Not So Fancy Nancy

Outside the Box Wall Quilt, Knitting WIPs & a Girl's Twirl Skirt

Boring title, but accurate.

As a birthday/Father's Day gift I made a quilt for behind my husband's desk at work. I've told him it'll give his employees something to groove on while he's droning on talking without being so obvious as staring out the window (I was joking, but he said there are sure to be a few who agree). Seriously, I thought it would add some vibrancy to his otherwise austere office. It's only propped up on a bookshelf here - it is straight and flat. I thought I'd leave the background junk for scale.

Outside the Box from The Modern Quilt Workshop
45" x 45"
Loni Rossi prints plus Micheal Miller Fairy Frost and black, water-spotted batik
King Tut quilting multi-colored thread

Played around a bit with the quilting. Meandered in the background, squiggled in the blocks and followed the lines in the floating squares. Much more heavily quilted than my usual style. I wasn't sure at first, but after washing I really like the way the texture looks in life as you move around it. Couldn't really capture that in a single photo, but here's a quilting detail:

I didn't want to buy more batting with so many large scraps around so I finally tried zig-zagging them together. Easy as pie and it works perfectly. You just feed them through abutting each other with a wide zigzag stitch and you've got what works like a single piece.

Lizard Ridge is coming along. Just finishing the 10th block. Let's just ignore that pesky seaming for now and call it halfway. Still in love with the Noro colorways, which is what keeps this project interesting.

Summer of Lace is underway and I've got two projects on the needles so far. Going to keep this post short so I can go and knit right now. Somehow all that "slow summertime knitting" has not come about yet, but I think we're getting our groove now. It's only week two, so I have hope.

Icarus in Misti Alpaca Handpaint Lace. Triangular shawls just don't look like much on the needles, especially straights, but I think this will be beautiful.

Hanami Stole in Filatura Di Crosa Superior cashmere and silk laceweight that's so incredibly soft. I love the beaded edge.

We presented the Kindergarten teacher's quilt at the end of the year picnic and I was thrilled to see the kids so excited about finding and showing their blocks to the teacher. She says she'll hang it for next year. This scene made the work worthwhile.

A party needs a skirt. Emily likes a touch of glam.

 

That dangling middle tooth finally fell out! We were all getting pretty tired of seeing her push it out between her lips (she's got a good dose of boyness when it comes to gross behavior). Now I've got a classic gappy 6-yr-old. She was pretty excited about school letting out. Can you tell?

Off to do something rather than think about what I might do. ACTION is my goal this summer!

No diva knitters

Maybe that's why we generally get on so well? Because knitting chews up and spits out divas. Sure, lots of strong willed women out there knitting. Lots of creative, dynamic, driven - nay, obsessive knitters out there. But not truly egotistical. Because anyone who knits for any period of time gets their rear kicked occasionally. We learn to accept our mistakes, own them, and fix them. We curse in our chosen language and at our chosen comfort level, then we rip back, pick up the needles and try again. Excess ego gets left on the floor with the drifting fuzz (if one is ripping yards of Noro). This is also why I think we all deserve to hoot, howl and shout from the rooftops when we get it right. We earn our successes.

If surviving fiber challenges makes one stronger, then I am training for a marathon! I've got three, count em three sweaters in some stage of crisis right now. Before you scroll down craning your necks for a fiber wreck, I should say that I'm very hopeful regarding the final outcome of each of these projects. OK, pretty hopeful. Solstice is approaching, so I keep telling myself this is just the dark before the light, the winter before the spring. But I need to get a move on with fixes, because my short sweater season is upon me.

Case 1:  Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton's Skeppsta from her Noro Revisited book knitted in Noro Transitions

Got an extreme bargain on this yarn over the summer. I've always wanted to try it, but that $20+ price tag put me off. Now I have 10 balls in a color way I adore and I'm determined to have a new sweater by Christmas. Responsibly swatched, got gauge, then cast on with 8mm needles for a jacket, but after an evening's knitting I felt the striping was too narrow. This was not going to be flattering across the rear. Frog time.

Locked in on Skeppsta. The long panels would allow the colors to build nicely and I really like the almost-cables. Swatched, got gauge and cast on with 9 mm needles. Easy-peasy short-row wedges that really let the colors and fiber changes sing. I'd found my yarn/pattern match. Glanced at the pattern once or twice and I was rolling. Little error in the pattern that I figured out on my own, no problem. Love it.

Hum, but, what's wrong here? Mine doesn't look like the one in the book (middle of photo below). Those are definitely two rows of purl ridges, but I'm somehow I'm only getting one (on right). Look at the pattern again. Very carefully knit another wedge. Nope, one ridge. To make a ridge you've got to either purl on the right side or knit on the wrong and the wedges are constructed in stockinette short rows - no ridges there. Hummm. Examine the pattern and photos again and again. Hum, there's one single-ridge wedge near the bottom of a strip in one photo (not visible here) - that must be proof that originally the wedges had one ridge, but she changed it when knitting without updating the pattern. (please don't make me explain that leap) It's OK I say magnanimously, we all make on the fly fixes that we forget to note. Maybe I have a rouge, unrevised first edition? Yeah, that must be it! Search internet for errata and confirm that little fix I did on my own but no other issues. Even wrote an email to the designer inquiring about revisions (oh, the shame). Look on Ravelry and the handful on there look perfect. So I'll just fix it. Add a stockinette row at the top of each wedge, then an extra ridge row and it looks great(the plain row is required so you finish on the correct side for the next wedge).

This is the time dear reader when you roll your eyes - how can our heroine be such a twit? If this wasn't a true story you would say that your suspension of disbelief was compromised in this absence of logical knitterly behavior. I mean really, how often is the pattern that wrong, especially with photographic evidence of other people successfully completing said pattern? The conspiracy theory of getting the only unrevised copy of the pattern is so pathetic - so desperate!

I finished the strip with the extra 10 rows show (on left). It looked right again the pattern photo, but was worrisomely long.

Now comfortably snuggled down in first class on the denial train, I decided it was because of the larger needle size. Last night I knit yet another strip (thank goodness they're fast) with the 8mm needles, but after cast off it still seemed far too long. It was 10:30 at night and I was three strips into this fiasco when I forced myself to ask the question again ... how could you get a second ridge without adding the rows. DUHHHHHH. The very last row of short rows is straight across all the stitches except for a slipped stitch at the beginning. In that second I knew. I would have bet my house on what I would see when I opened the book and really looked at the pattern. There it was. That little "k" where there had been a "p" in previous rows. The pattern is so easy that after the first two short rows I just glanced at the number of stitches to work before turning, but didn't really read each line. Easy mistake, but I suspect most people would have found their issue a tad sooner. Certainly before three strips! Humbled I am. It's all ripped now and I'll start over tonight. I am determined. I will prevail.

Next time:  Mr Greenjeans and Juliet - the odd couple with top down problems.

Portland remembered & knitting WIPs

First, thanks for your welcome backs. I've read them all in my comments section, but some have never come to me as an email - lost in the switch from Adelphia to Time Warner. I still can't download emails to my desktop, but I can now read new ones online. Please forgive any email misses on my part.

Sadly, our little cat Claude has not come home. The cats stay indoors, so we can only figure that he must have been near an open door and gotten scared out. DH had hired a guy that day to help with planting, so he must have run further up the hill to hide. He was an exceptionally timid cat - he would have never gone exploring. Coming downstairs was a walk on the wild side for him. We have preserve areas behind both sides of our street with lots of nature. I just hope it was mercifully fast. Didn't expect to find another kitty so soon, but this little darling was dropped at the animal shelter and I couldn't resist. She had exactly the temperament for this chaos and is very people oriented. Just what we needed.

Here's something I don't need.

Hum, we've established I need the kitten .... So, it must be another CO. But I did it anyway. That's my eldest's youthful hand, not mine. She's on fall break for two weeks starting today. Thankfully small one remains usefully engaged at her Montessori school. This yarn has been in my stash for years waiting for a lace pattern to make the most of a solid color. While idly leafing through the latest Vogue Knitting I found a pattern using this exact yarn. It's a physically hard knit. The repeats aren't that difficult, but all the knit stitches are made through the back loop. Looks cool, but the tight stitches on fragile toothpicks with yarn that has sticky acrylic in it is slow going. Maybe it's me. Still, I like the pattern a lot. Anyway, here's a better look sans kitten:

Noro sweater is coming along too:

Finally unpacked my Portland stash - and only two weeks after returning - a record I think. I've just realized I have a life-long habit... I unpack clothes, toiletries, etc within a day or two of returning from a trip, but the ephemera sits for (at least) weeks. Sometimes months. Sometimes years. I just don't want to explore the memories while they're that fresh. I think it's because I tend to have post-trip-blues and looking at mementos and photos from just days or even hours before just makes it worse. At the risk of sounding like a rube, I have to admit plane travel still throws me. It's all such a blur of down time and blandness that it's all instantly forgotten. I'm always a little shocked that one minute I'm in one place and then, blink, I'm home and the whole experience in which I was so deeply engaged is suddenly in "the past". Here's the family and house, all the same, but I'm different. Damn this meta-cognition. Must be more zen ... must be more zen ... must be more zen. Of course none of the above means I don't love coming home. My nest and all that. I reserve the right to have completely opposing emotions simultaneously.

I went to Portland to see paper arts friends I've known for over eight years. We're spread across the country (really spread! California, Nebraska, Texas, Ohio, Florida and New Jersey) but keep in touch via mail art and our private Yahoo group. Over the years we've done weekend getaways in Santa Fe, NYC, Cleveland (for the now defunct Art Continuum event) and now Portland for Art & Soul. We all took a class, but the main point was hanging out. Getting together with these women is pure pleasure. No pretenses. No stress. Lots of talk and laughter. Bonus points that we all like to go to art and craft shops.

We only had time for two trips into the city, so choices had to be made. We focused on the Farmers Market, Pearl District, NE Alberta St, a brief walk around downtown and Nob Hill.

First thing Saturday morning I persuaded them that the Portland Farmers Market would be worth it. It was.

Whenever I travel I look for markets. I love them all - flea markets, antique markets, arts and crafts markets - but by far my favorites are always the seasonal farmers markets. It's where you see the locals and literally get a taste of their life. It's a bit painful if you don't have access to a kitchen on your trip, but there's always fresh bread, cheese and fruit to make a meal.

I always eat street food. Tony Bourdain and I would travel together fabulously. I'd leave him the nasty bits and he'd give me the veggies. I've eaten from street vendors and hole-in-the-wall shops in Mexico, Greece, Russia, Canada, Paris and London and I'm not dead yet. If there's a line I figure it must be good. Years ago my husband and I had the most amazing sandwich in Toronto that was an unexplainable mix of French pate and Vietnamese salad and spices on a baguette. The line was out the door of the tiny shop and only one other customer was Anglo. We asked him what was good and he said just point at the sign (no English) and say "sandwich". OKayyy. It worked. I've never forgotten that lunch.

Aren't these parsnips beautiful? My kids and I adore parsnips. A potato with more flavor. Oven fry them with oil and salt.

The dahlias were beyond beautiful. It was very overcast and I didn't have a tripod, so I had trouble getting clear shots under the vendors' tents. Still, you get the idea.

This market has made displaying your wares an art form. All the vendors do it, if only to keep up with Farmer Jones in the next stall.

I was in line when a woman breezed by me stopping only long enough to say "Ah, Clapotis!" My friends laughed and said we're a cult. Yep.

This was my favorite public display of handknitting that day. Yes, I did ask permission from his mama and promised not to show his face.

After the market we went to Powell's. Love that they have the latest titles mixed with resale books. Gives browsing an extra boost because even if you've seen all the latest titles, there still might be something "new" to you. Found out of print Alice Starmore books, but none that I had to have at the price offered. This seemed more practical.

After Powell's lunch was in order. I highly recommend Henry's Tavern. One side is a bar and the other a restaurant. Forgive the dark photos. Two beers probably didn't help my arm, but I did use a pint glass to balance the camera. These crab cakes were amazing. I'm not in love with mashed potatoes but I ate every last bite of these. Sadly, one of our party became very ill (nothing to do with food at Henry's or the market) so we left downtown Portland so she could rest.

 

Sport that she is (and with hard-earned money burning a hole in her pocket) we drove to Alberta Street to find a bead store (her current hobby). Great thing about Alberta street is that it has fabric, yarn, bead, paper arts, wine and coffee shops. There was something for everyone in our group!

Close Knit is a well stocked and charming store. The women who run it were friendly and approachable. If you live in the area and haven't stopped by go find it. There're are plenty of places to sit and loads of inspiration from floor to ceiling. I'd been wanting this new Mission Falls book. Realized I wanted this Fino lace weight (70% alpaca/30% silk) from Alpaca with a Twist too, I just didn't know it until I held it.

 

Oh-so-conveniently located right next door is Bolt. Small shop, but very focused on "hip" fabrics, so the space is rich with inspiration if this is your style. Guess it's mine as I have pieces of at least 1/4 of their stock! They also have a nice selection of designer decor weight fabrics which my local quilt stores don't carry. Got this new Amy Butler heavy print there and found the book at my local quilt store when I got home. Perfect match.

 

I love neighborhoods like this where the rent is still cheap enough that small boutiques can take a shot and there are no chains.

I always tried to live in places like this when I was young, single and poor. Funny thing time. Now I'm that middle aged "arty" suburbanite that drops in occasionally to take in the atmosphere and energy.

Hardest part about getting older is that you still see the world through the same eyes. Shaw asked "Oh why is youth wasted on the young?" Trust me, it starts making sense at 40. Something tells me it's not going to stop.

A little more about Art & Soul next time.

We have cast on

I'm alive, somewhat well and once again knitting.

The jackhammers and stone saws finally stopped two weeks ago and I got cast on fever. Have been intending to blog ever since. But I couldn't focus on the screen (drat turning 41) and a new prescription was required. Then there was a four day weekend to Portland OR with art friends (photos upcoming). Then the medicines I was taking for my back conspired to rip out my stomach lining (feels like it sounds), which required dr visits, etc. Then I came home to discover our painfully shy kitty had disappeared while I was gone, which means my nine year old with whom he slept had a very rough week (lots of tears all around). Add to that housekeeping and gardening and you get the picture (which is good since I'm out of parentheticals for now). When I finally found a chance to blog this weekend Time Warner was having issues. Brenda? get on the ball woman.

The CO fever started with a nice little email from Chic Knits. Might I be interested in Ariann, Bonne Marie's new cardigan pattern? Oh yes.

Just so happens one of the those industrious little stash swatches reveled that Jo Sharp's Silkroad DK Tweed (colour 404 Boheme) had the right gauge. I could see this pattern worked in a more fluid yarn, but I like the rougher texture too. It is a little slower going across the needles though. 

Hum, that's a nice cardi, but what about a pullover for more casual wear? There's that green Noro Silk Garden (#203) feeling kind of lonely in my closet.

The pattern is Y772 from Noro Book 20. If you don't want to click, imagine an entire ribbed, funnel-neck pullover with these color blocks.

This may sound perverse to some of you, but I hate knitting rib stitch and only considered this pattern because of the intarsia. All those color changes makes the tedious front and back switching of the yarn worthwhile. Yeah, perverse. This color section had eight balls going across the row. Just finished this section last night - I'll get another section going before I take more pics.

Very pleased to report that this is the Silk Garden I love - no sticks, no excessive funky fibers, silky wool feel on the fingers and of course, those colors that keep you knitting just one more row to see where they're going to go. Bought it at Sophie's Fine Yarn the last time I visited Louisville, so I still wonder if there's a difference between what gets dumped on ebay vs what gets delivered to a LYS. Maybe it was just a production glitch that one year? Anyone with info - just for curiosity's sake?

So, two sweaters in process - very good. Still, I needed a travel-worthy absolutely mindless, alcohol-induced-dropped-stitch-proof (ok, resistant) project for going to Portland. Add that the two hanks of Brooks Farms Primero I got at Rhinebeck last year were calling me. A thousand yards of pure mohair goodness that's so soft and silky ... words fail me. This is wonderful yarn. I love the colors and wanted to keep it simple. The original Pi Shawl from Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac fit the bill with instructions that fit on a 3x5" card:  Cast on and knit forever with occasional YO rows.

This photo is from the transfer between 16" and 32" circs. Now it's in pouch form until cast off. Got the rough gauge with US8's Certainly easy as pi ... after that nasty CO. Was going a little crazy until I googled the Emily Ocher CO to find it's universally a DP-throwing, curse-word-muttering PITA, especially with silky yarn. No single bit of info I found on line turned on the lightbulb, but all together it got me there and I found it very reassuring to know I wasn't totally crazy, completely inept or both. Of all the knitting techniques I've ever done, this is the one that I would most recommend being shown in person. I got there, but precious knitting time was wasted. If you ever need it, find the nearest knitter who knows how.

So, now I'm really back. With some consistency I hope. I've found I missed reading blogs and writing mine, which is kind of nice. This is not an obligation but a pleasure. I appreciate all of you who've dropped back by 'just in case' and want to extend my thanks for the emails of support over the last three months. There are a couple of you I still need to answer. I will be forthcoming with more landscaping photos, Portland photos, knitting and quilting updates. Just wanted to get the ball rolling today. Here are a few pics of my one semi-planted bed.

Dahlias, switch grass, caryopteris (out of bloom) and sedum.

Verbena, penstemon and orange sedge in the background.

As soon as the plants arrived we had bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, song birds a lizard and a frog. The next shot was a lucky surprise I found staring me down from my PC screen when the photos uploaded.

Klaralund seamed and worn!

I'm getting a little tired of seaming around here. Don't feel like I can knit until Klaralund and Bunnies are sewn, so I've not knitted in over three days and I'm getting bored with this self-imposed block. But, it's just not right with Easter, spring break and Grandparent's visit around the corner not to finish Bunnies before doing anything for myself. Just not right. But boy would I like to be less responsible right now! Klaralund wore me out. Too much sitting. Way too much fiddling. Got DH to take photos today. Sorry for the mixed quality, but he's new to the camera and I just don't want to change back again (it's 67 and sunny, not sweater weather until evening).

So, here it is. I like this photo because it shows the modified garter rows across the shoulders. It's a nice bit of texture that doesn't show as well in other shots.

I like Klara now, but in honor of full disclosure, I must tell you this baby got WORKED. I blocked the heck out of it only to find that once again, my arms really really really are that short. You'd think I'd finally believe, but I keep trying to extend them through sheer will. Worrying that these sleeves would be too short, I pulled them to the pattern length. Yeah sure. I kept quiet here, but I was having huge doubts when I was sewing as to whether I'd look just bad, or deeply horrible. All that seaming gave me ample time to contemplate how I would blog this failure - maybe a sweater photo only? Finally couldn't wait a second longer to see, so I put it on with the right front bodice unsewn. It was truly comical - that side of the panel dropped down and made it the ultimate nursing sweater. Sorry, no blog pics.

Finished the seaming and found the whole thing just too darned big. Not only am I short, but I'm actually not that wide. Looked like I'd raided my big sister's closet. So, I stuck it in the wash, let it dry flat about 85%, then stuck it in the dryer. A daring and desperate move, but it worked. Took 3" off the bodice and 2" off each sleeve. And it's softer too.

Here are two more pics to show the sleeve treatment. The pattern has you cast on the final number of stitches and knit straight all the way up and across the shoulder to cast off, but I shaped the wrists instead and I'm happy with that. (See my previous post for a blocking photo.) I also shaped the waist, which again I'm happy with. It was a mistake though to open it back up again at the bodice - I'm a little more pear than hourglass. The fit, particularly on the dropped shoulders, would have been better without that extra inch on each side. Please forgive the goofy "STOP in the Name of Love" pose - like I said, these were the best of 15! Laugh at me, but please don't laugh at my sweater - that I couldn't take.

Well, at least I had knitting time!

Thanks for all the good thoughts and kind comments. Again, please forgive me this time for not answering individually. Still trying to get back on track and can't sit for a long time comfortably.

My procedure went well. They forgot to tell me not to eat, so I got to have it without sedation. FYI - I don't recommend being totally awake on the OR table. It's so reassuring to have the support staff discusses their weekends while you have a drill in your spine and the doctor is correcting their drug dosage math and instrument layout. At least my doc was on topic and I got to see the stuff from my disc which was so thoughtfully described by an onlooker as "ewww, looks like a booger". Not the A-team that morning, but my doctor is very good, so I held that thought. Seem to be recuperating well, but at this point only time will tell.

So, I had the first 72 hours post-op to spend "restfully" and got very good at knitting on my back and side. Bunny sweater is on the edging (no pics today - needs blocking), Klaralund is ready for seaming and Clapotis II is done and already worn.

I love how this turned out! I did choose to block it to make it a little wider and shorter since the yarn tended to pull long. It's incredibly light weight and yet cozy across my shoulders.

The Lavold Silky Wool doesn't have the bounce of the merino, but it's got it's own kind of beautiful drape. The yarn handled well and knitted up quickly and while the stitches are intentionally loose (this yarn calls for US 6 needles) they are reasonably consistent for this type of "natural" yarn and the ladders hold well.

When I feel better I will add a photo wearing it. Will also post final measurements in the Finished gallery soon. I followed the pattern and used 3.25 balls of the on US 7's.

Klaralund is in the final stages. Wow these 28" x 18" sleeves took forever! Actually, as you can see, I did alter the sleeves to add shaping at the wrists. I was terrified I wouldn't have enough yarn (have finished with about 1/2 ball remaining), and also didn't want the sleeves too big on my short body. But, I must admit I still have my fingers crossed as to how this will look on me. Think that's why it's been on my dining table for a day waiting for seaming? This photo is during my wet-block of the sleeves. Couldn't recommend it too highly for this pattern to get the exact measurements before seaming. It's not printed with a schematic, but it's pretty easy to make one. Then you can alter it as I did for your hips and wingspan.

For you experienced knitters this may be obvious, but I want to share my "discovery" -- use a quilter's ruler for blocking. I was using my other favorite find - a freebie paper tape measures from IKEA (I've got one in every knitting bag) - but it got wet and the first inch disintegrated (note to self, paper is water soluble). Grabbed this out of the closet to avoid trudging upstairs to find my sturdier tape measure. Wow! It's perfect for getting two pieces just right and exactly the same. Also helps when tugging the rows straight. Save your Micheal's or JoAnn coupon and get one of these babies!

I soaked the Noro Silk Garden (about which I've complained so much) for several hours in wool wash (the no-rinse kind) and it did loose some of the stray matter and soften nicely. I did a lot of manipulation with the blocking and it seems to have really improved the fabric too.

Here it is ready for seaming. Maybe tonight. That kind of position - sitting and leaning over - isn't very comfortable so I'll do in in stages. For those of you not familiar with the pattern, the sleeves go up and across the bodice and the bind-offs form the neckline. In this photo the back is folded to keep from falling off the table - it's the same as the other side laying flat. It's a cool design. We're supposed to have rain tomorrow so I know I'll kick myself if it's not done - this may be one of my last chances to wear it until next year.

The Bunny Sweater returns

My SIL jolted me into awareness that Easter is early this year and only weeks away. NOW is the time to finish this sweater for Emily. This is the photo from Zoe Mellor's Animal Knits, my version is below. I wanted to call this post Chasing Tail since that does describe the bunnies in this pattern, but then thought of the Google hits and decided I don't need that kind of audience! Knitters only are just fine with me. But, I must tell you a story to remind us all to write as if your mother, your mother's workmates at the library, or your favorite high school teacher are reading because they might just be. Of course I know my mom - the wonderful knitter who got me started - reads this. I also knew she shares it with with fellow knitters at work. What I never expected was an email from my high school history and psychology teacher. Not really sure why I used his full name in my 100 list - guess it was just the natural impulse to give a person you're honoring their due (the opposite of a "who shall remain unnamed" slam). Someone saw it and forwarded it to him (google hits again I suspect). We traded a couple of emails where I was able to clarify my appreciation. I cannot tell you the incredible satisfaction I've had in being able to say thank you 22 years later. Sometimes the net is just plain wonderful.

Yesterday, after six straight days of rain (we're now at the 3rd wettest year on record for San Diego County) I decided it was time to jump in the frog pond. We actually do have frogs in our backyard, which entertains cats and kids to no end. Ripped Rocktorp. Packed up Lara. And dealt with Rogue. Ah Rogue. So glad I put it aside. Knew something was wrong, but on the circs the extent of the issue was not clear. Off the needles it was downright funny. Had to take this Slim Fast photo to show just how far off I was. Excuse the 14-year-old pleated peg-leg pants - these babies were cheapies from the Limited in 1991 and they will not die! They've been my house sweats for 12 years and I've found nothing can hurt this space-age fabric. Took gauge (again), made notes and frogged it all. Very sad to frog cables and that beautiful knitted hem, but there was no saving this. Especially since I'm at my hippiest from not being able to exercise for 1 1/2 years! Good part is that I get to reduce it by 40 stitches so it will go that much faster next time. Still want Rogue and still want it in this yarn. Next year.

Regarding my back... only 10 days until my percutaneous discectomy! Yippee! Just trying not to hurt myself until then. I've had debilitating sciatica since Oct 03 and during the worst episode last year I was hospitalized because I was unable to move. That sucked. I'll mention it again right before, but I won't be posting for a week or two after March 7th because sitting will be restricted during the initial healing time.

Klaralund has not been forgotten. Got pretty lucky with the sleeve cast ons since these yarns matched right out of the balls. I am changing the sleeves a little with some bell shaping rather than the unshaped kimono sleeves of the pattern. Since I shaped the body I hope it works. Feeling brave and hope to not be feeling stupid. We'll see. Want to finish this soon while they're still predicting more rain. Btw, we're not in any way negatively affected by rain. Our back slope is heavily planted and the retaining wall deeply and solidly footed. That cost us big bucks, but now feels like money well spent.

Also ripped the Gloria swatch. Thought of making another larger swatch since I'm still uncertain about these yarns together, but since I'd gotten gauge that seemed silly. Started a sleeve instead since it uses the alternating garter pattern. I don't think I've ever been this uncertain about yarns. I love both yarns:  the colors, the textures, and the weights. But I keep questioning if they belong in the same sweater. Thought of switching out the Bliss to another color, but nothing else moved me like this periwinkle. It's just such a beautiful shade for spring. Held up next to my face the colors together look good on me, so that's a big positive. It will certainly be unique!

Finally, back to the bunnies:

Started this in spring of '03 before we adopted Emily. Last year it was way too big for her so I left it in stash. It's just her size now and all I have left are the two front panels and trim. Using Brown Sheep's Cotton Fleece. Not bad, but it splits very easily and isn't really the best for intarsia, cables or fair isle as you can see. Too late now though! I was hoping two years of additional knitting experience would help, but after picking it up again this morning I can attest that the spliting and lack of stickiness is inherently frustrating. Regardless, Ems is pretty excited about it and woke up telling her Daddy all about her bunny sweater, which confused the heck out of the poor man since he's never seen it. There's a whole lot of estrogen under this roof so he'd better get used to clothes talk. Actually, he can handle that, but he's not looking forward to the boy talk!

Catchin a few Zs - projects in hibernation

I've decided to get in front of my knitting queue. I seem to start projects half way through the season, and as Risa says, I'm always getting distracted by shiny pebbles. Well, I know that I will always pick up pretty stones at the beach, but I feel the need to organize the ones I've already brought home.

So, in the spirit of taking control, I'm deliberately putting some projects in the "Z" category. I am going to get each one out, figure exactly where it is and leave myself instructions for the future. I'm going to admit that I probably won't remember that I made that critical change to the pattern that I've not written down (yes, I knit, like so many things, by the seat of my pants). Then, with everything duly annotated, I'm going to put them in storage marked "get out in September". Then maybe I will have them ready for wearing next winter. Because it's not going to happen this year. What's going to happen this year (if I don't take action) is that I will be knitting wool in May, get bored and still not finish anything, then be behind on the spring and summer projects I've got in mind. Time to break this cycle. Time to take charge.

DH has worked three days out of the last four while the kids have been home on a four day holiday so I've not been able to sit for long. Did this blog overhaul in bits and pieces, so I apologize if you came through when it was in turmoil - at one point the banner filled the entire screen. Wanted to learn my new Photoshop and I didn't need no stinkin help files or tutorials - not me. Knew certain features were there somewhere, just had to find them.

This is the design I will keep for a while, though the banner image will probably be created again since it lost resolution with the obsessive number of adjustments I made. Please let me know if you have a problem with the way my blog uploads on your PC.

Look for photos and project updates tomorrow when the kids go back to school. I've got Clapotis II started. I've got new yarn and projects. I'm looking forward to Spring baby!

Chapter II - In which our knitter learns the true meaning of Swatch

Last week was a very long week on the mommy front. Not worth taking precious post time to describe (and anyway, you don't really want to know since excrement was involved). Suffice it to say I was busy trying to raise two young humans to adulthood without committing myself to an asylum.

But I did knit. I'll start with WIP updates:

Front and back of Klaralund are finished. Realized while doing the bottom border of side two that I'd knitted one ridge too few on side one, so I just adjusted down. Ripping the entire side one flitted through my mind only to be blasted away with a crazy laugh. Not even I would commit that knitting madness. Without these being blocked you can't really tell, but I did slight shaping on the waist.

Also picked up Rowan Birch again. It's just starting to feel like it's going faster thank goodness - these top rows are a long haul. LOVE the Bryspun needles for this and highly recommend them with Kidsilk Haze, which is basically a fuzzy thread. But what lovely thread it is (click this pic to see the shine close-up). This mohair can't be ripped, so it's imperative to get it right the first time and I'm finding that the cream color of the Bryspun helps me see the yarn and the points are perfect for picking stitches. I wrote before I thought they'd be good ... now I know it for sure.

Now, about those swatches...

Here was Rocktorp on Friday. Doesn't it look like a nice basket?

And like a nice basket, it is woven so tightly it could hold water! During all that swatching and deliberating over the stitch pattern I never took gauge. Let's not go there - I've already beaten myself enough. And I entered that knitter's delirium where you lie and delude yourself for far longer than any reasonable person should. I was using the specified needle. It did look like the photo. But, re-read that top paragraph and imagine what my knitting was like last week...

stitch Emily stitch STOP stitch hitting stitch your stitch sister stitch stitch stitch Rachel stitch I stitch don't stitch want stitch to stitch hear stitch that stitch out stitch of your mouth again (looking up from knitting) ...

And so on and so forth. Ad nauseum (my stomach at least - they seem to bounce right back don't they?) I kept telling myself to loosen up as my arms would start to hurt. Finally, some still sane part of my brain demanded I take gauge. Guess I was running just a little tight. Moved up a size and got gauge perfectly. Just a slight difference eh? Well at least I know this stitch pattern by heart now. Haven't ripped or cast back on, but will soon. Needed to take a little time apart.

With my new respect for gauge I took on Gloria. Thanks for all your very thoughtful comments and recommendations to do a swatch and thanks even more for not adding idiot after (I forgive anyone who even thought it - I did). Hey, it was midnight when I posted and I'd had a margarita. Between comments and emails some of you suggested following the pattern and alternating the yarns. OK, I hadn't actually read the pattern yet (what do you expect from me huh?) and didn't have the book with me at the LYS. Did get gauge on the recommended US 8's.

After taking this shot I got very disciplined (for me) and even knitted some rows with 8's for the Bliss and 7's for the Noro just to check the Noro's tension (being chenille and all). Even did a few rows with both on 7's. Now, my new-found discipline didn't actually extend to going upstairs to find free 7 needles when these were so handy.

See, I do know my WIP and where it's living in my stash, I just choose to ignore it. Going to stick with the 8's.

Please note:  Just spent some time updating my photo albums. Going to start putting yarn specs and pattern info in the finished work album and sometimes the WIP album. Once I define a new project it will be often be referred to by name only, so look in the photo albums and the category list for details. Old items won't have all the details, probably because i don't know them myself any longer. Was googling my heart out yesterday looking for something and I kept being teased by blogs with the yarn/sweater, but not the stats. Decided not to make that pattern, but would have loved to figured out the info sooner. So I will try to do my part to add useful content to the blog world.

Baby did a bad bad thing, aka support your LYS

I admit it, I'm a bargain hunting gal. I cruise the net looking for the best deals on yarn. My UPS and post men know me. Packages arrive from the UK, Canada and the four corners of the US.  Just today I received Shawls and Scarves : The Best of Knitter's Magazine on my doorstep to augment my Pi shawl endeavors.

But what about the LYS? Don't they need and deserve my support as well? Where else can I touch the yarn, see the combinations, ask questions and, maybe most importantly of all, wear my creations among those who truly appreciate them. Choosing yarn can be such a tactile and visual experience. My mind is overloaded with color and ideas when I exit the shops. That's plural:  I have two LYS about 3/4 mile apart so I usually hit both on any given trip - spirit of fair play and all.

The net is a masculine way to think about yarn for me. I get an idea, see a pattern, read a  review - whatever - and I look for that specific yarn. Maybe I branch out, follow a side link, but overall the process is linear, i.e., masculine. Going to a yarn store is a feminine experience. I walk in and I'm lost in the colors. Even if I came for a specific yarn, I forget what it is to the point of having to quiz myself as to why I'm there. Half the time I leave with something completely different than planned. Or I do buy the object of my desire, but in a colorway I didn't know existed. The experience is flexible,circular, i.e., feminine.

So, blah blah you say, where are the photos. Show us the goods.

Well, first, I did actually get when I went for. I finally bought Koigu. I just can't take the pressure anymore. I just couldn't take Anne-Caroline showing her too cute Ruffle scarf and talking about how she's seen the light. Then there's Julia making the Caruso Socks from Knitty that use - be still my heart - stranding (and with her perfect heels no less). Hey, I can do stranding like a pro now, I must make those socks! And these two are just the latest in the long line of you inspiring Koigu knitters with your socks and your Charlottes.

I did  look specifically for a lace book. This one looks very theoretical. Just what I wanted. Not a stitch library but rather a design primer. I am considering being very, very brave with my Pi Shawl. Going for the "Make EZ proud" approach. Still not committing fully to designing my own lace yet, buti it's been tickling my brain all day.

So, that should have been the end of it yes? But I had to wait to check out. I'll admit, I'm not a strong woman. Not with yet another color of Collage popping off the shelf at me while I just stood there with nothing to do but catch it. This yarn is nowhere to be found anymore except, it seems, at one of my LYSs. Buy it now or hold your peace. I bought it peacefully (or peaceably? would I have left without it?)

So I signed on the line and gathered my bag, but then saw this beauty. Hey, I'm good, I can sign my name twice! I was wearing my Clapotis (it shows like a pedigree dog - full of confidence, grace and style) and it just seemed right to buy it a little bauble to keep it happy.

Needed Wanted a coffee and Starbucks was right there, but I didn't do it - I was strong and saved the $ for yarn. Went to get my haircut instead (very unsightly this morning). Now, it was 12:45 and a reasonable person would go home for lunch. Maybe even out to lunch. But I'm frugal remember, so I skipped lunch out and directed that money elsewhere.

This might just be one or two lunches out...

I had the book already and have coveted the cover sweater Gloria. The top half and sleeves are Noro Silk Garden, Kuryon or Cash Iroha in a garter stitch and the bottom is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. I looked and looked at the SG and Kureyon choices, but didn't quite make that leap between looking and "ring me up". Didn't seem rational to knit yet another SK sweater and the Kureyon's too rough for what I want (a  jacket to be worn over a tank top or tank dress). Cruised the store looking for other multicolored yarn, but nothing worked. Until... this Noro rayon, cotton, silk chenille caught the light as I walked by. I had to have it. But now I'm in a quandary. The two yarns in the sample are very close in tone, so I have to decide if this much contrast will work. There were no better shades. It's this or nothing. Imagine the top and sleeves in one yarn and the bottom half in the other.

Took these pics to help you visualize:

   

What do you think? Periwinkle on the top or bottom? Or take it back?

Project update:  Spent all my free time yesterday getting a recall fix and new brakes on the van. Not fun, but I did get almost 1/2 of the second side of Klaralund done. Photos next time it's progressed enough to be interesting.

Silk Garden update:  Only one store had it. It was softer than mine and didn't seem as over-spun, but still didn't match the quality of my SG from three years ago.

OK, just fell asleep typing. That sway/fall motion reminiscent of my college years whipped me upright. Went out for mom's night tonight and a pitcher of margaritas came for the second round. We all stayed late and hopefully laughed enough to get us through until next month! I needed that.

That song in my title came into my head as I drove away from the LYS and made me laugh. Guess if I'm going to have an affair, yarn's a pretty good choice.

The rain just started. I love that sound and need to go to bed to listen.