Have any of you ever wrapped a work in progress that wasn’t quite done, and presented it as a gift with a sheepish explanation about running out of time? I’m sure that many of you are more realistic with your gift attempts than I. With that being said, want to know what I gave Nate yesterday?
Yes, it is humongous. Yes, there is only one. BUT, pretty cool, huh? Even at that ridiculous size, it looks just like a shoe. I’m pretty happy with it. In case you have no idea what this is supposed to be, here is a link. Believe it or not, I am actually pretty close to gauge, so this is supposed to shrink down to a men’s size 10 in the wash. We’ll see.
This is an ingenious pattern. Usually, when I follow a pattern, I entertain myself with thoughts of how I’d make it differently next time, or what I would change. Not this one. (Yet, at least). This pattern is amazing. Tons of counting, tons of short rows, and really cool. Hopefully, I will still feel this way after it is felted.
I have so much knitting to do, and I’m itching to get it all done. Partly because I still haven’t found a day that I could spend in my knitting chair, and partly because I have figured out what I want to do with my new brown Lopi yarn and I’m dying to start, but there’s a huge lineup in front of it. Today is still not the day. I have SO much housework to do. Monday was spent in preparation for Tuesday, which was spent out of the house in its entirety, so I have a disaster zone to tame before I can do anything else. Then I need to exercise, because that didn’t happen Monday or Tuesday either. THEN, I get to knit.
Oooh, also, I’ve fallen in love and I wanted to tell you about it. Manos del Uruguay is the most amazing, beautiful, and tempting yarn, and I want some. It is soft, and the colors are intoxicating. I must make something out of it at some point. Have any of you knit with it? I’m curious as to how well it holds up. It is sooooo soft!
November 3rd, 2004 at 2:58 am
Okay, I have lurked for quite awhile on your blog and a few others….Now that my wedding has come and gone, I am determined to pick up my sad floundering blog and reach out to commenting on the blogs of others. Since my blogging and knitting skills are both quite fresh, I lurk with much hesitation to post. However, when I saw the Manos bit, I knew I HAD to post.
That yarn is GOREGEOUS! I have seen it and lust for it and then talked a friend (whom I infected quite well with the knitting bug) to knit with it. She ended up gifting me the lovely felted purse result and I carried it with pride for my wedding and honeymoon.
My new hubby decided I needed a belated birthday (as my birthday was 5 days before the wedding and we were quite busy), so he took me over to the LYS and treated me to two hanks of Manos. Last night, I started mussing on how I want to make something for me with it and while ruminating on how selfish I felt, hubby came downstairs looked at the yarn and told me he wanted to buy more but only if I was making myself something. Hurrah! I am going to make a loose/net style shawl with it. I have not updated my blog being quite afraid of tackling the wedding vomit in my office/crafts room (I did get the dress packed away at least), but I think I will try to post the yarn tonight and my plans for it.
The yarn does knit well and I have seen the purse prior to felting, quite soft, and a hat knit with two threads at once. I can ask my friend who wrote the pattern for it, if I could share it. It calls for one hank and makes an incredibly soft and warm hat.
November 3rd, 2004 at 3:23 am
I have to agree with you about the felted clogs pattern! I have made 2 pair already and plan to do a few for Christmas gifts this year. The fun part is yet to come! It’s almost as if they come to life as you felt them.
Yes I have given several unfinished gifts in the past. Usually I’ll place a snippet of the yarn I’m using into the card. It really keeps them guessing!
November 3rd, 2004 at 3:45 am
That picture reminds me of a very old picture of me, in which I am wearing a tennis shoe that belongs to one of the Seattle Supersonics… It was at least that big! I think it looks awesome and is a fabulous color! When I ever finish Art’s Perpetual Socks, I think I might just make him a pair of clogs…
As for giving unfinished gifts… duh!
But I promise to work on your basket lid as soon as I possibly can!
Hope you guys had a great night! You didn’t give any details on where you went or what you did…
November 3rd, 2004 at 4:48 am
Manos is GORGEOUS yarn, glorious to knit, super cozy, love love love the colors…..however, it does pill like crazy! Not that that should prevent you from knitting with it, just be warned that you will need an industrial strength sweater stone to keep your FO from looking worn.
November 3rd, 2004 at 12:30 pm
Manos is one of my very favorite yarns. I have made thrummed mittens with #109 (fall colors). I used that same color to knit up a bucket hat. Hmmm, what else. I know I have bought more. It seems thick and thin while you are knitting with it, but in my experience, it has a pretty even look knitted up. Use Eucalan to wash it. I don’t consider it an itchy yarn, but the Eucalan will make it softer.
So, it is beautiful dyed and knits up really well, so those are two reasons to buy it, not to mention the whole wonderful idea that you are supporting rural women in Uruguay by buying their goods, providing them with some economic independence.
(whew!) (What a run on sentance, I had to stop to inhale.) Manos has a regular spot in my stash. I’m sure you’ll love it too.
November 4th, 2004 at 12:10 am
I love the GIANT SHOE! If it felts up well, I might have to partake in the feltyshoeness.
Guess what?? I’m done with my hat!!!! Its fabulous! thanks for the pattern!!! maybe I will have to make another as the along continues 🙂
November 4th, 2004 at 6:56 am
Awesome shoe picture! Amazing what yarn can do. I have used Manos before and it is just the best at felting. I made a felted bag for my niece with eyelash yarn around the top (she’s 7) and a caplet that is still on the needles. I plan to make a felted flower pin as well.