As HWWV Would Say: "I am Knackered"

I have a contact stuck in my eye, my hair is greasy, my thighs are sticking together and I stink of self-tanner.

But Raspy is in the dryer.

The suspense is killing me. And the thing is, I have spent most of this day knitting that last sleeve and my hands are sore. I even have a little blister starting on my left hand middle finger from purling (I purl in a strange continental fashion where I don't pick; instead, I flick, but it works and is fast).

And this is the sick part: I have a pile of (clean) laundry that has sat in the upstairs loft for almost a week, unfolded, no dinner planned to speak of, a hungry child, a hungry husband, a hungry dog, a hungry cat, and all I can think of is what will be the next thing I knit, and can I start it tonight?

I do not want to go back to the On the Needles list and work on that stuff. I do not want to do socks. I do not want to tackle the Wannabe Corset Top just yet. I just want to do something quick and dirty, you know? Something sort of like a short snort in a dirty glass.

But Raspy. I figured out why she is so long: The dreaded row count gauge. This Den-M-Nit from Elann.com has the same stitch gauge printed on the label as the Rowan yarn, but it doesn't specify row gauge. And do you think I bothered to check?  Of course I checked:  After I finished the front and the back and the right sleeve to be exact. And I am getting 24 rows to 4 inches rather than the 28 they call for. And if you do the math (believe me, I won't do it), I think that will factor out to a few inches in length when I am done.

I guess the worst thing that can happen after about 16 go-rounds in a hot washer and dryer is I'll have to hem the sleeves a bit and keep the air conditioner on all night. Not such a bad thing when you consider I got the yarn for less than half the Rowan price and the indigo didn't rub off on my fingers AT ALL, nor did it stain my clothes. My bamboos are a bit stained, but that is it my friends.

Now, I must figure out dinner and maybe consider a shower. After that, you'll find me buzzing around the web looking for something new and fabulous to knit. (Do you have any ideas for me?) I just wish my friend Stefanie would hurry up and put her new pattern up for sale. It is sensational and it is definitely a must-do, if not for yourself, then maybe for your stylish sister or friend or daughter or someone who just has a little bit of that somethin'-somethin'.

Photos of Raspy tomorrow, bomb or not.

Comments

[Kristina]

Hmmm. . . quick and dirty, I know the feeling. The lace hairband from the IK subscriber section . . Felted bag . . . Tank for girlfriend . . Honeymoon cami from Knitty for you . . . The cat toys from SNB Nation . . . a knitted . . . belt? Actually, check out this gal's tweed stitch belt.

http://autoscopia.com/amelia/archives/all_my_own_work/index.html

[Lynda]

Maybe a quick felted bag,or something fun and mindless. Ck out "Basque" by BonneMarie Burns - it won't help you tonight, because she hasn't made the pattern available yet- but looks very "you" - at least to me! (My 17-year-old daugther got me hooked on your site a couple of wks ago.... I now ck in for inspiration daily!

[Lizbon]

When I get like that, my boy usually says "Step away from the needles." I, however, prefer to egg you on to further compulsive knitting behavior:

Two ideas, both from knitty (which means you've likely either knitted them already or rejected them for lack of flair, challenge, or both):

Sonnet (sideways-knit cardigan): http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall03/PATTsonnet.html

Grace (cropped short-sleeved sweater with triangular seamlines): http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring04/PATTgrace.html

Oh, and there's also this, which would look so nice on you...
http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring04/PATThoneymoon.html

(hmmm. while I was previewing this post for typos, someone else suggested the Honeymoon camisole from knitty, too. interesting...)

[wendy]

Guess what? I've already knit Grace and I have knit a Honeymoon Cami, too! (And a belt, something similar to what Kristina suggested. But I am considering each and every one....I'm sick!

[Melissa]

Ok, Wendy... do you have left over yarn from your Katia Jamaica top? Make a semi-matching one for girlfriend. I made one in the round for my niece in about 2 days, and it turned out adorable. I have pictures, if you would like to see it.

[brooke]

Keepin' my fingers crossed for you and Raspy. I too am waiting for Stefanie's new pattern!

[KatieLiz]

How about Kathy's Tivoli Tee:

http://www.grumperina.com/tivoli.htm

Or almost anything from White Lies Designs:

http://whiteliesdesigns.com/index.html

OK, those aren't all so quick and dirty, but their free pattern for the Shapely Tank Top might be the ticket:

http://whiteliesdesigns.com/patterns/lpullovers/fbc.html

[gina L]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1584792264/ref=sib_dp_pt/102-6358761-3116108#reader-page

For a quicky... see the link above from Hollywood Knits on amazon. Photo of Julianne Moore Serendipity single button cardigan. I knit the back in an hour yesterday. You can see the first page of the pattern on the "look inside the book" if you scroll through. I can fax you more if you want it quick. Email me. Could be cool with your new Noro if you have enough and want to adjust to a smaller gauge.

[Jeanie]

Okay, I have a couple of suggestions. You could jump on the NBaT bandwagon http://www.magknits.com/warm05/patterns/shirt.htm . I've done one of these and you could probably whip this out in no time... My other suggestion would be to choose something from Teva Durham's Loop-D-Loop site http://www.loop-d-loop.com if you don't have her book. Buy one of her patterns online, download the pdf file, and start knitting right away with something from your stash. She has lots of simple projects for a quick fix... one of my favorites is this one http://www.loop-d-loop.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LOS&Product_Code=BBU&Category_Code=
Of course, you'd look great in any of her things.

BTW, my floor is done -- I'll send pics when I can. It's almost as beautiful as yours ;-)

[michele]

Looking forward to your next knitting endeavor and can't wait to see what Raspy looks like...

[uglyagnes]

omg. when she puts that thing up for sale, i will toss everything aside and make it!

[JJ]

I have it from a good source that
elann's den m knit is the same stuff, same mill as the rowan denim. I'm knitting creeper from Denim People with the elann stuff and just checked my row gauge - I was getting 28 rows to 4" - (so slap me. I so seldom get the same row gauge).Anyhoo, can't wait to see Raspy. I'm sure it's going to turn out just great. If you haven't seamed it up yet, I hope you threw in some extra yarn in the wash so it will be peshrunk as well before you seam!
Ya sure are one fast knitter!
Best,
jj

[Sauniell]

I can't wait for Stephanie't top either. Did you sign up for her test knitter's email list?

I was going to suggest Grumperina's Tivoli top but KatieLiz beat me to it. It seems like a quick knit and it's all in the round. It's on my list of to-do's.

[Jennifer]

Hmmmm... Little kidlet stuff always goes fast. I'm working on converting a Lelah top into 12 month size with straps for my kidlet.

Can't wait to see Raspy's debut!

[Kristen]

oh you tease! i will get no work done today because i'll keep refreshing your site waiting for pictures.

i think you should knit an adult sized crumpets shirt like you made for Girlfriend. (and then tell the changes you made) :)

[Lizbon]

Ooooh, adult Crumpets. What a fab idea. It's so adorable on Girlfriend.

[Gina]

Who amongst us is not waiting for the latest Glampyre pattern? So very wonderful. Dare I suggest a OSW for your sister's sis-in-law?

[Lynae]

Here is a quick idea -

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/136/2646/640/hkoutfit.1.jpg

Oslofia also did a crocheted Hello kitty bikini which I made for my 5 yr old daughter.

She loves it (until it gets wet)! Teehee.

Dang girl, you knit fast.

[Cambria W]

You know, I had my bamboo needles get stained by some deeply colored yarn in the past and I thought I was just imagining it. Glad to know that I'm not crazy. As far as what's next, I went to www.string-or-nothing.blogspot.com and she's got a link to a museum that has knitting and some free patterns from 1940. I've got several waiting for me to get working on. Check them out!

[Stephanie]

Tivoli. Definately. It's a wonderful pattern and quick. Gotta love instant gratification. Although, there are some things at White Lies that are yummy.

[Patty]

Must say you make my work day and am looking forward to Raspy's debut. I recommend the Magknit felted bag just completed on the Blue Blog...mine is awaiting the washer.

[Cathi]

So no hints as to what the new Glam design is? My interest is piqued.

[Cathi]

And I know this can't help right now, but they do finally have the preview for the new VK up...

http://www.vogueknitting.com/vkm/preview/preb.html

[wendy]

Hey friends, looks like Stefanie took the picture of her new pattern off her site for now. I hope it comes back! It's fab!

[Rachel]

The suspense is killing me! Can't wait to see Raspy!