Pile o' Dishclothes and other miscellanea

Yes, I have a camera. You wouldn’t think it since I haven’t been posting pics. So here:



This is the pile o’dishclothes I’ve been talking about. Who would have thought knitting glorified gauge swatches would be so fulfilling? Well, it is.

I made these from the “pile o’ cheap cotton” that’s been lying in my stash for a while. I’ve never actually used handknit dishcloths before, so we shall see how they hold up. I was also partly inspired to knit cloths because my MIL was complaining about the thin, cheap dishcloths at the store and the lightbulb in my head proceeded to flicker…




My favorite ones are the garterlac dishcloth (above – yeah new skillz!) and the linen stitch cloth .



What you see here is what I’m currently knitting. It’s what I’m tentatively calling the “rib lace henley”. See my awesome sketching abilities? This is the back and I’m closely approaching the armholes, which should be a fun adventure. I’m being optimistic here.

1.5 weeks till Montreal!

Links and Excuses

I’m always busier during the summer. My free time is normally spent being social (which isn’t a regular thing for me) or traveling. The husbeast and I normally plan for one “big vacation” and a couple smaller day trips, events, or 3-day weekends. Since there is no evil snow in site, this time of year also brings the family up for visits (we live in central NY, most of our family is in PA). We’ve had a lovely time with my SIL and 3 year old niece last week (they’re actually from NC). My mother is planning a visit in late August. My Dad will probably squeeze some time in before then end of summer, I’m sure. My MIL is coming along on our Montreal adventure (this is the “big” vacation). (btw- anyone have any Montreal tips?)

What’s the point of all this rambling? Well, I just haven’t been knitting a lot. Summertime is just one long distraction. And it’s not that I don’t have visions of purls dancing in my head. The only clear progress I’ve made recently is I finally weaved in the ends for my pile o’ dishcloths. And I took back my vow to not frog the Cropped Cardigan with Leaf Ties. I gave up, it’s just not flattering. Once again, I have proven my lack of perspective when it comes to clothes and my body type. Will I ever learn? History says no.

I will have some pictures soon, but not in this post so you can stop wondering already.

But I do have some links for things I’ve been perusing (knitting and non-knitting related):

- Previews, previews, and more previews. Fall is around the corner and the knit mag previews are up. Freebie lovers will enjoy Vogue Knitting’s array of free patterns. I’m glad to see they’ve finally jumped on the free web pattern bandwagon. (really VK, there’s no need to be stingy). I like some of the offerings, but VK is just too trendy for my tastes. IK and Knitscene’s are up, too.

- Is anyone else in awe of Norah Gaughan? She makes the loveliest patterns, and once again she has taken the cover of IK. She shall now be referred to as the Gaughanater. Oh why did I let my subscription run out?

- Damn you Wii for stealing (some of) my precious knitting time!

- I’m already planning the Cropped Cardigan's re-incarnation. And I’ll finally be able to use my Sweater Design in Plain English Book that’s been hanging out since last Christmas.

- Environmentally conscious? Worry about toxic shock syndrome? Hate lugging around feminine hygiene products? Here’s something just for you ;) The Diva Cup. Don’t ask, see for yourself.