Cozy

Cozy was finished drying on Wednesday evening, so I attempted to take some pictures before wrapping it up to give away.



I wrestled with The Evil One for a while to get her out of the way. Being the blanket whore that she is, she wanted to cuddle up on this even though it's not a blanket. "But Ma, it looks like a blanket."



Sorry for the lovely flash enhancement. All of the blocking photos I took without a flash were pretty blurry. I did want to show this one...



Running slightly diagonally through the middle of the photo is the only major mistake I made. I repeated a row instead of going on to the next row in the pattern. I noticed it about 10 rows later and just couldn't face ripping back. It's not that noticeable. At least, I hope it's not.



Here's the details:
Pattern: Cozy in Knitty, Fall 2004
Yarn: Pingouin Fleur de Laine, 100% worsted weight wool (bought in 1991; gifted to me by S earlier this year), hunter green, 4 or 5 skeins (I can't remember exactly how many)
Needles: US size 10.5 Addis, 24" circulars
Started: 11/3/07
Finished: 12/15/07
Modifications: None. I worked the pattern as written.
Notes: I started this on size 8s a few months ago and I hated the way it was working up. I'm an uber-tight knitter and the needles were not large enough to make for a very lacy fabric. All of this didn't occur to me right away so in my frustration with the pattern, I put down the project and didn't pick it up again for another month. When I finally picked it up again, I decided to try working on size 10.5s. Muuuuuuuuch better.


note to self: don't take pictures in front of crucifix in BB's room.

The large needles and worsted weight yarn meant that this project trucked along pretty quickly. I didn't get to work on it for a few weeks while I finished the Secret of the Stole, but I managed to pick it up again without any problems and finished last weekend.

Overall, I liked this project. Easy lace pattern that was simple enough that I think a beginner could do it, but interesting enough to keep the mind from falling asleep. If I had to make it again, I would make it wider, but otherwise, it's pretty perfect as is.

And, the yarn. Near as I can tell, this yarn is no longer made. And it's a shame, too, because it's a nice, basic wool. Squishy and not too scratchy. And I realized after working with it for a while that it has a nice luster to it too.



Then, the best part. L, S, and I had our annual Christmas dinner out last night. We went to the restaurant that's in the old historic hotel downtown. It was 2 for 1 martini night. Mmmmmm! Anyway, we exchanged gifts after eating. I gave L the Lady Eleanor and S the Cozy. They were both so surprised and so appreciative. Even though neither one of them knits, I knew they would appreciate the work I had done. L nearly cried. It was so sweet. I'm not the most generous person in the world, but I swear that is the best part of knitting stuff for other people. I'm not much for the attention I get when I give hand knitted things, but I love watching the recipients' reactions.

Well, that was it for my Christmas knitting. Finished and given away. Now all my knitting time is for me! And Yarn Barn is having their annual sale next week. Yee Haw!!