Swatch-tastic Fair-Isle
Okay here is my swatch, I had to rip half of it and re-do it and re-organize the colors to get the contrast correct. So my color replacment didn't exactly work but we there are pretty much 12 colors with 1 ball each so you can re-organize them any way you want. I just reversed the order for the green/blue in the circles so that the darkest blue was up against that shetland black. I'm not technically done with the swatch but wanted to share :)
Size 2 needles - I havn't measured for Gauge yet.
It's hard to photograph it, I think it needs outside light as it blends better but above is a flash and no-flash photo. Then here is the back of my first REAL fair isle!
I'm so proud! My husband is very amused, he said "Why would you want to knit something that hard?" I said well it's not really that hard but it is intimidating so thats why I like it. It's a challange. I knit Continental style, so I either A) hold both colors in my left hand if its lots of quick switches or B) I drop one color when I am working on a longer strand that is 3+ stitches wide.
I took Friday off of work due to my back pain and spoke to the doc for a little while. They want me to try a maternity belt thingy so we need to go out and get one today. If I lay down in the bed in a certain position I can make the pain go away, but if I sit up like in bed or in a chair, or try to do tasks that require leaning forward or using my arms too much it gets a bit painful. Kinda sucks because overall I feel FINE, it's just all in my back. I'm really not misrable other wise though the back is making me pretty frustrated if I have to do anything, such as deal with work or any stress. Just trying to do a few things around the house last night for when my husband brought friends over was very painful. I was lighting candles and just putting a few things away. Or even trying to fix something to eat hurts.
Work asked me to go out on friday to interview people at stores, after I had told them I had to take friday off. Now I know they would not have made me go, but I couldn't believe I was asked at nearly 38 weeks to go out in 100 degree weather, by myself around Atlanta like that. I only have 5 days left of work! I have a doc apointment Monday so it may wind up I stop working sooner due to the back issue. We'll see what happens on monday.
Comments
lyndsey-jane says;
The swatch is looking great! I'm looking to do something similar very soon. I feel like I need a knitting challenge. I've never knit more the a few rounds in stranded for socks so first off I'm going to make the Deep V Argyle vest by Eunny Jang.
I hope your back stops hurting soon, and your work shouldn't have asked you to that.
Take care
Samantha says;
Has your doctor suggested the baby might be posterior? Apparently that can cause a lot of back pain at this stage.
Try having a warm bath (full as it will go) and lay on your side with your one leg up over the side of the tub and the other leg as straight as you can get it. Like as if you were sleeping with a body pillow or spooning your hubby. With your belly fully submerged the water will float it and take all that weight off your back. I normally don't like baths, but the other day my hubby filled the tub and told me to get in. It was soooo nice. My back and hips hadn't felt that good in a long time.
The swatch looks good. I'm in no mood to knit anything except straight stockinette stitch (or garter) ... easy stuff. You're doing great!
Dani says;
Is it considered bad form to tell a 38 week pregnant woman "I TOLD YOU SO"? I knew you would rock the swatch AND Fair Isle-ing!!
I am SO glad you took Friday off, running around in the heat would not have made a happy Pixie! Here's hoping the belt helps you lots!!
Enjoy the weekend and your last 5 days of work =)
marycatharine says;
I hope your back starts feeling better.
Your swatch looks great, I've been lusting after that sweater for a long time. Up here in Canada I can't get the book just yet but I have one and a kit on order. For now I'll just have to live though you.
--Deb says;
Your swatch looks great--don't you feel proud? I'm a big fan of the two-handed color method--carrying one color in each hand--but that's largely because I can never coordinate holding both colors in the same hand (grin). (Would you believe that it was that dilemma that brought me into blogging in the first place?)
And, I can't believe your job would send you out like that . . . being so pregnant, and it being so hot, and all, that seems a little unreasonable.... (grin)
Carol says;
Your swatch looks great.
(I can't believe that your boss would except you to do that) If you lived here you would have started your maternity leave by now,
Take care Pixie, I hope that belt works for you.
Allegra says;
I am sorry your back is giving you problems. Have you been swimming? I do when I can, and it does give some relief to the back and body in general. I can't believe they wanted you to work in hellish heat at 38 weeks. I really don't think unless you've experienced this phenomenon of being pregnant that you just don't understand. Therefore, most men are just pathetically clueless and there's no hope for them.
I do hope to feel better soon. Take care.
Christine says;
Swatch is beautiful! Looking good, GF!
Sorry to hear about your back. What a pain!!
Hopefully, when you tell the Doc how you've been feeling he wont hestitate in telling you to stop working now. It's almost like work is wanting that baby out now. Are you planning on going back to work?
Melissa says;
Ooh, it's looking great! Do my eyes deceive me or did you put the Old Gold in the foreground for the in-between fair isle stripe? Or maybe I read the chart wrong...
In any case it looks beautiful.
I hope your employer eases up (sheesh) and that you have that baby soon!
Yuriko says;
That's really impressive! I can't get my knits to look like that... I guess it takes lots of practice on my part... but wow!
Moggle says;
Pixie, that looks fantastic. Hope your back feels better soon!
Ruinwen says;
Your swatch is fantastic! Love those colors together. Hope your back feels better. :)
amanda says;
Hi Pixie, Sorry to hear about the back pain. Not sure exactly what's causing it, but I usually find relief when I lay on my side with a pillow between the knees. I have degenerative discs in my lumbar spine and deal with chronic pain. I am trying to get pregnant now and have fears about how I'll deal physically with my back. I've seen those maternity belts - would be interested to hear how it works for you. Good luck and hang in there!!
Sneaksleep says;
Glad to hear you're taking care of yourself--I hope the back pain gets more manageable. Your swatch looks great!
Kate says;
It's a little scary to me too, but it really looks great! Spend some time in a pool, you'll really enjoy it pregnant.
Deana says;
Love the swatch! Sorry to hear about your back pain! I had lower pain through my whole pregnancy and my husband applying pressure to it helped a great deal. Take time to rest and to enjoy the quiet life for a little longer.
Jen says;
Hi Pixie,
Could you tell me which colors you're using? I bought the book over the weekend, but reds aren't my color, so I'd like to change it too. But looking at the photos up close I love the contrast. You're swatch looks awesome so I'm just wondering which colors you decided to go with? I'm thinking I might just used whats called for but do the neck and hem in the blues and greens. Also, just because I can't leave well enough alone, I'm thinking of not using Jamison at all. I live in N. California and itchy wool is only going to get worn maybe twice a year. So I'm interested in your thoughts.
Donna says;
Your swatch looks fabulous...I'm so envious! So, was it a man that wanted you to walk around in 100 degree weather?! Wishing you all the best with your delivery. I hope it is quick ; )
Felicia says;
Your swatch looks great. You're a braver woman than me to attempt such color work. Fair-Isle scares the bejeebers out of me!
Heidi says;
Hi there, WOW! That swatch looks amazing! I love the original design, but I think your colour choice is even nicer (I'm not much of a red wearer myself either). I saw the little sample colour palette you pulled together, but do you think you might publish which Shetland colours you substituted on your blog? It really is too gorgeous for words!
I hope your back feels better soon as well - I agree with all the aqua suggestions - nothing does a back so much good as being supported on all sides by lovely warm water :)
wendy says;
Yeah...back pain and babies seem to go together for a long time. You're either carrying on the inside or the outside.lol. I've had five myself and have found standing a good ways back from a tall back chair and then hugging the back of a chair to let my tummy "hang" sometimes works.
0r try kneeling on your hands and knees with your head in line with your back. Pull in your abdomen, arching your spine upward (like a kitty cat) and then relaxing sometimes works too.
Good Luck!