stash, knit, repeat

(Did you, too, watch too much Sesame Street in the late 70s/early 80s?)

Glory Hallelujah, I present Square 12:

This was going to be this wholly triumphant entry about how I finished all of the seaming and weaving in ends, and only had the border left to do, and la de da de da, but…

*sigh*

I attached the last strip of squares to the blanket on the wrong side. And now the nice alternating pattern of vertical squares and diamond-like squares is broken. Since I’m entirely too anal to let that slip by, out comes that last seam and here we go again! It shouldn’t take long, though.

And then, holiday knitting! I have very, very much to do. In my dream-ideal-land, there are a few adult sweaters, a couple of scarves, an indoor little knitted cap for my bald husband in his drafty classroom, sweaters for friends’ children, etc. etc. etc. Maybe a shawl, probably some socks… you get the idea. So here’s a poll: What should I knit next?

1. An adult sweater, something simple and mindless
2. An adult sweater, something fun and complicated
3. That damn Harry Potter scarf I’ve been putting off for MONTHS
4. That very nice, sure-to-win-me-points scarf for FIL
5. Socks! Everyone loves socks!
6. A baby sweater!
7. A shawl!
8. Something else!

(Yes, yes, I know I’m not going to get everything done. I’m okay with that. It’s still fun to try.) Some of the yarns I have on deck include Calmer, Pure Merino, Richesse et Soie, DB Cashmere Cotton, DB Wool Cotton, Manos, Kid Mohair, Zephyr, Misti Alpaca, Helen’s Lace, Silky Wool, Schaefer lace-weight… uh, and any possible sock yarn you can think of probably. Feel free to vote by yarn, if you’d prefer.

So! What should I knit next?

Square 10:

Square 11:

This is the only one I am not totally fond of. I think my gram will like it, though, and it looks okay amongst all of the others. Seaming continues! I really hope to be bordering this before the weekend is out and finishing it next week. I’m really excited to start on all of that holiday knitting!

I have two more square photos for you.

There are still 3 more to block and show you (remember, this is a lap-sized blanket), but 9 is officially enough to start seaming. I played around with layout a bit, and Jacob helped.

And after fiddling around a bit, I decided on a way to join the squares. I’m doing single crochet, but done so that the “seams” point out toward the RS of the work. I like the definition the ridges give the finished blanket.

I love the way this is feeling. It’s soft, it’s light, but it’s incredibly warm. I think my grandmother will really enjoy it.

I’m not sure what to do about the border–thoughts? I flipped through my copy of Knitting on the Edge, but the thought of picking up hundreds of stitches along each side is giving me hives.

I leave you with a picture of the Fibonacci Hoodie in action:

Knowing my hand-knits are loved and used is one of the better feelings in the world.

Man:

Devil:

God:

I don’t remember what I’ve said about this project, but it’s a lap blanket for one of my grandmothers, for when she’s in her wheelchair. The yarn, Berroco Ultra Alpaca, is super-soft and squishy. I’m having lots of fun working with it.

I knit most of the squares during our large cross-country drive. Boston to Williamsburg and then across to our new home on the Monterey Peninsula, which I have to say I’m completely loving so far. The fog, the cool temperatures, the gorgeous beach a half-mile from the house we’re renting… all are topping my favorites list right now. (And come on–a locale with temps between 50 and 70 year-round? Knitters’ heaven!!)

…meet Square number three:

…and Square number four!

(Extra-long bedtime routine for the little one today, including lots of Dr. Seuss. He’s getting his first-year molars, ugh.)

My dining room table is a veritable block-fest, but I’ll keep the pictures down to 2 or 3 a day so that hopefully by the time I’m done, there will be a finished afghan. And then, onto that *mountain* of holiday knitting!

Well, that took a wee bit longer than it should have. Thankfully, the stash is safe and sound in its new home.

(Behold, a very pink picture of the stash.)

It’s also rather sizable, thanks to TGEOAT’s Herculean efforts. I am staunchly resisting her latest attempt, though.

…And as lame as it is, that’s about all I have for you today. I am on square 11 of the lap blanket, but the camera battery charger has been lost recently so I haven’t had the chance to take pictures. It’s now found and charging, though, so! Tomorrow. And thanks, if you’ve stuck around this long.