For my Own Amusement...

Just as a break from anything requiring thought I whipped this baby out. Started it last night, and finished this morning. It amused me. Now it's done I am not sure how I feel about it. I kinda dig it, funky eccentric looking thing. Girl likes it, Gene will think I've lost my mind, especially if I wear it. With him. Or ever. Is Mango Moon recycled silk, 2 hanks. Knitted on 15's then did the roll neck on 10's. It is based on Iris Schreier's Mod Knits book, the lace poncho, sort of. All one piece, and only tail ends are at the beginning and end, and where I added the second skein. It's on the dummy with the points on the arms rather than front and back. I am not a poncho person and this way it looks more flowing wrap than poncho. The more I look at the thing, the more I like it. Lots of color, and it's cold and white here. Makes me feel almost springy!

Also finished the gansey for the kid the other day, and blocked it. I love the little underarm gussets. Eleven whole stitches! This is in Angora Soft, which is a Knit One Crochet Two closeout from Webs. Washed and blocked it's very snuggly and soft. It's so cute and small. It's like a mini-man sweater. I get to pop it on him tomorrow. If there was time I'd make a hat to match. Maybe after Christmas. He has a thing for hats with ear flaps and strings. Wears them on purpose, preferably with nothing else but a diaper and boots. Very cute. It used a whole two and a quarter skeins. I've got seven left, which is enough to make a hat, mittens and have enough over for an infant set of some kind, maybe for EJ. She'll be a good candidate for denim garb, running over the hills of New England in a baby backpack. Maybe a pair of footed leggings and matching sweater and hat!

For now I have to go make pies...Banana Cream, Chocolate Cream, Apple and Pumpkin. Not really in the mood. My oven is a disaster and I really am not in the mood to rassle with the temperature nonsense. I priced new ones...am thinking of this one, a Maytag, but in black. I thought it would go well with the cherry, and my dishwasher is black. Spent a bunch of time with a golfer buddy of Gene's discussing the merits of ranges, cook tops, and double versus single ovens. The double is really out for someone who bakes as much as I do. You have to reach waaaaay down to get that turkey/pie/cookie sheet from the lower oven. He showed me the store's cost on the unit, and I believe the price he quoted is fair (well below retail, and gives the owner an appropriate margin of profit) but I just can't commit to it. Gene says go ahead...but ICK, $800 for a range (including tax and delivery)?? Sigh. My Kenmore was $350. OK, fine, so that was in 1986...and it was a scratch and dent...Maybe I'll just bite the bullet after the first of the year and buy the thing. It can't be any harder than Christmas shopping, or buying the dishwasher or pellet stove was.