Today is my beloved husband’s birthday (Happy Birthday, my love!). So y’all might have thought I’d have his sweater finished, like I said I would. Alas, I fell a bit short on that front:
I’m only partway through the first sleeve. I just can’t knit fast enough these days, given how busy, and consequently very tired, I’ve been. But one thing I am learning as part of this whole “coping with chronic illness” thing is that beating myself up over deadlines like that is just so not worth it. He’ll get his sweater. He’ll get it soon, too. And I did manage to make him a delicious apple cake, so there’s that.
Part of what has kept me so busy is that today is also the date of my first Symphony Orchestra concert. And that leads me to the project that actually did get finished this week:
(My apologies for the terrible picture; it’s very difficult to take a full-length photo of onesself indoors, when the only room that gets light is the small loft upstairs, without a tripod and with a very old P&S.)
When I realized I would need either black pants or an ankle-length black skirt for our performance, and that my petite size made it very difficult to find either of these things ready-made, I asked my friend Kris (who helped me make curtains, last year) if she’d help me sew a skirt. We picked out some fabulous fabric, a pattern, and set off. She did all of the pinning and cutting, and the bottom hem as well, but showed me how to install an invisible zipper, and I actually did that part myself, as well as the side seams, and the handstitched waistband. I’m quite proud of our team effort on this skirt! So that’s my finished project, about to be put to use in our first concert of the season. I’m a little bit nervous, not having performed in an orchestra in so many years now, but I hope it goes well. Wish us luck, tonight!
whit::knits 
Good luck, and happy birthday to your husband! I’m trying not to beat myself up, either. J’s sweater is still not finished, and we’ve got our engagement session on Tuesday. I just don’t think it’s going to make it, but it’s fine; he’s got lots of nice clothes to wear, and the sweater will be done to keep him warm when it gets really cold.
Ooh, good luck! I have my first orchestra performance of the year tonight as well!
Get out! I just happened upon your website – linked from another one – and saw your sweater above. I TODAY finished the very same Cambridge Jacket sweater for MY husband’s birthday and it’s the same color! (I used Rowan Kid Classic) What are the chances. It took me over a year b/c I was constantly distracted by other, shorter projects. I hope your concert went well. :) Masey
great job on the skirt! and like you said, hubby’s sweater will get done eventually :) no need to stress yourself out! i hope his birthday and the concert went well
Nice work! Brava on the invisible zipper!
The skirt looks great, and I hope your concert goes well. Sometimes I really miss playing in an orchestra…
Happy birthday to your hubby! I hope you had fun performing!
Good luck! How exciting!!!!!!
I have yet to install an invisible zipper, though I’ve done the visible kind a few times with mixed success. (Buttonholes are still my nemesis, but I think it might just be my machine.) I just finished the 4th pair of pants for my tall, skinny toddler son and now I’m inspired to try something a little more elaborate than elastic trousers.
I hope the concert went well!
oongratualations good luck and all. you look very distinguished.
and knitting should not become stressful. that is not the idea behind a hobby. i should be leisure not work.