June 06, 2003

Remember how the zombies in the movie Night of the Living Dead looked? Yes? Well, that is just how I felt (and probably looked!) for the last few days thanks to a major bout of the stomach flu. I lived in Mexico (and no, you really shouldn't drink the water there) for a number of years, so I can pretty much take any virus - especially the ghastly stomach ones - like a tough little soldier. But this one hit me like a ton of bricks and last thing I wanted to do was hold up a pair of needles and knit. Thankfully, I'm better now. So it's back to knitting and other fun!



My edges could use a little blocking.

...which means I finished the back of my husband's sweater and boy, oh boy is this sweater knitting quickly. It's a larger gauge knit on 4.5mm's, and is mostly stockinette stitch with a ribbed center panel. I've discovered that I tend to get bored when I knit straight stockinette stitch at larger gauges, but I'm really enjoying this one. The raglan decreases were really fun to do and I was almost sorry when it came time to bind off for the neckline. This pattern (14 from Les Essentiels Mode, Phildar) utilizes visible double decreases that require a combination of crossing stitches and k2tog or ssk (depending on which side you're doing them). I had never seen or read about double decreases made by crossing stitches before, but it looks really neat! And that is yet another reason for me to continue to learn about the variety of decreases and increases there are as they can be used effectively to create different textures, especially if the pattern utilizes only one or two stitches. No need for cables or lace to make something interesting in the fabric.

On a somewhat related note, while halfway through the back of my husband's sweater, I decided to move the piece from a 4.5mm Addi Turbo circ 24" in length to a 4.5mm Susan Bates Silverado circ 32" in length because my work was getting scrunched on the shorter needle, and I don't have any Addi's longer than 24". I got the Susan Bates for cheapo dollars at a craft store in the States a few years ago, and the Addi's for, well, a lot more. I won't lie; one is nicer to knit with than the other, but my knitting doesn't show a change. If you can't afford metal Addi's, use Susan Bates Silverado. You may not knit as quickly but chances are the result will be the same. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

P.S. Re my flu: I have one child. Only one. A 33-month old toddler. And he doesn't start school until September, so he is with me all day. People, I cannot begin to describe how hellish it is to have a toddler shove crayons, books and puzzles in your face while screeching, "Mommy SICK!" when you are sick as a dog and all you want to do is dive into a hole and not get out until you feel human again. To every parent who has had to take care of children while suffering from a nasty stomach flu: I salute you.

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