The Robots Have Arrived

I've been lucky , or naive. In the few weeks short of two years that I have been blogging, the only robotic comments I've received happened within minutes of my first post. Since that time, only bonafide readers have commented.

With that good fortune, I felt it not necessary to add 'word verification' to the comments section of the blog. I took the attitude that until the blog was bothered by robotic or otherwise troublesome comments, I wouldn't bother you with the word verification process. Presumptuous of me, perhaps, but if I dislike having to read those silly words, I imagine you do too.

Recently though, the robots must have upgraded their equipment as there was first one, then two, then repeated robotic comments. Only one of them off colour, but still they are non-sensical and in some bizarre way, threatening.

So, word verification it is. Hopefully, the robots don't learn the alphabet.

Paint Drying

Waterloo is drying. Despite being placed in a sunny window and close, but not too close, to a heat register, the process is about as fast as drying paint. But - and only knitters would 'get' this - a lot more fun to watch.

Another thing, that only knitters see is the 'difference'. The difference between the pre and post bath state of the knitting. Post bath offers smoother, more even stitches, a definite fit, and an incredibly softer feel to the yarn.

Briggs&Little, I love you. Even if - as Susan of theraineysisters told me, "it looks like they swept up the floor after shearing the sheep and spun it." I love their yarn. Economically priced, good, sturdy, 100% wool that comes out of the tub all cuddly and soft.

Here is the pre-bath photo from yesterday's post.

It appears to be somewhat 3D in appearance. Some stretched stitches, some small stitches, and none of them particularly smooth stitches.

Now, today's post-bath shot

Bathed a full half hour in sweet smelling Eucalan and laid out to dry. Nice smooth stitches.

Lastly, only a knitter would 'get' how anyone could write an entire blog post about paint knitting drying. But I don't - and I bet you don't either - find that at all strange.

Bath Time For Waterloo

Day after day of Waterloo County Fairisle! I know I risk boring you, but an exciting day today in the knitting of WCF. The sweater is finished up to the shoulders.

I must say, EZ's method of knitting a tube from cast on to shoulder makes for much faster knitting and proves without doubt that I knit faster than I purl.

And look at the completed motif at the top. How's that for right-on row gauge?

I knit straight from cast on to shoulder. No neck opening, no break for sleeves, no back and forth once the armholes were reached. That means much steeking ahead. Besides the customary centre front and for me, not-so-customary sleeve steeks, I intend to cut away the neck line, to produce a crew neck shape.

This is a bit of a stray from true EZ form, but I'm trusting her oft-mentioned admonition to 'do your own thing' would mean that she would approve. EZ divides the top into thirds; one third for each shoulder, and the centre third for the neck. Without shaping, this becomes a boat neck. I'm not much for boat necks, so my plan is to sew a line of stitching around the neckline, cut out the excess fabric then pick up stitches for the neck trim. I think it will work.

But that is all yet to come and perhaps to be delayed by the Olympics. I will see how fast my needles can fly in the next eleven days. In the meantime, WCF says "Night Night. Time for a bath."