Procrastination

Dear Cynthia,

I was able to find some size 15 dpn's, which I love, at Lakeside Fibers! And, as an added bonus, they are from a company in Milwaukee called Lakewood Needle Company. Of course, I bought them only hours before I read Elizabeth's comment with her great idea to make dpn's by using a dowel, a pencil sharpener, some sand paper, and some parafin. I'm going to try her idea, anyway, except with a different diameter dowel, because I think it would be a fun thing to try.

Anyway, the new needles enabled the completion of the hat. It is much needed today, as the temperature was about 9 degrees F at the bus stop this morning. Not sure what the other mothers thought about the hat, but I really like it. For one thing, it is quite warm, especially with the ear flaps. For another thing, I think it's just fun.

I've also made some progress on the socks I'm making for my mom's friend. This is the lady who has given me six hanks of Lorna's Laces sock yarns, a bunch of other very nice yarn, about a dozen pattern books and magazines, and most recently, this needle organizer stocked with the circular knitting needles shown. The socks seem a bit on the loose side, but most of my socks seem to tighten up after a trip through the washing machine, so I'll try that with these. I'm almost halfway done with the second sock.

Again, I want to thank our commenters! They always make me smile!

Marie, I'm so glad that you find lifelines helpful. I think I first read about the technique in one of the Yarn Harlot's books, and I would have pulled all of my hair out last summer if it wasn't for lifelines. They remind me of buying insurance...

Regarding the hem on the Hardangervidda, the pattern calls for twelve rows of stockinette at the start (bottom) of the sweater, then one row of purl, then back to stockinette. The row of purl is called a "turning ridge", so the bottom of the sweater folds very nicely back onto itself at the point of this turning ridge. Holding this "hem" in place, and using the same yarn as I'm using to knit the sweater, I carefully hand-sew the hem in place. I'm not sure if I'm being very clear about this. Let me know if you would like more clarification.

Well, so much to do today, and so little time. I'm sure it's the same for you!

Warm regards,
Laura (YarnThrower)