TV sucks. Apparently, in the summer, the backwoods folks who don't have cable (like me) only want to watch reality shows.

Except that I hate reality shows.

It's almost enough to make one resubscribe to cable.

Or, we could get back to that knitting comment.

Note the qualifier: tonight, you see, I picked up the Web (that would be Charlotte's) again. And I knitted (and purled; why do you suppose "knit" is the generic verb?) up rows 17 through 26; if I was using 5 colors, I would be starting my second color when I pick up said Web again. (I'm using 4, so I won't.) I did it while watching TV ("new to me" of NCIS). I made one mistake, but I caught it before I'd even left the lace pattern. (That is, before I'd gone more than about 7-10 stitches, depending how you count them.) The two last facts lead me to think I might actually get to the point where many knitters want to throw the shawl (Charlotte's or not) into a corner because it's Just. Not. Progressing. (As opposed to merely ignoring the almost-completely-unknit yarn in the clear bag hanging on the post right next to the TV because one is, ahem, scared of the project.)

I also may have made a sock toe. It's in the super-extra-good-buy yarn. They're going to be purty (even though they have no pattern), and they're going to be warm (which is good because I have super-cold feet in the winter), and I'm going to have made them myself. You know. If I finish the foot and the heel and the leg and the whole other sock. So there's a "them" to talk about.

(By the way, Amazing Savings is not selling Cotton-Ease. I'm actually kind of disappointed.)

There were a couple more rows of Shedir (the hat from Knitty, that Ashley knit up so prettily) done at some point. I'm feeling more confident that I am, in fact, knitting correctly. (Yes, that was in reference to Charlotte her Web, but it had me nervous about Shedir's super-fantastic cables also. Now? If they come out wonky, they come out wonky. I'll deal with it then.) However, I made a genuine mistake somewhere: the latest row didn't end correctly. I can't read left-twisted and right-normal (and vice versa) cable knitting the way I can Charlotte, so Shedir awaits while her fait is decided: frog? or forge on? Ah, the thrills of knitting!

The sweater is still languishing. Shut up. I don't want to hear it.

I'm thinking about buying Scarf Style. Because you know what's great about scarves (and shawls)? They don't have to be a specific size; it's not the end of the world if you don't know your gauge.

(On the other hand, I love this article. Jenna Wilson may be my hero.)

And since a blog is boring without pictures, I leave you with this:

(Yes, it's blurry. In fact, I'm hoping there's no "big" picture to go with it, because that's just a Really Massive Blur which gives one a headache.) (**Edited to add: there is a big picture. I cannot emphasize what a bad idea it would be to click on the big picture. Really. A headache is the least of it.) Aren't the colors pretty? They're dead/dying fuchsia flowers. I was deadheading the plant, and all I could think was what a great colorway the old flowers made. That fantastic vibrant fuchsia, and the deeper purple, with the brown mixed in... Mm.

Maybe I'll find it someday. I'll let you know.

Oh, and about that question you asked:

I don't know where I've been. But let me know if you've seen me!

Comments

[terby]

Scarf Style is a really fun book. I will make several things from it, even though I grump about how long scarves get.

Jenna is my hero too - all her articles are really informative.

[Ashley]

I was just browsing longingly through Scarf Style this evening. I haven't made anything from it yet, but there are very few patterns I wouldn't make if I had the time and competence (oh, the intarsia dragon!!).

Persevere on the Shedir--I borrowed the bottom cable section for the socks I'm knitting for Sockapal2za, and I realized mid-repeat today that I didn't need the chart anymore! It was like a little knitting miracle. You'll get there too--in the meantime, stitch markers!

[Cathi]

It took me a couple of browsings, but I did fall in love with SS. Definitely get it, I would say.

It sounds like you've been doing well, though, no?

Notice my avoidance of the I owe you a hundred billion e-mails subject. And a package.

[Jody]

I hope this reality tv thing is a phase and will pass out of existence soon. I've avoided the cable subscription by joining Netflix.

[cyn]

Backwoods folks? I live in downtown Denver and I don't have cable either. There's just too much junk on.

Scarf Style is a terrific book! Not just for some beautiful scarves, but I think it challenges you to try new stitch patterns.