It is well documented on the pages of this blog that I post in fits and spurts with weeks of silence in between. Then I plug the camera in to download photos and see all of the things I was hoping to blog about but didn't. I see the memories in pixels of all the fun things I wanted to share on the blog, but don't feel the same urgency and some cases, interest to write anything moderately interesting about them. Since the last time I posted I have been to Salt Lake City, UT, one of the best weekends I could have imagined, visiting with Margene and meeting Susan, failing beautifully at getting any pictures and enjoying fifteen percent humidity, which I am sure I have never felt in my life. Then, according to the camera, I went to the beach for the last time on September 26, 2007. It was over 90 degrees and for the two hours I could cram into my life, it was wonderful. I really wanted to post that. That next weekend I learned to make Lapland mittens and all about the history and technique of Bohus Stickning. Those were some of the things I might have waxed unpoetically about.
In between those fun events I have finished a lot of knitted things.
When I picked this job up for finishing I almost laughed. I have the same sweater in the same colors somewhere in my UFOs at some stage of progress. Well, now I can say I have really finished it.
It isn't all that easy finishing other's knitting, but it is sort of fun in a 5,000 piece puzzle sort of way. All of those knitted pieces with all of the ends and stitches on holders in a messy heap when I get them, systematically transformed into lovely, wearable, usable garments or bags or whatever. My idea of finishing is taking the knitted parts and blocking, joining, sewing, putting in bands and necks-you get the idea. The sweaters above were partially worked by a woman who thinks it is knit until she is bored and let me do the rest. The green sweater was knitted by an older woman and her daughter brought it to me to finish. The knitting was done and the front bands were in, the steeks cut. There were many little mistakes that I had to fix before I could really get it finished, and the front bands were different lengths, but already sewn in so I had to fudge the zipper. In the end it turned out quite well. When I tell you I love to finish, I really am not kidding.
But I have to say I like it better when it is for me.
I'm such a tease, I know! But lack of adequate sunlight and attempting to photograph myself made for a dismal representation. Soon.
There Margene, I posted.
Let there be light, so we can see those beauties!
Posted by: Danielle | October 24, 2007 at 08:38 PM
ooo...I can't wait to see what lovely item was worthy of that great frog closure, and also to see that fabulous skirt in better light! As for finishing...my goodness, woman! You are a masochist! Seriously, tho, if you teach any classes on finishing, I so need to know.
Posted by: heather | October 24, 2007 at 08:55 PM
I am so glad I crawled out of my sick bed (truly so sick you have no idea) and now I'm SO glad I did. Thank you, thank you...I was beginning to wonder if you were alive.
PS The tea you gave to me had a Belgian Peppermint in the mix. I think it saved my life today. ;-)
Posted by: margene | October 24, 2007 at 09:06 PM
Yes, yes, let there be light; I want to see the knits :)
Posted by: Julie | October 24, 2007 at 09:46 PM
I love the clasp you chose for the sweater. Perfect. And tomorrow I'll have a very nice photo of the skirt on my blog. :)
Posted by: susan | October 24, 2007 at 09:53 PM
That clasp looks terrific!
Posted by: Kathy | October 24, 2007 at 10:34 PM
The clasp is wonderful and the skirt absolutely stunning! Sorry that it took me almost 10 minutes of idle chatter to finally realize you were wearing it on Sunday! LOVE the color- totally perfect! And the fit? You needn't have worried :-) Wish I had spent more time with you.....
Posted by: Manise | October 24, 2007 at 11:26 PM
Bring on the booty! [did I really just write that?]
Posted by: The Feminist Mafia | October 25, 2007 at 12:04 AM
That skirt looked so good! I like that clasp on the sweater too. I would like a clasp like that that grips on both ends, so you can take it on and off the sweater. Is there even such a thing as that? There should be, it seems like a good idea.
Posted by: Cheryl | October 25, 2007 at 08:19 AM
I missed seeing you wear the skirt? Damn.
Posted by: claudia | October 25, 2007 at 12:14 PM
The clasp is perfect ... can't wait to see the Grand Unveiling.
Posted by: Ruth | October 25, 2007 at 02:16 PM
Wow! You may have been silent, but you certainly have been busy.
Hugs
Posted by: JUDY | October 26, 2007 at 11:11 AM
15% humidity? That's what you guys were talking about? You weren't kidding.
Posted by: Martha | October 26, 2007 at 02:41 PM
You flirt with us on the blog.
Your finishing work must be world class.
Posted by: Laurie | October 27, 2007 at 08:45 AM
Oooh, I've heard about your fabulous skirt from other festival goers. Stop teasing and show the work!
Posted by: Nancy | October 30, 2007 at 12:19 PM
What a pretty clasp! Dying to see what it's, uh, clasping. :-)
If I had to choose one person to do my finishing work for me, I'd be deeply torn between you and Danielle. I know how much care both of you put into the tiniest details! :-)
Posted by: Beth S. | October 30, 2007 at 12:54 PM