Yesterday I realized I was dangerously close to completing my lemongrass sweater. And I’d started it merely 8 days prior. I felt certain if I kept at it, I’d have a finished sweater on Monday, giving me a 10 day sweater completion, something I haven’t managed since the summer of 2008. Mr. Ink and I made dinner Saturday evening, and then rather than going out to see a movie, I chose to have us watch one at home so that I could knit through it.

Today we went out to a mountain bike trail a bit farther away than we usually do. I brought my knitting for 2 reasons. It’s a bit of a car trip, and because often Mr. Ink rides a second lap when I can only manage the strength and endurance for one. This leaves me a lovely peaceful time in nature knitting while he rides his second lap fast.

We rode. The trail we rode is advanced for me, but I seem to recently have had a major uptick in ability on the mountain bike. So, for the first time ever, I was able to ride probably 95% of this trail. Prior to this, I’d ride the trail, but end up walking most of it. It was an absolutely BLISSFUL ride. But, toward the end, I attempted to ride over a pile of logs, and my bike itself probably wasn’t up for the challenge. I got over them, and then everything went tits up. I went over my handlebars, taking a decent spill. To be honest, this is something I’ve come to expect while mountain biking, but not something that regularly happens anymore.

I hopped up, refused to assess the damage, hopped back on the bike, and told Mr. Ink to keep going, as he’d heard me fall and was riding back toward me. I rode along, assessing the damage, knowing I’d probably hurt later and be stiff this week.

During lap 2 for Mr. Ink, I tried to knit, but didn’t seem to be feeling up to it. Then, we went out for lunch, and once we returned home, I again tried to knit. Again, I wasn’t feeling it, and I couldn’t figure out why. Then, I noticed my wrist hurt a bit. I thought “Perhaps trying to knit a sweater in 10 days is getting to my hands.” But it just wasn’t the right kind of pain.

And then, all at once, it hit me. That’s the wrist I fell on out on the trail, and I did go down pretty hard. So, I’ve now set aside the sweater, and rather than the triumphant post about knitting a sweater in 10 days you were going to see in the near future, I am deciding to throw in the towel. I am not winning this one. And that’s ok.

Sad right? I’ve only a few more inches to the sleeves and then the turtleneck to knit!  But, it’s still toasty warm here, and, I won’t be able to wear it in the near future anyhow.

Better to see how I feel tomorrow.

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! My long weekend is drawing to a close, and it has been fantastic.

Not really, just post conference days off. A chance to recharge my batteries, and dump some overtime.

Yesterday morning I spent not knitting. Looking back, I am not even entirely sure WHAT I did with that time. But, I am also sure it was necessary. Then, in the afternoon I began the task of knitting the ribbing on the Lemongrass sweater. It’s no small feat, as the ribbing goes from the armpits, all the way around the bottom of the sweater, on both the front and back. I finished it late last night.

This morning I picked up stitches for the first arm.

Really, not bad progress all things considered. You may remember that I have been nervous about running out of yarn. I have 2 and a half balls of yarn left. I started the sleeve with a brand new ball of yarn. If I can manage to finish the sleeve with just one ball of yarn, I will be just fine. If I cannot, THEN, I will begin to panic. But, not right now. I don’t have time for panic.

Today is a hooky day bike ride. I skipped the morning portion but am heading out shortly for the afternoon portion of the ride. Should be a good time with good friends, and I really am looking forward to this social time.

I finished my conference yesterday at around 2, but was a complete vegetable after I got home. I napped, then sat on the couch with some spindle spinning and reading. Unable to knit or really participate in life for a couple hours. Once Bug got home, there was homework to help with, and then Mr. Ink came over to make me dinner. It was a very good kind of homey evening that I needed.

I went in to the conference quite early yesterday morning, as I decided I wanted all the poster stands down and packed up before the sessions even started. Luckily, I wasn’t the only one with that thought, and I had a little bit of help. I couldn’t have finished before the session on my own, but it did get done due to the help. This freed me up for being available during the breaks for paperwork and required signatures. After making sure I was as tidy and organized as possible, I knit on the back of my sweater, and, I FINISHED THE BACK!

I had about 2 rows left once the conference finished and lunch began. But, because I still needed to be available for paperwork, I managed to finish those two rows.

My next step, which probably will happen today if I decide that knitting is what I really want to do, is to add the ribbing around the front and back.

I am a bit nervous about yarn consumption. I might not have quite enough. I’ve never truly had to beg on Rav before, but, I fear I might have to this time.

The other thing I’ve noted is that knitting aran weight yarn like this? Frees up room in my stash so ridiculously fast! Honestly, if I next knit another bulkier sweater, I’ll have another entire square empty! That would thrill me to pieces.

Let me just start with this. I started this sweater back in April, and it was a slog.

I loved the yarn. Dyeabolical’s tenacious sock, colorway tempest tease. I loved the end results of the pattern. But, it was really tough for me to do so much very tiny stockinette.

However, I must say, the resulting sweater does not disappoint.

I love the fit. I love the unusual arm detail. The yarn is great to wear next to skin.

It feels good on, which makes me feel good when I wear it.

As a final detail, I’d decided to pick up some Czech glass buttons off Etsy. I used 5 on each arm rather than 7 because I couldn’t find buttons small enough for my needs.

They are a final fabulous touch to the sweater, they pick up so many colors, but are predominately green and gold.

I am not sure what else to say about this one. Except that this confirms it. My next sweater will also be a Joji sweater. This one fits TOO well to have it any other way. But, I’ll use thicker yarn next time.

I have a huge work project that starts in one week and spans over 4 days. I’ve spent a good portion of this past week just trying to get organized at work, and it seems to be spilling into my crafting life as well. I suddenly seem to be giving myself these goals, goals which have to do with completing projects. So, in an effort to stay on track, this week is going to consist of To Do list progress, and we’ll see how far I can get.

First up is the boxy and buttony sweater. I’ve ordered some beautiful buttons for this project, but they aren’t going to be shipped until tomorrow. I don’t know if they’ll come in this week or not. Even so, I’ve procrastinated the end of this sweater long enough.

Yesterday I knit the collar of the sweater, and then started a sleeve. Once this is done, all that is left is the second sleeve, weaving in ends, blocking, and sewing on the buttons. I can’t wait to get it done, and pushing myself through now would be a very good idea.

If I could get it blocked before the work conference, and IF the buttons come in, maybe I could even wear it. Wouldn’t that be something?

I also have the wheel project I’d like to finish, and the spindle project which is close to being done, but I’d like to have the wheel to ply on. Which is why the wheel project needs to get done. I’ll post some spinning progress pictures tomorrow.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend. Mine has consisted of a bike ride (FINALLY!) a garden harvest, and a bunch of delicious home cooked meals by Mr. Ink and me. It’s been chilly and fall like, and the chosen activities this weekend have fit that theme perfectly.