Whew. I’m back and I finally have a computer. We went on a long drive cross-country to see my parents, my daughter (and my little assistant), and my husband’s family. Too much driving — once was definitely enough. We did have some fun along the way.
That wasn’t the most exciting part of our trip. That honor goes to suddenly coming across a tractor trailer wheel lying on its side in our lane on Interstate 80 with a huge truck in the lane next to us and a ditch on the other side. More thrills in those few seconds than in my entire paragliding. Fortunately, our car was drivable, just barely, and we made it home. Le sigh.
On the road, we saw some famous people:
More important, my hands are feeling much better and I’ve been able to do some knitting. While on the trip, I finished one of the sleeves to my Ode to Joy short cardigan (aka the Bolero).
I’m feeling a little bit unmotivated to pick up the stitches for the other sleeve. I added about two inches of length to the sleeve by doing additional rows of each color sequence starting about three inches from the top of the sleeve. (You pick up and knit from the top down.) The first one was a slo-o-o-o-w knit and I think I’m associating working on it with spending hours upon hours in the car. I need to get over it and just do it.
In the meantime, I’ve been working on the Paisley Long Shawl from Fiddlesticks Knitting. It’s a lovely piece and a relatively easy knit even though the lace is worked on both right and wrong side rows. You start in the middle of the shawl using a provisional cast on and then work your way to each end. I’m on the large set of “Paisley” patterns (on my first half of the shawl).
I’m making my shawl out of Wagtail’s 4-ply Fine Kid Mohair in Midnight Red (100 grams equals 410 yards). It’s a beautiful yarn with a nice sheen, but now that I am working on it I’m a little concerned that the color is very close to the Zephyr I used for my Peacock Shawl.
I do wonder how my shawl, which looks even more shrunken and misshapen then most unblocked lace, will ever resemble the beautiful model. Let’s cross our fingers.
P.S.Tangled Yoke: Someone asked about the bobbles on The Tangled Yoke. I’m not sure I understood your question — there are only bobbles at each end of the design as you go around the yoke. There aren’t bobbles elsewhere in the cables.
Wow — the para-gliding picture is amazing! I’m glad it wasn’t me! The Ode to Joy is spectacular — love it. The shawl looks really short to me — like there is NO WAY that you are already to the big paisleys. I hope it blocks out to its proper size :). Glad to have you back in blogdom, Surly.
Comment by lv2knit — July 30, 2008 @ 3:23 pm
Ode to Joy is moving right along… What an amazing photo.. thanks.. ;D
Comment by cici — July 30, 2008 @ 4:17 pm
It will be fun to see that shawl blocked.
I’m so glad that no one was hurt in the road incident.
Comment by twinsetellen — July 30, 2008 @ 8:37 pm
Ooooh. I love the Wagtail Farms yarns!
I’m so glad you made it back all in one piece and enjoyed yourself to boot! 🙂
Comment by Romi — July 30, 2008 @ 11:39 pm
Sally- Looks like a great trip- I love the Mount Rushmore pic.
Between the designer (Dorothy) and the knitter (Sally) the shawl will be an amazing success- and I adore the colour.
Comment by Lorraine — July 31, 2008 @ 9:30 am
Sally: Did I understand you correctly in an earlier post regarding the Ode to Joy that you were going to lengthen the body? I am curious to see how you accomplish that. It is a beautiful garment. Don’t let the bad associations keep you from finishing it. I’m glad you are back to posting. Ruth
Comment by Ruth Spears — July 31, 2008 @ 9:44 am
My mum finished the Paisley Long Shawl a few months ago – it blocks long so don’t worry.
Comment by Shannon B — July 31, 2008 @ 1:39 pm
Ode to Joy looks great! So does the paisley stole.
Sounds like a great vacation!
Comment by Carrie K — July 31, 2008 @ 11:23 pm
I love the Hills. Last time I was there a small boy was absolutely trilled in the way only small boys can be. He kept shouting to his mom, ‘Rount Mushmore, Rount Mushmore’. I belong to an exclusive group of people who had the honour of holding in our laughter that day.
I love the way your Ode is turing out and am thrilled to know you survived your knitters exile.
Comment by Needles — August 1, 2008 @ 5:32 am
I think that Mount Rushmore was one of those places that was exactly what I expected it to be for some reason–not bigger, not smaller, not a disappointment–just right.
Comment by Panhandle Jane — August 3, 2008 @ 7:24 am
You are amazing! Relatively easy knit. A roadway accident more exciting than paragliding. A lot of driving perhaps but it sounds like a terrific trip.
Comment by Karen B. — August 4, 2008 @ 5:34 pm