purlingswine

Our new camera arrived today! Once I get it all figured out, I will post some pictures. I was burning the midnight oil finishing the poncho. Did I mention that I started a poncho while waiting for The Vest to finish blocking? It is adorable and I think my niece will love it …. I decided against the fringe, but did make what can only be described as ‘mother-lode’ pom-poms for the I-cord drawstring at the neck. I also made a smaller version sans pom-poms for her American Girl doll.

This was a small project, but it taught me a lot:

1. I am losing my mind. I used leftover Stawberry Shortcake yarn for this. After getting three quarters of the way through the front panel, it occured to me that indeed I would not have enough yarn to finish. I was momentarily confused – how could this be? why did I think I would have enough in the first place? What to do? I bought more yarn. The yarn I was using LionBrand Woolspun has been discontinued, so I was not able to get the Strawberry Shortcake color and bought the white instead. I decided to do a white border around the bottom. Happy with this decision, feeling crafty I continued knitting. At some point during the knitting of the second panel, I noticed, sitting right on top of a basket of yarn that I keep in plain view next to favorite knitting chair two skeins of the Strawberry Shortcake! How I managed to go blind, I have no idea. I am 41 years old – am I too young for this?? scarily, I think not.

2. I have been seaming things together all wrong all these years! Thanks to the wonderful article in the spring issue of Knitty I have been set straight. All these years of knitting, I have approached seaming just like I would if I were sewing. Right sides together and away we go — wrong!! I see now that placing the pieces side by side and using the appropriate stitch, gives a beautiful, invisible seam! this old dog has learned a new trick!

3. pom-poms are fun to make

4. I am fully capable of not following the pattern exactly and having things turn out just fine! For this poncho I used a different neck than called for. I also reconfigured the pattern for the body somewhat. My first little stab at design.

5. doll clothes, while seemingly innocuous, are a pain in the ass