Monday, July 09, 2007

I am Weak.

So weak. I could blame Stephanie, but that would be a lie. I was still standing strong. In fact, I scoffed. I mocked her. Let the Harlot fall, I said. I can be tough. I am stronger than the lace. I have NO time. I am on a deadline. I cannot start a new project when so many need to be finished. What pushed me over the edge was Cate. She ruined me. And I yielded, but with some conditions. 1.) It has to be stash only. No cash outlay. and 2.) I will not be captivated by the "finished first" game. There is not time for this in the first place, so I sure don't have the time to get the clue and have it done by supper. So far I am sticking well to the conditions. The yarn is...not. It's 16/2 natural linen that I'd been saving specifically for a lace project for the drape and stitch definition. I am not a shawl person, so the chances that this will be worn are pretty low. I am, however, a lace person; all those lovely charts, like cables, YUM! As a holidays-only table runner it will excell. I have not said what it is yet, have I? That's because I don't want to cop to it. I don't want to admit that I have been sucked in by....by...MS3. I am not yet done with clue #1. There's a deadline project here staring at me, so I fit in a few rows now and then as a sort of reward for not cutting the dealine project into ribbons. We're not in love right now. I am in love with the MS3. The linen is working out exactly as I expected, maybe better. Great stitch definition, and when blocked it softens but holds it's shape. Not the super soft lacey stuff most people are using. No rabbit, no Mo', no cash, no merino. More a soft but substantial thing. Not cuddly. I could be convinced to actually wear it. I have been challenged as it were by Cate to go for broke and buy some beads. Apparently that part of the investment is not nearly as bad as I thought it might be. I tried to raid bead stash, but there was nothing that appealed to me, no holes big enough. Adding beads now would require a rip-out. But there is another option. Let's say I go to New Hampshire and I find some simply amazing, gotta-have-it laceweight something in the vendor area. Let's say I decide that maybe, just maybe, I want a second MS3. And I forget for a long moment that Mr. Wonderful faints at the sight of Visa slips. Maybe someone in the family needs one. Maybe a more wearable one - or I should say one that the average person would be likely to wear. Maybe the theme, when revealed appeals to me so much that I need another, smokey and beaded. I am not ruling out the possibility. And I now know where Beader's Paradise sneaked away to, and it's convienantly near my favorite Northampton coffee and internet dearly beloved gluten free cupcake hang-out. And Cate assures me beads are cheap. Which is good. Because I am cheap. Painfully cheap when it comes to stuff for me.
In another burst of "I hate this project" energy, I started this baby sweater with the Lonestar I have hanging about. Just had to have those two skiens. I am not sure what compelled me to go baby, but I did, and it's cute. It needs sleeves and some sort of closure. There is no pattern, I just make it up as I go and am writing nothing down. it's super simple, drop shoulder, seed stitch borders, nothing exciting just a basic wearable warm fuzzy baby bit. This will have to be a wool-lover's infant, because it will not go in the laundry. Not something you can give grandchildren with young parents, or best friend who prefers Encore.
The next time you hear from me I'll be stashed away in a hotel in New Hampshire with free wireless and a comfy room all to myself. And for Mr. Wonderful's sake, hopefully not a huge pile of yarn on the dresser.
An update, or an aside, or something just a little scary:
In preparing to leave for TKGA I determined that I required a couple of crochet hooks. Gee...I wonder if I have enough?

12 comments:

Yarnhog said...

You know, I wouldn't do this for just anyone, but if you WERE to make a second one, I would consider taking it off your hands. Especially if it were green.

That baby sweater is adorable.

MelissaKnits said...

Why...why Yarnhog. Your selfless dedication to my cause astounds me. I am moved, yea, moved right off my seat.

Because I am 'ROFLMAO'

Peggy said...

You said you were a slow bee at starting MS3? Surely you jest!!!! You are light years ahead of me. Katie Scarlet is a Yorkie. She eats very little and doesn't shed.

Anonymous said...

::Sigh:: I too succumbed to the MS3. I have yet to start it however... I think I may use the apalca silk cone from work... Any thoughts on this?

MelissaKnits said...

Well, actually, the Alpaca Silk was actually my first thought. But my only cone is raspberry and I wanted to be true to the white/black thing. For real super-shawl power, I recommend hand dyed alpaca silk. I considered buying a cone and dying it. Too much work with a catalog deadline and two designs.

Unknown said...

Holy crap with the crochet hooks! I guess you'll be ready for that beaded crochet class.

Your MS3 looks great. Can't wait to see it on Thursday (I'm assuming you'll have it with you).

MelissaKnits said...

Tammy - crochet was my first love...your sister will remember those crocheted bonnets that every girl in Greenfield had...

Anonymous said...

That's a good idea... Hmmm... Matbe I could get Gail to let me crash a dyeing session? ;)

Now about these bonnets... I think I may have had one! About when was this?

MelissaKnits said...

lessee...make me feel old why don't you...ummmm...'85-'92 or so. In all sizes and colors and all of Scary Acrylic.

Anonymous said...

I bet my sister had one then. LOL. Not me though. I'm too old. hahaha.

Anonymous said...

hmm... i think i might know a Girl *cough cough* who would be willing to take a shawl off your hands...

MelissaKnits said...

Dear Girl,

KNIT YOUR OWN! (with beads)

Love,
Mommy