Over the finish line!
Tubey is finished!
My Olympic Knitting challenge is a success. I finished early because I wanted to wear this to the wrestling tournament today. But after quarterfinals yesterday I realized that the inside of a crowded gym is more tropical than this sweater warrants. So tomorrow, for a lazy Sunday at home.
My overall impressions? The sweater was a fun, easy, seamless knit, which no-doubt saved me at least a day in the final stretch. It fits well, if a little baggy around the waist. I'm pleased. The yarn, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, is nice and soft. But I'm afraid it is going to have a tendency to pill. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
And about all the lovely suggestions for baby sweaters you all passed on to me. Unfortunately, they'll have to wait. My daughter pointed out that I haven't made her a sweater in years. I explained that she never wears the ones I have made for her. She noted that they are all itchy. So off to the yarn store we went for some cotton. I started it yesterday, choosing to leave the almost-finished Tubey at home during wrestling. I'm using a yarn that is too heavy for the pattern, so fit might be an issue as I am math-impaired. But she'll grow.
And another thing: now that I am a continental girl, I must say that when I timed my knitting at 26 stitches per minute, that was in the 3X1 rib, not straight stockinette. Yesterday, working in cotton with my new Addi Turbos, I was getting a much better rhythm.
And now I leave you with what I thought would be simply a cute picture of my daughter shortly after waking up. But pictures say a thousand words (and I added a few). I'm a bad mother, decorator, housekeeper, and pet owner:
My stepson is set to win his 100th career wrestling match today around noon (not yesterday as we thought. He won the quarterfinal match but upon further research we learned it was only his 99th). He is seeded first in the tournament and hopefully will return home not only as state champion but also the school record holder for most tournament wins in one season. My best childhood friend is coming to visit this weekend and will be there for the match. I have not seen her in at least a year so I'm quite excited.
And we're even getting some snow today.
I love that! It fits you so well too. Good luck to your step-son too.
Posted by: Scout | February 25, 2006 at 09:53 AM
Also, you should do my knitting meme! Did you ever see it?
Posted by: Scout | February 25, 2006 at 09:54 AM
Your Tubey is awesome! Green is definitely your color.
I hope your step-son wins his match and enjoy your visit with your friend.
Love your picture there, look at those cute lil' skinny legs! We still have blank walls after living here for 5 years, so don't feel bad.
Posted by: heather | February 25, 2006 at 10:00 AM
I love the sweater! So will there be more continental knitting in your future?
Posted by: Ramona | February 25, 2006 at 10:09 AM
The Tubey looks great! (Oh no, another thing to add to my want-to-make list...)
And don't worry about the blank living room walls. We've lived in our house for 6 years and we still haven't put up most of our artwork. (!)
Good luck to your stepson!
Posted by: Katy | February 25, 2006 at 10:15 AM
Congratulations on your early finish...me, too! See you at the medal ceremony.
Posted by: Marcia | February 25, 2006 at 11:06 AM
You look like One Hot Mama in that sweater! Unfortunately, I will confirm that the yarn pills -- a lot. It's so soft and lovely, though. One thing I found is it seems to pill dramatically after the first wearing and you almost want to cry. But in a weird sort of way, the pilling is sort of self-limiting, and after you get used to that initial shock, it's all good.
Posted by: Norma | February 25, 2006 at 11:25 AM
Great Tubey! And I see nothing wrong with the second pic. Replace the girl with a boy, living room with TV room, beer bottle with wine glass and scatter various assorted toy cars on the floor and sofa and you'd have a picture of my house shortly after waking up. Best of luck to your stepson on the 100th win!
Posted by: Rachel H | February 25, 2006 at 11:55 AM
Congratulations! The sweater looks great. I made some mitts from DB Cashermino Aran and they seem to be holding up pretty well. After quite a bit of this season's wear they are bit fuzzy, but not distressingly so.
Posted by: Jane | February 25, 2006 at 12:59 PM
Wow. Tubey is wonderful.
I guess I really WILL be knitting her!
Meanwhile, I offer another distraction from housework. I've tagged you for the book meme.
(questions available at http://shadowdancer.typepad.com/blog)
Don't you love me?
wait, don't answer that.
Posted by: NeedleDancer | February 25, 2006 at 10:49 PM
It looks stunning on you. Congratulations!
Posted by: Cassie | February 26, 2006 at 12:32 AM
Yowsa, that looks hot! Great job!
Posted by: Lee Ann | February 26, 2006 at 01:12 PM
Tubey looks great!
Thanks for the report on the pilling. I didn't know that about that yarn. I'd be interested in any solutions, too, that are given to you.
Don't feel bad about the living room/daughter/animal situation. It will get better and you'll feel motivated throughout your stay in the house to get to decorating and doing. True words from a person with firsthand experience. Smile.
Knit on!
Posted by: Latoya | February 26, 2006 at 02:06 PM
Wow, that is one seriously cute sweater. It looks fabulous on. You did a beautiful job knitting it, and clearly the designer is a genius. I love that neckline!
Posted by: Laura | February 26, 2006 at 11:44 PM
Wow! That sweater looks fabulous on you! The neckline's great. Shame about the pilling; I think some colors pill more than others. Wear it on special occasions, and knit another one out of silk and/or cotton. Great job!
Posted by: Sahara | February 27, 2006 at 02:21 AM
And it is GOLD GOLD GOLD! Tubey looks great!
You think your lounge room is a mess? Come and see our study! Or my fibre room. Or the lounge room or our bedroom... Why do we get so fussed about it? Hope your stepson's wrestling went well!
Posted by: lynne s of oz | February 27, 2006 at 03:43 AM
I love your Tubey! I think the solid color is wonderful! I may have to rethink this one!
Posted by: christine | February 27, 2006 at 10:27 AM
Your Tubey looks great! Wasn't that a fun and relaxing project -- lots of mindless knitting and absolutely no seaming. Congratulations on your gold, thank goodness your housework didn't get in the way of your Olympic dream :-)
Posted by: nona | February 27, 2006 at 12:04 PM
It's so good to see that it works well on other people than Cassie. Yummy. Great job!
Posted by: julia fc | February 27, 2006 at 12:57 PM
Congratulations on finishing on time! Love the sweater.
Posted by: Kelly | February 27, 2006 at 07:53 PM
Tubey looks fabulous - congrats on finishing on time.
Posted by: Amy Boogie | February 28, 2006 at 08:08 AM
When are the awards ceremonies? Ya look great.
Posted by: Cindy | February 28, 2006 at 08:39 AM
WOW ~ That sweater looks great!
Posted by: Tammie | February 28, 2006 at 04:17 PM
Bad mothers unite!!! Tubey is so much more important - it looks wonderful!
Posted by: juliet | March 01, 2006 at 05:09 PM
I found your post. Your Tubey is great. I have Tubey envy.
Posted by: Katherine Allred | April 24, 2006 at 07:22 PM