I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day. My mom came out from KY to visit, so we had a great time knitting, visiting knit stores and talking about knitting. Oh, yeah, and we hung out with the kids and ate out for almost every meal except the breakfast and dinner my DH made Sunday. For us it ranked pretty darned close to perfect.
For those of you in or visiting the San Diego area, be sure to visit Knitting in La Jolla at 909 Prospect Street, La Jolla (in the village). I knew a store was down there somewhere, but hadn't had a chance to explore. We stopped by on a whim while driving up from the airport and were so pleased we took the detour. Owner Suzanne Pineau has filled her shop with an incredibly diverse collection of yarns and books. Highly recommended. I'll try to snap pics next time I visit. Did pick up The Opinionated Knitter: Elizabeth Zimmermann Newsletters 1958-1968 and A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting. Maybe there's a kitty bed or two in Claude and August's futures?
My family doesn't do much in the way of gifts between adults, but I was driven to distraction by my mom's gorgeous Blue Sky Alpaca wrap (sportweight, deep navy blue) on the needles in a grocery store plastic bag. Simply sinful! It just had to be addressed. I gave her my Big Kureyon and mohair big Booga Bag (right). She's happy. I'm a good daughter. Everything's great. Except I don't have a bag that I used a lot. What's a knitter to do???
Come on. What do you think I did? I ran right over to my LYS. This is two hanks of Brown Sheep's Burly Spun variegated wool (Forest Floor colorway). Couldn't resist including the lone volunteer CA poppy.
Used US 19's and the Booga Bag pattern with the addition of YO eyelets on row 30 (rather than poking holes after felting as the pattern suggests). Otherwise, I followed the pattern, though I would consider fewer CO stitches and more height if doing it with this yarn again. Of course I could have added height, but I didn't want to go to three hanks. When I ran out of the Burly on row 31/34, I finished with an odd-lot of Brown Sheep's Bulky from stash. Nice when stash actually works. Pre and post felting pics below. The cereal boxes are for shape - still haven't found a good form for this yet. It really helps if you can find a box to fill out the shape completely. Still working on the handle cord.
On a different trip to my LYS I switched to Rowan's Cashcotton for the Classic Cafe Deli pattern (the spec'd yarn).
Both the flowers and the yarn really are this intense! Just loved this color and I think it will be a better match for the pattern. Got gauge, so I CO the back and two front panels - only had a 40" metal circ set open and I had to do something with that space didn't I? I don't turn my work to purl on the WS; instead I knit backwards across the front, which means no problems with tangling. Hope it will mean all my decreases will align. I'll let you know when I do how I plan to re-direct my Lavold Silky Wool - want to try and use the 4" I've knitted so far.
Dearest Risa has once again lead me down the path of yarn acquisition. (Looking just now at her MDS&W posts I think she's ahead of me on that slippery slope!) Just what I needed, a link to Kaleidoscope Yarns, who have Blue Sky Alpaca and Rowan Cork, among others, on sale. The prices are great, so click at your own expense. I'll save my pattern thoughts for when I photograph my in-transit yarn. Between the Blue Sky Bears and Froggy's versions of Kate Gilbert's Bunnies my guess is half the knit bloggers are kicking out some sort of stuffed animal right now - definitely perfect little gifts.
A few days ago Jacqueline (who btw didn't do so badly herself at MDS&W!)answered the following question: "What's your most often used knitted object?" Thought I would too. Join in if you'd like. Rather than nominate one object, I'll show three workhorses in our house.
The Manos Throw, Spring '02. I've got to include the before shots so you can appreciate the after. This was one of my first big projects and I was so proud. Pre-digital pics, so sorry, but I've got to photograph my scrapbook page.
It was soooo pretty before three years of daily use by kids, cats and adults. Now it's been machine washed (yeah, I know, but it needed it) and received exactly one defuzzing before I gave up and gave in to the inevitable. Trust me, it actually looks worse in person, but the colors are still so wonderful. The housekeepers always fold it up into a very tiny square and stuff it under the throw pillows in the corner of the sofa - they must wonder what the heck this rag is doing spread like a cloth of gold on the family room sofa. But like a loving mother of a ner' do well, I still see it as it was in its glory. And it's darned warm.
The Surfer/Skater Hat, Spring '02. Learned some simple cables and bobbles on the Manos Throw and made this one-ball Noro Kureyon hat to play with my new techniques. The first time a hip young dude at a surf/skate shop said to my older DD "Cool hat!", I knew I had a winner. She wore it until she'd grown so much it was popping up on her head. Younger DD just discovered it buried in the closet last week - I think it will have a second life.
The Harry Potter sweater, early Spring '03. No pattern (didn't know the Rowan one existed at the time), Mission Falls 1824 cotton (sadly discontinued), little knitting experience, and a kindergartner who desperately wanted me to be Mrs. Weasley. She wore it literally every day until summer and most of first grade too. Couldn't ask for more.
Btw, after seeing these scrapbook pages, aren't you glad this blog is typed?
I'll close with non-knitting thoughts:
Know thyself.
Know thy limits.
Share your feelings.
Laziness
Success is a journey, not a destination. So stop running.
Dare to Slack
When birds fly in the right formation, they need only exert half the effort. Even in nature, teamwork results in collective laziness.
Amused? There are many more, some much more snarky. Well worth a quick look: Demotivators® at Despair Inc.
Beats the heck out of the motivational posters with which my former boss covered our pre-fab, icky fabric-covered walls. Yeah, you may have figured it out, but I'm not a team-player. My dislike of teams began early in school when, inevitably, my grade potential was attached to the performance of the biggest idiot in class. I do understand that self-formed or competitively selected teams can do amazing things - whole greater than the parts, yadda yadda - but who among us hasn't been a victim of this: "OK kids/workers, let's form teams - it'll be FUN! I've already selected the members of each team..."
The kids are in bed, including my DH, and I just let the puppy out. I thought I would check my bloglines before I turned in. Reading your post was the most delightful way to end the day. First of all, I visited Knitting in La Jolla and loved it when we were in San Diego last summer. I love the knitted/felted bag. I'm envious of how you have scrapbooked your projects. I feel like it's not worth even trying because I didn't do it when I started (over 3 years ago). Your three favorite projects are simply wonderful. Isn't it great when a knitted item is worn and worn and worn. I also love how you photograph your projects with nature backdrops. I need to try to do that a bit more. Oh, and one more thing. I love that despair.com too! My husband gives the calendars to some of his clients every year. I love all of them. I think that's it...I look forward to your next post. night night
Posted by: michele | May 11, 2005 at 07:26 PM
I love your scrapbook! One of the reasons I have started blogging more about my knitting is to keep some sort of record of it. I think that I like your scrapbook idea better for that purpose. If I can ever get myself organized enough to keep labels and color samples, in addition to actually printing pictures, I will have to steal your idea.
I think the blanket still looks great, even though it is obviously warn. I love how the colors and textures complement each other. A definite keeper, even if it's raggedy and pilly.
Posted by: RK | May 11, 2005 at 07:45 PM
I'm another chiming in on the scrapbook. I love it. I always want to keep the yarn bands and swatches, and have always thought a scrapbook of notes while knitting would be fun. Yours is awesome. And you can always check back and see exactly what you did. I am also impressed with the knitting today, this was a long post, lots of photos......did you get to knit today?:)
Posted by: Teresa C | May 11, 2005 at 07:59 PM
Where to begin...hmmm - I love your new bag, how sweet of you to gift your loved bag to your mom! LOVE your Manos throw - you may have inspired me to get back to mine. :) The hat is too cute (the picture is gorgeous!). I love your scrapbook pages, I wish I had kept up with mine. Umm, what else, oh - thatnks for the link - you enabler, you!! :)
Posted by: Jackie | May 12, 2005 at 04:07 AM
an idea for salvaging your GORGEOUS Manos throw (long ago I bought that little booklet from Manos even though it is, ahem, a rather dreary book, just for that throw!): Felt it? It would make an awesome rug and all of its defects (which you can't see in the picture by the way) would magically disappear.
Didn't know Burly Spun came in GOOD colors! Gorgeous. xoxo Kay
Posted by: Kay | May 12, 2005 at 05:47 AM
Nancy dear...love, love, love all the wonderful pieces you have knitted. Carleigh loved the skater cap...too bad we don't live in a colder climate to wear one. Your scrapbook of the knitting is to die for. Wonderful idea and I love the black background. I thrive in reading your so eloquent words and writing. Wish you had time to post every day. Plus want you closer to teach me some patience to knit too! Love the throw too.
Posted by: Shawn | May 12, 2005 at 07:16 AM
Do you always knit backwards instead of purling? I'm curious about this -- I'm one of those weird English throwers that loves to purl. I find I can purl without looking very easily, since I can feel everything in front.
Everything is so pretty - love the bags, and all those lovely analogous reds in the throw. The Cashcotton looks good enough to eat! Your daughter is a cutie.
Posted by: Sara | May 12, 2005 at 09:16 AM
Glad that you enjoyed the day. I like the scrapbook and the booga bag. I need to add that to my list of things to do.
Posted by: la chica alta | May 13, 2005 at 08:33 AM
love the booga bag. LOVE your scrapbooking! What a wonderful idea!
Posted by: beanmama | May 14, 2005 at 12:01 PM
So much goodness! Your entries are always such a delight to read... very meaty... or fiberous?
Anyway, I just love the scrapbook you use for your knitting. Yes, I'm glad you blog your knitting, but I'm equally thrilled that you shared your scrapbook with us!
LOVE your Booga's by the way. Happy (very belated) Mother's Day!
Posted by: Liz | May 14, 2005 at 10:49 PM
Oh I love your knitting scrapbook! how lovely! glad you had a nice mother's day..thanks for all of your info about Louisville. I just got back yesterday and didn't have time to see much of it. I will have to go back.
Posted by: Moni | May 15, 2005 at 12:02 PM
I began that same Manos throw three years ago. I never really fell in love with all the blocks. My LYS finally got a shipment in, so I realized it was time to bite the bullet and finish. I hope mine turns out as well as yours. Yours is still beautiful...worn spots and all.
Posted by: Rebecca | May 16, 2005 at 07:08 PM