Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
FO: Ishbel
For my MLB post-season knitting (GO GIANTS, ahem) I made:
Pattern: Ishbel
Needle: US5 Lantern Moon "Destiny" Circulars
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Lightweight in Firebird
A fun, easy and fast knit. I love how the colorway knitted up. Excellent therapy for the nervous baseball watcher (I get crazy nervous on critical pitches; the Beard nearly gave me a heart attack every game).
Friday, October 01, 2010
Back in Business
Just a short note to say that I am back in business! My previous employer had a prohibition on personal blogging, which is happily no longer an issue.
And my grand-reopening news is to report on my first visit to Artfibers since their San Francisco store closed. In case you did not know, they are back in the city, at 266 Sutter Street, 3rd Floor. The space is fantastic; very open, with lots of wonderful light. The yarn is arranged in pull-out bins as before, each set topped with delicious swatches to inspire you. I bought two cones of Ming in black for a sweater for my lovely mother in law, and a lengthwise scarf kit for myself. It contains several different yarns, so it is a fabulous way to sample yarns you may not have tried before.
They have a number of new (to me anyway) yarns; if I hadn't had my heart set on Ming for the sweater, I would have had a very hard time choosing. Both Safa (chunky cotton) and Lingo (sportweight linen) will be on my list for spring/summer knitting. And I don't think I will be able to resist the thoroughly swoon-worthy Yaqui for a cozy winter wrap of some kind.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to head up there RIGHT NOW and buy some yarn!
Alas, none of my most recent FOs involve knitting. I recently became obsessed with needlepoint and have been doing loads of that, and got back into cross-stitch, which may have been the first fiberish craft I ever learned.
You can make a ladybug of your very own, by heading up to Needlepoint Inc. (conveniently close to Artfibers!!). The canvas is 13 mesh, and I used Silk and Ivory for most of it, plus Treasure braid for the eyes, antennae and accents. The cross-stitch piece is Greek Island by Michael Powell from CrossStitcher issue no. 224 (a thoroughly excellent British magazine).
Happy Stitching (of all kinds!) to all!
And my grand-reopening news is to report on my first visit to Artfibers since their San Francisco store closed. In case you did not know, they are back in the city, at 266 Sutter Street, 3rd Floor. The space is fantastic; very open, with lots of wonderful light. The yarn is arranged in pull-out bins as before, each set topped with delicious swatches to inspire you. I bought two cones of Ming in black for a sweater for my lovely mother in law, and a lengthwise scarf kit for myself. It contains several different yarns, so it is a fabulous way to sample yarns you may not have tried before.
They have a number of new (to me anyway) yarns; if I hadn't had my heart set on Ming for the sweater, I would have had a very hard time choosing. Both Safa (chunky cotton) and Lingo (sportweight linen) will be on my list for spring/summer knitting. And I don't think I will be able to resist the thoroughly swoon-worthy Yaqui for a cozy winter wrap of some kind.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to head up there RIGHT NOW and buy some yarn!
Alas, none of my most recent FOs involve knitting. I recently became obsessed with needlepoint and have been doing loads of that, and got back into cross-stitch, which may have been the first fiberish craft I ever learned.
You can make a ladybug of your very own, by heading up to Needlepoint Inc. (conveniently close to Artfibers!!). The canvas is 13 mesh, and I used Silk and Ivory for most of it, plus Treasure braid for the eyes, antennae and accents. The cross-stitch piece is Greek Island by Michael Powell from CrossStitcher issue no. 224 (a thoroughly excellent British magazine).
Happy Stitching (of all kinds!) to all!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
FO: Sweet Pea Coat
Yarn: Cascade Lana Grande, 9 balls and change from Creative Hands in Belmont, CA
Buttons: Vintage glass from General Bead in San Francisco, CA
Blocking: Wet block with spray bottle
This project has several "firsts" for me: moss stitch, pockets and collar. All went well and I had a great time. The moss stitch was fun; I love the texture it created in this yarn.
This is definitely my best finishing effort to date. I took a class with Nancie Wiseman last year at the Knit & Crochet Show, which helped a great deal when it came to completing this sweater. Her book is an excellent resource, too. I did everything right this time: checked gauge and didn't fake it, joined new yarn at the selvages instead of in the middle, took my time seaming, ripped out mistakes, followed the pattern to the letter, and actually measured and checked the schematic when I blocked. I definitely feel that all of the effort paid off in this knit.
Monday, November 17, 2008
NaFro[g]SweMo
Anyone else think it is just a wee bit nuts* to try to knit a sweater in the month of November when, in all likelihood, we are frantically trying to complete holiday gifts?
*Full disclosure: like everyone else, I am participating in NaKniSweMo.
However, my sweater-knitting month has taken an odd turn. I vowed, initially, to finish Juno entirely and complete the back of Malt (scroll down; which would make it NaCroSweMo as it's crochet, but whatever). Failing that, I would knit myself another ribwarmer (scroll down).
No sooner had I made the above-mentioned vow that it occurred to me that Juno really ought to be frogged. The knitting is uneven since I pick it up for a row or two, and then put it back. I dislike my cast-on (idiotically decided to use backward loop!? WTF, woman?). Most critically, however, I don't think Scottish Tweed is quite fluffy enough. The sweater looks holey, even though I do have gauge and everyone else in the world has done it in Scottish Tweed and come up with a perfectly good sweater.
So, I cast on a new ribwarmer in two shades of Not-Really-That-Big Kuryeon sometime last week and got a few ridges into it (switching the colors every other row, or something) and put it in one of my numerous knitting bags.
On Friday afternoon, I found myself poking around Twist Collective and swiftly fell in love with Gytha (to knit sometime), Vivian (to knit fairly soon) and Sweetpea (knit me now, knit me now, knit me now). I had no bulky weight yarn in the stash, so I subtly persuaded my husband to take me to Creative Hands on Saturday ("I'll go with you to the car wash if we can pop into Creative Hands after").
With 10 balls (all they had) of Cascade Lana Grande in a beautiful foresty green (and two hanks of Kraemer Yarns' Fountain Hill -- how'd they get in there?), I was out of the shop in about 10 minutes and spent less than $100 (a personal record). I couldn't wait to get home to cast on Sweetpea and see how far I could get before we left for our play (Ionesco's Victims of Duty at the Exit) later that evening.
I was nearly done with the waist shaping when it was time to go. The play was short and we were keyed up when we got back, so I knit some more before going to bed. After breakfast and dog-walking on Sunday, I knit and knit and knit and reached the start of the armhole shaping. I held the sweater up to myself and felt a hot creeping sensation start up my neck and ripple across my scalp. The thing was. Humongous.
It wasn't gauge. It was knitter's dysmorphic disorder. I had a crazy moment of deciding to knit an extra large (despite the fact that I am a medium, and only bought yarn enough for a large -- I like to have an extra ball, just in case). I had gone through the whole pattern and highlighted all the info for a size extra large without anything striking me as odd.
Even when I realized my beloved Sweetpea would be too big, I nearly just picked up the needles and kept on knitting. After all, I was really far along the back and all that work would be for nothing. But then, the creeping sensation came back. If I went on knitting the too-big sweater I would love but could never wear, I would surely run out of yarn.
It was 1:30. The Niners game had started. I paused and watched that new quarterback whose name escapes me for a second. Whyever did they get rid of Jeff Garcia? He was no Steve Young or Joe Montana, but he was decent. In this fleeting moment of zen, I decided to frog. My husband looked at me out of the corner of his eye and said, "uhm, do you want the tv on? 'Cause I am going to go read...." I muttered something that sounded like "no" and he took off for the bedroom and his book.
Whereupon I cast on all over again for the right size, and sat there on the couch for the remainder of the day. I paused for dogwalking and dinner and then returned to my knitting. In about 8 hours, I knit the entire back of Sweetpea, made both pocket linings, and got through the bottom moss-stitch border on the right front.
Whew!
*Full disclosure: like everyone else, I am participating in NaKniSweMo.
However, my sweater-knitting month has taken an odd turn. I vowed, initially, to finish Juno entirely and complete the back of Malt (scroll down; which would make it NaCroSweMo as it's crochet, but whatever). Failing that, I would knit myself another ribwarmer (scroll down).
No sooner had I made the above-mentioned vow that it occurred to me that Juno really ought to be frogged. The knitting is uneven since I pick it up for a row or two, and then put it back. I dislike my cast-on (idiotically decided to use backward loop!? WTF, woman?). Most critically, however, I don't think Scottish Tweed is quite fluffy enough. The sweater looks holey, even though I do have gauge and everyone else in the world has done it in Scottish Tweed and come up with a perfectly good sweater.
So, I cast on a new ribwarmer in two shades of Not-Really-That-Big Kuryeon sometime last week and got a few ridges into it (switching the colors every other row, or something) and put it in one of my numerous knitting bags.
On Friday afternoon, I found myself poking around Twist Collective and swiftly fell in love with Gytha (to knit sometime), Vivian (to knit fairly soon) and Sweetpea (knit me now, knit me now, knit me now). I had no bulky weight yarn in the stash, so I subtly persuaded my husband to take me to Creative Hands on Saturday ("I'll go with you to the car wash if we can pop into Creative Hands after").
With 10 balls (all they had) of Cascade Lana Grande in a beautiful foresty green (and two hanks of Kraemer Yarns' Fountain Hill -- how'd they get in there?), I was out of the shop in about 10 minutes and spent less than $100 (a personal record). I couldn't wait to get home to cast on Sweetpea and see how far I could get before we left for our play (Ionesco's Victims of Duty at the Exit) later that evening.
I was nearly done with the waist shaping when it was time to go. The play was short and we were keyed up when we got back, so I knit some more before going to bed. After breakfast and dog-walking on Sunday, I knit and knit and knit and reached the start of the armhole shaping. I held the sweater up to myself and felt a hot creeping sensation start up my neck and ripple across my scalp. The thing was. Humongous.
It wasn't gauge. It was knitter's dysmorphic disorder. I had a crazy moment of deciding to knit an extra large (despite the fact that I am a medium, and only bought yarn enough for a large -- I like to have an extra ball, just in case). I had gone through the whole pattern and highlighted all the info for a size extra large without anything striking me as odd.
Even when I realized my beloved Sweetpea would be too big, I nearly just picked up the needles and kept on knitting. After all, I was really far along the back and all that work would be for nothing. But then, the creeping sensation came back. If I went on knitting the too-big sweater I would love but could never wear, I would surely run out of yarn.
It was 1:30. The Niners game had started. I paused and watched that new quarterback whose name escapes me for a second. Whyever did they get rid of Jeff Garcia? He was no Steve Young or Joe Montana, but he was decent. In this fleeting moment of zen, I decided to frog. My husband looked at me out of the corner of his eye and said, "uhm, do you want the tv on? 'Cause I am going to go read...." I muttered something that sounded like "no" and he took off for the bedroom and his book.
Whereupon I cast on all over again for the right size, and sat there on the couch for the remainder of the day. I paused for dogwalking and dinner and then returned to my knitting. In about 8 hours, I knit the entire back of Sweetpea, made both pocket linings, and got through the bottom moss-stitch border on the right front.
Whew!
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Yes, We Did.
I belatedly join the chorus of joy proclaiming Barack Obama the 44th President of the United States of America. I love this photo:
And belatedly crawl out of my cone of silence to write again. Too much has happened to catch you all up, so let's just start fresh. I have returned to work in my beloved San Francisco. MUNI still sucks, of course, but what can you do.
And now, from the "No you di-int!" files, my joy at Obama's victory is dampened indeed by the passing of Proposition 8 in California. I urge everyone who believes that marriage is for all who desire to be committed to the person of their choice (not just for some) to speak out against its passing and continue the fight.
There are sound legal reasons to invalidate Proposition 8, which are better articulated by others. To that end, I urge you to read the Writ for Petition of Mandate Challenging Proposition 8, available here.
When rights are taken away from one group, they can be taken away from any, or all of us.
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.
--Friedrich Gustav Emil Martin Niemoller
And belatedly crawl out of my cone of silence to write again. Too much has happened to catch you all up, so let's just start fresh. I have returned to work in my beloved San Francisco. MUNI still sucks, of course, but what can you do.
And now, from the "No you di-int!" files, my joy at Obama's victory is dampened indeed by the passing of Proposition 8 in California. I urge everyone who believes that marriage is for all who desire to be committed to the person of their choice (not just for some) to speak out against its passing and continue the fight.
There are sound legal reasons to invalidate Proposition 8, which are better articulated by others. To that end, I urge you to read the Writ for Petition of Mandate Challenging Proposition 8, available here.
When rights are taken away from one group, they can be taken away from any, or all of us.
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.
--Friedrich Gustav Emil Martin Niemoller
Friday, April 25, 2008
Snapshots
Still here people. Busy with the new job, lacking internet access at home, until now, etc., etc. As dialup goes, it ain't bad -- I can knit while waiting for my favorite blogs or Ravelry to load. Being a canny knitter, I realized that I could knit while waiting for pages to load. Being a bit of a distracted klutz, I realized that I should probably stick to straight stockinette or garter for such interstitial knitting
But podcasts are an issue.
When itunes told me that it would take 5 hours to download, I realized I would have to schlep the laptop to the library to Bogart their DSL connection once in a while.
Been quilting more than anything else these days. It has been an interesting experience. You get so used to knitting and crocheting and being passably, or even better than passably, good at them, and then you try something new. The swearing starts, the dog hides on the other side of the bed....
My first quilt is full of mistakes. But I am looking forward to the second, and doing it better. And looking forward to the third, and doing it even better. Which is good.
Also, friends, adding quilting to your repertoire adds a whole other category to your stashing!
Next up: a report from the San Jose Museum of Quilting and Textiles. I know. I can't wait either!
But podcasts are an issue.
When itunes told me that it would take 5 hours to download, I realized I would have to schlep the laptop to the library to Bogart their DSL connection once in a while.
Been quilting more than anything else these days. It has been an interesting experience. You get so used to knitting and crocheting and being passably, or even better than passably, good at them, and then you try something new. The swearing starts, the dog hides on the other side of the bed....
My first quilt is full of mistakes. But I am looking forward to the second, and doing it better. And looking forward to the third, and doing it even better. Which is good.
Also, friends, adding quilting to your repertoire adds a whole other category to your stashing!
Next up: a report from the San Jose Museum of Quilting and Textiles. I know. I can't wait either!
Friday, March 07, 2008
I left my snaaaaaaark in San... Fran...cisco
Okay, well not all of it.
I got a new job starting March 17, and will no longer be commuting to San Francisco. And therefore, will no longer be taking MUNI from the Caltrain depot to downtown. Consequently, I will no longer have to utter the following on a regular basis:
1. Oh no, you aren't taking up the entire escalator or anything. By all means, stay right where you are.
2. You do remember that some dude got shot at the Metreon for standing on the "walking" side of the escalator, right?
3. Sure, we all stop and sort out the meaning of life before getting on the escalator.
4. My God. What is that unholy stench?
5. Why the fuck are we still sitting here? (At one time, I considered having t-shirts made)
6. Look, just punch the guy already.
7. Yeah, next train in two minutes my ass. Those signs lie you know.
8. Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, this is ridiculous!
9. But I did get to listen to ALL of Mahler's 6th Symphony this morning.
10. Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to body check me as I am trying to get off the train. This will surely help YOU get on the train even faster.
11. I don't mind if you invade my personal space (ok, I do), but if you could possibly refrain from poking me in the ass with your umbrella, that would be greeeaaaaat.
In sum, MUNI, thank you for the ride that should only be 12 minutes, which usually takes 20, for which you should plan 30, and which took a whole hour (that was Mahler's 6th day) on Monday morning.
I got a new job starting March 17, and will no longer be commuting to San Francisco. And therefore, will no longer be taking MUNI from the Caltrain depot to downtown. Consequently, I will no longer have to utter the following on a regular basis:
1. Oh no, you aren't taking up the entire escalator or anything. By all means, stay right where you are.
2. You do remember that some dude got shot at the Metreon for standing on the "walking" side of the escalator, right?
3. Sure, we all stop and sort out the meaning of life before getting on the escalator.
4. My God. What is that unholy stench?
5. Why the fuck are we still sitting here? (At one time, I considered having t-shirts made)
6. Look, just punch the guy already.
7. Yeah, next train in two minutes my ass. Those signs lie you know.
8. Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, this is ridiculous!
9. But I did get to listen to ALL of Mahler's 6th Symphony this morning.
10. Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to body check me as I am trying to get off the train. This will surely help YOU get on the train even faster.
11. I don't mind if you invade my personal space (ok, I do), but if you could possibly refrain from poking me in the ass with your umbrella, that would be greeeaaaaat.
In sum, MUNI, thank you for the ride that should only be 12 minutes, which usually takes 20, for which you should plan 30, and which took a whole hour (that was Mahler's 6th day) on Monday morning.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
My Fuzzy Valentine, and Other Stories
Knowing of my yarn-fast, DH gave me a gift certificate to Creative Hands for Valentine's Day! It was in an amount that would render any knitter speechless as she contemplated all of the woolly fantasies that she might be able to realize.
What you see before you are:
RYC CashSoft Aran for a couple of Fetchings
Tahki Donegal Tweed Homespun for a Sunrise Circle Jacket (Pattern available at Knitting Daily website; need to sign in or register).
Cascade Sierra for the Wedgewood Blouse (scroll down)
JaggerSpun Zephyr for Scheherazade
These yarny delights are sitting atop my first quilting project (now basted together and awaiting marking and quilting), all fabrics from Anna Griffin's "Dorothy" collection. I am still debating whether to quilt by hand or machine. Probably machine, assuming I can wait until my special presser feet arrive. Impatient as I am, it seems unlikely that I will give up the vigil and quilt by hand.
Since I put in some time on Juno, and finished Whimsey (pic below) on Sunday, I allowed myself to go ahead and cast on a Fetching. It's a great pattern, though cables on DPNs are a bit fiddly. Perhaps because I am knitting on US2 needles in order to get gauge. Yes, US2. Even so -- quick knit and I hope to finish them this week.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Knitting in the Rainforest
We are back from Costa Rica! We had a great time, and yes, I did knit. I had sorta hoped for an action shot of one of our cute resident lizards hopping over my scarf-in-progress, but it was not to be.
Knitting was, understandably, reserved for airport-sitting, boat-awaiting, airplane riding (except for the little planes -- not enough room, and too nervous!).
And knitting does not mix well with hiking:
Or boat rides through mangrove swamps:
Or monkeys. Definitely not monkeys:
Probably not sloths:
And certainly not waterfalls:
But it appears to work well with plants:
And it is, of course, perfect for coming home.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Friday, December 28, 2007
For reals, this time.
With apologies to Leigh Hunt.
The Impatient Knitter (may her stash decrease!)
awoke one night from a deep dream of fleece,
And saw, next to the night light in her room,
Making it large, and like the Leaning Tower, loom,
a pile of yarn, tumbling to the floor of wood.
Contain the yarn though the Knitter should,
she lacked the space, not an inch under-bed.
"What thinkest thou?" she asked within her head,
And, with a sigh made of all things woolly,
Decided, "It is time to embrace it fully..."
.... and knit only from stash in 2008, and not buy any more freaking yarn in 2008. I have a fabulous stash, and no need to keep buying yarn when I could easily knit and crochet for years on what I have. I fell off the wagon spectacularly this year. Somehow, the resolution to not buy yarn except for the Knit and Crochet Show turned into not buying yarn until the Knit and Crochet Show, meaning that, after the show, I continued on blithely purchasing yarn.
And no more fiber. I don't spin enough to justify the mounds of fiber I have.
Resolved, I will:
1. thoroughly examine the stash and determine if anything is suitable for donating.
2. actually donate any yarn designated pursuant to item 1, rather than just take it to work so I can ship it during lunch, only to take it back home skein by skein when I decide I still want it.
3. review the status of all WIPs and UFOs and determine whether I will actually finish them or not, and frog those I don't plan to finish.
4. finish all other WIPs and UFOs, and only start new projects when an existing one is completed.
5. allow myself one final splurge in 2007 before the new regime kicks in (complete with pix for you, dear readers).
5. Air the stash and re-sort into bags by weight/project type.
The Impatient Knitter (may her stash decrease!)
awoke one night from a deep dream of fleece,
And saw, next to the night light in her room,
Making it large, and like the Leaning Tower, loom,
a pile of yarn, tumbling to the floor of wood.
Contain the yarn though the Knitter should,
she lacked the space, not an inch under-bed.
"What thinkest thou?" she asked within her head,
And, with a sigh made of all things woolly,
Decided, "It is time to embrace it fully..."
.... and knit only from stash in 2008, and not buy any more freaking yarn in 2008. I have a fabulous stash, and no need to keep buying yarn when I could easily knit and crochet for years on what I have. I fell off the wagon spectacularly this year. Somehow, the resolution to not buy yarn except for the Knit and Crochet Show turned into not buying yarn until the Knit and Crochet Show, meaning that, after the show, I continued on blithely purchasing yarn.
And no more fiber. I don't spin enough to justify the mounds of fiber I have.
Resolved, I will:
1. thoroughly examine the stash and determine if anything is suitable for donating.
2. actually donate any yarn designated pursuant to item 1, rather than just take it to work so I can ship it during lunch, only to take it back home skein by skein when I decide I still want it.
3. review the status of all WIPs and UFOs and determine whether I will actually finish them or not, and frog those I don't plan to finish.
4. finish all other WIPs and UFOs, and only start new projects when an existing one is completed.
5. allow myself one final splurge in 2007 before the new regime kicks in (complete with pix for you, dear readers).
5. Air the stash and re-sort into bags by weight/project type.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Now THAT explains it.
Which Historical Lunatic Are You?
From the fecund loins of Rum and Monkey.
"Born in England sometime in the second decade of the nineteenth century, you carved a notable business career, in South Africa and later San Francisco, until an entry into the rice market wiped out your fortune in 1854. After this, you became quite different. The first sign of this came on September 17, 1859, when you expressed your dissatisfaction with the political situation in America by declaring yourself Norton I, Emperor of the USA. You remained as such, unchallenged, for twenty-one years.
Within a month you had decreed the dissolution of Congress. When this was largely ignored, you summoned all interested parties to discuss the matter in a music hall, and then summoned the army to quell the rebellious leaders in Washington. This did not work. Magnanimously, you decreed (eventually) that Congress could remain for the time being. However, you disbanded both major political parties in 1869, as well as instituting a fine of $25 for using the abominable nickname "Frisco" for your home city.
Your days consisted of parading around your domain - the San Francisco streets - in a uniform of royal blue with gold epaulettes. This was set off by a beaver hat and umbrella. You dispensed philosophy and inspected the state of sidewalks and the police with equal aplomb. You were a great ally of the maligned Chinese of the city, and once dispersed a riot by standing between the Chinese and their would-be assailants and reciting the Lord's Prayer quietly, head bowed.
Once arrested, you were swiftly pardoned by the Police Chief with all apologies, after which all policemen were ordered to salute you on the street. Your renown grew. Proprietors of respectable establishments fixed brass plaques to their walls proclaiming your patronage; musical and theatrical performances invariably reserved seats for you and your two dogs. (As an aside, you were a good friend of Mark Twain, who wrote an epitaph for one of your faithful hounds, Bummer.) The Census of 1870 listed your occupation as "Emperor".
The Board of Supervisors of San Francisco, upon noticing the slightly delapidated state of your attire, replaced it at their own expense. You responded graciously by granting a patent of nobility to each member. Your death, collapsing on the street on January 8, 1880, made front page news under the headline "Le Roi est Mort".
Aside from what you had on your person, your possessions amounted to a single sovereign, a collection of walking sticks, an old sabre, your correspondence with Queen Victoria and 1,098,235 shares of stock in a worthless gold mine. Your funeral cortege was of 30,000 people and over two miles long.
The burial was marked by a total eclipse of the sun."
Only thing I would do differently is up the fine for utterers of the foul and blasphemous "Frisco."
Friday, November 30, 2007
The Winter of Our Mishegoss
Eh, I couldn't come up with anything appropriate that sounded like "discontent." So mishegoss, dear readers, is what you get.
Long story short, I am back. I took a break to devote some time to thinking about some career-related stuff and ultimately decided that, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I am happy with my life over all. No one is 100% happy with a particular aspect of their lives 100% of the time. What matters, in this case, is the big picture. And as I am very nearly perfectly happy with my life most of the time, nothing of consequence needs to change.
And then Thanksgiving happened, which was delightful, but also involved me dashing about making appetizers, and then I got an inexplicably hot nut to do Christmas shopping which, you won't believe it, is pretty much done.
And now, brains unscrambled, I shall get back to my knitting. As usual, I have waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many WIPs crammed into various baskets and hideyholes. In fact, my Ravelry notebook claims that I have 9 knitting projects and 1 crochet project in various states of undoneness. That is an unprecedented 10 WIPs and I am thinking of starting Clapotis, well, pretty much now, since I have taken to carrying my Plymouth Bamboo Sister Set everywhere for just this sort of eventuality. It might not be that great of an idea, given my obviously chronic startitis.
While you're here, I thought I'd let you know of some upcoming features on the blog:
- Product review of the Lamb's Tail Strandholder for you spinners out there. I am forever getting up to get more fiber (ok, and another glass of wine) while spinning and I thought to myself, "there has to be a way to keep the yarn from going all crazy while I am doing that." Turns out, there is. When next I take to my wheel, I will let you know how it works.
- A special and revealing 100th post!
- *gasp* Crocheting!
- A handbag lining tutorial!
Happy crafting to all, and to all a really awesome weekend!
Long story short, I am back. I took a break to devote some time to thinking about some career-related stuff and ultimately decided that, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I am happy with my life over all. No one is 100% happy with a particular aspect of their lives 100% of the time. What matters, in this case, is the big picture. And as I am very nearly perfectly happy with my life most of the time, nothing of consequence needs to change.
And then Thanksgiving happened, which was delightful, but also involved me dashing about making appetizers, and then I got an inexplicably hot nut to do Christmas shopping which, you won't believe it, is pretty much done.
And now, brains unscrambled, I shall get back to my knitting. As usual, I have waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many WIPs crammed into various baskets and hideyholes. In fact, my Ravelry notebook claims that I have 9 knitting projects and 1 crochet project in various states of undoneness. That is an unprecedented 10 WIPs and I am thinking of starting Clapotis, well, pretty much now, since I have taken to carrying my Plymouth Bamboo Sister Set everywhere for just this sort of eventuality. It might not be that great of an idea, given my obviously chronic startitis.
While you're here, I thought I'd let you know of some upcoming features on the blog:
- Product review of the Lamb's Tail Strandholder for you spinners out there. I am forever getting up to get more fiber (ok, and another glass of wine) while spinning and I thought to myself, "there has to be a way to keep the yarn from going all crazy while I am doing that." Turns out, there is. When next I take to my wheel, I will let you know how it works.
- A special and revealing 100th post!
- *gasp* Crocheting!
- A handbag lining tutorial!
Happy crafting to all, and to all a really awesome weekend!
Friday, November 09, 2007
Sushi, Johnnie Red and Sierra Nevada
Every once in a while, we have occasion to reflect on what sorts of behavior are truly unacceptable, and which are more like petty indignities that, while offensive or unpleasant, are unfortunately part of living and/or working in a big city. It sucks that we have to put up with them, but there's nothing you can reasonably or safely do about them without being a jerk (or worse) yourself. Pushy people on the train? MUNI late (again!)? The woman who won't stop discussing the ailments plaguing every single member of her large extended family? Fellow citizens who are as yet unaware of the wonders of deodorant? The scary dude two seats away? Let it roll off your back and stand at the other end of the car. It isn't the big deal it feels like, and besides. You haven't had your coffee yet.
Being yelled at by someone, especially at work, is an obvious example of something that is truly outrageous and unacceptable. Beyond the pale. Fortunately, it only happened to me once, and it was one of those things in which the yeller had clearly lost his shit and made himself so ridiculous, that even as a fleck of spittle flew in slo-mo out of his mouth and toward my forehead, I was very tempted to laugh. I had no qualms about rearing up to my full 5'2" inches to get nose to chin with the guy and tell him he was wrong, I was quitting, and P.S., telling a colleague that you and I are running away together is sexual harassment. Done.
Here's the thing I think is worse than that: being spoken to as if I am the dumbest person in the world. In the tone you would probably reserve for the one you think the most dull-witted among your household staff. The one whose mopping skills you would viciously criticize even though you've never mopped yourself. You on your cellphone, walking next to one of our colleagues, and me at my desk in total stupefaction. There's really no defense to that kind of tirade. I went for a sincere-sounding but not obsequious apology with a dash of genuine astonishment. After hanging up, I cried. I dried up. I went to the train station, whereupon I asked the guy at the shop which of the Johnnie Walker minis was better, and by the way, I'll have a Sierra Nevada as well.
I was still too rattled to read (I'd also left my ipod at home), but I happened to have knitting in my bag -- another sushi wallet for a gift. I brought it to find a matching zipper at Britex, and now it was here to keep me occupied until I got home.
I don't talk much about work on the blog, so you'll have to trust me when I say that the phone episode is one facet of a larger issue. I feel better now, but I think I'll take the cue from Rabbitch's sandwich.
Good weekend ahead, though. Tomorrow is the baby shower for the recipient of the BSJ and Embellished Hat, and I can't wait to watch her open them.
Being yelled at by someone, especially at work, is an obvious example of something that is truly outrageous and unacceptable. Beyond the pale. Fortunately, it only happened to me once, and it was one of those things in which the yeller had clearly lost his shit and made himself so ridiculous, that even as a fleck of spittle flew in slo-mo out of his mouth and toward my forehead, I was very tempted to laugh. I had no qualms about rearing up to my full 5'2" inches to get nose to chin with the guy and tell him he was wrong, I was quitting, and P.S., telling a colleague that you and I are running away together is sexual harassment. Done.
Here's the thing I think is worse than that: being spoken to as if I am the dumbest person in the world. In the tone you would probably reserve for the one you think the most dull-witted among your household staff. The one whose mopping skills you would viciously criticize even though you've never mopped yourself. You on your cellphone, walking next to one of our colleagues, and me at my desk in total stupefaction. There's really no defense to that kind of tirade. I went for a sincere-sounding but not obsequious apology with a dash of genuine astonishment. After hanging up, I cried. I dried up. I went to the train station, whereupon I asked the guy at the shop which of the Johnnie Walker minis was better, and by the way, I'll have a Sierra Nevada as well.
I was still too rattled to read (I'd also left my ipod at home), but I happened to have knitting in my bag -- another sushi wallet for a gift. I brought it to find a matching zipper at Britex, and now it was here to keep me occupied until I got home.
I don't talk much about work on the blog, so you'll have to trust me when I say that the phone episode is one facet of a larger issue. I feel better now, but I think I'll take the cue from Rabbitch's sandwich.
Good weekend ahead, though. Tomorrow is the baby shower for the recipient of the BSJ and Embellished Hat, and I can't wait to watch her open them.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
FO: Sushi Wallet
Yarn and Pattern: Sushi Wallet kit by Pick Up Sticks
Purchased at: The Knit and Crochet Show, Oakland CA 9/30/07
Needles: Clover Size 10 Straights
Lining: Britex Fabrics, San Francisco, CA (from stash)
Beads and findings: General Bead, San Francisco, CA (from stash)
Notes:
Unable to decide between the "mini sushi" and "maxi sushi" versions, I did a little bit of both, embellishing the sushis with orange and yellow beads (like the roe that sometimes tops sushi). I actually decided to make lots of sushis in one go for future wallets and in case of felting weirdness. There is plenty of yarn included in the kit, so go nuts with the sushi.
I always line bags, however small, so I chose a kinda-coordinating fabric from stash and went to town. The final addition was the bead-charm zipper pull. When I found the "sorta looks like sushi" one in my stash, I swooned.
It was a fast, fun project. The kit would make a great gift for a knitter, and the FOs nice gifts for your friends. Roomy enough for a little evening clutch, methinks.
Purchased at: The Knit and Crochet Show, Oakland CA 9/30/07
Needles: Clover Size 10 Straights
Lining: Britex Fabrics, San Francisco, CA (from stash)
Beads and findings: General Bead, San Francisco, CA (from stash)
Notes:
Unable to decide between the "mini sushi" and "maxi sushi" versions, I did a little bit of both, embellishing the sushis with orange and yellow beads (like the roe that sometimes tops sushi). I actually decided to make lots of sushis in one go for future wallets and in case of felting weirdness. There is plenty of yarn included in the kit, so go nuts with the sushi.
I always line bags, however small, so I chose a kinda-coordinating fabric from stash and went to town. The final addition was the bead-charm zipper pull. When I found the "sorta looks like sushi" one in my stash, I swooned.
It was a fast, fun project. The kit would make a great gift for a knitter, and the FOs nice gifts for your friends. Roomy enough for a little evening clutch, methinks.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Cape-d'oh!
Did you know that I got an A in 11th grade geometry? This is the only math class in which I got anything higher than a C. In fact, I am sure I earned (yes, earned) a D at some point in some horrific math class. I had to drop out of Pre-Calculus senior year to avoid an F.
Despite that solitary A, there is apparently one fact of geometry which eludes me: pentagons have five sides. This is how I know Norah Gaughan is a scientist. She knows pentagons have five sides and designed her capecho accordingly.
This is why, when I cavalierly took out one pentagon in the top row of my capecho to make it smaller (thus more fitted), I failed to realize just how drastically I was throwing off the configuration of the lower row and, thence the sleeves.
I still think I can save it. It might look weird and be a bed jacket forevermore, but as soon as I take it out of the naughty basket, (a) I will take pix, as damning and laughable as they may be; and (b) try to fix it.
In the meantime, I will finish up my Sushi Wallet (felted and awaiting zipper and sushi sewing-on), continue on the Cap Shawl (pic below) and promise never ever again to bend the laws of geometry.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
The Weekend in Pictures
I went to the Knit and Crochet Show in Oakland this weekend. It was momentous not only because I took Friday off for the occassion, but also because it was the one exception I made to my yarn fast. I fully expected to gorge myself on all the yummy yarn I could stuff into the ginormous goodie bags we were given -- there were plenty of opportunities to do so -- but I did pretty well. I bought only things I really wanted, after thinking about them carefully. All but the laceweight are for projects I had been kicking around for a while. [ETA: Oooh, I just figured out what to knit with the laceweight! Muir. Totally.]
Back: 4 skeins of Rio de la Plata, hand-dyed, handspun wool from Uruguay (for Adult Surprise Jacket)
Right: Two skeins of Argosy Zen 4 Ply, hand-dyed cashmere (for feather and fan scarf of my own devising - kinda like the chevron scarf concept, but lacier). The lone greenie behind them is a ball of Moda Dea washable wool, the one gem from the goodie bag. I am going to use it in the Knitted Ruana from Folk Shawls.
Left: Weavette hand-held loom
Center-ish: Sushi Wallet Kit, Yarn Place "Graceful" Laceweight in a subtly variegated green.
Front: Unfortunately you can't see these too well. These are Abalone shell buttons, one of which is destined for my Capecho. I couldn't decide between them, so got both.
The three tweedy hanks are Peruvian Tweed, 100% alpaca, light worsted, for a Pi Are Square Shawl. I got tons, actually, so there is at least one other project in there too. On top of them are a hank of Tilli Tomas "Rock Star" with glass beads, and a hank of Tilli Tomas "Pure and Simple," both going into my Knitted Ruana. The needles are Asciano rosewood, handmade and absolutely gorgeous. I am saving them for the cashmere f&f scarf. On the plate are antique pewter buttons for my Juno sweater, a Gita Maria sheep shawl pin, and an Abalone/ebony shawl pin.
I also had classes on Friday (Fine Finishing with Nancie Wiseman) and Sunday (Disaster Recovery with JC Briar). Both were excellent. I had never taken a knitting class before, and being a self-taught knitter, I had a lingering belief that there was no knitting skill I couldn't teach myself if I wanted or needed to do so. However, there is something about being in a classroom setting that forced me to do things step by step, and not try to devise shortcuts for doing things by the book. I found I got better results than I might have done on my own. I also found that I have a little more confidence and less resentment about finishing things properly, now that I have seen for myself that it can be done, and isn't as painful as I imagined. The excellent results are worth the additional effort.
Among other things, the Disaster Recovery class inspired me to finally recondition some yarn I'd frogged a few months back. It is the Andean Silk I am using for my Capecho. I doubt I will need it for the Capecho, but it would be a nice addition to the Knitted Ruana when I get to that.
Back: 4 skeins of Rio de la Plata, hand-dyed, handspun wool from Uruguay (for Adult Surprise Jacket)
Right: Two skeins of Argosy Zen 4 Ply, hand-dyed cashmere (for feather and fan scarf of my own devising - kinda like the chevron scarf concept, but lacier). The lone greenie behind them is a ball of Moda Dea washable wool, the one gem from the goodie bag. I am going to use it in the Knitted Ruana from Folk Shawls.
Left: Weavette hand-held loom
Center-ish: Sushi Wallet Kit, Yarn Place "Graceful" Laceweight in a subtly variegated green.
Front: Unfortunately you can't see these too well. These are Abalone shell buttons, one of which is destined for my Capecho. I couldn't decide between them, so got both.
The three tweedy hanks are Peruvian Tweed, 100% alpaca, light worsted, for a Pi Are Square Shawl. I got tons, actually, so there is at least one other project in there too. On top of them are a hank of Tilli Tomas "Rock Star" with glass beads, and a hank of Tilli Tomas "Pure and Simple," both going into my Knitted Ruana. The needles are Asciano rosewood, handmade and absolutely gorgeous. I am saving them for the cashmere f&f scarf. On the plate are antique pewter buttons for my Juno sweater, a Gita Maria sheep shawl pin, and an Abalone/ebony shawl pin.
I also had classes on Friday (Fine Finishing with Nancie Wiseman) and Sunday (Disaster Recovery with JC Briar). Both were excellent. I had never taken a knitting class before, and being a self-taught knitter, I had a lingering belief that there was no knitting skill I couldn't teach myself if I wanted or needed to do so. However, there is something about being in a classroom setting that forced me to do things step by step, and not try to devise shortcuts for doing things by the book. I found I got better results than I might have done on my own. I also found that I have a little more confidence and less resentment about finishing things properly, now that I have seen for myself that it can be done, and isn't as painful as I imagined. The excellent results are worth the additional effort.
Among other things, the Disaster Recovery class inspired me to finally recondition some yarn I'd frogged a few months back. It is the Andean Silk I am using for my Capecho. I doubt I will need it for the Capecho, but it would be a nice addition to the Knitted Ruana when I get to that.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Debut and FOs
Introducing, our first (yes, first. Yes, we're Luddites.) digital camera! Today, it will be bringing you three FOs and my latest WIPs.
In Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted (color Layette), we have:
BSJ (two skeins).
Be-ribboned hat (less than 1 skein).
In Blue Sky Cotton (pale pink), we have an embellished hat (less than 1 skein).
The hats are all basic roll-brim hats, no pattern required. Calculate your gauge and you're off to the races. The embellishments were unearthed from my ribbons & lace stuff stash.
I don't know about you, but Startitis hits me in the fall. Something about the weather change and the knowledge that, very soon, I will want to be warm and snuggly in wool. And so I give you three recently started objects. Top to bottom: the Icarus Shawl by Miriam Felton in Schaefer Yarns Andrea (Renata Tebaldi); Cabled Bolero (aka Capecho) from VK Winter 06/07, by Norah Gaughan in KnitPicks Andean Silk (Cornflower); shortie socks in Sophie's Toes (June Wedding).
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Georgia on my Mind
Just back from my Virtual Vacation to Georgia, courtesy of Anne, who sent me a marvelous box of yarny goodness, treats and souvenirs.
The highlights of my vacation:
- A beautiful hank of Alpaca with a Twist's "Fino," in the very color I would have chosen for myself from the famous Knitch in Atlanta;
- Also from Knitch, their signature coffee from a local roastery, which is wonderfully smooth tasting. It was perfect for our Labor Day Blunch (this is the meal that takes place when we wake up at noon on weekends).
- The coolest souvenir keychain ever;
- Box of Toblerones, which was opened pretty much immediately for medicinal purposes when the packaged arrived on Friday morning;
- Peach salsa, which beat my previous favorite (Mollie Stone's Chipotle Salsa) in a comparative tasting this weekend;
- An array of postcards, the one of the Georgia Aquarium was a big hit. DH and I will have to make a point of going in real life -- he said it is the best aquarium in the country;
- A cookbook chock-full of southern deliciousness. Just the inspiration I needed to finally make fried chicken. I keep saying I am going to do it. And hushpuppies. I adore hushpuppies;
- A fabulous large (as all mugs should be) mug of Atlanta;
- Sweet Pea-scented body lotion. Sweet Peas are among my favorite flowers (I had them in my bridal bouquet), and this lotion smells absolutely lovely;
- A gorgeous-smelling sachet, which shall grace my office.
Thank you, Anne! I loved my package!
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