It was a dark and stormy weekend...
We've had some serious weather lately. All last week, and this weekend especially, rain, wind, excruciatingly cold (okay, okay, it wasn't excruciatingly cold). It was a great weekend to curl up on the couch, knit and watch movies. Which, after I finished some bags that have been haunting me all week, I did (more on those later, okay?) (like, tomorrow.).
Don't you just love that afghan? I do. I came across it while browsing Ravelry about a month ago, and fell in love with all the colors - and it looks so warm and cozy! It's the Glowing Colors Afghan from Lion Brand Yarns, and the pattern is free! Never mind that it's sized for a child. I love it. I've spent the last month gathering all the yarn, going from one Michael's or Joann's to another looking for the required Jiffy colors and found all but 3 (I finally threw in the towel and ordered them online).
It's such an easy pattern too - all knit in stockinette stitch with two colors together. You knit the three panels separately, and then piece them together. Even I can handle that.
This was the perfect weekend to get started. I was feeling so lazy, it was gloomy, cold and rainy - all the requirements for a good knitting weekend, right? I had my tea at my side, my dogs at my feet, my cat...outside in the rain refusing to enter the warmth of a sheltered area (she is such a martyr). She'll just sit at the front door and meow, but she won't come in. She'll make us open the door, and stand there with the cold air blasting in, while she rubs against the door jam, but she won't come in. Whatever.
I started on Saturday and finished the first panel yesterday while watching Titanic, which I had never seen from beginning to end. One of my fears and phobias is the water and drowning, so this was a good choice for me. I noticed that my knitting speed increased as the ship was going down, and I started to hyperventilate as people were getting sucked into the dining room windows (did I just spoil anything there? I'm trying to work through a fear, okay, just deal with it). Ohmygod, it was awful.
But I was mighty quick, and as my heart rate slowed, I was binding off. The only thing, the sides curled in like crazy, so I've set it out and pinned it down on the dining room table. I don't know if I should spray it with water - it's a simple acrylic yarn, does anyone have any suggestions? I started the second panel and am knitting the first and last stitch on the purl side this time, hoping that will stop the curl.
Anyway! I do love this pattern and the colors, I might even have time to work on it a little today. My kids are all home from school today; not sick, thankfully - but it's one of those district-wide student free days that are scheduled to torture parents after a weekend of rain. (kidding, Colin, I'm so glad you're home today! We can cuddle. Oh. You're 15 - you don't want to cuddle anymore.)
Also, I have to go make my shopping list. I was on a roll last week with Dinner Challenge, I can't throw in the towel now, can I? I'm going to head over to the Flickr Group right now and see what everyone made recently. I need inspiration.
Wow that does look nice. Very snuggly ... great for this wet LA weather. I'm curious about how many skiens of jiffy it takes (I'm trying to figure out the cost in my head).
Posted by: LizKnits | January 28, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Oh I'm so glad you are doing this blanket. I recently saw it and thought it was adorable. Can't wait to see how yours turns out - looks great already!
Posted by: Knitterella | January 28, 2008 at 12:23 PM
what a great snuggly blanket!
Posted by: emily | January 28, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Those colors ARE fantastic together. Sized for a child. . .You can make it your lap blanket when you're a grandma!
Posted by: jennifer ramos | January 28, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Wow! You've graduated from scarves to afghans.
"I started the second panel and am knitting the first and last stitch on the purl side this time, hoping that will stop the curl."
Spoken like an experienced knitter. I have no idea what you're talking about. LOL
I can take the rain and we do need it, but OMG the wind has been brutal. I live on a hill on an acre and I swear the wind whistled through the house last night.
~elaine~
Posted by: Elaine L. | January 28, 2008 at 06:27 PM
I love those colors!!! You are really a knitting queen now!! I am stuck at a beginner level!!
Posted by: Leigh | January 28, 2008 at 10:35 PM
That is so cute I can hardly stand it!
Posted by: Sarah | January 29, 2008 at 08:49 AM
Lookin' good mama! I'm going to be staring mine soon as well.
Posted by: Chelsea D. | January 31, 2008 at 07:32 AM