When I regained my sight yesterday I plunged headlong into the impending disaster silk corset. Here (for the purposes of the “What the (*&^%$!!! was I thinking!!” blog post I will be writing at four in the morning one day next week when the corset is not working out exactly the way the Hindenberg didn’t) is exactlly what I was thinking.
1. I’m using a dk weight instead of a worsted weight. This is a smaller yarn. I am, therefore, following logic and using a 3.25mm needle instead of a 4mm needle. This should prevent knitting a “fishnet effect” corset for which I would need to purchase a much better bra or one of those “camisoles” my mother tells me so much about.
2. The smallest size in the corset is a 35 inch bust. I have a 35 inch bust. Oddly, this is a problem.
3. Since I am using smaller yarn and smaller needles, I believe (I am a simple person) that I will get a smaller corset, one smaller than my 35 inch bust.
4. Swatching could answer this question, but swatching leads to mathematics. Since I am unprepared to do the math that swatching gives me, there is no point in swatching. Besides, it’s not like it’s going to take a long time to figure out that I’m screwed. I like taking knitting chances.
5. I understand that this may mean that I am going to knit the top of this 4 times and that at least one of those times I will likely take to an excess of strong drink and say unkind things about the designer.
6. Let me apologize in advance to her, and admit fully that I understand that if I decide to screw up your pattern by using all the wrong stuff and refusing to engage in even a little swatching, and then it turns out to be a tent cozy or, conversely – a rippin’ new outfit for a beanie baby, that this is not your fault.
7. Having determined (while sober) that I have smaller yarn, smaller needles and should therefore be knitting a smaller corset, I decided to go up a size to the 38 inch chest. I believe that this makes a good bunch of sense but admit that it’s unscientific and imprecise.
Oh well.
What I did on my summer vacation: Part one
(Note: if you don’t give a crap about my summer vacation you can skip this and I’ll never know. Really.)
On my summer vacation, I rode my bike, together with my children and my buddy Ken…400 kilometres from Brockville Ontario to Montreal, Quebec. (Joe, while he is a big fan of the annual bike trip, is a bigger fan of not running a recording studio into bankruptcy, so he had to stay here and finish mixing the sound on a film.)
On my summer vacation, we started at Toronto’s Union Station, where we got on a trip to Brockville Ontario, our stopping place the last time that we rode eastward.
I learned that the girls, now that they are teenagers, sit down and discuss boys, lip gloss and cellphones every single time they are not moving.
I learned that you can really freak a trainload of people out if all of the adults in your party are simultaneously knitting.
Ken’s working on a Kid Silk Haze scarf. You’ll see it again, it was his only trip knitting. (We also learned that VIA coffee resembles coffee the way that apples resemble lemurs.)
Landing in Brockville, we learned a couple of things. A) The train station in Brockville is operated by two people on duty. B) If these two people have to unload 5 boxed up bikes from the train they will be bitter (even if you offer to help) and they will suggest that if you are ever going to do *this* to them again, you should phone first or something, because even though they are baggage handlers, and the bikes are the only baggage coming off of the whole train at that stop, and that it only took them about 8 minutes to manage, that they would really get more people on that shift to handle the five boxes.
We learned that the bathrooms at the city run “St. Laurence Park” campground are darned nice, pleasant to use and almost (almost being all you can ask for) arachnid free.
We also learned that the 72 km the next day from Brockville to Kemptville are beautiful….
but long. Even pastoral serenity can wear on a girl…you know what I mean?
We learned that llamas (there was a duck there too…) and sheep
are not as interested in a travelling sock as donkeys are.
I suppose it’s possible that something about me, maybe the way I was holding out a product of their shorn woolly comrades, may have made the llama and sheep feel threatened. Really though, they shouldn’t have worried. I didn’t have room on the bike to carry a fleece.)
The sock in question here is a new friend…meet knitting project A. This was selected for it’s ability to be knit without a pattern, chart or adequate light.
We rode over the Ottawa River to Kemptville
home of Rideau River Provincial Park where Ken and I discovered that we had selected, randomly and over the internet, the absolute best campsite in the joint.
That’s the view from tent-side. The Ottawa River at sunset.
Here, more knitting
though its starting to be plain that Ken doesn’t love Crack-silk Haze as much as I do. (I gave him the blue post-it note too….he still didn’t have a lot of fun with it.) It could be that he would like it better if he wasn’t sitting on a bike weary arse, but I didn’t think of asking him to stand at the time.
Shortly after that picture (about 2 cups of coffee later) we rode on to Manotick, and after a late lunch at the Swan on the Rideau
we rolled into my Uncle Tuppers yard. (The funny thing about stopping at the Swan was that I’ve always thought it was really fancy-schmancy. The restaurant sits there on the edge of the river, lit up at night, and I suppose I had always imagined it in this really romantic way. We were desperate, so we stopped and I thought we would be turned away for being scruffy, but it turns out it’s a pub. Just an ordinary pub. I was too hungry to be disappointed that we could get in, but it did sort of shatter an illusion to be sitting there. ) Tup and his lovely Susan live on Susan’s family farmhouse, and we all engaged in a two day break that looked like this
Oh, wait…Meet knitting project number two, a pair of koigu socks in a lacy pattern, selected to provide colour, relief from the incredible monotony of knitting project number one, and still fit in a bike pannier. Pretty pretty. Right after this shot was taken, one of my knitting needles fell down this crack on the pool deck, and Tupp (who’s feet are featured above) crawled under the pool deck, and retrieved the needle from next to a wasp nest. I’m pretty fond of him.
When the kids weren’t in the pool, they were here…
out in the back 40. Checking out frogs and other non-city critters and looking for snakes. By the way, meet knitting project number 3. It’s the Lotus Blossom shawl from yesterday’s ritual blinding (There were, by the way…massive, insane errors in every single row that I knit while blurry yesterday. I didn’t even purl across the backside without incident.) and now that I can read the label it’s Running Wild Yarn, two ply fingerling in the colour “brick“. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a yarn this much. It’s cormo, and is stretchy and bouncy and soft and wonderful and I really, really love it. If I get nothing else at Rhinebeck this year, I’ll be hunting this vendor.
Tomorrow…ever wondered what the Canadian Parliament looks like? The sock knows.
Obviously you have no Italian relatives. Because if you did you would know that if you visit anywhere within 100 km and don’t phone, then you must never tell them you were there.
I SO would have joined you for lunch at the Swan, and brought April who works at the marina next door.
Looks like fun! Bookbookbookbook tourtourtourtour?
What? You were in Ottawa? And didn’t call?
Gorgeous countryside. And uncle of the year award, definitely–wow.
Lovely pictures. That sky! That llama really does look a little suspicious, huh? And you really did get a gorgeous campsite. You’re cracking me up, though, that you had those lovely plain socks to knit while blinded, and you chose to work on the Lotus Blossom shawl (and after reading todays entry, I’m sure the thought “hey, every other row is just a purl back…” totally crossed your mind!). Gotta love ya! The yarn is truly beautiful- but you know that now that you’ve blogged about it, and linked to it and everything, there’s going to be a massive run on the stuff, right?
PS- Artfibers, Artfibers! Isn’t their silk addictive, lovely, and worth driving through a torrential downpour to get to?!?!
Great photos today, dude. Sounds like a good vacation, can’t wait to hear about the rest of the trip.
Girl, how did you KNOW? Night after night I lie awake, tossing, turning, unable to keep from wondering “What does the Canadian Parliment look like?”
Yup.
But you know, somehow, for now, looking long and hard at Ken will do. Look at them cheekbones. Yowza. High time we got some eyecandy on here.
(By the way, don’t tell your mum about the silk corset. If she fell on her knees and thanked her god it might take some of the fun out of it for you.)
WOW! Gorgeous! And I love the curious!donkeys. Those ears always make me giggle. And, if there are Mounties at Parliment, I will be a happy (non-bike riding) camper. Heh.
My condolences on the coffee. Did you have a chance to try the stuff I gave you? If not, no hard feelings. 🙂
You so totally make me want to hit the “do-over” button and use more of your parenting ideas (including the bike ride summer vacation) on my boys! My boys are great, truly, but you make me think that I could have done more to mold them into men who think they can do anything (which they already think) but who understand that some stuff is really hard but still worth doing (which they do NOT get at all).
Hooray for you all!
Good luck with corset and hoping it fits given the “runs small” posts, but sometimes I find I knit with an almost subconscious understanding of what will fit (and of course sometimes I don’t!).
Beautiful vac pics, and LOL thinking of you all knitting on the train at the same time. A cult or something, eh?
Wow. You capture the employees at the stop in Brockville exactly. Except it was an 80 year old women in a wheelchair and 2 rather large suitcases. What a bunch of grumpies. Sounds like a lovely vacation.
Ooo, Ooo!! I know what the Canadian Parliament looks like!!! We actually went to Expo ’70 in Montreal and my dad took photos everywhere. Including one of a guard that was cracking a smile……..
Did Uncle Tupper ever get mitten #2?
Wow, that last picture is stunning! Looks like you had a great trip.
Good luck with the corset. I too like to just go for it without swatching, and I am glad to know I am not alone, although I never really did think I was. Beautiful pics of the Canadian countryside-summer goes by too fast. I also think Tupper’s heroics with the needle means he diserves both mittens at the same time this year, don’t you agree?
BTW, Ken does not look like he is enjoying himself, which I did not think was possible with the Crack-silk Haze. It must be the heat and the sore “arse” (hey, I’m American, but I like the way arse sounds better the ass-for some reason I don’t really feel like I am swearing).
I followed your logic on Annie’s corset months ago. Smaller yarn, smaller needles must equal bigger size. I know have a beautiful corset that will fit an elephant 🙂
Having a high stress-low results day and decided to drop by. Just the thing for a giggle and a grin, not to mention the lovely country shots. Thanks and my compliments to sock (both of them)!
I’ve done #7. It works pretty well.
Hehe. When I first glanced through the post, I was sure it contained the word “sockdonkey”. I’m not sure what a sockdonkey is, but I’m going to have to invent one, just so I can use that word more often. (sockdonkey! bwah!)
I also want to knit that gorgeous corset, and may end up on the same path you are, as I have a 34″ bust. Keep us updated. Your corset (mis-)adventures will keep me strong!
Not swatching rocks! unfortunately I have gotten into designing, which requires swatching. damme you people who dare to be sized differently than me. also, canada rocks! believe me. yes, do famous knitter authors get book tours? do tell.
I learned that you can really freak a trainload of people out if all of the adults in your party are simultaneously knitting.
hee. while one person knitting generally tends to encourage random strangers to converse, groups of knitters on public transportation tends to invite the opposite.
what a fun fun bike trip!
I’m with Rams; the socks and scenery are nice n’all, but Ken sure makes for some happy viewing moments…
I just picked up some photos from my weekend family canoe/camping trip where I’ve got one of my 4 yo son and neice also checking out frogs. Even got a pic of the frog in question. Nice to know it takes them a while to grow out of that sort of facination. And Yay for Uncle Tupp’s derring-do-esque rescuing your DPN from the wasps under the pool!
Will you be wearing a giant Stephanie sign at Rhinebeck so my sister and I can say hello? Or should we just walk around yelling for you?
You’re lucky that llama didn’t want to know about your sock. If the llama had gotten any closer I am convinced your sock would be covered with llama snot right now.
Okay, now that I’ve sufficiently lusted over the good stuff at Running Wild, no, wait, that wasn’t sufficient after all, I must go back. Thanks alot for fueling the habit.
I wish my husband could get into some KSH like that! Nothin’ sexier than a man knitting…..unless he uses YOUR stuff. That would be grounds for divorce.
I’m sure Rhinebeck is like knitting nirvana and I’d be delighted to be able to go someday but till then I’m all a-tingle to be going to the Waterloo County Knitter’s Fair this Saturday (I felt it needed some press). It’s a good time! Should I look for you and your tent or beanie cozy?
I”m knitting on the Lotus blossom Shawl too!
Except I seem to make giant errors even when my sight is not blurry. 😀
Looks like a good time was had by all…except maybe that baggage handlers. Could you do a girl a favor, and tell us what yarn you are using for knitting project A?
WOw! Great trip pics, gotta love Uncle Tupper, way to go on the three(!) new knitting projects…which leads to my most important comment: Knitting project A. I. Must. Know. What. Yarn. That. Is. Me likee!!
P.S. Erin types faster than I do.
I love the “David Byrne lookalike” knitting pic from the train. I laugh thinking about the faces of the other people in the train car. I like the other pics, too. I wonder what cormo means.
You know -lots of us like to knit AND bike – and hey, canada is nearly foreign to some of us- so maybe next year you offer up the HARLOT VACATION KNITTING TOUR – you know like those alaska knitting tours? I’d sign up!!!
nice pics!
I see I’m not the first to wonder if Uncle Tupper got his second mitten. I’m also wondering if you have figured out how to ride a bike and knit at the same time.
I can’t believe that lovely yarn is from Broadus, MT. I didn’t know such pretty things came from such a little stop in the road. I grew up not very far from there – about 80 miles, which in Wyoming is like next door – and had no idea that little place existed. Maybe I can visit next time I go home. Anyway, the first part of your trip looks lovely – scenery and a pool. What’s not to like. I’m sure the corset top will be fabulous – you’re a genius – how can it be anything but fabulous!
Shoot-
I live just across the river from the Swan!!! Interestingly, I also thought that it would be a bit more glamorous until I moved there and checked it out. I could have come and knit a stitch or two with you!! Looks like you had wonderful weather. Hope you enjoyed your stay in the area.
I MUST know what sock yarn that is!! please please PLEEEAASE post what kind of yarn!
btw, i learned how to knit a satisfactory sock from the plain sock pattern you published on knitty.com.
Dude. Make the swatch. I’ll help you with the math.
On second thought, don’t. Because I shall enjoy the struggle. I am cruel that way.
Well, I shoulda known better, but I chuckled my way through your post “trying” (and that is the key word) to drink my hot cup of tea…it was quite the challenge. After a rough day of student teaching (I am a career changer) I was trying not to laugh too loud and avoid dripping overflowing tea into my keyboard at my second job. Thanks again Stephanie for the day brightener! Glad to hear fun was had by all – including me just reading the story.
Yikes! I finished the Silk Corset about a month ago… also made with DK weight… and I even got gauge on the ribbing. But that thing would not fit one of my, er, well, bazooms – let alone close around them both. I’m also a 35 – and made the 38 size – STILL, it’s that small. (I am seriously thinking about gifting it to the first pre-teen I meet.) This thing has major NEGATIVE EASE. It’s a gorgeous top, and a very fun, fast knit – but make sure you try it on once you get to the armholes and make sure it’s fitting.
Its really nice to have company on the road to hell.
It looked like a great time. Beautiful scenery. I may have never wondered what it looked like before, but now you got me curious.
🙂
Just out of curiosity, for what occasion would one need a knitted corset? Am I the only knitter without a sudden urge to knit one? I feel left out…
Dude.
You were here in Ottawa and didn’t even say a quick hello. *sniff* And to think we could have worked on our Lotus Blossom shawls together. Is it because I bought that green/gold Country Silk out from under you? I didn’t think you’d take it so hard. *sniff*
But really, I’m glad you had a good ride. And the VIA coffee? Perfect description! 🙂
Um Steph, you rode over the Rideau River to Rideau River Campground. My sweetie and I had our wedding reception at the Swan 25 years ago — not a real formal wedding but lots of fun. Still, a place that I continue to think of in a romantic way.
You know Stephanie, your next book really should be a knitters/travel book. Oh, I know that Nancy Bush already did one (sort of), but somehow, I think yours would be different. I’m just sayin’…
Cool, you did the exact trip I’ve been wanting to do this summer with my boyfriend but work has kept him too busy. Last summer we tried to ride from Toronto-Montreal but got too pooped out by Brockville, so wanted to take the train back and resume where we left off. The Brockville VIA employee we had take our bikes to come home last time was super friendly, maybe they fired him to replace him with grumpyheads 🙂 I’d love to find out which campgrounds you liked the best!
I am so in awe . . . I cannot imagine spending that much time on a bike. (But then, I can’t imagine camping, either.) The furthest I’ve ever ridden in a day was about 25 miles, but that was back in high school, before I had a car . . . The sock looked like it had a great time!
I sure hope you managed to feed poor Ken! And don’t worry about the corset, it will fit you (or one of your daughters) perfectly!
Me, I’m just fascinated by the fact that Ken seems to glow in the dark.
Steph!! I grew up right across the St. Lawrence River from Brockville. I think it was Ontario, I’m not sure where Ontario lays but we used to swim across the river (only 1 mile wide right there with several of the Thousand Islands there for a pit stop) and get our names in our newspaper! it’s a small world. It’s (my hometown in northern New York state) is still the only place I really feel relaxed … sitting on the river. Do you go to Rhinebeck in October? That must be a haul, no? Maybe you’ll see me looking strangely at you while I’m thinking “Is that The Harlot? Should I say anything? Did I bring my book? – or will it be two books by that time? -” At any rate if you see a red-headed, naturally-curly-haired 5’10” woman gawking at you, that would be me being a dork! It’s a natural state of mine, so don’t think you have spilled food on yourself or have something from lunch on your face – I may very well be with my handsome husband who will be trying to be inconspicuously nudging me back into reality – or a version thereof – by asking me if we can leave yet and don’t I already have enough wool, what do I need more for. He doesn’t come from a creative family, we have to make allowances for this trait though it can be trying at times! Anyway, I hope I see you there!
Of course, Kemptville is no where near the Ottawa River. I’ll be pedantic and let everyone know that you’ve muddled up the Ottawa River (which you’ll hit in tomorrow’s installment) and the Rideau River. Just in case they want some accurate geography. Looks great.
You totally made my day, just by showing a picture of donkeys. Those big heads! The stocking seams down their backs! Oh man.
Ken looks pretty pissed in every knitting pic. How sticky is that stuff? (in fear of addiction, I have never touched the stuff)
I can completely relate to your whole corset/yarn substitution/gauge issue. I went through the same thing once. I was much more of a novice knitter than and shouldn’t have tempted the fates…I ended up with what could easily have been used as a circus tent. Hope you have better success!!
One of the finest dinners I’ve had was in Brockville at a restaurant toward the water from the main street. Restaurant was called “My Place”
Lovely restaurant & fabulous eats. You should not die before dining there!
Rhinebeck! You’ll be at Rhinebeck! Oooh, what fun.
(Can’t wait to see what kind of sweater you’ll knit at the very last minute for this year.)
Cool bike trip–I look forward to the days when I can take those kinds of trips with my girls.
I think Tupp needs another pair of gloves for the whole wasp nest sock rescue incident.
I love your unswatchiness! I have only done it twice, and I actually love math =B. Your blog is awesome, keeps me humble as a newbie blogger. The donkeys and llama were great!
wait a minute…
If your smaller yarn/needles makes a smaller corset, you want to knit up a pattern size or two. If you knit the 37/ 39 inch bust, you’ll probably be OK.
The clouds in the the bike picture are stunning. It is as though I’m able to breathe in the crisp air from here. I can hardly wait until my kids are old enough for a long trek like that. Lovely.
I always take heart knowing that at least one other person hates gauge swatches as much as I do. I want to be knitting my project, not a stupid gauge swatch!
And I am impressed with the distance travelled in one day. I would have been whining. Probably because I have a mountain bike (Toys R Us was not selling racing bikes for some reason) and while it’s solid as the day is long, that solidity adds weight, which makes it impossible for me to bike more than about 10 miles before calling it quits. I’m a wus.
Please, I am begging you to swatch. Claudia, you too. Just a little one. Doesn’t have to be a 4″ x 4″ square, just something to give you an idea. Please. Especially where two of your readers followed the same reasoning and wound up with dramatically different results. That pattern does not look easy and it pains me to think of you ripping the thing up and knitting it twice (or thrice!) I’ll even do the math for you if you want!
Although I have to admit that would be one hella sexy beanie baby outfit. That thought just really hurt my head.
I just LOVE the knitting honesty in your quote below:
Besides, it’s not like it’s going to take a long time to figure out that I’m screwed.
Ah-men.
Stephanie, While I feel empathy, as gravity has done the same thing to my anatomy, I could not fail to notice that there are no book signings planned for the Southern part of the US, or God’s country, to which I have heard it referred. DH says his offer to show you his guns still stands, although I had to prevent a potential international incident by dissuading him from sending you some Round-up for your garden. I will return to my socks now to help assuage my pain at being left out again. Just because I wasn’t willing to drive 6 hours to go to Memphis…
CANTON! You’re coming to CANTON? Could this be true? I read it at the bookstore, but didn’t believe it. I asked Lois Ann yeaterday, and she said it was true, but I still had doubts. And today I check the site and IT’S TRUE.
And, can a measly old spinner, weaver, papermaker come and not knit? I mean, I own some kitting needles, but…