My hand started to seem a bit better (hah. talk about wishful thinking) so I cast on today for a scarf I had my eye on from the pattern search at Ravelry. This is the beginning of the Lochshal scarf - (many thanks to Claudia for her German translation of the chart key) and its my first knitted item from a chart. Even though its a simple 13 stitch repeat pattern I was finally able to make sense of a charted design.. a first for me. Usually I get irritated and throw said project and chart across the room, but I’m already about 6 inches into the pattern (much farther than this photo shows) with only one mistake. I’m knitting the scarf in a worsted weight (Wool-Ease in Wheat) on size 8 needles to get a more suitable scarf for Georgia winters as the width in the pattern is nearly 10 inches (25cm) in super-chunky yarn.
Like much of the country I’m sitting around killing time until 12:01am when the Harry Potter book comes out in stores. I won’t be going to any of the bookstores and I haven’t pre-ordered my book.. but my husband “offered” (ok.. I asked him and he agreed) to get my book at the local grocery store tonight. After reading how so many places are sold out and have folks already waiting in line for their copies.. I’m not sure of his chances.. but it was nice of him to agree to go. Its a not-so-nice area of town where it would be rather stupid for a girl by herself to be out at midnight without being armed to the teeth.. so I’m glad that he offered. I have been very careful while browsing online today as to not run into the spoilers for the new book. I think that the folks who are ruining the surprise of the book for the fans are a real bunch of shits - and as such I refuse to link to the leaked photos of the book. Admittedly I didn’t even go to look at them because I was afraid I’d see something that would ruin the book for me… and I’ve stayed away from forums.
My hand is absolutely killing me again because in addition to writing this blog post (in pieces.. talk about having a hard time keeping your mind on track) I had an IM conversation with Ms. Pixie earlier today concerning Harry Potter and what is going to happen in the new book. I fully admit to damaging my hand for a few minutes of fan-girl chatting.. but I’m the lone HP freak here in the house (my son loves the movies but is too young for the books) and needed to talk to someone who understood my rambling.
Assuming I get my book tonight I’ll be offline for a day or so until I finish reading - I promise that eventually I’ll get back to returning emails and commenting on blogs… just as soon as my hand stops throbbing and burning.