In desperate need to knit something mindless while Lonesome Dove was on t.v. , I started a new project. I'm talking about the mini-series with Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones, not the series that was playing for a while in the States.
I admit to have a weakness for westerns. I love the romance, wide sweeping, open country shoots and the plotlines (usually involving a journey, redemption or a journey to find redemption). I grew up watching all the Ponderosa re-runs too.
Lonesome Dove holds a very special place in my heart and I remembered reading the 4 books by Larry McMurtry just before the Euro launch in 1998. It was a hard time with many, many, many long and stressful hours at work, building and preparing for this big event. I remember leafing through 10-12 pages on the taxi ride home each night, fighting the nausea of reading in a moving vehicle just to see what happened next. (yes, I used to get car sick all the time, made me a great kid to travel with) I didn't read them in the right order, but displayed anorak tendencies point out to hubby each and every inconsistencies from book to book.
There was Dead Man's Walk, Commanche Moon, Lonesome Dove and the Streets of Laredo and I loved them all.
Florence is a bit of mindless knitting. It's from the Rowan Classic Art book, I'm working this with Debbie Bliss Cathay instead of the Luxury Cotton.
It took no time to get this far. The yarn is a rich wine shade which is pretty hard to capture.
I'm a bit conscious that my 1x1 ribbing is not looking too neat. I'm not sure that it would make a bit difference on this drapey yarn because ribbing isn't supposed to be blocked and the ribbing is supposed to stretched when worn.
The design has an interesting construction, which I hope to get to shortly because even with Lonesome Dove on, 1x1 ribbing doesn't exactly gallop along. It's gotten so that I find myself looking forward to 2x2 ribbing!
It's been a bit of a nightmare measuring drapey ribbing. Depending on how much you stretch it out, you get different numbers and the instructions don't tell you to stretch it out either. Very annoying...! I hope this darn thing doesn't end up too long or too short.
Your Florence looks lovely, and it's nice to hear about knitter get-togethers for a change (people don't post much about them on the Rowan forum any more, is that because of the miseries who complained because they couldn't go themselves?). Sorry, didn't mean to moan....
When in doubt about measuring I work out how many rows it should be to the length required. Assuming my tension/gauge is about right I trust this more than the tape measure.
Toby loves Westerns too - I'm afraid I am not so keen due to over exposure I think. Look forward to seeing how Florence works out for you, especially after hearing about Jill's problems.
Posted by: Mary at April 18, 2006 11:12 AMI've just started up a bit of mindless knitting to go along with a good new book I've just started. There is a lot to be said for the mindless knit!
Posted by: Meg at April 18, 2006 12:20 AMNo, I didn't abandon it - I finished it - but I did have a lot of trouble with sleeves/armholes, as did the lady in the Putney group. I'm with Diane, that luxury cotton is horrid to knit with.
Posted by: Jill at April 17, 2006 07:25 PMOooh, pink! How pretty!
I wouldn't fret about the ribbing. Blocking will do wonders, as will regular wear. I'm impressed that you have the patience for all that 1x1 ribbing, frankly. It would take me years to knit just the back of that little sweater!
Posted by: Beth S. at April 17, 2006 05:07 PMGood Luck with Florence, I started her and threw her in a carrier bag after 4 inches. Yours looks good in Cathy, luxury cotton is awful stuff.
Posted by: Diane A at April 17, 2006 02:58 PMI love Lonesome Dove too, even have it on DVD. Has to be my favorite Duvall role along with 'Open Range' which is also excellent!! Love the color of the yarn, I can't wait to see it finished, it looks great so far!
Posted by: Marsha at April 17, 2006 12:58 PMLove that "uphill" shot of the ribbing! Lovely colour.
Posted by: Kathleen at April 17, 2006 12:30 PMso beautiful! look at that colour! 1x1 ribbing never looks perfect, imo, but with wash and wear things even out and you're prolly the only one conscious of it anyway.
so did you get my mail about london, btw?
Posted by: kris at April 17, 2006 11:22 AMI love the pattern. I looks like it will be lovely!
Posted by: stinkerbell at April 17, 2006 10:29 AMI can't wait to see how Florence comes out! I bought another shade of cathay to knit it in and can't wait to start. Your's looks beautiful so far!
Posted by: 4-ply Katie at April 17, 2006 09:34 AMDespite what you say (about the mindless knitting) the pattern looks really great. Looks like something you'd wear often, very classic.
Posted by: brooke at April 17, 2006 03:29 AMYou and Chris both! He was in seventh heaven when the film was on tv and he's read the books several times!
Love Florence - you are brave knitting this! Is this the one Jill had a million problems with and abandoned?
Posted by: dawn at April 17, 2006 12:21 AM