The Knit Goes On....

And on. Well, we’re back from our vacation to Philadelphia. It was David’s first time back since we moved down the NC nearly 3 ½ years ago. I was joking with him on the turnpike, “it’s your LAST CHANCE to turn back honey!” and things like that. He survived just fine and even had 2 nights of wonderful hoagies, which they just don’t have here in Asheville.

I’m finding I like the city better as a tourist, and I played the part, taking pics just about everywhere we went. We spent a day downtown and I really enjoyed it! I love the old architecture and the interesting play of old with new. The Art Museum was amazing as always, I only wish we had had more time to spend there. I did visit one yarn store in downtown Philly, called Rosie’s Yarn Cellar, and the name is serious, it is in an old cellar. It was a good thing I had the address or we never would have seen the sign. It was a nice shop, a good selection of higher quality yarns, nice displays. I purchased some Koigu for the Lotus Leaf Mittens, and then sadly left since I was with 3 non-knitters. I recommend it if you visit Philly, there are 2 others in the downtown area I have yet to see. Maybe next time.

Our visits North are always like Disneyland for Sydney, and of course this was no exception. She had a blast and was pretty sad on the long ride home. As was I, but it is what it is. I’m still hoping for those teleporters like the ones they had in Star Trek, since it seems most things from those shows comes true at some point. (Remember the gigantic cell phones they had??)

Of course there wasn’t much knitting that got done on the trip. The main thing I worked on was the Morgan cap for my brother. I was planning on knitting Mars for him, but he specifically requested a ‘Jeff’ cap. This is an incredibly clever pattern, it really keeps you on your toes and there’s no ‘mindless’ areas, as far as I’m concerned. The construction is just brilliant! I just need to get a plastic thingy to fit into the peak, then to wash and block. I just hope it fits!!

I was working on Sylvi on the car ride home, just cruising along with the seed stitch front. I got a little too smug, thinking, ‘wow, I’m almost done this front already!’, then realized the next day that I had forgotten to slip the first stitch on the right side. Then I thought, well I can just seam it up and no one will know. Looked at the pattern. Yes, there is a reason for the slip stitch, of course. Mari Muinonen (the designer) actually has the seam showing on the outside. Oh, drat. Then I think about it some more and I’m hoping I can just drop the stitch and carry it back up the right way. The only confusion is how I get it to ‘skip’ a row. Hmmm….any thoughts? This may be on its’ way to the frog pond.

I’m back at designing a new sweater, and just decided to dive in headfirst yesterday. I think I like the way all the different elements are coming together now, after all my swatching insanity (see pics). I’m just about to the point where I can do the actual knitting, and I’m getting excited! She’s going to be a beauty!

Let 2009 be the year you find your true Self, and live up to your own standards.