Helllllll-ooooooooooo!

I've started three different entries the last couple of weeks. I wanted to talk about the state of NJ being closed, but then the governor signed the budget and re-opened everything. It was a stupid move on his part and I'm glad I didn't vote for him. But the entry wasn't timely any more.

Then I started my Amazing Lace challange #4 and I noticed a huge error a few rows back, for an entire row and I was so annoyed that I pulled it off the needles and cut the yarn. I cast on for the third time and hopefully I have a system in place now where I won't mess up any more.

The other thing I wanted to talk about was my chair at work. They're the big fancy executive kind (even tho I'm in a cube) and well - there are sweat issues. Too gross to talk about really.

So, I'll just give ya'll the low down on what I've been knitting. Besides the shawl for The Amazing Lace, I've pulled out the Viking Costumes again. I know it's shocking. My nephews asked about them, unprompted by any side discussion of knitting, and that completely guilted me into working on them.

They're going much faster than I thought they would. I have some sewing and felting to do and then I'll be done with the helmets. I made the band for the bottom of the helmet and the strips for the shaping, but they don't fit the hat part pre-felting. So what I'm thinking is I won't felt them till after I do the helmets and see if they need to be felted at all. I'm sure my SIL will love me for making these out of yarn that can't be washed and dried. Oh well.

I've been working on the jerkins and the front strips are done! I used Berocco Suede and I found that after I knit with it - my hands smell like diesel fuel. I can't wait to get back to using the Wool of the Andes from Knit Picks. I'm even looking forward to the bit of fun fur I need to put the finishing touches on the shoulders.

With all the good karma I built up with knitting the Viking costumes, I broke down and started the Storm Water Shawl. The pattern came with the Sea Silk and it's a lot of fun to do. You use two strands of the sea silk at the same time... but not held together. You knit across in the pattern with skein 1 and then push the stitches to the other end of a circular needle and knit across again with skein 2, then you purl back the same way. It's very cool and I'm really enjoying it.

I'll be getting to the sewing on the Viking costumes soon. I don't want to ruin the good karma.

And I promise - next time - pictures!