Variety is the Spice of Knitting

Lately, I have been focused on knitting through my stash. I haven't decided not to buy any more yarn, just to try to knit up what I have. This is mostly because I'm tired of looking at the same yarn, not because I don't want to have a stash (although a smaller one would be preferable). Also, it's been a little demoralizing to keep looking at things that were (to me) bad purchases - the 'what-was-I-thinking-I-don't-wear-this-color' skeins, the 'it-looked-good-in-the-store' yarns, etc.

I went to a yarn swap at Arcadia last weekend, where my goal was to get rid of everything I brought and not bring anything else home. Given that the yarn store owners also planned to donate the leftovers, I figured this would be easy to do. Not so. The yarn swap was very formal (I thought): everyone laid out their items, and then walked around to see what they might want from others. If you wanted something, a bartering process would begin and the yarn would be traded.

Since I had brought Koigu and some other name brand-y yarn, lots of people wanted to trade with me. So - I ended up with some new-to-me yarn! I got some Noro Silk Garden and some Misti Alpaca Sportweight in these colors:


It was such a fun experience, because I never could have predicted getting these yarns! And although I love them both, I never would have picked these colors. Now I will have to think of something I can make with them. (just not together!) I think I will use the alpaca double-stranded and make a cozy hat. Any ideas for 300 yards of Silk Garden?

My West Coast Booty

You may recall that I was planning a serious yarn crawl while Hubby and I were on the West Coast. Well...as you might expect, I didn't end up doing that much yarn shopping.

While in Portland, I visited Knit Purl. What an incredible store! It struck me as a very "zen" yarn shop - soothing sage green walls, calming music and minimalist design. They carry a lot of local yarns, which means the current fave Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Loom In Essence (colored with natural plant dyes) and Oregon's Own (can't seem to find web sites for those last two). They also carry Handmaiden kits - which I have admired from afar but never seen in person. Here's what I chose:



On the left is the Angel/Rumple Scarf Kit from Handmaiden - on which I've already made great progress! It comes with a silk boucle and a thin kid mohair, hand dyed to match. The fabric they make together is SOOOO soft! The colorway is a blue/periwinkle (although it looks sort of aqua on my screen).

The item on the right is very interesting. Knit Purl has a store brand of yarns called ShiBui. I think they are working on distributing the brand more widely, since I saw an ad highlighting ShiBui Knits in the last Interweave. (I also overheard an intense meeting in the store leading me to believe this) I bought the sock yarn in a moss green color, which has a twist and sheen like Koigu, but in saturated, nature-inspired, elegant mostly-solid shades. There are other ShiBui yarns available too, from DK to bulky weight.

And lest you think Knit Purl is not fully stocked - they have Noro, Rowan, Debbie Bliss, Koigu, Brown Sheep, lots of cashmere and tons of other things. They also have their own line of beautiful patterns, which have a modern, somewhat Asian feel.

So, although I can't speak for Portland's (many!) other knitting stores, I can say Knit Purl is REALLY worth a visit.

The weather in Chicago is beautiful today - so I'm going back outside! Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Knitting where you least expect it

Thanks, everyone, for the kind wishes on my blogiversary and honeymoon. I really appreciate all your good thoughts winging their way to me through cyber-land.

At one point on our trip, I was trying to look for sea glass to take back home. We had been on the same beach the day before, where I'd seen tons of it - but this time I just wasn't finding any. And then - I saw one piece. And then I couldn't STOP seeing it!

Knitting is kind of like that. If your eye is looking you'll find it. Like this item at the Lewis and Clark National Historical Site, which we visited last week - a knitting kit for a historically accurate hat.

And then sometimes when people know you're a knitter, they show you knitting stuff. My husband's aunt showed me this:


A book called "Make it with Mademoiselle," as in the magazine, circa 1977. The intro is pretty entertaining:


I, too like designs that don't "demand a lot of coin." Still, it's pretty cool that the editors came up with all of the patterns themselves. There are tons of cool patterns for knitting, crochet, sewing and crafting projects. There are even instructions for cool ways to tie a head scarf. I'll leave you with two of my favorite patterns from the book:





The bottom photo is labeled "Crunchy Sweaterjack and Cap." Never heard of a sweaterjack, but I like it!

You can get your own copy at www.abebooks.com. Leave me one, though!

Later, y'all!

My Blogiversary

Today's my blogiversary! I missed it last year, so I wanted to be sure to post about it this time.

Blogging has added so much to my life. I've met people from all over the U.S. and other countries, read about knitting projects and life's work, visited places I may never see in person, and learned about recipes and cultural traditions. I've given and received encouragement and support on knitting and beyond, from careers to family to life's twists and turns. The more I share through blogging, the more the world and all the viewpoints and people in it keep expanding.

None of this would be possible without those who write blogs, and those who read them. I am so grateful for getting the chance to be a tiny part of your lives and to share part of my life with you.

Hubby says it's time to stop blogging and get back to honeymooning. So, here's a pic from Portland, with my latest project. (for the sticklers among you, it's a shawl in Lorna's Laces Lion & Lamb in the Ravenswood colorway)


My best to all of you!

Tidbits

Hi all! It's been a while since my last post. I don't have pix to share, so I guess that's the reason.

Last night my husband and I went to see The Roots (and Talib Kweli) in concert. Aside from the poor sound quality at the venue it was jammin'. It was a late night for a Monday but well worth it. I was even tempted to go to the aftershow, a DJ set with ?uestlove - but given how tired I was the next day I guess I was kinda glad we didn't!

I've continued to work on my Ribby Shell - it looks pretty much the same as my last pic. I've also been working on a ribbed wool hat from some Morehouse Merino Chunky wool - it turned out pretty well, though a little small for the hubby. No matter - for some reason, hats are a challenge for me, so every time I make one I just hope to get a little better at it.

Fall Interweave Faves

Did y'all get the new Interweave? I LOVE this issue. There are so many things I would like to make, and even the things that don't suit me personally are still really good patterns. (I don't always think this about Interweave.) I made a collage of my favorites.

Two more days and we're off on our honeymoon! It will be a much needed break from work, as well as some bonding time with the hubby before he gets busy with the fall semester. I'll try to keep the yarn store-hopping to a minimum (grin), but Portland is just overflowing with them! I've picked out a few that seem neat and that also have local yarn brands: Lint, Knit Purl, and Mabel's Cafe and Knittery.Not to mention the one at the beach, Siren Song Stitchery (love the alliteration). Anyway, I'll try not to overdo it.

I may not get to post before I leave, but I plan to blog at least once while I'm away. In the meantime, happy knitting! Ciao bellas!

Weekend, Part II

I've already said there was no knitting last weekend - but did you honestly think that meant no YARN??!? Before we left on Friday, I scoped out the yarn store options in Moorhead, MN. Turns out there's this awesome store, called The Knitty Gritty Cafe. It is, in fact, a cafe as well as a yarn shop. It's BEAUTIFUL. See for yourself:



One of the store's employees is an artist, and her work is all over the walls of the shop. Plus, there's yarn everywhere (see that lamp in the far right of the picture) - including the bathroom! (don't worry it's not for sale, just decoration)

It's a pretty compact store, but don't let that fool you - there were a bunch of things in this store I've never seen before, such as: Mango Moon Mohair and something called Bali Sky, and another one that's like hand-dyed strips of t-shirt; Ironstone Yarns of many fibers and hues; patterns by Lucy Neatby; and all kinds of smaller brands whose names I can't recall (I should have taken notes!).

The store was super friendly as well - I had a nice chat with Tricia, who was working that day. I also talked to these ladies, who knit but who were actually in for a coffee! Plenty of space to sit, knit and enjoy a latte...



...so if you're ever in Moorhead, check out The Knitty Gritty Cafe! And now, for my goodies:



I knew indigirl had patterns, but this was the first yarn store where I've seen them. If you can't make it out - the bag has a houndstooth pattern on the front and back. The yarn is Ironstone Yarns Harmony - again, never seen it before, but Tricia says it's great for felting. It's reasonably priced and soft, so I got enough for the purse and some in a beautiful heathery dark teal/navy (in the foreground). I'll let you know how it works out.

So that was my weekend. Now that I'm back all I can think about is the next time I'm going away - we are going on our honeymoon a week from Saturday! I'm very excited. Anybody have any yarn store/alpaca farm-type recommendations for Seattle or Portland/Oregon Coast? Let me know! Later y'all...

Things I learned this weekend

1. Floating in a swimming pool is truly relaxing.


2. Lots of people, not just knitters, like handknit dishcloths.


3. Marriage, if done right, really does give you a second family.

I spent the weekend with my husband’s dad’s family in Minnesota. I spent two days with almost no internet, knitting, email or watching TV – that would never happen at home. Instead, I hung out with my new relatives, drank margaritas, played in the pool, and just generally relaxed. It was a wonderful and unique weekend.

Stay tuned for more about my trip.

P.S. July

Thanks, everyone, for the kind birthday wishes! They were a nice surprise and very much appreciated. It's been a busy year, what with the moving, job search and new job, wedding planning and wedding. After all that, I plan to focus on relaxing this year. :)

The Norah Gaughan lace hoodie is in time-out right now. I just don't have the heart to try the lace-flipping again for a little while! I've already ripped out my mistakes at least three times.

So I decided to work on a quicker project, and bust some stash:



The lovely Bonne Marie's Ribby Shell! And in a snappy lavender color to boot. The yarn is Classic Elite Provence, purchased from last year's Webs Anniversary Sale. If you've never knit with this yarn - run out and track some down...it is so beautiful. You know how when you use fabric softener on your clothes, and they come out of the dryer all soft and cushy feeling? That's how this yarn feels when it's knit up (although it feels pretty normal in the skein). It's multi-plied so it evens out your stitches too. The only bad thing is that it retails for $12.50 a skein - ouch! Maybe Webs will put it on discount again.

Anyway, that's all I've got for now. Thanks again for the good wishes - here's to another great year.

July 8

July 8 was my birthday! And it was indeed a kick-a$$ birthday.

It started on Friday with a surprise delivery of flowers, and Garrett's Caramel Crisp popcorn - my favorite treat and a Chicago tradition!


I treated myself to a manicure and pedicure on Saturday morning. So relaxing! I now have hot pink toes. Later in the day, my husband and I did something I've always wanted to do: we went to afternoon tea. Check out these treats!


They really did taste as good as they look...wow.

Lest you think the day was over, we had dinner at a great authentic Mexican restaurant called Maiz - they have been written up as having the best margaritas in the city! So being a 'rita lover, I had to check them out. See for yourself:

The food at this place is wonderful - so fresh and flavorful, as well as reasonably priced. We had chicken with mole, and lots of other things whose names escape me now.

A few months ago, I found out that my favorite musical artist was going to be in Chicago on my birthday! So naturally I had to go. Her name is Nanci Griffith - and the fact that she was headlining the Chicago Irish Fest did not stop me from seeing her! (yes, you may chuckle) Actually, the festival thing worked in our favor - the tickets were only $8 for a nearly two-hour performance. Later we waited by her tour bus, in the hopes that we could meet her and get her autograph - I did get her autograph (her manager took my liner notes - and Sharpie - to her on the bus), but didn't get to meet her. Anyway, it was still a special moment!

So that was my day. I'm 31 now! Wee.

No knitting progress, as I keep screwing up the flipping lace. (Flipping as in minor curse word, as well as the maneuver where the lace flips from one side to the other to go up the other half of the sweater's front.) Hopefully I'll get the rhythm going again soon.

Later, y'all! Hope everyone had a nice weekend.

Challenge: Week 4

I missed doing a week 3 update, so it's week 4 now. I'm doing pretty well on the sweater, but it's pretty clear that the pieces won't be done in four weeks. Here's where things stand:



On the left we have the back with two sleeves on top (2nd sleeve is nearly complete), and to the right we have 50% of the front. You can see the part where I flip the lace to go the opposite direction; unfortunately, the ribbing for the other side of the front is on the wrong side, so I have to frog back. I did what I thought the directions told me, but - as Elizabeth pointed out - the RS becomes the WS, and vice versa, so I'll have to read them again in that light.

I still think that had I not had two weeks of work from H-E-doublehockeysticks, I could have at least finished the knitting in 3-4 weeks. But I'm still proud of my effort, and even more proud of my stick-to-it-iveness: this is the only thing I've knit on in the last month! I never have that kind of focus, so it's been refreshing. I should try being a 'one-project woman' more often.

Have a great weekend, everybody! I have some special activities planned for Saturday ...more on that later.

Oh, and P.S. - y'all know Webs? Well, they have launched a full line of yarns under the name Valley Yarns, and it's similar to KnitPicks in that they source them direct from the mill and sell them for low low prices. And Webs is a great company - family run, community-minded...very cool. Check it out!

Saturday

Today was all about me! I had a great day being on my own schedule, doing what I wanted to do for as long as I felt like. The best thing I did today was go to the Marimekko exhibit at Illinois Institute of Technology. There was a brief period in my life in high school when I wanted to be a textile designer – so this was a great thrill for me.

I knew a little about Marimekko, but I learned a lot at the exhibit. The vision guiding the company came from a woman, Armi Ratia. In 1949, her husband bought a company called Printex that made plain old cotton fabric. In order to help market the product, she hired young designers to design new prints for the fabric and make a small collection of clothing from them. Beginning with a 1951 fashion show of these designs, Marimekko was born.

I’m no historian – so go here to read more about Marimekko’s history. Unfortunately, the exhibit doesn’t have a catalog – so that’s the best I can do. For Chicago folks (or visitors! come visit!) - the exhibit will be open until July 28.

I've made a set on Flickr of some of my favorite images from the exhibit. Enjoy the feast of color!

Up next in 'day of me' day activities: Tivo'd episodes of Knitty Gritty.

Challenge: Week 2

Well. Those sticklers among you will note that this is technically week 3, even though this is the week 2 update. My progress to date:



From left to right: one sleeve, one teeny-tiny bit of a sleeve, the back, and (gulp) half of the hood and a teeny bit of the front. Clearly, I have my work cut out for me! But I haven't given up hope yet - at least to have the pieces done by June 30. I've finally gotten the hang of the lace pattern, so it's going more quickly now - and having a stockinette sleeve to work on is great stress-relief knitting. (not that I need stress relief knitting or anything...ha!)

Well, it's back to knitting for me. But before I go, I want to plug a new magazine that you should run out and buy: Adorn Magazine. I bought the premiere issue, and it's a really fun magazine. Perfect for you multi-craft multi-taskers out there! Lots of stitching, sewing, paper arts and beading. Plus, I love the tag line: The Crafty Girl's Guide to Embellishing Life.

That's what I need: some embellishment.

Later, y'all.

Challenge: Week 1

The sweater continues...I've finished the back piece and have started on the front. It starts at the middle of the hood, and you knit down to the shoulder, then down to the hem - you turn the lace border (it's reversible), cast on more for the other side of the front, and continue back up the other side. I guess I'm being so descriptive because what I have so far is this:


Kinda small!
It's a little bigger now, since I took this picture yesterday. It's going okay, but it's pretty time-consuming. Also, I realized that this is my first real lace pattern, and I have no idea how tightly or loosely to knit the lace section so that it stays the right size once the sweater is finished. I don't think it's supposed to be blocked very much, if at all - so it's anyone's guess.

Work is kicking my butt this month, so finishing the sweater will be even more of a challenge than I anticipated! But I guess that's why I don't decide to make a sweater a month, every month. I love seeing it take shape, so that keeps me going. I might also cast on a sleeve to carry around, for those times where I can't break out a chart and concentrate but want to knit.

Anyway, that's all I've got for tonight. I'm tired! Hope you are all well. Thanks for stopping by...

Big Post!

BLOG POST PART 1: In which I recap my Mass. trip and stash flash.
I'm back! I had a great time at my college reunion, in spite of myself. Everyone was so happy to see each other that the competitiveness vibe seemed to have worn off...leaving us free to have fun and reminisce about our younger days. As for myself, I had a number of happy reunions with college friends, and a few that left me wistful - and still more that showed me how I've grown as a person since college. I always think that seeing old friends is a time to evaluate where you are in your life, and even more importantly - how authentically you are living your life. Are you still the person your friends once knew? Is that good or bad? Are you living in a way that reflects more or less of who you really are? Big questions...

...on to the yarn. I made it to Webs! In fact, I drove there straight from the airport. Believe it or not, I was not the only person attending my school's reunion who had done exactly that! Webs was all I hoped it would be. Everyone talks about the warehouse, which led me to believe that's what the whole store was like. In fact, it has a beautiful, large "retail" space before you even get to the warehouse part. I think they have just about every brand of yarn there is (except for Rowan). Anyway - you can find any color, any fiber, any weight of yarn in this place. And the friendly staff will help you do it. Here's what I got:



Tahki Willow in a mottled beige-y color, and some Debbie Bliss Wool/Cotton. The Tahki Willow is becoming the Norah Gaughan hooded pullover from VK Spring/Summer 2005. I've already started; this cotton/linen blend makes a beautiful fabric. (here's a closeup.) The DB w/c is for a hat for my little bro. The Tahki was discontinued - combine that with the Webs volume discount and it was a super deal. The DB wool/cotton is also discontinued - a very nice yarn; too bad. I also got some ebony wood circulars - they are so smooth. It's like they're not even wood. And the best part about these is that they are recycled remnants from the manufacture of musical instruments.

BLOG POST PART II: In which the Gauntlet is Thrown.
So I was waiting for an appointment the other day, and decided to knit for a few minutes. The receptionist noticed what I was doing.

Nice Receptionist Lady: What are you making?
Me: A sweater. This is just the back, not too exciting.
NRL: How long do you think it will take you to finish it?
Me (thinking): Maybe about 3 weeks. But it all depends on how much time I spend on it, how busy I am...

We continued chatting. NRL told me how she had tried knitting, but didn't have the patience for it. She went on, "My grandmother did embroidery - oh! she did the most beautiful work! And my aunts, well - they can look at what you're wearing and go and sew something just like it. My daughter crochets, my sister and my nephew both knit; and then there's me." Apparently she's the only person in her close family who doesn't do anything with needles.

So I was listening and talking, but then I was also thinking: how did I come up with a timeframe of three weeks? What went into this calculation by gestalt, as it were? And - could I do it? Would I get bored? Would my hands cramp uncontrollably? Would I have a finished garment by June 30?

You're about to find out.

Knitting Reading

I have a fairly healthy library of knitting books. (this might be a gross understatement.) It started about eight years ago with Vogue Knitting and Debbie Bliss’ Knitting Workshop, and has continued at varying degrees of frenzy ever since. I’ve bought my share of titles lately, so I thought I’d tell you what I think about a few of my newest reads.


Knitting Nature
Although I always gravitate toward Norah Gaughan’s designs in VK and Interweave, I didn’t even know she was writing a book until I read about it over at Lolly’s. I ran out to get it after work the same day, and it did not disappoint. It is full of unique yet eminently wearable designs, from tanks to sweaters to skirts and accessories. There are at least five patterns I would start right now, if time permitted. I loved reading about the patterns in nature that inspired her designs. I was a biology major in college too – but I never thought about it this way! It just goes to show that there is always a way for a person to blend her passions and talents. I’ve read at the knitalong that there are problems (some minor, some major) with some of the patterns. I haven’t tried any myself, but I kind of hate to hold that against the designer. Maybe that’s crazy. It’s also crazy how hard it is to find out anything about Norah Gaughan on the internet. Berroco recently posted a Q & A with her about the new book, for subscribers to its KnitBits e-newsletter, but as far as I can tell, she flies below (or above) the radar. Her book was a window into her mind – I only wish she had a blog or website to continue the story.

Yarn Girls Guide to Beyond the Basics
Okay, I’m a sucker for buying this book. Or am I? After all, the patterns are all the kind of thing you could come up with by using The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns, a worsted gauge, and body-conscious measurements. But the Yarn Girls do the hard work for you! The book is filled with classic yet modern, simply constructed garments with easy-to-follow patterns. There are winter weight sweaters (a beautiful cabled turtleneck is at the top of my project list), summery tanks and short-sleeved sweaters for in between, as well as accessories and throws. The yarns are fairly common - Berroco, Karabella, Filatura, Blue Sky, to name a few. This book has many more patterns in smaller gauges as compared with their first book - a welcome change for those of us who shudder at the sight of anything bigger than 4 sts to the inch. But, some of the patterns are a little too simple – for example, there’s one for a moss stitch scarf. There is also a section of patterns for ponchos, and personally - I think that ship has sailed. Still, if you want patterns for wardrobe staples you will actually wear, I would recommend it.

The Purl Stitch
I think I was the last knitter on earth who didn’t how to increase in ribbing, but not anymore! In the two weeks since I bought this book, I have found answers to knitting problems I could not find anywhere else, or that I could not understand in any other book. Sally Melville has a way of explaining things that makes them seem so logical and easy. And even though the book has a fairly instructional style (not to mention the fact that I usually just look at the pictures), I enjoyed reading the short anecdotes between the patterns and lessons. I apologize to all the Sally Melville fans, but I really only bought this book for the great Kersti ribbed pullover pattern! So it has been the surprise knitting book hit of the year for me.

I’m at a little bit of a project crossroads, so forgive me for the lack of knitting progress stuff! I’m headed to Mass. this weekend, so hopefully Webs can help me embark on a new zingy project.

Awww....

So, I think a certain someone won't like this very much, but it was too sweet not to post. I got home from SNB (can't say the full name!) in Wicker Park last night, and found this on our message board at home:


(name erased to protect the cute)

It's always nice to know you've been missed...

Anyway, projects! I've been working on a baby sweater, for my coworker who is about to be a dad for the second time. The pattern is from Reynolds, but I'm using Blue Sky Dyed Cotton which is sooo soft. It will look pretty much like this sweather I made last summer. Hopefully I'll be done tomorrow.

Also, I just discovered that there's a knitalong for Norah Gaughan's book, Knitting Nature. I looked at some of the projects people have already started, and it makes me want to start on a big ol' wool sweater instead of making summer knits! I've been feeling a pull toward Manos, Cascade 220 and other wooly yarns...maybe I should just do it! I can always save a cotton project for Knit in Public Day (June 10). My wrists get a little sore with the cotton, so maybe a wool project would be just the thing.

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

...Actually, it's THIRTY-EIGHT DEGREES AND RAINING! I have to say, for the first time since we moved here in July, I would like to revoke my Chicago residency. This is just TOO COLD for May. However, I did break out my Lara sweater today, which was a nice suprise since I thought I wouldn't see her again until next fall/winter. Sadly, no Orange Peel outing this week.

Speaking of Madame Orange Peel - thanks so much for your compliments! It's great to get the feedback. This was my first top-down raglan (really!) and I'd love to make another. Probably not for a while, though - all the stockinette hurt my hands.

I've settled on my next project. Although I bought the new Norah Gaughan book, I've picked one of her older patterns, from Vogue Knitting last summer. There's a photo here. The only dilemma is, which yarn to use? The pattern calls for Trendsetter Spiral, which is a) discontinued and b) acrylic. I'm hoping to find a reasonably priced cotton (or linen or silk) blend that has some texture (or variegation) but won't stretch out too much over time. Tall order! I'm thinking of something like Classic Elite Flash, Artful Yarns Olympic, or GGH Linova. Linova is really hard to find online in a color I want, and the Flash and Olympic are both multicolored (or "marled,"I guess) but you can't tell from the photos online how they'll knit up.

What's a girl to do? Well, that brings me to my next topic: my college reunion. This summer is my 10th college reunion and for some crazy reason I have decided to go. All of my friends are going too, so that will be lots of fun...but then it hit me: I can go to Webs! My alma mater is very close to this yarn mecca, but I've never been there! But I read Stephanie's post and saw her photos - so I think this will be just the place to find some awesome summer yarn for this project.

There may be more angst about the reunion as it approaches (at the end of the month). But for now, there is only anticipation about the fibery goodness and friends in my future!

One last thing - I put up a few wedding photos on my flickr account here, in case anyone is interested. (There are none of my sweetie, though, because he likes being anonymous in the blog-o-sphere.)

Ta Da...

I give you...

Orange Peel!



Why the name? Because after seeing this photo - the shirt looks so tight, you'd have to peel it off!! Ha ha. It's actually not tight, just very fitted. I was trying to make it as fitted as possible, in case the yarn stretches out.

Project Specs:


• Green Gable pattern, for sale at Zephyr Style
• Yarn: 4 1/2 balls of Lang Lyra, 54% Cotton, 46 % Silk - purchased at Loopy Yarns
• Gauge: approximately 5.5 sts=1" on US 6s
• Modifications: I added waist shaping so the shirt would go over my tummy! Also, I made the torso a LOT longer. (Note: I am 5'8''.)
• Time to knit: About 3 weeks

All in all, a fun knit! I would recommend this pattern. I would also recommend the yarn, at least to knit with - we'll see how it holds up.

Hmmm...what's next? I have sock yarn for May Project Spectrum - but I need another larger project. I like the idea of having a sock (or other portable) project and a big project going at all times. I'm still finishing the shrug project from the last Interweave, so I have some time to think. There's some cute tops in the new Interweave, but I need to check the stash first. Plus, the lovely Shobhana has a GREAT sleeveless top pattern out...that might be next on the list. So many possibilities! It's a fun dilemma.

Happy knitting, all! Check you later.

Snap back to reality

Oh there goes gravity
-Eminem

The last few weeks have been quite an adjustment for me. Now I know why people go on honeymoons right after they get married. It sort of postpones the inevitable return to earth after so much time spent focusing on your family and friends and minute details of event planning. We aren't able to go on a honeymoon for another couple of months, so the aftermath of the wedding has been a sort of general sagging feeling. Now what?

We're happy and everything, that's not it - it's just that the whole consuming focus of your life is over and you have to take some time to re-balance. So that's what I've been up to. One thing I'm planning is to get trained to be a literacy volunteer. Also, I (hopefully) will be selected to serve on the board of a nonprofit I'm really excited about. Basically, I'm trying to get off the couch and rejoin the human community, where everything is not about me and what color napkins I want. (grin)

That said - the Green Gable, she is almost finished:



She needs a new name since she is SO not green! I won't quite make the April P.S. deadline - but I'm close. Hopefully I can finish this week. For next month - I actually broke down and ordered some yarn from MamaE! But I justified it because I started the second sock for a pair I started last winter. After carrying the sock around in my briefcase for the last week, I gained new appreciation for the easy portability of a sock project. So, we'll see if I finish in the month of May! It will be a challenge not to be distracted by summer knitting projects.

Well, that's it for now. Hope all is well in blogland...

Hey from Dallas

Hi all,

I'm writing tonight from a hotel room near the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. Yee-hah! I'm at a conference, and we had a banquet tonight at the Historic Stockyards in Fort Worth. Of course, I didn't take my camera! So I'll have to regale you with some funny signs I saw along the roads of DFW:

• TCU: Horned Frogs Explore


• Lt. Ralph Swearingin for Justice of the Peace, Tarrant County


• Bud Sellers (what do they sell exactly? it looked like used cars, but who can be sure?)


• Awesome Transportation (across the road from Bud's, which might explain the *awesome* name of this limo service)

I guess that's enough giggles for one night. Of course, air travel and hotel rooms mean only one thing: copious knitting time! I am working on the Green Gable top from Zephyr Style. After a few false starts (those pesky YOs!), it is swimming along:




I love this yarn! It is sooo bright - I even toned down the color a bit before posting this photo, so as not to blind you all! I think I bought way more than I need for this project, so hopefully I can exchange the remainder for a different color of this yarn to make another cute spring/summer top. On second thought - I should probably see how it wears first.

Anyway, not too much else to report here. Hope you are all enjoying the spring which has come your way, whether a lot or a little!

I figured it out

"I figured it out...with a pencil and a pad, I figured it out"
-The Pajama Game

Lately I have been seized with the desire to buy more and more yarn. You already saw the orange stuff - but if internet LYS-surfing is any indicator of desire, I’ve wanted to buy a LOT more than that. My yarn lust ebbs and flows, but I’ve never understood what brings it on or why it goes away.

I think I've figured it out: I want to buy yarn when I feel like I don't have enough time to knit, or when my current projects are failing. Somehow buying and stashing yarns for future projects feels like progress when I can't "knit" progress.

This makes sense in a way, but is ultimately unhealthy. For instance, I have been seized with the desire to buy sock yarn (is it just me, or is cool hand-dyed sock yarn multiplying like bunnies?!). However, I've only made 1 1/2 pairs of socks in about 10 years of knitting. So there should be no reason to think that buying more sock yarn puts me any closer to having a completed pair of socks. Also, having more yarn (and thus more potential projects) actually works against knitting progress rather than facilitating it. If you only had one project with you on a desert island, don't you think you'd finish it out of sheer boredom, even if you hated it? And for a person like myself who is scatterbrained/always-multitasking/probably-borderline ADD - more stuff, more projects, more details, etc. can quickly add up to no progress at all.

So what’s a knitting girl to do? Just resist the urge to buy. Sounds simple, but maybe writing it here for all you knitter-friends to see will help me actually do it. I do have some lovely cotton yarns marinating in the stash…maybe if I feature them on the blog, I will get the inspiration to DO something with them. Stay tuned for a spring mini stash flash...

P.S.

Hi y'all! Thanks so much for the good wishes and congratulations, not to mention the compliments! In spite of the craziness, things turned out pretty great. I don't know how to get in touch with all of you (I've got to get HaloScan or switch to Typepad or something), but I really appreciate your notes. If you visit again, leave your url or something - I'd love to visit your home on the web!

Meanwhile, I've been working on a wool sweater, which now seems pretty moot. The spring-summer switch has been flung and today Chicago is supposed to hit 77 degrees.

So, what to knit now? Well, despite my lack of pink/red FOs last month, I am a Project Spectrum participant. Combine that with a sale at my favorite LYS, and you get


BAM!
Some spunky orange cotton-silk. This is a new yarn: Lang Lyra. I’m hoping it will "sing" on my needles! I was thinking about making the Picovoli, or maybe another Soleil tank. Any other ideas for a bright slice of orange?

Last night I worked on a swatch, and aside from a little snagging, it knits up beautifully. It's one of those yarns where, even if your stitches aren't perfect (and whose are), once you've done a few rows, the yarn makes them look perfect. Which makes me think: there must be engineers involved making this yarn. It's like designing a building for a quake zone, or maybe a bridge - you can't prevent the forces that would pull the structure apart, but you can account for them and use design to neutralize them. I know there must be textile engineers, or something...I wonder if they are knitters? Or do they just like physics?

Got Hitched

I know this is a 'before' photo, but trust me: I got married on Saturday!


Me and my dad.

It was a wonderful weekend, nothing went wrong, everything was fun and laid-back. We laughed, cried, danced, hugged and celebrated with our friends and family. I can hardly believe how great it was, and that it's over. But I'm also relieved. More photos and details when we dig out of thank-you notes and laundry.

If I didn't appreciate this before, I do now: I live a charmed life. Hugs to all of you!

Can't think of a good post title

I’m still here, really I am! I have just been so crazy. It’s funny how I think I’m so together, (wedding planning – piece of cake, no stress…) and then I go completely absent on the blog for like three weeks.

But I have been knitting a little, at least! I made a simple scarf with the Be Sweet yarn I told you about – just a whole bunch of stitches cast on, and garter stitch the whole way. It is so warm and soft! And once I got the hang of the loopy-ness of the boucle, it knit up just fine. Here’s a photo:


(And a closeup, because it makes me happy) Otherwise, I’ve been making more fortune cookies, which since I’ve shown you one we are facing diminishing returns to photography – but I think they look good enough for gift giving. Just a wee bit of sewing (tacking, as the pattern says) and they are good to go.

And now – I’m contemplating a new project! And from stash, no less! There’s a pattern in the new Interweave called Streakers Shrug – called Streakers because of the yarn called for, La Lana Wools Streakers. The yarn is dip-dyed, I think, so that one end is natural and the other is colored – and the pattern uses the light colored parts for knitted lace sleeve cuffs. I’m planning to use some Bartlettyarns wool in navy for the body, but then I was trying to decide whether to use a different color for the cuffs. Here’s a pic of the navy, along what I have in the stash that could be a contrasting cuff color:


I thought it would be springy but modern – although maybe the extra color makes it less versatile. What do you think?

Anyway, that's it for me tonight. Hopefully I'll post at least one more time before the wedding, though. If I can just get through this week at work (debatable!) I will be free to relax a bit and do some knitting, so maybe I'll have a progress shot to share. Til then - happy knitting, everyone!

Felted Fortune

I made a felted fortune cookie! I think it is so cute:


The binder clip is just for size. It turned out well, since it is recognizable as a fortune cookie – but I plan to make two small changes when I make the next one: 1) pull the first stitch on the outer edge tighter, so it will curl inward when I felt it; and 2) pull the center tighter when I stitch it together, so the center will lie flatter. But otherwise, a great first cookie!

I’m finding it hard to muster much knitting energy these days. I don’t want to think about the wedding anymore, but because it’s basically the biggest thing in my life right now, it’s hard to focus on anything else. Maybe I should start an afghan or something.

I did try a little swatch of crocheting, using the directions in Debbie Stoller’s new book on crochet, The Happy Hooker. After a few tries, I even managed to make each row the same length! (That pesky turning chain will get you every time.) Whether you like her politics or not, Stoller is a great teacher. So, maybe I will try a crocheted scarf or something!

I also taught my friend E. how to knit. Well, Debbie Stoller taught her how to knit, since I really just read from the Stitch n Bitch book and demonstrated what it said. She picked it up like a champ and is well on her way to a great first scarf. Yay! One more comes “into the fold…”

Well, it's bedtime for me. I swear, the days go by so fast! It's already Wednesday tomorrow...

Be Sweet

While I was away I couldn’t help but stop by an LYS to check out the goods. Every yarn store is different, and sometimes it seems like availability varies by region.

I was lucky enough to find some of the Be Sweet yarn. Have you heard about this stuff? It is handspun and hand dyed by women in South Africa as part of a job creation program in a rural region with a 75% unemployment rate. A portion of your yarn purchase helps support their local school. I love to support efforts like this that serve people's needs, raise awareness and provide a great product all at the same time. I may struggle to be sweet, but I can definitely buy sweet! So this is what I picked:


This is probably my worst blog photo ever, but at least it shows the colors pretty well. I think the colorway is called Heather Mauve. The yarn is boucle baby mohair. So soft!

In other knitting news, I started on my first felted fortune cookie! I have one almost finished and if I am diligent and do laundry tonight (heh heh) I could have post-felting photos tomorrow. We’ll see!

My Better Pal Rocks (literally)

I have had so much fun participating in the Better Pal swap. This month was the big “reveal,” where you get to find out who has been secretly sending gifts picked especially for you. Before I tell you who, let me show you what…



The pink bag was made by my BP herself! It has cool drawstrings, and as she suggests, would be a great way to tote around knitting projects in your work bag. I can’t believe she made it! I would really like to learn how to sew, and getting this great bag is fueling my zeal. There is also some ground coffee (organic!) and a tasty organic chocolate bar with a cool retro wrapper. The nubbly item in the front is an Avocado Massage Bar, fancy and heavenly-smelling soap. And last but very cool indeed – a skein of silk/cotton/wool yarn from Farmhouse Yarns. I can mention this now that she knows who I am, but I just picked out some Farmhouse Yarns for my Better Pal! It was all I could do not to take some home for myself – but now I’ve got my own stash to try out! And in a fun “Neapolitan” colorway, no less.

It turns out my Better Pal was none other than Rock Chick! RC, you spoiled me rotten – and sent calming words and thoughts my way at a stressful time in my life. I am so grateful for your thoughtfulness.

Oh crap – I forgot to photograph the beautiful card that was also included – I just discovered it by the computer, where I was looking up the website where you can buy them! You can check them out yourself at www.photoartcards.com. They are quite beautiful and I will be ordering some for myself and for gifts. I also have a sneaking suspicion that the photographer is a knitting blogger...but I'm not 100 percent sure.

I'm out of town for the next couple of days. I don't really like travelling for work, but it must be done. And in this case, it's nice to be included, so I won't complain. See you later, everyone!

Hi-dee-ho

Hello there, everyone. It's been a while since last I wrote! (I think I've said that every time I've posted in the last two months.)

I was writing to a friend today, and I said to her that wedding planning is a marathon, rather than a sprint. Well, sometimes it feels like a sprint too, but that doesn't mean the race is over quickly. And at this point it does feel like a race. We don't have very much left to do, but I am now acutely aware that my wedding will occur in just about a month's time. Man, it seems like only yesterday it was October, and we were just picking the venue! Crazy.

Anyway, there has been a small amount of knitting in these parts. I bring knitting to work more days than not, but most of the time I don't take a lunch break so I don't get any knitting done. Today, though, I headed down to the lunchroom to get in a few stitches. I was knitting like a woman possessed - today's knitting was definitely stress relief!

I'm making this Debbie Bliss baby hoodie pattern from Special Knits. However, I did not have to buy Special Knits, because the pattern was featured in Simply Knitting, the incredibly expensive British knitting magazine I love. I finished the back and I'm working on the front, which includes the hood. As usual, DB has come up with an interesting construction for this sweater. Here's what the front looks like now:


Now that I think about it, I guess I can't say for certain how interesting this construction is, because I've never made anything with a hood. But it seems pretty cool to me.

Short post today, back to eating dinner. Hope everyone is doing fine and looking forward to springtime.

Hello out there

Long time, no post! I haven't been knitting, either. The closest I've gotten to knitting is - wearing my Lara sweater to work today! (ba-dum-bum) I have been thinking about knitting, though. I've been working on designing/locating a suitable motif for my circular yoke sweater, and now that I've decided on one, I can knit the sleeves and can get going on the pretty part!

The other thing is, I recently found out my cousin is pregnant! This will be her first child, and it's a boy. So, I am going to de-stash some Rowan All Seasons Cotton and make a cute baby hoodie from the Simply Knitting magazine. And, I still haven't forgotten about the felted fortune cookies! I'm headed to the yarn store after work.

So, all of this to say I'll be back later with pictures - of something! Not sure yet which of these items will strike my knitting fancy. Til then, have a great weekend!

New and Blue

Yesterday I got the most beautiful and thoughtful gift in the mail. My first pictures didn’t come out, so this is a close-up — but I bet you can guess what it is:

It’s a garter, but what you don’t know is that it was hand-tatted by a friend of mine. She made this from string, people! The photo does not do it justice. Somehow even though knitting involves making a fabric out of a strand of something, this thing called tatting is even more amazing and definitely more intricate. I will be so proud and happy to wear this on my wedding day. There will be no tossing or any other kind of transferring of this item as I plan to keep and treasure it forever. I never thought I would have anything that my daughter (if I ever have one) would want to wear on her wedding day – but now I do. Thanks a million, I.

My own knitting news pales in comparison, but I’ll chat about it anyway. As it turns out, I did not elect to write my own pattern for the sweater I had in mind. Why should I, when Ann Budd has figured it out already?! So, I’ve just added some waist shaping to her circular yoke pattern and I’ll insert my own yoke motif when I get to that point. Here’s the progress so far:



Whoopee, pink blob! But after knitting this much with the Cascade Cloud 9, I think I can recommend it if you want to knit with angora but don’t want a lot of fluff. Granted, this is the first angora yarn I’ve used (and actually it's 50% merino, 50% angora) – but it seems to have minimal shedding. I even knitted with it yesterday, while wearing black wool pants – and I could easily pick off the angora wisps. So there you go.

And finally - where is my Rowan 39? Where is my Interweave? They changed the subscriber password on the website, but my new issue (and thus my new password) is no where to be found. Grrr...

Anyhoo, thanks for reading. Hope you are all enjoying early February, whatever your weather. Happy knitting!

What February 1st means to me

This year, it means there are exactly two months until I am a married woman. Anticipating marriage is a total rush, and also somewhat terrifying, but I see a future of contentment and joy too. No foolin'.

I don't have much of my own knitting to talk about today, so the real purpose of this post is to tell you how cool Indigo Muse's felted fortune cookies are. I mean, can you think of a more fun use of Cascade 220 and short rows? Go check them out if you haven't seen them yet!

I'm planning to make these for my bridesmaids. I bought jewelry rolls made of beautiful fabric when I was in Chinatown in San Francisco. Now I am buying unique necklaces for each of them, and I will probably get some other little gift to go in too. But the real treat will be to finish off the gift with those cool plastic carryout containers, and knitted fortune cookies with personalized fortunes! I can't wait!!

My mother's shawl continues apace. It's the only thing I'm working on now, so the end is closer every day. I am still working out the math for my first-ever sweater design, so as soon as that's completed, I'll cast on.

I also listened to my first podcast of Cast On by Brenda Dayne. It's a cool show. It's very different from Knitcast, which I also like. It's like the difference between Garrison Keillor and Fresh Air, for you NPR lovers. Both great in their own right - just different. It's nice to have a selection of knitting podcasts to chose from! Brenda says there are a bunch - does anyone know of other good ones?

Later, y'all. Hope all is well!

I heart my Better Pal

I just got the nicest package in the mail! Look how spoiled I am!
Before:


And After!

I was so excited to see the Newman’s Own chocolates. First of all, I have a huge sweet tooth. Secondly, I am really into socially responsible business and organic products, and these chocolates are both. I’ve bought this candy for others, but never tried it myself! I am super excited to indulge in these goodies…

There was also this cool stuff called Gloves in a Bottle. I’ve never heard of it, but it seems right up my alley. I need moisturized hands for knitting (and for showing off my purty ring, of course!).

I have been wanting to try the Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool for some time, and now I have a stash of it! I think it wants to be a Branching Out scarf, don’t you? Or I could use it to make my first ever crocheted item, once I practice on the yarn in the Cozy Crochet kit my BP got me! Before you know it I’ll be making those Flourish scarves right and left like Purly Whites.

Finally, there were crunchy Utz treats as well. Does my Better Pal know me or what? Thank you, thank you, Better Pal – for great gifts and good wishes as well. Mwah!

Me-me-meme

4 jobs you have had in your life:
Public library clerk
Legislative Assistant in U.S. Congress
Parking lot attendant (at a race track, no less)
Survey researcher

4 movies you could watch over & over:
Clerks
The Pajama Game
The Sound of Music
A Fish Called Wanda

4 places you have lived:
Toledo, OH
Amherst, MA
Washington, DC
Ann Arbor, MI

4 TV shows you love to watch:
House
That 70s Show
CSI: Miami
24

4 places you have been on vacation:
Vancouver, BC
Boothbay Harbor, ME
Ocracoke Island, NC
Nashville, TN

4 websites you visit daily:
Bloglines (this counts for many, including news, blogs, etc.)
Elann
Google (duh)

4 of your favorite foods:
Crème brulee
Asparagus
Broccoli
Fettucine alfredo (so if I eat veggies with the creamy stuff, it’s just as good as a turkey sandwich, right?)

4 places you would rather be right now:
Shopping
Hanging out with my mom
A coffeeshop
Someplace sunny and warm
(sounds like a vacation would be in order...)

My little corner of the world

Since my wedding-induced meltdown a couple of weeks ago, I have been trying to cultivate a little serenity in my life. I've started buying fresh flowers again, something that makes me oh-so happy that I rarely remember to do. The serene-green desktop image on my computer is new and also adds to my feeling of calm. And of course - there's yarn! My order from Webs arrived, and I started swatching with the Cascade Cloud 9 I ordered. I felt a few angora wisps tickling my nose as I knit, but they weren't major. The colors are Valentine's Day-appropriate, but that wasn't my intention - they just felt spring-y to me. I probably won't finish the sweater by V-day anyway.

I'm also enjoying reading Zen and the Art of Knitting. It has a lot of wonderful stories about the many ways that knitting can enrich one's life - bringing peace after suffering a loss, building up one's confidence and ability to take risks, gaining patience, making connections with others in the community...the list goes on and on. I have experienced many of these changes in my own life as a result of knitting. But the book also talks about the meditative side of knitting, how some people experience a trance-like state or a sort of 'natural high.' I can't say that I've ever experienced this, and I wonder - why not? It got me thinking about how much I focus on knitting when I'm knitting, and how much I focus on any one thing while I am doing it. I am a consummate multi-tasker, which is helpful in many ways but may limit my ability to 'be in the moment.' Not sure.

This book offers lots of gems for introspection. The following passage was an especially poignant one for me:

Though Cecile doesn't view her handcraft as anything particularly spiritual, still, she said she has gained great wisdom from the practice. "Steadiness is important," she wrote. "Just being steady about one thing when the rest of your life is in chaos can keep it all in balance."

Peace be with you all...

Howdy

Thanks so very much for the warm wishes after I spewed my anti-wedding propaganda. It means a lot to me to know you are all rooting for me! I could get more detailed about what is actually happening, but - sometimes it bores even ME so I can imagine how you would feel. Suffice it to say, I'm now cautiously optimistic that we might just pull off this wedding thing. Fingers crossed...

Even though I have done very little knitting lately, I did do some seaming - which as it turns out was more productive. See below for my moment of zen:


And a closer look:


Project details: Debbie Bliss Lara pattern. Made in Ellen's 1/2 Pint Farm 100% merino, hand-dyed (Colorway: Stormy Skies) - purchased at Maryland Sheep & Wool 2005.

This pattern was a dream: so easy to follow and designed with minimal seaming (it's made in one piece). I was really worried that the sleeves would be too long - I lengthened them, but it turned out okay because part of the sleeve is really the shoulder. I would love to make several more - maybe even one in a cotton blend.

I have some projects to finish, but of course my mind is already on the next new project. I ordered a new yarn from Cascade called Cloud 9 - they have it at Webs - and am planning a short-sleeved sweater to wear this spring. I don't think I can call it my own design, but it borrows some ideas and motifs and combines them in my own way. I'm excited and waiting on pins and needles for my yarn to arrive in the mail.

Catch you later!

Three simple rules

Rule #1: Don’t get married.

Rule #2: Well, okay, getting married is a good thing. But if you’re going to get married, whatever you do – don’t get stressed out about the wedding. After all, it _is_ only one day.

Rule #3: Okay. Get married, and – like it or not – you will probably have some stress about your wedding. But just remember: don’t let your stress get in the way of your knitting!

So these days I'm breakin' all the rules. I haven’t knitted anything to speak of since my return flight from Christmas, and it doesn’t help that I have so many projects going that it all seems a little overwhelming. I have four WIPs – two sweaters that need seaming, mom’s shawl (nope, didn’t finish for Christmas), and a toddler sweater that was sort of meant to be a holiday gift.

Anyway, I guess I’m trying to say that the blog may be a little quiet for a while. It’s been so nice to hear from you all over the holidays, and I owe each of you a note. Normally I am an excellent multitasker but even for me the brain is on overload. So, begging your pardon – I'll be back later.

Always a knitter to me

My friend A. flirted with knitting a few years back, but has since put down her needles (she says) for good. It's purling that's the problem, she says. She mentioned she had some yarn to offload, and wondered if I might want it. Knowing that the yarn in question was purchased at Maryland Sheep & Wool, I eagerly volunteered to be an adoptive yarn mom for A.'s stash.

Imagine my delight when I opened a Christmas package from my friend and found this:



Woot! Wait, that wasn't good enough.

WOOOOOOOT!

This is a hat kit from Cloverleaf Yarns. The colorway reminds me of a lagoon, and the yarns are mohair, boucle, and a mohair/merino blend. Each yarn comes in at least two colors. [You might also take note of the fab earrings in the foreground.]

As this yarn's new momma the least I can do is make sure it grows up to be the awesomest hat it can be. Then, as they say - if you love something, set it free. It will go back to A. to live out its days.

A., even though you don't knit _right now_, you'll always be a knitter to me and I hope you will pick up the needles again in the future. Thanks for sharing!!

My first secret pal thingie ever

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season! I ran out of time to post about this before I left town for Christmas, but my Better Pal's package was right on time.

The first thing I noticed about the box from my Better Pal was the return address. This is something you never think about when you send packages, unless you are trying to be sneaky. My BP just put “Better Pal”, and then used my own address! There were no other identifying address marks. Verry sneaky.

I think my BP made this beautiful card. Isn’t it lovely? I am so impressed and I love the artwork.


First item: Utz potato chips! I cannot believe my pal went out of his/her way to get me some of my favorite potato chips. Ah, a little taste of the East Coast…


Next there was a squishy purple package, wrapped with beautiful lavender organza ribbon. I love stuff like that. I will definitely save it for re-use. There was also a beautiful bird ornament attached. I can't imagine that my pal would know this, but I happen to love birds. In fact, I was a biology major in college and I was planning to be an ornithologist.


Inside the package was this super-beautiful skein of Noro Big Kochoran. I’ve only knit with Noro twice, but I’ve enjoyed it both times. And, it just so happens that I need a hat, and this yarn will match all of my winter coats! Fab.


Finally, there was a package that looked suspiciously like a book. (Note the awesome wrapping paper)


Upon opening it, I was delighted to find Debbie Bliss’ new book called Home: 27 Hand Knits for Living. (Forgot to take a photo, but you'll have to trust me on this one.) I was just in the book store perusing this one, and had to tear myself away to go finish my holiday shopping! (you know, for other people) So this was a special treat.

This Better Pal think is pretty cool! It was really fun to see what someone would pick out, just for me! Thanks so much, Pal!

Fa la la la la...ho hum

Hi all,

So I'm pretty much just knitting my mom's shawl these days. It's kind of (yawn) monotonous. But, since I've picked up speed on the pattern, at least I have a hope of finishing before Christmas. And (I tell myself) I don't *really* have to be finished before I see my mom, because I'll need to make sure the shawl is long enough before I bind off and add fringe. Still, it's all shawl, all the time until the 25th. A quick progress shot:


Thanks so much for the compliments on my Simply Marilyn! Glad you liked it. Though you can't see it in the picture, I am really proud of how my finishing skills have improved. (yes, I know I haven't *technically* finished. )

I've had two other fun knitting related experiences lately. First, I recently put together a package for my giftee in a swap. This was my first time participating in something like this, and - it was harder than I expected! I guess it's the fear of being "the lame gifter" that makes me overanalyze each item I pick out. Anyway - hope my Pal likes the things I chose.

The other thing is that, completely unexpectedly, a new friend gave me a holiday gift which included the book Zen and the Art of Knitting. I hadn't realized that she knew about my habit - but I guess I talk about it more than I think. (smile) I plan to save this for my Christmas plane trip, but the first sentence of the Introduction already has grabbed me: "Knitting a sweater is a tremendous act of faith." Amen, sister!

Simply Marilyn and another FO

I still haven't finished weaving in ends, but I figure with holiday knitting being what it is, who knows when I will? So here's a headless pic of my "finished" Simply Marilyn:


This was a great sweater to knit. I love the way the neck comes together with the front, back and shoulders - it's basically a boatneck with a cowl added on. The cable is simple yet effective. And the sleeves can be folded up or down, as you prefer.

My mods were - okay, I just went looking for the pattern and can't find it. I made the body longer by about three inches. I knit the smallest size, and my gauge was slightly tighter - so it was just the right width. I used Cascade Ecological Wool, which was a great sub - very soft and also economical! I think I paid about $15 for each skein, and I used 2 (they are enormous, over 450 yds each). And for you dyers out there, Cascade Ecological is undyed, so you can have whatever color Marilyn you want.

I also made one other item, which is not that noteworthy from a knitting standpoint, but I think it's beautiful so I'm going to show you. This is the Purl scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. They have you pick a shade of Manos, then a heavy mohair yarn and a thin mohair yarn to get a chunky scarf. I used Cascade Pastaza in black, Colinette Mohair in Tapis (red, black with flashes of royal blue), and Prism Dover, which is sort of a net ribbon, in a red/black combo. Here's the scarf and a closeup of the fringe, where you can see all the different fibers.




Anyway, nothing too exciting as I said but I just love the way the fibers came together. The Cascade and Colinette were leftovers from a poncho I made, and I bought the Prism Dover with no idea what I'd use it for, and somehow they all came together in a cool scarf. Fun!

Holiday Knitting

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

• "With temperatures averaging 12 degrees below normal, "It is among the coldest December starts and will actually be the longest sub-freezing start on record," according to meteorologist Chuck Caracozza of Accuweather.com."

Which is great for me - you know, the one who used to live below the Mason-Dixon line? Sigh. I just wish we had some snow to make the cold worthwhile.

Back to knitting: specifically, my mom’s shawl. I was going back and forth between two designs, and I’d finally picked one (this one from Exquisite Little Knits). But then Mom said she likes fringe. So then I went to back to the other one I was considering and started. Here’s a progress shot:


This was the result of about an hour of knitting – I’m not even going to do the math. The pattern includes lifting a purled stitch over two other purled stitches, which (for me, anyway) means I have to contort my wrist in a weird way…it was already hurting after this hour or so of knitting. Not good! Not good at all. I’m going to stitch-n-bitch tonight, so we’ll see how it goes.

Other holiday knitting: a hat for my brother, a sweater for my almost goddaughter (my fiancé is her godfather), and some other items which will not be detailed since at least one of the giftees reads this blog. I don’t really think I’ll finish. But I’ll make a good effort!

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the new Knitty and Interweave Knits. Lots of great things in both! This might be Knitty’s best issue yet. As for IK – it seems like a lot of the projects are made with bulky yarn, which is probably because of the time of year (holiday gift knitting and all), but - me no likey. However, I really, really love the Aran Pullover. I really like the Belted Wrap Jacket. I like the idea of both the Brilliant Retro and Gull Stitch Cardigan.

That's it for now. I seem to have so little time for blogging lately!