Ok, so I am trying not to trip over my bottom lip, feeling ever so mopey because *I* have to stay home with the puppy, knitting on the stupid sweater while The Husband slaves out in the yard and we miss the big KFOG concert and fireworks. I know, shut up and quit complaining but the news and the internet are taunting me, showing the happy throng of 300,000 that should have included ME in their number. Pout pout pout.
It has been an outstanding day, weather-wise and Tank decided to try his snorkle in the bus tub that is out on the deck for such a moment. He has the genetic code built in for water, this critter. I'm sorry that I did not have my camera with me when he was in there but suffice it to say that I will capture it before long. The Husband is convinced that we need a wading pool out there for the summer. Ahem, sez I...WHO is going to catch that knucklehead before he runs in to sit on the couch? EH??? I rest my case.
I promised a picture of the silk/merino, didn't I? It went to go live in Canada today and so I am back to thinking about what I want to spin next. :o)
That is the extent of your Tank fix for the day...
What follows is the play by play of how the body of the sweater got from a tube to something with buttons. Here you go. The trusty sewing machine makes passes through lines of stitches. 
When the sewing is complete, out come the sharp scissors and nerves of steel.
It feels really good but is still a shock to the system when you have also spun a lot of the yarn being knifed.
Here you have the results of all of the cuts; a limp rag.
At this point, I take this limp rag in to my dent in the couch, with my box of pins, and turn those cut edges into facings, sewn down with a secure whip stitch. I finish it and toast myself with a nice shot of Irish whiskey.
Today, the button bands go on.
See those beautiful buttons? They came from my buddy Sheila Ernst . You seeeeeeee, we had a boring show in SF this past March, with lots of time on our hands to do cartwheels in the aisles and execute trades...she got bags o' yarn and i got a bag of precious buttons, which I love to mix and match in garments where I am mixing my own yarn. Perfect, I think.
Happy KaBoom day. Tank is saluting me with one of his acrid green clouds so that I will not miss the smell of fireworks. SIGH. :o) Off to have a whiskey and spin something.
Oh, how i love to read your blogs, when i finally remember to tune in. you have the gift of gab, young lady. why don't you write a book, i am first in line. is it hot up there???? it hit 100 down here. i will borrow your wading pool after the doggie is out of it or i will join in on the fun.
Posted by: jo | May 21, 2005 at 09:37 PM
Are you sure that Tank is alive??*Grin* Maybe he have poison himself with this acrid green clouds.....at least he seems pretty doped to me on the pic*LOL* In Denmark, the farmers also claims that the smell from the dunghill, is the smell of Money.....oh my. I have never .....at least not yet have this smell from my wallet....maybe it's because i don't have enough of them!*GG* But i can assure you, that if i ever get that smell, from my money, i will use them as fast a possible....at least it is a good excuse to go buy yarn and fibers...ehh??:-)))
Posted by: Helle From Denmark | May 22, 2005 at 03:19 AM
LOVE that sweater. You're keeping it, right? It'll look great on you.
I'm sorry you're missing the fireworks.
Posted by: kerry | May 22, 2005 at 06:05 AM
Thanks, you guys. :o) The sweater is way too small for me, Kerry. It is just turning out to be for those itty bitty people that have come up to me the past few years and said "Where are the small ones"? I agree with the colors being my colors and even if it does not find a home, it is the act of making it that is my great pleasure.
Today we see if The Husband can even get out of bed after over-doing it out in the garden.
Posted by: Lisa S | May 22, 2005 at 06:17 AM
Love the sweater - and I am just amazed by people that have a functional sewing machine and know where the electrical cord is! (Mine has been missing for 2 moves = 7 years).
We have a baby pool for our dogs - it's a must when you have labs. OK, we have two baby pools - one for the kids and one for the dogs. Tell Sheila I love love love the buttons and am planning a project around the ones I bought from her when she was in Seattle!
Posted by: Jen | May 22, 2005 at 07:39 AM
Thanks for posting the play-by-play of cutting your steeks. It's really high on my list of things to muster the courage for. After I knit something that needs cutting of course.
Posted by: Beth | May 22, 2005 at 09:34 AM
The button/yarn combo is gorgeous as ever. Kudos to whoever set it up such that your booths were close to each other!
Posted by: Angela | May 22, 2005 at 11:22 AM