Knitting and spring cleaning and so on...

This April, every day but Sundays, I'm blogging over at my writing blog - Jan Morrison as part of the A to Zed Challenge. I'm posting an abcedaria of writing and it is lots of fun. However, it cuts down on my posting here and I thought since it is Sunday - I'd better catch you up on the other elements of my life - other than writing that is. I'm also at a bit of a slowdown with my current writing projects as my manuscript is being fine-tooth-combed edited by another - so - she and I will be having conversations and I do have a query package to put together but it isn't as relentless as it has been.

the current project - a wrap...

When it comes to knitting, I'm usually a seasonal type. I start when it gets cold and as soon as gardening starts I'm on to that. But this year is different. Why? I don't know. I started late and without too much enthusiasm but now I'm in its grip. Now. In April. What am I knitting? I started a lace wrap last night. I've worked a few hours on it and have about...uh...two inches done. Yes, my dears. Lace is a cruel passion. Think strands of merino and silk (in this case) and spindly little needles. And lots of counting.

This started earlier last month with a lace scarf. It was in a normal weight of yarn but it was very design heavy! 12 VERY different rows so you couldn't take your mind off it for a second. And I had to learn lots of new stitches and how to short rows. That's how I made the knit rose that goes with this. Really, it isn't even remotely my style but the challenge suited me perfectly. I'm going to take a picture of it on the step-dot - not her style either - had to get her to change her delek Dr. Who t-shirt for something that would show this off...

Ah, now I'm waiting for the photos to load. It'll give you some idea but unless you're a knitter, it won't give you an idea of the work involved. So what? Nobody forced me to do this. Why am I?

Because it is distracting. Because when I'm counting I'm not fretting about anything but the counting. It is a form of weird meditation in fact. Very weird but effective all the same. And lace is challenging and I like the challenge of it. Over the Easter Weekend I'm planning to learn how to knit socks. A friend, an excellent knitter, is going to teach me because although I've looked and looked at hundreds of patterns - I simply do not understand how the heel turns. Please, if you know how, and I assume everyone but me does, don't tell me on this blog. I need a human and for both of us to be able to get our hands on one pair of needles - no, not at once, but...

By my reckoning, the wrap will take me about fifty hours to knit. Taking in the cost of materials and the time - say at minimum wage - the wrap with cost me $550.00. Yep, cool!