theraineysisters knitting and so much more

November 6, 2009

From Susan — The Long and Winding Road

Filed under: Dale of Norway 10903 — lv2knit @ 10:21 am

Every [knitting] journey begins with a single [stitch] step and this looks to be a very, very, very L.O.N.G. journey indeed!!  Perhaps this is why I have been putting off the first step [stitch]??!!??

It will be a long journey from the above to this:


Dale of Norway 10903 in Daletta

I am using the yarn called for (Daletta) and started this project on US 1 knitting needles.  The pattern calls for Size 2, changing to 3s after the bottom band.  I typically knit tighter than most so I was very surprised to have to go down a needle size to get close to Gauge.  I say ‘close’ because we all know how elusive and fickle The Gauge can be.   I am also making size medium.  Yes, laugh.  I have not been a medium since I exited stage left from the womb.  However, Dale must have a unique sense of style because their “medium” is everyone else’s XL or XXL.  I feel so petite!!

The sweater has a very traditional style: boxy, drop shoulders, etc.  I thumb my nose at all of you with your perfect figures and your skin-tight, shapely knitting!  I will continue to dwell in the past like other old farts who can’t get past the era of their youth!  Take that!!

And I am sure you will all be as sick of this sweater as I am by the time it is finished!

Shameless Self Promotion
I don’t usually advertise my knitting classes here…mostly because we have readers from all over the place who could not possibly be interested…BUT, I am going to make an exception.  I will be teaching a class on the Quincy hat at The Yarnery in St. Paul.  It is a last minute add on to the schedule (it starts November 15!), offered now to give people a chance to finish the hat for holiday gifting. 


The Quincy (featured in Made in Brooklyn by Jared Flood, and available as a pdf download) is a fairly easy project to make but it has some tricky elements, such as provisional cast on, built in i-cord, and grafting both garter stitch and stockinette.  I helped a few Ravelers at Knit Out with their Quincies and thought others might be stumped by the construction.  If you would like to learn more, click here.

We will now return to our regular programming!

Chloe writes, “Let’s see: a RT ticket to Minneapolis, plus overnight lodging would be about $300, plus the cost of the class (not yet known) would probably boost it to around $400.00 plus meals (dollar menu at MickyD’s) plus yarn would make a $500 dollar hat – and I would do it, too, if I had that extra cash, because I love that hat and would love to take a class with you — do you suppose you could visit Sally and teach a class near her — much closer to my home turf. Please!!!!”

My reply, “Let’s see: a RT ticket to Washington, DC would be about $300, plus expenses unless I can fully leech off Surly, subtract what I make an hour teaching – no way would anyone pay me enough to make up for the cost!!!!!!!  I don’t think any yarn shop could afford to pay me $60/hour to teach a hat class!!!”

But thanks for the thought, Chloe!!!

11 Comments »

  1. What’s the pattern for the cardigan you’re starting? It looks beautiful!

    Comment by Karen — November 6, 2009 @ 11:57 am

  2. That is indeed a lovely sweater! I lust after it.

    Comment by Joanna Ryn — November 6, 2009 @ 1:36 pm

  3. Let’s see: a RT ticket to Minneapolis, plus overnight lodging would be about $300, plus the cost of the class (not yet known) would probably boost it to around $400.00 plus meals (dollar menu at MickyD’s) plus yarn would make a $500 dollar hat – and I would do it, too, if I had that extra cash, because I love that hat and would love to take a class with you — do you suppose you could visit Sally and teach a class near her — much closer to my home turf. Please!!!!

    Comment by Chloe — November 6, 2009 @ 5:48 pm

  4. Oooh, come to Boston! I’ll let you completely leech off me, and holy cow, there’s bound to be at least 2 or 3 yarn shops that would pay you that! Or not, but you could charge a per person amount, and only teach if there are so many… I’ll help. It would be fun!!!

    Comment by Lisle — November 6, 2009 @ 10:11 pm

  5. Wait! I know a song about that!

    **Please come to Boston, she said No, boy, won’t you come home with me** Sing along–I know you all know it too! hee-hee.

    Comment by Lisle — November 6, 2009 @ 10:13 pm

  6. No way to get sick of slow and steady progress on a Dale! Each stitch is an art and we are privileged to have an opportunity to observe!
    Corny aren’t I?!

    Comment by Michelle — November 7, 2009 @ 9:34 am

  7. What is the source for the Dale of Norway pattern? It doesn’t seem to be available anywhere! Thanks!

    Comment by Sandy — November 7, 2009 @ 1:43 pm

  8. Love the Quincies! You talked me into a class. See you on the 15th!

    Comment by Nancy — November 7, 2009 @ 5:59 pm

  9. Those Dale of Norway patterns are truly esteem builders. They must be thinking outerwear or something because your experience on sizing mirrors mine.

    It will be fun watching you progress!

    Comment by twinsetellen — November 8, 2009 @ 11:41 am

  10. Whoops! Never thought about that side of things. Somehow I thought you just whooshed over to Sally’s on a wing and a prayer. I know I do that with MY sister. Just shows we all think highly of your teaching skills. Sorry about the thoughtlessness.

    Comment by Chloe — November 9, 2009 @ 6:13 pm

  11. Oh, I cannot wait to see your cardigan come to life! It will be absolutely stunning.

    Comment by Kym — November 10, 2009 @ 11:04 am

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