distracted (click for big)

Things are weird around here. Firstly, the weather has been absolutely surreal. Supposedly, Monday's high broke the record by something like 13 degrees (Farenheit). It's really odd to see the light changing, the evenings getting dark earlier, and still have midsummer temperatures.

It also makes it a bit hard to knit, to tell you the truth.

When last we met, I was working on the Callie Cardigan. The cardigan that should have been done on Thursday.

Unfortunately, I took this picture last night. The Callie, she is still not done.

Admittedly, there have been distractions.

Mostly, it's been the weather. But there have been life things and friend things and family health things that have all contributed to what amounts to a serious case of distraction

on my part. Thankfully, being distracted is really quite normal for me - definitely not as ominous as the creepy weather or anything like that.

Considering that the weather has been sleeveless-friendly at best (take all your clothes off and stand in a cold shower, at worst), somehow the idea of actually having a new sweater to wear hasn't been an enormous pull in the finishing of the yellow cardigan.  There's also the little teeny issue of binding off almost 250 stitches that has me ... well, slightly

paralyzed.

Looking at the never-ending vista of many stitches to be bound off

you may have noticed that there is a rather obvious lack of buttonholes. On a cardigan pattern that calls for buttons and the holes through which to fasten them. I decided a while back, having been rather creative in my approach to gauge and having made a cardigan that fits snugly (to say the least) that perhaps trying to cram myself into something with buttons wasn't really the best idea. I decided instead to fasten the sweater with a single (I think) pewter clasp closure. Simple, a little decoration, and something that fits with the way I wear cardigans (which is never, ever buttoned all the way). The clasp(s), they are on the way. Yet another reason why the poor Callie lies unfinished

on a chair.

However, all of that being said, Callie is a resounding success, which I think I can say with confidence in spite of not having totally finished getting her off the needles.

Photobooth being what it is, this is neither clear nor really indicative of how great the fit is
Or how wonderful the fabric is. Or how much I really do like this sweater in spite of it not being what's been getting most of my attention since

this past Thursday.

Needless to say, Rhinebeck is just around the corner, and a finished sweater (or garment, sleeveless or otherwise) is a tradition around here. Stay tuned for news of a finished sweater. It really will happen, I promise.

Comments

[Caroline M]

I've been trying to decide how big a border I'd want on a cardigan and I think the answer is there right in front of me. Callie looks lovely and I can't believe that a bit of casting off is stopping between you and having it finished by the time the clasp lands (I might even copy that idea too).

We have no postal service at the moment and I can't begin to tell you how much that impacts on being able to buy just the right thing.

[DebbieB]

Your blog has a split-personality today! :-)

[Manise]

Love the fit of Callie despite the torturous bind off. And the top down? Cute- is it Lopi or Beaverslide? Looks like you'll have 2 Rhinebeck sweaters.

[Marcia Cooke]

I am now a total convert, thanks to Lucy Neatby, to casting off with a crochet hook. Faster, less torture, and a very pretty edge. Love the distraction, too....what is it?

[Carole]

I couldn't agree more about the odd juxtaposition of changing light and warm temperatures. My spirit is confused.

[Juno]

Mail going out today.

[elizabeth]

Callie looks great! Bind that sucker off! And your new sweater looks awesome too - bulky wool is such a quick knit, isn't it? I've been queueing cabled sweaters on Ravelry as fast as I can find them.

[jackie]

Callie looks lovely.
I'm looking so forward to seeing you at Rhinebeck and hopefully spending some hang out time. Do we really have to travel hours north to see each other? That's gotta change.

[heather]

ooh - love the big cables. i've been on a cable jag lately but i can't find time to sit down and swatch out what i want. it's probably for the best, given the 80 degree weather....

[Carrie]

Very very nice! Hooray for no buttons!

[Francesca]

I think the idea of the clasp is great and the cardigan looks really good on you. Good luck with the bind-off!

[Dísa]

Go Cassie go! I like the no-button look, I just might try it for my next Callie:)

[Wanda]

what is this little lovely? Hmm, it's looking good too. One sleeve at a time, you too can be finished with it in time for Rhinebeck, no doubt.

[Marcy]

Oh, thou inconstant knitter!

[Emma.]

I love it when you do stealth knitting !

[Marit]

Callie looks great! And that grey cabled thing? I want one of those!!!

[Ronni]

They both look gorgeous!

[Julie]

Love the Callie - what a pretty color for you. And the big green cables are fabulous!

[carolyn]

both look like perfect fits! congrats!