the blue blog archives: take me away!

Twenty-four hours until we hit the road for Columbus and the stress level is rising. There's just so much to plan and get done before tomorrow. I'd hoped to finish the minimono-matching happy baby hat before we left, but that was a bit unrealistic. It's my own fault though, because I stopped working on it here, at the point of picking up stitches to make the ear flaps, and decided to cast on the front of my husband's brown vest.

Casting on is, after seaming, often the hardest part of a project for me. It seems as if I'm always counting wrong and having to rip and cast on again. And I prefer the look of the knit-on cast-on, which is unfortunately way slower to do than the basic two tail method. So my brilliant plan was to cast on and do the ribbing at knitting group on Sunday and then I'd have the simple stockinette to do in the car. I cast on, counted, recounted, did the ribbing and was the whole time slightly concerned that it wasn't cinching in as much as the ribbing on the back. Hmmmm.... Finished the ribbing at home, went to switch to larger needles, and -- you guessed it -- I was using the larger needles already. Doooh!

In order to recouperate, I started reknitting the Rebecca tank. Despite having knit almost the entire first skein for a size too large, I am really loving this project. The actual knitting is a dream! I cast on correctly (both times now!) and was able to knit away happily. I credit the yarn for making this project so enjoyable regardless of whether I'm really progressing or not. (I think I'm becoming addicted to it -- I've got several more happy all season's cotton tanks planned already!) Last night, I only indulged in a couple of inches of happy, because I'm saving the rest for the twelve-hour car ride.

Now back to the packing. A bag of happy for mommy, and a case of happy for the boys and we're all set! I'll probably be able to update once or twice while we're away, but I'll miss being able to surf through all my daily reads. Please keep stopping by and sharing your comments. I'll catch up with you all when I get back. Until then, happy knitting!

posted by alison at 7:57 am | in minimono & co. , tank girl , vacation 2003

Comments

That All Seasons Cotton is my new addiction too. :-) Good luck with your trip knitting and I hope you have a wonderful trip Alison!

Posted by: Leigh at April 14, 2003 7:21 AM

I think it's because you rip it all out and start over that you really learn from your mistakes; unlike me, who keeps doing the same stupid thing over and over again. Have a great trip!
Dava

Posted by: dava at April 14, 2003 7:26 AM

Have a safe trip. Hope the boys enjoy their trip too! With trucks ready, I say they're all set to go! ;)

Posted by: ~Jo~ at April 14, 2003 8:01 AM

Have a happy, safe trip! We'll miss you while you're gone :-)

Posted by: Becky at April 14, 2003 8:07 AM

Have a great trip - did you receive the email I sent you? I keep getting delivery failures back frmo your email address this morning..

Posted by: kerrie at April 14, 2003 8:23 AM

Have a safe trip and have fun!

Posted by: Melissa at April 14, 2003 10:00 AM

Have a great time. Oliver really loves adventures .I hope the boys do too ;-]

Posted by: Emma at April 14, 2003 10:32 AM

We aren't leaving until next week and already I'm overwhelmed by the idea of packing. Love your happy bag. As a veteran traveller with small children, I recommend bringing a variety of amusements and food, food, food! Have fun on your adventure. :)

Posted by: Kerstin at April 14, 2003 11:48 AM

Have fun on your trip!! I brought a bag of happy with me to my mom's while I "granma-sat" last week, it made the time so much more enjoyable. ;)

Now I'm just waiting for a box of happy from ThreadBear and I'll be all set! :)

Posted by: Daphne at April 14, 2003 12:06 PM

are you sure there's enough yarn in that bag to last you the whole trip? :) have a great time, look forward to more "bugs" when you return, CMS

Posted by: carolyn at April 14, 2003 1:24 PM

Well, with trucks AND yarn, it looks like the bluemobile is the place to be on this trip! Have fun :)

Posted by: Sarah at April 14, 2003 1:40 PM

can't wait to see the rebecca tank when it's finished. i thought about making it too. have a great trip!

Posted by: melissa at April 14, 2003 5:05 PM

Iloved the bags of happy - what a wonderful term hehe
My bag of happy over Easter is much smaller. I'm teaching this break about 4 hrs drive north of Sydney & I get about 1-2 hrs per evening free, so pointless taking huge amounts.

Posted by: peter at April 14, 2003 7:00 PM

Alison! So close but yet...

Columbus is just about a little over an hour from me (Dayton) and even a bit closer to my work (Yellow Springs). Just not sure how we could work out a meet-up between my work schedule and Easter week-end and not exactly sure how long you are there any way.

Email me if you are the optimistic type and want to explore the remote possibilities.

Posted by: Teresa at April 15, 2003 11:43 AM

Hope the trip is wonderful!

Posted by: claudia at April 16, 2003 12:30 PM