theraineysisters knitting and so much more

I finished the back and started one of the fronts.  I sure hope it turns out — you never really know.  I thought I got inspired to do this project last year, but my forensic evidence (I found the receipt) confirms that I actually decided on this project in June of 2004 — boy, time flies!

I just returned from my counseling session – er – knitting group.  What a great group of people.  It really is the highlight of my week. 

This afternoon I played hookie and went to the Yarnery (St. Paul LYS) to be the person who helps out during their open knit clinic.  I had 6 or 8 people stop in (pretty much all at one time!), asking questions about their knitting projects.  It was a little tough trying to figure out where they were in the pattern, help them out at their level of expertise, AND help five other people at the same time.  Whew! 

My on-the-go project may have found its legs.  I started working on a jacket that I fell in love with last year.  Idonis (from my knitting group) made the jacket for her niece for Christmas last year and it was so gorgeous I decided I just had to have one exactly like it.  She made hers out of Pastaza (Cascade 50% llama, 50% wool, 132 yds/100 gms, 4 sts/in).  I immediately went out and bought a bag.  It sat aging gracefully for the past year waiting for me to choose it as my next project.  OKAY!  I finally pulled it out of my stash and started calculating the size I wanted , etc. etc.  I should mention that the pattern Idonis used is at least 40 years old.  To look at it, you would NEVER think to make it — but as I said, I had already seen the completed jacket.  The sizing is outrageous: a size 18 is 40 inches around!!!!  That’s the finished circumference!  Were people in the 60’s midgets?  Anyway, mine will be a tad bit larger 🙂 As I started knitting, I realized that one bag o’yarn was not going to cut it, so I bought another bag today and tested the color difference — it passed the test, amazingly enough.  I’ll probably use the new yarn on the sleeves, front band and collar, but the color really is okay.

Here is the pattern — DON’T LAUGH (okay, you can laugh, but only because I’m laughing WITH you):

How will I ever get my hair to do that? 

Here is the yarn color:

It is called Rainier Heather (color 073): maroon, blue and gold mixed together.  Pastaza is absolutely fabulous to work with; I’ve used it several times before.  So you may be laughing now but just wait.  You’ll see…it will be cute…I hope…well, maybe!