this weekend, I came to the startling realization that the us2 addis I've been using for the body of the sweater-that-haunts-me-in-my-sleep are not the same size as the us2 needles I had planned on using for its sleeves. the sleeves are supposed to be knit in the round, so I figured my susan bates us2 dpns would do the job. now, I've read some stuff about how to be careful switching needles brands in the middle of a project, but I figured that was just for the perfectionist type who would notice even the slightest difference. but even my undiscerning fingers could tell that the two needles were not quite the same size. was my mind playing tricks on me? it's been known to happen. but, upon closer inspection, I discovered that an addi us2 is 3mm and a susan bates us2 is 2.75mm! is this common knowledge? and if so, what gives? is this some cruel trick the rest of the world is playing on us americans? and, really, when I think about it, why in the world does america insist on making up its own sizes for pretty much everything? what in the world is wrong with the metric system? the rest of the planet seems to have no problem with it. it's all just plain silly! can't we all just get along?

so, as a result of all this silliness, I've been forced to learn magic loop. I've been rather intrigued by the whole idea and had been meaning to find out what all the ruckus was about. turns out it isn't actual magic. and it's pretty easy to figure out, but it's a bit fiddly and I'm debating whether or not I should just do the sleeves on 2 circulars. or if I should just do them flat and seam. because, really, garter stitch in the round is annoying. but seaming is annoying as well. which leads to the big question: which is more annoying?

but, the good news is that the body of the sweater is finished! el finito! now I've just got to do the sleeves and the edging and the finishing and I'll be done. but when? oh, that is the perpetual mystery... I also don't think I'd ever mentioned that I can't count and had cast on about 10 too many stitches, which I just left in the middle of the back, because there was no way I was about to start over at that point in time. I figured 10 stitches was nothing to get upset about. but, really, it is. so I decided to make a little pleat in the back. I have no idea how to make pleats in knitting, so I just made something up. I hope it doesn't come out looking too awful. and man, looking at all those loose ends is making me a little woozy. I think I gotta go and bake some more...

ps. I'm watching grey's anatomy and all the girls are knitting. teehee. meredith knits funny.