New yarn and random thoughts

Good thing you can't hear the string of expletives that just left my mouth. I've been typing for 40 minutes - linking - finishing thoughts - etc. Then, somehow, while searching for a link address, I closed the post editing window and lost it all. And, to rub salt, I was literally thinking at that exact moment "next time I'm in the editing window I need to save this draft ... just in case ..." Guess I need to become more proactive in preparing for my regularly demonstrated stupidity. [hit save now]

Since I seem to be a bit of a chatty cathy today, I'll mark the fiber stuff for those of you scanning.

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Got gauge for the Jaeger Albany bolero jacket. Can't bring myself to call it by name over on my categories list. Shingle ... sheesh! A little too diseased sounding for my tastes. It's a very loose fabric knitted up, but that seems like a good thing for a summer jacket. The balls wind from the outside, but here's a fun solution using a Japanese bowl. Read this tip just a few weeks ago in a Berroco email newsletter - certainly timely.

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I've been meaning to explain my blog name for a while. First, I wish I'd captured "One more row..." as my family hears that every day. Oh well. Many knitblog names describe the writer's feelings about fiber, e.g., for Yarn Harlot, harlot describes her relationship with yarn. For my blog, knitting modifies wench. Big difference. Stephanie, you're nicer than I am - you've got to be, you're Canadian. Just go take a lie down on your Chesterfield and accept it. [hit save now]

The whole wench thing came about from jokes about being "a crafty wench" when I took up stamping, quilting, scrapbooking and lastly, knitting. Numerous boyfriends and my husband have independently (thank goodness they've never gotten together in a room - very scary thought!) called me wench over the years long before crafty entered the picture. Hey, better than b*tch. And yes, in person I would probably say it aloud, but I've become very leery of n*sty Google links after Risa got herself in trouble with "n*de" when describing art. "What is this world coming to?" Wench asks, hand to brow. Anyway, certainly do not want n*sty, n*de, b*tch on one page! [hit save now]

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Finally got started on Flower Basket Shawl II (henceforward FBS II). That issue of Interweave (Fall 04) is sold out, but you can buy the pattern with expanded sizes and yarn weights from Fiber Trends. I've recently purchased their Field of Flowers, Pacific Northwest and Landscape Shawl patterns too, so more lace ahead. I joined the FBS Redux KAL when it started and have watched so many beautiful shoulder wraps ('cause that's what it really is w/o extra repeats, which many people choose to do) being made that I knew I finally had to CO. If you've held out, well go look right now, be inspired, then get a move on. Using Filatura de Crosse College again. Sorry, the yarn has been discontinued, but you may find some tucked away at your LYS like I did.

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Just re-read the above and wondered about "Take a lie down."  It just popped into my head, but from where? Having grown up in the Kentucky, lived (briefly) in NYC, NH, and London England and now almost 15 years in southern CA and dated someone or had a roommate/friend from all across the US and every English speaking country on the planet, I'm one mixed-up chic. A quick Google check seems to indicate "take a lie down" is British, but a lot of old KY sayings are very English/Scottish/Irish since those were the folks who settled the state. Went out with a guy from northern England once and within a few hours (and maybe a few drinks) we had exactly the same sing-song cadence. I still say por-tage (rhyming with corsage) having learned the word from a Canadian, but I think my local REI people would laugh. If you've ever uttered the phrase "Do what now?" when you didn't quite understand something, well, we'd git on jus fine, hunny. And yes, COKE covers it all. Here're my stats:

Your Linguistic Profile:

60% General American English

25% Dixie

10% Yankee

5% Upper Midwestern

0% Midwestern

Amuse yourself with this test at blogthings.

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Started a shawl, but I don't want to reveal the pattern. It's for me, but I hope to wear it as a small surprise, and since we get so few of those in adult life I want to try. This wool is from Handpaintedyarn.com. The company's yarn was reviewed a while back in Knitter's Review and so many of us clicked right over that morning to order their server was all bogged up. Color choices were pretty limited at that point too, but I like dark colors, so no problem. I know Risa got a bunch of their yarn too. What do you think of yours Risa?

My helper:

My order was accidentally filled a second time several weeks later, but the very nice Marco said just keep it. The dye lots are obviously different, but since it's all variegated I don't mind. They're not marked with lots, just handwritten names - it's very handmade.

I think I'll do at least one honking big square shawl out of these. This handspun gets pretty darned thin in places, but I've not had a break yet. The prices can't be beat and the service was very nice, so this isn't really a criticism, but be aware that the weight on 9 out of 10 hanks was between 3.1 and 3.3 oz rather than the listed 4 oz. I've got a very good postal scale so I'm sure about the weight. I'm noting this in case someone's planning a shawl by weight - buy yourself some yarn insurance.

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Spent last night cruising blogs, following links and seeing what's on the needles out there. Wow, so many great knitters - I was inspired. Be sure to check out Ms Burnt Orange's tutorial on knitblog photography - it's a must read. Made me think and got me out into the garden in the sun - takes a lot to do that. Actually, I had to do it since the kids were playing outside and Ems still requires my presence, but it made good use of my time. [hit save now]

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Cast on Lavold's Silky Wool to make Deli from Rowan's Classic Cafe.

I'd suggest a big swatch for this yarn if you're subbing it for a bouncy wool. I had gauge, CO 142 stitches and had knit all this before a nagging feeling made me take it off the needles. Wherever I measured 4" on this baby it was 5.5 stitches/inch, but when I moved to 8-10" it grew to 5.2 - 5.3. Not good. Part of the measuring problem is that the fabric is stretchy, but with slow bounce back, so it shifted a lot under the ruler. I really like it, just needed to CO on for a medium instead of a large. These pics are of the first one - haven't gotten this far yet with the medium. Those scribbles are my figures for the rework. There's a reason no one in college ever asked to borrow my notes twice!

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Adding photos of stash collected over the last few months to my Have Yarn, Will Knit gallery. Most are winter weights, many discontinued, all came at great prices that I just didn't resist (not couldn't, didn't - I have free will). As I choose patterns later in the summer I'll talk more about them. [hit save now]

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Finally, going to cast on the Zen Pullover from Interweave Knits Spring 02 issue. Got the Berroco Zen from Elann a while back at a fantastic price. I love this silver plum color. Looks like a fast knit (US 10's) and just the right weight for around here. Also considering this Berroco pattern called Lucy Lu (free on-line).  Want to work up a gauge swatch before deciding.

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One thing I wanted mention is that my posts are going to be spaced a bit more. I have old war wounds from my days doing tech writing and document design. Nothing pretty - user and repair manuals, procedures and software specifications for building medical devices - but lots of mouse work. Too much time at the PC whacks my hands and/or wrists and/or elbows and forearms. Sometimes all at once. I've got a ergonomic keyboard and an Aeron Chair (one great chair - worth it for the sheer comfort) - but there's no real help except time away. And there are those pesky kids and husband demanding attention. [hit save now]

Comments

[Anne-Caroline]

Hi Nancy! Oh wow, you have so many exciting things going on. And I just love the photo of you yarn in the basket, by the flowers. Maybe I'm too pure-minded - but I never associated your blog name with a personality trait...hee hee. Have a great day!

[Jackie]

WOW! What a great post! Your pictures are beautiful - I especially like the Jaeger Albany - beautiful color. can't wait to see the mystery shawl, either! :)

[Sara]

Oh my gosh, your post is just bursting with Spring, in both the photos and all the newly-born projects. Gorgeous photos!

[maggi]

N, your stash gallery is gorgeous ~ I may have to give that a try, as I think it would keep front of mind the fact that I have so many projects at the ready, and therefore perhaps might limit additional acquisition. We have some overlap with yarn types and future projects, too. But my language came out much more Dixie!

[Julia]

Gawd I feel like a slacker now. Gorgeous yarns and so nice to have you back.

[Colleen]

Wow-ie. Great post.

[Christina]

Your Flower Basket Shawl is looking great. I've been thinking of starting one of those myself with some Chai silk I have in my stash. I just need to be sure I have enough.

[Moni]

Wow! lots of knitty things going on with you! nice stash enhancements :). I will definately be checking out that tutorial on knitblogging photography. I soooo need that. I am wanting to start FBS, too. that will definately be a summer or fall knit for me.

[Vicki]

I love your helper - great shot of him with the garden gnome kitty. You are one busy knitter these days. The rose color you've picked for Deli is amazing - Silky Wool is just so gorgeous. A surprise project, eh? Very sneaky...you've caught my curiosity with this one! ;-)

[Alexa]

That handpainted yarn is lovely! I've been trying to talk myself out of buying some because hey, do I need more yarn? That pink stuff on the right is gorgeous, what color is it? I'd love to know, happy knitting!

[heather]

I want your garden. It's so pretty!
Love your Flower basket shawl. The color is Fab! I just finished one for my mom in tan, and exchanged the left-overs for a different color for me. It was fun to knit!
Looks like you've got your summer pretty full of knitting. All your projects look like fun! Good luck!

[Leah]

Nancy, A+++

Awesome post (so witty)!
Awesome knitting!!
Awesome stash (I am soooo jealous)!

With three balls of College, you should be able to do 11 to 12 repeats of the lower flower basket of the FBS (depending on gauge, of course). What size needles? I used size 7 Addi Turbos.

Keep us posted!

[Risa]

I feel your pain in losing the post. I've done it myself far more times than I can to admit. Chatty indeed and totally enjoyable!

That Jaeger Albany is beautiful! I'm quickly becoming a huge Jaeger fan. The Shetland Aran of theirs was wound the same way. I was able to pull the center and it feed it that way. Neat trick on the Japanese bowl though! Timely tip indeed.

I'm still getting all sorts of weird google hits between the crazy, lady and the n*de. You never know what you're going to take a hit for.

I just posted my review of the handpainted yarn laceweight on my blog. I'm glad to read yours and I have to say, your colors are very pretty. I love the pictures with the kitty!

Sorry about the war wounds. More frequent posts will indeed be missed, but the important thing is your comfort. The aeron chairs are great. I have one at the office and I just love it.

Feel good.