WIP roundup

My head is full of the book I started and finished this weekend: Crashing America, this jangly coming-of-age tale about this baby butch from SF, who takes off across the country, has all these adventures, and finally finds her place. It was interesting. I don't think it was really easy to get to know the characters, and it was full of all this jangly slang that the main character used, but the overall effect left me with this unsettled feeling, which is what I think the author was aiming for. The narrator never really does 'settle down', but she comes to some conclusions about the importance of life, and just how far you can stretch your luck without depending on anyone else.

In knitting terms, reading that book was like starting a short-term project that you didn't mean to start, and finishing it all in one weekend. I'm supposed to be reading Women in Love for my book group, but the summertime was just not meant for D.H. Lawrence. He's too heavy.

I'm off to Montreal very early tomorrow morning for work. I'm bringing only two projects. First, the second sleeve for Spanky's sweater (and the first sleeve in case I feel like ripping it out and reknitting--it's too long, and I think I'd like to re-do the cuff anyway).

Secondly, some new socks for the plane. I needed something that I had bamboo needles for, since I'm skittish about international flights with aluminum, even though I'm sure it will be fine.



Anyway, I also thought this would be a good opportunity to go over what I've been working on:

1. The Lombard Street socks are FINISHED. I really need to wash and block them though, so I'll have an FO post once I get back and can really talk about them.

2. The doggie log cabin:



I've stopped really working on this much. I take it to knitting group, but lately I wanted to finish the Lombard St. Socks, so it's kind of neglected. Although it is growing. Right now, it is 26.5" x 24.5".

3. Mason-Dixon baby kimono:



This is yarn from the stash! YAY. Berrocco Soft Twist--I only have three hanks, although I'm sure I'm only going to need two for the kimono. I'll use the 3rd to make some matching booties with. I want it gone. I hate this yarn. It splits like nobody's business, and I've messed up the plies so many times, even with slick metal needles. It is really pretty and shiny though, so I think once I'm done with it, the recipient will be very pleased. It's for the second baby in line though. I decided that I wanted to make my friend Debie a Trellis but I don't have enough of the same kind of yarn for that, so although she's due first, I am waiting on the yarn to get here before I can cast on for that one. So because I finished the socks and wanted to maintain the three projects ratio, I cast on for the baby kimono for the second in line, who is the only mother who knows she's having a boy. I thought I would finish the kimono over the three day weekend, but then I got distracted by the book! Ack. Oh well. I probably only have one evening's knitting on it to finish anyway, so it will be quick to finish once I get back from Canada.

I hope everyone had a good labor day weekend!