(Sigh.)

 I have spent the last hour and a half struggling to log into Blogger so that I could update the blog.  Struggling is the word.  I had apparently changed the password last time I was here, and did not write it down.  By the time I thought to check out the desktop computer, that “new” password had been deactivated.  I now have a new password, and saved it to a safe place.  Passwords are the bane of my existence, both here and at work.

In other news … 

I have been working on the aran afghan for my step-daughter.  I had completed panels 1, 3 and 5, and then worked on panel 2.  When it was nearing completion, I started thinking about the assembly process.  This required surfing Ravelry, of course, where I stumbled onto a post talking about using an attached I-cord to join the two panels.  Intrigued, I followed a couple of links and found a tutorial video.  The video mentioned that the first couple of rows were a bit fiddley, and they were not wrong.  

I started the process, and I was instantly in love.  From the front side, that 3-stitch I-cord join looks as though it was meant to be there!  The join is accomplished by slipping the first stitch to the right-hand needle, picking up a stitch from the edge of the panel and then slipping the first stitch back to the left-hand needle.  Knit those two stitches together (I used an SSK), knit the centre stitch, and then pick up a stitch from the left panel and knit that picked up stitch with the remaining stitch (I used a standard K2tog). 

I used the Clover stitch markers to pin the panels every 16 rows -- easy to figure out because that was when the cable crosses happened! -- just to keep the panels even.  It worked a treat, and I ran out of stitches to pick up from each panel at the same time! 

From the back side, the join is even more impressive.  As in -- INVISIBLE! 

Have I mentioned that I absolutely love this technique for joining afghan panels?  Especially for afghan panels with a lot of cables and texture?    

I am currently working on panel 4 -- approximately one-third completed.  Top and bottom borders, and then I will be done.  This has been such a fun project.  The best news is that the step-daughter is as excited to receive the blanket as I have been to make it!

In other knitting news, my lovely daughter had gifted me with a set of mini-skeins for Christmas a couple of years back.  I had not knit with them, waiting for the "perfect" project.  At long last, I found it!  

The Brighten Up MKAL, by Lisa Ross, was introduced with a start date of March 2, 2022.  One of my friends (Hi, Liz!) is such a good friend for finding the most beautiful projects and enticing us all down the rabbit hole.  This particular MKAL featured gradient kits from Ancient Arts, which got five of us to follow Liz into that project.  Sadly, we weren't entirely certain that we could actually GET the kits from Ancient Arts, until just before the start date.  No fear -- I was in possession of a beautiful gradient kit from Lizzie-Anne.  In my humble opinion, this was the perfect use for that kit.  I know my daughter will be thrilled that I used her gift.  And now I have another gorgeous gradient kit for another cowl ... In fact, several of us used yarns from out stash, with the Ancient Art kits offering the opportunity for a second project! 

There has, of course, been other knitting.  Pardon me while I try to remember what it was, and where the pictures are.  You know, the mind is the first that goes.  Also, what I miss the most!

Happy crafting, everyone!