A Break in the "Madness"

I'm not sure when I've been as wacky in the head! It's a really good thing the National Capital Cat Show is next weekend, and that I have to stop sewing no later than Tuesday...I've made so many bags, done almost nothing but sew (except when NOT in my house due to my full-time job and other commitments), eat, and sleep. There are going to be new photos up on Nana Sadie Rose shortly that showcase just a few of the new bags I've been making (along with a few old favorites).

But tonight I have to take a break. I'm overtaxed physically, and so anything possible that would relax my stressed-out body (and mind!) was mandatory. I was so lucky that this lovely came in the mail before I left work on Friday:

Yes, that's Rowan 42. I know there are probably a few of you (or many, even) who are a bit amazed at me...I am myself. But the Earth Stripe Wrap jumped out and grabbed me from Tan's blog a couple of weeks ago, and when I went to Rowan's site and paged through the pattern photos, I almost swooned...okay, more than once I've talked about feeling as if I were misplaced, and really belonged walking along the moors and through the heath of the British Isles...perhaps really I'm reincarnated from Cathy? I've certainly been attracted, in my life, to more than one Heathcliff...

This book has several patterns I'd consider knitting, not just the cover wrap (in my own choice of colors, tho'):
1. Helsinki Hat Scarf (I think in gray)
2. Eurasia (okay, it's a cardigan, and I think I'll only knit it if I eventually come to a point in my life where I'm literally walking the moors, or perhaps, I finally become a little old lady who's cold all the time! lol!)
3. Snug Hat & Cawdor (both lovely hats)
4. Bressay Hap Shawl

and for my house:
5. Patchwork Blanket (done entirely in Scottish Tweed DK - oh be still my heart!)

Oh, btw, the photography in this book is stunning - and I'm sure most of you Rowan devotees could have told me it would be! (Anyone remember Victoria Magazine? THAT's what I am reminded of as I page thru this, and I have almost every issue of Victoria ever printed...)

BUT...not to be outdone, there is this...and perhaps this will actually be the first thing I make:

Bridges. That's lace. And yes, it's a vest, which is a close relative to a sweater (no sleeves...) - but this is such a slimming vest, long and lean, and vertical lace! Oh. Yes. This one.

OH. And. Belgrade. (Yes, it IS a sweater! But WHAT a sweater! And again, those lovely slimming vertical lines...)

I'm not yet going to subscribe to Rowan. But you know, this is (to me) well worth the money for the book - and most of you will know they're not cheap. But if nothing else right now, it's been the eye candy that calms my feverish frenzy during the prep for the cat show. I can actually look at this and see beyond next weekend. To winter. When maybe there'll be an occasional night that I can sit and knit (and not touch the sewing machine).

Don't get me wrong. I still love to sew. I still love Nana Sadie Rose. But. I think we're ready for a break in the "madness..."

I know I'm sick of sewing, Mommie. Maybe I should resign as sewing assistant?