Lots To Write About

First of all, thanks to Heike, the Java Ribs pattern is now in German! She approached me to ask if she could translate the pattern into German and publish it on her blog; of course I said yes! You can find her translation here:

http://myblog.de/strickwelt/page/702095

I will also put a link to it in my pattern section so that no one will have to go hunting for this link in the archives.

Then, here's the promised picture of the front of the Donegal Tweed cardigan for yours truly...

The stitch I'm using (Mock Rib Cable) is from the Barbara Walker Treasury also visible in the picture, the Fourth Treasury. I'm very pleased at how well the cable actually shows up. Considering the texture and colour of the yarn, I honestly didn't think it would show up as well as it does. I have a total of 13" to knit up until I reach the armhole shaping. The pattern is a 16-row repeat and I try to finish one pattern repeat each time I pick up the sweater. That way, it should work up fairly quickly, right?

For anyone who's beginning to know me, you have probably realized by now that I can't have just one project on the needles. That would never do. Just don't ask me how many I DO have on the needles. I refuse to count them all. And, as of yesterday, there's another one.

This yarn was calling me yesterday. I just happened to have my Ann Budd's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns with me at the store. We have some stitch books at the store. I started this at the store. The yarn just struck me as looking rather "watery" and so I wanted to find a stitch that made me think of ripples on water. I think this works.

Don't ask me which book it came out of. Off hand, I don't remember. It's a 5-stitch, 8-row repeat, very easy to remember after the first pattern repeat. I'm thinking this should fit a 2-3 year old child, so it will be suitable for little Miss Trinity (Kristen, are you reading this? Could you measure her for me and let me know her chest measurement?). I'm working it as a raglan, all in one, as per Ann Budd's book. Have I mentioned just how much I love her books? Get them! They're worth it!

Anyway, I'm having fun working on that little cardigan; it's working up very quickly. The yarn, you ask? It's James C. Brett's Marble, 100% acrylic, machine washable (which is great when you've got toddlers), DK weight (but I think it would be just fine on a 4.5 mm needle rather than a 4.0 mm). The yarn comes from England; I'd never heard of it before.

Finally, a special hello to Debbie and her sister (you didn't tell me her name, Debbie). Debbie came into the store yesterday and, after a short while, introduced herself as one of my readers. She lives in Edmonton, Alberta and her sister lives in Chilliwack, British Columbia (not far from where most of my family lives). Her sister introduced her to my blog while in Yuma, Arizona. Did I get that right, Debbie? If not, let me know.

It was a real treat to meet you; you completely blew me away! What a wonderful world we live in. Knitters are a friendly group of people. Those of you I've never met, those of you I have met, those who leave comments, those who don't (please feel free to leave one now and then).... I consider all of you as friends, some as friends I've not yet met. We share a common bond... sticks and strings. Ain't life great?