Mutter of Purl

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...

2009-01-05T21:52:00.000-08:00

Isn't my grandson Brayden just the sweetest little baby you have ever seen????

I thought you would agree. BTW, he is wearing the one-piece jumpsuit I made for his mother. It was the first outfit she ever wore.

My friend Melinda and I have both started the Chevron Lace Cardigan as a KAL. I am going to frog mine to make the next larger size and Melinda is going to frog hers to make a smaller size! It is easy to memorize the pattern so it goes fairly quickly. I plan on making some modifications to the pattern to make it more of a swing coat affair. We shall see.

The Second Best Christmas Present

2008-12-31T19:04:00.000-08:00

Okay, how can you top a fabulous grandson for a Christmas present??? Well, you just can't. But you can come in a distant 2nd with this......which can carry the fabulous grandson to exotic locales like WeHo, Costa Mesa, Topanga and Canoga Park.

Happy New Year to everyone!

The Best Christmas Present, EVAH!!!

2008-12-26T10:20:00.000-08:00

On December 18, 2008 my amazing grandson was born. His name is Brayden Anthony and I love him. Mom Aubree, my youngest daughter, had a pretty easy time considering they induced her. Good drugs are worth their weight in...(well they are just worth it). Her older sister Shiloh and I were in the delivery room along with her SO, Jay. Since then, I have spent most of my spare time with the new family.

I am now settled in my new living space so I hope to post more often than I have been. Happy Holidays to everyone!

Hello? Anyone in there?

2008-09-07T10:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it has been a couple of months since I posted. Not that there haven't been projects I have been working on, I have just been pre-occupied with Ravelry and trying to get my life back on track.

I finished my version of the Lelah top knit from Lion Brand Cotton Ease. The original is strapless but that is not an option for me. So I modified it by making it tank-top style. The stockinette rolls terribly so I gave the neck and armhole a k1 p1 rib for 3 rows. The addition of an I-cord from the same yarn and Viola! It actually fits and I plan to take it to Seattle for my vacation starting Sept. 12.

I always feel a little fidgety if I don't have a pair of socks on the needles so here is the beginning of a new pair. I don't know who the recipient is yet because I am waiting for inspiration for a pattern. Until then, I will just knit along, waiting for my sock muse. The yarn is 70% superwash wool and 30% nylon and you might not guess who the maker is. It is slightly scratchy but I think it will soften up with washing.

I have been doing a bit of sewing lately. I have a fairly large fabric stash that needs to be turned into wearables. These are my latest 2 dresses.
Basically the same pattern, but different fabrics and skirt styles.

Progress on ALL Projects

2008-07-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

I have finished with the crochet part of my Vintage Inspired Sunburst Bag. The handles were a bit tricky but they are also finished. Now I need to find the perfect fabric for the lining and get a few findings in order to finish it.

The blue hand towel is coming along, albeit slowly. Pretty mindless knitting is just fine for in front of the T.V.

The best project making great progress in not my direct creation...My daughter Aubree is about 14 weeks along and all is going very well. This is my first grandchild and we are all very excited about it. I now have someone specific to knit baby clothes for! Woo hoo!!!

Knit and Crochet Therapy

2008-06-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

Part of my healing has been to start a new knitting project, a new knitting project and a new crochet project.

When in Michael's in Tarzana a couple of months ago I found very large skeins of Sugar and Cream Confectionary yarn. By large I mean 710 yards! The colors were so appealing, muted and different than the usual Sugar and Cream that I was compelled to bring home 5 of them. They then ripened in the trunk of my car for a month or so while I tried to figure out where in the apartment they would be stored. When my oldest daughter came to L.A. last month to support me and spend a few days helping me, she saw the yarn in my trunk. I had decided to make a bathroom rug for her and she liked the idea. So I started it. 5 colors starting in the upper left hand corner and going down 3, I simply followed the same color sequence 3 times. A single crochet border of 1 row white and 2 rows blue finish it off.

Shiloh said she doesn't need washcloths but instead would like hand towels. Eventually I will make 5, 1 of each color. The border is a simple moss stitch and plain stockinette in the center.

I have been looking for a handbag for the Spring and Summer months. I either haven't liked them or they are too expensive. (spending over $200 for a straw bag just seems wrong to me) My friend Melinda has a commercial handbag (actually, she has a LOT of handbags!) crocheted in shell stitch that I covet. While wandering the aisles of Michael's, I came across J.P.Coats Royale crochet thread, size #3. The colors tan and natural work well together so this is my version of Melinda's bag. The Sunburst pattern comes from pages 93 & 94 in the book Crocheting School. The colors remind me of fine lingerie with ecru lace. Ellen says it has a vintage look to it. I gotta admit, she has something there! The plan is to crochet 9 sunburst rows of each color, then add handles and line it. I also want to crochet an opening on the outside to allow a small zippered pocket for whatevers. If there is enough thread leftover, I may make an eyeglass case, coin purse and small make-up bag. How utterly matchy-poo. I love crap that goes together.

Saying Goodbye To A Friend

2008-06-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

I don't usually blog about my private life but sometimes you need to tell the world about someone who touched your life in a significant way.

Sometime during the night on May 28, 2008 my dear friend Ray passed away in his sleep. Ray had been through a full course of chemotherapy and radiation for cancer and was over 3 weeks past the end of the treatment. He was starting to feel better and was making plans to go back to work at Edwards on Shuttle Support. His passing has been a tremendous shock and I still expect him to walk through the door with a smile on his face saying, "Wassuuuup???".

I first met Ray at a party in Seattle at the home of some friends. We all belonged to an absinthe appreciation group and he had driven up from Lancaster for a New Years Eve event. When I decided to move to L.A., I contacted Ray and we e-mailed a bit and talked a bit on the phone.

Last July at another absinthe party in Burbank, Ray and I met up again. We talked and laughed a lot and I enjoyed his company. We started going to concerts, movies, the beach, etc. Sometimes just hanging out and watching DVDs or the Sci-Fi channel. In November we went to Vegas for his birthday weekend.

Ray was diagnosed with cancer right before Thanksgiving. He started his treatment in Lancaster in early January and it did not go well. I brought him down to Sherman Oaks where he spent a week in the hospital. While in the hospital, he was visited by an oncologist in Van Nuys. He decided to switch is treatment to her practice. After he was released from the hospital, we moved him in with me so he could continue his treatment in L.A.

Ray could be loving and generous and critical and silly and obtuse...all in the time span of a minute and a half. He loved science fiction and the Space Shuttle and absinthe and on-line gaming and driving his P.T. Cruiser and shrimp and clothes (my gawd the man had clothes!) and big dreams and life.

My life has been enriched for knowing him and being his companion during the last year of his life. I will never forget Ray. He will live in my heart forever.

Short Post

2008-04-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

This is a short post to show my progress on the lace cardigan. I really like this pattern. The first 8 or so rows were a bit difficult as you have to follow the graph for both RS and WS rows. After that, the "V" pattern is simple to memorize and goes pretty fast. I love the way the knitted fabric feels and drapes. I am definitely going to use Cotton Fine again.

Missed It By That Much

2008-04-07T16:45:00.000-07:00

Friday, April 4, 2008 was my 2 year blog anniversary. Sooooooooooooooooo much has happened in my life in the past 2 years! Time certainly flies.

I'm In Love

2008-04-06T07:45:00.000-07:00

On Thursday I picked up my long-awaited Cotton Fine from Yarns Unlimited in Santa Monica. I couldn't wait to swatch the lace pattern for this cardigan!

It is far more difficult to follow a graphed pattern when there are lots of interesting people to talk to than it is in the solitude of your own home. I'm just saying. However, I managed to get through about 8 rows of the pattern...enough for me to decide that I will block this to the correct size when it is done so LET'S CAST ON ALREADY!!!!!

33 rows into the back, I love it. I love the pattern and the way the knitted fabric feels and drapes. I love it so much that yesterday at the DSW I bought a pair of sandals to wear with it this summer. (Okay, I don't really need an excuse to buy shoes...)

While waiting for my above mentioned yarn, I made a quick striped top. This was inspired by a top in a Knit 'n Style magazine. I just figure out how many stitches to cast on and then went from there. Thanks to Annika for her expert fitting help on the back, as my arms aren't long enough to do it myself. I had never worked with Cotton Ease before but I certainly will again. Inexpensive, easy to knit and machine wash and dry. It's the trifecta of yarn.

Ladies, Lift Your Girls Up

2008-03-22T08:58:00.000-07:00

I have kept this to myself for a very long time but now I have to say something. We live in L.A., one of the trendiest cities in the world. I have been noticing that there seems to be an epidemic of BAD BRAS out in public. This leads to a droopy silhouette, poorly fitted clothing and just a general all-around matronly look to your,...er, front side. Get yourselves to a competent lingerie department and get a fitting. The proper bra can visually take 10 years off the effects gravity has made on your body!

This public service message is now over.

Where, oh where has my little blog gone...

2008-03-06T17:11:00.000-08:00

Well, blame it on Ravelry. That is where I have been spending my free cyber time lately. That, and a whole bunch of other crap that is best not mentioned.

I started the Rowena Cardigan from the Knit 2 together book in January. I am using KnitPicks Ambrosia in lavender. The yarn is so soft and knits easily. However, the entire sweater is stockinette so therefore can be boring after awhile.

It got boring.

So I went to my local JoAnn's and picked up some Sugar and Cream in the "New Larger Size" ball.
2 each of 5 colors for a knitted bathroom mat. Size 10 1/2 needles and 2 strands held together in roughly a Log Cabin pattern of my own making. Should be soft under the feet after the early morning shower.

Apparently I have lost the ability to construct a complete sentance.

No Clever Title

2008-01-19T07:38:00.000-08:00

I finished the first scarf for Soldiers. It baffles me how you can take a photo of something and have it turn out to be a completely different color when it posts! This scarf is your basic Army green. Olive drab. Whatever. I have started another in basic black. Let's see what color it posts as...

With all of the knitting on black, brown, olive, etc, I was getting anxious for something a bit more ~~girly~~ ~~cheery~~ colorful. At our last SnB at the Coffee Bean on Canoga (1st & 3rd Sundays from 2-5pm), Cassandra brought her copy of Knit 2 Together. I had seen it in the bookstore and without picking it up, decided that it wasn't on my MUST-HAVE-NOW list. But since it was there and I could peruse it at my leasure, I gave it a spin.

We all know what happened next, don't we.

This brings me to my newest project, the Rowena Cardigan. A couple of years ago I bought about 22 balls of Knit Picks' Ambrosia in a soft lavender color. Ripening in my stash, it is now ready for the proper project. Rowena is the proper project. The yarn is so soft and knits up easily. I wil be able to wear it as a cardi or as a top by itself. Yes, it is all stockinette so it could get boring after awhile. But as of now, 4 rows into it, I love it.

Has it REALLY been 2 1/2 months????

2007-12-31T08:42:00.000-08:00

Uh, yeah. It has. My bad.

Now that we are settled into our apartment in Sherman Oaks, life carries on. It is so nice and quiet here. I love it.

I continue to work on the Ripple Blanket. My oldest daughter came down from Seattle for Christmas and sort of claimed it as hers. It is still about 1/3 away from completion so there is a stitch marker holding the live loops.

I managed to ~~nearly~~ complete a few knitted items for Christmas presents this year. My daughter headed back to Seattle before I could snap some pix of the crocheted scarf I made for her. I also made a pair of socks for my friend Ray, but he scurried back to Lancaster with them on foot before a photo-op...However, I did manage to produce a hat for one of the guys in the shop where I work that I still have in my possession. I guess it would photograph better with a head in it, but no spares are available right at this moment. It is made from Vanna's Choice acrylic. As a former yarn snob, I think this yarn has a really nice feel to it. Not scratchy or crunchy like acrylics can be but nice and soft.

I am nearly finished with a scarf for Ray. I am determined to not take this project into the New Year! It may be hard to see but it is 3 stitches garter edge with K5, P5, etc. for 7 rows, then switch and K across the P5 and P across the K5 blah, blah, blah...Patons Merino Wool in dark brown. Note:this is the first project in a loooooooonnnnnnggg time that I have used straight needles. Now I remember why I love circulars.

Now that the holidays are almost over, I feel free to start another project! Woo hoo! Another pair of socks for friend Ray. This yarn is Knit Picks Essential in Terrain Twist. From far away it looks like a solid olive green. Up close, it is 2 plys of green and 2 plys of brown, twisted together. So far, I love this yarn. Soooooo soft and cheap at $3.29 a ball. I think this yarn is very easy to knit with.

While I don't support the war in Iraq, I do support the soldiers. This year I will do a lot more knitting for the soldiers, i.e. scarves, helmet liners, etc. Here is the beginning of a scarf in double crochet. Bernat Berella 4 using a size "H" hook.

My daughters are my 2 favorite people on the planet. For Christmas, my oldest gave to me a copy of the first Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals PLUS a gift card for another volume of my choice! When dinner only takes a half an hour to make, there is more time for knitting! I ran right out and got Rachel Ray's Just In Time
with recipes that take not only 30 minutes, but some in only 15 minutes! Also, there are a few that take 60 minutes for those times when you have more time, say on the weekends.

My youngest daughter gave me this fabulous knitting bag for Christmas. Also from Knit Picks, it holds a lot of projects at one time and has lots of pockets and places to hold scissors, patterns, measuring tape, etc. I love it!

Do I have the most wonderful and intelligent daughters or what???

Finally, please send some positive healing energy to my friend Ray who starts chemotherapy on January 7. Thanks.

Ripplin' On Again

2007-10-14T18:22:00.000-07:00

I got an apartment in Sherman Oaks. Much relief.

Now that the weather has cooled, I am making some progress on the Ripple Blanket (afghan is an inappropriate word for something that hangs over a Queen size bed by a foot on each side). The rows seem to take more time than I remember. Maybe is it just the thought of actually getting to the end of it sometime that makes it seem to linger longer. But I will persevere! I really want this finished before the cold sets in around December. I have other projects to make for the holidays. I want this finished before my oldest daughter comes to visit for Christmas.

Facing the inevitable of moving my yarn stash (yet again) I have vowed once more to knit from my stash. All those lovely yarn shops with their fabulous sales will have to tempt someone else. I have more than enough to keep me busy for an entire year!

I Need An Apartment/Condo/Guesthouse

2007-10-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's been a long time since I posted anything. I have been stressing out about finding a place to live so there hasn't been much time for knitting or crocheting. Time to get serious and find a place to live so I can get back to the fun things in life.

I am looking for a 2 bedroom apt. in West L.A. Westwood, Palms, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, WeHo, etc. You get the picture. Here is the hard part. I have one cat and the rent has to be $1400 or less a month. Now, the only change to that would be a 1 bedroom apt., with a cat for $1000 or less. I like older buildings and don't want a gym or pool or sauna or any of that sort of stuff. Please e-mail me at mutterofpurl AT hotmail DOT com if you have knowledge of anything like this. I do not want to have to sign up for ANOTHER rental company (i.e Westside Rentals, CaRent, etc.) that take your money and leave you stranded with nothing.

Here is a photo of what I have been knitting. Swiffer covers. We all hate to throw out the disposable ones so I found this pattern on-line and have been making these small and quick projects, mostly to save what sanity I have left at the moment. The ends get tucked under and sewn down so you just slip the cover on your Swiffer and dust away. I bet they could even be used to damp-mop a floor. The yarn is Sugar 'n Cream and a Bernat Big Cotton something or other (I threw out the label).

Ripples of Life

2007-09-02T07:31:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time since I posted anything here. I usually post during the weekends because I can't post at work and am too tired of the computer in the evenings! But as of late, I have been *ahem* occupied on the weekends and had no time for blogging. However, this weekend I decided I HAD to do something!

I am slowly making progress on the FruitStrips socks. I took them on vacation to the Washington coast a couple of weeks ago and managed to get both heels turned. Here is the front and profile view.

I haven't made it to the WeHo SNB for a few weeks now. I was out of town and then I have been plagued with car problems. The transmission in my car was replaced in February 2007 with a 2 year warranty. Just shy of 6 months, the "new" transmission went out. Died. Kaput. They towed my car back to the same transmission place and put another one in. After that, it just never felt right so I took it back to them and was able to drive my daughter's car for 2 days. So I get it back now and the temperature gauge is pegged past hot, even without the key in the car. "Oh, it's fine to drive home", they tell me,"but you want to have you mechanic look at it". I did just that and his assessment is that the transmission people have broken something while repairing the "new-new" transmission and they need to own up to it. Of course, they won't.

Why does this stuff always happen on a 3-day weekend?

Tip-toe Through the FruitStripes

2007-08-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

I have made some progress on the socks I started under the influence of a margarita. I left the toes as they were and forged ahead. Actually, I couldn't wait to get the toes done so I could ~~end the torture~~ abandon the use of the Addi Turbo needles. I know that there are scores, nay, thousands of you knitters out there who have sworn your allegiance to Addis. I am not one of them. In fact, I hate them. The cable is very stiff so knitting 2 socks at a time, toe-up is constantly wrestling with the outer loops. And another thing. The metal needles smell bad, somewhat like a metal grocery cart. As soon as I had the toes done, I ~~unloaded~~ gave away those circular Addis and all of the other Addis I had. All 4 sets. I feel much better using my bamboo and ebony needles.

Back to the socks.

The pattern is a simple feather and fan that I think shows off the self-striping yarn very well. I have decided to call these socks the "Fruit Stripe" socks after FruitStripe gum we used to buy when I was a kid. I can still hear the little T.V. jingle in my head ("Yikes! Stripes!......) As you have no doubt noticed, the feather and fan pattern is also a ripple pattern. I guess my obsession with rippling continues, albeit subconsciously.

Back in the Saddle

2007-07-31T17:30:00.000-07:00

Well, not really the saddle. Just back to knitting socks. Sunday afternoon I met some of the girlies at Abuelita's in the Topanga Canyon for late lunch and knitting. Our usual SnB meets every 1st, 3rd and if there is one, 5th Sunday of the month at the Coffee Bean on Canoga in the Warner Center. Since this was the 5th Sunday, we made a special afternoon of it. I find it is always good to cast on for a pair of socks while downing a Margarita, don't you? Looking at it now I think I may have something there. The toes look very nice. The yarn is Regia Cotton Surf in color #5412. As this is a self-striping yarn, I think that the Feather and Fan pattern will be fun to knit. If and when I get then far enough to see the pattern, I will also post at the No-End-In-Sight-Ripple-Along.

I am using an Addi Turbo #1 32" circular needle. Not so much impressed so far. The cable is stiff and I really do not like metal needles. But just you try to find a size 1 in a bamboo circular! Go ahead. Try. I'll wait....

Yes, Shiloh. These are for you. I hope to be able to finish them before/when we are at the ocean in a couple of weeks.

Too.Freakin'.Weird.

2007-07-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

If you read my previous post about the going-out-of-business sale at Bishop's Yarn in Chatsworth, you saw that I posted "The 5 hanks of Glace will be added to the 7 hanks I have of the same color (but I am SURE that it is a different dye lot...that would be too freakin' weird if they were the same!)". Submitted for your approval (I sound like Rod Serling from "The Twilight Zone") label #1.These 8 skeins were purchased over a year and a half ago at the Ben Franklin in Redmond, WA. Now take a look at label #2. These were purchased at Bishop's Yarn in Chatsworth, CA last week. Notice anything interesting about the colors and dye lots? Uh, yeah. Me, too. THEY ARE THE SAME COLOR AND DYE LOT!!!! Well, the knitting goddesses are obviously trying to tell me something. With over 1000yards, I now have enough to make a nice, simple top-down v-neck short-sleeved top. Not wanting to tempt the KGs, I had better get on the sticks before my knitting karma slips away. Where to find the pattern? I'm thinking about starting with the Picovoli and adjusting it accordingly. Sort of a cross between that and the Green Gable.

Yesterday, my friend and I went to Malibu to put our toes in the sand and feel the water on our feet. Both being Scorpios, the Ocean is very renewing to us. After a few minutes of that, we were satisfied and went out to breakfast at Googies in Malibu. I had the Lox Platter and it was so good that I forgot to take a photo of it until I was over half done! I think we saw a Rock 'n Roll celeb there, but I can't quite put a name to him. Maybe it will come to me later. In the mean time, I will leave you with a photo of the lovely pink geraniums in the Malibu Colony Plaza.

Falling off the wagon and getting pulled under the wheels...

2007-07-18T19:58:00.000-07:00

Well, so much for the "Knit From Your Stash" commitment that I made in January. Actually, it lasted longer than I thought it would. I still have aspirations to get back on the wagon, but probably not until Bishop's is over their going-out-of-business sale. At 70% off, that is pretty damn hard to resist! Here is the haul from Tuesday's binge;5 skeins of Bernat Berella "4" in white, 4 balls of OrnaghiFilati Cashmerino, 2 skeins of Sirdar Snuggly DK in a lt. rust and 2 in a lt. grey/blue, a whole bag of Sirdar Snuggly DK in white and 5 hanks of Berroco Glace. The Berella "4" and the Snuggly is destined for baby clothes for an as-yet-to-be-discovered baby. People get pregnant all the time, right? (Not me, of course. I would throw myself into the middle of the 405 at 5pm!) The Cashmerino is going to be a pair of patterned socks for my daughter, Shiloh. The 5 hanks of Glace will be added to the 7 hanks I have of the same color (but I am SURE that it is a different dye lot...that would be too freakin' weird if they were the same!) so that I can actually make something other than a crop top. Nobody wants to see that...I will simply alternate rows of each dye lot and with the amazing color variation in the yarn, it will all be fine.

I have continued to work on the ripple vest. I am almost done with the back, about 1 1/2 inches left to go. After all that epiphany stuff, I decided to frog it back to the f*$#-up and crochet it correctly. It didn't take as long as I thought it would and I am much happier knowing that there are only a few small mistakes rather than one glaring boo-boo and a few small mistakes. Hopefully it will be done in time to start the front and work on that when I go to Seattle in August.

I feel better now. They say confession is good for the soul...

Whatever.

Doctor's Orders

2007-07-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to a party at the house of an as-yet-to-be-met friend. I have conversed, as it were, with Dr. Cocktail on the Wormwood Society forums and in e-mails, but never in person until yesterday. I knocked on the front door and was welcomed with a hearty, "Hello, Molly!". (Apparently the Doctor had done a bit of sleuthing to find out who he was allowing into his home and do you blame him? We knitters have a reputation of being a disreputable bunch...)

There were about 13 people there for BBQ (thanks, Ray!) and various alcoholic libations.

Aside from the great food and liquid refreshments (Dr.Cocktail has the most amazing knowledge of everything-cocktail!) I met lots of new friends and had a great time.

I also learned a bit about Mules, too.

The Same Thing, Just More Of It

2007-06-30T08:20:00.000-07:00

With the ripple afghan on hold, I am once again working on the Ripple Vest. I pulled it out at the WeHo SnB on Thursday and started working on it. Probably not the best idea as I need to count a few stitches here and there. Sure enough, I got to a place in the return row where the stitches do not line up. Now I have to rip back to the row before (or worse yet, the row before that!) and figure out what went wrong. Sure, I could just add a stitch here or there to make it all come out right, but it is RIGHT SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE of the vest and would probably show like a beacon on a clear night.

EPIPHANY!!!! While writing this I just had a thought. This is supposed to be the front but I haven't made the back yet and why not make this the back and make the front last when I really ~~have my shit together on this pattern~~ understand the pattern well???? Problem solved. Movin' on.

On Thursday night, we (the WeHo SnB) were displaced from our usual location of the upstairs dining area at the Farmer's Market. We then commandeered an alcove on the main floor for ourselves. Lots of people stopped by to ask what we were doing. (Laurie, we hope to see you at a future SnB!) A group of 4 small children seemed interested (one very interested) in what we were doing. The very interested little girl hung around until her mother made her go with them. I can hear the future interview now, "What made you become a world-famous knitwear designer?" "Well, when I was a child, I was fascinated by a group of ladies crocheting and knitting at the Farmer's Market......".

First one's free.

Woo hoo! Part Deux

2007-06-26T18:49:00.000-07:00

Is there nothing more exciting than receiving a box in the mail? Absolutely not ~~unless it is finding out you won the Lotto worth $572M in which case you don't need this friggin' box~~, my friends. And why is said box such a delight to yours truly?

Because it has all the rest of your needles, hooks, gauges, scissors, woolly nylon (used for sock toe and heel reinforcement), pom-pon maker, Dictaphone and my dongle.

Yer whut?

D-O-N-G-L-E.

In the days of yesteryear when Bernina first came out with a computerized sewing machine, the dongle was the part that allowed you to network your computer to your Bernina. Without it you are just another fancy monogramer with limited embroidery patterns. Oh, not that I have ever used it or ever will, but since I can't get one any more and if I could, it would cost way too much $$$$$, I am glad to have it back.

So a great big "THANKEE" to Jen. Now you join Kathy in the YOU ROCK club for sending to me my much dreamed of knitting/crocheting gizmos.

Diversions

2007-06-24T10:05:00.000-07:00

To take a break from my crochet projects, I made this dish cloth last night while watching T.V. I am glad I am not the only one who feels the need for a small project as a diversion from a larger one. Since the ripple afghan is on hiatus, the only projects I have to work on are large and sometimes tedious ones.

Hiatus

2007-06-23T11:09:00.000-07:00

My ripple is about 1/3 done and this is where it stands. The weather has gotten too hot to work on it (that coupled with the AC not working in our apartment...GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!) so it will have to wait until it cools off here in the Valley. Around November, I suppose. Sasha won't sit on it for a photo. I think she is put off by its brightness! Either that or she hasn't been exposed to acrylic yarn before and doesn't know what to make of it. I think it looks good on an all-white bed, don't you?

Happy Father's Day

2007-06-17T13:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day to all of you "Dads" out there, especially mine. Ours is a different kind of relationship as we have only known each other for about 14 years. But in that short time I have grown to love you very much. You are a very unique person and I now know where I get it. Thanks for wanting a relationship with me, your grown "child".

And thanks also to my loving and sassy step-mother! You didn't have to accept me but you did...with open arms. The fact that you tell people that you have 5 children really makes me know I am loved.

Wishing a Happy Father's Day to all of my brothers and friends who are dads;Jim, Jerry, Jay, Chuck, Mike, JD, Larry, Gwydion, Bruce, Derek and Jay P. You are great guys and I love you all.

Awesome.

2007-06-13T20:59:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium for an awesome concert. What could be better than a giant sing-along to Beach Boys songs lead by Brian Wilson? IMHO, the 3 greatest musical geniuses of our time are Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Brian Wilson.

It was Fun, Fun, Fun!

Whew!

2007-06-01T19:18:00.000-07:00

WARNING! Picture-heavy post following...

It has been a while since I posted and a lot has happened in that time. I went to the Stitch 'n Pitch at Dodger Stadium on May 22nd. Rode the bus from Unwind in Burbank with lots of other fiber-crazed individuals. A few shout-outs are in order;to Robin and Cheryl (on the right who was working on her 2nd EVER knitting project) seen here in the photo. A special shout-out to Bonnie (along with her intrepid sidekick and devoted husband Rolf) who has been successfully kicking breast-cancer's ass since 2002! Keep it up, Bonnie! We have lots more SNP to go!(everybody send a little healing energy Bonnie's way)To my WeHo SNB friends I saw at the game. I miss you and will be back next week as soon as this nasty cold goes away!

Memorial Day weekend I flew up to Seattle for a 35th Anniversary surprise party of some long-time friends, hosted by the the couple's children. Gotta love those group photos! Happy Anniversary! Mike and Nancy are seated in the center. On the left of Nancy is her sister Marybeth. Behind her are her husband Scott, friend Gloria, daughter Liz, son Jake, my daughter Shiloh (the original, thank you) friend Eric (married to Gloria), daughter Rachel, her man Cal, me and kneeling is Kevin (married to Liz). Yeah, us older adults are just a bunch of "Old Hippies" as I am often told.

Backtracking to Friday, my ~~partner in crime~~ friend Jen and I met one of my oldest friends for a bit of lunch in Issaquah. Gary and I have known each other since 1969 when we were in Shamrocks Drum and Bugle corp together. Over the years we have lost touch and kept in touch on a sporadic basis. We usually manage to call one another on our respective birthdays.

Friday after noon was spent shopping ~~in the most bizarre store I have ever been in~~ and then noshing and having cocktails at Maggianos in Bellevue with Jen and Larry, her husband of over 30 years. These are good people, the best life-cheerleaders I have ever had and I love them both. Incidentally, Jen is also one of the best travel partners in the world and I hope to be experiencing more of it with her!

Saturday morning we toured a friend's ~~castle~~ house-under-construction. It is located in the burbs outside of Seattle and all I can say is WOW. I just hope I am still in the good graces of the host when they begin having events and parties out there! I want an invite.

Saturday afternoon and on into the night was another party at the house of yet another friend! Lots more drinking and merriment was had by all. The BBQ was fired up and delicious salads and other tempting treats were offered. I was fortunate enough to have a Jasmine mixed especially for me by the world famous Drinkboy. (Just goes to show that if you pester someone enough, they will appease you just to stop your whining) I have to admit that it was tasty...for a gin drink.

What trip to Seattle (or anywhere for that matter when you are a knitter/crocheter) would be complete without some yarny experience! When in Seattle, go to The Weaving Works, a truly exceptional yarn/fiber shop. On the left is an old standby, Cascade 220 and on the right are a few more bits of sock yarn to add to the bulging stash.

I had a great time and it was very difficult to come home and leave all of my wonderful and supportive and loving friends and family. I love and adore you all. You enrich my life far beyond my explanation.

In For A Penny, In For A Pound

2007-05-19T07:09:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like a friend shaming you into blogging...

Even before I started rippling the brightest afghan known to humankind, this vest appealed to me. Not one to follow the directions entirely, I changed the colors to ones that were more to my liking. The ribbing on the bottom is pretty monotonous, just single crochet in the back loops, back and forth for 385,927 rows. (Well, maybe not that many but it seemed like it.) The rippling part is a lot more fun. The yarn is Lustersheen in the colors Tan, Natural and Spa Blue. I figure ~~if I don't get too bored with it~~ about the time cool weather rolls around in October or November, it should be finished and ready to wear over a light blouse or dress.

No segue to this next random paragraph...

Let's say you are in Las Vegas for a couple of days and you are rolling pretty hot dice at the craps table. Let's also say that at said table there is a very nice man wearing a rather conspicuous red Hawaiian shirt and you have a bit of a moment and he has sparkling eyes and a great smile (not to mention he's about 6'2"). WWMD (What Would Molly Do)? If you are smart, you whip out one of these and hand it to the nice man.

Purely hypothetical, of course, because we are not always smart.~~damn it~~

Back to the drawing board

2007-05-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

In February I started a cotton bolero from Patons Cotton Grace using a free pattern on the web. I got the back and both fronts crocheted and then lost interest. Let's face it, it was dull. Sort of the saltine cracker of the crochet bolero world. It languished in my knitting bag (one of many) until the 200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton book inspired me to re-work it into something far more fun. One of the great things about knitting and crocheting is that if you absolutely do not like the way a project is turning out, you can frog it and have another go. Unlike sewing when once you have cut out a piece, you can only go smaller. Now, don't get me wrong. I love to sew but it does have it's limitations for re-working.

The new plan is to make the bolero from Granny square blocks of pattern #58 Peach Rose and a #D Clover crochet hook. I figure I will need to make 20 full square blocks and 2 diagonal 1/2 blocks. These are a bit of a challenge so I am going to bring them to the next WeHo SNB for some more opinions.

I must still be feeling the flower thing. Peace and love...

You'll Soon Be One Of Us

2007-04-29T07:31:00.001-07:00

I have made some more progress on my Ripple Afghan. So far each color has been used twice with the bit of pink starting the 3rd set of 7 colors. So far, it is about 13 1/2" wide. Although I have never been to the Caribbean, that is what this makes me think of. The colors are so bright and cheery. I took it to the Thursday WeHo SNB and it met with rave reviews! I love this group, always so much fun and very supportive. Some people confessed to having been "secretly rippling" at home but not posting to the Ripple Along.

At first I wasn't really crazy about the acrylic yarn. Truthfully, it does have a few "hiccups" from time to time. Big globs of un-spun fiber or one ply being too long and wrapping around the others. I realized that I had become sort of a fiber snob. That is until I also realized that I love another thing that is made from acrylic! Several years ago my fingernails started splitting on the sides. I don't know if it had to do with age or what. I started getting acrylic nails and have been hooked ever since. Since moving to SoCal I have tried a few nail places but one does an exemplary job. Alice Nails on Ventura in Woodland Hills is great. Lani does the best "pink & white", EVER!

The saga continues

2007-04-24T20:48:00.000-07:00

I just can't stop rippling. It is addictive. I have decided to use all 7 colors, randomly. Each one of the 7 will be crocheted before a color repeats. We will see how well I keep this up.

While I am not the biggest fan of acrylic yarn, I do like the fact that the Caron Simply Soft Brights have no dye lots. I can acquire yarn as I go along and not shell out great flipping wads of cash at once. Although, with my luck they will discontinue these colors when I am half done.

I am weak

2007-04-22T07:42:00.000-07:00

Not only have I succumbed to the Granny-Along, but just this weekend I also joined the Ripple-Along! It is all the fault of this woman and the beautiful, bright colors. I usually head for the blues/purples/greens in subtle tones at my LYS so this is quite a change for me. Also, I rarely knit/crochet with anything but natural fibers so the acrylic Caron Simply Soft Brights is a definite detour. But I was hypnotized by the ripples and the promise of a cheery accent for my all-white bedroom. So sue me.

I had anticipated an afghan that would sit, nicely folded, at the end of my bed, always ready for a nap or a chilly night. In actuality, it hangs over the sides by about a foot...on each side! It's just that much more ripple to love.

Kathy, You Rock!!!!!

2007-04-15T12:45:00.000-07:00

For a long time I have been ~~complaining~~ writing about having left the majority of my knitting needles back in Washington when I moved. When your friends aren't rabid knitters or crocheters, they really don't see the urgency of having them at the ready. I could have spent a lot of $$$$ replacing all of my circulars, but that seemed a waste of money that could go to better use for say, YARN. Then one day last week, lo and behold, came an innocent looking box at my door. In it were these precious gems.

I am sure that the reason I didn't get them before was that no one could find them in the storage unit. But one intrepid friend made the extra effort to locate my lovelies and sent them down to SoCal so that I might be able to knit on a size other than 2.

I said it before and I will say it again...

KATHY, YOU ROCK!!!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Now that I have my knitting implements back in the fold, I felt compelled to purchase celebratory yarn. (Yeah, the "Knit From Your Stash" vow didn't last long. Cut me some slack, it has been a difficult past few months...) Some Lily Sugar'n Cream in variegated pinks for a couple of washcloths for my daughter and some Heirloom Breeze in lime for a V-neck tank top from the Spring/Summer Knit Simple, page 36.

Don't hate me for this, but I will leave you with this recipe for Whipped Shortbread. It doesn't look like much on a plate, but when you bite into it, you will know why I said that.

In a large stand mixer, whip 1 lb. of softened butter until light in color. (No, margarine will NOT be okay.) Add 1 cup powdered (confectioners) sugar, 1/2 cup cornstarch and whip again. Add 1 tsp vanilla extract. Whip. Finally, add 3 cups flour (I use unbleached white), mix slowly until incorporated and then whip until the batter is light. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 20-22 minutes or until very lightly "beiged". Let cool.

Yum.

Gettin' My Granny On

2007-04-09T16:33:00.000-07:00

I was reading Ellen's blog over the weekend and came across this.

Easter morning I retrieved the bag of worsted weight wool from under my bed and set to work. For a long time I have been keeping bits and pieces of mostly Cascade 220 with the goal of eventually turning it into a Granny Square afghan. The first 3 rounds are being made from my leftovers and then I will find a nice midnight blue to make the 4th round that ties it all together. Between cooking eggs benedict for breakfast and ham and scalloped potatoes for dinner, I made a few 3 round squares.

Showing my backside

2007-04-08T09:45:00.000-07:00

Of course it is the backside of my Flower Power crochet purse! What else would it be?

I am almost finished with the crochet part and am looking forward to moving on tho the sewing-of-the-lining part. I found this wild and absolutely perfect fabric for the lining. I also got a bit of this bright green to line the outside of the lining, the side that backs up against the crochet because the back if the lining fabric is a blah white flannel.

In fact, I am getting into sewing again after a bit of a hiatus. This is my latest sundress I whipped up last week. The weather in the Valley turned hot for a bit. Since I am now experiencing many ~~hot flashes~~ unscheduled trips to the Tropics each day, cotton sundresses are the most appealing garments I can think of. This fabric has been in my stash for about 10 years and I obviously liked it enough to bring it to SoCal with me. The inspiration for the vintage style trim came to me last Sunday when I was shopping with my roommate, Erin. I went to JoAnne's and found the perfect white-with-blue-dot fabric to coordinate. I suppose it is a bit too youthful for an old broad like me but I don't give a ~~shit~~ darn. I have one more in the works out of Simplicity pattern 3867 and then I will move onto another style.

On the same memory stick I found some photos of my friend Jen's and my last trip to France. We took a few days out in Quimper and on the only sunny day, drove to Carnac. If you have never been there, you MUST go! This photo was taken of me in February 2006 and I am happy to say I have lost about 40 lbs. since then so I am not fond of the picture. But it does show one of the stones in Carnac.

As much as I would like to, you can't edit past photos.

Happy Easter, everybody!

Flower Power

2007-03-19T16:56:00.000-07:00

I have finished the flower squares for my project and have moved on to the other piece. Eventually it will be a fun and flowery purse for the summer. I was going to make both sides the same but after nine squares, I think not. I was working on it at the WeHo SNB and decided that a solid double crochet back would do nicely, thank you. Ellen suggested that it might look nice with stripes. She is so right. I was going to make the stripes going horizontal but I am thinking that vertical is a better choice. I am planning on finding some fab and funky fabric in these colors for the lining. I have a pair of clear plastic handles that I bought a few weeks ago in anticipation of this project. I can't wait for it to be done! I hope to debut it at the next SNB in April.

Yesterday I got my car filled up and washed, as is my routine. I then went to the local Trader Joes for a spot of grocery shopping. They had bunches of five sunflowers for $2.99. They were so gorgeous that I bought three bunches! They look so good in my Blue Calico Castle vase, don't you think? I love this piece. I bought it in 1990 when I visited the Burleigh factory in England. It reminds me of rook from a chess set.

Paint by number

2007-03-12T21:17:00.000-07:00

Take some Tahki Cotton Classic and a size "E" crochet hook. Work a wheel of petals in purple.

Add a couple of rounds of petals in white.

Attach a bright spring green and morph it into a granny square.

~~Try to remember how you made the first one~~Clone it a few more times. What have you got?

Well, you will have to wait until I finish it. I am such a tease...

We now return to our regularly scheduled programming

2007-02-18T08:08:00.000-08:00

Finding a job you like is great. There is only one drawback. It severely cuts into ones knitting time!

I started working in early January and since then have only completed one project, the socks for my daughter that I had started earlier. I have been working on another pair of socks

but I am beginning to have grave doubts about them. I have turned the heels and am knitting the legs now. I seriously doubt that there is enough yarn to make them a decent height. I will go as far as I can. When people ask me why I knit both socks at the same time from the toe up, this is one of the reasons. I can always make the socks shorter in the legs than I wanted to, but what do you do if kniting from the top down and you run out of yarn? Last week at the Saturday WeHo SNB it was suggested "open toe socks?". Um, I don't think so. I will see just how long I can make them.

Speaking of the WeHo SNB, I would love to make the Thursday night meetings, but I live in the Valley and the drive would kill me. Instead, I go to the one that meets every 2nd Saturday of the month from 10am-12noon. I am getting to know the ladies (and gentleman!) there and enjoy their company and conversation. I learn some veeeeerry interesting things from them. Among the attendees are Ellen, Laurie, Faith and Regina, if she shows up again. Yes, I am talking about YOU!

There are a lot of crocheters at the Saturday SNB. (if you have been reading my blog at all, you know that all of my knitting needles except the #2 are still in Washington waiting for my friend, ANY friend, to send them to me!) From time to time I get the urge to crochet something myself. Last Saturday I drove home from the SNB, directly to the Michael's and bought yarn. Yes, I know that I vowed to go on a yarn diet, as it were, until October 2007. Technically, I am still within the rules. I only bought Patons Grace which is a fingering/sock weight yarn. Nevermind the fact that I am using it to make a crochet bolero.I decided I need something to wear over sleeveless tops (trust me, it is a necessity) and I found this free pattern on the internet. I have had to do a bit of ~~frogging 3/4 of a skein~~ swatching to come up with the correct hook size. I am on the right track now and it is just back-and-forth treble crochet. I should be done with it in about 2 weeks, if all goes according to plan.

Yeah, like THAT has ever happened...

Back to the beach

2007-01-20T09:05:00.000-08:00

I finally got the Pebble Beach socks done. These will be sent to my daughter in Seattle, where the weather is colder than it has been in years. Did I pick the right year to move to SoCal, or what! Actually, I finished them last Saturday at the WeHo SNB.

Then promptly cast on another pair of socks.This yarn has been in my stash for a few years. It is Froehlich Wolle from Switzerland. I especially like that it comes with its own toe and heel reinforcement, all wrapped up on a card and color coordinated. However, it does make the gauge a bit different and that part of the knitting a bit stiffer, but they will most certainly be warm! The color 1271 is a combination of blue, green and a touch of purple. All my favorites.

I so enjoy the ladies at the SNB at Farmer's Market! The are all so much fun and very helpful. Since I am new around these parts, I have to ask about good yarn shops, fabric stores, etc. You know, the essentials of life. Ellen, who is an L.A. native, is my first source for all things fiber. (of course, that could also mean a good ethnic restaurant, but let's not go there right now...) Last week she steered me to the Black Sheep Knittery in Hollywood. If you are in the L.A. area or just visiting there, GO! GO! GO! see Kristal at her shop. As I have sworn off all yarn purchases until October (except sock yarn...that doesn't count), I had to be prudent. I did get a ball of sock yarn, LANA GROSSA Meilen-whatever. It is the type that simulates Fair Isle, which is as close as I am ever going to get to knitting Fair Isle socks.

Still number 2

2007-01-05T23:09:00.000-08:00

As I have yet to receive my notebook full of knitting needles from Washington, I am still using only the #2 circs that I brought with me. Okay. I will make do with what I have right now. It beats buying new sets of Suzanne's Ebony needles or worse, not knitting at all!

These mitts were made for my youngest daughter after I told her about the Arrgyle socks I was planning on making this year. Since she doesn't wear socks in SoCal, I thought she might like mitts instead. Well, she liked the idea a lot! So, I made up the pattern and here they are. I duplicate stitched the skull and crossbones on after the mitts were done. I used Rowan 4 Ply in black. I was somewhat disappointed that the color crocked on my bamboo needles and all over my hands. I guess I expected Rowan yarn not to do that. Whatever.

Not to play favorites, I am now knitting a pair of socks for my oldest daughter. She lives in a colder climate and wears handknit socks that I have made for her all the time. The yarn is Socks That Rock in the Pebble Beach colorway. I really like the light and dark turquoise, tan and brown tones in them. Instead of making just a straight stockinette sock, I decided to use the Eyelet/January 11 pattern from my 365 Stitches a Year perpetual calendar. It is a simple pattern and the repeat fits perfectly. Again I am using size 2 circular needles and am knitting from the toe up. Since her feet are narrow, there are 48 stitches around instead of the 60 I used for the last 2 pair of adult size socks.

Resolutionarily speaking

2006-12-26T10:44:00.000-08:00

Is that even a word? It is now.

When I moved to SoCal in October, I gave away TONS of yarn and fabric! I packed only my favorite stash yarn and forgot about it until I unpacked it in my new place.

HOLY CRAP! I have so much yarn I can't even imagine what I can do with it all. Now it is time to face the music, as it were, and knit up stash yarn. For Christmas, I made 2 pairs of socks and have started on a third. I did slip after I landed here in Canoga Park and purchased some great Karabella Aurora 8 for a specific project. Other than that, I have been fairly indulgence-free. I found this today and decided that I am in.

Sorry, no photos today. I will try to get some on in the next week or so.

What have I been doing?

2006-12-18T23:22:00.000-08:00

When I moved from Washington to California, I left my knitting needles behind to be sent to me as soon as I got settled. I had one set of circulars with me, a size 2. They are still the only needles I have! What does one knit when one has only a size 2 circular needle?

The legs look very skinny but that is an illusion. After turning the heels (I make socks two-at-a-time-toe-up) I started a K3 P2 ribbing. For the last 1/2 inch I went to a K1 P1 rib. So they look funny, but will fit very well and hopefully not sag. The yarn is Trekking XXL in color 100. I knit the pair from both ends of the skein at the same time, one from the outside of the ball and one from the center. I like to think of them as fraternal twins, okay?

While I like the Trekking XXL, there were spots where the yarn was decidedly thinner or thicker than other spots. Very noticeable when you are making both socks at the same time.

If anyone wants the instructions for my reverse flap heel, email me and I will send it off to you.

What is it?

2006-11-19T22:54:00.000-08:00

It was my birthday today and this is what I got.

Digging out from under an out-of-state move

2006-11-11T17:29:00.000-08:00

I am still here, although I haven't done much knitting in the past month or so. The only knitting time I have had was at the WeHo SNB at the Farmer's Market in L.A. I plan to return to my semi-regular blogging in a week or so. Until then, I am surrounded by boxes that have to be unpacked and put away.

Oh, I forgot how much yarn I had packed away for the move! Mercy...

California Dreamin'

2006-09-25T13:20:00.000-07:00

I just flew in from L.A. and boy, are my arms tired!

Moving right along...

La La Land was superb. Aside from the traffic on the freeways and everywhere else, it was fun. I met up with some knitters at the Farmer's Market SNB on Thursday and had a great time. Knitters everywhere are a very friendly and crazy bunch so it is always good to meet new friends. Before leaving Washington, I had contacted Regina of the Monster Crochet and asked about good yarn shops in the area. She came back with 4 of her favorites and then invited me to the next SNB. How could I pass that up? There were lots of fun and talented knitters/crocheters there that evening, even though I was told that it was a small crowd. I also met Ellen who was a wealth of music information and was wearing a fabulous crocheted sweater that I suspect she made. I didn't ask but kept staring at it. She must have thought I was strange...

While at one of the yarn shops that Regina recommended, I ran into a knitting celebrity. None other than Kitty Bartholomew. I mentioned this to the SNB group and got "oooooo"s and"aahhhhhhhhhhh"s. Non-knitters/non-crafters don't know what they are missing.

I worked on my Ivy sweater this week. I knitted on the plane down. I knitted at a friend's workplace. I knitted at the SNB. I knitted in my hotel room. I knitted in my car while waiting for a friend. I knitted on the plane back home. I got a lot of knitting done! I am almost to the point of decreasing for the armholes on the back. I am loving the fabric that this yarn is making up. I can't find any information on the internet about it but it is Trendsetter Linie 135. Cotton and viscose. Very soft and silky.

Ivy on the hoof...er, vine

2006-09-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

I swatched for the Ivy sweater and came up with the correct gauge of 6 stitches per inch THE VERY FIRST TIME! How lucky is that? I am using Suzanne's Ebony circular needles in a size 3.5mm. The yarn is Trendsetters Linie 135. It is a cotton/viscose blend and very splitty. It also snags like a mutha so I have to be very careful with it (and keep it far, far away from Sasha, the Yarn Eater). I like to have insurance yarn, so I hounded my LYS to find 2 more and they did. Same color, same dye lot.

I really like the sheen the viscose gives the cotton and it is very soft.
The pattern is easy to remember and goes quickly. I am almost to the decrease part.

One more thing. A happy congratulations to Melanie and Ben, two knitting pals in my guild who just got engaged! Go here to see their photo and offer your congrats to them.

I am friend of Stephanie P.

2006-09-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

My name is Molly and I am a yarnaholic.

I checked out the new knitty.com and love the Ivy sweater! Wrap front, cables on the bottom and sleeves. Just right for what I want. I resolve to make it when I get to California where my stash sits, languishing in the PODS warehouse with all of my other worldly possessions.

So, I merrily read my favorite blogs, as is my usual for the morning. One Crazy Fiber Lady announces that she wants to host a no-pressure, no-end-date KAL for the Ivy sweater and is anyone else interested? Damn her! Before I can say NO, I have emailed her and posted on the Ivy KAL site. I can handle making the sweater with no pressure from time constraints. However, I have no yarn to make this. You do know what this means, don't you? This means that I have to buy yet more yarn to bring into my tiny apartment and then move to SoCal with me...again.

I head off to my LYS and find some really beautiful cotton/viscose (isn't that rayon?) in a soft, baby blue. They only have 12 skeins but their Bellevue store has the other 8 in the same dye lot. Guess where I am going today? The gauge says 21 stitches per 4 inches and the pattern calls for 24 per. I figure I can squeeze in an extra 3 stitches in 4 inches, right? Right?

Anyone?

Record speed

2006-09-12T08:13:00.000-07:00

The Violet Beauregard skirt is done! Well, all except for making the tie belt and blocking. I started it last Monday on Labor day and finished it on Sunday Sept. 10. That is less than a week! It crocheted up pretty fast because I didn't spend day and night on it as I have for other projects (like my still-unfinished-Olympic-Knitting-gingham-cardigan). It fits but I need to block it ~~and lose another 10 lbs~~ and have someone else take a photo of it before I can post another photo. I am also waiting for a pair of shoes that will hopefully go perfectly with it.

I am sort of at lose ends. My knitting projects don't interest me at the moment and I don't want to buy more yarn for new projects because I am moving in a few weeks. I have been doing a lot of sewing because I really don't have anything to wear that fits anymore. Whine, whine, whine.

I'll shut up now.

Skirt progress

2006-09-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

I am making very good progress on the Violet Beauregard skirt. I would have made more progress if I hadn't screwed up several rows. I forgot to ch2 in one space and only found the mistake when I got back around to that stitch on the next row. Frog the entire row back to the boo-boo and crochet again. Twice. I now check after every few shell patterns to make sure that I have done it correctly.

I am really liking the way it looks. The yarn is Tahki Cotton Classic in two colors (a light and a dark) of periwinkle and a green that is somewhere between olive and spring. Or, in color number speak, #3882, #3872 and #3703. Seems most everything I am knitting, crocheting and sewing is in these color groups. I think I have my base for my winter wardrobe, such as it were.

What sort of winter wardrobe does one plan when moving from Washington state to Southern California?

I swing both ways

2006-09-05T09:14:00.000-07:00

Before you get the wrong idea, I mean that not only do I knit, but I crochet as well. I guess I have always been baffled by knitters who can tackle fair isle and complicated patterning in knit, but turn to jelly at the prospect of crocheting an edge on anything! I have actually finished many projects over the years in crochet, including a few sweaters for my daughters when they were little. I just thought that most crochet was rather boring and dumpy.

Enter Monster Crochet and Debbie Stoller.

I found Regina Gonzalez's Monster Crochet blog many months ago from following links on another knitting blog. Go there! This woman's imagination is amazing (and just a little disturbing, but in a good way). You will crack up and be in awe at the things she crochets.

I was in SoCal visiting my youngest daughter last March. She works for a well-known, high-class clothing store that originated in the Pacific Northwest. 'Nuff said about that. Anyway, I was killing time waiting for her to get off work and wandered into a bookstore in the mall. As is my way, I went directly to the knitting section. There, in all it's glory, was the new Debbie Stoller book, The Happy Hooker. For shits and grins, I started looking through it. Damn if there aren't lots of really cute projects! One in particular caught my eye and I haven't been able to forget about it. The Violet Beauregard Skirt. First, it's purple. I am sooooooo easy for purple. Second, it is a rather retro-hippie skirt and again, I love that, too! I finally broke down this weekend and bought the book. While reading the instructions for the VBS, I realized that I have 10 skeins of Cotton classic in my stash that I was going to use to make the Green Gables sweater. Out with the sweater, in with the skirt. I went to my LYS on Labor day and they were having a sale so I got the other 2 colors to go with my stash yarn.

I started the skirt last night and I like the fabric that it produces. I am now a happy ~~hooker~~ woman.

What about the fixation socks? Well, they are sloooooooow going. I can be fairly quick about socks when they are simply zooming around in stockinette. I get bogged down with k2 p2 ribbing so they are taking a long time. I am also concerned that there won't be enough yarn left to make a decent length for the legs. Each ball is about the size of a medium egg and very dense. Cross your fingers for me and hope it works out.

The Harlot comes to town

2006-09-04T11:20:00.003-07:00

Yesterday my non-knitter friend Jen and I went to Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park to see Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. There was a large and enthusiastic crowd despite it being smack dab in the middle of Labor Day weekend. No matter. Knitters have their priorities!

Stephanie was very funny and entertaining (even to a non-knitter!) and we all had a great time. I met Stephanie when she signed my 3 books that I had brought with me. I also confessed to her about my unfinished Olympic Knitting cardigan. She was very gracious and non-judgmental. A simple, "What happened?" was her only comment. Such a lady. She obviously has been there many times and has felt the shame and guilt of the UFO. Who among us hasn't?

Turning the corner...er, heel

2006-08-22T18:17:00.000-07:00

I just returned from spending a wonderful long weekend with friends and family at the Washington Coast. The weather was (mostly) cooperative and we had a great time laughing, playing games, cards, dice, croquet, hanging out at the beach, eating lots of goodies and just generally having a relaxing time. Lest you think that we are a bunch of teetotalers, the booze and wine flowed freely and added to the merriment. I say we do it again next year.

While there, I managed to get in quite a bit of knitting on my Fixation socks. I like the yarn, but it is a bit of a pain to knit with. Does one stretch it or not stretch it while knitting? I decided to stretch it because when I didn't, it looked all loose and pplllllffffttttt. Yeah, that's it.

I have one major complaint that I will be contacting Cascade about. Each of the skeins (up to this point) had TWO KNOTS in each one, fairly short distances from each other. I make socks two-at-a-time-toe-up because I like one unbroken yarn from toe to top. Now I have at least 2 places where I have to weave in ends and on socks, that can be uncomfortable to wear.

The heels are really very easy to do from the toe-up. I've got it down to a (simple) science now. I like the cushy sl1, k1 RS heel so that is what I do. If you want the details, email me and I will try to explain it better. Now it is just a matter of k2 p2 ribbing until 7-8 inches or the skeins run out.

Sock it to me

2006-08-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

I am a member of the East Side Knitters Guild and go to the Monday evening meetings. However, this past Monday, I was free during the day and went to the day meeting at Spin Knitters in Bothell, WA. I positioned myself at the table with the ladies and took out my socks that I had started the weekend before. As luck would have it, I was also facing the wall of sock yarn! YIKES!

People, you all know that yarn speaks to you, right? Admit it. You know it does. I was getting the yarn equivalent of "Hey, Baby...What's your sign?" from some Cascade Fixation in variegated greens.

Halfway through the meeting, I got up and introduced myself to Fixation. We got along immediately. I then took my Fixation home with me for a crazy and wild affair, knowing fully that I had an "understanding" with a skein of STR. Gawd, I am so easy...

Fixaton and I are making beautiful socks together.

I am planning on taking both STR and Fixation to the ocean this weekend for some fun and relaxation. I hope we will be a great threesome.

Much better now

2006-08-13T09:18:00.000-07:00

Whew! I have finally gotten everything out of my house that I want to keep or sell or give away. All of my big worldly possessions are in a PODS heading for SoCal. A lot more stuff is in my apartment awaiting further sorting. Tons of stuff is at friends' houses and our warehouse to put up for sale on ebay.

I am exhausted.

Even better than that, I have actually been able to do some knitting. It has been nearly 4 weeks since I picked up the sticks and it feels sooooooo goooooood....The first thing to start is a pair of socks. The yarn is Socks That Rock in the colorway of Carbon. I have to be careful to keep these from Sasha (AKA Yarn-eater) because she has already attempted to swallow the wooly nylon thread (that is what is giving the toes a tweed look) I use for toe and heel reinforcement. Loads of fun to knit with yarn wet from cat saliva. Good thing I will wash and block these socks before gifting!

I will try to be more regular in my posting from now on. At least until the end of October when I move to SoCal and for the first time in my life live somewhere other than the Greater Seattle area. I am so excited I can't wait!

We pause for this brief message

2006-08-03T08:07:00.000-07:00

AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!

Carry on.

Not even remotely about knitting

2006-07-16T20:49:00.000-07:00

Totally off topic, but very fun. Today was the annual Bastille Day celebration at the Seattle Center. My business, Mais oui! had a booth where we sold French made items and handed out lots of our catalogs. One of my favorite parts about the Bastille Day fun is the Citroen car display brought to us by one of the local Citroen Car Clubs. Way back in 1971 ~~when dinosaurs still roamed the earth~~ I was smitten with a Citroen SM. At the time, they were running about $11K out of the showroom. (Not to mention the modifications that had to be done to a French car at that time.) Needless to say I never got one. But I have longed, nay LUSTED after one ever since! The photo is of me standing next to a Citroen that is NOT an SM. Since there wasn't one there, (insert lyrics, "if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with") I had to settle for what was there.

I shall not be deterred from my goal.

The long and short of it

2006-07-08T07:30:00.000-07:00

Just a short post on my progress with Sexy Knitters Club Tempting II. I started on June 20 (I couldn't wait!) and have been picking at it nights and during car rides. I have gotten to nearly 16 inches so far. The pattern calls for my size to stop at 15.5 inches, but being a tad long waisted I decided to go the extra inch. (Oh, baby! The google hits from those last 2 words!)

I will probably be posting sporadically in the next month or so. Selling my house and moving.

Anyone interested in a LOT of fabric? Email me!

Bright enough for ya'?

2006-06-22T09:09:00.000-07:00

I finally finished weaving in all of the ends of this small throw rug. (I started this thing about 2 years ago when our group of friends takes our annual weekend at the beach. 2 of us "grown-ups" are sisters, and the other 2 grown-up women are friends from grade school and jr. high school. Along with husbands, boyfriends, grown children, their respective husbands/wives/boyfriends/girlfriends and one grandson! We all troop down to the Washington coast like some 70s hippie commune for a wonderful relaxing weekend.) The pattern was a download from an Interweave Knits a couple years back. The model rug was nice subtle colors and I loved it. However, I chose to make it in the bright Provencal colors of my favorite dinnerware. (I think it picks up the colors nicely, don't you?) I still need to open a can of latex rug backing goo and slather it all over the back. The latex goo then dries and makes a dandy non-slip backing.

Thank you, Danke, Merci, Grazie!

2006-06-20T14:24:00.000-07:00

Rachel rocks!

I received my DYE-O-RAMA yarn over the weekend and it is so fantastic! She dyed yarn in my favorite colors of blue, purple and green. I couldn't be happier. She named it "RAINFOREST". Eventhough I have 3000 projects on the needles right now, I may have to cast on for socks...MY SOCKS!

Other casting on includes Tempting II for the KAL with Sexy Knitters Club. The KAL isn't supposed to be until July but I couldn't wait and cast on last night. I have knit about 3" of k1p1 ribbing. The Heirloom Breeze yarn is so soft and it has .4% lycra in it so it is nice and clingy.

A few words about the Crest of the Wave top in Sonata. I had my doubts, as I was knitting happily along, that the opaque section of the pattern covering the bra area was going to be sufficient. Lucia, you were right. It isn't going to be up to the task. The mannequin's body is not ~~affected by gravity~~ as mature as mine and I am afraid that there will have to be a major overhaul. I am talking about frogging the entire thing back to the first 4 rows of the shoulders. I don't have the strength in me right now so that will go back into the to-be-considered pile.

C'est la vie.

Swatching for Tempting II

2006-06-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

The July KAL for the Sexy Knitters Club has been voted on and the winner is Tempting II by Jenna Adorno. The pattern calls for Rowan Calmer yarn. I dug through my stash and nothing came close to the gauge or fiber content that I was looking for to knit this sexy little top. So, off to my LYS ~~for the thrill of the kill~~ to hunt for suitable yarn.

I found this. Breeze by Heirloom, The Australian Yarn Company. The color is soft baby pink and it is slightly springy due in part to 0.4% lycra. The other fiber content is 30% wool and 69.6% cotton. It should do nicely. My gauge is knitting up at close to 5 st per inch when slightly stretched. More if pulled out. Considering that this top is supposed to cling, the stretchiness should be perfect.

I am almost finished with my Crest of the Wave top. I am down to the final series of lace pattern. I have gone up to a 5.00mm needle and the pattern is very open and lacy. It has also taken a lot less yarn than I ordered so I may be making a small evening bag from the rest of it. I suppose I should add beads for that...

Happy Birthday Rachel!

2006-06-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

As promised, here is a photo of my niece Rachel with her birthday bag. Actually, her birthday was in April but I am kinda slow about getting photos on my blog when they were taken by someone else. (Thanks, Chuck!) It takes a fun and unique personality to pull off a bag with these colors and Rachel is definitely up to the task!

Here is a photo of the progress I am making on my Crest of the Wave top.I knitted the entire top with 3.5mm Suzanne's Ebony circulars (my favorites). After knitting the opaque lace section ~~that theoretically covers boobage~~, I switched to a larger 4.00mm as instructed, and went back to the open lace pattern. I am making each of the remaining sections a bit longer to compensate for being a little long waisted.

Knitting lots of holes

2006-06-12T08:32:00.000-07:00

I am finally posting a photo of my progress with my Amazing Lace project. This is the back of my Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend cardigan. I staked it out on my cutting board that I use for cutting out sewing patterns so the contrast is isn't fantastic. However, I think you get the drift. The bottom panel is a repeating diamond pattern and the top part is just a simple (k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl 2 knitwise, k both st thru back loops, k5) repeat. The sleeves will be the vertical repeat all the way up, no diamonds. I have gotten pretty far and now it is just getting a bit tedious.

Which brings me to my next project. Although the Sexy Knitters Club has voted on the Tempting II pattern for the July KAL, I fell in love with the Crest of the Wave top that is a free pattern on knitty.com. I ordered the Sonata yarn from elann.com in the charcoal color. I have so many black tops and the thought of knitting on another black yarn didn't appeal to me. The charcoal is very elegant and the Sonata feels so nice to knit with. I highly recommend it. I also ordered some in Pink Lavender to make the Eyelet Chemise in the Summer 2006 edition of Interweave Knits magazine.

I really like the Crest of the Wave pattern. It is easily memorized and goes very quickly. I started it about 5 days ago and have already knit the front and back bodice tops and joined in the round for 2 sets of the pattern. More photos when I have finished and blocked it.

I dyed a little...

2006-06-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

After much mulling over techniques and colors, I finally got down to the knitty gritty of dyeing yarn for the DYE-O-RAMA. As you can see in the first photo, I made one full skein of self-striping sock yarn in my dye buddy's favorite colors. I used Wilton icing colors and they came out pretty vibrant.

The next photo is of the self-striping in an oven bag, ready to go into the oven at 225 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.

The third photo shows the finished self-striping on the left.

The 2 smaller skeins on the right and center are a technique I read about on the web called Knit-Dye-Reknit.

It was fun and I will certainly be dyeing more yarn again. I have a few color combinations in mind I want to make for my own use, not to mention combos for friends and family.

Last today, but certainly not least is a photo of my finished Somewhat Cowl. It has taken me 2 long months to complete and as much as I like it, I don't think I feel the need to make another one. I frogged the equivalent of 5 skeins total on this project. 5 fairly large skeins, mind you. I now have time to work on my Amazing Lace cardigan and perhaps start another Sexy Knitters Club KAL in July.

My bad...

2006-05-24T12:58:00.000-07:00

Long time no post, eh? Not much to post today, either. Here is a swatch for my Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend Cardigan. I have been wanting a simple off-white cardigan for summer and when I read about the Amazing Lace KAL I knew the time was right. I will be making an entire post devoted to the Amazing Lace and my "teammate" at a future date. So, stay tuned.

Some shrinkage may occur

2006-05-08T09:07:00.000-07:00

I have finished the felted bag I have been making for my niece. Here is the before photo with the Pursenality Plus book as control. The green and purple rectangles on the upper left are the inside pockets that get sewn on after all of the pieces are felted.

Here is the photo AFTER felting with the same book. Ain't it just the cutest thing? I will be shaving it a bit more to remove some of the fuzz. Yes, I said shaving. Doesn't everybody shave a handbag? Sheesh, you'd think I'd have said something strange. I am giving some re-think to the daisy button, though. Any suggestions?

Here is a lovely photo of Knit Picks (yes, the yarn that finally got here) Color Your Own-Natural in fingering weight. Tonight I am going to start experimenting with the knit-dye-reknit techniques. I will post photos as I go along.

Last, but not least, if you don't have one of these, for gawd's sake get one! I am continuously asked at yarn shops if I want them to wind that loose hank for me. What? And deprive me of the pleasure of doing it myself? NEVER!!! It is very meditative to see the hank get sparser (is that a word, sparser?) and the yarn cake get larger.

Gawd, sometimes I need a life...

Back on track

2006-05-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

After my unscheduled jaunt off to Ben Franklin, I came home and wound up a couple of skeins of Cascade 220 in a bright orange. Add that to the purple, blue and green I already have knitted up and here's what you get:

I finally finished the bottom ribbing on my Somewhat Cowl I am making for the Sexy Knitters Club KAL.

Guess what FINALLY showed up in the mail today?

I can finally get started on my dyeing samples for DYE-O-RAMA. I have some different ideas about dyeing yarn for socks. I hope my swap buddy likes them!

RANT

2006-05-04T11:10:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for reasonably priced yarn, go to Knit Picks. If you are looking for reasonably priced yarn AND want it here before the next millennium, DON'T GO TO KNIT PICKS.

I ordered yarn on April 25, 2006. I checked my order status on the 27th and was informed that it was shipped on the 26th. Well, hello! That's great!

So I wait
and wait
and wait.

Monday, May 1 I call KP and ask how I can track my order that was supposed to have left them on the 26th. I am given a tracking number with something called SmartPost. Now, SmartPost is neither FedEx nor USPS. It is the Mordred of the two. No way to track anything with SmartPost until it has been actually sent to USPS. Meanwhile, USPS has no record of the tracking number that I finally got from KP on Tuesday, May 2.

It is now May 4 (incidentally my one month blog-aversary!) and it has finally gotten to the USPS. The possibility of getting my long awaited order before the weekend and getting to actually work on my niece's present are slim at best. This is why I am leaving right now to take a short trip to the Ben Franklin store to pick up some Cascade 220.

Partially ribbed, but not for her knitting pleasure

2006-05-02T14:17:00.000-07:00

Argh. If I thought that stockinette knitting on the Micro Spun was cramping my hands, I should have thought again. The k2 p2 ribbing is kicking my ass! I can only get around the circumference 4 or 5 times before I have to give up and go to another project.

I am also impatiently waiting for my Knit Picks order to show up. In it there is the yarn for my niece's felted bag (I have the handle and one of the I-cords already done) plus 6 skeins of dyeable fingering yarn for DYE-O-RAMA! I have lots of ideas about color combos and different ways to dye the yarn, I just need the stuff to dye!

What is it?

2006-04-28T13:35:00.000-07:00

Take 3 skeins of Cascade 220.Add these 3 skeins to some Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Carrot.

Mix in one of these and what have you got?

A birthday present for a special niece. Shhhhh! Don't tell her because she hasn't gotten it yet! I will post photos of the finished and felted bag.

*note the little daisy button below the DPNs.

Fun in the sun

2006-04-24T12:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was one of those gor-ge-mous days in the Pacific Northwest that makes you glad you live here. The sun was shining and the sky was severe clear! What a perfect day for hanging out with knitters and yarn!

Marilyn's Yarn held their first annual Open House on April 23. There were handcrafters from around western Washington showing their wares and talking and sharing their techniques and interests.

The local radio station Kafé 104.3FM (if you are familiar with the proclivity of people in this part of the country toward coffee, you will see how appropriate the station's name is!)broadcast live all afternoon from the event. Perry the POPCORN KING was popping up great smelling popcorn, caramel corn and refreshing Hawaiian Shave Ice.

Kathy displayed an amazing variety of stitch markers, yarn charms and beaded knit bracelet kits. Kathy and I go way back to 8th grade in 1968. Sorry, Kath. Now everybody knows how old you/we are!

The lovely Melissa makes great handbags and knitting needle cases.Melissa is working-her-way-through-college-to-get-a-lot-of-knowledge so if you bond with one of her hand-made items (my favorite is the aqua and taupe knitting needle case) in the photo, send an email to me and I will get Melissa in touch with you.

Emmo and her friends stopped by for a chat.Emmo (on the left holding the toy alpaca) confessed that she used to be a crocheter but had recently come to the knitting camp and was enjoying it more. Blonde Girlfriend on the right (holding a piece of paper with my blog address on it) made the comment that crochet was Emmo's metaphoric first boyfriend, and that she had moved on to a more mature relationship with knit. Yeah, that's right.

Dottie and a co-worker stopped by for a bit and the conversation got around to sock yarn. Dottie pulled up a pants leg to show us her current favorites (a wool and nylon blend, I believe) in their natural habitat.

LOST RIVER ALPACAS came with two adorable yet cranky alpacas. In all fairnesss, they were in a pen and people kept trying to touch them. I learned a lot about alpacas and their calming effect on people. And you thought they were only good for producing luxurious fibers and yarn! Hah!

We had a great time and told Marilyn that we would love to come back next year. If you want more information, call Marilyn or send her an email to get on her mailing list.

Early morning post

2006-04-23T07:19:00.000-07:00

This will be a short post this morning as I am heading out today with my friend Kathy to go up to Bellingham. She is displaying her gorgeous yarn charms and stitch markers at an open house sponsored by Marilyn's Yarn. Kathy and I found and fell in love with this not-so-local yarn shop last fall when we were in Bellingham putting the final touches on our Mais oui! catalog. She found a great outlet for her charms (knitting, that is...Kathy has many others that I won't go into!) and I found the mecca of "Socks That Rock".

Just so you don't think this is text only, here is a photo of the swatch I have started for my Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" cardigan. I can't show you a photo of the finished garment or give you a link because I am making it up as I go along. The only details I can give you are that it is being made from Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in the color "Cotton", the base of the cardi will be the diamond pattern (thus the name...DUH, Molly!) #9 from "Knitting Lace" by Susanna E Lewis and it is planned to be a v-neck cardi. The swatch is coming out okay, but I think I am going to go down one needle size from a 4.00mm to a 3.5mm. The gauge is just a tiny bit too loose.

I will post more when I get back from our fun, yarn and knitting-filled day!

Déjà vu, all over again

2006-04-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

Now that I have frogged the Peri sweater, the progress seems to be going very slowly. I think it is because I have been here before! I believe I am now on the right track. Wendy posted some revisions to her Somewhat Cowl pattern and the modifications I have done to mine are almost the same. Now it is just round and round and round until I reach the ribbing.

What is this? Well, I'm not exactly sure. I was inspired by a tank top pattern I saw. I thought, "Wouldn't it be cute to have this more fitted at the waist and then flare out at the hips and make it longer? Also, wouldn't it be cute if there were some knitted lace at the bottom?".

Yes. And, no.

While I love the Suede yarn, it is sticking to the needles. I prefer the ebony needles when I can use them and don't like metal needles at all. However, in this case the Addi Turbo needles are really the only choice. I will get used to them. Unfortunately, this entire top is being frogged because I decided that the fabric is just too heavy for a light summer top. Now the plan is to make a drop-stitched skirt, knit around and with shaping to make it flared at the bottom. And long. Stay tuned.

Lastly on today's offerings is a swatch I made for an everyday cardigan sweater. I have a black cashmere sweater that I have had for about 5 years. It has gotten constant use and is falling apart. Time to replace it with a hand knit! Again, not going to be able to use the ebony needles for obvious reasons. My eyesite is bad enough without destroying it altogether. I have enough Dale Baby Ull in black to more than complete this project. (I love that yarn because t is so soft and machine washable) On size 2 needles, I believe it will take me a long time. The biggest problem is that I can't decide if I want the 4 stitch cable pattern or the 2 stitch cable pattern. What do you think? Can you tell from the photo of the swatch?

What, you don't care?

Happy day!

2006-04-16T10:05:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter and Passover.

As for me, it's Happy Sweater Machine Day! This is my new toy that I bought from my friend Char in my knitting guild. What is a hand knitter doing with a knitting machine? The blasphemy! I used to think so too until I found this. Uh huh. Sort of gets you right there, doesn't it? I gotta try it!

Since this is a blog largely about knitting, I must post the obligatory photos of my cats.

Topaz is 19 years old, as far as we can tell. She adopted us one August Saturday when there were lots of people and children here for a party. She stayed. I guess the accommodations aren't too bad. Six kittens (she was in the family way when she arrived) and a dislocated jaw (when she decided to cross the road in front of the neighbor's moving Honda) later, she is still the Queen of the castle. So I think she thinks.

This is Sasha. I think she is about 4. We got Sasha last October from friends who couldn't keep her in their apartment. They found her in a former apartment complex after some rat-bastards moved out and left the kitten there to fend for herself. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. They kept her until the Mrs.'s allergies got to be nuclear. They asked me if I would take her. Was there ever a question as to what my answer would be? I had met Sasha at a party and loved her from the start. She is very intelligent and has lots of personality.

Chuck says people might think that my before and after photos from yesterday are mixed up as most people's knitting gets bigger, not smaller in the after photo! He has a point...

I thought this was going to be a short post...

One giant leap backward

2006-04-15T16:45:00.000-07:00

As I was progressing on my Somewhat Cowl sweater, I kept thinking that it was looking kind of big. Real big, in fact. I finally put all the stitches on scrap yarn and tried it on. It fit. What is wrong with that, you ask? I will tell you. I want it to fit AFTER I lose weight, not now. Nothing else to do but send it to the frog pond.

BEFORE

AFTER

Two skeins back from where I was isn't so bad, is it? Better that than not liking it when I was finished and never wearing it. To quote Marilyn Monroe from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, "A thing worth doing is worth doing well".

I submit to you another future frogging. These are socks that I am making for DD/S, my oldest. I love the yarn. It is Socks That Rock in the color Pebble Beach. I have them started on size 1 needles and I feel like I am knitting on toothpicks. I like #2 better. I am also trying out a new toe-up cast on. The instructions for short row toes came from knitty.com. Apparently I can't follow instructions very well because I have screwed them up. They are NOT supposed to look like this!

WIP it, WIP it good

2006-04-12T10:34:00.000-07:00

This is embarrassing.

These are the projects that I am working on concurrently. When I get tired of one, I go to the other. They are all different knitting techniques so each eases the boredom of the other. First, there is my KAL with Sexy Knitters Club. I am making the Somewhat Cowl. The yarn is Lion Brand Micro Spun from my stash. The color says Lilac on the tag, but to me it is Periwinkle. Henceforth my sweater shall be known as "Peri".

The next is the One Button Cardigan from IK Summer 2005. Again, this is stash yarn. Antique stash yarn, my friends. The label is Columbia-Minerva Worsted...anyone remember that? Hmmm, I thought not. This yarn has been the beginnings of 2 different, unfinished sweaters for someone who has long since become unworthy. *Ahem* Brown is the new black, you know, so I am making it for me. I bought a really fun carved wood button for it (it only requires one) at Le Bon Marché in Paris last January. (Shopping there is another post altogether.) I am almost finished with the lower edging.

Last (in this post) but not least is my Olympic Knitting sweater, the Gingham Cardigan. The pattern is from a McCall's Needlework & Crafts issue August 1988. I have started this cardi twice already, but never gotten past one or two pieces. Children, housework, etc. took my time from knitting then. But now the children are grown and on their own and I have long ago abandoned the myth of a clean house. When The Yarn Harlot challenged all of us to the KO, I knew immediately what I wanted to do. As you can see form the photo it isn't quite done yet. Okay, so I didn't medal. It was the challenge of trying to finish that was important. I have about a half of a sleeve left and then the neckband and finishing. Lots and lots of finishing.

Testing, testing 1, 2, 3

2006-04-09T12:22:00.000-07:00

In order to test my photo resizing capabilities, I am testing out a photo.

These are Chucks new socks that I finally finished. They are made from Socks That Rock. I love the yarn and how it feels while knitting on it. They wash and dry fairly well, although others I have made from STR tend to felt ever so slightly. I used the "Magic Loop" method or what I call simply knitting two socks at the same time on one long circular needle. Hmmmm, come to think of it that isn't any simpler. Whatever. Size 2 bamboo needles in the toe-up method. I am still trying to perfect my heel. I use a modification of the k1sl1 cushy heel that I learned when I made my first pair of socks on 4 dps, one at a time, top down. For the most part it works, but there are a few kinks I need to work out.

Anyway, if this works out, I will be posting a lot more photos of my WIPs and that will then push me to make them FOs!

Ta-da! My first post!

2006-04-04T14:07:00.000-07:00

Now that I have convinced myself that there might be other people who have an interest in my knitting, I can't for the life of me decide what to say about it! Well, here goes.

I have trouble being a monogamous knitter. I must have ADD or somethin', because I get bored working on a project very easily. I have, at any given time, about 6 or 7 projects going. This doesn't take into account the long-term projects (i.e. the double knit afghan I started in about 1994 or the 60" X 90" oval hooked rug that began in 1977 but I digress...) or the many that I have just given up altogether. I sometimes joke that I am like a crow, my attention easily diverted by another shiny object.

Once I realized this, I gave myself permission to work on whatever project I was interested in at the time. Now, that didn't help during the Knitting Olympics this past February. I did manage to only work on my Olympic sweater. (I didn't, however, manage to finish it. I am a half sleeve short of a finished sweater. Half a sleeve and neck ribbing and some stockinette strips to cover up the monstrous fronts where I picked up and knit the button bands. The yarns carried up from the rows below look awful. I consulted the Fair Isle expert in my guild for guidance. It is now back in the queue.)

I always enjoy knitting blogs that have a lot of photos. I plan to be one of those. Obviously not today, but soon. Very soon.

Thanks for reading my first post. Hopefully we will become friends.

Molly