theraineysisters knitting and so much more

Hi, everyone!  It has been a while, but we are still here.  My work life is hell, my home life busy, my knitting languishing, BUT I did get to Knit Out last Sunday at Brookdale Mall.  Ahh, what can I say about Brookdale?  It appears to be on its last legs!  Stores have closed, food vendors have disappeared, but lots of knitters showed up and we had a ball.

Here you see Shelley, Michele and Paula, waiting to answer questions at the Knitting Experts table — and there were some!  Several people brought their troublesome knitting projects along and sought advice.  Our three experts could handle anything!

A lot of people hung around, knitting and chatting. 

That’s what my knitting trio did: Mary, Emily and I sat and knitted and showed people what knitting is all about.  We each brought projects to show off the diversity that is knitting: lace, fair isle, beadwork, cables.  A lot of people stopped by our table to gawk and talk.  There were many familiar faces and some new friends, too.

Guild volunteers were also set up to teach people to knit.  The display was very cute (sorry, no picture) with stacks of lovely colored yarn, each skein with a set of needles.  They were given to new knitters for free with their lesson so they could continue at home.  This little knitter-to-be was adorable:

She worried me because she was eating Cheetos the whole time she was there — non stop!  You know what ‘Cheetos fingers’ look like: bright orange paste!  She was sweet and darling, but did not speak English so we couldn’t tell her not to touch the knitting (the aforementioned lace, beadwork, fair isle etc.!!!!).  She never did, so my worries were unfounded, but that has never stopped me from worrying before! 😉

Now, if you are a woman of a certain age, you feel the loss of a great actor and beautiful man.  In his day, Paul Newman was George Clooney and Brad Pitt rolled into one, and then some!  OMG!  Paul used to visit Minnesota regularly to race at the Brainerd Speedway.  My former boss met him and has a picture with him, his arm draped around her shoulders.   ::Swoon::

Paul Newman

I am slowly working on the second sleeve to my Aran Wrap.  Then I tackle the peplum.  Fall is here and I am into my sweaters, so I better get going!

P.S. From Sally:

Here’s a photo of Mr. Newman that I am rather fond of.

And what do we do when we got nuthin’?  Dredge up the past, of course! 

Last week at knitting night I was talking to Kim about the Best of Knitters Jackets for Work and Play  that Cathy had brought with her.  In it is a jacket made from Cynthia Helene Kid Mohair.  It brought back a rush of memories about probably my favorite project of all time: The Arch Motifs sweater designed by Sandy Black.  Sally and I fell in love with this pattern in the early 90s, originally knit in Rowan Kid Silk (not Kidsilk Haze, not Kidsilk Aura, but the original Kid Silk, with nothing added to the title).  

From this book:

I made it my mission to make this sweater.  One draw back.  In its original yarn, it would cost $300 — and that was 15 years ago — whew!  A lot to chew on.  Sally took the plunge and knit hers in the original yarn.  I made mine out of Cynthia Helene Kid Mohair, color Mink.  I did use Kid Silk for the bobbles:

I loved every stitch, every bobble, every scroll, every minute of making this sweater.  It was a labor of love from start to finish and then some.  Even looking at it now, I feel the same rush of “I think I love you” welling up in the background! 

But every love story has its dark side….this sweater is LONG. 

Even on me.  It overwhelms the wearer, even a 5’10” wearer!  It is a one size fits few, so you can imagine this behemoth on Sally’s petite frame!  (“Sally, I know you’re in there somewhere, call out so we can find you!”).  It feels somewhat dated, too, like an 80’s fashion statement.

I have considered shortening it by removing a full repeat of bobbles (windows?) or removing the gorgeous scrolled hem.  But somehow I have not been able to bring myself to do it.

It is one of those sweaters that you make for the sheer joy of the knitting, but not necessarily the wearing.  I may try to wear it again this winter — it is as warm as it is long!  But, if not, I’ll just wax nostalgic now and again.

From Sally: Help — I’ve put on this sweater and I can’t get out!

I loved making the Arches sweater. I loved every stitch. I remember when and where we found the pattern. I remember hoping that if I made it, I’d look like the model. Ah, delusions.

I have worn it a few times, but not in years. As Susan said, it’s long — and I’m not tall. But it’s also 50″ around, truly a one-size-fits-none. It’s down to my knees and I think two of me could wear it. But the pattern is so lovely. I’ll never regret making it even though I can’t imagine ever wearing it.

Here are some close up photos of the Arches and the Scroll Pattern at the neck:

It’s beautiful.