I went to Joann Fabrics last week and Hancock Fabrics yesterday. First, let me say that Hancock has a much better selection of yarn and better prices. Joann was having a storewide clearance which included some yarn, but it was mostly Chenille Thick N Quick (for $6!!! is that actually less than retail???) and some Homespun, neither of which I'm very fond of. And besides, I'm not allowed to buy yarn yet. So I was good.
The reason for my trip was to get some thread for the blue sweater I'm working on. You see, I made an error. First, when I was calculating, I decided the sweater should be 32" around the bottom and increase to 36" around the chest for a good amount of breathing room. Ha! I don't have enough of a chest to need breathing room apparently. Second, I miscalculated the number of stitches and cast on enough for 34" at the bottom. So when I tried it on, I realized that I was headed toward a 38" chest. Gah.
I wasn't about to frog the whole thing. Instead, I knit up to the armhole, seamed it (removing shaping because I decided it was unnecessary - have I mentioned I have no chest?), and cut it. Then I sewed the cut edges. It seems to have worked out okay, but I'll see what it's like after I wash it. Pictures soon, I hope.
In any case, I have made great progress on the sweater. I've decided it's going to be hooded with set-in sleeves. I'm doing the hood before the sleeves, and I've just begun the hood part.
Also, I got a bunch of thread from the fabric store, so I'll be able to sew up the dead felted vest into a purse eventually. Except I don't have any strap fabric. Shoot. I looked at strap supplies for my green bag, and they were really expensive and not the size I wanted. Hmph. My best bet might be going thrift store shopping and finding something I can butcher and use to suit my needs.
In completely unrelated news, J has missed his flight! He'll be sitting at the airport for over 5 hours until the next flight. But hey, at least he gets to eat at Gold Coast Dogs. Mmmm. Oh, and K, he is bringing you something to swap for Twin Peaks. We're missing the tape with episodes 15-19 and the last tape as well. And dammit, we're addicted and need our fix!
Also, damn the city of Chicago and their parking police. I got a ticket for not having a front license plate. Bah. Now I get why this street always has so many booted cars on it. Shouldn't they be, you know, doing something about the crackhouse around the corner instead of issuing parking tickets?
Phew, this was a long ranty post.