Pass the Coffee...

What a Week!

2009-01-19T20:27:00.000-08:00

Wow!!! What a week. First, today is MLK Day!

I've had this song in my head for the past couple days.

Next is the inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th president tomorrow. I never thought I would see this in my lifetime. He has brought hope to our country in a very unhopeful time. I hope that he's been eating his Wheaties, because he's got his work cut out for him.

Finally, on Thursday, my little chick, my one and only, my beautiful girl Hannah turns 18. Again, the "Happy Birthday" soundtrack starts playing in my head alternating with "Sunrise, Sunset." Also, again, Wow! I checked into the hospital to have Hannah the night of the MLK holiday 1991. It seems like yesterday in many ways. Happy Birthday Hannah! You're the best thing that ever happened to me.

It Came Upon an Afternoon Clear.

2008-12-16T10:07:00.000-08:00

Picture this, if you will. Saturday, December 13, Burbank, California. The girl and I are shopping. It has finally cooled off and the temperature has dropped below 60 degrees (with sincere apologies to my peeps in the upper prairies where it is currently 40 below). What does this mean? It means that I can actually consider throwing on something handknit. First I try on my Silk Rhapsody ruana. Looks like reindeer crap. Then I remember my Spanish Dancer Shawl. Seven skeins of Koigu goodness. I put it on before we left the house. It looked great. In fact, it was perfect--not too warm, a flattering color, cool ruffle. I felt like a real knitter, as in, heck yes, I wear handknits I've made. It was the first time I'd worn it. EVAH! Here is a photo of it in better days (notice: foreshadowing):

'
After a wonderful feast with H. at P.F. Changs, I am in the restroom and I notice one hole, no two, no three, etc., you get the idea. A total of at least six holes and a broken edge on one of the sides of the shawl. What is this? Poorly executed spit splices? kittens? eco-terrorism? No, my friends, it is much worse. The M-word...MOTHS. Moths? I said, dumfounded, when my friend suggested it. In Southern California? noooooooooooooooooo! Somehow, I thought we were too dry or too cool for moths. Moths are for Easterners, I thought...people with Pendleton coats and Hudson Bay blankets and such. Now, I ask you, what to do? I'm not willing to just scrap this shawl, nor am I crazy about undoing that ruffle. I'll wait here for your answer.

In Case You've Got Too Few Projects in Your Queue

2008-12-10T23:10:00.000-08:00

The new Knitty is up! The new Knitty is up!!

Another new (?) knitting site is Popknits

You probably already know about these two updates, but they bear repeating:
Twist Collective, Winter 2008. Just look at that fab coat called Sylvi! I just love it, especially for the daughter. Who cares if we live in southern California and there is this little thing called Global Warming going on? It's funny, though, on Ravelry, most of the people who have started this live in Scandinavia. hmmmmm, I wonder what this means.

Secondly the new issue of Knotions is also up now. So many things to make, so few hands....I'd like a few more, ala Kali.

I'm a literary nerd!

2008-12-05T02:39:00.000-08:00

When all else fails, post a quiz. Actual knitting content coming soon! Go Bruins!

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Literature Nerd Does sitting by a nice cozy fire, with a cup of hot tea/chocolate, and a book you can read for hours even when your eyes grow red and dry and you look sort of scary sitting there with your insomniac appearance? Then you fit this category perfectly! You love the power of the written word and it's eloquence; and you may like to read/write poetry or novels. You contribute to the smart people of today's society, however you can probably be overly-critical of works. It's okay. I understand.
Artistic Nerd
Drama Nerd
Science/Math Nerd
Musician
Social Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Anime Nerd
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T22:54:00.000-08:00

Well, we've given thanks, spent time with family, eaten the turkey, had the nap. Nothing left now but to relax and knit.

For some of us, the relaxing started early!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Beware the Black Friday madness! I'd rather be knitting.

Kitten Update

2008-11-22T03:12:00.001-08:00

What a difference 5 months makes! Here are the same ragdoll kittens, Ruby and Max, almost 5 months to the day of their last appearance here. Ruby is on the left, Max on the right. The Ragdoll breed is known for its large size, and Max especially is rising to the challenge. In the last photo, I think he weighed about 3.5 pounds. We haven't had him to the vet again to be weighed, but he's over 10 pounds, I'm sure. They are wonderfully funny, loving and kooky kittens and we're having the best time with them. And yes, their names are inspired by the Max and Ruby siblings from the Rosemary Wells books. If you have young children, I highly recommend them.

Si, se puede!

2008-11-04T22:45:00.000-08:00

Yes We Can, Yes We Did!!!

The historical significance of today's election is overwhelming. Rather than attempt to say something appropriately pithy, I'll just savor this moment.

I am Aqua

2008-08-10T01:03:00.000-07:00

A little diversion for those of you who are madly knitting away in the knitting olympics, watching the olympics or wilting from the heat...

you are mediumauqamarine
#66CDAA

Your dominant hues are cyan and green. Although you definately strive to be logical you care about people and know there's a time and place for thinking emotionally. Your head rules most things but your heart rules others, and getting them to meet in the middle takes a lot of your energy some days.

Your saturation level is medium - You're not the most decisive go-getter, but you can get a job done when it's required of you. You probably don't think the world can change for you and don't want to spend too much effort trying to force it.

Your outlook on life is brighter than most people's. You like the idea of influencing things for the better and find hope in situations where others might give up. You're not exactly a bouncy sunshine but things in your world generally look up.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

Have You Seen It?

2008-08-01T21:24:00.001-07:00

A brand new online knitting magazine launched today called Twist Collective. It's great!

I've been casting on a storm & will be back with some photos soon.

It's that time of year...

2008-07-23T23:50:00.000-07:00

when it's hotter than hell outside, but Fall is around the corner. The Fall/Winter Rowan Book #44 is out. It's a huge issue for the 30th anniversary of Rowan. The Fall Interweave Knits preview is here. The preview of the upcoming Vogue Knitting Magazine is out now too. The books always seem to preceed the yarn. For instance, the Berroco fall books have been out for a while, but the yarn is still trickling across the country. I'm looking forward to seeing the yarns Geode and Inca Gold.

Here's a charity project that I just learned about today: the Mother Bear project. I think the kid and I are going to knit some teddy bears.

Whew! two posts in July! I've got to pace myself!

Happy 4th of July

2008-07-04T22:22:00.000-07:00

Long May It Wave!

We're staying home with the kittens in case the fireworks bother them. It's boomin' all around! I hope that everyone stays safe and that no fires are started!

Caution: Blatant Bragging Ahead

2008-06-24T23:05:00.000-07:00

KITTENS!!!

We have two new additions to our house:

Here are our new ragdoll kittens. Ruby is on the left and Max is on the right. They are both adorable and very loving. It is really hard to photograph them accurately, especially their eyes. All ragdolls have beautiful blue eyes. Below is a close-up of Max which is one of the rare photos where he doesn't have "alien" eyes.

I haven't had kittens in the house in a very long time and I had forgotten how fun they can be. They play hard and then crash hard, just like little kids.

On the knitting front, I just received the new Norah Gaughan Collection #3 book and two other new fall 08 books from Berroco. Now which of my friends would like to take me out to lunch?

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-15T15:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's day to every father, grandfather, uncle, father figure and also those mothers who have to do double duty. You enrich our lives in incalculable ways. I'm giving my stepfather the best gift and not showing up at my parent's house until after the U.S. Open ends!

In Loving Memory

2008-05-18T21:49:00.000-07:00

We lost our beautiful boy last week. He was our constant companion for the past 14 years. The house is awfully quiet without him. My friend M dubbed Scout a Kliban cat and he was. Fat and sassy and on top of the world. He loved catnip, watching tv and drinking ice water from a saucer. Most of all, he loved us--all the time and unconditionally.

There is no consolation for me right now, but it comforts me to imagine him whole and healthy, pain-free and at peace. I miss you, old friend.

Wednesday am update

2008-04-30T00:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, the fire is pretty much out, people have returned to their homes, things are returning to normal after a harsh reminder of life in southern California.

Another sign of spring:

The peacocks at the L.A. Arboreteum

are strutting their stuff! (photos by Miss H.)

Waves and Fire

2008-04-27T01:16:00.000-07:00

Today has been a very mixed bag. H and I drove down to the Long Beach marina for some quality mother daughter time. Even though it felt hot over by the ocean, it was nothing like the 95 degree heat of Arcadia. We shopped, had a nice lunch and walked along the water. I even saw a seal pop up. We drove home, cranked up the a/c and took naps. I thought it had been a perfect day. I woke up to breaking news of a fire in the foothills above Arcadia. We called some good friends up in the hills and they were about to evacuate. Around 7:30 pm, we went out to do some errands and we could see the fire. I've lived in the San Gabriel Valley on and off since I was a teen. I have never seen a wildfire so clearly and so close. There were 100 hikers and 60 boy scouts trapped behind the fire for a while. They were safely evacuated. However, the fire is out of control and I fear for my friends' and neighbors' homes. We can see the fire from our driveway, it is that low in the foothills. You can see flames rising into the air. Over the past 6 hours, the flames have grown and moved from west to east, south to north and then to the south again. I'm hoping that the morning will bring better news for the residents of Sierra Madre and upper Arcadia. Please keep a good thought.

Party Over Here!

2008-04-25T22:56:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled to say that Hannah has made the Constitution Team at her high school. This is a VBD (very big deal). Approx. 600 kids applied, 25 made the team. This is a wonderful reward for a great kid who has had a very difficult spring. Thanks to everyone for their good wishes and support and it's on to the White House in '09! Oops, sorry, I got carried away. Maybe the White House in 2029! I should live so long! Cross your fingers for Senior Men & Women!

Even with my rotator cuff problems, I have been knitting away. I seem to only want to knit bags, blankets or something with 15 or more colors. I don't know what that says about me..... I've ordered three grab bags of Tahki Cotton Classic from WEBS, when that gets here, I'll start the ubiquitous mitered squares blanket ala Mason Dixon Knitting and January One. I also want to make the Babette blanket and Kaffe Fassett's brocade throw. Plus, the Barn Raising Quilt and Olive's Afghan from the fab new book Knitalong. In the bag department, I've just finished Nonibag's Flamenco bag and have cast on the Winter Berries bag. Other bags waiting are the Bobble Tote from the current Vogue Knitting (design #7, I'm too tired to link), and the freebie pattern they just featured on Knitting Daily, the Floral Gathering Sac by Pam Allen. That's all I dare admit to at the moment.

Have a great weekend! I just heard that we're going to have a mild Santa Ana here, so it will be warm and breezy.

Held Over by Popular Demand!!

2008-04-12T22:13:00.000-07:00

The Spring Artisans Boutique has been extended through Sunday, April 13th, Noon to 5 pm. See address & other pertinent information below. Yes, it's going to be another (unnaturally) hot day here in the San Gabriel Valley, but they'll have the a/c blowing at the store. Drop by and say hi to Hannah and the other talented artists.

Spring Boutique!

2008-04-09T01:37:00.000-07:00

The San Gabriel Bead Company is hosting their Spring Artisans Sale this weekend. There will be many items for sale by talented artists, including my talented daughter Hannah. Hannah has been working night and day to get ready for the show. All you knitters out there will be interested to see Hannah's own brand of Prism-like yarn, hand tied into fabulous color coordinated skeins at a fraction of the price. There will also be some handknit items, handmade stitch markers and jewelry.

Here's the info:

SPRING BOUTIQUE-APRIL 11TH & 12TH

Please visit the Spring Boutique and Artisan Studio this April 11th & 12th at the San Gabriel Bead Company. Featuring the work of
-Anthe Wozcyna- Gomez
-Susan Kelso of Luna Grace Designs
-Mandi Tafoya of HippiDippi Designs
-Alice Neal
-Christa Hamilton
-Cynthia Millar
-Hannah Mathews-Ward of Hannah.Math.Stuffs

Jewelry, Beadwork, Knitwear, Yarn, Tool Cases, Polymer Beads, and Much More Will Be Available For Purchase

San Gabriel Bead Company
325 East Live Oak Avenue
Arcadia, Ca 91006
(626-447-7753)

From the 210 East: Exit Santa Anita Avenue and head south for 2.6 miles. At Live Oak Avenue, turn left and continue heading eastbound until you pass Albertson's. The SGBC is located on the north side of Live Oak Avenue next to Advance Insurance and Carmine's Arcadia on the corner of Fourth and Live Oak. Parking in rear.

Boutique Hours:

Friday, 4/11/08
12-6pm

Saturday 4/13/08
10-6pm

Sweet Sixteen!

2008-03-22T20:49:00.000-07:00

I usually keep quiet about my sports leanings because I don't want to jinx things, but my team, UCLA, just beat Texas A & M 53-49 after trailing by as much as 10 points in the second half. Oh yeah! It may be Easter but Christmas just came to Bruin-land. Woo Hoo! I'm now going to lie down in a darkened room for a while to try to return my heartbeat to a normal rhythm.

Happy Spring

2008-03-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring, Easter, Purim, whatever applies.

How do you like my new avatar?

Still working away on the Koigu jacket. The new Noni patterns for spring are out and I think it's a great group of designs. I especially like Flamenco bag.

Signs of Spring

2008-03-11T23:21:00.000-07:00

1. Everything possible is blooming here, making it impossible for me to breathe. pollen, pollen, everywhere!

2. It is much warmer than it has been. Had to turn on air conditioning in the afternoon.

3. Car is now hot after being parked for a while due to #2.

4. Spring 08 Vogue Knitting is due out soon. Janice Rosema has a good looking piece in the issue. Congrats, Janice!

5. The Spring Knitty is out!! Lots of good stuff. I especially like the Lace Ribbon scarf by Veronik Avery.

Has anyone out there tried Zyrtec? If so, does it knock you out? I think it works really well, but I am so sleepy and "hung over" after taking it.

I am a
Violet

What Flower
Are You?

Give me my hour back

2008-03-10T01:22:00.000-07:00

and nobody gets hurt! As a person with awful sleep patterns, it is really painful to lose this hour every spring. I know I'm in the minority, but I can wait for daylight savings time. a long time. So, it was an extra miracle that I got up, got ready and made it over to Unraveled (link in sidebar) to hang out with my peeps Sunday afternoon. Janice Rosema (link in sidebar) and I are both working on the Koigu Oriental Jacket. We are using similar colors and it was fun to brainstorm about the piece and compare progress. I don't think it would be telling tales out of school to say that the instructions can be less than clear. That said, the Painter's Palette book which contains this pattern and many other well known koigu designs, is half off at KnitPicks.

Knitdad (link in sidebar), Sylvia, the lovely Jillian and our gracious hostess Christine rounded out the knitting circle. There has been a great hue and cry in local knitterdom due to Knitdad being ill, but I can tell you that I personally laid eyes on him and he is on the mend! Now if he would just stop adding me to his spam list so that my mail would go through, things would be swell, heh heh.

My thanks to everyone who kindly offered to help me with my yarn in the event that I did quit knitting. I'm happy to say the crisis has been averted and all the Koigu, Habu, Handmaiden, kid crack haze and company will be staying put.

Thursday Thoughts (posted on Friday)

2008-03-06T23:36:00.000-08:00

My first post for March and it's already the sixth! Where does the time go? We are in danger of turning into our own urgent care center. Sick kid, sick cat, terminal sinus problems for me...it's enough to make you drink. You know things aren't going too smoothly when you are gathering doctor and dentist notes into a folder to take to the school. Or, when you are leaning your whole self onto a 22 pound cat to force a cone back onto his head and losing the battle! Or, still, when you get the cone on the cat and he continues to loudly lick the inside of the cone--not at all getting it that he's not connecting with his intended target. Even I have to admit that's not too bright.

I've been feeling frustrated with my knitting lately. I want to do so many things, then get bogged down with details or my hands start hurting or some other distraction, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I found myself in a snit a few days ago, thinking to myself that that was that, I was going to just quit knitting, do something else. Of course, that has passed. I have restarted my Koigu Oriental Jacket.

I have started over, tweaked the colors and I really like how it is looking. I read on Ravelry that it took a woman 4 months to make hers. I'm going to see how much progress I can make on this if I concentrate. I'm not saying I won't go off on little side ventures, because I know myself and I will. But this will be my main focus.

Finally, the last of my Christmas knitting. This is the Nove scarf by Vyvyan Neel.

She also the designer of the popular Argosy scarf from Knitty. Nove was an interesting knit, although I have to say that the little "finger" fringes got a bit old.

On to TGIF!! It's supposed to be in the 80's this weekend (sorry!). Don't forget to Spring Forward this weekend. I am already missing my lost hour...

Insert catchy post title here

2008-02-27T21:54:00.000-08:00

Flow tank top from Norah Gaughan Design Collection, vol. 2.

On my third start, I have about eight inches done. While I love this yarn, I don't know if I would recommend it. It is fairly treacherous to work with. I've spoken to several people on Ravelry who are also knitting Flow and they're all having problems with the yarn.

New yarn alert:

This is Birch from Teva Durham, Loop d Loop/Tahki yarns. 90% cotton, 10% silk. There's a nice little booklet cleverly named Loop-d-Loop by Teva Durham volume 2. Here's a link to the Birch page at Tahki's site color card.

Random Stuff

2008-02-26T21:47:00.000-08:00

It's starting to look like spring here...the camellias are blooming and the rose bushes are leafing up.

Arty (or as arty as my photos get) shots of my
Anne scarf.

Total length is about six feet so far. Just a little more and it'll be done.

I'll leave you with this gem from Paula Abdul. How does she come up with this stuff?

I want to squish you, squeeze you,
Hang you off my rear view mirror.

I'll admit it, I watch American Idol...

How'd they do that?

2008-02-17T21:10:00.000-08:00

Amazing knitted animation from YouTube

It has been a fun weekend. Saturday, a freeform crochet class with Janice Rosema. These pieces are the start of a freeform vest.

Today, a mini yarn crawl with Knitdad. No photos taken today due to our joint participation in YAPP (Yarn Acquisition Protection Program). It was a beautiful sunny, cool day here in Los Angeles.

New Noro yarn! This is Taiyo, color #4. 40% cotton, 30% Silk, 15% Wool, 15% nylon. 200 meters per ball!

I think I may like this yarn more than Silk Garden. I've started MK Carroll's Anne scarf:

The photos are rolling in...

2008-02-14T00:47:00.000-08:00

I've been on a roll lately, finishing things, which is a really good thing because I've come down with a wicked case of startitis! I'll save my startitis story for tomorrow's post. Here is a Noro Striped Scarf, ala Jared Flood (brooklyntweed), that I made in December.

These scarves are addictive. You can combine different noro colorways endlessly and they all work! My only problem with it is that the 1 x 1 rib really stirs up my carpal tunnel. Oh well, anything for art, right?

Speaking of Noro, did you know that there are two brand spanking new Noro yarns out for Spring/Summer? I have some of it right here. more tomorrow.

Happy Birthday to Yoooooouuuuuu

2008-02-10T19:28:00.000-08:00

Who's my favorite male knitting friend/dad/blogger? Why, Knitdad, of course. It's not always easy to be a man who knits, but Larry does it with aplomb and style. Everyone go over to his blog and wish Larry a happy birthday!

PS This is not a big reveal! I'm not saying that Knitdad is my dad. He's waaaaaaaay too young for that! He is a great dad to the lovely Lisa D.

Saturday Photos

2008-02-10T00:06:00.000-08:00

I have finally taken some photos of some finished pieces, plus some WIP's.

This is my Forsa scarf done in the chocolate raspberry colorway of Trendsetter Tonalita.

This is a crazy neckwarmer for H, made of Ozark Handspun.

The so-called 200 Scarf, a birthday present for H. Huge yarn + size N crochet hook pretty much equals immediate gratification.

This is the new Seduce yarn from Berroco in the passementerie green color. For the Flow top from the Norah Gaughan Collection, vol. 2. love this yarn-rayon, silk & linen.

This is the front of Tink Knit's Flower Market bag, details have not yet been embroidered onto the surface. I'm really looking forward to using this bag this spring.

Finally, this is really a nondescript photo, but I've got about four feet done on the Babykid Ruffle shawl.

Like the Phoenix

2008-01-31T00:43:00.000-08:00

I'm back and so are two old projects. I may have been premature in thinking that I was over the creeping crud a couple of days ago. Now, though, finally, I am starting to feel human. This would be great except for the fact that the kid is showing signs of falling prey to it now. Two days of finals and one day of Academic competition lie ahead....fingers crossed!

As many of my friends know, I am a big fan of Marta McCall, whose website is Tink Knit Months ago, maybe even a year ago, I knit the back for the Flower Market Bag. Well, I have finally dug out the yarn & charts and am now about 1/3 through the bag front. The plan to make the bag is quite clever: You knit in the basic shapes then put in the details after knitting the front with embroidery. It's still intarsia, but much simpler than having to knit in all the details.

I'm also working on the Tink Knit pattern Silver Leaf Satchel. The knitting is completed. Now comes all the finishing work, which in this case, is pretty extensive. I am going to start silver leafing the leaves soon. I love this bag and am looking forward to using it.

The other ollllllllllllld project I've picked up again is my Color on Color scarf from the ubiquitous Scarf Style book. This project is so old that the knitalong group on Yahoo has apparently disbanded!

This is a photo of a completed COC scarf, I'm about 1/4 of the way through. Any other lapsed COC knitters who'd care to join me? FLM? AD? CH? Knitdad or Unraveled Gal, care to start one? come on, you know you want to!

TGIF!

2008-01-25T23:45:00.001-08:00

And I really mean it, thank God it's Friday! What a week. The creeping crud caught up with me on Tuesday and I have been down and out all week. It seems to consist of 96 hours of unrelenting misery after which you feel a little better and stop praying for death. Then, there's this week's weather! Rain, lots of it, wind, hail and cold. If the weatherpeople are correct, we're in for another big storm due in Saturday night. I love the rain, I just don't want any homes to slide off hills...

If you are on Ravelry, you have to go to the Bobby's page and check out the nominees for most colorful project. Talk about eye candy! Our own Janice Rosema is nominated along with the incredible Prudence Mapstone. So many inspiring projects. I still love love love Babette's blanket. Actually, I love love love color.

Also out on the internet now is the Interweave Knits Spring 2008 preview. This time, I will reserve judgement until I have the issue in hand. However, there seem to be quite a few projects on small needles with negative ease. I'm just sayin'

I've finished two projects this week, no photos yet. The first FO is a huge crocheted scarf for the kid's birthday. Check out the blog, Yarn Ball Boogie for the original. Secondly, I finished my Forsa scarf in the Chocolate Raspberry Tonalita. I really love this yarn. It was cold enough today that I actually wore it. I have witnesses!

You Say it's Your Birthday

2008-01-21T23:16:00.001-08:00

I need my sister here to sing our annoyingly raucous version of the Beatles' Birthday song. It is 11:30 pm on the 21st, the end of the Martin Luther King holiday. I remember how long it took for this to be a holiday and how much it meant to people when it finally happened. I will also remember this day, always, as the day I checked into the hospital to have my daughter. She was born a little after noon on the 22nd. Happy Birthday!!

Here are a few birthday haiku for Miss H:

today's the big day
for my beautiful sweet girl
It's your day, birdie

seventeen years past
dark haired smiling beauty mine
joyous birthday wishes

beautiful quirky
scary smart politico girl
chase your dreams always

=======================
hexagon count=5, only 290 left

I knew it!

2008-01-13T17:10:00.001-08:00

A list of 50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2008 in the Dec. 20, 2007 issue of U.S. News & World Report contains #50--Knit LIke a Hipster! Yay! We knew it all along. I also like #46--Brew A Better Cup of Coffee. None of that Maxwell House stuff. seriously. They also list "Eat Dark Chocolate." Here's the whole list, presented by the US News staff on video

Unfortunately for me, there's been no actual knitting today because my arm is hurting too much. This hasn't stopped me from thinking about knitting. I've spent a lot of time on Ravelry lately, skulking around my friends' projects and queues. To no one's surprise, many 2008 items will be felted bags. Berroco's Doll bag & Pignoli bag are high on my list, as well as the Lucy Bag (Two Old Bags) and the Fat Bottom bag from The Happy Hooker. I still plan to make the Modern Quilt Wrap before the heat returns to L.A. as well as the Mr. Greenjeans cardigan or the Central Park Hoodie. Yes, I may be joining the CPH bandwagon, now that Knitting Daily has kindly resized the pattern to include us big boned girls. I discovered during this past unseasonably cold spell that I don't have a decent cardigan to wear when it is cool.

Let's see...what else? Well, it's on my Ravelry projects list, so I may as well come clean. I've started another huge project with many pieces and many colors. It is the Patchwork Throw from Erika Knights's Essential Crochet. Here's the "throw"

Rowan Cotton Glace, 12 colors, 7 balls of each, size D crochet hook. In my defense, I do have a lot of Cotton Glace in my stash from the early Rowan years, so this won't require me to sell blood to acquire the remaining yarn. Dye lots aren't a problem, except perhaps for the border color, which I think will be Dijon. I'll pause a few seconds while certain of my friends stop hyperventilating. You know who you are. It's ONLY 295 hexagons! I have 2 done. piece of cake. As one LYS owner said to me, "You always have something going on with lots of stuff." yup.

Something from the Fred Flinstone collection

2008-01-13T00:34:00.000-08:00

Wilma, your scarf is ready! This is from Giles Deacon's Fall 2007 line. In many ways, I love this design. It screams fun. It also screams, get me a neck brace. I'm thrilled that designers are showing so much knitwear and pushing the boundaries of the usual.

I've really been trying to post more, but things always get in the way. How about some actual knitting content? In my own crazy inexplicable way, I've cast on for the Forsa scarf

in three different colorways of Tonalita/Mille Colori (same yarn, different yarn companies). I've finally settled on Tonalita, #2398, Chocolate Raspberry (I kid you not). Here's a link to a photo.

I've finished the knitting of the Silver Leaf Satchel (see www.tinkknits.com). Now comes the felting, leafing, assembly, etc. I'm excited to see how it turns out.

Breaking News

2008-01-07T23:58:00.000-08:00

Date: Monday, 1/08/08
Time: 6:32 pm
Location: Von's Pavilion, Arcadia
Event: finally found the Winter 2007 issue of Vogue Knitting magazine!

I think that it is a really good issue. I like most of the pieces in the Shawls section, especially Cookie A's square shawl. Norah Gaughan has one of her hexagonal shawls--not sure if it is the exact piece from Berroco's Norah Gaughan, vol. 1 or not. BTW, there is a Norah Gaughan, vol 2 either out now or due out very soon. I always enjoy her designs, and I am really enjoying the collaboration between Norah Gaughan and Margery Winter that is going on at Berroco.

In other news, Storm Watch LA is over. Dallas and Fritz can go back to golf for a while. We actually had quite a bit of rain over the last 4 days, around 4 inches where I live. Too late to save most of the plants that died in my yard this summer, but more than enough for a bumper crop of weeds. Unfortunately, the gardener went AWOL a month ago, so things could turn ugly.

Happy New Year

2008-01-02T21:52:00.000-08:00

May 2008 be a wonderful year for us all. So ends the wonderful little block party called the Rose Parade. One town over from here, Fiesta Floats and Raoul Rodriquez build their floats for the Rose Parade. Our New Year's Eve tradition is to stand out on Duarte Road and watch the floats go by as they are driven over to line up in Pasadena for the parade. We have a network of spotters and the calls go out down the street, "the floats are coming!" I'd say we see about 10-12 floats. My favorites this year were the Day of the Dead floats, the "aliens" in the spaceship and the FTD float. On New Year's, of course we all watch the parade on tv to see how "our" floats did. It was another beautiful Chamber of Commerce day in Pasadena. One of the floats that we saw, the Rainbird float, won the Sweepstakes award. My Dia de los Muertos float won the Extraordinaire prize. In fact, I think all but one of the Fiesta floats that we saw on New Year's Eve won trophies.

After the parade, all of the floats were on display up in Sierra Madre through today. This is a fun thing to go do--you get even closer to the floats than you do on the parade route. The fragrance in the air is insane. Tonight, when I made a quick run out to the grocery store, I stumbled upon the final trip for the floats--they were moving east, back to the Fiesta warehouses where they were created. The exit for the parking lot was blocked off, motorcycle cops escort these floral monsters on their route, so I got out of my car and watched. By now, we're old friends. Even with bad lighting and the fact that they are zooming by at about 25 mph, it's thrilling to see them one more time.

In other news, Scout is still under the weather and still having to wear his cone. He is not a happy camper:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o' auld lang syne

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
--Robert Burns

A Good Time Was Had by All

2007-12-26T00:48:00.000-08:00

Scout was very happy to help open presents and roll around in all the tissue paper. Apparently he is real Space Cat, judging from his eyes!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T01:28:00.000-08:00

Twas the night before Christmas,
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse;

Clement Clarke Moore

I can't believe everything is done! No more shopping, wrapping, cooking, fighting insane traffic, nothing! Just a few cards to sign for my family. The Angel Chimes are lit and tinkling, the tree is beautiful, we even have lights in the window and some outdoor decorations. whew! Just waiting for Santa to come.

Merry Christmas to all my friends. Happy Yule, Winter Solstice, Hannukah and Kwanza. God Bless Us, everyone.

No Room at the Inn

2007-12-19T22:00:00.000-08:00

Nor at the Target parking lot either... H and I tried to go there today and we couldn't even manage to turn into the lot. So, we consoled ourselves by going to Michael's on Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena. It was swamped but manageable. This is the same famous Colorado Boulevard that the Rose Parade travels down each New Year's day. For those of us who grew up in this area, one of the signs of the season is when they start building the bleachers for the Rose Parade. They are all up, big lumbering metal constructs waiting patiently for Christmas to be over with and New Year's to arrive. These are the seats that you pay for; camping on the street to snag a spot on the sidewalk is free. I'll try to go back and take a photo to post. Since all of my three readers are local, I'm sure that you've seen them yourselves.

I thought I'd post a few links to things I've found in Blogland. The first is a photo from Supergirl's blog, Kato wears a hat. I'm a sucker for a cute cat photo, especially a cat in a hat.

Norah Gaughan hosts a new blog named Berroco Design Studio blog. I enjoy the behind the scenes look at Berroco. I'm not sure how I feel about the knitted beets (Would someone please explain the Office reference?), but I love the Boyfriend bag.

There's Getting Stitched on the Farm for Kristin Nicholas fans.

If you'd like a highlights reel of knitting blog, check out Re:Knit a knitblog re-blog. I find all sorts of interesting references on Re:Knit.

Finally, to make you smile when your feet hurt from shopping, your stomach hurts from eating too many Reese's chocolate jingle bells and your head hurts from too many crowds, I present a new blog, A Steaming Pile of Knit. This is for those of you who are missing "You Knit What?"

I'm Baaaaaaaack

2007-12-11T01:08:00.000-08:00

Last week's regularly scheduled blogging interrupted due to a visit by Ms. Bron Chitis. Thanks to the wonders of modern chemistry, I'm better, but the kid is having a relapse. aughgh.

A lot of people knock Southern California for having no seasons. I don't agree with that, we certainly do have seasons: Drought, fire, earthquake and Blazing Hot. However, this week, we've actually had weather--it has rained TWICE! The weathermen are beside themselves, on full out storm watch. We've also had our first good snow in the local mountains. Looking east from the San Gabriel Valley, you can see the snow on Mount Baldy and other peaks in the San Bernardino mountains. There's a nip in the air, California style, and I've actually worn grown-up long pants and a coat. I'll wait while that settles in for those who know me, I know it's a shock.

I thought this Christmas meme was fun. I found it over on Knitting the Blues.

Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love wrapping paper, but love the ease of gift bags

Real or artificial tree? The kid is allergic to real trees, so it's artificial for us. A couple of years ago I bought a pre-lit, 3 piece tree. best thing EVER!

When do you put up the tree? Usually the week before Christmas or whenever we get the living room de-cluttered.

When do you take it down? My personal record is some time around Valentine's Day, but these days usually around New Year's.

Do you like eggnog? good grief, no!

Favorite gift received as a child? 1963 Barbie that came with 3 wigs: Bubble-cut Blonde, brunette pageboy, titian side-part flip. No, I'm not so psychotic that I remembered all this, I looked it up. In my Barbie book.

Do you have a nativity scene? yes, the one from my childhood.

Hardest person to buy for? My step-father who only likes tv, golf & Sudoku.

Easiest person to buy for? the kid. She makes very clear lists :-).

Worst Christmas present you ever got? Kermit the frog telephone.

Mail or email Christmas cards? I try to mail.

Favorite Christmas movie? I'd have to say the Santa Clause, because that was the first holiday movie I took my daughter to and it is a really happy memory for us.

When do you start shopping for Christmas? Um, now...

Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I 'll never tell!

Favorite thing to eat on Christmas? For our family, Christmas means lefse and various Scandinavian cookies.

Clear lights or colored on the tree? Both. As many as possible.

Favorite Christmas song? It's hard to pick just one. The entire soundtrack of A Charlie Brown Christmas, White Christmas, Silent Night, O Holy Night, Feliz Navidad...

Travel at Christmas or stay home? home

Can you name all of Santa's Reindeer? Yes. I have to sing the song to get them all, but yes.

Angel or star on top of tree? Angel. I have the one from the 1930's that was on my grandparent's tree. NB - don't worry about fire hazards, it was reworked and rewired about 15 years ago.

Open presents Christmas Eve or morning? My sister and I always got to open one present on Christmas Eve, and we have continued that tradition. Everything else is opened on Christmas.

Most annoying thing this time of year? The way that the commercial part of the season now starts at Halloween. That is too early!

Do you decorate your tree in any theme or color? No, we have an eclectic/kitschy mix from several generations.

What do you leave for Santa? Cookies and a note, which Santa always answers.

Big Game Saturday

2007-12-01T11:04:00.000-08:00

Things are kind of pathetic chez Ward. H has been sick for a week and yesterday I found out that I have bronchitis. I spent most of last evening lying in a fetal position on my bed trying not to cough, surrounded by my daughter and the cat. That's quality family time, I tell you. Anyway, in lieu of having a "real" post, I present:

Your Brain is Red

Of all the brain types, yours is the most impulsive.
If you think it, you do it. And you can get the bug to pursue almost any passion.
Your thoughts are big and bold. Your mind has no inhibitions.

You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about love, your dreams, and distant places.

What Color Is Your Brain?

Today is our Big Game, UCLA vs. USC. My brain may be red, but I bleed blue and gold. 'nuff said. Be kind and pass the cough drops.

One of a Kind

2007-11-28T21:45:00.000-08:00

I wanted to acknowledge the passing of Mary Walker Phillips. Her obituary ran in the Los Angeles Times last Sunday. We knitters all owe her a debt of gratitude. I discovered her book, Creative Knitting some time in the early 80's and was quite inspired. This quote from her obituary expresses Mary's contribution:

"She has elaborated on one of the most traditional of women's textile arts, while maintaining a reverence for its time-honored tradition," wrote M. Catherine Daly, who curated a Phillips exhibit in 1987. "She has expanded the techniques of knitting beyond the boundaries of apparel. . . . It is this sense of continuity and change that is the magic of Mary Walker Phillips' knitting needles."

Ms. Phillips thought that knitted counterpanes, a traditional knitting technique was being lost, so in 1989, she wrote Knitted Counterpanes. This book is out of print. I managed to buy a copy on eBay this year when I couldn't locate the copy I know I have somewhere. Anyway, I digress. This subject is as fresh now as it was 20 years ago. Just look at Jared Flood's Hemlock Ring Blanket. Moreover, his new take on a vintage doily epitomizes the spirit of Mary Walker Phillips.

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-22T21:26:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Since today preceeds our annual salute to materialism, aka, the Holiday Season, it seems like a good time to express some gratitude. Today, when the L.A. Foodbank distributed 8,000 food packages, I am grateful for my life. Now that I'm older, I've had the opportunity to see that it only takes a few bad breaks for one to go from stable to really hurting. Let's keep in mind how lucky most of us are to have the lives that we have and try to help those who have less.

I am grateful for my family, friends and one huge crabby cat. They all bring so much into my life every day. I'm grateful for knitting, for the comfort, challenge and company it provides. I don't know what I'd do if I were unable to work with my hands. Even in the old folks home, I'm sure that I'll be gluing macaroni to cardboard. Note to the kid: be sure I get a bottle of glitter.

For those of you who will be lining up in a couple hours to hit the sales, good luck and no pushing1 I'll be catching up on my sleep, dreaming of beads and bobbles.

Monday musings

2007-11-19T23:58:00.000-08:00

Things I have learned today:
When a water connection to your toilet is leaky, don't pull on it to check it. When you are in Orchard Supply describing the tubing to a salesperson there and they exclaim "wow, that's how they USED to do it!", that can be a bad thing. When you have moved on to Home Depot and the two sales guys helping you say that replacing the valve and new tubing (since the original replacement tubing from OSH was wrong) is a cinch, don't believe them. When the previously mentioned sales guys tell you "a little water could seep out when you disconnect the old tubing," proceed with caution. Maybe with a bucket instead of a Tupperware bowl. When you accidentally turn off your neighbor's water instead of your own, expect them to complain. When your other neighbor whom you consulted about the procedure comes back to your door to check on how things are going, it's a very good thing. I'm practically a plumber!! yay DIY Nation!

Non plumbing discovery: I really, really like the Mr. Greenjeans cardigan. Plus, the name makes me happy. Probably some 40 year old subconscious suggestion from Captain Kangaroo... If you have to ask, you're too young. [sigh]

Chillaxing in Arcadia

2007-11-17T20:23:00.000-08:00

Woo Hoo, it has been a good day. First of all, the kid competed in her first Academic Decathalon scrimmage today and TA DAAAAA! made the competition team!! We are celebrating Chez Ward tonight. Actually, I'm celebrating with Ravelry and Harry Potter, the poor kid is dead asleep on the couch. We all party in our own little ways.

While I was anxiously waiting to hear the results from the aforementioned competition, I was able to hang out with most of my knitting peeps at Unraveled's 3rd anniversary sale. Congrats to Christine and the Unraveled gang. At UR, I was happy to see the UR girls, Christine, Fay Lynn (Marvels of Knitting), Sandy, Susan (UnraveledGal), and Jillian, and also my knitting peeps, Michele and JoShell (Yarn Traveler), Mary (Dim Sum Knitting), Larry (Knitdad), Andy (do you have a blog?), and Margie. Auntie Ehm and Janice R., you were missed! I managed to control myself and bought a little Berrocco Jasper for myself and some Foliage for the kid.

Knitting report: 6, count 'em, 6 rows done on the Illusionist Shawl, more work done on the Babykid ruffles shawl.

Elusive Illusionist

2007-11-12T02:35:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a big weekend. Cast on 336 stitches and knit 2 rows in pattern for the Illusionist Shawl. At this rate, I'll finish the thing in 2010. I've already changed yarn, no more Shibui wasabi, hello Alchemy's Haiku yarn in fig. Why are so many color names food names anyway? What does that say about us? I guess if I were naming colors they would be espresso, latte, crema, sumatra, java, earl grey, darjeeling, lapsang souchong, etc. We're all about our brewed beverages here. Oh, chocolate too.

Blogger is not cooperating in uploading my photo of the fig color, so I'm going to bed. Happy (?) Veteran's Day, thank you to all who have served. It is not an easy job. We will be enjoying a day off from school.

Chevron Ruana

2007-11-07T14:33:00.000-08:00

My ruana is done! This was a fun knitting experience. Every minute spent with this luscious yarn was a pleasure. The colors in the photo are a little washed out, what looks yellow is actually chartreuse green.

Ravelry

2007-11-02T23:41:00.000-07:00

Ok, I've spent all evening working on my Ravelry notebook. My user name is feltaholic, come visit me. I refuse to catalog my stash. First of all, I can't count that high, secondly, my family will have me institutionalized. I'd rather spend my time knitting than counting. Anyway, special thanks to Janice Rosema for encouraging me (i.e. bugging me until I did it) to get going. Even though I can tell that Ravelry is and will be a major timesuck. oh well... Have a great weekend, everyone. A Stitch in Time in San Marino is having their Trash to Treasure event on Sunday, from 12-4 pm. The proceeds benefit a local charity.

Happy Halloween

2007-10-31T01:43:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloween from our little devil!

Sometimes things get so stupid at our house, I think that if there were a hidden camera here, we'd have to move. seriously. Tonight's escapade involved all three of us, myself, H and the cat. Scout had a raw spot on his stomach that he kept licking and picking at until finally, it has turned into a real mess. Since we don't have one of those cone things, we (translated=my friend Carole and myself) came up with a plan. Put on antibiotic ointment, cover with gauze and then wrap with an ace bandage. We put a lot of thought into the process, even deciding that we'd use safety pins instead of the butterfly clip so that he wouldn't swallow anything. easy peasy with a 22 pound cat. H was warily pressed into service to hold the cat while I put on the ointment and did the wrapping. I don't think I've ever seen his ears go back quite that far onto his head. When we got the bandage in place, Scout looked like one of those fat sumo wrestler cats that Kliban used to draw. I had planned to post a photo on my blog. That would imply that the ace bandage remained in place long enough for me to remove the lens cap from my camera. ahem...send bandaids.

Winter Interweave Knits

2007-10-23T22:50:00.000-07:00

The preview for the new IK is available

here

Interweave Knits has pretty much superceded Vogue Knitting as my favorite knitting magazine, but I have to say, not this time. Perhaps it is due to the Vintage Knitting theme, but the sweaters are too close to the body, too much the same, and in some cases, dated. It is too soon to see if this will be the norm in future issues, but I was concerned about this when the new editor was announced. I think that an editor should include a variety of designs, beyond their personal tastes. Strictly my opinion, take it or leave it. I mean, come on, a TABARD?? good grief. It's a good thing I only have three readers, or I'd be in trouble...

I do like the Celtic Bag (big surprise, I know). photo here Other "likes" are the Logan River Wrap and Rosemary's Swing Jacket.

Devil Winds

2007-10-22T20:04:00.000-07:00

Wow. What else can you say? From the mountains to the sea, southern California is on fire. You always know there are going to be Santa Ana winds in October, but this is just insane. There are so many fires going, I don't know which of my friends to worry about first. We are lucky enough to live in the "flats" of the San Gabriel Valley, not in any fire danger. I am sincerely hoping that everyone's friends and family will be ok. I have some very dear friends up in Crestline who are particularly on my mind tonight. be safe.

We survived endless shoe shopping, the PSAT test and Homecoming this weekend. H had a good time, I'll let her tell her own stories. On Sunday, H and I took a workshop called Antonia's Adornment at the San Gabriel Bead Co. I finished my bracelet last night and loved it. photo to follow.

What's in Your Queue?

2007-10-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

Naturally, since I've hit the "boring" part of my ruana, I've started thinking about the next project. Last night when I couldn't sleep, I made a list. Here is it, in no particular order:

1. Modern Quilt Wrap A beautiful wrap from Folk Style, also available as a free pattern from Knitting Daily.

2. As previously mentioned, the Illusionist Shawl

3. The ubiquitous Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts.

4. Something made from Habu, e.g. the Kusha Kusha Scarf

5. Charlotte's Web shawl

I wonder if cats can have deviated septums? Scout is sitting next to me, snoring like a cement mixer.

I had a great photo to upload, but Blogger is not cooperating...

Monday night notes

2007-10-16T02:27:00.000-07:00

Three posts in a week! I'm on a roll. Just some random musings. It was a wonderful, cool, overcast day. Very pleasant. I love days like these, they remind me of many days of this sort spent in San Francisco.

I have always been happy to be a girl, and now as the mother of a "girl," you get to reexperience moments from your youth, but this time as a parent. The preparations for the Homecoming Dance would make the people over at the Rand think tank weep. Seriously. You need a math major from Cal Tech to keep up with the shifting numbers of who's riding in the limo, how many kids will be at the dinner. Who is angry with whom and will the agouraphobic parent show up at the dinner? How many cars do we need to shuttle the kids over to the restaurant., and most importantly, who is getting ready at which girl's house? Eyebrow (yes, eyebrows!) and manicure appointments need to be made. Fill in the rest of the week with meeting reps from Georgetown University in Brentwood, the Homecoming football game and possibly a small outpatient surgery. I'm glad I don't have to live it this time around, but happy to be around for the ride. Gotta love the creatures known as teenage girls.

I'm working away on my Chevron Lace Ruana from Iris Schreier's new book, Lacy Little Knits. I'm using a lovely colorway of Silk Rhapsody, ivory, chartreuse and slate grey. It's gotten a little boring, but I'm trudging on. Trying desperately to hold off casting on the Illusionist until I finish. Here's a photo of the Ruana from the book.

The Ilusionist

2007-10-12T22:43:00.001-07:00

Don't you love it when you wander into your favorite yarn store and discover that two new magazines are in? I found these two yesterday. Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts and Vogue Knitting Holiday 2007. I enjoyed both, but the edge definitely goes to IK Holiday Gifts, mainly because of Leigh Radford's Needle Felted Messenger bag.

Really attractive design, good colors, etc. I'm not crazy about needle felting, but will give it a whirl again for this bag.

In the Vogue Knitting, Alchemy Yarns had an ad for one of their new patterns, the Illusionist Shawl, which just happened to roll in with the mail a couple days ago:

I saw this design online somewhere and had to make it. Love the ruching. With all the increasing, knitting this will make the ruffled scarf in Kid Silk Haze seem like knitting a swatch, but I think it'll be worth it. If I get it done in time, it will be perfect for all my holiday entertaining (VBG, my entertaining is limited to cheese balls and triscuits).

Here is the yarn I'm going to use, Shibui Silk Cloud. 60% mohair/40% silk. It is like a cloud, too, a 25 gram skein contains 330 yards. This yarn appears to be identical to the Alchemy Haiku, which the pattern uses. My color is called Wasabi, which is so appropriate. My photo is on the dark side, all you sushi eaters can picture the real color. Ja, mata ne.

Back sooner than Haley's Comet!

2007-10-07T21:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm back, finally. And in less time than the next Haley's Comet (the year 2061, if you're keeping track). There are various reasons that have kept me from posting. In no particular order, they were: 1) extreme heatwave end of August. We're talking meltdown here folks. 2) back to school--a mixed blessing. More time to myself, belayed by the 6 am wake-up call. every day. I know people do that every day, even some want to, I don't. 3) we lost 2 friends, one very dear...attended 2 funerals in 5 days. enough said about that. We're moving along, working through stuff, looking forward to the future. Homecoming is in two weeks and there is much talk Chez Ward about dresses, shoes, limos and boys. very fun stuff. That's all I can safely mention without being killed in my sleep.

So, we're fully into Fall now. School has been on for a month, the fall knitting magazines have all come out, new knitting books have started to appear in the bookstores. Like the swallows returning to Capistrano, tempting new yarns are showing up in our LYS's.

A new book that I was most looking forward to:

I have been inspired by Kaffe Fassett since Glorious Knitting came out in 1985. I was, and still am, a Kaffe Fassett groupie. he influenced my knitting and appreciation of color more than anyone else. Kaffe Knits Again is a collection of previously released designs updated in new yarns and colors. It also happens to be a gallery of many half-finished projects of mine. One piece in the new book that I particularly like is the Foolish Virgins scarf. Foolish Virgins was originally a cardigan. The new design has the pattern included in a scarf with 4 other popular patterns of Kaffe's. A brilliant idea. The scarf has also inspired me to get out all my unfinished Kaffe projects and see if there is some way I can assemble them into a throw. That crashing sound you hear is me upending all my boxes of knitting, looking for these pieces.

Sunday night

2007-08-19T21:30:00.000-07:00

Night blooming cactus

These blooms are outside our house. I don't know the name of it, but I am fascinated by the fact that the cactus works and works to put out this huge bloom, it blooms one night then the blooms wither and fall off.

Night blooming Chica Bella

Today is my sister's birthday. Katy is my only sibling and means the world to me. Happy Birthday, Kate!! You're an amazing sister and person.

Folk Style

2007-08-16T00:19:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I've enjoyed the "Style" series of knitting books. Lace Style, Wrap Style, and my favorite, Scarf Style. Now, there is Folk Style, coming out either September or October. Here is a link to a preview of the patterns Folk Style preview. It looks great! There's also a Bag Style due out in November! We knitters really have an embarrassment of riches in terms of new books coming out in the next few months.

Tuesday was my birthday...

There were presents

Cake

and beautiful people.

NB-photo of my beautiful daughter removed due to death threats.

A beautiful way to start to a new year!

Dog Days of August

2007-08-14T23:06:00.000-07:00

Gee, my posting has really slowed down. I have several good reasons. First of all, not much has been happening, other than the HEAT. As is usual, it is hotter than hell for my and my sister's birthdays. Not unexpected, it is August after all, but annoying. We have had a pretty moderate summer thus far. Secondly, it's summer vacation! It's my job to lie around and drink iced coffees. Finally, my last whiny excuse, not much sleep. I suffer from bouts of insomnia and have been in one for about a week. The bags under my eyes have bags, big felted ones!

There has been much knitting going on. I will get the whiz kid to take some photos for me. I've been trucking along on the MS3, trying to catch up to the group. I've made it to row 250 of clue 4, have to knit to row 302, then back up and knit from row 219 through the end of clue 4. I have lengthen my stole. I think that the Habu silk is a little under gauge and I don't want to spend all this time on a scarf (or a table runner). After that, "all" I have to do is knit the 5 & 6th clues along with the 7th clue, to be released on Friday. better get back to the lace...

Magazine Madness

2007-08-06T23:41:00.000-07:00

I've had my nose stuck in knitting magazines all weekend. I managed to acquire the Triple Play of knitting magazines and I've done the happy dance all weekend.

Vogue Knitting Fall 2007
Review: In a word, fabulous! They really did themselves proud for their 25th anniversary. I love this magazine. The remakes of the 10 most popular patterns, the new patterns, the interviews, all of it! My heart is going pitty pat for the Koigu top and the Kaffe Fassett cardigan. 25+ skeins of Kid Silk (crack) Haze? no problem.

Rowan Knitting Magazine No. 42

Interweave Knits Fall 2007

I'll write more about the new VK magazine as well as the other two tomorrow. Must go knit.

An August beginning

2007-08-03T00:48:00.000-07:00

Happy August! August is a crazy month for my group. Birthdays: mine, my sister's, godmother, cousin (same day as mine), twin sons of godmother, father of one of my BFF's, as well as my parent's wedding date, my grandparent's anniversary, my godmother's mother's birthday, etc...you get the idea.

Where have I been and what's been happening this week? Well, it was the crazy last week of summer school for the kid. I worked madly on my Knitting for Hire project and finally mailed it off Wednesday. I so completely wrecked my hands, elbows, shoulders on this thing...Wednesday night I went to bed with every orthopedic device I possessed, plus an ice pack and Advil. As soon as "it" is published, I will post a photo of it on this site. I've also been nursing a concussion. Nothing too dramatic, I stood up into a dryer door. No, I'm not 10 inches tall, it was one of those double decker deals. Pretty much knocked myself out, saw stars, etc. Went to bed that night with an icepack and Tylenol. I still feel a little loopy, but my headache is much better. Welcome to Klutzville...I also managed to burn my shoulder with the curling iron and whacked my knee after stepping on the cat's tail. Jeez, you better stay out of my way!

Who has received their 25th Anniversary issue of Vogue Knitting??? It looks like a wonderful issue. I have been camped out by my mailbox ever since I started reading on other blogs that the issue was out. I am very tempted by the revamped Kaffe Fassett cardigan.

Finally, my thoughts goes out to the people of Minneapolis. Minnesotans hold a special place in my heart. I've always thought of them as neighbors, since my family is from North Dakota. I spent several happy summers at music camp near Duluth. Anyway, just wanted to mention that. We're here in earthquake country, I'm sure most of us can relate to the shock and loss they are feeling.

Where have I been?

2007-07-27T01:22:00.000-07:00

Well, good question. I'm here. It has been a busy two weeks. First, my iBook was out of commission for about 10 days. It needed a new logic board, than another new logic board, then a new battery to boot. Finally, finally I have my laptop back. And, ta daaaaa, it actually will run on the battery now, as in portable, as in the way laptops are intended.

What else has held me up? Well, Life. We've had some challenging times and a very hard loss in our family. Secondly, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! H, Auntie Ehm and I braved Vroman's at midnight to pick up our books. It has turned into a tradition for H and I to go at midnight and get each new book. We were very happy to be joined by the intrepid Ms. Ehm. H finished reading early Sunday, I finished Sunday night, I think. This is a spoiler free zone, but I will say that I loved the book. It is action packed and drags you into its spell, making you stay up into the wee hours, reading. Hurry up and finish so that we can talk about it!

On the knitting front, I made good progress on MS3, but have not started on clue 4 due to HP and knitting for hire. I can't show you or say who it is for (those of you out there who know, please don't leave it on my comments), but I do test knitting for a knit designer. It's a lot of fun, but the down side for me are the deadlines. They make me crazy, what can I say. This piece involves 14 colors and intarsia. I've been working on this 4-5 hours a day, trying to get it done w/o wrecking my wrists. so far, so good.

H only has 4 days of summer school left. Woo hoo! I can sleep late for the entire month of August!! Kudos to H for doing such a good job with her classes this summer.

TGIF! We're going to the Tonight Show tonight!

IBook, I wish...

2007-07-13T00:09:00.000-07:00

Dropped off my laptop at DiNo computers Monday, picked up on Wednesday, took laptop back on Thursday = no laptop tonight. Apparently my new logic board was corrupted. Who knew? I'm not sure if it was a case of kickbacks or being named as a client of a certain escort service, but it was no good. alas and alack, it might take until Monday to get my iBook back. I guess I have no life because I can't stand not having it. Not being able to read my Bloglines or email makes me crazy. Itunes, pattern downloads, online threads--I miss them all! Isn't it amazing how ingrained the wired life has become?

Mystery Stole 3 update. I haven't had a lot of free time, but it seems like I"ve been working on this night and day. It is going better, but I find I still have to be very careful to not miss something on the chart or drop a stitch. That's what you get when you knit with THREAD!!! I'm currently on row 127 of clue #2. not too bad. A special thanks to Mary for being so encouraging. I appreciate it.

BTW, I got my hands on a copy of the new Norah Gaughan Collection, vol. 1 from Berroco today. I am really impressed with the book. Stylish, interesting designs. I'm going to end up with an extra copy of any of my local buddies out there would like to buy it from me.

Fuzzy Logic

2007-07-09T23:37:00.000-07:00

Posting here will be a little slow for the next few days. I found out today that the logic board on my iBook has croaked. It is being repaired and I'll have it back in a few days.

In other news, it has finally cooled off a little after a real scorcher of a week. We may even have a thunderstorm! I know it seems pathetic to get excited over this, but we are hurting here.

I've made it to row 85 on the Mystery Stole. Things are lovelier the second time around, but I'm still not crazy about it. I refuse to quit, though. At least not now. ahem...

Lace Shmace

2007-07-07T23:42:00.000-07:00

In other words, things are not going well in the Mystery Stole lace department in mi casa. After finally finishing the first clue Thursday, in plenty of time for the next clue, I realized that there was a very big mistake. I couldn't overlook it, I tried. Others tried to convince me...but I knew it was there. I could hear it lurking in my knitting bag, taunting me. That mistake alone would have required tinking back about 20+ rows. Then I decided that the whole thing looked a little sloppy and that I really needed to go down to a size 3 needle. Size 3!!! This is a cruel blow for a gal who spends most of her time felting things that were knit on size 11 or 13 needles. Anyway, I digress from my intended rant--the Mystery Stole. So, Friday, I buy a pair of size 3 Addi Lace circulars and restart. That evening, I am surfing through blogland and I see people who are done with clue #2. What gives?? That's 100 rows of lace in less than 12-14 hours! Come on, people, you're killing me! Take time out for a beverage or two... I know this isn't a race, but still, I know it will bother me if I am way behind the group. Tonight, I'm up to row 55, chart B. Only 145 rows until I'm "caught up." woo hoo, piece of cake. That which doesn't kill (or blind) you does make you stronger.

Stay cool.

Synchronized Knitting

2007-07-04T23:03:00.000-07:00

Knitdad and I attempted synchronized knitting yesterday, both of us working on the Mystery Stole 3. It was fun, albeit accident-prone. For my part, it was 3 rows forward, 2 rows back. I suggested that we get to the same row, then read the stitches out loud. Understandably, Knitdad was reluctant to wait out the 4 hours necessary for me to catch up. Then, I said we should speak every other row (on the purl rows), since invariably one person would speak up in the middle of a crucial row count. That didn't really work either. It didn't help that the Starbucks we were in had the loudest, strangest music playing. At one point, I actually questioned my sanity when I thought I heard the strains of Stairway to Heaven coming through a flamenco guitar piece. Turns out, it really was Stairway to Heaven! This version would pretty much kill Robert Plant & company. Anyway, after being stuck in a time warp bouncing back & forth through rows 75-79, I have actually progressed to row 87, making it seem likely that I will finish this section before the next "clue" comes out on Friday.

It's only 16 days until the new Harry Potter book is released! What do you think will happen? Is Dumbledore really dead? Will Harry survive? Is Snape truly a traitor? I can't wait to find out. I am so sorry to see this series end, I hope that J.K. Rowling does a good job in wrapping up the story.

Long May She Wave...

2007-07-04T01:00:00.001-07:00

Happy 4th, everyone! Independence Day finds me feeling nostalgic. When I was a kid, most summers found us in a small town in North Dakota visiting our grandparents. We had all the trappings of a small town celebration. There would be a parade featuring all the local veterans, civic and fraternal organizations and the high school band (the one and only high school!). Our family would have a great meal, then settle down to set off the box of fireworks that my grandfather would always buy at a fireworks stand out on the highway. The problem was, my little sister was very timid and you could hardly convince her to hold a sparkler. Remember sparklers? I used to love those twinkly molten hot pieces of wire. Then my sister would go inside and sit on the couch while my grandfather and I would work our way through roman candles, whistlers, etc. I always enjoyed myself immensely. Later, we would all drive over to the fairgrounds to watch the "professional" fireworks set off by the city.

Fast forward to today, a slightly different celebration. My grandfather has been gone for 20+ years, my grandmother for about 8. We don't make it back to that small town, which is now even smaller, very often. My sister and I are grown-ups and she has made it off the couch. Due to the fact that we live in Los Angeles where fireworks are mostly off-limits, we are relegated to the big public displays. My daughter, Hm has only had the personal fireworks experience once, about 6 years ago when we traveled back to that little town to help close up the big house after my grandmother died. H and I went to that same fireworks stand and got a box of fireworks. This time I was the one in charge. H and I set off snakes, fountains, candles and firecrackers, and yes, sparklers. It was fun to watch how much H enjoyed herself. I'm glad we had that chance to share one of my favorite childhood memories. I hope you all get to wave your sparklers today, if only in your heart.

Be safe, my friends!

Burning Up Lace

2007-07-02T22:37:00.000-07:00

You've heard of Arctic Lace? Well, here is my Burning Up Lace, aka Mystery Stole 3. The title of this post refers to the fact that summer has arrived here with a vengeance. It is predicted to be over 100 degrees through Saturday! aughgh!

If you are interested in the Mystery Stole 3 and MS3 knitalong, here is a link to the designer's site Pink Lemon Twist. You are knitting a lace stole sight unseen, with instructions parceled out in weekly installments, except for July 20th, due to the release of the new (and last) Harry Potter book. Sort of a progressive dinner, but with lace. I believe there are something like 3,500 members of the knitalong. The sheer load of emails from the group was stunning. I went from individual message (will I ever learn?) to daily digest (of which there were MANY) to "no mail."

This is the yarn I'm using, Habu 2/17 Tsumugi Silk, color 19. I really like this yarn, although it is very very thin. It has the rustic silk look that I find very attractive.

I'm halfway done with the first 100 rows.

Arty close-up courtesy of the kid.

Re-entry is difficult

2007-06-26T23:21:00.000-07:00

Ok, we're back. Four fun days of beading, eating out and spending time with old friends was wonderful, even if I had to get up at 7:30 every morning (I am NOT a morning person). Anyway, back to life, back to reality, as the song goes. Summer School started on Monday which means getting up even earlier! It also signals a return to my chauffeur duties. oh well... It is also going to really heat up this week here in So. Cal. Welcome to summer! I am up to the shoulder strap on the Lotorp bag. This is a good thing, since knitting a large bag out of chunky wool isn't a good idea when the temp is close to 100 degrees.

Gone Beadin'

2007-06-21T20:36:00.000-07:00

I am spending the next few days @ Creative Castle in Newbury Park, taking two workshops from the divine Cynthia Rutledge. The classes I'm taking are the Turkish Veil workshop and the Lattice Weave Parure.

My Habu Tsumugi silk arrived for the MS3, so I'll start swatching soon. See you soon...

Thought for Today

2007-06-19T22:40:00.001-07:00

I'm not the first to use this quote in reference to knitting, but it resonates with me so much, I wanted to share it:

In Hell there is no other punishment than to begin over and over the tasks left unfinished in your lifetime. Andre Gide

Better start taking my vitamins! The technical difficulties have been resolved and the Lotorp bag is back on track. I just have to finish the last diamond and knit the strap.

I think I've found the perfect hat for my chauffeur service:

Yes, I've finally lived long enough to be an embarrassment to my child!

here's a link to the free pattern

My new summer job....

2007-06-18T23:33:00.000-07:00

Chauffeur. If today was a taste of it, it's going to be a busy summer. Potluck and the park, followed by a trip to an Academic Decathelon meeting. In between jobs, I had lunch with my mother and took a nap. I'm thinking some kind of uniform might be snazzy...

Speaking of driving, Saturday we took a little road trip to the O.C. Laguna and Mission Viejo to be exact. Talk about traffic!! It took us over 1 1/2 hours to get down there, 30 minutes just to go the first 8 miles. Once we got there, we had a really nice time. The weather was great, not too hot with the ocean breezes wafting across. Solely for the sake of market research, we felt that we should visit a yarn store. We decided to check out La Petite Knitterie. I had read many good things about LPK and their yarn, so I was interested in seeing it. This is a lovely shop with very friendly staff. It is a small shop, but filled with many treats. We treated ourselves to some of their house brand sock yarn. I don't think the photo will do this yarn justice, but the colors are absolutely beautiful. I actually got to chat with the dyer, Lori Lawson. Here is a photo of my yarn (for another Spanish Dancer, don't yell, C)

and this is the yarn H selected

Good news/bad news

The Lotorp bag is experiencing technical difficulties

now, the good news:
I have finally finished the body of the Larger than Life bag. I'm taking a breather before I have to dust off the old Singer and get the lining together.

The bag isn't as wonky as it appears in this photo.

I never sign up for knitalongs, but I took the plunge and joined the Mystery Stole 3 KAL, along with about 1,100+ others. come on, let me see a show of hands--who's going to do it with me??? I'm waiting for my yarn so that I can swatch.

Time flies

2007-06-15T21:11:00.000-07:00

This little girl...

Is now this beautiful, self-possessed, talented girl who finished her last day of 10th grade yesterday. I am now the mother of an 11th grader! I can't tell you how stunning that is. It seems like yesterday that we were watching Barney and playing with Barbies. Now it is SAT's, political commentary and arguing over music. I am so proud of you.

Today, to celebrate, I made the ultimate sacrifice and took the kid to Old Town in 90+ degree weather. Old Town is perfectly nice except for the parking and the crowds. Anyway, the kid cut loose in Forever 21 (if you don't know, you don't have a teenage girl in your life) and then we had a really nice lunch across the street at The Kitchen. Thanks for letting me have a front row seat on the rollercoaster called "H." xox

Can I get an intervention please?

2007-06-13T23:58:00.000-07:00

Would someone please stop me. This yarn, Kauni Effekt, is one of the "hot" yarns on the internet now. Yarn Harlot mentioned it on her blog a couple days ago. If you buy 2 skeins you can easily knit a faux fairisle cardigan. Now, of course, I want to get some. I live in L.A., aka the last heat stop before Hell and Arizona. The yarn is a hand dyed somewhat scratchy shetland type WOOL from Denmark. It comes in huge skeins of approx. 1,200 yards. This fact alone should discourage me from buying this since I get annoyed winding Cascade 220. I am a person who has been warm her whole life, summer is approaching (it was 90 today, some would say it's here) and I may be experiencing hot flashes. I still want the yarn. call 1-800-Imalunatic. I can already hear certain friends of mine screaming...

In other news, things are really coming along on the Larger than Life bag. I've got one side completely sewn together, one side to go. You can see the lining fabric lying there on the table. As others have said, this bag really is larger than life. So large that the plastic needlepoint canvas sheets that I bought to stabilize the bag are too small! I am now mulling over other ways to firm up this bag. Maybe fusible interfacing attached to the lining? I was in Jo-Ann's this evening to look at interfacing, but it was so hot and stuffy in there, I had to leave. They had this ultra firm interfacing called Peltex, has anyone tried that?

Weekend wrap-up

2007-06-10T22:35:00.000-07:00

It's been a fun weekend. Saturday, I inadvertently participated in World KIP day. I went to my favorite yarn store, Unraveled, and was happy to discover Janice Rosema, the uber-talented freeform crochet & knitting artist sitting at a table there, surrounded with gorgeous yarns and projects. Janice is usually teaching, so it's unusual to get to just sit and hang out with her. Spending time with Janice, her various completed pieces and just general fabulousness is a mind bending experience. Whenever I get to spend time with Janice, I generally end up racing home with a thousand different ideas...Saturday was no exception. Janice is teaching a new class called Geometric Freeform Knitting on June 23 at Unraveled. check it out--it's a beautiful piece.

Speaking of Unraveled, it's a great yarn store. Starting on Tuesday, June 12th, they're having a sock yarn sale. Colinette Jitterbug, Sockotta, Koigu and all other sock yarns will be on sale. While you're there, you can get an entry form for their flip flop contest. A cool way to kick (get it, kick?) off the summer! If we want to have the luxury of local yarn stores, we need to support them, especially this time of year when things start to slow down. Unraveled has the most beautiful interior that I've ever seen in a yarn store. There are comfy chairs in a very inviting seating area where you can knit the time away. Unraveled has a friendly, talented staff and, oh yes! Beautiful yarns. drop by and get some sock yarn and say hi to Christine and company. I'll be there waiting on the couch.

Sunday afternoon, H and I spent a couple enjoyable hours with Knitdad. Our little excursion involved a mountain, a barn and yarn... There may have been a little yarn acquisition...I'll never tell. :-) It was a lot of fun as always.

Finally, today is my mother's birthday. My whole immediate family, all six of us, three generations, had a party. We had dinner at a favorite italian restaurant, then returned to my mother's house for cake, cards, gifts and general carousing. There was even a crown involved. (contractual obligations prohibit me from showing my mother from another angle. In other words, she'd kill me!)

Happy Birthday, Mom! you're the best.

It has been a very nice weekend indeed.

Larger than Life...

2007-06-05T23:18:00.000-07:00

Things are rolling along on the Larger than Life bag. Eight squares done, four to go. After that, I have to crochet the sides/bottom and assemble.

My friend and sister-from-another-mother, Fay Lynn of Marvels of Knitting, gave a really nice mention of our new blogs (Hannah and her Mother and mine) on her blog today. Thanks a lot! My readership may soar above 5! Actually, I think FL is feeling guilty for torturing me for months with her Chevron scarf. I resisted as long as I could. I forced myself to stop pairing Koigu colors looking for a good combo. But when I saw (fondled) the finished scarf last Saturday I was finally hooked. This pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts has spread around the internet faster than a case of chicken pox in a kindergarten class. Just google "chevron scarf" and you'll see what I mean.

I just happened to buy 2 skeins each of Lorna's Laces sock yarn in Tickled Pink and Envy. Guess I'll have to cast on for the scarf.... just to be polite...

There are 7 days left of 10th grade. I hope I make it.

Knitting ADD

2007-06-04T22:18:00.000-07:00

We have recovered from the drama of last Friday. I think my mind actually relaxed some time Saturday afternoon. Anyway, it's over. H took the SAT on Saturday (imagine "Sunrise, Sunset" playing in my head). I hung out for a while at Unraveled with the gang.

I've had to put the Lotorp bag on a brief timeout because it's killing my hands. To make a bag that is really nice and firm, I'm having to knit a bulky wool on size 9 needles. I've knit up 3 skeins of the Iro, and it's also pretty warm to have sitting on your lap in Southern California in June. I'll be able to pick it up in a day or so. Until then, I've been crocheting more squares for the Larger than Life bag. My philosophy is to aggravate as many muscle groups as possible. ;-)

My increasingly severe case of Knitting ADD continues to flourish. I literally want to make EVERYTHING! The Op Art bag in the new "Knitting Never Felt Better" book (see below) sent me scurrying to find suitable colors in my Lamb's Pride stash. Then, there's the Tuscany Shawl from "No Sheep for You." I've seen several beautiful completed Tuscany's online this past week done in Handmaiden's Seasilk yarn, which I just happen to have. I need more hands.

Finally, my good friend M is flying off to teach at the big Bead & Button show tomorrow. For beaders, this is Stitches, Maryland Sheep and Wool and the Super Bowl all rolled into one. Have a great time!

The one call you hate to get

2007-06-01T11:34:00.000-07:00

11:34 am - the phone rings at home. I let the machine pick up and I hear "Mom, Mom, pick up the phone right away" hello? "Mom, we're on lock down." click. that's all. Now how in the heck am I supposed to get my heartbeat back to a normal rhythm. geez.

11:49 am - H texts that there's a man with a gun. I feel sick to my stomach

11:50 am - I call my sister. We decide not to call our mother, who is a block away and can hear the helicopters as well.

Noon - I call my neighbor who always is listening to the police scanner, he confirms that there is someone with a gun.

12:10 pm - H texts "can you hear the sirens?" I can, we are only 3 blocks from the high school. I can also hear several helicopters overhead.

12:11 pm - I get a breaking news email from ch. 7 telling me about the situation at the high school. I realize that I have switched into the calming breathing exercises I learned in a lamaze class 16 1/2 years ago.

12:35 pm - I get a call from H telling me that they have the person.

This was one of the worst hours of my life. I know how lucky I am that I was only scared for a while and that nothing worse happened. I am very grateful.

postscript: 2:30 pm, I leave a message for my mother to tell her about the whole gun incident and how we decided to not tell her about it as it was happening.

6:05 pm - still waiting to find out if I'm grounded.

Why I heart my mailman

2007-05-30T21:28:00.000-07:00

Lookie lookie what came in the mail today!! Knitting Never Felt Better by Nicky Epstein. The sub-title of the book is "A Definitive Guide to Fabulous Felting," and I have to agree. If you are interested in felting, this book is for you. This book is especially for you if you've made a few felted bags from some of the great commercial patterns around and are itching to come up with something unique. The best part of the book are the before and after (felting) swatches. There are tons of these and they are so helpful. My head is just buzzin' with ideas. I had been a little disappointed in some of Ms. Epstein's recent designs, so I am thrilled that she has left the felted swan bags behind and moved on to more fashionable designs.

Arrrrrrgh!

2007-05-27T14:33:00.000-07:00

H and I spent the afternoon yesterday cruising around Glendale. We hit a yarn sale and Borders. As we were walking back from Borders, looking for a place for lunch, we saw a Mann theater. We didn't understand why it was so quiet, since it was Saturday and there had been all these stories about the big crowds for Pirates. "It must be a trick," I said. No trick, we waltzed into the 2:50 show at 2:50. My review of the movie: pretty good. The first movie is still the best of the three, but 'At World's End' is so much better than the 2nd Pirates movie. This movie actually had a story. I figure you either like the Pirates of the Caribbean genre or you don't. Personally, I like them (and Johnny Depp). It was a good time, a fun afternoon w/ the kid.

This is the Lotorp bag from Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton's book Noro Revisited. I highly recommend this book. Anyway, yesterday I saw a Lortorp made in Noro Iro that I really liked. Naturally, I had to dig out my yarn and the book to start knitting this right away. I'm using color #66.

Enjoy the long weekend. Memorial Day always feels like the official kick-off to summer. see you at the BBQ~

Four Hundred Dollars and one cent

2007-05-24T23:33:00.000-07:00

would buy a lot of yarn!

Unfortunately, that was the tab for a lovely afternoon spent at the Santa Anita Small Animal Hospital yesterday. Scout has been acting very strangely for the past couple of weeks, so we took the old boy in for the whole spa treatment. The vet called today to say that all of his test results were really good for a 12 yr old cat. What seems to be bothering him is arthritis in his hips and back. He's going to have anti-inflammatory meds and glucosamine/chondrotin for cats. Tuna flavor, no less. I seem to be living in some Twilight Zone universe--my 16 yr old daughter is taking the same meds as my 71+ yr old step-father, and Scout and I are both suffering from arthritis. What is up with this???

One of my guilty pleasures is American Idol. Jordin Sparks won last night and she was my favorite. She is a beautiful girl with a wonderful voice. To think that her voice will only get better with age is mind boggling. My daughter, H, is a dead ringer for Jordin. She is Jordin's mini-me. Today we were sitting at the Peach having a little lunch, and a complete stranger came up and commented at the resemblance. I was really annoyed to hear today that already the criticism of Jordin has begun. Some woman from the National Society Against Obesity spoke out today and said that it was a mistake to have Jordin as the winner because she was overweight and projected the wrong image. absolute crap! Jordin is a lovely, talented young woman of a NORMAL size. It is such a shame that we continue to force the wrong body images on our teenagers. Ok, that's my little rant for today.

This is little H, before she became "Jordin." It was Mad Hatter Day.

On the yarn-y front, I am continuing to make the squares for the Larger than Life bag. I'm on the 6th square, 6 more to go.

Once more with feeling

2007-05-22T23:45:00.000-07:00

Why is it that the simplest projects get you? Do we get cocky? over confident? is it just too simple? or am I just a short attention span MORON? I mentioned that I was knitting the Sursa shawl for the second time. This shawl could not be simpler. It is a triangle with a very simple reverse stockinette ruffle. The body of the shawl has been done for some time, so I thought do the ruffle quickly and get on to another project. wrong! Ruffle attempt #1 - I increased too much and ended up with a wildly ruffled edge that stood out from the shawl (think: the most extreme potato chip scarf attached to a shawl's edge). When I say "stood out" I mean literally standing out from my body. My knitting buds looked at me in horror at the thought of undoing all those stitches. But no, it wasn't the way I had envisioned it, so I ripped it out. Ruffle attempt #2 - I successfully achieved a soft ruffle that I really liked. I was winding up the last row before binding off last night when something caught my eye. Huh? I looked a little closer. The reverse stockinette ruffle was not reversed. Now, it was suggested to me that I just ignore it. Since I am a perfectionist and just a little bit cranky, I could not. So, once again the three balls of ruffle yarn were wound up. I am now on Ruffle attempt #3. The ruffle is both reversed and gathered appropriately. things just may work out....but let's not tempt the fates, ok? I'm throwing salt over my shoulder as I write this.

2007-05-19T01:47:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are (just a few!) projects I'm contemplating:

Hanami shawl - a tribute to cherry blossom time. I'm thinking pale pink linen.. from Pink Lemon Twist here's a link to the website

Lady Eleanor stole - because it's the law, right? I recently saw a beautiful Lady E (hi Kim), that used multiple colors of Kureyon and it was stunning. from the ubiquitous Scarf Style book. I started this once before, but somehow the entrelac rectangle turned into a felted bag.

Forest Path Stole -- I know, I know! Entrelac lace in fingering weight! I usually don't get this batty until the dog days of August. However, I have a thing for lilies of the valley...also, I've read online that once you get the hang of it, it's not hard. They probably say that about brain surgery too. Any yarn suggestions for this one? I would use Jaggerspun Zephyr silk/wool, but I don't see a color I like. You folks on the East Coast have an advantage because I believe you can actually find this yarn in your lys. I've never seen this yarn in a store in California. I need the lightest yarn possible. I know that sounds funny, since it is made from a fingering weight, but trust me, I could get hot in fingering wt. alpaca pretty easily. Fleece Artist/Handmaiden have both Seasilk and Lace Silk yarns that would work for this stole. pattern originally ran in IK Summer 2003, but you can buy the pattern here (scroll down)

Sleeveless Tuxedo Shirt from Interweave Knits, Summer 2007. This is a beautiful and very wearable top, it's even in linen. I even have the yarn. On the other hand, 6 skeins of linen on size 3's...kind of gives one pause, doesn't it? pictured on this page

Last but not least, the Babette Blanket from Interweave Crochet, Spring 2006. I have loved this blanket since the magazine came out last year. Even mulled over Koigu colors for it. The final straw was the feature on the blanket on the Purl Bee site (see sidebar for link) and the Flickr group that popped up with lots of beautiful Babettes. I think it's a go! pictured on this page

Scout says "Have a relaxing weekend!"

Thursday/Friday musings

2007-05-18T00:08:00.000-07:00

As a stay at home mom (read: chauffeur, cook, crisis counselor, personal shopper, teenage girl wrangler and scullery maid), I was happy to learn that I have an unpaid salary due of $138,095 annually. Woo hoo! Imagine all the yarn that could buy! Even though I'm not receiving my due, I'm still buying yarn and starting projects like my last name is Rockefeller.

Here are my current projects (will add photos ASAP):
Larger than Life Bag - 3 squares done. This pattern calls for Koigu Kersti, but I'm using a Louisa Harding cotton as I previously mentioned here. The squares are fun to make and I love the colors.

Sursa Shawl from Noro book No. 2, Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton Collection for Noro book No. 2. This same pattern book has the Klaralund sweater which swept through knitting blogdom like wildfire a couple years ago. This is actually the second one of these shawls that I've made. The current one is made of Silk Garden Lite (one strand) with a tweedy yarn, GGH Polo, for the ruffle. Everyone I know has made several of these shawls.

Ripple Blanket-Yes, I am a lemming, following Posie Gets Cozy & Yarnstorm on the crazy ripple trail (links to their blogs in the sidebar). I saw their blankets and it was all over. I HAD to make one. The KAL for this is aptly named the "No End in Sight Ripple-along." For me, it's rapidly becoming the "Money Pit" blanket. I'm using every nice merino wool I can find, e.g. Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK and Rialto, KFI Sublime (a new yarn, very lush), Jaeger Extra Fine Merino DK, Rowan Cashsoft DK, Cashcotton and so on.. So far the ripple has gobbled up about 20 skeins of yarn. You do the math, it's a beautiful but pricey blankie. Note: the colors in this picture are not accurate. I'll have the journalism ace take a better photo for me.

New Noni Patterns - the Hydrangea bag and the Fuchsia Market bag. Nora Bellows has some winners in her new Spring 2007 collection. I think my head may have actually exploded a little when I first saw them. Have the yarns and patterns, just haven't cast on yet. (see above job description). Nonibags website, click on "collections"

whew! There's also various freeform crochet projects, another shawl and a Koigu Oriental Jacket. No rush on the Oriental Jacket, I figure I'll be buried with it, haha. Tomorrow I'll talk about the projects I want to do next. The first of which will be to figure out how to add a second set of hands to my body.

Hi, my name is Lisa and I have an addiction to all things yarny.

Rainy Days and Mondays...

2007-05-14T20:23:00.000-07:00

Actually, the rain part is just wishful thinking. We have had no rain--in fact, record amounts of no rain. I think I will eventually end up somewhere where they have lots of rain, e.g. Seattle. It just seems wonderful from our parched perspective.

As far as Mondays go, it was a pretty good one. After school, H (my daughter, 16) and I dashed over the hill to Black Sheep Knittery in Hollywood. Those of you who know L.A. know that this is the same general area where the Griffith Park wildfire was last week. Anyway, they have had the Sale that Does Not End going for several months, now it features even deeper discounts. It's crazy, I tell you! Here's a peek at the loot:

My part of the haul was a few skeins of Koigu, 8 skeins of Cotton Fleece, some Colinette Fandango and some Classic Elite Provence. I would tell you what I paid for it, but I don't want to make you cry. It was so cheap, I felt guilty on the way home. Ok, a little guilty.

As anyone who knows me will tell you, I love Koigu. I could easily open "Lisa's House of Koigu." I recently finished the Spanish Dancer Shawl from Knitty.com. I love it! It is so light that I think I could actually wear it without moving to an arctic clime. The color is P436, purple, lavender, sage green and shades in between. I think that it is impossible to accurately describe any Koigu color, there's such depth to them.

Anyone out there doing the Larger than Life Bag from the new Interweave Crochet magazine? I've just started. One square down, using Louisa Harding Nautical Cotton. I have no idea what makes this "nautical," but it's nice yarn. Similar to Tahki Cotton Classic or Clip.

Ok, that's all for now, except for the gratuitous cat photo. This is Scout, our wonderful, goofy cat. His favorite places to hang out change every week or so. This week's fav is behind the dining table, using H's Easter basket as a pillow. And no, he's not fat, he's big boned.

Happy Mother's Day

2007-05-13T21:48:00.000-07:00

to all the mothers out there. I had a wonderful day with my daughter, H, my mother, Big Red, and everyone else in my family. We had a fabulous brunch at Mijares in Pasadena, complete with mariachis. Mijares is an old Pasadena favorite, featuring your usual old school mexican fare. No black beans here! Unfortunately, my group was very "dry" and I could only enjoy the margaritas from afar!

As you can probably tell, this is my first post here. My knitting experience has been so enriched by the blogs I read, I thought I'd give it a try.