Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Moving Along



This is what I am talking about with the intarsia - I suppose it's more aptly called stranded knitting - in the garter stitch of this cotton log cabin. I know now I should have selected lettering that was very plain with straight lines. (I'm sorry the pic is out of focus.)However, I didn't.

The other thing posing a problem is the fact that the next row here will be red. When I pick up stitches, I will be using red. Should I be picking up with both colors? Which ones will show?

Additionally, I have to make other stripes all around the blanket before I get back to the red one here; in other words, log cabin stripes are done in the proper sequence. So there is a bit of knitting to do before I can learn how this lettering is going to come out. I am up for the challenge. There will be lots of un-doing if it doesn't work.


The alternative, as I see it now, is duplicate stitching. That is probably what I should have done in the first place. Not that I know how yet, but I am sure I can learn. Anyway, at this point, anything can happen! I will try to keep you posted. Meanwhile, thanks for your input! I sure could use a mentor about now!

Addendum: Here I am on Friday, and I have managed to get the name in. I have learned a lot! Mainly, that it is possible. (This kid isn't going to care that this isn't perfect!) Next time, I will know that each blue purl needs the knit on the other side, and vice versa. I am hopeful that the knitting of the white stripe at the bottom of this name stripe and washing and blocking will help those stripes with the name resume a size and shape more nearly matching the others. I will keep you posted.


This is the picked up stitches row, above. You can see below how wide the red stripe has become with the stranded letters.


Below is a close-up of the letters and all that is wrong is evident. But, I think that if I give this to a kid just under three, on the 4th of July, he's not going to care!



Beth

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Happy Springtime!

The other day, we stayed with our grandson, and his Grandpa took a couple of pictures of him while he was enjoying a full tummy and not ready for sleep.

He has fussy times when his tummy hurts after mealtimes; then he's not having fun. Grammy and Grandpa tried all sorts of things, hoping to find the magic one that would help him be more comfortable. Below is his little swing; he enjoyed this a lot...for about 90 seconds! :)

I know he will outgrow this colic; meanwhile he commands a prodigious amount of attention! That's something we are perfectly willing to give.



I am working on a little blanket for him: red, white and blue log cabin. The plan is to give it to him on a Fourth of July when he's old enough to understand they are America's colors. Meanwhile, I am struggling with trying to put his name in it. Intarsia and garter stitch and a color change in the background...not sure I can pull it off.

Anyway, if not, frogging isn't terrible and I can go back to that place and begin again. If you have any experience with this (intarsia in garter stitch) and want to share words of wisdom, I'm all ears!





Spring is here and we marked it by planting a new pink dogwood. We miss our glorious old one that was removed just a few years ago. I know we will not live to see this new one grow as large, but it's here, and someone surely will. We feel good planting trees; my father taught me how and I learned from him that it was a very good thing to do.



I have planted trees in each place I have lived in my life, and additionally, in our public spaces as well. It is a relatively inexpensive undertaking and the rewards are many. Arbor Day comes next month and you may just like to mark that day by planting a tree of your own. I'd love to hear about it, if you do!


Happy Springtime!

Beth

Sunday, March 2, 2008

My Birthday Gift!


I had a birthday this week and my grandson helped me celebrate! Actually, we grandparents were able to babysit for a few hours while Mama and Daddy went out. He slept beautifully in his car seat (to combat the effects of colic) until his folks returned. After he ate, I was treated to this beautiful smile! I'm certain you would agree it was a most memorable birthday gift!

Beth