knocking them off one by one

It's one of those Sunday mornings in May when the weather is perfect. So perfect that it makes me edgy and restless. Shouldn't I be going somewhere? (my bags are always packed). Or taking a walk in the park? At least opening the windows and doors wide? It's still early and who knows where I'll go. Meanwhile I make myself finish editing the introduction I wrote for the anthology, email it to the designer, and prepare interview questions for the cover artist. But immediately after, my desk still a mess of papers with red markings all over them, I snap a picture first and then block the cashmere lace shawl. Yes! it's finished! (and I'm in love with the scalloped edges!).
     My low level equation of inches per day got speeded up when I put all other knitting on hold. As soon as I noticed how far I'd come a few days ago, I couldn't stop. I'm a little obsessive when it comes to knitting something that I think I'll like a lot. Besides I'm still imagining myself wearing it on that chilly night beach  in a couple of weeks. I must also confess (perhaps to the horror of more accomplished lace knitters) that I totally avoided the kitchener stitch. Right there on the instructions, it was suggested that an alternative method was possible for bringing the two halves together. Sew it! Why didn't I consider that?  I loosely bound off and carefully stitched. Did I say that I hate sewing? Under ordinary circumstances (those skirt and jeans hems, sweater seams, mending). But this was different. A slight connection shows but I'm not a perfectionist and unless someone gets very close when I'm wearing it and also has a magnifying glass, it's not likely to become a topic of conversation or criticism. Should anyone be reading this blog and be interested in the details, I used two skeins of Sarah's Yarns 2-ply Mongolian cashmere (sumptuous!), size 3.75mm 24" Addi Turbo Lace circular needles and the Lace Shawl pattern (free download from Interweave Knits Pattern Library) by Alice Halbeisen. The blocked size is approximately 15" x 78". Perfect for my 5'1" height. (Remember that song by Randy Newman? Short People. That's me. But I've got a reason to live).

 
In my camera the moon
Stars and a yellow flower
Carried in a drawstring pouch
Strange to be landlocked
And at sea at the same time
Watching the dry silent tide