Sahara is started

We've had a crazy week. Last weekend we travelled to DH's home town for his grandmother's funeral, and I got to drive back alone with kiddo while DH went on to Denver for work. Needless to say, I'm glad we're all home safe and sound and can get back to normal, everyday life.

On the knitting front, I cast on for Sahara this weekend. Since we were doing a lot of travelling I didn't want to take along a big project, so Ribs and Lace stayed home. I'm using Valley Yarns Goshen is a pretty blue color, and so far I'm really liking it. It's easy to knit with and has a pretty sheen. I'm a bit concerned that it might pill a bit, but we'll see as we go along.

For those of you keeping track, that adds up to four "real" WIP and one "surprise" WIP. Looks like I need to finish some stuff!!

Ribs and Lace Tank, er, Mini-Dress

I realize I haven't posted in a while. I had planned on having this post be a "FO" about the Ribs and Lace Tank. Unfortunately, I have decided that this pattern Will Never End. Ever. Instead of being a hip-length tank, it's turning into a mid-thigh length "mini dress". That's okay with me since I still like the style, but I had expected this pattern to be a quick-knit to tide me over while I waited for a yarn order...but it's turning into a major big deal. So while I wait for the endless pattern to end, I've been thinking about what I want to knit next. The felted hedgehog is ineligible - since I only want to have one toy OTN at a time, I have to finish Bobbi Bear first! I have yarn for two summer sweaters - Sahara and Rusted Root (and no, I didn't buy Tilli Tomas yarn for Sahara - I have a silk blend from Webs) I've also been thinking about knitting a cool felted bag my friend Jenniferdesigned, or maybe a quick and easy belt? Mmmm...so many choices!

Disburbing news about Baby Bobbi Bear

I came across some disturbing information about BBB today while I was relaxing at the Local Barnes and Noble. It seems that Baby Bobbi Bear is so-named because he is a *smaller* version of the full-size Bobbi Bear. Yes - there is a bear out there that is even larger than Baby Bobbi Bear!! BBB is quoted at 15 inches, while full-size Bobbi is a whopping 2 feet tall. To put it in perspective, that is just a couple inches shy of Lincoln's height.

I am truly frightened at the prospect of such a large bear...

Kamikaze Frog

I had to put Bobbi on hold for a bit until I get more stuffing (who would have thought that a "baby" bear would take so much stuffing?). So last night night I pulled out my poor neglected Ribs and Lace Tank. I had finished both of the lace patterns, and had moved on to the ribbing that goes around the bust.

As I knit, I kept thinking to myself that the tank was going to turn totally lame because the ribbing was very holy and didn't look like it would be fitted at all. In a fit of desperation this morning, I decided to check my gauge. The first gauge was for the lace - no problem there (the final measurements are almost perfect). Then I took a closer look at the second gauge - for the ribbing: 20 stitches per inch *using smaller needles*. Smaller needles? Who said anything about smaller needles? Sure enough, buried in the instructions to increase a couple of stitches and place a new side marker was the dreaded "switch to smaller needle". How much smaller? From a size 10 to a size 4. Yes, a *lot* smaller. I'd been using a size 9, but since I don't have a size 3 circular (Knitpicks interchangeables only go down to a 4), I decided a 4 would be fine.

I had already done about 1 1/2 inches of ribbing, so I had to decide how to frog back to the start of the rib pattern. Option 1 - Knit Backwards - was not considered because it would drive me insane. Option 2 - put in a lifeline - was also not a great option because I find it difficult enough to thread a lifeline in stockinette, much less ribbing. So that left Option 3 - take the needles out, rip out until I get to the proper row, and carefully put the needles back through the live stitches. ... so I did it and it worked without one dropped stitch!! I had a coupld of twisted stitches, but those are no problem.

Lesson learned: play closer attention to instructions.