Tuesday, April 21, 2009

An angel wing caught in a WEB!!!

Sock Madness 3 is in full swing, and I have made it through to the third round. The name of this pattern is Talia's Wings (Ravelry link) . I am using Colinette Jitterbug in the FIRE colorway. The pattern calls for size 1 (2.5mm) needles for this project.

I am a bit on the fence about this pattern. When I first got it in my mailbox and saw that it was toe-up, I was super excited. I like to try on as I go along because it is very gratifying. However, I have been on Ravelry all day yesterday and minute after minute mistakes in the pattern were being discussed in the group. There were a bunch of silly things that could have been fixed if the pattern was thoroughly proofread. For example, what was in the written instructions did not match what was illustrated on the chart. What is up with that?

What makes it worse is, that the pattern had a test knitter. Doesn't that mean that the kinks should be worked out? At this stage of the game, there are 20 people in each of 4 divisions. Only the 12 people who finish first in each division will carry on to round 4. So, that means that the pattern designers had at least 1 month extra than the Round 1 designer. So, why all the mistakes? We are supposed to be running neck and neck in this competition and knitting to the finish. Not stopping a nd ripping back, and being confused about important directions. Arrgghhh!! Whar would have happened if I had not seen the Errata on ravelry? What if I didn't have a chance to log on to the internet? OK... I just had to get that out.

I still think that the pattern is gorgeous. It is just that the execution needed a little more fine tuning when it came to writing it down. That said, here is my progress as of this morning. I finished 1 pattern repeat on the foot. 2 at a time magic loop, baby!

I also made progress on the Peapod Baby sweater. I completed the sweater portion, and just have to sew the shoulders and add a neckline. I also started doing the sleeves, and am about halfway done. But, this sweater has to be put on pause so that I can continue with sock madness. Will is be done in time for the baby shower this weekend? We will see. I also have to do the hat to match. EEK!!! Well, at least I have enough yarn.


So, in other knitting news..... I went to WEBS this past Saturday. I went with Tawana as well as a few friends from the Park Slope Knitting Circle (Liza, Marci. Katherine, and Shannyn). We had such a blast. When I walked in the store I took a deep breath... the I got an instant headache, because I wanted it all and didn't know where to start. LOL!! It was very overwhelming.

I ended up buying some Malabrigo Sock in Tiziano Red, Cascade Eco + in a Burgandy color, Filatura Di Crosi Zara in Raspberry, 2 skeins of Austermann Step, and a discontinued Rowan Cashsoft DK. Everything was in the pink/purple/red family. Don't worry.. I have plans for all of these yarns.

  • Malabrigo Sock will become the Ishbel Shawl or a pair of socks from Cookie A.'s book
  • Cascade Eco + will become a Sylvi from Twist Collective
  • Zara will become Shirley Paden's Interlocking Cables pattern
  • Rowan Cashsoft DK is an extra skein bought for my in-progress Snuggle sweater
  • Austermann Step... I just wanted those and the were on sale. I suspect they will become Cookie A. socks.

So, Sunday I look at my receipt and see that the 25% discount that I received didn't include the Cascade Eco+. Apparently, some of the colors were on sale, and had no further discount, but these skeins I picked up were full price. So, I called WEBS on Monday, and the Customer Service rep was able to look my receipt up in the computer, comfirm that my skeins of yarn were actually discountable, and he credited me back the difference to my card. WOW!! Great Customer Service!

OK, enough of me talking. Here are some pictures from WEBS.

Outside
Just walked through the door

Malabrigo Sock and Silky Merino display (I scooped up the last Tiziano Red on display, hence the empty rack next to the Terracotta)
View of the back of store near the warehouse entrance

Warehouse views

6 comments:

Jada said...

OMG I would be broke going to that yarn store.
Your socks is looking good and the baby sweater is looking so cute.

Harlem Purl said...

Ooooooo, I'm so jealous that you guys got to go to WEBS! I think I would've went into shock had I set foot in that store.

Good luck with the sock wars thing. Seems like you have a good handle on the situation and I hope you make it to the finals.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Chante, I am soooo jealous but happy I didn't go because I would be broke.

miukat said...

That sucks about all the errors. That would drive me nuts, too. I think you are mad to competition knit socks. I am still on my first pair of boring husband socks from last November. Good luck with Sock Madness :) Glad you had fun at WEBS. One day, one day...

craftivore said...

Oh my, I'm so glad I didn't go to WEBS with you, very dangerous. You were very good that you already have projects lined up. Bummer about the sock errors.

Anonymous said...

That looks like a fiber arts heaven!!!