I'm tired.

I think everyone's getting married. That's my theory. If you are my age or older, you are married or getting married. It's seriously annoying. And it's not even that I want to get married now, even if I do say that. It's just that, when I do decide I want to get married, I would like for there to be a single guy or two left.

Knitting is surprisingly exhausting. I think I get so tired from staring at the tiny stitches as I knit them. Sort of like staring at a computer screen for too long, but different. Plus, my hands get wicked sore from the stupid arthritis that I shouldn't have yet.

Oh! I have a picture to share! I remember saying something a while ago about trying to post a picture with each blog update... That never happened. But I think today's picture makes up for all of those past pictureless posts!

Cabled Wristwarmers Pattern

Some notes on this pattern: These are designed to fit quite snugly. Make sure your gauge isn't too tight - if it is, use bigger needles! Also, I want to assure you that this is a very simple and quick project. Don't be fooled by the wordiness.

MATERIALS
*1 skein KnitPicks Gloss in Dusk (or any similar weight yarn)
4 Size US 2 DPNs
Cable needle (or extra DPN)
Stitch Markers
Waste yarn
Tapestry needle

*I haven't weighed what's left of the skein, but it looks like I used about half of it.

GAUGE
6.5 sts=1 inch (26 sts=4 inches)

ABBREVIATIONS
CO - Cast on
K - Knit
P - Purl
C2F - Slip 1 stitch to cable needle, move to front, knit 1, knit stitch from cable needle.
C2B - Slip 1 stitch to cable needle, move to back, knit 1, knit stitch from cable needle.
C4F - Slip 2 stitches to cable needle, move to front, knit 2, knit stitches from cable needle.
PM - Place marker
M1 - Make 1 stitch
SM - Slip marker

PATTERN
Row 1: K2, C2F, C2B, P2, K4, P2, C2F, C2B, K2
Row 2: K3, C2F, K1, P2, K4, P2, K1, C2B, K3
Row 3: K2, C2B, C2F, P2, K4, P2, C2B, C2F, K2
Row 4: K6, P2, K4, P2, K6
Row 5: K2, C2F, C2B, P2, K4, P2, C2F, C2B, K2
Row 6: K3, C2F, K1, P2, C4F, P2, K1, C2B, K3
Row 7: K2, C2B, C2F, P2, K4, P2, C2B, C2F, K2
Row 8: K6, P2, K4, P2, K6

DIRECTIONS

Right Wristwarmer:
CO 48 sts and distribute over 3 needles (14-20-14). Join in the round.

*K1, P1, repeat from * to end of row. Continue ribbing until you are pleased with the length. I did 6 rows of ribbing.

Start pattern. Needles 1and 3 will be stockinette. The pattern is only for needle 2!
Repeat pattern twice, then repeat rows 1-5 of the pattern. (You may do more repeats for a longer sleeve, just make sure you end on row 5.)

Thumb Gusset:
Gusset Row 1: K17, C2F, K1, P2, C4F, P2, K1, C2B, K8, PM, M1, K1, M1, PM, K8
Gusset Row 2: K16, C2B, C2F, P2, K4, P2, C2B, C2F, K7, SM, K3, SM, K7
Gusset Row 3: K20, P2, K4, P2, K11, SM, M1, K3, M1, SM, K8

Continue working pattern (at this point you're back to repeating row 1 of pattern) until you get to the thumb gusset stitches. When you reach the first marker:
For even rows: SM, M1, knit to the second marker, M1, SM, K to end of row
For odd rows: SM, knit to second marker, SM, K to end of row

Continue this until there are 15 stitches between the markers.

Next rows:
K16, C2B, C2F, P2, K4, P2, C2B, C2F, K7, SM, K15, SM, K8
K20, P2, K4, P2, K11, slip gusset stitches onto waste yarn, CO 5 sts over gap*, K8

Repeat pattern rows 5-8 (knit 4 extra stitches at end of each row)
Repeat rows 1-8
Repeat rows 1-2

*K1, P1, repeat from * to end of row. Again, continue ribbing until you're pleased.

BO all sts

Thumb:
Attach yarn inconspicuously so that you can begin knitting.
Move gusset sts from waste yarn onto 2 DPNs. Pick up 8 sts above thumb gap.
Knit 6 rows (23 sts)
BO all sts

FINISHING

Weave in all ends

Left Wristwarmer:
Work the same as with the right wristwarmer until you get to the first row of the thumb gusset.

Thumb Gusset:
Gusset Row 1: K7, PM, M1, K1, M1, PM, K9, C2F, K1, P2, C4F, P2, K1, C2B, K17

Work the same as the right wristwarmer (making sts on even rows and knitting across gusset on odd rows).
When you have finished the gusset (15 sts between markers) and have moved gusset sts onto waste yarn and cast on sts over the gap, continue working left wristwarmer the same as the right. Extra stitches will be at the beginning of the row instead of the end.

And you finish just like with the right wristwarmer.

Hopefully these instructions aren't painfully confusing, although I see how they could be. If you find errors, please let me know. I can be reached through comment here, email at alisonwilliams24@hotmail.com, or through PM on Ravelry (alison24). Thanks!

Going Commando

... For it or against it?

I don't like it. Not one bit.

-Ali

Sad Music

Tonight I was feeling a bit sad. Quite sad, in fact. So, I decided to sit myself down with some knitting and listen to slow, sad music because sometimes you just have to be sad, you know? But, as it turns out my Ipod is slightly lacking in the slow song department. I have a few, but my Ipod is mostly filled with music that I can dance around the house to. Also, most of the slow songs are freaking love songs. That's really not what I was going for. So, now, I'm listening to the same few songs over and over. I really need to get my Ipod organized and create some playlists so I don't have to keep searching for the slow songs.

Breakups are hard. Note to self: In future, when going through a breakup, remove "your song" from Ipod. When you stumble upon it later, you will not be happy. In fact, it will be quite painful. Remember that, self.

Ali

What to knit?!

I'm so frustrated. I have too much yarn. I mean, no, I don't have too much yarn but the variety of yarn I have is making it impossible to start a new project. I have several different yarns that I'm so excited about knitting, but I can't choose between them. And then, deciding what to knit with them... It's just so hard. Like, I want to make a cowl. But the cowl patterns I see that I really like are for worsted or heavier weight yarns. All of my fabulous yarns that I'm excited about are fingering-ish weight.

And back to the Ravelry pattern search I go...

-Ali

In which I have another excuse to hibernate.

I just want to say that I probably won't be seeing you all for awhile and I really appreciate the time we've had together. You're all great and I won't forget you.

You see, Skip got me carders and a spinning wheel for Christmas and now it's my duty to stay close to them until I've produced some yarn. (I intended for a smooth, creamy worsted alpaca, but now we've moved on to bulky novelty alpaca.) It's very engrossing and I'm not sure how long it will take to get the hang of it. Maybe I'll see you in the spring. But maybe not.

-Jenny