...As EZ says in her book, Knitting Workshop. As you all may recall, I'm knitting a not-Cobblestone sweater, and have been for months now. I did the body as written up to the underarms, then tossed out the pattern. For the rest of it I'm using EZ's directions in the above-mentioned book, though I plan on modifying the neck shaping when I get there, using Jacqueline Fee's Sweater Workshop. I finally finished the body and sleeves.
I now have the whole thing knitted together, with about 2 inches done on the yoke.
I'm enjoying the challenge of knitting a sweater in the round, but I'm not sure I'd do this often. The whole thing is pretty unwieldy once it's knitted together, and makes it entirely a non-portable project at this point. The only advantage that I can see is not having to sew things together at the end, but I really don't mind sewing knitting together. (Don't send me all your sewing to do for you!)
John's sister Ena is here visiting for the week, and we've been cooking up a storm. Here's part of last night's dinner. We had fresh steelhead salmon from the market, grilled, along with braised kale and risotto. The risotto was made using fresh chanterelle mushrooms we found at the farmers market, and was delicious. Unfortunately we didn't get any photos of the whole meal on the plate, but here's the in-progress shots of the risotto:
Yes, it was yummy. I'm off to enjoy the sunshine!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lisa EMAIL: lisaknitz@gmail.com IP: 167.88.201.100 URL: http://knittingforengineers.blogspot.com DATE: 10/24/2008 12:22:30 PM Yum, I can almost smell that risotto. The chanterelles are prolific this year - I went hiking up in Alpine Lakes region two weekends ago and came back with NINE pounds of chanterelles. I gave a lot away but the rest either got dried, or made into mushroom stroganoff that's now in the freezer. Great time of year here in the PNW. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 10/24/2008 04:25:32 PM You didn't invite me for dinner?! Waaaaah! ;) I love knitting "one-piece" sweaters - but I have to admit that I like top-down a lot better. For some reason it seems less unwieldy. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 98.202.61.155 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 10/24/2008 07:23:28 PM The color of the sweater is to die for! as well as the pot of rice, but I will take the sweater big time! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: dada@fluffbuff.com IP: 24.205.55.40 URL: http://www.fluffbuff.com DATE: 10/24/2008 07:44:27 PM Mushroom risottoÉ one of my favorite dishes. Good luck with the sweater. It does get easier at this point as every row gets shorter. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.6.123 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 10/24/2008 09:19:18 PM I agree that the color of the not Cobblestone is gorgeous - even Lewey thinks so! And as EZ says - you ARE the boss of your own knitting! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lisa EMAIL: rubyringz@comcast.net IP: 98.201.129.175 URL: http://www.rubyringz.blogspot.com DATE: 10/24/2008 09:22:35 PM I can so smell the risotto! I love the sweater, but what is the yarn? And I love Lewey looking so sweet in the picture.... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 71.233.18.117 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 10/25/2008 09:59:06 AM Mmm. Food pictures. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 70.121.244.230 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.com DATE: 10/25/2008 12:12:07 PM Cobblestone looks great. I've been thinking about putting that pattern in my queue but I can't decide if I'd rather knit if for me or knit if for Dana. I'm actually considering knitting it in a color, size, etc that might work for either of us. :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 10/26/2008 11:02:49 AM The sweater looks beautiful--and I adore the color. I find sweaters knitted in the round to be more trouble than seams, but for most people it is the opposite. I suppose I'll have to try again, after a less-than-successful attempt to knit my son one years ago using EZ's percentage system. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 10/27/2008 09:30:53 AM Mmmmm, risotto! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Not Dead Yet! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: wysiwyg ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 10/16/2008 07:08:05 PM ----- BODY:Well, that wasn't really an intentional month-long blog break. I've had some ugly-icky stuff going on at work over the past several weeks that I really couldn't blog about (still can't), for confidentiality reasons, but just really didn't feel like blogging about anyway. Most of the posts would have been:
Ok, things are better, work doesn't suck anymore, and I actually knit a row or two yesterday. When I got an email today from a reader asking if I was OK, I figured I better post something to let you all know that I'm not dead. I've finally had some good news at work, and after all, I have a secure job that pays well, not any small thing in the current economy. I've also had a birthday in the past two weeks, relatively obscured by the work-suckyness, but a birthday none-the-less. I've had champagne in the past week, and got some lovely birthday flowers and cards, as well as a set of quite perfect Bose noise-cancelling headphones from my sweetiepie. And chocolate. Let's not forget the non-suckyness of chocolate.
Knitting? Look at the last few posts, I've not made much progress. The Not-Quite-A-Cobblestone is half a sleeve and a yoke short of a full sweater. My Arctic Circle Monkey socks are one sock short of a pair. I haven't knit a single stitch on that Peacock shawl, and the orange Morse code socks are in time-out. I've decided that I can only deal mentally with 1 pair of socks at a time.
And let's not forget, while we're talking about good things, that I'm writing a blog post while my husband is down cooking me dinner. I'm off to join him for a post-work glass of wine. I'll be back soon, hopefully with a knitting update!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cathy-Cate EMAIL: crryan@charter.net IP: 68.187.112.72 URL: http://hitherandyarn.wordpress.com DATE: 10/16/2008 09:29:39 PM I had noticed the silence.... I'm glad to know things are turning the corner. I know the sort of thing whereof you speak. Happy Belated Birthday! The Bose are awesome, especially for trips! Especially for trips by yourself. And chocolate never sucks. Hugs. Hope you can find the time and mental energy for knitting, it's therapeutic, as you well know. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.6.123 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 10/16/2008 09:32:28 PM Glad to hear all is well. So sorry about work. I don't know about you, but I am SO looking forward to retirement. I envy John and Bill - but we do get meals cooked for us on a regular basis, don't we? We're both pretty lucky women. The economy is not totally leaving us unscathed. Ben received his layoff notice yesterday. The good news is that perhaps this will give him the kick in the pants to look for something closer to Washington! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: dada@fluffbuff.com IP: 24.205.55.40 URL: http://www.fluffbuff.com DATE: 10/16/2008 09:41:14 PM Hey, that doesn't sound so bad. Your husband is cooking, you've had champagne and chocolateÉ and things are looking up at work, right? Soooo, happy belated birthday and all the best for the future. Don't worry about no knitting progress. Achievement is overrated anyway. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 10/17/2008 05:21:34 AM Happy belated birthday! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 10/17/2008 05:32:36 AM Belated happy birthday! Sorry to hear about the work suckyness, but glad that it's improving at least. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.165.234 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com/ DATE: 10/17/2008 06:33:22 AM A husband who prepares dinner? THAT is something to blog about! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.37.60 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 10/17/2008 09:40:49 AM Hang in there - it's good to hear that you're focusing on the positive, even when things are sucky. And, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Maureen EMAIL: MASmith42@aol.com IP: 64.12.117.143 URL: DATE: 10/17/2008 09:43:17 AM Happy belated birthday!! Glad to hear things are improving. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: shelly Whitman EMAIL: shelly@butternutwoolens.com IP: 71.117.202.231 URL: http://www.butternutwoolens.com DATE: 10/17/2008 10:06:02 AM Sorry work has been sucky, I know that just suit up and show up way of getting through. As far as not having any knitting to blog about, heh, don't worry, I'm making a knitting blog with no knitting at all. Occasionally I wipe the monitor with a skein of Misti alpaca and that's as close as it gets. Happy birthday! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jocele EMAIL: skinneja@msn.com IP: 199.99.150.25 URL: http://www.knittingoncall.blogspot.com DATE: 10/17/2008 02:32:09 PM Sorry about work...glad to hear things are looking a bit up. This job definitely has its downsides. But would you do it all over? I don't think I would. But then I can't imagine myself doing anything else. Hang in there. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sue EMAIL: suekent@comcast.net IP: 63.85.155.66 URL: DATE: 10/17/2008 02:47:27 PM Belated happy birthday! Good to have you back. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: marykay.bishop@hotmail.com IP: 98.196.146.179 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 10/18/2008 09:50:54 AM Lorette! Good to see you back in cyberspace. Since the Ike thing - haven't made much time to blog, myself. Glad you have good things to celebrate amidst the not-so-good. Happy Belated Birthday! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: travelita EMAIL: travelita@yahoo.com IP: 67.150.121.19 URL: DATE: 10/18/2008 11:30:39 PM Been enjoying my read of your backlogs. I like the specifics of your project details, and your fab knitting of course. Can't believe you got away with those mismatched socks...having Claudia in your circle, that is! I do see a resemblance in those perfectly executed picots, though. Congrats on your long running blog! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: ingrid EMAIL: knitting@ingridrock.com IP: 78.145.96.151 URL: http://rabbitknitting.blogspot.com/ DATE: 10/19/2008 04:04:38 AM Sorry about work sucking. hope your 'new year' is good. 'this too will pass'. thank goodness for glasses of wine and supportful husbands! happy knitwishes, Ingrid ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debbie EMAIL: fufina514@gmail.com IP: 24.98.76.223 URL: http://www.gottaknit.typepad.com DATE: 10/19/2008 07:07:17 AM Happy birthday and glad the work suckiness is better. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Robin EMAIL: robinsnest@kerrlake.com IP: 69.19.14.37 URL: http://www.fortheloveoffiber.typepad.com DATE: 10/19/2008 09:38:58 AM Good to know you're still among the living and things are on the upswing! Glad to have you back! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rhonda EMAIL: ryahaba@yahoo.com IP: 59.171.52.72 URL: http://stuckinjapan.wordpress.com DATE: 10/20/2008 05:30:34 AM Happy Belated Birthday! I missed you and am glad you are back. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@gmail.com IP: 70.153.42.190 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 10/21/2008 04:48:21 AM Nice to hear from you. I wish I could blog as much as I would like to. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@gmail.com IP: 67.86.111.72 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 10/21/2008 11:53:58 AM Sorry about the job. Glad you have a good hubby and great dogs to make your homelife so nice. Hope you had a great birthday. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah (knit knack) EMAIL: rebekah.irene@gmail.com IP: 70.225.83.180 URL: http://www.rebekahsyarn.wordpress.com DATE: 10/22/2008 06:41:56 PM glad to hear your not dead yet, do you feel like taking a walk. Would you like some shrubbery? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 67.42.109.76 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 10/25/2008 09:42:36 PM happy belated birthday. I am chuckling at this post, because I was thinking of writing something similar.... and still might............ what a bizarre month October has been. I'll be glad when it is behind us. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.86.147 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 10/31/2008 10:35:26 AM Happy birthday whenever-it-was! i know what you mean about the life's blood disappearing drop by cc. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Project Roundup, Part 3 STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 09/12/2008 04:52:20 PM ----- BODY:I just realized that I've been talking about my latest lace project for the past couple of weeks and have never posted a photo. I've updated my Ravelry project page as I've gone along, but never here. That's what comes of trying to keep up with both, and doing a half-assed job of it at that.
The lace on the needles is the Peacock Feathers Shawl, a Fiddlesticks Knitting pattern by Dorothy Siemens. (Ravelry link here.) The yarn I'm using is Blue Heron Egyptian Mercerized Cotton, in the color Bluegrass. I bought the yarn from Kris at Sonny & Shear, and as soon as I got it I knew it needed to be a Peacock.
And here's what it looks like now, at row 95 of the pattern.
I can't say enough good things about this pattern. It does require a bit of attention, as the stitch counts change on a few of the rows, and the repeat markers shift back and forth frequently. However, the whole thing is clearly charted, and the pattern notes are quite explicit. Though the charts look quite complicated, they really aren't. It's one of those patterns that you just want to keep knitting, as it's not just the same old thing on every row.
I also love this yarn. I've never used mercerized cotton for lace work, so we'll see how it blocks, but the shine is just spectacular, and it takes color marvelously. It also looks like Jello. Here's proof. John had a little procedure this week that required a clear liquid diet for 36 hours, and we made him some blue and yellow Jello. When the dishes were partly emptied, we just tossed them in together.
Proof that I'm easily amused.
And speaking of John, here's a photo of several of my housemates out on the deck yesterday, enjoying an early fall nap.
Have a good weekend, everybody!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 09/12/2008 05:14:03 PM Oh, I bet a cotton shawl will be great! I love your deck. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.148.211 URL: http://the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 09/12/2008 05:15:57 PM That will be a gorgeous shawl! I love the color, and you're right, it does need to be a Peacock! The picture of the deck is fabulous - now *that's* relaxing. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.37.60 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 09/12/2008 06:03:38 PM Oooh, this new yarn is in my most favourite colours! It's coming along so quickly! :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 66.30.16.206 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 09/12/2008 06:49:43 PM I'll be very interested to see how the cotton works out. Its quite pretty. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 68.196.117.170 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 09/12/2008 08:21:12 PM That yarn is PERFECT for Peacock! (And you know I love that pattern.) I put some tips on my blog when I finished mine, if you're interested. http://chappysmom.com/2005/06/14/so-very-peacock/ The most helpful? I moved the markers while on the purl-back row, rather than on the knit, pattern rows--it made life much easier! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: monica EMAIL: cmnappe@yahoo.com IP: 71.52.32.211 URL: http://passionknit.net DATE: 09/12/2008 08:41:45 PM That will be a beautiful shawl! The yarn is gorgeous. I love the picture of everyone napping. They really know how to make good use of their time! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cathy-Cate EMAIL: crryan@charter.net IP: 68.187.112.72 URL: http://hitherandyarn.wordpress.com DATE: 09/12/2008 09:13:40 PM Extremely Peacock-y yarn! I love the color mix! I have had that pattern for maybe a year, and WILL knit it sometime, it's so gorgeous. Glad to hear it's easy to follow; the ones I've seen knit up are certainly spectacular. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 71.226.160.63 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 09/13/2008 02:50:49 AM The shawl is going to be spectacular! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 70.121.244.230 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.com DATE: 09/13/2008 05:42:07 AM That is going to turn out so pretty! See you soon. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 98.202.61.155 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 09/13/2008 06:24:20 AM I finished the Peacock Feathers Shawl and have yet to block it! That is the hardest part on me, blocking. I love the color of yours, mine is red of course :D ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah (knit knack) EMAIL: rebekah.irene@gmail.com IP: 70.225.80.221 URL: http://www.rebekahsyarn.wordpress.com DATE: 09/13/2008 10:08:13 AM What perfect colors for the Peacock Shawl. Everyone looks so content in that picture! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karen EMAIL: karen@karensquared.net IP: 71.234.2.67 URL: http://karensquared.net DATE: 09/13/2008 03:02:51 PM Pretty! It does look peacocky too. I'm sure that's not a word, but what the heck. Looking at the picture of John napping made me yawn. Hmm. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 76.110.186.102 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 09/14/2008 03:15:30 AM You know I love me some cotton shawls! This one's a beauty Lorette! Too bad it's not ORANGE :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: marykay.bishop@hotmail.com IP: 207.119.49.205 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 09/14/2008 11:03:56 AM I love your shawl. I have a shawl in my queue, but after a recent binge of startitis, I decided that I don't need to start another thing right now. I recently rounded up all my projects...I need to blog about it, but I am still in denial. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 24.170.189.131 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 09/14/2008 03:19:29 PM I love Peacock so much that I've knit it twice - and probably will again. I've great things about the Blue Heron - will look forward to your take on it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 75.163.163.90 URL: http://socks-for-mum.blogspot.com DATE: 09/14/2008 09:52:58 PM I will chime in with everyone else saying, 'What a perfect color for a PEACOCK shawl!'........but, shouldn't you should call it your Jello Shawl?? Can't wait to see it after it is blocked! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 67.42.109.76 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 09/14/2008 10:30:08 PM what a gorgeous color for that shawl. and John looks wonderfully content on the deck - a perfect spot to snooze while he heals. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 09/15/2008 05:56:57 AM I love that shawl pattern, and someday I might try it. The crocheted edging always intimidated me, since I can't crochet evenly. Your yarn choice is wonderful--perfect for that pattern. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Knitnana EMAIL: siameezercat@gmail.com IP: 70.183.189.103 URL: http://knitnana.blogspot.com DATE: 09/15/2008 07:36:48 AM How beautiful that shawl will be - gorgeous yarn....! (((hugs))) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: sharon EMAIL: sharonslp@ameritech.net IP: 68.255.61.159 URL: http://sharonstuff.typepad.com/knitknacks DATE: 09/15/2008 09:39:35 AM Ahh....that shawl is on my very short list for my next lace project. It's encouraging to see how beautifully yours is shaping up. I'll be watching progress closely. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jewel EMAIL: julie@chuck-a-rama.com IP: 64.122.176.73 URL: http://yoknit.com DATE: 09/16/2008 02:12:24 PM Love the yarn its going to make a nice shawl. Your hubby looks to be having a nice nap!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Roberta EMAIL: robertagranada@gmail.com IP: 201.35.72.47 URL: http://agulhaetricot.blogspot.com DATE: 09/17/2008 03:54:12 PM Hi, i love your blog,visits my blog go http://agulhaetricot.blogspot.com bye ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.86.147 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 09/19/2008 04:29:53 AM Ah, one of the secrets to a happy life is to be easily amused. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lucia EMAIL: rhymeswithfuchsia@comcast.net IP: 155.212.59.41 URL: http://rhymeswithfuchsia.blogspot.com DATE: 09/22/2008 12:17:35 PM That's gorgeous. Is it hard to knit with? Hurting the fingers and such? There's nothing quite like an alfresco nap to speed the recovery. Or just because. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: shelly Whitman EMAIL: shelly@butternutwoolens.com IP: 71.111.180.252 URL: http://www.butternutwoolens.com DATE: 09/30/2008 10:15:22 AM Cozy! Get well soon, John. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Project Roundup, Part 2.1 STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 09/10/2008 12:58:51 PM ----- BODY:Or, Over The Edge
I've finally done it. I've been making plain stocking stitch socks for almost as long as I've been knitting, straying into pattern stitches only a couple of times. Now I have not one, but two pairs of patterned socks on the needles. I feel like a lemming who has jumped off the cliff.
Here's the first pair. That Irish Girl Arctic Circle yarn from a few posts ago just didn't want to be a plain sock. The stripes were just a bit too weird even for me, so I fired up the computer* and printed out Cookie A's Monkey sock pattern. I'm likely the only knitter on the planet that has not made a pair of these. I originally started the plain sock on 68 stitches, and because this yarn is what I would call a heavy fingering weight, needed to rip back and restart on 64 stitches. I still didn't like the striping so ripped to the cuff and I'm now Monkeying around.
Irish Arctic Monkeys!
The second pair isn't really my fault. I joined Sock Knitters Anonymous over on Ravelry, and the Sockdown challenge for September/October is to knit orange socks.** Well, boy howdy, do I have some orange yarn in my stash, so I couldn't resist. I started this one as a plain sock too, but it was entirely too boring, so plugged in a stitch pattern from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch.
You can't really tell from that photo, but there really is a pattern stitch. It's Stansfield #10 from that book, which I think is a really dumb name. I'm not about to call these my Stansfield #10 socks for the next 2 months. I think it looks like Morse code, so they are forever hereafter my Orange Morse Code socks. This is lovely Trekking XXL sock yarn, in the color 145. Otherwise known as Orange. Just go ask Debi, the Queen of Orange.
Actually both of these qualify for the current Sockdown challenge. You could either knit orange socks, or knit a pattern by Cookie A. So there you have it. When I go lemming, I go all the way.
Next time in the Roundup, the Peacock lace!
*That's of course not really true. My Mac is always fired up. It behaves very well even when I leave it turned on indefinitely, so I only shut it down completely when we go on vacation.
**If you want to get on the good side of Debi, the moderator over there, post a photo of some yarn and ask her if it's ORANGE ENOUGH?? Just don't tell her I sent you.
Or, Not Cobblestone
Whatever did happen to that Cobblestone sweater, after all? I started this eons ago (January, actually), and it's been in time out for awhile. You all know what it's supposed to look like, right? Here's a link, in case you've been living under a rock. Many fine knitters have made this sweater, and I think it looks great on nearly every one of them.
Here's the rub, though. Most of those fine knitters have made this sweater for men, as the pattern designer planned it. Here's another great example, by Tiennie, for her husband. Now for women? Not so many great ones. Hardly any, in fact, and I didn't really think much about this when I started the pattern. Here's one, by Lynda, that proves me wrong, though hers is modified as well, and quite lovely. Anyway, I just wanted to knit it, and it was time for a nice wooly sweater for me, and that was that. I didn't take into consideration that this might not be so flattering on a woman, especially a woman with, shall we say, voluptuous curves in the top half.
This thing is knitted all in the round, in plain stockinette up to the underarms, with a wide garter strip for the side "seams", then in garter stitch for a round yoke. That garter edge falls right at the "boobage" line, not such a great idea for those of us with a generous front porch. I got all the way to that point, decided that this wouldn't be a good idea, and decided to drop that garter line down to where my waist would be, if I had a waist. Rip rip rip. Reknit, reknit, reknit.
I kept looking at this and looking at this. All those miles of garter stitch in a round yoke, even with the line of demarcation dropped lower, are going to do nothing but accentuate that front porch even more. This is a nice idea if you're selling your house, not so much if you want a flattering sweater. It was time for some rethinking.
I've decided to keep the bottom half of the sweater as it's written, up to the armpits. I'm dumping the round garter stitch yoke, and going with a raglan style knit all in stockinette, a la Elizabeth Zimmerman. This has required some serious consulting of a couple of her books, and a little math work with paper and pencil to rewrite the rest of the pattern. I'm also re-doing the sleeves. As they are written, the cuffs are very wide, with a circumference of twelve inches. My wrists are six inches around (the only skinny part of me, and I'm damned proud of them, thank you). So while I had the EZ books out, I used her method of calculating sleeve stitches.
Rip rip rip. Out came all that garter stuff in the round that I had reknit. I'm now back up to the armpits, and I've started the first sleeve. I might just have this done for winter!
I will tell you that I love this yarn completely. It's Classic Elite's Skye Tweed, and I have no flipping idea why they discontinued it. Even after ripping and reknitting, ripping and reknitting, the stuff looks brand new. This sweater should wear like a champ, if I ever finish it. I just wish I'd bought a couple more sweaters worth of it while I was shopping.
Next time, Project Roundup Part 3, the latest lace project.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 09/01/2008 06:27:10 PM Yay for EZ to the rescue!! Looking forward to seeing your repaved Cobblestone... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@inbox.com IP: 75.83.4.168 URL: http://k2togwonderfullymade.wordpress.com DATE: 09/01/2008 07:30:32 PM Sounds like a plan. You go - you and your skinny wrists! And, thanks for the compliment :o) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 70.56.72.183 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 09/01/2008 09:50:51 PM hats off to you for the, errrr ,"not" cobblestone. the color is wonderful. and I am still laughing over the front porch analogy. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.37.60 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 09/01/2008 10:09:25 PM Looking forward to seeing how this turns out. I love Skye Tweed, too, and was so sad when they discontinued it. I never managed to get a sweater's worth, but I have a few balls in the stash, waiting for the perfect project. :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.31.135 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 09/02/2008 04:42:41 AM Very funny, but so difficult about the style parts. I'm curious to see what the FO will look like. Wide sleeves are for a later generation, I think. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jewel EMAIL: julie@chuck-a-rama.com IP: 64.122.176.73 URL: http://yoknit.com DATE: 09/02/2008 05:41:45 AM I'm not one of those fine knitters! But I hope it turns out for you, the yarn looks great. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.240.29 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 09/02/2008 06:39:12 AM You get mega points for perseverance! I think I would have just had a hissy fit and frogged the whole thing. However, you right - that yarn is gorgeous! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karen EMAIL: karen@karensquared.net IP: 71.234.2.67 URL: http://karensquared.net DATE: 09/02/2008 12:53:46 PM Bravo to you for re-knitting it 3 times! You obviously really want a Cobblestone... or maybe you can call it Pebbles. I didn't know they discontinued Skye Tweed! I haven't even had a chance to try it yet for Pete's sake! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.comk IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 09/03/2008 04:28:58 AM When I looked at that sweater, it was love at first sight, but DH won't wear sweaters (or any kind of top) that pull over his head, and DS told me he has enough sweaters (how deluded is that!). So I thought of it for me, but I'm rather ample as well, and I doubted if I could manage to fix the sweater so it would show off (or disguise, more precisely) my chest. It will be interesting to see what you do. Before I read your sentence about Skye Tweed being discontinued, I thought "there's a yarn for me". I have rich maroon and camel embedded in my brain as a combination I'd like in an outfit. The pants are hanging in my closet waiting for the maroon sweater. I guess I'll keep looking. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.198.72 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 09/03/2008 09:53:06 PM Thanks for the nice compliment on my hubby's cobblestone! I can't wait to see the mods on the one you're knitting! You're right. That is wonderful yarn - I wish I had ordered more of it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 09/04/2008 05:52:02 AM EZ would no doubt cheer on your unvention. :o) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 75.163.175.60 URL: http://socks-for-mum.blogspot.com DATE: 09/05/2008 06:29:44 PM Shame on you --- tempting us with that Classic Elite Skye Tweed that is impossible to find now..LOL Your sweater is going to be beautiful! That EZ is a wizard to say the least! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nik EMAIL: plasmid1393@hotmail.com IP: 157.98.81.41 URL: http://niksknits.blogspot.com DATE: 09/12/2008 01:49:30 PM I started to make this sweater and decided against it after I saw pictures of women wearing it on Ravelry. The "flat-chested" women looked fine. Those with ample boobage didn't look great because the line of the yoke cut their breasts in half. I haven't decided whether I want to raise or lower where the garter stitch begins. I haven't put much thought into it because I changed my mind and used the yarn to knit the Minimalist Cardigan instead. I can't wait to see what yours looks like. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: John Recuperating, STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 08/31/2008 06:37:10 PM ----- BODY:With The Help Of Pets
I think the four-legged members of this family like having invalids around.
And just because this is still a knitting blog, here's a photo of my latest socks in action.
But first, here's what's going on at our house this week. My sweetie, John, had surgery on both of his feet earlier this week. We planned this for a week that I had off, so I could wait on him hand and foot, or foot and foot, in this case. Here's what he looked like the evening after surgery.
Those are icepacks on his feet, and would you just look at those fashionable shoes! He's doing pretty well, all things considered. Here's Lewey, consoling him.
In between running errands and fetching things, I have gotten some knitting done. I have three projects actively going right at the moment. First up is the new sock.
The yarn is from Three Irish Girls, from their Sock Yarnista monthly sock club. This is my first club shipment, and I am more than pleased. It's very squishy, lovely yarn, and Sharon sent a coordinating contrast color for heels and toes if you're one of those people, like me, who won't use the included pattern. The club is a monthly offering, and has either a variegated colorway or a semi-solid, and you can choose on a monthly basis which one you want. The pattern this month is a lovely cabled sock that will look much better in the semisolid yarn, so I'm substituting, you guessed it, my favorite sock pattern over there to your right in the menu bar. I've decided to use the darker yarn for the tops, heels, and toes, just for a change.
And the needles, you ask? Those are my latest acquisition, sterling double points from Celtic Swan Forge. It's hard to get a decent photo of them, but here's an attempt.
These are just fabulous. They are not for everyone, I'd guess, though. They have a rather blunt tip, for one thing, which doesn't bother me in the least, but some people might hate them. If you insist on a sharply pointed dpn, these are not your needles. They are also substantially heavier than any other double points I've used. They are also very expensive, so you have to really want them. And I really wanted them, so I got them. If you have a special occasion coming up, and need to give your significant other a gift idea for you, this might be it.
Next time: Whatever happened to that Cobblestone thing? Stay tuned to find out!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.165.180 URL: http://the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 08/31/2008 05:10:50 AM Poor John - I hope he is doing better by today. Looks like Lewey had a good effect on him. I'll be curious to see how you like the yarn club - I considered joining. But now you can be my guinea pig. :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.240.29 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 08/31/2008 07:49:49 AM Give John a big hug for me - and wishes for a speedy recovery. Looks as if he has a sweet comforter in Lewey. I'll be anxious to see your yarn club offerings. This one is beautiful. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 70.56.72.183 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 08/31/2008 08:10:24 AM even planned for surgeries are no fun at all. Sending John healing thoughts for a speedy recovery. Three Irish Girls produces the most divine colors - that club is so very tempting! The colorway you have just begun is gorgeous. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 08/31/2008 08:37:16 AM Both feet at the same time. Oy. Sending healing thoughts to John! Oh, that yarn is GORGEOUS. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Your Favorite Niece EMAIL: juptrstar@aol.com IP: 71.204.174.220 URL: DATE: 08/31/2008 10:25:01 AM Poor John.... I hope he has a speedy recovery! Hugs! D ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.37.60 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 08/31/2008 11:16:58 AM Poor John! Glad he has you there to take care of him. :0) Love that sock yarn!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Denise EMAIL: Denise@knitchat.com IP: 75.179.4.208 URL: http://www.knitchat.com DATE: 08/31/2008 11:24:01 AM Awhh poor poor John. he looks so pitiful! Hope he gets better soon! He's in good hands! Get well soon John.. so Lorette can stop fetching things for you and have more knitting time!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.31.135 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 08/31/2008 11:31:45 AM Send John my best. I understand. Don't you feel like a million knitting with those needles? Beautiful! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 68.196.117.170 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 08/31/2008 03:29:13 PM Ouch, BOTH feet?? One of my co-workers recently had major bunion surgery and is having the hardest time getting around--I can't imagine having surgery on BOTH! Tell Lewey to keep up the good work! (You too, of course) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Manise EMAIL: pointysticks@verizon.net IP: 98.110.150.161 URL: DATE: 08/31/2008 04:12:16 PM Speedy recovery wishes to John. Bilateral bunionectomies? Love your needles! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathleen EMAIL: katyknits@gmail.com IP: 96.246.29.247 URL: http://katyknits.wordpress.com/ DATE: 08/31/2008 06:53:07 PM hope he is feeling better and better! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 68.211.179.232 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 08/31/2008 07:49:41 PM Oh, poor John. But it looks like he has lots of friends to keep him company. Your finished socks look great, as do the new ones. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@gmail.com IP: 67.86.111.72 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 09/01/2008 08:45:13 PM Poor John. Poor Florence (Nightengale). It looks like the family pets are in heaven, though. And I think those dpns are divine. I'm going to have to look into a set for myself. Hope John recovers quickly. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 70.79.172.117 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 09/01/2008 10:53:37 PM Oh that looks painful. Hope he's feeling better. I'm off to Toronto this week to nurse my middle child through orthopedic surgery that can't be done here in Vancouver! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 09/04/2008 05:49:43 AM John's got a pretty good pout going. I hope he heals quickly. Gorgeous yarn! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: miriam coatalen EMAIL: mcoatalen@hotmail.com IP: 90.8.90.70 URL: DATE: 09/07/2008 10:02:10 AM Hello ! I'm desperately looking for Jo Sharp's Book one. It's out of print. On Ravelry, I could see the very beautiful Laurel Hill sweater you made. In fact, I'm looking for a guernesey pattern called Sheoak, which supposedly figured in Jo Sharp's Book 1. I wondered if by any chance you would be willing to sell your copy or copy and sell me the pages on this pattern Sorry to bother you, but I'm an absolute guernesey fan. I'm French, if there is anything I can do for you from here, please let me know MERCI Au revoir Miriam ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Hundertwassers! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 08/29/2008 05:15:40 PM ----- BODY:OK. This is very embarrassing. I joined the Summer of Socks over on Ravelry at the beginning of summer. The whole point was to see how many pairs of socks you can knit during the summer. While I knew I wouldn't win by a long shot, I had high hopes of at least not humiliating myself publicly. Oh well. Here they are, my first, and likely only, completed socks of the summer.
Project Details:
Yarn: Opal Hundertwasser sock yarn, color number 637A. The name is Wartende HŠuser, or "Waiting House".
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony dpns, size 2.25mm.
Pattern: Um, the same old sock pattern. Look over there to the right in the menu bar, you'll find it.
Started: June 24th, 2008
Finished: August 26th, 2008
For: Me
What I learned: Opal is still one of my favorite sock yarns. It's not as soft and squishy as some of the new kids on the block, but it is just a fabulous yarn. I also learned to let my matchy-matchy tendencies go on this one. The color repeat is really a long one for this colorway, so I'd have had to pull out close to a quarter of a sock's worth of yarn in order to start the second sock at exactly the same place. I just decided to make them different. I like 'em!
Oh, and those socks are actually the same length, they just don't look like it.
I also learned about the German artist, Friedensreich Regentag Dunkebunt Hundertwasser, who was the inspiration for this line of yarn. Check out my previous post for details. Here's that photo again that inspired this color.
Next time, a Project Roundup! And while you're at it, go vote in today's Hunk contest. Rickman is having a hard time of it, again. These young whippersnappers seem to think they are going to take the title away from him.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 08/29/2008 06:02:47 PM Oh! I was just the tying vote for Alan Rickman! Ah, yes - this looks to be one of those colorways (like so many Trekking colorways) where one must fight the matchy matchy. Cheery socks! And really, Opal and Trekking and Meilenweit socks will be wearing strong and hole-free long after socks knit from most of the "sexy" sock yarns! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lisa EMAIL: lisaknitz@gmail.com IP: 67.101.1.146 URL: http://knittingforengineers.blogspot.com DATE: 08/29/2008 07:13:12 PM I just pushed Alan over 50%. What do these whippersnappers know, anyway?? SOS2008 == just one pair for me, too, likewise. A handsome pair, but just one. There's more to summer than knitting. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.240.29 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 08/29/2008 09:20:18 PM Can I vote more than once? Oh wait - I have a good idea. We get to vote once for each year of our age! That way the whippersnappers don't have a prayer. The socks are lovely. I only have one skein of Opal in my stash. I must get it out soon. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 70.56.72.183 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 08/29/2008 10:39:45 PM love the socks - but then again, I've never been overly fond of matchy-matchy... I haven't ever knit with opal. must try it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 98.202.61.155 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 08/30/2008 04:59:50 AM You knit a pair and that is what it counts. Lovely socks, I am almost 100% sure I have that same color way, so tempting! Nothing will go OTN until I finish Princess....so Summer socks for me. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.165.180 URL: http://the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 08/30/2008 05:13:24 AM Now those are great socks! Don't feel bad, I only got two pairs finished during the Summer of Socks ... I thought I would do better as well. Am I the only person who a) doesn't know who Mike Rowe is, and b) doesn't care? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cathy-Cate EMAIL: crryan@charter.net IP: 66.190.28.19 URL: http://hitherandyarn.wordpress.com DATE: 08/30/2008 05:48:02 AM Ha, Lorette, that's me too! I just kitchenered the toe of my only SoS socks last night. I have another pair in progress but they won't be done by the deadline; I finished some UFO socks that were started earlier; I worked on some other socks that also were started earlier; but these will be my only qualifying pair. Oh, well, we could have signed up and totally scratched. And there are two, so it IS a summer of sockS truly! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: ambermoggie EMAIL: amber.moggie@virgin.net IP: 86.31.38.9 URL: http://ambermoggie.blogspot.com/ DATE: 08/30/2008 07:17:19 AM Oh I made these also and love the yarn, think i may have to make myself a pair in this:)) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 97.81.72.26 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com DATE: 08/30/2008 08:41:25 AM Loving the colors on those. Truly loving them. It was a crazy voting day --- never more than a one-vote margin either way. But, Alan prevailed. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lisa EMAIL: rubyringz@comcast.net IP: 98.201.129.175 URL: http://www.rubyringz.bolgspot.com DATE: 08/30/2008 09:02:35 AM I love socks that aren't twins with colorway yarns, so I think they are quite beautiful! And don't fret over not getting more done, at least you were knitting and got one pair done! Having never used Opal, I am adding it to the wish list. And if all the yarns are as bold for that line, I will have to move it up higher in the wish list! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.31.135 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 08/30/2008 04:02:39 PM I'm with Alan. One pair still qualifies. Half a pair would have qualified. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 09/04/2008 05:48:18 AM I love those! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Knitting Hunks, 2008 STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 08/25/2008 07:02:56 PM ----- BODY:Just a quick post to let you all know that the Knitting Hunk contest is going on over here at Kim's place. We're already into round 2, and last year's winner, Alan Rickman, really needs your vote. While you're there, vote for Patrick Stewart in the second contest for today. I didn't nominate him, but I wish I'd have thought of it after seeing today's photo. This should provide entertainment for the next few weeks, so even if you don't care, go check out the eye candy.
A real knitting update tomorrow, I promise!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@inbox.com IP: 75.83.4.168 URL: http://k2togwonderfullymade.wordpress.com DATE: 08/25/2008 07:19:31 PM I am thoroughly enjoying this ;o) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.240.29 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 08/25/2008 09:04:01 PM Ok, I voted for Alan, but come on! Mark vs Patrick? Sorry, but English accent aside I gotta got for Mark! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.203.204.178 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 08/26/2008 05:07:18 AM That is a hot pic for Patrick. Oh and Mr. Tumnus was in the running. swoon lol Put in all my votes. A couple were hard to choose between. Like between Liam and Ralph. I like them both, but Ralph won out. And Sean vs. Sam. Sorry Sean, Sam got my vote this time. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 08/26/2008 05:29:34 AM Thanks for the reminder! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 70.56.72.183 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 08/26/2008 09:20:33 AM ahhh Patrick Stewart... Hugh Jackman... be still my heart. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.144.59 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com/ DATE: 08/26/2008 02:08:01 PM Hey, the Knitters' Hunk IS knitting content! Isn't it? ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Whitewater Shawl STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 08/04/2008 12:15:29 PM ----- BODY:
Project Details:
Yarn: Alpaca With A Twist Fino, 70% baby alpaca, 30% silk, 1 hank, 100grams, 875 yards. And I used all but 1.2 grams of the hank.
Pattern: I put this together using Evelyn Clark's Knitting Lace Triangles book. It's 16 repeats of the Medallion pattern, then 3 repeats of the Ripple pattern, then the edging. The Whitewater name came from our river raft trip in June of this year. I knit part of the shawl on that trip.
Needles: Holz & Stein ebony circulars, size 3.25mm.
Started: February 2008. I took a class from Evelyn Clark using her triangular lace shawl techniques at the Madrona fiber festival in Tacoma. As I was working on the Langsjal J—hšnnu shawl at the time, this sat in hibernation until April.
Finished: August 1, 2008.
For: ?? Maybe me, maybe a gift. Who knows.
Modifications: Well, it's all a modification, really. I didn't deviate from Ms. Clark's plan, though, except for leaving off one plain row at the end. I was running out of yarn, and just left it out.
What I learned: The cast on used in this book is rather clever. Basically, you provisionally cast on 2 stitches and knit a little 2-stitch garter strip for several rows, then pick up stitches on one long side, then those first 2 stitches. This gives you a garter "tab" that flows better into the top border.
I also learned a lot about how triangular lace shawls are constructed. Ms. Clark's book makes the whole process very simple, and takes all the guess work out of it. The book has a lot of instructional material, then pattern charts (also written out, for you chart-o-phobic types) for four different laces. There are instructions on how to knit the transition sections between one lace type and the next, then one edging stitch chart. You basically pick which laces you want in your shawl, decide the order and how many repeats, then put in the appropriate transitions to make it work. This works whether you are making a small neck scarf or a ginormous shawl.
The book is by no means comprehensive as far as lace shawl construction. I would have liked to see more information on how to take this method and run with it. She doesn't really explain the process of taking stitch patterns with varying stitch counts and making them work together. I think that after one or two of these shawls, you'd get tired of the four stitch patterns and want to branch out. I love the finished project though. And the yarn is divine. It has enough silk to really glow, and the alpaca has just a bit of a halo.
And a few more photos, because it's my blog, and I don't finish something every day:
Before I get to that, it's 56 degrees here today. In August. Our furnace came on this morning and John looked at me suspiciously and asked, "did you turn that on?"
No dear, it's just fracking cold here.
The lace is done, ends woven in, and it went for a swim this morning. As I've said before, I believe in full-immersion blocking. Besides, this one went down the Green River and the Colorado River, and needed a bath.
I use Kookaburra wool wash, and soaked this for about half an hour, then rinsed. I've used both the regular and the delicate versions of this product, and really can't tell much difference.
Ready for the pinning ceremony:
I used a combination of blocking wires for the straight top edge, and pins for the side points.
Yes, that's a lot of pins. It would be even more ridiculous without the wires on the top edge.
I'm going to find a wool sweater to wear. Project details and the requisite artsy photo when it's dry.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cara EMAIL: cara@januaryone.com IP: 76.124.83.0 URL: http://www.januaryone.com DATE: 08/02/2008 11:20:31 AM GORGEOUS! I LOVE the combination you used. PERFECT! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Meadow EMAIL: meadowl@gmail.com IP: 76.27.80.165 URL: http://www.queenmeadow.wordpress.com DATE: 08/02/2008 11:24:54 AM What kind of pins do you use? I just signed up for mystery stole 4, so I'll be making my first lace and will need to block it, I know nothing :). It's beautiful, btw. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 70.121.244.230 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.com DATE: 08/02/2008 12:08:31 PM Pretty, pretty, pretty. Oh...its in the 90's here. Just thought I'd share. (Do you know how screamiin' hacked I'd be if I lived up there right now with those uber cold temps during pseudo-summer?) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rhonda EMAIL: ryahaba@yahoo.com IP: 59.171.52.72 URL: http://stuckinjapan.wordpress.com DATE: 08/02/2008 06:57:06 PM That shawl is so beautiful. You are inspiring me to try my first shawl. Of course, after I finish all the UFO I made a list of this morning. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@prontomail.com IP: 207.119.50.29 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 08/02/2008 07:35:35 PM Oh my goodness - what a beautiful shawl! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 08/02/2008 08:22:52 PM It's lovely! Yikes - that is pretty chilly for August! We've been hovering in the upper 80s for days. I wouldn't mind a chilly day or two, actually! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.137.203 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com/ DATE: 08/03/2008 08:16:07 AM Lewey's absence at the pinning ceremony? Conspicuous. I suppose his work is done. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lora EMAIL: glennandlora@charter.net IP: 24.180.54.34 URL: DATE: 08/03/2008 08:17:22 AM It is simply stunning! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 08/03/2008 01:40:05 PM That is beautiful. I hope you'll give us a modeling shot when it is dry. It might be too cold for you in August, but I'd trade in the "real feel" 90-degree weather we've had for the last couple of weeks in a heartbeat. Today is the first reasonable summer day in a while--not too hot and breezy. I've been thinking about fall all day. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 68.218.36.198 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 08/03/2008 07:41:51 PM Absolutely fabulous!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Robin EMAIL: robinsnest@kerrlake.com IP: 66.82.9.79 URL: http://www.fortheloveoffiber.typepad.com DATE: 08/03/2008 09:08:18 PM That's just beautiful!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 76.24.236.122 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 08/04/2008 11:34:19 AM Very pretty. Looks like you'll be using that right after its dry. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 08/04/2008 12:08:53 PM I love it! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debbie Rondinelli EMAIL: Drond4@aol.com IP: 64.12.117.143 URL: DATE: 08/30/2008 06:43:37 PM Your blocking is perfection. I'm in total awe. The shawl is very lovely. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Lace Cam Signing Off STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 08/01/2008 05:31:52 PM ----- BODY:
Cast off is done. 1.2 grams of yarn left. While it's conceivable that I could have done that one more row, I doubt it. This way I'll have a little left over for repairs should I need them.
Lewey says, "I told you so."
It's off to the blocking station. Project details next time!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 08/01/2008 05:58:10 PM Whew!! (I tried to comment on 3.5, but it wouldn't finish loading. Grrr.) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Meadow EMAIL: meadowl@gmail.com IP: 76.27.80.165 URL: http://www.queenmeadow.wordpress.com DATE: 08/01/2008 06:13:35 PM Whew, I think I would have been panicking a bit! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 68.196.117.170 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 08/01/2008 06:20:48 PM Phew! That was too close! (I've been there.) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 70.121.244.230 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.com DATE: 08/01/2008 06:59:36 PM Its so pretty. I never finished mine...I ran out of yarn. I ought to tink back a bit but never got around to it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cathy-Cate EMAIL: crryan@charter.net IP: 66.190.28.19 URL: http://hitherandyarn.wordpress.com DATE: 08/01/2008 07:57:12 PM I checked my feed aggregator, and was all, "OMG, 6 posts, what's going on?" : ) Well, maybe I didn't quite say that, but I was surprised and slightly alarmed! Glad you made it, and good call on skipping the plain row; that bind off row eats up major yarnage! I've found my little scale to be invaluable at times like this.... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: janna EMAIL: janna.lawrence@gmail.com IP: 12.206.234.199 URL: http://knittingrelaxesme.blogspot.com DATE: 08/01/2008 09:13:51 PM Such suspense for a Friday evening! Oh -- and lovely model! ;-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 76.110.186.102 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 08/01/2008 11:56:56 PM Glad you made it Lorette! The shawl is gorgeous and I loved "Lewey Watch 08" - that dog is so cute! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.238.66 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 08/02/2008 06:52:05 AM I don't know - I think Lewey's wondering if there's enough left for him to eat! Can't wait to see the blocked shot. Even unblocked it looks great. Thank John for modeling. And those ribs look to die for. We've had BBQ ribs twice in the last 2 weeks - an attempt to convince ourselves that it really is summer! We're usually about 10 degrees cooler than you are so you can imagine how cold it is here!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.133.150 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com/ DATE: 08/02/2008 08:30:44 AM Never doubt Lewey. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.17.187.25 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 08/03/2008 01:30:29 PM And it already feels like fall is coming :-( ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: baltroligaula EMAIL: Tidsdomssaumn@stred.biz IP: 10.0.23.104 URL: http://marthaabbotta.freehyperspace3.com/diamond640.html DATE: 09/02/2008 06:09:36 PM kichler bamboo art glass table lamp silicone tappered masking plugs cn joe stump speed metal messiah http://ztyi.sjlfreehosting.info/diamond1610.html sheets rockford silver plate co pitcher ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Lace Cam 3.5 STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 08/01/2008 04:26:36 PM ----- BODY:
2.1 grams left, but the plan has changed. At our last post, I had one plain row, then the bind off row, and 3.1 grams of yarn left. In an uncharacteristic turn of events, I actually stopped to think before I did that plain row. I generally do a very loose cast off for lace, which chews up way more yarn than the usual "knit 2, pull the first stitch over the second stitch" cast off. I decided to skip the last plain row, and just wade into the binding off part a row early.
Here's the bind off I'm using: Knit 2, put your left needle through the front legs of those two stitches, and then knit them together through the back loops. Knit 1, repeat, loosely. It makes a nice stretchy bind off for lace.
So I'm half way through the bind off row, and have 2.1 grams left. The last row had 565 stitches, by the way. I should have about a gram left at the end, which would have been short if I'd knit one more row.
Lewey says, "I knew that, if you'd asked me." Or maybe he's saying that it's time for supper.
*See the previous several posts to find out what the heck I'm talking about.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 08/04/2008 12:10:46 PM Lewey's just too damn cute. And he does look like he's withholding information. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ena Hunt EMAIL: ehunt@mchsi.com IP: 12.240.50.118 URL: DATE: 08/08/2008 07:41:27 AM Oh, Lorette, that is BEAUTIFUL! I love it; Molly could have worn it on her wedding day if it hadn't been 85 degrees! Lovely. E ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debbie EMAIL: fufina514@comcast.net IP: 24.98.76.223 URL: http://www.gottaknit.typepad.com DATE: 08/12/2008 03:37:21 AM Love the Lewey! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Lace Cam 3.0 STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 08/01/2008 03:23:54 PM ----- BODY:
3.1 grams left. 1 row to go, then bind off. Will I make it??
Lewey's unconcerned. Or bored, it's hard to tell with Corgis.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 08/01/2008 05:55:34 PM *chewing fingernails* ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.133.150 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com/ DATE: 08/02/2008 08:29:44 AM Lewey has done the math; no sweat. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Lace Cam 2.0 STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 08/01/2008 02:40:39 PM ----- BODY:
4.0 grams left, 2 rows to go, then the bind off. It's going to be very, very close.
The suspense is killing Lewey.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Meadow EMAIL: meadowl@gmail.com IP: 76.27.80.165 URL: http://www.queenmeadow.wordpress.com DATE: 08/01/2008 03:16:38 PM The suspense is killing me! Seriously, hurry up ;), kidding, good luck! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 08/01/2008 05:55:11 PM More suspense! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Lace Cam STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 08/01/2008 02:03:29 PM ----- BODY:
4.7 grams of yarn left. 3 rows to go, then the bind off. Will she make it??
Lewey's on the edge of his seat with excitement.
*See previous post if this makes no sense to you.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.203.204.178 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 08/01/2008 03:05:38 PM I've been wondering what you've been up to. Yea I think you'll make it. With 13" to spare. Give or take a cm. But if not, you can buy more? Yes? ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 08/01/2008 05:54:48 PM Suspense! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Knitting on the Edge STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 08/01/2008 11:41:39 AM ----- BODY:Once again, it's been awhile. Happy August! Just so I can bitch about it publicly, the temperature has gotten up to a steamy 61 degrees here today, and it's raining, again. Where the hell is summer?
Actually, we have had a little summer weather, but only in bits and pieces. We had friends over a couple weekends ago for beach fun and barbecue, and to try out our latest toy.
Meanwhile, John managed to convince Riley that riding in the canoe is a good thing.
And after a tough workout on the water, a nice hearty dinner of barbecued ribs and all the fixings.
A closeup of the ribs:
Yum, they were really good. I bought John a smoker a couple years ago, and thanks to his southern heritage, he makes the best barbecue in the west!
Now, on to knitting. The title of this post has nothing to do with the knitting book by the same name. I've finally finished the body of the Whitewater alpaca silk shawl, and am about half way through the edging rows. I may or may not have enough yarn to finish.
6.5 grams. That's how much yarn I have left, with half of the edging to go. I love the excitement of knitting, let me tell you. Fortunately, I placed a lifeline many rows back, after the second to the last repeat of the main shawl body. If I don't have enough to bind off, I can always rip back to the lifeline, then knit the edging and have lots leftover. Where's the fun in that, I ask?
Stay tuned next time to see how it all works out. Any guesses as to how much yarn I'll have left?
Oh yes. The Elizabeth Zimmerman book in that photo has nothing to do with the shawl. I'm still working on that damned Cobblestone sweater that I've had on the needles for years (not really years, but it seems like it). I'm doing yet another bit of jerry-rigging of the pattern. I'll tell you about that later, too.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 08/01/2008 12:27:35 PM I'm on the edge of my seat...I hope you have enough yarn! And I'd be happy to send you some summer heat--I've had enough of it already. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.37.60 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 08/01/2008 12:36:31 PM Your new toy looks like fun! I'm guessing you'll have .3g left over. :0) BTW, I've found JAG on at 4am here, perfect baby feeding time. I'm quite enjoying it! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 08/01/2008 05:54:30 PM Mmmm... ribs... ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Sock Pattern! Free! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 07/09/2008 03:59:50 PM ----- BODY:Ok, this is really a knitting update of sorts, but first, there is a free pattern over there to your right, in the sidebar. It's Lorette's Wordy Generic Sock Pattern, now new and improved! This is just my cobbled together pattern that I've put together over the years. It has instructions for both a picot top and plain ribbing. I just put it up today, and hopefully it is relatively error free. It's just a plain vanilla sock, so don't expect anything fancy.
Now for the update.
Here's one of those Generic Socks. I haven't gotten much done on this since my last post, but I am done with the gusset decreases on the first sock. I still love this yarn. It's endlessly amusing to me to see what color comes next. For the curious who want to know, the end of the first repeat in the color sequence was just in the middle of the heel flap. I have no idea if I'll be able to match the second sock exactly or not. Oh, the suspense!
Next up is my alpaca lace shawl. Here's where I am:
I did end up taking this with me on our Utah trip, though I didn't take it on the second leg of the trip down the Colorado. I had dropped a bunch of stitches before we went on the trip, and finally got the whole thing straightened out and back on the needles. I pulled it out one night sitting around the campfire, and did exactly the same thing, dropping about 15 or 20 stitches off the needles, then spent the next two nights before dark getting it fixed yet again. For the record, the first time I did this, I just frogged back about 20 rows to my last lifeline. Getting those stitches back on the needle, even with a lifeline, was sort of a bitch, to say the least. The second time, I decided not to frog. I just got as many of the dropped loose stitches back onto a spare needle as I could, then patiently tinked back row by row, until I got to a section where I had everything back on the working needle with a correct stitch count. It was actually less painful than ripping all those rows again.
For those of you not following this saga, this is made using Evelyn Clark's book, Knitting Lace Triangles. I did the whole first section with the Medallion stitch pattern, and have just switched to the Ripple pattern for the next section. This is a 20-row repeat, and I think I'll do 2 or 3 repeats, then the edging, then it's done.
And the shawl finally has a name: Whitewater Shawl. Of course, it was obvious, once it came to me. I've decided that the Ripple section represents the flatter sections of water, I think the Medallion part looks like the rapids. There isn't anything in the pattern that represents me nearly drowning in Cataract Canyon, but you can't have everything.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@prontomail.com IP: 207.119.51.173 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 07/09/2008 05:54:41 PM I went on a rafting trip this weekend on the Snake River! (I was in Jackson Hole and just got back home today.) It was a half day nature float - no rapids for me, and no socks either. I left the knitting back at the house. I must love, love, love the happy colors in your sock!!! The white water shawl is aptly named. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cathy-Cate EMAIL: crryan@charter.net IP: 66.190.28.19 URL: http://hitherandyarn.wordpress.com DATE: 07/09/2008 06:59:34 PM I think the coming off the needles part symbolizes the near-drowning, but just as there is presumably no photographic documentation of that, just a story, there will be no lace record! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 07/09/2008 07:29:53 PM If it was me, that shawl would be on a long time out! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 132.183.70.36 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 07/10/2008 05:32:19 AM Can't believe you did it by firelight. Total dedication. Or insanity. Not sure which yet. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 07/10/2008 05:59:48 AM Shawl and sock are both gorgeous! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.238.66 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 07/10/2008 07:35:59 AM Those socks are fascinating. I've about given up making purely identical twins. Closely matching fraternals seems to be about all I can come up with. The shawl is looking fabulous. I'm not sure I'd want to commemorate the near drowning. Maybe the survival. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Mandy EMAIL: ruby_banshee@yahoo.com IP: 137.53.156.56 URL: http://www.rubybanshee.com DATE: 07/10/2008 08:01:51 AM The shawl is looking great, and the socks are awesome. I love the new banner, by the way! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 70.121.244.230 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.com DATE: 07/10/2008 09:59:27 AM I just love those sock colors. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karen EMAIL: karen@needlesandwool.com IP: 71.234.2.67 URL: http://needlesandwool.com DATE: 07/10/2008 02:56:46 PM You are a better woman than I. If I had dropped those stitches twice...I would have frogged the whole thing. Glad you got it all straightened out! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.198.72 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 07/10/2008 07:47:32 PM That shawl is amazing! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 07/10/2008 10:59:12 PM What about a lifeline ;-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: danielle EMAIL: neilleann@aol.com IP: 205.188.117.143 URL: http://www.grannydani.blogspot.com DATE: 07/11/2008 09:14:03 AM The more I see of your socks, the more I love and lust after your yarn!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Robin EMAIL: robinsnest@kerrlake.com IP: 66.82.9.108 URL: http://www.fortheloveoffiber.typepad.com DATE: 07/11/2008 07:59:11 PM Love the socks!! WOW colors! I kind of like when the socks are not exactly symmetrical. The shawl is awesome! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.214.69 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com/ DATE: 07/12/2008 06:54:29 AM Thank you! For the pattern, and the glimpse of that beautiful shawl! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Snowbird EMAIL: snowbird.al@hotmail.com IP: 12.202.163.186 URL: http://michigansnowbird.blogspot.com DATE: 07/12/2008 11:03:49 AM Luv the socks. What is the yarn? The socks look like they could make you dance. The shawl is beautiful as well. Can't wait to see the end results. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: eyeleen EMAIL: eyeleen259@gmail.com IP: 72.83.105.92 URL: http://knittingbyeye.blogspot.com DATE: 07/13/2008 06:17:50 PM Thanks for the pattern. The lace looks beautiful! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 07/14/2008 07:17:07 AM I get compulsive about yarns that change color also, and I always want to see what color comes next. I think that is the main cause of knitting-induced insomnia for me. The shawl looks great. That Evelyn Clark book is on my current book wishlist. So far designing shawls seems to be a bit of a mystery, and I'd like to try my hand at it. I guess the book will help. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: CarolCarol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 205.188.117.143 URL: http://www.numbknits.blogspot.com DATE: 07/17/2008 04:18:49 PM I go away for a short while and you're writing patterns and changing banners! The shawl is lovely! At least you used the lifeline! The sock is awesome! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 70.58.92.215 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 07/17/2008 10:11:24 PM tinking by firelight? oh my , you're a brave soul indeed. Can't believe that you were courageous enough to take lace knitting while camping..... :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Norma EMAIL: norma.knits@gmail.com IP: 71.254.3.57 URL: http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com DATE: 07/20/2008 06:32:50 PM Made me giggle at the end. Are you sure you can't incorporate the almost-drowning element in there somehow????? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Christina EMAIL: drcwang@gmail.com IP: 61.217.210.196 URL: DATE: 07/26/2008 04:24:30 AM Hi Lorette! I'm Christina, and I found your blog through a google search a few months ago and have since then following it. I love looking at your projects and it is because of you that I've started knitting socks. Anyhow, I wanted to write to say thanks for the sock pattern- I haven't knitted a pair of generic socks yet and thought I'd give yours a try. P.S. I'm also a medical student, on my second year of clinicals :) ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Hundertwassers STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 06/27/2008 01:54:07 PM ----- BODY:After looking at my new sock yarn, John asked me where the name "Hundertwassers" came from. I didn't really know, and did a bit of research. Here's what I found.
Opal designed this line based on some of the artwork of Friedensreich Regentag Dunkebunt Hundertwasser (not his real name, check out this article for the derivation of his name). He was an architect, painter, philosopher, and a free spirit. Several of his paintings, with bright, abstract colors, were used as the inspiration of the Opal Hundertwassers Werk line of sock yarn. Read the Wikipedia article for more info on the man and his work. Here are a couple of examples of his architecture:
That one is the interior of a women's toilet in a public restroom.
I was wrong, my Opal sock yarn does have a name, not just a number. It's "Wartende HŠuser" which translates as "waiting house".
Here's a photo of the painting that inspired this particular colorway.
And my sock:
In case you need some of this, Webs has several of these colorways left in stock. Little Knits has some that are deeply discounted, but only a very few.
And don't forget Claudia's MS ride tomorrow. There's still time to donate, but NOT MUCH! Get over there now! There are great prizes, but more importantly, lots of money to raise for a good cause.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.31.172 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 06/27/2008 02:35:29 PM THe color and the painting are EXACT. AMazing. It also makes me DIZZY. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@inbox.com IP: 76.175.144.166 URL: http://k2togwonderfullymade.wordpress.com DATE: 06/27/2008 03:28:39 PM Well, that's just all kinds of cool! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 06/27/2008 03:40:22 PM Thanks for filling in the background - all I knew was the colors were based on "some paintings by some guy." ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacey_CrimsonPurl EMAIL: crimsondiva1999@yahoo.com IP: 74.235.41.211 URL: http://crimsonpurl.blogspot.com DATE: 06/27/2008 04:00:48 PM Ooh I can see how that painting inspired that colorway!! Nice! Thanks for the virtual travel! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@prontomail.com IP: 207.119.61.46 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 06/27/2008 06:52:54 PM Those are just some happy, summer colors! I really like them. I have to bow down to you though. I think my yarn stash has enough yarn to make 14 pairs of socks. Of course, I am trying to become stashless... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Judith EMAIL: jahk@oddpost.com IP: 24.121.10.128 URL: http://www.tofu-knits.typepad.com DATE: 06/28/2008 05:46:46 AM I made socks out of the same colorway, and love them. But there's one thing I wish I had realized before starting the second sock. Usually I don't care if the color repeats are the same on both socks, But in the Hundertwasser, the repeats are so long that the 2 socks can look very different. If you're on Ravelry, you can see mine on my projects page, username jahk. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 76.110.186.102 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 06/28/2008 10:23:29 PM What a cool post, thank John for inspiring inquisitive minds :) I'm not a big fan of many of the Opal printed colorways but your sock is a beauty! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: ambermoggie EMAIL: amber.moggie@virgin.net IP: 82.2.143.93 URL: http://ambermoggie.blogspot.com/ DATE: 06/29/2008 05:34:22 AM fabulous colours and gorgeous sock:) amber in england ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: danielle EMAIL: neilleann@aol.com IP: 64.12.117.143 URL: http://grannydani.blogspot.com DATE: 06/29/2008 05:55:23 PM Gorgeous sock! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bookish Wendy EMAIL: bookishwendy@gmail.com IP: 72.225.4.17 URL: http://www.thebookishgirl.com DATE: 06/29/2008 06:49:52 PM Awesome Awesome Awesome! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: technikat EMAIL: list.knit@turula.com IP: 66.167.220.45 URL: DATE: 06/30/2008 07:19:24 AM The colors are fabulous, but the photos of the architecture make me think I picked up my husbands glasses instead of mine. They are mind twisting. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 06/30/2008 09:52:08 AM Fascinating! I love that wacky building, and love your sock! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marti EMAIL: weebugknits@gmail.com IP: 204.147.223.1 URL: http://www.midgeling.com/weebug/blog DATE: 06/30/2008 12:49:23 PM if you just heard a ginormous thud from the seattle area, it was me falling off my no sock yarn wagon. sigh. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lucia EMAIL: rhymeswithfuchsia@comcast.net IP: 155.212.59.41 URL: http://rhymeswithfuchsia.blogspot.com DATE: 06/30/2008 01:42:02 PM Those apartment buildings are scary. I hope they're easier to look at on the inside. I think living in a place that had been painted to look like it was falling down would warp me as time went on. As for the restroom, where is that exactly? I'd be fine with it as long as I was cold sober. Anyway. Love the socks! Now I'm thinking about making an onion-domed hat... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 67.86.111.72 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 07/01/2008 02:42:28 AM Wow! I never would have thought to go research a yarn's name before - but I'm so thrilled to pieces that you did. What an education we've all had. Those socks seem so much more alive now because of the background. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 07/01/2008 10:45:33 PM Such happy colours! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Holly EMAIL: proseknitic@yahoo.de IP: 86.150.154.160 URL: http://www.proseknitic.de DATE: 07/02/2008 05:20:11 AM What a hoot - the difference in living in Europe VS the US. It would never have occured to me that someone might not be familiar with Hundertwasser and that whole school of art/design. Go to http://images.google.de/images?q=Hundertwasser&hl=de&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=images&ct=title if you want to see an extensive collection of his work. (this is a lovely feature of Google!) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 07/02/2008 06:01:46 PM What a great post--and beautiful socks. I probably never would have bothered to think about what the name meant. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Robin EMAIL: robinsnest@kerrlake.com IP: 66.82.9.55 URL: http://www.fortheloveoffiber.typepad.com DATE: 07/02/2008 10:26:34 PM Found your blog from TiennieKnits. Enjoyed my visit! Also, love the Opal socks!!! Love that yarn! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 75.163.171.120 URL: http://socks-for-mum.blogspot.com DATE: 07/04/2008 05:13:21 PM What FUN colors! Thanks for all the information about Hundertwassers, too. The colors are identical! Nice blog facelift. You are making me want to switch to Typepad! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: =Tamar EMAIL: dicconf@radix.net IP: 72.83.84.250 URL: DATE: 07/04/2008 08:09:18 PM That yarn is far too regular in that pattern; it just begs to be knitted into a pattern with asymmetrical bands. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 68.212.77.245 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 07/07/2008 03:34:20 AM Your sock is so bright and playful. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 70.56.232.184 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 07/08/2008 06:37:33 PM what inspiration! wow! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: danielle EMAIL: neilleann@aol.com IP: 64.12.117.143 URL: http://www.grannydani.blogspot.com DATE: 07/12/2008 07:05:52 AM Thanks, thanks a lot. Had to go and order that Opal. Same colorway (ok, I am a copy cat but I love how your colors are). Like I need more yarn...especially sock yarn. Only 3 - 4 unfinished pairs on needles as we speak, and probably enough to open a store...and then I went and bought 2 dyed blanks also. We are all such enablers, arent we? ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Opal STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 06/26/2008 11:56:41 AM ----- BODY:I know you've all been in suspense since my last post, waiting to see what I would pick out of that immense pile of sock yarn for my next pair of socks. I have to admit, it would be easier if I only had four or five hanks of yarn to choose from. In the end, I just randomly picked a color that appealed to me, in a brand I haven't knit with for awhile.
Claudia described my sock yarn stash as "biggish", which I think was a bit of an understatement. Laurie asked how many there are. 162. There is enough yarn there for 162 pairs of socks. I'll let that sink in a bit.
OK, here's what I picked.
Opal Hundertwassers, color 1434. I just love the creative names these guys give their colorways. And I love Opal sock yarn. It's not the "squooshiest" sock yarn out there, and is a bit finer than some, but it is well-made, not splitty, and wears like iron. And the colors are fabulous. This is the kind of stuff you keep knitting just to see what comes next.
Pretty, eh?
In case you've been napping, Claudia is doing her MS Ride this weekend, and there is still time to donate to the cause. There are lots of swell prizes to win, so get over there and empty out your wallet. Last year, knitters donated enough to win Claudia's team the right to wear the #1 jersey this year. What are you waiting for? Go!
I'm off to see what comes after that orange band.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 06/26/2008 01:42:57 PM Very pretty. I do love Opal. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Donna EMAIL: donnatritz2001@yahoo.com IP: 66.167.80.67 URL: DATE: 06/26/2008 02:25:13 PM Gorgeous - I have a pair of socks in the blue Hundertwasser color way (& also knit a hat for one of my great nephews) but I like this color way so much more. I like Opal a lot too - it is pretty soft after washing. Maybe not the softest available but, for as well as it wears, it is probably the softest. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 06/26/2008 04:16:47 PM That Opal is strangely appealing... I like Opal and Meilenweit and Trekking for being sturdy and having fun colors. I'm ok that they aren't squooshy. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ruth EMAIL: woolyheaded@comcast.net IP: 24.218.139.138 URL: http://woolyheaded.blogspot.com DATE: 06/26/2008 07:34:54 PM I adore Opal sock yarn. It softens up beautifully in the wash, wears like iron, and oh! the colors!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.238.66 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 06/26/2008 09:01:35 PM 162! Really? Wow! The Opal is lovely. Believe it or not, I don't think I've every knit with Opal. I do have one skein of handpaint in my stash. I will have to consider it soon. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 70.121.244.230 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.com DATE: 06/27/2008 06:23:36 AM Oooh... I like those colors. And you're right... Opal wears like iron. I am so abusive to my handknit socks and the Opal socks don't show the slightest bit of wear. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: f@tantarobina.com IP: 24.205.55.40 URL: http://www.tantarobina.com DATE: 06/27/2008 08:50:18 AM Those are fun colors. Love the fat stripes. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: fleegle EMAIL: sglinert@aol.com IP: 75.117.21.105 URL: http://fleeglesblog.blogspot.com DATE: 06/27/2008 09:17:24 AM Wow! What amazing colors in that sock yarn. Wish someone would make a squooshy version. The aliens went back home. Apparently, they think Earth is not suitable for a vacation planet. Too many guns, grenades, and Twinkies. Thanks for the compliments on my shawl! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Manise EMAIL: pointysticks@verizon.net IP: 98.110.150.161 URL: DATE: 06/27/2008 11:53:28 AM Ya love Opal eh? Well Little Knits is having their Big Summer Sale including Opal at 50-68% off! Not sure how much is left after I told Ruth :-) Those are fun colors. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 75.163.164.46 URL: http://socks-for-mum.blogspot.com DATE: 06/28/2008 11:26:36 AM Okay, Lorette....reality check here, hmmm....at one pair a month that will be THIRTEEN years before you knit it all up! At two pair a month that will be SEVEN years! I've been on a closet-purging-binge this last month so maybe I'm being a little too realistic for you but it sure has made me ask myself, 'Why the heck to I have all this stuff?' I immediately put myself on a yarn diet and I haven't yet gotten to my knitting room. So friend, wanna go on a diet with me? LOL ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 75.163.164.46 URL: http://socks-for-mum.blogspot.com DATE: 06/28/2008 11:27:32 AM P.S. I LOVE the Opal yarn! Purty, purty... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 67.42.101.21 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 06/29/2008 01:10:26 PM Such great colors! 162 pairs of socks? whoa. talk about a fabulous fiber-IRA ! and those three irish girl socks are wonderful. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lynn EMAIL: harperlynn@msn.com IP: 146.243.4.157 URL: http://www.linnetknits.blogspot.com DATE: 07/01/2008 12:36:58 PM One hundred and sixty-two pairs worth of sock yarn?! I', speechless. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Holly EMAIL: proseknitic@yahoo.de IP: 86.150.154.160 URL: http://www.proseknitic.de DATE: 07/02/2008 05:16:17 AM One of my favorites since I met Wolfgang in 2000. Have you seen the pix on their website about the Rainforest project or some of socks on a clothesline? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 76.24.236.122 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 07/02/2008 10:36:43 AM Thanks Lorette! I'm staying with biggish. Although I do wonder how many socks one can knit in one lifetime... ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Finished! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 06/24/2008 04:37:38 PM ----- BODY:Since the Summer of Socks 2008 started 3 days ago, you might think I'd have started a sock for the knit-along by now. The rules say that to qualify, socks have to be started on or after the beginning of summer. Well, I already had a half done pair on the needles, and thought briefly about starting a second pair and setting those aside for later. Instead, I lined up a bunch of Tivo'd JAG reruns last night, and did a sock marathon, finishing the Three Irish Girl socks I had going. Here they are:
Project Details:
Yarn: Three Irish Girls Adorn sock yarn, color Eire. Boy, do I love this yarn. It's nicely spun, and the colors are fabulous. I like it so well that I joined their Yarnista sock yarn club.
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony dpns, size 2.25mm.
For: Me
Started: May 19th, 2008
Finished: June 24th, 2008
Pattern: Standard 68 stitch stockinette sock, with picot tops and standard heel flap and gusset. The usual.
What I learned: This yarn is my new favorite. It plays very nicely in the yarn box. And I learned that I can knit a whole sock foot (women's size 10 1/2, thank you!) in an evening of mindless JAG reruns.
I'm off to cast on the first pair of SOS '08 socks. I have to choose the yarn first, not so easy, given the multitude of choices I have available. I posted these photos on the Ravelry SOS group, and I'll post them here as well. This is my three box-loads of sock yarn. How many seasons of JAG were there, anyway? I clearly need to knit faster.
Stay tuned next time to see what I pick!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Joan Hamer EMAIL: jlhknits@earthlink.net IP: 71.114.112.180 URL: http://joanknits.blogspot.com DATE: 06/24/2008 05:30:18 PM That's quite a sock stash! I love the new ones. I have quite a stash of leftover for my sock yarn wall hanging but not many full skeins. Great eye candy. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@inbox.com IP: 76.175.144.166 URL: http://k2togwonderfullymade.wordpress.com DATE: 06/24/2008 05:56:22 PM Oh.My.Word uh,uh... oh yes- beautiful new socks! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Plain Jane EMAIL: IP: 76.226.189.140 URL: http://profile.typekey.com/jdevlin48362/ DATE: 06/24/2008 06:31:07 PM That is one awesome collection of sock yarn! And I thought I was getting brave because I have enough for maybe 10 or 11 pairs. If you're taking votes on the yarn to use next, I suggest the blue in the bottom right corner of the first photo. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 67.86.111.72 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 06/24/2008 06:44:35 PM I knew I liked you. Anyone who watches JAG is tops on my list. Hmmmmm. I think I should look into watching JAG DVDS. I bet I can find them on Netflix. Ciao. Gotta go check that out. BTW - all that yarn is making me salivate. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 06/24/2008 06:56:38 PM Pretty new socks! Hee hee - you and I, we are in the same "too much awesome sock yarn from which to choose" boat. And so - I pick Regia or Meilenweit because it isn't "special." ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 70.56.232.184 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 06/24/2008 07:05:18 PM So glad you are all ok!!! wow...what an AWESOME trip!!! loved all the pictures and gee I was thinking maybe I should be a river rat for a season..that looks like a cool job HA! awesome pictures and views. You KNOW how to take vacations!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Mandy EMAIL: ruby_banshee@yahoo.com IP: 71.38.137.238 URL: http://www.rubybanshee.com DATE: 06/24/2008 07:36:00 PM holy crap ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.203.204.178 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 06/24/2008 09:21:31 PM Oh my goodness. I'd never be able to choose. You are like your own yarn store. Did I happen to mention how much I admire that about you? :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.238.66 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 06/24/2008 09:37:10 PM Hmmmm - maybe I need to come camp out in your stash room again! That is quite a collection. I can't believe you can finish one sock in an evening! You are really fast.. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.31.172 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 06/25/2008 02:38:52 AM There are some real doozies in that pile! I like the purple/red in the last photo. Yum! How many are there? (Just trying to make myself feel better after my stash organization.) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 06/25/2008 07:53:09 AM Nice socks, and lovely stash! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Melanie EMAIL: melanie.jones@bakerd.com IP: 208.216.217.174 URL: DATE: 06/25/2008 08:54:11 AM Oh, I really don't feel near as bad now! I have a sock yarn "collection" also, but it's a bit smaller than yours. My thought with sock yarn has always been, "if you see it and you like it, buy it because you won't see it again!" Good for you! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Manise EMAIL: pointysticks@verizon.net IP: 98.110.150.161 URL: DATE: 06/25/2008 09:07:43 AM Holy chitlins! You could stuff a whole mattress with all that! Tell me you don't. I can see you were on a Trekking, Opal and Regia kick..... No Koigu? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 06/25/2008 01:36:51 PM Zowie. That is quite a stash. I'd just close my eyes, swirl the yarn around, and pick one. They're all gorgeous. Now I don't feel as if my sock yarn collection is *that* big and I can justify some new purchases. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.30.170 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 06/25/2008 01:40:52 PM I love the finished socks, Lorette, especially the heel! :0) JAG, eh? Maybe I'll check it out - I'm on the hunt for a new to me program to watch while nursing. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 76.24.236.122 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 06/25/2008 02:55:07 PM Biggish. ;-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 71.37.161.67 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 06/25/2008 05:34:43 PM Those are some pretty socks and serious sock yarn stash! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Knitnana EMAIL: siameezercat@gmail.com IP: 70.183.189.103 URL: http://nanasadiesplace.blogspot.com DATE: 06/27/2008 06:05:11 AM Love those socks! And that's a stash! (ok...sock yarn doesn't count as stash, right?) Yarnista club? Hmm...off to check the site. Thank you! You're a very good enabler... (((hugs))) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 68.155.189.75 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 06/27/2008 08:40:26 PM Ok, I thought I had the world's largest sock yarn stash, but now I'm not so sure! Nice stuff there, and I love the Opal socks. Very jazzy. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Holly EMAIL: proseknitic@yahoo.de IP: 86.150.154.160 URL: http://www.proseknitic.de DATE: 07/02/2008 05:14:26 AM those are three sock yarn piles? I am with the above knitters - you exceed even me! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Robin EMAIL: ebrperk@iw.net IP: 216.16.85.81 URL: http://perkyknits.blogspot.com DATE: 07/21/2008 12:00:14 PM There were ten seasons of JAG. It was my favorite show and I was very sad when it ended. They are starting to become available on DVD if you are interested. The first six seasons are out so far. The socks look great. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: River, Part 2 STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 06/19/2008 04:12:03 PM ----- BODY:Ok, I was going to start with a list of excuses for why I haven't posted since the last time, but you've heard them all, really. So I'll just jump in with the story of the Great River Trip 2008. I'm going to put a bunch of pictures up here, but will link at the end to the whole photo album, for anybody with a lot of patience.
Now that the bruises have healed (more on that later), and the terror has faded (ditto), this stands out as one of my favorite vacations ever. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, which probably brands me as an insane person. Really, it was fun, I promise.
Here's the rundown. We flew to Salt Lake City, rented a car, and drove to Vernal. I hope none of my readers are from Vernal, but if you are, I don't mean to insult you. The people in Vernal were lovely, but the town is really dismal. It's an oil boom town run amok, with little to recommend it to tourists. We had an extra day there due to some trip rescheduling, and drove up to Flaming Gorge, which was gorgeous. Fossils and rocks and desert, oh my. The geology in this part of the trip was amazing. One of the highlights was going to the dinosaur museum in Vernal. Here's a photo:
I think she wanted to knit. Maybe if they'd had handknit socks, they wouldn't have become extinct.
We put in on the Green River for the first leg of the trip through the Gates of Ladore. This was a 4-day, 3-night trip, with the raft company Oars. Both companies that we floated with were outstanding, by the way. I'd go with either of them again without any hesitation. Here are just a few photos.
The second leg of the trip was on the Colorado River south of Moab, through Cataract Canyon. This trip was with Sheri Griffith, another excellent long-term rafting company. The Colorado was at nearly all-time high water levels the week we were there. The first two days were nearly flat water through some spectacular red sandstone cliffs, with hikes every day. The rapids came later in the trip, and we ended up flipping a raft through a set of rapids known as the Big Drops on day 4. The six of us on our raft managed to stay with the upside down boat through the rest of the rapids, and the guides got us to the river bank and rescued us. The raft we were on was an 18 foot raft, with huge oars that you can see in some of those photos up there. I got banged around pretty good by the oar and the water, and had bruises to prove it. We were in wet suits, but I can tell you that the cold water was the last thing I was thinking about. Just to give you an idea of the force of the water, two of the guys on our boat were wearing swim trunks over their wet suits, and they were torn completely off in the water.
The boat that was behind us had a camera mounted on the deck, and is rumored to have a good video of our flip, but we don't have it yet. Here's something similar to what we did, in about the spot we went over.
Yeah, it was about that much fun.
Here are just a few more photos from the Cataract Canyon trip.
That's Jose, our guide, and one of the owners of the company. Jose knows just about everything about river rafting, and a good deal more. After I brought out the knitting, he told me about the yarn shop back in Moab, and that they have a group that meets once a week to knit. We had to catch an airplane home, so never made it there to check his story, but next time.
That's me explaining the basics of sock knitting to the boys.
Here we are, after the big flip, sharing war stories over cocktails.
And at baggage check-in at the Lake Powell International Airport:
Our rides back to Moab:
Here's the link to the full photo albums, if you have nothing better to do. Next time there will be knitting updates!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.31.172 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 06/19/2008 05:32:00 PM There is no guarantee that you are supposed to live through one of those flips, right? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 70.57.74.214 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 06/19/2008 06:07:56 PM You're amazing. and you want to go again??? woo hoo You rock. So did you have some sort of hermetically sealed baggie for your sock??? (big grins..) Glad you and John are safe - and glad that you had a fabulous trip. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kat EMAIL: kat.superguppy@gmail.com IP: 216.136.25.37 URL: http://superguppy.wordpress.com DATE: 06/19/2008 07:18:32 PM Sounds like a fabulous trip! I've done the Colorado from Lee's Ferry to Lake Mead, and yes, that water is COLD and powerful. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.203.204.178 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 06/19/2008 08:59:13 PM Yeah! You are still kickin. Glad you had such a great time. Love the dinosaur pic. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 76.110.186.102 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 06/20/2008 01:10:14 AM Yikes!! Thank god you're OK! It looks like an amazing albeit wet and ouch filled trip! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 67.86.111.72 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 06/20/2008 02:44:49 AM Wow! That was worth waiting for. What an awesome adventure. Looks like great fun. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 06/20/2008 05:28:56 AM Wow - very, very exciting!! Gorgeous, too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miriam EMAIL: miriam@mimknits.com IP: 166.70.244.151 URL: http://mimknits.com/wordpress DATE: 06/20/2008 05:35:10 AM Lorette! Bless you! I lived in the tiny town for Roosevelt (to which Vernal is a booming metropolis), just 30 min. outside of Vernal for 5 years and it's nice to see that my opinion of it as the ass-end of civilization is shared by someone else. It was a horrible place to spend my first teenage years. But the surrounding desert IS beautiful. Glad you had fun! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.242.253 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com/ DATE: 06/20/2008 05:39:39 AM So, is the dinosaur knitting Western or Continental? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.238.66 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 06/20/2008 06:09:44 AM What an exciting trip! I think after flipping I'd be on the first plane headed back home. You're a braver soul than I am!! The pictures are gorgeous. Although I have no desire to live there, that part of the country is so beautiful. Glad you made it home safely. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: margene EMAIL: zeneedle@gmail.com IP: 67.40.108.150 URL: http://zeneedle.typepad.com DATE: 06/20/2008 07:49:44 AM The best thing about Vernal is the river and Flaming Gorge. The trip sounds awesome...awesomely beautiful, awesomely scary and awesomely wonderful! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 06/20/2008 08:48:05 AM You are one brave woman! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Holly EMAIL: proseknitic@yahoo.de IP: 86.150.154.160 URL: http://www.proseknitic.de DATE: 06/20/2008 03:49:01 PM Sounds like a great time. And obviously you were prepared - both the camera and the knitting pulled through! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 70.121.244.230 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.com DATE: 06/20/2008 07:23:48 PM I'm loving all of the pictures. I would love a trip like this.... way cool. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.30.170 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 06/20/2008 09:09:38 PM Looks like awesome fun! :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 06/21/2008 07:32:22 AM You've convinced me not to go. I'll just sit back and enjoy your pictures while staying nice and dry. Love the way the runway ends. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 06/21/2008 07:49:53 AM I'm back after looking at your pictures, definitely not for me, first the flip, then the bathrooms, the rains and the planes. I'll stick to those 1000 ft boats with multiple bars and buffets thank you very much. YOU have a GOOD attitude, lady. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Luni EMAIL: knotingale@yahoo.com IP: 72.174.166.79 URL: http://3sleeves.blogspot.com DATE: 06/22/2008 06:05:57 AM You are lucky, or plucky knitter. The rivers in Colorado are so high and fast this year that the local Sheriff has been threatening to close one of them. I live on the Arkansas, and I read about a rafting tragedy every week in the local paper. I mean, 5 people died last summer. I think there's been nearly that many killed already this year. All in separate incidents when their rafts flipped or they were knocked out into that cold, swift water. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: medprincess2000@yahool.com IP: 75.201.200.131 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 06/22/2008 07:46:28 AM Um...MerryKarma don't do flippin. Glad you survived!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lee Ann EMAIL: leona@uncleleona.net IP: 75.33.85.191 URL: http://www.uncleleona.net/blog DATE: 06/22/2008 08:09:43 AM What an awesome adventure! Those photos of the mountains and mesas are outstanding. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 76.24.236.122 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 06/22/2008 04:11:52 PM The adventure of it, I definitely get. But cold water....I hate cold water. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: The River STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 05/26/2008 09:58:27 PM ----- BODY:No, that's not the name of my new shawl. It's still "that cream lace shawl". Although last night there were a few expletives interspersed in the name. I came to a mistake, and in the process of trying to fix it (gin & tonic-driven, I'll readily admit), I dropped a couple of stitches. They rapidly unravelled across about a two inch segment, down about 4 rows. Fortunately, I had a lifeline installed. Unfortunately, the lifeline was 20 rows back.
I'll stop and let that soak in. There are about 300 stitches on the needles. 300 times 20 rows. You figure it out. I didn't bother to stop and take photos, but spent about 2 hours last night getting the mess back on the needles. I haven't checked it tonight to make sure that the stitch count is OK. It's in time out for a couple weeks.
Which brings me to The River. Tomorrow we leave for a little river trip. We're doing two back-to-back river raft float trips. The first segment is on the Green River in northern Utah, through the Gates of Ladore, a four day raft trip. Then we drive to Moab, Utah, and do the second segment, a 5 day trip down the Colorado through Cataract Canyon. 9 days in a tent, with "no phone, no lights, no motorcar, not a single luxury"*. It sounds like heaven to me. And I will admit that in my yarny nerdiness, that I packed the sock yarn first. We're limited on baggage weight on the flight back off the river to Moab at the end, so I'm just taking sock projects.
Speaking of which, here's the latest sock photo. I'm still loving this yarn.
I'm off to pack. I'll be back in a couple of weeks!
*Extra credit for knowing the source of that quote...
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: beaumont0595@sbcglobal.net IP: 75.42.219.65 URL: http://www.beau87.blogspot.com DATE: 05/27/2008 01:46:35 AM Well, it's Gilligan's Island, of course. One of the dozens of theme song lyrics I know by heart. Have fun on your trip. It sounds "primitive as can be"! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 132.183.82.155 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 05/27/2008 03:42:32 AM Have a wonderful trip! I know what you mean about the lace. Timeouts find their own timing. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@inbox.com IP: 76.175.144.166 URL: http://k2togwonderfullymade.wordpress.com DATE: 05/27/2008 04:03:13 AM ... like Robinson Crusoe, as primitive as can be! Have a fun and safe trip! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laura EMAIL: macfahy@lomellina.it IP: 151.77.183.222 URL: DATE: 05/27/2008 06:12:00 AM Enjoy your time off and the rafting. Your misadventure with the shawl just makes me more scared at trying it.. lol. I better stick to sock knitting. It is faster and less complicated. I just love your sock! Have a safe, speed, and enjoyable journey. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: f@tantarobina.com IP: 24.205.55.40 URL: http://www.tantarobina.com DATE: 05/27/2008 06:33:39 AM Have fun! It sounds like a great two weeks ahead, even with the limited yarn supply. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.89.34 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 05/27/2008 06:35:13 AM Drat, now I'll have that stupid song running through my head all day! Have a great, safe, fun trip and take lots and lots of pictures. I've had my shawl in time out, but it didn't last long. I felt sorry for it and dragged it back out. The mistake is finished and we're friends again. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.30.134 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 05/27/2008 08:13:56 AM Mmmmm, it sounds wonderful! I'm feeling a little grounded, knowing I won't be doing any travelling this summer, I'll have to live vicariously through you! Take lots of photos! :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 05/27/2008 08:23:43 AM Sounds like a great getaway - and perfect fortification for facing the shawl again. Have fun! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 67.42.109.31 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 05/27/2008 11:56:51 AM sucha pity about the shawl. bless those lifelines! Your trip sounds like heaven to me! Have a fabulous time. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.142.189 URL: http://handeyecrhafts.wordpress.com/ DATE: 05/27/2008 03:30:32 PM Oh, were there socks in that wine photo. . . ? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 70.56.236.243 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 05/27/2008 08:18:44 PM I can just imagine your yarn in ziplock bags so not to get wet while your rolling down the river! have a great time...know you will! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.198.72 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 05/27/2008 08:45:02 PM I would put it in time out too. Have a great trip!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Denise EMAIL: Denise@knitchat.com IP: 75.179.6.115 URL: http://www.knitchat.com DATE: 05/28/2008 05:28:04 AM Oooooh I will HAVE to continue the trend of copying your vacation spots!!! Hawaii was great.. and this trip sounds like a blast.. well when the kids are a bit bigger anyway! Have fun! Can't wait to see pics!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 05/28/2008 11:18:50 AM Sounds like a great trip. Don't do the math when you have to rip--it is better for your mental health. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PICAdrienne EMAIL: PICAdrienne@yahoo.com IP: 206.173.41.67 URL: DATE: 05/28/2008 05:18:17 PM Wow, I was feeling a bit old when I saw you asked who knew where the line was from at the end of your post. I feel a bit better now to see others remembered as well. Have a fun trip and keep your yarn dry. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 05/29/2008 08:50:01 AM Have a great trip! You're braver than I am. :o) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sue EMAIL: suekent@comcast.net IP: 63.85.155.66 URL: DATE: 05/29/2008 03:53:22 PM I, too, knew it was the Gilligan's Island theme song. The trip sounded like a winner till you started talking about tents -- I love hotel camping! Keep the sock yarn high and dry. Have a great time. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 06/01/2008 11:26:49 AM Lucky knitting, getting to go along on such an adventure. Have fun together! Hope it's not as "exciting" as Gilligan, though. Li ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Amaranth Socks STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 05/19/2008 06:22:00 PM ----- BODY:
As promised last time, I have a finished project to show you. Here are the mismatched, not-quite identical Amaranth socks.
If they look a little dilapidated, it's because I couldn't wait to wear them before I took photos!
Project Details:
Pattern: My own generic sock pattern. I started these with 64 stitches around, which was too small, then ripped and started over with 72 on the second go around, for some reason that escapes me. I had knit to the heel before I decided that they were too big. I was not about to rip them out again, so just decreased a bit extra in the gussets and ended up with 68 stitches for the foot. For the record, 68 stitches with this yarn is perfect.
Yarn: Madeline Tosh sock yarn, in Amaranth. This is just lovely yarn, in lovely colors. It's 100% superwash merino wool. It has a very nice "hand" once it's made up.
Needles: Size 2.25 mm Pony Pearls. Yes, I'm still old-fashioned and use dpns for socks. I could have gone down a needle size with this yarn and still had an acceptable fabric, but this was OK.
Started: November 2007. Really. I'm not that slow of a sock knitter, I just keep getting sidetracked.
Finished: Last week.
For: Me
Modifications: I'll ask it again, how do you define "modify" when it's your own jerry-rigged pattern? This one has 2 by 2 ribbing, and a standard heel flap and gusset. Nothing fancy.
What I learned: I'm still a plain-sock girl. And yarn can do weird things when you're not looking. This yarn came in a single hank, and I don't think there were any knots. The two socks are knit the same, with the same needles, and the gauge is the same. But look at them. They are just doing that not-matching thing to try to bug me.
And I'm already a good ways into the next sock. Remember that Three Irish Girls yarn I talked about several posts back? Some of the stuff I broke the yarn fast for? It came, I wound, I knitted. It is just indescribably lovely. I want this in every color.
This is their Adorn Sock Yarn, the color is Eire, and I'm knitting them on my latest needle purchase, the Knit Picks Harmony dpns. These are very nice, and much less expensive than comparable wooden double points. I have a set of Lantern Moons, but I'm mostly afraid to use them for fear of breakage. This yarn is just so squooshy soft and wonderful that it almost knits itself!
I also have another gadget that I got a while ago, but haven't posted a photo. This is a handmade tin needle protector, which might make me a little less fearful of using those nice needles. Just slip it over your needles with the sock in progress, put the cap on, and toss it in your bag!
Here's where I got mine, though the home page of the online order site says it's not working. There's a contact email on that page, just email Jen and she'll set you up.
And just to prove that I'm still working on that alpaca silk lace shawl, here's a photo.
Even though it might not look much different than before, here's a photo that proves it is indeed bigger.
That used to be 100 grams of yarn, I'm down to 61.6 grams. And I now have around 300 stitches on the needle.
I really need to call this one something better than "that alpaca silk lace shawl". It's getting made up using Evelyn Clark's Knitting Lace Triangles book. I'm going to do a few more repeats of the vaguely flower-like motif, then add a ripple border, then a pointy edging. I know, it all sounds quite technical, doesn't it? Any ideas for a clever shawl name?
Lee Ann tagged me for this one. I was pretty sure I'd done this one before, but I couldn't find it, so here goes. I've mixed text and photos this time around. This is just mostly random stuff from the past week.
The Seven Random Things About Me Meme!!
But first, the rules: Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. Let them know they are tagged by leaving comments on their blogs.
I'm not tagging anybody for this. You're all on your own. If you do decide to do this, let me know, I'd love to stop by for a visit to see your randomness.
1. I love spring and all the spring produce at the farmers' market. Every spring I find some new vegetable that I've never heard of.
2. This spring it was flowering kale.
I clean it, saute some green garlic (or regular garlic), add the kale, stir for a moment, then add a bit of chicken stock, cover, and steam for a few minutes. When it's time to eat, I put a splash of balsamic vinegar in it, with salt and pepper. I cook most of our greens this way, though sometimes I use raspberry vinegar for excitement.
3. I love halibut. I would have a very difficult time living anywhere but where I do, as we can get good quality fresh fish routinely. One of the vendors at the farmers' market sells fresh fish, and while it's not cheap, it's a regular menu item around here.
This was the rest of the meal that went with the kale. There's grilled halibut with a splash of homemade pesto, and risotto cakes. We make those with leftover risotto. You just form it into cakes and saute in olive oil until they are crispy on the outside and heated through.
4. We sometimes eat in front of the television, but mostly eat dinner together at the table, with the good dishes and candlelight. It's a nice little ritual at the end of the day.
Here's that risotto in its first life:
John made it with chopped sorrel, and it was served with fresh scallops, sauteed chard, and asparagus, all from the farmers' market.
5. Another random fact:
We love a good bottle of wine around here. That is Yorkville Cellars Semillion, one of our favorite summer white wines.
6. I have some wacky stuff in my house. Here's one of them:
Salt chickens! We love using good sea salt at the table, but the flakes don't work in a shaker, and I just think this is more pleasing than a salt grinder.
7. Last but not least, my pencil collection. Yes, I'm a pencil geek. I even belong to a pencil-of-the-month club. Don't laugh, I'm not making this up. Here it is. And here's mine.
Oh wait, that's not quite all of it. I don't collect anything halfway. In my defense, I do actually use my pencils, though it looks as though the life expectancy of my pencil stash rivals mine. You might note that I collect erasers and sharpeners, too.
By the way, I'm not the only pencil loon out there. Here's a blog that's in my blog lineup as a daily read. And I actually got a proposal of marriage last week from another geek who is coveting my pencils. I think she just wants me for my office supplies, though.
Next time, perhaps a finished project!
This YouTube video made our local paper this morning. This was caught by a DOT camera as the police officer in the video stopped traffic for a family of baby ducks on one of our busy freeways during the morning commute. You just have to love a guy like this.
Cathy-Cate of Hither & Yarn is having a contest to celebrate her 1-year blogiversary. She's giving away lots of free stuff if you enter, but for a good cause. You can enter the contest by donating to one of three charitable organizations, Doctors Without Borders, Knitters For Knockers, and The House That Yarn Built. Any one of those (or all of them!) would be a good choice, so get over there, send her an email, and help out one or more very worthy causes.
We're off to the farmers' market later this morning to check out the bounty. I'll take the camera along so you all can see what's for dinner!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sue H EMAIL: shortoldlady56@yahoo.com IP: 71.250.225.80 URL: http://craftitagain.blogspot.com/ DATE: 05/01/2008 09:58:46 AM That was fantastic! Thanks for sharing. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 05/01/2008 01:28:02 PM Awww... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 68.196.117.170 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 05/01/2008 03:00:02 PM Aw, NICE officer! It looks like that SUV was really helpful, too. I wonder if maybe they saw the ducks first and called for help? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.153.108 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com/ DATE: 05/01/2008 04:25:40 PM I hope that officer is identified and gets a pay raise! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Celia EMAIL: anthrogal@muddyboy.org IP: 71.143.105.2 URL: http://unraveling.typepad.com DATE: 05/01/2008 05:20:39 PM Too much! That gave me a lift! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 98.202.61.155 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 05/01/2008 09:08:11 PM What a sweet guy! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.198.72 URL: http://tiennie.com DATE: 05/01/2008 11:45:36 PM Thank you for this!!! My whole family and I watched this over and over. We love it! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 05/02/2008 05:17:34 AM One of the shockers from moving from NYC to the 'burbs for me was an incident where a family of swans crossed a 4-lane highway, and all the cars stopped to let them pass. In NYC, they'd be swan stew. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karen EMAIL: karen.malave@gmail.com IP: 64.29.176.65 URL: http://theknittingpatch.blogspot.com DATE: 05/02/2008 08:25:53 AM awwww - that was too sweet ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 05/02/2008 11:21:46 AM Thanks for that. What a great guy. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jerilyn EMAIL: Jerilyn925@gmail.com IP: 131.107.0.74 URL: DATE: 05/02/2008 01:18:20 PM Which farmer's market do you go to? We live near the Yakima Fruit Market which is one of my favorite places, since I don't work downtown right now, and can't support PP Market. No matter what the weather when they re-open March 1, it is evidence that spring, and all its bounty, is indeed approaching! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.53.237 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 05/02/2008 02:43:08 PM What a guy!!! Love it! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 68.212.72.244 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 05/02/2008 03:51:11 PM I heard about it on CNN this morning. Nice to hear some good news. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ena EMAIL: ehunt@mchsi.com IP: 12.206.179.219 URL: DATE: 05/04/2008 02:27:58 PM That was amazing! I hope you find out who that guy is and put a good word in on his personnel folder! E ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 207.224.12.62 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 05/04/2008 04:20:50 PM To protect and serve! Love it! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 70.226.162.105 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 05/06/2008 12:52:59 PM Oh, my favorite book "Make Way for Ducklings" comes to life! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bookish Wendy EMAIL: bookishwendy@gmail.com IP: 72.225.5.147 URL: http://www.thebookishgirl.com DATE: 05/08/2008 06:22:51 PM Okay - I just read that you belong to a pencil-of-the-month club and I think I want to marry you now. ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Natalie EMAIL: gnatchat@gmail.com IP: 72.185.243.114 URL: http://www.barknknit.blogspot.com DATE: 05/17/2008 01:48:03 PM That's awesome!! Thanks for sharing!! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Oops... STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 04/29/2008 09:42:18 AM ----- BODY:
On Saturday I pulled out one of my favorite pairs of hand knit socks to wear, and discovered this:
I don't usually get holes in the toes of my socks, but I think my aging pedicure was to blame this time. After rummaging around in my office, I found the ball of leftover yarn that goes with this sock. Here's a link to the finished socks, if you want to see what they looked like brand new.
Fixing the toe was relatively easy. I just cut off the end of the sock with the hole, got it back on needles, and reknit it. It took less time than getting a new pedicure.
After I finished the toe, I inspected the rest of both socks, and found some perilously thin heels (the photo above), so I got out the darning needle and duplicate stitched over both of them. My duplicate stitching probably wouldn't win any ribbons at the state fair, but it will hopefully give this pair a little longer lifespan.
And this is all the yarn I have left, so the next time this pair gets a hole, it's history.
This past week was a bit busy, which might explain the lack of knitting and posting around here. My weekend was spent at a Catholic women's retreat here. There were approximately thirty women at the retreat, and we stayed from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. It was a wonderful experience, and I would highly recommend it to any of you looking for something similar.
Here's a photo of the view from the main conference room at the center:
I'm amazed that any of us could concentrate on anything but that view. I didn't get much knitting done while I was there, but I did find a couple of other knitters to hang out with Saturday evening. I just might possibly even have some progress photos the next time I post. Though I suppose fixing socks is progress of sorts.
Last but not least, I was interviewed recently for WhoKnits online magazine. Go here to read the interview!
If you haven't seen these videos yet, go now. It's the Yarnery Family Singers, with a spoof of Sound of Music songs to honor Stephanie's visit this past week. Scroll towards the bottom of the post to get to the videos.
I'm now going to try to stop laughing and compose myself enough to go to work.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 04/15/2008 06:42:53 AM They had to come up with something to top our very poor rendition of O Canada with which we serenaded her the last time she was in MN. :D ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: danielle EMAIL: neilleann@aol.com IP: 64.12.117.143 URL: http://grannydani.blogspot.com DATE: 04/15/2008 09:42:23 AM Thank you thank you thank you for sharing that! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Becky EMAIL: rebecca@moonfrog.com IP: 71.131.28.101 URL: http://www.moonfrog.com DATE: 04/18/2008 11:13:40 AM That's hilarious. Thanks for posting it! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathryn EMAIL: knittsings@comcast.net IP: 24.19.101.94 URL: http://www.knittsings.com DATE: 04/18/2008 08:54:59 PM I'm clapping for your link too. I loved the songs and loved that they were performed by singers who could really sing. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.31.172 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 04/25/2008 04:00:46 AM Thank you! This was the first link of that I've seen and I'm so happy I didn't miss it. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Project Update STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 04/14/2008 02:28:26 PM ----- BODY:
I've come up with a new way to handle all my yarn stash. I created an Access database file a long time ago, before I got a Mac, but there is no good Mac equivalent of that software that is cheap and easy to use. I finally found one, and if you're a Mac user, you might want to check out Bento. I was able to import the old Access file info, then I just had to update the thing, and add all the tons of new yarn I've added to the stash in the last year and a half since I got my Mac. I just love this software; it's so easy that you don't need any database experience to figure it out, and at $49, it meets the criteria of cheap. They have a downloadable demo so you can try it out. The only catch is that you must have the Leopard operating system installed on your Mac to use it.
The really nice part of all this organization is that I have one database field for yarn location, so I can figure out where something is without tearing apart the whole yarn closet to find what I'm looking for. I can sort by any field, which means that if I have a pattern for a lace shawl that uses 1200 yards of laceweight, I can figure out what I have in the stash that works. I also did a little reorganization this past week, as the various box contents are a bit random, and are in order of yarn vintage as much as anything else. I now have all the sock yarns in one place, and all the lace yarn in another place. And I've decided to start my own sock of the month club. Every time I get the urge to yarn shop, I'm just turning around and opening a box, and pulling something out that catches my eye. I brought all the sock yarn upstairs to sit right behind me, so I'm not tempted to buy any more.
Hey, it could work.
Here are the various current projects.
I'm not taking a photo of Cobblestone. I've done exactly two rows on it in the last two weeks. I need to line up some good movies and just sit down and work on this one.
Here's my new lace project.
This is going to be a triangular lace shawl, using the Evelyn Clark Knitting Lace Triangles book. So far I think I'm going to use this particular motif for the whole body of the shawl, with a ripple pattern for the border, then an edging. Her book is simple, but brilliant.
The yarn is Alpaca With A Twist Fino, in cream. It's an alpaca/silk blend, and is just heavenly soft, and whisper light.
Next up is the current sock. This is the Madeline Tosh yarn, in Amaranth. I've finished one, and near the heel on the second.
Notice anything odd about those stripes? Here's a better photo to show you:
What the bloody hell? Yes, I've counted and measured. I have the same number of stitches on the needles, the same gauge, and the same size needles. Now I could understand this if this yarn came in smaller skeins, with one separate skein for each sock. But this was one skein, which I split in half to make things easier in trying to calculate how long I could make the cuff. These socks aren't fraternal; I'm not even sure they're related. For what it's worth, I'm liking the second sock better.
Last but not least, I've resurrected the Sock Hop yarn from last fall. Remember the ball of sock yarn that I apparently misplaced somewhere between here and Idaho? I finally unravelled the first sock, figuring that after all this time, if I haven't found the yarn, it's lost forever. Here's its new incarnation:
That's going to be a jaunty little beret. The pattern calls for one skein of Koigu, so I figure this should be enough. So far, I'm loving the way this yarn stripes. It's a good thing I only need one beret, though, as I'm sure that if I had to make two, they wouldn't even come close.
And finally, my gadget of the week photo. I saw these on a couple of other blogs, and had to get one (of course!).
This is a knitting abacus bracelet, by Hide and Sheep. I figured this might be one of those gadgets that looks nice but never gets used. Not so. I really like the simplicity of how this works, and it's much prettier than my office supply store clicker counter. I also got some of the stitch markers, which are lovely as well. They make a wide variety of marker styles, including markers for crocheters. Check it out!
You will note that the ticker was reset again. I'm hopeless, but least I'm honest. More about that later.
We went on a little road trip this weekend to the Oregon coast with the new car and the dogs. We found a nice little resort right on the beach that was dog-friendly, and stayed for a few days. It was cool, rainy, and windy, but just a perfect get-away, and the dogs had a blast running on the beach.
Here is a travelogue, in photos.
In the car, more than ready to go:
Me too:
Our room:
It would have been better if we'd gotten a room with a nicer view:
The beach:
All this leads to two very tired but happy dogs.
Of course there was a yarn shop in town. Isn't there always? I bought two skeins of sock yarn, which of course I don't need. What's your point?
There is a skein of Jitterbug sock yarn, in the color Lapis. The other one is Noro Kureyon sock yarn, which I had no desire to buy until I actually saw it.
My second mistake was that we took our laptop along with us. We had wireless internet access, which is always dangerous when combined with a credit card and lots of free time. My logic went like this: I've already blown the yarn shopping fast, and have to post about it, so why not really do it up right? This makes perfect sense to all of you, right? Don't even begin to try to convince me that you all wouldn't do the same.
So I was browsing online and found the Three Irish Girls website. I couldn't resist some more sock yarn. Look at their colors, and see if you don't fall for this, too. Then I realized that I had a coupon for 10% off at Kris's shop, Sonny and Shear. Let's just say that I won't need to buy sock yarn for a few more lifetimes. These haven't arrived yet, but I'm pretty sure I'll love all of them, too.
Last but not least, thank you all for the lovely comments on my last post! I got to wear the stole on vacation, and it provided some much-needed warmth!
The stole came off the blocking board this morning, and was finally seen out in the wild (in between rain showers!).
Yarn: Lodband Einband, Icelandic laceweight wool, purchased at Schoolhouse Press. The color number is 9808, and I used all but 1 gram of 5 skeins of yarn (225m each).
Pattern: Langsjal J—hšnnu, from Three Cornered and Long Shawls, by Sigridur Halld—rsd—ttir. I also purchased this from Schoolhouse Press.
Needles: Knitpicks Options circular, size 3.75mm
For: Me
Started: May 2006, for the Amazing Lace knitalong. It went into an extended timeout in September of that year, when I got sidetracked by other stuff. I did a row here and there just so the poor thing wouldn't feel abandoned, but started back in earnest on it over this winter.
Finished: April 5, 2008 (Thanks, Chris, for noticing the "2007" typo!)
Modifications: None, except for my possibly creative interpretation of the charts. I also used way more yarn than what the pattern called for, which was 500 yards of laceweight. I used 1230 yards of the Lodband Einband. I did use a larger needle than called for in the pattern, as I liked the look of the pattern stitches better at that gauge, so that accounts for some of the difference. The finished shawl measurements given in the book are 25" by 75". Mine is 26" by 84", so that accounts for some of the rest. I think if you only went with the 500 yards, you'd have a really short stole. I wanted something that I can really wrap up in.
What I Learned: Where to start? This is easily the most difficult thing I've finished. The original book is in Icelandic, and the included translation is somewhat terse, at only 15 pages to the original book's 77 pages. This shawl is one of the more challenging in the book, as it is patterned on both sides, meaning no long purled or knitted row on the return row. If you make a mistake, there's no "easy" row to rip back to where you can get your bearings and get the thing back on the needles. I did a lot of painstaking "tinking" to fix mistakes. I used lifelines, and stitch markers to separate the horizontal repeats.
The chart in the book also doesn't have the horizontal repeats marked, so that required a whole lot of fiddling in the beginning that I probably made much more difficult than it really should have been.
There's a really looooong grafting row at the end; 125 stitches to be exact. It's done on a plain knit row, though, so it works just like grafting a really big sock toe, and if you think of it that way it's much less daunting. I also learned the hard way to make my grafting much looser than I would think necessary. A lot of ripping and swearing ensued, then re-grafting.
While I would not necessarily recommend this to a complete beginner, any knitter with patience and an ability to read a chart can do this one. After I first started this, I wasn't thrilled with the yarn, as it's fairly rustic and plain, but it has grown on me. It goes with the pattern perfectly, and will be a warm, yet stylish stole. It also blocked out beautifully.
While this book is fairly expensive at $45, it has several other lovely patterns that I want to make someday.
Here's a close up of the stitch pattern:
And me, all wrapped up and warm.
The only thing I'm not happy about? It doesn't make me look like this woman from the pattern book:
Langsjal J—hšnnu is actually done, all except for the waiting for it to dry part, and that's not far off. Here are some finishing shots.
Off the needles, finally, and with the lifelines bravely removed.
How much yarn did I have left after the edging?
One gram. I calculated to the tenth of an ounce how much yarn I was using for each repeat, so I could use as much of the yarn as possible, but sort of forgot to figure in the crocheted edging. I just squeaked by.
Here's one of my latest gadgets:
It's a sterling silver tapestry needle, from Celtic Swan. I really am coveting their sterling double point needles, (hint, hint to husband), but I settled for this. It's heavenly, and perfect for finishing a project that's been in the making for nearly two years!
After the stole got a good soak in the sink, I crawled around on the floor with blocking wires and pins. Here's the pin forest:
And the long shot:
I am ecstatic that this one is finished, finally. I'll post project details once it's dry and I can get an action shot.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: chris@stumblingoverchaos.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 04/05/2008 06:10:48 PM Very exciting indeed! Me thinks you need blocking wires... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cathy-Cate EMAIL: crryan@charter.net IP: 66.190.28.19 URL: http://hitherandyarn.wordpress.com DATE: 04/05/2008 06:44:59 PM One gram of yarn, whoof! It looks awesome on the mat, can't wait to see it 'in action'. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chery EMAIL: cheryknits@kc.rr.com IP: 69.76.234.38 URL: http://cheryknits.typepad.com/ DATE: 04/05/2008 06:49:16 PM I love your 'pin forest'! Such a cute name for it. Your stole looks wonderful, can't wait to see it on you. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 207.224.12.62 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 04/05/2008 06:59:37 PM awesome! whew...1gm of yarn! Love the SanteFe...I'm in the market for my next vehicle and was seriously thinking that car.Please enlighten me - what made the sale on that one? (esp. after having a volvo) what are your pros and cons...everything and anything THANKS! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.146.110 URL: http://the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 04/05/2008 07:01:27 PM Wow, one gram ... but it looks like it will be fantastic! Congratulations on finishing it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 68.196.117.170 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 04/05/2008 07:21:17 PM Pretty, pretty! And don't you love when you have just, exactly the right amount of yarn? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.31.172 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 04/05/2008 07:46:49 PM That's going to be a wonderful garment. I can't walk the edge on yarn quite like that. Too much coronary spasm. The needle must feel like a million bucks when you use it. It truly says "I am the knitting queen!" ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Julie EMAIL: julieoneal@hotmail.com IP: 208.100.145.79 URL: http://www.julieloves2knit.blogspot.com DATE: 04/05/2008 08:43:37 PM Treat yourself to Celtic Swan DPN's - I love mine and they are beautiful.....but am looking for a cable stitch holder - I saw one once but lost the link! Your shawl is lovely! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 98.202.61.155 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 04/05/2008 08:56:17 PM Very pretty shawl. I had to see the needle site. Amazingly beautiful! Thing is what I really liked was the gold darning needle :D I think I will stick with the bone one I have for now. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laura EMAIL: macfahy@lomellina.it IP: 151.43.70.28 URL: DATE: 04/05/2008 09:37:59 PM Lorette, the stole is magnificent. I wish I could knit something like that. My puppies have been born on Easter day: 2 Newfie ladies. I will have them in July. I hope the cats will not be too shocked. I read the blog when you spoke of how you trained Riley to wait after the kitty had eaten... I have a question. Could you please let me know where you got the blocking pads you are using? If the name is pads...lol. Here in Italy I can't find anything similar. Can't wait for a pic of you wearing the stole. Have a good weekend. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacey_CrimsonPurl EMAIL: crimsondiva1999@yahoo.com IP: 74.235.41.182 URL: http://crimsonpurl.blogspot.com DATE: 04/06/2008 03:59:32 AM Haha! @ Pin forest! I see you use the play blocks as well! Still trying to decide if I want the alphabet ones or exercise ones! Haha! ;op The shawl looks pretty from under the trees! ;o) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: margene EMAIL: zeneedle@gmail.com IP: 98.202.54.84 URL: http://zeneedle.typepad.com/ DATE: 04/06/2008 05:24:32 AM You did it, you did it!! You'll love wearing Joho, too...she's a beauty! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: monica EMAIL: cmnappe@yahoo.com IP: 76.0.200.160 URL: http://passionknit.net DATE: 04/06/2008 07:15:38 AM Gorgeous! Just gorgeous!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.199.79 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com/ DATE: 04/06/2008 08:41:17 AM Not only should you get major props for such a masterful knitting job --- just typing the name of the thing over and over is impressive! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 70.58.93.27 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 04/06/2008 08:55:06 AM Looks gorgeous! Can't wait to see the "action" shots. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sue H EMAIL: shortoldlady56@yahoo.com IP: 67.83.90.96 URL: http://craftitagain.blogspot.com/ DATE: 04/06/2008 10:05:05 AM Your stole is absolutely stunning! Wear it in good health!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: f@tantarobina.com IP: 24.205.55.40 URL: http://www.tantarobina.com DATE: 04/06/2008 10:52:20 AM It looks fabulous. Sterling silver knitting needles, eh? I'll keep my fingers crossed that your husband takes the hint 'cuz I want to see action shots of those, too. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.30.170 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 04/06/2008 10:55:36 AM So gorgeous! That's an amazing work of art! And I love the silver needle, so tempting. :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Becky EMAIL: rebecca@moonfrog.com IP: 71.131.28.101 URL: http://www.moonfrog.com DATE: 04/06/2008 10:56:53 AM That's gorgeous! It will be well worth all the crawling on the floor! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.203.204.178 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 04/06/2008 11:34:09 AM Yeah it's done! Just beautiful! Must do some cool finished shots. After all that aggrevation you deserve some great "I finished it, and it's all mine" kind of shots. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Denise EMAIL: Denise@knitchat.com IP: 75.179.6.115 URL: http://www.knitchat.com DATE: 04/06/2008 07:43:52 PM Wow 1 gram? tight! hmm watcha gonna do with it? I am looking for tiny amounts of laceweight for a Doll project heheheh hint hint.. Shameless I know! The shawl is beautiful I aspire to do more than simple geometric lace! Le Sigh.. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 72.145.240.151 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 04/06/2008 07:57:51 PM Completely fabulous! Congratulations. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Celia EMAIL: anthrogal@muddyboy.org IP: 71.143.105.2 URL: http://unraveling.typepad.com DATE: 04/07/2008 05:29:15 PM The Celtic Swan DPNs bend. You're better off using Knitpicks nickle plated needles, which are extremely sturdy. I do love the silver needles, though. I think I'll get myself one of those tapestry needles, too! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Was There Really Any Question? STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 04/04/2008 08:00:00 AM ----- BODY:| You Are a Mac |
 You demand the best - even if it costs an arm and a leg. |
I'm back to being finished with the knitting on Langsjal J—hšnnu, as of this morning. Here it is in a couple of pieces:
And the grafting started again.
That's it. Row 37, neatly flanked by my safety lifelines, which are going to stay there until this baby is completely f******d.
That's it. That's all I've got for you in the knitting department. I ended up ripping a big section of Cobblestone, too. I decided that I will drop the line where I start the garter stitch to where my waist would be, if I actually still had one. Since I'd already merrily knit past that before I made that decision, I ripped. There seems to be a lot of that going around here this past few weeks. I'll show a photo of the sweater in progress the next time.
I also missed my blogiversary in March. How lame is that? March 26th, 4 years ago, was my first post. It's been a really fantastic four years, and in honor of the anniversary, I hope to have something f******d soon.
In other really big news, we drove this off the lot and home yesterday.
It's technically John's car, but I'm really excited that it has lots of room in back for yarn purchases. He was driving a 14 year old Volvo that was on its last legs, so he deserves it, don't you think? Also, he was trying to think of the last time he actually bought a new car, as we mostly get "pre-owned" cars and drive them to death before giving them up. 1968. 1968, people, that was the last time my hubby actually purchased a brand new car for himself. Oh yeah, it's a Hyundai Santa Fe. Sweet, eh?
Edited later to add a photo of the new car in action. Apparently it's dog-approved. (The light-colored Corgi in front is Pete, the neighbor's pup.)
No, I'm not talking about that "F" word, though that one did get used a bit yesterday as well. I'm talking about the "Finished" "F" word. You know, where you are approaching the end of a looooong project, and you are merrily grafting along on 125 stitches, thinking cockily to yourself, "I'll be Finished with this one soon!" I just wonder what I'll knit next!"
In my defense, I actually did finish that looooonnnnngg grafting row on Langsjal J—hšnnu yesterday. I was about to pull out the last two lifelines when I decided to look it over first. I gave a simple little tug to even out some stitches, and the yarn snapped, unzipping about three inches of the grafting seam in the center. Really, I wasn't tugging hard, not even as hard as this puppy will get tugged around during the blocking. I think my grafting was much too tight, so it would have needed to be redone anyway.
After the first horrified thought of running to the back yard and lighting the whole mess on fire, I took a careful look at it.
I fiddled with it a bit, trying to get those unzipped stitches corralled on needles, then decided that the whole seam would need to be redone anyway, and just undid the length of it.
That's the big mess, off the needles. I frogged the bigger piece back to the lifeline, and got it back on a needle without too much swearing (giving thanks about every two stitches that I hadn't ripped out the lifelines). The smaller end piece was a different story. I hadn't bothered with a lifeline when I did this one, and I kept unravelling row after row, trying to get to a row where I could actually identify stitches to get on the needle. This whole section was a mess of double yarn-overs and Sl-K2-psso's, and I finally gave up and just ripped the whole thing out.
Ahem. There might have been a few f-words heard along with this one, too. John was smart enough to leave the room and go watch the basketball game during this part. (Go 'Heels!*)
I reknit the last 15 rows or so of the big section. This time I placed a lifeline on the second to the last row, so if I have to do this again, I'll only be a row short. I tried out a new-to-me trick with the lifeline. The Options needles have a tiny hole at the base of the needle, which is used with a tiny tool to tighten the needle on the cable. If you run your lifeline through this little hole, then knit the row, it pulls the line through the stitches as you go.
That hole is really tiny, but I use waxed dental floss (Glide Original!) for my lifelines, and you can smoosh the end of it so it will go right through. Note that if you use stitch markers along the row, this method of threading a lifeline through the stitches won't work, as your line will also end up through the markers.
I didn't invent this method, by the way. I've seen it several other places, but Fleegle has several links for how to do this here. She even drilled holes in some of her other circular needles to make this possible.
Then I cast on a whole bunch of stitches, and started the second end over.
Thirty rows to go, then another lifeline, then I'll try that grafting again. Loosely, this time.
*Yes, I married a Carolina boy. He made me learn the Tarheels Fight song before he would marry me.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: dada@fluffbuff.com IP: 24.205.55.40 URL: http://www.fluffbuff.com DATE: 03/24/2008 10:57:21 AM Ach! I feel your pain. :( I am very proud of you, though, for doing all this right away, or you may have been tempted to just let the shawl sit there for a while and found it hard to get back to it. It seems that the worst part is over. Good luck with the new grafting! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 03/24/2008 11:44:23 AM Oh. Lord. That's not just scary, that's a whole grafting horror show! Kudos to you for forging ahead and getting it under control! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.203.204.178 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 03/24/2008 12:00:14 PM Ooh so sorry. But you did enjoy knitting this right? And knitting is always a good thing. And you did have the life lines, so there's that. We live and learn. It still looks beautiful and the peeps go well with it. :) I learned to always put my last enralac square on a stitch holder. I put my FPS shawl aside to do my Christmas projects last year. When I picked it back up, some of the stitches had slid off the needle. And had slithered down, down, down. I was so devastated that I put it aside, after grabbing what stitches I could, until I could wrap my brain around it. These things happen to all of us. Makes us better knitters cause we have to re-knit now and again. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 03/24/2008 12:29:06 PM My head might've exploded during all of that! Thanks for the lifelines links... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 03/24/2008 12:34:00 PM Wow--regrafting 125 stitches. Just closing a sock toe makes me break out into a sweat. I'll just thank my lucky stars that I only have sleeves to reknit. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 75.92.174.151 URL: http://tiennie.com DATE: 03/24/2008 12:40:49 PM Wow! I'd be spewing a lot of the "F" word too if I had to redo all of that! Hat's off to you!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 151.197.229.123 URL: http://the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 03/24/2008 01:27:16 PM Oh wow, that would have put me over the edge, I'm afraid! But I'm glad that you were able to fix it and carry on - now I can't wait to see the finished piece. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 68.196.117.170 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 03/24/2008 03:06:48 PM At least you HAD lifelines! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 70.121.244.230 URL: http://knittingwannabe.com DATE: 03/24/2008 03:37:58 PM Oh my... that's a bit of a horror story. I think I might break out in hives just thinking about it. So sorry. So so sorry. Don't know what else to say other than I am sooooo sorry. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.83.188 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 03/24/2008 05:30:10 PM Are those peeps? I think all of that would have driven me to eat peeps too, and I hate the darn things. I probably ought to check out the 1/2 price Easter candies to see if I can get some for hubby - he thinks they're nectar of the gods. So, so sorry about your woes. I'm glad you had lifelines. I continue to thumb my nose at the fates and have never used them. Of course, it has come back to bite me on the butt on occasion. One thing that I've found to help in that situation is just to put one row on the needles the best I can and then tink back, one stitch at a time until I get a row I recognize. I know, a lifeline is so much better, but I seem to like doing things the hard way. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Holly EMAIL: proseknitic@yahoo.de IP: 86.138.245.43 URL: http://www.proseknitic.de DATE: 03/25/2008 11:18:36 AM Youch! And score another win for dental floss! (hey - yet another "F" word) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 67.42.98.152 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 03/25/2008 11:39:09 AM Gack. I give you a great big knitters hoorah for getting right back to it - me? I probably would have thrown it in the corner for a few months.. Fingers crossed all around that the next grafting goes smoothly ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 64.241.37.140 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 03/25/2008 01:57:52 PM Oh, I can't believe it. What stress and trauma. But, you will appreciate the finished product even more, right?? Thank god for lifelines. The dental floss and little hole in the needle trick is fabulous. thanks for showing. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.130.192 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com/ DATE: 03/25/2008 03:31:52 PM Wow --- tough fiance'! I can see his point, though --- I'd have to look twice at someone who knows Vandy's fight song!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.57.145 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 03/26/2008 12:38:46 AM UGH!!! I feel your pain. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.31.172 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 03/26/2008 03:38:06 AM That one is a true owie. I would have tossed it into indefinite frustrated time out until I could face it again. I really like the floss in the hole idea. Brilliant. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 68.212.72.244 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 03/26/2008 04:15:19 AM Wow! I truly would have cried. The Options/Floss trick is pretty cool, though. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lucia EMAIL: rhymeswithfuchsia@comcast.net IP: 155.212.59.41 URL: http://rhymeswithfuchsia.blogspot.com DATE: 03/26/2008 02:30:14 PM Well done! If you used removable stitch markers like the safety-pin kind you could always remove and replace them without snagging the lifeline after finishing the row. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: shelly EMAIL: shelly@butternutwoolens.com IP: 71.111.171.213 URL: http://www.butternutwoolens.com DATE: 03/27/2008 10:24:40 AM O.M.G. That's all I can say. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 76.24.236.122 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 03/27/2008 11:13:52 AM Those peeps are scaring me. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 65.47.164.78 URL: http://knitknack.typepad.com DATE: 03/27/2008 03:03:04 PM And I thought I was safe from the peep craving for the year. Well at least it'll be very pretty when its done. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 76.110.186.102 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 03/28/2008 12:58:59 AM Yikes!! Well at least you kept relatively calm and the end is back in sight - plus you had Peeps to fortify you! :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lisa EMAIL: pingec@comcast.net IP: 76.30.202.90 URL: http://www.rubyringz.bolgspot.com DATE: 03/31/2008 12:02:38 PM OMG! First, thankfully you survived without lighting the whole mess on fire. Second, thanks for the dental floss links. It makes perfect sense that it would be the perfect too for a lifeline! I can't wait to see the FO now! As for the peeps....I only have a few pink bunnies remaining.....they are short lived around here.... ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Project Roundup STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 03/22/2008 11:16:47 AM ----- BODY:
Well. I'm back from my little unintended blog vacation. What can I say, Shift Happens (see previous post!). I have been knitting a bit, though the past couple weeks have been overrun by work, and this week, church activities in preparation for Easter. I haven't gotten nearly as much knitting to brag about as I'd like, but here goes.
Here's what I'm working on now:
That's the Cobblestone sweater, almost up to the underarms. I still haven't decided if this is for me or for John. I'd love to wear this one, but that line where the stockinette turns to garter at the yoke falls right across the boobage line. In a skinny flat-chested girl, maybe that would be flattering. Me, not so much. We'll see when it's done. This is good mindless round and round knitting, sort of like a big sock.
Next:
Yes, this is still the first of the pair. I really need to finish these before I get sick to death of them. I love how the stripes changed at the heel and gusset. This is Madeline Tosh yarn in Amaranth.
Last but absolutely not least, I'm close to actually finishing Langsjal J—hšnnu. I have spent the last few weeks weighing the remaining ball of yarn after every repeat so I could use as much of it as possible. I've ended up with 46 repeats, and am ready for it to be done. For those of you who haven't done this one, you knit the first border, then the body, then on another set of needles knit the second border, then graft the two together. Yes, that would be Kitchener stitching 125 stitches. Here's where I am:
There's also an edging of single stitch crochet chain to go on each end, but I'm not sure I want to bother with that. I might start it and see what it looks like. It might help the thing block flatter and not ruffle at the ends.
And the grafting started:
The color in that photo is closer to the real thing than the first photo up there. In some light this looks just navy blue, but in natural daylight, it has a deep royal purple color.
And I'll leave you with a photo of what's blooming in my front entrance:
I think it's confused about which holiday is this weekend. Happy Easter everybody!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: chris@stumblingoverchaos.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 03/22/2008 01:24:50 PM Wow - how many stitches do you have left to graft?! Gorgeous shawl. And those socks are fun - I always love how colorways change at the heels, too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 70.121.244.230 URL: http://knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 03/22/2008 01:50:49 PM I really like that cobblestone pattern but I, too, am concerned about where that boobage line would hit me. I don't think A-cup girls worry about such things. Or skinny girls either. Well.. .that thought has me depressed enough to eat a whole chocolate bunny! Hope you have a wonderful Easter. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 70.121.244.230 URL: http://knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 03/22/2008 02:20:16 PM Hey... I just dug around Ravelry looking at the Cobblestone entries. I think I've noticed a trend. Flat chested girls look great in the pattern as written. Girls with Ta Ta's look silly in the pattern as written. But the sweater looks pretty cute on girls who have ta ta's and a little meat on their bones when they start the yoke color/garter stich top part prior to reaching the ta ta's. So then that isn't a boobage line it is a "here's the skinniest part of me" line. I like that better. :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: dada@fluffbuff.com IP: 24.205.55.40 URL: http://www.fluffbuff.com DATE: 03/22/2008 02:42:08 PM What a pretty shawl. Looks like you are very close to the finish line. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.203.204.178 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 03/22/2008 04:20:31 PM Wow the Langsjal J—hšnnu looks wonderful. Can't wait to see it done. Have fun grafting. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Manise EMAIL: pointysticks@verizon.net IP: 71.248.190.76 URL: DATE: 03/22/2008 08:26:30 PM I think Kris is onto something regarding the Ta Ta's and the boobage line...... Is that Skye Tweed you're using? I have some in Raspberry awaiting a sweater choice. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 75.163.191.179 URL: http://socksformum.wordpress.com DATE: 03/22/2008 08:42:42 PM Happy Easter, Lorette! I really like the color of your Cobblestone! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.83.188 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 03/22/2008 10:00:19 PM Welcome back. I've been sitting here thinking I should post, but I just don't have anything interesting to post about! Great projects all. I really do think you should adjust the garter stitch line on Cobblestone if necessary so you can wear it. And the shawl is going to be stunning. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 76.110.186.102 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 03/22/2008 10:22:05 PM maybe not as much as you'd like but plenty of beautiful knitting here! Happy Easter to you, John and the furry ones Lorette! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 68.212.72.244 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 03/23/2008 08:41:09 AM Cobblestone looks great. Pat's Christmas catus is blooming too. So much confusion. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacey_CrimsonPurl EMAIL: crimsondiva1999@yahoo.com IP: 74.235.1.109 URL: http://crimsonpurl.blogspot.com DATE: 03/23/2008 03:07:25 PM Mmmhhmmmm I see someone has been knitting away!! ;op Happy Easter to you too! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 67.42.98.152 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 03/23/2008 06:24:18 PM whoa.. 125 stitches in kitchener? You deserve an award for completing this one... That is one of those stitches that I can never stop once I have begun. I can't wait to see it all blocked out. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: shelly EMAIL: shelly@butternutwoolens.com IP: 71.111.171.213 URL: http://www.butternutwoolens.com DATE: 03/23/2008 08:11:54 PM Beautiful unpronounceable lace, just gorgeous. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 03/24/2008 05:51:07 AM When I saw Cobblestone, I just loved it. But DH won't wear sweaters that pull over his head--they've got to button up the front. And so I thought about it fleetingly for me, and rejected it because I thought I had too much in the front and it would ruin the lines of the sweater. I took a class in the Russian Join with Galina Khmelava at Stitches East, and it would work well for the huge number of live stitches you have to graft. It is explained in her book "Gossamer Webs". It seems a bit fiddily at first, but it becomes rhythmic and makes a beautiful, invisible join that is stretchy and less of a pain than Kitchener. (There's another use of "Russian join". I've seen it used to describe attaching one piece of yarn to another when joining a new skein. Galina's method is a type of grafting.) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 03/24/2008 08:23:13 AM Your lace looks beautiful! I hope the grafting's going well--that looks like the scary part. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: knitswithasilentk@yahoo.com IP: 209.150.91.18 URL: http://knitswithasilentk.blogspot.com DATE: 03/24/2008 12:10:38 PM That photo looks like you are threatening your yarn to behave, or you'll use the scissors! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 75.92.174.151 URL: http://tiennie.com DATE: 03/24/2008 12:38:29 PM Your projects are so nice! My mom's christmas cactuses (cactii?) bloom all year round too. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Shift Happens STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 03/10/2008 05:10:30 PM ----- BODY:Very interesting:
Kind of makes my head spin...
Oh, and I didn't really forget to do a new yarn ticker:
I Did It Again...
The Yarn Truck came this weekend! I don't know what happened, they just deliver this stuff when I'm working. Ok, ok, I'll reset the shopping counter, if you all insist. Part of the problem with ordering online from vendors who are also bloggers who know me is that they can bust me big time when I break the yarn fast and don't "fess up".
The top yarn is Dream In Color Baby, in the color Flamingo Pie. I bought this from Kris, and honestly, I'm pretty sure she must have a warehouse across the street from my house. I ordered it, and it was here 2 days later. Go there, she might still have some left. This will be a shawl someday, when I quit squishing it and start knitting.
The second yarn is from Shelly at Butternut Woolens. It's her once-a-year special, the Rabbit's Foot angora blend, color Foxglove. This will make some great socks. I just love this yarn. It's soft and fuzzy, and that photo does not do justice to the colors. She included a little sample skein of one of her other sock yarns, which are equally lovely.
We're off tomorrow on another adventure. One of my sisters lives in North Dakota, the other in Phoenix. Guess which one we're all descending on for a week in March? I'll be in the sunny state of Arizona for a week. We have lots of activities planned for the week, including a few* adult beverages! I'll try to post from the road. I'm off to pack the knitting projects!
* OK, maybe more than a few...
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.242 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 03/04/2008 03:58:40 AM Beautiful colors! I always (sort of) do appreciate your links. Have a wonderful vacation! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts.com@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.191.95 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com DATE: 03/04/2008 04:56:11 AM Counter, shmounter. A knitter's gotta do what a knitter's gotta do. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.57.9 URL: http://www.the-ravelld.sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 03/04/2008 05:49:20 AM So what if you have to reset your counter? That way you can be sure that it's always working ... :-) Have a fun trip! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.251.234 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 03/04/2008 06:33:27 AM Naughty, naughty! But then, who wouldn't be tempted. I'm considering buying some Dream In Color from Kris for a shawl for my sister for Christmas. Have a great time in Phoenix. Where do the puppies stay when you're gone? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 03/04/2008 07:47:31 AM Oooh those yarns are beautiful. Only the tax man is keeping me from falling off the wagon. After the cruelty of April, I'll visit those vendors. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.30.170 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 03/04/2008 07:53:05 AM If you need to fall off the wagon, these are definitely worth it! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 03/04/2008 10:33:38 AM Whoops! Pretty, though. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lucia EMAIL: rhymeswithfuchsia@comcast.net IP: 155.212.59.41 URL: http://rhymeswithfuchsia.blogspot.com DATE: 03/04/2008 12:04:56 PM I haven't been over here in a while, and now I know why. Get thee behind me, Satan, and stop waving that yarn in my face. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 71.35.110.228 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 03/04/2008 10:06:07 PM oh my - they are scrumptious. and easy to understand how you could fall off the no yarn purchases wagon - (grin) Have a wonderful, restful time in Arizona, and pack some sunshine in your suitcase for when you return home. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.63.206 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 03/04/2008 10:59:35 PM Nice yarn. I don't think I would have been able to resist either. Have fun on your trip! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.236.35.110 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 03/05/2008 06:30:51 PM It's ok. We always need yarn. Water. Food. Shelter. Yarn. It's a basic necessity of life. Well I guess I forgot to add... Patterns. Needles. Notions. Which are all in direct collaberation with the yarn. So we can't live without those either. See, you are covered. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Holly EMAIL: proseknitic@yahoo.de IP: 91.7.119.166 URL: http://www.proseknitic.de DATE: 03/06/2008 11:03:36 AM have a great time in AZ. And go look for yarn stores - great time and location to buy those needed summer yarns! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.198.72 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 03/06/2008 06:12:02 PM Pretty yarn. Have a great time with everyone in Arizona! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Megan EMAIL: superknits@gmail.com IP: 24.113.73.125 URL: http://www.superknitter.blogspot.com DATE: 03/07/2008 12:13:20 PM Thank you for the link to Butternut Woolens...I have been craving angora, and a blend that works for socks could just hit the spot! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 65.47.164.78 URL: http://knitknack.typepad.com DATE: 03/13/2008 02:58:47 PM I'm closing my eyes and screaming, "QUIT SHOWING ME BEAUTIFUL YARN!". I'm trying so hard to be good, oh well, I'll live vicariously through your purchases. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 207.224.12.62 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 03/16/2008 12:27:48 PM ...how many resets are allowed in a year? I'm trying to stop myself from buying craft magazines! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 65.102.186.4 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 03/22/2008 08:42:14 AM Perfect Easter colours. I'd rather have a basketful of yarn than eggs anytime. Happy Easter, Li ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Another Option... STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 02/22/2008 04:37:58 PM ----- BODY:I guess I'm still not done remodeling. I think I like this one better. Clean, light, de-cluttered.
What do you think?
Oh, and if things look funky, empty your internet cache. That seems to help with Typepad blogs.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.30.170 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 02/22/2008 05:38:04 PM I like this one, too. :0) Hard to decide, eh? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 02/22/2008 05:45:52 PM How to decide, how to decide - I like this one and the previous one! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 216.229.165.162 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 02/22/2008 05:54:38 PM Yes! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 76.24.236.122 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 02/22/2008 06:23:57 PM Despite the fact that its very blue, I do like it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Norma EMAIL: norma.knits@gmail.com IP: 72.92.142.81 URL: http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com DATE: 02/22/2008 06:50:20 PM I like it.... the water-stained look. Very nice. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chery EMAIL: cheryknits@kc.rr.com IP: 69.76.234.38 URL: http://cheryknits.typepad.com/ DATE: 02/22/2008 07:23:03 PM Good new look.. .. love your blog. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 68.196.117.170 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 02/22/2008 07:26:43 PM I like it!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laura EMAIL: macfahy@lomellina.it IP: 151.43.79.131 URL: DATE: 02/22/2008 09:29:26 PM TO tell you the absolute truth the one I liked best was your old one. I like this new one and also liked the other new one. I just think people need time to get used to a different background and layout. It is what you post that counts most of all. I am thinking of moving to school since I appear to be there more hours than the ones I can spend home. I do not even have time for much knitting since I have heaps of tests to mark in the evening. I loved your yarn porn, especially the green skein. It was gorgeous. I am bringing home a Newfie puppy in the summer and my cats are 5 years old and have never meet a dog in all their life. Do you think they will get along in the end? The puppy will be 3 months old. Have a wonderful weekend. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Awesome Mom EMAIL: fleta_b_rabbit@hotmail.com IP: 71.135.37.136 URL: http://awesomemom.blogspot.com/ DATE: 02/23/2008 12:56:54 AM Ooo nice! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 76.110.186.102 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 02/23/2008 01:11:53 AM I ♥ this one! Thanks for the pR0n in the last post, that is some juicy yarn! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.135.137 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com DATE: 02/23/2008 07:32:38 AM Just glancing, I thought it said empty my "inner cache." Sounds like a good idea, actually. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lee Ann EMAIL: leona@uncleleona.net IP: 75.33.69.198 URL: http://www.uncleleona.net/blog DATE: 02/23/2008 08:47:06 AM I like the uncluttered look...very 21st century. But the best part is your tiara photo! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.141.181 URL: http://the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 02/23/2008 10:51:29 AM I do like this one a little better - especially the top part. BTW, that is mighty purty yarn - you did well! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 70.226.173.171 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 02/23/2008 05:07:45 PM Nice blog background. But, then again, anything is good when there are photos of delicious yarn! And cute dog and cat photos. Seriously, I like the wispy white "clouds?" on the light blue background. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.236.35.110 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 02/24/2008 07:28:02 AM Looks good. And if it's what you like, then that's what's important. That silk socks that rock, oh my. Can't see the shinyness on the website. I guess you'd have to see it in person to know. I wanted to find a yarn like that when I was making my peacock feathers. That way it would have looked like a real one. So have you decided what to do with all your new yarn yet ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 02/24/2008 06:22:45 PM I like it better. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 02/24/2008 06:25:56 PM One more thing, I wanted to order a yarn scale to pick up while I`m in FL the week after next. What is the one you have and where did you order it. Li ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 02/25/2008 05:00:56 AM The blog looks great. I also like the way you've linked to your FOs. I have to do a serious blog makeover, and just looking at yours has given me inspiration and ideas. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: cindy EMAIL: cindyl@valornet.com IP: 75.88.248.20 URL: DATE: 02/26/2008 05:17:35 PM I love your Corgi pictures. That puppy is precious. I'm also envious of your new bag. I have a bag fetish. It is NOT funny how much I search for the perfect bag, and acquire those ALMOST making the grade, so that the search really never will end, I'm afraid. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Angie EMAIL: honey@cox.net IP: 68.3.110.25 URL: DATE: 02/28/2008 04:26:41 PM I like the new page, but the crown picture is the best!! Can't wait to see you guys next week - it's tournament time! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Donna EMAIL: juptrstar@aol.com IP: 68.125.98.151 URL: DATE: 03/01/2008 06:51:47 PM Hey Auntie! Your new site is nice! I have to admit, I like your old one best! (I missed the ones in between.) I am so jealous of your dominoes tournament next week. Wish I could be there. You guys have extra fun for us! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Yarn Porn STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 02/22/2008 07:00:00 AM ----- BODY:I got a couple of requests from my Oodles of Yarn post, for more yarn porn.
For Chris:
Oooh, shiny! It's nearly impossible to photograph that accurately. It's much more, well, black, with hints of color as you turn it in your hand. It is just lovely. This is the color Grawk. I could not possibly resist a hank of yarn with the name Grawk. It's Socks That Rock Raven series Silk Thread, enough to make something lacy (perhaps this?).
And for Debi:
That's Shoefly sock yarn, from Angora Valley Fibers. Yes, it really is that bright. The color is labeled "One of a Kind", and I don't see this yarn on their web page. They do have some fairly wild colors, though, Debi, including a lime mix in their Lacewing fingering sock yarn.
Last night was the first night of Wintergrass. Thursday is often sort of a ho-hum night. It's not terribly crowded, and usually the bands are less well-known, and sometimes, um, a little dull. This time was different. The place was packed, every group was great, and the last half of the evening was devoted to Black & Bluegrass, with some outstanding music from a few African-American old time string bands. Old time string bands are my favorite, so I was sad it was over. My favorites tonight were Laura Love & Harpers Ferry, and the Ebony Hillbillies. The rest of the weekend has a great line-up too, so I'm looking forward to what's next!
Here are just a few random photos and comments of the day:
Notice how Riley and Lewey's facial markings are similar!
My newest knitting bag. Go here to get your very own. This one is the Carpetbagger Briefcase/Purse, measuring 12" by 17" by 5", and it's plenty big, but not too big. They have a larger one which is much more expensive, and would be a little too large to actually carry around.
I spliced in the final ball of the Icelandic lace shawl. Now that the end is in sight, it's starting to get fun again. I hardly want to put it down.
I love this stuff for lace knitting. Put a little on your hands, rub it around, and that pesky sticky yarn just glides through. Real unscented talc, not that fake stuff; you can get it here.
Wintergrass starts tonight. We have festival passes for the whole weekend, so I'm just ecstatic. John, not so much, though he humors me. We've finally come to a solution. I show up Thursday night at the beginning, and don't miss a note until Sunday evening. He comes and goes as he pleases, and we're both happy.
While you're here, check out "What I Am Listening To Now" on the sidebar. There are some of my current favorite bluegrass artists over there.
Now, to go get the knitting ready. I think the Cobblestone sweater will be perfect: miles and miles of stockinette in the round. That Icelandic stole won't be in the bluegrass knitting queue, though. I'm not a complete idiot.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sue EMAIL: suekent@comcast.net IP: 63.85.155.66 URL: DATE: 02/21/2008 03:56:59 PM Lorette, I bought one of the Carpetbaggers carpetbags about 15+ years ago and it still looks like new. I call it my "Mary Poppins bag" and use it as a carry-on when I travel. I love it, and they wear great. I also more recently (~2 years ago) bought one of his purse-sized ones (he calls them purses!) to use as a small knitting bag. You just can't beat them. Yours looks great. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.30.170 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 02/21/2008 04:03:49 PM I love your new knitting bag - it looks perfect! I'd never heard of using talc before, I'll have to remember that. :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 65.47.164.78 URL: http://knitknack.typepad.com DATE: 02/21/2008 04:11:26 PM Dang, the talc powder is such a great idea. Why didn't I ever think of that? Sometimes my hands get sweaty and I have to stop knitting which annoys me to no end, especially because there never seems to be much of a reason. That is so cute the pups faces matching so well, they were meant to be brothers. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nora EMAIL: nmp464@hotmail.com IP: 69.210.43.97 URL: http://knotmuchofaknitter.wordpress.com DATE: 02/21/2008 04:46:40 PM Hello Lorette - I've stopped here a couple of times and enjoy your blog - thought I'd come out of lurk to say hello. I'm a Corgie fan, and love the lace! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: kathleen EMAIL: katyknits@gmail.com IP: 24.46.226.162 URL: http://katyknits.typepad.com DATE: 02/21/2008 05:03:18 PM love that bag!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.141.181 URL: http://the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 02/21/2008 05:10:08 PM The pictures of Lewey and Riley are so cute, I hope they are friends by now. Love that bag - if I weren't such a cheapskate, I'd get myself one ... Enjoy the music festival, that sounds like a lot of fun! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 76.24.236.122 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 02/21/2008 06:22:07 PM Have a great time, she says from the couch. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 02/21/2008 07:48:05 PM Neat bag! Have fun these next few days!! :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 98.202.61.155 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 02/21/2008 08:16:44 PM I keep wondering if someone will ever make the ideal knitting bag. I need one with enough space for the laptop and odds and ends plus the knitting. But I am only 5 ft tall so that is a problem for large bags. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacey_CrimsonPurl EMAIL: crimsondiva1999@yahoo.com IP: 74.235.41.169 URL: http://crimsonpurl.blogspot.com DATE: 02/24/2008 09:10:28 AM LUV your new knitting bag!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 68.212.72.244 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 02/24/2008 03:41:03 PM That bag is awesome! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 12.165.118.109 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 02/26/2008 06:24:07 PM Nice splice. Now gotta go check out that bag! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Oodles Of Yarn! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 02/19/2008 06:18:50 PM ----- BODY:
The astute reader will note that the yarn buying ticker was reset. This past weekend was the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat, and I had no illusions from the beginning of this little yarn fast of making it through that one without buying yarn. I mostly bought sock yarn*, with a couple of skeins of laceweight thrown in for good measure.
If you think I'm going to post individual photos of all that, you're delusional. Let's just say that when I fall off the wagon, I fall hard.
I had guests here for the Madrona weekend. Kris had also signed up for classes, and Dorothy just came along to shop and play. They all stayed here all weekend, and we had a blast while John waited on us hand and foot (thanks, Sweetie...that was the best Valentine's gift!). Dorothy brought Maggie, her Corgi pup along for a play date with Lewey. Lewey is seriously in love. Here are a couple of photos from the weekend.
I took an all day class from Evelyn Clark on Designing Lace Triangles, which was terrific. She is a great teacher, and I learned a lot about shawl structure, as well as some techniques that will carry over into non-lace knitting. The following day was a morning class from Kathy Connelly on learning to knit continental style. I learned to knit as a confirmed "thrower", and wasn't all that convinced that I could learn this particular new trick. During the class, I knitted several rows of garter stitch, then some stockinette. Ok, this isn't so bad, I thought, but nothing to write home about. Then I tried a K2 P2 rib pattern. Oh yeah, baby, now I see the point. I'm now a converted "picker". Once I finish the projects I currently have on the needles, I'm never going back. All in all it was a great festival...good classes, and a great market. Combine that with wonderful friends, and what's not to like?
This coming weekend is the annual Wintergrass extravaganza, so I'm getting my bluegrass knitting lined up. Next time I'll post some project photos!
*Because we all know that sock yarn doesn't count!
We had a little excitement around here yesterday. Lewey the Corgi is affectionately known around here as the Garbage Scow. He just eats stuff. It helps that he's low to the ground, so at the park and on walks, he just runs with his head down and his mouth open, scooping up whatever is in his path. Mostly it doesn't seem to bother him. Tuesday night he started vomiting rather prodigious quantities of everything he'd eaten, all over the house. It seemed to stop, and yesterday morning he seemed better. Then he ate again, started the cycle all over, and late yesterday we made a vet appointment for him for this morning.
As the evening wore on, he became more and more "not-Lewey". He was listless and looked fairly pitiful, along with throwing up over and over. By about 11PM when we were getting ready for bed, he couldn't walk without staggering a bit, and we had to pick him up to carry him upstairs to his bed. We decided to throw in the towel and took him to the all-night emergency vet. Several hours later, after xrays, meds, and poking and prodding, the diagnosis? "We think he must have eaten something." No kidding. The good news was that it didn't sound like a bowel obstruction, and he looked like a new man after some fluids and some nausea meds.
This morning? He's dashing around, ate a little bowl of blended chicken baby food, no throwing up. He's back at our regular vet now to get their blessing, but I'm pretty sure he's back to normal. But Buddy, that was my Madrona yarn money. Don't do that again.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lora EMAIL: glennandlora@charter.net IP: 66.215.178.83 URL: DATE: 02/14/2008 11:41:04 AM I'm glad he's feeling better. Our Dobie at a black walnut while out walking several years ago. $3000 later, the walnut was out. I saved that walnut for YEARS...it had to be the most expensive nut ever! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sue H EMAIL: shortoldlady56@yahoo.com IP: 71.250.225.80 URL: http://craftitagain.blogspot.com/ DATE: 02/14/2008 12:19:18 PM So glad to hear Lewey is feeling better. They certainly can make life interesting (as I have my little angel at work with me now...)! I'm sure he's sorry LOL! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 66.236.121.154 URL: http://knitknack.typepad.com DATE: 02/14/2008 12:21:08 PM Oh Lewey! You just wanted some extra attention didn't ya. Those ears of yours are soooo cute, well worth all that yarn, don't listen to your mama, but don't eat all sorts of stuff either, its really not good for you. Stick to the yummy things, like spaghetti. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.30.110 URL: http://www.the-ravelld.sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 02/14/2008 12:21:36 PM Poor Lewey, but I'm glad he's better. Oh well, at least Madrona will come around again next year ... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.30.170 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 02/14/2008 12:22:12 PM Oh, sick! Glad he's better, but I hear ya about the $350! :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@sbcglobal.net IP: 69.231.128.142 URL: http://k2togwonderfullymade.wordpress.com DATE: 02/14/2008 12:22:56 PM Glad Lewey is okay. LOL, though, when the post first came up I saw just the x-ray, and I thought "oh dear, what's happened to Lorette?" and I looked and looked at it, trying to figure out just what part of your body I was looking at! Then, I finally got around to reading and I figured out it was a dog body. For awhile there I was afraid you had some serious problems there! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laura EMAIL: sugarbunnyblvd@aol.com IP: 72.205.238.121 URL: http://www.sugarbunnyblvd.com DATE: 02/14/2008 12:29:56 PM I was looking at the Xray thinking "puzzle piece? car keys?" and expecting that any second you were going to tell us what it was, like he's Curious George and is just EMPTY insde except for this foreign object. hehe Good thing he's feeling better - it could have been a MUCH bigger portion of the yarn budget! :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 02/14/2008 01:14:00 PM I'm glad he's ok!! Sooner or later I'll be making that same trip with Mayhem... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Denise EMAIL: Denise@knitchat.com IP: 75.179.6.115 URL: http://www.knitchat.com DATE: 02/14/2008 01:23:15 PM Awh man here I thought he ATE 350$ worth of yarn! hehe yep the little ones tend to 'eat' up our yarn money don't they. Some of mine went to ice skates for my girl! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 68.196.117.170 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 02/14/2008 01:26:55 PM Oh, Lewey! There are better ways to get attention, buddy!! We're glad you're all right, and we understand you're a corgi and can't always help yourself, but try not to do that again!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sharon EMAIL: cocaknit@hotmail.com IP: 72.68.185.251 URL: http://gimmesanity.com DATE: 02/14/2008 02:56:10 PM Bad Lewey! Eating momma's yarn money up like that. You're lucky she loves you. My cat was diagnosed with stones in his bladder last summer. He was miserable, poor little guy. He cost me $1,200 in yarn/Coach bags/new shoes money. So, yeah, I feel your pain. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Amy EMAIL: amycrea@comcast.net IP: 75.73.178.15 URL: http://www.knitthink.typepad.com DATE: 02/14/2008 03:24:31 PM Those dang animals. We've had two dogs who each had to have intestinal surgery at the University Veterinary Hospital to extract things they shouldn't have eaten. Forget yarn, we could have gone a tour of Europe with those $$$. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 70.58.93.227 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 02/14/2008 06:11:54 PM poor Lewey - don'cha just hate it when the kids get sick.. silly puppy dog eating all that nasty stuff. I hope to bump into you over the weekend sometime. It should be a great time! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 75.121.27.54 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 02/14/2008 07:34:39 PM There were times when the husb and I would wish we could deduct the vet bills on our taxes. I mean - the critters are dependents, afterall - it's just a shame that the government doesn't think so... And the vet was starting to get dollar signs in his eyes when we would walk through the door. Glad the Lewey is better. Sorry about your yarn budget. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 72.145.239.191 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 02/14/2008 08:12:14 PM Oh, the emergency vet. Such a blessing, and such a drain on the wallet. Good to see Lewey is getting better. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Saralyn EMAIL: carpeacum@comcast.net IP: 67.170.25.163 URL: http://www.carpeacum.typepad.com/carpeacum DATE: 02/14/2008 08:16:56 PM Well, at least you got a good picture for the blog! I went to the Madrona Market today and was quite restrained. Sorry you have to be restrained, too. And I'm sorry I won't get to knit with you this year; I can't go back this weekend. I'm glad Lewey's doing better. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 98.202.61.155 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 02/14/2008 08:45:44 PM It was good yarn money for sure! Is he ok now? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 02/14/2008 09:25:51 PM Phew, I though you were going to say he actually ate $350 worth of yarn. Have you checked out the Corgi (I believe the other kind) on the two Sicilian Chicks blog. What a fluffy boy! http://npphoto.typepad.com/twosicilianchicks/2008/02/ollie-placed-2n.html#comments ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 02/14/2008 09:27:34 PM Looks like the link didn't totally make it, I'll try again. If not click on Nina's blog on my right sidebar under the Herringbone Ribsters. have you checked out the Corgi (I believe the other kind) on the two Sicilian Chicks blog. What a fluffy boy! http://npphoto.typepad.com/twosicilianchicks/2008/02/ollie-placed-2n.html#comments ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 02/15/2008 04:41:10 AM Glad he is better. I had a cat that ate sewing thread (while l was away on a business trip and my mom took care of her) and did largely the same things as Lewey. After that, the cat seemed to stay away from my sewing things. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: kathleen EMAIL: katyknits@gmail.com IP: 24.46.226.162 URL: http://katyknits.typepad.com DATE: 02/15/2008 01:56:34 PM the vet once told us scooby needed a $750 tail operation. thank goodness we waited and it healed on his own. glad he is feeling better. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 76.110.186.102 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 02/15/2008 06:15:37 PM Poor Lewey! I'm glad he's ok! You know Lorette, it's VERY hard to read your comments...the grey against the teal background is very hard to read! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 76.204.101.201 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 02/15/2008 08:23:19 PM Cute dog. Dumb dog. He's like my daughter's cat who can't stop himself from eating string, laces, etc. he had the same symptoms as Lewey--turns out it WAS a bowel obstruction, for which surgery was required. My daughter works as a clerk in a store and as a waitress part time. Took her grocery money, her rent money, her dental money, etc., etc. These naughty animals are very cute, but very expensive!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debbie EMAIL: fufina514@comcast.net IP: 24.98.76.223 URL: http://www.gottaknit.typepad.com DATE: 02/16/2008 06:52:29 AM Poor baby. I would have thought he had an obstruction. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 02/16/2008 10:31:13 AM It would be one thing if dogs would get jobs and pay their own vet bills, right? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jan EMAIL: jmanfred@zoominternet.net IP: 72.23.138.135 URL: http://redsockmama.blogspot.com DATE: 02/16/2008 09:51:56 PM Oh...that song is all too familiar here. Our 7 month old, 123 pound mastiff puppy did (according to our vet) "something" to his hip. Sadly, the darn dog's hip healed much faster than my mad money stash will heal from the $774.50 vet bill. Glad Lewey's okay...he's such a cutie! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.198.72 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 02/17/2008 12:28:14 AM Oh wow! Glad all is well! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: monica EMAIL: cmnappe@yahoo.com IP: 76.0.200.160 URL: http://passionknit.net DATE: 02/18/2008 06:44:08 AM I'm glad Lewey is okay too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 199.41.197.24 URL: http://www.numbknits.blogspot.com DATE: 02/18/2008 10:27:20 AM Bad Lewey! Mustn't eat mommy's yarn money! Looks like a face hugger got a hold of him! ;-) ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: You All Make My Day! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 02/13/2008 10:33:11 AM ----- BODY:
I've been given an award!
Both Shelly and Laritza made my day by giving me this award! I get to award ten other fine bloggers who make my day. Some of these may have already gotten this badge of honor, but I figure it can't hurt to be mentioned more than once!
It's difficult to pick just ten. I have a couple hundred knitting blogs in NetNewsWire, though I don't have anywhere near enough time to keep up with all of them. Here in random order, are some of my "regulars".
Claudia, of Claudia's Blog
Kris, of Knitting Wannabe
Dorothy, of Missouri Star
Stephanie, the Yarn Harlot
Tiennie of Tiennie Knits
Chris, of Stumbling Over Chaos
Marjorie, the Prime Time Knitter
Alice, of Miss Alice Faye
Francesca, or Fluffbuff
Jane, of Quiddity
I could go on an on. The list is long, and these ten bloggers are just a very small sample of the wonderful talent and humor out there. These lovely women, along with Shelly and Laritza, really make my day! All of you, go nominate ten other bloggers who make your day.
And Kris and Dorothy are going to make my week. They are both coming to stay with me this weekend, for a fun and knitting-filled vacation! The Madrona Fiber Arts Festival is this weekend, and both Kris and I are signed up for classes on Friday and Saturday. On a whim, I asked Dorothy to join us, so she's packing up her yarn and needles, and Maggie the Corgi, and heading south for a few days. Now I just need to go take a shower so I don't have to pick Kris up at the airport in my jammies.
And yes, I am planning to fall off the "knitting only from the stash" wagon for the weekend. There will be some lovely goodies there, including Shelly's Butternut Woolen sock yarn, and my credit card has cooled off enough that I really NEED to buy more yarn.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 76.24.236.122 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 02/13/2008 10:55:15 AM Thanks Lorette! That was very sweet of you. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 02/13/2008 12:30:49 PM Aw, thank you!! Have fun this weekend! Say "hi" to Michaele, the Knitty Professor if you see her. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 02/13/2008 01:25:15 PM Thanks so much for the mention. I've really come to enjoy blogging, and to read about the life and knitting of so many others. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 209.166.67.122 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 02/13/2008 01:44:46 PM Just for the record - anyone who invites me for the weekend with a PUPPY in tow makes my day! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: dada@fluffbuff.com IP: 24.205.55.40 URL: http://www.fluffbuff.com DATE: 02/13/2008 02:50:14 PM Thank you, Lorette! Say hi to the menagerie and have a great time at Madrona Fiber Fest this weekend. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jerilyn EMAIL: jerilyn925@gmail.com IP: 131.107.0.101 URL: DATE: 02/13/2008 05:25:33 PM I have a friend coming this weekend for Madrona too! She's coming all the way from Edmonton. My Non-Knitting friends just don't understand -- a knitting vacation?! Classes on Friday and Saturday. Yippee!!! Maybe we'll see you there! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 64.12.117.143 URL: http://www.numbknits.blogspot.com DATE: 02/13/2008 06:57:24 PM A well deserved award indeed! Look at it this way, if you buy more yarn, add it to your stash and knit something with it, you're staying on your plan! No problem! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.198.72 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 02/13/2008 09:08:59 PM Aw thanks so much Lorette! Right back atcha. You totally deserve the award too - I love "vacationing" with you! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: alice EMAIL: missalicefaye@hotmail.com IP: 130.132.111.117 URL: http://www.missalicefaye.com DATE: 02/14/2008 07:41:31 AM aw, thank you! I feel honored to be in such great company, too. :) ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Face Lift! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 02/07/2008 12:37:47 PM ----- BODY:
I decided to give the blog a new look! A little remodeling and renovation never hurts, I say. What do you all think?
John says "thanks" for the compliments on his new sweater. I still haven't managed to get it away from him for a good blocking. I guess it will do just as it is.
I have started a new project:
It's the Cobblestone sweater from the Fall Interweave Knits. The yarn is Classic Elite Skye Tweed, Tapestry. It's a little weird to knit with, sort of rough and "stringy" feeling, but once it's washed and blocked it gets very lovely. This one will be for me!
I've also gotten far enough into the do-over of the Madeline Tosh Amaranth sock to show another picture. This one should actually fit. I'm surprised at how different the stripes look just by adding a few stitches around. The first photo is the too-small sock, on fewer stitches, just for comparison.
There you go! I'm off to forage for lunch.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 02/07/2008 01:03:38 PM Um, it looks ok in IE... but I only checked it in IE because it looked so obviously wrong/weird in Firefox... :( What a fun sock! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@sbcglobal.net IP: 69.231.128.142 URL: http://k2togwonderfullymade.wordpress.com DATE: 02/07/2008 01:26:09 PM I'm on Firefox and it looks good to me! I've got a Cobblestone on the needles for me too.... I guess I should get back to it! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 75.163.224.47 URL: http://socksformum.wordpress.com DATE: 02/07/2008 01:27:09 PM It looks great! I like the two columns....hmmmm...don't tempt me to change mine.. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.30.170 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 02/07/2008 02:01:29 PM I do love the Cobblestone... I can't wait to see how you like the Skye tweed once you're done. I have 3 balls of it in my stash, and no idea what to do with it! :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.198.72 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 02/07/2008 02:32:53 PM Great new digs! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: KERaven EMAIL: keraven@alum.mit.edu IP: 134.174.110.5 URL: http://www.hejweca.org/keraven DATE: 02/07/2008 02:44:26 PM From one knitting doctor to another, I love the new blog. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: alice EMAIL: through.the.looking@gmail.com IP: 24.191.30.135 URL: http://throughthelooking.blogspot.com DATE: 02/07/2008 04:15:34 PM looks fantastic in safari just incase you're wondering, too :) oh how i miss having a man who requested pink socks... my boy was a roofer, and BOY could he wear pink! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Tam EMAIL: journeytot@yahoo.com IP: 12.207.14.252 URL: http://thelessonlearned.typepad.com/knit_once_purl_forever/ DATE: 02/07/2008 05:41:55 PM Love the new look! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.251.234 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 02/07/2008 05:51:27 PM Hmmm - on my computer the facelift consists of everything but your post being gone - no banner, no sidebar. I'll try back later - don't know if it's you or me! I keep eyeing Cobblestone. It's so simple and elegant. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charlene EMAIL: charlene.maciejewski@comcast.net IP: 71.229.55.236 URL: DATE: 02/07/2008 06:14:32 PM I like the new look. The two side columns are especially nice. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 98.202.61.155 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 02/07/2008 06:19:39 PM The banners and side bars are not showing in Firefox. I liked the banner with the stethoscope and the knitting needles. Another mens sweater? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 68.199.230.238 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 02/07/2008 08:09:38 PM Facelift? I thought your specialty was internal medicine? Nice facelift! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 72.145.240.30 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 02/07/2008 08:45:30 PM I like the new blog look. And your husband's sweater is fabulous! You did an excellent job. And he's a cutie, too. LOL! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 76.110.186.102 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 02/07/2008 10:09:55 PM Love the new digs! And that sock is gorgeous! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.243.227 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com DATE: 02/08/2008 06:19:22 AM Ah, blocking, shmocking. If he likes it, leave it. And the new layout is very nice! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 02/08/2008 06:30:01 AM The blog looks great (I'm using Safari). The Cobblestone sweater for John looks great on him. I've given up going beyond the basic "male" colors for DH. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.30.110 URL: http://www.the-ravelld.sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 02/08/2008 08:40:04 AM Looks nice! I have a friend who made the Cobblestone sweater for her boyfriend, and it was fabulous when it was finished. She said he really loves it too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jerilyn EMAIL: jerilyn925@gmail.com IP: 131.107.0.74 URL: DATE: 02/08/2008 10:56:17 AM Have enjoyed your posts for some time. I too live and knit in Seattle and love it!! Anything with green hills and trees looks good to me. The sweater you made your husband would be great for my husband as he too is a basics only kinda guy. I looked at PeaceFleece and love the color options. How soft is it? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 70.58.93.87 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 02/09/2008 06:27:41 PM what a fun refreshing new look to your blog - maybe me want to houseclean too (but not just now, as I need to hire a computer-wizard to do it.. grin) the socks are looking much better in the new size. love the stripes. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jocele EMAIL: skinneja@msn.com IP: 71.33.106.41 URL: http://www.knittingoncall.blogspot.com DATE: 02/09/2008 08:50:17 PM Great new look...and you've been tagged! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 205.188.117.143 URL: http://www.numbknits.blogspot.com DATE: 02/10/2008 05:45:46 AM Love the new digs! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 02/10/2008 10:13:13 PM I've been meaning to do it, too, but I'm change resistant. It's a bit busier, but keeps the eye moving and that's supposed to be a good thing. Li ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 02/10/2008 10:14:22 PM And oh yes, growing up Catholic, we used to call that shade Blessed Mother blue ;-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: kathleen EMAIL: katyknits@gmail.com IP: 24.46.226.162 URL: http://katyknits.typepad.com DATE: 02/11/2008 05:22:14 AM Like the new look. :) You going on another trip?? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 76.204.101.201 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 02/11/2008 07:55:48 PM I like your new blog look. Very spiffy. And congrats on starting a sweater for yourself. The socks are great--I like th uneven striping.I'm impressed with your ability not to purchase yarn. I vowed to knit only from stash in '08, but then I learned that Tiur was no longer available. So, I ordered five sweaters worth of Tiur from various suppliers. That's my only purchase, and I'm saying it doesnt count! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.236.35.110 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 02/12/2008 07:21:38 AM Oh I have to go away for awhile and all is changed with the net world. heehee At least I'm here to see it now. It's nice to be back. How are you? :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Holly EMAIL: proseknitic@yahoo.de IP: 91.7.75.73 URL: http://www.proseknitic.de DATE: 02/12/2008 08:59:08 AM nice look, and the knitting is great! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.242 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 02/13/2008 06:44:20 AM The blog looks good! Big difference in 68 stitch socks vs 64 stitch socks IMHO. Go figure. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gisele EMAIL: gamadvsp@uol.com.br IP: 201.1.169.166 URL: DATE: 02/17/2008 03:37:20 PM Dear Lorette I loved the new look of your blog. It«s so clean and calm. Kisses Gisele (Brazil) ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Big Grey STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 02/06/2008 05:13:30 PM ----- BODY:
I finally finished something! After months of knitting, John's Big Grey sweater is done, and he loves it. And it fits. Here's a photo:
Project Specs:
Yarn: Peace Fleece worsted, color Negotiation Grey.
Pattern: Father/Son Pullover, from Peace Fleece
Needles: Knit Picks Options circulars, size 6&7
For: John, my sweetie pie
Started: September 2007
Finished: Yesterday
Modifications: None, really. Oh yeah, I picked up fewer stitches around the collar than the pattern recommended.
What I learned: I still like knitting plain stuff. Both of us tend to dress like the Lands End Poster Child, and our wardrobe is, um, rather plain. A plain grey sweater was just what the boy wanted, and it's just what he got. This is one of the few sweater patterns I've seen that actually uses short row shaping for the shoulders, so you don't have to convert it yourself. The neckline also uses short rows, and instead of binding off the neck and then picking up stitches for the collar, it leaves them live. It's a well-written pattern, with no glitches that I discovered.
Now, I just need to get it away from him so I can do a little post-sewing blocking.
Here are a couple of post-Hawaii photos to show you what we came back to last week.
Ick, ick, ick. The snow didn't last long, but we had ice on the streets for several days, and the forecast is just rain and more rain. And I have had the cold from hell the past few days. I rarely get sick, but this one really knocked me out. I was pretty sure it was Ebola for a few days there.
And I have one more Hawaii photo to show you.
Sweet Pea liked Hawaii, too.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 75.121.27.50 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 02/06/2008 06:13:10 PM Glad you don't have Ebola...sorry you've been feeling badly though. I've been a little puny myself. Started out with an allergy attack last Tues and am much better after antihistimines and decongestants, but yesterday and today - feeling much fatigued. Like my arms and shoulders feel week and it's almost an effort to draw breath. I should be taking it easy, but no such luck! Feel better soon! mk ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 75.121.27.50 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 02/06/2008 06:21:12 PM ...and I cannot spell, apparently. (week = weak). ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Mandy EMAIL: ruby_banshee@yahoo.com IP: 71.38.138.71 URL: http://www.rubybanshee.com DATE: 02/06/2008 08:18:43 PM Mmm. I think the snow pictures are more beautiful than the Hawaii ones. Breathtaking. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chery EMAIL: cheryknits@kc.rr.com IP: 69.76.234.38 URL: http://cheryknits.typepad.com/ DATE: 02/06/2008 08:23:06 PM I love John's plain comfortable sweater. It looks very good on him, and grey is one of my favorite colors. Someday I will get some peace fleece, it's so pretty. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 71.34.133.143 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 02/06/2008 08:25:10 PM Of course...SWEET PEA!!! I'm so glad to see him!The snow pictures are very beautiful, too....such an opposite! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 98.202.61.155 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 02/06/2008 08:29:49 PM Nice sweater. Love the snow pictures. Glad to see you around and that you ARE sticking to the yarn diet :D ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: dada@fluffbuff.com IP: 24.205.55.40 URL: http://www.fluffbuff.com DATE: 02/06/2008 08:35:58 PM Nothing like the classics, and he looks great in it. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Joan Hamer EMAIL: jlhknits@earthlink.net IP: 71.114.112.106 URL: http://joanknits.blogspot.com DATE: 02/06/2008 08:38:19 PM I love the sweater and have a good stash of Peace Fleece. Of course I immedately ordered the pattern and a cardie pattern from them. I'm a no frills kind of person too. You have enabled well :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: janna EMAIL: janna.lawrence@gmail.com IP: 12.206.234.199 URL: http://knittingrelaxesme.blogspot.com DATE: 02/06/2008 09:14:06 PM What a nice sweater! I have to admit, though, that that much stockinette would put me over the edge! ;-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.251.234 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 02/06/2008 09:25:50 PM What a handsome guy - nice sweater, too. I like plain. I have a whole closet full of Land's End blazers - it's my standard work uniform. Sorry you had to come back to snow, ice and a cold. Right now we're sitting here braving out a bad windstorm. The power's been off and on. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 02/06/2008 10:36:56 PM That is EXACTLY the sweater Chuck wanted me to knit him. I don't think I have the stamina for that much stockinette. Looks great and I love the name of the colour; sounds like a serious form of grey. Sort of like our sky. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 76.110.186.102 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 02/07/2008 01:45:52 AM Ebola, lol...glad you're feeling better! John looks great in his new sweater! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debbie EMAIL: fufina514@comcast.net IP: 24.98.76.223 URL: http://www.gottaknit.typepad.com DATE: 02/07/2008 04:09:46 AM Congrats on finishing the sweater! love the winter photos. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Angie EMAIL: amarshall102@gmail.com IP: 209.153.42.53 URL: DATE: 02/07/2008 05:36:52 AM Glad you are feeling better. That is a beautiful sweater. Grey isn't good for me, but almost any other color would do nicely... :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.30.110 URL: http://www.the-ravelld.sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 02/07/2008 06:31:02 AM The sweater looks great! Sometimes I think plain knitting is the best, since you can get into the rhythm almost right away. I'm glad Sweet Pea had a good time. :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 70.121.244.230 URL: http://knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 02/07/2008 06:47:19 AM I love the sweater. It looks great. And the snow is pretty too. I miss seeing the snow up there. I don't miss being trapped in the house because I can't drive in snow, but I miss SEEING the snow. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Denise EMAIL: Denise@knitchat.com IP: 75.179.6.115 URL: http://www.knitchat.com DATE: 02/07/2008 06:59:39 AM Oh now that sweater isn't THAT big!! So what is a must see in Hawaii.. we are sneaking away without the kids in May!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.30.170 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 02/07/2008 07:54:56 AM The sweater is great! I've been putting off casting on a sweater for my own hubby - it's SO BIG! :0) Plain knitting and solid grey sounds like a winner for most men I know. Get better soon! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 75.163.224.47 URL: http://socksformum.wordpress.com DATE: 02/07/2008 08:06:16 AM Very pretty photos. The snow looks familiar but the trees do not... I like John's sweater! If you are the Land's End Poster Child then I am the Eddie Bauer Poster girl. It goes nicely with the landscape :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lara EMAIL: vibegrrl@hot995.com IP: 74.95.94.177 URL: http://knit.vibegrrl.com DATE: 02/07/2008 08:35:19 AM You have the most beautiful backyard ever. And the sweater looks great on him!! :) so cozy!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lora EMAIL: glennandlora@charter.net IP: 66.215.178.83 URL: DATE: 02/07/2008 09:43:10 AM I love the Land's End poster child comment...I could also be one. Or maybe Eddie Bauer/LL Bean, too. Beautiful sweater. I wish my husband would wear a sweater because I would truly love to knit him one but he'd rather go to the dentist than wear something that warm (he despises the dentist). ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laura EMAIL: macfahy@lomellina.it IP: 151.77.183.209 URL: DATE: 02/07/2008 10:30:10 AM I am glad you are back though I am sure you would have loved to stay in Hawaii longer. The snowy landscape is lovely though... we had so little snow this year here in North West Italy... And I do love the sweater. You are right. Intricate and lacey projects may be fun to knit but in the end it's the plain sweater the one which becomes your fav. And your Big Grey looks great on your John. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 66.236.121.154 URL: http://knitknack.typepad.com DATE: 02/07/2008 12:08:01 PM The sweater is perfect! Beautiful snowy pictures too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 02/07/2008 12:31:13 PM The sweater looks great on him! Dang, I wish ALL patterns had those details built in... And I'm with you two - I wear plain stuff, so I need to just knuckle down and knit plain stuff. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: monica EMAIL: cmnappe@yahoo.com IP: 76.0.200.160 URL: http://passionknit.net DATE: 02/07/2008 12:31:46 PM Your sweetie pie looks so cute in his new sweater! I cried when I had to leave Hawaii. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.198.72 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 02/07/2008 02:32:09 PM Fantastic sweater on him! Snow, ah, snow! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lee Ann EMAIL: leona@uncleleona.net IP: 75.33.87.93 URL: http://www.uncleleona.net/blog DATE: 02/07/2008 10:27:11 PM Y'know, you can never go wrong with Peace Fleece. That stuff just knits up so nicely. And your model looks quite Land's End! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 76.24.236.122 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 02/08/2008 09:27:21 AM Handsome guy, well-fitting sweater. Nice work. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 70.58.93.87 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 02/09/2008 06:26:02 PM JOhn looks wonderful in that sweater - you did a fabulous job ;-) so sorry to hear that "the" cold caught up to you. It was a nasty one that went around. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 205.188.117.143 URL: http://www.numbknits.blogspot.com DATE: 02/10/2008 05:42:08 AM Wow! It's fabulous! No, no~not plain, classic. I love a good fad, but never much buy into them. Classics truly are forever. I hope you're feeling better, I always wanted to say "Physician, heal thyself!" ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 02/11/2008 11:21:17 AM Beautiful sweater! It really suits him, and he looks like he loves it. Feel better! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 76.204.101.201 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 02/11/2008 07:52:43 PM Your husband is also handsome in HIS sweater! Nice to see these satisfied and proud husbands in their new hand knits! Ans sweet pea, I hope he has a nice warm scarf to substitute for that lei!! Here in Wisconsin we are experiencing record breaking total snow accumulation and very, very cold weather. I love it! I wouldn't go to Hawaii to escape--I feel very superior in the snow! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.242 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 02/13/2008 06:46:22 AM Ebola...you crack me up, grrl. I always think histo, or coccidio, or Hantavirus. That sweater looks GREAT. Do you think the pattern is worth buying just to have the shoulders and live neck stitches in my pattern library? ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Sunset... STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 01/23/2008 12:41:48 AM ----- BODY:
For Claudia, because she asked so nicely.
And doesn't everybody knit on the beach?
I'm off to bed. Tomorrow we're headed to see the sights at Pearl Harbor, so I need a good night's sleep!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 98.202.61.155 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 01/23/2008 06:57:51 AM You are having fun! Enjoy. Glad to see you around blogland. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.30.170 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 01/23/2008 07:40:59 AM Mmmm, that's beautiful! Thanks for sharing, it's a welcome reminder for those of us in the frozen North! :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 75.163.162.158 URL: http://socksformum.wordpress.com DATE: 01/23/2008 07:43:01 AM Beautiful, Lorette! And, I think we both have the same camera, right? Rebel XT? You must tell me what your settings were for this gorgeous sunset! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 01/23/2008 07:57:59 AM I guess I'll just have to enjoy vicarious vacationing. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cathy-Cate EMAIL: crryan@charter.net IP: 204.69.146.30 URL: http://hitherandyarn.wordpress.com DATE: 01/23/2008 08:51:55 AM Oh, isn't that gorgeous. Thanks! Knitting on the beach is normal, absolutely. Just have to keep the ball out of the sand; I see you have your yarn containment device handy! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 66.236.121.154 URL: http://knitknack.typepad.com DATE: 01/23/2008 02:53:37 PM Knitting on the beach is just about the best activity on earth. SEcond only to maybe knitting in a mountain cabin with a roraing wood fire. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 68.219.74.13 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 01/23/2008 07:51:57 PM Oh, my. Lucky you! Have a wonderful time. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laura EMAIL: macfahy@lomellina.it IP: 151.77.181.245 URL: DATE: 01/23/2008 09:31:00 PM Thanks for your email, Lorette. I tried replied to it but your server did not accept it. I hope you are having a great time. I am sure the guys at home are well looked after. I asked only because I never manage to get away for more than a night because of my 3 cats and soon a dog too. But who cares, after all? I can always knit! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 199.41.197.24 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 01/24/2008 08:19:39 AM Niiiice... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 71.34.133.143 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 01/24/2008 10:48:36 AM oh, my....that just looks like HARD work... sitting back looking at the sunset through the palms..hearing the water...knitting...I'm just not sure I would like something like THAT! I mean...geez, I ENJOY pretripping my bus in -6 temps...it really gets you day going..you know... the CHIPPER feeling you strive for! I just don't think I'd have the same feeling being where you are.... *okaaaay, some of us are jealous* Have a great time! Looks like ya' are! *grin* ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.198.72 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 01/24/2008 12:24:44 PM How beautiful and relaxing! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 76.24.236.122 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 01/25/2008 01:47:40 PM Envy is just too weak a word.... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Moriah EMAIL: mewright9585@gmail.com IP: 216.211.245.13 URL: http://knittngmedstudent.blogspot.com DATE: 01/25/2008 04:37:23 PM Beautiful sunset! Also, you've been tagged! See my blog for details! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lee Ann EMAIL: leona@uncleleona.net IP: 75.33.68.218 URL: http://www.uncleleona.net/blog DATE: 01/26/2008 09:50:37 AM Wow! What a view! Much nicer than the white crap outside my window today. Make sure to partake of a passion fruit cocktail of some sort--they're quite tasty. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 216.160.65.185 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 01/26/2008 09:57:16 PM such an adorable photo of you! looks like you are relaxing - and that's a good thing. enjoy the rest of your vacation. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 01/27/2008 06:50:48 PM I'm off to bed, too. Only I'm not in Hawaii. This is my yearly big grant application deadline week - our week from work hell. Whining in the rain, Li ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lucia EMAIL: rhymeswithfuchsia@comcast.net IP: 155.212.59.41 URL: http://rhymeswithfuchsia.blogspot.com DATE: 01/28/2008 01:05:47 PM Looks like heaven. I'm singing out of Li's hymnal. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.242 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 01/28/2008 04:13:26 PM You look so comfortable and happy! Lovely lovely sky. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 216.248.170.177 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 01/29/2008 01:42:39 PM Awesome sunset. What a wonderful view as you knit. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 76.210.75.97 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 01/29/2008 02:54:22 PM Oh, I live vicariously through your travels! Yes, I much prefer knitting on a beach rather than swimming--unless I am really, really hot! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 76.210.75.97 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 01/29/2008 02:54:44 PM Oh, I live vicariously through your travels! Yes, I much prefer knitting on a beach rather than swimming--unless I am really, really hot! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Melissa EMAIL: nhaka8@aol.com IP: 205.188.117.143 URL: DATE: 01/29/2008 03:07:16 PM I am very jealous! You have a picture of what I dream to do....someday. Now however will continue work as an EM Dr in Detroit. Glad I stumbled upon your blog ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ingrid EMAIL: ihendy@umich.edu IP: 76.226.47.5 URL: http://saltwater_purls.typepad.com/my_weblog/ DATE: 01/30/2008 02:11:09 AM There have been songs written about how I feel right now seeing you on a lovely beach while outside my abode a nasty winter storm rages...jealousy is at the centre of my emotions ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laura EMAIL: sugarbunnyblvd@aol.com IP: 72.205.238.121 URL: http://specialstuff.typepad.com/sugar_bunny_boulevard/ DATE: 02/03/2008 07:48:05 PM Oh how completely relaxing. Ahhhhh.... Thanks for sharing a bit of your time away. I know there are knitters in Hawaii... surely there's a yarn store somewhere! :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: shelly EMAIL: shelly@butternutwoolens.com IP: 71.111.125.63 URL: http://www.butternutwoolens.com DATE: 02/04/2008 10:46:17 AM I've given you the Make My Day Award, details on my blog when you get back from vacation. Have a great day. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Where In The World? STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 01/20/2008 11:04:06 AM ----- BODY:
We're on the road again (wait, wasn't that a song?), this time to Hawaii. We got here on Friday, and we're using a week of our timeshare on Oahu. It's a beautiful place, certainly, and made even lovelier by the fact that January so far has been one of the all-time greyest and rainiest in the Pacific Northwest. I really needed to get out of Dodge before I started shooting holes in the refrigerator. A little sunshine midwinter goes a long ways towards getting me through the season without spending time in a sanitarium.
Here are a couple photos of where we are:
On the knitting front, there have been a few knitting accidents lately. The purple Langsjal J—hšnnu stole is proceeding without incident, thanks to judiciously placed dental floss lifelines. I haven't needed to rip back to one yet, but I'm certain that if I stop using them, I'll make a colossal error and have to rip the whole thing out. The lifelines stay. They may brand me as a knitting wuss, but there you have it.
The grey Peace Fleece sweater is nearly done. It would be done by now, but I had some issues with the sleeves. I finished the first sleeve and was well on my way on the second one, when I decided that the whole thing looked rather suspicious. I put the front and back together, and then pinned the first sleeve in and had John try it on. I was a bit concerned that the whole mess was going to fit Andre the Giant, but the body seems to meet with his approval. The sleeve? It reached past his fingertips. So I re-jiggered the sleeve increases on the second sleeve, and it looks like it will be about the right length. Now I have to rip out the first one back to where I changed the increases, I'd estimate about a third of the first sleeve needs to be reknit. I brought it with me, but I'm not so excited to knit on heavy worsted weight yarn when it's 80 degrees outside.
Then there are the socks. The yarn is Madeline Tosh sock yarn in the color Amaranth. I've gotten about this far on them:
That would be one sock, a little over half done. I've been concerned all along that this was going to be too small for my big feet, but marched on, knitting along anyway. Just call me the Queen of Denial. I tried it on yesterday, and I was right. I can barely get them over my instep. I thought about just finishing them and giving them away, but I need a new pair of socks, as I haven't really finished a pair in a long time. And I really love this color. So I ripped the whole thing out and started over yesterday. I have about an inch of ribbing done at the moment.
And that's all there is in the knitting news. We're off to church, then to Chinatown for dim sum this morning. I wonder, are there any yarn stores in Hawaii?
There is a little trend going around the blogs of knitting directly from the unwound hank of yarn, instead of winding it up into center pull balls. I'm pretty sure that the knitting-directly-from-the-hank knitters, who shall remain unnamed here, were just pulling our legs on this one. I rolled my eyes at the first blog report on this, but then when two or three more reported that this was the best thing since sliced bread, I decided to try it.
I'm here to report that, with certainty, this clearly does NOT prevent yarn barf.
And no, I didn't take pictures, but it just took me the better part of an hour to untangle the mess that ensues when you try to get all smarty-pants and follow the latest knitting fads. I wasn't about to leave the mess spread over the entire kitchen floor with the pet menagerie drooling around the edges like a pack of wild hyenas, while I went to fetch the camera. Let's just say that from now on, I'll be dutifully winding my yarn hanks into neat little cakes.
I promise knitting progress photos in the next post. I'm off to wind yarn.
Oh, and Dorothy reminded me that I needed to add Lewey to the sidebar. If you look over there to the left, there he is!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: dada@fluffbuff.com IP: 24.205.55.40 URL: http://www.fluffbuff.com DATE: 01/02/2008 02:07:08 PM Obviously I lead a sheltered life cuz I hadn't heard of this fad. Me, I wind my yarn in not-so-neat balls (got to get one of those thingies that do it for you), unless my yarn comes in a cone, in which case I do knit from the cone. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 01/02/2008 02:27:19 PM Um, let me just say: Chaos and Mayhem. Any wonder I've not been tempted for a second to try that?! ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Meadow EMAIL: meadowl@gmail.com IP: 76.27.80.165 URL: http://www.queenmeadow.wordpress.com DATE: 01/02/2008 02:30:15 PM I tried it and it worked, but I doubt I'll do it often, too nervous here! ;). ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 01/02/2008 03:13:23 PM I'd be just the sort to create a giant, impossible mess with something like that--I'm fine winding it into balls! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.176.96 URL: http://the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 01/02/2008 03:48:59 PM I have enough trouble keeping the yarn "tamed" when it's properly wound - I don't need to experiment! Yay, Lewey, you're truly official now! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 207.224.14.54 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 01/02/2008 06:16:11 PM funny...but not funny at all. HI Lewey..glad to see the cute pictures added. LOVE the ears!!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 68.199.230.238 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 01/02/2008 06:42:13 PM NGH (not gonna happen). I would rather handspin the yarn into a ball than knit straight from the hank. Plus - how can you sit like that in public in the summer with a skirt on??? Happy New Year to you and yours. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.63.231 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 01/02/2008 06:42:27 PM Doh! I would be to scared to knit right off the hank. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Manise EMAIL: pointysticks@verizon.net IP: 71.245.235.94 URL: DATE: 01/02/2008 06:58:43 PM I don't know- putting it around your neck like a lei and knitting from it sounds like fun! A guaranteed way to throttle oneself- hehe. Would be a wild new look. No? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 98.202.61.155 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 01/02/2008 07:48:46 PM I bought an electric cone winder. That is the BEST since slided bread! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 72.188.202.228 URL: http://knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 01/02/2008 08:25:21 PM Um.... sorry. That's all I'm gonna say about that! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 01/03/2008 05:09:36 AM I sometimes get a knotted mess if I simply open a skein and put it on my swift carelessly. Before I had a swift, I used the back of a chair, and even that left me with a tangle if the yarn popped of the chair back. I can't imagine knitting right from the skein. Actually, second only to knitting, I really find winding skeins into balls very relaxing, and so I do it the "old-fashioned way" by just making up balls of wool by hand. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 132.183.82.155 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 01/03/2008 05:50:32 AM Yarn cakes for me. I have no patience for yarn barf. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.16.43 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 01/03/2008 06:42:26 AM Thank you for putting Lewey up - he is so cute. I kind of shook my head when I read about knitting straight from the hank. For me it would definitely be a recipe for disaster. Most times I have trouble even getting the skein onto the swift without tangling. Thanks for confirming that for most of us it's probably not a good idea! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lisa C. EMAIL: Minerva62@optonline.net IP: 67.80.76.149 URL: http://knittersdream.blogspot.com/ DATE: 01/03/2008 07:20:43 AM I read about the knitting from the hank thing and knew that if anyone could not do this, it would be me. I am so happy to know that I am not alone in this :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Holly EMAIL: proseknitic@yahoo.de IP: 91.7.126.48 URL: http://www.proseknitic.de DATE: 01/03/2008 11:35:34 AM it is doable, but why would you want to? Especially for a portable project. and if it doesn't work - all that time lost much better spent knitting. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebeccaspins@verizon.net IP: 71.112.215.27 URL: http://yarngirlstheydogetwooly.blogspot.com/ DATE: 01/03/2008 01:43:30 PM Who are these lunatics and how long have they been off their meds? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 199.41.197.24 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 01/03/2008 04:21:06 PM I for one, wouldn't dare try that! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: cindy EMAIL: cindyl@valornet.com IP: 72.172.41.92 URL: DATE: 01/03/2008 05:31:26 PM I'm with Holly. I'm thinking certifiable. How mad would I be at myself if I decided to try this and then spent the better part of a knitting morning sorting out the mess? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 01/04/2008 12:19:10 AM People are really doing that? I'm not trying it, let Mikey try it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vicki EMAIL: vknitorious@gmail.com IP: 75.7.240.71 URL: http://knitorious.typepad.com/knitorious/ DATE: 01/04/2008 10:28:36 AM Okay, well, Hank One didn't go so well. It ended with scissors and well over an hour to untangle the remaining yarn barf. Hank Two went MUCH better, not a tangle to be seen. Hanks Three and Four are destined to be two fronts, knit simultaneously, and there's no way I'm knitting with a hank draped over each knee. That would be yarn cardiac arrest, for sure. It is not for every project, but I'm glad I tried it and I do believe I'll do it again. Also, I have THREE cats and ONE dog and they didn't cause one single solitary problem. It was all me. ; ) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Celia EMAIL: anthrogal@muddyboy.org IP: 71.143.105.2 URL: http://unraveling.typepad.com DATE: 01/04/2008 02:19:46 PM I could NEVER do that knitting from the hank thing. Never. Not in a million years. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 68.211.20.200 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 01/04/2008 08:09:09 PM No way. No how. I can barely control my center pull balls as it is. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: NerdGirl EMAIL: jenniferannejarvis@yahoo.com IP: 4.159.80.178 URL: http://www.nerdgirl985.blogspot.com DATE: 01/05/2008 10:34:39 AM I tried it once because I hate winding yarn into balls by hand and thought it would be a great time saver. I ended up resting the skein around an open drawer instead of trying to drape it across my lap or legs. I didn't get yarn barf but it did get a cat trying to eat the yarn which led to a room that I couldn't let the cat into because I was afraid to move the skein off the drawer. I couldn't use the desk for anything because the drawer was open. Kind of a pain in the backside and not a time saver since I could only work on that project at the desk. Fortunately Santa disguised as my parents bought me a ball winder and swift for Christmas so I won't be lured in the future by any wacky "knit from the skein" schemes. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: NerdGirl EMAIL: jenniferannejarvis@yahoo.com IP: 4.159.80.178 URL: http://www.nerdgirl985.blogspot.com DATE: 01/05/2008 10:36:57 AM I tried it once because I hate winding yarn into balls by hand and thought it would be a great time saver. I ended up resting the skein around an open drawer instead of trying to drape it across my lap or legs. I didn't get yarn barf but it did get a cat trying to eat the yarn which led to a room that I couldn't let the cat into because I was afraid to move the skein off the drawer. I couldn't use the desk for anything because the drawer was open. Kind of a pain in the backside and not a time saver since I could only work on that project at the desk. Fortunately Santa disguised as my parents bought me a ball winder and swift for Christmas so I won't be lured in the future by any wacky "knit from the skein" schemes. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 63.226.246.99 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 01/05/2008 11:01:18 PM I, too, think that somehow (and gratefully so) I missed this "trend" (grin) thanks for the heads up - I don't think I shall try it anytime soon! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Norma EMAIL: norma.knits@gmail.com IP: 71.241.130.4 URL: http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com DATE: 01/06/2008 05:09:24 PM No frickin way! Somebody actually says that's a good thing? Not for me. I can hardly keep things from untangling IF they're wound in balls! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sheila EMAIL: goldthreads@hotmail.com IP: 159.212.71.69 URL: http://knittingin.blogspot.com/ DATE: 01/09/2008 11:08:18 PM Oh, NOOOOOOOOOOO! I can't even imagine trying to knit from the loose skein! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Tam EMAIL: journeytot@yahoo.com IP: 12.207.14.252 URL: http://thelessonlearned.typepad.com/knit_once_purl_forever/ DATE: 01/11/2008 10:07:47 PM No way I'm trying the knit right from the hank thing, but I admire you for giving it a go. You daredevil, you! =) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: ladylungdoc EMAIL: ladylungdoc@hotmail.com IP: 99.227.86.40 URL: http://www.purlthis.blogspot.com DATE: 01/12/2008 05:19:14 PM Why do things the easy way when you can do them the stupid way? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 68.199.230.238 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 01/26/2008 04:59:46 PM My friends and I were just discussing Yarn Barf today at our knitting get together. One friend has the best name for it - The Mucous Plug! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Happy New Year! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 2 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 01/01/2008 01:13:39 PM ----- BODY:I hope you all had a lovely New Year's Eve! John and I had a nice quiet evening at home, with champagne and veal chops for supper. "Lights-out" was at about 10 PM, as I just came off a 7 day work week that was a little like an Olympic luge run. I really did try to stay awake until midnight, but I found myself sitting at the dining room table after supper, with my knitting in hand, having fallen asleep right in the middle of a row.
In honor of the new year, I am going to make a few resolutions. I don't usually do this, as they don't last very long, but here goes.
I'm going to try to knit only from stash in 2008*. That means buying no new yarn, unless it's for gifts for someone else. And no, it won't work if I buy it as a gift for someone else, they already have it and give it back. I think that's probably cheating. We'll see how long this one lasts. I might have to take a sledge hammer to the computer to have any luck with this. I probably need to expand this one into not buying stuff in general that I don't need, but let's not get carried away here.
I'm seriously going to try to stop fretting about crap that I can't do anything about. I think this one will last until about 2PM today, but I can try.
I am indeed going to finish that purple Icelandic stole. I am working on it, really.
And the Peace Fleece sweater for John, that's going to get done, too.
And I'm going to blog more. There, that's it.
Happy New Year to all of you! I'm going to eat my black eyed peas now.
*Yes, I really said that publicly. I may have to eat my words.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 98.202.61.155 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 01/01/2008 02:17:36 PM OK so we'll see who is stronger :D I am going to knit and weave at least 2/3 of the yarn and fiber I have around here. It will be processed that is for sure. That is a good one: quit worrying about things that can not be solved! Hear you on that one! Happy New Year to you too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: cindy EMAIL: cindyl@valornet.com IP: 72.172.41.92 URL: DATE: 01/01/2008 02:52:09 PM Having found that words don't taste NEARLY as good as blackeyed peas, I'm not even going to attempt such a resolution. (I'm offering up a more modest version, in that I resolve to finish every current WIP this year, as well as anything new I begin. I'm rooting for YOU, though, in your larger quest, as I know you're honest and will tell us if you stumble. Happy New Year!!! Here's to more quiet champagne suppers! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 01/01/2008 02:55:49 PM Resolutions are the kiss of doom for me - nothing more guaranteed to have me doing the opposite! Happy New Year to you and John and the critters! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 01/01/2008 03:03:37 PM Happy New Year to all of you! Enjoy your blackeyed peas. I cooked mine yesterday and am about to go heat them up. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.176.96 URL: http://the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 01/01/2008 03:53:11 PM Happy New Year to everyone at your house! I too am going to try and knit from my stash as much as humanly possible. I tend to go in spurts with yarn-buying, so maybe I can do this one longer than lots of other resolutions ... I'll be waiting to see your progress on your projects. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 70.153.33.36 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 01/01/2008 04:17:31 PM Happy New Year!!!! I want to knit from stash as much as I can---and work on UFOs too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.16.43 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 01/01/2008 04:29:15 PM I'm in there with you! I was actually a little afraid to blurt it out on my blog, but I did tell Bill today that I'm going to knit from my stash this year as well. So we can support each other, ok? You beat us by 1/2 hour - we were in bed by 9:30, but we're sick, so it's ok. By the way - you need update your sidebar to include Lewey. Happy New Year to you, John and the crew. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 76.24.236.122 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 01/01/2008 06:57:56 PM My memory (and it is poor) is telling me that I've heard Number One 'round here before. ;-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.62.193 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 01/01/2008 08:39:17 PM Happy New Year Lorette! Good luck with your not buying any yarn with certain conditions in 2008. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 63.226.246.117 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 01/02/2008 02:15:45 AM Did you give yourself at least one "get out of jail free" card? (grin)just in case you see a perfect new sweater or hat pattern for someone that you just HAVE to knit??? (chuckles here) Just know that if you get desperate, swaps of yarn is probably permitted within the promise you've made to yourself, and feel free to call (my stash is kinda abundant too) May you and John have a joyous new year ahead! And I hope we can get together again fairly soon. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 01/02/2008 05:08:49 AM I did ok with the "knit from your stash" resolution last year...until the fiber festivals in the fall. But reorganizing it into I won't mention how many plastic boxes really did provide a reality check on how much I really need to knit up. So there is no formal resolution this year, and I just thought I'd let "common sense" guide me in my yarn purchases. I suppose that will work until the 2008 fall fiber festivals. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lisa EMAIL: pingec@comcast.net IP: 216.215.117.34 URL: http://www.rubyringz.blogspot.com DATE: 01/02/2008 07:47:53 AM Good luck with the resolutions. I have a few goals set out but I need to post them to the blog. Glad to see that the blackeyed peas have been accounted for. I had mine yesterday and will have leftovers today! May 2008 be all that you and John hope for and more! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Manise EMAIL: pointysticks@verizon.net IP: 71.245.235.94 URL: DATE: 01/02/2008 09:17:32 AM Happy New Year Lorette!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.30.170 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 01/02/2008 01:48:08 PM Happy New Year! Glad you were able to be home for the New Year after such a week. :0) These are some great goals! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 72.188.202.228 URL: http://knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 01/02/2008 08:28:38 PM I, too, am going to try that "let it go" mentality. I tried today... didn't work. I'll try again tomorrow. Or maybe on Friday. :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.198.72 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 01/02/2008 11:54:07 PM Happy New Year to you! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Holly EMAIL: proseknitic@yahoo.de IP: 91.7.126.48 URL: http://www.proseknitic.de DATE: 01/03/2008 11:46:07 AM Given the value of the $ against the L and E, I am doing the same. I decided that the exception is to get a second yarn if I need more than one colour if the main colour is already in the stash. And certainly - at least for sock yarn - there will be no new acquisitions till the stash is gone (which could take more than a year at a sock pair a week). Don't eat your words! Make them work for you! -Holly ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 199.41.197.24 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 01/03/2008 04:19:43 PM Happy New Year! I'm all for the more blogging, but you don't have to do the other stuff ;-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacey_CrimsonPurl EMAIL: crimsondiva1999@yahoo.com IP: 74.235.1.175 URL: http://crimsonpurl.blogspot.com DATE: 01/04/2008 05:21:10 AM Happy New Year!! I definitely had my collard greens and black eyed peas! :o) ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Merry Christmas! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 12/24/2007 11:12:55 PM ----- BODY:A very Merry Christmas from our house to yours. May you have joy and blessings this holiday season!
Oh yeah, and all the good loot, too.
First of all, a cute pup photo:
Lewey would like to thank all of you for the good wishes and congratulations. His 1st birthday was December 14th, and in honor of the occasion, we took a family vote (a little before our 2-week trial period was over) and decided that he's staying as part of our family. He's very happy to have a permanent home. He's also settling in just fine. He had some food aggression issues at his former home, due to being in a house with another non-neutered male Corgi. The breeder that rescued him also had him "fixed", and that plus a little focused training seems to have fixed the issue. He's sweet, smart, and a fast learner. The cats didn't get to vote, by the way. He's already learned that he can't chase cats around here, but doesn't always succeed in the attempt. They both have claws, so sooner or later he'll learn the lesson the hard way.
Now, on to knitting. We pretty much have your same three projects going here, a big grey sweater, a purple Icelandic lace stole, and a pair of socks. Just so I could have something new and different to show, I started and finished a pair of mittens this past week. I realized that I did not have even one pair of mittens or gloves to wear, which is sort of ridiculous, given the 12 boxes of yarn balls I have stashed in every closet and corner of this house.
Way back when, I bought several colors of Brown Sheep Handpaint Originals, 3 skeins of each. I think I was planning on socks, but this stuff is perfect for mittens. Here they are, a couple of in progress shots, and then finished.
Project Specs:
Yarn: Brown Sheep Handpaint Originals, color Sara's Dress (I love that name!)
Pattern: Plain mitten, from Ann Budd's Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns.
Needles: Pony Pearl Dpns, size 3.75mm.
For: Me, the one without any mittens.
Started and Finished: in the past 2 weeks, December 2007
Modifications: Pretty much none, but it's one of those generic patterns that you can do a lot of things with. For future reference, I made these using the "6 stitch/inch gauge, 44 stitch around" directions. I could go down a size next time and still be happy.
What I learned: It takes very little time to make mittens. This was my first pair, and for those of you new-ish knitters, I'd rate mittens easier than socks. I just love this yarn. Thumbs are cool to knit. But I don't so much like the spiral decreases at the top of this, finished with pulling the yarn tail through the last four stitches and drawing it closed. Next time I'd try my standard toe finish, which is the paired decreases at either side, then grafting the fingertip end.
I have quite a bit of yarn left over as well. Is it enough to make another pair? Out comes the Magic Scale, and we'll find out:
Just a couple grams less than half left. So if I make a bit smaller size, I'll get another pair of mittens! Surprisingly, my sweetie said he would wear this color and would love mittens, so maybe I'll give him these and make myself the second pair. Isn't that sweet--matching mittens!
And just so you don't think I'm completely ignoring my other projects, here's Big Grey. I have the front and back done, and here's where I am on Sleeve Island.
Bring on the pi–a coladas, I might be on this island awhile.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 68.196.117.170 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 12/20/2007 03:27:48 PM Oh, wow, look at all that cuteness! (Oh, and, cute mittens, too.) (grin) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 76.24.236.122 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 12/20/2007 04:33:13 PM The wine glass shot is priceless. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 12/20/2007 07:34:44 PM Such seasonally colored mittens - and so festive, with the wine! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 12/21/2007 05:08:59 AM The mittens look great. The yarn reminds me of Mountain Colors Bearfoot, which also might work for that pattern and approximate needle size. I tried that pattern, and it worked well on a now discontinued yarn (Classic Elite Tapestry), and I varied the cuff a bit so it had cables instead of ribs (to match a hat that had cables). ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nora EMAIL: noraz@optusnet.com.au IP: 122.106.156.196 URL: http://black-dog-knits.blogspot.com DATE: 12/21/2007 05:12:33 AM That first photo made me smile - those ears, that nose... I'm glad you're keeping him. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.200.188 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com DATE: 12/21/2007 07:31:56 AM How could the vote POSSIBLY go any other way? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lisa EMAIL: pingec@comcast.net IP: 216.215.117.34 URL: http://www.rubyringz.blogspot.com DATE: 12/21/2007 07:36:51 AM Hurrah! He gets to stay! He is so adorable! He will get used to the cats, eventually. I love the mittens. That is one of the prettiest colors that I have seen in a while. You were brave to hold red wine in mittens. I would be afraid I would drop the glass. I can't wait to see the rest of the WIP's turn into FO's, especially the stole. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 75.163.173.65 URL: http://socksformum.wordpress.com DATE: 12/21/2007 07:44:42 AM Love the mittens! I have seen so many knitters using Ann Budd's book that I am going to have to add it to my book shelf. The haindpainted Brown Sheep Yarn is perfect and I expect, since it is fingering weight, is pretty soft. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.16.43 URL: http://www.missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 12/21/2007 08:44:04 AM So glad to hear that Lewey is now a permanent part of the family. Don't you just love those Corgi ears? I'm trying to remember if I've ever made a pair of mittens! Surely I must have made Ben at least one pair while we lived in Alaska, but I don't remember. I really should get cracking. First, though, I need to get going on that skein of Calmer you sent me. I need a hat more than mittens. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 207.224.14.54 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 12/21/2007 06:58:48 PM AWESOME mittens....and hear your neck of the woods need it! and Lewey is the most adorable member! Happy Birthday 'Lew'!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Janet EMAIL: twistedknitter@earthlink.net IP: 209.173.90.52 URL: http://www.twistedknitter.com DATE: 12/21/2007 07:55:24 PM Hello Lewey! Welcome! He's such a sweet boy. Awesome mittens!! Interesting you should say that about mittens being easier than socks; I've been dying to knit some and now that my son has requested mittens, I'll get right to it after the holidays. He thinks mittens would be better for making snowballs. Surely he knows we don't GET snow in SE Texas. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 207.108.209.87 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 12/21/2007 10:06:36 PM great mittens - and so glad that Llewy has a home - what a sweetheart. Can't wait to meet your newest family member! Good luck on sleeve island (tell that dear recipient of yours that it is a two - maybe three martini per night project - grin) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.153.123 URL: http://the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 12/22/2007 07:10:18 AM I am so glad that Lewey will be a permanent member of the family (btw, it should be illegal to be that cute!). How funny that you made mittens - I just realized the other day that I didn't have any, and decided I'd make some on my holiday break. First I have to get rid of the flu ... :-( Love that yarn! I'm glad to know that it's a good one for mittens. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacie EMAIL: faerycrafty@gmail.com IP: 74.185.108.139 URL: http://faerycraft.blogspot.com DATE: 12/22/2007 11:26:57 AM That is one adorable pup! Awesome mittens too :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cathy-Cate EMAIL: crryan@charter.net IP: 68.113.244.44 URL: http://hitherandyarn.wordpress.com DATE: 12/22/2007 12:03:10 PM Ah, Lewey is a cutey! Love the wineglass shot; you're all set for when the power goes out at your next party! I too have not yet made mittens, mostly because the children decline to wear them, but I have a thrummed mitten kit I am contemplating making -- for me, probably. I'd rather be warm than cool (huh, that sounded weird, but you know what I mean, I'm sure). Totally agree with you about the decrease thing; I think I might decrease a bit farther before Kitchenering (is that a verb? It is now!) than I would for socks, since hands are slightly pointier than toes, but I think the standard sock decrease would look better and fit a hand better, being flat. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 76.210.60.153 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 12/23/2007 10:25:44 AM Great mittens!!! I've been making patterned mittens out of sock yarn--never again. Too time consuming. Your puppy is lovely. I love Corgi's--my sister has had one for years and I love to visit him in Boulder. Seeing my sister is just a side benefit of visiting the Corgi!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marti EMAIL: weebugknits@gmail.com IP: 204.147.223.1 URL: http://www.midgeling.com/weebug/blog DATE: 12/24/2007 07:43:31 AM Lewey is absolutely adorable! Merry Christmas to you and yours, and I am hoping to see you at Madrona again this year! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.242 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 12/24/2007 04:00:35 PM Aren't mittens fun? Much faster than socks, and interesting thumb variations to try out until you find one that is perfect for your thumb. Mitten and wine match. *whew* Lewey looks like one happy pup. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.242 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 12/24/2007 04:01:18 PM Aren't mittens fun? Much faster than socks, and interesting thumb variations to try out until you find one that is perfect for your thumb. Mitten and wine match. *whew* Lewey looks like one happy pup. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 66.236.121.154 URL: http://knitknack.typepad.com DATE: 12/26/2007 02:04:52 PM I'm so happy Lewey found his "forever" home. Cute wine holders, oh wait mittens, but they make good wine holders too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 65.102.186.83 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 12/28/2007 11:07:57 PM If Mr. Lewey's ears were itching today, it was because Dorothy, Blogless Marsha and I were talking about his cuteness. Li ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ingrid EMAIL: ihendy@umich.edu IP: 76.226.1.224 URL: http://saltwater_purls.typepad.com/my_weblog/ DATE: 12/31/2007 10:37:15 AM You could make the yarn go a little further by adding a contrasting ribbed band or some stripes. I like how sarah Dallas explains in vintage knits how knitters used to try and make their yarn scraps go further... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ena EMAIL: ehunt@mchsi.com IP: 12.207.116.229 URL: DATE: 01/09/2008 12:07:36 PM My favorite photo is of the mittens and wine! And Lewey, the new puppy, is PRECIOUS! E ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: A New Family Member! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 12/05/2007 09:56:34 AM ----- BODY:John and I got an early Christmas present for each other yesterday. We had been talking about adding another pup to the household, and then last week we heard about a rescue Corgi that a local breeder had available. We went to visit yesterday, and we all liked each other enough that he came home with us.
Meet LLywelyn, AKA Llywey (Lewey!)
He's a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, tricolored, and just a week shy of a year old. We have him on a two week trial period, but we're pretty sure he's a keeper.
Here are a few more photos:
Dog behavior and intuition continues to amaze me. Riley, though she's a confirmed alpha bitch, likes other dogs and has a blast when various family dogs come to our house to visit. She knew in an instant that this was different, and that Llywey was no visitor. They are getting along though, and I suspect will be great buddies once they work out the hierarchy to their satisfaction. I also suspect that little Llywey has never been exposed to cats. He's chased Willie around the house a few times, but I'd bet that stops after the first time Will gets tired of it and whacks him on the nose. Lucy has kept her distance, though she came out of hiding and slept in her usual spot on our bed last night, so I think all will be well eventually.
That's all the excitement here. Oh, except for the rainstorm this past week. It didn't affect us much here, other than a lot of general sogginess. The main interstate highway south of us is still closed by flooding, which is creating all sorts of havoc in the region.
Next time, knitting and Nanowrimo (yes, I finished).
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 12/05/2007 10:38:45 AM Welcome, Llyewey! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 66.167.17.162 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 12/05/2007 11:27:33 AM Aww, congratulations! And welcome, Lewey! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lisa EMAIL: pingec@comcast.net IP: 216.215.117.34 URL: http://www.rubyringz.blogspot.com DATE: 12/05/2007 12:30:46 PM Welcome Lewey! he will get used to the cats and they will be buddies. Congrats on finishing the Nanowrimo....I wasn't able to finish this time but I will do it again next year. I'm glad that the rain didn't really affect you. I was worried. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sue H EMAIL: shortoldlady56@yahoo.com IP: 71.250.225.80 URL: http://craftitagain.blogspot.com/ DATE: 12/05/2007 01:21:17 PM Oh he's adorable! Welcome!!!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: dada@fluffbuff.com IP: 24.205.51.231 URL: http://www.fluffbuff.com DATE: 12/05/2007 01:24:25 PM He is supercute. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 66.236.121.154 URL: http://knitknack.typepad.com DATE: 12/05/2007 01:44:42 PM Welcome home Lewey! You look at home already. I hope everyone finds their place soon. He's such a cutey! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 72.188.202.228 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 12/05/2007 01:47:35 PM What a cool dog. Although I don't know much about them, what the need, etc, I've always had an affection for corgis. I used to volunteer for Canine Companions and they always had corgis around that were being trained to work with the hearing impaired. Very cool dogs. I often considered getting one. They seem to have a big dog personality in a little dog body. Welcome Lewey! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 72.188.202.228 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 12/05/2007 01:48:13 PM What a cool dog. Although I don't know much about them, what the need, etc, I've always had an affection for corgis. I used to volunteer for Canine Companions and they always had corgis around that were being trained to work with the hearing impaired. Very cool dogs. I often considered getting one. They seem to have a big dog personality in a little dog body. Welcome Lewey! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.55.11 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 12/05/2007 02:48:33 PM Congratulations on the newest addition to your family! Llywey-Llyw-i is adorable. Glad the rains didn't flood you out. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 76.24.236.122 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 12/05/2007 02:49:49 PM Super cute. I hope he settles in just fine in his new silver-spoon-doggy arrangement. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debbie EMAIL: fufina514@comcast.net IP: 24.98.76.223 URL: http://www.gottaknit.typepad.com DATE: 12/05/2007 03:05:00 PM What a cutie pie! Love the depth in his eyes and well his ears get me too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@sbcglobal.net IP: 69.231.134.140 URL: http://k2togwonderfullymade.wordpress.com DATE: 12/05/2007 04:00:41 PM Such a cute puppy! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 75.42.233.125 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 12/05/2007 04:19:53 PM Oh, what a cute, cute dog! My sister has a corgi who is the best tempered lovable dog ever. And wouldn't Lewey look good in a hand knit jacket??? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 75.42.233.125 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 12/05/2007 04:20:11 PM Oh, what a cute, cute dog! My sister has a corgi who is the best tempered lovable dog ever. And wouldn't Lewey look good in a hand knit jacket??? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 75.42.233.125 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 12/05/2007 04:20:33 PM Oh, what a cute, cute dog! My sister has a corgi who is the best tempered lovable dog ever. And wouldn't Lewey look good in a hand knit jacket??? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 75.42.233.125 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 12/05/2007 04:20:46 PM Oh, what a cute, cute dog! My sister has a corgi who is the best tempered lovable dog ever. And wouldn't Lewey look good in a hand knit jacket??? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.167.190 URL: http://the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 12/05/2007 05:20:16 PM Oh Lorette, congratulations! He is such a cutie, and I'm glad that it seems like everyone will get along. Corgis are so sweet, and I love their happy faces! What a great Christmas present, for all of you. Enjoy! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.198.72 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 12/05/2007 05:54:00 PM So cute! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 72.145.240.111 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 12/05/2007 06:17:14 PM Oh, he's just adorable! What a nice present. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: janna EMAIL: janna.lawrence@gmail.com IP: 12.217.244.29 URL: http://knittingrelaxesme.blogspot.com DATE: 12/05/2007 06:59:05 PM Hi, Llywey! What a cute boy! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathleen EMAIL: katyknits@gmail.com IP: 24.46.226.162 URL: http://katyknits.typepad.com DATE: 12/05/2007 07:02:55 PM so cute and past puppyhood! enjoy! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Celia EMAIL: anthrogal@muddyboy.org IP: 63.198.55.150 URL: http://unraveling.typepad.com DATE: 12/05/2007 07:09:33 PM You guys look blissed out with the new pup! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Celia EMAIL: anthrogal@muddyboy.org IP: 63.198.55.150 URL: http://unraveling.typepad.com DATE: 12/05/2007 07:09:48 PM You guys look blissed out with the new pup! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Tam EMAIL: journeytot@yahoo.com IP: 12.207.14.252 URL: http://thelessonlearned.typepad.com/knit_once_purl_forever/ DATE: 12/05/2007 07:19:08 PM Awwwwwwwww! Lylwey is adorable! So what does Sweetpea "think" of him? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jessica EMAIL: jessica@REMOVErose-kim.com IP: 71.37.38.46 URL: http://www.rose-kim.com DATE: 12/06/2007 12:25:40 AM Congrats! My best friend has a new Pembroke Corgi puppy. We just had a puppy playdate today. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 76.110.186.102 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 12/06/2007 02:54:04 AM Welcome Lewey! What a cutie you are! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Wendy EMAIL: jns-wjohnson@comcast.net IP: 199.200.253.9 URL: http://wendyknits.net DATE: 12/06/2007 04:39:44 AM I LOVE corgis! And yur new baby is a particularly beautiful one. :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ruth EMAIL: woolyheaded@comcast.net IP: 24.34.57.204 URL: http://woolyheaded.blogspot.com DATE: 12/06/2007 05:01:01 AM What a sweetie-pie!! I just want to reach out and rub his ears. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 12/06/2007 06:48:07 AM What a cutie! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lynn EMAIL: singularstitches@hotmail.com IP: 64.238.49.65 URL: http://singularstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 12/06/2007 08:06:19 AM Lewey is ADORABLE!!! Congrats on the new addition to your family! I love that first picture of him in your post, his little black lips look like he has a huge smile on his face! (Probably because he's going *home* :o) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 75.163.175.77 URL: http://socksformum.wordpress.com DATE: 12/06/2007 08:06:42 AM What purty eyes! It is no wonder you could not resist her! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kirsten EMAIL: kefournier@yahoo.com IP: 63.211.160.10 URL: http://craftdaisy.wordpress.com DATE: 12/06/2007 12:12:10 PM Awww, he looks just like the corgi I grew up with. Same coloring and everything. Sigh...I miss her. Congrats on your new family member!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lucia EMAIL: rhymeswithfuchsia@comcast.net IP: 155.212.59.41 URL: http://rhymeswithfuchsia.blogspot.com DATE: 12/06/2007 02:09:32 PM What a cute dog! We had a dog briefly at one point, but he and the cats couldn't coexist. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.242 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 12/06/2007 06:23:03 PM Congrats on the new addition. He's a cutie. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 207.224.14.54 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 12/06/2007 06:44:48 PM oh what more can I say that others haven't? LOVE the spotted paw pads!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Amy EMAIL: amycrea@comcast.net IP: 75.73.177.31 URL: http://www.knitthink.typepad.com DATE: 12/07/2007 07:48:47 AM Welcome, Llewey! Best Christmas present! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nora EMAIL: noraz@optusnet.com.aun IP: 122.106.156.196 URL: http://black-dog-knits.blogspot.com DATE: 12/07/2007 12:23:26 PM Welcome little Llewey. [The photo with the belly-rub made me realise how much I miss tickling little puppy tummies...] ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 71.226.169.8 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 12/07/2007 04:20:30 PM How cute is Llewey!!!!!! He's adorable. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: chris EMAIL: chrissy-g@comcast.net IP: 69.141.94.78 URL: http://dropstitchknitter.wordpress.com DATE: 12/08/2007 04:59:14 PM Congratulations - what a cutie! It sure does look like everyone is getting along just fine. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Melissa EMAIL: miacutie.15108@yahoo.com IP: 71.195.83.8 URL: http://tiaknits.typepad.com DATE: 12/08/2007 05:12:56 PM Oh what a lucky little pup!!! He looks quite content, too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jewels EMAIL: jewels_boa@yahoo.com IP: 204.112.179.190 URL: http://julbea.blogspot.com DATE: 12/08/2007 06:18:22 PM Aw congrats, and wonderful for puppy being rescued by you. He looks like he loves those tummy rubs. He has such a sweet face. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 70.57.74.149 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 12/09/2007 10:11:53 PM congrats to the newest addition to your wonderful family. I just love Corgi's - and it sounds like everyone is getting along great! congrats also on finishing your book. wow@!$@! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: monica EMAIL: cmnappe@yahoo.com IP: 207.154.85.2 URL: http://passionknit.net DATE: 12/10/2007 07:56:51 AM Awww Lewey is adorable!! It's so great that you rescued him. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gisele EMAIL: gamadvsp@uol.com.br IP: 201.1.171.94 URL: DATE: 12/10/2007 09:53:14 AM Welcome Lewey ! He«s so sweet !I love dogs. Kisses Gisele (Brazil) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cissy EMAIL: evrivers@gmail.com IP: 209.168.157.191 URL: DATE: 12/10/2007 12:22:06 PM A beautiful doggy who has luckily found a beautiful family--wow! Your Willie took my breath for a second; we rescued two kittens back in 1998 who slept cuddled up like the picture. Our Misty was solid black with golden eyes, and we are devastated that we lost her suddenly this past summer to cancer. What joy these family members bring to our lives. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 12/11/2007 06:28:35 PM What a sweetie. I am partial to long, close to the ground, UK type pups. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kristi aka Fiber Fool EMAIL: fiberfool@gmail.com IP: 24.8.176.128 URL: http://blog.designedlykristi.com DATE: 12/12/2007 04:28:40 PM Too adorable! We have a mutt with corgi in her and would love to add a full corgi to the family. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laura from beautiful West Michigan EMAIL: lerounds@sbcglobal.net IP: 207.74.23.67 URL: http://laurelleaf.typepad.com/the_laurel_leaf/ DATE: 12/13/2007 04:38:10 AM Everytime I check your blog for a new entry (hint, hint!) I just grin at Lewey's picture! He's gorgeous! And no pressure on the blogging front, really. Just teasing! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Phyllis EMAIL: organizer2003@yahoo.com IP: 155.188.183.7 URL: DATE: 12/13/2007 07:16:42 AM delurking for cute doggie pix (they get me every time). Lewey is adorable!! Corgis are wonderful, even-tempered loving dogs. They are, however, ENORMOUSLY intelligent, so you need to keep them busy and active (which is why they do so well in agility training). Good luck with Lewey and give him a BIIIIIG smooshy hug from me and Rick (the basset. What can I say? I like low-riders...) *grin* Phyllis ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: eyeleen EMAIL: eyeleen259@gmail.com IP: 96.231.37.66 URL: http://knittingbyeye.blogspot.com DATE: 12/15/2007 07:51:27 PM Congrats on the new addition! He's a cutie. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Manise EMAIL: pointysticks@verizon.net IP: 71.245.235.94 URL: DATE: 12/15/2007 08:08:01 PM Congrats on your new baby! Very sweet pup! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Julie EMAIL: julies@maine.rr.com IP: 74.69.253.140 URL: http://noolieknits.typepad.com DATE: 12/16/2007 05:55:42 AM Llywey is beautiful and he looks so happy! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 199.41.197.24 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 12/26/2007 12:31:08 PM Aw Lewey! He's adorable. You guys are so good :) ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Yes, I'm Alive... STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 11/25/2007 01:02:02 PM ----- BODY:It's just November, during the month when all the NaBloPoMo people have promised to write a blog post every single day, and I've been working on my NaNoWriMo project. I'm going to have to do some serious writing to actually finish this year, which doesn't leave much time for blogging, knitting, or actually anything else. I thought I'd take a break and check in though, just so you didn't think I died or something.
We had a great Thanksgiving at the Knitting Doctor household, though it escapes me why my husband went out and bought 20 pounds of turkey when we only had 8 people to eat it. (And two small children, who didn't eat any turkey. Slackers.) I've already had my allotted quota of turkey sandwiches, and I've made a fine turkey stock with the carcass. Tonight will be turkey soup, then that's it for the year. I'm done with turkey.
Here's where I am with the knitting projects. They are mostly the same knitting projects, and I haven't made much progress, due to all the frantic novel writing I've been doing.
First, John's grey Peace Fleece sweater:
Actually, looking at that, I have made progress. Since the last photo I showed, I finished the back, and I'm almost to the armhole shaping on the front. I still love this yarn, even if it's sort of...plain. And grey, very grey.
Next is the Langsjal J—hšnnu. I have done a few rows here and there on this one. I'm anxious to finish this, as I have many, many more lace shawl and stole patterns and yarns that I would love to get to work on.
I have indeed been tempted to cast on other things, but have resisted the siren song of all that yarn over there in the bags and boxes behind me. After Nano writing is over, I plan to get all gung ho about this one and just finish it. It's starting to feel a little like an albatross.
Then there is my newest sock in progress:
That's Madeline Tosh sock yarn, in the color Amaranth. It really is that bright, and then some. I adore this yarn.
You might be asking what happened to the last sock I was working on, the one where I never showed finished photos. That's because it's not finished. Here it is.
It's in a time-out to beat all time-outs. Why, you might ask? I love the yarn (Crown Mountain Farms Sock Hop), I love the color (Spirit In The Sky), I love the striping, and I even love the needles. There's one small problem, I can't seem to find the other hank of this yarn. I know for a fact that I had two, which would be enough for two socks. As I rounded the heel and headed for the toe, I figured I'd get out the second ball so I'd have it ready. Nope. Can't find it anywhere. And indeed I have looked everywhere. I may just finish this one anyway, though that seems rather hopeful, given that I've already torn the house up looking. I took it to Idaho when we went in September, so I'm betting it got lost along the way. Someday I'll rip it out and knit a pair of children's socks out of it, but I'm equally certain that as soon as I do, the other ball will show up.
You can all clearly see that I have two balls of the Amaranth yarn up there, for two socks. I'm planning on keeping the two of them together until I need the second one.
Last but not least, a couple photos of Willie, just because he happened to be hanging around when I sat down to download the camera photos.
Go ahead, tell him what a handsome boy he is.
I'm going back to writing. Wish me luck, there are only 6 days left, counting today.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 207.224.14.54 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 11/25/2007 01:47:53 PM Good luck..I could not do it. THERE...I said it (with my head down) now, what I've started to write I want to continue on and that is very encouraging to me- so I did get something out of it this year. Had to click on the cat picture to see how wide the rail was she was walking on...ever fell off? yikes. I'm just amazed of all you do with your work, your knitting , & the nanowrimo!!! Keep going and I'll keep enjoying your progress on all ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: dada@fluffbuff.com IP: 24.205.51.231 URL: http://www.fluffbuff.com DATE: 11/25/2007 01:51:41 PM Good luck with the writing! And please tell Willie he is a handsome boy. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 11/25/2007 03:08:28 PM So sad about the Sock Hop yarn! :( Willie IS a very handsome boy - Mayhem approved. Now, get back to writing! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: eyeleen EMAIL: eyeleen259@gmail.com IP: 72.66.20.118 URL: http://knittingbyeye.blogspot.com DATE: 11/25/2007 03:41:18 PM Beautiful projects! Good luck with all your writing. Willie is quite the handsome boy. Too cute! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.242 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 11/25/2007 04:13:58 PM Yup, handsome boy. And you GO on the writing. Much better than daily blog posting, from a personal satisfaction standpoint. I hate when I lose yarn. HATE. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: cindy EMAIL: cindyl@valornet.com IP: 75.88.245.67 URL: DATE: 11/25/2007 04:28:16 PM Keep it up. You're almost there. And I'm betting it's GOOD. Hey, Will, my own Lucky Kitty, an absolutely gorgeous dark mottled black and yellow girlie with pearly white whiskers, is purring over my shoulder looking at your photo. She's been fixed, but in the companionship department, is still most capable. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 70.153.33.181 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 11/25/2007 04:28:56 PM Hope you find that yarn soon. That sock is just too prtty not to have a mate. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennie EMAIL: clynewarnr@earthlink.net IP: 67.101.42.111 URL: http://knitwitmama.blogspot.com DATE: 11/25/2007 06:01:06 PM at least you lost the yarn before you knit the sock and not after. I lost a first sock while I was knitting the second sock! Now the second sock is the first sock and I am stalled. I was able to get more yarn from the spinnery but just haven't picked up the needles again. Good luck with the writing! http://knitwitmama.blogspot.com/2007/10/blue-moon-rocks.html ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 67.42.111.105 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 11/25/2007 09:08:15 PM mush on dear writer ! you can do it! glad to hear that you have been busy on your book :-) maybe next year, I'll only be working one job and can join in :-) oh my - so sorry that you only have one skein of Spirit in the Sky..... I would offer some, but I never even got any of this myself (pout) Your current WIP's look great - and I think you have made LOTS of progress on the grey grey grey sweater since last I saw you. Hope your holidays are wonderful. Maybe you and I can come up for air after the New Year and get together down here? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 76.110.186.102 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 11/25/2007 10:54:51 PM I know you're alive cause I read your comments on KRIS' blog! You haven't visited MY neighborhood in a while :( What a bummer about the lost yarn! Since the Sock Hop yarn is kinda organic in its patterning and since you have enough to finish sock #1, why not write to Teyani and see if she can hook you up with a matching skein. I would think a "close enough" match would be better than ripping the whole sock! Besides, getting a new skein will coax the lost one out of hiding and you can use the new one to knit some kid socks! My Willie, what a handsome kitty man you are! :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nora EMAIL: noraz@optusnet.com.au IP: 122.106.156.196 URL: http://black-dog-knits.blogspot.com DATE: 11/25/2007 11:59:08 PM Yes, good luck from me too, and Willie is indeed handsome [and vey agile]. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lisa EMAIL: pingec@comcast.net IP: 216.215.117.34 URL: http://www.rubyringz.blogspot.com DATE: 11/26/2007 10:04:05 AM Mush on with the novel...I'm so far behind, but plan to pour it on the next two days to get it done.....I love the WIP's, and you will locate the missing yarn after the novel is done! Tell Willie that he his quite handsome! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 72.188.202.228 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 11/26/2007 05:12:11 PM The stole is beautiful. I'm jealous of the Madelinetosh. I was in the process of getting their yarn in the shop and right as I'm placing my order she decided she couldn't take another online shop as a client. DRAT! I was THIS close and the yarn is so yummy! Oh well...... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.198.72 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 11/26/2007 07:34:54 PM Glad your back and that you had a great holiday! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: shelly EMAIL: shelly@butternutwoolens.com IP: 71.111.118.223 URL: http://www.butternutwoolens.com DATE: 11/27/2007 11:25:09 AM Keep going, we're almost there, almost there. The free flow of words left me, but I am still pounding them out one at a time, you can do it! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lucia EMAIL: rhymeswithfuchsia@comcast.net IP: 155.212.59.41 URL: http://rhymeswithfuchsia.blogspot.com DATE: 11/27/2007 02:34:56 PM Gorgeous black kitty! I have a soft spot for Halloween cats. Maybe the yarn is in the car? Or in your office? I found some yarn and needles in my office desk drawer last week, with absolutely no memory of putting them there. (It was crummy acrylic, so it wasn't that great a discovery, but you never know what you might find.) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lee Ann EMAIL: leona@uncleleona.net IP: 75.33.66.0 URL: http://www.uncleleona.net/blog DATE: 11/28/2007 09:07:03 PM I swear, Willie is Grady's long-lost brother! That orange sock is outstanding--mojo sent out west for the reappearance of the second skein!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nicole EMAIL: nicolepeirce@gmail.com IP: 76.103.33.46 URL: http://astryd.wordpress.com DATE: 11/29/2007 02:14:12 AM Good luck with your writing! We had 18 people for Thanksgiving and a 20 lb turkey. Last year, we had very little leftover, so my parents decided to cook a second 20lb turkey for sandwiches and such. It lasted maybe two days, it boggles the mind! Though we do have 4 guys in the house and they are pigs. ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 205.188.117.143 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 11/29/2007 04:26:45 AM Good luck with the writing! And finding that sock yarn:) If you rip out the sock or buy a new hank, that will surely make the lost one show up. Nice knitting going on there! And Willie is indeed, a handsome feline! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: It's Here! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 10/26/2007 09:50:16 AM ----- BODY:
Now you all know what I'll be doing today. And if you live near me and haven't gotten yours yet, the FedEx guy said he had 14 more to deliver before 10:30.
There will be knitting in the next post, really.
And if you have no clue what that box is, you need to just get a Mac! It's Leopard, the new operating system for Mac, just launched today. I'm off to play.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.30.110 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 10/26/2007 10:15:18 AM This means we'll either hear from you more (wanting to use it), or less (too busy doing other things with it) ... In any event, enjoy! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 75.163.227.49 URL: http://socksformum.wordpress.com DATE: 10/26/2007 10:44:05 AM Enjoy! I'm not a Mac girl.....thought it was X-Box or some kind of game LOL ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: dada@fluffbuff.com IP: 24.205.51.231 URL: http://www.fluffbuff.com DATE: 10/26/2007 10:54:26 AM Let us how you like it. I usually wait till all the major bugs are worked out before I buy a new OS (my computer is my livelihood), but I'm thinking of making an exception this time. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathryn EMAIL: knittsings@mac.com IP: 24.19.101.94 URL: http://web.mac.com/knittsings/iWeb/knittsings/knittsings/knittsings.html DATE: 10/26/2007 11:51:37 AM I'm going to wait and see before whipping out the plastic. I jumped the gun, buying iLife 08 before the bugs were worked out of iWeb. At least I didn't lose my web site like some upgraders did. It was one of the few times in my Mac life that I was soooo grateful I had a back up. Please let us know your impressions of Leapord once it's up and running. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 68.199.230.238 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 10/26/2007 12:30:05 PM Gotta love blogdom. Where else would I have gained such valuable information about pop culture? I had no idea what that was. I figured you were an X-men junkie and it was the latest DVD. Now I feel soooo cool for being in the know. Thanks for the tip. I hope it's all you wished for. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 10/26/2007 02:05:55 PM Let us know how much you love it. I'm waiting a bit and considering a new iMac with that huge screen--probably in early '08. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacey_CrimsonPurl EMAIL: crimsondiva1999@yahoo.com IP: 74.235.1.121 URL: http://crimsonpurl.blogspot.com DATE: 10/26/2007 05:56:27 PM Have fun! I am an ex-Mac own! :op ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: janna EMAIL: janna.lawrence@gmail.com IP: 70.226.210.149 URL: http://knittingrelaxesme.blogspot.com DATE: 10/26/2007 06:00:56 PM Let us know what you think! I'm planning on a new MacBook in the spring, so will *probably* wait to upgrade then. Probably..... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.198.72 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 10/26/2007 08:19:17 PM We have ours too! Yay! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 68.47.226.119 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 10/26/2007 10:23:12 PM Ahem, I knew what it was. Me of the no Mac persuasion. I do have a t.v. lol But I have an Ipod, so I guess that blows that little ditty all to heck and back huh? Ooh, pretty colors. Have fun with that. (Excuse the weirdness, home alone watching horror movies.) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debbie EMAIL: fufina514@comcast.net IP: 24.98.76.223 URL: http://www.gottaknit.typepad.com DATE: 10/27/2007 06:02:13 AM how ironic. I'm sitting here drinking my morning coffee and my husband has his headphones on in his Mac listening to Apple's presentation on Leopard. He keeps stopping it to tell me about it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lisa EMAIL: pingec@comcast.net IP: 76.30.202.90 URL: http://rubyringz.blogspot.com/ DATE: 10/27/2007 06:59:13 AM Not a MAC girl either, but devotees say it is awesome. ENJOY! Get the bugs figured out before Thursday! I joined the Nano Writers too juts because of "peer" pressure.... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: norma EMAIL: norma.knits@gmail.com IP: 64.222.112.87 URL: http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com DATE: 10/28/2007 08:54:06 AM I seriously thought it was a vi*brator with that big X on it. :D ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.227.63 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 10/28/2007 10:28:32 AM I'll anxiously be awaiting your report. My Mac is about 4 years old now and I'm thinking I'll just wait until I replace my computer. I'm really excited about Boot Camp being integral as I do have some Windows based programs I can't run. But I'd definitely install XP, not Vista. Are you going to utilize that? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 205.188.117.143 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 10/28/2007 02:51:23 PM And I thought it was new group or something ;) Enjoy yourself! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: A Bohemian Knitter EMAIL: rebelknitter@yahoo.com IP: 74.196.112.52 URL: http://bohemianknitter.blogspot.com/ DATE: 10/28/2007 06:36:31 PM Speaking of knitting, I'm doing some serious "stress knitting" on a shawl I just started with some Schaeffer "Anne". It's just a plain old triangle garter stitch shawl, but sometimes "plain vanilla" knitting is what calms me. (It'll take forever to make it, though, cuz I'm doing it on size 1's. Maybe I'll dress it up with a lace border once it's done....ten years from now....) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Manise EMAIL: pointysticks@verizon.net IP: 71.245.235.94 URL: DATE: 10/29/2007 08:14:14 AM We have MACs and got ours on Friday too. Hubby has been having fun playing! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sharon EMAIL: sharonslp@ameritech.net IP: 68.255.73.25 URL: http://sharonstuff.typepad.com/knitknacks DATE: 10/30/2007 04:11:11 PM I'm holding out for a new mac...maybe early next year...maybe sooner...ooh ooh. All you early Leopard adopters are pushing me into a huge splurge!!! Have fun with it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: anna EMAIL: annaknits@clearwire.net IP: 74.61.9.1 URL: http://www.annasyarnmansion.com DATE: 10/30/2007 07:09:11 PM let me know how you like it, i've been wanting to get it but wanted to wait until next payday to play! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marti EMAIL: weebugknits@gmail.com IP: 67.161.113.231 URL: http://www.midgeling.com/weebug/blog DATE: 10/31/2007 11:00:12 PM have fun! you will have to give a review after you have played with it for a while! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rachael EMAIL: yarnagogo@gmail.com IP: 128.115.27.11 URL: http://yarnagogo.com DATE: 11/07/2007 11:22:05 AM Ooooh.... Lala loves it.... My computer is too janky to run it. But next time. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Fran EMAIL: fmzilko@cs.com IP: 72.84.71.22 URL: DATE: 11/16/2007 04:00:54 PM Where are you, miss your updates. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Grace EMAIL: gracemorris@telus.net IP: 64.180.222.178 URL: DATE: 11/21/2007 09:46:01 AM I'm a fairly new mac user who was getting tired of constantly cleaning crap off of the PC so switched. I too am waiting for the bugs to be fixed. My DS works for a mac dealer and suggested I wait for a wee bit before upgrading. Grace ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lynn EMAIL: LynnThomas82@hotmail.com IP: 24.145.216.11 URL: DATE: 11/22/2007 03:51:23 PM wow lorette, you have left us all hanging!!! I check about once a week for a new post and you have just abandoned ship. We all miss you!!! Post soon!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cynthia EMAIL: avakitty1@usfamily.net IP: 64.131.32.112 URL: DATE: 12/22/2007 04:19:14 PM Hi Lorette, love the mittens you just made! Here in Minnesota, it is definitely mitten time. And hat, scarf, and all the heavy gear to keep warm. I think I am close to trying to knit a little bit, my hand after 5 months is moving about half of it's former self. Good to read your posts again, and congratultions on the new pup! Cynthia ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Coming Up For Air STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 10/19/2007 11:34:38 AM ----- BODY:The 16-day work slog is finally over. Due to some trades at work, I did 16 days in a row, with 2 days off about a third the way through so I could catch up on sleep. My "short" days at work are 11 hours, assuming I get the work done on time. The "long" days are 15 hours. I love my job, I love my job, I love my job. Remind me not to agree to trades again. The flip side of all the trading is that I now have 12 days off in a row. Well, 11, I was in a coma yesterday and missed most of it. My plans for today involve not getting dressed for several more hours. At least my husband, a dedicated morning person, has finally learned not to shake me at 7 AM with a "honey, honey, it's a beautiful day, want to get up and go do something?" Honey, honey, I'm already doing something, shake me one more time, and you'll lose a hand.
I have done a bit of knitting, but it's all been on a grey stockinette Peace Fleece sweater with no shaping. Back and forth, back and forth. It's boring as hell, but also very, very satisfying in a grey stockinette tweedy wool sort of way. OK, OK, here's a photo.
Really, it is pretty exciting. You should smell this stuff. It has that wonderful sheepy smell that I just love. I'm almost to the underarm shaping on the first piece. And that's about all the knitting news around here.
Oh, not quite, I forgot about my knitting excitement yesterday. The one thing that I did get done was my annual girlie physical, something really to look forward to when you'd much rather spend the entire day with a blanket over your head. I have a new gynecologist, and yesterday was my first visit. I was knitting away on a sock* when she came into the room, and it turns out that she's a knitter, is relatively new in town, and wants to come to our weekly knitting fiesta at the local coffee shop. Sweet.
And the most exciting non-knitting news? November 1st is only 12 days away. Who cares, you ask? It's NaNoWriMo time again! The crazy month where thousands of insane wanna-be writers decide to pick up a pencil on November 1st, and not put it down again until they have a 50,000 word novel done by the stroke of midnight on the last day of the month. I participated in this nutball event in 2004 and 2005, finishing in the first year, fizzling in the second. Last year I decided to sit it out, but this year I'm going for it again. Finishing the novel is of course the main point, but it's a hoot even if you don't. The next 12 days will be spent on nailing down some characters and a rudimentary outline of a plot (plot? you mean I have to have a plot?), then rushing headlong into the writing on the 1st. If you're equally insane, go on over and sign up. And I don't want to hear any sniveling that you don't know how to write a novel. Neither do I. It doesn't need to be good, nobody but you will read it, it's all about getting 50,000 words down on paper in 30 days.
Go on over and sign up. If you do, let me know. Here's my Nano profile page.
*What, you don't knit with your feet up in stirrups??
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cathy-Cate EMAIL: crryan@charter.net IP: 204.69.146.30 URL: http://hitherandyarn.wordpress.com DATE: 10/19/2007 12:25:54 PM I didn't remember my mammogram tech, but she remembered me -- apparently I was knitting a sock last year when I had my mammogram too. Can't knit precisely *during* the mammo, with my arm up and my cheek smooshed against the machine and 'turn this way' and 'drop your shoulder' and 'hold your breath'. But before and after, of course! Welcome back to the outside world. You didn't miss much. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Meadow EMAIL: meadowl@gmail.com IP: 76.27.80.165 URL: http://queenmeadow.wordpress.com DATE: 10/19/2007 12:39:30 PM I didn't think of knitting during my exam in July, I know it would have been much easier to ignore the invasion ;). Yay for 11 days off. hehe. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 10/19/2007 01:59:28 PM Enjoy your days off! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: dada@fluffbuff.com IP: 24.205.51.231 URL: http://www.fluffbuff.com DATE: 10/19/2007 02:34:23 PM Looks like this is gray stockinette sweater month. :) So brave of you to sign up for NaNoWriMo. I didn't know about it, but I'm gonna keep an eye on it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 71.187.17.96 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 10/19/2007 02:56:47 PM Good luck with NaNoWriMo. I've considered doing that, but really, November is a busy month for us, who has the time?? (grin) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: cindy EMAIL: cindyl@valornet.com IP: 75.88.202.120 URL: DATE: 10/19/2007 04:52:15 PM Way to go, Lorette, although just the thought of writing a novel in one month makes me want to turn off the computer, throw all legal pads in the trash. It took four years to write my first one, which came out in 2002, and I haven't read it since it hit the shelves because I know I'd find a billion things I want to revise. Put on some Ray Price and Conway Twitty and get back into 1968. You can do it, though, you prove you're a great writer here all the time, and I'll keep an eye out to see how you do. And as for that warm underbelly smell of wool, especially when wet, I thought I was the only one wierd enough to love it. Same thing with wet silk. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 10/19/2007 06:03:45 PM Welcome back! No more trades, ok? ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sarah EMAIL: sarah_braund@yahoo.com IP: 154.11.218.34 URL: http://stickchicky.blogspot.com DATE: 10/19/2007 06:21:04 PM I just signed up! How exciting. This will be my first one. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 98.202.61.155 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 10/19/2007 07:41:35 PM Glad to see you are still with us! I really like that gray! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 63.228.105.131 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 10/19/2007 09:37:23 PM Woo hoo 12 days off! I'm thrilled to be meeting up with you during this break! Love the grey sweater - there is nothing quite as comforting as stockinette, is there. A novel in a month? whoa. that's amazing. I think I'll just be a lurker this time around.. but maybe next year (yes I also secretly harbor the desire to write!) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 10/20/2007 03:24:27 AM Reminds me of the the time I was in stirrups and the exam was interrupted by two cops answering a bomb threat call. Happy belated b-day, Li ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: IP: 71.34.130.248 URL: http://profile.typekey.com/PJJohnson/ DATE: 10/20/2007 12:04:59 PM Since your last few years of doing it..it's inspired me...one day! It's amazing how you still get projects completed with your schedule! Way to go! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lisa EMAIL: pingec@comcast.net IP: 76.30.202.90 URL: http://rubyringz.blogspot.com/ DATE: 10/20/2007 12:28:37 PM You might have just lured me into the writing. I have been dying to give it a try and now I might just have to. NO MORE TRADES! The days off may be nice but the cost might be high too..... Love the grey St St. It seems to be the yarn of the month. I am working on a Channel jacket from a 1980's pattern leaflet that I have used a bizillion times and never tire of. I knit at the OB/GYN, but I don;t think I have ever tried to knit while he does the exam....there's always next year.... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.227.63 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 10/20/2007 04:32:53 PM Did you know there is a group on Ravelry of yarn sniffers? Or so I've been told. I'll have to send bill over to the novel site. He's been threatening to write one for years - a historical novel about the Civil War. He's actually a pretty darn good writer except he can't spell worth a hoot! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mwknitter EMAIL: donnatritz2001@yahoo.com IP: 66.167.80.67 URL: DATE: 10/20/2007 09:35:06 PM I too love that sheepy smell - somehow it smells like crayons to me & transports me back to my childhood. I have a large stash of Ballybrae (why on earth did they stop making that fantastic yarn) & every once in awhile I just pull some out & sniff it!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mwknitter EMAIL: donnatritz2001@yahoo.com IP: 66.167.80.67 URL: DATE: 10/20/2007 09:35:30 PM I too love that sheepy smell - somehow it smells like crayons to me & transports me back to my childhood. I have a large stash of Ballybrae (why on earth did they stop making that fantastic yarn) & every once in awhile I just pull some out & sniff it!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.198.72 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 10/21/2007 12:52:56 PM I don't even like to work 2 days in a row - let along 16! Enjoy your days off! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 10/22/2007 01:49:10 PM Knitting while on the examining table--I've got to consider that. I get bouts of "white-coat hypertension", especially at the gynecologist, and that might cure my problem! Enjoy your days off. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 70.43.45.58 URL: http://knitknack.typepad.com DATE: 10/23/2007 04:37:53 PM Oh I just love a good sheepy smelling wool. It makes the art seem so real. Like we were there in the pasture watching the sheep graze and knitting right from their backs :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: shelly EMAIL: shelly@butternutwoolens.com IP: 71.111.118.223 URL: http://www.butternutwoolens.com DATE: 10/26/2007 01:38:14 PM OK, I did it, you convinced me to sign up for NaNoWriMo. I'm quaking in my boots, so it must be what I need. Can't wait. I love the sheepy smell so much I bought some.....sheep that is. I think my Shetlands smell like horses and autumn leaves. IMHO they're the best smelling sheep around. Ha ha. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 205.188.117.143 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 10/28/2007 02:55:26 PM ~snort~ I haven't gone that far....yet. I'm sure my doctor will not be surprised if I do ;) good luck with the novel, all I can say is wow. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 132.183.81.32 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 11/09/2007 03:54:43 AM Stockinette, maybe, but lush looking. I'm giggling here in the morning, about your exchange with your DH. Sounds familiar. Why don't they get that part of doing things? You gave me a new snappy comeback. I'm impressed with the novel. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: She's Alive!! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 10/12/2007 01:02:44 PM ----- BODY:It's the same damned excuse. Work work work. I just fell out of a 9 day work stretch rabbit hole, and go back tomorrow for another 5 day siege. Then I get a little bit of a breather. So I'll get a quick post in before I put my head back down.
There's been hardly any knitting around here for the past couple of weeks. As a sample of how things went, I got home late one night after a long day at work. While my lovely husband made me dinner, I sat in the kitchen and said, "All I want from life right now is to be able to sit here and knit ONE danged row." I stupidly picked up that Langsjal J—hšnnu stole, and started across the row. About 7/8 of the way across the row, I ran into a mistake I'd made in the prior row. I messed around with it a bit, trying to fix the row below without going all the way back, then realized I was brain dead and would probably frak the whole thing up if I tried that. So I painfully unknit all the way back over the mostly done row, then the prior row, fixed it, then started forward again. I eventually finished that one row. Be careful what you wish for.
Speaking of wishing for things, last week was my birthday. How lame is that, failing to blog your own birthday? I even got to work late, as Friday, the big day, was my late shift day. 7AM to 9:30PM. Do I know how to have fun or what? I got a great present from my lovely husband though, the same one who fixes me dinner and makes sure I have plenty of wine and bourbon always available. I drive an oldish VW Beetle with the original radio/CD player. I also have an Ipod loaded with over 10,000 songs. My guy bought me a new car stereo, one that has a connector wired through the glove box for my Ipod. It is very cool. I find myself just wanting to drive around so I can listen to it.
OK, I promised you a finished knitting project a post or so ago. While we were in Idaho, we went to the yarn shop in Ketchum, and I <<cough, cough>> bought a few <<cough cough>> things. One of those things was a lovely little single skein of Synchronicity by Alchemy Yarns. This stuff is just heavenly. I'd like a whole tub full of it so I could roll around in it all day. Unfortunately, it's also spendy enough that I decided to spring for only one skein. So I made little fingerless mitts out of it. I sort of made up the pattern, as I was in a cabin in Idaho, and couldn't resist casting on immediately when I got back from the store. Some day if I can decipher my notes, I might post it. For now, here are the mitts.
It actually was easy to come up with the pattern, except when I got to the thumb. The first attempt looked horrible. Then I remembered, I just learned how to do an underarm gusset with the gansey class. I dragged out my trusty knitting notebook and a pencil, and in a few moments had it figured out. Yeah, yeah, I know, mittens are easy. This is just a basic mitten pattern, find one in a book and just work till you get to your knuckles and do more ribbing. But I've never done mittens or gloves, and I'm pretty proud of myself for figuring out how to do them all by myself.
Project Specifications:
Pattern: I made it up.
Yarn: Alchemy Synchronicity, in the color Resolution. It's a silk/merino blend, and the photos just do not do this yarn justice. I used almost a whole skein for these, with just enough left over to let Lucy have fun with. (What? You don't let your cats play with silk yarn?)
For: Me
Started: In September, when I was in Idaho.
Finished: Four days later. It wouldn't have taken so long if I'd had any clue what I was doing.
Needles: Metal double points that I had with me for the gansey class. I think they were 3.75 mm.
What I learned: I learned to trust my knitting instincts and just "let the force be with me". It's only yarn. Pattern, schmattern, who needs a pattern?
I'm off to try to catch up with NetNewsWire. I'm 513 posts behind in my knit-blog reading. Have a great weekend everybody!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: margene EMAIL: zeneedle@gmail.com IP: 67.40.108.150 URL: http://zeneedle.typepad.com DATE: 10/12/2007 01:20:35 PM Working and gallivanting around...that's you! You must come over to my place because I finished Langsjal J—hšnnu!! Can you stand it!? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 10/12/2007 01:31:45 PM Pretty mitts! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nora EMAIL: noraz@optusnet.com.au IP: 211.30.251.31 URL: http://black-dog-knits.blogspot.com DATE: 10/12/2007 02:08:45 PM Happy [belated] birthday! Mr BDK worked long, ridiculous hours when he was at the hospital. Now he's gone private, I hardly ever see him!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 208.61.107.113 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 10/12/2007 02:57:27 PM Happy Belated Birthday! That is a great present - my husband bought me one of those a few years ago and I love it. The mitts are great, too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: deb@chappysmom.com IP: 71.187.17.96 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 10/12/2007 03:40:54 PM Happy Birthday!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: chris EMAIL: chrissy-g@comcast.net IP: 69.141.94.78 URL: http://dropstitchknitter.wordpress.com DATE: 10/12/2007 04:04:41 PM Happy Belated Birthday - and you sure know how to celebrate!:) I hope things settle down and you get some time to just relax, soon. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 98.202.61.155 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 10/12/2007 04:58:15 PM Happy late birthday! I love my MP3, no Ipod here. I am addicted to ebooks and the ones from the library have to be WMA format that only plays on MP3. That's ok I love it :) Cute gloves and you can still palpate abdomens with them onThis is an interlude in my knit blogging to send you off to help a worthwhile cause. Lisa, AKA Black Sheep, is walking in the Step Out to Fight Diabetes fundraiser later this week.
As a doctor, I can't pass this one up. John has a daughter-in-law with gestational diabetes, and his grandson carries the gene for diabetes. This is a big one, people, and affects 21 million people in this country alone. You would be helping out a lot of nice folks, many of them your family members and fellow knitters, by sending money.
Every bit helps, so even if you can only send a little, please do so. This horrid disease affects all of us in one way or another. Thanks a bunch!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: lisa Co. Springs EMAIL: knitnurse@msn.com IP: 71.34.133.101 URL: http://1blacksheep.wordpress.com/ DATE: 10/02/2007 07:06:40 PM Thanks so much Lorette----you're awesome! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.242 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 10/03/2007 03:54:36 AM Done. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Julie EMAIL: jkkwan@pacbell.net IP: 75.47.168.122 URL: DATE: 10/03/2007 07:13:34 AM Lorette, you are right about diabetes. To learn more about diabetes, readers of this blog should go to MedlinePlus -- http://medlineplus.gov. This is a library of health websites developed by medical librarians for the general public. It is a service of the US National Library of Medicine. Click on Health Topics, then select 'diabetes' (or one of the other diabetes-related terms). MedlinePlus will only link to reputable and up-to-date resources. In addition (because librarians respect individual privacy) you will not find links to sites that require you to give personal information (email address, name, etc.) Use MedlinePlus to help you formulate questions for your doctor -- and to realize you should go see your doctor. PS: Can you tell I am a medical librarian? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 71.32.94.109 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 10/03/2007 08:43:09 AM I agree - it's a very worthy cause. thanks for the suggestion of a great cause to donate to. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jean EMAIL: jean@milesandmiles.demon.co.uk IP: 62.56.127.207 URL: http://www.jeanmiles.blogspot.com DATE: 10/05/2007 12:04:43 PM "the gene for diabetes..." Could you refer me to a website? I'm awhile out of date. My husband has Type 2 -- OK, he's old; our son has Type 1 -- no joke. The last I heard -- an inaugural lecture by a professor of Diabetic Medicine in Birmingham (Eng) -- there was no doubt of a genetic connection, but it was not a simple dominant-or-recessive; Type 2 (contrary to intuition) at that time showed a stronger link among relatives than Type 1. And I gather thyroid problems, and premature greying of hair, both belong in the same group, genetic-link-wise. We've got both. I'd be very grateful for anything you could point me to. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Julie EMAIL: jkkwan@pacbell.net IP: 75.47.168.122 URL: DATE: 10/06/2007 07:22:46 AM Another information resource for diabetes is the National Diabetes Education Program from the National Institutes of Health -- see http://ndep.nih.gov/index.htm ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nora EMAIL: noraz@optusnet.com.au IP: 211.30.251.31 URL: http://black-dog-knits.blogspot.com DATE: 10/06/2007 01:22:46 PM Done. Thanks L. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 71.55.25.41 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 10/07/2007 12:24:42 PM Um...not to change the subject but... I just ready about your teeny tiny EXPLOSION that occurred yesterday. Hoping all is well????? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 71.55.25.41 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 10/07/2007 12:24:50 PM Um...not to change the subject but... I just ready about your teeny tiny EXPLOSION that occurred yesterday. Hoping all is well????? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: ena EMAIL: ehunt@mchsi.com IP: 12.206.179.214 URL: DATE: 11/08/2007 07:31:11 PM I don't have a mac so that Xbox was a mystery to me! My knitting is coming along, slowly, poorly. I'm a hare by nature but a turtle knitter... E ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Idaho! FO! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 10/01/2007 06:36:46 PM ----- BODY:I'm back from Idaho, and have a new FO to report!
First, though, I omitted something from my post about the goodie/prize bag I received from Kim. She included a little "L" shaped notepad, and I discovered yesterday that there were also little "L" stitch markers in the bag. Here they are:
Very cute, eh? I love them and just want to cast on something that needs little stitch markers.
Next, I got a couple of requests about one of the yarns I scored in Boston. It's the Claudia Handpainted Silk Lace, and it is divine. The color is "Chocolate Cherry".
Click on that to make it bigger, and start drooling. I have no idea whatever to do with this, but it will be lovely to knit with. It will be a shawl or stole someday once I find the perfect pattern.
Now, the trip. I have never taken a knitting class, and was a little nervous about doing so with someone as famous as Beth Brown-Reinsel. Not to worry. She was fabulous. The class was on "knitting ganseys", and I learned more in 2 days of classes than I have in months on my own. Beth is a very patient instructor, and managed to get a bunch of women of varied skill levels absolutely enthusiastic about traditional gansey construction. In the process, we finished (or mostly finished) a tiny sample gansey. If you have her book, it's in there, though I'll warn you, it's a lot more fun knitting it with Beth alongside coaching.
Here's my finished gansey, after a bit of steaming with my trusty Rowenta to block the edge into submission:
And a closeup:
I learned tons of cool stuff by doing this sweater. I had never done an underarm gusset, and was very surprised at how easy and intuitive it is. It's a little like turning a heel on a sock; once you do it, you wonder why you never thought of it before. I also learned how to do a channel island cast on, which is truly cool.
Probably the best thing, though, was being at an isolated resort for three whole days with a master knitter. Beth spent a couple of hours on the second day talking us through the design process, and showed us how to come up with a gansey sweater pattern of our very own. I intend to knit a full-size gansey some day, but even if I never do, the stuff she taught me will make my knitting much better. And being around a bunch of other great knitters was wonderful. We laughed, shared, and just in general had a blast.
Here are some more photos:
That's Beth in the middle, with her giant teaching swatch.
That's Jennifer, who owns Isabel's Yarn & Needlepoint shop in Ketchum.
Here's where the retreat is:
Our cabin:
This answers the question of what kind of wine goes with Cheetos:
And the sock enjoying the scenery:
Here's the details if you are interested in next year's retreat. Jennifer has done this retreat for several years, and it's at Redfish Lake Lodge, Idaho. It's very remote, though they do now have wireless access in the main lodge, if you can't live without internet access. The cabins range from rustic to more rustic, though we found it very comfortable and absolutely the perfect setting for a retreat. There are no phones in the cabins, and no television, which is perfect. The food was lovely, and the scenery can't be beat. Ketchum (Sun Valley) is a little over an hour's drive away, so this really is out in the middle of nowhere. Email Jennifer at her website if you're interested in next year's retreat. I certainly plan on going if at all possible.
Next time, another FO!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.198.72 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 10/01/2007 06:42:54 PM It sounds like a great time! Maybe I'll have to go next year?! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 10/01/2007 07:02:00 PM It looks wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. Ahhhhh... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@sbcglobal.net IP: 69.231.149.251 URL: http://k2togwonderfullymade.wordpress.com DATE: 10/01/2007 07:16:10 PM Wow, wow, and...... wow! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 24.170.142.12 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 10/01/2007 07:24:11 PM What fun! I'm glad you had a good time and a great learning experience. And that new yarn looks good enough to eat! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacey_CrimsonPurl EMAIL: crimsondiva1999@yahoo.com IP: 74.235.1.206 URL: http://crimsonpurl.blogspot.com DATE: 10/01/2007 07:41:18 PM Wow you had a wonderful trip and learned so much!! I love your little sampler!! :o) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 75.163.175.158 URL: http://socksformum.wordpress.com DATE: 10/01/2007 07:48:21 PM FUN! FUN! FUN! I will definitely knit that teeny gansey sweater! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Adrienne EMAIL: adnixon1036@gmail.com IP: 75.138.45.36 URL: http://www.adrienneslittleworld.typepad.com DATE: 10/01/2007 07:57:49 PM Beautiful pictures! Love the sweater! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacie EMAIL: faerycrafty@gmail.com IP: 68.53.132.139 URL: http://faerycrafty.blogspot.com DATE: 10/01/2007 10:05:31 PM That is so cute!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.242 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 10/02/2007 03:52:23 AM That sounds like it was perfect. The scenery, the knitting, the company of knitters, the mountains, the quiet, the camaraderie...all fit together. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.193.167 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com DATE: 10/02/2007 05:23:10 AM That looks divine! And I would have been intimidated by knitting such a small gansey --- the little things (like Barbie clothes) look simple, but never are. Terrific job. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 216.248.170.177 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 10/02/2007 07:47:30 AM Wow, that Claudia's is beautiful. Teh stitch markers are too adorable. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lucia EMAIL: rhymeswithfuchsia@comcast.net IP: 155.212.59.41 URL: http://rhymeswithfuchsia.blogspot.com DATE: 10/02/2007 07:49:30 AM That looks like a retreat to die for. Maybe in my next life... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.30.110 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 10/02/2007 09:26:22 AM I'm so glad you enjoyed it - isn't Beth just the best? Your mini-gansey is really nice. And, oh, how I would like to go to that retreat. And oh, how I know I'll never get there ... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 71.32.94.109 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 10/03/2007 08:41:36 AM looks like it was a fabulous retreat! and what a sweet tiny gansey - teddy bear sized? wine and cheetos - heh heh ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Barbara EMAIL: barblong@alaska.net IP: 66.230.117.49 URL: DATE: 10/04/2007 11:49:25 AM So cool! Will Beth be teaching next year? I have the book, and now feel inspired to give it a go! But a retreat and concentrated time with the process would be wonderful... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 68.47.226.119 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 10/05/2007 12:49:03 PM Aww! Too cute. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.61.117 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 10/06/2007 12:54:48 PM Sounds like a fun experience all the way around. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 10/07/2007 09:42:00 AM That trip sounds fabulous--in every way. I'm sure the class was wonderful, but the environment looks so beautiful and tranquil. I go back to the Gansey book from time to time, and I always find it so clear. But I have not really sat down and patiently taught myself the Channel Island cast on. I am drooling over that yarn. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jenn EMAIL: knitwit_momma@comcast.net IP: 76.20.40.146 URL: http://www.j1978.blogspot.com DATE: 10/07/2007 11:48:20 AM Oh I have to look into that retreat. Ketchum was our stomping grounds when my husband and I were first married. I had my first legal drink in the Sawtooth bar! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: eyeleen EMAIL: eyeleen259@gmail.com IP: 71.178.208.57 URL: http://knittingbyeye.blogspot.com DATE: 10/08/2007 08:18:35 PM Beautiful scenery! Sounds like a wonderful retreat. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 76.210.68.149 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 10/09/2007 12:37:44 PM Oh, what fun you had!!! Perfect location, perfect teacher, perfect activities. Now, can you find your old Barbie doll so you have a model for your first gansey?? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chloe EMAIL: katiewenthur@hotmail.com IP: 71.195.102.46 URL: DATE: 10/10/2007 07:15:24 PM I LOVE Stanley and Redfish Lake. When I saw the photo, I knew EXACTLY where you were! The water is so clear and it is so beautiful there. I've even stayed in those little cabins. I am so totally j over the retreat...I want to go now..even though I can;t knit a lick. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Project Roundup STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 09/24/2007 06:00:00 AM ----- BODY:I figured it was time for a Project Roundup, and a few other things. First, the few other things. You all might remember the Knitter's Hunk contest that Kim had a couple weeks ago. I took second place for nominating the winner, Alan Rickman (but only because Emily evoked visions of a naked Alan in her tie-breaking entry--I should have thought of that). As a prize, I got a very cool package full of stuff from Kim. Here are the highlights:
Note the lovely mitts, the knitting journal, and the spectacular Lavold Silky Tweed! Oh, and the photo, in case you hadn't noticed that. She included that as well. Thanks, Kim! Great contest!
Now the PR. I've still been working on that bamboo top, but am bored with it. It's not summer anymore, it's just miles of stockinette, and it's going into time-out as of today. Here it is, all bagged up for now. It's my blog, and I'll knit what I want to.
I'll get back to that eventually, but not now. So what's taking it's place in the queue?
This:
Miles and miles of grey Peace Fleece, in all its glorious sheepiness. The color is Negotiation Grey, and it will be a sweater for John. I had ordered the pattern with it, which is the Father/Son Pullover from this page, and then tried to convince him that the Cobblestone pullover from the latest Interweave would be better. He firmly likes this one though, so plain plain plain it will be. It's a good thing I'm happy to knit plain plain plain.
Here's where I am with Langsjal J—hšnnu. I'm about halfway done with this, and pretty much have the lace pattern stitch memorized. I have 2 more balls of the yarn left, and I have the opposite border done already, so I "just" need to knit till I only have enough yarn to do the grafting, and that's it.
Here's the new sock yarn, some very orangey goodness. This is Sock Hop, in the color Spirit In The Sky, one of my very favorite oldies songs.
And the sock it's making:
I got to meet Teyani, who spins this lovely stuff, this weekend. She lives just a ways from me, but we'd never gotten together before. She came over, and we spent the day goofing off and going yarn shopping. What could be more perfect?
You might be wondering what that big ball of yellow yarn up there is. It's Briggs & Little Regal, another bunch of sheepy-smelling stuff. I get to use that this week. A few months ago my boss showed me a brochure from a yarn shop in Idaho. It was for a knitters' retreat this coming week. (Click "current events" at the bottom of their home page.) Despite the fact that she didn't know how to knit at the time, she said "Wanna go??" A short time later we were booked and ready. I'm taking this yarn, and this book with me:
Beth Brown-Reinsel is teaching a two-day class on knitting ganseys, and I am so signed up. And yes, I know I just got back from vacation. What can I say, my boss made me do this. What was I supposed to do, say I'd rather work? There is no internet access (or cellular!) where we're going, so I'll check back in when we get home!
Last but not least, before I forget, one of my favorite blogs is back after a summer break. Go check out the latest info on the best way to do decreases!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 76.24.238.205 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 09/24/2007 07:18:12 AM I want your life. ;-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 09/24/2007 07:34:05 AM Congrats on your contest win - fun goodies! I just read about your meeting with Teyani over at her place - jealous of both of you! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 68.199.230.238 URL: http://majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 09/24/2007 07:44:14 AM Ooh - you could have won 1st place if you'd mentioned that AND a martini in his hand just waiting for you. Sigh. What a cute contest and a great prize. Enjoy. But how will you concentrate on your knitting with that picture to stare at??? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cathy-Cate EMAIL: crryan@charter.net IP: 204.69.146.61 URL: http://hitherandyarn.wordpress.com DATE: 09/24/2007 07:49:40 AM Project Round-Up indeed, you busy knitblogger! Woo-hoo! What a bunch of groovitude! I was just listening to Spirit In The Sky yesterday. I was ferrying daughters and had in a new 70s rock CD compilation. They were bemused. The oldest thought Spirit in the Sky was pretty "patchouli" -- a family term for hippie-ness. Another song on there was "Kung Fu Fighting", and they asked, "Mom, what in the world prompted that song?" I had to admit that I had no idea, and only a fuzzy recollection of it at the time. (I figured it was cashing in on Bruce Lee movies, but I told them to ask their dad, who's a little older than I am. Ha.) Have an awesome time at the knitting retreat; I'm jealous. In a good way. Next year, I hope to go to Meg Swansen's Knitting Camp (I've always had work conflicts even though there are several weeks offered). And Annie Modesitt is part of a knitting cruise next September 2008 in New England/Quebec area -- doesn't that sound awesome? Do you think I could be gone for the first two weeks of school and not have the household fall apart? Doubtful.... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@sbcglobal.net IP: 69.231.149.251 URL: http://k2togwonderfullymade.wordpress.com DATE: 09/24/2007 08:16:03 AM I like how Alan gets bigger in every picture :o) Nice knittiness, too! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 65.102.162.57 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 09/24/2007 08:32:18 AM sigh.. Alan is a dreamy guy. Congrats on your winnings :-) The sweater for John looks like it'll be the perfect take-along project for pretty much anywhere you need to knit and chat. A boss that encourages knitting retreats - how wonderful. We should all work for people like that! Have a fabulous time. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.244.1 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com DATE: 09/24/2007 09:28:09 AM So glad everything arrived intact. And I'm liking your listening list: Cohen, Kristofferson and Cash. Nice. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 76.110.186.102 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 09/24/2007 10:08:36 AM What a dishy pic of Alan and great contest spoils! I'm with Claudia, I want your life :) Have fun at the retreat you lucky knitter! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 64.81.186.244 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 09/24/2007 12:57:25 PM Oohh...just watched Sense and Sensibility again with Alan Rickman. This girl totally gets the Alan thing! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.184.130 URL: http://the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 09/24/2007 01:02:03 PM Your prizes look fantastic, but I would expect nothing less from Kim ... I took a ganseys class from Beth Brown-Reinsel this past January and it was incredible! She is not only a great and patient teacher, but so nice on top of that. Enjoy! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 24.170.142.12 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 09/24/2007 03:05:04 PM I've met Beth Brown-Reinsel - I didn't take her class at the time because I was assisting Nancy Bush with hers (just a little shameless name dropping there!). But she was very gracious and I've heard her class is great. And I've made several toddler sweaters from her book. You're going to love the techniques. And, just for the record, I go back to work from a three week vacation, work one day then take the day off for an Elsebeth Lavold class. We must have our priorities. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Amy EMAIL: amycrea@comcast.net IP: 75.73.177.31 URL: http://www.knitthink.typepad.com DATE: 09/24/2007 03:23:19 PM Alan Rickman. Droooool. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.63.78 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 09/24/2007 05:35:37 PM I heart Beth Brown-Reinsel. I took a twined knitting sock class from her. Tell her Mary Kay from the DFW Fiber Fest says hello. That's a great picture of Alan. Oh, and the other stuff you got is nice too. I need to do a PR, but I think that today is not the day. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Michelle EMAIL: antmegmmm@verizon.net IP: 138.89.176.56 URL: http://ewekeepmeinstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 09/24/2007 05:39:28 PM Birds of a feather.... spirit in the sky is the ringtone on my cell phone! :) I went on the site, I would have loved to order it! But :( EVERYThing is sold out :( Maybe next time! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathleen EMAIL: katyknits@gmail.com IP: 24.46.249.49 URL: http://katyknits.typepad.com DATE: 09/25/2007 05:47:59 AM My mom is mentioned in Beth's book. Which one do you like? Guernsey is on my mind too. Along with a few other things. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 09/25/2007 06:13:57 AM What a great opportunity you have to take that class. I love that book, and I've promised myself that this year (which means 2008 to me!) I will knit my first Gansey with gussets. I have one "Gansey style" I'll try to do this fall without gussets, but then it is on to the real thing. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 76.201.148.87 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 09/25/2007 10:38:18 AM Your projects are inspiring! Can't wait to see hubby's sweater. I'm going on year 2 of making a sweater for my husband. I think I need to finish it before Christmas!! Great inspiration you will find in your class! I classes. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 70.43.45.58 URL: http://knitknack.typepad.com DATE: 09/25/2007 02:55:04 PM Oh what a lovely prize! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.242 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 09/26/2007 03:05:25 AM He IS a hunk. Do you think he has cross-age appeal? Fall revved up the knitting, eh? I too have abandoned the summer stuff, but not as publicly. Have a wonderful time at the gansey workshop. Julia was the only one who finished her teensy gansey at TKGA this summer. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: chris EMAIL: chrissy-g@comcast.net IP: 69.141.94.78 URL: http://dropstitchknitter.wordpress.com DATE: 09/26/2007 03:26:47 AM congrats on the cool prizes. I respect that Alan won - but I'm still devoted to Mike. And it is your knitting! I agree 100 percent. A knitting retreat - that your boss wanted you to go to? You can't have possibly said no! Have fun! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 75.163.179.169 URL: http://socksformum.wordpress.com DATE: 09/26/2007 11:00:15 AM All I can say is, 'What a TERRIFIC boss you have!' I just purchased that Gansey book not long ago with the intention of knitting the mini-gansey sampler in it and then moving on to an Alice Starmore gansey. I'll be keeping an eye on your blog to see what inspires you as a result of taking the class with Beth herself! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 72.188.146.167 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 09/26/2007 01:07:20 PM Enjoy the retreat. I. Am. So. Jealous! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 09/30/2007 06:27:14 PM Yes! Typepad is finally letting me comment! Those socks match my sunset, Li ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Sit Back & Relax, STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 09/23/2007 04:44:25 PM ----- BODY:...this will be a long post full of fun and adventure! Get yourself a cup of tea, or maybe something stronger.
But first, a Lucy picture, because you can't have enough silly cat photos.
Let's all hear it, "awwwww". Her look of pure bliss probably is due to the catnip that I dump over this thing regularly.
And next, just a few photo highlights of the recent Boston trip.
These are our friends Byron & Diane, who now live in Rhode Island. We went to visit them while in Boston. You might note that Byron & John have pretty much the same facial expression in these photos.
The sock got to see another ocean:
We had lobster:
We ate more good food:
The next couple are for Kris:
We found that they tend to get a lot more dressed up in Boston:
We took the Duck Tour, which is very corny, but I'd highly recommend it if you're a first-time Boston visitor.
If you've never done one of these, they go both on land and water. Click on this one to make it bigger.
We went here:
Red Sox Win!
Then we came home:
The End.
(New Projects next time! Stay Tuned!)
Remember way back when, I had a new grand-niece named Riley, born in March? And how I knit her a Wallaby that was several sizes too big for her? It now fits.
Here's the photo from April, when I finished the thing. She was just a couple weeks old then.
That picture still just cracks me up. Here's a recent photo. Her parents took her camping, and it was cool enough for her to wear the thing.
Click on that photo to get the full measure of her cuteness.
And if you want a closer view of just how cute she is, here's another one.
Makes you want one of your own, eh?
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.57.234 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 09/17/2007 06:02:50 PM She is adorable! Do I want one of my own? - Well, twist my arm... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacey_CrimsonPurl EMAIL: crimsondiva1999@yahoo.com IP: 74.235.1.184 URL: http://crimsonpurl.blogspot.com DATE: 09/17/2007 06:38:04 PM OMG!! She is adorable!! Such cute pic of her in the huge pullover but MY has she grown! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 71.187.17.96 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 09/17/2007 06:56:39 PM Very cute! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 205.188.117.143 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 09/17/2007 06:57:25 PM She is a little doll baby! It's amazing how fast they change. She is going to be a heartbreaker! And that really is a Wonderful Wallaby:) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: cindy EMAIL: cindyl@valornet.com IP: 75.88.203.69 URL: DATE: 09/17/2007 07:14:11 PM Um, no, not another one, now that they're all grown and GONE and all I have to do is pick up my grandchildren, squeeze them, spoil them for a few hours then take them home, but i have to admit, she is absolutely precious in that sweater she grew to wear. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Denise EMAIL: DLayman@neo.rr.com IP: 75.179.6.115 URL: http://www.knitchat.com DATE: 09/17/2007 08:13:37 PM OOOOOH I am soooo lucky.. a couple at church just had a little baby girl.. woo I am set now!! Baby fixes every week!!! MWah ahhaha Which is good cause now we are tied at 4 with them!!! Your grand neice is precious!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 72.145.240.17 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 09/17/2007 08:14:07 PM She is absolutely darling. But, been there, done that, waiting for grandkids. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: janna EMAIL: janna.lawrence@gmail.com IP: 12.217.244.29 URL: http://knittingrelaxesme.blogspot.com DATE: 09/17/2007 09:15:07 PM The camping picture -- I love it! It looks like she's saying, "ooh! I'm having my picture taken!" ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 67.170.25.253 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 09/17/2007 09:20:39 PM Great update pics! She is cute! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cathy-Cate EMAIL: crryan@charter.net IP: 68.117.90.15 URL: http://hitherandyarn.wordpress.com DATE: 09/17/2007 09:27:15 PM Oh, that pixie face! And that happy sweater! And those eyelashes! Awww! The Then and Now is priceless. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 68.199.230.238 URL: http://majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 09/18/2007 02:53:54 AM Awwww - what a lovely lucky little lady. I love the first picture. It looks like she'll never ever possibly grow into her sweater. Such a cutie! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 24.170.142.12 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 09/18/2007 05:53:19 AM Pretty doggone cute! I can't believe that's she's in to the Wallaby already. Maybe you should start knitting another one in a bigger size. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.30.110 URL: http://www.the-ravelld.sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 09/18/2007 06:09:19 AM Oh! Oh! That is an illegal level of cuteness! The only way I want one of my own is if someone else takes it home at the end of the day ... ;-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 72.188.146.167 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 09/18/2007 07:00:14 AM How unbelievably adorable. She is one cute kid! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Angie EMAIL: honey@cox.net IP: 68.3.110.25 URL: DATE: 09/18/2007 07:13:20 AM I agree with Dorothy! You should start knitting her another one in a bigger size! :-) And she is pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself! ;-) But then again, I *AM* her mom! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lucia EMAIL: rhymeswithfuchsia@comcast.net IP: 155.212.59.41 URL: http://rhymeswithfuchsia.blogspot.com DATE: 09/18/2007 07:44:20 AM Two is plenty, thanks just the same. Or do you mean a grandniece? That would be cool. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lara EMAIL: vibegrrl@hot995.com IP: 74.95.94.177 URL: http://knit.vibegrrl.com DATE: 09/18/2007 09:03:59 AM Yeah, that's a whole lot of cute right there... and yeah, it does! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 216.248.170.177 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 09/18/2007 10:28:30 AM Little Riley is just too cute in that sweater. Great job. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: monica EMAIL: cmnappe@yahoo.com IP: 72.67.190.17 URL: http://passionknit.net/ DATE: 09/18/2007 12:09:01 PM Awww! She's adorable! I'm still able to resist having one of my own though. ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 65.102.162.57 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 09/18/2007 04:10:51 PM Riley is a heart throb :-) me? oh no... I'm waiting for grand babies some day. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karen EMAIL: karen@needlesandwool.com IP: 71.234.7.134 URL: http://needlesandwool.com DATE: 09/18/2007 04:13:25 PM Yes, she is very cute and no it does not. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Michelle EMAIL: antmegmmm@verizon.net IP: 138.89.176.56 URL: http://ewekeepmeinstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 09/18/2007 05:37:43 PM Makes me want one what? wallaby? Oh yea! I definitely want a wallaby... anything else ...bite your tongue. Been there, done that :) It is toooooooooo cute and she is sooooooooo sweet! Where can I find the wallaby pattern and what yarn did you use? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: anna EMAIL: annaknits@annasyarnmansion.com IP: 74.61.9.1 URL: http://www.annasyarnmansion.com DATE: 09/18/2007 07:37:44 PM great minds think alike! i've got a wallaby in my queue. looks so cute knit up and even cuter on an adorable baby. i want at least one kid before my ovaries dry up, we'll see if it happens, LOL. very sweet and cute looking niece! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Catherine EMAIL: CathDV@aol.com IP: 64.12.117.143 URL: http://cathelaine.typepad.com/lives_in_a_shoe/ DATE: 09/18/2007 07:59:50 PM World class cuteness. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 09/19/2007 06:26:51 AM She's absolutely adorable! Heh, no, it just makes me glad I have my own cute niece! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ruth EMAIL: woolyheaded@comcast.net IP: 24.34.57.158 URL: http://woolyheaded.blogspot.com DATE: 09/19/2007 07:20:28 AM Such a cutie!! Pink is definately her color. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 76.204.97.23 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 09/19/2007 12:24:29 PM Sweet baby in a sweet sweater. My parents purchased a snowsuit for me when I was an infant--and I wore that snowsuit until I was 3. They folded over the arms and legs when I was tiny, and I guess I tripped over the long legs for a couple of years until the thing finally fit!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 76.204.97.23 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 09/19/2007 12:24:49 PM Sweet baby in a sweet sweater. My parents purchased a snowsuit for me when I was an infant--and I wore that snowsuit until I was 3. They folded over the arms and legs when I was tiny, and I guess I tripped over the long legs for a couple of years until the thing finally fit!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 70.43.45.58 URL: http://knitknack.typepad.com DATE: 09/19/2007 12:50:26 PM Oh my! Isn't that precious. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@sbcglobal.net IP: 69.231.114.97 URL: http://k2togwonderfullymade.wordpress.com DATE: 09/19/2007 01:07:45 PM VERY cute!!!, but no, I don't need another of my own... and I'm not ready for grandchildren yet, either. Give me another 5 yrs or so, then I'll be ready! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathleen EMAIL: katyknits@gmail.com IP: 24.46.249.49 URL: http://katyknits.typepad.com DATE: 09/19/2007 02:27:32 PM awwww..... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Becky EMAIL: rebecca@moonfrog.com IP: 71.131.34.161 URL: http://www.moonfrog.com DATE: 09/19/2007 07:16:59 PM What a cutie! She has such a sweet face. The wallaby looks great on her, too. How'd she grow so fast?! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Julie EMAIL: julies@maine.rr.com IP: 24.97.255.150 URL: http://noolieknits.typepad.com DATE: 09/21/2007 06:49:10 AM She's such a cutie! Perfect timing for the sweater to fit; she'll get plenty of wear out of it now :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.242 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 09/21/2007 07:16:11 PM Very very cute. And sobering how fast they grow. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: chris EMAIL: chrissy-g@comcast.net IP: 69.141.94.78 URL: http://dropstitchknitter.wordpress.com DATE: 09/22/2007 05:46:04 AM Man, they grow fast! She looks adorable and it looks great on her! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laura EMAIL: sugarbunnyblvd@aol.com IP: 68.103.59.93 URL: http://specialstuff.typepad.com/sugar_bunny_boulevard/ DATE: 09/23/2007 12:06:43 PM Hi Lorette!! The sweetest thing happened to me yesterday morning! I was doing a bit of knitting with one of my knitting students at Panera in Wichita, KS and this guy walked by, stopped to browse an abandoned newspaper for the sudoku puzzle and overheard us chatting about knit and purl stitches (it was probably obvious that we were knitting anyway). He said, Oh, you'd like my neighbor - she has a knitting blog. I said, Oh? So do I! After some concentrated pondering and finally two phone calls to locate your husband he told me his neighbor is the Knitting Doctor! I said, OH, I know who that is! hehe What a small world. It was a lovely surprise and evidence that knitting binds us all in wonderful ways! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Boston... STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 09/12/2007 06:13:37 AM ----- BODY:Or, Red Sox, Blue Sox
Indeed we have internet access from our hotel room here, though it took me longer to figure out than I'd like to admit. Other than the rainy icky day we had yesterday, we've been having a blast. I even got to do some yarn shopping. More on that later. First, the Sox. We have tickets to the Red Sox game tonight, and in honor of that event, I finished a pair of Blue Sox. Actually they are more purple and green, but what the heck.
Project Specs:
Yarn: Wollmeise superwash sock yarn, in Krauterbeet
Pattern: My own. 72 stitches, picot hem, flap heel and gusset
Needles: 2.00mm Pony Pearls
For: Me
Started: June 2007
Finished: September 2007
What I learned: Hmmm. I always say the same thing about socks. I still love a plain sock. There are all those lovely sock stitch patterns out there, and yet again, I've started another plain version for my next pair. I carry these everywhere in my bag, for those odd moments when I can knit just one or two rounds, so I like a simple pattern that I don't have to think about. I absolutely love this yarn. It has a nice smooth finish and the colors are fabulous.
Now, about that shopping. Laurie, aka Etherknitter, arranged for a few friends to get together to take me on a knitting tour on Saturday after we got here. Julia, Claudia, and Manise (no blog) met us at Windsor Button for the first leg of the tour. We then went to Woolcott over in Cambridge, then out to Lexington to Wild & Woolly. Kathy, Martha, Lucia, and Ruth met us along the way. We had lunch and a lot of laughs during the afternoon. To me, this is the best part about blogging. There are a lot of reasons why I still do the blog, but getting to meet some very wonderful people along the way is a real treat. Thanks, ladies! Here are some photos:
The classic "we're blogging each other" photo:
Yes, Ruth has a baby in there. Or had, as I think she's gone into labor since our little foray.
And what all did I bring home? Here's the evidence:
We're off to enjoy the sunshine. Next time, new project!
In case some of you aren't paying attention to the closest elections anywhere, get over to Hand Eye Crafts and check out the voting on the most delicious hunk around. And vote for Alan Rickman while you're over there.
I'm off on vacation, as soon as I get the bags packed. As usual, the hardest part is picking out the knitting projects. We're off to Boston for a week. There's not much progress on any of my projects, so check the photos from prior posts. The camera's already in the bag, so I'm not taking any more this morning. Laurie has graciously arranged for a whole day of playing and yarn shopping with the Boston contingency of the knitbloggers, so I'll post photos if I have internet access. Otherwise, see you in a week!
And go vote for Alan, did I mention that?
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: handeyecrafts@earthlink.net IP: 66.32.142.3 URL: http://handeyecrafts.wordpress.com DATE: 09/07/2007 08:23:27 AM Hey, a little campaigning goes a long way. I have been so gratified to see the number of fellow Rickmaniacs out there! Have an outstanding vacation. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: margene EMAIL: zeneedle@gmail.com IP: 67.40.108.150 URL: http://zeneedle.typepad.com DATE: 09/07/2007 08:23:50 AM I love Alan...and I'm envious you get to spend the day with Laurie and the rest of the NE gang!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Alicia EMAIL: ponyknit@yahoo.com IP: 12.38.110.155 URL: http://www.ponyknit.blogspot.com/ DATE: 09/07/2007 08:48:47 AM Have fun! Don't forget Windsor Button :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: dada@fluffbuff.com IP: 24.205.51.231 URL: http://www.fluffbuff.com DATE: 09/07/2007 09:20:06 AM Done! And I voted for Alan twice. :) Have a great trip and maybe I'll pick your brain when you are back as I am planning a trip in a few weeks that should include Boston. Happy knitting! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 64.81.186.244 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 09/07/2007 01:42:02 PM Have a great time in Boston! We were just there and I loved it! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 64.12.117.143 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 09/07/2007 04:23:00 PM Le Sigh... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.186.249 URL: http://the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 09/07/2007 04:33:48 PM I've been voting religiously since the beginning, and actually spending time worrying about the match ups ... Have a great trip - I love Boston! I'm going on vacation next week too, for the first time in 4 years, so I'm trying to choose projects, too. Oh well, we're not leaving until Monday morning, so I have approximately 267 times to change my mind. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Manise EMAIL: pointysticks@verizon.net IP: 71.245.235.94 URL: DATE: 09/07/2007 05:51:17 PM Looking forward to meeting you tomorrow! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mwknitter EMAIL: donnatritz2001@yahoo.com IP: 66.167.80.67 URL: DATE: 09/08/2007 09:49:32 AM I used to think I was the only Rickmaniac out there!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Holly EMAIL: proseknitic@yahoo.de IP: 91.7.106.170 URL: http://www.proseknitic.de DATE: 09/08/2007 03:44:18 PM Umm. Who is Alan Rickman? Have a great time - Boston (and Cambridge) are great for yarn crawls! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.227.63 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 09/08/2007 05:09:23 PM Lorette - I had every intention of going over and voting for Alan until I saw who he was up against. Mr. Darcy!!! Sorry, I love Alan, but, well, you know. Have a great vacation. Hey, we'll be on the same coast. I leave for Orlando in less than a week. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 68.47.226.119 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 09/08/2007 07:02:40 PM Oh yeah. Alan all the way! :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: RenŽe EMAIL: passionknitgirl@yahoo.com IP: 75.165.98.187 URL: http://passionknitgirl.blogspot.com/ DATE: 09/09/2007 08:00:21 AM Alan or Colin? How can I possibly choose? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 09/09/2007 11:03:06 AM Have a great vacation!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: kmayers@gmail.com IP: 75.164.175.132 URL: http://vastamount.blogspot.com DATE: 09/15/2007 07:34:12 PM Alan Rickman or Hugh Laurie? Yes. Mmmmm. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Uh, Oh STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 08/23/2007 12:42:20 PM ----- BODY:First off, thanks for all the nice compliments on the Forest Canopy shawl. It's reblocking as I write this, for a couple of reasons. I blocked it in a bit of a hurry, and it was a little wonky. I also soaked it in my favorite woolwash, Kookaburra Delicate, but was in such a hurry that I forgot to rinse it. I think it might have been OK to leave it, but I wasn't certain, so I redid it and rinsed it this time. I also got a little more stretch in the process. The final size is about 74 inches across the top, and 35 inches from neck to tip.
I got a couple more questions about the blocking mats that I use. Every time I show these I get a request for info, so I should probably put the link in my sidebar. They are the interlocking foam mats that most people use in kids playrooms. I bought mine online, from Wonder Mat, and got 16 of the 2 foot squares, along with edge pieces. This makes a huge mat, way more than I need for most blocking, but I also use them when John's grandkids come to visit. We just cover the floor downstairs and they can romp at will. The mats do show holes eventually, but that doesn't bother me in the least.
Now it's on to Langsjal J—hšnnu. Here's how you do the diacritic marks, at least on a Mac. Type option-e, let it go, then the letter you want the accent mark on. For the umlaut, type option-u, then the letter. I think the option key has the same function as the alt key on a Windows keyboard, but a Windows expert would have to weigh in on this one.
Here's a photo, very roughly pinned out to give you some idea of what LJ will look like:
I am using lifelines on this one, as it's pretty easy to get off track on this and screw it up. There is no easy purl-back row on this, all 10 rows of the pattern repeat are full of yo's and decreases.
Now to the "Uh,oh". A while back, Fleegle was kind enough to post a link to a Chinese online shop selling ridiculously cheap cashmere and cashmere-silk lace yarn. Of course I jumped. It arrived this week. First of all, the service was perfect. I got a prompt confirmation with a note that the standard shipping takes about 30 days. It actually only took about 12 days for mine. I ordered the cashmere-silk, 1600 yards worth of a lovely pink.
Note the "clothing" (wink, wink) on the customs form. This didn't fool my husband in the least. Neither did the little checkbox that says "gift".
And just how fine is that yarn, you might ask?
That's the green Zephyr I used for the Forest Canopy shawl. The pink stuff is 800 yards per 50 grams, and the straight cashmere they sell, at 500 yards per 50 grams, is probably a little more like a real laceweight than sewing thread. Their regular price for both varieties is $9.99, and some of the colors are on sale for $6.99. You could get a damn big shawl for cheap with this stuff. Go buy some, so I don't feel silly buying pink cobwebs from China. I do have an idea for what this might be someday, but I'm keeping it under my hat for now.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 08/23/2007 12:58:56 PM Is that ever thin yarn. Do you have a project in mind for it? For the folks who live on the East Coast, BJ's Wholesale Club has mats like that for around $19 a set. I don't know if you need to be a member to order from the web site, but here is the link: shop.bjs.com/Living-Home-Multicolor-2--39--x-2--39--Antifatigue-Reversible-Mats--8-pk--Front-Page_stcVVproductId10744404VVcatId428349VVviewprod.htm These are black on the reverse side. I also sometimes use mine for blog photos. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 70.43.45.58 URL: http://knit-knack.blog-city.com DATE: 08/23/2007 01:59:31 PM 1) Your shawl is lovely. 2) for those that are interested in similar mats, they sell a good substitute at Sam's - 6 mats for $19.95. they work great. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debbie EMAIL: fufina514@comcast.net IP: 24.98.76.223 URL: http://www.gottaknit.typepad.com DATE: 08/23/2007 03:11:19 PM thanks for sharing the yarn link! Love your George Bush countdown!!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: monica EMAIL: cmnappe@yahoo.com IP: 207.154.85.2 URL: http://passionknit.net DATE: 08/23/2007 03:14:38 PM Wow that's really thin yarn. I'd have to quadruple strand it! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 08/23/2007 03:26:00 PM Oh, LJ looks yummy!! Purple? Mmmm... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 71.187.17.96 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 08/23/2007 03:26:05 PM Yeah, I looked at that when Fleegle mentioned it and was seriously tempted! Just, you know, watch out . . . they don't dye with lead paint, do they? (grin) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: kmayers@gmail.com IP: 75.164.169.115 URL: http://vastamount.blogspot.com DATE: 08/23/2007 03:59:19 PM Oh, my. Now you've done it. I think I NEED Chinese wee thread. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.62.7 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 08/23/2007 04:24:06 PM Girl - let me try a "first" lace project with fingering weight yarn, before you try to thrust the cobweb weight stuff my way. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 76.110.186.102 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 08/23/2007 05:15:36 PM The color is gorgeous but yikes! that's thin! I'd need quadrifocals for that, heh! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 67.169.254.13 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 08/23/2007 06:09:22 PM I just went through my lace yarn stash and I have 75,000 yds of lace weight yarn! No way I am buying more no matter how cheap or pretty it is! Like the pink! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: fiberwizard01@gmail.com IP: 65.102.163.77 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 08/23/2007 07:26:53 PM pink cobwebs = grand joy. Glad it made it through all the necessary translation to get to you. It's a lovely shade. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 66.156.15.123 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 08/23/2007 08:10:43 PM Pretty color, but that is some thin yarn! I bet it will make a beautiful shawl, though. And you could always double it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nora EMAIL: noraz@optusnet.com.au IP: 211.30.251.31 URL: http://black-dog-knits.blogspot.com DATE: 08/24/2007 01:08:53 AM Aaaah, sewing thread - not dissimilar to the Habu yarn I used for my scarf. :) I wonder if they'll ship to Australia? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 08/24/2007 08:31:49 AM Hmm...so husbands are not fooled by "clothing" on customs forms. Greater stealth is needed. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 155.181.164.17 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 08/24/2007 09:20:02 AM Thank you for sharing that! I have my eye on a shawl in many colors that would cost a zillion dollars buying the required yarn. I think for the most part, the husbands are wise to us ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 64.81.186.244 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 08/24/2007 12:42:05 PM That yarn is so fine - it almost looks like thread! Can't wait to see what you create with it! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacey_CrimsonPurl EMAIL: crimsondiva1999@yahoo.com IP: 74.235.1.58 URL: http://crimsonpurl.blogspot.com DATE: 08/25/2007 08:50:46 AM LOL! @ label on box not tricking hubby! Nice yarn! :oD ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.242 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 08/26/2007 04:16:42 AM Sewing thread, indeed. Yikes! That will be fun to control. I'd make sure there were purl rest rows with that one. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: eyeleen EMAIL: eyeleen259@gmail.com IP: 71.178.208.57 URL: http://knittingbyeye.blogspot.com DATE: 08/26/2007 06:49:40 PM Yarn that thin scares me. I'm sure that whatever you knit up with it will be lovely! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 08/26/2007 08:32:44 PM Smart you. I should've used a lifeline on my current project. Lovely stash aquisition, Li ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 71.211.63.82 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 08/29/2007 12:09:38 PM Wow that 'yarn' looks awesome! Love your shawl great work and looks lovely! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nicole EMAIL: nicolepeirce@gmail.com IP: 71.141.239.93 URL: http://astryd.wordpress.com DATE: 08/31/2007 12:21:19 AM After seeing this, I just had to order some. Like I need more yarn? ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacey EMAIL: ssobiesiak@verizon.net IP: 71.105.121.50 URL: http://www.purlingdervishes.com/blog DATE: 09/16/2007 06:16:48 PM You're doing Joho too! I hope yours doesn't meet the same fate as Margene's. I can't wait to see what it looks like in a solid color. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Forest Canopy Shawl STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 08/21/2007 04:27:22 PM ----- BODY:And finally, here are the photos of the blocked shawl. This week got away from me. We've had a variety of visiting friends and relatives staying with us over the past 2 and a half weeks, and I worked all last week. It was also cloudy and rainy much of last week, which doesn't make for very good photos. Those are my excuses, and I'm sticking to them.
Here's the shawl blocking:
Sorry if that looks a little psychedelic. Here's the taped-to-the-deck-rail shot.
And a close-up.
Project Specs:
Pattern: Forest Canopy Shoulder Shawl, by Susan Pierce Lawrence. You can buy the pattern here.*
Yarn: JaggerSpun Zephyr laceweight, a 50-50 wool-silk blend. I'm pretty sure the color is Bottle Green. At least I think it is. I bought this before I started my obsessive compulsive Access yarn database file, and there was no label with the yarn.
For: Me me me.
Started: Way back last fall. September, I think. Yup, here it is. I did the first version in the Mountain Colors Weavers Wool that she recommends in the pattern, and liked it so much I immediately started this one in laceweight.
Finished: Last week.
Needles: Holz & Stein 3.25mm ebony circular.
Modifications: I used laceweight yarn instead of the sportweight yarn called for in the pattern. I just did repeats until I was close to running out, and then did the edging. Otherwise I knit the pattern as written.
What I Learned: I just love knitting lace. The finished project also really impresses people, especially non-knitters. I also love Zephyr yarn. It has a great sheen, and comes in tons of lovely colors. This is a perfect pattern for lace virgins. Trust me, if you can knit and purl, you can do this one.
Here's how much yarn I had left. The shawl weighs just a hair under 80 grams, and that little bit left weighs 1.8 grams.
Next up on the lace front? Langsjal J—hšnnu**, which has been in hibernation for over a year. I'll show some photos next time. Right now I'm busy trying to figure out where I left off with the pattern.
*Oooh, oooh, oooh! Her lace patterns are all on sale! Go there now!
**I'm pretty fracking proud of myself for figuring out how to do the accent and umlaut on that word. It only took me 14 months.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Annie EMAIL: annie.k.will@gmail.com IP: 75.176.21.4 URL: http://www.tangledyarn.wordpress.com DATE: 08/21/2007 05:08:56 PM Gorgeous! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 08/21/2007 05:11:00 PM Very nice! How big is it in the laceweight? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cathy-Cate EMAIL: crryan@charter.net IP: 68.115.61.29 URL: http://hitherandyarn.wordpress.com DATE: 08/21/2007 06:23:20 PM Nice work, Princess of Lace! BTW, you are an ENABLER. Or I follow directions really well. You said, Go There Now, and I Went. 3 lace patterns later.... My entire Montreal travelogue needs accents. Sigh. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: beverly EMAIL: b13army@yahoo.com IP: 72.200.142.51 URL: http://www.wbnm.typepad.com DATE: 08/21/2007 06:31:45 PM So pretty! I've been obsessing about casting on this pattern all day... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.228.65 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 08/21/2007 06:38:00 PM Have you seen the stash feature on Ravelry? It creates an Excel spreadsheet for you! Pretty flippin' incredible. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 205.188.117.143 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 08/21/2007 06:38:00 PM Wow, it's lovely! I bought those styro blocks too and glad I did! You did such nice work on this, and you even have enough left over to make a doily for your Tiara to rest on! Just curious, what do you really do with scraps like that? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.228.65 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 08/21/2007 06:38:13 PM Have you seen the stash feature on Ravelry? It creates an Excel spreadsheet for you! Pretty flippin' incredible. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.199.220 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 08/21/2007 06:39:35 PM Oh, it turned out so beautifully - you should really be proud of yourself! And yes, I'm also impressed at your ability to place diacritics on words ... some day I may figure it out myself! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 67.170.34.40 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 08/21/2007 06:44:11 PM This is beautiful! And yes, you should be pretty frackin' proud - I wouldn't be able to figure it out, but that might not be sayin' much. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Michelle EMAIL: antmegmmm@verizon.net IP: 68.160.124.160 URL: http://ewekeepmeinstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 08/21/2007 07:08:11 PM woohoo! I'm in! hopped right over to that sale and got me a copy! Yours looks great! Enjoy it :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: kmayers@gmail.com IP: 70.59.154.104 URL: http://vastamount.blogspot.com DATE: 08/21/2007 07:26:32 PM Ooooh, pretty! I already got me one of those Lily of the Valley smoke ring patterns. Grin! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 66.156.15.123 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 08/21/2007 07:29:41 PM Pretty, pretty lace! And isn't lace knitting just the thing for summer? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: eyeleen EMAIL: eyeleen259@gmail.com IP: 71.126.180.237 URL: http://knittingbyeye.blogspot.com DATE: 08/21/2007 08:20:24 PM Beautiful shawl! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 67.169.254.13 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 08/21/2007 08:59:55 PM The finished shawl is beautiful! and the shawl to be: Langsjal J—hšnnu (I just copied
It's DONE!! The Forest Canopy shawl is done done done. It's in the sink for a soak before blocking, then some real photos, but I couldn't resist.
Here's another one to tide you over until the blocking party is over. We keep threatening to get Riley in the canoe on the lake, and this is the summer. Here she is with my sweetie, out for a dog paddle.
I'm off to find pins.
I found this video on You Tube while trying to answer that very question. While we don't actually live in Tacoma, but the next community south, I work and play there, and it just sort of runs together. This is a hoot, though not much of an enticement to move here.
How Big...
And the answer, per the 2000 census data, is 193,556. Lakewood, my home town, is only 58,211. Seattle's the big city at 582,454. Now you know.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Susan Moo EMAIL: smoorect@gmail.com IP: 63.22.99.59 URL: DATE: 08/11/2007 12:52:13 PM Let's play on upmenship my summer home As of the census of 2000, there were 426 people, 169 households, and 114 families residing in Tolland, MA my winter home The population of Nokomis, FL was 3,334 at the 2000 census How can you even breath? Susan ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 151.197.229.133 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 08/11/2007 03:35:52 PM That was really cool! Funny how places look different, but in some ways, are just the same ... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: BeadKnitter EMAIL: dljpark@imbris.com IP: 216.18.133.249 URL: http://beadknitter.blogspot.com DATE: 08/11/2007 10:55:31 PM I was born and raised in the Seattle/Tacoma area. I grew up in Federal Way. We went to Tacoma all the time for stuff. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Mary EMAIL: tactlesswonder@gmail.com IP: 24.18.251.199 URL: http://tactlesswonder.blogspot.com/ DATE: 08/12/2007 11:19:48 AM ...And knowing is half the battle...G.I.JOE! Sorry. I got a kick out of watching the video though, I thought it was all "old timey" footage until I caught sight of a Scion xbx or whatever they're called. I've only been down there once since moving to Seattle--which is tiny compared to the LA/SoCal metro-city where I grew up :). It's all about perspective. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: kmayers@gmail.com IP: 71.34.101.236 URL: http://vastamount.blogspot.com/ DATE: 08/12/2007 11:49:26 PM Milwaukie, Oregon boasts a whopping 20,490 people, though most people would tie us in to Portland, which has 562,690 folks. Just realized you're only a couple hours away - ever get down in my neck of the woods? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.193 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 08/13/2007 08:10:22 AM I love that!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 155.181.164.17 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 08/13/2007 11:19:36 AM We need to move. The city of Ft Laud has 185,400 cranky folks and the county in which I live Broward boasts 5,463,857 . Oh yeah, definitely time to move. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: !@#$#@^%*(&! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 08/08/2007 08:51:54 AM ----- BODY:Whomp!
That was the sound of the knitting goddess whomping me on the head for the sin of hubris. I'm knitting the Forest Canopy Shawl, which I keep referring to as an easy lace pattern. It has 8 pattern rows, half of which are straight purl back rows, and a 5th row is plain knit, so there are only really 3 rows that you have to pay attention to. Should be easy, right?
On top of that, I'm getting close to the end, and have what I think is enough yarn for a couple more repeats and then the 8 row border pattern, which is just repeated once. I've been trying to think out how I could safely use as much of the Zephyr lace yarn to make the shawl as large as possible, and still have enough for the border. I finally came upon the brilliant idea of using my drug-dealers scale. I finished a row 8, weighed the remaining ball of yarn, then started in on another pattern repeat. My plan is to finish another repeat, weigh it again, then I should be able to calculate roughly how many repeats I can get out of it. There will be a little fudging with this, as of course the rows get lonnnnger with each repeat, but it should be better than just guessing. I was feeling pretty proud of myself for coming up with this plan. Even a little above average, I would say.
So I'm knitting merrily along, about 3/4 across a loooonnng row 5, and discovered I'd somehow dropped a stitch or something screwy. I haven't been using lifelines with this one, as it's a pretty easy pattern to tell when you've goofed up. (More hubris.) The only hope was to tink back, stitch by stitch, across lonnnnnggg rows until I got to where I'd fracked it up. I ended up unknitting 3 rows before I found it. Somehow I'd skipped 3 yarnovers all in one little inch long section. I probably didn't forget to do them, but somehow dropped them on the purl back row. I apparently screwed up the "easy" purl back row. I'm also more than a little embarrassed to admit that it took me that long to figure out that it was dropped yarnovers. Those actually are fairly easy to fix without tinking back, if you know where they should go. An average knitter could probably figure that out.
There are no photos of this. A blob of knitted lace done correctly doesn't look much different in a photo from a blob of knitted lace with mistakes. Just imagine them, OK?
This is where a knitting blog turned out to be a blessing. I had the very brief, but very definitely serious thought of ripping the whole thing out into a pile of ramen yarn, then taking it to the backyard and burning it. Except I'd have to admit to all of you that I did it. Sooner or later somebody would comment "whatever happened to that pretty green lace shawl you were knitting", and I'd have to confess. So I tinked. I tinked three very loooonnnnnnnngggg rows. And I reknit, and now I'm back to that row 5. I still don't know how many repeats I can squeak out of this baby. I'm off to knit rows 6-7-8.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 67.169.254.13 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 08/08/2007 11:17:21 AM Hummmm......must be some shared gene we have. I NEVER use lifelines but recommend them to everyone. I did not use lifelines on the WRS yikes! I got lucky nothing ever happened. I did shift the center stitch in the Hyrna shawl AND it took me 30 rows to figure that one out ........grumble. I am knitting the swallowtail shawl and this am I dropped a stitch and never did really find it! There goes your blog rating with the title for today :D ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lora EMAIL: glennandlora@yahoo.com IP: 75.84.92.131 URL: DATE: 08/08/2007 11:40:22 AM I dropped three stitches within an inch of the shawl I finished a couple months ago and didn't discover it until I hard blocked the dang thing. Nothing like tugging, tugging, tugging and seeing a gaping hole open up before your eyes. I almost had heart failure. Snagged them with a safety pin and I still haven't fixed. Just add it to the list... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: alice EMAIL: missalicefaye@hotmail.com IP: 128.36.26.84 URL: http://www.missalicefaye.com DATE: 08/08/2007 12:15:07 PM I find that the "easy" rows are the easiest to screw up, because you let your guard down. :) I drop yarnovers like crazy... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Elinor EMAIL: elinor@knitlawrence.org IP: 24.124.34.41 URL: http://exercisebeforeknitting.blogspot.com DATE: 08/08/2007 12:27:02 PM Oh, the pain of all that tinking!!!!!!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Miss T EMAIL: domusarcanus@yahoo.com IP: 24.118.44.150 URL: http://mysteryhouse.typepad.com DATE: 08/08/2007 12:28:03 PM This SO sounds like something I would do. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Singular Stitches EMAIL: singularstitches@hotmail.com IP: 24.239.120.132 URL: http://singularstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 08/08/2007 01:44:31 PM I totally feel your pain. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 67.170.34.40 URL: http://www.tiennie.com DATE: 08/08/2007 02:34:53 PM Holy crap. That's a PITA but will be totally gorgeous like all the stuff you do! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karen EMAIL: karen@needlesandwool.com IP: 71.234.7.134 URL: http://needlesandwool.com DATE: 08/08/2007 03:22:41 PM Damn. I hate tinking long ass rows of lace. Hate it. I've had to do it more times than I care to admit. My sympathies... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 151.197.229.133 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 08/08/2007 05:30:13 PM The same kinds of things happen to me all of the time. I get really pleased with something I've done, or figured out how to do, etc. And then comes my downfall. All the same, I can't wait to see the finished shawl! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.193 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 08/08/2007 08:52:27 PM Oh my! You are a much better person than I am. I think I woulda looked a little harder for a box of matches! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 65.34.229.0 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 08/09/2007 12:36:27 AM It's the easy ones that get ya every time! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathleen EMAIL: katyknits@gmail.com IP: 24.46.249.49 URL: http://katyknits.typepad.com DATE: 08/09/2007 05:46:34 AM It happens to the best of us. And those stupid mistakes are the ones that we think we'll never make. Like Debi said! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.228.65 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 08/09/2007 07:51:20 AM Been there, done that, unfortunately they don't give t-shirts for it. Honestly, if you're going to do lace, it's going to happen. Ask how many looooong rows I've tinked back! It ain't purty. Despite that, I still don't use lifelines. In my humdrum life it's my one concession to living dangerously! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: BeadKnitter EMAIL: dljpark@imbris.com IP: 216.18.133.249 URL: http://beadknitter.blogspot.com DATE: 08/09/2007 09:46:52 AM An elderly woman who visited my shop a couple times, was well in her 70's, and had been knitting longer than I've been alive, said these words of wisdom to me, which I've taken to heart. "As you knit, so shall you rip." Truer words have never been spoken. Take heart in the knowledge that I got to tink about 2 hours worth of lace work myself last night. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kristin EMAIL: kariker@gmail.com IP: 204.64.42.245 URL: http://www.yarnandorder.com DATE: 08/09/2007 11:53:27 AM Damn! I was hoping it was easy. I'm planning on doing that as my first big lace project. I guess I'll learn from you and use lifelines. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sharon EMAIL: sharonslp@ameritech.net IP: 65.42.242.246 URL: http://sharonstuff.typepad.com/knitknacks/ DATE: 08/09/2007 01:29:34 PM Confess all you need. We grant you absolution. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Daisy EMAIL: dlocke2012@rogers.com IP: 74.104.92.51 URL: DATE: 08/09/2007 08:59:43 PM I'm trying to knit the Forest Canopy shawl as large as possible, too. I figure each half takes 1/3 of the yarn and the border will take the last 1/3. What do you think? I've been weighing the yarn along the way, too. Thanks. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 08/10/2007 06:17:38 AM This may not make you feel better, but know that I share your pain. I spent an entire evening knitting from my *own* chart, and when I was done, I saw the easiest cable in the pattern twisted on the wrong row--at which point I realized that I was following the chart in the wrong place. Since lots of neck shaping took place after that, I had to rip the entire thing back. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 08/10/2007 11:32:08 AM Hee hee - accountability... So I ordered a similar scale from amazon and was much amused that the "buy with..." product was a book on drug horticulture. :D ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 155.181.164.17 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 08/10/2007 11:42:41 AM If I snicker, I know mine will fall off the needles on its own. I want so badly to pick it up again! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 70.56.235.110 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 08/10/2007 11:43:15 AM on a positive note...it just shows how REAL (not average) you are in this all and everytime you post about a mistakes it makes me feel better with mine! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dorothy@amadorneville.us IP: 76.22.4.42 URL: http://madorville.blogspot.com DATE: 08/10/2007 01:25:00 PM If this is a typical sort of triangular shawl, then after the nth row, you have knit n^2+5n stitches total. You can use this to calculate what percent of the shawl is left to knit, and your scale will tell you what percent of the yarn you have left. Very straightforward. I explain more on my blog, April 27th 2007 post. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 68.47.226.119 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 08/10/2007 04:08:07 PM Yes it's only at the times when we think we've done everything right and have won out over the mistakes. And then you can almost hear that maniacal laughter somewhere just out of reach. That's when you should just reach up over your shoulder, snatch the goddess by those long flowing locks, and tie the lovely yarn you are using around that neck. Well, that's what you usually feel like doing at one of those times. I have un-knitted on many an occasion. It's not fun. And no matter how many times you tell yourself: "It's ok, you get to knit again, you enjoy knitting", it's still a big pain. I hope you don't have any more little drops. But if you do decide you need that bonfire, you must take pics! :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.242 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 08/11/2007 03:22:28 AM Ok. Now I feel better. Leaf Lace is in time out because I screwed up the row before last. I counted the stitches, they were the correct count. So I purl back, and then do half the next pattern row. One stitch too many. Tink back, do it again, one stitch too many. Which means two rows ago, one side has one stitch too many, and one side is one stitch short. It wasn't the blog that kept me from burning it (yes, I did contemplate that alternative). It was sheer not wanting to be an average knitter. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: teyani@crownmountainfarms.com IP: 65.102.160.188 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 08/12/2007 07:33:24 AM So glad you tinked. You'll be glad too, it's a great shawl pattern. And just so you know, I suspect that the easier patterns are, the easier it is to mess them up, since we don't have to give it much attention,and we knit them at group meetings or in the evening, and hmmmm, could it be there was a peach martini involved? (big grins) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: ena EMAIL: ehunt@mchsi.com IP: 12.206.120.163 URL: DATE: 08/22/2007 06:33:44 AM That little scale and being able to measure and predict if you have enough is really cool! E ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: I'm Not Average STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 08/06/2007 02:51:49 PM ----- BODY:Just a quick post to show you an article in our morning paper, the Tacoma News Tribune. It's a short biographical piece about a 91-year old woman who sounds like a real hoot. The first paragraph, however, refers to her by saying "Hull, a lively and sometimes mischievous woman, isnÕt your average knitting grandma".
Hmmph. I'm neither average nor a grandma, and neither are many of you. I'm in the process of drafting an email to the reporter to let her know that there are many of us who don't fit her stereotype. I suppose I shouldn't get worked up about these things, it's probably a sign that I'm avoiding dredging out my office before all the visiting relatives get here tomorrow.
Here's the link. The woman that she profiles in the article looks a good role-model for women getting older.
I'm off to clear a path through the maze.
Edited:
I did send an email to the reporter. She promptly replied, with an apology for the stereotyping. It turns out she's also a knitter, it just never occurred to her that the "knitting grandma" thing might bug some crazy menopausal woman. I invited her to our weekly knitting group, she said she'd come, and there you go. So don't send her any hate mail!
OK, another 2 weeks got away from me. All of a sudden it's August, the month of visiting friends and relatives. Our extra bedrooms are fully booked for the next 2 weeks, so if any of you want to come out and visit, take a number. And of course, now that we have people coming to visit, the weather has gotten crappy. It's only in the 50's this morning, though it's supposed to get nicer later.
Here's what I've been working on.
I'm close to the armhole decreases. I'm still working with a somewhat nebulous pattern. I want a v-neck, but after Lisa posted this, I'm revising how v-d it will be. I don't want it to grow into something I need to wear a camisole with. I also want three-quarter length sleeves, but I'm not sure I have enough yarn. Of course, if this stuff grows that much, I can just do short sleeves, and wait.
I've also been working on those Krauterbeet socks, yarn from the Wollmeise. I have one done, and the second started.
I can't even tell you how much I love this yarn. Wendy posted recently that the hank she had split like crazy, and was very twisty while knitting. It is very twisty, indeed. Mine doesn't split, though, I'm not sure why the difference. I have, ahem, four more skeins of this in different colors in the stash. Well, I couldn't just order this all the way from Germany and just order one hank, now could I?
And here's the shawl and Riley, being Kinneared:
Sorry about the crappy quality of that photo. I just held the camera down and clicked, hoping to get some version of the shawl and the lake. Riley was a bonus. No, she wasn't drinking the wine, I was, that might account for the photo.
Here's what else I made last week.
Upscale BLTs, with pancetta, arugula, and mozzarella, and heirloom tomatoes. These were yummy enough that we're doing them again today, this time with the burrata cheese that the recipe called for, and homemade bread. The recipe is in Bon Appetit from August this year. You can find it here. These are just unbelievably good, so go make some. I'll take photos of the finished project and post them later!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 67.169.254.13 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 08/04/2007 09:31:24 AM I have been experimenting more and more with homemade bread. Gets better and better. Thanks for all the suggestions on books and recipes! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Meadow EMAIL: meadowl@gmail.com IP: 76.27.60.131 URL: http://queenmeadow.wordpress.com DATE: 08/04/2007 10:29:09 AM I need to start making bread again, I miss the smell as much as I miss the taste. I love the color of those socks, pretty. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vicki EMAIL: vknitorious@gmail.com IP: 75.87.202.195 URL: http://knitorious.typepad.com/knitorious/ DATE: 08/04/2007 10:59:23 AM I was going to write about how I saw Greg Kinnear in a movie last night and now I'll always think of airports and pictures -- taken on the sly and slightly askew and maybe of the intended subject (or not) -- but now, it's clear... TIME FOR LUNCH!!! Yummmmmm. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Norma EMAIL: norma.knits@gmail.com IP: 64.223.81.51 URL: http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com DATE: 08/04/2007 11:00:52 AM Wait....IT'S AUGUST???? ROFL. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@sbcglobal.net IP: 69.231.148.103 URL: http://k2togwonderfullymade.wordpress.com DATE: 08/04/2007 11:11:46 AM Man oh man, if that's what you're serving at your house, no wonder your extra bedrooms are booked! When's your first "opening?!" ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 08/04/2007 11:47:18 AM Consider reinforcing the neck no matter where you start it. Something inconspicuous, such as a row of single crochet around the edge would probably keep it from stretching and sagging. If you're better at crocheting (I'm not), you can get more creative and use a prettier stitch. One reason I am always hesitant about non-wool yarns is that the stretch is unpredictable. I'm lusting after your 50-degree weather. I don't care if it is cloudy or not! It has been in the 90s here for a week. That sandwich is making me hungry, and I just had lunch. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 71.187.17.96 URL: http://www.chappysmom.typepad.com DATE: 08/04/2007 03:09:38 PM Maybe you turn your socks the opposite way than Wendy does as she knits? You know, clockwise instead of counter-clockwise, or whichever--so that she's adding twist to hers with every turn and you're staying "even?" ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Singular Stitches EMAIL: singularstitches@hotmail.com IP: 24.239.120.132 URL: http://singularstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 08/04/2007 06:04:51 PM Ahhh, mornings in the 50's. I'll be so glad to have that kind of cool weather again. We've got lows in the 60's with dew points to match. If you have no rooms to rent, are you taking lunch reservations? Mmmmmmmm. :o) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 68.47.226.119 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 08/04/2007 08:14:09 PM Snicker. I can just imagine some of the photos that will be popping up all over now. Time just has a way of creeping by when you don't want it to, and flying away when you aren't looking. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 68.219.102.217 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 08/04/2007 08:21:07 PM 50's!? Wow, I'm coming to stay at your house, even if I have to sleep on the lawn. It's HOT here day and night. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.228.65 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 08/04/2007 09:03:19 PM It's funny you should mention heirloom tomatoes. I had never heard about them until today when I heard a newscaster talking about getting them at Pike Place Market and how good they are. Now I've got to find somewhere here to get them. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 08/05/2007 12:08:13 PM Your food looks delicious, your knits look fantastic, and I'm glad for the update! Have a great time with your guests! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathleen EMAIL: quailhillknits@gmail.com IP: 75.209.109.22 URL: http://quailhillknits.blogspot.com/ DATE: 08/05/2007 03:33:42 PM Those BLTs look delicious. I am definitely going to try them. The socks you are working on are lovely. I like the color of the yarn and the way it knits up. Looking forward to seeing the finished pair. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Michelle EMAIL: antmegmmm@verizon.net IP: 138.89.100.8 URL: http://ewekeepmeinstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 08/05/2007 04:26:26 PM Glad you're back amongst the living! You were missed in the knitting blog--o--sphere. The knitting is lovely but the sandwich...pure genius :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karen EMAIL: karen@needlesandwool.com IP: 69.177.169.230 URL: http://needlesandwool.com DATE: 08/06/2007 09:20:49 AM Oh, you have some of *that* sock yarn. I keep hearing such rave reviews on it. I really need to order some so I can try it out myself. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 155.181.164.17 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 08/06/2007 10:27:19 AM Nice knitting going on there! I like the way you tried to hide the number of skeins you bought! But I agree, if you're shopping all the way over in Germany, make it count! Speaking of numbers, I'll take #12 and see you in a few months! ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 216.248.170.177 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 08/06/2007 12:29:26 PM I've heard so much about the Woolmeise. Once of these days, I'll get a skein or two. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Diane EMAIL: dcademartori@sbcglobal.net IP: 12.159.97.158 URL: http://lacelovinlibrarian.blogspot.com DATE: 08/07/2007 03:58:32 AM I've been reading your blog for a while now, and I really love it. The best part... seeing who you've Kinneared... gotta get a cell phone that takes pictures! I've been on a tatting binge lately, but I'm seriously thinking of getting back to my lace and socks. Reading various blogs sure is inspirational, especially when they're laced with humor! Gotta go... should I look for my sock wool first, or the lace weight that I bought last summer? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 08/07/2007 01:18:39 PM Interesting to hear another perspective on Wollmeise! Ahhhh - 50s sounds like heaven. It's 90+ with very high humidit... ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: 7 Things STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 07/21/2007 07:47:21 PM ----- BODY:No, this isn't the "7 Things" meme. It's just that seven is all the things I could think of at the moment.
1. I'm still knitting the same stuff. No new pictures. It just mostly looks the same. I'm not bored with it, but you might be if I posted photos that looked the same as last time.
2. It's just still fracking raining here. Rain rain rain rain. It's all we've had all week. I'm starting to get moss on my north side (or is it the south side that it grows on?).
3. I just discovered NetNewsWire. I have used Bloglines as my blog aggregator for a long time, but it's gotten really twitchy recently. If you have a Mac, try it out. It's very cool. NNW, you heard it here. I'm probably the last Mac blogger on earth to find this one.
4. Google searches, redux. I just have to laugh that somebody got to my blog this week by typing "Aunti Debi" into Google. Now, really. If you were a person looking for your Aunti Debi, would you type "Aunti Debi" into Google?? Really? Hon, I'm pretty sure she's not here.
5. Ravelry rocks. It's a big-ass time-sucker, but it rocks. I've found lots more projects that I need to knit than I'll have time for in any lifespan allotted to me.
6. I finally gave up trying to keep up, and hit "mark all read" in both NNW and Bloglines.
7. We had to have another tree taken out of our yard. This one was a Garry Oak, and it was huge. Unfortunately it had started to split right at the fork between the two main branches. We decided to take it out before it took out part of the rest of the yard.
The problem:
Click on the photo to see.
They had to get a crane in to handle this one.
And now it's just a bunch of firewood. Very wet firewood.
Excuse me. I'm going to look for the lifejackets.
This has been a bit overdue. In looking back in the posts, I keep promising a knitting update, so here it is.
But first, a few photos from the 4th. A bunch of the boat owners on our lake have a boat parade late morning on the holiday, so we turned out to the beach with a few friends and some refreshments to watch.
Here's John opening the refreshments. There were also Bloody Marys (Maries?) involved.
The parade:
There was knitting going on. My boss is learning how to knit. I gave her the first lesson Wednesday morning. Yes, I know how lucky I am, having a boss that wants me to teach her to knit.
And here is the promised Project Roundup. These are the 3 projects in active rotation. First is the sock.
Yeah, yeah, I know I haven't made much progress. There have been other things interfering. For those of you not paying attention, this is the German yarn, the Wollmeise Krauterbeet. I just love the color name, Krauterbeet. It's much more purple and green than in that photo. This is just lovely yarn, which is a good thing. Since I had to order it all the way from Germany, I couldn't just order one hank of it, now, could I. Some day I'll show you the rest of it fermenting in the stash.
Next is the Forest Canopy shawl. I really have made progress, it's just hard to tell, being a lace shawl and all. This is Zephyr wool-silk, in Bottle Green. I thought it was Basil, but I'm pretty sure it's the former. I love this color enough to buy more of it.
This one's getting close. A couple more repeats of the main pattern is about all I will be able to stand, then it will be on to the border, then done.
Now, my new project. I am using South West Trading Company's Bamboo, in a color called Butter. The color is actually more like real bamboo than butter. If you've ever been unfortunate enough to have the stuff growing in your backyard, you know what it looks like. I can only hope bamboo yarn really takes off. I have a bunch of it growing wild along my side yard fence. It could be an investment.
Here's the first attempt. I am making a tee-shirt like top, though if I have enough yarn, I'll put 3/4 length sleeves on it. I'm doing a picot/cable edging from one of the Nicky Epstein books for the bottom hem. The first version reminded me of chicken satay on skewers.
Then I had a little mishap and it ended up looking more like ramen noodles. The mishap had nothing to do with the pink wine in that photo. Since I'm making this one up as I go along, I didn't like the first iteration, and decided on a do-over.
And here's where I am now. The hem is turned up and pinned so you can see it. The edging is done by knitting 5 rows, doing a picot turning row, then knitting more rows, then a simple 4 stitch cable crossing all the way across.
I haven't quite come to a verdict on this yarn. It is listed on the ball band as a worsted weight, which isn't even close. I finally ended up with 3.25mm needles, and it measures out to be more like a DK or sport weight. Oh well, I really didn't want to wear it this summer, anyway. It's making a lovely, drapey fabric at that gauge.
Off to bed, another fun-filled work week starts in the morning!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Singular Stitches EMAIL: singularstitches@hotmail.com IP: 64.238.49.65 URL: http://www.singularstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 07/10/2007 05:56:00 AM Your Forest Canopy shawl is gorgeous!! (I think I'm going to have to get that pattern!) Good luck on your designing, and, if it doesn't work out, you can have ramen noodles for lunch! :o) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 67.169.254.13 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 07/10/2007 05:58:08 AM Not from my own experience, I have heard that the bamboo yarn stretches beyond believe. Good luck! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.30.110 URL: http://www.the-ravelld.sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 07/10/2007 05:59:56 AM Uh oh, seeing that green yarn means I'd better look for some - that is gorgeous! And the shawl looks beautiful, I may give that a whirl sometime. You're teaching your boss to knit? Lucky you, having a boss you'd *want* to teach to knit! Good luck this week ... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 07/10/2007 06:15:39 AM All your WIPs look great. I wanted to make a scarf for a friend who is allergic to wool, and it was a toss up between SWT's Bamboo and Soy Silk. I opted for Soy Silk because she liked the colors better, but I was tantalized by Bamboo. Does it seem as if it will stretch the way cotton does, or does it have more memory? The scarf I'm planning for Soy Silk is one of the seaman's scarves in Myrna Stahman's book, so the stretchiness doesn't mattr much. If I use this kind of yarn again, though, it will be for a sweater like yours. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.238.52 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 07/10/2007 06:35:30 AM Everything looks wonderful. Don't you just love Zephyr? I think it ranks right up there with my favorite yarn of all time. It's even making Forest Path a little more bearable. And the butter yarn looks just like butter - good enough to eat! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 07/10/2007 07:18:59 AM Lovely shawl and socks! I'm intrigued and looking forward to seeing more of the bamboo t-shirt. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: margene EMAIL: zeneedle@gmail.com IP: 69.88.77.72 URL: http://zeneedle.typepad.com DATE: 07/10/2007 07:45:21 AM No one has more fun that Lorette! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 216.248.170.177 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 07/10/2007 07:50:47 AM I love the shawl. It really looks nice in a solid color. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennie EMAIL: clynewarnr@earthlink.net IP: 67.101.146.130 URL: http://knitwitmama.blogspot.com DATE: 07/10/2007 09:14:20 AM I love the bamboo t-shirt. I especially love the picot hem. I haven't tried bamboo yarn yet, but I have some bamboo towels that I don't like because they don't absorb like cotton. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.193 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 07/10/2007 09:42:36 AM The shawl is gorgeous and I love how the bamboo top is looking. It's going to be so pretty! Are you going to knitting tomorrow? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacey EMAIL: crimsondiva1999@yahoo.com IP: 166.82.90.50 URL: http://crimsonpurl.blogspot.com DATE: 07/10/2007 11:38:52 AM Oh you MUST post your chicken satay on skewers and ramen noodle pics on the Flickr group called Fiberlicious. I just posted about them today on my blog! Link to the photo group is there too! :o) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Barbara-Kay EMAIL: bkseiver@yahoo.com IP: 68.11.200.108 URL: DATE: 07/10/2007 12:09:18 PM All I could think of was you sure couldn't knit at a 4th of July boat parade here. After they judge the entries, they all pass by again, and water balloon war erupts boat/shore/boat! They've been doing this for 25 years, I read. What a hoot! Barbara-Kay in South Louisiana ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 65.222.58.14 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 07/10/2007 12:31:56 PM Wine and fiber hmmm? Looks like a fun day! Love the color of your Forest Canopy Shawl, it's really nice! I only have most of mine to go! My boss thought my dpns for my socks were skewers! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 64.81.186.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 07/10/2007 01:34:23 PM That shawl is beautiful! What a fun time - and yay! You've converted another to knitting! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: cindy EMAIL: cindyl@valornet.com IP: 72.172.38.116 URL: DATE: 07/10/2007 04:34:19 PM I have that that SWT Bamboo in a beautiful purple, yellow, and taupe combination (I know, sounds all like the colors of a good bruise, but it really is pretty)and I was going to knit a shell, but realized I'm going to have to put a sleeve on it if I'm to wear it at the high school where I teach (we have a strict NO SLEEVELESS GARMENT policy). Where did you find your tee-shirt pattern? And your 4th sounds great, although south Louisiana may have y'all beat. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 75.121.24.233 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 07/10/2007 06:42:20 PM Love your edging for the tee shirt type top. I also like your shawl pattern stitch. It is really lovely. Have a good work week! I'm working this week and next before we head out. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Elinor EMAIL: elinor@knitlawrence.org IP: 129.237.2.74 URL: http://exercisebeforeknitting.blogspot.com DATE: 07/11/2007 09:42:29 AM I know exactly what you mean about ordering yarn from abroad. I love doing it because I really feel compelled to order more just to make it worthwhile. :-) Here's to converting new people (bosses or otherwise) to knitting! Yay! I hope she likes it! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.203.200.37 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 07/11/2007 12:37:29 PM What an ingenious way to distract the boss. All your WIPs look lovely. I would say Marys. Maries just seems like you are proving that the drinks belong to Marie and not you. And we all know we can't have that. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 71.34.135.163 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 07/11/2007 05:57:19 PM Love the shawl...bamboo..hmmm anxious to hear your verdict..and Chester is cute- I made him roll into a ball ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Michelle EMAIL: antmegmmm@verizon.net IP: 138.89.127.22 URL: http://ewekeepmeinstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 07/12/2007 08:10:13 AM very impressive! although I'd switch to white wine with that yarn! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Theresa EMAIL: knittingunderway@gmail.com IP: 159.71.254.248 URL: http://knittingunderway.blogspot.com DATE: 07/13/2007 11:57:39 AM That's a great collection of projects - different colors, different patterns, just wonderful all around. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cathy-Cate EMAIL: crryan@charter.net IP: 68.113.254.54 URL: http://hitherandyarn.wordpress.com DATE: 07/14/2007 04:52:48 AM I LOVED the satay and ramen! The final project is less edible, but yummy in a different way. Thanks for being a yarn guinea pig! Cathy ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Beth EMAIL: baalberts@verizon.net IP: 12.42.244.130 URL: http://bethknits.blogspot.com/ DATE: 07/19/2007 03:48:55 PM Very pretty stuff you show here. I started on the Forest Canopy Shawl, but didn't like the yarn I was using, so ripped it. I like that bamboo yarn you have there, its a really pretty color. I have some at home in a really pretty brown, now I feel the urge to use it! It is nice yarn. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Oh, Shoot! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 07/07/2007 02:00:22 PM ----- BODY:
I must need to swear more. Though I got a "G" rating, they flagged me for using the word "shoot". Dang. In real life, I think I'm more "R" rated, especially when my language is bourbon-fueled, but I guess I'm blander on paper than I thought I was.
Go here if you want to see how your blog rates.
I also got nominated for this by Debi.
I'm pretty excited by this one. The last time I was nominated for anything, it was my senior year of high school. And I won, too, the Betty Crocker Family Leader of Tomorrow. I am so not kidding you. My family still laughs about this one, as I am not known for being the domestic one in the bunch.
Wait, I got a charm bracelet for it. I'm pretty sure I still have it. You don't throw things like that away. Wait.
<<digging digging digging>>
Here you go. The front:
And the back:
Click on those photos to make them bigger, for the proof.
I've seen this Rockin' Girl thing on just about every blog I've visited recently. Here's the deal. I hate, absolutely hate, nominating people to do these things. I'm always the last one to get around to posting this stuff, and by the time I finish it, everybody else has done it. So if there are by any chance 5 of you who haven't been nominated, consider it done and post this on your blog.
Next time, knitting. Really. I've started something new. I've actually started it twice, and soon will have enough for photos.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.55.145 URL: http://www.merrykarma.blogspot.com DATE: 07/07/2007 02:35:22 PM Lorette, That's a hoot! I *just* started my blog, and I shudder to think what rating I would get. I find myself censoring a lot of my language. Maybe I shouldn't and just let 'er rip, but I've only posted twice; so, who knows what will happen. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacie EMAIL: faerycrafty@gmail.com IP: 68.53.132.139 URL: http://faerycrafty.blogspot.com DATE: 07/07/2007 04:27:13 PM Yay you Rock! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 4.84.9.27 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 07/07/2007 06:43:00 PM I got a G rating too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 71.187.17.96 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 07/07/2007 07:42:14 PM I'm G-rated, too, not that that should surprise anybody. I am in real life, too, not just on "paper." I honestly never swear. As in, maybe a "damn" crosses my lips about once every 10 months, but that's as strong as it gets. I'm perfectly safe to bring your family to! Oh, and love the charm..... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 07/07/2007 09:09:27 PM I got a G rating, too. And then I posted a few comments from Mim at Estes and bam! Up to PG. I felt better. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 151.197.229.133 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 07/08/2007 08:38:34 AM I think your blog's rating shows that computers have no knowledge of inflection or sentence structure - not that your blog is X-rated, but I really don't think it's G-rated either ... Just imagine how surprised some parents will be when they let their 8-year olds read it, and start drinking the next day ... Wow. A Betty Crocker award. Impressive. Who knew? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.203.200.37 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 07/08/2007 04:52:03 PM Congrats on the nomination. You deserve it. I was rated G too. HA! Only because the "steal my button" was on there. If they only knew. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.238.52 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 07/08/2007 07:12:30 PM Me too - on both counts! My blog was rated "G' - not surprise there. And I was also chose for the Betty Crocker award. Of course, "back in my day" they called it the Homemaker of Tomorrow. But I have one of those charms too. For a terribly shy, insecure girl it was a great thrill for me - I went on to place 3rd in the state. I'll wear my charm next time I visit. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 07/08/2007 08:03:17 PM Why yes, you are pretty rockin! Congrats! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.242 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 07/09/2007 03:35:06 AM I was G, too. They noted I used the word "suicide" once. I don't recall that. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sue EMAIL: suekent@comcast.net IP: 63.85.155.66 URL: DATE: 07/09/2007 08:57:10 AM Aaaaah! What a hoot! I got the Betty Crocker award in high school too! I have that same charm. My family nad friends called me Betty Sue Crocker for a long time. Wish I could live up to that now. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Norma EMAIL: norma.knits@gmail.com IP: 64.222.111.241 URL: http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com DATE: 07/09/2007 04:24:57 PM Well, of course I already know what the outcome of MY blog rating will be, but I'm dying to go check it out anyway. Off I go... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nancy EMAIL: naholter52@yahoo.com IP: 130.20.173.224 URL: DATE: 07/12/2007 10:25:56 AM The Betty Croocker award was proof positive that I can take tests far better than I can do most other things. My family, STILL, laughs about my winning this thing; if anything my kids laugh even harder than my mother and my sister do. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Patricia A Wachowiak EMAIL: pattiwachowiak@yahoo.com IP: 24.180.255.58 URL: DATE: 07/14/2007 06:28:27 PM I also won the Betty Crocker Homemaker of the Year award! I didn't get a charm, but I think a certificate. Congrats to you too! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: O, Canada! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 07/03/2007 08:02:57 PM ----- BODY:I know, I know, I'm a little late for the big holiday up north. I was working, dammit, and didn't get time to post pictures this past week. Here, however, are the long-awaited photos of our road trip to Canada. There are a lot of them, and I was going to split them into two posts, but what the hell.
I joked in a previous post that we were going to flip a coin at each intersection to decide which way to go. That was only partly true. We actually had a destination in mind, Fairmont Hot Springs in eastern BC. We had a week of time share that was going to expire if we didn't use it soon, and they had an "efficiency"* suite open for one of the weeks I had off, so off we went. We didn't plan how we were going to get there until we had the car packed and we were sitting in the driveway with the maps all over the place. Surprisingly, given that John and I are both happiest when we can give orders and expect everybody else to comply, we didn't fight at all about the route that we ended up taking. We took a couple of leisurely days driving there, with frequent stops along the way.
Here's our first stop. We got a bright and early start, about noon, and I hadn't had nearly enough coffee.
This was our first night's stop, in eastern Washington. Ahhh, wine and knitting.
By our second night, we'd gotten across the border and into Canada. We stayed in an old Victorian B&B in Cranbrooks, BC. Sweetpea found a buddy. She'd heard that there were bears in Canada, so she really was looking forward to the trip. I think she's trying to explain to her friend how to knit socks.
By the third night, we'd made it to our timeshare home. Here's the setting for our first dinner. Note the fancy candle holders.
I'm not exactly sure that I remember where this next photo was taken. This is bad, it might mean that the alcohol might be finally killing off more than the weak brain cells. John might remember. Honey? Any idea?
Next, your standard tourist photo taken through the front windshield of the car while it's moving. I'm not sure what it says about my photography skills, but the shots out the front window were some of the best scenery shots.
Here's one of the seaming party that I had for the Eggplant sweater.
It was getting dark, I was almost done with it, and the lighting wasn't very good. John, always ready for an emergency, had packed his camping headlamp.
The sock enjoyed the drive through Kootenay park.
I'll bet you didn't know that they put benches along the trails in the park, just so we can sit for a minute and knit socks.
After our timeshare stay, we moved up north, to the resort with the late-night drinking boys I mentioned in the previous post. Sweetpea liked this place, too.
We took a hike, where John held up the world for a while.
We saw lots of waterfalls.
We had cocktails by the little stream outside our cabin. Yes, John brings his own martini shaker along on vacations. How can you not love a man like this?
Some of us drank bourbon.
And more Guinness. Remember, Guinness is good for you. Trust me, I'm a doctor. This one was enjoyed in an Irish pub in Banff. I remember this one.
We took more hikes.
We sat by that creek some more. This one was taken on the Solstice. We sat out until almost midnight (quietly, I might point out), and I got the opportunity to actually wear my new sweater. Right then, I wished I had made the collar higher.
We took more walks.
We saw a real bear. We are pretty sure that this fine specimen was a grizzly. It was right off the road, and dozens of tourists were out of their cars, dragging their little kids as close as they could get to take photos. We snapped this from the safety of inside the car. People always astound me in their infinite stupidity.
Sweetpea was really pissed that she missed that one, being back in the cabin and all.
The sock got to see glaciers. This was taken at the Columbia Icefields. This was pretty exciting for us, as we live close to the other end of the Columbia River. It makes me happy somehow to know that I've taken sock photos at both ends of the Columbia.
After all Stephanie's talk of the hot Mounties, I finally found one. I couldn't talk him into holding the sock, though.
We stopped at the Chateau Lake Louise for a cocktail. I think I might be the first person to sit on those benches and knit socks.
We saw more wildlife:
This is John's favorite photo of the trip. It was the car stopped right in front of us. For some reason, this one made both of us laugh.
Last but not least, Sweetpea got to see some more bears.
The End.
Happy Fourth of July for all of you that celebrate it! Next time there will be knitting photos, I promise.
* Translate that as "small room tucked into a corner overlooking the parking lot, with a miniature kitchen and no air conditioning".
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.193 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 07/03/2007 08:25:36 PM Gorgeous!! The more I learn about Banff the more desperate I am to see that place. All the photos look great and the Grizzly seems a bit fierce. John brings his own martini shaker? Hmmmmmm.... need to get John to teach Dana the fine are of making Cosmos....and bringing your own martini shaker on vacays. :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 72.145.241.249 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 07/03/2007 09:03:54 PM Oh, what a wonderful vacation! Your photos are fabulous. Great shot of the grizzly. I once saw a guy in the Smokies feeding a bear marshmellows. The bear was standing on its hind legs and was at least 10-feet tall. The guy was about six inches away from him, handing out the goodies. We didn't stay around to see if the bear got more than candy. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jenn EMAIL: knitwit_momma@comcast.net IP: 76.20.40.146 URL: http://www.j1978.blogspot.com DATE: 07/03/2007 09:19:43 PM Looks like you have had a wonderful vacation! I have yet to knit socks in Canada.....but I have sat on those benches ;-) My Husband is from Montana, so I have been to most of those places to see where he vacationed as a child. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 07/03/2007 10:18:14 PM Fantastic trip pics! Aahhh...mmm...Guiness...! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debbie EMAIL: fufina514@comcast.net IP: 24.126.145.235 URL: http://www.gottaknit.typepad.com DATE: 07/04/2007 03:43:39 AM I wanna go! Great photos. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 07/04/2007 06:13:41 AM It looks absolutely fabulous!! Such gorgeous photos... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 67.169.254.13 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 07/04/2007 07:21:24 AM You did have fun! Love your Teddy Bear. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 151.197.229.133 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 07/04/2007 07:29:46 AM Wow, it looks like it was a great vacation! I'm very jealous, as I have not made it to British Columbia yet, and I love traveling in Canada. I'm glad that Sweetpea had fun as well. It's always a shame when the whole family doesn't enjoy things ... Have a Happy 4th! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.203.200.37 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 07/04/2007 08:07:49 AM The trip looked fun. It's nice that you let Sweetpea join in the fun. You do look like you are enjoying your Guinness. I have never had one myself. I always thought it had to be good, just by the looks of it. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 71.34.135.163 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 07/04/2007 08:13:12 AM AWESOME pics! Wow, SweetPea looked just like the real bear you saw! Awesome views, timeshare, knitting, & animals! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Justine EMAIL: ejkruz@hotmail.com IP: 70.48.185.163 URL: http://www.asiaadventure.blogpot.com DATE: 07/04/2007 08:57:47 AM glad you had fun in our end of the world, there is nothing really the same as the BC mountains, it is one of the things I miss most about living on the westcoast! Love the headlamp. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Meadow EMAIL: meadowl@gmail.com IP: 76.27.60.131 URL: http://queenmeadow.wordpress.com DATE: 07/04/2007 09:00:52 AM What gorgeous views! and those bear sculptures were fabulous! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.55.135 URL: DATE: 07/04/2007 09:15:16 AM Great pics, Lorette. And they were a nice reminder of our past trips to the Banff/Lake Louise area. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Becky EMAIL: rebecca@moonfrog.com IP: 71.131.39.236 URL: http://www.moonfrog.com DATE: 07/04/2007 09:54:25 AM Fantastic pictures! That grizzly is awesome! I've seen bears up close while hiking (a little too close!) but never a grizzly, thank goodness. The Mountie is pretty hot, too. Funny how all the scenery is sitting right out the windshield. I love the pic you took. And the headlamp is an essential knitting tool, especially for travel. I just bought a new one, more stylish than my first one, with filters that help retain night vision. You look very stylin' in yours. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Frances EMAIL: Kikikwin@gmail.com IP: 64.39.170.174 URL: DATE: 07/04/2007 11:43:15 AM I love the photos. I am from Ontario Cananda but have never had a chance to go out west. Looks like you and your husband always have a blast travelling!! Happy 4th! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ena EMAIL: ehunt@mchsi.com IP: 12.227.196.230 URL: DATE: 07/04/2007 02:17:20 PM Cool photos! I love the eggplant sweater. E ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 71.187.17.96 URL: http://www.chappysmom.typepad.com DATE: 07/04/2007 02:32:20 PM It sounds like you had fun--especially Sweetpea! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 65.34.229.0 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 07/04/2007 02:41:02 PM Glorious pictures Lorette, thanks for sharing! Looks like a wonderful time! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Michelle EMAIL: antmegmmm@verizon.net IP: 68.160.125.157 URL: http://ewekeepmeinstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 07/04/2007 05:42:33 PM omg! u married the man of my dreams....no fair :( ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 65.34.229.0 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 07/04/2007 09:33:19 PM I'm back cause I just nominated you for an award on my blog! Go have a peek :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: cindy EMAIL: cindyl@valornet.com IP: 75.88.252.216 URL: DATE: 07/05/2007 07:37:24 AM Awesome trip pics. Did Vern make the trip? Makes me want to go to Banff again. If I drive (well, if my husband drives) there from Texas, how many socks can I knit? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 65.222.58.14 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 07/05/2007 08:42:01 AM What great pics! Hard to tell if it was Sweatpea or you guys that had the better time! You looked so professional in your sweater surgery gear ;) Seems headlamps are handy gadgets to have around! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 70.43.45.58 URL: http://knit-knack.blog-city.com DATE: 07/05/2007 03:04:46 PM I always love your vacation photos, you have a knack at catching the moment. so glad Sweetpea didn't seethat one live bear though, she may have been tempted to run off with him, he was quite handsome (well if he was a him). ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: kmayers@gmail.com IP: 65.100.60.229 URL: http://vastamount.blogspot.com/ DATE: 07/06/2007 12:46:46 AM I love the picture of Sweetpea...and the headlamp! Looks like you had a great time! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.242 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 07/07/2007 05:45:45 AM Quite the rack on that baby. I had to laugh about the weak brain cells. So close to what is probably the truth! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: teyani@crownmountainfarms.com IP: 12.178.96.245 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 07/07/2007 08:08:14 PM this is a drive by comment - loved the photos - didn't have time to read your text (hey, I'm honest) looks like you had a great time :-) hopefully life will settle down soon, and I'll get back to actually "reading' blogs ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@sbcglobal.net IP: 69.231.129.185 URL: http://k2togwonderfullymade.wordpress.com DATE: 07/07/2007 10:29:13 PM Wow - what a beautiful trip! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jessica EMAIL: Jessica@zarzuelaknitsandcrochets.com IP: 65.88.88.196 URL: http://zarzuelaknitsandcrochets.com/blog DATE: 07/11/2007 06:56:36 AM Beautiful photos of a beautiful trip! I spent two summers in Banff and looking at your photos made me very nostalgic. And I love the pic of you and the sock with the Guinness! :) ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Eggplant Sweater, Finished! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 06/25/2007 06:02:31 PM ----- BODY:Both the vacation and the sweater are finished. I'll show some photos of the vacation later this week when I sort through them. I think there are some swell examples of knitting on vacation in the bunch.
In the meantime, here's a photo or two of my latest finished project. This one has been a long time in the making. If it looks like I'm not particularly enjoying this photo shoot, it's probably because I'm in a wool sweater on a nearly 70 degree day. It also took several tries to get the color right on the photos. It's still a little washed out looking. The real color is more like the first photo below.
First, final seaming, with the aid of Knit Klips. If you haven't tried these, get over there and buy some now. I've had these for awhile, but it's the first time I've used them. They make sewing seams a breeze.
Project Specs:
Pattern: Laurel Hill, affectionately known as the Eggplant sweater around here. It's from Jo Sharp Handknitting Collections, Book Number 1.
Yarn: Jo Sharp DK Wool, in a color remarkably close to eggplant skin. Not too remarkably, it's called "aubergine".
For: Me me me.
Started: Oh, brother. I had to go way back in the archives on this one. I started this in December 2005. You read that right, people, 2005. An explanation follows in the "what I learned from this one" section.
Finished: June, 2007, in Fairmont Hot Springs, BC, on vacation.
Needles: 3.5mm & 3.75mm circs.
What I Learned From This One: Look for pattern corrections before you start knitting. Jo Sharp pattern corrections can be found here. I started this damn thing a couple of times before I got it going. Sometime around late winter 2006, this one went into hibernation because I was sick of it. I pulled it out again this winter and finally finished the thing. I also learned that I don't particularly like doing miles of seed stitch. I don't mind seed stitch, exactly, it just gets boring after about 20 miles of it.
Modifications: I modified the collar a bit. The pattern comes in two versions, one cropped with a snugger fit and a short stand-up collar. The other is looser with a cowl-neck. I did the cropped version, mostly because I was a bit worried about my yarn quantity. I did the collar a bit bigger around than the standard short collar, but not as floppy as the cowl. Otherwise it's pretty much as portrayed in the pattern book.
Verdict: I like this sweater. The yarn is absolutely wonderful, soft enough to wear against bare skin, and I'll get a lot of wear out of it. I had my reservations about the dropped shoulder construction, but it looks better on me than I thought it would.
What's next? I'm not exactly sure. I have 2 shawls and a pair of socks on the needles, but I like having a sweater going also. I'd planned on doing a sweater for John out of Peace Fleece, but I really don't want to be working with heavy worsted wool as we go into summer. I'm planning on a little stash diving to see what I come up with. It's not like I don't have options in those Rubbermaid boxes. You guys will be the first to know!
Next time, vacation photos!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 06/25/2007 06:52:50 PM It looks fabulous on you! Hee hee - even though I know I should look for pattern corrections... I don't always remember... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Meadow EMAIL: meadowl@gmail.com IP: 76.27.60.131 URL: http://queenmeadow.wordpress.com DATE: 06/25/2007 06:57:31 PM I love the color, it looks great on you! And the sweater itself is fabulous too! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacey_CrimsonPurl EMAIL: crimsondiva1999@yahoo.com IP: 74.227.161.48 URL: http://crimsonpurl.blogspot.com DATE: 06/25/2007 07:14:36 PM I have Knit Klips but really haven't had to use them for seaming yet! :o) I LOVE eggplant purple! That and red are my favorite colors! Your sweater came out really nice! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 71.187.17.96 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 06/25/2007 07:18:16 PM It looks gorgeous and fabulous on you. And . . . 2005? And I thought my Celtic Icon took a long time.... (grin) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 72.145.241.249 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 06/25/2007 07:22:45 PM Beautiful sweater, and it looks great on you. Jo Sharp DK is one of my favorite yarns. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: dada@fluffbuff.com IP: 24.205.51.231 URL: http://www.fluffbuff.com DATE: 06/25/2007 07:38:33 PM The vacation must have been good; you look relaxed and happy. Or it's the satisfaction of finishing the sweater. :) Two shawls on the needles at the same time? Oh my! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.193 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 06/25/2007 07:58:46 PM The Eggplant Sweater is gorgeous. It turned out so beautiful. I know you're glad to have the seed stitch over with... but I think it was worth it. That sweater is stunning. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 68.115.114.28 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 06/25/2007 08:00:40 PM Great sweater, great fit, great neck, lousy weather for the photo shoot!! I'm sure you will be very happy with the sweater come fall or air conditioning!!1 ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vicki EMAIL: vknitorious@gmail.com IP: 75.87.202.195 URL: http://knitorious.typepad.com/knitorious/ DATE: 06/25/2007 08:11:53 PM It's gorgeous, Lorette. Congratulations on the finish! I've never heard of Knit Klips before -- I'll have to watch for them. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.203.200.37 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 06/25/2007 08:16:08 PM Very beautiful! It turned out so great. You'd never guess that it would look that good while it was in pieces. Congrats on a well deserved finish. I am sure your next project will be just as lovely. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacie EMAIL: faerycrafty@gmail.com IP: 68.53.132.139 URL: http://faerycrafty.blogspot.com DATE: 06/25/2007 08:20:13 PM Very pretty!! Purple is your color for sure. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Tam EMAIL: journeytot@yahoo.com IP: 12.207.14.252 URL: http://thelessonlearned.typepad.com/knit_once_purl_forever/ DATE: 06/25/2007 09:16:07 PM The Eggplant Sweater looks great! And I soooo agree about seed stitch. I love the way it looks, but it's boring to knit. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.238.52 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 06/25/2007 09:28:09 PM The sweater is lovely! You should come on up to Whidbey Island - it's been cool enough to actually wear wool - and it's almost July!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 06/26/2007 12:19:22 AM Woo hoo! Way to knock out the UFO! It looks so fantastic on you! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sheila EMAIL: goldthreads@hotmail.com IP: 159.212.71.69 URL: http://knittingin.blogspot.com/ DATE: 06/26/2007 01:40:31 AM Eggplant becomes you! Good job. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.242 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 06/26/2007 02:35:21 AM Beautiful! I'm with you on the seed stitch, but once you start, it's gotta be a done deed. The color is really good on you. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathleen EMAIL: katyknits@gmail.com IP: 24.46.249.49 URL: http://katyknits.typepad.com DATE: 06/26/2007 05:48:15 AM Goregous color. It looks lovely on you. Glad to have it off your back and on your back? ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ewe-niss EMAIL: knitterbay@yahoo.com IP: 204.22.230.104 URL: http://www.knitterbay.com DATE: 06/26/2007 06:45:49 AM Well worth the wait and your diligence in working through the problems! I love the color and it looks wonderful on you. :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karen EMAIL: karen@needlesandwool.com IP: 69.177.169.230 URL: http://needlesandwool.com DATE: 06/26/2007 07:00:55 AM I hardly ever remember to look for pattern corrections. Luckily it hasn't really burned me yet. Your sweater came out really nice. Fits you perfectly. It was well worth the wait for it! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 06/26/2007 08:55:51 AM Eggplant looks lovely--it was worth those miles of seed stitch. I'm not sure how I managed before Knit Klips. They are wonderful inventions. Thanks for the Jo Sharp correction link. I'm planning a sweater from Knitting Bazaar, and I didn't even think to look for them (something I've been known to regret in the past). "Eggplant" is quite an apt name. DH had dubbed my entrelac sweater as my "Ex-Lax" sweater. I really didn't care for that! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.30.110 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 06/26/2007 09:16:56 AM The sweater looks fantastic! Now I think you should knit the Tomato sweater, (pattern currently on the Knitting Daily site), so you could have the beginnings of wardrobe ratatouille ... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Pat EMAIL: Pat@PatsKnittingandQuilting.com IP: 24.62.232.22 URL: http://patsknittingandquilting.com DATE: 06/26/2007 12:26:46 PM Your sweater is gorgeous! Sometimes it's the one that takes FOREVER to knit, that becomes a favorite (at least in my experience. This one looks like it was worth the perseverance !! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 68.199.230.238 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 06/26/2007 05:23:53 PM It's a gorgeous sweater and I love the color on you. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Michelle EMAIL: antmegmmm@verizon.net IP: 68.160.125.157 URL: http://ewekeepmeinstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 06/26/2007 06:09:48 PM You look beautiful! What a great sweater and it fits you beautifully. Very flattering. I also have various projects on the sticks but like to have a sweater going as well. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Faith EMAIL: nomoresweaters@gmail.com IP: 24.188.46.48 URL: http://nomoresweaters.blogspot.com DATE: 06/26/2007 06:41:39 PM This is fantastic! Great color, great pattern. Mind if I link? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: RenŽe EMAIL: passionknitgirl@yahoo.com IP: 75.165.96.154 URL: http://passionknitgirl.blogspot.com/ DATE: 06/26/2007 10:08:34 PM Love it! I have enjoyed reading your blog. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 65.34.229.0 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 06/26/2007 10:51:51 PM It's really lovely and looks great on you Lorette!! Aren't Knit Klips wonderful? I love my but slap my head with a D'oh! moment - why didn't I invent these simple but completely effective things? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lorraine EMAIL: chowchops@gmail.com IP: 74.12.0.226 URL: http://sheriffofknittingham.blogspot.com DATE: 06/27/2007 06:55:51 AM Lorette- The color and style are perfect for you. Aren't you glad it's a FO? I always end up with the heaviest wool project in the hottest summer. Crazy, huh? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 75.163.183.134 URL: http://socksformum.wordpress.com DATE: 06/27/2007 07:50:55 AM YAY for completing a sweater that has been on the sticks for a while! Now there is hope or all of mine. Sometimes I am embarassed to bring them out of hiding because I think everyone will think, 'Why the heck has it taken her SO LONG to finish this?' Must be the obsessive-compulsive nature of female knitters. I wonder if male knitters are more focused on ONE project at a time???? I love the EGGPLANT color as it is one of my favorite colors. The sweater looks great on you! Great job! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nora EMAIL: noraz@optusnet.com.au IP: 211.30.251.31 URL: http://black-dog-knits.blogspot.com DATE: 06/27/2007 02:34:44 PM You look beautiful. This is my favourite Jo Sharp pattern and has been on my to-do list for 2 years! I should just start it, eh? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Catherine EMAIL: cathdv@aol.com IP: 205.188.116.144 URL: http://cathelaine.typepad.com/lives_in_a_shoe/ DATE: 06/27/2007 11:06:41 PM Oh my gosh -- what a masterpiece. Jaw-droppingly frabjous. If I'd finished something that gorgeous I'd be afraid to wear it lest I slop salsa on it or a dog might claw some yarn loose. Way to go. I've not been knitting for awhile but seeing your lovely FO might just stiffen my resolve to tackle two particular FOs I have sitting around reproaching me. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 71.34.135.163 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 06/28/2007 03:39:51 PM Well there goes your #'s of comments! Eggplant is done and beautiful! Great job! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 70.43.45.58 URL: http://knit-knack.blog-city.com DATE: 06/29/2007 03:15:20 PM Oh its lovely! and that is such a good color on you. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 205.188.116.144 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 06/30/2007 08:44:56 AM Fabulous! And you look so good in that color! A most excellent choice all around! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: andi EMAIL: hookedonstring@gmail.com IP: 24.166.51.115 URL: http://hookedonstring.wordpress.com/ DATE: 06/30/2007 08:25:58 PM Fabulous! Awesome! Love the color! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debbie EMAIL: fufina514@comcast.net IP: 24.126.145.235 URL: http://www.gottaknit.typepad.com DATE: 07/01/2007 05:46:33 AM Stunning! Looks very good on you. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Giving You All The Finger STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 06/22/2007 07:00:00 AM ----- BODY:I found this one on Purl This!, and couldn't resist. Somehow I thought that I would be a different finger.
| You Are the Thumb |
 Mentally strong and agile, you do things your own way. And you do them well. You are a natural leader... but also truly a loner. You inspire many but connect with few. You get along well with: The Middle Finger Stay away from: The Pinky |
In trolling through Bloglines yesterday, I found this on Fleegle's blog. She's compiled a spreadsheet of laceweight yarns, with yarn name, company, fiber content, and yards per pound. Brilliant!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.30.110 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 06/22/2007 08:11:00 AM Why am I so amused that you get along well with The Middle Finger?? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lorraine EMAIL: chowchops@gmail.com IP: 74.12.0.226 URL: http://sheriffofknittingham.blogspot.com DATE: 06/22/2007 08:40:20 AM Lorette- Every time I do one of those crazy quizzes, I can't stop. I'm a ring finger. I'll check out the laceweight spreadsheet. It's a great idea. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.54.250 URL: DATE: 06/22/2007 10:57:13 AM Oh, this sucks: ***You Are a Pinky*** You are fiercely independent, and possibly downright weird. A great communicator, you can get along with almost anyone. You are kind and sympathetic. You support all your friends - and love them for who they are. You get along well with: The Ring Finger Stay away from: The Thumb I can take being called weird...but to stay away from The Thumb. Does that mean we can't be friends? Boo. I think I'll go and sulk now. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nora EMAIL: noraz@optusnet.com.au IP: 211.30.251.31 URL: http://black-dog-knits.blogspot.com DATE: 06/22/2007 02:05:43 PM Interestingly, I'm a thumb too! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 65.222.58.14 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 06/22/2007 02:16:30 PM OMG I'm a pinkie! But I'm aspiring to be a middle. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: fleegle EMAIL: sglinert@aol.com IP: 222.230.164.193 URL: http://fleeglesblog.blogspot.com/ DATE: 06/23/2007 12:47:43 PM There's a new version of the spreadsheet that includes put-up. Tired of lace yarns now :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.193 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 06/23/2007 05:35:05 PM Hey... I'm a thumb too. I was afraid I'd be the middle finger. Should I be concerned that it says I get along well with the middle finger? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 71.34.135.163 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 06/24/2007 09:06:27 AM ..I'm a ring finger! wonder what the middle finger says? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Tam EMAIL: journeytot@yahoo.com IP: 12.207.14.252 URL: http://thelessonlearned.typepad.com/knit_once_purl_forever/ DATE: 06/24/2007 11:30:19 AM I'm amused that you get along with the middle finger too. And I don't need to take the quiz to know that I do as well! =) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Denise EMAIL: DLayman@neo.rr.com IP: 64.80.54.96 URL: http://www.knitchat.com DATE: 06/28/2007 06:25:43 AM OH NO!! I am a pinky!! Does that mean I never get to come and sit on your pretty porch and knit??? WAHHHHH!!!! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: On Vacation STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 06/21/2007 10:58:08 AM ----- BODY:We are still on our road trip, and in true "Lorette" fashion, I packed the car full of everything you could imagine. Books, yarn, enough clothing and wine to last us weeks, etc. Everything except for the camera cord, so I can't upload any photos to show you how lovely this spot is. We really did have sort of a plan for where we would end up, as we had reservations at a timeshare in the Canadian Rockies. We took a few meandering days to get here though, and now we've moved to a lovely spot near Lake Louise, in Alberta. Our room overlooks a rushing creek, and it's just perfect.
Well, perfect except for the fun-loving guys who partied by the creek until 4 AM last night. John yelled at them at about 3 AM, and when it didn't make any difference, I got dressed and went out and gave them my best disapproving schoolmarm lecture that they shouldn't just quiet down, they should end the party now. I'm not sure if it was the lecture, or the sight of me in my Bat Signal sweatshirt, with my hair on end, but they called it quits and went to bed. Of course they left the fire going, and left numerous empty bottles of booze for the staff to clean up this morning. The manager said they are still here tonight, but she's going to give them another dressing down and make sure it doesn't happen again tonight. I hope so. I don't want to be trooping around outside at 4 AM again tonight.
I have been getting some knitting done. I finally finished that Eggplant Jo Sharp sweater, and when I get back home and find the camera cord, I'll post photos. It fits better than I anticipated, given that it has drop shoulders instead of fitted sleeves. I'm quite happy with it overall, even though I won't be able to wear it for many months. I've also been working on the lace shawl in progress, and am nearly at the point of starting the edging. It's the Forest Canopy shawl, and I'm making it in some leftover emerald colored Zephyr laceweight. I'm not sure how big it will be, as I had about three ounces total of the yarn to work with. I also forgot to bring my handy little scale with me. I started with one 2-ounce ball of the yarn, and another approximately one ounce ball. My current plan is to use up the larger ball on the body, then switch to the edging half way into the second ball. I think half an ounce of lace yarn should be way more than enough for the edging, don't you? This is an easy enough pattern that I haven't been using a lifeline, but I might just put one in a couple of repeats before I do the edging, just in case.
And there you have it. The photo-less knitting blog report. We should be home this weekend, so hopefully I'll get some photos up next week!
Oh, and go congratulate Claudia on reaching, and surpassing her fundraising goal for the MS ride that she is doing this weekend. She is the #1 fundraiser for the event. She is also still taking last minute donations, so if you haven't given, or if you have some extra cash and can donate a bit more, get over there. She's perilously close to $35,000, people. $35,000 sounds like a nice round number, doesn't it?
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 76.24.238.205 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 06/21/2007 01:43:45 PM I agree. That would be a nice round number. ;-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.55.208 URL: DATE: 06/21/2007 03:24:01 PM Lorette! I love Lake Louise. Have fun in your travels. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.203.200.37 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 06/21/2007 07:19:13 PM Yeah can't wait to see the eggplant! :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 68.199.230.238 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 06/21/2007 08:44:22 PM I hope the rest of your vacation is restful. The Scoutmaster in me is quite concerned that they actually left the fire unattended. Yikes. I hope they are quiet and responsible going forward. Best wishes for an amazing vacation. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.238.52 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 06/21/2007 09:32:08 PM Well . . . I think the sight of you in your bat signal sweatshirt at 3:00 in the morning would certainly shut me up! Especially if you looked at me over your glasses. Did you carry two sharp sticks with you too? Can't wait to see your photos. So glad you're having a great time. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.12.188.185 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 06/22/2007 06:13:21 AM Love the 4 am partyers. Not. And the picture of you going out to yell at them. You have more courage than I, and more belief that you might be heeded. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 65.34.229.0 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 06/22/2007 06:48:07 AM Lorette!!! For some reason Bloglines just picked up your last THREE posts! I missed you but I figured you were really busy (you were) and/or on vacay (that too!) So how're ya doing girl? I would PAY to see that Batsignal clad Lorette :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacie EMAIL: faerycrafty@gmail.com IP: 68.53.132.139 URL: http://faerycrafty.blogspot.com DATE: 06/22/2007 09:03:24 AM I hope you enjoy the rest of your vacation :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 71.150.249.172 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 06/23/2007 11:22:14 AM Despite the noisy obnoxious neighbors, it sounds like your are having a fabulous vacation!! We are going to Northern Idaho and hope to find a similarly beautiful spot to have for a week. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 06/25/2007 10:44:15 AM Hey, I think I was next to those guys the last time I went camping! Hee hee - you sound like me re: packing the car. I took SO MANY BOOKS. And read 2.5... and bought more than I took with me... ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: No Knitting STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 06/13/2007 08:42:48 AM ----- BODY:I have no knitting progress to report, so will show cute kid photos instead. My surprise weekend trip was to Sacramento to visit my niece, Donna, and her family. She graduated from her master's program this week, and I flew down to surprise her and attend the festivities. My sister Linda was there also, so we had a fun time (yes, Diane, we talked about you, you should have come).
Here are those cute photos just to get started. You can see that my niece is raising her daughters with the proper queenly expectations. 
Notice that somebody got her ears pierced; she was very brave for the procedure:
Here's the graduate and her mom, my sister Linda:
And one after the ceremony with Donna and I:
And Donna and her sister, Jan:
There was a post-graduation party where everybody had lots of food and drinks and a great time. Oh heck, I'll show a photo from that as well. Before you see this one, you need to know that Donna is not much of a party girl-drinker. Master's degrees don't come every day though, so she decided to celebrate with her friends:
That guy in the middle is her husband, Brian. The party was luau-themed, so there was a grass skirt and coconut bra involved, but since this generally is a family-rated blog, I won't show them.
Congratulations, Donna!
There was knitting involved, actually. I worked on the green lace Forest Canopy shawl, and finished a couple more repeats. I have about an ounce and a half of the yarn left, and would like to just use it all up. It's just a blob at present, and not very photogenic. I'm also still working on that eggplant Jo Sharp sweater, knitting more miles of seed stitch collar. The pattern has two options, one for a short mock turtleneck type of collar, and the second for more of a cowl collar. I'm aiming for something in between, more like a real turtleneck that folds over, but not quite as floppy as a cowl. We'll see. It better work; I'll cry if I have to rip and knit much more seed stitch.
Typepad was on drugs last week, as some of you noticed when you tried to comment. To their credit, once I figured it out and emailed them, they responded quickly, fixed it, then emailed me to let me know they'd fixed it. Hopefully it's working now. If you can't comment, email me (link over there to the lower right in the sidebar) to let me know.
We're off on a road trip for the next week. We're headed east and north, through eastern Washington, Idaho, British Columbia, and aiming to end up around Banff. We don't have a definite plan, and though we're leaving today, we're not exactly packed either. The "plan" so far is that when we get to an intersection, we'll flip a coin to see whether we go right or left. It makes my husband nervous when I drive, which is perfect. He gets to drive, I get to knit all the way. We're taking the laptop, but seriously doubt that there will be wireless access where we're going. If I'm wrong, I'll post, if not, I might have some finished stuff to show you when I get back!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 65.222.58.15 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 06/13/2007 10:25:36 AM Have a great time whereever you go! Congrats to your niece on a jon well done! Those girls are just too cute! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.193 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 06/13/2007 11:30:10 AM That road trip sounds grand. I love road trips... they're the best. See ya when you get back. Happy driving, knitting (and happy yarn shop visiting too! Shhh....Don't tell John I said that.) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nora EMAIL: noraz@optusnet.com.au IP: 211.30.251.31 URL: http://black-dog-knits.blogspot.com DATE: 06/13/2007 12:57:58 PM Congratulations to your niece. Seeing these grad photos has made me realise how far off I actually am... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.185.3 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 06/13/2007 02:33:34 PM Those little girls are real cuties! Have a fun trip. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 72.145.241.249 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 06/13/2007 02:51:27 PM Congratulations to your niece! It looks like you had a wonderful time. And have lots of fun on your vacation, too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 68.199.230.238 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 06/13/2007 02:54:20 PM Congrats! I'm just waiting for you to visit CT and/or NYC. We'll have to get together and knit. Have fun! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 06/13/2007 05:35:05 PM Looks like a great time! Glad that typepad is off drugs now. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.112.226.208 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 06/13/2007 06:04:01 PM Cute family pictures and congrats to the niece! I did try to comment on your last post, but no luck. Hope it's fixed now. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lorraine EMAIL: chowchops@gmail.com IP: 74.12.10.210 URL: http://sheriffofknittingham.blogspot.com DATE: 06/14/2007 05:49:58 AM Lorette- Lovely little girls, and congratulations to the Graduate. If you're going to Vancouver, Granville Island Market is a must see. Have a great trip. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathleen EMAIL: katyknits@gmail.com IP: 24.46.249.49 URL: http://katyknits.typepad.com DATE: 06/15/2007 04:36:10 PM adorable girls. i miss dress up. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 71.150.249.172 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 06/16/2007 03:58:19 PM Congrats to the niece!! and the girls are precious! Your vacation trip sound perfect--sit in the car and knit. My kind of vacation.... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: teyani@crownmountainfarms.com IP: 12.178.97.185 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 06/16/2007 07:06:55 PM sounds like a perfect road trip to me! what a beautiful family you have! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 06/17/2007 01:34:32 AM If you're spending time in Vancouver and want knitting company or a yarn tour, let me know. Li ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.12.188.185 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 06/18/2007 04:33:51 AM Congratulations on a great milestone for your niece. (They look SO young.) I do like your traveling algorithm and random coin flipping. Banff must be beautiful in the summer. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.203.200.37 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 06/18/2007 03:42:23 PM Thanks for the nice comment. As for what the swatch is for, you'll just have to keep coming back to find out. I will be posting other swatches. Maybe you can guess then. ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Catherine EMAIL: cathdv@aol.com IP: 205.188.116.144 URL: http://cathelaine.typepad.com/lives_in_a_shoe/ DATE: 06/18/2007 04:01:42 PM Love to see all those high-achieving wimmin and the queenly young achievers-in-training. The sky's the limit. Nice looking family. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathleen EMAIL: quailhillknits@Gmail.com IP: 75.209.22.239 URL: http://quailhillknits.blogspot.com/ DATE: 06/18/2007 10:34:57 PM Wow, where to start? Adorable nieces? Outstanding graduate? Exciting road trip? What fun! Enjoy the vacation. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lora EMAIL: glennandlora@yahoo.com IP: 75.100.24.45 URL: DATE: 06/19/2007 12:07:01 PM How bizarre...I'm visitin my sister and we were looking at the pictures on this entry and when we got the picture of Donna and Jan we both thought, and said, at the same time that Jan looks almost exactly like me! How funny...I have heard that everyone has a twin somewhere in the world - I guess I know where mine is! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Purply Picots STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 06/07/2007 04:40:26 PM ----- BODY:I promised a photo of the new sock yarn, so here goes. I ran across this yarn on somebody's blog some time back, and after a bit of dithering, decided that I needed to have some in the stash. It's from Rohrspatz & Wollmeise, a German fiber company. Check out that link. If you click on the yarn blobs, you'll get to the fiber section. There's a little link on the bottom for "englisch", in case you don't speak German.
I emailed the owner, Claudia, and within a matter of hours had an order ready to go. I ordered several different colors of the sock yarn (as long as the boat was sailing this way, you know), and as soon as I finished the Easter Egg socks from the last post, had this one on the needles. Claudia couldn't have been nicer to work with. Though her website doesn't have a shopping cart set up, it was no trouble to email back and forth until we got it together. The only real trouble that I had with the order was deciding which colors to get. I really want them all.
Her yarn colors come in three intensities, and the stuff I bought was "medium". This one is called Krauterbeet, which I readily admit, I bought simply because of the name. And how can you not like purple and green together?
There was a little mishap with the ball winder and swift, which is totally not Claudia's fault. I readily admit to a measure of operator error in this one. I ended up winding the whole hank by hand, then rewinding it with the ballwinder into 2 equal cakes.
Click on that to get an idea of how lovely the yarn is.
And here's the beginning of my sock. It should be no surprise to anyone what pattern I'm using.
In fundraising news, Claudia is doing her annual bicycle ride to raise money for the National MS Society. She's already very close to her original goal of $20,000 ($20,000 all from knitters, people!), and has raised the bar to $30,000, with the deadline on June 25th. Go donate, if you haven't already. If you do, you will help some folks who really need it. If you don't, who knows, you just might have very bad karma for the rest of the year. At the very least, you'll feel guilty if you don't send her money. And if we can afford blogs and yarn, we can afford a few bucks for a good cause, right?
I'm off to pack. I'm going on a little surprise trip for the weekend, so I can't say where. Now, what knitting to take?
Or, How I Survived an Unintended 3-Week Blog Vacation
I was tagged eons ago by three people, Marjorie, Michelle, and Tam for the 7 random things thing. I'm finally getting around to it, and explaining the blog absence and knitting progress in the process. I'm publishing the rules, but I'm just not tagging anybody, because I think this one has probably reached the end of its blog life. If you haven't done it, and want to, consider yourself tagged.
Rules:
1. Each player starts with 7 random facts about themselves.
2. People who are tagged write a blog post about their 7 random things and post the rules.
3. At the end of your post you need to tag 7 people and post their names.
4. DonÕt forget to leave them a comment and tell them theyÕre tagged, and to read your blog.
Random Fact 1: This has been one hell of a month at work. I signed up for a couple of extra shifts, which is just inexplicable in itself, as I don't ordinarily sign up to do any more work than what I have to. We also had 3 team members have babies within a week of each other, so we were a bit short on staff and a bit long on patients to see. There used to be a warm-weather slowdown in hospital admissions in the good old days when people got to check in for questionable indications. As a byproduct of much tighter insurance company restrictions on what they will pay for, that doesn't happen much anymore.
Random Fact 2: I generally work a 7-day on, 7-day off shift schedule. The 7-day off part sounds great, (and it is, really), but the 7-day on is a hell-on-wheels, 90-some hour extravaganza of fun, chaos, and terror. I thrive on fun, chaos, and terror, so it works for me. However, I don't get much done except work, eat, and sleep, and the latter tends to be limited.
Random Fact 3: I am a total slob at home, and an expert procrastinator. This is in contrast to work, where I am obsessive-compulsive enough that even my coworkers, all obsessive-compulsive internists in their own rights, think it's amusing. I have an unnatural love for cool and geeky office supplies.
Random Fact 4: They call me the Highlighter Queen at work.
Random Fact 5: My immediate family thinks I'm spoiled rotten and a princess-y prima donna. They are dead wrong. I'm spoiled rotten and a Queenly prima donna. I keep telling them, I'm not a Princess. The Princess has to answer to someone, and that would be the Queen, me. I even have a crown, you've all seen it here.
Random Fact 6: I've gotten virtually no knitting done this past 3 weeks. If you want to see progress photos on that stupid purple sweater, go back a few posts. I have all the pieces done and am in the process of knitting more stupid seed stitch on the collar, and then have the seams to do.
Random Fact 6 1/2: I love doing mattress-stitch seams.
Random Fact 7: I have actually finished something. The Easter Egg socks are done done done. These are just my favorite socks. Here's a photo, and Project Specs.
Oh heck, here's another one, I might get lost and not post again for another month. This is a closeup that shows my perfect little gussets. I loves me a good flap heel and gusset.
Random Project Specs:
Pattern: My own sock pattern. This one is 56 stitches, with a flap heel, gusset, and the toe grafted on 12 stitches.
Yarn: Joslyn's Fiber Farm Bunny Luxury, in Easter Egg. The yarn is 20% angora, 80% wool, about a sport weight.
For: Me me me (refer back to Random Fact 5)
Started: April 3, this year.
Finished: This morning.
Needles: Lantern Moon ebony, size 2.75.
What I learned: Sport weight socks go fast, provided you actually pick them up and work on them now and then. I also learned to buy yarn when I see it. Joslyn doesn't sell this particular blend anymore. These will make great Birkenstock socks (yes, I wear socks with my Birkenstocks; this is considered fashionable in the Pacific Northwest).
I've already picked out yarn for the next pair, and started them. I'll post photos next time. Whenever that might be.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Tina EMAIL: tinachance@gmail.com IP: 209.6.166.7 URL: http://houseofyarncakes.blogspot.com/ DATE: 06/06/2007 02:58:21 PM There's nothing like a nicely turned heel to make my day. What lovely socks! I hope things get back to a calm place soon! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 06/06/2007 03:31:26 PM Pretty socks! I love #5! Am also a fellow geeky office supply loving girl! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 71.172.18.73 URL: http://www.chappysmom.typepad.com DATE: 06/06/2007 03:43:25 PM Hope you enjoyed your break--we've missed you! Oh, and for the record, I just started reading "Niccolo Rising"..... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 67.169.254.13 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 06/06/2007 03:46:44 PM Glad to see you back! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nora EMAIL: noraz@optusnet.com.au IP: 211.30.251.31 URL: http://black-dog-knits.blogspot.com DATE: 06/06/2007 03:46:44 PM Yes! We have seen your crown! The hospital doctors here work a 7 day on/7 day off roster too - Mr BDK loves it! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 06/06/2007 04:07:54 PM Pretty socks indeed! Hmm, I might actually have a skein of Bunny Luxury in my stash... :) I love gusset/heel flap socks, too! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: teyani@crownmountainfarms.com IP: 12.178.97.185 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 06/10/2007 08:13:33 PM 7 days on in a row? yikes. that sounds overwhelming. I have so many MD friends, and that is an amazing amount of work. Hat's off to you grrl - now we know why you haven't gotten much knittin done. The socks are lovely ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 68.211.150.218 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 06/11/2007 08:21:35 PM Such pretty socks! I'm a big office supplies geek, too - paper, pens, and pencils, especially. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.12.188.185 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 06/18/2007 04:39:57 AM I have lust in my wallet at Staples and Office Depot. It's part of the stash disease. Spoiled rotten? Why do they think that? Is Queen equal to Empress? ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Help! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 05/17/2007 10:38:49 PM ----- BODY:I've Fallen Into The Stash, And I Can't Get Out...
After several recent attempts to find something specific in my yarn stash, I decided that it was time to clean house. I set up a database of all my yarn a long time ago, but it was a Microsoft Access file, and when I switched to Mac last year, I just sort of quit using it. Microsoft doesn't make Access for Mac (what the hell is up with that anyway?), and the file just didn't convert nicely to an Excel file. So I had these bags and bags of yarn everywhere, and there have been additions and subtractions all over the place in the stash. It was time to reorganize. It finally dawned on me that I still have my old laptop, as I use it from time to time when we travel, and that I could still use the old file. It just needed some serious updating.
So that's what I've been doing all week. Box by box, I dumped it all out, sorting, counting, tallying, drooling. It was a little like a college reunion, where you meet all your old friends that you haven't seen in years, and you remember why you loved them. There were a few skeins that made me think "what the frack did I see in them anyway?" (Just like that old college boyfriend, the one that got a pitcher of beer dumped on his head for being a jackass.) I have almost all of it back into boxes, and added all the new yarn purchases over the last 8 or 9 months to the database. No, I have no idea how many yards total I have. I am so not going there. Even if I were to add up those skeins to get that number, I would not under any circumstance publish it to a blog that my husband occasionally reads.
Here's a little taste. First, a small sampling of the sock stash, out for inspection:
And back in the box:
Just to give you a hint of how much yarn I have, I've numbered the boxes.
And don't ask. Yes, that's a "9", implying that there are "8" boxes of yarn before this one. I am just not saying how many there may or may not be after this one.
Ok, Ok, here's a bit from one of the other boxes. I'm not saying what number this one was. It was the "mostly lace" box.
That's all. I am not giving out any more information. I'm just thinking that after tallying all this up, I might consider printing out a list, putting a monetary value on all of it, and getting a separate insurance company rider for it. Don't laugh, it's actually not such a dumb idea.
Next time: Perhaps a Finished Object. I'm close, so close.
Remember this photo?
That's my Birch shawl, with a big honking hole that I found last fall. I stuck the pin in it until I could muster up the nerve to fix the thing. It's been in a heap ever since.
The thing is, I don't have any of the Kidsilk Haze left. I know I had some leftover, I must have tossed it out in a fit of pique, being quite done with KSH at the time. I could probably do a real half-assed job without extra yarn, but I spent so much time on this sucker that I'd like to try to really fix it.
Which is where the Call For Help comes in. I'm hauling out the Knit Signal.
Does anybody have some of this yarn in their stash that they would be willing to part with? It's Kidsilk Haze, by Rowan, in the color Liqueur, a very deep nail-lacquer red. I don't have the dyelot number (if I'd saved the fracking yarn, I'd know the dyelot, now, wouldn't I?), but at this point I'm willing to give anything a shot. I probably don't need more than a few yards, so if you have a bit leftover, I'd love to have it.
In return, I'll go shopping in my stash (a deep, extensive stash, I might point out) for a little something to compensate you. If you are the one who has the KSH in your stash, I'll even let you pick the category: something for a scarf, or a hat, or perhaps a pair of socks.
Call it a blog contest. First one to say they can send me that yarn in the right color wins.
Added later:
I knew I could count on you guys. I have multiple offers of KSH, so I should be all set. Thanks!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nadia Lewis EMAIL: nadialewis@gmail.com IP: 66.183.84.232 URL: http://nadiacrafts.blogspot.com DATE: 05/09/2007 03:42:13 AM Wish I could help! You're brave to do deep surgery on that one -- such a doctor. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 05/09/2007 06:13:55 AM I can't help with the yarn - but I posted your plea to my blog. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lorraine EMAIL: chowchops@gmail.com IP: 74.12.9.209 URL: http://sheriffofknittingham.blogspot.com DATE: 05/09/2007 06:30:26 AM Sure- I can help you out- send me an e-mail with your address, and I'll get it to you. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karen EMAIL: karen@needlesandwool.com IP: 69.177.169.230 URL: http://www.needlesandwool.com DATE: 05/09/2007 06:52:11 AM I hope you find the yarn to fix Birch. It's too pretty and new to be retired already. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: dada@fluffbuff.com IP: 71.92.203.127 URL: http://www.fluffbuff.com DATE: 05/09/2007 07:57:26 AM I know I have it from a shawl I made a while back. I'll look through my stash today and let you know if I find it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Theresa EMAIL: sylph@aphrodite.com IP: 216.231.47.252 URL: http://knittingtodistraction.blogspot.com DATE: 05/09/2007 09:29:10 AM I've got some left over from a scarf I made. If you need it, just let me know. It's all yours. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Hazel EMAIL: hazel.daguiar@gmail.com IP: 82.44.19.247 URL: http://livingwithcathair.com DATE: 05/09/2007 09:33:10 AM I have some of this in my stash that I am willing to part with. Let me know if you still need it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Janet EMAIL: twistedknitter@earthlink.net IP: 208.124.20.20 URL: http://www.twistedknitter.com DATE: 05/09/2007 10:05:36 AM Is there such a thing as TOO MUCH "rescue" yarn? I have some I can send you also. It would be no trouble to stick in an envelope and mail to you. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Theresa EMAIL: knittingunderway@gmail.com IP: 159.71.254.248 URL: http://knittingunderway.blogspot.com DATE: 05/09/2007 10:27:24 AM Sorry I can't help. But I'm sure someone will answer the call of the knit signal. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 05/09/2007 03:40:27 PM Wow Lynette. Can't wait to see you fix that pretty pretty shawl. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 65.34.229.0 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 05/09/2007 09:10:07 PM It's sooooo gorgeous, I'm glad you're gonna fix it! I'll be with ya virtually :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.53.139 URL: DATE: 05/10/2007 12:27:36 AM Yay! The Knit Signal did the trick. Lots of great people out there ready to answer the call. I'm glad you will be able to fix that beautiful piece of work! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: andi EMAIL: hookedonstring@gmail.com IP: 24.166.51.115 URL: http://hookedonstring.wordpress.com/ DATE: 05/10/2007 07:12:44 AM Dang! Wish I had it for you! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 05/10/2007 07:52:10 AM It seems that some help is on the way. But could you have reduced the shawl by one pattern (by frogging), refinished the bottom, and taken the yarn from that to make the repair? This is hardly ideal, but it would save the project. It's too beautiful to let languish. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 70.43.45.58 URL: http://knit-knack.blog-city.com DATE: 05/10/2007 09:34:01 AM Glad you had lots of offers because I don't have any. But I lvoe the knitting Signal! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 66.30.249.1 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 05/11/2007 12:54:10 PM That is a scary-assed picture. Good luck with the reconstruction. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.193 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 05/12/2007 01:42:56 PM I have a hard enough time fixing a sweater. When you showed me that hole I just hit the panic button. If you can fix lace then you are my hero. The idea of that just leaves me with a whole (or should I say "hole") lot of fear and tremblin'! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 70.226.142.236 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 05/13/2007 08:28:16 AM Oh my. Lovely, lovely shawl. Ugly, ugly hole. I am working on the Shaped Triangle shawl from Gathering of Lace (that was started in 2002!!) and yesterday I noticed a hole at the very beginning of the shawl. I had used a pin to hold the little ball of the yarn tail from casting on. Bad mistake. The pin caused a yarn strand to break, and thehole wasn't as big as yours when I noticed. Luckily, I had the tail to use in making the repair. How wonderful it is that you have a big readership and someone has some of the yarn!!! Have "fun" fixing it. You will have a feeling of great power and satisfaction when you are done, even if you don't achieve perfection! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 70.226.142.236 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 05/14/2007 02:56:57 PM Thanks for your commiseration. Yes, I thought about a fire in the back yard, but outdoor fires are forbidden--of course, I could have cooked it to charcoal in the Weber grill!! But, I persevered and I think I have the solution. Won't know until I block the baby. I plan to wear it proudly to knitting camp on July 5, regardless of theheat. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sharon Plavnick EMAIL: sharonslp@ameritech.net IP: 69.210.27.194 URL: http://sharonstuff.typepad.com/knitknacks DATE: 05/14/2007 04:13:28 PM I'm not glad that YOU had a hole in your lace shawl, but I confess to being a bit relieved to see someone else dealing with the lace/hole business. I thought it was just me being exceedingly careless, but now I think our pretty lace garments are just magnets for something to catch on. Good luck with the repair. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 65.222.58.15 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 05/16/2007 07:15:03 AM Glad someone came to the rescue! I'm still laughing about the "Knit Signal" hee hee that's hilarious:) Can't wait to see your shawl all fixed and ready to wear. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Michelle EMAIL: antmegmmm@verizon.net IP: 138.89.101.242 URL: http://ewekeepmeinstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 05/17/2007 03:00:06 PM You've been tagged! Check out my blog for rules & regulations. You're it! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Abby Normal STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 05/08/2007 02:46:00 PM ----- BODY:| You Are 40% Abnormal |
 You are at medium risk for having a borderline personality. It is somewhat likely that you are a chaotic mess. You are at low risk for having a narcissistic personality. It is unlikely that you are in love with your own reflection. You are at high risk for having a social phobia. It is very likely that you feel most comfortable in your mom's basement. You are at medium risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is somewhat likely that you are addicted to hand sanitizer. |
The hand sanitizer part may be true. As may be the part about my mom's basement, but only if it's stocked with yarn.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 05/08/2007 03:23:10 PM Hmph, I think I was somewhere in the mid 40s... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.90.190 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 05/09/2007 07:35:09 AM That's too funny! Since westerners tend to mangle my daughter-in-law's Chinese name, she decided to pick a western one. She chose Abby as short for abby-normal from Young Frankenstein. I need to go take that quiz. And by the way, I like my doctors to be addicted to hand sanitizer! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: kmayers@gmail.com IP: 63.230.160.184 URL: http://vastamount.blogspot.com/ DATE: 05/11/2007 12:01:40 AM Not even going to take that test, since I know the answer. I'm far, far from normal ;-) ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Beach Party STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 05/07/2007 04:52:49 PM ----- BODY:We're back from our week at Hilton Head, and we had a great time. It's been one of those usual rainy springs around the Pacific NW, so it was good to see some sunshine. Of course, now that we're back home, it's gotten distinctly spring-like here finally, with the lilacs blooming, and a few baby ducks showing off on the lake. No pictures of them yet, but so far I've counted five new arrivals.
Here are a few photos of the trip, giving you an idea of just how much fun we had.
Since we had a two-bedroom condo, John's sister, Ena, came along to spend the week with us.
We took a short bus tour of Charleston, which I'm pretty sure that John planned out so we wouldn't have time to hit the yarn shops.
I did have time to meet another knit-blogger, Vera, of Vera's Crafty Blog. We met after the tour for lunch.
Here are our current socks-in-progress:
We dipped our feet in the Atlantic Ocean:
And we knit. Ena is learning how to knit, and when I saw that she was in dire need of some new yarn for a project, what could a sister do? We found the local yarn shops (which were a little less than inspiring, by the way--I'm pretty sure I have more yarn in the stash at home than either one that we went to), and she stocked up on some yarn for pretty scarves.
We played Mexican Train. While John and I are old pros, this was the first time Ena had played.
We finally ran out of booze and had to come home:
This was the first time I had been to Hilton Head, but I could definitely see going back.
Next time, a Project Update!
Or, Where I Am In That Crazy Never-Ending Eggplant Sweater
I really am going to finish this one of these days. For those not keeping track, I started this way back in December of 2005. Not 2006, but 2005. It sat in time-out for most of last year due to a variety of issues. I've been pretty sporadic about working on it, but I swear, I am not starting one more thing until this is done. That's the first of two sleeves, and seriously, I'm thinking it would be preferable to just amputate an arm at this point. I don't mind seed stitch, as I don't mind purling, but given the miles of seed stitch in this sweater, I am getting heartily sick of it. That cable pattern going up the sleeve is of course the same one repeated across the front and back, so it's all just boring at this point.
Not boring:
The Easter Egg socks are just wonderful. I love this yarn, even if I clearly can't take pictures. While the yarn is a bit fuzzy, it's my photography skills, or lack thereof, that makes them THAT fuzzy. I now have proof of why I buy as much yarn as I do for the stash. I only have one color of this yarn, this one, and they don't make it anymore. Do I need any other evidence? I'm about ready to turn the heel on this one, my favorite part of sock knitting.
And in the category of funding my yarn retirement program:
Oh my. This is Dream In Color sock yarn. I was following clues on the internet one day, and found this. A few quick emails back and forth to Kris, the owner of Sonny and Shear, and she had a order on the way to her online shop. It came last week. It came, I ordered, it was delivered. She of course normally mails things, but we belong to the same knitting group that meets weekly, so she delivered it to me Wednesday in person. She had it in a brown paper sack so I could sneak it into the house without any interrogation. It sort of reminded me of a drug-dealer handoff.
Turns out I didn't need to sneak it in. John took one look at that brown yarn, and claimed it as his own. (For socks for me to knit for him, not for him to knit!) Go buy some of your very own before Kris sells out of the stuff.
We're off for another adventure tomorrow. We're using a week of timeshare to go to Hilton Head. My sister-in-law Ena will be there for part of the time. She emailed me to say that she's learning how to knit, so I'll have a partner in crime while I'm there. Woot! You'll have to excuse me, I need to go pack knitting projects.
Added Later:
I promised Teyani a photo of my knitting spot in the kitchen:
When we remodeled, we got rid of our kitchen table and put in comfortable chairs for people to hang out in while we cook and chat. It's turned out to be my favorite place to knit. When I'm in the kitchen by myself, I turn one of those chairs around to face the lake. Perfect!
World Grits Day was Saturday. We decided to celebrate the occasion with a dinner party. Kris and her family were invited, along with a few other guests. (Hey, I'm not above bribing the contest-runner with food and chocolate martinis!)
The menu was all southern. We had John's famous Cheese Biscuits for appetizers.
The rest of the menu included shrimp grits, greens, and cornbread. And chocolate cake for dessert.
The whole thing involved lots of butter and cream, and yes, chocolate martinis. It's not southern without lots of butter and cream. A real southerner would have put bacon grease in there, too, but we were looking for ways to cut calories.
Anna Grace had fun, once she realized that Riley the dog wasn't a vicious wild beast.
It was Patti's birthday, so we had chocolate cake for dessert. Ok, we would have had chocolate anyway, but the birthday made it legal.
Even the dogs had fun. Here's Rae the Corgi, having worn herself out completely, and ready for a nap.
And the dinner was over, table was cleared, ready for cake, when I remembered the whole point of the dinner was to take a photo of the grits and sticks. We rescued some leftovers and made a valiant attempt to recreate the plate. It was much prettier the first time around.
And in the time it took me to get that last post together, Lucy was quietly busy behind me.
I got up from the chair and turned around:
I was going to offer this yarn* to someone who wanted to make a Shedir. Lucy had other ideas for it.
*See the previous post for what it looked like a moment ago. At least she didn't shred the hat.
I am apparently on a finishing roll. Here is Shedir, finished yesterday.
Here's how much of the partial ball of Calmer I had left. So this hat took 1 full ball of the Calmer, plus 9.2 grams of the second ball. Further notes on yarn usage are in the Project Specs below.
And an action shot. Sorry, you don't get to see my face. I'm still in my jammies and pre-shower here. This hat does a great job of covering up bedhead, by the way.
Project Specs:
Pattern: Shedir, from the special Knitty breast cancer awareness issue.
Yarn: Rowan Calmer in Flamingo, left over from my Audrey sweater.
Needles: 3.25mm needles, I used a bamboo 16 inch circular (this brand) for most of it, and Ivore double points once I got to the decreased part of the top.
Started: Version 2 was started on March 18th. I really started it about a week before that, but had to rip it all out due to a cable misadventure.
Finished: April 13th.
For: ?? This one's going to Rebekah for her charity chemo hat collection.
What I learned: I'm pretty much done with knitting with Calmer. It's great for chemo hats, as it's very stretchy and soft. But it splits like crazy, and if you drop a stitch, forget about it. The sproinginess of the yarn makes it just disappear down the line of knitting. This pattern, however, is pure joy. Jenna Wilson, the designer, also did Rogue, and she is a genius with cable design. I learned a lot about how cables are built while doing this one.
On the running-out-of-yarn thing. The pattern calls for one ball of Calmer, and I didn't quite make it with one. However, to be fair, Jenna says right in the pattern instructions that one ball cut it pretty close for her. I also didn't bother with measuring gauge, and it's entirely possible that knitting these on a smaller needle would have made a difference for me. I just went with the size needle that the pattern called for, in a let-the-force-be-with-you way.
This is also a very deep hat measured from brim to tip, a good thing if you have no hair and want to cover everything up. If you are making this just for fashionable wearing, you could make it shorter and get it out of one ball of yarn. That central section of cabling is a 8-row pattern, repeated 5 times. You could leave out one, or even two, repeats, and have a plenty big hat.
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What's next? I dragged this sleeve out of project oblivion and started working on it. I really need to finish this sweater. It's the Laurel Hill sweater from one of the Jo Sharp pattern collections, and the yarn is Jo Sharp DK wool. This yarn is just lovely to work with. I have the front and back pieces done, and am partway through the first sleeve. I had to do a little bit of math contortions to rework the sleeve increases, which I might explain in a future post. Here's where I am. The pins are to keep track of sleeve increases. I'm increasing on each side 25 times, so I put the string of 25 pins on the sleeve, and take one off to mark the increase row each time I complete it. And yes, I still use a cable needle. I have an unreasonable love of double points and cable needles.
Last, but certainly not least, is an action shot of the Wallaby sweater and baby Riley. I had her momma take photos now to show how tiny she is in comparison with the sweater. This is the smallest size in the pattern, and is more small toddler size.
This photo just cracks me up.
And a close up to show just how pretty she is. I'm pretty convinced she's going to be a redhead, like her grandma, my sister.
Don't forget, today is World Grits Day! Kris is asking us to show our Grits and Sticks photos. We're having our grits for dinner tonight, so my photo will be up tomorrow!
John and I were running errands earlier this week, and on the way home, saw this sight:
A new yarn store! It's not open yet, and when I peered in the window, it's still an empty building. So why is this so exciting? It's less than a quarter of a mile from my house, people. A yarn shop I can walk to from home. I'll keep you posted.
I obviously didn't get around to doing the requisite "Happy Easter" post. We had a quiet day at home, with little lamb chops cooked on the grill. We had to grill them in between hail storms, but that's sort of normal for spring weather around here.
For dessert, I served Peeps and chocolate sauce. Here's my "recipe".
Put Peeps on plate.
Nuke them in your microwave for 20-30 seconds. This is the exciting part. It's hard to get a good photo of the blown up Peeps, as they collapse quickly once you take them out.
Add chocolate sauce, and serve.
Don't laugh until you've tried them.
In knitting news, I'm still working on that Shedir hat. The pattern calls for one skein of Calmer. Here's how far 1 skein got me.
In case you're wondering, I'm on row 58 of an 83 row pattern. The rows get shorter pretty quickly from here, but still. This was yarn left over from when I made Audrey, so fortunately I have more:
I wound up that partial ball and weighed it on my handy-dandy drug-dealer's scale*.
15.6 grams. I'll weigh what I have left and let y'all know how much more than 1 ball this sucker takes.
*Have I mentioned how much I love my drug-dealer's scale?
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lee Ann EMAIL: leona@uncleleona.net IP: 75.35.248.90 URL: http://www.uncleleona.net/blog DATE: 04/11/2007 01:46:51 PM There is nothing more dangerous than a LYS that's THAT close to home. I should know: I have four that are within 5 miles of my house. That's why I have no visible floor in my living room. Love the drug dealer scale. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: kmayers@gmail.com IP: 63.229.136.66 URL: http://vastamount.blogspot.com/ DATE: 04/11/2007 02:12:18 PM I'll have to pass that Peeps recipe along to my other half. His current favorite is "Peep S'Mores", which he eats with great relish every Spring ;-). ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: dada@fluffbuff.com IP: 71.92.203.127 URL: http://www.fluffbuff.com DATE: 04/11/2007 02:33:38 PM Let's seeÉ less than a quarter mile = 300-400 meters. Ha! You're doomed! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 24.67.253.203 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 04/11/2007 02:36:09 PM Ooooh, a LYS within walking distance! How exciting! I love my scale, too. Dearly. More than I should. But's it's all good. :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Meadow EMAIL: meadowl@gmail.com IP: 67.169.252.77 URL: http://queenmeadow.wordpress.com DATE: 04/11/2007 02:50:11 PM Lucky! a LYS that close, or maybe I shouldn't say lucky ;) I will be visiting my first ever LYS tomorrow. I'm thinking that I should probably buy groceries first, just incase i decide that food really isn't all that important ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.173.103 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 04/11/2007 02:54:02 PM Uh-oh - I have found that even a crappy LYS makes for fun browsing, and the occasional spending ... The Shedir is looking great, I'm glad you'll be able to finish it. Drug dealer scale! I love it - but ... shouldn't you just say no???? ;-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathryn EMAIL: knittsings@mac.com IP: 24.19.101.94 URL: http://web.mac.com/knittsings/iWeb/knittsings/knittsings/knittsings.html DATE: 04/11/2007 03:00:33 PM That means this little shop is on the way to Y when the son has his swim lesson. Hmm...this could make swimming very expensive. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Norma EMAIL: norma.knits@gmail.com IP: 64.222.110.228 URL: http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com DATE: 04/11/2007 03:00:35 PM I need one of those drug-dealer's scales. Do they break the bank? Where'd you get yours? So many questions. Heh. Peeps with chocolate sauce, eh? I could probably go for that. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 65.222.58.14 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 04/11/2007 03:08:31 PM The hat looks really nice! Someone in mu group is making one too and they are just beautiful! I think congrats are in order when you have a yarn store that close to your home! Woo Hoo! Drug Dealer scale ~snort~ ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kerry EMAIL: kerrycross@gmail.com IP: 24.99.159.228 URL: DATE: 04/11/2007 03:24:47 PM I LOVE microwaved peeps! Largely for the entertainment value. My husband roasted peeps over a bonfire last weekend (long, weird story) and has decided that "peep brulee" is one of his favorite desserts. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Elinor EMAIL: elinor@knitlawrence.org IP: 24.124.34.41 URL: http://exercisebeforeknitting.blogspot.com DATE: 04/11/2007 06:23:13 PM Ooooh, your bank account is *toast*! This might be a good thing if your local stores also stock peeps. I can get behind your bread but not the peeps!!! *shudder* ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 71.172.92.72 URL: http://www.chappysmom.typepad.com DATE: 04/11/2007 06:43:45 PM Aw, gee, a LYS that close? Gosh, that's just dreadful!! (Okay, a little threatening to the bank account, but life is short, what else do you need your money for??) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 4.84.9.213 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 04/11/2007 07:17:54 PM Uh-Oh. There goes your Yarn Focus Challenge? If I lived within walking distance of an LYS, I would need to sell myself to them as an indentured servant. Your hat is a beauty. Love that scale. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: janna EMAIL: janna.lawrence@gmail.com IP: 69.91.64.33 URL: http://knittingrelaxesme.blogspot.com DATE: 04/11/2007 07:26:09 PM Yum! Peeps! And it appears that your new LYS is just waiting for YFC to get done before they open.... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 04/12/2007 12:57:40 AM I would love to have a yarn store near me! I also love my drug dealer scale that you totally got me to buy. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 04/12/2007 04:36:21 AM I don't know if I (or, more precisely, my bank account) could handle a LYS within walking distance of my house. It is tough enough resisting browsing and sale emails from the on-line sources I usually use. DH tried the bread you showed in your prior post, and it was wonderful. He made modest modifications to use things we had in the house--walnuts and dark raisins--and he did the whole thing in the machine. My customary dietary restraint is a thing of the past. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.90.190 URL: http://www.missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 04/12/2007 06:39:29 AM Uh oh - that's going to be dangerous. I showed hubby your Easter dessert and he wants to be invited over next year. He keeps a supply of Peeps in the freezer so he won't be without year round. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 04/12/2007 07:27:16 AM You might've mentioned it once... or twice. ;) I'm thinking that yarn store in walking distance might be deadly! Hee hee - that dessert is a class act all the way. :D ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Amy EMAIL: amylherzog@gmail.com IP: 69.12.228.36 URL: http://www.stashknitrepeat.com DATE: 04/12/2007 08:30:21 AM Good luck resisting the danger that is a truly local LYS! And thanks for mentioning that about Shedir; I have one ball leftover from the Phyllo-Yoked pullover that I knit and I was considering the hat. :( ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Celia EMAIL: anthrogal.celia@gmail.com IP: 71.143.105.2 URL: http://unraveling.typepad.com DATE: 04/12/2007 10:25:51 AM Ditto all the other comments on the perils of a LYS so close. My closest is about 1.5 miles away. A hefty-ish walk, but it so justifies the yarn purchases! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Robin EMAIL: kentuckyprrlgrrl@yahoo.com IP: 166.102.112.155 URL: http://kentuckypurlandfrog.blogspot.com DATE: 04/12/2007 01:51:55 PM Peeps look interesting - I will have to try it. Keep us posted on the 'how much Calmer does Shedir really take' issue. I have skein of Calmer all ready to go - but I only have one! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 68.199.230.238 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 04/12/2007 02:08:05 PM Ooh - I'm not sure which I love more - the new LYS, the Peeps recipe or the lovely pink hat. It's a tough call. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: LaBean EMAIL: ladybean@gmail.com IP: 71.249.57.119 URL: http://ladybean73.wordpress.com DATE: 04/12/2007 02:40:33 PM SCORE! Oh, sorry, got a little carried away with the news of a really local LYS. I will be checking the blog to see what becomes of this. I love yarn store pics!! Re Calmer: You gotta be kidding me... How many more rows could there be? or maybe I just don't remember what the hat looks like specifically... That stinks.. I've been there and it's no fun. You can never love your drug-dealer's scale too much :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.203.200.37 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 04/12/2007 05:29:11 PM Love those new yarn stores. We have one too. I went there today. I shouldn't have. I ended up getting 2400 yds of Cherry Tree Hill Merino Lace in Dusk. I just couldn't help myself. I have been wanting to make my Peacock Feathers shawl forever. But just wasn't feeling the color yarn I had. Started it once I got home. Yummy! And I feel ya with the running out of yarn. But it's good you had some more. Lovely hat! :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Mandy EMAIL: ruby_banshee@yahoo.com IP: 67.171.136.191 URL: http://www.rubybanshee.com DATE: 04/12/2007 06:02:57 PM I made Shedir with about 5 meters of Calmer to spare. Enough to tighten some sphincters, but finish the hat. What needles did you use? I ended up going down to US 1s to get guage. I've just started another one, so we'll see if my meter-age is reproduceable. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 71.34.130.101 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 04/12/2007 08:41:45 PM Ok, I see the obvisouly addiction about to fall off the wagon once more: 1. another corner (pusher) store 2. when in pain- we nunk peeps 3. blantant outreaching to others by actually SHOWING the scale!..and with gorgeous light pink at that (shaking head) shouldn't there be 'intervention' soon ?? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 132.183.82.155 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 04/13/2007 03:40:30 AM Wah! Hate those two skein one-skein wonders. Peeps? I'm laughing, and I'm not trying, after seeing that website about Peep experiments. My insides are glued enough as it is with the American diet! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: cindy EMAIL: cindyl@valornet.com IP: 75.88.244.27 URL: DATE: 04/26/2007 05:24:33 PM This is late, but I've just logged on to catch up. I alwant want Peeps in their gorgeous spring colors, but then can't get past the crunch of the outside coating. It is just like the crunch of the south Texas dirt that, as a small child, I used to find so tempting. Okay. Too much info. I'm going to shut up and try my new H & S ebonies. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: The Daily Bread STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 04/05/2007 01:37:00 PM ----- BODY:Here's what's on the table this week. Note that I almost missed the photo opportunity. I left this out to cool before putting it in a storage bag, and before I knew it, a third of the loaf was gone.
Pecan Maple Buttermilk Bread
1 Tbl butter
3 Tbl maple syrup
1 cup water
1 1/2 cup white bread flour
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
4 Tbl buttermilk powder
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 tsp yeast
1 1/2 Tbl gluten flour
2/3 cup golden raisins
2/3cup chopped pecans
I made the dough in the bread machine, and added the raisins and pecans towards the end of the kneading process so they didn't get too mashed up. Knead it a bit by hand before you shape the loaf if you need to so that the fruit and nuts are dispersed evenly. It was baked at 350 degrees to an inside temp of 190 degrees (use an instant read thermometer). My oven runs a bit hot, so you might need to up your oven temp to 375.
Go here for my generic bread instructions.
You could add more or less syrup to taste, or use molasses for a little different flavor. You could also use different nuts, walnuts would be great, but I had pecans so that's what I used. If you can't find some of those ingredients, check out this online store. This bread is lovely toasted, with either cinnamon sugar or jam on top.
For something similar, but with a little less of a free-form recipe, check out Rose's Cranberry Walnut bread from a couple of days ago. She uses a starter with hers, so it takes longer.
After reading her instructions for the cranberry bread, I realized why my Daily Bread turned out a bit dense this time. She suggests adding the fruit by hand, not in the bread machine, as it breaks up and will result in a compact loaf. So next time I make this, I'll let the bread go through the initial dough cycle, and then take the bread out of the machine and add the raisins before it goes through the first rise.
Enjoy!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.213.37 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 04/05/2007 05:23:23 PM Once again, why did I keep reading??? Now I really need some of this bread. And I mean NOW! Thanks for the recipes, though. I don't have a bread machine, but am going to give them a try, nonetheless. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 71.172.92.72 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 04/05/2007 06:14:04 PM Mm, that looks good.... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 68.199.230.238 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 04/06/2007 03:46:49 AM OOoh that looks so yummy. I think I might have to make some bread today. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Meadow EMAIL: meadowl@gmail.com IP: 67.169.252.77 URL: http://queenmeadow.wordpress.com/ DATE: 04/06/2007 10:35:35 AM That looks wonderful! I'll definitely have to try it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 152.163.100.144 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 04/07/2007 07:19:14 AM Mmmm...I love bread machines! I too, only use the dough cycle and bake it "the old fashioned" way. Thanks so much for that link! I have a nice international market, but it's a bugger to get in and out of the plaza it's in. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Singular Stitches EMAIL: singularstitches@hotmail.com IP: 24.239.120.132 URL: http://singularstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 04/08/2007 04:27:32 PM Mmmm, bread. This is why we banished the bread machine to the basement. When it was allowed in the kitchen, it worked WAY too much as seen by my expanding waistline! :o) I have a sock pattern question for you. Somewhere in your archives, you had mentioned where you found the directions for the picot edging on your socks. Would you please refresh my memory? I love how your socks turn out. (I too, prefer knitting basic socks over the fancy designs. It makes for a more portable -mindless- travel project.) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sally EMAIL: southtownspirits@centurytel.net IP: 72.161.9.28 URL: http://www.southtownspirits.com DATE: 04/09/2007 11:59:22 AM Just happened onto your blog. All I can say is WOW. Like, how do you find the time and energy to blog, knit, bake, and heal the sick? I just learned to knit this year but am having major difficulty knitting in the round. I'm always searching the net for knitting tips like how to not have a hole show at the beginning of a row when knitting in the round. Suggestions? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Loralie EMAIL: Loralie@weknitonroutesixtysix.zzn.com IP: 72.213.131.211 URL: http://www.weknitonroutesixtysix.co.nr DATE: 04/09/2007 02:37:47 PM That looks DELICIOUS! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Finished Projects! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 04/03/2007 12:04:00 PM ----- BODY:I actually have finished knitting something! Two somethings, to be precise.
First up is the Baby Riley birthday present. It's off in the mail, so I can safely show it here. A couple of you guessed correctly, this was the Wonderful Wallaby pattern.
Project Specs:
Pattern: Wonderful Wallaby, by Cottage Creations
Yarn: Cotton Ease, in Pepto Pink (not the real color name!)
For: Baby Riley, my new great-niece (or is it grand-niece?)
Started: February 2007
Finished: March 29, 2007
Needles: KnitPicks Options circulars, and Swallow dpns, in size 4mm for the cuffs/bottom rib, and size 5mm for the rest.
Modifications: None. If I make this again, I'd do something differently with the split at the bottom of the v-neck. There's a loose stitch there that gaps, and I think there are ways to knit that stitch so it doesn't do that. I saw a version of this on Brooke's blog with a cable up each side of the pouch and around the hood. That would be fun to do.
What I learned from this project: I have never knit a whole sweater in the round before. I'd still do most of my adult sweaters in pieces, as I think you have a little more control over the blocking process with flat pieces. I also don't hate doing seams as much as many of you do. Mattress stitch seaming is actually fun to do, once you figure it out. For kid items, the in-the-round method is perfect.
Although I have a ton of Cotton Ease in the stash, this is embarrassingly the first thing I've made from it. The new colors are much more subtle, though again, for kid stuff, the bright crayon colors of the old CE can't be beat. For cheap yarn, this stuff knits up wonderfully. I think I'd go down a needle size next time I use this yarn. I only used 2 balls plus a little from a 3rd for the smallest size in the pattern. CE has great yardage for the price.
I'd also note that the smallest size in the pattern is for a largish baby/toddler. This won't fit a newborn, but that's OK. Most new moms get loads of newborn items that the kid grows out of before they even get a chance to wear them. This probably won't fit her until the winter months later this year, which is a good thing, considering that they live in the Phoenix area!
My other finished project:
Pattern: My generic, top down, picot hem socks. These have a 72-stitch circumference.
Yarn: Dicentra Designs superwash sock yarn, in the color Solar Energy, purchased from Teyani at Crown Mountain Farms. Don't click that link if you are trying to limit your yarn acquistion. And don't say I didn't warn you.
Needles: Pony Pearl dpns, in size 2.00 mm. Yes, I knit the whole sock with that size.
Started: Remember this post?
Finished: This morning, in my jammies.
For: me!
Modifications: This is one of those logic puzzles, I think. Is it possible to call it a modification if you made up the pattern yourself?
What I learned: I shouldn't try to cast on with size 2.00mm birch needles and drink martinis at the same time.
Seriously? Knitting a whole sock on 2.00 mm needles is not any harder than knitting them on bigger needles. This yarn is a bit thinner than some other sock yarns, but the finished sock at this gauge has a very nice feel to it. I really like this yarn, and will probably buy more of it when my next "free" day rolls around.
By the way, the Brittany Birch people did send me a replacement for that broken needle. They sent a whole set, not just the one needle. So if you ever break one, just email them and tell them your sad story.
What's next on the sock knitting list? Well, since Easter is this coming weekend, I couldn't resist this lovely hank of yarn from my stash.
This is Bunny Luxury, from Joslyn's Fiber Farm. It's an angora/wool blend, in the color Easter Eggs, and is approximately a sport weight. I don't think she sells this particular blend any longer*, but it is amazingly soft. I thought this was an appropriate yarn for the season, even if there is no chance that I will finish them by Easter of this year! I just dare you to look at her yarn colors without buying something.
I'm off to wind up yarn.
Next time: Another installment of The Daily Bread.
*This is not the same yarn as the Bunny Heaven that she has currently available. The Bunny Luxury is 80% wool and 20% angora.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.30.110 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 04/03/2007 12:45:52 PM The Wallaby is adorable! I hope you'll get to see her in it (even if just a picture), once it fits her. And I love the socks. I want to learn to do picot, I really like the way it looks. Two things - I'm impressed! You should have a celebratory drink ... ;-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 67.169.254.13 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 04/03/2007 12:57:27 PM Oh yes! I can see it is pink! I got the Rustic Bread book! Love it. Now I think I know why I could not get them to raise in dry high Utah. I hope I'll get a chance to take a picture of the next one before DH gets to it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nora EMAIL: noraz@optusnet.com.au IP: 220.239.254.137 URL: http://black-dog-knits.blogspot.com DATE: 04/03/2007 01:29:28 PM Love the simplicity of the picot sock pattern - although I've recently had run elastic through mine to hold them up (washing must've stretched them). ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Norma EMAIL: norma.knits@gmail.com IP: 64.222.110.228 URL: http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com DATE: 04/03/2007 01:40:56 PM That little Wallaby is da bomb! It's GREAT that it's bigger than newborn. They only stay in them "for a sneeze," as I saw somebody write recently. Love the socks, too! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 216.43.250.146 URL: http://knit-knack.blog-city.com DATE: 04/03/2007 01:43:50 PM 2 very cute items. I think making a more toddler sized item for a baby is much more practical, they may actually get a season of wear out of it compared to a newborn who gets a few weeks. Those are really cute socks, love the colors. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 04/03/2007 02:01:19 PM I love the baby sweater (and the color!). Happy Blogiversary. I'm a bit tardy in my blog "visiting". I love your food posts. Your last bread looked sensational. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacie EMAIL: faerycrafty@gmail.com IP: 68.53.132.139 URL: http://faerycrafty.blogdrive.com DATE: 04/03/2007 02:42:47 PM Aww how cute!! I love the color of your socks too :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Theresa EMAIL: knittingunderway@gmail.com IP: 159.71.254.248 URL: http://knittingunderway.blogspot.com DATE: 04/03/2007 03:11:22 PM Three cheers for the Cotton Ease baby sweaters! Wouldn't it have been nice if they kept the old colors and brought out the new ones? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 24.67.253.203 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 04/03/2007 03:13:49 PM Great FOs! The Wallaby is so sweet - I keep seeing these everywhere, and I would love to knit one up. I always think knitting a pair of socks should count as TWO FO's - I know that they're small, but there are a lot of stitches there, and you are getting two things, right? :0) The finished socks are great, so cheery and comfy looking. And I'm in love with the new yarn you're winding up - I'm not clicking the link. Really, I'm not. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathryn EMAIL: knittsings@mac.com IP: 24.19.101.94 URL: http://web.mac.com/knittsings/iWeb/knittsings/knittsings/knittsings.html DATE: 04/03/2007 04:09:41 PM Picot tops can't be beat. Whenever I'm too tired to try a new cast on, it's my safe haven. Sturdy, neat, and pretty all in one. If it weren't so girly, Bill's socks would have pointy tops too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: ladylungdoc EMAIL: ladylungdoc@hotmail.com IP: 24.70.38.168 URL: http://www.purlthis.blogspot.com DATE: 04/03/2007 06:55:03 PM Is it unusual to knit the whole sock with 2mm needles? That's the size I most commonly use. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: janna EMAIL: janna.lawrence@gmail.com IP: 69.91.64.33 URL: http://knittingrelaxesme.blogspot.com DATE: 04/03/2007 08:07:39 PM I clicked on that link, and, boy, was I tempted! But I stayed strong - but noticed that the Yarn Focus Challenge is over in less than two weeks. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 63.231.111.23 URL: http://socks-for-mum.blogspot.com DATE: 04/03/2007 11:01:43 PM The Wallaby sweater is very nice indeed. I was just recently introduced to the Pony Pearls and they are quickly becoming my favorite needles. I have a tendency to bend or break my wooden ones. And, 2.00mm results in the softest socks! Great job! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 66.229.3.122 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 04/03/2007 11:03:31 PM The baby pulli is just too cute! Love the socks too! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 152.163.100.144 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 04/04/2007 05:42:47 AM Your Wallaby IS wonderful! I just found out that Michael's is now carrying Cotton-Ease! No more shipping charges! Love the socks! It must be spring. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 04/04/2007 09:02:03 AM Love the baby sweater - bright bright bright is perfect for kids, isn't it? I wish the new Cotton-Ease still came in black... And the socks turned out greaat! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Amber EMAIL: andugger2003@yahoo.com IP: 70.106.10.35 URL: http://www.knitfriendly.blogspot.com DATE: 04/04/2007 09:13:59 AM Thank you so much for this post! I googled Cotton Ease and Wallaby because I just started one last night wiht the new CE for a friend's baby in Phoenix. The baby is 9 months old right now and I am making the smallest size. I just wasn't sure that it would fit her but from your post, I feel more confident now. Thanks again! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 216.248.170.177 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com/verascraftyblog DATE: 04/04/2007 10:19:16 AM What a cute sweater for Baby Riley. I like the name "Pepto Pink." That Bunny Luxury look fab. Must check out the website. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lee Ann EMAIL: leona@uncleleona.net IP: 75.35.248.90 URL: http://www.uncleleona.net/blog DATE: 04/04/2007 01:32:47 PM Those socks are outstanding! Love how the orange lights up the heel--just as you planned, right? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Amy EMAIL: amylherzog@gmail.com IP: 69.12.228.36 URL: http://www.stashknitrepeat.com DATE: 04/04/2007 02:52:46 PM Your Wallaby gets a great big "Awwwwwwwwww!!!" Lucky baby! I love the picot sock. It's just the right mix of simplicity and detail for a handpainted yarn. Great FOs! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: eyeleen EMAIL: eyeleen259@gmail.com IP: 71.246.242.114 URL: http://knittingbyeye.blogspot.com DATE: 04/04/2007 04:41:02 PM I love the pepto pink sweater, very cute! and your socks are lovely! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 04/04/2007 05:58:33 PM Love the wallaby! I like your simple sock pattern too. How many stitches do you cast on? Would love to try it myself. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Angie EMAIL: honey@cox.net IP: 68.99.84.215 URL: DATE: 04/06/2007 10:19:08 AM It's more adorable in person!!! And it is sooo soft! Mommy loves it and Baby Riley better fit into this fall/winter! I love it! Thank you again *SO* much Lorette! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: teyani@crownmountainfarms.com IP: 12.178.97.185 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 04/07/2007 07:49:53 AM love the pink wallaby! I saw a fun way to knit the v in front that involves picking up the stitches at the bottom of the v twice (once for the left shoulder , then pick up from the back of the same stitch for the right shoulder.) Hope that makes sense (grin) It creates two ribs up the front of the hoodie. Love the picot edge Solar Energy ! They came out so pretty. And be still my heart - are you really making socks that are part angora? it sounds dreamy :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.250 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 04/08/2007 12:06:23 PM Pepto Pink is perfect! Very very cute. Thanks (I think) for the link to Joslyn's. Lots of very nice fibers there. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sue EMAIL: pmci7823@bigpond.net.au IP: 58.164.120.190 URL: http://mcintyreknits.blogspot.com DATE: 04/13/2007 03:32:29 AM Oh the Wallaby sweater turned out so cute. I love the socks too, very nice. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: And The Winner Is... STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 04/02/2007 11:32:14 AM ----- BODY:
Actually, "winners". First off, thank you all for the lovely mailbox full of comments. Now I know how to get the lurkers out of the shadows; give away free yarn! There are a lot of great knitting tips in those comments from my last post, some I already know and use, some I once knew and had forgotten, and many new ideas. If you have a minute or ten, go back and read all the comments.
So then, how to pick a winner? As you recall, one prize, the Opal sock yarn, and the Cherry Tree Hill Alpaca Glitter, was to be chosen randomly. Whew, no decision making there. Using the handy-dandy Random Number Generator, Kathy is the winner of this lovely little pile of yarn. Here's her tip:
"Let's see...favorite knitting tip for me is keeping track of which circular needle to knit from when knitting with two circs. I take the working end and give it a tug. The correct end will jiggle, letting me know which one to knit with. Makes it easy to figure out which is which :-)"
The other prize is for my favorite tip of the bunch. Now that one was not so easy. In the end, I picked Bridget's tip, on not drinking and knitting at the same time. How could I not choose that one, even if she didn't think it was a valid knitting tip?
"I have no actual knitting tips, though I wish I did. I have learned though, that at least for me, one glass of wine is plenty, if I don't want to rip it all out the next day. Hardly a tip, but it does work!"
Bridget gets the Heritage lace yarn and the Mountain Colors Bearfoot. Given my past history with the bourbon-related mishaps, I'm surprised that more of you didn't suggest this.*
Thanks for playing, everyone! Not only did I get lots of great tips, but I got leads to a bunch of new-to-me blogs.
Next post, actual finished knitting projects!
*Of course, just because I liked her knitting idea the best, doesn't mean that I'll follow her advice. ;-)
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: kmayers@gmail.com IP: 71.34.100.81 URL: http://vastamount.blogspot.com/ DATE: 04/02/2007 12:25:54 PM I love Bridget's tip! Good advice, even if none of us take it :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.30.110 URL: http://www.the-ravelld.sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 04/02/2007 01:26:40 PM Oh, I'm so excited, I've never won anything before! And just to set the record straight, though I sent this tip/advice/whatever you want to call it, my reality does not reflect that I take my own advice ... :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Becky EMAIL: rebecca@moonfrog.com IP: 71.131.28.14 URL: http://www.moonfrog.com DATE: 04/02/2007 04:43:33 PM Congrats to the winners! I enjoyed reading the tips, too. Good advice is much more fun to give than to follow, right? :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 04/02/2007 05:10:52 PM Congrats!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Catherine EMAIL: cathdv@aol.com IP: 205.188.116.144 URL: http://cathelaine.typepad.com/lives_in_a_shoe/ DATE: 04/02/2007 09:37:19 PM Wow. I haven't been around for awhile, I guess. Great to read all the posts and the comments. Was going to argue with you about Jerry Garcia but your link convinced me. I've been in a funk knit-wise but somehow your luscious yarn images have inspired me to grab my half-finished socks and get crackin'. Woo hoo. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 65.222.58.14 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 04/03/2007 06:42:25 AM Wise advice indeed! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.30.159 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 04/03/2007 09:34:57 AM Congrats to Wise Bridget and Kathy, too! :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.90.190 URL: http://www.missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 04/03/2007 07:35:58 PM Hmmm - I was going to suggest that, but I thought we were supposed to suggest something you'd actually USE!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: cindy EMAIL: cindyl@valornet.com IP: 75.88.255.183 URL: DATE: 04/10/2007 04:36:32 PM This is the first time I've ever written a comment to an online group. I'm as technologically challenged as any 53-year-old, I'm sure. I stumbled upon this blog, though, looking up Holtz & Stein needles, and felt right at home. Anyone who knits while sipping martinis, is okay by me, although I try to stick to single malt or salty dogs. Thank you for a great knitting place. I'm looking forward to reading and exploring the site. Thanks. Cindy in Texas where I'm the only idiot I know who knits wool sweaters. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Blogiversary! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 2 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 03/28/2007 03:25:07 PM ----- BODY:Bread!
Baby!
Free Yarn!
OK, if those titles don't get you to read on, nothing will. First, the bread. I promised in the last post that there would be another Daily Bread installment soon. Here it is.
Getting ready:
And just out of the oven:
The recipe is Rustic Potato Loaves, from Baking With Julia. As the recipe is in a published book, and I pretty much made it as written, I won't write it out here. A reader (if it was you, let me know, I lost track of who recommended this book) suggested this one, so I got the book out of the library. It's a great cookbook, and I've been drooling over it for the past few weeks. I came home from work one night this past week, and there was a package on the counter. My sweetie had bought me my very own copy!
The recipe uses russet potatoes, flour, water, salt, yeast, and olive oil. The skins are left on the potatoes after you boil them, so add a very nice flavor and texture to the bread. I made this one with my KitchenAid mixer instead of the bread machine, as it's a very soft dough and I wanted to have a little more control over putting it together. It turned out great. Here's the meal it went with:
Baked potato, the bread, steamed green beans, and perfect little steaks with a mushroom-red wine sauce. Yum.
Next up, the Baby! Baby Riley (my great-niece!) was born late last week, and is clearly in the running for Cutest Baby Ever Born. She has all the earmarks of a princess-in-training. Here's a photo:
She looks like she might have red hair, like her grandma, my sister. Her birthday present isn't quite done yet, but that's OK. It's turning out to be a size that she won't be able to wear for awhile.
Now, the Blogiversary. Three years ago this week, I started my blog. In the words of one of my favorite bluegrass artists*, "what a long, strange trip it's been"! I've learned a ton of new knitting tricks from all of you, been led to a lot of great new yarn-buying shops both online and off, and met lots of new friends through this blog. Though my posting has slowed down lately, I have no intention of giving up the blog. I started this mostly to keep track of my knitting projects, but it's turned into much more than that. Despite the fact that my husband calls you all my "imaginary friends", I can't imagine a week without you all here.
In honor of all my "imaginary friends", as without you there would be no blog, I'm having a contest. I'm giving away yarn! All you have to do is leave a comment with your favorite knitting trick. It can be a fancy way to do seams, a great gadget that you couldn't live without, a favorite pattern stitch, or just some wonderful secret trick that's saved your knitting butt.
I'll choose my personal favorite for one prize, and draw a random name for the other. The contest will be open for 4 days. The last eligible comment will have to be in by Sunday night at midnight. On Monday, I'll announce the winners.
Oh, and the prizes? Yarn, of course. Two skeins each, for each lucky winner.
For the knitting trick that is my favorite:
And:
The first skein is Heritage lace yarn, in a heavy laceweight. The color is Blueberry Hill, and it's a silk-rayon blend, 525 yards. The second skein is Mountain Colors Bearfoot, in Bitterroot Rainbow, enough to make a pair of socks.
For the randomly drawn winner:
And:
The first is of course Opal sock yarn, in Lollipop, from my treasured Opal stash. The second is Cherry Tree Hill Glitter Alpaca yarn. The color is Northern Lights, and there's 428 yards of it. I could see this as very luxurious socks, or perhaps a scarf, mittens, or a hat.
So spread the word, leave a comment, win some yarn!
*He is too a bluegrass artist. Check this out if you don't believe me.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Amy EMAIL: amycrea@comcast.net IP: 75.73.176.149 URL: http://www.knitthink.typepad.com DATE: 03/28/2007 03:45:27 PM Happy blogiversary! My tips aren't very exciting, but they sure have helped me. One is when I learned how to unknit rather than rip. That's saved me from destroying entire projects. The other is knitting backwards--or purling in reverse. It makes entrelac so much easier; you don't have to flip the project around so much. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 24.67.253.203 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 03/28/2007 04:08:49 PM Happy Blogiversary! Too funny, my dh calls my blog friends "imaginary friends", too. :0) My favourite "tip" is to "pre-block" something on the needles, to see how it's going to turn out. Oh, and the mattress stitch. Gotta love the mattress stitch. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Pat EMAIL: Pat@PatsKnittingandQuilting.comP IP: 24.62.232.22 URL: http://patsknittingandquilting.com DATE: 03/28/2007 04:17:53 PM My knitting life changed when I learned about "spit splicing" ...by far, my favorite knitting trick! Happy Blogiversary - and thank you for the past 3 years! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Michelle EMAIL: antmegmmm@verizon.net IP: 138.89.98.4 URL: http://ewekeepmeinstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 03/28/2007 04:26:42 PM Happiest of Anniversaries and many many more! I agree, I think blogland has given us all more than we bargained for. Congrats on that beautiful pretty-in-pink princess you've added into your kingdom. God Bless! As far as fab gadgets mine is probably old news for most (i'm usually miss the gravy train) but I just found them about 3 months ago and felt like a kid in a candy shop. I don't know what their called, probably worth about .15 cents although I paid $6, and they are two little rubber nipple type things attached by a small piece of elastic. DPN's go in each nipple type thing and the elastic holds them together....you cannot imagine how happy I am that I no longer have spikes projecting through every purse I own! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 4.84.10.5 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 03/28/2007 04:28:44 PM Happy Blogiversary. I enjoy your blog--the knitting as well as your travels and music. You also enabled me to call Blue Moon Fiber Arts as soon as I saw your Hot Flash colorway on your blog. I have yet make anything with it. Right now, I just like to look at it. Here's a tip... Don't be afraid to use stitch markers. They really can catch mistakes early and make knitting less stressful. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 03/28/2007 04:49:09 PM Just wanted to congratulate you on your blogiversary!! My favorite trick is learning the magic loop - probably won't use DPNs again! Cute baby and yummy dinner! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: margene EMAIL: zeneedle@gmail.com IP: 24.10.212.187 URL: http://zeneedle.typepad.com/ DATE: 03/28/2007 05:19:44 PM Anyone who doesn't think Jerry is a bluegrass artist just doesn't know music! My tip is to keep it simple and keep on blogging!;-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: andi EMAIL: hookedonstring@gmail.com IP: 24.166.51.115 URL: http://hookedonstring.wordpress.com/ DATE: 03/28/2007 05:26:19 PM Baby is so cute! You're breads are so beautiful. There's dough in that dough you know that's if you ever get tired of doctorship. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.90.190 URL: http://www.missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 03/28/2007 05:28:06 PM Wow - that does have to be one of the cutest babies ever. Right up there with my granddaughter! Ok, this tip is so elementary I'm a little embarassed to admit that I knit for over 30 years without it. When knitting lace or complicated Arans, use stitch markers to separate your patterns. I know - pretty simple, huh? Just took me a long while to realize it. Can't believe the number of Arans and lace shawls I knit before I came to that little light bulb moment. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 208.45.75.237 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 03/28/2007 05:34:49 PM Yes, imaginary friends made you do it. (buy yarn) my tip is not monumental by any means, but I have found that simple twisty bread ties work great as markers. (I didn't read any comments before posting)Now I have and what is it with STICH MARKERS???? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Mikki EMAIL: lacemkr@sbcglobal.net IP: 69.110.249.8 URL: http://stringattack.blogspot.com DATE: 03/28/2007 05:36:45 PM Happp Blogversary!!!! Three years, COOL! I keep my stitch markers on a carabiner in my knitting bag. That way they have less of a chance to escape. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rossana EMAIL: knittish@gmail.com IP: 68.100.124.152 URL: http://www.knittish.com DATE: 03/28/2007 05:59:23 PM Oh my goodness! I had no idea Jerry Garcia was a bluegrass artist! Now I feel like there should be blueberries in my Cherry Garcia ice cream! Happy Three-Year Blogiversary! My favorite and best knit-trick is to remember to breathe and keep a sense of humor in my knitting goofs. Also, it helps that I'm of the "if you can't see it from the back of a galloping horse" mindset with regard to little knitting oopsies. My latest favorite knitting gadget is the little green mini kacha-kacha row counter that locks. I drew a face on mine. Makes me smile. =p http://knittish.squarespace.com/knittish-weblog/2006/10/17/meet-mickey.html ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.56.134 URL: DATE: 03/28/2007 06:21:19 PM Happy Blogiversary Lorette! Cute baby - probably the cutest one in the whole wide world. My favorite trick when knitting socks on two circs has always been to put a stitch marker in the middle of each of the two circs to help me envision the orientation of the sock better. I could pretend I had needle one, two, three and four when using patterns so directed. Now, my new favorite trick is to knit two socks on two circs. I am knitting two pairs of socks right now. (One pair each on two circs) and it is fun, but slow going as instead of knitting one sock at a time, I am knitting four. Happy Knitting, Mary Kay ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Mary EMAIL: knittingdoc@gmail.com IP: 207.218.70.147 URL: http://www.cutandknit.blogspot.com DATE: 03/28/2007 06:33:52 PM Hi! I usually lurk, but I wanted to congratulate you on three years! I do have a trick: I found that one of the tips on my Addi Turbo was rough...it started to catch the yarn occasionally, but I could never figure out where the rough spot was. If it were wood or bamboo, you could file it soft. As Addis are metal, I grabbed by nail polish and put a thin coat of it on the tips. After it dried, I used a cotton cloth to "buff" it. Now, it knits very smoothly and the yarn doesn't catch anymore. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@nospam.gmail.com IP: 71.172.92.72 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 03/28/2007 06:39:50 PM Happy blogiversary! Now, just wait a minute while I wipe the bread-induced drool from my keyboard (it's really been too long since I baked bread) . . . there! Now... My favorite tip? To fix a circular knit that you accidentally joined twisted--you know, the kind that you usually don't catch until you've knit several rows? Instead of frogging, I knit around to the first stitch--the one above the original join--and drop it. Ladder it down to the cast-on row, manually untwist everything, and then pick up the dropped stitch like any other dropped stitch, and put it back on the needle. I end up with a single twist at the cast-on, but that's barely noticeable. Granted, I've only needed to do this two or three times, but since I hate having to rip anything out . . . I love this. Oh, and I do love the Magic Loop for small items . . . and knitting two socks at once . . . the Turkish cast-on for sock toes . . . and yeah, that green Kacha Kacha counter--mine is tied to a stitch marker so I can dangle it from my needles. Love that. And then . . . well, I'll just stop here, shall I?? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Gina B. EMAIL: gmorse1@stny.rr.com IP: 74.69.136.51 URL: DATE: 03/28/2007 06:47:04 PM My favorite trick is to switch the end stitches when joining in the round to make a tighter join. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nadia Lewis EMAIL: nadialewis@gmail.com IP: 154.20.167.193 URL: http://nadiacrafts.blogspot.com DATE: 03/28/2007 06:52:53 PM Happy Blogiversary! My favourite trick is blocking -- it's like magic! Okay, that's not really a trick... Hmm... I think my favourite knitting technique of the moment is twisted stitches. They are like mini cables and work so much better on tiny, delicate things. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lora EMAIL: glennandlora@yahoo.com IP: 75.84.80.243 URL: DATE: 03/28/2007 06:57:46 PM My best tip is to buy good needles. I spent many, many years knitting with cheapy needles. Last year I bought Knitpicks options and could not believe the difference it made in the finished product. I've always been a pretty even knitter (my purl and knit rows have the same tension) but the better needles took my knitting to the next level. The needles don't have to be top of the line but please don't try to save money and buy the cheapies! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 67.169.254.13 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 03/28/2007 07:01:55 PM Three years! that is a long time. I wonder how old mine is..... My favorite trick: painters tape to keep track of the rows on charts. Can't live without it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: monica EMAIL: cmnappe@yahoo.com IP: 207.154.85.2 URL: http://passionknit.net DATE: 03/28/2007 07:04:56 PM Happy Blogiversary! Congrats on your beautiful great niece! Thanks for sharing your life with us, I've enjoyed reading your posts. My favorite stitch to use for a scarf is the Mistake Stitch Ribbing--totally reversible and looks great no matter the yarn. (Well okay, maybe not novelty.) The pattern (from Barbara Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns) is: Multiple of 4 sts plus 3 *K2, p2: rep from *, end K2, p1 Repeat this row. Thanks for posting this great contest. I've learned a lot of really good tips! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: janna EMAIL: janna.lawrence@gmail.com IP: 69.91.64.33 URL: http://knittingrelaxesme.blogspot.com DATE: 03/28/2007 07:22:10 PM Hmmmm...... my favorite "gadget" are those little plastic spirals that you can wrap around your needles to keep them together - they come in several sizes. And has anyone mentioned life lines? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacie EMAIL: faerycrafty@gmail.com IP: 68.53.132.139 URL: http://faerycrafty.blogdrive.com DATE: 03/28/2007 07:26:12 PM Happy Blogiversary!! What a cute baby!! Ok my FAVORITE trick is one that I learned on the Philospher's Wool website while learning to do Fair Isle. When working with 2 colors of yarn they want you to weave the yarn that you are carrying if you knit more than 2 stitches with the other yarn. This keeps the yarn all nice and neat on the back of the work. It's also a great way to weave in your ends while your knitting so that you don't have to go back and do it later. I just hold the end I want to weave in my left hand, the yarn I am knitting with in my right hand and weave as I go. I swear this is a good trick, but it's turning out to be very hard to describe it at the moment. It would be much easier to show you haha! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 68.211.179.178 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 03/28/2007 07:46:48 PM The baby is just darling! Happy Happy Blogiversary, too. My favorite knitting tip is freezer-type ziplock bags. The heavier plastic holds up really well. I put my yarn in one and toss it in my knitting bag. It keeps the yarn from rolling around, and everything is in one place for each project. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 65.34.231.39 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 03/28/2007 07:54:17 PM Happy Blogiversary Lorette!!! I'm exempting myself from the prizes but I'll still share my *secrets* Favorite gadgets- Double ended stitch markers :) I just discovered these http://www.knitklips.com/toorder.html and they totally ROCK!! They make sweater finishing a breeze!! Favorite technique- Russian Join Favorite knitting tip- I like to knit both sleeves or both fronts of a cardi at the same time. So I never accidently work the wrong sleeve when turning I take a few locking stitch markers and "clip" both sleeves/fronts together so I'm always sure I'm knitting in the right direction! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: dada@fluffbuff.com IP: 71.92.203.127 URL: http://www.fluffbuff.com DATE: 03/28/2007 08:41:39 PM Happy blog anniversary and congratulations on a very very cute baby niece! My favorite knitting tip is for figuring out gauge on large Aran patterns. Knit a regular size swatch using moss stitch, seed stitch or any other stitch that alternates knit and purl stitches every stitch or every other stitch. This approximates the gauge (and also yarn consumption) of knitting a pattern with cables. If you've never knitted a pattern, do a preliminary quick swatch this way. If you get gauge on the faux swatch, you could skip knitting a swatch with the whole pattern (those things can get really big). If you need to make adjustments to achieve gauge, you can now knit the pattern swatch with a good idea of the needle size you need to use. The extra step of knitting the faux swatch actually ends up saving time and frustration. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@sbcglobal.net IP: 69.231.154.180 URL: http://knittogether.blogspot.com DATE: 03/28/2007 09:01:42 PM hmmm, my knitting tip - I never go anywhere without my little 2.75 mm crochet hook - it's saved many a dropped stitch! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: kate EMAIL: needlesonfire@kateREMOVEgilbert.com IP: 24.203.41.51 URL: http://www.kategilbert.com/blog DATE: 03/28/2007 09:44:03 PM I really don't need any yarn, so don't enter me in the contest, but I just wanted to say: YUM. May I please come to your house for dinner? and YUM. Look at that delicious little baby. She's almost tempting me to have another one (and that's saying A LOT). and Congratulations on three years of blogging. and One of my favorite knitting tricks I got from you - using those puzzle mats for blocking. Thank you! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: alice EMAIL: through.the.looking@gmail.com IP: 68.194.194.231 URL: http://throughthelooking.blogspot.com DATE: 03/28/2007 09:48:55 PM spit splicing is amazing, but as i see someone already mentioned that, i'll give you my second favorite thing. i dont remember where i even saw it for the first time, but i fell in love with cabling the moment i realized you DIDNT have to have a cable needle to do it. i was actually holding off on 'learning' cabling until i could get the "right" needle, but when i discovered the other way of doing it, i took off and never looked back! now almost everything i do includes some kind of cables or other crossing patterns. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: i.d.d.a. EMAIL: thewards@cebridge.net IP: 24.32.249.35 URL: DATE: 03/28/2007 09:55:02 PM Happy Blogiversary! That is a cute baby, too.Congrats! My favorite tip involves the gadget: Ever use brush rollers and those pink plastic stick pins? They are great for holding two pieces together for seaming. They don't split the yarn and they stay firmly in place. I have an old set. They are hard to find now. I don't "set" my hair these days. Rarely sew seams, either. This is a great idea for a contest! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rosemary Reitz EMAIL: rosevta@hotmail.com IP: 71.215.121.7 URL: DATE: 03/28/2007 11:27:07 PM Hello Knitting Doctor: I am a Physical Therapist feeling akin to you in the medical profession. My neice is a hospitalist at Swedish Hospital and possibly you know her. Well, I am blogless due to autistic tendencies in placing digital pictures on the web. I have looked at your site for at least two years being inspired by your projects and generosity of sharing ideas. After thinking about the neatest knitting technique I would like to honor you in sharing the best trick you have taught me. For some reason I am addicted to sock knitting. I am currently in the STR and Sundara knitting club. When you put the tutorial up about reparing holes in soles of feet I just had to have the knitting egg. It took me a couple of months to find one in a yarn store in Santa Maria, California but I did. I went through your suggestions and repaired two socks that had a hole in the heel. My ex-husband and I are dead heads from way back. In fact my sons e-mail is walstib which you can figure out the acronym. I just wouldn't think of them as a country grass band though. Anyway, congratulations on your three year anniversay and thank you for all your knitting comments, advice and all the wonderful trips that you take. Rosevta@hotmail.com ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Becky EMAIL: rebecca@moonfrog.com IP: 71.131.28.14 URL: http://www.moonfrog.com DATE: 03/28/2007 11:35:57 PM Beautiful Baby! And bread! Happy Blogiversary, too. Some of my favorite knitting helps are clear plastic zippered pouches I found at my LYS. I put my most often used knitting tools in them and can see just what I need, so don't have to hunt too far. I have one for travel and two for home. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: zeska EMAIL: eeva.saviranta@gmail.com IP: 83.145.228.139 URL: http://devyarnstash.blogspot.com DATE: 03/29/2007 12:26:52 AM My own favourite tip is to knit with yarn you love. It took me years to figure out that I don't have to settle on yarn that will do but to go to the yarn that will make me love to project. Another tip is that while knitting cabled socks (I use set of five needles to do it since it is traditional where I come from) is putting the cable stitches on one of the needles that are not in use at the moment, no need to loose that cable needle :). ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Theresa EMAIL: knittingunderway@gmail.com IP: 159.71.254.248 URL: http://knittingunderway.blogspot.com DATE: 03/29/2007 03:08:37 AM My best knitting tip is a new one - don't knit all the time. It's more fun that way. Happy Blogiversary! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.203.200.37 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 03/29/2007 04:00:49 AM Happy Bloggiversary! I have thouroughly enjoyed reading you through the years. Time just flys by doesn't it? As for my favorite trick, it has to be double knitting. Being able to knit with one hand and purl with another, I enjoy that very much. You are using two different colors all along the row and it just seems second nature to work with both hands at once instead of stopping to grab the other yarn. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Norma EMAIL: norma.knits@gmail.com IP: 64.222.110.228 URL: http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com DATE: 03/29/2007 04:54:18 AM Happy blogiversary, Lorette! When I learned to mattress stitch, it changed my life! Same with kitchener, though I still struggle with that one. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Darlene EMAIL: bron_y_aur80@hotmail.com IP: 216.195.156.147 URL: DATE: 03/29/2007 05:13:02 AM Congrats on your anniversary! I just found your blog last week,and I've really enjoyed reading your posts.Your great-niece is adorable! My great-niece will make her appearance in July,and like you,the gifts I've knit so far won't fit for awhile. Except for the three blankets..lol..she's going to be warm if nothing else. The knitting tricks I use have already been mentioned,but what has saved my knitting butt more than once is a journal. A friend gave me a beautiful leather journal and it went unused until I tried gathering my little notes about patterns and yarn and putting them in some kind of order. Now I record each project in the journal. I tape a scrap of the yarn to the page along with all the vital info(needle size,pattern,revisions,comments,yardage,start and finish dates,if it was a gift..who I gave it to). There's a page dedicated in the back to needles I have and a VERY abbreviated stash list.I take it along with me to the LYS for reference since my memory is not what it used to be,and being in a room filled with luscious yarn renders my brain useless. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Judy EMAIL: bunifufu@aol.com IP: 64.12.116.207 URL: DATE: 03/29/2007 05:22:58 AM My favorite knitting trick is to always Google your project. Then you know what you are in for. I learn from other's mistakes and find out valuable errata. Maybe someone suggests buying extra yarn because they have been there. All sorts of good tips could be found. Forwarned is forearmed! Happy knitting! Judy ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Wendy EMAIL: jns-wjohnson@NOSPAMcomcast.net IP: 199.200.253.9 URL: http://wendyknits.net DATE: 03/29/2007 05:32:13 AM Happy blogiversary! My favorite knitting tip is that you can use a standard business card as a ruler -- it's 2 by 3.5 inches. Great for measuring your socks whle knitting on the train! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karen EMAIL: karen@needlesandwool.com IP: 69.177.169.230 URL: http://needlesandwool.com DATE: 03/29/2007 05:57:24 AM Happy Blog Birthday! That was an interesting title. I thought maybe you were having a baby. :) I only said that because you can't hit me from there. I love the russian join and spit splicing, because I hate weaving in ends. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.30.110 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 03/29/2007 06:18:53 AM Wow, three years, congratulations! Now I'm thinking about bread. And potatoes. Why did I keep reading?? Baby Riley looks so sweet! I hope you'll post a picture if Baby Riley ever gets to meet Puppy Riley ... I have no actual knitting tips, though I wish I did. I have learned though, that at least for me, one glass of wine is plenty, if I don't want to rip it all out the next day. Hardly a tip, but it does work! :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 67.42.228.171 URL: http://socks-for-mum.blogspot.com DATE: 03/29/2007 06:41:02 AM You are such a temptress! I started reading your blog because we were both trying to shed some pounds before we turned 50! Now we are over 50 and I'm reading your blog to get bread recipes....hmmmmmmm Actually, I read your blog for other reasons as well..LOL Your little grand-niece surely is the cutest little baby I've seen in a while. I might have to change my opinion though as I'm expecting pictures of MY grand-niece any day now! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: alice EMAIL: missalicefaye@hotmail.com IP: 128.36.26.84 URL: http://missalicefaye.com DATE: 03/29/2007 06:51:39 AM Happy blogiversary! I love that recipe--Baking with Julia is definitely one of my favorite cookbooks. The challah recipe is really fabulous, too! Most valuable and least-commonly-followed-by-me knitting tip? Read the entire pattern before you begin. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Justine EMAIL: ejkruz@hotmail.com IP: 209.226.116.21 URL: http://www.asiaadventure.blogspot.com DATE: 03/29/2007 07:05:28 AM Happy Versery my favourite is by far the little tiny plastic circular needles that clover puts out to knit little tiny things like hat tops or baby sweater sleeves in the round. They are a little challenging to find but they are out there. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Caren EMAIL: carennh@comcast.net IP: 75.69.185.204 URL: http://aidoann.typepad.com DATE: 03/29/2007 07:16:22 AM Yummy looking bread and adorable baby! Cabling without a cable needle is definitely at the top of my knitting trick list. Also, the tubular cast on and sewn-tubular bind-off, especially for 1x1 ribbing. I love the way it looks, and now that I have the technique down, it's easy peasy. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Amknitty International EMAIL: ovenshelf@tiscali.co.uk IP: 88.110.151.86 URL: http://amknittyinternational.blogspot.com/ DATE: 03/29/2007 08:49:26 AM First, you are truly blessed, beautiful bread, beautiful baby and beautiful yarn! Tip: As I now always do toe up socks on 2 circs and both together, so I suppose that's 4 circs really, I always rewind my yarn into 2 equal balls (with the aid of kitchen scales) that way you can keep knittin' up the leg and know exactly how much yarn is left. Saves having one sock longer than the other trying to judge it from 1 ball and works equally well for whatever sock method you choose. I once had only 2" of yarn left over! (hope they never need darning though) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gisele montenegro EMAIL: gamadvsp@uol.com.br IP: 200.158.50.27 URL: DATE: 03/29/2007 08:56:09 AM Dear Lorette Adorable niece! I love bread, and yours seem delicious Happy Blogiversary. I read your blog everyday, but I«m not qualified to give you a knitting tip. My tip for everyone is read your blog, your ideas, sometimes write to you and share your courtesy, is a good idea to knitting well with pleausure. Kisses from South America (Brazil - S‹o Paulo) Gisele ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Katie EMAIL: skat130@yahoo.com IP: 65.197.30.226 URL: DATE: 03/29/2007 09:26:23 AM Happy 3rd! I'm into the make your bread thing right now. I'm trying to perfect a whole wheat dough for the bread machine (My hands are tied with a 1 y/o so not enough time to knead (and knit)). My knitting tip is to keep learning, keep exploring for new ideas and methods (through blogs), and keep stretching your knitting muscle with new and different methods and designs. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: anne EMAIL: kniterati@gmail.com IP: 63.78.124.2 URL: http://www.kniterati.org/blog/ DATE: 03/29/2007 09:56:16 AM happy blogiversary!! by far my favorite knitting trick is one i only recently learned - cabling without a cable needle. i use the method grumperina has a tutorial about and it is FANTASTIC. i'm knitting a sweater right now that has a ton of cabling, and it is SO nice not to have to stop, pick up a cable needle or dpn, fiddle, slip stitches, shift, knit, etc, etc. I love cabling without a cable needle! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Megan EMAIL: megan.full@oregonstate.edu IP: 128.193.183.61 URL: DATE: 03/29/2007 11:06:05 AM Happy blogiversary! I've been reading for a while, and as a fellow NWsterner always enjoy reading about the local stuff going on - especially Wintergrass. My favorite knitting tip is to mark every 10th row with a safety pin on things that need to measured. I've found that I can't ever measure accuratly so I figure out how many rows I need to reach x inches and count safety pins instead. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: knitswithasilentk@yahoo.com IP: 209.150.91.18 URL: http://knitswithasilentk.blogspot.com DATE: 03/29/2007 11:14:46 AM Happy Blogiversary! My favorite tip I recently read about in someone's blog or blog comments. When you have to knit X inches of something, tie a tail that's that long to the beginning of the pattern. Then you don't need to keep taking out a ruler or measuring tape ("Am I done yet?"), you just hold out the tail and you know when you're done. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jenni Brown EMAIL: jenknitter@gmail.com IP: 64.122.184.243 URL: http://jenknitter.blogspot.com DATE: 03/29/2007 11:41:52 AM My favorite trick is to clip a corner off a ziploc bag before starting a ball of yarn. If you string the yarn through that hole and then zip the zip, your yarn will stay clean and not roll around the bus (ask me how I know). ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dena Abella EMAIL: dena.abella@alaskaair.com IP: 131.191.39.116 URL: DATE: 03/29/2007 12:36:08 PM Baby Riley is an Angel! What a pretty baby. The bread and steaks look delish. I love the 3 needle bind off for shoulder seams. Gives everything a neat finish. Also, using a Venti plastic Starbucks cup with domed lid for holding a skein and poking the yarn thru the top. Congrats on the Blogiversary! Great idea on the tips, I have jotted down a few. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: kmayers@gmail.com IP: 71.34.100.81 URL: http://vastamount.blogspot.com/ DATE: 03/29/2007 01:15:01 PM Happy, happy blogaversary! I was the one who recommended Baking with Julia - isn't that an amazing cookbook? And that potato bread is just plain incredible. Give the mixed starter bread a try, too. Well worth the time and trouble. Let's see...favorite knitting tip for me is keeping track of which circular needle to knit from when knitting with two circs. I take the working end and give it a tug. The correct end will jiggle, letting me know which one to knit with. Makes it easy to figure out which is which :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Hilari EMAIL: make_me64-blog@yahoo.com IP: 137.110.179.78 URL: http://makeme.typepad.com DATE: 03/29/2007 01:32:53 PM Happy Blogiversary! My favorite knitting trick is when I get stuck on a project or it gets too boring, I start another one or I buy yarn! Yay! :) Okay, my actual favorite tip is having a dedicated "car project" for when you are stuck in the car for longer than you originally planned. When you're stuck in traffic, it really helps keep the stress level down. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Tee EMAIL: rteam2k@yahoo.com IP: 24.35.69.82 URL: DATE: 03/29/2007 01:33:46 PM Happy blogiversary! I was going to say mattress stitch was my favorite trick, but 'pon reflection, I think it's the Internet - the absolute wealth of patterns (both free and not, but at least you get to see - & hear! - what the not-free ones are like!) and tips from the pros - what did I ever do without it? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Plain Jane EMAIL: janedevlin@ameritech.net IP: 75.45.224.101 URL: http://plainjaneknits.blogspot.com/ DATE: 03/29/2007 02:04:38 PM Happy Blogiversary! I sort of let my second one slip by unnoticed.. OK, tip #1: When at all possible, knit the front & back of the sweater in the round to eliminate seams. Turning a pattern upside down and knitting from the neck down on raglans works too. #2: When working in the round and coming to unshaped armholes from the bottom up, swap the first and last stitches of the yokes (forming an X) to prevent the underarm from laddering when worn. #3: Instead of binding off stair-step fashion on shoulder shaping, use short rows and then a three needle bind-off for the seam. #4: Learn to use double points so that sleeves can be made seamless all the way to the cuff. (Do you get the idea that I don't like to sew seams? You're right!) I agree completely on Jerry Garcia's talents whether he was playing blue-grass, folk, rock or jazz. I love the fact that his music (and that of the Grateful Dead) was so eclectic that no matter what mood I'm in, I can find music that fits. Do you have the two CD Jerry Garcia Band album with Se–or? The guitar on that cut is just plain magic. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 70.226.132.83 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 03/29/2007 03:57:33 PM Lorette, without a doubt that baby wins the cute baby contest!! What a sweetie!!! Thanks for your good wishes for my brother. He got out of ICU yesterday--his spinal fluid was not draining properly and he had 2 tubes sticking out of his back!! He goes home tomorrow after nearly 2 weeks in hospital. He's thrilled. You asked about where the seafoam stitch is from. I know it is in Barbara walker (second treasure, page 218) and other stitch guides. I used 36 stitches and size 4 needles. My favorite knitting trick?? I love three needle bind off, but that's not much of a trick. I guess another trick I like is EZ's sewn bind off, which is very elastic. Oh, I know a good one. Remember hot rollers?? They had U shaped clip like things (like a wide bobby pin) to hold the rollers to your head. Well, I love those "pins" for doing cables. They stay hooked to your stitches well because of the rubber end tips and they do not get lost for the same reason. I haven't been able to find the "pins" for years now (due to hot rollers falling out of vogue) so I use large bobby pins for cable-ing. Much less expensive. Another trick--instead of zip lock sandwich bags for my sock and "purse" knitting, I now use small quart size freezer bags. The needles don't poke holes as frequently and they hold up much better!! My final trick is to use wooly nylon thread (sold for use in serger sewing machines) to reinforce heels and the balls of the foot for socks. The wooly nylon is invisible, the socks last forever and if the wool should wear thin, I have an existing framework of wooly nylon for duplicate stitch repairs. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Tam EMAIL: journeytot@yahoo.com IP: 12.207.14.252 URL: http://thelessonlearned.typepad.com/knit_once_purl_forever/ DATE: 03/29/2007 04:29:46 PM Happy Blogiversary, Lorette! I've really enjoyed reading your blog during the last three years and I'm looking forward to doing so for the fourth too! Your blog is one of my favorite stops with all the wonderful posts and photographs of the knitting, traveling, family, friends, food, and pets! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Michelle EMAIL: mybelle23@hotmail.com IP: 209.145.124.157 URL: http://www.michelleunravelled.blogspot.com DATE: 03/29/2007 06:39:07 PM That beautiful baby girl is definately crown worthy, you better keep a close eye on yours! She is an absolute doll. My favoritie tip is for socks. Using a stiff bristel brush, brush the foot of the sock on the wrong side to "fuzz" them up. They feel so nice on the feet. I would recommend doing this to sock yarns that have some nylon in them and taking care when doing so with yarns that do not, just to be on the safe side. Happy Blogiversary Lorette ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: teyani@crownmountainfarms.com IP: 12.178.97.185 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 03/29/2007 09:25:13 PM happy blogiversary! favorite knitting trick/tool is a yarn that is knotted that is used to tell which row you are on. (thank you Karen Alfke) You take a length of yarn, fold it in half, and make small knotted sections.. one for every row of the particular pattern you are knitting. each time you knit a row, you advance this little knotted yarn to the next loop - so you always know where you are in the pattern. It's saved my bacon many times, as I put a project down for awhile, and then knew exactly where I was when I went back. and great niece?? yup.. definitely a true beauty! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Mitz EMAIL: eva.fransson@netikka.fi IP: 194.241.64.130 URL: http://mitzknitz.blogspot.com DATE: 03/30/2007 04:34:37 AM Hi Lorette, Happy aniversary to you! My favorite trick is the magic loop and knitting two socks at the same time. Before Magic loop I hated to knit socks. The dpn's always hurt me and I felt very uncomfertable. And I have been using dpn's for +20years and never become comfortable with them. Now, knitting socks or other small circumference knittings works like a dream! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Knittech EMAIL: knittech@nytecode.com IP: 192.85.47.1 URL: http://knittech.blogspot.com DATE: 03/30/2007 06:22:12 AM Happy blogiversary. I told DH, that sock yarn would start counting as stash. But it's okay if I don't buy it... :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Elinor EMAIL: elinor@knitlawrence.org IP: 24.124.34.41 URL: http://exercisebeforeknitting.blogspot.com DATE: 03/30/2007 08:40:01 AM Happy Blogthday!!! My favorite trick is the Russian Join for joining a new ball of yarn. It's so seamless and you don't have to weave in any ends! I love the "imaginary friends". That's a great name for us! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Barbara-Kay EMAIL: bkseiver@yahoo.com IP: 68.11.200.108 URL: DATE: 03/30/2007 09:23:16 AM Congratulations! Do we now call you "Aunt Doctor"? VBG! My favorite technique is for sock knitting. This hint helps you totally avoid ladders, and works on both DP's and 2 circulars. When you come to a new needle, if the first stitch is to be knit, your right needle must come up UNDER the previous needle. If the first stitch is to be a purl stitch, your right needle must be ABOVE the previous needle. This leaves the shortest yarn path between the previous and new needles, and no ladders. No need to tug super tight each time - just proceed as usual. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cathy EMAIL: calbano@rochester.rr.com IP: 74.69.31.62 URL: DATE: 03/30/2007 09:29:53 AM Hey! Happy blogiversary! My all-time favorite knitting miracle is the Magic Loop method for knitting socks. I love it! Great blog--love the bread. It looks delicious. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Elizabeth H. EMAIL: lizard_knits@hotmail.com IP: 72.73.36.128 URL: http://www.lizardknits.com DATE: 03/30/2007 09:54:47 AM Happy blog anniversary! Gorgeous baby! The bread looks delicious, but baking my own bread is NOT something I'm ever going to do! My favorite technique (has saving me from ripping out my hair) has to do with crochet chain cast on. I tie a knot in the end of the yarn, then make a slip knot and chain however much I need for the cast on. The knot in the beginning end tells me that that is "KNOT" the end to try to unravel. It's saved me many hours of picking out. The other trick that's saved me hours is to GOGGLE the name of the pattern I'm about to knit, and see if there's any errata I need to incorporate. Finally, I took an old library card, glued a paper tape measure (from IKEA) to one side, and kitchner diagram to the other, then laminated the whole thing to carry with me. Works great! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 132.183.71.164 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 03/30/2007 11:03:02 AM Happy blogiversary! My favorite knit tip is the EZ sewn cast-off. It makes an edge that is polished, neat, and clean that looks just like the cast-on. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Beth EMAIL: bp2r@nc.rr.com IP: 63.98.135.196 URL: http://frauhold.livejournal.com DATE: 03/30/2007 11:38:09 AM Happy Blogiversary! Cute Baby! My favorite kntting trick/tip is for socks. When I pick up stitches along the gussest,I wrap the yarn backwards. On the next row, these stitches twist and tighten up nicely to make a smooth transistion with no gaps in the knitted fabric. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bim H-D EMAIL: sjoebacka@bredband.nets IP: 85.228.182.99 URL: http://www.sjoebacka.se DATE: 03/30/2007 12:47:06 PM What? Knitting secrets? Didn't have anyone... I try to learn secrets on the internet ;) That's my secret, or :p Tell me, what did I do when I need some help before internet? Please tell me... I have not a "clue in the sea" ;) So, maybe... the internet it's my secret things... ... ... I never get lost in my knitting today, I just made a loud scream and I'm get some help, ;) Hugs... from someone without secrets, ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 03/30/2007 01:26:58 PM Happy blogiversary and congrats on the great-niece! Hmm. My favorite knitting tricks are simple things, such as not making a slip knot when using the long tail cast on - I just twist the yarn. Or making a "pseudo" circular swatch by knitting flat, but only in one direction, then carrying the yarn loosely across the back and knitting across again. That one got me a free copy of Stich'N'Bitch Nation when it was included. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Julie EMAIL: julalyn@msn.com IP: 70.17.240.190 URL: http://knittybug.blogspirit.com DATE: 03/30/2007 02:51:24 PM Happy Blogiversary! Your new neice is a cutey...and she has a great name...same as my daughters. ;) Well I don't know if this is a trick...but when I join yarn I normally will twist the old piece around while knitting with the new strand. That way I don't really have to weave in anything or end up with a hole. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Megan EMAIL: pensivefrog@gmail.com IP: 76.104.183.222 URL: http://pensivefrog.com DATE: 03/30/2007 04:36:10 PM Happy blogiversary! I have 4 favorite tricks to share. One: use a toilet paper tube to help winding center-pull balls. Three: use one of the very skinny post-it tape flags to mark which row of a pattern I'm on. Three: When knitting on dpns, I place stitch markers to demarcate the gaps between needles, instead of putting certain numbers of stitches on each needle. Then, when I get to the end of a needle, instead of starting with an empty needle, I knit the first few stitches onto the "full" needle. I never get ladders because the gaps between needles fall at different spots each round. 4: when knitting a lace pattern with lots of difficult to remember symbols, I xerox the chart and use a highlighter to match the symbol in the chart with the stitch key. It's easier to find what "blue" means rather than "open circle with crooked line, top of line pointed left", which just makes my head spin! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: BigAlice EMAIL: bigalice@gmail.com IP: 206.169.234.165 URL: http://bigalice.blogspot.com DATE: 03/30/2007 05:13:39 PM Happy anniversary! My very favorite technique lately has been the twisted German cast-on, especially for cuff-down socks. I learned off of a series of pictures on the web when I was looking for an extra-stretchy cast-on. Here's a PDF completely with text and pictures: www.knottygirls.com/jenlablog/freepatterns/twisted%20german%20cast%20on%20tutorial.pdf It's stretchy, bouncy, looks great (to me) from either side, and it's no any harder than a regular long-tail cast-on. It uses a little bit more yarn, but not much. Oh oh, I can't stop at one. My other favorite technique is to use cheap-o polyester ribbon (those 10/$1 spools you can get at Jo-Ann, for example) when I need to take something off the needles and try it on. I use this instead of crochet cotton or some other yarn. Ribbon's easy to thread through a needle, even a small one, yarn doesn't stick to the ribbon, and it's easier to thread back onto needles again once I'm through, as I find the rectangular shape keeps the stitches from drawing down into the previous row. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Barbara EMAIL: barblong@alaska.net IP: 66.230.108.76 URL: http://knittingescape.blogspot.com DATE: 03/30/2007 08:40:49 PM Glad you're still here. I have learned how to do 2 socks on 2 circular needles, and the tip I have to make the process really easy is this: don't sweat about how to do the complicated cast on. Just cast on however you want and then place the socks on the needles. The only *must* is proper alignment of each ball of yarn...someday, I'll post about this... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: kitkatknit EMAIL: redhawkmom@gmail.com IP: 71.115.193.14 URL: http://kitkatknit.wordpress.com DATE: 03/30/2007 11:58:45 PM My favorite is just using a 3x5 card with one line for each row of a pattern repeat. As I finish a row I slide down a large paper clip to the next row instruction. Lame sounding? Well it saves my butt every time! Happy Blogiversary!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: jenny EMAIL: ajrd.barron@btinternet.com IP: 81.151.164.67 URL: DATE: 03/31/2007 03:23:36 AM happy blogiversity, my tip is to use 5" dpn's to graft toes of socks instead of the 8" dpn's I use to knit them ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kat EMAIL: kachrist37@gmail.com IP: 76.210.117.88 URL: http://www.askatknits.blogspot.com DATE: 03/31/2007 06:26:03 AM Happy Blogiversary!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jen EMAIL: luveday@comcast.net IP: 71.227.124.200 URL: http://knitstuff.typepad.com DATE: 03/31/2007 06:42:14 AM Just a quick idea I use. I store all of my circular knitting needles on a pant/skirt hanger. That way I can straighten the cords, without resorting to too much fussing with steam and the like. ( and a lot of the time, you can get the hanger for free, depending on where you shop!) Keep up the good work! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lisa In Oregon EMAIL: saharasdream@gmail.com IP: 216.228.172.46 URL: http://www.saharaknits.wordpress.com DATE: 03/31/2007 07:28:55 AM Chris sent me by. :) Happy Blogiversary!! My favorite "gadget" is extra-sticky sticky notes! I know, not a typical "knitting" item, but I can't live without them while knitting now...for keeping track, row by row of a complicated pattern and I can make notes on them too...and now I can't even begin a chart-knitted project without them. Simple, cheap but priceless in my eyes! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Susanne EMAIL: scheusie@shaw.ca IP: 68.151.159.171 URL: http://www.grammysueknits.blogspot.com DATE: 03/31/2007 07:59:55 AM Well for me, cabling without a cable needle is the best thing I have learned. Sometimes it gets wonky and you have to have a spare dpn to rescue you from the gods of the dropped stitch but boy oh boy does it save a ton of time and energy! Happy Blogiversary and hopefully there are many more, I found your blog about 2 yrs ago and have been a faithful reader for that time! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ann-Marie MacKay EMAIL: sprouty25@gmail.com IP: 69.157.49.157 URL: http://thechickswithsticks.blogspot.com DATE: 03/31/2007 09:17:59 AM my favourite trick is magic looping for socks...i will likely never use DPN's for socks again!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kate/Massachusetts EMAIL: dfuller55@verizon.net IP: 71.184.86.230 URL: DATE: 03/31/2007 11:29:11 AM My favorite knitting trick is one I learned recently. It puts a lifeline in the stitches of a provisional caston. 1. Crochet a chain using crochet cotton in a similar weight to your project yarn. 2. Pick up the purl bumps of this chain on a small needle for easier execution. 3. Using your project yarn and needles, knit one, yarn over,knit one, yarn over across the row of "picked up" purl bumps until you have the total #of stitches you want to cast on. **remember the yo between each knit***. Now work your project. When it's time to pick up the provisional stitches, "unzip" the crochet chain. This unzipped cotton thread will now be running through the first row of your open stitches! Piece-a-cake! Try a swatch. It is a really neat trick! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 03/31/2007 07:21:19 PM Yikes, the odds are getting tough here. My favourite trick is keeping slippery yarns in a zip lock bag while I'm knitting and leaving just enough open for the yarn to come through. No more tangles. Works even better when you are using multiple skeins at once. Happy Blogiversary! Are you going to the Seattle Knitting Expo? I'll be there on the Saturday, Li ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathleen EMAIL: katyknits@gmail.com IP: 24.46.249.49 URL: http://katyknits.typepad.com DATE: 03/31/2007 08:33:30 PM happy blogiversary! beautiful baby girl!! :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nicole EMAIL: ikkinlala@yahoo.ca IP: 70.77.8.9 URL: DATE: 03/31/2007 11:09:15 PM Happy blogiversary! I'm not an experienced knitter, so I don't have a creative tip to share, but having a crochet hook handy to pick up my dropped stitches has already saved me many times (I don't know - maybe I'm just clumsy). ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Linda EMAIL: lsandaas@mindspring.com IP: 24.41.38.104 URL: DATE: 04/01/2007 02:36:23 PM Happy Blogiversary! I have been reading of your knitting and travels and all the other exciting things in your life for nearly three years now and have really enjoyed it. My favorite tip is one I learned from watching Meg Swansen's Shawl-Collared Vest video (she did thank someone else for this tip, but I can't remember the person's name just now) having to do with when it is time to cross the cable once you have established how many rows you want between crossings. Find the small hole that is at the base of last crossing and put a needle in the hole and then straight up behind the knitting to the needle holding the project. Spread the knitting tightly over the needle and count the bars between the hole at the crossing and the needle holding the project. If you are crossing the cable every 8th row, when you have 7 bars on the "counting" needle then the next time you get to a cable it is time to cross it again. This is especially handy when you have cables that cross at different numbered rows in a pattern. Thanks for this favorite tip question, I have learned a lot of new ones to try. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 64.12.116.207 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 04/01/2007 02:45:10 PM Happy Bloggiversary!!! And congratulations! Riley does look like a princess in training. She's gorgeous! I didn't know you were a Deadhead! Since I haven't been knitting that long (1 1/2 yrs), I don't have the most clever trick, but what does it for me? Persisitance! The more I think I don't understand something, I find walking away if even for 15 minutes and coming back fresh usually does it. Something a tad more useful? Using a lifeline. Not just for lace, but for any project that's involved enough to not want to tink or rip. Your dinner looks yummy! Happy Blogiversary! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Marie EMAIL: october@gci.net IP: 24.237.4.149 URL: DATE: 04/01/2007 06:08:50 PM My favorite tip is learning to "read" my knitting. I really look at the pattern as I am knitting it, learn what it looks like as I am knitting it....and then I won't ever lose my place. If I put it down in a hurry in mid-row, I can just look at where I am and figure out where it is in the pattern. If it is an every-three-rows decrease, I can tell by looking when I am at the 3rd row--instead of having to count the rows. "Reading your knitting" frees you up from a lot of counting and marking (but I confess I still use stitch markers for certain pattern repeats). Thank you for an entertaining blog ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bettina EMAIL: knittingapples@yahoo.com IP: 85.181.2.78 URL: http://rundstricknadel.blogspot.com DATE: 04/02/2007 01:59:14 AM Delurking here. Happy Blogiversary! I discoverd your blog last year in March and like reading it a lot. It's Monday so I am out of the competition, but let me add a knitting tip: When you have to do e.g. a k8tog just slip 7 stitches to the right needle, knit 1 st and slip the other other 7 sts over the knitted one instead of struggling with your knitting needles to get 8 sts knitted together at once. Maybe not a new trick to you, but when I read about it somewhere on the net I made a mental note and will try it next time when knitting a certain pattern that I have banished in some corner because of some multiple ktog's. Greetings from Munich ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Celia EMAIL: anthrgal.celia@gmail.com IP: 63.198.55.150 URL: http://unraveling.typepad.com DATE: 04/02/2007 05:25:14 AM Oh, I bet I already missed the deadline. But happy blogiversary anyway. I hope you found the sock monkey pajamas. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: lisa Co. Springs EMAIL: knitnurse@msn.com IP: 70.56.236.179 URL: http://1blacksheep.wordpress.com/ DATE: 04/02/2007 12:10:35 PM Happy Happy Blogiversary! I wish I had checked in sooner :( ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: wartooglilt EMAIL: worldsex2007@mail.ru IP: 66.8.86.237 URL: http://www.worldsex.com.ua DATE: 05/07/2008 07:26:39 AM Hello! from Vandalia I never intensive gave this message all too much thought [url=http://www.worldsex.com.ua/]worldsex.com[/url] Normally they have so many friends that it is hard for them to be end to honorable one or even a few of them ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Off That Wagon STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 03/19/2007 04:03:52 PM ----- BODY:
I'll re-explain the mechanics of the Yarn Focus Challenge first, as every time I post pictures of newly-acquired yarn, I get a comment asking how I can buy yarn when I'm on a yarn fast. The deal is this. Once a month, on one day of our own choosing, we get a free day to buy yarn. I didn't make the rules, people, I just follow them. Give me a free yarn-buying day, I'm going to take it. It's like a Get Out Of Jail Free card, which I saw on Rebecca's blog this morning. I stole it, with absolutely no sense of shame.
So Saturday I got to go shopping in the Big City* with two friends, Kris and Michelle. Michelle was in town for a meeting, and Kris and I drove up to help her shop. What were we supposed to do, let her bumble around trying to find yarn shops all on her own? What if she wandered into a bad yarn shop by mistake?
We picked her up at her hotel, which is when she surprised us with presents. Really, this was just way more than I expected, but it was very sweet of her. Here's mine:
I'll bet you want to know what's in that little bag (which is just the most perfect project bag, by the way). Here you go.
There's a lovely hank of Fleece Artist sock yarn in the most delicious color, some pretty stitch markers, and a fabric covered tape measure. A girl cannot possibly have too much sock yarn, stitch markers, or tape measures. Perfect!**
We started our yarn shopping downtown in Belltown, at So Much Yarn. This is a smaller shop, but with friendly staff and some nice things. From there it was off to The Fiber Gallery, in the Ballard area. For some reason I've never been to this shop before, but it is easily one of my favorite yarn shops anywhere. All three of us managed to unload some cash at both of these places.
An added bonus was getting to see Jessica, who works at the Fiber Gallery. She was teaching a sock class while we were there.
Then it was off to lunch at the 70-Something St. Alehouse, close to the Fiber Gallery. I've eaten there before, but it was absolutely packed due to the St. Patrick's Day festivities, and the slow service cut rather viciously into our shopping time. Plus I got food poisoning, and spent the evening rather close to our facilities at home (instead of going out to dinner with friends as I'd planned). If you happen to be the owner of the 70-Something St. Alehouse, and are thinking of contradicting my diagnosis of food poisoning, please try to remember that I, in fact, do have a medical degree, do in fact have a license to practice medicine, and have, in fact, seen far more cases of food poisoning than you have. You might want to check out the handwashing practices of your kitchen staff.
After lunch, and before the food poisoning set in, Kris and I really impressed Michelle with our navigating and map reading abilities. We managed to get from Ballard to the Weaving Works in the University District by way of going all the way back down through the city and up I-5 again. If you live around here, you know that's not the short way. We kept telling her that it was worth it, but I think she had her doubts until we walked in the door. There was this audible intake of breath from Michelle, followed by a whispered "Ohhhh". We all spent money there, too.
Here a couple of action shots from the day.
Michelle is wearing Starsky, which she just finished knitting.
After I got home I took photos of the loot (before the food poisoning set in).
What's in that pile? There's a skein of Opal, one of Shaeffer Anne (that bright neon stuff on top), the blue is Mountain Colors Mountain Goat for hat and mittens, one of MC Bearfoot sock yarn, and a couple of skeins of shiny green Italian stuff (Ritratto) for a scarf. And a ladybug tape measure. And the bright green stuff you can barely see?
That's Jitterbug sock yarn. It's way greener than that. It's Green in the way that my pink Cotton Ease from the last post is Pink.
Oh and Kris and Michelle? Remember that silky stuff we were all drooling over at Weaving Works? The Colinette Tao? After I got home, I ordered enough for a little scarf. It was still within my free shopping day limit, and it would have been another month before I could have bought it. What if they ran out? It isn't here yet, obviously, but here's a link to their website. Yes, the Copperbeach is the one I got, and yes, it really is that exquisite.
All in all, a fun day, and totally worth a case of food poisoning, which is gone. The yarn is still here.
Next post: The Daily Bread, a new installment!
*Seattle
**No, she didn't buy me a new crown, that one is mine.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 67.169.254.13 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 03/19/2007 07:42:08 PM Can't wait till tomorrow! YOU got me back into baking bread! So far so good! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.193 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 03/19/2007 08:15:06 PM Oh no! I could tell you didn't seem to be quite yourself at the end of our little adventure but I figured we were tired, etc. How. Horrible. I think you should get an extra yarn day for that. Don't the rules say that if you get an illness on your yarn shopping day you are entitled to an additional day? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: kate EMAIL: needlesonfire@kateREMOVEgilbert.com IP: 24.203.41.51 URL: http://www.kategilbert.com/blog DATE: 03/19/2007 09:17:39 PM I'm knitting some fleece artist right now... well, not NOW. I'm typing, but you know what I mean. It's LOVELY. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: teyani@crownmountainfarms.com IP: 12.178.97.185 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 03/19/2007 10:02:36 PM dang -food poisoning.. ugh. they should totally be buying you multitudes of yarn to make up for the indignity of it all. BTW - I think that I want to meet up with you for your next yarn crawl - you guys are having waaaaaay too much fun :-) lovely stash enhancement L. hope you are all better now. ps. will you be coming by Knitter's expo in April? I'd love to say hi in person. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 132.183.82.155 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 03/20/2007 03:52:07 AM You sure took that day for a ride! NICE haul. I'm envious. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karen EMAIL: karen@needlesandwool.com IP: 69.177.169.230 URL: http://needlesandwool.com DATE: 03/20/2007 07:24:37 AM You sure know how to take advantage of a free yarn shopping day! :) Looks like a wonderful day. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 03/20/2007 07:56:21 AM Wow, just looking at that yarn has cause me to fog up my computer screen--it's beautiful. I've got around "knitting from my stash" until September by buying missing skeins and yarn for presents (not to mention needles, patterns, and notions). ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: knitswithasilentk@yahoo.com IP: 209.150.91.18 URL: http://knitswithasilentk.blogspot.com DATE: 03/20/2007 10:43:05 AM When I was in Seattle last summer, I visited So Much Yarn. It was a really nice shop. I got the same MC Bearfoot as you! And I tried to go to Trictoter, between the wedding and the reception at the advice of the mother of the bride. But their summer hours meant they closed early on Saturday, so I just pressed my nose against the window. I read an article in the SF Chronicle a year or so ago that said that food poisoning takes more like 12 hours to set in - what is your analysis, Dr. Knitter? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Michelle EMAIL: antmegmmm@verizon.net IP: 68.160.113.70 URL: http://ewekeepmeinstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 03/20/2007 05:57:38 PM I'm sooo jealous! Your haul is scrumptuously yummy. I woulda loved to shop along with you ladies. It totally stinks to deal with food poison on a yarn shopping day. I've been there done that with the ailing of the belly, no fun. Feel better! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 205.188.117.11 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 03/20/2007 06:33:32 PM It's like a tale of OOO!!! and Eeewww...Poor baby, hope it's over with. Your fiber finds are great! hee hee I went way off my diets for no good reason:D ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 03/20/2007 09:33:39 PM Ooh great loot! Sorry you got sick though. That's a bummer ending to a nice day. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 68.75.112.208 URL: http://knit-knack.blog-city.com DATE: 03/22/2007 04:20:45 PM YOu always spend your free days so wisely! And that sounds like an absolutely lovely free day! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 208.45.75.237 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 03/23/2007 02:10:22 PM OK! NOW I know what happens when I'm not reading your blog!! Oh, and the missed pink stuff...whew I'm so behind, but will have fun catching up...now jump on that wagon -I'm back to watch you! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sharon G. EMAIL: cocaknit@hotmail.com IP: 71.247.173.220 URL: http://imarried.jongilmore.com/gimmesanity DATE: 03/24/2007 05:34:23 PM LOL - I totally thought she had given you the tiara. I'm sooo giving out tiaras to the next girlfriend who gets a gift... great haul, btw! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Elinor EMAIL: elinor@knitlawrence.org IP: 24.124.34.41 URL: http://exercisebeforeknitting.blogspot.com DATE: 03/25/2007 06:31:38 AM Oh man. Talk about the occupational hazard of yarn crawls! Eek! I hope the sickness passed quickly! Your haul looks so tempting - where to begin knitting??? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 66.30.249.1 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 03/26/2007 07:39:25 AM Food poisoning. Ugh. Someone won't be going back there, will she? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 03/27/2007 09:36:38 AM Alas about the food poisoning! :( But at least you were able to console yourself with lovely new yarn and a cute tape measure... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kelly EMAIL: seattleyogini@comcast.net IP: 24.18.228.112 URL: http://www.seattleyogini.typepad.com DATE: 03/30/2007 10:59:59 PM I had a feeling you were a Seattlite! I'm a new visitor, but I'm really enjoying your blog. Thanks for writing (and knitting, and doctoring)! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: More Pink Knitting STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 03/18/2007 07:42:03 PM ----- BODY:
I actually got a comment today asking where the hell I was. She worded it a little more nicely, but that was the gist of it. I really didn't pack up the yarn stash and move to Siberia to knit in peace and quiet for the remainder of my days. Though I'd consider it if they'd let me take the yarn.
I've been here, knitting away, though once again I have little to show for it.
There are a few more inches on a lace shawl that looks like one of those crocheted market bags at the moment. It wasn't worth taking a photo. Look at this one (scroll down), it has a couple more rows than that now. And no, I really don't need a reminder of how slow I knit. There's been a little project creep around this house (meaning more than the usual three projects going at once), and that means nothing ever gets finished.
I spent most of last week working on this:
Yes, that would be Shedir, from Knitty. You can find the pattern here. I got this far, then compared it with the pattern photo, as something just didn't look right.
See the nice little crossed cables over there, marked by the little purple arrow, by the teddy bear*? Click on it to make it bigger so you can see the arrows. Now look at the non-crossed cables, over there on the left, by the red marker. I crossed the first two sets, then didn't cross them again all the way around the hat. Frak.
I looked at that for quite awhile. I even stupidly kept knitting, even after I noticed it. Then I realized that I would hate this project forevermore, and probably never finish it with those frakking uncrossed cables. You can probably guess what comes next.
I did try to just rip it back to the ribbing, but because this yarn has a good bit of stretch to it, I couldn't get it back on the needles without a lot of yarn splitting and bad words, so out it came. I've started over, and am partway back to where I was up there in that first photo.
More pink stuff:
That would be the Mystery Riley project (for my soon-to-be-born niece, Riley, not the dog Riley). That's one sleeve, and the beginning of the second sleeve. The good thing about baby sweaters is that Sleeve Island is a much smaller, more intimate vacation destination. I finished the first one in an evening, and the other one will hopefully get done tonight. Last night's episode of Robin Hood is Tivo'd, and tonight there will be a new episode of Battlestar Galactica to satisfy my sci-fi jones. And we have three whole discs worth of the first season of Rome from Netflicks at the ready, in case we need any more television.
Last but not least, here's this week's bread recipe. The first photo is before it went in the oven.
And after:
Here's the recipe, or rather, the ingredient list. Look at any general cookbook, or a bread machine recipe book, or my prior bread post, for how to put it together.
Lorette's Thursday Rye Bread
1 Tbl butter
1 Tbl sugar
1 Tsp salt
1 1/2 cup unbleached bread machine flour
1 1/2 cup rye flour
2 1/2 tsp yeast
1 cup water
1 Tbl Ground caraway seeds
1 1/2 Tbl gluten flour**
After the second rise, top with whole caraway seeds and salt, then slash and bake. I use a gourmet flake sea salt for the topping, and crush it a bit. Bake it at about 375 degrees, use an instant-read thermometer to tell when it's done (190-200 degrees in the center).
Next post: Yarn Shopping with friends! Loot!
*Yes, I have teddy bear stitch markers. You have a problem with that?
**Makes it rise better with less effort. If you want to knead the hell out of your bread, then leave it out. I like less guesswork with my cooking.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 68.219.8.100 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 03/18/2007 08:14:52 PM Sometimes, you just have to rip. Everything looks good, though, especially the bread. (I'm all about the bread!) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: teyani@crownmountainfarms.com IP: 12.178.97.185 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.typepad.com DATE: 03/18/2007 08:30:13 PM looks like ripping that cute hat out was the best idea. I've tried to re-work stitches in uncrossed cables (ugh) Nice lookin' bread! yumm. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: kmayers@gmail.com IP: 65.100.36.118 URL: http://vastamount.blogspot.com/ DATE: 03/18/2007 09:00:43 PM Beatiful pink knitting, even the sad remains of Shedir. And the bread looks incredibly yummy! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 76.18.7.101 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 03/18/2007 09:48:04 PM That bread looks like it's ready for the cover of Gourmet Lorette! I'm gonna knit Shedir soon too, I'll have to keep my eyes peel for any mishaps :) Good to "see" ya btw! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacie EMAIL: faerycrafty@gmail.com IP: 68.53.132.139 URL: http://faerycrafty.blogdrive.com DATE: 03/18/2007 10:38:57 PM I made that hat a couple of years ago, and I really liked it. I was happy with the way it turned out. Yours is looking very pretty. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 68.199.230.238 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 03/19/2007 02:07:25 AM All that work... It looks like it will be a lovely pink sweater when it's finished. I had to re-start my Rogue Hooded Pullover and it is now stalled... Did you add the front pocket to yours? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.30.110 URL: http://www.the-ravelld.sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 03/19/2007 06:21:29 AM I feel your pain with the Shedir. But you know it will work the next time around. And the Riley project is going to look fabulous! All I can say about the bread is, if computers had the capability to transmit smells, I'd be in real trouble now. That looks heavenly ... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com DATE: 03/19/2007 07:23:30 AM I hate that - you see the mistake, you look at it, you keep knitting as you try to decide if it will bother you as much as you think it will bother you... and then you rip. Argh! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Pat EMAIL: Pat@PatsKnittingandQuilting.com IP: 24.62.232.22 URL: http://patsknittingandquilting.com DATE: 03/19/2007 09:17:15 AM (Been quietly following your knitting life for several years - back before you hurt your hand!) I love my Shedir...Yours will be worth the ripping and reknitting! Your springy pinks remind me that I need to move on to spring colors. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 70.226.131.134 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 03/19/2007 12:02:38 PM Oh yum, the bread smells soooo good! So sorry about those uncrossed cables! Yes, starting over is good for the character!! I've been wanting to make Shedir. But, this semester I need less challenging projects--my course projects take all available creativity and thought. I graduate in May!!! There is nothing wrong with multiple unfinished projects that don't progress quickly. It's life!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Becky EMAIL: rebecca@moonfrog.com IP: 71.131.28.14 URL: http://www.moonfrog.com DATE: 03/19/2007 01:12:18 PM I feel your pain. I just ripped my Shedir and started over. Ugh! I did cast on again, though. I love your bread posts. You make it so pretty. I'm a sucker for pretty bread. :) My favorite to make is a French bread braid. Mmmm. But it doesn't go well with my low-carb lifestyle. Ugh, again! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 70.57.170.128 URL: http://socks-for-mum.blogspot.com DATE: 03/19/2007 02:13:29 PM Yum! Another great bread recipe to copy down! I'm working on Shedir too and find it is a very slow knit. Mine is burgundy and is for my daughter. I love yours in pink! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 71.172.92.72 URL: http://www.chappysmom.typepad.com DATE: 03/19/2007 03:25:27 PM Good to hear from you! I was starting to wonder, too! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Catherine EMAIL: cathdv@aol.com IP: 64.12.116.77 URL: http://cathelaine.typepad.com/lives_in_a_shoe/ DATE: 03/22/2007 09:36:54 AM Glad you're posting again. I stand in awe of your industriousness -- I'm still plugging my slow way through the same damn pair of socks. I've vowed not to start anything new until my three stalled projects are done. Could be persuaded to make a loaf of bread, though. What a beautiful thing. Mmmm... ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: More Gadgets STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 03/06/2007 02:30:00 PM ----- BODY:Stephanie posted a picture of one of her knitting gadgets recently. Claudia also has a swell drug-dealer's scale that she boasts about regularly. Between the two of them, they got me coveting one of these.
It's a Vector Fuzion Xtreme XTR-500, and it's very tiny. It will weigh up to 500 grams, which is all I really need it for. This one was relatively reasonably priced, as I can't really justify dropping a sweater's worth of cash on a scale, when all I really need to do is weigh sock yarn. It also will fit into my knitting bag, so I can keep track of how much yarn I have left when knitting socks. Sweet!
And yes, it appears that I will likely be able to get a pair of baby socks out of the leftovers from my current sock-in-progress.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 67.169.254.13 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 03/06/2007 03:03:19 PM Fit in the knitting bag is the ticket! Just a minute ago I weighted the yarn I have left for toe #2 or sock number #2. Sock #1 weighs 1.6 oz. Sock #2 WITH 3 NEEDLES weighs 1.8 oz. One needle will not move the scale and I refuse to pull out the needles to weigh this thing. I am going to knit to the end (either the end of the toe or the end of the yarn, or maybe both) If I run out of yarn it can be: 1. Sunday socks 2. Pick-up stitches and unravel the ribbing and reknit both ribbing with shorter legs. 3. crying in not an option! Wish me luck.......Now I realize that I should have written a blog entry in my blog instead of a comment here! Oh well. Cut and paste I will. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 24.67.253.203 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 03/06/2007 03:30:30 PM Oh, I'm so envious! I've been hunting down a scale since seeing those two bloggers', as well! Enjoy your new toy! :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: margene EMAIL: zeneedle@gmail.com IP: 24.10.212.187 URL: http://zeneedle.typepad.com/ DATE: 03/06/2007 04:15:25 PM I need a scale like that one! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 03/06/2007 05:12:06 PM I've been bidding on one on ebay. Wow, it's tiny! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nadia Lewis EMAIL: nadialewis@gmail.com IP: 154.20.167.193 URL: http://nadiacrafts.blogspot.com DATE: 03/06/2007 05:50:04 PM Ooo! Shiny! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 71.172.92.72 URL: http://www.chappysmom.typepad.com DATE: 03/06/2007 06:42:02 PM New toys are fun! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 66.30.249.1 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 03/06/2007 07:51:36 PM he he he That's the sound of evil cackling. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: teyani@crownmountainfarms.com IP: 216.227.114.200 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.blogspot.com DATE: 03/06/2007 09:30:09 PM what a great little scale ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.193 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 03/07/2007 08:31:24 AM tres chic! It kinda sparkles too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: chris@stumblingoverchaos.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 03/07/2007 02:09:08 PM Fits in the knitting bag?! Oh - coveet covet covet covet... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 64.12.116.77 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 03/08/2007 04:16:11 AM Sometimes, reading will cost ya! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Mary EMAIL: beltwaydoors@aol.com IP: 151.200.47.190 URL: DATE: 03/08/2007 09:14:25 AM I ordered one off of ebay. It arrived in 2 days!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 03/08/2007 06:03:31 PM I use my digital kitchen scale which looks like a mini bathroom scale. One day two of our resident international students told me they were haveing problems trying to weigh themselves. They were standing on tip toes on the kitchen scale which only weighs up to 2 kilos. Thank goodness it survived, but we killed ourselves laughing. One said "It just looks like a smaller one of our scale in Germany." ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: knitigator@yahoo.com IP: 72.93.206.6 URL: http://knitigator.typepad.com DATE: 03/09/2007 02:28:45 PM *That* is cool. I may need one. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stacie EMAIL: faerycrafty@gmail.com IP: 68.53.132.139 URL: http://faerycrafty.blogdrive.com DATE: 03/09/2007 05:28:11 PM LOL @ "drug dealer's scale" ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Becky EMAIL: rebecca@moonfrog.com IP: 71.131.28.14 URL: http://www.moonfrog.com DATE: 03/10/2007 02:18:35 PM I love making up equal balls with my scale for two socks at once. Of course, then it's a matter of making the yarn stretch to the end of both of them. I like your cute scale. It looks perfect for the job. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lee Ann EMAIL: uncleleona@uncleleona.net IP: 75.33.77.51 URL: http://www.uncleleona.net/blog DATE: 03/10/2007 07:23:36 PM But did it measure the tiara in carets? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: kmayers@gmail.com IP: 63.229.132.29 URL: http://vastamount.blogspot.com/ DATE: 03/10/2007 09:51:46 PM Ooooh...covet, covet. How much did that set you back? I use my digital kitchen scale (Salter) for soapmaking and weighing yarn, but it's only accurate down to the 2 gram level, which isn't really as precise as I'd like. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 70.226.145.23 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 03/12/2007 11:40:42 AM Very nice little scale!! And it fits into the knitting bag, what a deal!! It's about time knitters got into electronic gadgets!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marti EMAIL: bzyknit@yahoo.com IP: 204.147.223.1 URL: http://www.midgeling.com/weebug/blog/ DATE: 03/12/2007 11:59:56 AM i love that little scale. i think that it would be the perfect thing to put on my wish list. thanks for enabling. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Tam EMAIL: journeytot@yahoo.com IP: 12.207.14.252 URL: http://thelessonlearned.typepad.com/knit_once_purl_forever/ DATE: 03/12/2007 10:23:31 PM I LOVE that you weighed your tiara! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stephanie EMAIL: stephaniepearl@sympatico.ca IP: 74.12.110.3 URL: http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog DATE: 03/13/2007 07:56:18 AM Don't you love it? Did you weigh tiny things yet? Go on. Weigh a penny. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: andi EMAIL: hookedonstring@gmail.com IP: 24.166.51.115 URL: http://hookedonstring.wordpress.com/ DATE: 03/13/2007 05:19:31 PM Sa-weet! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kristin EMAIL: kariker@gmail.com IP: 204.64.42.245 URL: http://www.yarnandorder.com DATE: 03/14/2007 02:43:51 PM oooo..that scale is so pretty! and so is your tiara ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: kbsalazar EMAIL: kbsalazar@comcast.net IP: 24.147.232.151 URL: http://www.wiseneedle.com DATE: 03/14/2007 06:57:03 PMSo we'll get back to knitting!
First up, the socks. Solar Energy is the color name for this yarn (Dicentra sock yarn), and it's a good name for it. It's quite sunny in appearance, and for a change it's sunny outside today. The ducks are out there on the lake doing their little head-bobbing thing around each other, pairing up as couples, so baby ducks can't be far behind. Well OK, they are a ways off yet, but I can hope.
A reader, Michelle (no blog), asked a week or so ago how I managed to do gussets without holes. I'm not sure I have any magic tricks, but have tried several things in the past. One thing to remember is that even if you get holes at the corners, they tend to disappear with washing and wearing. If all else fails you can always cheat and cinch them together on the inside with a bit of yarn and a sewing needle when they are all done. Yes, I've been known to do this. It does get better with practice, so if you get holes, just keep knitting socks. After several pairs, it seems to go away. I've also found that mine are much better since I've gone down to 2 or 2.25 mm needles for my fingering weight socks.
Here's what I do currently. I'm a heel flap and gusset girl, all the way, so if you do short row heels, I can't help you. First, I don't pay any attention to how many stitches the pattern* tells me to pick up along the side of the heel flap. I do a slip stitch along the edge of the flap, and pick up one stitch for each slipped stitch. Sometimes I end up with 1 more on one side of the flap than the other; no worries, I just decrease more on that side. Trust me, nobody will be able to tell.
So here I am at the corner, after I've picked up the stitches along the first side of the flap. You can click on all of these photos to make them bigger.
Now I pick up one extra stitch right inside that gusset corner, sort of like a raised increase. A tiny crochet hook makes this easier. I've seen instructions to pick up this stitch in the running thread between the two needles, just to the left of where I'm picking up, but I've found that this tends to make a little hole of its own, like a "make one" increase does.
Now knit across the instep stitches. When you get to the other heel flap, do the same thing.
Some knitters pick up two stitches at each corner, the second just opposite the first, so it would end up on the instep needle. I don't bother with this, as just doing one seems to do the trick.
Here's my finished gusset corner:
By the way, that little crochet hook is one of my most-used knitting gadgets, and believe me, I have lots of knitting gadgets. It's got a tiny crochet hook on one end, and a pointy "probe" end on the other.
I use this so much that I have two of them, one in my regular gadget bag, the other in my sock knitting kit. Patternworks has these, though I'm sure you can find them elsewhere. The little probe end works great for getting knots out of things.
I've also still been working on the eggplant Jo Sharp sweater, though you wouldn't know it by my progress. I'm currently marooned on sleeve island. After getting part way through the sleeve increases, I decided I didn't like the holes that I was getting with the "make one" increases I was using. So I ripped all the way back to the seed stitch border and started over, using raised or lifted increases instead. Increasing inside seed stitch is just a bit more entertaining than those in stockinette stitch. Here's where I am after all the ripping and reknitting.
All those little pins? I think I've posted this before, but I use them to keep track of increases (or decreases). If I have to increase x number of times, I string that many pins together and pin it right to the sleeve, then take one pin off and mark the increase as I make it. When the pins are gone, I'm done.
Please ignore all the extra dog hair. We have Rae the neighbor Corgi with us for a few days, and she's left fur all over the house. I was way too lazy to vacuum and dust before I took photos.
Speaking of Corgis, here's what happens when you leave a Corgi in a room alone. This used to be the cable needle in the sleeve above.
Fortunately, I have a whole bunch more of these (see gadget comment above).
Next time: My latest knitting gadget.
*I actually don't often use a pattern anymore for socks. Or, I do, but it's in my head. Plain ribbed or picot top, stockinette cuff, heel flap/gusset, standard decreased toe, grafted together. The number of stitches I start with at this point is one of those "force be with you" things.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: margene EMAIL: zeneedle@gmail.com IP: 24.10.212.187 URL: http://zeneedle.typepad.com/ DATE: 03/05/2007 04:46:36 PM Great fix on the gussets...my fix is very similar. Must be time for you to learn to cable without a cable needle. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Francesca EMAIL: dada@fluffbuff.com IP: 71.92.203.127 URL: http://www.fluffbuff.com DATE: 03/05/2007 05:35:03 PM I love that yarn and I LOVE those yellow needles. Where did you get them? Please, please, pretty please? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: kmayers@gmail.com IP: 63.229.141.249 URL: http://vastamount.blogspot.com/ DATE: 03/05/2007 06:38:09 PM Oooh, I love that crochet hook tool! I have a bunch of itty bitty crochet hooks (stash from Grandma and past doily crocheting on my part), but having that probe bit would be a huge help. Great idea. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 4.84.12.8 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 03/05/2007 06:38:17 PM Pretty yarn, and a great fix. I love my "dentist" tool. I got mine from Patternworks several years ago, and it really comes in handy for sock knitting ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Leah Adams EMAIL: knitgeek@gmail.com IP: 24.18.227.89 URL: http://kneek.wordpress.com DATE: 03/05/2007 07:37:05 PM The pin trick is fantastic! I hardly ever do sweaters simply because I can't keep track of the number of increases, or decreases I need to do! I'm definitely going to use this trick. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.193 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 03/05/2007 07:45:19 PM Eggplant is looking beautiful. Gotta get me one of those crochet hooks. You and your gadgets! You could start a whole blog on just gadgets and gizmos. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 03/05/2007 10:42:57 PM Thanks for all the great hints and suggestions! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.30.110 URL: http://www.the-ravelld.sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 03/06/2007 06:03:06 AM I love the color of the sweater! And, duh, what an easy and logical solution to keeping track of decreases - I know I never would have thought of that one ... As for the Corgi vs. the cable needle - better that than your sock or sweater! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.82.110 URL: http://www.missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 03/06/2007 06:39:47 AM I like the pin trick - will definitely do that on my next sweater. Hmmm - did the Corgi owners conveniently forget to tell you that this is the time of year that Corgis start to "blow" their coat? During most of the year they don't shed that much, but come spring all of their winter coat comes out in about a month. We brush Hester every day and by the end of the shedding season will have a full grocery bag full of downy fur. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 24.67.253.203 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 03/06/2007 08:08:58 AM This is a great little tutorial, Lorette! And that hook/probe thing is awesome! :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.250 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 03/06/2007 08:15:57 AM I would not remember to transfer the pins over. And then I would second guess myself to death. The little tick marks on the pattern sheet is bad enough to remember to do. I like that crochet hook tool. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: jennanndavis@gmail.com IP: 192.91.171.36 URL: http://itisrocketscience.typepad.com DATE: 03/06/2007 10:12:19 AM I can confirm the presence of corgi destruction! And I'm scared to death by the "blowing" of coat comment! It's our first season with Mr. K! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marti EMAIL: bzyknit@yahoo.com IP: 204.147.223.1 URL: http://www.midgeling.com/weebug/blog/ DATE: 03/06/2007 01:35:37 PM I think that I would rather have a corgi chew on my needles than the yarn. The socks look great! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@Hotmail.com IP: 216.43.250.146 URL: http://knit-knack.blog-city.com DATE: 03/06/2007 01:39:40 PM The same thing happens when you leave a labrador alone with a dpn too. My favorite bumper sticker I saw ages ago when I was a teenager was: Man can not live on bread alone, he must also have peanut butter and jelly. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Theresa EMAIL: knittingunderway@gmail.com IP: 159.71.254.248 URL: http://knittingunderway.blogspot.com DATE: 03/06/2007 02:21:56 PM Yup, pretty much what I do. But I don't have the patience to stop each step and take a decent photo. Thanks for adding to the general knitting knowledge. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: knitnana EMAIL: siameezercat@gmail.com IP: 70.183.189.103 URL: http://knitnana.blogspot.com DATE: 03/07/2007 08:06:26 AM Love the socks! Gadgets, can we ever have too many??? Neat hook/probe...will check that out! (((hugs))) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: chris@stumblingoverchaos.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 03/07/2007 02:07:57 PM Wow, corgis are more destructive than Mayhem!! :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: LaBean EMAIL: ladybean@gmail.com IP: 71.249.75.42 URL: http://ladybean73.wordpress.com DATE: 03/09/2007 04:21:58 PM Wow, that's a neat trick. Too bad I don't really do heel flaps/gussets anymore, unless it's written in the pattern. Half the time I'll just put a short row heel in anyway. But. I might be able to use this for a short row heel too. After all I still get a little gap in there. Hmmm ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Give Us This Day... STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 03/02/2007 11:42:44 AM ----- BODY:The Daily Bread
Here's the bread that I came up with yesterday.
And here's the recipe, such as it is. You're on your own as to the details. I mix this up in the bread machine on the dough setting, then make a free-form loaf and bake it in the oven directly on a baking stone.
I've discovered that there is a lot of flexibility in a bread recipe. I basically start with a formula of 3 cups of flour and 1 cup of water, and improvise from there. My bread machine is a Zojirushi, and they don't make the particular model I have any longer. It makes a 1 1/2 pound loaf, so if yours is smaller, you'll need to modify the amounts accordingly. My machine calls for adding the liquids in the bottom, then the dry ingredients, and the yeast on the top.
I use King Arthur flours, and keep everything except the unbleached white in the freezer. I use that up fast enough that I don't worry about it. The yeast I use is SAF-Instant brand, and I buy it in bulk and store it in a tin in the refrigerator. The added gluten flour gives you more of a rise out of your flour. I use it if I'm adding whole wheat or rye flour, about a Tbl of gluten flour for each cup of ww or rye that I'm using. If you're going to bake the bread directly in the bread machine, watch it with the gluten flour; it gives the bread a nice oven spring, and you might overflow the pan! If you take a look at that loaf in the bread pan, it never would have made it through the machine cooking cycle.
2 cups KA unbleached white flour
1 cup KA pumpernickel flour
1 tsp salt
1 Tbl gluten flour
1 Tbl olive oil
2 Tbl honey
1 cup water
2 1/2 teaspoons yeast
1/2 cup seed/grain mix, soaked in just enough hot water to cover
More flour or water as needed
Put the ingredients in the bread machine according to your machine's instructions. Let the seeds/hot water stuff cool a bit before adding. You can use a commercial cereal mix, or mix your own (wheat flakes, oats, a variety of seeds, polenta, bulghur wheat, etc.). I mix up a plastic container full and keep it in the freezer.
Once your bread machine starts, open the lid and play around with adding more flour/water as needed. You want a ball of dough that is floury enough to stick together, not too wet, but not too floury either. With experience, you'll figure out how much to add. Remember that after you add more flour, it might take a bit before it absorbs the liquid, especially if you're using ww or rye flours. If you add too much flour, you'll get a leaden ball that feels more like a brick. After the machine is finished with the dough cycle, take it out, knead a bit to get a feel for the dough, add more flour if it's sticky. Form your loaf, either in a pan or on a board, let it rise again until almost double. I sprinkled this one with poppy seeds, then slashed the top right before popping it in the oven. I beat an egg white and brush a little of it on the top so the seeds stick before I do the sprinkling.
I keep a baking stone in my oven, and preheat for at least 30 minutes so the stone is evenly heated. This one I started at 400 degrees, but this is a bit flexible as well. My oven runs cool, so you might try 375. Watch the bread, if it's looking like it's getting too brown on the outside but not done in the middle, turn the oven down, or cover your bread with a piece of foil. I start checking the bread at about 20-30 minutes, and use an instant thermometer to tell when it's done. Stick it in the middle, when it reads somewhere around 190 degrees, you're there. Your bread should also sound hollow when you pick it up out of the oven and tap on the bottom.
I also use a spray bottle and shoot a little water in the oven towards the oven walls every few minutes during the first 5-8 minutes or so to create steam. This gives it a nicer crust, but mostly makes me feel like Julia Child. If you have an oven light, don't spray right on the bulb, the cool water could break it. Julia would never do that.
When it's done, take it out, put it on a rack, and admire it. But restrain yourself from cutting into it until it's cool, or nearly so. Bread, like a roast, cooks more when you take it out of the oven. If you cut into it right away, you'll get an unsatisfying texture, more gummy than not. And remember that homemade bread doesn't keep as well as store bought. This is usually not a problem around my house!
This is a great resource for bread bakers, and has a lot of other cooking tips as well. My favorite bread book is this one. Peter Reinhart's books are also lovely, though not about bread machine baking. Yesterday's bread was from one of his books, and is his Struan bread, one of my all time favorites. Here's a link to the recipe.
This link tells you a little bit about adding other stuff to your bread, and what you might expect when you do so.
I'll now return you to your regular knitblogging programming.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: knitswithasilentk@yahoo.com IP: 209.150.91.18 URL: http://knitswithasilentk.blogspot.com DATE: 03/02/2007 12:53:41 PM I love Rustic European Breads for your Bread Machine. A friend of ours gave it to us for our wedding, and every recipe we've tried from it is a success. I thought you might have read this book when you described messing with the dough after you start the machine. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 64.81.186.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 03/02/2007 04:31:33 PM That looks so yummy. Do you like your bread maker? We've been thinking of buying one but can't decide which. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathryn EMAIL: knittsings@mac.com IP: 24.19.101.94 URL: http://web.mac.com/knittsings/iWeb/knittsings/knittsings/knittsings.html DATE: 03/02/2007 05:29:30 PM The gluten flour is a great idea. Whenever my husband has made whole wheat loaves or even half and half with white flour, they've come out very dense and crumbly. Ok for toast, but awful for sandwiches. And at least now I know that the gummy texture in our house is due to our impatience and not simply a feature of our homemade bread. Waiting until it cools will be a definite challenge. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: janna EMAIL: janna.lawrence@gmail.com IP: 69.91.64.33 URL: http://knittingrelaxesme.blogspot.com DATE: 03/02/2007 05:51:07 PM Back when I was married, I made almost all our bread -- no bread machine, though. I think you've made me want to bake bread again..... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: kmayers@gmail.com IP: 63.229.141.249 URL: http://vastamount.blogspot.com/ DATE: 03/02/2007 06:18:24 PM RLB is indeed the queen of baking. That bread looks absolutely delicious! Note to self: time to pull out the levain and get cracking. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 68.218.36.147 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 03/02/2007 08:11:56 PM It looks absolutely delicious. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.193 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 03/02/2007 09:24:13 PM The bread looks yummy! Have you ever been to King Arthur's store/factory/whatever you call it place in Vermont? If not, it is a "must do". Very cool. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laritza EMAIL: yorksett@yahoo.com IP: 67.169.254.13 URL: http://www.yorksett.blogspot.com DATE: 03/02/2007 11:28:00 PM Yummy bread. I used to make a lot of bread when I was in Colombia. But here in Utah I can't get the yeast to rise right. I have tried all kinds of different brands. From what I have read I think it has to do with humidity . Now I will have to give it another try. The links are great! Thanks ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.48.225 URL: DATE: 03/03/2007 11:51:43 AM OMG! I have that same bread machine. I haven't made bread in a long time. I need to get back into it. It was always such a treat, and Kenny (now 16) always liked it when I made "big bread." I'll have to try your recipe. Bake on, mk ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Theresa EMAIL: knittingunderway@gmail.com IP: 159.71.254.248 URL: http://knittingunderway.blogspot.com DATE: 03/03/2007 06:18:35 PM That's a great way of using the bread machine - baking it in the oven comes out so much better! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 68.199.230.238 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 03/04/2007 10:13:30 AM Ooh - that looks scrumptious. Makes me want to get a bread machine again. Mine died a few years ago and I haven't resurrected it. Such great comfort food. Thanks for the recipe. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 03/04/2007 11:06:18 AM What a delicious-looking bread. In the pre-bread-machine days, I liked the Bernard Clayton bread books. I made the dough in a Cuisinart food processor or in a Kitchenaid mixer. (And DH did add rice to his latest whole wheat bread.) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 71.221.101.134 URL: http://socks-for-mum.blogspot.com DATE: 03/04/2007 03:19:18 PM That bread machine looks like my first one .... is it a Zojirushi? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: rebecca_wilder@earthlink.net IP: 71.221.101.134 URL: http://socks-for-mum.blogspot.com DATE: 03/04/2007 03:23:00 PM oopsies...just saw that it IS a Zo. I'm going to give this recipe a try. I always have to use the dough cycle in this elevation. Great bread pics! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Elinor EMAIL: elinor@knitlawrence.org IP: 24.124.34.41 URL: http://exercisebeforeknitting.blogspot.com DATE: 03/04/2007 07:27:03 PM Oh, that looks so yummy. I was in the habit of making bread when I was pregnant but since my daughter arrived in August, we've been living off of frozen soups. Bread doesn't freeze as well. Maybe next weekend I'll give your recipe a try - it's so tempting! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ingrid EMAIL: ihendy@umich.edu IP: 68.248.17.161 URL: http://saltwater_purls.typepad.com/my_weblog/ DATE: 03/05/2007 10:15:23 AM Got to get a bread maker... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: lynette EMAIL: loneal19@comcast.net IP: 24.12.98.10 URL: http://passionknit.net DATE: 03/05/2007 04:15:07 PM i have that bread machine also. now i want to make bread. it looks delicious and my mouth is now watering..... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Andi EMAIL: hookedonstring@gmail.com IP: 24.166.51.115 URL: http://hookedonstring.wordpress.com/ DATE: 03/06/2007 05:10:21 AM The bread looks fabulous! I love the smell of bread baking. We have a local bread factory near our house. When they are baking and you drive by... oh my goodness the smell is divine. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bookish Wendy EMAIL: bookishwendy@gmail.com IP: 71.192.23.2 URL: http://www.thebookishgirl.com DATE: 03/09/2007 03:32:43 PM man, i have got to pull out my bread machine. i didn't have much luck with it before and i packed it up in a huff... ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Been There, Done That... STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 03/01/2007 02:16:56 PM ----- BODY:
...Bought The T-Shirt!
The theme this year was the changing face of bluegrass, and as such, included a few artists that stretched the definition a bit. Some of it didn't work for me, most did, as usual. I'll listen to it all, though my favorite is still traditional Appalachian style old-timey music. There wasn't much of that this year. Uncle Earl was as close as it got, and they were every bit as good as they were last year.
Other favorites? Crooked Still, with a great lead singer and a cello player (yes, cello!) that will knock your socks off. All the girls seem to like him, too. There was a lot of girly screaming every time he played a solo. Blue Highway, playing more straight-up bluegrass, and with one of the best dobro guys around, Rob Ickes. John Cowan, Darrell Scott, and Pat Flynn, each a great musician, and together they were dynamite. Cowan's voice will send chills up your spine. The Infamous Stringdusters are a great bluegrass jam band. Mike Dowling is a wonderful acoustic roots-blues guitarist, and was one of my favorites of the festival. Doyle Lawson and his band were polished, as usual.
My personal favorite? This one was a surprise to me. Mike Marshall has never been one of my favorite performers. He plays mandolin, and is one of the best in the business, but his music tends to run a bit experimental for my taste. This time out, he performed with Hamilton de Holanda, a Brazilian bandolim virtuoso. Their music is astounding. I don't buy many albums any more, as I can listen to pretty much anything I want on Rhapsody, but these two were good enough to warrant buying the CD. Mike also did a solo performance on Sunday of Bach's Chaconne (yes, Bach on a mandolin) that was terrific.
The festival also provided many hours of uninterrupted knitting time. I saw a couple of other knitters there this year, including Leah, who is knitting Rogue. She was also knitting it in a dark purply yarn, in near dark. I was having trouble just managing socks in stockinette. I didn't take any photos at the festival; after I lost my binoculars a couple of years ago at Wintergrass, I try not to take anything that might tempt another thief. (You'd think bluegrass fans wouldn't be pickpockets, but there you have it.)
And the socks, you ask? How much sock can I knit over a four day festival? (Actually, two evenings, Saturday afternoon and evening, and all day Sunday.) I started on Thursday evening just past the gusset on the first sock. Here's where I finished Sunday night.
Can't tell from that photo? Here's another:
I also have been working on the mystery baby project, using some of my closely guarded Cotton Ease stash. I still can't show a real picture, or it wouldn't be much of a surprise, now, would it. Here's a hint:
By the way, Cotton Ease is back on the market, with newer, better colors. Once I use up the stash I have, I might just have to buy more. (Who am I kidding, I probably won't wait that long!)
And just to tempt your taste buds, here's the bread I made earlier this week.
It's white-bread, but with cooked brown rice, polenta, and enough wheat bran to give it a nice chewy texture. It's already gone, so I need to go make more. I make my bread in the bread machine, but generally bake it in the oven. I've finally gotten to the point where I don't need much of a recipe; I just start with the right proportions of flour and water, then add the other ingredients according to whim. Yum, now I'm hungry.
Oh, and in case you can't find it, here's a link to Wintergrass. Yes, I already have my tickets for next year. Did you really need to ask?
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: chris@stumblingoverchaos.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 03/01/2007 03:09:39 PM I just heard some Uncle Earl songs on the radio this week and liked them. Sounds like a good time overall and your socks look great! Hmph - better colors? Where's the black, dammit?! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 24.67.253.203 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 03/01/2007 03:41:08 PM The festival sounds like a lot of fun! Love the knitting - the sock is so happy. I've never tried Cotton Ease - what is it that you like about it? BTW, I see you're into the CS Lewis. I grew up on this series, and now get the fun of introducing it to my own kids. I still like to dip into them myself, just for fun. :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.194.58 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 03/01/2007 04:19:35 PM Lorette, I was just thinking of you today, and wondering if you had a good time - so I'm glad you did! It does sound like a pretty good time. I like the socks a lot, especially the top part of the cuff. And whatever the mystery project is, I like the color of the yarn. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 03/01/2007 06:05:34 PM I don't know much about bluegrass music but it sounds like so much fun - listening to great music and knitting. Could the mysterious project be a W*******l W*****y? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 71.172.92.72 URL: http://www.chappysmom.typepad.com DATE: 03/01/2007 06:51:46 PM I love to make bread with sesame seeds and leftover rice . . . it makes FABULOUS toast because the rice adds extra crunch . . . great with peanut butter, and I don't even like peanut butter (grin) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 03/02/2007 06:10:54 AM I don't know much about Bluegrass, but I do know Bach. It must have been wonderful on a mandolin. That bread looks fantastic. I'll have to suggest a mix like that to DH, who does most of the breadbaking around here. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 65.222.58.14 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 03/02/2007 09:05:55 AM Sounds like a really great time! The knitting looks great, can't wait to see the rest of the baby surprise. The bread looks yummy too, I so love fresh warm bread. A hurray for the return ofCotton-Ease! I use lots of that down here;) I'll soon be starting an afghan out of some. Have a great weekend! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: margene EMAIL: zeneedle@gmail.com IP: 69.88.77.72 URL: http://zeneedle.typepad.com DATE: 03/02/2007 10:02:01 AM I'm very envious of your festival fun! We're planning on making it to the summer festivals around here. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 216.43.250.146 URL: http://knit-knack.blog-city.com DATE: 03/02/2007 01:33:20 PM Sounds like it was a lot of fun. And what cute socks! Now please quit showing me bread, I'm so hungry! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 70.226.140.154 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 03/04/2007 03:54:16 PM What delicious bread--my mouth is watering. What a great idea to mix the dough in a breadmaker, then bake it in the oven. I've had a number of failures with baking in the breadmaker. I will have to give this another try. the socks also look delicious!! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: February.... STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 02/23/2007 02:42:08 PM ----- BODY:
It's been a loony, busy week around here. As is usual for a work week, I didn't get much else done. Now that the work week is over, it's time for a little fun. First was Mardi Gras, Knitting Doctor style. We had Fat Tuesday at our house with a couple of neighbors. We made homemade chicken and andouille sausage gumbo and cornbread for supper, then played a competitive game of dominos to top off the evening. This photo is to prove that I can play Mexican Train and knit socks at the same time.
Note the lovely jewelry that I am wearing in that photo.
There aren't many other knitting photos in this post, so if that's all you came for, you might want to look away now.
Here's a shot I got of Will this morning. He stared intently out that window for over an hour, at exactly the same spot. I finally got up to see what he was looking at, which of course was nothing. He turned and gave me that "see, I made you get up and look, all humans are helpless against my superior powers" look that only cats have.
And now, because I know you all are wondering what the title of this post has to do with anything, other than that I am at least partially oriented:
February is indeed my favorite month. It's time again for Tacoma's bluegrass festival, Wintergrass. It started last night, continues tonight, and all day Saturday and Sunday. I have my sock knitting ready, and a backup plan in the unlikely event that I finish these (this is only the first of the pair). I don't plan on missing a note.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.250 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 02/23/2007 06:18:12 PM The Queen of Bluegrass. Yes. I can so see the cat thinking that. Do you get extra credit for accurate translation of cat thought? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Saralyn EMAIL: carpeacum@comcast.net IP: 24.16.5.114 URL: http://www.carpeacum.typepad.com/carpeacum DATE: 02/23/2007 10:54:55 PM I saw Wintergrass in the "Events" section of the paper yesterday, and I thought of you. I hope you're enjoying it. Sounds like a great time to knit! Saralyn ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Saralyn EMAIL: carpeacum@comcast.net IP: 24.16.5.114 URL: http://www.carpeacum.typepad.com/carpeacum DATE: 02/23/2007 10:59:39 PM Oh, and my cat, Fala, looks *exactly* like Will and has that same skill of looking at the same thing for hours. We think it's probably because there's so much empty air "upstairs" that she can fill up with almost anything. . .or nothing. She comes running in the morning when I open the blinds so she can gaze out at the backyard. Again. Sweetest cat ever, but not really the sharpest knife in the drawer! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.30.99 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 02/24/2007 11:14:24 AM Have fun! I'm looking forward to hearing all about it. :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 02/24/2007 03:14:42 PM I hope you're having a great time!! "Way to go, Will!" sez Chaos... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: teyani@crownmountainfarms.com IP: 66.243.214.100 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.blogspot.com DATE: 02/24/2007 09:01:55 PM ah ha - another black cat owner :-) We're just popping up all over the place. Have fun at Wintergrass - and love that tiara btw. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Andi EMAIL: hookedonstring@gmail.com IP: 24.166.51.115 URL: http://hookedonstring.wordpress.com/ DATE: 02/24/2007 10:04:24 PM Fab jewels! You wear them well. Cute cat.. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 144.92.120.58 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 02/26/2007 06:47:16 AM Wonderful Fat Tuesday at chez doctor!! My mother introduced us to Mexican Train dominoes some years ago. But, my husband hates the game. I still play with my daughter and mom when she visits! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: CarolC EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 65.222.58.14 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 02/26/2007 12:47:50 PM Will looks striking! Have a ball at the festival my queen! Your socks remind me of spring, nice! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Loralie EMAIL: Loralie@weknitonroutesixtysix.zzn.com IP: 72.213.128.55 URL: http://www.weknitonroutesixtysix.co.nr DATE: 02/26/2007 02:01:52 PM Sounds like fun! And about your cat, I used to have a cat, and it did all sorts of stuff like that, too! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 71.57.138.66 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 02/27/2007 06:36:38 PM I love that pic of Will, total concentration! Pretty sock too, looks like you'll have a ton left over! Enjoy the festival! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Tam EMAIL: journeytot@yahoo.com IP: 12.207.14.252 URL: http://thelessonlearned.typepad.com/knit_once_purl_forever/ DATE: 02/27/2007 10:02:09 PM Will is so handsome! Cats do act as if they have superior powers and maybe they do.., Can't wait to hear about the festival! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Micky EMAIL: mickyroop@yahoo.com IP: 71.203.200.37 URL: http://charmingly-wicked.blogspot.com/ DATE: 02/28/2007 12:40:14 PM No, I have 11 now. Well 12 if you count this one as 2. Since the name and the artwork don't touch, it could be seen as 2. Thanks for asking and looking. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Michelle EMAIL: antmegmmm@verizon.net IP: 68.160.121.170 URL: http://ewekeepmeinstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 02/28/2007 01:14:26 PM The world must be an entertaining place from the perspective of the feline, that's for sure. Have a great weekend. Can't wait to see the finished pair, the color is sooooo spring. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: abbey lindsey EMAIL: abbeyh13@aol.com IP: 12.227.196.51 URL: DATE: 03/05/2007 08:03:22 PM Wow! The bluegrass festival looked awesome!!! I have not listened to your "what I am listening to" but plan to soon!! Any other favorites I should listen to! Hope you and uncle john are doing great!! abbey ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: fleegle EMAIL: sglinert@aol.com IP: 67.140.229.51 URL: DATE: 03/25/2007 02:10:27 PM Did you notice that the yarn you show in the first post almost exactly matches the sunset in the previous post? Delicious! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: More Sunsets, Knitting Update STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 02/13/2007 11:49:00 PM ----- BODY:
Here are more vacation photos. See the previous few posts for details of where we were, in case you haven't been hanging on every word that I post.
Yet another sunset from our condo. In weeding through the photos, it appears that we took at least 50 sunset photos from our balcony on the various evenings that we were there at sunset. Thank heavens for digital, is all I can say.
We did make it out to Catalina Island. I had that silly song in my head for the whole trip, by the way. We took the Catalina Flyer over, and spent the whole day, taking a bus trip inland to check the place out.
Here's the bus:
And more beach/knitting shots.
We stopped at the Wrigley ranch for refreshments part-way through the tour. I took a knitting break with this fine fellow.
There were cute horses, and a cute real cowboy.
There were buffalo:
And the ferry ride back to the mainland, at yet another sunset.
We met our Germany friends for breakfast Sunday morning before we took off for home. We discovered the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages during our trip. This was a thriving beach community from the 1930's to the 1950's, and subsequently fell into disrepair. It has been turned into a historic district and is slowly being restored as rental cottages. The restaurant on the property, the Beachcomber, is just a hoot. I want their martini flag for our dock. We didn't get any photos, as it was drizzly that morning, but someday intend to go back there for a vacation.
On to knitting. I worked on the Laurel Hill sweater during the trip, and finished both the front and back. Now it's on to Sleeve Island, nothing like Catalina Island, I'm sure. Maybe playing that song would make it go faster. Then again, maybe not.
I also got quite a bit done on the first of the Solar Energy socks. I wasn't quite certain that I liked this color once I started knitting, but it's growing on me. It's striping in a rather interesting fashion.
It's actually not quite that...yellow. It's more maize and khaki, with light purple and orange in the stripey part. I'll try to get the color better with the next, hopefully daylight, photo.
I'm also still working on a lace project, but it's gotten to that point where it just can't be photographed without looking like a blob. The last photo I took of the Forest Canopy shawl was way back in September. It's bigger than that now, but too big to spread out and get a decent photo. You'll just have to wait.
This week is a work week, so stay tuned for another post. Who knows if I'll get any knitting, or posting, done this week. All I have to say, is that it's cocktail hour here, with or without the martini flag.
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An addendum: One of my new favorite knitting blogs: TECHknitting; check it out!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 132.183.71.164 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 02/14/2007 04:32:31 AM Sounds like it was a lovely vacation. I know what you mean about the sunsets. I took bunches of sunrises. Because I could. And the same mountains, over and over, year after year, because they amaze me every time. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.194.58 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 02/14/2007 06:42:33 AM Gorgeous vacation pictures! I am impressed with the amount of knitting you accomplished during the vacation, good for you. Happy Valentine's Day to everyone at your house! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 02/14/2007 06:48:23 AM Thanks for the link to TECHknitting. I've been wrestling with an invisible join in a shawl, and those posts are helpful. In addition to those shown, I've done the kind of grafting that is described in Myrna Stahman's fine book on shawls. I think it makes an even "more invisible" join on the front, although it is trickier to weave in on the back. Laurel Hill is looking great. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.165 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 02/14/2007 07:23:32 AM You finished the front and the back of the sweater? Woo Hoo. How much seed stitch is on the sleeves????? Love the photos. That first one is breathtaking! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 02/14/2007 09:05:40 AM Those socks are fun! In the picture, it looks like they match your sunsets. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 216.43.250.146 URL: http://knit-knack.blog-city.com DATE: 02/14/2007 09:49:48 AM Looks like a wonderful trip. Love the buffalo pictures. I've always loved buffalo, they are so big and powerful. I'd really like to hug one. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 24.67.253.203 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 02/14/2007 11:42:17 AM Great pictures! I really like the yellow/maize sock - such a nice, happy colourway! :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 216.248.170.177 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com/verascraftyblog DATE: 02/14/2007 12:34:27 PM Great photos, and I love that sock! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: techknitter EMAIL: techknitting@hotmail.com IP: 76.210.60.74 URL: http://techknitting.blogspot.com DATE: 02/14/2007 05:18:58 PM Thanks for the kind comments--looks like you had a lovely vacation. Your yarn time line is a great idea! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 64.12.116.77 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 02/14/2007 07:42:39 PM Hey! Was that dude trying to touch your leg? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Tam EMAIL: journeytot@yahoo.com IP: 12.207.14.252 URL: http://thelessonlearned.typepad.com/knit_once_purl_forever/ DATE: 02/14/2007 10:58:44 PM Was that a cute real cowboy or a real cute cowboy? Two different things, you know! Great vacation photos, as usual! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 71.57.138.66 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 02/15/2007 03:14:37 AM Amazing sunset and all great pics! No yarn shop on Catalina? :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Holly Burnham EMAIL: hollyburnham@verizon.net IP: 71.254.12.14 URL: http://www.knittinghaven.com DATE: 02/15/2007 12:51:02 PM I love the socks you were wearing as you sat knitting on the bench with your new friend. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: janna EMAIL: janna.lawrence@gmail.com IP: 69.91.10.79 URL: http://knittingrelaxesme.blogspot.com DATE: 02/15/2007 07:13:30 PM I've read about Crystal Cove -- it sounds so neat, and it's just great that they're preserving that little piece of time. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Loralie EMAIL: Loralie@weknitonroutesixtysix.zzn.com IP: 72.213.128.55 URL: http://www.weknitonroutesixtysix.co.nr DATE: 02/21/2007 03:02:53 PM The sunset is beautiful and I am sure the vacation was tons of fun! I hope you had a spectacular time! The items you are knitting are very fun! Nice work! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Trains, Planes, and Knitting STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 02/12/2007 05:30:16 PM ----- BODY:
We're back from the Great California Train trip of 2007, and boy, do I have pictures. The trip was a blast, and I'd definitely do Amtrak again. We took the Coast Starlight from Tacoma to Los Angeles, then drove to Newport Beach, where we had a condo a little ways from the water. We flew home yesterday, and I finally sort of have my act together to post a few photos. We booked a "roomette" for the trip, which is two seats facing each other in a compartment that has a big window and a sliding door to the train corridor. At night, the two seats fold down for a single bed, and a bunk folds down from above for the second bed. We slept in this type of room the last time we were on Amtrak several years ago, and it is cramped but better than sleeping sitting up in a chair. The bathroom and shower are down the hall, and shared.
After we got on the train, we asked about upgrading to a larger compartment. Just as a tip, if you do this, you are definitely risking that there won't be a larger room available, especially during the busier travel seasons, but they quite frequently will upgrade you for much less than you would pay by booking it directly. Fortunately, they had one "luxury" compartment available all the way to LA, and we were first to ask. These rooms still have bunk beds, but the compartment is about twice the size, and has a bathroom/shower combo that is just barely big enough to stand up in and turn around to rinse off. It works, though. Here's the train pulling in to the Tacoma station:
The Coast Starlight route goes by the water through Tacoma, then cuts inland for awhile until you get into California. Much of the route through CA goes right by the water. Here's a view of both the new and old Tacoma Narrows Bridges. The one on the left is the new one, in the process of being built.
Here I am, settling in to the compartment for the long trip.
Of course, Sweetpea got to go along. That's John in the mirror of our compartment.
I did a little knitting in the observation car, along the coast.
The "first class" compartments (the cars with the sleepers) normally have a separate parlor car, which is supposedly pretty fancy, but they are all offline for renovation. We'll just have to plan another trip, I guess. They do have wine tasting on this route, every afternoon, for the "sleeper people". Here we are enjoying a glass.
All your meals are included when you book a sleeper. You get to share the table with another couple while you are eating, so we met some interesting people on the route. The Coast Starlight is notorious for being late, but it seems to be getting better. We were only about 90 minutes late getting into LA, but as this was strictly a pleasure jaunt, the time issue didn't bother us.
Here's a photo of the first sunset from the balcony of our condo.
Our first lunch was at the Crab Cooker, which is sort of an institution in Newport. Fortunately, it wasn't very busy when we were there.
We met up with friends from Germany that just happened to be in Newport on family business. It was purely coincidence, and we only found out that they were going to be there a week before we left home. Strange, indeed. They spent one night at our condo, and we had a couple of lunches together as well. We played a killer game of Mexican Train the night they stayed with us. Here's me concentrating.
I still lost. And don't let that water bottle worry you. The bourbon glass just didn't make it into the photo.
Guess where we ate?
Mmmmm. Two double-doubles, with cheese, and chocolate shakes. Worth the whole train trip, right there.
We walked on the beach:
We took a boat tour of the Newport Harbor:
...With our friends from Germany:
We saw more sunsets, this one on Laguna Beach:
I'll post the rest of the pictures later this week when I get them sorted out. There might also be a knitting update photo or two! How exciting!
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In even more exciting news, my friend Kris, the Knitting Wannabe, and her husband Dana have opened up an online yarn shop, Sonny and Shear.
Go, shop! I am on this crazy yarn fast, and can't shop again until the 15th, but I've got my credit card number memorized and I'm ready. Buy enough yarn to keep her in business. I am overjoyed to no end to have a friend who owns a real yarn shop. I need to get a sign that says "will work for yarn".
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dena Abella EMAIL: dena.abella@alaskaair.com IP: 131.191.35.84 URL: DATE: 02/12/2007 05:54:51 PM Hi Lorette, Great photos. I know where you ate without cheating! By the way, is that Pippa you are wearing along the boardwalk in Laguna? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Heather EMAIL: javagogo@sbcglobal.net IP: 75.3.235.107 URL: http://nursapalooza.blogspot.com/ DATE: 02/12/2007 06:47:24 PM Hey, you don't know me, but i just loved those photos, with you knitting in almost every single one, sooo reminds me of me, though there are no pics as evidence! I live in CA, near where you visited. Did a train trip many years ago in a little room, but loved it. Enjoy your blog. Heather ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 02/12/2007 07:09:52 PM Oh Lorette - you always take the best trips! I want to tag along! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 02/12/2007 07:10:01 PM Oh Lorette - you always take the best trips! I want to tag along! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: kmayers@gmail.com IP: 63.230.161.115 URL: http://vastamount.blogspot.com/ DATE: 02/12/2007 07:24:13 PM Oooh! Dan and I did the Coast Starlight up to Northern California for our honeymoon. That deluxe suite is pretty comfy and cozy, isn't it? The food was surprisingly good, too. The Newport pictures remind me of my childhood! So sunny there. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Robin EMAIL: robinsnest@kerrlake.com IP: 69.19.14.15 URL: http://www.fortheloveoffiber.typepad.com DATE: 02/12/2007 07:56:31 PM Your trip sounds and looks like it was wonderful!!! Great pictures! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 71.57.138.66 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 02/12/2007 08:27:13 PM Gorgeous pics!! What a fun trip, glad you had a blast! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 71.57.138.66 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 02/12/2007 08:27:13 PM Gorgeous pics!! What a fun trip, glad you had a blast! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 64.12.114.142 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 02/13/2007 04:19:45 AM Fabulous post! I'd never travel if not for you guys! Glad to hear there were no incidents with wine glasses either;) Your sweater and Hot Flash socks look great in action too! Sonny and Shear!!! What a riot! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 68.199.230.238 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 02/13/2007 05:31:44 AM OOh - looks like a great trip. I love all the pictures. What's the pattern for that lovely pink hooded sweater you're wearing on the train? It looks like a great sweater. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.82.110 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 02/13/2007 06:37:13 AM You take the best trips! I've always wanted to take a long train trip. All that knitting and relaxing time. Thanks for sharing the pictures. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Barbara-Kay EMAIL: bkseiver@yahoo.com IP: 68.11.200.108 URL: DATE: 02/13/2007 08:04:57 AM Great pictures and report! I took the Sunset Limited from New Orleans to LA for a grandchild's birth 5 years ago. I, too, flew back but that was a mistake. On the train, what you sleep through going one way, you see on the way back. I missed the Saguaro cactus and pueblos! I would go again in a minute! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karen EMAIL: karen@needlesandwool.com IP: 69.177.169.230 URL: http://needlesandwool.com DATE: 02/13/2007 08:57:37 AM I am so jealous of all the wonderful vacations you guys take! Looks fun! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ann EMAIL: fidgetknits@gmail.com IP: 12.47.123.121 URL: http://fidget.prettyposies.com DATE: 02/13/2007 10:01:28 AM That's a fantastic trip! Makes me want to seriously consider replicating it. And the crab cooker -- isn't that place a hoot? One of my best friends got married not far from there last year so we had to make the pilgrimage. But weren't you worried that your knitting would smell like fish?! :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jan from PA EMAIL: redsockmama@aol.com IP: 24.154.84.248 URL: http://redsockmama.blogspot.com DATE: 02/13/2007 10:27:05 AM I love your travelogues! When you retire, you can do it for us full time! You are so brave. I would fly to the ends of the earth, even to the moon, but I am terrified of trains. WElcome home! Jan in PA ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.165 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 02/13/2007 02:09:04 PM Great photos. Now I'm itchin' for a train ride and I somehow have the song Chattanooga Choo Choo stuck in my head!!! Looks like a wonderful trip. Thanks for posting the photos. Thanks for the shout out, too. You're the best! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sharon EMAIL: sharonslp@ameritech.net IP: 69.210.22.21 URL: http://sharonstuff.typepad.com/knitknacks DATE: 02/13/2007 04:28:16 PM Sounds like a perfect trip. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Teyani EMAIL: teyani@crownmountainfarms.com IP: 216.227.104.52 URL: http://www.intrepidfiberwizard.blogspot.com DATE: 02/13/2007 08:22:43 PM what lovely photos - it makes me want to go and hop right on a train - maybe I can do the murder mystery one as a quick fix :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Becky EMAIL: rebecca@moonfrog.com IP: 71.131.28.14 URL: http://www.moonfrog.com DATE: 02/13/2007 10:30:20 PM What a great trip. I did Amtrak the low-cost way many years ago. I loved it. Such a carefree way to travel. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Anna EMAIL: annasyarnmansion@gmail.com IP: 67.161.94.144 URL: http://annasyarnmansion.typepad.com DATE: 02/14/2007 09:52:32 AM I LOVE the pictures on Amtrak. I took the same route for my cousin's wedding in California and it was wonderful (unfortunately, I wasn't knitting then). It feels good to know that I'm not the only grown woman that loves stuffed animals. Looks like you guys had some serious fun! :-D ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kim EMAIL: knitswithasilentk@yahoo.com IP: 209.150.91.18 URL: http://knitswithasilentk.blogspot.com DATE: 02/14/2007 01:14:09 PM Thanks for the tips on Amtrak. The Coast Starlight goes right by me (both directions in theory meet here) and I'm shocked that your train was only 90 minutes late into LA. It's usually 2 or more hours late! I'd love to travel by sleeper someday. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: knitnana EMAIL: siameezercat@gmail.com IP: 70.183.189.103 URL: http://knitnana.blogspot.com DATE: 02/21/2007 06:36:49 AM What wonderful photos! It's looks like a phenominal trip, you look so relaxed and happy! I found some red/purple sock yarn from All Things Heather! Whee! Couldn't get any of the STR you had, tho' Love your yellow socks in progress! (((hugs))) ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: 26 Miles... STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 02/01/2007 08:58:23 PM ----- BODY:Romance, Romance, Romance, Romance
I couldn't resist...
**see the previous post, if this makes absolutely NO sense to you. Just so that song is stuck in your head, like it's in mine!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 64.203.58.223 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 02/01/2007 09:12:39 PM HA!!!! Just add the salt and rub! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sharon EMAIL: sharonslp@ameritech.net IP: 69.210.22.21 URL: http://sharonstuff.typepad.com/knitknacks DATE: 02/01/2007 11:05:13 PM At least you have a good reason for having that song stuck in your head. Funny...it's the first song I learned to strum on the guitar a bunch of decades ago. Thanks for the memories. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 71.57.138.66 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 02/02/2007 02:17:42 AM Have a great trip with lots of romance, romance, romance (and knitting and martinis -- your pony pearls can take it!) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.30.110 URL: http://www.the-ravelld.sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 02/02/2007 06:33:41 AM Oh yeah thanks a lot, I'll be hearing this for days now ... :-) Have a wonderful trip - I'm so jealous! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 72.33.88.27 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 02/02/2007 07:58:57 AM Love the song!! Why don't they do songs like this anymore?? Thanks for your comment on my blog about the mittens and using Macs with blogger. I'll follow your suggestion next time! Meanwhile, it's in the low single digits here in Wisconsin, with wind chill below zero. My mittens kept my hands nice and warm, but the Carribbean beach scene made me nice and warm inside. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.165 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 02/02/2007 02:39:18 PM I had never heard that song before today. Now it is stuck in my head. I can't make it stop. Have a great trip. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 68.199.230.238 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 02/03/2007 04:47:18 AM Aha. Now we know the rest of the story. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jita EMAIL: jita14@gmail.com IP: 59.95.46.112 URL: DATE: 02/07/2007 11:26:51 PM Since you mention Pony needles, I just had to share this wonderful incident in my life with you because it's about the HELPFUL PONY NEEDLES COMPANY.I live in India,and though people in the Northern parts where it is cold do knit a lot --thicker needles are not in demand and therefore not available.I live in the eastern part in a town called Pune near Mumbai and I love knitting shawls and scarves for family and friends on circular needle.When I could not find needles thicker than 6mm in PONY Needles which is the popular brand here I wrote to their factory in south India in the Nilgiri Hills.I said that I felt like an ARTIST WITH ONLY ONE PAINTBRUSH!!Within a couple of days I got a call and told that circular needles of 8mm,9mm 10mm and 12mm which were only made for the export market would be sent to their Mumbai outlet and then were couriered to me today on trust--and I will be sending them a cheque payment tomorrow. I feel so overwhelmed and grateful--for the PONY NEEDLE COMPANY went beyond their line of duty to help just one person who reached out to them :-)) love and light Jita ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: jennifer EMAIL: jennifer.wysokowski@saatchiny.com IP: 167.246.2.30 URL: DATE: 02/09/2007 07:45:14 AM Never heard that tune before--nice. "40 kil-o-meters in a leaky old boat..." Cute! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Excuses, Excuses STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 02/01/2007 06:31:56 PM ----- BODY:
Ahem. To explain further what happened in the previous post.
There were martinis involved. And wine. Then I decided to cast on for a new sock. I picked out a set of Brittany Birch double points, size 2.00 mm, and did a Twisted German cast on. If you've ever used this, you know it's a bit fiddly by itself. The first row after the cast on is even fiddlier. I started a cuff with 2 by 2 ribbing, and got all the way to the end of the round. Damn, I was off by 2 stitches. I went back and counted. I had counted right, it was just that somewhere along the line I threw in a 4 by 2 section. I ripped it out, started over. Got the cast on done, struggled through the first round, and was off again. I'd counted wrong that time. 3rd try. Cast on the right number, did the rib correctly, snapped the damn birch needle while finishing the last needle's worth of stitches. There you have it. That yarn is just seriously lucky that the whole mess didn't get pitched into the fireplace.
The good news is that Brittany has a needle replacement policy. They don't say anything on their website about exclusions for vodka-soaked knitting accidents, so I went ahead and emailed them. We'll see if they send me a new one.
The other good news? I got the sock off and running yesterday. I threw in the towel on the Twisted German cast on and ribbing, and did a plain long tail cast on and a picot cuff. I definitely would not recommend doing that really fiddly hemming row while drinking. I was stone sober when I did this:
You might also notice that I changed to much less breakable Pony Pearls for the remainder of the sock. This yarn is a little bit lighter than some fingering weight sock yarn, and I'll need to do the whole thing on the 2 mm size. I just didn't have the heart to subject any more Brittany needles to alcohol abuse.
Thanks for all the comments on the double-ended stitch markers, by the way. I'm working on a new-and-improved version, and will post a tutorial on how to make these at some point later this month.
I'm leaving on another little jaunt tomorrow, for a week. We are using a week of our timeshare in Newport Beach, California. As an aside, ever since my husband mentioned that Santa Catalina Island is off the coast of CA near there, that song has been running through my head. You know the one, well, at least you do if you're as old as I am. You know, "26 miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me. Santa Catalina, the island of romance, romance, romance, romance."
The really fun thing is that we're taking the train from here to there. We get on the Coast Starlight (incidentally, the Amtrak line with the worst on-time record) tomorrow AM, and get to LA late Saturday night. You know what that means, don't you?
Two (maybe three!) whole days of completely uninterrupted knitting time! We're taking the laptop along, so if we have wireless access while we're gone, I'll post, but otherwise I'll see you all in a week.
Excuse me, I need to go pack my knitting. And the martini shaker. They don't say anything about not being able to take one on the train.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lora EMAIL: glennandlora@comcast.net IP: 71.56.205.50 URL: DATE: 02/01/2007 07:32:51 PM Have you been to Catalina? If not, it's worth a trip across the sea to Avalon. I believe it was my husband's 40th birthday we spent there...a lovely little trip (at the time we lived near Pasadena). I wish your trip were next month when I will once again be living in southern California - I'd love to meet you! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lora EMAIL: glennandlora@comcast.net IP: 71.56.205.50 URL: DATE: 02/01/2007 07:32:53 PM Have you been to Catalina? If not, it's worth a trip across the sea to Avalon. I believe it was my husband's 40th birthday we spent there...a lovely little trip (at the time we lived near Pasadena). I wish your trip were next month when I will once again be living in southern California - I'd love to meet you! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dympna EMAIL: time4moretea@aol.com IP: 207.200.116.11 URL: DATE: 02/01/2007 07:40:46 PM You have to go to Catalina. I went there for my honeymoon and would love to go back again. Of course that was 25 years ago, but I think it is the same today and it was then. You can take the ferry over. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 64.203.58.223 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 02/01/2007 08:45:34 PM Oh, SURE!!!! Have a night like that and then escape to Catalina Island!!! I'm jealous ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Catherine EMAIL: cathdv@aol.com IP: 152.163.100.204 URL: http://cathelaine.typepad.com/lives_in_a_shoe/ DATE: 02/02/2007 09:22:32 AM This post and the Cautionary Tale are the funniest things I've read in a long time. I'll be down in S. California this Sunday through Thursday -- a family gathering at Disneyland. My junior and sophomore years in high school, my best friend's family rented a beach house at Newport for a whole month. I got to stay there too and it was blissful. I looked a couple of years ago and the house is still there. Do not forget your sunscreen. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 24.67.253.203 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 02/02/2007 09:37:03 AM Woo Hoo! You two have fun - please take lots of pictures for those of us stuck in a winter not-wonderland! :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 64.81.186.244 URL: http://tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 02/02/2007 10:31:24 AM I didn't know about the brittany policy - I've snapped one of mine too. Have fun on your trip! Am extremely jealous. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 02/03/2007 11:51:27 AM I hope you're having fun - it sounds like a wonderful break! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: LaBean EMAIL: ladybean@gmail.com IP: 71.249.77.137 URL: http://ladybean73.wordpress.com DATE: 02/04/2007 04:05:21 PM aww Crap. Broken needles. I did that once but I didn't know about the Brittany policy. I am hearby warned. Those bright pink socks are tasty-looking. :) Or is that toasty-looking? ;) Boy you sure do travel alot. Enjoy your trip!! Amtrak is highway robbery if you ask me. I can make the same trip(though with a connection and not non-stop) from NYC to Philly using public transit more 1/10th or less, the price of an Amtrak ticket round trip. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 02/04/2007 08:48:13 PM From the photo, you could have just as easily blamed the dog :) Li ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 65.222.58.23 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 02/08/2007 09:07:54 AM Have fun! Bring us back some FOs OK? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.250 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 02/11/2007 12:17:27 PM Hope you had a wonderful time! We were in Colorado, you must have chugged right on by. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Elspeth EMAIL: elspethm@gmail.com IP: 67.101.113.2 URL: http://knitv.com DATE: 02/18/2007 06:19:57 PM How did the Brittany thing turn out? I had had a broken Brittany needle a few years ago, and they ended up sending me a whole new set! I love Brittany! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Martinis and Knitting STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 01/31/2007 06:01:53 PM ----- BODY:Or, A Cautionary Tale, shown in photos.
+
=
+
The End.
*martini by John, mixologist
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sharon G. EMAIL: cocaknit@hotmail.com IP: 71.247.186.98 URL: http://imarried.jongilmore.com/blog/gimmesanity DATE: 01/31/2007 06:23:56 PM I sit here reading your post, a glass of zin in one hand and my pomatomus sock in the other, and I know that I should listen...I know that I should. put. the. sock. down. Ahh, but it is fun to drink and knit, no? Sorry about the KUI accident. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Riley EMAIL: tarheel67@comcast.net IP: 67.160.99.123 URL: DATE: 01/31/2007 06:34:13 PM If the guy who made your Martini gets credit, I certainly think the dog posing as a backdrop to that stupid yarn ball deserves mention! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 68.211.93.108 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 01/31/2007 06:50:09 PM Whoops. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer EMAIL: majorknitter@yahoo.com IP: 68.199.230.238 URL: http://www.majorknitter.typepad.com DATE: 01/31/2007 07:05:55 PM I vote for the following: The dog did it in the library with a dpn! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lara EMAIL: rhubarbandcustard@mac.com IP: 211.30.95.159 URL: http://lara.nettle.org/blog DATE: 01/31/2007 07:36:30 PM You get more points for each beer you drink at out S'nB. It's an added "degree of difficulty" thing. That is why we bring multiple projects of decreasing complexity.... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 71.57.138.66 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 01/31/2007 07:48:23 PM Pups don't let Mom's knit drunk :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: janna EMAIL: janna.lawrence@gmail.com IP: 69.91.10.79 URL: http://knittingrelaxesme.blogspot.com DATE: 01/31/2007 09:23:13 PM Oh, well... the yarn's still real pretty! ;-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lynn EMAIL: harperlynn@msn.com IP: 72.74.118.137 URL: http://linnetknits.blogspot.com/ DATE: 02/01/2007 05:02:59 AM Oopsie. Well, it's a good excuse to go to the LYS and get new needles and, well, you know, the embargoed stuff. Heh, heh. Yes, I'm evil. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.30.110 URL: http://www.the-ravelld.sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 02/01/2007 06:53:57 AM Well, at least you hadn't gotten very far ... (on the knitting, not the drink!) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 216.43.250.146 URL: http://knit-knack.blog-city.com DATE: 02/01/2007 07:44:29 AM Wow it even blurs the dog. hee hee ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.165 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 02/01/2007 07:48:00 AM Whoopsie? I think this might fall under the heading of "Friends don't let friends drink and knit"? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: margene EMAIL: zeneedle@gmail.com IP: 69.88.77.72 URL: http://zeneedle.typepad.com DATE: 02/01/2007 09:29:32 AM Ah, a two olive martini...just the way I like them;-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 24.67.253.203 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.typepad.com DATE: 02/01/2007 09:45:18 AM Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Thanks for the giggle - really, though, wasn't it worth it? :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karen EMAIL: karen@needlesandwool.com IP: 69.177.169.230 URL: http://needlesandwool.com DATE: 02/01/2007 09:56:49 AM Oops! Maybe you should have had bourbon. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karla EMAIL: dandkhensley@comcast.net IP: 24.11.26.8 URL: DATE: 02/01/2007 11:16:18 AM Ah, ART!!! Creative Juice ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Delia EMAIL: delia.ann@gmail.com IP: 129.8.26.85 URL: http://wineandneedles.blogspot.com DATE: 02/01/2007 11:23:51 AM Totally looks like something I would do!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 02/01/2007 12:40:16 PM Alas and alack! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: alice EMAIL: missalicefaye@hotmail.com IP: 128.36.26.84 URL: http://missalicefaye.com DATE: 02/01/2007 01:27:31 PM I know the dangers, but I still can't help mixing the drinking and the knitting. I'm sure it was the needle's fault, anyway. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 72.76.27.17 URL: http://www.chappysmom.com DATE: 02/01/2007 03:42:37 PM A cautionary tale for our times, to be sure!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 70.226.164.87 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 02/01/2007 06:05:38 PM Oh, I love the pink socks from yesterday and the yarn from today. As for the broken needle, I say you forgot about knitting after the martini and doggie ate the needle. Hmmmm, good story, however the needle got broken! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Amy EMAIL: amfilak@bsu.edu IP: 68.51.84.204 URL: http://www.indianaeponine.blogspot.com DATE: 02/07/2007 07:33:58 PM I'm reading this with a two martini vodka martini next me. Sorry about the sock. I've been there. A couple Stichn'Bitches have gone horribly wrong. Martinis and knitting just don't mix. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 65.222.58.23 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 02/08/2007 09:04:05 AM HA HA HA HA HA HA-Wait, I've done that without the second factor. oops ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: New Socks! New Yarn! Madrona! STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 01/30/2007 06:36:25 PM ----- BODY:
First, the new socks. I finished the hot pink babies earlier this afternoon, and here they are.
Note Lucy's feigned indifference. Here's another photo:
Specifications:
Yarn: Socks That Rock, lightweight, in Hotflash.
Pattern: basic top down, 2 by 2 ribbed cuff, stocking stitch, heel flap, etc. Nothing fancy, but it works. I use a Twisted German cast on, just because I like how it looks.
Needles: Ivore, 2mm for the cuff, 2.25mm for the rest.
Started: A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away. (Sometime in October, for crying out loud.)
Finished: Today.
What I learned: I'm still not bored by a plain vanilla sock pattern. I have tons of sock patterns, and don't ever use them. Every time I start a new pair of socks, I look through them all, and end up making one just like this. Socks are my carry-around-to-knit-in-public project, and the thing I pick up when I only have time for two stitches and nothing more. You can gauge how busy my life has been by how long it takes me to complete the socks. It's been a busy few months for me.
Here are two photos to show you my latest stitch marker invention. I'm always on the lookout for ways to keep track of gusset and toe decreases (I don't use stitch markers for socks except for those parts). I used to use two markers of different colors linked together, but came up with this:
It's a two-colored double-ended stitch marker! When I get to the beginning of the round, I turn the marker upside down. If the top bead is red, that means that the round I'm working needs decreases. If it's green, I just knit around straight. Very ingenious, if I do say so myself.
What's next on the sock knitting agenda? I just reached into the bag* and came up with this:
It's Dicentra Designs, in Solar Energy. In real life it looks more orange and purple. Because you can't have too many orange and purple socks. This looks to be a bit finer weight than the STR, I am even contemplating trying it on 2mm needles. Guess what pattern I'll be using? Yup, same thing. I'm not even looking through that stack over there. For a change I'll use a different brand of needles, so I don't get bored.
Last but not least, Madrona. I went again for a few hours on Saturday, to knit and shop. I used my "free" yarn day** and bought some lovely things. I also met up with some lovely knitters in the lobby and had a little knit-in. Let's see; Stephanie, Kris, Ryan and TMK, Rebecca, Saralyn. I think that's all the blog-people. There were many other apparently blogless people there knitting, and one guy who sat there all afternoon with his laptop. I never did figure him out. He wasn't knitting, he didn't look at all interested in picking up knitters, maybe he just randomly picked the Sheraton to hang out.
Now, I know what you really want to see. The yarn. It's all about the yarn. When I cave and go shopping, I don't screw around. Looky here.
The whole yarn pile:
What's in that mix, you ask? First up, some Sea Silk. I've been coveting that yarn forever, but wasn't about to pay that price without being able to touch the stuff. One touch, it was in my shopping bag. There are many more colors that are flashier, but this cream stuff just makes my mouth water. It's the color of English clotted cream.
The color in the second picture is more like the real thing. This will be a lace shawl someday.
That's Blue Moon Fiber Arts Bambu, in Henpecked. For a lacy stole.
More BMFA, this time Seduction sock yarn, in Downpour. This is a simply divine merino/tencel blend. I wasn't the only one that got sucked in at the BMFA stand, by the way. It was nearly a stampede.
This is more sock yarn, because as we all know, sock yarn doesn't count. This is Monarch merino sport weight, in Red Hat. More purple.
Don't any of you dare email my husband and tell him how much all this cost. As far as he knows, yarn is yarn, Sea Silk and Encore are interchangeable. Let's keep it that way, eh? Can I count on you?
It's martini time again! Until next time...
*Okay, okay, the sock stash isn't in a bag, it's a whole stinking closet. You know what I mean.
** Free Yarn Day, from YFC. Link is above.
This is what sock laundry day looks like at my house:
For the record, I do my socks in the washer. I throw them in on the delicate cycle, and they mostly do OK. Our washer and dryer are on their last go-around, and I've told my spouse that I don't care about any other features for a new one, it has to have a handknit cycle.
I went to Madrona last night to hear the Yarn Harlot (do I really need to link to her?) speak about charity knitting. Of course I took my charity knitting:
Yes Kris, those are different needles than I started it on. I got about 5 inches done last night, got home, decided the fabric was much too stiff, ripped out, started over. Repeat as necessary. The yarn is Beaverslide Dry Goods, their 2 ply fisherman weight 100% wool yarn. The color is Alpine Fir. I have a bunch of lone skeins of worsted and heavy worsted weight yarn in the stash that is perfect for Dulaan hats, mittens, and scarves. This will be a scarf.
We had dinner at a little Thai restaurant just up the street from the convention center. The place was packed with knitters, most of them knitting. There was a line waiting for tables, most of them knitting. I can't imagine what the people that run that place must have thought. In my ideal alternate universe, this is what every restaurant would look like. Of course I forgot my camera. I sat beside Fiona Ellis at the knitting bee, and she was wearing that lovely cabled hoodie, Celtic Icon*, from her book, Inspired Cable Knits. I wanted to steal it. I didn't think she'd want to trade for the 5 inches of ribbed scarf I had on the needles, so I kept my mouth shut, and just sat there and envied it. Once again, no photos, as the camera was at home.
Tonight she is talking at a free session about the Knitter's Muse. Unfortunately, for some reason that escapes me**, I signed up for an extra work shift, so I can't go. I'm going tomorrow just to sit in the lobby of the Sheraton and knit with all the other people that didn't get around to signing up for classes. Come on out and join us if you're in the neighborhood!
*Does anybody else think that this sweater would look better just in one color? Even with the subtler color scheme used in the book, I think I'd like it better in all one color.
**Oh yeah, my husband reminds me that it's to pay down the yarn debt. Now I remember.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: monica EMAIL: cmnappe@yahoo.com IP: 207.154.85.2 URL: http://passionknit.net DATE: 01/26/2007 01:35:10 PM That sweater would definitely look better as a solid color. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 01/26/2007 01:47:05 PM What a cool evening, even without commemorative photos. You need a jabba for sock drying: http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=12&langId=-1&catalogId=10103&productId=58675 ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 72.76.27.17 URL: http://www.chappysmom.typepad.com DATE: 01/26/2007 03:17:31 PM Oh wow, I hadn't even SEEN that two-color Celtic Icon. I kind of hate it in two colors! The pattern in her book--which is what I have--only shows one color, a medium purple, and it looks fabulous . . . and is the reason I'm making it. If I'd seen that 2-color version first . . . ick! See? http://chappysmom.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/img_1702.JPG And, how funny, I was talking about sock washing last night, too! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 70.226.137.192 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 01/26/2007 03:22:23 PM Good book report yesterday!! I love your socks. I also wash my socks in the machine, but at a normal cycle with other wash. I place them in a zipped mesh bag, and then dry them on a rack. My very nice washingmachine is in the basement in the yucky furnace/hot water heater/spare refrig room. I can't bear to go down there for a separate wash for the socks!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Becky EMAIL: rebecca@moonfrog.com IP: 71.131.28.14 URL: http://www.moonfrog.com DATE: 01/26/2007 03:52:17 PM What a fine sock collection you have! Sounds like you've had a good time lately. I do think the hoodie would look better in one color, or in shades of one color. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 63.164.145.198 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 01/26/2007 04:04:21 PM All those socks are pretty awesome. Isn't it fun to have colorful handmade socks? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: janna EMAIL: janna.lawrence@gmail.com IP: 69.91.10.79 URL: http://knittingrelaxesme.blogspot.com DATE: 01/26/2007 04:47:05 PM Totally off-topic -- but where did you find the ticker that counts up? I got mine from TickerFactory, too, but could only find the ones that count down..... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Ingrid EMAIL: ihendy@umich.edu IP: 68.73.199.255 URL: http://saltwater_purls.typepad.com/my_weblog/ DATE: 01/26/2007 05:21:31 PM Wow you recognised a knit designer! and you knew what design she was wearing! But in a thai restaurant where everyone was knitting it must have been quite unsurprising. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.82.110 URL: http://missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 01/26/2007 05:55:41 PM How did I miss that the Yarn Harlot was coming to Washington? Well, I probably couldn't have gone anyway. Sounds like a terrific time - glad you got to bask in all that knitterly goodness. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sharon EMAIL: sharonslp@ameritech.net IP: 69.210.22.21 URL: http://sharonstuff.typepad.com/knitknacks DATE: 01/26/2007 07:36:17 PM I wash my socks in the shower when I wash my hair. Easy care. Last time I got brave and did them in the washing machine, I had to reweave in some ends! But I don't have a delicate cycle. What fun seeing the Harlot. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 152.163.100.204 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 01/26/2007 08:51:59 PM I think one color would do nicely, there's alot to the pattern itself. Steal the sweater? You should have stolen Fiona! Imagine the possibilities;) We never get the fun stuff here and the weather is so darned perfect right now! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 71.57.138.66 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 01/27/2007 01:22:25 AM I vote for a single colored sweater too! And I love your version of an alternate universe where everyone knits! I don't know if I'd want my socks clipped on that Jaba thingy but I use one of those smallish wooden folding dryers. That way you can store it when not in use and hang all your socks over the rungs so they don't stretch out while they dry (and your bathtub can get back in play!) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.194.58 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 01/27/2007 07:08:57 AM I love the photo with all of the socks lined up! I also like the color of the scarf you are knitting, as green is a fave of mine. And oh my God YES that sweater should not be in two colors!! (Or at a minimum, not those two colors ...) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 216.107.225.128 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 01/27/2007 07:36:57 AM Madrona in your backyard? *envy* ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 24.67.253.203 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.blogspot.com DATE: 01/27/2007 02:55:07 PM Look at all those socks - how wonderful! I definitely feel different when I wear handknit socks, like I'm pampering myself. Right now, I only have one pair for myself (and I kind of felted them this week, sigh). I guess I'd better get busy! :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bonne Marie EMAIL: stashout@gmail.com IP: 75.57.201.168 URL: http://www.chicknits.com DATE: 01/27/2007 03:48:36 PM Those socks look scrumptious! I love sock washing day - I do them in the washer too - Only difference? I let them swish for 10 counts then soak. I have a craptastic apartment size washer that chews things even on *gentle*. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.165 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 01/28/2007 03:00:15 PM I agree with you, that sweater needs to be all one color. Matter of fact, that little two-toned version looks awful. I notice that Ms. Ellis's version was all one color. I like the focus being on the cables, not the colors. Hey John.... yarn debt? There's no such thing as a yarn debt in this world. Wise man once said "turning blind eye to increasing stash results in happy wife". ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: jean-anne EMAIL: ja_mcquarrie@hotmail.com IP: 205.189.242.144 URL: DATE: 01/28/2007 10:02:21 PM When did you guys get Willie? I read you off and on, mostly a lurker. To me, he just suddenly showed up in January. I orginally started reading you because Lucy reminded me of my cat Lawrence. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marjorie EMAIL: knitter_marge@mac.com IP: 216.179.73.174 URL: http://primetimeknitter.typepad.com DATE: 01/29/2007 08:50:21 AM I'm still too chicken to wash handknits in the washer, even though mine has so many options for gentle that I shouldn't be. I handwash everything. When you decide on a washer, keep in mind that it is easier to felt in a top loader. I got one of those fancy energy efficient front loaders, and felting is possible, but it isn't as convenient. It also isn't really possible to fill the washer and let things soak, as some shawl patterns suggest. I do this in my bathtub. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: lisa Co. Springs EMAIL: knitnurse@msn.com IP: 70.56.233.235 URL: http://1blacksheep.wordpress.com/ DATE: 01/29/2007 07:14:52 PM Madrona....when I lived close enough to go I had no idea it existed, and now that I do, I'm 1100 stinking miles away. just my luck :( ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stephanie EMAIL: stephaniepearl@sympatico.ca IP: 74.12.96.123 URL: http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog DATE: 01/30/2007 10:46:19 AM Fiona's work is beautiful, isn't it? It was a lovely dinner Lorette, nice to see you, nice to look out in the audience and see your face, and nice to be able to tell Joe I don't have wrist cancer. Always a pleasure ma'am. Always a pleasure. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karen EMAIL: karen@needlesandwool.com IP: 71.234.7.134 URL: http://needlesandwool.com DATE: 01/30/2007 02:57:57 PM I do all my socks in the washer too. Mine are holding up fine except for the Bearfoot ones. They seem to be felting. I dry mine flat like you too, except they have to be matched up into pairs. I am weird like that. :) ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: TBR: 1 Down, 11 To Go STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 01/24/2007 12:58:40 PM ----- BODY:
I finished the first book in the TBR list that I came up with a few posts ago. I've decided to do "book reports" to keep a record of what I've read, as well as my thoughts on the individual books. If you're interested in a knitting post, check back next time. It will just be more pink knitting, anyway.
All Souls' Rising, by Madison Smartt Bell, is the first of a trilogy of novels about the slave revolt in Haiti in the 1790's. I found this to be a difficult read, for a number of reasons. First, it deals with a period of history that I knew little or nothing about. The book just jumps into the story, without a lot of expository passages to tell you what's been going on. In Bell's defense, he includes a chronology in the back of the book, but for those of us not familiar with this event, it involves a lot of flipping back and forth. The story takes place at the time of the French Revolution. Haiti was a French colony at the time, and slavery was a central part of the economy. From the accounts in the book, it was also an extremely barbaric place. The revolutionary fervor spread to the colony of Haiti, and ultimately led to an uprising of all people of color on the island, slaves and free mulattos alike. The history is rather convoluted, and even after finishing the first book in the series, I'm not entirely clear as to all the events that took place. I'm also unfamiliar enough with the history to know how much of the book is factual, and how much fictional license Bell took with the story. This article clears up some of the historical confusion, and will be very helpful in keeping up with the narrative.
The other difficulty I had with the book is the level of violence. There are some horrific passages describing both the actions of the rebellious slaves as well as the colonial planters and how they treated their slaves. At times I had to set this book aside for a few days, and I'm not really a wimp when it comes to blood and gore in books or movies. Having made it through the first volume, I'd have to say that his portrayal of the violence is probably necessary, as it really is an essential part of the story line.
A third thing that was more of an annoyance and a personal preference than a "difficulty" was Bell's use of foreign phrases. He uses both French and Creole terms fairly liberally throughout the book. There is a "Devil's Dictionary" in the back, but again, it involves some annoying flipping around to define terms in the text. A lot of the French passages aren't translated, which frustrates me in general.
Having said all that, I would recommend this book. It's generally well-written, and the characters are interesting. Toussaint, the slave who ultimately becomes the leader of the revolt, was probably the character who seemed the most wooden to me, especially early on in the book. His character reads more like a legend (which he was) than a real flesh-and-blood human.
Another slave, Riau, was far more riveting. He seems to be a more sincere character, if rarely likeable. The charactor of Antoine Hebert, the French doctor caught up in the events of the revolution, was my favorite. He travels to Haiti, right as the slave revolt is beginning, to straighten out the affairs of his deceased plantation-owner brother-in-law. He also is on a mission to find his sister, who has disappeared from the plantation with her young child.
The first volume in the trilogy ends during the summer of 1793, when the town of Le Cap is looted and burned by the slave rebels. I am interested enough in the fictional characters in the first volume to have already started the second in the series, "Master Of The Crossroads". My "one-a-month" reading plan is probably going to get off track fairly quickly. Not only is this one a three-volume series, but the next on my list is "Niccolo Rising", the first volume in an 8-volume series, "The House Of Niccolo", by Dorothy Dunnett. While I'll certainly get 12 books read this year (historically I read many more than that in a year!), it may not end up being the 12 from the list.
Next time: pink knitting, maybe some not-pink knitting, Madrona, and knitting in public!
Just a quick post to show my "Tuesday Sky". What a difference from the photo yesterday.
Yes, that's the same lake. With sunshine. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't rain all the time in the Pacific Northwest. It's actually not the rain that gets to you, it's the gloomy, gray skies, day after day, all winter. Every once in awhile we get one of these (the weather guy calls them "sunbreaks"), and it tides us over through another month of gray days. I have a feeling that this particular sunbreak isn't going to last long, as the sky is mostly clouds, but I can enjoy it while it lasts.
So what am I going to do with that glorious sun? Well, it's still only in the low 40's outside, so I might just look at it from the comfort of my knitting chair. This is one of my "off" weeks in my work schedule, so I plan on getting lots of knitting done. I might even get dressed at some point today.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.194.58 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 01/23/2007 12:08:21 PM That's a beautiful photo! Do you live near that lake - as in, is the photo from your house/front yard or something? Wait, maybe I don't really want to know ... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 01/23/2007 12:09:38 PM Getting dressed is over rated. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Mandy EMAIL: ruby_banshee@yahoo.com IP: 24.22.6.142 URL: http://www.rubybanshee.com DATE: 01/23/2007 12:14:15 PM I'm doing pretty much the same thing down in Portland. I can actually see Mount Hood again! And I'm on a rotation where I actually see sunlight when it's there (hint: off-service after 7 straight months of obstetrics)! And worrying about how my second Pomatomus sock may have a different colored yarn; curse cuff-down and the running out of yarn dread. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karen EMAIL: karen@needlesandwool.com IP: 71.234.7.134 URL: http://needlesandwool.com DATE: 01/23/2007 04:12:38 PM Now why would you go and get dressed if you didn't have to? Stay in your jammies! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.165 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 01/23/2007 04:37:40 PM Isn't the weather today FAN-FREAKIN'-TASTIC~! It actually got up to 58 here at the house (remember when I used to live in Florida and I used to think 58 was freezin' cold? It's all about perspective, Baby!) Great photo. AG and I had to head outdoors. I actually let her stay up late from her nap. Couldn't waste all that sunshine and warmish weather by staying inside. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 71.57.138.66 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 01/23/2007 06:52:10 PM Enjoy your jammies and that beautiful sky while you can Lorette! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.82.110 URL: http://www.missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 01/23/2007 07:54:58 PM Sigh - I had to watch the sunbreaks through my office window. But Saturday was gorgeous and Hester and I got out for a much needed walk. Those nice days do help make up for the gloom, though. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laura from beautiful West Michigan EMAIL: lerounds@sbcglobal.net IP: 207.74.23.67 URL: http://laurelleaf.typepad.com/the_laurel_leaf/ DATE: 01/24/2007 04:59:30 AM West Michigan tends to have lots of cloudy winter days also, so I can relate somewhat to the Northwesterners. I've heard sunbreaks called "sucker holes", I'm assuming because you're a sucker if you think the sun will stay out! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Singular Stitches EMAIL: singularstitches@hotmail.com IP: 64.238.49.65 URL: http://singularstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 01/24/2007 10:50:27 AM You probably already know about and subscribe to this podcast, but from reading your blog, bluegrass intrigued me and happened upon the Bluegrass and Old Time Music Radio Show podcast on iTunes and listened in. What fun music!! In case you haven't seen this one yet, here's the podcast's blogsite: http://radio.surberstation.com/podcast.html ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 64.203.58.223 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 01/25/2007 06:23:43 PM yea, sun picture! gosh, I think I'd have a hard time...but it's so pretty there! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Pink Knitting STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 01/22/2007 04:17:58 PM ----- BODY:
First, I joined Rebakah's Yarn Focus Challenge again this year. That's what the newest ticker is all about up there. So far, so good, though Madrona is this weekend, so I'm betting that one of my "free" days gets used up.
In pink knitting, I'm still working on those pink STR socks. The last few months have been sort of hopeless on the knitting front around here. I've made it to my "weekly" knitting night maybe twice, and haven't started (or finished!) a project in ages. I made a bit of progress on these last night while catching up on Desperate Housewives and Battlestar Galactica.
A few more episodes worth of knitting, is what I'd guess. What we need around here is a good bluegrass festival, with lots of knitting time. (Guess what's coming up, soon!)
And more pink:
That's Cotton Ease, from the stash. It's a swatch, in case you hadn't guessed. I can't tell you what it's for, as it's for a baby-on-the-way*, and her mom occasionally reads the blog. All I have to say is that they better be right about it being a girl. And that color is pretty accurate. It really is that shade of pink.
Here's something I found on the camera that's most decidedly not pink.
That's Will. Isn't he a handsome boy? Though I think he looks a little grumpy there, I must have woke him up for the photo.
Last but not least, my Monday Sky. I've missed Saturday Sky countless times, and usually don't think about it until I'm making the blog rounds and see everybody else's pictures. Yes, it really is that gloomy around here today.
I prefer to think of that as five days early, not two days late.
*See previous post. This is the Mystery Knitting Project For Baby Riley. Hereafter known as MKPFBR. Angie, I hope you like Pepto Pink!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 4.84.14.56 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 01/22/2007 08:46:58 PM Those STR pink socks are great. I have that yarn, and for now, I just like looking at it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 71.57.138.66 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 01/22/2007 10:37:42 PM You sky is just about the total opposite of mine :) You've been knitting those socks forever Lorette!! I know, cause I knit them too! Your Willie is indeed a handsome dude! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.194.58 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 01/23/2007 07:31:56 AM Will is quite handsome ... I'll bet he would contrast quite nicely with the pink (except then everyone would think he was a sissy, I guess.) The socks are looking good! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karen EMAIL: karen@needlesandwool.com IP: 69.177.169.230 URL: http://needlesandwool.com DATE: 01/23/2007 08:32:59 AM I love the pink socks! It's such a great shade of pink. I haven't had much knitting progress these days either. But my wheel is smokin! :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: ReeBecki@gmail.com IP: 65.203.232.102 URL: http://reebeckisupergirl.blogspot.com DATE: 01/23/2007 09:46:30 AM Can't wait to see you at Madrona! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebecca EMAIL: ReeBecki@gmail.com IP: 65.203.232.102 URL: http://reebeckisupergirl.blogspot.com DATE: 01/23/2007 09:46:31 AM Can't wait to see you at Madrona! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 70.226.137.192 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 01/23/2007 09:47:27 AM Love those pinks!!! My socks are all looking pretty drab these days. You have inspired me to brighten up!! I admire your dedication to controlling yarn purchases. On the other hand, you can see your purchases as supporting the knitting industry and the yarn shop owners, who are not getting rich!! Acquiring yarn is really a harmless addiction--if you aren't spending food and morgage money--and it can be a decorators item if you have nice display shelves!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 01/23/2007 11:20:56 AM Will IS a very handsome kitty! Those socks are BRIGHT - I don't think a person could be sad while wearing those. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 216.43.250.146 URL: http://knit-knack.blog-city.com DATE: 01/23/2007 11:50:08 AM Will does look quite serious in that post, like he's contemplating the meaning of life and how superior cats really are to dogs. That's a lot of pink. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Knitnana EMAIL: siameezercat@gmail.com IP: 70.183.189.103 URL: http://knitnana.blogspot.com DATE: 01/25/2007 12:22:18 PM You go girl - the Yarn Focus Challenge was a blast last year! And I ADORE those pink STR socks! hmm...sock yarn doesn't count in Knit From Your Stash 2007...lolol! Will is a very serious kitty...and very pretty! (((hugs))) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Theresa EMAIL: knittingunderway@gmail.com IP: 159.71.254.248 URL: http://knittingunderway.blogspot.com DATE: 01/25/2007 05:12:46 PM Cotton Ease is great - that'll be a great baby project . . . whatever it is :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 64.203.58.223 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 01/25/2007 06:22:07 PM kind of like on Mutts comic with the cat's Pink Sock...my first thought. THIS is pink. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Blog Update, Finally STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 2 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 01/17/2007 06:18:25 PM ----- BODY:We're back from Arizona, just in time for more rain, snow, and ice. Ick. I am just ready for some nice weather. I'd even take some not-so-nice weather, as long as the ice was gone from my driveway.
The trip was lovely. It was warm and sunny in Phoenix, and we celebrated all the missed holidays in style. The first photo sort of sums up the week: wine, dominos, and knitting.
There was some serious Mexican Train competition that went on all week. We paused long enough to have a baby shower for my niece, Angie, who is due to give birth in April.
Note that there was bourbon involved. Now that's my kind of baby shower. She is having a girl, and is naming her, and I'm not kidding about this, Riley. They swear that they're not naming her after my dog. No matter, Riley the dog is quite excited about it.
Don't let that photo fool you. She really is pretty excited.
To sum up the week since we got back: I worked all week, didn't knit much. We got iced and snowed in (it doesn't take much around here), and John drove to Kansas to help a friend move there. They drove a van there with all her belongings, then he flew back, getting sidetracked by weather and not arriving until 1:20 AM. After working a 15 hour day on Monday, I drove to the airport at midnight to get him. Tuesday I woke up with a cold. I hate being sick. That about covers it.
I also have a candidate for Customer Service Award for 2007. Sometime last year (I think it was in the early summer) I bought a knitting bag from Jordana Paige. It's a lovely little thing, and I used it for a couple of months, until the metal ball clasp broke off the top of the bag. It sat around in my pantry for the past three or four months, and I finally got tired of tripping over it. I wasn't sure that she would be able to do much about it, as I'd had it for awhile, but I emailed her and told her my sob story. She replied promptly (within hours!), telling me to pack it up and send it back. The UPS man brought me a new one today, at no charge. Lovely! It's a beautiful bag, and very functional. Go check out her website, and get one of your very own. It comes in lots of lovely colors and styles. Here's mine:
I'm off to get a bourbon and water. For medicinal purposes, of course, for my cough.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@sbcglobal.net IP: 69.231.143.253 URL: http://knittogether.blogspot.com DATE: 01/17/2007 06:49:33 PM I was just looking at those bags on line yesterday. Good to know she has excellent customer service! Feel better soon :o) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Riley EMAIL: tarheel67@comcast.net IP: 67.160.99.123 URL: DATE: 01/17/2007 07:05:55 PM Humph..... at least you could post a picture of me without a CAT in it! Your dog, Riley ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.82.110 URL: http://www.missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 01/17/2007 07:38:13 PM Here's hoping you brought some better weather back with you. It's supposed to warm up next week. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 01/17/2007 08:09:43 PM Glad you had fun but not so glad that you're feeling crummy! Hope you're back to being yourself soon. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Tam EMAIL: journeytot@yahoo.com IP: 12.207.14.252 URL: http://thelessonlearned.typepad.com/knit_once_purl_forever/ DATE: 01/17/2007 09:03:16 PM Medicinal purposes my @$$! Great bag! And what a sweet picture of Riley! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marti EMAIL: bzyknit@yahoo.com IP: 24.19.170.84 URL: http://www.midgeling.com/weebug/blog DATE: 01/18/2007 12:06:52 AM great picture of riley! i hope you are feeling better soon. btw, your bep soup was wonderful! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 216.158.30.110 URL: http://www.the-ravelld.sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 01/18/2007 06:22:16 AM I think in the picture, it's clear that Riley was so overcome with happiness, that a nap was needed ... ;-) My mother was a great one for using alcohol for medicinal purposes. Once I shocked a friend's mother during a sleepover when I asked if she would leave a glass of wine next to the bed so if I woke up coughing, I could take a drink of it ... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Catherine EMAIL: cathdv@aol.com IP: 205.188.117.11 URL: http://cathelaine.typepad.com/lives_in_a_shoe/ DATE: 01/18/2007 09:56:03 AM Dominos! I haven't played in years. The summer when I was 12-to-13 I played dominos to exhaustion. When I read the word "dominos" in your post, ka-wham -- I could hear the click of the pieces and the A.M. radio jingle ("KFWB. Channel 98), and almost feel the warm southern California summer of long ago. Proust with his madeleines got nothing on me, dude. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 70.226.137.192 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 01/18/2007 11:30:55 AM Ohhh, great stylish knitting bag. And, great baby shower! We finally got snow and ice here in Wisconsin and we are thrilled--real winter at long last. Wax the x-c skis!!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: LaBean EMAIL: ladybean@gmail.com IP: 71.249.57.185 URL: http://ladybean73.wordpress.com DATE: 01/18/2007 11:38:27 AM Sounds like you had a great trip! I've never heard of a babyshower so far in advance.. But the idea of celebrating all the missed holidays at once is smart! Riley should seriously calm down. I hope you feel better real soon!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 72.145.237.233 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 01/18/2007 11:51:24 AM Nice bag. Hope you feel better soon! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 216.248.170.177 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com/verascraftyblog DATE: 01/18/2007 12:54:43 PM That's a very sweet bag, and there's nothing like good customer service. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 132.183.71.164 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 01/18/2007 03:20:50 PM Good to hear a nice customer service story. Hope the medicinal alcohol does the trick. I'm sure the antimicrobial properties will do what's necessary. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 01/18/2007 04:46:24 PM I have a cold, too, so you have my utmost sympathy. My brother has a black cat named Riley! She's Chaos' mom and came from the Life of Riley resort in northern MN. Just for some more Riley trivia.... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 205.188.117.11 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 01/18/2007 07:18:17 PM Just when I think I've seen everything. If Dolly finds out Riley has his own email, she crap all over the place. Welcome back and glad you had a great time. No pass the- - - - cough cough cough cough ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.165 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 01/18/2007 11:21:16 PM I didn't know you played Mexican Train. Dana's folks taught me how to play that game and I love it! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 24.67.253.203 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.blogspot.com DATE: 01/19/2007 01:07:12 PM Welcome home! Mmmmm, a baby shower with bourbon sounds pretty sweet to me! :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Barb in Texas EMAIL: mamamiau@yahoo.com IP: 207.126.217.112 URL: DATE: 01/19/2007 01:15:06 PM Ha! I bought one of those bags about a month ago and am stil struggling with keeping the knitting stuff separated from the purse stuff. I must be doing something wrong -- like carrying too much purse stuff. Seriously -- did you end up buying lots of extra little pouches to hold the Purse Stuff? Keys seem particularly lethal -- I was for some reason expecting the pockets built in to be more functional. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: delia EMAIL: delia.ann@gmail.com IP: 129.8.26.85 URL: http://wineandneedles.blogspot.com DATE: 01/24/2007 02:00:49 PM I freaking love Mexican Train. Full on verbal assults have taken place during playing of this game at my abode. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Reading, 2007 STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 01/04/2007 04:14:08 PM ----- BODY:I'm blogging this from Arizona, where it hasn't rained in, oh, at least 24 hours. The sun is shining, I haven't had a wool sweater on since I got here, and there has been plenty of bourbon consumed. I suppose I might get bored living someplace where the weather stayed the same all the time, but at least it wouldn't be rain all the time.
I joined TBR (To Be Read) as part of my NY resolution to read more. Here's my list.
TBR List for 2007
Madison Smartt Bell, All SoulsÕ Rising
Dorothy Dunnett, Niccolo Rising
Louise Erdrich, The Master Butchers Singing Club
Margaret Atwood, The Robber Bride
A. S Byatt, Babel Tower
Carolyn Chute, Merry Men
Sebastian Faulks, Birdsong
Guy Gavriel Kay, Sailing To Sarantium
Peter Matthiessen, Lost ManÕs River
Nuala OÕFaolain, My Dream Of You
Joyce Carol Oates, The Falls
Orhan Pamuk, Snow
12 books, 12 months. These were chosen randomly from my shelves. I would note that a few of them are "firsts" in their series (the Bell, Dunnett, and Kay books), so I may end up sidetracked. Whatever. (Deb, note that Niccolo made the list!)
And,
An Alternate List, in case of fast reading, or if I despise a book and canÕt finish it.
Italo Calvino, If on a winterÕs night a traveler
John Updike, In the Beauty Of The Lilies
Ahdaf Soueif, The Map Of Love
Jane Smiley, Moo
John Cowper Powy, A Glastonbury Romance
Sarah Orne Jewett, The Country Of the Pointed Firs
Wallace Stegner, All The Little Live Things
If you want to join, there's a Yahoo group. The rules are that you choose 12 books that have been hanging around your house collecting dust, and read them over 12 months. There are prizes along the way for those who keep up. They have to be new-to-you books, not re-reads. I think I can find 12 from that list that will work for me in the coming year.
Oh, and you have to sign up by the end of this month, or you're out of luck.
And now it's cocktail hour. Until next time...
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Amy EMAIL: amycrea@comcast.net IP: 75.73.176.149 URL: http://www.knitthink.typepad.com DATE: 01/04/2007 05:10:00 PM Oooh, the Erdrich and Atwood books are among my all-time favorites. I haven't read that Stegner...I so loved his Angle of Repose that I haven't read anything else by him, afraid they'd disappoint. Have a bourbon for me! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bets EMAIL: eswss@aol.com IP: 205.188.117.11 URL: http://stitchesmayvary.blogspot.com DATE: 01/04/2007 06:21:33 PM I did this a couple of years ago on my own, time to get back to it with this great group idea. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Gina EMAIL: gberthold@gmail.com IP: 24.63.217.99 URL: http://gamecockdoc.blogspot.com DATE: 01/04/2007 06:50:17 PM What a good idea; there are so many books on my shelves I've been meaning to read. You've got a nice list. Birdsong is one of my favorite books. I read it right after visiting WWI battlefields in France and it just seemed so real to me. Hope you enjoy it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 72.76.27.17 URL: http://www.chappysmom.typepad.com DATE: 01/04/2007 07:26:23 PM I DID notice that Niccolo was on there! Woohoo! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathryn EMAIL: knittsings@mac.com IP: 24.19.101.94 URL: http://web.mac.com/knittsings/iWeb/knittsings/knittsings/knittsings.html DATE: 01/04/2007 07:34:46 PM Enjoy the warmth and dryness! Even though I've lived here forever and should know what to expect, I'm starting to feel a little water-logged. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.250 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 01/04/2007 07:38:08 PM The Guy Gavriel Kay book is a stunning read. You won't be able to keep yourself from starting the second one. I was sad when the world ended, or when the book finished. It FELT like the world ending to me. I couldn't believe he hadn't written a third. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 64.203.58.223 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 01/04/2007 09:04:46 PM Sounds like a great book thing! I CERTAINLY have 12 books just waiting for me!...the weather thing...trust me..coming from FL to SanDiego...you miss SOME kind of weather! It does get boring. ;) Of course, I think I've had a heavy dose of it lately... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: Boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 01/05/2007 01:47:21 AM Looking forward to some book reviews to come, Li ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 65.222.58.14 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 01/05/2007 08:29:40 AM Have one for me! And a book too! There sure is lots of activity going on already. I see a very productive and enlightening year ahead! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.30.99 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.blogspot.com DATE: 01/05/2007 10:48:17 AM This is a great list. I just checked out The Country of the Pointed First from the library. Looks good, and peaceful, you know? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Barbara EMAIL: barblong@alaska.net IP: 209.112.212.177 URL: DATE: 01/05/2007 11:57:42 AM It's a great idea with a support group to back up the resolution. Do audio books count? I just can't seem to be able to read and knit at the same time, so I don't get much reading done! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 70.226.156.51 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 01/05/2007 12:17:48 PM Great books. I "read" The Master Butcher's Singing Club for my book group this year. I actually listened to the book and loved it. The rest of the group didn't get into it or didn't like it. They thought the book too fragmented. I recommend listing to the CD's of it. Very well read. I also loved "Moo". I worked for 20 years for a midwest University and found the university related stuff to be right on. Very funny book! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 01/09/2007 03:34:41 PM I should probably do this! So many books lurking around not getting read... (Oh, Moo is great! Hopefully you get a chance to read it.) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bookish Wendy EMAIL: bookishwendy@gmail.com IP: 76.19.105.78 URL: http://www.thebookishgirl.blogspot.com DATE: 01/10/2007 05:32:38 PM This is one thing I can't do. I have to pick my next book right before I read it. It is such an organic process. I wish I could be more disciplined about it! btw - i love the anti-meme button! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Firsts STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 01/02/2007 12:31:27 PM ----- BODY:I was tagged by Denise to post a list of "firsts". Here goes.
What is the first thing you did in the new year?
Cleaned up the kitchen from the NY Eve party. There were no wine bottles on the lawn this time, thankfully.
What is the first thing you ate in the new year?
I don't remember. I think I had a banana and peanut butter for breakfast. The first "real" meal was those BEPs from the last post.
What is the first thing you knit in the new year?
See below.
What is your first ÔblessingÕ of the new year?
Waking up next to my sweetiepie, the lovely man I'm married to.
What is the first thing you will do to make the world a better place in the new year?
Not tag anyone for this meme.*
Just kidding, I'm not really anti-meme. I just liked the whiskey part.
Post the first photo you took in the new year!
Those peas turned out just lovely, by the way. I little overdone, but I had an excuse. Kris came over yesterday afternoon to knit, and before we knew it, the peas were done and it was time to eat. So I shared our good-luck peas with her, and she took the leftovers home for her family. And yes, BEPs do bring good luck; I got to knit half the afternoon with a friend!
Here's what I worked on. This is the Jo Sharp sweater that's been in the timeout pile for a long while. I have the front finished, and started on the back yesterday.
The pattern directed me to bind off the shoulder stitches, then later sew the shoulders together. As these have no shaping, but are just straight across, that made no sense to me. Ever one to look for shortcuts, the shoulders are on string holders, to bind off together later.
Last but not least, my New Year's Resolutions. They're simple. Knit more, read more. And knit more from the stash, read more from the stacks. I have enough books and yarn around here to last more than one lifetime. I'm not outlawing purchases of either books or yarn, just resolving to at least look at the current stash before I buy more. There you go.
I'm off to Arizona to visit my sisters. One of them lives in Phoenix, the other is going there on a holiday. I've mentioned our rule previously, if any two of us get together, the third one has to show up, too. Otherwise the other two might talk about her. So we're going for a few days, will get caught up on a lot of celebrations we've missed, and party a bit. Diane does have internet access, so if there's a moment when we're not either shopping or partying (or getting tattooed-remember the last trip?), I might get a post in.
Enough of this! Now let's go have some whiskey!
*If you want to be tagged for this one, have at it. Leave me a comment so I can go gawk at your answers.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 71.57.138.66 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 01/02/2007 01:48:05 PM I'm in for the whiskey part! :) Thanks for the tip on winding the ginormous hank, I was planning to do exactly what you wrote but honestly I don't mind a russian join or a spit splice if I have to! And since you asked, the yarn is custom dyed from Mysical Creations Yarns (she has a blog, an Etsy Shop and an EBay show now so a quick google should get you all 3!) I wanted the yarn to look like a rose garden to fit in with the stole's theme and she did a great job....and it was about $30 for 3000 yrds. of custom dyed merino! YAY! I hope you might consider joining us Lorette, Kris is too! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 216.43.250.146 URL: http://knit-knack.blog-city.com DATE: 01/02/2007 01:50:09 PM good that you clarified your sweetie pie was your husband :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.194.58 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 01/02/2007 04:20:59 PM The sweater is beautiful, I really like that yarn. Count me in on the whiskey part, by the way! :-) Have a good trip, and lots of fun! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.250 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 01/02/2007 04:57:45 PM Too funny! Gawk indeed. Substitute wine for whiskey and I'm with you. That sweater is going to be great. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rachel EMAIL: rachel@licketyknit.com IP: 68.9.132.38 URL: http://www.licketyknit.com DATE: 01/02/2007 07:07:43 PM Excellent firsts! I have to say this is the first year I've ever heard of BEPs bringing luck if eaten on New Year's Day, and now I'm seeing it all over the blogs! I missed my chance this year, but perhaps I will incorporate it next year. Good luck with your resolutions! Frankly, more knitting and more reading sound awfully enjoyable to me! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Becky EMAIL: rebecca@moonfrog.com IP: 71.131.10.242 URL: http://www.moonfrog.com DATE: 01/02/2007 10:45:47 PM What a fun post. And you have a frog tattoo! That is so cool. I have two, both frogs. Sounds like the sister trip will be loads of fun. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 65.222.58.14 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 01/03/2007 07:52:16 AM Hmmm 2 parties mentioned here. Not that I'm counting. I love your sweater and the idea to bind them off together! I also love your sister rule! That happens in my family all the time (except when the 3 of us are, in fact, together). Have a ball! Or a party knowing you;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Gwen EMAIL: gwen_p@bellsouth.net IP: 68.154.172.168 URL: DATE: 01/03/2007 09:56:20 AM Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog. It is my favorite. I check every day to see if you have added something new. Keep up the good posting and knitting. Hope you enjoy your trip. By the way I knit also and just love it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: PJ EMAIL: ljpj4@yahoo.com IP: 64.203.58.223 URL: http://goldenoasis.blogspot.com/ DATE: 01/03/2007 05:39:29 PM all that I missed...from yummy soups to yummy new project! That toast breaking the glass brought back a memory of a past accident you had-yikes! You have updated some sidebars (gee, where have I been? under a snow drift? duh) need to check out your new items! Happy New Year! Thanks for you comments on mine lately! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 01/03/2007 06:51:04 PM Have fun in Arizona!! That never makes sense to me, binding off shoulders and sewing them together. Even if they're sloped, short rows can give you a great line for a 3-needle bind off - which is sturdier than a seam anyway, right?! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Nora EMAIL: noraz@optusnet.com.au IP: 220.239.254.137 URL: http://black-dog-knits.blogspot.com DATE: 01/10/2007 04:42:37 PM Is that the Jo Sharp sweater from Hand Knitting Collection 1?? It's my favourite. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: It's Not Too Late... STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 01/01/2007 02:07:22 PM ----- BODY:For New Year's Black Eyed Peas, that is. I have a big pot simmering on the stove at the moment. Of course, I thought I'd document the event for the blog, in case some of you aren't Southern, or married to a Southerner. My husband, being a good Carolina boy, has to have his BEPs for the New Year. And being the good wife that I am, I am cooking up a pot for supper tonight. Here's my recipe, such as it is.
Get everything together for the photo shoot:
Saute up the veggies:
Toss in everything else, and take another picture:
While you wait for mine to finish, here's the recipe.
1 large yellow onion
garlic, as much as you can stand (5 cloves in this batch)
3-4 stalks celery
1 large carrot
3 cups BEPs, picked over and rinsed
chicken stock (or veggie stock)
1 bottle beer, any variety
1 jar/can chopped tomatoes and juice (this was a 14 oz jar)
worcestershire, a splash
Dijon mustard, a teaspoon or two
thyme and oregano, about 1/2 tablespoon each
ground pepper
2 bay leaves
cayenne, to taste. I usually start with about 1/8 teaspoon, but generally add more later
Ham hock*
More liquid, as needed (I usually just add water at this point as necessary)
Chop up your veggies. Chopped bell peppers of any variety are good, too, I just didn't have any. Saute in olive oil until the veggies are soft. Add everything else and bring to simmer. I usually start with a quart of chicken stock, the juice from the can of tomatoes, and the beer, and watch it as it simmers to see if it needs more liquid. You're aiming for something that's not too soupy, but juicy enough to ladle over rice later.
Cover and simmer until peas are soft, maybe 45-60 minutes. BEPs don't take nearly as long as other beany varieties. Taste the juice somewhere along the middle, and adjust the seasonings. Add salt part-way into the cooking. Cook up a pot of white or brown rice, serve the peas over the rice, wish for good luck in the NY!
A good IPA beer goes nicely with this, though a fruity red wine or a Spanish white works as well.
Have a good NY!
* Added later: I actually used a smoked ham shank this time, so it was meatier, then picked the meat off the bone after it was done and tossed it back in with the peas. Not necessary, but very yummy.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jen EMAIL: ribbit2jen@yahoo.com IP: 68.215.208.146 URL: http://knitpicker.blogspot.com DATE: 01/01/2007 02:29:25 PM YUM!!!! happy new year!!!!!!!!!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@sbcglobal.net IP: 69.231.143.253 URL: http://knittogether.blogspot.com DATE: 01/01/2007 02:36:52 PM Mmm, Mmm, Mmm!! Happy New Year! (us? we're having tacos tonight :o) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: knitigator@yahoo.com IP: 72.93.206.6 URL: http://knitigator.typepad.com DATE: 01/01/2007 02:37:25 PM Oh, yum -- will have to try that recipe. Happy New Year! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@sbcglobal.net IP: 69.231.143.253 URL: http://knittogether.blogspot.com DATE: 01/01/2007 02:37:48 PM PS - love the glass of wine in the background for the cook! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bets EMAIL: eswss@aol.com IP: 152.163.100.204 URL: http://stitchesmayvary.blogspot.com DATE: 01/01/2007 02:49:33 PM Thanks for the delicious sounding recipe! Happy New Year! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 69.218.136.209 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 01/01/2007 03:12:35 PM Yum, yum. My mouth is watering. I'll have to make the BEP's myself, although there is not a drop of Southern blood in the family. My husband as raised in Arlington, VA, by parents from Iowa. I don't think his mother made any beans other than opening Campbells Pork and Beans. Your recipe sounds pretty high class. Thanks for the vote of confidence on my hats, etc. I'm about to re-shape one of the neck gaiters in the basket. Step daughter comes in two days. I want all items to be presentable when she makes her choice(s). Happy New Year!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Amy EMAIL: amycrea@comcast.net IP: 75.73.176.149 URL: http://www.knitthink.typepad.com DATE: 01/01/2007 03:18:25 PM Yum! I am so going to make that! But I can stand a lot of garlic...5 cloves? Amateur. :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Tam EMAIL: journeytot@yahoo.com IP: 12.207.14.252 URL: http://thelessonlearned.typepad.com/knit_once_purl_forever/ DATE: 01/01/2007 04:18:14 PM Sounds yummy! Happy New Year, Lorette! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.194.58 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 01/01/2007 05:00:14 PM OK, I'm wishing I had some of those black-eyed peas, and we just had ours with our New Year's dinner about 2 hours ago ... Happy New Year! I hope the coming year is a good one for you and all of your family. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 68.219.39.221 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 01/01/2007 05:52:30 PM I've never been interested in eating black eyed peas, but your recipe may change my mind. It look delicious! Happy New Year! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Becky EMAIL: rebecca@moonfrog.com IP: 71.131.10.242 URL: http://www.moonfrog.com DATE: 01/01/2007 11:42:36 PM We always do black eye peas on New Year's Day, being from some ol' southern stock on Mom's side. It will have to wait a couple days this year. Do you think it will still be good luck? I like the sound of your recipe and will try it out. Thanks! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sharon EMAIL: sharonpodlin@yahoo.com IP: 69.166.3.205 URL: http://peachesandpurls.blogspot.com/ DATE: 01/02/2007 07:02:00 AM I'll try this recipe later this week. I put mine in soup form, but this looks great! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 216.43.250.146 URL: http://knit-knack.blog-city.com DATE: 01/02/2007 09:48:37 AM Sounds wonderful. I am the daughter of a southerner so I do love my BEP. I may have to try your recipe, it sounds lovely. I recently made a big pot of split pea soup and used a ham shank instead of ham hock, because it was all they had at the store at the time, and I was really pleased with the outcome. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 137.192.135.200 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 01/03/2007 06:48:52 PM I love reading about people's holiday traditions!! I must say, those do look mighty tasty. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Angie EMAIL: amarshall102@gmail.com IP: 68.20.218.3 URL: DATE: 01/04/2007 01:20:33 PM Thanks for the recipe, a girl can never eat too many BEP! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 12/31/2006 11:06:24 AM ----- BODY:
Happy New Year Comment Graphics
And from Sweetpea:
Happy New Year Comment Graphics
And because I couldn't decide which toast I liked best:
Happy New Year Comment Graphics
Have a great celebration, knit a few rows, eat lots of blackeyed peas, and drink responsibly!
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Denise EMAIL: DLayman@neo.rr.com IP: 75.179.6.115 URL: http://www.knitchat.com DATE: 12/31/2006 12:52:38 PM You WILL be taking your champagne in a plastic glass, no?? hehehe Have a happy New Year's Eve! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 24.41.8.250 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 12/31/2006 01:00:07 PM The second one. Definitely the second one. Happy New Year! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kat EMAIL: 4mynextproject@gmail.com IP: 71.233.73.244 URL: http://nextproject.typepad.com DATE: 12/31/2006 01:42:39 PM Happy New Year to you too. THe black-eyed peas come tomorrow, just before the penitential pilgrimmage (a walking tour of local pubs). Nothing like a long walk to clear a foggy head. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 68.19.73.214 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 12/31/2006 02:06:37 PM Whoa, watch that glass!! Happy New Year. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Cara EMAIL: cara@januaryone.com IP: 68.36.240.11 URL: http://www.januaryone.com DATE: 12/31/2006 02:09:12 PM Happy New Year! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Norma EMAIL: norma.knits@gmail.com IP: 64.222.81.234 URL: http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com DATE: 12/31/2006 03:15:15 PM Happy New Year, Lorette!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: jacqueline EMAIL: serendipityknits@gmail.com IP: 203.51.189.127 URL: http://passionfruit.typepad.com DATE: 12/31/2006 11:24:39 PM happy new year lorette! here's wishing you nothing but good things for this year. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 205.188.117.11 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 01/01/2007 05:56:00 AM LOL-Does toasting in the new year with coffee qualify as under-partied? A very Happy New Year to you all! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Singular Stitches EMAIL: singularstitches@hotmail.com IP: 24.239.120.132 URL: http://singularstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 01/01/2007 12:44:01 PM Oh, no not MORE broken glasses...better break out the Dixie Cups! :o) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 24.18.193.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 01/01/2007 08:34:22 PM Happy New Year to you!! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Me, Weird? STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 12/28/2006 10:54:45 AM ----- BODY:I was tagged awhile ago by Jane for the "Six Weird Things About Me" meme. My first thought was, only six? But here goes.
1. I sleep with a teddybear named Sweetpea. She also travels with me when we go on vacation. She will only fly coach and up, never in cargo. She far prefers Princess class, as do I.
2. My family refers to me as the Queen. It's taken me years to indoctrinate them in this practice. I secretly think they are only humoring me, or worse, mocking me. Every once in awhile one of them slips and calls me a Princess. I remind them, gently, that even a Princess has to answer to someone, and that would be the Queen.
3. I have a split personality. At work I am extraordinarily, compulsively obsessive-compulsive. (If your doctor has to be neurotic, obsessive-compulsiveness is a good neurosis to choose. My other neurosis is obsessive hand-washing, another fine choice for a doctor.) At home however, my organizational skills could best be described as slobbishness.
4. I am a world class klutz. We routinely clean coffee spills off carpets and walls around here. One might recall the walking and drinking episode. My second best, not involving any blood or surgery, was when I set my coffee go-cup on the roof of the car while I was getting stuff out to go to work. When I bent over, the coffee cup tipped over, dumping coffee down the back of my nice white doctor's coat. It was entertaining explaining to the dry cleaners how I managed to dump coffee down my back.
5. I have a phobia about basements. Specifically, I am terrified of darkish basements with lots of exposed pipes and wiring in the ceiling. Give me bugs and dismembered body parts anytime. Water pipes in the ceiling? They reduce me to a whimpering wreck.
6. I hate talking on the phone. I think this is because I talk on the phone all day long at work. When the phone rings at home, my husband gets the "don't you dare hand that phone to me" look from me.
I'm not tagging anyone, as I'm pretty sure everyone else in the blog world has done this. If you haven't, have at it.
I hope everyone's Christmas was lovely. Ours was, though it's not quite over yet. We're flying to Arizona to visit my sisters next week, and we'll have another Christmas there. My family has always celebrated the holiday on whatever day we happen to be together, rather than be stuck to a specific date. I say, bring on the presents, no matter what the calendar says!
Here's to a Happy New Year to all! Good knitting, and lots of yarn for everyone.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gisele EMAIL: gamadvsp@uol.com.br IP: 200.158.50.235 URL: DATE: 12/28/2006 11:14:34 AM Dear Lorette Have a wonderful 2007, too. I love to read about your Six Weird Things. Kisses Gisele ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: marti EMAIL: bzyknit@yahoo.com IP: 204.147.223.1 URL: http://www.midgeling.com/weebug/blog DATE: 12/28/2006 11:28:52 AM I too, am pretty neat and organized at work and a complete failure at those two attributes at home. I hate to think of what that will do to my children. I hope to see you at Madrona again this year. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 216.43.250.146 URL: http://knit-knack.blog-city.com DATE: 12/28/2006 11:46:41 AM Nice to learn more about you. The coffee down the back, priceless. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com DATE: 12/28/2006 12:04:39 PM I'm astonished by the number of other people who hate talking on the phone. :) Oh yeah, and coffee spillage? There's a reason I wear black shirts 99% of the time.... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Debi EMAIL: cherryripegirl@comcast.net IP: 71.57.138.66 URL: http://fluffyknitterdeb.blogspot.com DATE: 12/28/2006 01:03:30 PM I could totally relate to all your weirdness! Hope Christmas #1 was wonderful, enjoy #2 and have a happy, healthy New Year Lorette! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Bridget EMAIL: baclancy@verizon.net IP: 70.110.194.58 URL: http://www.the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com DATE: 12/28/2006 02:51:44 PM Well, I too, am weird like you in several ways ... :-) I'm so glad to know someone else who celebrates the holidays more than just one day! Have a fun time with your family, and happy 2007! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Norma EMAIL: norma.knits@gmail.com IP: 64.222.81.234 URL: http://nownormaknits2.typepad.com DATE: 12/28/2006 05:12:32 PM The coffee down the back is a good one, I have to admit. I, too, HATE the phone and my husband knows the same look! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Dorothy EMAIL: dswaite@mac.com IP: 71.113.7.204 URL: http://www.missouristar.typepad.com DATE: 12/28/2006 05:36:05 PM i have a friend at work who prefers to be a Princess because the Queen has responsibilities and the Princess does not. Something to think about. And I, too, hate talking on the phone, so you are forgiven if you don't call me. In fact, I put off making even important phone calls because I hate talking on the phone so much. However, I have never in my life managed to dump coffee down my back. And I thought I was the world's biggest klutz! Have a wonderful visit with you sisters and a Happy New Year! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 68.19.73.214 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 12/28/2006 06:34:11 PM I'm with you on that whole phone thing, too. Have a great second Christmas and a very Happy New Year!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 70.77.30.99 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.blogspot.com DATE: 12/29/2006 09:52:03 AM I can relate to your weird things! In particular, I can be klutzy. The other day, I was sitting and knitting, and picked up a fresh, steaming cup of tea for a sip. I dropped it in my lap - ouch! Was it even more weird to be more concerned about the knitting than my own legs? :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 132.183.82.155 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 12/29/2006 11:01:23 AM LOL on several of these. I, too, have phonophobia. And when He DOES hand it to me, you should see the OTHER look I give him. I so remember the drinking and walking. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jenny EMAIL: mjennyt@satexas.com IP: 66.101.59.172 URL: DATE: 12/29/2006 06:59:57 PM I'm a medical student and I'm the same way. At school I'm extremely OCD, but at home I'm a complete slob. It's nice to know there are other knitting doctors (or soon to be doctors in my case) out there. I've really enjoyed your blog since I found it. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 152.163.100.204 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 12/30/2006 02:10:03 PM And I thought I was clumsy! Coffee down your back? Now THAT'S talent! I don't think it's funny that you were seriously hurt, but now added to the other "stuff", jeeze, can't take you anywhere! Can't even leave you at home! Hope you have another wonderful Christmas with your family and a very Happy New Year to you all! xo ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: claudia EMAIL: claudia@claudiasblog.net IP: 66.30.249.1 URL: http://www.claudiasblog.net DATE: 12/31/2006 08:02:19 AM That was highly entertaining. ;-) Happy New Year! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: gail EMAIL: gsnowden@wisc.edu IP: 69.218.136.209 URL: http://www.sskyop2.blogspot.com DATE: 12/31/2006 09:19:56 PM Interesting weirdness!! My mother is with you on basements. She doesn't even like finished basements!! Coffee down the back is interesting and creative!! Happy New Year to you and yours--and to SweatPea! ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Winter Solstice, 2006 Version STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 12/18/2006 10:02:13 AM ----- BODY:Or,
How We Survived The Winter Storm
A mighty wind blew through here last Thursday night, knocking out trees and power lines in its path. A million people lost power in western Washington, and we were two of them. Our lights went out Thursday early evening, and didn't come back on until Saturday night. We had flashlights and candles at the ready, though, and we have a gas cooktop, so we figured we'd be OK for a little while at least. And we had running water, though by Friday it dawned on us that our septic pump, which pumps the bad stuff up to the street level, runs on electricity, and we better quit running water down the drain. (You'd think a smart girl who grew up on a farm would figure this one out faster, wouldn't you?)
The fun part of all this is that we had our annual Solstice party planned for Friday night, complete with a huge standing rib roast and ten people around the table. We waffled a bit, then said, what the heck. And cooked a huge dinner with the benefit of only a gas cooktop and gas grill. I'm happy to report that you can indeed cook 15 pounds of prime rib on a grill with no problem. Ours has a temperature gauge, and it kept the interior temperature fairly constant during the cooking.
It occurred to all of us that this year's party was symbolic of the whole Solstice thing, with the house lit only by dozens of candles (and a few flashlights at times). We were hoping the lights would come on at midnight, in a truly symbolic gesture, but no luck. We were still in the dark Saturday, and with the house getting colder, and temperatures due to drop further, we bailed out. We packed the cooler with everything from the freezer that would fit, and salvaged what we could from the refrigerator, and headed out to stay with electrically blessed friends. Our lights finally came back on late Saturday night, and we're now home, and the kitchen is cleaned up. (We left all the dishes from the party out on the deck when we left!)
We're lucky. All of our big trees survived the storm, nobody we know died or was injured, and we had a great meal in the bargain, and got to spend the whole weekend with friends. From the looks of our little neighborhood as we drive around, the region won't be back in full swing for the rest of the week. There may even be some people without lights back on for Christmas.
Here are some photos of the event.
The table, before the feast began.
Mashing potatoes by flashlight. Note my husband with his handy-dandy headlamp. I love a man who is prepared for anything.
The main course:
Carving by flashlight:
A few guests enjoying themselves:
The aftermath. Note the little temperature thingie on the table in front of me. At this point it was still plenty warm in the house. Must have been all the candles.
I did make my traditional trifle for dessert, but didn't get pictures of it. It looked just like it did the last two years, though. Without electricity, we had to whip the cream for it by hand, which was probably the most challenging part of the dinner.
When we got up on Saturday and started to clean up what we could without running water, we did the traditional "count the wine bottles to see how hungover we should be" thing. Hmmmm. Only three wine bottles on the table, along with a couple others opened and not finished. That's pretty lame for this crowd. Then I looked outside. Apparently some of my guests decided that tossing the empties on the lawn was a good idea. Click on this one if you can't see them. Four more on the lawn, that's more like it.
All in all, a good way to survive the storm. I'm off to cook the formerly-known-as-frozen food in my refrigerator.
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lynn EMAIL: singularstitches@hotmail.com IP: 64.238.49.65 URL: http://www.singularstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 12/18/2006 11:11:19 AM Cool party!! Looks like you guys had a *fabulous* time! BTW, glad to hear you made it through the nasty weather. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Rebekah EMAIL: basilbirdy@hotmail.com IP: 216.43.250.146 URL: http://knit-knack.blog-city.com DATE: 12/18/2006 11:40:16 AM Way to make do. We had a similar storm a couple weeks back and didn't have power for 2 days, some people just got power back this week, more then 2 weeks without power in winter. It's amazing what a little ingenunity can do. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Charity EMAIL: stuart434@shaw.ca IP: 24.67.253.203 URL: http://knittinginthenorth.blogspot.com DATE: 12/18/2006 12:07:45 PM Sound like the perfect Solstice celebration! Glad didn't let the lack of electricity get you down, and enjoyed yourself anyway. :0) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: kmayers@gmail.com IP: 65.100.36.50 URL: http://vastamount.blogspot.com/ DATE: 12/18/2006 12:22:44 PM What a beautiful party! Even more special with candlelight :-) Dan's birthday is actually on the Solstice, so it's especially meaningful here. Planning on making a rib roast and a trifle for our holiday dinner, too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: lisa Co. Springs EMAIL: knitnurse@msn.com IP: 70.56.234.94 URL: http://1blacksheep.wordpress.com/ DATE: 12/18/2006 12:23:42 PM Glad all is well and you have your power back. All our family escaped the outage, thank goodness, but son number 2 was on the road and stuck in Ellensburg as the worst of the weather passed. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: margene EMAIL: zeneedle@gmail.com IP: 69.88.77.72 URL: http://zeneedle.typepad.com/ DATE: 12/18/2006 12:51:48 PM I've been thinking about all of you in the NW and it's good to hear you are OK, albeit a little light deprived. You did the perfect thing by going ahead with your party and celebrating solstice as it should be. May the rest of your Holiday season be delightful and brightful! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Chris EMAIL: silk@onvoymail.com IP: 198.174.192.180 URL: http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/ DATE: 12/18/2006 12:52:39 PM LOL - if they were chucking wine bottles on the lawn, it must've been a good time! Between mashing the potatoes and whipping the cream by hand, it sounds like a workout party. :) I'm glad that you're all ok. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 68.19.73.214 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 12/18/2006 02:30:21 PM The meat looks delicious and it's clear that everyone had a great time. I'm glad you didn't suffer any major damage. Hopefully, this will be the last of the bad weather for you this year. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: tiennie EMAIL: tiennieknits@comcast.net IP: 64.81.186.244 URL: http://www.tiennieknits.typepad.com DATE: 12/18/2006 03:34:56 PM How fun!! Looks great. We still don't have power but we're doing fine. Hopefully we'll get it back by Thursday! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 152.163.100.204 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 12/18/2006 03:38:36 PM You party animals you... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: --Deb EMAIL: chappysmom@gmail.com IP: 72.76.27.17 URL: http://chappysmom.typepad.com/bookworm/2006/12/zzzzzz.html DATE: 12/18/2006 06:25:21 PM Sounds like you're managing, which is good! Silly power companies.... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Vera EMAIL: vhanna26@msn.com IP: 4.84.15.171 URL: http://vhanna26.typepad.com DATE: 12/18/2006 06:52:11 PM You guys are having some rough weather, but i'm glad you still had your party. Looks like a nice time in spite of everything. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kris EMAIL: krisknits@knittingwannabe.com IP: 209.91.58.165 URL: http://www.knittingwannabe.typepad.com DATE: 12/18/2006 09:09:51 PM Now that's what I call storm preparations! Looks like y'all had a great time. Glad your lights are back on. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Laurie EMAIL: etherknitter@gmail.com IP: 132.183.71.164 URL: http://etherknitter.typepad.com DATE: 12/19/2006 05:56:07 AM Grace under fire, for sure. I'm not sure I would have been amused by the wine bottle littering. Glad you are back to normal. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Karen EMAIL: karen@needlesandwool.com IP: 69.177.169.230 URL: http://needlesandwool.com DATE: 12/19/2006 08:15:33 AM Your dinner parties always sound like so much fun! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Theresa EMAIL: knittingunderway@gmail.com IP: 68.107.23.1 URL: http://knittingunderway.blogspot.com DATE: 12/21/2006 05:08:10 AM Glad your new addition wasn't damaged by the storm, either. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Sharon EMAIL: sharonslp@ameritech.net IP: 68.255.76.97 URL: http://sharonstuff.typepad.com/knitknacks DATE: 12/23/2006 07:00:09 PM I'm sure it would have been a great party even without the extra "challenges" but I suspect they added even more to the merriment. Hope you get power restored soon though. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: mk EMAIL: mkbishop@medscape.com IP: 207.119.64.64 URL: DATE: 12/26/2006 08:35:17 AM I wish we lived closer. You guys know how to have fun. Glad the power came back on, but how about the latest storm? Did that one affect y'all? Hope you had a Merry Little Christmas! Stay warm and knit lots, mk ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: Bizarre STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 12/14/2006 11:45:28 AM ----- BODY:This one came via Celia.
I am unique, after all.
| HowManyOfMe.com | ||
|
There are 1500 people in the US with my first name, and 510 with my last name. There are 689 people with my husband's name.
How many of you are there?
----- EXTENDED BODY: ----- EXCERPT: ----- KEYWORDS: ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathy EMAIL: kmayers@gmail.com IP: 65.100.60.82 URL: http://vastamount.blogspot.com/ DATE: 12/14/2006 01:12:55 PM There are 11 people with my name in the US. My oldest son has 13 others, but my youngest is unique, too. My hubby shares a name with 3 other people, including his dad ;-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Lynda EMAIL: lvonrader@sbcglobal.net IP: 69.231.143.253 URL: http://knittogether.blogspot.com DATE: 12/14/2006 01:50:02 PM I'm an "only one" too! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jane EMAIL: janeasc@aol.com IP: 68.19.73.214 URL: http://quiddity.typepad.com DATE: 12/14/2006 04:47:54 PM There was only 1 of me, too. BTW, tag, you're it! (see my blog) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Kathleen EMAIL: katyknits@gmail.com IP: 24.46.249.49 URL: http://katyknits.typepad.com DATE: 12/15/2006 05:13:55 AM I am the only one also and NO ONE had my last name. Wow. I don't even really like it anymore (changed it while living in Alaska). Thanks for passing this one on. And love your new hat! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: margene EMAIL: zeneedle@gmail.com IP: 69.88.77.72 URL: http://zeneedle.typepad.com DATE: 12/15/2006 08:36:17 AM That was fun. There are 1500 with my first name and MILLIONS with my last! LOL ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Singular Stitches EMAIL: singularstitches@hotmail.com IP: 64.238.49.65 URL: http://singularstitches.blogspot.com DATE: 12/15/2006 09:45:07 AM Lorette, how did you all fare with that nasty storm that came through your way Thursday night? ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Li_B EMAIL: boesencrew@shaw.ca IP: 24.81.69.148 URL: http://lifesastitch.typepad.com DATE: 12/15/2006 05:01:39 PM I am one of a kind. Absolutely nobody has my real first name. Li ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Stephanie EMAIL: stephanie@yarnharlot.ca IP: 74.12.98.116 URL: http://www.yarnharlot.ca DATE: 12/15/2006 10:25:25 PM There's only one of me! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Carol EMAIL: btrulyirish@aol.com IP: 64.12.116.11 URL: http://www.knit-and-run.blogspot.com DATE: 12/16/2006 06:28:50 PM OK, I'll try this. A little creepy to think there's more than one. ----- -------- AUTHOR: Lorette TITLE: More Knitting, More Cruising STATUS: Publish ALLOW COMMENTS: 1 CONVERT BREAKS: 0 ALLOW PINGS: 0 DATE: 12/13/2006 12:21:42 PM ----- BODY:Well, not really more cruising, just more cruise pictures. Yes, there are more. In my last post, I left you on the coast of Africa. We sailed from there to the Canary Islands, to Lanzarote. We were just there long enough for a short tour of the island, and a camel ride. Touristy, yes, but it was worth a lot of laughs. I will admit that it was a bit like the pony rides at the carnival, but good for a few photos.
Doesn't everybody knit socks on the back of a camel?
John made friends with the girl camel behind us. At least we think she was a girl.
We also made friends with the couple on the camel behind us, Bert and Suzie.
That photo also shows a little of the landscape of Lanzarote, which is more or less a volcanic rock pile. For the record, these animals are actually dromedaries. Check out the link for an explanation of what makes a dromedary a dromedary.
Our next stop was Funchal, on the island of Madeira. This was probably one of my favorite places on the trip, and we actually plan to go back (hopefully next year!). We took a little tour by bus up into the mountains for the day.
I even met another knitter. We didn't share more than about three words in common (Madeira is Portuguese), but we spoke the universal language of the world, knitting.
She knits those hats on long double points, with the working yarn looped around her neck. The wool is from local sheep. We had a short stitch-n-bitch session together.
Of course, she wasn't just standing there knitting. She was selling those hats, and I had to buy one as the price of the photos. It was worth it.
I didn't have time to find a yarn shop in Funchal before we had to board the ship, but I know there must be one. Of course, that's not the only reason I want to go back. They make wine there, too. Our last stop at the end of the tour was at the Old Blandy Wine Lodge, to taste some fine Madeira. Here I am with a couple of my cruise buddies, enjoying some of the local agricultural products.
Next up on the cruise: we set sail for America!
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And to prove that this is indeed a knitting blog, here are a couple photos of the finished Pippa sweater. I got the buttons sewn on this morning, and did one of those flash-in-the-mirror photos. I'll try to get a better one when my photographer gets home. For now this will have to do.
It's currently in the washing machine getting a much needed wash. I decided that this didn't need blocking prior to seaming, so I didn't wash the pieces before putting them together. Since this one got dragged all over Europe and parts of Africa, it really needed a good soak. Once it's dry, I'll get John to get a better modeling shot. Though I kind of like the flash over the face look. It hides the fact that I didn't bother with makeup this morning.
The knitting photos are at the bottom of the post, for those of you that are sick of the cruise photos.
In case you hadn't guessed, the final photo in the last post was of Rick's Cafe in Casablanca (there are actually two, neither of them authentic). We didn't stop there, but drove by, and got one of those lovely out-the-bus-window photos. Casablanca was something of a letdown. It's mostly a dirty, underdeveloped mess of a city, with a few exceptions. The new mosque is huge, probably one of the largest in the world (third-largest, actually, I just checked). We weren't allowed to go in, but the next couple of photos give you an idea.
This out-the-bus-window photo gives you an idea of the contrasts in Morocco. It's definitely a Muslim country, but one of the most liberal and diverse. There is extreme poverty, and later on we saw some of the poshest seaside resorts you can imagine. The three women on the street under that billboard made me giggle, for some reason.
We took a bus tour to Rabat, which took us through part of the Morocco countryside. I saw lots of sheep and goats, but no yarn shops. This handsome guy standing guard outside one of the local sights let us get photos, for a fee of course. I'd have handed him my sock for a photo, but I think he would have charged extra for that.
This one proves that we were in Morocco together. The royal palace is in the background.
The Hassan tower:
The next two photos are at the Mohammed V mausoleum.
And another whizzing-by-in-the-bus photo. The billboards here just cracked me up.
The next day we were in port at Agadir, a bit south of Casablanca. Agadir was destroyed by a tsunami in 1960, and has been completely rebuilt. It has very little local character, and mostly looks like a seaside playground for wealthy tourists. We took a little side tour to a smaller village, Taroudant, with a more traditional flavor, and got to see goats in trees on the way.
No yarn shops there, either.
On the way to the market we got to watch of couple of fine fellows playing and dancing. The guy in the red hat is our tour guide, Ahmed. You'll see more of him later.
The market was fascinating. You can buy almost anything here, and bargaining is the order of the day. Taroudant is called "Little Marrakesh"; lots of shopping, less hectic than Marrakesh, which was too far to travel on a day-trip from the boat.
Here's the seaside part of the bus drive.
When we got off our bus back "home" at our ship, I handed my sock to Ahmed for a photo. He reached up and took John's hat, and put his on John's head. Then he proceeded to put on a great show of knitting, wrapping the yarn around and around the needles. I was a bit worried about that sock and its survival, but figured the photo would be worth it. This is one of the few times that I wished I had a video feature on my camera.
And another sunset for all you sunset-lovers out there.
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Finally, the knitting part. There has been no button-sewing going on around here. I just want to knit warm wool sweaters, and have them done now. It has been just freaking cold here, with this stuff on the ground.
You'd think that I'd be able to handle a bit of snow and cold, given that I'm from one of those deep-freeze prairie states originally. Yesterday I had to put on two pairs of heavy wool socks just to get warm.
I grabbed an orphan ball of Rowan Yorkshire Tweed Aran out of the stash and started a hat. Yes, that's homemade bread. Sometimes I'm so domestic that I can't stand it.
After a few inches, I decided it wasn't warm enough, so I ripped it out and started over, adding more yarn. I am knitting it together with a strand of King Cole mohair from a past project. This will fit an adult with a small head, or better yet, a cold kid someplace. I have three more skeins of that mohair stuff in the stash, so I'm going to see what else I have in the orphan ball stash to combine it with.
Last but not least, is the Jo Sharp sweater that's been in time-out for months. This is the back. Or the front. It's a boxy sweater with no shaping, so it doesn't matter, as long as I remember to knit two of them.
I'm off to find more warm stuff to wear.
Miss Pearl would like to thank everyone who voted for her in the 2006 Midterm Button Elections. It wasn't even a close race, and she graciously concedes to the jubilant winner, Ms. Rosie, who never quite got around to getting a good campaign photo taken.
The Roses will be stitched on very soon, and the Inaugural Ball will be photographed shortly thereafter. Miss Pearl promises to run for reelection in the near future.
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And now, what you really came for, more travelogue photos. After Barcelona, we had a short (half-day) stop in Valencia. I was feeling the severe effects of jetlag, and didn't even bother to get off the ship that day. After another night at sea, we arrived in Malaga, on the southern coast of Spain. Although we had been to Granada, and the Alhambra, on our last Spain trip, we couldn't pass up a bus tour that was offered by the cruise line. Here are just a couple of photos. The Alhambra, a 13th-14th century fortress and palace built by the Moorish rulers of Spain, is just exquisite, and well-worth a second trip.
The long bus ride home provided ample opportunity for sock knitting.
More on those socks in a future post. I promised a bear tale a few posts ago. Sweetpea is a rather unadventurous bear, at least up until now. Generally, she's been satisfied to hang out in hotel rooms and ship cabins. Occasionally we get a room/cabin attendant with a sense of humor, and we find her perched in different places in our room when we get "home" at the end of the day. But that's about as much fun as she usually has.
Until now. One day on the cruise we came back to our cabin after being out and around the ship, and found our room all cleaned up, as usual. Don't ask me how, but the cabin attendants unerringly know when you've left the room, and whiz right in to tidy up and make the bed. This particular day I was rummaging around to find my knitting, and noticed that Sweetpea was gone. She was nowhere to be found. I rather frantically called the number listed on the card that our attendant had left. I found that she was on a break, and I had reached room service. They listened quite patiently to my rather lunatic-sounding story of the missing teddy bear, and I could almost hear the eye-rolling and snickering in the background, though the man on the phone was well-trained enough to not laugh out loud. He said he would look into it.
Not five minutes later there was a knock on the door. A young woman had rescued Sweetpea from the laundry, where she had apparently arrived wrapped up in our sheets. She was very happy to be home, and did not even think about having any more adventures for the entire rest of the trip.
Next stop:
