the quacking fiber addict

Spent most of the morning and afternoon moving and unpacking, yes you guessed it, yet more boxes! I'm beginning to think they reproduce in the night. Or move themselves about. By 3:30 pm, I had cleared out the center of the garage, redeposited 3x my weight in boxes on the top shelves of two closets, and managed to finally strong-arm the shed in the back yarn open. Emm got to clean the house. Dad's down in Eugene prepping the old house for sale. And Mum was in bed, recovering from her spinal tap.

Oooh... fun.

By 4, Emm and I were dirty, sweaty, and dusty. He collapsed in front of his computer. Me, with of my spinning on the couch. I managed to fill my first quill this afternoon:




This little plot just may work. It would be nice to manage not to break the thread when plying every couple yards or so. I just hope I'm winding the quill right. Strange as it may sound, there is a science to this - shuttle bobbins for weaving have to be wound just so, as do cones of yarn for weaving or knitting. It'd be just my luck to wind it in exactly the wrong way.

After spinning for a bit, I got back to work on my cami. As it languishes in my knitting basket right now, it looks something like this:


The side seams, armscyes, and most of the ends are woven in. All that's left to knit is the neckline and to weave in the ends from the finishing. I had such a throbbing headache by 8 pm, I threw in the towel for the night. The family was so exhausted we actually ordered pizza for dinner.

Oy.

We have to go down to Eugene tomorrow to finish packing up Mum's artwork. Someone please kidnap rescue me in the night. I'll pay you in yarn...

Labels: handspun, knitting, The Move

Most of the time I'm a process knitter - I knit for the simple pleasure of knitting. But every so often I want something for myself. The Shibui socks were a good example of that. I immediately (and selfishly) wanted the yarn for me, and now there is no way in hell I'm parting with my new Jaywalkers:






Project Specs:

• Yarn: Knit/Purl's Shibui Sock in "Spectrum"
• Needles: 2 22" Addi Turbos, 2.5 mm/ US 1
  
• Gauge: 8 sts/ inch in stockinette
  
• Size: 8" foot circumference
  
• Pattern: Magknits' Jaywalker by Grumperina
• Recipient: ME!
• Date started: May 29, 2007
  
• Date finished: June 11, 2007
  

I finished them this morning, and showed them off to everyone who'd stand still long enough. Dad was the most appreciative of the bunch, strangely enough. I wore them to Madame de Farge's, but the place was nearly deserted. Jodie was there with a couple others, but we definitely had the place to ourselves.

The four of us (Jodie, Emmos, St M and I) plotted for this year's Sheep-to-Shawl, but the info's Top Secret, sorry. I think. I dunno, I certainly don't feel in charge. I hope St M or Emmos knows what they're doing...

Ahwell. It's all for fun anyway.

In other news, knitting news again, I decided not to let my Addi's languish and immediately cast on another pair of socks. Well, actually, first I cast on Pomatomus with my Lorna's Laces "Seaside" (Shepherd Sock yarn):


But, 2" in, it looked horrible. Bad. Really, really bad. "Ne'er the twain shall should meet" bad. So, *sigh*, I ripped. And cast on another two socks (different pattern) to make my life easier. I picked an old Shetland lace motif from Barbara Walker's "A Treasury Of Knitting Patterns" and went with it. Progress pix to follow...

Major packing tomorrow, wish me luck, I'm gonna need it.

Labels: cast on, finished object, knitting, socks

Started noticing hives and a rash three hours ago. Have discontinued antibiotic, taken multiple Benadryl tablets, slathered my body with Aveeno lotion, and tried to stop scratching my itchy itchy skin.

Here's my Jaywalkers as of noonish today:


A little more progress has been made since then. But, mostly I've been working on Vivaldi and the nameless cotlin tank top.

Now, I am finally going to go to sleep (I pray, anyway).

Labels: knitting, socks

I present, for your amusement and my own humility, a picture of my chipmump cheeks (a chipmunk with mumps)...

Wow, could I look any more ridiculous?

Good news? I am finally able to eat hot/ real foods again. I just managed some mini mozzarella balls (bless Mum and her funky grocery lists). Mum's even promised me lentil soup... I never thought I'd say it, but at the moment I never, ever, want to see (much less eat) ice cream again.

Other, knitting, news. 4 rows on the pair of Jaywalkers done. I've also swatched for the official wraplan pattern. And drawn up schematics (much appreciation for that term of mechanical drawing in high school). Since Emmos has offered to test the pattern for me, I'm waiting for her response to get to pattern writing.

The blog's sidebars have been updated (long overdue). I got rid of the WIP list, because (let's be honest) I'm bad at updating it and tons of smaller projects never made their way onto it. And, since the single FO list was becoming unmanageable, I went to the yearly FO lists that are so (understandably) popular across the blogosphere..

And, I think I'm going to sit and watch Dad and Emm roll up the carpets now (the area rugs are going up North tomorrow, I think). I'm a bit nauseous from the antibiotics and lovely opiates, and the puter isn't making it better.

But, I think that's everything.

Oh, and I LOVE this Shibui bag. Seriously. It deserves a post of it's own.

Labels: designing, knitting, personal vanity, template update, wraplan

I look like a chipmunk with mumps, but all is well. Thank you, everyone, for your well wishes and kind words. I really, really wish I could just eat solid food, right now.

Otherwise? Not too bad. Even better news... actually, I have a lot. First, I received two images from my sister of baby T in her new sweater, the prototype wraplan - making it an official FO:


I'm definitely going to have to change the pattern - the button band was completely wonky and the edge kept curling (despite ribbing), but it looks cuter than a bug's ear. Project specs:

• The pattern: my own
• Knitting start date: I have no idea. December-ish, 2006?
  
• Finish date: March 25, 2007
  
• The yarn: Jo-Ann's Bellezza "Smania" (which, incidentally, I do NOT recommend)
  
• The needles: US 5's Denise needles
  
• The size: 12 month old, 24" (ish)
  
• Knitting techniques: continental, flat body, DPN sleeves, intarsia for baseball-sleeves.
  

And the other good news? Sheila, kind soul at Journey Wheel, contacted me to let me know that one of their customers is selling her DT Journey Wheel (w/ case and extra bobbins) for much, much less that I'm scheduled to pay for the new one. She offered to have Jonathan look it over and fix it up for me, before sending it over - IF I want it.

Of course I want it! Hopefully, I'll actually get it. How cool is that? I love these people, they're very friendly and trying so hard to help me (and all their customers) out.

And that is all. Now we're set to go and watch a movie, while my face swells even more. I should get a picture of this. Give everyone over the nets a laugh.

Labels: baby T, finished object, knitting, The Move, wraplan

At 4:00 pm (PST) today, I cast on the Knit Like A Pirate Tricorn Hat. I had remembered this morning (3 days before POTC 3 comes out) that I had sworn last time (POTC 2) that I would have one knit up in time for the premiere. I hang out with geeks (hey, I AM one) and we like to dress up whenever you give us an excuse.

At 5:25 pm, I am nearly done with the brim (on Row 9).

Can I get this knit by the weekend?

Of course, Dad, I told him as I plopped the yarn (Lion Brand Lion Wool, 'ebony') on a counter at the store in question.

I guess we'll see. Back to the knitting... Better update forthcoming. (clearly I am not dead and my house hasn't burnt down - I'm just a bad blogger right now)

Labels: cast on, insanity, knitting

I scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed today, and finally got my bathroom cleaner (I didn't manage the mold as well as I'd like to admit during Uni), for it's next occupants/ users. I also transferred my various cosmetics to the bathroom I'm now sharing with Emm. We're both a bit weirded out by having to share a bathroom again, I think.

While I was acting like Cinderella, Mum and Dad went to pick out a new washing machine (they were painfully polite and tense when they left, I'm so glad I missed all of that). They came back and we decided to have (a very late) lunch before moving the old one out (it died last yesterday). As Mum was making us grilled cheese, Dad decided to use his time more efficiently (I guess) and unplug the old machine.

Without checking to see if there was water still in it.

At this point, St M called to check on me (she read yesterday's post). I had to hang up on her when Dad started screaming because, well, water was spurting everywhere. Fun (well, it was amusing to watch Dad try and stop the water with his hand, a la The Little Dutch Boy). After lunch I got some more Moving done, looked at the clock and ran to change. As I gathered my stuff for Homework Club, I paused to check my reflection.

And stopped. Squinted. What the hell?

My shirt had acquired it's own tent. I pulled my shirt off to see that my underwire had poked out of the bra and was sticking out and up by about 4". Wow. That's classy. 3rd bra to malfunction in the past 2 weeks.

That means that the Dreaded Bra Shopping will have to commence soon (heaven help me), and I shall have to actually step foot inside a lingerie department/ or store. Pray for me.

Anyway. Homework Club went well, but we ran over by 1/2 an hour (not a bad thing). Then EWEs, which was fun. Our hostess makes a wicked dessert. It was also good to sit and chat with people who are not my relatives (you have no idea of my joy). 'Twas good. R (a former PC volunteer) insisted I come to the Nomination Party (the going away party for PC nominees) - which cheered me muchly.

Both at the gathering and at home I worked on the Charity Blanket, and I'm finally done knitting. Everyone's commented on the size of my piece, but I think it's fine. Now all I have to do is weave in all the ends and find some goodies for Penny.

Thank you everyone for your comfort. I'm feeling a bit better now, and have come to accept that I have no control over the situation (damn, that sucks). And that people clearly do change as time goes on, even without the influence of addictive substances.

Labels: family, knitting, The Move

They AREN'T in the basement cupboard, I'm certain of it. My father MUST be lying (or demented). *snarl* I'll confront him on it tomorrow.

So, sorry, no pix of Maura's package :( Nor of my progress on the knitting front, but I can detail what I have being up to, and where I am:

• past the heel and onto the instep of the first of little D's spox (royal blue cotton)
  
• finished the 4th border repeat of Vivaldi
• an inch past the last instep decreases on Monkey
• finished the sleeve pattern for the Peacock pullover, knit one, BO it off and tested it against the back - and IT FITS! I actually managed to come up with a sleeve cap and shoulder that fit together!!
• and, in spinning, I've started on the 2 oz of Chasing Rainbows merino/cashmere in 'hyacinth". It's lace-weight. I have no idea what I'll knit with it once it's plied with the matching silk/ cashmere. It's probably destined to become "core stash", in all honesty.
  

I also have a picture of baby T my sister sent me, to make up for my lack of progress documentary evidence:



I also had another book idea at around 4 am (couldn't sleep, terrible insomnia). I have to call the Peace Corps in the morning. Mum and Dad have decided to call the Peace Corps' bluff. They want assurances that I am practically accepted, before they dish out the 5 grand to have my wisdom teeth pulled out. Otherwise, it ain't happening.

Joy.

This might explain why I'm so tense. Cross your fingers for me...

Labels: baby T, designing, knitting

Monkeys? I have to say that I AM enjoying the pattern, and the yarn. Especially the yarn. Cherry Tree Hill yarn are going to be the death of me (and my yarn diet), I can just See it. I would have liked to have taken a picture of my Monkey progress in the garden, with daylight, but I didn't have the chance all day. (cue tonight's quote soundtrack:)

The sun is a mass of incandescent gas...
They Must Be Giants

So, I present a flashy, washed out, floor pic of the Monkey progress instead:


I love this yarn. The colours appeal, of course, but it's so soft and shiny and, well, yummy that I'm having a hard time putting it down. Anyway. I have other Knitting News:


The antique (envy-worthy) buttons are on, the ends are woven in, and the look very nice (if I may say so myself). She'll be happy, and hopefully will leave me alone for a bit on knitting her things (foolish, I know). She's not going to be allowed to wear them until I get pictures for the pattern submission, though, so for now (well, once she gets here) she can only fondle them.

Otherwise, the only other progress I have to report is moving progress. The Sewing Room/ Guest Bedroom/ Side Room (choose a name, any name!) is nearly cleaned out. My back aches like a little old person's. I am so sick of packing that all I want is to set the house on fire, to avoid filling another box.

Well, after I get my stash to a safe place, anyway.

Labels: knitting, socks, Weight Loss Challenge

“Thank G-d for tea! What would the world do without tea? How did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea.”
Sir Philip Sidney

Now, I'm not quite that devoted to my evening tea, but I do appreciate it. I'm brewing some chamomile/ spearmint tea right now, in hopes of it making me sleepy. And if it doesn't work, at least I really like chamomile, right? I wish we had some in the garden. I loved Brookside Gardens back home (D.C.) because there was this old English-style garden, and between the flagstones chamomile had been planted, so it was amazingly fragrant wherever you stood.

Back to our garden. I suppose even the most fragrant herb wouldn't have helped me today (the mystery herb didn't help, that's for sure) as I took out the most tenacious grass I've ever encountered. I also got out as much of the plum tree roots as I could (again, this thing's a weed itself!). It helped that the weather's been rainy the past few days, so the soil was loose.

I was muddier than an earthworm by the time I was done, but hey, the grass and roots were gone from one of the beds (two, now) - only two to go!

After that, Dad, Emm and I went on the Mad Sneaker Hunt of 2007. It wasn't quite as exciting or daring as The Great Apron Hunt of 2006, but it came close. I ended up with 2 pairs of Sketchers sneakers (my first new pair(s!) of trainers in, er, 3 years, I think). I also found some cute sandals. We ended up in Springfield (10 points to me as navigator) to find the second pair at a sister store.

In the end, it was Dad who suggested getting me the second pair - after we went through nearly every damn brand in the store. In European sizes, I'm a 37/8. But, in American, well, only G-d knows. I fit 6's - 7.5's.

Shoe standards?

I think not.

In Knitting News - I finally found replacement needles for this project:


And before you ask, no, I did NOT sit on it. I have absolutely no fricking idea how the needle ended up that way. I had it in my sling backpack, and I pull out the project to work on and... well, wow. I tried bending it back, but it didn't work. And I shall use it to poke the first person to suggest Viagra.

I'm gonna transfer the stole to the new needles tomorrow later today. And now my tea is cool enough to drink.

MMM... chamomile.

Labels: gardening/ weeding, knitting, lace

Just to prove that I am not completely fixated on teeny, tiny gauged things (hey, I was starting to wonder, myself). Last night I just couldn't even look at my knitting projects any longer. They were slowly driving me insane. So, as I dug around in my stash I found 3 balls of complimentary yarn (oh, alright, I bought the blue to compliment the purple on purpose) and uncovered a pattern they were perfect for:


The Stripy Beret from the July 2006 issue of Simply Knitting. Project specs?

• Yarns: Garnstudio Silk/ Alpaca (yarn A) - it was the yarn from my second Magic Yarn Ball - and Nashua Julia (yarn B), which I bought to match the Garnstudio. Both are obscenely soft and luscious. I had to resist the urge to rub myself against it on the needles. I didn't bother to resist the urge after it was finished...
• Needles: US 7's and 10's
• Gauge: 16 sts & 20 Rs (to a 4" square) on larger needles
• Size: er... mine?
  
• Pattern: Stripy Beret by Claire Vallans
• Recipient: ME!
• Knitting time: 5 hours, max

Now all I need to do is put on the finishing touch - the embellishment to pin down the fold permanently. Right now I like the flower that Crimson crocheted for me (pictured) - but I'm worried about it clashing or being too big. Opinions? I always can use one of our "one of a kind" antique buttons, but I've been wanting to use the flower Crimson made me for a while now, on a hat in particular (because I'm all about the funky hats, man).

So, yeah. Cast your vote.

Next. The Move stuff is going well. I packed up over a dozen boxes of stuff today, and moved another dozen. My back and knees hurt so much by the end of the day, I was moving around like a little old lady. Blech. At least I got to knit afters, though.

And, thank you everyone for the encouragement. I'm really going to have to be disciplined about my eating now. I also need to get more active exercise (moving boxes doesn't really count). I wanted to take the dog for a walk (I miss walking), but hurt too much by the end of the day...

Oy. Maybe tomorrow.

Labels: finished object, knitting, The Move

I was so doozy last night that I didn't manage to post the other half of my evening. I am such a ditz. Yesterday, St M came over and had our "alternative" Seder with us, I received my Knit Picks Cotlin (snarl), and the geometry is kicking my ass (hence the title of last night's post).

How is the geometry kicking my ass?? Do you remember back to the days when A*2 + B*2 = C*2? I do. Trying to apply such logic to knitting (specifically the instep decreases on a sock) is futile, idiotic, and insane all at once. I was near tears by the time I decided that I was not going to look at the damn Spox pattern for another 24 hours.

Then, this morning, hahaha. I had the crazy I idea to try something different. No, I am not going to explain it. It would take too long, and it brings back painful memories.

Anyway, that's the condensed second half of last night's post.

Onto tonight's post. Here's tonight's quote:

“Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.”
Oscar Wilde

The story of my life.

Moving on. Today I received my Handdyed Roving Swap parcel. Since I have too many photos, I'm going to direct you to the pictures on Flickr. After that (and battling the bloody Spox pattern) I went to Homework Club. Or so I thought. Apparently (although we hadn't been told) it was cancelled. Emmos took me, instead, to see her workplace. We then went on to dinner and the EWES. A local spinner we (the "babies", *snark*) all really like was this week's hostess. Here's Emmos, laughing, with her wheel:


(I spun the hand-dyed roving I received from girlbotgoods). I'd say C's first EWES hostessing gig went well, as Emmos and I didn't leave until after 10. We got there at 7. Twas lots of fun. Emmos offered to show me the "scenic" route home, and we proceeded to get lost. So, I got home at 11 pm after lots of star-gazing on some rural highway. I didn't care, it was fun.

Mum wanted to watch Casino Royale again, so I cast on a new project. I made it through the first 30 mins before I saw this:


I am very annoyed. I usually really like Knit Picks. I've been pleased with their lace and sock yarns. This, though, is really unacceptable. It's just awful, and I'm going to have to cut the entire mess out and weave in the ends. Joy.

It was as I stomped upstairs that I decided that, damn it, I needed to knit something for myself that required no shaping and yarn I knew wouldn't give me a headache. Mum's shawl is out of the question. The Queen of Cups nearly reduced me to tears. My silk pullover is beautiful but the yarn has slubs that I have to watch for (or else regret it eternally). The Spox, it turns out, are too big for me and are going to go to Mum.

So. I am casting on SOMETHING tomorrow with my Lorna's Laces Helen's Lace. I've wound it and know for CERTAIN that there are no knots, slubs, weird ends, or general ickyness.

This isn't Startitis. It's self-preservation.

Labels: designing, friends, handspun, idiocy, insanity, knitting

Well, no, not really. That's the "colour" of the yarn I'm working with on my new and improved Spox. I'm currently working on the gusset right now of the left one. And, uh, I was wondering if anyone was terribly interested in doing me a favor and trying out the pattern? I'm working out the math and should have it ready in a day or two... any completely crazy wonderful takers? (actually, it's not that bad, the sock's knit flat for most of the pattern, and only requires two intermediate/ advanced techniques: picking up stitches purlwise and p2tog tbl,. both of which are very easy to learn - I taught myself)

Other knitting news? I finished the back of the peacock pullover tonight! And, even better, it actually matches up to the sweater I modeled it after:


The neckline is curling so, even though it doesn't look it, I swear it does match. I was so pleased with myself for several hours, because I had finally cracked the armhole/ sleeve cap code. I couldn't just copy the red sweater, since the gauge is tiny and that wouldn't have taught me anything. But, after a costume construction class and many a failed sweater (my own and others') I figured out that the curve of the sleeve cap is the same as the armscye and that the armhole measurement corresponds with the sleeve width. (yes, I am a slow learner)

Now I just have to figure out how to standardize it. (read above in parentheses)

Right-O. Once I understand that, I can get Sauci started. And, just to mix things up a bit, here's tonight's quote at the end of the post...

“Experience is the best teacher, but a fool will learn from no other.”
Benjamin Franklin

Labels: costume construction, designing, knitting, socks

Hark! Hear my rejoicing (albeit far away). Little D's gansey is finally "finished". Remember his gansey? The sweater that took 3 times (1st, 2nd, 3rd) to block? Well, I received "action" shots of it today from my sister, A, and have to share them:


And, just because, project specs:

• Yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (colour: Malibu)
• Needles: US 6's, I think.
• Gauge: 5.5 sts/ inch
• Size: 30" chest (10-year-old size, supposedly)
• Pattern: err... I cobbled one together using Knitting in the Old Way, The Knitter's Handy Book of Sweater Patterns, and sheer insanity.
• Recipient: Little D, my nephew
• Date started: October 14, 2006
• Date finished: December 7, 2006 (I am so glad I have a blog to document this stuff!)
  

And it's DONE!! I'd run around squeeing like a madwoman, but I'm tired (yeah, I did nothing today) and haven't finished typing up this post. Other good news?

Hrm. The kitchen is painted (even if it does smell like wet paint and I can't cook anything: yay!). I have two rows done on the lace border for Mum's shawl (only 14 to go!). I'm nearly to the heels of the Spox (er... woot?). And, hehehe, I think someone might have a crush on... a friend (no, I won't tell you who, she reads this blog) (I can't believe I even wrote the word "crush", that is so bloody high school) (It's just a thought, I may be crazy, but...) If he does, he'd better make a move before I leave for Africa, cuz I reserve the right to torment my friends' b/f's to strengthen their characters.

And that's about it. I want to go and spin that pink batt.

(Oh, and I have some slight 'bad' news. I fell off the wagon. But that is for another post!)

Labels: family, finished object, gansey, knitting, little D

Now welcom somer, with thy sonne softe
That hast this wintres weders over-shaker
And driven awey the longe nightes blake!
(attributed to Chaucer, sung by the Mediaeval Baebes)

Before we get to the terrifying weeds, let us rejoice over a finished object! (and sun, sun is good) I finished the wraplan for baby T tonight! It's currently blocking in the laundry room, but here's a pic of it after being steamed for the purposes of being photographed:


It's done! It's done! Project specs:

• Yarn: JoAnn Sensations Bellezza: Smania
• Gauge: 5 sts/ inch on US 8's
• Size: 12 months/ 22" (I think, I'd have to check)
• Started: I have absolutely no idea
• Finished: March 25, 2007
• Recipient: baby T

I'm gonna try and send it by the end of the week, and demand a modeled photograph. I still haven't gotten a pic of little D in the gansey, and I need to mention that to A.

Stuff that happened earlier today:

1. As I went through my Peace Corps medical eval forms I noticed that one of the forms wasn't signed by my general practitioner. I will. Not. Scream.
2. I actually, finally!, got a load of laundry done.
3. I got a nasty splinter in my foot whilst weeding and paring down The Beast (also known as our passion fruit vine):

I also managed not to scream when I saw these little pests on the side of my garden waste bin:



At the sharp pain in my foot and severe heeby-jeebies, I went inside. Sat down and knit (finished) baby T's wraplan. While working away, Dad and I watched 3 episodes of Planet Earth. It was really good. The photography was amazing. And Sigourney Weaver makes a great narrator.

Then we watched the series finale of ROME. Twas good. But, I feel incumbent to mention, not entirely accurate. But good. Poor Vorenus. I also have to mention that I didn't like how they made Augustus seem like a sociopath. But, again, otherwise quite good. It's sad to see it end.

Also, I have to agree with Maura. I think that An Inconvenient Truth would have been better (and a little less, well, manipulative) without Gore's life story and personal tragedies on display. That was just tacky.

And that is all. I think I shall spin a bit.

Labels: finished object, gardening/ weeding, knitting, wraplan

snark·y /ˈsnɑrki/ [snahr-kee]
–adjective, snark·i·er, snark·i·est. Chiefly British Slang.
testy or irritable; short.
[Origin: 1910–15; dial. snark to nag, find fault with (appar. identical with snark, snork to snort, snore, prob. D, LG snorken to snore) + -y1]

Since the Monday Night Knitters (aka Madame DeFarge's Knitters) have been kicked out of our previous venue, Perugino's, we've been a bit adrift. Many other venues were considered, but most have seating limitations, early hours, or other problems. This evening, we tried the 5th Street Market. Which turned out to be a bust, since everything closed at 7 pm. Joy. It was decided that we'd all move over to Cozmic Pizza, and try again there.

In all fairness, we had been warned that it was Open Mike Night at Cozmic Pizza. But, I think we were all expecting badly written (and performed) poetry, and not karaoke. At first, we were politely distasteful. Then we (well, about half of us, including St M and I) got really loud and really snarky. A couple of times we sang along, off-key, and others we critiqued the singers' skills, etc. And we laughed. A lot. And loudly.

At the time it was funny. Right now I'm worried about the damage we might have done to some of the "performers" egos. At one point, A asked if St M and I were drunk because we were laughing so hard. But, really, who wouldn't laugh when two teenagers are trying to since songs older than they are? (and not succeeding in the slightest, either)

We all left right about when the love songs started up. After getting home, I wound off last night's Aurora into a skein and plied the other bobbin-full. As of tonight, I have 6 skeins done:


I'm getting closer and closer to have a sweater's worth of yarn. Yay! Then I get to design a sweater... Hrm.

Well, that's about it. Not really. But I don't want to write any more. Quickly - I got some really gorgeous lace for the edge of "that Judaica thing" (rejoice!) and some matching blue braiding. It's gonna rock, I think. Hopefully my karma isn't in the negatives after tonight, and it'll work out.

Labels: friends, handspun, knitting, Monday Night Knitters

I am exhausted. Long, long day. A is still sick, and I'm praying that the nausea I'm feeling is just from eating too many hamentashen. Little D and I made 2 dozen hamentashen - triangular filled cookies to celebrate the defeat of Haman (he wore a triangular hat), an ancient Persian who tried to annihilate the Jews. Purim is the celebration of Hadassah (or Ester) a Jewess who defeated Haman with her uncle Mordecai. Since Purim is on Saturday, I volunteered to make hamentashen for little D use. So, here we are making them:


They came out very well, all things considered (I played fast and loose with the recipe). After a disastrous dinner, I finally finished swatching for my next project, the peacock pullover:


And, um, that's it. I'm going to go and sit quietly now. Cross your fingers for me, since my train ride home is tomorrow night...

Labels: designing, knitting, travel

Before that, as we watched American Idol (just don't ask), I worked with A on her knitting. She had just finished casting on:


And was, quite reasonably, please with herself. So, she called out to K, "Look at this beauty I have wrought!" (or something similiar). To which K replied, "I love you," and went back to her computer. "She's humoring me," A explained. "That's what she always says when she thinks I'm being silly." A looked back up and called, "Yes, my love, but you don't understand the complexity of my achievement!"

I think K actually raised one eyebrow, but dutifully came over to see what all the fuss was about. Watching A cast on another couple of stitches, K looked more impressed. "Huh. Now how do you make another row on top of that?"

"We haven't gotten that far." Right. So, I showed A and she knit a couple of rows (slowly but surely). K leaned over her shoulder, watching curiously, and finally declared, "I want to try that!"

So, she did. And to our bemusement, she started knitting:


A and I looked at each other. "Wow," was all I said. I think A muttered something under her breath. But, she complimented K on picking it up so fast.

It's amazing how humbling teaching someone to knit can be. I think it took me a full 15 minutes for me to knit my first stitch. It didn't take K 15 seconds. Nor A, admittedly. Finally, K gave A her knitting back. A proceeded to knit through AI to the end of LOST (occassionally crying out for help) as I knit a button placket and sewed on the buttons for K's socks, err, spocks.

Oh, and at some point therein, we blocked little D's gansey for the third time. Let me retype that. THE THIRD TIME. This jumper is going to be the death of me:


Something we can't say for A this morning. Somehow she has the stomach flu (half of the office does apparently), and is lying in bed. K and I have taken Airborne. Heaven help us.

Darn, I have to make Hamentashen. And something garlicky for A to eat...

Labels: family, finished object, knitting, socks, travel

“Men come together in cities in order to live; they remain together in order to live the good life.”
Aristotle

What a loooooong day. I got up just as A was about to run out the door, to work, and was given 10 minutes to decide if I wanted to go into The City (read: San Fransisco) or entertain myself in the south Bay Area. I opted for The City, but didn't have any time to get a friend's cell # or look up anything I might have wanted to see. I decided to play it by ear.

It must be noted that my sister's ability to predict the weather is decidedly lacking. As we ran out of the house the sky was a rich blue. A mentioned that she was envious that I got to spend the day in The City with the weather so lovely. But, by the time Caltrain arrived in SF proper there was a very large, very dark, very black thunderhead floating in overhead:


As I walked towards Artfibers Yarns (TheBon insisted that I visit them, and I'm glad I did) the weather got decidedly damper. I was very glad to dash indoors and look at yarn for a bit. This store was incredibly dangerous. Like Knit Picks, they only carry their own yarns straight from the mills. They had some amazing mixes (cotton with stainless steel) and enough lush yarn to tempt me to bankrupt myself. I managed to rein myself in and only got enough yarn for a sweater. I was drawn to the silk yarns (who could blame me?) and to two particular yarns/ colours as well. I finally gave in and paid for the yarns I really wanted:

• Zabumba: 80%/ 20% nylon boucle-like yarn in a tidepool colourway. It knits up to 24 sts/ 4 inches on size US 3 needles. It was so gorgeous and light (and expensive) that I got some to act as a decorative touch to the main yarn...
• Hana: 100% silk, smooth and shiny and peacock blue. It knits up to 26 sts/ 4 inches on size US 3 needles. It was suuuuch a deep and vibrant colour and so soft that I wanted it the moment I saw it.

Soooo... yeah, more yarn. But I'm already designing the sweater it's gonna be.

After spending too much money on yarn, I started walking. I didn't know where I was going, so I decided to follow the trail of pretty, old buildings. Somehow, I ended up in Chinatown. Noticing that everything around me was in Chinese, I decided to do some shopping for presents. No pictures, sorry. Maybe later.

Anyway, as I left a little Pho restaurant the sky opened. Soon I began to wonder if I was going to need gills. By the time I got to the Caltrain station I was literally soaked. I had ducked into 3 separate buildings (buying more hot chocolate in one day than I normally drink in a week), under several awnings (huddled with other bemused walkers), before realising that I couldn't get any wetter and just decided to walk it.

All in all, I walked 4 mi (I used the gmap pedometer and everything).

Well, that's everything. By the time A picked me up in Mountain View, at another coffeehouse (yes, I ducked into another one and bought another hot chocolate), I was exhausted and wet and soaked and a bit wet.

Now it's time to knit. And teach A to knit.

Labels: insanity, knitting, LYS review, travel

“Happiness, that grand mistress of the ceremonies in the dance of life, impels us through all its mazes and meanderings, but leads none of us by the same route.”
Charles Caleb Colton

I was awoken bright and early this morning by the cleaners arriving to scour the house (A and K engaged a company while A was pregnant). I dressed in a hurry and helped keep baby T occupied for the duration:


Then, once she was down for her nap, we returned to the cleaner living room whereupon I noticed that A was wearing the socks I finished for her last night. I demanded a photograph:

Project specs:
Yarn: Knit Picks Dancing in Jig
Pattern: ... what pattern?
Gauge: 8 sts per inch
Date started: January 7, 2007
Date finished: February 25, 2007

After a whole bunch of errands (done after baby T woke up) (and, OMG, the staff at that Thai restaurant were so funny, we're amazed the chef didn't come out to play with baby T), A and I sat down for a knitting lesson at Starbucks, during little D's piano lesson. We didn't get very far because this one:


proceeded to fall apart whenever A picked up her needles. Coincidence? We thought not. Whatever the reason, we didn't get past the cast on stage. I think I'm going to try again in a bit. I had to lay down once we got back because I was on the cusp of a migraine (was seeing auras).

So, that's it. More tomorrow. I have a sock pattern to try out.

Labels: baby T, finished object, knitting, socks, travel