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july 4, 2006
tuesday is my birthday The perfect day to start my new birthday project.
Look at the amazing yarn that super-sweet knitbuddy, Dani gave me! I fell in love with this yarn when I knit a swatch for the store with it. If you haven't ever felt this yarn, go, go now and do it. It's incredible. Softer and sleeker even than any of the other pure silks we have in the store. So I thought was happy having knit the swatch and watching Dani knit a cap sleeve top in the pure silk and Lisa knit the Tie Bolero with it and recommending it to practically every customer. But then last weekend, I got chilly from the a/c in the store and I slipped on our store sample of this lace shrug. Just like when I tried on crinkle, I knew I had to make it. Dani agreed and got me the yarn for my birthday.
Thank goodness that this yarn is so incredible, because the Debbie Bliss pattern isn't. It's no worse than your average Debbie Bliss pattern, which is to say it's pretty frustrating. (At least this book, mercifully, contains schematics!) Her designs are often complex with multiple stitch patterns and unique constructions and there's never much in the way of explanatory notes about where you are or how things fit together. This one dosen't even indicate which side is the right side and which is the wrong side, which has already led to one failed start of this project. And I have to rip out most of the above (due to my own stupid error caused by trying to keep track of two stitch patterns with different row repeats without a row counter and while watching Orlando Bloom in Pirates of the Carribean). But this yarn is so fabulous, I don't mind knitting those few rows again. And like most Debbie Bliss patterns, it'll all be worth it in the end. So I'm planning to celebrate my birthday by knitting more of the shrug while watching Orlando Bloom in Pirates of the Carribean with a row counter. Happy, happy! posted by alison at 10:22 am | in
pure silk
Comments
Happy Birthday! The yarn is gorgeous as is the pattern! Sorry it's so frustrating but I've heard that more than once with her patterns. It will be wonderful when finished! Have a wonderful BD!!! Posted by: Sandee at July 4, 2006 10:27 AMHappy Birthday toooo you!!!! Posted by: Bookish Wendy at July 4, 2006 10:33 AMIs this your birthday?? A very happy birthday to you!!!! Hope you have a wonderful day, (and not at all like mine :-/ ) Posted by: Helene at July 4, 2006 10:39 AMHappy birthday! Posted by: Andrea at July 4, 2006 10:40 AMHappy Birthday! Posted by: Karen at July 4, 2006 10:42 AMHAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Posted by: Kathleen at July 4, 2006 10:43 AMHappy Birthday! Have fun with that gorgeous silk! :) Posted by: Amanda at July 4, 2006 10:48 AMHave a wonderful birthday Alison! Its going to be so fabulous on you in that color :) I'm ALMOST done with my top... Posted by: Dani at July 4, 2006 11:04 AMMmmmmm, Orli.... *swoon* Happy birthday! That color of the silk is splendid, can't wait to see your shrug. Posted by: Sarah Elizabeth at July 4, 2006 11:17 AMi can't think of a better way to spend a birthday!!! have a HAPPY one! Posted by: gleek at July 4, 2006 11:18 AMHappy Birthday! your new yarn looks fabulous, I bet it feels wonderful. And yes, you definitely need a row counter for Pirates... Posted by: Karen at July 4, 2006 11:18 AMI just got this yarn on saturday. I plan to make a fat stripped tank top! I got hte same color as you, with the light green. Posted by: pixie at July 4, 2006 11:29 AMHappy Birthday! :) Lovely yarn ... and it blue too! :D Posted by: Saffron at July 4, 2006 11:34 AMHappy Birthday, Alison! The sweater looks beautiful so far. :) Posted by: Laura at July 4, 2006 11:35 AMAnd a happy birthday from me, too! Posted by: Pat K at July 4, 2006 11:36 AMHappy Birthday! I love the shrug--excited to see how it turns out. Posted by: Erin at July 4, 2006 11:38 AMHappy Birthday! Funny, I was watching Orlando Bloom in Pirates of the Caribbean just last night and frigged up my knitting. Even with a row counter, I couldn't juggle both activities! Just something about him I guess... Posted by: Kate at July 4, 2006 11:53 AMHappy birthday, Alison! What a great gift to celebrate with. Posted by: Ashley at July 4, 2006 12:12 PMHappy birthday! Pure silk is a great way to spend a birthday. Posted by: Lauren at July 4, 2006 12:27 PMJust wanted to wish you a happy birthday! Posted by: Hazy at July 4, 2006 12:43 PMHappy birthday! Does this mean you're a week older than me? (I really have no idea of your age but my 31st is next Tuesday.) I tried on the same shrug on Saturday. "Tried on" is a little generous to me since I kept it on for quite a while and calculated the cost, etc. :) Posted by: Daphne at July 4, 2006 1:17 PMHappy birthday Alison, hope it's a good one! :D Posted by: Joanna at July 4, 2006 1:24 PMHappy birthday! Posted by: Aija at July 4, 2006 1:41 PMHappy birthday! Have fun with that gorgeous yarn! Posted by: krista at July 4, 2006 2:19 PMHappy Birthday. It is also my husband John's birthday. I think it a great who else has fireworks just for their day. Posted by: knitalittle at July 4, 2006 2:43 PMHappy birthday ... and congratulations on the new pattern in Magknits. It's lovely. Posted by: Ruth at July 4, 2006 3:54 PMHappy Birthday to you! Liebe Alison! Liebe Grüße, Silke Posted by: Silke at July 4, 2006 4:00 PMHappy Birthday! Posted by: karen at July 4, 2006 4:07 PMHappy birthday!! I'm knitting the ruffles scarf from Scarf Style from that same color of DB Pure Silk. Posted by: Renee at July 4, 2006 4:53 PMHappy birthday :-) Posted by: janine at July 4, 2006 5:20 PMHappy birthday - I hope it's terrific! Posted by: Donna at July 4, 2006 5:43 PMHappy birthday! Gorgeous yarn - can't wait to see the completed shrug. Posted by: Sheri at July 4, 2006 6:00 PMHappy Birthday. There is practically no better way to celebrate than knitting silk. Posted by: Stephanie at July 4, 2006 6:07 PMHave a wonderful birthday! Posted by: Adelle at July 4, 2006 6:56 PMOrlando Bloom has a row counter? Who knew?? ;) Happy Birthday, btw! Posted by: Janice in GA at July 4, 2006 7:20 PMHappy birthday! Today is my birthday too, and I've started my birthday knitting - my first pair of trekking socks. Have a great one! Posted by: Anne at July 4, 2006 7:41 PMI've really enjoyed reading your blog and I too, had an immediate reaction when I saw the shrug - I MUST make it!!! I really appreciate your comments about the pattern and hope you'll continue to show the progress because it will help me determine if it's something I can handle. Thanks for your great blog and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Posted by: Melissa at July 4, 2006 7:55 PMHappy birthday! Ooh this is where blog reading gets dangerous.... I love the look of that shrug but there's no way I'm an advanced 'knitter' - especially if the pattern is how you describe! Posted by: Jill at July 4, 2006 8:20 PMHappy Birthday! I hope you have a fabulous year. Posted by: claudia at July 4, 2006 8:49 PMHappy Birthday! That yarn looks scrumptious! I must check it out next time I'm at a LYS! Love your blog too! Posted by: Jane at July 4, 2006 8:53 PMI just finished knitting the Debbie Bliss Shrug in the same color blue and I am about half way done with crinkle in the same color pink. Happy Birthday!!! What a great gift!!!! Posted by: Diane at July 4, 2006 9:48 PMThat yarn is heavenly. I visit it everytime I'm at my LYS. Enjoy knitting with it! Posted by: Chrissy at July 4, 2006 9:55 PMOh my! Happy Birthday! Posted by: valentina at July 4, 2006 11:04 PMHappy Birthday. I, too, need to get Pirates1 from the stash and re-view it in anticipation of Pirates2 being released 7/7. Love your blog, thanks. Posted by: Angie at July 4, 2006 11:25 PMMmmm...Orlando. I suddenly have a strong desire to stay up half the night with the sexiest Pirate ever on the boob-tube. However, I'll be sensible. Have a most happy birthday--but with Orlando, how could it be otherwise? Posted by: Talena at July 5, 2006 12:16 AMHappy birthday! What a great present. That silk is so gorgeous in real life and what a great colour for you. Debbie Bliss patterns can be real stinkers, can't they? But the end result is often very beautiful. Posted by: Abi at July 5, 2006 4:45 AMHBTY! I love that silk yarn, mmm, pricey! For anyone interested, I got a One Skein Wonder out of 1.5 skeins for my mum who is a 34-36" chest, so I reckon you could probably get most sizes out of 2-3 skeins. Posted by: weeza at July 5, 2006 5:43 AMHappy Birthday, Alison! Now you've got me yearning for that yarn and that lace shrug, though I'm feeling hesitant about the DB pattern problems. In my heart of hearts, I want to attribute your missteps to the mesmerizing effect that Orlando Bloom has -- how could you devote full attention to the shrug while in his presence, albeit onscreen -- yet I truly know that it's DB messing with us knitters with poorly written pattern. At least she got the hint and put in some schematics! Posted by: Susan at July 5, 2006 7:36 AMdid someone just say my name? LOL. Happy Birthday Alison!!! that just one month after me ;) Happy Birthday! Having knit a DB pattern before I totally know what you mean butI'm certain that it'll be worth it in the end. Posted by: Hilary at July 5, 2006 9:36 AMYou're the second 4th of July baby I know! Hope the birthday was grand. Though for a second there I was thinking.."Orlando Bloom has a row counter in Pirates...where?" but obviously, I'm just silly. Posted by: Amber at July 5, 2006 9:45 AMHappy birthday! The blue silk looks yummy! Posted by: Ina at July 5, 2006 11:22 AMHave a wonderful birthday with lots of cupcakes! Posted by: Silvia at July 5, 2006 11:53 AMHappy Birthday to you! (a bit late!) My birthday is on Friday. I'm hoping for some yummy yarn goodness! Posted by: angela at July 5, 2006 12:04 PMI just finished the Debbie bliss shrug in black pure silk for my daughter. The pattern was difficult to get started on and I found that I had to use stitch markers at each open work and cable section. I also wrote out the row numbers for each section to stay on track. Once I did this the shrug worked up beautifully. The yarn was a joy to work with so smooth and silky. I did add a little width to the sleeve as the measurement seemed too small even for my size 4 daughter. The smallest size fit her perfectly and she has already requested another in ivory. This a dreamy yarn and pattern once you get it set. It took me about two months to knit, but I finished a baby blanket, made 6 booties for pregnant colleagues, a baby hat and worked on a Eistein coat along with the shrug! Posted by: Geri at July 5, 2006 6:04 PMI just finished my lace shrug. I did not have any trouble with the pattern, but I used a million stitch markers, even setting off that one stitch between the cable repeats and the lace repeats. I wrote out the rows, all 109 of them on a sheet of paper, to indicate which row of each repeat I was on and I used notecards cut in half and held together with a ring to write out the rows of the lace pattern so I could flip the cards. Once I got going, it was easy, though I did not knit this while trying to do other things at the same time. I did have to pay attention to increasing in pattern, especially since after row 1 of the lace, you only have 15 stitches and go back to 16 on the next wrong side row. Anyway, I love my shrug and my boyfriend bought me more silk to make the cap sleeved top. I'm in heaven. good luck. sherry Posted by: Sherry at July 6, 2006 9:05 AMHappy (belated) Birthday, from one July birthday girl to another! :-) Posted by: Mary at July 6, 2006 10:19 PMAlison, please forgive my tardiness.. i just got back this morning from hilton head.. happy belated birthday!!! lots of hugs from harlem.. will be leaving here around the 17th of july.. eeeek i haven't even started packing.. eeek.. i hope i make it.. i might hav e to motivate myself by taking photos before and after.. haha.. toodles karola Posted by: Karola at July 7, 2006 12:10 AMHappy Birthday, darlin'. Posted by: elisabeth at July 7, 2006 8:55 PMHappy belated Birthday!! It looks like you had a heavenly day:) I have to get that pattern--so cute! Posted by: Deb at July 10, 2006 1:55 PMI'm a bit behind in my blog reading, but wanted to wish you a very happy birthday! You are such a sweetie for all the work you do for the sockapaloozas, all the great patterns you offer, and fun, fun blog reading. Hope you had a great one! Posted by: Kristy at July 10, 2006 8:11 PM |
