Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Exactly like this, only different

I'm sure that my faithful readers (assuming that I have any) have noticed that I haven't been blogging very much recently. For a few weeks, I wasn't blogging because I was very busy with my work. Then, I wasn't blogging because I had nothing to blog about. Since I finished Mariella two weeks ago, I've been furiously knitting on the skirt of the dress that I'm knitting for Annie Modesitt. No offense to Annie, but the skirt was so boring that it hurt. Stockinette in the round. Starting with almost 200 stitches and increasing to over 400 stitches of STOCKINETTE IN THE ROUND.

Luckily for me, I can knit stockinette in the round without looking at my hands. This ability saved me from committing hari kari with my knitting needles. (Of course, I probably wouldn't have succeeded in the act because I was using blunt-tipped US size 8 Addis.) I watched several hours of TV. I read the entire DaVinci Code in one day. I would have taken the thing to the gym if it weren't so incredibly huge.

Dandy Dress with CleoAnyway, I finished the dress this weekend. Naturally, I can't show it to you, but I want you to understand just how enormous this project was. So I found a dress in my wardrobe that has approximately the same dimensions as the knitted dress. For your reference, the cat tree is approximately 6 feet tall. The knitted dress is exactly like this dress, only different. (1) The knitted dress is one color. (2) The knitted dress has a scoop neck and short sleeves. (3) The top of the knitted dress is more "blouse-y" (4) The skirt of the knitted dress is not pleated but increases to about the same fullness. (5) The skirt of the knitted dress is 1 or 2 inches shorter. Stop for a minute and think, just think, about knitting something this size. It's crazy and I'm crazy for doing it.

The dress gets shipped off to Annie today. Poor Neglected Barbie Shawl is neglected no more.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

What a TASK! But I can't wait to see it.

Pumpkinmama said...

Holy moly thats a whole lotta knitting. I'll be curious to see it.

Stephanie said...

Wow! That is some insane knitting, I can't wait to see it.

Jennifer said...

Holy Shrimp that's a lot of knitting. Kudos to you for taking on the task!

Anonymous said...

Me me! I'm a faithful reader!

I wonder if making the inmates at Guantanamo knit stockinette-stitch dresses would be a violation of the Geneva Conventions?

I'm sure you did an amazing job, though, and I can't wait to see the finished product!

Knittypants said...

Wow! That's a lot of knitting! Amazing.

Elizabeth said...

And what gauge was this knitting at? Teensy? Tiny? Microscopic?

my honest to goodness verification word:
avfuggx

Which I first read as awfuggx.

Anonymous said...

Ouch. That's a lot of knitting.
I can't believe you sat through the whole D'VC in one sitting. I think that would've been enough to make me commit hari kari.
(Well, now that I think about it, it would've been over sooner...)

Meredith said...

You are crazy!

Anonymous said...

I'm knitting a monstrosity like this, too. It goes to the ankles. Except... hmmm... I think I'm allowed to show mine on the blog!

amylovie said...

I'm glad you got that monkey off of your back.

Amy

Karen said...

Oy, that's a lot of knitting. A LOT.

Valerie said...

That is a lot of knitting.

But what a cute dress to show the dimensions! :)

Jes said...

Wow! That is just amazing. My brain over loaded just thinking about that.