Likely Yarns: Tales of Knitting and Other Likely Pursuits

Bibbage

Don't even know if that's a word, but it seems to describe this:

Pattern: Baby Bib o'Love from Mason-Dixon Knitting
Yarn: Top to bottom: Peaches n Creme #159, pink lilacs; Rowan Handknit Cotton #263, bleached; and Rowan Denim #225
Needle: #6 (you can see this coming, right?) Brittany walnut
Mods: Peaches n Creme bib is knit over 35 stitches with 8-stitch straps; the other two are per the pattern.

In the photo above, the Denim bib (the first knit) has been washed and dried. I love this yarn. This ball was a singleton (a sample, I believe), and the bib was the perfect project to use almost all of it. Now that Tucson Yarn is carrying some RYC yarns, perhaps they'll be able to special order me some Denim. Of course, this is what my fingers looked like when I finished the knitting:

The other two bibs have not been washed yet. They'll just go in with a load of laundry tomorrow on laundry day -- the Denim I actually washed by hand in the sink (didn't take a picture of my fingernails after all that hand agitation) and then dried with a load of towels.

These bibs are part of a virtual baby shower the folks in the Queer Revelry group over at Ravelry are putting together for a special little girl and her family. Many thanks to WonderMike (of Yknit) for coordinating it.

Also for the same little girl is this:

It's a top-down baby sweater, shaping (but not the hearts) borrowed from the Made With Love Sweater at MagKnits. Yarn is Peaches n Creme #173, Spring Meadows.

And just because cotton seems to be a theme in my knitting all around these days, this bundle of loveliness arrived in the mail today:

(Note to the folks at Kollage: there is plastic under the yarn, honest)

Two skeins of Luscious in the new colorway Rosetta. Color not completely accurate here -- it's really a very pretty pink with just a hint of mauve. Alas, this is not to keep, but to test knit some socks that'll have to be returned. Have permission to blog and Ravel the project in process, however, so I will.

Oh, and what am I porting these days?

Simple toe-up sock, 2x2 rib on top of foot and (eventually) the leg. Expecting a short-row heel when I get there. Yarn is Regia Ringel Color #5048, purchased at WEBS forever ago when it came in on closeout. Look Ma, not cotton.

PS. The Daisy Socks about which I was waffling have been frogged. There are better projects for the yarn and better yarn for that pattern.

PPS. Heard from my mother today that, now that the excitement of the Princess Barbie is over, the Babe is a hit, and E has named her Elana after a friend from dance class.

Mystery Revealed

Now that the birthday has passed (and I was able to get some sleep last night), I can show off one of my mystery projects:

Pattern: Babe from Knitted Babes by Claire Garland
Yarn: RYC Cashsoft 4-ply, a little less than half a 50-gram ball
Needle: 40" 2.5mm Inox circular, magic loop style for the Babe
Mods: Knit the Babe in the round, 'cuz all that seaming seems just silly.

She also, of course, had a couple of items of clothing:

A sundress, based on the pattern for the slip-on dress in the book, but not followed exactly. Yarn is a random sample ball of a mercerized cotton. I modified the pattern in the book by adding more rows to the skirt part of the dress, doing the second decrease row at K1, K2tog all the way around, and making the shoulder straps a little longer.

What happened when I followed the pattern as written?

The thing turned out more tunic-length than dress, and it was very tight. Now, I have to say that I have never checked gauge when making Babes or clothes for them, so the problem is most likely all with me -- though I really do want to know how a dress that is 19 stitches around is supposed to fit a doll that is 36 stitches around, even if the dress was knit on a size larger needle. [BTW: that yarn is also a sample, this one a cotton/rayon.]

For beach wear, there is a bathing suit:

(another cotton sample yarn)

And for après swim or chilly evenings, a hoodie:

(a 2/7 lambswool/alpaca millend from WEBS)

She also had sandals:

but one of the cats decided they'd make a great toy, and one of them is well hidden somewhere in the house. So, the sandals never made it to Maine for the birthday.

I'd like to say she was a hit, but to be perfectly honest, the first gift E opened was the only thing she REALLY wanted (provided by my parents -- the overindulgent grandparents of 1), a Princess Barbie, and that kinda spoiled it for the rest of the gifts. My mother liked her, though.

Before the two new babes made their trips northeast, I took some family portraits:

AND, the Tidal Wave 2 socks are done.

Sorry for the weird look, but the light is very strange in the house this morning.

Pattern: Tidal Wave Socks (pdf link) by Deby Lake
Yarn: SWTC TOFUtsies #727, significantly less than a full ball -- I am once again amazed at the quantity of yarn on these balls, I could make another pair of socks from what's left (34g, according to my kitchen scale). Hmmm, perhaps I will make a pair for E.
Needle: KnitPicks Harmony 32" 2.5mm (Sigh, I am in love with this needle -- I think I need to buy a bunch more.)
Mods: Made the ribbing a little longer and did 6 pattern repeats on the legs.

Once again, I am in love with the yarn and the finished product. Having made a vow to myself (after a TOFUtsies buying binge) that I will not buy any more yarn made from food or feed crops (bamboo, here I come), I will make sure to thoroughly enjoy knitting with and wearing the remainder of my TOFUtsies stash (a quick check on Ravelry will show just how much pleasure I have left).

Oh, and the piano scarf has found a new life as a keyboard cover in Marilyn's teaching studio. Apparently, it's a hit with the kids.

PS. I have decided that one of the cheapest legal forms of entertainment is giving a dog a wad of peanut butter. Try it some time.

I Have Nothing To Say

Ever have one of those days? I haven't been able to get to sleep for the past three nights, so I'm definitely feeling the sleep deprivation. Last night I even broke into the dog's supply of benadryl, but even that didn't help.

Anyhoo, sorry, not much exciting to report. I HAVE decided not to frog the Daisy Socks just yet because I'm kinda intrigued by them looking at the pic from yesterday's post. Not sure what I'm seeing the pic that I'm not seeing in real life, but we'll go with it for now. And I'm awaiting yarn from Kollage so I can begin a test knit project for Anastasia (of Yarn Cocktails and Candy). That'll be fun.

Enough of my boring rambling, now the Queen has something to show you:

Lucy's not the only one who's shedding bucketloads right now. I just love the change of seasons. I'm starting to wonder if it's time to invest in a Furminator.

I Hate it When This Happens!

Last night, innocently trying to find the end of the ball so I can start a test knit project, and there it is: yarn barf (in two pieces, no less). Good grief.

Oh, well, the test knitting went fairly well after that:

This will mostly likely hit the frog pond later today since I'm not sure I'm liking the combo of the stitch pattern and the yarn, but I've knit enough to do the editing needed for the pattern and sent the edits to the designer (Ravelry link). I do like the pattern, so will probably make it for real out of some better-suited yarn. Perhaps for my niece (who hates having anything on her feet but lives in Maine where footwear is essential for at least a couple months of each year). [Shout out: Happy Birthday E!]

And lest you think I'm lying about the Tidal Waves:

I do love this pattern -- so fast. Most of the leg of #2 was knit yesterday during what may be one of the most ridiculous meetings I've ever attended. It's not worth re-hashing here, but suffice it to say I'm glad I've resigned from that committee.

Oh dear, look how late it is! Must off to shower before my piano lesson today.

Waaaay to Much Time

Those folks over at Google have waaaay too much time on their hands, methinks. Witness this, and this, and this, oh, and the new scratch 'n sniff feature over at Google Books.

Oh, just found one more.

I have always hated April Fool's Day, but this (and NPR's annual spoof story), at least gives me something to enjoy. The story about exploding maple trees will always have a special place in my heart.

ETA: With the exception of the scratch 'n sniff, these pages should probably all still be available after April 1

Obligatory knitting content: The first Tidal Wave is done -- second is on its way. Tonight I cast-on for a test knitting project. I hope to have pics of both soon.

PS. This is where I found the Queen this morning:

There's clean laundry under her, and it's all on top of the dryer. Cats, honestly!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

It can save more than the environment. Case in point, these:

Handy, dandy handmade covers for my Swiffers (dry and the Wet Jet). Total cost for the two: approx $2.25, a savings of goodness knows how much over the at least two disposable cloths each I was using per week before. Now to find a solution that will replace the floor cleaning fluid for the Wet Jet.... Any ideas?

Pattern: Skull Charms Reusable Swiffer Cover
Yarn: Peaches 'n Creme, black (MC) and 168, the imaginatively named "shades of green" (CC) -- a little less than a ball of each for the two
Needle: Brittany walnut (yeah, the beautifully turned ones they're not making anymore) #7 -- note a pattern lately in my needle usage?
Mods: None for the dry Swiffer cover. For the cover for the Wet Jet, I did three full repeats of the 12-row pattern to make it wide enough to fit.

Here's a pic showing the "pockets" at the end which hold it on:

Just love these!

In other RRR news, M and I found this at the thrift store today:

Yep, a handmade Irish fisherman sweater. And it was dirt cheap 'cuz, frankly, who'd WANT one of these here?! We had a chilly winter this year, and I can't remember a single moment when I would have been tempted to put this on (and I've been cold since about birth).

Anyhoo, that's about 31 ounces of prime Irish wool (checked the seams, and it looks completely re-claimable) or a really beautiful sweater for someone who'd like it. [Sweater measures about 48" at the underarm.] I couldn't leave it in the store but, honestly, don't really have a use for it myself. So, anyone wanna make an offer (trade preferred) for it?

Oh, and this should add credence to its claim of being handmade:

Note the boo boo in the cable on the sleeve.

Emergency Babe Done

Here she is. Done and ready to be shipped off tomorrow for the auction.

Pattern: Babe from Knitted Babes by Claire Garland
Yarn: RYC Cashsoft 4-ply for Babe; SWTC TOFUtsies for sundress
Needles: Inox 40" 2.5mm for Babe; some old aluminum #3s for sundress
Other: felt, embroidery floss
Mods: Let's see: knit the Babe in the round (will never knit one flat again) with Kitchenered scalp; legs and arms are picked up from the body and knit in i-cord; dress is an improvised pattern (see below).

Oh, and to keep her neck from flopping, I came up with a great solution: I put a short emery board (the kind you use for your nails) in her. It's abrasive enough that it won't move around in the stuffing, stiff enough to keep her neck from flopping, and still soft enough that it will break or bend before causing any harm. Also, if it does break or bend, there aren't any splinters like you'd get with a craft stick.

In other knitting news, I delivered the piano scarf this morning. It was a hit. When I left Marilyn with it in the choir loft, it was draped across the organ console, and she was moving her head all around watching the keyboard appear and disappear. When I took her daughter (who wanted to know what the scarf's "magic" was) up to see it later, she, too, was entertained. So glad when people are as delighted with things as I am. It was meant to tickle and amuse, and so it did.

Tidal Wave sock #1 is just about ready for Dr. Kitchener, but my next "big" project (that would be "big" as in it's my at home project, not big as in it has any size to it) is a Swiffer Cover. Yipeee! Two of my favorite things: knitting and reducing trash. With any luck, this one'll be done before it's time to clean the floors on Tuesday.

Pattern for Babe Sundress

Yarn: SWTC TOFUtsies
Needle: US3
Gauge: approx 8sts=1" in stockinette

Cast on 70 stitches. Knit 4 rows. Switch to stockinette (starting with a K row) and work even for 3", ending with a WS row.

The remainder of the dress is worked in garter stitch (knit every row).

Decrease row: *K1, K2tog, repeat from * until 1 stitch remains, K1 (47 stitches)
Next row: K
Decrease row: *K1, K2tog, repeat from * until 2 stitches remain, K2 (32 stitches)
Knit 9 rows even, ending with a WS row
Cast off 6 stitches at beginning of next two rows (20 stitches)
Cast off 3 stitches at beginning of next two rows (14 stitches)
(these two rows form back waist)
Work 10 rows garter stitch, ending with a WS row
K4, bind off middle 6 stitches, K4

Continuing to work only on last 4 stitches, work 11 more ridges garter stitch and bind off.

Rejoin yarn to 4 remaining stitches and work 11 ridges garter stitch, bind off.

Finishing: sew back seam; sew straps to back waist; weave in ends; block if desired

Piano Illusion Scarf

This one was a really fun knit. Watching the illusion develop made the mostly-garter-stitch-but-still-have-to-pay-attention knitting significantly less of a chore. I'm sure Marilyn (who I know loves funky socks) will appreciate it.

Pattern: Counterpoint Scarf by Jennifer Crawford (from whom I also borrowed the idea of photographing it ON the keyboard
Yarn: Peaches 'n Creme Cotton in white and black; just about 1.5 balls of black and probably an equal amount of white (we buy that by the cone) for a 4+ octave scarf which blocked out to just about 5'
Needles: #5 Brittany Walnut (I LOVE those needles)
Mods: I don't think I finished it the way the pattern said: I basically just made the end look like the beginning.

And if she doesn't wear it as a scarf, perhaps a table runner:

In other knitting news: the first Tidal Wave sock is just about to the toe. No new photos, sorry. I can say, however, that I am LOVING the Harmony needle. The cable is soft and the tips really do feel like glass. I don't think I realized just how much I was enjoying this needle or how much nicer it was than my former standby sock needle until I had to use said needle yesterday to work on an emergency project.

Emergency project?! Yes, the school where M used to teach is having its annual fundraising auction next month (the one for which Mr. Penguin was felted last year), and she got an email from one of the parent coordinators wishing that they had such an item this year. I figured I don't have time to felt an animal in time to get it there for pre-auction viewing, but I can whip out a Knitted Babe in a couple of days, right?

So, yesterday afternoon, I cast on for a Babe (this one'll only have one outfit). The body's done and stuffed, and I've picked up the stitches for the first arm (among the mods this time around are knitting the body in the round, picking up stitches for the arms and legs, and doing the arms and legs in i-cord). Will post photos when she's a little more decent.

Speaking of that, I should stop writing and get back to the knitting. Wish me luck!

They're DONE!

The grey socks are DONE!

Pattern: Generic top-down sock, 68 stitches with 2x2 rib at the cuff and a slip-stitch heel.
Yarn: Mega Boots Stretch Softcolor #505
Needle: Inox 2.5mm 40" circular, magic loop style

This is the second pair of socks I've attempted with Mega Boots Stretch (the first I've finished), and I'm really not sure I like the yarn. It's very splitty and very fuzzy which can make it difficult to work with. But the socks are done, and as soon as I find someone in a colder clime with size 8 (women's) feet or smaller, they will have a home.

But now it's on to the next sock project:

A new pair of Tidal Wave Socks (pdf link) from the pattern by Deby Lake. It's TOFUtsies #727. And, of course, they're being knit on my new KnitPicks Harmony circular (32" 2.5mm). I am in love with the needle so far.

I love this pattern and this yarn. The pattern is a simple but interesting lace that's perfect for on-the-go knitting. The yarn is soft (and even softer when it's been washed a couple dozen times as my other pair of Tidal Waves have been), not at all itchy, and it holds up beautifully to wear and washing. I know there are those who really don't like it at all, but I am certainly not one of them.

And last, I had to share this little episode in our house last night. Monday morning is trash time in the neighborhood, so Sunday evening M empties all the trash cans and the litter boxes that need it so she can put out the trash barrel before we go to bed. Last night, when she emptied the smaller litter box, she came back in to find this:

That's our little K-Man settling himself in to the litter box. He loves to curl up in small spaces, but the litter box?! Fortunately, we use liners, so the box itself was clean, but still. He appeared ready to take a nap:

Quickie

I'm just soo tickled with this I had to share:

Sorry the photo's a bit blurry, but you can see what it is, right? When I found the pattern (through Ravelry) I knew I had to make one for M because she's a candy corn freak. Okay, not the most Easter-ish of Easter presents, but she gave me ballpark snacks (we're off to a game after church today), so we're having a completely non-traditional Easter in the Old Pueblo.

Pattern: Knitted Candy Corn Illusion Cloth from Rhonda White (I could spend forever on her site)
Yarn: Peaches n' Creme in White, Black, Yellow, and Orange (I'm too lazy right now to walk the 20 steps to the loom room to find the color numbers)
Needles: #7 Brittany walnut (the ones with the beautiful turnings they don't make anymore)

Cast on and bound off last evening (with time to spare to knit some more on the piano scarf).

M teased me about being so tickled with this, but she doesn't have a leg to stand on considering the number of dishcloths she's made (and been equally tickled with) since I showed her the dishcloth site.

In other knitting news: the piano scarf is half done, having just reached three octaves long. No new photos yet.

Now, let's see if I can get that darn grey sock done today so I can start something else and use my new KnitPicks Harmony needle. My mother called last night and told me just how much she's loving knitting on hers and suggested that I fondle mine for a bit as motivation to get the grey sock done (I have, and it worked). [Lest you think my family is totally nuts: she did not call to tell me to fondle a knitting needle; it just came up.]

Been Away So Long....

Really, I've been knitting [some of it super-secret, which is a bummer 'cuz I really like the finished product -- oh well, in a couple of months...] I just haven't been writing about it. I've also been playing, or more correctly, watching other people play at Tucson Electric Park (I <3 Spring Training!).

So, the knitting. I finished Mystery Project #1 which will be delivered to its intended recipient by April 2nd, after which I will post photos here. For the curious, here is a link to details on Ravelry.

Then there was that super-secret Mystery Project #2. Can't give any details (sorry, not even on Ravelry) for now, but here's a peek:

That's it -- the rest will have to wait until the pattern is published.

But here's some knitting I can show off:

Just a black and white striped scarf, right? Of course not:

I saw the pattern and knew I had to make it for Marilyn, my piano teacher who also happens to be our church's organist and the wife of M's Senior Pastor.

I am loving the knitting, and can't help but turn it sideways every few rows to admire the growing keyboard (I've finished only one octave so far). I think I may become addicted to illusion knitting very quickly.

In other knitting news, the darn grey socks are almost done. Here's a pic of #1 as it stood Wednesday afternoon:

Since then I've finished #1 and am about to turn the heel on #2, and I can't wait to have them done. Why am I so anxious to finish? Well, it could be that I'm sick of grey; it could be that I'm not really liking how splitty the yarn is; it could be that I am completely bored with all that tiny stockinette. Yes, it could be any of those things, but what it really is that I finally bought myself a Knit Picks Harmony wood 2.5mm circ for sock knitting and I really, REALLY want to use it.

And yes, since you asked, my toenails ARE fluorescent pink, and I DO drink far too much Diet Coke (though right now I'm enjoying a Diet Barq's).

Oh, and now that they've finally made it available on its own, I've ordered me a copy of the Morehouse Farms Alligator Scarf pattern. Oh how I wish they did online delivery of patterns (yeah, like I need to start another project right now, but I like instant gratification).

Tucson Ribbed T

Here it is!

Pattern: Bob by Jamie Cook-Jacques
Yarn: Reynolds Tucson #24, it wound up taking about 6 balls
Needles: WEBS Hard Bamboo Interchangeable Circ #8
Mods: Made the sleeves 1" longer than the pattern called for.

I love how this turned out. The yarn is very soft, the sweater is very comfortable. It'll make for perfect wearing for the next couple of months while it's both hot and cool at the same time (only in the desert).

Next project has to remain secret for a little while, but the details are over on Ravelry (along with some new photos).

Recipe For a Cheap Date

Friday night is date night around here. Lately that has meant dinner -- either at home or at our favorite Mexican place -- then a wander about the Foothills Mall, followed by coffee and desert somewhere. Yes, we're wild and crazy.

Yesterday was a little different:

M finds expiring gift certificate for a free medium specialty pizza at a local gourmet pizza place we've yet to try out. Total cost for dinner: $3.00 for soda
Cold Stone Creamery coupon means two ice creams for $5.00
Stop by the video store to pick up a movie (My Big Fat Greek Wedding -- can you believe M's never seen it?) and discover that it's free movie weekend. Total cost for entertainment: $0.00

Bringing the grand total cost of our cheap date night to $8 plus tax. Under $10 for dinner, ice cream, and movie for 2. Gotta love it.

Coming soon: elegant date night for two on the cheap (cash in credit card reward points for Melting Pot gift cards).

Yeah, yeah, I know I owe the blog a picture and details on the finished Tucson Ribbed T. It's coming, really -- gotta cut all those pesky ends off and photo it.

100 Things

It has come to my attention that since my move to the grand Southwest (I'm not trying to rub it in or anything, but it's pushing 80 here today, and I had to put the shades back on the family room window 'cuz it was HOT!), some of the 100 things were no longer valid, so here's a current, updated version.

Also, I'm still feeling a bit under the weather after whatever knocked me out last weekend, so I don't feel like taking pics. Tucson ribbed T is done and washed and ready for photo-ing. Have started work on a secret (until April) project I'm loving (details at Ravelry).

But here goes -- 100 (or so) things:

My favorite vegetable is brussels sprouts

My second favorite is asparagus

~~With the exception of <2 years of my early childhood, I have never lived outside New England~~

I made the 2nd biggest leap of faith in my life when I left New England for the wilds of Arizona -- and so far I'm loving it

I really don't like the cold

AT ALL

Though I do love sledding

I've never been downhill skiing

And I don't ever plan to

I once ran over my own leg with a lawn tractor (don't ask me how)

I am afraid of the dark

I am also slightly claustrophobic

Ouija boards do not "work" when I'm in the room

My favorite sport to watch on TV is football

My favorite sport to watch in person is hockey

The only sport I've ever come close to being good at is tennis

I can't play any more because I have carpal tunnel in both wrists

And no ACL in my left knee

I always knew I would be a pastor's wife

I always knew I would never have children

I learned to knit when I was five years old

I learned to crochet shortly thereafter

While my mother knits (and taught me to knit) English, she sent me to my aunt to learn to knit continental because she thought it would be faster

I now knit some sort of combination knitting

I didn't know until recently that that's what it is called

A few years ago I lost 70+ pounds

I have gained about 20 of it back

While I would love to be a size 8 again, I am coming to terms with 12

I quit smoking without going through any withdrawal

I eat a banana every day

Some irrational part of me thinks that if I don't I will die

I never had training wheels -- before my father could get them on my first two-wheeler, I got on and took off without wobbling or falling

This astounds me because I'm one of the most clumsy people I know

Everyone in my immediate family graduated from high schools whose colors were black and orange

I hate black and orange

I don't have a favorite color

But if I did it would be green (or red, or purple, or pink... you get the point)

It would never be blue

I could best be described as a libertarian

~~I currently live in my dream house~~

~~Unfortunately, we don't own it~~

~~But you should see the view~~

I didn't want a dog because they need to be taken for walks during blizzards

Now that I live in Tucson, this isn't a concern

Though now heat stroke and rattlesnakes are

We adopted one anyway

I love him and can't imagine life without him

And I've discovered snow isn't half as bad as cold and wind

I am still a cat person

We also have 2 cats

Our baby boy cat was seized from an abusive home by DSS

He has finally lost his fear of the appliances (except the vacuum)

He's still not sure about strangers, though he's incredibly curious about everything

And for some reason, he seems completely unfrightened by children, even the really loud, active ones

Don't tell my parents, but all those times they couldn't find Scott and me at church we were up in the belfry

It had the best view in town

Sometimes I yearn to preach

I could never be a church pastor because once a year I would have to lead worship from a chancel filled with Easter lilies, and that just might kill me -- literally

If it pollinates, chances are I'm allergic to it

I am far more physically fit than I look

I work out nearly every day

I LOVE to work out

I don't believe in the death penalty

I love it when someone else cooks me breakfast

Numbers (NOT the book of the Bible) don't always make sense to me

Come to think of it, Numbers (the book of the Bible) doesn't always make sense either

I have always preferred the company of men

If I were still single and he asked, I would probably marry JD

Not that he'd ask

And I can't really imagine me as an Army Officer's wife

M says it's probably a lot like being a pastor's wife

I am an INTP

I wish we had more lesbian friends, but...

I am intimidated by many lesbians, and...

I find many others way too angry to be around.

I don't understand the reluctance/fear most people seem to have about dating/marrying/having sex with an ordained person

It pains me to watch our single clergy friends struggle with this

My favorite book of the Bible is Philippians

Don't tell my wife or his, but I have just the tiniest crush on the minister who married us

I changed my mind about college majors because I was afraid of the particle accelerator

Yeah, I know in my mind it's not dangerous

I chose my college major because it had the fewest in-subject requirements

Yes, I took full advantage of the breadth of a liberal arts education

I have been told on multiple occasions that I am "too smart"

I still don't understand what people mean by that

I know what they mean by "too intense," and I own it

My dream job is homemaker

With a sideline as a freelance writer/editor

It's taken me years to be able to admit that

I am one of the most honest people I know

Honest in that fairly transparent, motives up front, what-you-see-is-what-you-get sort of way

NOT honest in that rude-in-the-name-of-honesty way (see this commentary by Stephanie -- it's #3, the big question)

Sometimes this gets me in trouble in interpersonal relationships because I behave as if other people are just as honest

No matter how much evidence I've seen that they aren't, I am still usually blindsided by other people's duplicitousness

I am a process knitter

And once I've figured out the process, projects can languish

I fell in love with weaving the first night of my first ever weaving class

I bought a loom shortly thereafter

As with knitting and crochet, I am nearly fearless when it comes to weaving projects

~~I've wanted a workshop for ages, and now that I have it, I don't use a lot it because I miss M too much when I'm up there~~

I have had a compulsion to write since I was old enough to do so

I never thought I would like ballroom dancing

After marrying a ballroom dancer, I find I love it

But I think I really only love dancing with M

I passed the Jeopardy test once

But I didn't get on the show

Spring Fever!

Today we packed snacks, water, sunblock, hats, a camera and the dog into the car and headed to Picacho Peak State Park for the day. It was glorious (sunny, temps in the mid-70s), and the poppies are in bloom, so the mountain was gorgeous.

Just some views of the day:

That last pic is of the "skeleton" of a saguaro cactus (yes, they're trees, and their internal structure is wood). That lumpy thing on the front is the remains of a bird's nest:

When the woodpecker (often a Gila woodpecker or a gilded flicker) is building its nest, it first drills down into the soft flesh of the cactus. Then it leaves for a while, during which time the cactus heals over the wound by creating a nice solid nest for the bird. Then he returns to find a mate and raise a family. When the cactus dies and the soft flesh all rots away, you're left with the wooden skeleton and the bird nests.

Oh, the woodpecker will usually only stay in the nest for a season or two before something else (another bird, a snake, whatever) takes over.

And Pupper would like to tell you that he climbed a mountain and everyone at the park thought he was just adorable. Here is is enjoying a well-deserved rest in the shade:

Really, our ancient, arthritic dog bounded up the hill (no, not the high peak, just a lower overlook) like a puppy. Down was a little more cautious, but, then again, it was for the Mommies, too.

Progress continues on the newly-discovered Tucson Ribbed T. Am anxious to finish and wear it (if it still fits). But now I'm off to rest a bit. After spending the entire weekend in bed with what we feared was the flu when I woke up with incredible joint pain at 2:30 Saturday morning -- but I never had a fever, and today I've just got a lingering sore throat and a bit of exhaustion -- I don't think I should push it too much.

PS. Last night we got tickets to next Monday afternoon's ST game between the Rockies and the D'backs. Second row behind first base. We're looking forward to it.

Lookee What I Found!

So, after frogging the plum sweater and despairing the loss of my mojo, I decided to organize the needles -- finally -- they've been a disaster since we moved.

While going through the stash box where most of the needles lived during the move, I found a WIP I had completely forgotten about. Completely! I must have started it about two years ago and put it aside goodness knows why.

So, I give you, The Tucson Ribbed T:

The pattern is Bob from the Spring '03 Knitty. I cannot for the life of me explain why it is I put this down. The pattern is simple, the outcome is a flattering, comfortable T (if the comments on Ravelry are any indication), and I really like the yarn I'm using. Guess this poor sweater was simply a victim of WIP-overload at some point. Perhaps I started it when I was going through a bout of startitis -- it strikes every once in a while.

Anyhoo, why "Tucson Ribbed T"?

Don't even know how long this one's been discontinued, but it ain't even on Yarndex. I do love the saguaro for the "t" on the label, tho.

So, I have a project, and so far it hasn't bitten me. I have split for the raglan decreases and almost finished the front. Just the back raglan and the sleeves left to knit, so this one should be done well before it's too warm to wear it.

Frogged!

So, the Cable Waist Cardigan has been frogged. The 8-ply cotton on the mondo cone just wasn't working right with the cables. Bummer. I will find something else for both yarn and pattern, however, so no despair. Well, not much.

I've heard others talk about losing knitting mojo, but I don't think I've ever experienced it -- until now. See, I have also had to tear out Rita's Scarf three times now. You'd think this one would be easy: I've made this scarf before; it's just a simple garter stitch. This one ain't rocket science, and still I can't seem to get it to work.

Luckily, my sock is still behaving itself. I'm almost to the heel, and I'm thinking of using the modified heel that Wendy used on her Temptation Top-Down Socks (pdf link to pattern). Maybe I shouldn't press my luck?

Right now the sock is the only (non-hibernating) project on the needles (well, there's the Dr. Who Scarf which I've never blogged [Ravelry link]). Perhaps I need to take some time and celebrate my near-WIP-less-ness. There are all those needles that need organizing, and story deadlines fast approaching, and that pile from my latest trip to the library just mocking me from the floor next to the desk (note to self: must get some sort of bookshelf-like thing for next to the desk). When I am ready to return to the knitting, it will always be there waiting for me.

Or, I could just haul out one of the warps I have stashed. Yes, I tend to wind scarf- and stole-sized warps in batches and store them for future weaving needs (I've never had a good place to keep the warping board always available, so it makes sense to wind multiple warps when I have it out). You think knitting and washing a gauge swatch interferes with getting to the "good stuff" -- what about winding a warp and dressing the loom? Though there are those (LB, for one) who enjoy that part best of all -- takes all types. Okay, I DO enjoy dressing the loom, but winding warps can be tedious.

For now, I think I'm going to take the dog for a walk and then crawl back into bed with a book. I haven't slept well this week for some reason (hmmmmm, could that have something to do with the missing mojo?), and they eyes are feeling droopy.

And That's Just the Sock Yarn!

So, I've finally sat down and explored Ravelry and started inputting stuff. There are now 51 yarns in my stash (Ravelry link), and -- with a couple exceptions -- they're all sock yarns or other yarns destined to become socks. Oh my word! I haven't even started on the stuff out in the garage (which is a perfectly acceptable place to store yarn when you live in a dry climate). Don't worry, it's all in plastic tubs.

Anyhoo, I got this email from Knit Picks and decided I had to have this cardigan. Okay, so maybe I'm totally acclimated to life in the Southwest, but it seems strange to me that they are touting this as a warmer weather sweater but the yarns they're recommending are all worsted-weight wool or wool blends. Doesn't that seem a wee bit warm, even for cool spring evenings? Or am I really a child of the desert now?

Well, there's no way I'm making it in wool for my life here. And M nixed the idea of buying any new yarn for it when she found this

in the stash. It's somewhere near about 8 pounds of light worsted cotton.

So I swatched

and it looks like the gauge should be about right. I'll probably cast on later today or tomorrow.

What about project monogamy? Well, the Kimono Jacket now looks like this:

No, it doesn't really spend its days hanging around in the shrubbery, but it felt like taking in a little sun. And that would be why this little beauty is going into hibernation (though it's called estivation when it happens in the summer) until fall. There's just no way I could finish it before the weather got just too darn warm to wear it.

And then I must do something with these:

Many, many, many moons ago, I made us a scarf using Eros and 24K. Recently M wore it work, and a friend fell in love. So, these two balls are destined to become one for her, in her colors (red and black). It'll be a nice, mindless task that.

What the....? (and some forgotten FOs)

So, I live in the desert. Yes, the desert, where it rains a few inches a year, the landscape is mostly sand and rock, and the water in my betta's bowl needs to be topped off every two days. That desert.

Then why, I have to ask, did I find this in my backyard?!

Yep -- that's a dandelion. And it's not alone:

But, I'm not going to dwell on it (nor am I inclined to use the weed killer the owners left in the garage). For now, I'll just pout, knowing that come the heat of summer, they'll be GONE.

And now, some FOs I'd forgotten about.

Circus Monkeys!
Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A.
Yarn: Plymouth Sockotta #15, 1 ball
Needles: US 1, 2.25mm 40" circular -- magic loop style
Mods: The same as the ones I made on Jennifer's Monkeys: no purls in the pattern; slip stitch heel; and who knows what else, since I stopped reading the pattern after the first repeat. Oh, and I did just an ordinary 1x1 rib rather than the twisted rib the pattern calls for.

These were finished on the drive out, and I've worn them a lot since. Shortly after we got here I found a pair of flourescent peach (you'll have to trust me on the color) Ked-like sneaks that match these socks perfectly.

And yet another Baby Surprise:

Pattern: Baby Surprise by Elizabeth Zimmerman
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Merino DK, 3 balls
Needle: The same Susanne Ebony #6 that I've used on all of my Baby Surprises.

I made this one just because. Yep, just wanted to make a Baby Surprise (I love this pattern). So, if anyone knows someone who needs one....

Baby Steps are For Babies *

I was dazzled by this book many moons ago when I first saw it, and I just had to have it. I had never done any modular knitting before, but the jacket on the cover and a number of the other projects just called to me. Reading the book, I came to the suggestion that you start with the first project in the book, the Ojo de Dios vest -- a simple project made of squares joined simply in lines -- just to get your head and hands around the techniques involved. Problem is, I could never see myself or anyone I gift wearing the vest. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not something I see myself wearing. What I WANT is the jacket on the cover.

And here is the limit of my process-knitter status. I know a pure process knitter would have made the vest just for the experience and not worried if it ever got worn. While I love the idea of learning and experimenting with new techniques, I need to know that the final product will be used by someone.

So I dove in and made what I wanted. This was an example of pure selfish knitting: I wanted that jacket, and I wanted to make that jacket. And I loved almost every minute of it. In fact, I got so involved in the process that, though it crossed my mind a few times that I should, I never once put the knitting down and got out the camera to capture it in progress. So all we have is this rather not good photo of it finished. It deserves so much more.

Pattern: "Dream Coat" from Dazzling Knits by Patricia Werner (MAYA)
Yarn: A whole buncha stuff from the stash, including Silk Garden (the predominant yarn, in three colorways), FDC Wave, Cash Iroha, Lana d'Oro Tweed, and some Bartlettyarns 2-ply
Needles: WEBS Hard Bamboo 9" #6 and #7, WEBS Hard Bamboo 32" circ #6 and #7
Mods: I chose to do a modified single chevron instead of the two half-chevrons and a seam on the sleeves. I used some simple hook and eye fasteners rather than buttons because the button band had a tendency to gap (I think this is a product of how the band is done, because it also gaps on the models in the book).

I love this jacket, and the predominance of silk in the yarns makes it perfect for cooler days here in Tucson (the same quantity of worsted-weight wool would likely be too warm for all but the most un-Tucson of cold days, even for me). I would love to make another one, using only one color of Silk Garden and not changing colors at all -- just knitting it as it came off the balls. For now, however, I have moved on to yet another new knitting challenge and jumped right over the baby steps.

This is the right sleeve and part of the right body of the Nihon Kimono from Shadow Knitting

Again, I was drawn to the technique, the book and certain projects in it (this happens to be the LAST project in the book). After reading through everything, I bought the Harrisville Shetland called for in the purple colorway in the book and dove into this jacket (again, this is the thing I most wanted to have in the book).

So far, I am loving the knitting (I do love me a good #2 needle) and watching the shadow patterns develop as I work on it. Oh, and the wool-in-Tucson thing: this is much lighter wool and will make a much lighter garment, so I'm predicting that it will be just fine for Tucson winter evenings. Okay, we're ignoring for now the fact that I will finish this just about the time it starts getting too warm for anything more than a long-sleeved t-shirt, but there's always next winter.

* Not that I have anything against baby knitters (M is one -- or at least she thinks she is). But there has to be a time when one's accumulated years of knitting experience allow one to skip the baby steps and move directly to the tango.

All for Naught

3 Super Bowl wins in 4 years; dynasty; team of the decade; quarterback of the century; undefeated regular season; 18-0 heading into the Super Bowl; immortality -- all brought to naught by one amazingly, brilliantly, dazzlingly lackluster performance Sunday evening. Did they choke? Or did they simply begin -- after weeks and months of protestation ("series of 1-game winning streaks", etc.) -- to believe their own press? Did they show up in Glendale expecting to win just as 9 out of 10 pundits expected them to win? Did they walk onto that field daring fate to deny them what was rightfully theirs?

The Giants knew it; the Patriots seem to have forgotten: there's a reason they play the game.

And so we have the answer to the ubiquitous question: who wants it more? On this day, on this stage, the Giants definitely wanted to WIN the Super Bowl more. For I do still believe that if they Patriots had wanted to WIN the Super Bowl as much as they appeared to think they should HAVE the Lombardi Trophy, they would have won. They are deeper, stronger, better, and their quarterback is one of the best ever.

But the Giants came to play, and Eli and the boys deserved that win. Congratulations.

Many years ago, Geno Auriemma took an undefeated UConn women's basketball team with no Seniors and four Freshmen into the Big East tournament. They were riding a winning streak that stretched back into the undefeated championship season of the year before, and the pressure had to be getting to them, but they sailed into the conference championship game with nary a hiccup. The Big East tournament championship went to Villanova that year, however, and with that the pressure was off. No longer carrying a two-season-long winning streak around with them, the Lady Huskies were free to sail their way through the NCAA tournament and capture their fourth national title.

Perhaps if the Patriots had lost to the Giants in week 17....

For now I must soothe myself by remembering that the Red Sox have won 2 World Series since the last time the Yankees were anywhere NEAR one, and the Celtics are still in first place and flying high.

Ummmm

You've got to be kidding, right?

It's Ours Again!

I love having company, and I love having company leave. It's kinda like Christmas that way. I love getting out the decorations and the tree and making the house festive for the season, but by Epiphany I'm ready to have my house back.

Same thing with guests. This weekend Mark and Marc came for M's installation. We had a good time, showing off Tucson to two midwestern boys (OH and MN), visiting the Desert Museum, eating at some of our favorite places, and finally getting down to the San Xavier Mission. They were our first real visitors since moving here, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.

Today, however, the house is once again just ours. The extra sheets and towels have been washed and put away; the futon in the guest room is couch once again; the Aero bed is deflated and stowed in the closet; the house has been cleaned; and the cats once again have the run of the entire house (we kept the doors to the guest room and office closed so Marc and Mark would have some privacy). It's quiet, it's clean, and no one needs entertaining.

Not that Mark, anyway, really needs entertaining. He's like my parents in that he's quite the self-entertaining guest. He's even a public transportation junkie, so he's fine as long as he has a bus/train schedule and a AAA book for the area. Unfortunately, SunTran doesn't come quite this far out, so he couldn't just take off like he could when he came to visit us in Boston, but he's still pretty low maintenance. In fact, he's probably coming back in the fall -- perhaps even with two of his friends from work. That promises to be a fun time.

He fell in love with the area so much that we suspect he might consider moving here (he's a nurse and therefore fully relocatable) once family obligations are no longer keeping him in Ohio.

M's installation day got started with a bit of a hitch. We were awakened by the phone at 5:50am -- it was the Senior Minister calling to say that he'd been up sick all night and was in no shape to lead worship that morning. So, just to complicate M's day even more, how would she like to lead two more worship services? No problem; this is one of the good things about having a two-pastor staff, right?

So, in addition to dealing with houseguests and getting ready for her own installation that afternoon, M lead two worship services on the spur of the moment Sunday morning. She did beautifully, and it was probably a fitting thing for her installation day for the congregation to see that she responds with aplomb to these kinds of changes in plans.

The installation itself was great. The sermon was forward-looking (not backward-focused as at an installation we attended earlier in the month); Marc's charges were spot-on; M's liturgical dance was beautiful (many folks now want her to revive the Church's former liturgical dance program); and the absence of the Senior Minister didn't seem to dampen the day too much.

At the reception afterwards, however, we witnessed something very strange. The Associate Pastor of a neighboring church (also relatively new, in fact, she of the backward-focused installation from earlier in the month) and another local pastor set themselves up behind a laptop at a corner table and proceeded to have some sort of the private meeting/discussion of something. When the chair of M's search committee went over to introduce herself and welcome them, she asked (as anyone would when trying to be friendly) where they were from. The response she got (from a Pastor, mind you) was "why do you need to know?"

Hmmmm. It's okay, though, because the Senior Pastor of the same church (someone M has known since she was in seminary) introduced himself to me for the fourth time at the reception. "Sandy, we haven't formally met yet. It's nice to finally meet you." I swear, someday I will just repond, "Good grief, we've met at least a dozen times by now -- why don't you try remembering."

Anyway, the house is ours once again, and relaxation and an early night are on the agenda.

I HAVE been knitting, I swear. In fact, I've been working on some pretty cool projects. Pictures soon, really.

18-0

Don't think I need to say any more.

Though I admit to being a little upset the Packers didn't win. And in no small part because, well, how's anyone supposed to know what my red, white, and blue is for?

New sweatshirts on their way for the Souper Bowl celebration in two weeks. Please remember, on that second-only-to-Thanksgiving day of conspicuous consumption, that there are those who have little to celebrate and even less to celebrate with.