Sunday, December 02, 2007

Measure once, knit twice...

And I do know better. But, gosh darn it. Here's what happened. First I thought I was going to make another baby T-shirt out of the white Irina yarn. But then I realized I had quite a bit of that yarn — enough to make a 3/4-sleeve tee for Carson, who is a good size 3T now. And it seemed a shame not to use all of it. So I decided to do that instead. Except I'd sketched out the baby tee on my pad, and when I actually worked the math of how many stitches to cast on, I accidentally looked down at my pad, and worked it for 18.5".

Argh. It was perfect, too — and I didn't realize I'd screwed up until I was this far. Foolishly, I kept thinking, "Hunh, this really looks small, but hey, I know it's Carson's size because I'm on gauge and I did the math!"



Did the math, yeah. WRONG MATH. Durrrrr.

Now I know I said this yarn won't rip, but I took a chance, since it was plain stockinette and over a skein's worth and I really have my heart set on the shirt for Carson now. I was very very careful. I think it's okay, but we'll know for sure when I knit it, because I was a wuss and started with a fresh ball.

Still, this time I like the trim (seed stitch instead of moss stitch) better than last time anyway. Incidentally I prefer this color of the Katia Irina to the previous one. I'm using US size 4 circs, by the way. And this yarn is machine wash, which is awesome. And I'm planning to do reverse stockinette sleeves, which I think will look beautiful on a raglan with a stockinette body.

(Okay, I know in the last post I said I'd knit it top down, but hey, I lied. This is easier to calculate.)

Thanks for the kind and helpful comments on the previous tee, btw. I guess I'll save it for some baby! Maybe if it marinates in the FOs for a while I'll stop seeing its flaws.

Apropos of nothing, my garden is really confused about what season it is:




(Admittedly, this plumeria is a little brown, but come on — plumeria in November? Nuts! Even in San Diego that is insane.)

Okay, warning: IF YOU ARE FREAKED OUT BY SPIDERS, DON'T SCROLL ANY FURTHER.
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I've been sick and useless this weekend (except for knitting, which had to be ripped), but tonight I got to take a photo of The Coolest Spider. I am pretty sure he's a trap door spider. He was on the march (apparently it's the males who go a-roamin'), plowing along with palps out stiffly in front of him, on our driveway — Rob found her and yelled for me. He caught him temporarily so I could take another photo. Is he gorgeous or what?



7 comments:

Earin Marybird said...

Way Way Way Cool Spider!

Anonymous said...

Dude! Check out those chelicerae (I had to look up how to spell that word)! I can't tell how big he is from those photos, but that dish in the second one makes him look about 2 inches long. Wow, how wonderful!

FUZZARELLY said...

I love spiders! Thanks for the pictures.

In the movie Ruthless People, I love the fact that the kidnappers didn't have to heart to kill a spider. Or sell retail.

Elinoire said...

It's a pretty cool spider but I'm glad Rob found it at your house, not mine. I like spiders but that one would wig me the heck out.

Anonymous said...

Gail would've been on the eff-in' ceiling if she'd seen that.

right on :)

April said...

That is SUCH a cool spider. But next time, could you include a picture of your finger next to him for scale? Thanks. :)

Earin Marybird said...

Inquiring minds want to know: Where is Valerie? Is she out of town? Snowed under with work? Ill (I hope not!). We miss her!