Persian Purls and Yarnovers

Hot Waffles

2007-12-16T21:49:00.000-05:00

This is Knitspot's newest pattern, and it whipped up in a jiffy! I used Mission Falls, and modified the earband by reducing it to 2" and also knitted the hat to 5" before starting the decreases. I vowed there would be no Christmas knitting this year, but this is going in my daughter's stocking. The matching fingerless mitts might not make it before Christmas!

Don't let the name fool you

2007-12-02T23:15:00.001-05:00

I decided I had to start that little scarf. It was easy-going, yet elegant and I had a skein of Briar Rose grandma's blessing (thank you again, Karen) that I have been saving for just the right thing. That little scarf was going to get wipped up in no time flat. Um, well, not so much.

I have cast-on, knit, and ripped, repeating the process at leas 10 times. I think I could have the entire scarf finished by now. This is one of those patterns I can't seem to anticipate, and tinking back, is nearly impossible (for me . . . perhaps you'll have better luck). I have to give this little scarf my full attention while I knit. Ann said, that she knit this little thing on her commute to work a few years back---I can't even seem to get going while sitting in a quiet room. That little scarf is not so little a project!

A pair, an almost pair, and one with a mate to come

2007-11-27T18:28:00.000-05:00

When the kids request a knitted items from me, I stop everything I am doing, and get right on it! And this was no exception. The boys wanted hats to match their sports team's warm-ups, so I cast-on for BOTH--and knitted them at the same time!
They are exactly the same . . . but the grey one is too big for the 15 year old; but the other one fits my 10 year old perfectly. Hmmmmmmmmm.
Then there was mitts:

Excuse the yucky photo, but these cranberry cedars, are beautiful . . . and see that little tail of a string? Yes, that would be what's left of the skein with 2 rows an a bind off remaining for the pattern. Waaaaaaaaaaaa. I cannot even believe it. I guess I'll be ordering more yarn.

And let's continue on my Knitspot love-fest. I cast-on and finished the first fine cable mitt

This mitt is so simple, and elegant, I am in love with it!

Mitts and Cables

2007-11-18T18:20:00.000-05:00

The Snow on Cedars mitts were finished, soaked. blocked, dryed and worn to a soccer game and all around New York City the first Saturday in November!

I was going for an old, worn vintage-kind-a look when I chose the regia tweed for the pattern and it worked out perfectly. They were warm and cozy, and I loved looking down at my wrist and seeing the little cedar tree!

Since my husband was tied up in a business meeting for the afternoon, I made my way to Soho’s Purl. It is a tiny little place filled with oodles of yarn and knitters!!! I could have spent the entire afternoon, and walked away with the whole shop! But I decided to not go crazy so I walked away with just 2 skeins: Koigu KPM (#1184) in what I would like to call cranberry pink and a skein of lorna’s lace that will stripe orange/white. And then, I cast-on with the cranberry . . . another pair of cedar mitts!

Now . . . Let’s talk Cables
After several arguements with the Cable Luxe Tunic over picking up stitches, we finally came to an agreement, and I picked up the appropriate number of stitches, and cabling was underway!

I knit the first 12 rows of the front AND back, joining them after all the initial side increases were made. Now I am knitting in the round, which will eliminate side seaming! I remind myself how worth it this is, considering it feels like forever as I cable around the entire sweater!!!!

It’s Fall

2007-10-29T18:36:00.000-04:00

Finally. After several warm days, and last Friday filled with rain, the weekend morphed into sunny and cool--exactly the way it should be in Pennsylvania at this point in the year. In fact the kids were complaining about the lack of hats and mittens as they waited for the bus this morning (their mom’s a knitter . . . no mittens??).

Besides trick-or-treat, a house full of guests, soccer game, and other weekend distractions, I still managed to sneak some knitting in AND feel somewhat accomplished. Need I remind you, my new goal is to knit what I love and remain focused . . . no more than 3 projects:

Behold my cable adventure: the yoke and neckline completed in less than a week:

And then, as if I am not loving Anne Hanson enough with the Autumn Throw (on the 4th of 5 repeats, definitely on the downside), I snapped up her newest mitt pattern, snow on cedars. Okay, this is fabulous. While the kit has some wonderful yarn to match the pattern, I decided that stash yarn was a more economical route. So I decided to knit these in the Regia Tweed---

I think I am kidding myself by thinking I could have these finished before a quick trip to NYC on Sunday, but it is definitely worth thinking about.

Oh My darling . . . one last time

2007-10-24T22:10:00.000-04:00

Two summers ago (yes, that would be 2006), I was smitten with the Granny Smith Cardigan. SO much so, that I ran to the crazy knitting shop (that has yarn dating back to 1904) and picked up some mohair blend yarn so I could cast-on immediately. Well, the orange seemed like a good idea at the moment, and it reminded me of the clementines sitting in the crate in our kitchen.

So home I trotted, to knit this beautiful thing . . . I finished the back, fronts, and two sleeves: all I had to do was sew it together (a job I loathe) and knit the buttonbands and I'd be sporting it when the weather turned chilly. Somehow between that time and now, the cardi got shelved. I yanked it out this afternoon, and started to sew a sleeve in, figuring I could fix up these bands over the weeekend and at least sport it by the 31st . . .

So that was today's act of craziness. The entire week's obsession has been this:

No doubt you have seen this everywhere--the Lion Brand knock-off of the gorgeous Pringle sweater. I am up to 40" of that cabled yoke . . .

Knitting Monogamy

2007-10-21T20:50:00.000-04:00

It is amazing how much you can get finished when you're only working on one project:

Totally Autumn

I am humming right along, finding myself thinking about how many of these I might be able to finish before Christmas!!! But then I got a hold of myself . . . let's just enjoy the moment: the moment where I love the pattern, even on the 4th repeat of 36 rows; the moment where I love the yarn, and I am not worried about whether I have enough to finish the project; the moment where I love that I can see all the leaves, even without washing and blocking; the moment where I am NOT worried if it will fit, because, it will. This is a good knitting moment . . .

Falling off, and Getting back on . . . the wagon

2007-10-14T11:17:00.000-04:00

I have had a rough time of it, knitting-wise, and this was the last straw:

The remembrance hat, which I had queued in Ravelry, was going to be my
quick knit x 3= 3 spiffy walkers in the women's 5K yesterday. It ended up being only 1 (not 3) and not worn (well look at it, would you?), because, well, because it was unwearable (it was supposed to be fitted!). This is what sent me into a knitting anxiety attack.

I just cannot get it together---I knit, and the yarn pools; I knit and the gauge is off; I knit and the gauge is on but something else is wrong; I knit and it is just the wrong yarn; I knit and I am going no where, and finish nothing. I can't take it.

So, Friday afternoon, I packed it up. It was every work in progress that was in/beside/around my knitting basket (2 socks--each who have finished mates; 1 cardigan; 1 pullover; 1 mitten; 1 hat; 1 nearly started shawl; 1 tank top; the infamous mystery shawl). Each, with the accompanying pattern and needles, got packed in a separate plastic bag. And they all got shelved. Every one of them.

And then I needed to pick a new project. My self-imposed parameters:

1. High probability of success (ie, no changes in the pattern, no changes in gauge, no sizing issues).
2. No yarn purchases to knit, and no pattern purchases either.
3. I had to love it.

Friday, night--no knitting: couldn't meet my above 2 rules. My ravelry queue is full of projects . . . how hard could this be???? Socks?? No. I couldn't choose which pattern OR which yarn, too many of both. Mitts??? No. None of my yarn seemed right. Shawl??? Can I really cope with complicated patterns with cobweb like yarn. NO.

Saturday morning--no knitting. Saturday at noon, while I was ironing, and worrying, it came to me. I dug out the Jaeger Chamonix (in twig and since discontinued) that had been sitting in my closet for 2 years (when I got it, I had a men's vest in mind . . . ) and cast-on for . . .

Totally Autumn by Ann Hanson . . . totally lovely.

I think this might do it. No fit issues, lovely yarn (okay it is not Briar Rose, and it is not in pink), no purchase necessary, interesting pattern (I love lace knitting with thicker yarn), right gauge, right size needles. I think I am back on the knitting wagon.

Booking Through Tuesday

2007-10-09T16:33:00.000-04:00

Last week's read . . . and allow me to say, I am positive it is a better book than it will be a movie.

This week's read . . .
Inspired by my daughter's history day project topic, The Salem Witch Trials.

Go Pink

2007-10-07T19:38:00.001-04:00

I swiped this right off of Teabird's blog, and if that isn't enough copycat-ing, I found this in her ravelry queu, and promptly put it mine. Cast-on . . . perhaps tomorrow!

Booking Through Tuesday

2007-10-02T19:24:00.000-04:00

As if I need another reason to read . . . but it is always fun to categorize books, and pursue a specific segment of literature. Sharon is hosting a Russian Reading Challenge, so here’s my Russian Literature Reading List for 2008--

*Dr. Zhivago*The Brothers Karamazov *War and Peace*Crime and Punishment* Great Russian Stories (a compilation of 12 short stories)

These are all selections I have been wanting to read (did I mention I am a HUGE Anna Karenina fan!), so this provides some focus.

Oh and yesterday, the Anne of Green Gables read and kal began. Now when is the last time YOU read about that Anne?!!

Soccer Hat

2007-09-28T16:19:00.000-04:00

A hat and gloves to wear for warm-ups and practices was the request from my favorite soccer player and I got on it, right away. It couldn’t be itchy, or too woolly, because, well, itchy is not fun. So I chose cotton fleece. I used the Nautilus pattern, and knitting in the round. It ended up a little big . . . and I am sure it will "grow" with wash and wear. I'll be frogging and re-knitting.

Next on the sticks are the matching gloves--I reduced the cast-on stitches hoping for a tighter fit . . . but with the way the hat behaved, perhaps I should have reduced more.

Wait . . . I'll think of something clever!

2007-09-22T11:05:00.002-04:00

Sadly, there is no clever excuse for not posting. One day has zoomed by to another and whoosh! A whole week goes by. During this non-blogging time, I have found dozens of things to add to the knit-list--in fact I have spent more time finding things to knit, and less time actually knitting! I'll have to think about a clever excuse for that, as well!

I feel like each of my projects torments me with some issue. It feels like it has been a while since I was working on something that was "just right" as I worked through it. Perhaps the real issue is that I have been a bit busy lately and have less patience for the normal ups-and-downs of knitting. Here we go:

1. I resurrected Poppy. We had a snap of cold weather last week, and that was just enough inspiration to dig it out, and get busy. I finally finished the bottom on Wednesday, so I was on a roll. I decided to knit the sleeves next, mostly because I wanted some instant success, and I felt like the top of the sweater might require a little bit more of me. After rummaging through 500 doublepoints, I discovered that somehow I have many, many needles but no size 8s. The sleeve had to wait until Thursday, when I ran to the lys for doublepoints (and a skein of cotton fleece in black, which they didn't have--for a hat and mitten set, more on that later----ugh!). With needles in hand, I cast-on and I am back on track.

2. I started the Anemoi Mittens. Let's just attribute this to the cold weather snap, too. I visited a new yarn shop about 25 minutes away--small, cute, very limited hours--and came away with the yarn for the mittens. Regia Silk and Regia Tweed. In the store I thought this would be perfect, and I still do. But . . . first off, I was/am worried that the mittens are a little on the small size. And then, I noticed that the silk is a bit heavier than the tweed, and now I am worried that the darker stitches will get lost as I knit up the mitt. Time will tell on that one, I suppose.

3. I am still on Perambulate. I knit a row here, and then there. I want to finish these up, but I lost my gusto when the second sock wasn't striping quite the way the first one did. This is a bit of a drag, and I am a bit nudged with myself for not being able to rise above it.

Not far behind are: Jack (half if it is knitted), Flair and Clementine, Along with mittens, mittens and a hat. And a shawl. And a sweater. And a throw.

September

2007-09-10T17:55:00.000-04:00

Well, here we are, approaching mid-September. August, came and went . . the first month of SaM4. And did I have a pair to share? Well I have a pair, but they don’t match. I am not sure this counts. One Perambulate + One Roza = a mismatched pair . . . I don't think it counts.

pretend you see a photo here--my camera isn't cooperating.

I did have such good intentions. I was going to have a pair finished. The first sock was finished in a flash. And then, all hell broke loose towards the end of the month, and I got distracted, and busy, and I probably should have knit socks on all those rainy days instead of scheming to knit sweaters and mittens.

And since it will be Tuesday soon, here's what I read last week . . .

And here's this week's read:

This says it all

2007-08-29T22:12:00.001-04:00

I saw this on yarnball boogie's blog. xoxoxo

Alpaca for your Neck

2007-08-28T16:48:00.000-04:00

The yarn is so very yummy, and the pattern is deceptively easy. While I just knit and purled through this brioche stitch, it is totally unforgiving---miss a yarnover, drop a stitch (which is easy to do since the yarn is so slippy), and what I thought was fixed properly ends up appearing twisted and/or noticeable in the pattern. Unfortunately, I counted 4 such mistakes----and I was really trying to be careful. I noticed this same phenomenom when working on the Roza socks, but for some reason, thought it was the yarn . . . yeah, right! And should I want to continue with true confessions: towards the end, I knit row 1 twice in a row . . . so it looks a bit funky. But bunched up, it will not be noticeable . . . so much.

Booking Through Tuesday

2007-08-21T18:35:00.001-04:00

It has been raining for two days, and I have alternated between reading and knitting.
Currently . . .

As a little "let's get out of the house before we kill each other" jaunt, we ended up at Border's, where these 2 tombs happened to come home with me . . .

I must have been thinking about how I don't read enough non-fiction.

Finish . . . and start

2007-08-20T10:01:00.000-04:00

Well, it certainly took me long enough. These were fun and interesting and look far more impressive (and difficult) than they were to knit. The fans are knit flat, and it is only the cuff and thumb that are knitted in the round. I knit the pattern as written, with the only change being the cuff: I did a k3, p2 rib instead of the k2, p2 stated.

chocolate covered cherries--a pair

Fanning the Flame Mittens
Brooklyn Handspun--chocolate covered cherries
size 1 bamboos

So in the continuing "itch" for fall, we now have mittens. And the itch continues. Last night, with a bit of unexpected time on my hands, I dug through my stash and cast-on for IK's Brioche Gaiter (appearing in last year's Holiday Knits issue). This is Blue Sky Alpacas in petal pink. I think it is a perfect gift!

Okay, and if that isn't enough, here's the beginning of another pair of mittens: same pattern, on Opal Magic . . . sort of reminds me of Halloween!

itchy

2007-08-17T21:00:00.001-04:00

Well . . . you might say, I've got the "itch"----the itch for cooler weather, and a cute cardigan to wear on a cool morning to the Farmer's Market or a soccer game. So I frogged last fall's Jawbreaker (IK, winter/2006) which just didn't do the trick, and cast-on for Flair. By my calculations, I am almost sure I will have enough yarn, but I am still a little worried.

Araucania Nature Chunky Wool (lavender-ish)

size 10 addis

Come out of the closet!

2007-08-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

This:

is the lovely Granny Smith Cardigan, which I had absolutely no rest in my a__ until I bought the pattern and cast-on last July (that would be July 2006, not last month). I went to this crazy yarn shop a few miles away, found this yarn (reminding me of a clementine, hence the name!), that I don't even remember the name of and went to town on this thing. I found it in the closet yesterday: 2 sleeves, a back, a left front and a right front . . . and the shoulders are seamed. The only thing left to do: both button bands, and the collar. And then re-block the entire thing and hope that it will look cute on.

Things to do:

Find the remainder of the yarn.
Finish button band #1.
Finish button band #2.
Finish collar.
Seam sweater sides and sleeves.
Find buttons.
Pray that it looks good enough to wear.

One down

2007-08-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I just love the way a sock and a pattern work together. Actually, I always love when yarn and a pattern work together!!!!

Perambulate Sock Pattern, from Zen String
Pink Punk sock yarn from Scout
Size 1's

Booking Through Tuesday

2007-08-14T12:32:00.001-04:00

Currently reading . . .and taking a visit through the French Riviera and Europe with Dick, Nicole and Rosemary. While at the same time, I am also visiting the middle east . . .

A Quickie

2007-08-13T07:07:00.000-04:00

It went quick--knit, knit, knit--and it was finished, packed up and sent off. However, I am afraid the weekend inhibited the most speedy delivery to the next person who is it!

Garterlac Dish Cloth
Sugar'n Cream's summerset
size 6 needles

I am IT!!!!!!

2007-08-10T21:53:00.000-04:00

More details later . . . must cast-on, because I am playing dish rag tag and I am IT!

PS: Thank you so much Amy!

WInging It

2007-08-08T15:32:00.000-04:00

I am still knitting away on the mystery shawl, and last week's clue revealed the theme, Swan Lake. In addition, last week's clue (of which I am about 60 + rows from) provided for a "wing" to extend from the shawl. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm . . .

May I tell you that I love symmetry? May I also tell you that I am not opposed to assymetrical designs in some things (not jewelry, but sometimes sweaters). Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Not sure about a wing on the shawl. Not sure at all.

My shawl looks so lovely, even though I am far behind the wonder-knitters, who seem to be able to knit a clue in a day. And I loved knitting and wondering about the theme (I guessed Phantom of the Opera). But now that the jig-is-up, and I know the theme, I am now left to obsess over how-in-the-world-is-this-wing-going-to-look?

I am thinking that I will just trudge forward, knit the wing, and hope that I am a wing kind of girl.

You are too Cute!

2007-08-07T13:41:00.000-04:00

It started on Friday, as a baby kimono sweater, inspired by the Baby Yoda pattern I saw on Ravelry. I loved the pattern, but as I knit, I felt like it was looking a bit big, and I really wanted something for a newborn. So, I frogged, and cast-on the Heartbreakingly Cute Baby Kimono Sweater from Mason-Dixon Knitting. This pattern is so easy and smart, and cute, I cannot stand it. Knit in one piece, it flies off your needles, and is a perfect baby gift. I think the ribbon through the eyelet border adds a whimsical touch. I have another one planned for another friend with a baby on the way!

Booking Through Tuesday

2007-08-07T13:15:00.001-04:00

I finished this last week . . . those who haven't read it, are missing something really special.

I am almost finished with this . . . I have no idea why I have never had the opportunity to read this sooner.

Dancing Kimono

2007-08-04T12:59:00.001-04:00

As if there's not plenty of knitting projects going on, I cast on for a baby sweater. A friend of mine is due in October, but I have my doubts as to if she (and baby) will hold on quite that long. So last night, while watching the movie, Shall We Dance? I started a kimono sweater. I am working it out of Mission Falls Cotton, and knocked out 2 sleeves and cast-on for the back before nodding off!
The pattern may turn out to be a hodge-podge of a few different patterns . . . I'm keeping good notes, which I will detail at some point!

I took a break and . . .

2007-08-02T06:08:00.000-04:00

. . . what a difference a week (o-kay, perhaps more than a week!) makes! I haven't picked up the mystery shawl since clue #4 was released. I was feeling a bit obsessive over it, and found myself re-knitting a few rows, and generally becoming miserable. I put it down, knit a few other things, and finally picked it back up last night. I knit from row 171 right through the end of clue #3, and I am ready for clue #4 (all 100 rows of it). Now this is just in time for the release of tomorrow's clue! I am a bit behind! But I made some sock progress, as well as some clementine progress.

Booking Through Tuesday

2007-07-31T13:50:00.000-04:00

This is the view I wake up to each morning:

These beautiful bookshelves which are the home to my book collection. Next I am lobbying for a knitting room!

Ravelry

2007-07-27T13:09:00.000-04:00

I have a confession . . . while everyone in the blog-sphere seems to be waiting for their invitation or going crazy adding all their yarn and projects to their notebook (and you know who you are!), I have had my little ravelry notebook for almost 2 months. I was so excited, and that gave way to being totally overwelmed, and then I didn't even look at it. But, for whatever reason, I had a bit of spare seconds, and found myself adding to my que, updating my notebook, and checking out some other friend's projects, and I am hooked!

Now . . . I need to manage my knitting, my ravelry, my blog, my kids, my husband, and my job. I wonder if I cand ditch the job?

You think?

2007-07-26T10:40:00.000-04:00

You're Watership Down!

by Richard Adams

Though many think of you as a bit young, even childish, you're
actually incredibly deep and complex. You show people the need to rethink their
assumptions, and confront them on everything from how they think to where they
build their houses. You might be one of the greatest people of all time. You'd
be recognized as such if you weren't always talking about talking rabbits.

Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Rockin'

2007-07-26T09:36:00.001-04:00

I am so honored, truly, I am. My fabulous friend Karen, has named me and although I don't feel worthy, I happily, and humbly accept! I read oodles, of blogs, and I am going to have trouble figuring out who to name, as other Rockin' Girls, but here goes . . .

Karen, at Musing of a (mostly) Self Taught Knitter . . . and not just because she named me first!! Karen is a wonderful friend, who inspires me. When I tell her, I am not going to join any more swaps, she holds me to it; when I tell her a secret, she keeps it, and she is my biggest cheerleader on all levels. I really, really want my Ravelry notebook to look like hers! And my blog--well she needs to take credit for every paisley on it, because she was the designer!
The Jersey Knitter . . . and not just because she lives one state over. She and I cross paths all over the cyberspace! We have read in the same book clubs, we have belonged to a few of the same kals, and I find her knitting to be beautiful, and her choice of projects interesting. Her Jersey stories convey a sense of community, and her blog descriptions border on poetic.
JenClair, at A Garden Carried in the Pocket . . . and not just because I love the name of her blog! She is an incredible reader, and a source for great book reviews, and book clubs, and everything bookish! She's not a knitter (well, maybe she is, but she's definitley a book worm!) but she's like a living book store!
MintyFresh, at Pepperknit . . . and not just because I download every one of her patterns! Well, maybe that IS the reason, but I love looking at her photos and reading about what she does and how she does it. too.
Stacy, at Sheep in the City . . . and not just because I love the little sheep on her blog! She may love pink more than I do, but she is an adventurous knitter, and she's got tons of terrific project going and she buys the most yummiest pink yarns!

Whew! There you have it! Go see these girls, you'll love them!

What? You're finished?!

2007-07-24T17:08:00.000-04:00

I am happy to say I have finished SOMETHING in the last month! It feels like I am knitting, almost exclusively, on the MS3, and while that is nice and everything, it doesn't lend to finishing anything else. But look what snuck into my hands and got finished:

Seduction Socks, spring 2007 IK
Tofutsies sock yarn
size 1 bamboos

This yarn with this pattern was terrific. The socks are squishy and comfy. And as any good sock knitter would do, as soon as I finished these, I cast-on for a new pair . . . well, um, I cast on for 2:

First, I decided to cast-on for the second Roza's Sock (IK, spring 2007), since the first one has been mate-less for at least a month. The peach Lorna's Laces is so summer, and I figure if I get really obsessed with MS3, I can at least attempt to bang 1 sock out to complete the pair for August Sock A Month KAL. After I knit a few rounds of the cuff, I got to thinking about the Perambulate Pattern from Zen String, dug though my stash and started that too!

Booking Through Tuesday

2007-07-23T16:27:00.000-04:00

Knitting is running a close second to Harry Potter . . . it has been all about Harry Potter for us.

There was the Potter Party all night on Friday (that was after we waited in line for an hour, mid-afternoon, to get our bracelet, which allowed us to get our book at midnight) . . .

We were the 47th person, and at about 12:10 am, we had it in our hand! And a few mminutes after that, we got an official box, which the books were shipped in . . .

Since we all are reading the same book, we need to take turns. So when I'm not reading, I am knitting . . . ms3, and finishing some socks!!!!

Booking Through Tuesday

2007-07-17T16:34:00.000-04:00

This was a terrific, quick read, and I learned so much . . .
And like so many others, we can hardly wait until Friday night's party in honor of this . . .

Tick . . . tick . . . tick . . . .

You are not the boss of ME!

2007-07-16T21:23:00.000-04:00

After knitting row 133 for 1,000 times, I was pretty sure the yarn and/or the pattern WAS the boss of me, to the point where I ripped back to row 125 and reknit. But somehow, on Sunday (yes it took until Sunday), I fell back into the "rhythm" of this pattern and finished clue #2 and am 14 rows into clue #3. Whew!
I'll admit, it was touch and go there for a bit, and when I look at it closely I see some "indiscretions" but nothing that would warrant any more tinking,frogging,ripping or worrying.
And the photo above is just it draped on a chair, so I am thinking it will be much prettier blocked!

Row 133--it IS a mystery . . .

2007-07-14T12:26:00.002-04:00

I started Clue #2 with such confidence, and a clear plan. It seemed thaat if I knit 10 rows at a time, I was on a roll---that meant 10 rows last Friday (check!), 10 rows last Saturday (check!!) and 10 rows last Sunday (check!!!). Then came Monday--and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: I couldn't get past row 133. Seriously, I knit row 133 all week, long. On Thursday I ripped (literally back to row 129, and knitted to row 133, stopped . . . . and . . . haven't picked it up since. Today's the day, I am going to get beyond 133. At one point in this whole ordeal, I thought about starting completely over (a moment of insanity, I admit!!) but I got my wits about me, and decided there were better solutions to it all. Let's see . . .

Photo tomorrow . . . after, I get past row 133!

Booking Through Tuesday

2007-07-10T17:02:00.000-04:00

EEk! It's been a while . . . I took an unanticipated hiatus from blogging. Here's what I have been doing . . .

And counting the days until Harry Potter is released! Next post . . . Mystery Stole #3!

I love a good Mystery

2007-06-29T22:34:00.000-04:00

I downloaded clue #1 first thing Friday morning, and looked over it, but couldn't start until much later in the day (while I would love to sit all day and knit, there are other things going on in my life). The pattern is fabulous/beautifully charted. I was ready with my yarn, needles, and beads, but needed to make a quick run to AC Moore for a crochet needle. I breezed right through the first 50 rows, only having to redo 2 rows (at row 41, my husband came home from work . . . and that's where the breakdown occurred!)--now for the 2nd 50 rows.

While Melanie used zephyr with a size 4, I dropped down to a size 3. I like the firmer look of the stitches on the smaller size. And I wasn't sure about the beading---but now that I see it, I wish there were even MORE beads!!!! It looks terrific. And I am loving the "add the bead with a crochet hook" technique . . . so tricky!

So long, Sideways 0_0

2007-06-27T22:17:00.000-04:00

I was so psyched to knit those sidewinders, let me tell you. But with only a quarter of the sock until seaming, I frogged. Yes-sir-eee . . . rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip. There was just too much disatisfaction.

I hated the needle I was using---a cheapie circular, which I couldn't slip any of the stitches over the cable joint. Makes for laborious knitting.
I loved the whole process and pattern, watching the sock construction emerge. I hated the way my increases and decreases looked. And no matter what I did, they didn't look better.
I was always a stitch or 2 off, and I have no idea why.
I loved the yarn, and kept having this nagging thought--I could be doing a better job with this yarn.

I think that when your level of disatisfaction gets to 3, it is time to rethink. And I don't always abandon, however with so many other good things to knit, this needed to go to the pond. Riiiiiiibbbbbbbbbbbbbbiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.

It's a Mystery

2007-06-27T19:59:00.000-04:00

After lots of contemplation (should I, shouldn't I, can I can't I . . . ), I decided who doesn't need a bity of mystery in their life? And mystery I will have, beginning with the 1st clue on Friday. . .

Everybody's talking about it, so I know I don't need to explain. I am hoping this will be a fun, lace knitting diversion. I called Rosie's (I talked to them on Monday around 5 pm, and the yarn was in my mailbox today!!!) and ordered 1400 yards of Zephyr silk-wool in ebony, located my size 4 needles, and I am almost set. I just need to find some beeds and an accompanying crochet needle (that's tomorrow's project!) and I'll be set for Friday's cast-on. I am a little worried I won't be able to keep up, but let's just see how the first week goes (I figure I have all of 4th of July to knit, even though I might not see too much knitting time over the weekend!).

Booking Through Tuesday

2007-06-26T11:32:00.000-04:00

Currently . . .

Another purchase for the pile . . .

Note to self

2007-06-20T09:41:00.000-04:00

It is not 2nd sock syndrome, believe me, it is not. I just am not being a 1-sock-kind-of-girl lately! And each of these socks has a tiny story to go along with it.

pink footie---I cast-on for this, thinking it would be a quick pair which I could count for the June SAM3 pair. I didn't realize I would be sidetracked . . . and since I figuring the pattern as I went, I am now ready for footie 2, and I have to go back and figure out how I knit #1---note to self: keep bettern notes.

roza---I cast-on for roza long ago--and then ripped and cast-on (in different color yarn no less) with size1s instead of 0s. For whatever reason, I don't feel like this sock looks pretty . . . and it still feels tight. ugh--note to self: persevere, it may be worth it, or at least I am hoping so.

sidewinders--this sock is crazy. I have on idea in the would how this works, and this is the ulitmate test in following the pattern. On top of that, I had to use circulars, and I didn't have addis in 1s, so I used another manufacturer's, and the yarn just doesn't go over the joint between the cable and the needle very smoothly. This is a pain . . . note to self: addis only.

seduction socks--the pattern is adorable, and the yarn is so soft and squishy, but a little splitty. This might be my best bet to finish the 2nd sock before the end of the month. I am keeping my fingers crossed---note to self: get busy.

mitten--no not a sock, but this is just absurd: I thought I'd be wearing these in February. I am halfway finished with the 2nd one. I am going to be sporting these in the fall, but they are going to get finished soon--note to self: think about my cold digits and finish this up!

Booking Through Tuesday

2007-06-19T12:01:00.000-04:00

I love the Maisie Dobb's series. Maisie is a lovely heroine and each of the books (4 in all) are gentle, but interesting reads--easy for the pool.

In other book news, I seem to have lost/misplaced/hidden/forgot where I put it my copy of Scarf Style. This book has been missing for at least 2 weeks. I have even resprted to asking the kids and my husband if they took it (their replies--"why would I want that?"). I am pitching a serious fit about not having this book at my fingertips.

All of a sudden

2007-06-17T16:03:00.000-04:00

I had no plan, and yet, I walked out of the lys, with 5 skeins of Tahki Cotton Classic (color 3411--but let's call it persimmon, shall we?), just happened to have my size 4s with me, and started the Clementine Shawlette (IK, spring '07).

I thought, afterwards, this might be my little summer pick-me-up . . . I wasn't even aware I needed one!

Ways to Play in the Summer

2007-06-15T13:37:00.000-04:00

I have nothing else to say, but thank you, Karen (with the new domain!), and why don't you sign up, too?

Stop Everything and Go . . .

2007-06-06T17:55:00.000-04:00

Sideways!
Nona's sharing her Sidewinders sock pattern in 5 installments, and I couldn't resist (even though I have 3 pairs of socks going right now!). I dug out Scout's Marina Piccola and a size 1 circular and got knitting. I was supposed to do a swatch, but I didn't . . . I have knit with this yarn, on size 1's before, so I was pretty confident about my gauge.

Booking Through Tuesday on Wednesday

2007-06-06T12:40:00.000-04:00

I have read 3 fabulous books . . .
The Killing Sea is a story or tsunami survivors and is apprpriate for middle schoolers. Since I am trying to read what my kids are reading, I cam upon this book, and it was terrific.
Veronika was so compelling I finished it in one day! I wasn't sure I would like it as I moved through the first chapter, but I was thoroughly engrossed after that. And of course, because I loved The Kite Runner, I adored his second novel. It's on all the features lists, and it is so worth the price in hardback!

Tormented Sock Knitter

2007-06-04T16:17:00.000-04:00

When I got my Favorite Socks Book, I told Karen I was going to knit every sock pattern featured, and I meant it. To date, I haven’t knitted one pair from the book. So I thought it was time to get started, and I chose Meida. I used the periwinkle Lorna’s Laces, and cast-on: knit, knit, tink, tink, frog, reknit---and repeated this process at least half a dozen times. Finally, after 3 days of this nonsense, I frogged, re-balled the yarn, and put it in the basket. I cast-on for a quick-fix---a pair of footies for the tennis court. I figured I needed a quick success to get me up for the Meida challenge. I can’t really say I used a pattern--I just knitted, ad figured it out as I went. And then, last night, without giving it much thought, I grabbed my skein of Tofutsies, and started Anne Budd's Seduction Socks.

Ommmmmmmmmm

2007-06-03T18:06:00.000-04:00

About a year ago, I bought a skein of Lorna’s Laces worsted (in old rose) to accompany the Mac & Me Yoga Socks Pattern (a la knit pixie) and promptly put it on the “to do” pile. Well, my darling daughter took her first yoga class today (at the Yoga Loft), and she sported these cuties.

This was a great, quick knit. The pattern was written nicely, and the yarn worked up beautifully! Too bad everyone doesn’t need a pair of yoga socks for Christmas!

Please tell me

2007-05-30T16:10:00.000-04:00

. . . that this, seemingly little but of zephyr laceweight in pewter, from Rosie’s Yarn Cellar (thanks, girls!), will be enough for Enes?

And, in hopes of a successful start to this shawl, I cast-on in 50 stitch increments over the past several days. All 375 stitches are on the needle . . so far so good.

Memorial Day = the Unofficial Start of Summer

2007-05-25T23:37:00.000-04:00

Memorial Day, in my mind, is the beginning of summer. So in preparation for the weekend take a look at the summer goals:

1. socks
2. start AND finish Enes Shawl
3. Choose a fall sweater to knit . . . and knit it!!
4. finish fanning the flame mitten
5. Anemoi Mittens
6. Learn to crochet, so I can add all the spiffy little crocheted hems to my knitting-wear.

I am a list-making, goal-setting knitter, but even if I weren’t I would have, just to get in on the contest over at Skein her Way! And I have Karen to thank for that!

American Idol

2007-05-23T22:29:00.000-04:00

Well this season is over and so are the Idol Socks! Remember when I said I was only going to knit these while watching the show? Well that’s what I did, and during the finale, I finished!

The end definitely justifies the means with these sweet things. The pattern drove me a little crazy, but I loved the yarn, and I think the socks look terriific. So here we go, Socks for May finished, and already marked as a gift for someone------

Booking Through Tuesday

2007-05-22T17:36:00.000-04:00

What is this?

This is the summer book basket. I decided that I was going to collect (read: buy, pull off our bookshelves) all of the books that would be both enriching and interesting for my 2 children. There are things in the basket that we own, but neither of them have had the chance to read (Eragon, The Hobbit). There are new books which I have bought knowing they would really love (Tangerine, Speak) them, and there are some classics (The Diary of Ann Frank, Call of the Wild) which, unless I beg and barter, neither of them would pick. The summer book basket is the WOW! LOOK AT THIS, THERE’S SO MANY INTERESTING BOOKS WHERE DO I BEGIN, IT IS LIKE A BOOKSTORE RIGHT IN OUR FAMILY ROOM container.

My Personal Summer Reading Goals, for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge:

1. Read 25 books
2. Read (and attempt to enjoy!) Don Quixote

Shawl

2007-05-21T20:08:00.000-04:00

The Lacy Kerchief Shawl, from Interweave's Holiday Knits Issue is finished . . .

This shawl is so much lovelier than the photos in the magazine, and my photo certainly doesn't do it the justice it deserves. I finished it, and wrapped it around me, ran out the door for dinner on Saturday night, and got zillions of compliments!

Booking Through Tuesday

2007-05-15T20:41:00.000-04:00

Let’s do a little recap on the books challenge think, shall we?

4/5 read +6 others read

to read: Fever 1794

als0 read: The Blind Assassin, The Joy Luck Club, Blue Shoes and Happiness, Ahab’s Wife additional reads: The Road, Madame Bovary, The Reluctant Fundalmentalist, Love in the Time of Cholera, Eat*Pray*Love, Wicket’s Remedy

3/3 read

read: Woman in White, Ahab’s Wife, The Book Thief

0/4 read

better get busy!

I have also decided to take the plunge, joining Tilting at Windmills, where everyone is reading Don Quixote. I am not sure I am up for this particular challenge, but I am going to give it a “whirl” and see if I can make it my personal summer challenge. Do you want to work through this with us? Go buy the book and join us!

2007-05-14T16:42:00.000-04:00

After detangling and winding, my money (and knitting) is on the "I think I'll have enough yarn for the tank":
I am a little more than half way! And Happy Mother's Day to all of you who are mothers, and all of you who are wonderful aunts and mentors!

Check out this mess

2007-05-09T18:03:00.000-04:00

The thought of knitting the tank, without knowing if I had enough yarn to finish it, got to me today. Now my entire stash doesn't look like this, but this is the basket of misfit knitting---knitting that I was fed up with, so I tossed it in, never wanting to see it again. So that tangled mess is the rest of my tank. And the idol sock is in the photo as decoration only.

Can you spell sock (and blog) slacker?

2007-05-08T20:35:00.000-04:00

My goal was to knit a pair of socks each month, so by Christmas I would have a dozen pair to wrap up for gifts--April came and went, it is May and I didn’t get a pair finished. Rats! I have 1 almost finished Roza, 1 3/4s of a pair of Idol Socks, and I am ready to cast-on for a new pair. It just doesn’t seem right not to have 3 socks going at the same time! But which pattern? Which yarn? Which size needles?
And check this out--this cotton fleece was a tangled mess in my stash, and inspired by my daughter’s new flip-flops, I decided (Sunday afternoon, 4:00) to knit a tank. who knows if i even have enough yarn. Obviously, the lovely sunny weather is getting to me!

Do read

2007-04-24T21:28:00.000-04:00

I have read 2 fabulous books----

The Reluctant Fundalmentalist, is a narrative which is a quick read, but will leave a deep impression. Had Barnes and Noble not had this as a featured book 2 weeks ago (along with a nifty little coupon to accompany the member's discount), I am not sure I would have take notice of this book--and I am glad I did. I felt like I had a small window into the life of someone who was in need of a friend. This was a weekend read, and the weekend was all the better for it!

Ahab's Wife was utterly stunning--I am so happy to have read this book. This is the story of Una Spencer, Captain Ahab's (from Moby Dick) wife. She is a strong, passionate woman who survives many tragedies, and is a better woman because of each of her life experiences. Una is a beautiful heroine, and her love affair with Ahab is one not to forget.

As for the 665 pages, it was a pleasure, not a burden. And this book is the 3rd out of 3 selections (Woman in White + The Book Thief) for the Chunkster Challenge!

Both of these books are additions to my Spring Reading Challenge selections. Now if I could only get myself in motion to finish a pair of socks by the end of the month I would be 3 for 3 on the sock-a-month plan!!!!! More on that knitting plan when we chat next time!

Finish 1, Start Another

2007-04-18T16:33:00.000-04:00

As I made my way through a rainy weekend, I finished this:

which now looks like this:

the infamous clapotis
tourmeline colourway, from Mama-E

And then I spontaneously decided to cast-on for this:

This will be the Lace Kerchief Shawl from Interweave Knits 2006 Holiday Issue. This knits so quick, is so fun, and it looks far more difficult than it really is. I am using Brown Sheep cotton fleece from the stash!

2007-04-13T16:04:00.001-04:00

Season Finale

2007-04-10T17:28:00.000-04:00

At last, the finale of Sitcom Chic---it is finished, it is seamed, there are no ends to weave in, it has been steamed and pressed (although it is going to get another once over), and the button has been attached.
But wait----the episode cliff hanger: how will I get those edges not to roll?? Any suggestions (I have even sprayed starch on them!!!!)?

Roza, Roza, Roza + The Road

2007-04-09T15:44:00.000-04:00

I turned the heel on Roza, and knit diligently on the foot, thinking that over Easter vacation I would be able to finish sock 1. Round about this point, I thought I would try it on . . .

and it didn't fit. I don't have gi-normous feet, I have failry small ankles (the smallest part of me!) and I got the sock on, but it was tight. What the @$%##???? Not only was it tight, but there was absolutely no give to the sock. And then on top of it all, as I am tugging it off, I popped a stitch. So I did what any self-respecting sock knitter with a stash she should inventory, but won't would do: I wound an apricot skein of Lorna's Laces and cast-on using size 1's. What a difference . . .
For whatever reason, the apricot color seems to knit prettier than the perriwinkle! It killed me to re-start, but it looks so much better. So the perriwinkle sock is awaiting a frogging!

I finished The Road, Oprah's new reading group pick---as I started it, I wasn't quite sure it would be the book for me, but I am so glad I stuck with it. It was a fabulous narrative of survival, love, despair and hope between a boy and his father.

Spring Reading Thing recap: 4/5 (but this book wasn't on my original list!!!)

Sometimes you just need to be ready

2007-04-03T23:52:00.000-04:00

I loved The Joy Luck Club--years ago, when it was first released I bought it, and hated it. I didn’t understand the complications of mother daughter relationships at that point in my life, and I just hadn’t lived long enough, and had enough life experiences to relate to Amy Tan’s characters. But I was ready now, and it was a fabulous read. I saw myself in each of the mother’s as well as in each of their daughters. I understood the family dynamics and the friendship dynamics. I learned so much about myself while reading. I am so glad I was ready!

Shoes, Luck and a spring scarf

2007-03-31T06:25:00.000-04:00

I just finished Alexander McCall’s latest installment of The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Blue Shoes and Happiness. This gentle, lovely series of stories (this was number 7) is such a charming, quick read, filled with lots of African details and purls of wisdom from one of my favorite chararcters, Mma Ramotswe. While I have read each of the books in the series, if you haven’t, you could easily pick up with this book.

Spring Reading Thing recap: 2 of 5

The Joy Luck Club is next on the pile. Funny, but when this book was first published, I picked it up and promplty put it back down--didn’t like it. But now 20 years later, with a far stronger apppreciation for cultures, mothers, daughters and families, I am captivated within the first 30 pages.

And finally, as if there isn’t enough knitting to do, I spotted this . . .

and then rifled through the stash to dig out some cotton fleece in caribbean blue.

Season 1 and 2

2007-03-29T15:46:00.000-04:00

During season 1 of the sitcom, our knitter cranked out the cardigan in pink-a-boo (Brown Sheep’s) cotton fleece. The sweater seemed a bit too drapey, and the neckline a bit funny, but a good blocking would make all the difference, the knitter thought. Not so. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip went pink-chic.

Perhaps it just needs to be knit in the yarn called for, thought the knitter, not knowing that Lion’s cotton-ese was discontinued. Obsessiveness (often the case) sets in, and our knitter tracks down the exact yarn, in the exact color (thanks, Smileys!). Six skeins of bubblegum colored yarn shows up in a box and our knitter casts on. Knit, knit and then the sweater gets shelved in favor of other shows (er, projects). A real cliff hanger.

Season 2 opens with our knitter hauling out the pile of pink, only to find that the pattern (with all the notes!) is missing (a real mystery), not to be found. The mound of yarn amounts to two finished sleeve and the body within 2 inches of being ready to attach the sleeves, along with 3 unused skeins. Careful, but quick, calculations reveals where we left off in season 1. A little halt in production (due to the need to untangle the skein in use), and then 2 inches were added, and the sleeves are ready to be attached, with the saga of the yoke to follow.

Hoping for a smashing series finale in the coming week--will she finish? Will it fit? Will it be wearable??? Stay tuned. This feels like a mini-series, not a sitcom.

. . . and one more thing + two more skeins

2007-03-28T15:49:00.000-04:00

I finished my first Idol sock last night!

It was a big night for socks last night (see the post below), so this afternoon, in order to celebrate knitting 3 socks in March, I bought more sock yarn!!! Trekking LXX in browns (90) and purples (109)!

March Monkeys and Assassins

2007-03-27T18:03:00.000-04:00

My March socks are finished, and can you imagine it is not the 31st? This pattern was an absolute delight---and I loved the yarn . . .

Cookie’s Monkey Socks Pattern

Knitty
Mama-E’s nara-gansett yarn
size 1 bamboos

I am thinking of packing these away in the cedar closet, to be saved for a Christmas present--this is a shocking thought for me, as I am usually not planning ahead like this!

In other news, I finished Margaret Atwood’s The Blind Assassin. While I was a bit confused in the beginning, I am so happy I stuck with it because it was quite a read! I feel like the 3-part story--Iris’s, the novel, and the documents weave such a fabulous tangled web of secrets, it is hard to decide who to believe, and how, exactly Iris navigated through her life.

Once Upon a Time

2007-03-26T15:49:00.000-04:00

This year, I feel like I got a hold of my knitting life . . . more or less. Instead of joining, and swapping and acting like an out-of-control-I-can-knit-everything-I-love person, I have limited my goals to 1 sweater a season, 1 sock-a-month and a few other fun things which may stray in my path. Manageable and successful!

Now, I have said, dozens of times, there will never be enough yarn, books and time to knit and read. And I have joined, yet another reading challenge. But before you (or I!) roll my eyes and say, “another?” let’s just think of these book challenges as a way to broaden my repetoire of reading: classics, chunksters, spring-selections and now the Once Upon a Time challenge . . .

Book selections must be from the genres of Mythology, Folklore, Fairytale and Fantasy, as organized by Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings. If not for this challenge, I might not of focused on these selections from now until June 21st----

1. Tales from the 1001 Nights translated by Sir Richard Burton

2. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle

3. Aesop’s Fables Selections: at least 5

4. Grimm’s Fairytales Selections: at least 5

Add this to the Spring Reading Thing Challenge, and it ends up being 7 novels, and 10 short stories in 3 months + some knitting, taxi services to and from soccer, hockey, birthday parties, sleepovers, a cooked dinner or two, Easter, end-of-school activities . . .

On Reading

2007-03-25T15:05:00.000-04:00

I can't remember where I saw this, but I loved it so!

It's Back!

2007-03-24T11:42:00.000-04:00

The clap-is-back . . .

now. . .

just where was I?

Happy Spring!

2007-03-21T17:40:00.000-04:00

I got my free iced coffee (thank you, Dunkin Donuts) and the kids got their happy-spring- ice (thank you, Rita's!) so the first full day of spring is hopping right along. I wish I could say the same for my knitting. I am hopping through patterns, and making wish lists and knit to-do lists like a mad woman, but I can’t seem to get anywhere on any of my three socks. On top of that, I have some other things I want to yank out and finish (clapotis, sitcom chic) and more things to knit. As I was surfing the blogs, I saw a kal proposing 52 socks in 52 weeks---eeeeeeek! How does that happen? Tell me how that works in one’s life?!!?!?!

To celebrate spring, and my other passion, I have joined-up with the Spring Reading Thing. This, I am sure, is going to go much better than my feeble attempt at the Winter Classics Challenge (what was I reading, and why wasn’t I successful?!!?!). Between today, and June 21st, I am planning to read (at least) the following selections:

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood (March’s KTC novel)
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan(April’s KTC novel)
Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall
Ahab’s Wife by Sena J. Neslund (the last of my 3 Chunkster Challenge books)
Fever 1794 by Laurie Halse Anderson(my daughter said it was terrific!)

Whew--knit, read, read, knit. I love my life!

Waiting for the first day of Spring

2007-03-19T15:53:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is the first day of spring, which is also Persian New Year! Happy Norooz!

PS: Free Rita's Ice and free iced coffee at Dunkin Donuts on Wednesday, the first full day of Spring!!!

Knitting content to resume soon!

I am a baby

2007-03-14T19:52:00.000-04:00

This hour time change has whipped me . . . truly. I am tired and foggy in the head. I can't get out of bed in the morning and I feel like everything's taking me longer. Everything was fine before we changed the clocks, and the weather didn't suddenly feel like June: 72 and sunny today.

I am plopping on my couch to knit, and I will not fall asleep . . . until later.

Blue Monkey 1

2007-03-12T20:19:00.000-04:00

I am anything BUT blue over this monkey sock! xo

I'd write more, but I need to go cast-on so this monkey has a mate!

More Socks to Knit!

2007-03-10T14:03:00.000-05:00

I picked up my book . . .

How did I live without this? I love this book!

And on top of that, I signed up for Daily Knitting and in doing so, I received a free pattern, the Caspian Sea Socks . . .

These socks don’t make it as one of the 3. These socks require a long term commitment. Smmmmmoooooooch!

Rule of Three

2007-03-07T16:40:00.000-05:00

There were the 3 bears, the 3 little pigs, 3 blind mice, 3 wise men, and the 3 socks. In my most humble opinion, it is a really good thing to have 3 socks going at the same time.

Sock #1--The Go-to-Sock

The Go-to-Sock is the sock that goes, with me anywhere, because I can knit a few stitches, a round, or 2 and stop anywhere (except perhaps the middle of the heel!), and conversely, pick it back up anytime without fear of having lost my place. The real Go-to-Sock is the one that I don't even need to have the pattern with me (except, for the heel!). Roza is my Go-to Sock (btw, Roza is one of those girls who looks for more beautiful in person, than in photos . . . unless of course she is being photographed for Interweave Knits!).

Sock #2--The Theme-Sock

This is a new addition in my rotation, and I have come to appreciate it so very much. The Theme-Sock only gets attention during a specific time of the week--in this case, while watching American Idol. I have been true to my pact with Karen, knitting only while watching the show, and then putting it away until the next installment. I am a bit impressed with the success by which this plan is working: I feel like it is easy to measure progress and I don't ever wonder if I should work on it, because I only do during American Idol. The Rock Star Socks are my theme- socks (btw: this yarn is fabulous!).

Sock #3--The Happy-Sock

The Happy-Sock is the sock I am smitten with at the moment. It could be that I am surprised with myself for being able to knit a particular pattern, in love with the yarn, or impressed with the yarn pattern combination. In any event this sock usually is a bit more complicated, and doesn't travel well; ie, I need to be thinking when I knit it, despite my adoration for it. The Pink Monkeys turned Blue, are my Happy Socks (btw: I am ready to turn the heel!).

Blue Monkeys

2007-03-06T16:23:00.000-05:00

I have come to my senses, or at least am trying to. It would seem to me that a beautiful yarn requires a pattern which showcases it. And a great pattern should be showcased by the most appropriate yarn. Alas, Pink Punk does not make for a great pink monkey. So, rummaging through my stash, I dug up some of Mama E’s narra-gansett, a yarn which I bought with absolutely no project in mind. Now here’s where the addict part of me emerges, yet again: I had to cast on, Sunday night, and repeat the whole pink monky process of before I went to bed.

Pink Monkeys

2007-03-04T15:49:00.000-05:00

I thought, hmmmmm, maybe I'll wind Scout's Punk Pink. Well it's like being and addict, because you can't just wind it. You have to cast on with it, and then work a little of the cuff, maybe the whole cuff. But you can't stop, because you really want to see what the pattern will knit up like with this yarn. Two pattern repeats later (that would be 22 rows on size 1s), you stop because, someone in your house needs you.

The yarn is lovely---it feels lovely, the colors are lovely and it knits up fabulous. The yarn pooled in the cuff--half is charcoal, the other half is pink. I am not quite sure if it is striping or pooling at this point. The pattern is so fun, Monkey Socks, found in the current Knitty. Not sure if the pattern is right for the yarn, but there's too much love on both fronts to stop now!

PS: I read patterns, too

2007-03-03T07:41:00.000-05:00

I came upon this meme which is currently floating around many bookworms' blogs, and thought hey--why not? So, tag you are it! Look at the list of books below:
* Bold the ones you’ve read,
* Italicize the ones you want to read (I italicized the one's that are on my waiting to be read
pile),
* Leave blank the ones that you aren’t interested in.

1. The DaVinci Code (Dan Brown)
2. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien)
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
10. A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)
11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)
12. Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
13. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
16. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Rowling)
17. Fall on Your Knees (Ann-Marie MacDonald)
18. The Stand (Stephen King)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Rowling)
20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
21. The Hobbit (Tolkien)
22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)
25. Life of Pi (Yann Martel)
26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
28. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis)
29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
30. Tuesdays with Morrie (Mitch Albom)
31. Dune (Frank Herbert)
32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)
33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)
34. 1984 (Orwell)
35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)
36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)
37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)
38. I Know This Much is True (Wally Lamb)
39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)
42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)
43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)
44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom)
45. The Bible
46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)
47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt)
49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
50. She’s Come Undone (Wally Lamb)
51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens)
53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
54. Great Expectations (Dickens)
55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)
57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling)
58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)
59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrew Niffenegger)
61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand)
63. War and Peace (Tolstoy)
64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice)
65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)
66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
67. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Ann Brashares)
68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)
69. Les Miserables (Hugo)
70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
71. Bridget Jones’ Diary (Fielding)
72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Marquez)
73. Shogun (James Clavell)
74. The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje)
75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)
77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
78. The World According to Garp (John Irving)
79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)
80. Charlotte's Web (E.B. White)
81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)
82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck)
83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMaurier)
84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)
85. Emma (Jane Austen)
86. Watership Down(Richard Adams)
87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)
89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)
90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)
91. In The Skin Of A Lion (Ondaatje)
92. Lord of the Flies (Golding)
93. The Good Earth (Pearl S. Buck)
94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)
95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)
96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)
98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)
99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)
100. Ulysses (James Joyce)

Reading is only second to knitting for me. I have read two selections for the Chunkster Challenge so far. However the The Winter Classics Challenge is a bit of a different story--out of 5 classics I selected I read . . . . ummmmmmmm, 1. I think this might be due to the chunky books I read instead. Or maybe it was because of knitting the American Idol Socks, or maybe it was because February is so short . . . or maybe it was because I was reading the patterns of my wips as well as the patterns of my future knitting obsessions!

Fumbling around on Friday

2007-03-02T19:35:00.000-05:00

Soooooooo, it is Friday. And I have fumbled through it. But let’s back up to Thursday: I missed a step as I was going downstairs, fell and twisted my ankle so badly that it is wrapped, and I am limping. I bought a new tote (aka knitting bag) yesterday, and this morning, my leak-proof coffee mug, leaked. All over everything in the bag. ugh. Love the bag, not loving the mug. I am noodling around with my American Idol Socks, feeling like they look to small--if that's the case, I consider that a major fumble. Roza socks are on the top of the list this weekend, along with the 2nd fan mitten: no fumbling allowed, please!

February’s Socks

2007-02-28T18:41:00.000-05:00

This Regia Bamboo is so soft, and squishy and fabulous to work with--don’t even ask me why I couldn’t finish these socks sooner! This was a basic K3, p2 pattern for the leg and foot, following a great pattern from Cabin Fever on size 1’s. One for one in Sock a Month 3.

I am in love!

2007-02-26T20:10:00.000-05:00

Tell me, how did I ever live without these 2 things?!

Scout's Punk Pink . . .
bamboo, nylon, wool
Go Knit Pouch

American Idol and Rock Stars

2007-02-21T17:44:00.000-05:00

Karen and I decided to knit the Rock Star Sock pattern with the Glampyre sock yarn we got (our December’s swag) while we watch American Idol each week! My kids love American Idol, and I have to admit, I love watching and knitting-along, knowing that Karen is doing the same. I only pick these up while watching the show, and so far, I have finished the leg and am ready for the heel.

I found designating this project to a certain time frame of the week, gives me something to look forward to, and serves as a forced-knitting-break from what I am working on in the everyday rotation.

Stops and Starts

2007-02-20T16:56:00.000-05:00

In between house guests, a day of skiing (in which I do NO skiing: instead I sit in the lounge and attend to my skiing family’s needs, hoping for some knitting time. However, what REALLY happens is each one of them comes stomping in, one-at-a-time, so virtually NO knitting gets done!), a day of recouperating and just general Presidents’ Weekend Shopping and activities (can I go to the movies? can I stay at my very best friend’s? can you pick us up?) I managed to accomplish the following:

Fanning the Flames mitten #1.

This mitten is so impressive looking, and it is so easy to knit. The hardest part was the 2x2 cuff . . . do not ask me why.

Roza Sock

On size 0’s, it took me the entire day in the ski lodge to knit the cuff. I love the yarn, and the color, and the pattern.

I am off to finish a sock for February's Sock-of-the-Month!

Happiness . . .

2007-02-16T17:52:00.000-05:00

Jessica, over at Zarzuela Knits and Crochets, has some happy thoughts for a knit-along which I think is just perfect for the impending winter doldrums that will hit! And how much happier could the rules be:

1. Make something that makes you happy. Well that's easy enough--I have plenty of knitting which makes, and will make me happy!

2. Make someone else happy. Spread joy and brightening someone else’s day, definitely makes me feel happy! And there's tons of opportunities for that!

And here's the best part, in Jessica's own words . . . Let’s just take this one happy day at a time.
Right now, my happy factor is pretty high . . . I am off to knit and read the spring Interweave Knits! Just picked it up today!

Love

2007-02-15T13:46:00.001-05:00

Wow! We got snow, ice, snow, sleet, ice . . . which put my little world somewhat, but not totally out of commission.But that didn't dampen my Valentine's Day! Lots of candy hearts and love to go around--the best, best Valentine's Day ever! And then, yesterday morning, I found a box with all of this, from my very dear friend, Karen:

Can you believe this? I mean, seriously?! Martini sock blockers, with a tiny martini stitch marker, Tofutsies, these dainty little stitch markers, mints, chocolates & chocloate covered fortune cookies, pink emory boards, and then the cutes darn little notepads she made herself! One of them has my blog logo on it! I am definitely feeling all the Valentine's Day love--smmooooooooches to you, Karen!

PS: Did you see the card she made--with a knitted heart?! xoxo

Happy Valentine's Day

2007-02-14T12:43:00.001-05:00

Among the cards, candy and flowers, there was a pair of mittens for Valentine #1 and Valentine #2. While they loved them, they were more excited about the snow and no school! Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Super Sock Service

2007-02-12T16:27:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday afternoon, I was consumed with the need to buy sock yarn for the projects mentioned in the post below. So, click, click, click -- 6 skeins of yarn from Allison at Simply Sock Yarn was ordered. Little did I know that it would be sitting on my front porch on Saturday!!! I was so surprised that it arrived so quickly, and upon opening the box, I was not disappointed by my choices. Lorna’s Lace in apricot (for the seduction socks) and periwinkle (Roza socks) and grey (for a basic k3, p2 man’s sock). There’s a pending snow storm for mid-week, so we might have a new pair of socks on the needles!

Adding to the to do list

2007-02-09T21:50:00.000-05:00

I have plenty of things on my needles to keep me occupied for, at the very least, a month or two, but I couldn't resist grabbing two new patterns to plan for and think about. First is the Ribby Pullover, by Bonnie Marie Burns--good grief I love this sweater! I love that yarn for that sweater. I love reading the pattern for this sweater. I think I am going to knit this in late summer/early fall, if I can wait that long!

Then I got Wendy's Flair pattern, thinking this would be a good spring-thing! I am not sure, but I might be going with the quick, cheap and easy on this one, and knit it in cotton-ease.

Oh, and then I went lurking around the new Interweave spring preview page and decided I wanted to knit a few things from there, starting with the on-line bed sock pattern, as well as Grumperina's pattern--and I even bought the yarn without even seeing the patterns!!!! And on top of that, the issue isn't due out for another week, and I was at the book store tonight thinking, maybe, just maybe it would be out early for me!

Happy weekend everyone!

Knitting-ly

2007-02-05T15:45:00.000-05:00

This morning, we got up for school (begrudging-ly), ate a little breakfast (slow-ly) bundled-up for the bus stop (crabbi-ly), crawled into the car (quick-ly) because it was so cold outside and discovered (gleeful-ly) that school was delayed 2 hours! Thank goodness, it was just enough time for me to add the button on calormetry and then plop it on her head! I think it turned out cute, although I wish I would have shortened it up a bit for her . . . well, next time.

so much cuter in real-life!

Poppy also saw a bit of action this weekend--I cast-on and knit through a skein and a half for the lower part of the sweater. Things are going along (fair-ly) well, despite the fact that I feel like the knitting should be denser than it is, but my gauge is darn close to the pattern’s. The other re-occurring worry is the striping--"is this too much, is this not enough? Is this random looking enough? Geez, I hope these colors together are okay . . . " you know same old (knitting-ly) obsessions, just on a different project!

I did cook-up one way to semi-manage the silk garden stripes. I took an entire skein and cut it into pieces, so the striping would be somewhat representative of the entire color range of the skein---I was worried that knitting the stripes form the center pull would result in not enough variation!
ps: Another 2 hour delay for tomorrow, I happi-ly report!

Fetched and Bejeweled

2007-01-31T17:22:00.000-05:00

Both finished. . . smoooooooooooooooooooooch!

Bejeweled in Mama E’s pretty in pink on size 8 needles
Fetching in Manos, on size 5 needles

I cast on (with Crystal Palace’s Fjord) for a Calorimetry . . . my 12 year old insists that hats give her a bad hair day, so I am hoping this will solve MY need for HER to be warm. The colourway is ultramarine. If I like it on myself, I may whip another one up to match my fetchings, since I have 1 skein left in my stash in the same colourway.

Swag

2007-01-30T18:56:00.001-05:00

Scout’s swag arrived this weekend--while this colourway, kung hei fat choi! certainly is celebratory of Chinese New Year, it tickles my Valentine’s Day passion. And check out the sock-blocker, from Chappy's Fiber Arts & Crafts. I love the thought of having this to use!!!!!!
The ball of yarn is also from Scout, in colourway glampyre, which is ready for cast-on tomorrow.

It was a fit . . . of passion~

2007-01-29T14:50:00.000-05:00

Saturday morning, I had a knitting fit: the kind where all of my knitting attention deficit comes to the surface, and I can't get a grip. It started with blocking my square for the square-along, and from there it went to ordering the silk ihora (colourway---charcoal!) for Poppy, and then it moved to Scout's glampyre yarn and not being able to figure out the accompanying sock pattern, and then . . . everything came out of my knitting bag(s), and basket(s) and I launched into a complete--WHAT SHOULD I KNIT fit. Now never mind I have one more sawtooth mitten to do, never mind I could quickly finish up bejeweled, don't think about the knitted + felted fortune cookies (5 of them) that I am planning to knit for Valentine's Day, and good grief, I couldn't even begin to think about the bamboo sock screaming--"finish me, you'll be so happy you did!" Mmmm-no. I cast-on for two new projects.

First I went for the quick fix: Fetching in manos colourway #106. But since it wasn't just a quickie I was looking for, I cast-on for Heartland's Fanning the Flames Mittens.

This is a photo from the Heartland website, just in case you
think I finished this entire mitten in the last 48 hours.

I am using the chocolate covered cherries sock yarn, and this definitely doesn't qualify as a quick knit. I am on fan 4, and their are 14 fans for 1 mitten--yeesh! Photos to come, when it looks a little bit more like a mitt!

PS: finished The Woman in White--finally--and loved it! It was so worth the effort.

More Mitts

2007-01-23T20:05:00.000-05:00

I am having a mitten fit--in a good way. The mitten bug bit me this month, and I have been smtten with the mitten/glove/knitting thing. Here’s my latest:

This is a basic mitten, done in LanaGrossa self-patterning yarn (total bang-for-the-buck!). Instead of a ribbed cuff, I used the pattern from the Not Just Socks book to make this nifty sawtooth cuff. While it looks small, it is not . . . and I was happy with how it lays so close to the wrist--mostly because the ruffles on the XO mitts don't seem snug enough!

First Winter Classic is a real Chunkster

2007-01-20T06:32:00.000-05:00

This cute little stickie was stolen from my friend at Stainless Steel Droppings. When my kids were really little, I used to tell them "Books are your friends" and then finish it off with something like, "so be gentle," or "so take good care of them" or "so put it in a safe spot" or "be kind to them." To this day, they still say, teasingly--"Books are your friends, mom, be kind to them!"

I have been reading The Woman in White, and love this book! I am intrigued by the characters, their motives and am wondering how it will all turn out. But let me tell you, this book is like the never-ending knitted scarf. You know, the one that no matter how much you’ve knitted, you still need to knit more . . . well no matter how often I pick this book up, I can’t seem to get it finished! This isn't something which often happens, so I am a little baffled by my slow pace! While I will finish it before the end of January (fulfilling the selection for KTC), this isn’t boding well for me with the Winter Classics Challenge (1st of 5!).

Square Along

2007-01-17T17:30:00.000-05:00

Knitting a square doesn’t sound like much, does it? But it is---picking the right yarn, knitting the simple pattern, wondering if the colors will work with other people’s colored squares--whew!

This square is knit with the infamous chocolate covered cherries and I will be mailing it off to Larissa at Stitch Marker. It is for a test-knitting group: squares will be chosen for a photo and published pattern for a knitalong book she is working on. Any unused squares will be sewn together for a blanket to be donated to to charity--Love that!

XO Ruffle Mitts

2007-01-16T20:04:00.001-05:00

I knitted 1 mitt this fall, and then tossed it and the ball of yarn--Lana Grossa, Meilenweit Magico--aside in favor of some other projects. When digging through the stash, I came upon the single-fingerless-mitt-with-a-ruffle and decided to whip up the second one (the pattern is from Not Just Socks). I am saving these as a Valentine’s Day surprise for my darling daughter:

I think they scream . . . I love you . . . hugs & kisses . . . be mine . . .
smmmmmmmmmmmmmmmooooooooooooooooooooch!

PS: Kim, over at Reading Matters, sent me this copy of Anita Shreve's Where and When since I won her latest book contest! Thank you so much, Kim!