Saddle Shoulders Are Evil

I've finished the gorgeous Regan scarf from Big Just Got Bigger in the gorgeous Splash colourway. Many thanks Linda for the yarn you sent me - I got just a couple more balls as the yarn just screamed scarf at me. It's lovely and warm and I'm now the proud owner of a proper big superbulky scarf. Not that its cold enough to wear yet but no doubt won't be long.

Macey is dead. She died last night. Well, to be exact she has been frogged. She was not turning out as expected. I was actually sewing - ahem 'attempting' - the collar on with that feeling in your tummy that says, you hate her, she is horrid, you won't wear her. So I left it and had a little chat with DH who agreed I would never be happy with her and that was that. Funny how relieved I was once I started frogging her.

It all really started with the saddle shoulder seams and the realisation that it was practically impossible to get a nice neat seam. Or anything resembling even half decent might not have been too bad. I like my seams perfect you see. It never actually dawned on me that she had saddle shoulders or if I had noticed, it wouldn't have occurred to me that saddle shoulders are pure evil and are designed to drive us totally insane trying to get them to look right. Yes, just utter pure evil. In fact, there should be law against using them in hand knitted designs. It took me hours trying to get them to just 'ok' standard and I was not happy. She almost ruined my Sunday she did. Didn't matter how many times I redid them, they never looked that good. And if that wasn't bad enought, the stupid sewing on of the collar was hard work too. Sewing it on with slip stitch didn't look right, and mattress stitch was no good either as it was too loose.

I was disappointed at the time especially with the saddle shoulders, but now quite happy. She is gone and is no more with her crappy seams bugging me and her stupid collar annoying the hell out of me. Verdict - saddle shoulders are crap. What is the point in them? No wonder I've never seen them before on a knitted design. I know why now! And I'm a bit put off with All Seasons Cotton too. I've seen it used on kids stuff and looks great, but all I can think of is I'd much rather be knitting with Calmer. I am definitely a tactile knitter (aka Yarn Snob)!

So I have to apologise to Linda who is also knitting Macey. I hope I haven't frightened you off and that she gives you less trouble! I know people that have made her and been happy - though all admit the saddle shoulders are a nightmare. But she is just not for me.

Lizzy, which is such a joy to knit, is finally getting arms. The only reason I hadn't started is the design has short sleeves and I want long ones so I tried to plan a quiet half hour or so to work that out. This of course is unlikely to happen so I gave in and worked it out whilst watching tv. She is so soothing after recent events and much needed.......



My very bright sock is finished and the colour has really grown on me. I've used Regia Stretch and love the feel of it. Although the yarn looks like it should be for a toddler, it is perfect for autumn when the days are grey and rainy and you need a bit of sunshine in your day.



I had fun and games knitting some convertible mittens - originally they were going to have fingers and after some frogging gave up that idea. One is finished and I rather like them. I'm almost looking forward to colder weather so I can try them and see if they work ok.

I managed to find a UK supplier of the Knitting 2006 Daily Boxed Calender which I'd been hearing about. I can definitely recommend Calender Club for quick service as I got my copy the day after ordering. They have branches around the UK so I thought I'd ring my local one to see if they had a copy but they didn't, but the very nice guy gave me the office number and a code for free shipping into the bargain. So I am most impressed as it has cost me just £9.99! As I bought it for myself I've opened it and gone through the patterns. There is a real variety and several that I will definitely make.



Poor Thunder is off to the vets tomorrow for an operation. He's got a little frisky in the last week and after a check up at the vets yesterday was declared 'most definitely ready'! I feel sorry for him already though. He's so young still and so cute looking.......but my husband is getting a bit fed up as he seems to be the target of Thunders attentions ;)