Wins and Losses
It's a little difficult to begin to describe the events of this week. I've been dreading it, though I know that it's something that I can't avoid - BF moving to Canada. For months I've been struggling with mixed emotions, and that day had finally come. Suffice to say that I am now transitioning to a long-distance relationship.
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After seeing him off at the airport, I decided that I needed to take the day off. Wondering aimlessly, I stopped by the LYS to see if there's anything that could take my mind off if just for a split second. It must be the knitting goddesses sympathizing with me, because they sure offered me a consolation prize. 7 balls of Rowan Plaid for $30 total (incl tax). I wasn't sure whether or not it would be enough to make the Lace Leaf Pullover, and my LYS didn't have internet connection. The store owner (bless her kind heart), offered me her laptop to dial into her AOL account so I could check for yarn requirements. Surprisingly, I have more than enough to make the sweater in my size and have some leftovers. The marked price ($35 for 7, instead of $16.50 per ball) was a mistake, you see, but the owner must have sensed that I needed some serious consolation because she just straight out said: "If you pay 30 dollars in cash, we'll call it even." Say it with me girls... "WOAH...."
Now I know that a plain colored yarn would probably make the leaf pattern "pop" more, but I can't argue with the price and the quality. It's a blend of alpaca, merino and a smidge of acrylic. And wouldn't you know it? My gauge was just off enough to allow for a 36" finished sweater size. Here's a preview of the pullover progress.. fat needles fat yarn=quick knit. 
Yea it's 3am in the morning and I can't sleep. Usual disclaimer about poor apt lighting...
posted by winnie @ 3:08 AM
23 Comments:
oh no! poor winnie! long distance relationships suck, but you should know that it can work - been there, done that, married him in the end!
lace leaf is g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s.
I am so sorry to hear that. It was a long distance relationship for me and my fiance too. Airport is a happy and sad place for us during that period of time. Which explains why I am in the US now, to be with him.
That's a great bargain and you are such a fast knitter!!!
Whoa, that was really fast! I am glad that the knitting gods are on your side. .. and looking forward to seeing how the finished sweater fits. Good luck with the long-distance relationship!
I'm sorry about the long distance relationship but I am sure you two will make it work. And your sweater is turning out very lovely. Good luck with everything.
*hug*
you know i know exactly where you're coming from. call me if you need me, k? i have tons of minutes. ^_^
Aw, Winnie. Is this a long-term move to Canada? Poor girl.
It was so nice of your yarn seller to give you that amazing price on the Rowan Plaid and it looks so pretty as a Lace Leaf (Autumn Leaf?) Pullover.
Hang in there!
that color is beautiful, winnie! really pretty - and whatadeal. go you. can't wait to see it finished, you know i'm totally gaga over that pattern.
sorry about the boyfriend, that's super-tough. what a cute picture of you two - so sweet!
Oh, I'm sorry Winnie! I did Europe-California for two years. It's hard, but can also make for intense togetherness. I hope you/he gets to visit lots!
Wouldn't have thought it but the plaid looks great with this pattern!
I had a long distance relationship with my bf too. SF to LA, albeit not as far as yours and some of the others, but I know that pain of the airport good bye, lots of tears. We were apart for two years and now we're back in the same place.. I hope everything works out. If anything, it will make your relationship stronger.
But back to knitting, I didn't think the Plaid would look as great as it actually does. Can't wait to see the finished product!
Canada is not so bad...come visit:) I know it will be hard, but if it is meant to be, it will be. Your quick knit looks great!
wow, winnie! that's tough! i wish you the best in that endeavor. that LYS owner was reaaaally nice, though. and your pullover looks wonderful! perhaps your bf will spock out LYS's up in Canada for when you visit?
Ah, that sucks! I'm so sorry he's gone to Canada. Good luck.
But the sweater is awesome!
The yarn gods have smiled on you during your dark day. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but it still sucks.
that really stink about the BF. Long distance relationships are tough, but not impossible. I've been living the long distance relationship deal for about 8 years now!
Love the leaf pullover. That's another one on my list. Glad to see that you got similar gauge w/ Rowan yarns. I didn't really want to use what the pattern originally called for.
hi, i've been reading your site for awhile and i adore all your knits and comments. just thought i'd comment because i'm a graduate student in engineering too and my bf lives and has lived for three years 2500 miles away from me in LA. just think of all the frequent flyer miles you'll rack up=)
i've really enjoyed your writing and knitting over the months...you amaze me with the way you crank out beauteous pieces. a little random advice from one who had 3.5 years long distance..write. real letters, not email. it helps.
aww you guys are so cute together, don't worry it's rough at first but somehow you get used to it and you manage (the boy and I did it for almost 3 years)
At least the knitting gods are smiling upon you, cheap Rowan, awesome gauge, and a quick fabulous knit... I almost dont feel sorry for you...almost!
oh, I've been dying to knit that sweater! It's looks fab with the Rowan Plaid!
Sorry to hear about your boyfriend moving. I've been there before, too, and it does suck.
I've been through long-distance before (3 years!) - I'm sorry to hear about it. Lots of phone calls and trips at first might make it easier :)
I love the pullover! You always manage to knit things so quickly!
Everything will be fine, you'll see! Your leaf sweater is looking so nice and you are a fast knitter! I just finished one of the staff shrugs from interweave mag, i had such a hard time on the kitchener stitch when it came time to joint the two back pieces together, it looked terrible! i ended up doing the 3 needle bind off on it! it looks ok, at least better than my kitchener stitch. let me know how you did yours and i'm sure, your's will come out beautifully! Best wishes to you + keep inspiring us with your great knitting!
A. Your sweater is gor.geous.
B. Long distance is tough, but it can work. My hubby and I made it through a Connecticut - New Zealand courtship. There were some very lonley and anxious moments, but those are worth the precious time you'll get to spend with him.
Cheers.
Another long distance success story here! My fiance and I were long distance for 3 years!
Chin up, and gorgeous pullover!! This is making me want to knit this.
My now-husband (then boyfriend) and i spent just over a year in a long distance relationship..we'd been together for 3 yrs...it was difficult...but it made us both realize that we didn't ever want to be apart again...which is a great feeling when you both know that. I kept a journal to write down things for him...couldn't call all the time as he was in grad school and i was working and not making any $$...so I wrote in this journal all the little things I would have normally called him for (this was BEFORE email). I also kept the journal after I finally moved to be with him...and presented it to him on our wedding night. There were some rantings in there (from when he couldn't come visit me b/c of a school deadline or something) and there were many tear soaked pages in there too from when I missed him horribly. He loved it, I think :) Helped him realized all we missed by being apart and that he never wanted to be apart that long ever again...and we haven't. Hang in there...as you can see from all these comments...it can definitely work out!!
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