Not Dead

Just really, really tired. The past two weeks have been completely grueling - I averaged about 4 hours of sleep a night. Fun, but hard work.

I had almost no time to knit, and my Picovoli looks almost identical to the picture below.

Not much to report, just wanted to check in. More of an update to come soon...

Oh, and I haven't checked bloglines in like a month, so sorry that I haven't commented on all of your fabulous FO's, sympathized with your troubles, and congratulated you on big life events. I'll do my best to get around to them all...

Recent Photos

We've had some fun lately...

Last weekend, the weather was perfect, and we took a daytrip to the beach - Dewey Beach, Delaware. And by weather, I mean winds, as Dan got to do his first kitesurfing in two years... but it looks like it's riding a bike, because he seemed to pick it up again no problem. Check it out:

If you don't believe that's him, here's a close-up (love the 10x zoom on our digicam!):

And, a happy Dan:

with lots of kites in the background - conditions were near perfect.

On the 4th, we had a cookout with friends (that got moved inside due to some rain), but the showers cleared up in time for fireworks. We went down to Dan's office (with his fabulous city view) to get the Skybox fireworks show. And it was pretty cool:

There are a few more here on flickr.

And just to convince you that I haven't completely given up on knitting, I'm working on a Picovoli, and here's proof:

I'm using stash yarn (did I mention that I joined Summer of Stash? I don't remember... anyway, I did and there's a button over there on the sidebar), the recommended Debbie Bliss Cathay, that I got at the Great DC Yarn Swap (thanks, Holly!). I'm decreasing for the waist and hope to have it done soon... a great summer sweater.

I'm out of town right now... and will be until the end of July. However, being out of town means that I sometimes have more time to knit (somehow), so hopefully I'll have a finished Picovoli soon!

Chai Cardigan!

Another View
Close-up of the Clasp
Close-up of the fabric

Pattern: custom-designed pattern, heavily modified
Yarn: Chai, a 100% tussah silk yarn from ArtFibers, color 16
Needles: US 6 Bamboo Circulars
Started: April 2005
Finished: July 2, 2006

Notes:
Finishing this sweater was a New Year's Knitting Resolution, and it feels great! To refresh your memory (it would have to be a very long memory, or you could cheat and look back at this entry), I got a custom pattern designed for my at ArtFibers when I purchased the yarn. I asked for a ballet-neck pullover with 3/4 length loose sleeves. I kept the sleeves and changed almost everything else. Making it a cardigan is the most obvious, but I also converted it from a ballet to a scoop neck.

Deciding on a closure was one of the longest processes. I considered hook and eyes, a zipper, buttons, clasps, one button, and finally the single clasp. I like the look of just having the top closed with the edges hanging open. They form points, which is kind of interesting (I swear they are right angles when blocked).

I did iron the silk. I saw a huge difference when I ironed the swatch between the pre and post ironing, but I didn't see that drastic of a change in the sweater. I love ArtFibers, and I love all of their yarns that I've knit with so far!!

The length, the sleeves, and the open front, are absolutely perfect for a summer sweater in the air-conditioned office environment. I'll get a lot of wear out of this sweater, I think. I love the fabric - it's so beautiful, luminous, and amazing colors.