Showdown

I sort of get obsessed with things.  At the end of high school, I loved black & white cows.   During the pregnancy, I loved loose tea (I don't think it was a craving.)   I'll save my obsession with the Greek NY coffee cup for another post.  Right now I'm obsessed with the Half Dollar.  I thought I had it under control.  I've never swatched more for any other sweater.  Somewhere during this swatching marathon, I've taken a wrong path, one that includes a ton of dog shit.  Swatch #1 was close to perfect, except for the color.  I jumped online and ordered the Merlot.  It's a beautiful black/purple.  Kind of like Chanel's Vamp, but insert purple instead of red.  Every time you look at you wonder, "Is it black?"  So I take out my US 5's, and make Swatch #2.  It dries and I'm disappointed.  I got almost 2 extra stitches to the inch.   I kept telling myself, "Calm down.  Different colors of yarn can produce different gauge swatches.  Use the US 6's."  Swatch #3 is giving me 1 extra stitch, and a very loose fabric.  So I'm left with the obvious realization that I fucked up the Swatch #1.  I guess the pattern really does call for a worsted weight yarn!  The pattern uses US 5, and I thought I got guage with DK weight!  What's a girl to think?!  Tease.  I was going to use US 6's & take the Make-the-Larger-Size Route, but that path is also littered with dog shit.  So I'm going to be a big girl and work on my patience skills.  Once I get to Ava's I'm going down to Kraemer's and buying the Worsted Tatamy Tweed in Merlot and knock this sweater out.   So help me, Half Dollar, if you don't turn out gorgeous...

Ava, since I've been talking about this book, I thought I'd include some of the creepier pages.  My parents got it for Ava as a Christmas gift in 1974.  I have always found this book creepy.  Recently, I was home and found it with the Golden Book library.  I'm 30, an opposite book can't be that scary.  Right?  Wrong.  Even SK was reading it to Gus this morning, and says, "Hey.  This book is kind of creepy."  The bad thing is Gus likes it.  He knows when to say "Yucky" and "Heavy".  And quite frankly, I'm sick of reading the  Puppy Book and any Richard Scarry book.  So we'll deal with Sesame Street Book of Opposites with Zero Mostel for today.  But if I start dreaming of Zero in his diaper, I'm sending the book to you.

Off to find something to do.  I have no sweater project.  The house is clean.  What to do on this glorious St Patrick's day?  I'll crack open a Guinness.

Love,

Lola

Start & Finish

Comments

[Jeanne]

The book does seem creepy - can't imagine a child not being scared! I'm enjoying reading about your adventures with the half dollar - I really want to make this so its helpful to see what you've been going through. I also thought it was DK weight...hope you find the right yarn!

[Bookish Wendy]

The banana picture is just wrong. Totally wrong.

[Cara]

God I just love Zero Mostel. Creepy can be very very good in my opinion. (Did I just write that?)

I'm sorry you're having yarn troubles - swatching is a BITCH. I hope you settle on the right yarn and the sweater takes off on your needles. I'd love to knit that one (as soon as my current obsessions let me relax a bit!)