A Scroll Lace Scarf, Two Sweaters, and a Story

I finished my Scroll Lace Scarf a few weeks ago, and I recently got around to blocking it.  It was a fun knit, and I learned a number of new things...short rows, picot trim, picking up stitches, and the provisional cast on. I love how soft it is next to my skin, and the Pashmina gave it just the right amount of drape.  It's perfect for the warmer, yet not so warm days of late winter and early spring.  It has quickly become my favorite scarf and a staple in my wardrobe.  With another 16-20" of snow predicted for the next two days, this scarf, I'm sure, will see lots of use before being tucked away.

My second In Threes sweater came off the needles last night with only inches of yarn to spare. Well, actually, I knit my last row and only had about 6 inches of yarn left...no problem, I went to my yarn basket to pick up the last hank in the color I was using and realized that I already used the last one.  All I had left to do was bind off, so instead of ordering another hank, I ripped out the last six rows of garter stitch and one row of stockinette (the pattern ends with six rows of garter, four rows of  stockinette, and finally six rows of garter).  Stealing the yarn from one row of stockinette allowed me enough to bind off.  With three rows of stockinette instead of four between the two bands of garter, the cheat is barely noticeable. I don't think Little #6 will mind.  I'm looking forward to blocking and sewing on the sweet little buttons Little #6 chose for her Easter sweater.

My focus has now turned to finishing a Sunday Sweater for Little #6's birthday in four weeks.  I have a few more inches to go until I bind off at the bottom...then I start the sleeves.  I absolutely love this color Little #6 chose for her sweater, Lark in Rosa Rugosa.

Don't look too closely or you will see the mistakes that I have made.  There are a few in the Sunday Sweater that I didn't even notice until I saw the photo.  I'm sure those mistakes will be very obvious to all of you experienced knitters, but I wanted to share a little story my mother recently told me...

     When I was a little girl my father would occasionally pull out a beautiful crystal bowl.  He would flick the edge of the bowl gently with his finger so we could hear the lovely, melodic ring that only true crystal could make. He would then ask us to look as he pointed out all the tiny imperfections in that beautiful bowl, explaining that the imperfections were evidence that it was handmade, lovingly handcrafted, giving the bowl its beauty and value.  I always remembered my father's words when learning to knit, reminding myself that the tiny imperfections are evidence of its handcrafted value.

Linking with Ginny and WIP Wednesday