A case of the Mondays

I finished nonbloggable project one on Saturday, and immediately cast on for number two! So far it's going well, but I have this to note: bamboo needles and nupps are a horrible, horrible combination. So I went on an excursion to find Addi Turbo Lace needles, in a size 4 (I only own a 6). In retrospect, the 6 might have been better, but after finishing the edging and two repeats, it's far too late now!

I went to Knit Happens in Alexandria first, and found my needle there immediately. I investigated some yarn options, but didn't see anything necessary for now, so I headed out. I wandered up the main street, aiming for the new Fibre Space shop that was only a few blocks away. The heat did me in, however, and I went back to my car. Turns out I was only a block from the new store when I gave up, which was a bit sad. I parked (again), and was delighted with what I found. The shop, owned by the former Knit-a-Gogo people, was super cute and I loved the decor. I will definitely be stopping back there again! I succumbed to picking up some Louet Gems. If not to be used on a very near-to-come project, the Gems in fingering weight will make for beautiful stockings. I also got a ball of cotton chenille, because I made a washcloth for Sharyn once and would like one of my own!

Really, it was a delightful diversion. I hardly ever drive nowadays, and I enjoyed toodling down to Old Town Alexandria and wandering around. I even managed to find my "something blue" for the wedding. Most of all, I was shocked at myself for being true to my task- the needles were necessary, and the rest was very well-reasoned and inexpensive. And I got to thinking that I bought two skeins of laceweight for nonbloggable projects, and now this- but that's it since Sheep and Wool in May.

Have I turned over a new leaf? Am I no longer a crazy Stasher?

I spent an hour or two on Sunday tidying up the sewing room, and it definitely still looks like I have achieved SABLE status. Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy is mine. Once this wedding is over, I'm rededicating myself to knitting socks, I think- I really do have an awful lot of sock yarn, all over the place!

MS3 begins...

Oh dear is it late. I cast on for Mystery Stole 3 at 11:30 or so this evening and completed a good 15 rows before I realized that I was adding beads in the center of every row by mistake- those blocks weren't "gray bead blocks" but merely "center blocks" which appeared gray. If only I had access to a color printer, I'd have avoided a fair bit of ripping back!

On the plus side I finally got a good system going for working in the beads without frizzing the yarn loops. So that's positive. And I have now completed Chart A. Chart B will take a lot longer (4 stitch row is a lot less than constantly working towards 99!), but I imagine I can knock that out before the next clue, if not within the weekend.

I feel awful. I haven't stayed up this late knitting in some time. Reading, talking to friends.. sure. But I can't believe I was knitting lace after 2:30! I did start making a mistake in the very last row of the chart (49), but immediately realized the error. Evidently working on the Adamas shawls and the Hanami were good preparation.

On that note, tomorrow I will post pretty pictures. I'm really enjoying the knitting- nothing makes me happier than little bitty cables or intricate lace. The pattern thus far is quite intricate, and therefore very pleasing! The KnitPicks Bare is a bit rough on my hands, but I've been working with CashSoft for days and there is simply no comparison between laceweight merino and a cashmere blend. I also am trying out the Addi Turbo Lace needles (like half the world it seems). Here's my thoughts:

OH YES.

They are grippy but smooth. The cord is perfect. They can't loosen up on me and drop my stitches. After the first 4 rows, I never had a problem with the stitches falling off unintentionally. They are pretty, and nice and pointy for pulling in the lace, and I am absolutely in love. I have heard in a couple reviews that the metal is an alloy that can be affected by skin pH, which worries me- there is a reason I can't wear earrings or most rings and necklaces! But maybe I'll be lucky and won't react too badly to them (and conversely, I hope I don't wear away the finish!).

Bedtime for bonzos. But I finished Chart A!! And it was easy peasy! I never got lost reading the chart because of the nifty KnitPicks chart holder (sadly too small for the next charts, I fear. And it was even fun to do the beads! So far it's just ducky.