Knitting-Content Packed!-WHAM!

It is amazing to see this much knitting content in one post (for me, at least...) I actually have a knit project, book signing excitement and yarn pr0n all in one post!

I got to Purlescence yesterday evening-barely in time to get my book signed by Cat! I had seen her book at another yarn store and had looked forward to its release since hearing about it when I first met Cat at Camp Cockamamie. Luckily, I had called Nathania ahead of time to reserve my copy! Nartian had one reserved for her, too, so I think she was relieved to know that I had accomplished my mission when earlier I had left her a phone message saying that I was racing down there with but 35 minutes to go before the signing would end! But I was happy to report that I got there with about 25 minutes to spare! The Great Race accomplished! (Don't you hate it when someone drops in unexpectedly as you are headed out the door!-and wants to take your kid overnight...so then you need to get his crap together and are half kicking them out reminding them you were on your way out and NEED to go NOW...well, you get the picture?...)


Needless to say, I made it! And who is there at the table with Cat? No one other than Stephen of hizKNITS! A true Camp Cockamamie mini-Reunion! We got the added treat of seeing a video clip of Cat's new grandson, Charlie, who many of the socks in the new book were made (and named) for! Adorable baby. She showed him getting a bath in the sink that Cat and Stephanie (Yarnharlot) had "birthed" the cabbage in. (You may be familiar with that story if you keep up with Yarn Harlot's blog and read her camp entry...). At any rate, Cat shared with us that while giving Charlie a bath in that same sink, it collapsed-credit is given to Stephanie who put much strength into birthing that cabbage in the sink-strong woman, that Yarn Harlot is...

So here is the progress of my Ribby Pulli...
I spent a good deal of time at the park today, at one of the Little Emperor's royal subject's (a best buddy) birthday party. I got a bit more accomplished, though if I were Nartian, I probably would have it completed by now!

I had earlier read the instructions, joined the sleeves and body, and went on to the decreases. After setting this aside, I picked it up, re-read the instructions and decided I had made an error, so I ripped back the 5 rows of alternating decreases. WRONG! I had actually done it correctly, but misread the instructions the second time around! DRAT! Re-knit the 5 rows and continued on...

The first inch or so after joining the body and sleeves is ever so akward to knit, so I was freaking that maybe I had followed the instructions incorrectly. However, after going to Purlescence (yarn store and Ribby Pulli Headquarters, in my book...), I confirmed with Sandy that yes, this is a difficult part of the Ribby Pulli sweater. She suggests either using two circs and dpns on the sleeves, or magic looping the body. I'm past the awkward part and told her than though I am sure I have all the requisite needles, I would be hard pressed to find them all and really could not justify that many repeat purchases of needles! I'm just glad I have moved past the awkward part. One thing that helped was just scrunching all the sleeve stitches onto the straight needle portions of the circs as I knit that portion. If I didn't, then the curve of the sleeve would fight with my needle positions. If I did a Ribby Pulli again, I would prefer a top-down approach. Problem is, if I did the pattern again, I would probably want to do the scoop-necked version and am not convinced I could figure out the top-down on that particular version...

And now for my Rockin Sock Club SPOILER!!! Anyone who just got spoiled, sorry! I get my shipment so late now, since I am on the West Coast and, afterall, this blog is all about ME, that I am not going to make an attempt to avoid spoilage. I know, selfish of me, isn't it? So here it is!


The color is "Flower Power". It photographed darker than the vibrancy it has in person. We go our usual mini-skein which I already hung on my Wall of Shame, so it is not pictured, but everything else is. Since most people show the front of the pattern, I decided I would picture the back side of mine-it shows the pattern knit in several colors and I think actually is a more complete pic of what the pattern looks like. You may also notice our groovy tattoos, as well...