one girl, being happy

2008-05-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

I am way behind. As you might have guessed. Rather than go way into details, we're moving to Los Angeles, California on July 4, 2008! At the moment, here's what I'm knitting:

It's Knitty's Saranac sweater, for Evan, in discontinued Jaeger Extrafine Merino Aran. I know, it's bad luck to knit a sweater for a boyfriend, but I think I'm safe ;) Check it out!:

We got engaged a few weeks ago, and things have been hectic to say the least. I am WAAAY behind in a swap (knottygnome, I am looking at you! I am so sorry!) but as I'll have a little under a month off starting June 6th, I am hoping to get caught up then.

(By the way, I asked him, during Jeopardy. In case you were wondering, and he has his own ring. Hehe.)

haircut

2007-11-01T09:07:00.001-07:00

haircut
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

Just like I promised! I'm going to try, unofficially, for NaNoBloMo (where you blog every day in November.) It may be a terrific failure, but I'd like to just keep it a fun way to get back into the habit of updating.

I was afraid it had been a month

2007-10-31T11:12:00.000-07:00

but, thankfully, it hasn't been! I've got no pictures for you, but I have a good reason: I've been spending lots of time both looking for a job (and not knitting much) and spending time with the boyfriend. Didn't know I had one? Well, he's a newish addition to my life, but a welcome one! We like geeky things, he's super smart (and handsome) and he even went to a fiber festival with me and we petted the bunnies. I have started a new vest, Cambridge, from Rowan Classic Alpaca. Obviously I am not going to use their expensive-ass alpaca, pretty as it is... no, I am using a squooshy extra-fine merino I picked up from Elann (link to actual yarn included, until it sells out.) I love it, but it's a tiny bit stringy; a small price to pay for stretchy, bouncy, the-perfect-color (an academic golden olive), merino. For whatever reason my gauge is way off with it, so instead of using 6s, I'm using 3s. I even used a 2 for the ribbing. Clearly, this yarn is not dk, but the fabric is great and soft. I'm knitting it as a Christmas gift for my mom (because I'm a masochist, who loves having her hard work felted). Since I'm not an idiot, I showed her the pattern and color first and got a thumbs up.

Anyway, for the next couple days I am holed up in the bf's apartment, eating all of his fruit roll-ups and going to job interviews. So, no pictures, sorry! (Also, I cut all my hair off. It's really cute! I promise I'll show you soon!)

What is meditation like?

2007-10-11T23:09:00.000-07:00

I finished my cashsoft 4 ply vest tonight, excepting the buttons (the ones I bought are too large. Damn!) But, since I'll have no camera til the weekend, I thought I'd tell you a little about what the experience of meditating regularly has been to me. I know from the outside meditation came seem really foreign, or pretentious even. For the first month, I felt silly. I still practice in privacy, though I'll have to get over it eventually, especially if I ever want to go on a retreat or live with someone again!

The closest experience I had in my pre-buddhism days was when I went swimming with a big raft in the ocean near Myrtle Beach, SC with my grandparents. I was 7 or 8, if I remember correctly. My grandfather was an ex-marine, and always trying to toughen me up. So, to scare me out of holding my nose when I swim, he flipped the raft on top of me, thinking I'd swim out from under it. I was so overwhelmed, it was completely dark and I didn't have any breath left in me. While I don't doubt it was my brain's reaction to the lack of oxygen and the paralyzing fear, I had the strangest peaceful feeling. Everything I associated with as my hands, my feet, my hair... suddenly none of it seemed attached to the part of me that was in the water. That stuff seemed to dissolve, leaving behind just the purified elements, floating comfortably in the dark, content. A minute later my grandfather dragged me up to the beach where I threw up a lot of really salty, disgusting water and my grandmother gave my grandfather the worst tongue lashing I have ever heard.

Now when I meditate the feeling is often the same. It's not that I imagine fields of flowers or world peace... instead of forcing a connection, I force a disconnection with my body, with the ground and the temperature and my surroundings. I went out tonight it was in the 40s - pretty cool. But for some reason I felt compelled out the door in bare feet and I have to admit that at first, it sucked. The concrete dug into the skin on my legs, my shoulders and back were taut with cold, and all I could think of was "Just go inside. Are you crazy? It's past midnight. You're sitting outside in the dark, it's cold, just go to bed." But, I continued to sit and dispel thought after thought, layers of the old and new slipping off. After a while the cold passed, my ankles didn't ache, my back relaxed somewhat... and I felt that same feeling that I had back then. Of being surrounded by things that couldn't touch me.

Whenever I read about people like Thích Quảng Đức, I begin to understand how you could withstand such a thing. While he is a great hero to many still, I wouldn't advise self-immolation as a form of protest. The most amazing aspect, though, is that he sat without making a sound, while burning. I have no desire to meet such an end, but I really admire what must have been a devoted practice of many years to be able to detach so well from something so overwhelming (or at least enough to not scream bloody murder.)

If you've ever thought about meditating, try it. Al you have to do is sit. That's it! Just sit, and in time, let your surroundings fall away. Don't acknowledge them or they'll come rushing back. As a friend who had a tattoo told me, "it didn't hurt because I had been practicing right before... but as soon as I thought, 'hey, this doesn't hurt,' I felt it and it hurt!" The human mind is an amazing thing.

For Your Consideration:

2007-10-05T11:11:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking for a while now about making the blog bilingual. Not necessarily because I am just inundated with foreign readers, but because my own language skills need to be maintained, and my knitting vocabulary is pretty pathetic! I've been looking into ways to make it easy for users to change language, without making English viewers read double posts. Some bloggers have varying answers to this - the most popular is being able to choose your language from a pull-down bar or tab and have the entire page convert. My computer skills just aren't up to that, though, so I'd like your opinions. Would it be really annoying to have a French language version of a blog post in with the English (my guess is yes, but y'all might be more forgiving) or should I make a twin blog with its own URL - i.r. happyhandpainter-fr.blogspot.com or similar? I just worry that maintaining links, comments, etc for two separate blogs might discourage me from posting regularly.

If you have an opinion (that isn't completely rude and left anonymously, LOL) let me know in the comments or via e-mail.

Here's a fun bit that I learned recently though - you know that awkward silence in conversation that sometimes occur? In French, it's un ange est passe, literally "an angel is passing." You'd use it like this: Quand j'ai mentionné que j'etais enceinte, un ange est passe. - "When I mentioned I was expecting (pregnant), an awkward silence fell." I'm not expecting, of course! But I thought it was funny, and another step towards talking like a 'real' person. :)

ETA: Here is a link to a bilingual blog discussing the "Ten Commandments" of bilingual blogging. Some of these just aren't possible, but I thought it would be interesting reading for anyone else considering such a venture.

Bloggers' Day for Burma

2007-10-03T10:56:00.000-07:00

You'll find this blog "silent" today (intentionally) to join the protest not only the lack of information freedom, but the overall feeling of terror and helplessness in Burma. At one point some friends had a contact there that was collecting money to help feed the monks (since they are refusing food or alms from military families), but that person has since disappeared and has yet to resurface. The worst is feared, considering the number of unreported deaths that have been occuring there.

It is utterly shameful and depraved for a group to seek out and destroy the lives of those who oppose war peacefully. If you've ever thought that pacifism wasn't powerful, then perhaps you can explain to me why so many lives are being taken away because of it! If you have the stomach for it, look here to see some photos of what is really going on there. The photos are graphic, but so is death and that doesn't go away because we close our eyes.

Rather than feeling guilty or helpless, try to turn your mind towards peaceful and lovingkindess towards those close AND far away, even your enemies. Express your thanks that the place you live in is comparatively safe. Even if tears can't save lives, they can at least mourn what is lost and affirm that there is heartbreak, loss, and terror - not just a story on the news. This blog will return to normal tomorrow, but Burma (and Darfur, and and and...) won't.

ETA: For those who haven't bothered to read but feel necessary to criticize, there is no feasible way to donate money to the monks in Burma at this time. Any packages or $ sent will be redirected to the Junta, which will cause more hurt, not relief. I wish this weren't the case, and you can be assured that if the opportunity to help presents itself, I (and many others) will.

Christmas Spread - October

2007-10-03T10:51:00.001-07:00

xmasspread
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

Here's where I am on the Christmas knitting. Three scarves, three pairs of socks, and a hat/fetching set. I have at least one more scarf, one pair of fetching, one pair of socks, and a hat left to go. Whether I get there or not is immaterial; I refuse to stress. Gift cards are your friends if you don't get far enough down your list of people deserving on knitting love.

For the last couple years, I've been working on this principle - if you don't get a gift this year (and you deserve one, obviously) you'll get one next year or the next. People who got knitted gifts the year before are moved to the bottom, and work their way back up. I knit for gifts all year round, mostly because you can only wear so many small woollen goods! Another good thing? With the exception of the green scarf on the left (which I'll give you a closeup of here in a second) all of these are from stash. :D

I've been doing well on the stash front. I have no real desire to buy yarn. There are lots of things that I have yarn for and want to knit, so that helps. It doesn't mean I don't want bag upon bag of DK-weight extra fine merino which seems to be flooding ebay and the internet stores right now. I'm sure I'll break... eventually. But not now! My savings is actually going up, little by little! Yay!

Here's the aforementioned finished green scarf:

It's the scarf I knit for my friend Tyson, until reality stepped in and pointed out that Los Angeles does not require an alpaca scarf. So, it's being repurposed and sent to Vancouver instead, and I'll knit something more useful for him! The yarn is Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Pea Soup Mix, easily the prettiest green I have ever seen. Berroco in general has stepped it up when it comes to yarn AND patterns since Norah went on board with them. Go Norah!

I've been away.

2007-10-02T13:55:00.001-07:00

ottaowl
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

Not really, I just haven't had access to a camera and I find posts without pictures to be sort of... dull.

I'd like to introduce you to Otta Owl. She'll be going to live with my niece for her third birthday, accompanied by a copy of Owl Babies. Isn't she cute, with her fetching scarf? The pattern is from And So To Bed by Lucinda Guy. (Note that I didn't buy my copy from Laughing Hens, but they're a great resource for seeing all the pattern pictures and requirements!) Otta was fun to knit, but a pain in the ass to seam and complete. The pattern called for 14 separate pieces, which seemed excessive to me so I knit everything in the round except her wings (which I seamed with fabric):

I thought it gave Otta a charmingly handmade look, and I got to work on my sewing ever so slightly. (Newsflash: it still sucks! *grin*)

Here's a shot of her round little body from the back, showcasing her cute tail:

I like her, but I won't be making another one. If you decide to make an Otto or Otta for yourself, I would suggest the following: knit the body in the round, along with her ears. Sew on felt or fabric eyes, rather than do the annoying colorwork. Sew a flat fabric bottom with perhaps a beanbag or something in the bottom. This otta is more like a pillow than a stuffie!

I've been rolling right along on the Christmas gifts, having finished a broken rib scarf (which I didn't bother photographing, it's very plain.) out of stash, and cast on for a stole/washcloth out of some Great Adirondack Handspun Cotton:

Yep, the color is really that bright. I say stole/washcloth because I'm doubting as to whether or not the ball of yarn I have will complete a full stole. It may end up a scarf. Who knows? The color is absolutely perfect for the recipient, so I know she'll love it regardless of what it becomes!

Cross it off the list...

2007-09-18T17:59:00.001-07:00

Opal Feelings Monkey Socks
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

I finished these socks up yesterday in the early morning (like 4am early, after falling into bed at 8pm...bliss!) They're a Christmas gift for my 'aunt' (really a great-step-cousin, but that makes her feel old apparently.) I have to tell you... if I hadn't liked the colors so much, I never would've finished them. First, the skein had three knots, and a bunch of dark blue strips that showed up all over the socks like they had blueberry measles. Not to mention that Opal feel... pure steel wool. I like soft things, and I recognize that everything can't be soft. That's okay with me. But this Opal and Trekking have always felt like they had tiny shredded bits of tin cans in the yarn. Needless to say, I won't be buying anymore Opal!

While covering at the Knaughty Knitter yesterday, I had time to knit the first sock of this pair:

In Panda Cotton Print in 'Circus' which is oddly the SAME colors as the previous Opal socks! Totally unintentional... obviously I need some sunshine and rainbows in my life. Anyway, I managed to complete 1 and 1/3 socks in 24 hours, which must be some kind of record for me. (A record that I have no life :B) They're going to be accompanying my best friend on her road trip across the USA, so they need to get done.

While I was working, I found the yarn I've been looking for (seemingly) forever.

Three skeins of Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Pea Soup Mix. It's a lot prettier than the name would imply! It's a nice bright olive color, with flecks of gold, orange, and darker green. Just perfect for Forbes Forest! The Ultra Alpaca is a worsted yarn, so it's heavier than the dk called for... so I'm not sure what to do. I mean, the color is just what I wanted. Not too dark, not too bright, heathered without being distracting, soft without excess fuzz... I could either make the scarf as is and have a stole size, or cut out the center cable and replace with a smaller one. I'm not there yet, but it's on my mind.

Lastly, I'm edging closer to the finish line on my Thermal-ish Vest:

I've finished the back and part of the left front. I've got the rest of the left (just straight up to the shoulder; the decreasing is done at this point.) and the remaining right front, plus the edgings and various small finishing tasks. I'm hoping it fits like I want - my Cashsoft DK vest isn't as snug as I wanted, even with two inches of negative ease, so this best has four inches' worth. It feels weird knitting a 32" bust for myself, but knits are not like clothes. They seem to actually fit BETTER when they're smaller (within reason of course.)

The parents are taking the camera on an anniversary trip so photos and posts will be sparse for a couple of weeks. I'll photo any FOs, of course.

Schaefer summer sweater T

2007-09-05T14:51:00.001-07:00

cottonsweater2
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

I followed the pattern for the Anthropologie Capelet (at peonyknits, just google it) down to where you slip the sleeve stitches onto a holder. I then joined the body (where the 'v' is) and knit around, keeping the YO detail down the sides to give me a convenient place to increase.

It's very comfortable, and not as thin as most cotton sweaters. It'll definitely help regulate the temperature for me at knitting groups, where I seem to rocket from cold to hot and back again constantly.

I used two full skeins of Schaefer Laurel (I have two more in this color, if someone wants to swap) which were 225g each, so I used up 450g for this sweater. I did buy one ball of Silkroad Aran at my LYS the other night, but it was needed for a project I'll be casting on soon.

I'm getting down to the wire on three gifts I need to have done by the end of September - two going away gifts for my best friends who are moving to Los Angeles (a pair of socks for him [worsted weight] and a shawl or something for her.) I also want to knit my niece a present, since she LOVES everything I've ever knitted for her! :) (She actually screamed when my sister tried to take a dress I made off. I think that is so cute... maybe not so to my sis, though!)

Just let it go.

2007-09-04T15:08:00.001-07:00

celaeno1
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

There's been a lot going on in my world lately, not all of it good. But if there's any Buddhist philosophy that's served me recently, it's accepting that life gives what it gives. Things are never 'as they should be' they only ARE. So it's with that spirit that I write this post. :)

The Celaeno socks are coming along. I finished the pattern, but er... it's 7 pages long. Granted, I haven't changed the font and shrunk it (right now it's huge; don't worry about it being too small!) but I also haven't added the cable chart. Er.. I think my problem is that I want things to be TOO clear, and especially when there is sizing involved, it can get REALLY cluttered with extra notes, etc. On the plus side, it will be very clear and have not one, not two, but four (I've knit two different ones now) samples. So you will have a very clear picture of what to expect!

I'm also knitting a sweater that is coming along swimmingly! (This picture has unintended boobage, scroll past it if you're at work. *grin*)

It's two strands of Schaefer Laurel held together. A top down raglan with eyelet details and a perfect fit so far. I haven't decided whether or not to use short sleeves (pros: less knitting, more appropriate for summer; cons: shows exactly how untoned my arms are, not really work appropriate) or long sleeves (hides arm fluff, is work appropriate, but is more knitting.) Can you tell I want something to just be finishedand wearable? Not to mention I have 800g of Laurel to use, and it's so quick knitting that I think I can knock my total stash gs down by a good bit by mid month!

I also did a little stash enhancing. I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but I had a credit from The Loopy Ewe from a site referral (thank you, whoever clicked through and bought yarn! I hope you had a good experience!) so I decided to use it. One skein of Fleece Artist 2/6 Merino sock in Rainforest:

And two skeins of Shibui sock in Spectrum (which is still in stock at Sheri's as of this post):

I wasn't sure if I should blog about this last thing. But I guess I wanted to hear your thoughts. I cooked dinner for the family on Sunday... and not from a can or box. Marinated and grilled tofu, balsamic asparagus, and mashed potatoes with gravy. They ate it, said it was really good, etc. Fast forward to this morning... my mom leaves her e-mail open all the time, with its own tab. I clicked over today by accident while trying to get to Ravelry. I clicked back again... but not before I noticed that she had written her friend (who, admittedly, I don't like much) saying how awful my cooking was. She actually used the word awful.

I am so, so hurt. Mostly because she lied, and if she knew me at all she would know that I'd rather have constructive criticism than fake compliments. ESPECIALLY if you are going to turn around and slam what I've done! This isn't the first time she's done something like this, either... She always had a smart remark to make to her friends about me, I guess thinking I was deaf? I can understand that a parent isn't always thrilled with what their kids do, but how unbelievably disappointing and juvenile is this behavior? Really!

I just had to get that off my chest. Sorry. It's so depressing when your own mother uses you as the butt of a joke among her friends, whereas my father would probably punch someone if they made fun of me. *sigh* I'll be working on letting this go in meditation tonight...

Placed Cable Gone Awry

2007-09-01T08:47:00.001-07:00

Placed Cable
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

While the yarn is soft, that's pretty much all I like about this sweater (and the pattern.) It was definitely NOT written for those of us with some frontage up top. The sleeves as written - 17.5" - are way too short (by about three inches.) The body is also too short for my taste.

I haven't decided yet whether I should just give it away (I'd rather not) or unpick the bottoms of each part and lengthen them. I have about half a ball left (over 100 yards) and I might rip out the cowl too, which doesn't lay at all. At least it was a quick knit! I finished the pieces on the 28th (including the cowl.) While trying it on, though, I realized this was going to fit something funky, and avoided doing the seaming until last night. (Hoping it would grow in my sleep, maybe??)

To be fair, I think I have broad shoulders, though this has yet to be confirmed. That would explain the weird sleeve fitting. On second thought, maybe I'll rip out the cowl and gift it instead... it's pretty obvious to me that this sweater was meant to be knit with a good amount of ease, on a small-busted gal. If you want to knit the Placed Cable for yourself, definitely give yourself some positive ease and add some bust shaping if your girls are bigger than a B. :)

In other knitting news, I'm rewriting the pattern for my Celaeno socks. The originals were knit last year, but when the iBook went kaput, it took the pattern with it. Now I'm knitting it again, this time out of a delicious ShiBui sock yarn from Haus of Yarn. The color is Midnight, appropriate since Celaeno (the harpy, not the wife of Poseidon) means 'darkness.' Here's a shot of the yarn, and you just see the sock in the background:

I'm going to need a couple test knitters for this pattern, one who has very small feet, and one who has larger feet (though not as large as a man's.) If you can knit these for me, I'll provide the yarn to knit them, and a free copy of the pattern once it's done. You can keep the finished socks, of course, but I do want to have them for a day or two to take photos.

About the pattern: It has a lot of cabling, though not a lot of cables. Nothing as intense as the Bayerische socks, but there are a lot of little 2-3 stitch twists. If you've never cabled before, I don't think this would be the best pattern to learn on! I need the two test knitters to give me feedback on the pattern and let me know what's confusing or unclear. If you think you can do that, please email me at nararabbit (AT) yahoo (DOT) com. If you can, point me to a gallery of your finished works so I can poke around. I am on Ravelry, so galleries there are okay too! Thanks!

Edited to add: I now only need a test knitter for the larger size. If you choose to knit this pattern for me, you'll be knitting it in Fleece Artist Sea Wool in Ivory. Just so you know!

Placed Cable Aran 8/22/07 and a Contest

2007-08-22T14:19:00.001-07:00

Placed Cable Aran 8/22/07
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

Though I'm savoring drifting in and out of foggy dreams where I'm chasing my old high school friends through underground subway mazes, one can't sleep ALL day, and I didn't have the mental energy to add 2+2, so I knit. The body and one sleeve of the Placed Cable Aran is now finished, and the second sleeve has about 2.5" on it. This thing has gone quickly! I have a little neck shaping to go on the front, the rest of the second sleeve, and the cowl, plus finishing.

Tell you what... we'll make it a contest. Keeping in mind that I am hot and sleepy from illness, guess when the PCA will be finished (as in seamed, blocked, and photo'd) and you will win a prize from the stash (your choice from some selections!) I will tell you that tonight I'm teaching, and then will probably come home and fall asleep while studying, so I doubt any real knitting will get done for the rest of the day.

So, leave a guess in the comments with an exact day (i.e. September 1st, or August 30th, etc.) If no one guesses the right day, I reserve the right to keep my precious yarn! ;)

ETA: This contest is open to internet folks only. If you see me at any of the knitting groups, you're not eligible, since it's unfair advantage! Sorry!

Fever Dreams

2007-08-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

True to form, I woke early this morning covered in sweat and with my head pounding. A fever! I haven't had one of those in a while; truth be told I enjoy them if I have the day off, because I have the most f'ed up dreams. Plus, that feeling when the fever breaks... everything suddenly feels cool and delicious, the pain in your head recedes, and you sleep the sleep of the dead.

I'm not there yet though, so my to-do list for today:
_ laundry, sheets (15 min)

_ empty dishwasher (10 min)

_ vacuum floor(s)

_ put all books onto shelves (1 hr)

_ put away all loose yarn in proper homes (20 min)

_ study GRE at least 30 min (30 min - 1 hr)

_ work on current book(s)

_ remake bed (10 min)

_ listen to BBC Francais for 1 session while knitting, sewing, or drawing

_ swiffer bathroom floor (yuck!)

_ work on MS3

became

_ sleep all day, maybe take a shower later, go back to sleep after eating 1/2 box of gummy bears for sustenance. ;) See y'all later...

I am in love.

2007-08-20T16:37:00.001-07:00

minicardiwithtop2
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

My Minimalist Cardigan is done, and I love it! The length, the sleeves (perfect for those of us always at work, pushing up their sleeves over and over again!) I even love the rolling edge. I toyed with sewing a lining to the front edges, but the rolling really does make it nice, and has the added benefit of letting a bit of ruffled blouse peek out underneath. This particular top is a sleeveless number from Banana Republic that's been languishing in the closet... obviously it was waiting for this sweater to be born.

Anyway, I love it. It'll be perfect for studying for the GRE (yep, I said it... I'm both terrified and thrilled at having a direction for once.) and, eventually, reading in the Bodleian. (That dream might be a while in the making, though!) The yarn, even though the gauge was off, is the perfect one in my opinion. Soft, but with a good amount of body, and it shows off the stitch definition beautifully due to the bit of silk. I've no idea where to get the stuff on sale, as it's pretty dear otherwise (about $9/ball, I used 12.5 for a 38" size). I just look for it on sale and then stash it for the future.

Here's another shot, check out that perfect late summer sky:

Now that the Mini is done, am I resting on my laurels? You ought to know better... I started this beauty:

It's the Placed Cable Aran from the same issue, Interweave Fall 2007. I'm using Malabrigo in Sunset, a warm ochre gold. I was initially unsure of the intense color, but I loved this photo by Brooklyn Tweed, which decided it for me. And I'm glad I went with this one; the color is so utterly perfect for fall! You know how sunlight shines through the yellow and gold leaves, making them seem like they're glowing? Yeah. It's that color.

By the way, I hope I didn't freak anyone out with yesterday's post... it was just on my mind, with fall and me realizing I am the same age now as Rob was when he was killed. Life is strange, the way it sneaks up on us!

Totally unrelated to knitting

2007-08-17T13:01:00.000-07:00

For those here for the knitting: I'm still finishing the sleeve of my Minimalist Cardigan. The moss stitch that I was so enamored with at the beginning is now pure slog material. Thankfully I am almost up to the armpit... the rest of the post will likely be depressing, so if you're having a bad day, turn back now (but visit later if you don't mind.)

When I was born, all my brothers and sister were a lot older than me - I even have a photo of my oldest brother, Robbie, proud in his Navy uniform, and me as a toddler in what I *think* were my Easter dress clothes. Because of the age difference (and the fact that my half-siblings lived with their respective "other" parents most of my life), we weren't close. They looked out for me, babysat me when needed, and kept me entertained. But I never had a chance to know them the way most kids know their brothers and sister. There were no intimate, secret bond; the only shared activity I remember was brushing my sister's long, thick hair when she was thirteen. I know we must have been friends, because I don't remember any fighting, but like I said... I was really young when we all lived together.

The year I turned 8 (and I don't remember the date or season, if that tells you anything) my parents came to pick me up from school, early. That NEVER happened. Those of you who had working parents know what I mean when I say that you just KNOW something is wrong if they are there. I remember I had been playing, and the woman at the checkout desk gave me a weird, pitying look when I came through the door. My parents were standing there, as close as they could with becoming siamese twins. Just by looking at their faces, you couldn't really tell what was going on... no tears or anything dramatic like that. Just white faced and stony. When we got out of the school, they told me my next eldest brother, Jason, had been killed.

It's a weird feeling, being a kid and experiencing death. On one hand, you don't really understand the ramifications; at 8 you know what happens when you die, but there's a part of you, too, that can't comprehend the finality. He had picked on me a little the last time I had seen him, blaming me for ruining the guest towels (he skinned his elbow or knee, then wiped the blood off on them) and so to be honest, I wasn't that sad. I didn't get what it meant, of course, only that he had been mean and now had been hurt somehow. (I'm sure this sounds bizarre to you all.. maybe I was just a weird kid?)

We didn't talk about it much. I'm sure my parents spent a lot of time huddled in their room, and I lay awake for a few nights, but there was no real communication about it. I'm sure the wound was so raw for my dad (his father) that he was still processing it as well. Add to it that he died horribly - his spine crushed by a tractor during a Halloween hay ride - and knowing that he had survived for 45 minutes afterward. it was just a shock, pure and simple. Even later, at the funeral, I could not sit still. I made my sister (his sister) come outside and play with me, both of us in our dress clothes. I can't remember crying either.

Fast forward three years; my family has been recovering, though a silence has settled over the house and no one talks about anything but my horrible academic performance (they were nice about it, and helped any way they could, but I just didn't.like.school.) or our cats, or food, etc. Anything deeper was simply danced around. In the middle of the night (we're living with my grandfather while our very own house, the first one! is being built) I'm awakened by my dad. "Come downstairs," he says, in a strange voice.

The next part is blurry, but I'm standing in the doorway of the kitchen (which has one of those dutch doors that splits in half) and my mom has her feet curled up under her in the big stuffed chair. Her face looks awful and I just knew. I remember crossing my arms, mostly to keep it all together. "Robbie's dead," she squeaks out. (My mom is not a squeaker in any sense.) "How?" I ask, and I'm told his jeep flipped over into a ditch, and the safety equipment installed failed miserably, meaning a lot of steel squished him. He hadn't been drinking; he had only been reaching over to change a cd, and turned the wheel accidentally when he had done so. It never ceases to amaze me how large things can come to nothing, and small actions can have the biggest consequences...

Oddly, I don't remember anything after that point. Not because I fainted or anything dramatic like that, but my mind fast-forwards over the blank parts until I go back to school. I should mention that the back patio of my grandfather's house had hand-poured slabs, made by my older siblings in funny shapes that locked together like puzzle pieces. In each one were names, handprints, etc. It got ripped up when the deck was put down for the new owner, years later...

When I get to school, people know. I am treated differently, and am forced to work with a counselor because my school performance is so dismal. I get special treatment, getting missed assignments forgiven. If I get scolded, I tear up, get sent to an office, and get out of whatever trouble I was in. I read books under my desk during math, and ignored whatever instructions I was given. I lied about having done homework, and was a major pain in the ass. I really feel sorry for my parents now, having that to deal with on top of everything else. I don't think anyone ever talked to me directly about what had happened, they only talked about school. I hated it; having that feeling that teachers talk about you in the lounge and having nothing be private.

My school performance got better, if only because I graduated into high school (barely *sigh*) Most teachers didn't know anything about me then, other than the fact that my dad was a counselor at the same school. I didn't carry as much of the baggage to the new breed. I joined the Creative Coalition, lead by my English teacher who is so similar to Lupin from Harry Potter it's scary (he's not a werewolf though, of course!) I met other kids who had had screwed up childhoods, and they got where I was coming from, and treated me like a friend, not someone with a disease.

You'd think I'd had my fill by then... but no. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer that year. I was so used to being a grown up that when my parents told me, I simply said "Well, you'll probably want some time to be alone together. I'll be staying at [neighborhood friend]'s house tonight." Nothing much more was said, though I knew of course that she was nauseous a lot, had a million doctor's appts to go to, etc. Teachers inevitably found out (I think they may have called the school) and I got asked "How's your mom?" with regularity. The sad thing was, I didn't know. In my mind, she was either fine and just going through another rough time, or she was on the verge of death. My English teacher even had us read a book about cancer in which the person dies on the operating table in the end, something I think was totally inappropriate and still irritates me. But, I had friends, ones who knew me as more than "that girl" and I had the Creative Coalition. All the poems and stories I wrote were about people going through shit times, then having epiphanies or lucky breaks. and I actually won a couple awards, which was nice for my ego. I was nominated for a leadership award my sophomore year (something I don't think I deserved, but I think the school counselor saw in me a lot of raw energy that could be used for good *grin*) and attended a seminar on that, which exposed me to a lot of very driven, charismatic kids. I was surprised to find that many of them had grown up in less than desirable circumstances too.

There have been a few blessings that came out of so much trauma - I can roll with just about anything. Father breaks his neck? As long as he's alive, it's all good. Boyfriend leaves you? Well, obviously he wasn't any good after all. Emotionally, I'm very strong, and I recognize the need to just get it out there. When someone I meet has been having a rough time of it, I'm prepared. (Don't say you understand, or anything else that isn't true. Just be there, squeeze their hand, and treat them like you always would, and maybe a little gentler.) I'm not afraid of anything for longer than a moment or two. I appreciate what I have, no matter how much or little. I've learned to let go with grace when it's time, rather than with an iron grip that must be pried off one finger at a time.

If you or someone that you've met are having a rough time for whatever reason, you can always feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment. I won't lie and say I understand every situation, but pain is never trivial to the person going through it, whether it's a pet, a partner, or even someone you barely knew. I'm ashamed to say I can no longer remember either of my brothers with clarity, but that should be a testament to the ability of the mind to heal on its own, over time. And if the day comes when I begin to forget entirely, I can always take out the ephemera - the first name tag from a first job, a photo of Jason with his first car, or look at the activism that filtered from from Jason's life (stealing all the styrofoam cups from the cafeteria and replacing them with paper ones! *grin*) into my own.

Though he is fallen asleep, God will not leave him
In this forgetfulness. Awakened, he
Will laugh to think what troublous dreams he had.
And wonder how his happy state of being
He could forget, and not perceive that all
Those pains and sorrows were the effect of sleep
And guile and vain illusion. So this world
Seems lasting, though 'tis but the sleepers' dream;
Who, when the appointed Day shall dawn, escapes
From dark imaginings that haunted him,
And turns with laughter on his phantom griefs
When he beholds his everlasting home.

Rumi, translation by R.A. Nicholson

Minimalist Cardigan, part 2, and a look towards the future

2007-08-11T18:39:00.001-07:00

Minimalist Cardigan body
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

I finished the body this afternoon and am now onto the sleeves. I don't think you can tell from the photos, but it has a kind of kimono collar - the straps that you see at the top are grafted together, then the edge is sewn against the back neck so that it will stand up. I don't know how I feel about the edging, personally. I know the pattern description says it is supposed to roll, and it's a "design feature" (we all know what that means. *wink*) but I find it very annoying. I am considering sewing a fabric facing and blocking the heck out of it to make it more... kimono like, and less like I am wearing rubber tubing over my lady bits.

Also, the sleeves increase a lot right about the ribbing, and while I like it on the model, it looks very blouse-y. I'll keep it, but I just thought you should know before you get there that there is no gentle increasing outward, just one free-for-all 16 stitches increased in one row. So, you may want to increase slowly along the seam line if that's more your style.

(Oh, and the sleeves aren't going to be elbow length on anyone who isn't 6' tall. As written, it's a 3/4 length sleeve on me.)

At one point, I had knit the entire body... only to realize that I had missed two decreases on the left front, meaning that from the armpit up, it had two extra stitches. To help my frustration, I dug around in the stash to begin thinking about the next project since this one should be done in the not-too-distant future. Out popped 9 balls of Artful Yarns' Candy, an elastic/cotton blend with a cool, tweedy mix of colors. (I'm using Sweet Tart, which is cream, aqua, purple, and blue.):

At 20 sts/4 in prewashed, and 22 sts/4 in post wash, it does shrink a little. (This included a dryer, since I thought it would be a nice change to own a sweater that wasn't a pain in the ass to wash.) However, since I think this sort of yarn is better suited to more figure-hugging designs, I'll be knitting it at 20 st, then when it shrinks in the wash, it will have the perfect snugness required to frame my lady parts in all their glory.

In case you're wondering, it's nothing at all like Fixation or any other extremely stretchy yarns. If anything, it's more like a very elastic merino. Some give, but keeping tension was easy, though I did snag the loosely-spun plies a few times. I'm considering a top-down, deep-V long sleeve sweater, but we'll see. I have a few more days of work on the Minimalist Cardi, and when it's done I may just feel like knitting a t-shirt. :)

The Minimalist

2007-08-09T16:46:00.001-07:00

minimalistcardigan
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

When I popped into Angel Hair on Monday evening to SnB (I like to spread myself around ;) and to see Charisse, I bought a copy of the Fall Interweave Knits. I had looked through the preview, and while it was nice, nothing screamed "Do me now!" (Well, that sounded bad. You know what I mean, right?!) But when flipping through the real thing, several things jumped out at me as needing to be added to my fall sweater closet immediately!

The Minimalist Cardigan, with its clean lines and nubbly texture, made me think of something you'd wear while tending the garden in a Buddhist monastery. (Please allow my imagination this flight of fancy.) You'd be raking over the soil, perspiring lightly in the cool early evening air. You stand up, weight resting on the rake, and squint against the intense orange sun of the fading day.) You can see why it appealed to me. Or maybe you think I have a problem. Either way, I'm up to the bustline now and about to split it to knit the fronts and back. Since the sleeves are cropped, I'm thinking this little cardigan will go quickly. And the yarn? Silkroad Aran, as usual. I bought it while in Myrtle Beach, SC back in the spring, at half off. I always buy some when I find it on sale, because it is my standby yarn for any sweater which must be both wearable and attractive. (The color is Venetian, a dark plummy brown. Much more monkish than cherry red!)

My next project (big sweater project, that is) will also be from this issue of Interweave, and probably the one after that too, though I ordered yarn for this one. I know, I said I wouldn't, but I've been really good and the Malabrigo was on sale, and in an INCREDIBLE orange-y gold that is also very Buddhist.

I'm a member over at Stashalong and the August challenge is to use use single balls that have been marinating for a while. I didn't think I had many... but look what I found while digging out all of that luscious Silkroad:

Obviously I have my work cut out for me! Good thing I need to get started on birthday gifts/Xmas/going away/baby and so on. No idea if I'll get these all knitted, but I hope so. None of them is so objectionable that it deserves to be abandoned this way!

S-t-r-e-t-c-h!

2007-08-03T14:00:00.001-07:00

munchkin
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

Sheri posted an entry about her cat, Zoe, who stretches out like a dog when she relaxes. We have a stretcher in the house too, though for different reasons. Munchkin (pictured) has a really fat ass*, and teeny little paws. Whenever she tucks her paws under, making a < ahref="http://www.flickr.com/photos/madebytess/506681857/?addedcomment=1#comment72157601197631508">Cat Loaf, I think the weight causes her legs to fall asleep. She can never stand right up into Loaf Stance; she has to roll herself over on her side, fuss until someone rubs her tummy, THEN get up. Hey, she's an old lady (12)... she can do what she wants! ;)

*I don't think cat obesity is good, no matter how cute it is... and Munchkin's fatness has continued to confuse us and our vet. We only feed her a bit twice a day, but she lays her face down in the bowl and INHALES it. It's kind of disturbing. Anyway, she's otherwise healthy, and we're always trying to get her to play or exercise, but like I said, she's old. I just didn't want anyone to think I didn't care about her fatness. It concerns me. :*(

The Destash Vibe is Strong With You

2007-08-01T11:54:00.001-07:00

Fiesta Boomerang - first toe-up sock!
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

I finally took a dive and tried out toe-up socks. I've always admired the convenience of being able to use all the yarn you have (I have so many oddballs, ugh.) but I really do not like Magic Loop or Two Circs... I wasn't really invested enough in the idea to try a "real" sock (i.e. fingering weight) so when Wendy posted her free Southwestern Sock pattern over at The Loopy Ewe, I decided to give it a try. The stitch pattern is cute and easily memorized, and I didn't have to do a crochet cast-on, which I hate. I really love the Turkish cast-on - so easy! After that, though, not so much. It wasn't hard, really, just fiddly. I would definitely have to complete the toe before packing a sock to knit on while out and about; not so with a top-down sock. I put this one away, to work on later (since I really don't like the pressure of three pairs on the needles at once!) Not to mention the distance will give me time to decide if I like it. I mean... it's so thick. I hate hot feet, and I'm not sure I'll wear them. We'll see. I won't do anything rash, like give it away.. ;) But I could finish them and gift them to someone in a cold climate!

Here are the current socks in progress, mostly:

In Cherry Tree Hill Potluck Supersock. This was a swap, and I still find it hard to believe that anyone could NOT love these colors. I mean... look at them! I cast these on almost a year ago, but the weeny little size 00 needles are killer on my hands and fingers so I don't see these getting finished with lightning speed or anything!

These are getting more attention:

Lisa Souza Merino! Sport in Violet's Pink Ribbon. I love the way these striped so perfectly, and they really remind me of my favorite food group, the cupcake (right down to the "sprinkles"!) I've finished the first one that you see in the photo, and am about halfway down the leg of the second. It would be good to finish this one in a couple days...

Goals for August: I don't know if the sock madness will continue, but I'm enjoying all the things getting finished right now. I have two, yes, TWO UFOs remaining, both only needing a little bit of work! One is a hat in RYC Silk Wool that is so pretty, but I just can't work up any excitement about it while it's still so hot and humid. I also need to weave in the ends of my Bird's Nest Shawl. Since the latter is for my mom's birthday on the 4th of this month, that will get done soon! (I also bound off too tightly, thought about it, and threw the little remaining yarn away to keep myself from ripping back. Kinda regretting it now...!)

Numbers for this July:
Grams Out: 1,850. Unbelievable, I know. The Quidditch sweater ate up a lot, and I sold 500 g, but still!
Grams In: 790! That's only 50g over my "allowance" of 740g (40% of what I used up.) Go me! ~~does the patented Bronwyn dance~~

Of course, I'm starting this month off with a deficit of 250g. Ack! It was Crown Mountain that did it - two skeins of Sock Hop (besides costing $43, UGH) add 150g, and the Loopy Ewe... well... they got this Handmaiden in. Mini Maiden, in Paris, specifically. Another 100g.
I only have to knit up 640g this month, tho, to make up for it! Yay! (Except, er, Elann.com is going to have RYC Cashsoft 4ply next week. You all know how much I love Cashsoft so I could be in trouble there... send good destashing vibes my way this month, please! Thanks!

Socks On a Tray

2007-07-31T15:00:00.001-07:00

Socks On a Tray
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

I've finished a lot of socks lately - I guess it's the portability. With the house torn apart from the renovation, it makes life easy to keep everything in one Loopy project bag. No needing to keep up with pattern pages, or multiple balls of yarn. This does mean that MS3 has been set aside, but I think I'll live. It's stalled at the 3rd clue, and I'll keep printing out the charts until I get the intense desire to work on it...

For project specs on each pair, click on the photo above. I'll show you the new socks on the needles! tomorrow!

Bearclaw Scarfette

2007-07-26T10:15:00.001-07:00

bearclaw
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

Pattern: Bearclaw Scarfette

Yarn: Dream in Color Smooshy Sock in Giant Peach from The Loopy Ewe!

Time: About two weeks, give or take a few days.

Notes: This "little" scarf (over 90" long, oops!) went by quickly thanks to the frost flowers pattern, which was easy enough to memorize but changing enough that it wasn't boring. I knit 6 repeats, placed the live stitches on a holder, knit another 6 repeats and then grafted them together. You can't even tell where I grafted it, since I finished each pattern short one purl row before grafting (so, it was ready for a plain row either way, and the grafted stitches took its place.)

Up next? Socks, socks, and more socks. I have two finished ones, and their mates on the needles. Some of the contenders for the next couple pairs:

I have been good about using from my stash, largely. I did order enough Sundara to knit a small shawl, but since I've never used her stuff, the color was gorgeous, and I had a paypal balance left over from the destash, I am not worried in the least. (Now, the Loopy Ewe getting Handmaiden mini maiden? That is Not Good.)

Grumpy

2007-07-22T06:19:00.001-07:00

After staying up all night on Friday to read Harry Potter (it was worth it, of course) and then last night I kept waking up... over and over again.. this morning I am so tired and have to teach. I love the kids, but we are having a house painting party as soon as I get done, and no doubt I will be up late again. Can't I have a time turner, please, and sleep for a few hours? Maybe then this headache would go away...

(I had gotten behind on the mystery stole, by an embarassing amount. After finishing Clue 1 only a couple hours after it was released... then never touching it again til yesterday. I'm up to row 140 now, so clue 2 will be finished soon. Yay!)

It's Over.

2007-07-21T05:02:00.000-07:00

I finished the final installment of HP at 6:55 this morning, having begun at 1:00AM. 6 hours. Pretty good time; even I was surprised by how quickly it flew.

Okay... THERE ARE SPOILERS. SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS! PLEASE don't highlight the below text if you don't want my thoughts on very spoiler-ish events in the book, okay? Don't say I didn't warn you...

I was really upset about Fred. I mean... so sad. I really was not that shocked about Moody, I mean, he really didn't have a lot more to contribute to the story at that point. But really, I think the worst was Tonks/Lupin, and right after they became parents. I know Tonks loved Lupin (obviously), but THIS IS HER CHILD. Why would you abandon your new baby for a husband you already sorta know is toast? It seemed really selfish and weird to me. I'm glad the posse survived, and overall I really liked the storyline with Ron/Hermione/Harry on the run for months, and Ron even abandoning Harry at one point! I was actually pleased by that, I think it shows more of a real person than this abstract ideal of a best friend who never, ever wavers. I loved when Harry is approaching Voldemort, counting each heartbeat left to him, etc... VERY tense! However, I thought the whole 'dream' sequence was kinda hokey and it would've made far more of an impact if he had stayed you-know. Also, the final chapter? I didn't like it. I thought I would, but it seemed so... childish? It was cool to see all the kids grown up, with children of their own, but it was written almost like a fanfic, right down to the shipper's preference in pairing! Grown-up Draco was cute, too, heh. (Oh, and I am so pleased about Snape. YAY!! Not really surprising about Petunia, I always knew she was jealous.)

If you have any comments about the books, please email me privately or post spoiler-free remarks only. I don't want the book to be ruined accidentally, hence the highlighting, etc.

Eleventh Hour

2007-07-19T15:45:00.001-07:00

Ravenclaw Quidditch Sweater
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

Dates: July 4, 2007 - July 19, 2007. 15 days. Pretty good considering this thing's giant!
Pattern: A significantly altered (gauge, added stripes, changed neckline, knit in round, etc.) version of the Quidditch sweater from Charmed Knits. Such a cute book!
Yarn: Rowan Wool Cotton in Poster Blue (13 balls) and Moonstone (2 and a bit of a third.) The blue bled really bad the first wash, but the grey was sort of too warm anyway, and now it's perfect. The weight of this thing caused it to stretch about 2" in length, but since those sweaters are sooo long anyway, I don't think it'll be an issue. It's very hugging and flattering, believe it or not. (You won't have to believe for long; I'll get a photo of me in it tomorrow!)

The patch is from an ebay seller who does amazing HP patches. They aren't endorsed by WB, as far as I know, but here it is. The communication was good, the shipping cheapo but predictably not so fast (8 days, including weekends.) I really want one of her Auror patches too, it changes color in the light!

Overall, I liked this project and I'm really tempted to make another out of the green yarn that I have. (*the* green yarn? Who am I kidding? One of the many green yarns...) Or possibly hufflepuff, since it's been pointed out I look like Tonks, with my newly purple hair. (You heard me. No photo today, sorry!) I think, though, a more likely HP project will be a school sweater in charcoal, with the slytherin colors. I like all the houses, so I think it would be fun to have a whole wardrobe of different house clothing!

I will be offline til I finish reading Deathly Hallows, to avoid any spoilers. But, since it took me 6 1/2 hours to read number 6, and no doubt a reread will follow, it should only be a week or so. I won't be posting any spoilers on the blog, for obvious reasons. If I do feel the need to shout from the rooftops (and I can only think of one thing that would make me do that.. *hearts*Snape*hearts*) I'll make sure to black it out so you have to highlight to read it. Don't want to be ruining it for anyone else...

Oh, and I'll be baking pumpkin pasties tonight. :9

The FO train continues...

2007-07-05T13:49:00.001-07:00

Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora baby sweater
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

This little number is for a friend of mine, due with a baby next month. (Isn't everyone pregnant right now? It seems like it... must have been a very dull winter. ;)

Dates: Unknown, as it's been sitting in the basket for almost two months, just waiting for underarm seaming. Sad, I know!

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora in Stone, two skeins, and Cashmerino Astrakhan in Teal, most of one skein.

Pattern: Placket-neck baby sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Love this pattern, I think this is my third?

I have at least another week's worth of FOs for you, so there should be plenty of blog fodder for a while. See you tomorrow with a new FO!

Ride the FO Train!

2007-07-04T22:16:00.001-07:00

RYC Classic Style "Cool Vest" in Cashsoft DK
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

I used slightly less than 5 balls, on size 3 & 5 needles; it took almost exactly a week. =) The color is true on my monitor, it's "Crush" (bought from Elann last week for a song!)
Dates: June 28 to July 4 (4 am!)
Pattern: Cool Vest from RYC Classic Style, modified to knit in the round, using 3 needle bindoff on shoulders.
Yarn: 5 balls Rowan Cashsoft DK for 36" size

Pattern notes: Both the yarn and the ribbed pattern are very stretchy; if I make a similar vest, I should make it the next smaller size to incorporate some negative ease. It does fit, but it definitely looks better over a button-up rather than a t-shirt, etc.

Next up:

A Ravenclaw Quidditch sweater from this pattern. I'd like to be able to wear it to the book release party in two weeks, and I think, barring any unseen circumstances, I can do it. Why Ravenclaw? I had the yarn for it! ;) Specifically, Rowan Wool Cotton in Poster Blue, a nice dark royal; I'll be hopping over to Angel Hair today to get the contrasting pale gray color. Not to mention the maroon/gold combo would look really gross on me, and I'd like a sweater I can wear "undercover" and not be recognized as a huge HP dork when I'd rather not. This yarn has been marinating for quite a while, so I'm happy that it finally has a destination.

Summer of Lace

2007-06-15T08:32:00.001-07:00

Lace Stash
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter

I have been in a major lace mood lately, and will soon have a FO to show you. My Bird's Nest Shawl (supposed to be finished by Aug 4.,) has only 22 rows and a bindoff remaining, though each row takes exactly 15 minutes - so, about 5.5 hours of knitting time remaining, plus time to block the humongous thing. My mom wants a BIG shawl, so rather than knit it in laceweight, I'm knitting it out of Knitpicks Gloss in Cocoa on size 9 needles. I should've googled before going too far into it, because most people get a shawl around 100 inches long with laceweight. This thing is going to be a blanket!

The lace mood hasn't evaporated, so I joined the Mystery Stole 3 group over at Yahoo. I've never done a mystery shawl before, and I like her other designs, so this will give me a chance to try one. And, (you'll be so proud) I'm using stash yarn! That pale gray, over to the left? A cashmere/merino blend that I bought for $5 (about 3000 yards, I think!) at School Products in NYC. I hanked and washed about 1/3 of it, and boy, does it expand. Also, the water was filthy, so it had been sitting for a while. Oops.

So, what happens when I finish the Bird's Nest with some time to kill before June 29 (the day of the first clue release)? A lacy scarf is in order, either out of the Colinette Parisienne (middle bottom) which I have about 700 yards of, or out of the bright yellow merino cake (880 yards, next to the Basil Zephyr), or out of the Jade Sapphire Cashmere (400 yards, Lapis) on the right. I don't want anything super complex, so I'll be poring through my pile of lace books to find just the right thing...

Quittin' Time

2007-05-08T05:35:00.001-07:00

Quittin' Time Cupcakes
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.

My mom has smoked as long as I can remember. My dad smoked too, but not like her. It's constant; anything stressful, she smokes. I don't want anyone to feel judged, but whenever I'm around a smoker I just feel gross, like I have a layer of grit on me (much like a city near a lot of factories.) the smell stays on you forever, yellows your teeth, gives you wrinkles around the mouth, and most important to me, it endangers you and your family. Every time I inhale second hand smoke (far more toxic than the filtered that the smoker enjoys) my lungs are clogged and blackened with toxins and I increase my risk of lung cancer. Multiply that by 24 years of exposure, and you can see why I might be concerned. Add to that a family history of cancers of all kinds, even in people who take care of themselves (including the current smoker) and perhaps you'll understand why I just freaking hate it with all my being. This is not a habit that hurts only you, it hurts everyone around you, whether you can see it or not. If you have kids (who don't already smoke, another downside to being a smoking parent) you should know that my relationship with my mom has never been as good as it could be. Why? I really resent that cigarettes are more important to her than her and her family's health. I think it's insulting, and for a long time I wouldn't go around them. My feelings were so strong - "Why would you risk your future with us for something so stupid? Do you not care about us at all? How are you going to feel if I become sick later; will you always wonder if it was your fault?" It sounds melodramatic now, but kids and teenagers feel every emotion intensely, and over time it builds up. So don't think that your kids don't care, even if they say they don't. They are hurt; they worry; they're angry. It will affect your connection in subtle, and not-so-subtle, ways.

I've never pushed my mother to quit (as an adult, anyway) because I know it has to come from her own heart for it to stick. That's why I am SO, SO, SO PROUD OF HER! Today is her quit day, May 8 (the day before my birthday =) and she has been doing it all right. Seeing a smoking cessation counselor, taking a class, getting gum, mints, carrot sticks, etc., (starting a new knitting project to occupy her fingers...) I hope you all will keep her in your thoughts, and us as well because smoking is a very hard habit to drop. Ultimately, though, she will gain something in return that can't be bought at a gas station - the respect of her friends and family, the joy of those who love her, and the feeling that she is finally doing something to care for herself, because she matters.

I should be clear and say that I dearly love my mom, and always have. I also respect her as a business woman and scientist, mom, and wife. It has been very hard to watch a woman that I nearly lost to cancer continue to hurt her own body, as if we didn't need her here! I hope no one misunderstands, but I wanted to be honest about what a child (even a grown one) feels about their parent smoking (or really, doing anything else detrimental to their health!) Just in case there are any parents thinking of quitting... DO IT! =D

Whistle while you work...

2007-05-01T15:30:00.000-07:00
And don't ever knit, sadly. I think I got in maybe 10 rows all week. I did try Carole's suggestion of a glass of wine at night, but I ended up falling asleep at 8pm so perhaps that's out. ;) Thankfully this week I have the day off on Thursday, which means if I can get my tired butt out of bed I will be at Thursday morning knitting group at The Knaughty Knitter! I won't be able to stay a whole long time, so if you wanna see me, roll up at 10 or 10:30 as opposed to noon. *grin*

So, I get my first paycheck May 20. To celebrate, I'm having a blog contest! I love to knit socks, and with no time to do it these days, I figgered I might as well share the wealth with some readers. Leave a comment (any emailed entries will be deleted, sorry) before May 20th, and two random, lucky winners will win a new ball of sock yarn from my stash! It's my choice, but you can suggest colors if you win. And yes, it will be "the good stuff." (To keep from being overwhelmed, once I have 100 entries I will close the comments. Just FYI.) You don't have to be new to knitting socks, but I admit it would make my little heart flutter to see it cast on rather than squirreled away for the next 20 years.

That's it. I'm going to lay down for a few minutes before going out to teach lessons. I hope you're all well, and while I don't know when I'll have something to show, rest assured y'all will be the first to see pictures when I do!

sunrise, sunset

2007-04-24T04:40:00.000-07:00
Apologies for the silence, but I started a new job! Yay! =D However, you may not see much of me, as almost every waking hour I am working. I am still running my side business on my own, and added another new student, so that means working sun up to sun down, every day of the week. Not much time for knitting!

I am making slow, but steady progress on the Shramrock sweater (one sleeve to go, then attaching it all and doing the neck left to do). If I get some daylight hours free (and I'll have 2 free hours Thursday A.M.) I'll try to get some pictures of that and the Panda Cotton socks I just finished!

Any suggestions you guys have for winding down before bed that DON'T involve television or the internet would be appreciated. This last week it seems I've come home, knit a few rows while watching Fairly Oddparents, and fallen asleep. I will say I cram in a chapter or two of A Horse and His Boy (C.S. Lewis) and I'm listening to Laurie R. King's "The Game" in the car, so reading is already on the list...

Vacation, or, why can't I do this once a month?

2007-04-16T12:22:00.001-07:00

koigu
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
The two and a half days in Asheville was really wonderful. The drive up there wasn't too bad, being only about 5-6 hours (and we stopped a time or two.) We stayed at the Aberdeen Inn, which I won't link as they're changing hands right now and I don't know what their status is. The house was just gorgeous - nestled in a well cared for residential neighborhood, up on a hill with a sloping lawn and lots of flowers (the ones that hadn't been killed in the frost, anyway!) Bonnie, who reminds me a lot of Paula Deen, greeted us at the door, showed us around, and got us settled in our room. One of the things that I really liked about this place was that she was totally nonplussed by my "special diet," even if Asheville has a larger veg community than usual. It's so nice not to feel like you're imposing by just being yourself!

The house is full of antiques, photos, etc. Each room was totally different, with ours being a sort of lavender-and-cream room. The bedspreads were those gorgeous bobbledy white cotton stuff (metelasse?) that you mind find at your grandmother's. A large clawfoot tub, desk with tissues (the good kind, with the nose lotion!) and books galore, including an Agatha Christie I hadn't read! Bonnie (the old owner) and Tom (the transitioning new owner) really did a lot to make us feel at home. Since we got into town on Easter Sunday, there wasn't a lot to do except read in the hot tub (oh, darn!) lounge in the living room nook with a pile of squashy pillows and a fire roaring, explore the grounds, and surf the internet (kindlt provided by an anonymous neighbor.)

The next morning, we got up and ate breakfast (included in the tab, nice) of a spinach omelette with pepper sauce, two kinds of toast, three kinds of jam, a large, homemade fruit cup with starfruit, kiwi, melon, strawberry, and grape, yogurt, coffee, and orange juice. The 'rents also got some kind of specialty sausage, but I don't pretend to know if that was any good. We were served by the owner/chef Tom, who took time out to talk with us about his experience running a B&B in Chicago (which he just came from) between servings of coffee. I couldn't even remotely eat everything on the plate, which is a feeling I don't like. I will say the next day he altered the portion for me. Thanks, Tom!

We went on to Biltmore house. If you've never been there, you should definitely go. The huge size of it made for a creepy "compound" feel for me, but it was really cool looking into all the bedrooms, bathrooms, KITCHENS (happy sigh), and seeing so many Sargent paintings that I got a little lightheaded. I have always been a huge fan of his expressive oils, and seeing not just one, but five or sixe up close was something I'll never forget. (They're so smooth, the very opposite of what you'd expect!) You can't take photographs inside the house, which I understand. But I hope know I would have been posing in front of those in a heartbeat if I could have! Also, the library there, breathtaking. But not as large as I would have thought... We did pass right by a whole shelf of oversized, antique art books full of plates on obscure subjects. They should charge a nightly fee to let bibliophiles like me camp out, fire roaring in the massive fireplace, delicately fingering each tome like a precious necklace. What a dream that would be...

We also ate at the Winery restaurant, which did not offer many (if any) veg options. I ended up eating French Onion Soup, which was delicious, though I'm fairly sure it was made with beef broth (gross.) It was either that or sit there awkwardly, so I ate it and didn't think about it. They offer free wine tasting (21 and up, duh) in the winery shop, and that was really fun. Smart on their part as well, as I'm not a big wine person but I still came away with three bottles worth, and not just because the labels were pretty!

After that, my parents sacrificed themselves. Not by tearing out their own hearts, but by taking me yarn shopping (almost as bad in their eyes.) First up was Yarn Paradise, in an AWESOME house in Biltmore village (close to the All Souls Church.) They have Koigu mill ends there:

Prices ranged from $3-$11, depending on the yardage, dyeing, and number (or lack of knots). They also had a good variety of other yarns I haven't seen elsewhere, like Jitterbug, Claudia Handpainted Silk:

(Mine is in colorway "Midnight.")
, and everything Rowan you could ever hope for. Also, all the new Debbie Bliss yarns, including Soft Cotton, Stella, and whatever that 100% merino is. Very cool!

Next stop was Piece Gardens, which is sadly going out of business, so no linky. This cool shop made me ache for a quilt shop back home. Piles of Westminster (read: Rowan and Kaffe Fassett) and other "upper" fabrics, on sale 25%. There was a whole drawer FULL of westminster fat quarters. I think my total damage was about 16 bucks, and I got a bag full of gorgeous fabric squares. Too bad they're closing, it looks like it would've been a fun place to take a class or two.

After that was Earth Guild. I wasn't really impressed with this place, to be totally honest. They had a little bit of EVERYTHING, but didn't go at all indepth with any one medium. I did manage to buy a pack of silk hankies and a packet of Cushings dye to play around with, but I would be sad if this were my only LYS. If you're into weaving, they did have Dragon Tale yarns, which are cotton and rayon (smooth and slubbed) in very pretty hand dyed colors, on cones, for cheap.

The next day, Tom made the delicious fruit cups again, and a really yummy german pancake. The parental units got some kind of mozzarella and chicken sausage thing. They seemed to like it. =)

When we checked out of the B&B (as we had to get down to Florence, SC that day) I was sad. Asheville had so much to offer me still. I wasn't ready. I would LOVE to back there again. Especially to the Laughing Seed an ALL VEG restaurant that had COOKED FOOD and I could choose from ANYTHING on the menu. It was wonderful!

Two more yarn shops followed: Yarns Forever in Greer, SC (about 30 min out from the interstate) and Knitting Up A Storm in Myrtle Beach, SC. Yarns Forever was nice, and they had a good bit of local yarn, but it was all organized by color. It's one thing to do weight/fiber, THEN color, but no. All in together. I hated it, couldn't find what I wanted, and so bought a ball of very pretty pewtery sock yarn and beat a hasty retreat.

Knitting Up A Storm. It was great! The owner and her husband (a rep for Westminster) were so nice. They had a good selection of sock yarn (handdyed and otherwise), sweater yarn, and novelty. The best part? We got there during a 50% OFF SALE. My heart still gets fluttery! My mom very nearly bought a bag of Louisa Harding Kashmir for her first sweater (knit by me, I'm no fool) but sadly, they didn't take AMEX. I did end up buying 14 balls of Jo Sharp Silk Road Aran in Venetian, a deep plum brown.
Yes, it's wool. Yes, I am still ashamed over my poor self-control, but there were baskets of the stuff overflowing in the floor. (I also stopped and rewound all the balls that had gotten tangled. ALL OF THEM.) It was like putting my mother into a room with a dozen choices of coffee, all of them excellent. Anyway, I didn't do TOO badly. I didn't break out the credit card (which I don't have anyway), nor did I beg to use the owner's computer to do a transfer online. (This last one, I did think about it. Yes, I am embarassed.)

Anyway, it was a great time, even if it rained like hell the ONE day we drove out to the beach. I definitely see myself visited Asheville again, but the cost of living there is relatively high, and Portland has a higher Yarn Store Per Capita Ratio (YSPCR).

Chop chop!

2007-04-06T13:22:00.001-07:00

New Haircut
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
Did you see the hair in yesterday's entry? Long, shiny, but kinda bedraggled looking? Well, it's all gone! (Actually I saved the ponytail, to try and spin with. I know, I've crossed the threshold in crazy!) I had an appointment for a trim today, and on a whim told her to chop it all off (about 12" of hair came off in one fell swoop.) I think she did a great job and it's really swingy and fun! Perfect for going on vacation...

which reminds me, I'll be gone 4/8-4/15. See you after the break!

swallowtail no. 2

2007-04-05T11:18:00.001-07:00

swallowtail no. 2
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
Here's the finished picture! It turned out REALLY large, especially for a swallowtail. I love it! I've also finished a pair of socks, with another nearly finished. I guess it's true - I have finishing fever. Now to decide what to take on vacation... since we'll be visiting both Yarn Paradise and Earth Guild, I don't want to take TONS of yarn, but a whole week? What if something happens and I run out of knitting? Perhaps the Shamrock sweater will go along, since she's pretty far from finishing but isn't so involved that I can't enjoy a day at the beach. (And, more importantly, not get completely and utterly carsick. So sick that I have to lay down on the cool floor of the gas station, wheezing while an attendant gives me a bottle of water to hold to my face, to keep from being sick. Yes, I get carsick easily. ;)

Swallowtail No. 2

2007-04-04T12:17:00.001-07:00

Swallowtail No.2 detail of nupps
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
It should say something that this is my second swallowtail shawl (from Interweave Knits) in less than 30 days. Mostly, it says that I love how easy this shawl is; the first time, it was easy, if a little fiddly, but the second time? It was practically stupid knitting, I could totally tune out the shawl itself and just knit, knit, knit.

Here're the specs, with an unpinned photo shoot either this afternoon (if dry before sun goes down) or tomorrow morning before work:

Pattern: Swallowtail from Interweave Knits, with mod of 5 extra repeats in center panel, making 19 repeats total.
Yarn: Claudia Handpainted in Lemon Ice from The Loopy Ewe. (This particular color is sold out at the mo', but I believe she's expecting more in soon.) I used one skein (and very nearly a whole one, at that) for the edging; it's Koigu KPM in a very pale yellow/peach color. You can just see a bit of it to the left edge in this picture. If you decided to knit this enlarged shawl yourself, you'd need 4 skeins of fingering weight yarn, 185 yards each.

Needles: Size 10 Addi Natura (Normally I have to scale down, but I wanted it very open and airy, not to mention large!)

I really, really like this pattern. Is it sick that I'm considering another one, this time in the Purple Earth colorway. Gorgeous, huh? I bought enough to knit some socks for my mom, since she loves these jeweltones, but she's also been "subtley" (in her world ;) hinting that she wants a shawl. I think I could manage... (BTW, when will stores in my area start carrying silk laceweight that is not $1000 per hank?? Claudia makes a 1,100 skein for about $40. Blue Moon's is about the same. Trying to sell me 300 yards for $50 is only going to make me irritable. I may get stupid around yarn, but not THAT stupid...!)

Around and around and around....

2007-03-28T20:46:00.001-07:00

cardipic
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
The Rowan Calmer sweater was coming out totally unstretchy, so out it came. In its place, a flattering little cardigan jacket in a dark forest green color. I do have a funny story about "forest green."

We all know kids have strong opinions about things that are often sort of... well... unimportant, really. They don't have causes to get up at arms over at 5 years old, but they want to have an opinion on something, and it usually ends up being totally weird. One of my students was choosing colors for a project (a rainbow polar bear, if you're curious) and kept pulling out green after green. Each time she'd pull out a green, whether it was leaf, lime, chartreuse, moss, olive, etc, she would say "Is this forest green?" And I'd say not really, and start looking for a forest green, thinking that's what she was wanting. Finally, after getting out ALL the greens, she said in a very firm voice, "I can't use forest green. I HATE forest green!" Never mind that she had at least two or three greens that could fall under the "forest" label. I don't think she really knew what it meant, but she sure felt strongly about it. I admit, I laughed about it later.

Anyway, a simple, in-the-round cardigan with seed stitch edgings and bands and a nice, nipped in waist to keep the dumpy look at bay. And may I just say, that with all this gym time lately, I actually am developing some muscles?! Soon I will be a smokin' cardi-wearin' hot mama, with bandaids on every finger because I still cannot let go of the wool. It is bad for me. It gives me a rash, and the medicine thins my heart muscle (slowly, but still) and "helps" me gain weight. If only cotton sweaters provided the same hugging effect... I'd never need rash-causing wool again!

I have been real bad with the blogging, I know.

2007-03-20T19:52:00.001-07:00

swallowtail shawl
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
But I have a few reasons:

1. I am working on a lot of gift projects. For people who know how to use the internet.

2. My life is more of the same right now - just imagine me talking about job-hunting and knitting. (You can also imagine me watching Cartoon Network all evening, which I've never told you that I do that. But I do. Especially Camp Lazlo, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, and Danny Phantom [though he's on Nickelodeon.])

3. I am still working on losing weight, but to keep myself from becoming obsessed with numbers and pouring my frustration into counting every.single.calorie, I only weight every Saturday. Therefore, poundage news only once a week!

But this little number, this shawl, is a gift for someone who never reads this blog, mostly because if she is online, she is running her Ebay business and playing Bejeweled. She has no time for silly pointless pursuits like nosily reading her daughter's blog! ;)

You recognize the pattern, I'm sure, but if not, it's the Swallowtail shawl. Very, very easy and good tv knitting. It's in Karabella Vintage Cotton, which is one of the most beautiful cottons I have ever seen, EVER. It has a real sheen, and the coffee bean color is just perfect for her java-loving self. It took exactly 3 balls, 140 yards each, and I'm planning on making another one just because they're so darned easy. =)

edited to add (because I am a dumbass and forgot): I got my second secret pal package!!! Generally when I get yarn-related mail, I don't open it til I finish the project at hand, to ensure fidelity to my knitted partnership. So, I finished off the shawl and opened it up. Three skeins of Cascade Sierra (and 80/20 cotton/wool blend) in a lovely cornflower blue color nestled in the box, along with a shamrock pin (prolly shouldn't have waited to open it, heh, but I'll wear it next year) and a really cute card with a bunny on it. YAY! I took some pictures, but the yarn kept coming out a gray/brown/eggplant color (NO idea why..!) so I gave up. THANK YOU, PAL! It will soon be transformed into a little baby thing. ;)

WIPs for March

2007-03-13T16:13:00.001-07:00

WIPs for March
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
There has been a little bit of knitting around these parts, lately. Largely I knit in the morning, to help wake up, and while I'm catching up with folks in the knittychat. I am really trying to be gentle with myself, as my mood has improved greatly (no doubt due to the sunshine and occasional email from an English man friend) and I don't want to do anything to sabotage that. I'm still job-hunting, and as sick as it sounds, it makes me happy to hear that others out there are having the same issues. I was starting to wonder if I smelled funny or something! Now I know it's just the market and the field I'm in. All the same, I'm staying positive about my prospects. After all, I'm in a field I love, that's good, right?

Anyway, you're here for the knitting. On the left is the Swallowtail shawl from Interweave Knits' Fall 2006. The yarn is something I picked up on sale at Angel Hair; Karabella Vintage Cotton. It's a rich coffee color with a lot of depth. Would I describe it as "fun to knit with?" Not really. The end product is going to be so pretty (for my mom) that it's worth it. I'm through 8 repeats of the second chart, so 6 more to go and then I start the nupp bits.

On the right, we have some Rowan Calmer. I am really in love with this yarn. I actually CRIED a little I was so happy with how wonderfully it knits! Here is something with the spring and softness of wool... but no wool! Now if only I could afford it for every project, and also, they need an Aran weight. Just sayin'. I am knitting Blaze from Knitty. I like the long, scoop neck as I have lovely shoulders and a long neck. I am worried how it will traverse my bust, but I'm not going through what some other bloggers have and put short-rows and all that and it STILL not fit "perfectly." I just want it to fit, look nice, and be comfortable. It does not need to become my daily uniform. =)

I also have a pair of socks on the needles, as usual, in Lisa Souza Sock! which has wool. Sock yarn is really the only thing I'm having a hard time giving up. I have been eyeing that Panda Cotton, but I really don't want to spend any money right now, so it will have to wait. I'll just knit up the other 30 pairs' worth between now and full-time-job-land!

(Remember, you don't have to make the right decision every time, for the rest of your life. It is normal to screw up and oversleep, not reply to an email quickly, or eat too many calories. You just make each decision as it comes...)

Lorna's Laces Envy (pickle)

2007-03-08T06:22:00.001-08:00

Lorna's Laces Envy (pickle)
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
Whee, I finished two pairs' worth this past week. I'm nearly done with the first sock of another pair for my grandma - I finally decided to just knit a child's pattern and hope that fits her itty little frame!

I returned the rental car yesterday and my own car should be ready today. I haven't been feeling well physically so I haven't been doing much, including knitting. For some reason my back muscles are very tight all the time, so all I want to do is take painkillers and sleep. I have the first massage soon so I am hoping that will alleviate the tension. I have been going to the gym & park, I'm able to run further now, but still not the full mile. But rather than quit after 1 mile of run/walk, I've been doing 2 or 3. It's easy to get myself to do one... then I just tell myself it is a waste of time to drive all the way over there and then just leave again. I'm happy to see that my local gym is now offering classes. I haven't been using my membership much, but now I definitely will! ('free' yoga class, here I come!)

little bit of weaving, in my life

2007-02-27T14:33:00.001-08:00

silk scarf
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
Yesterday I picked up my loom from Pam. It's a Schacht 45" floor loom, and it is beeyootiful. Many of its necessary dressin's are still off though, so you get no picutre for the time being!

I will give you a picture of my very first weaving. Isn't it pretty? I wove (weaved?) it on one of those Ashford knitter looms while at work a previous Saturday. The warp is Lorna's Laces Shepherd sock in Gray's Corner, the weft (the bit that goes back and forth) is a combination of Tilli Tomas silk in Atmosphere, Posh Yarns' silk boucle in Berrylicious, and Alchemy Haiku in Hush. It is so pretty, so unabashedly girly, and it has a luscious, silky smell. Plus, just imagine the feel. Like water over smooth river stones.

Out with the old, in with the new

2007-02-19T10:34:00.001-08:00

Regia Silk (Morokko)
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
I finished these yesterday during downtime between lessons. They are so soft, comfy (no itchy red rash here, a good sign) and the stripes are so cheery I could feel people smiling at me as they peaked out from under my pant legs as I strolled through the park! If only Regia's other colors weren't so unbearably dull (except Tansania, that one's pretty good.) Where are the aquas, the limes, the pinks, the golden yellows, the violets? If only they were all this bright. *sigh*

I have to admit something. I have been very good with the stashing-along; I've been happily choosing yarn out of my stash, and while I looked at new colors online, nothing really screamed at me (yay!). That all changed on Valentine's, when my mom gifted me with a e-bay certificate. (I love these things, and get them every holiday. Thanks mom!) It started with a little Interlacements... some Sea silk... and my gc was used up, and I was happy with what it bought me. But now I had the new yarn bug again!

I found myself poking around, looking at new colors. I discovered SweetGeorgia was taking a possibly-permanent hiatus, and while her yarns are all wool, all the time, I love her colors. Like, love in a not-friendly way. It's a little weird. Since they're so woolly, I had none in the stash. But this news spurred me to action! So now I am expecting a (smallish) box from Pickup Sticks in Canada. I may have also really liked that YP Merino Tencel I bought earlier, and surfed on over to the Loopy Ewe and seen new colorways. Specifically, a silvery gray called Quicksilver. I have no gray in my stash. None! So into the cart it went, along with new needles I legitimately needed (Crystal Palace size 0 6", you are the only ones for me. So why do your brethren keep leaving me, so that I have 2-3 useless needles?) and heck, I was somewhat close to the $50/free shipping. I had staring at Claudia Handpaints Begonia (also woolly, are you sensing my heartbreak here?). It has pink speckles! Like sprinkles! Speckles on sock yarn is like, my favorite kind of speckles! Anyway, it came with me, but I justified by thinking that a) I now save $4.05 by not paying shipping, and b) I am that much closer to a $25 credit at The Loopy Ewe.

I forgot to tell you that last time. When you spend $250, you get $25 back. $250 seems like a lot, I know, but when you think of the fact that she sells SOAK, Crystal Palace bamboo DPNS, and enough sock yarn to smother a grown man, with more companies and colors added almost daily, it doesn't seem so criminal, now does it?

ANYWAY, I'm not telling you what new things she's expecting soon, out of fear that you will beat me to it. But I know exactly what I want, and it will not be a willy-nilly stuffing-as-much-yarn-as-I-can free for all like I've been ~~dreaming of~~ afraid of. It will be controlled spending.
By the way, isn't a windfall evil? You know you should put it into savings or pay off bills (I did both) but then you have the leftover. And it just freakin' burns a hole in your pocket!

Come back tomorrow for a finished sweater. I hope. (P.S. - I don't work the loopy ewe. I'm just drunk from their good service and all the pretty colors. And the cookie recipes...)

Knitty Secret Pal package (#1)

2007-02-17T06:20:00.001-08:00

Knitty Secret Pal package (#1)
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
Okay, this is going to be quick. For various reasons, this week has been overloaded completely. So I apologize in advance to my pal for the lack of length in this entry. =)

On Valentine's Day, I got a mysterious package in the mail. I checked the label - "Secret Pal"! YAY! I tore it open (leaving the bills and cards :P) and this is what was carefully packed inside! A box of white raspberry tea (already drunk some, and I like the white tea!); a bar of Green & Black's organic dark 70%, which went into the chocolate cake I baked that day; a box of pink chocolate-covered sunflower seeds (also delicious!); a bag of soft, gray alpaca roving to try; a sunny-colored soap sack that she handknit with a wonderful-smelling bar of soap (I use this everyday. TMI?); and not one, but TWO lightweight spindles! Thank you SO much, pal. I can tell you put a lot of thought into what I would like. I can only hope I do so well by my downstream!

Gotta run to work (no new job yet, but I've gotten a fire under me lately and have been applying a lot!), hopefully I'll have a chance to DO something crafty soon.

Violets are blue (and purple).

2007-02-09T08:29:00.001-08:00

Yarn for February
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.

Lisa from the comments is so right. It takes a while to get back to feeling safe again. For a day or two, whenever I rode in a car, I felt as though every second I was going to see those headlights coming right at my car. I have to admit, when I drove to work yesterday (my mom has the exact same car, in a different color. We like Toyota in this family.) It did freak me out. A lot. As long as I kept the radio on, I was all right on the interstate. But once I got into town, every single turn I had to make was stressful. Was this person going to hit me? What about this one? You know, logically, it's unlikely. But now that it's happened onced, and you're feeling especially unlucky, what's stop it from happening again? So the fear comes, and then subsides, and you feel like you ran a marathon when you get out of the car, finally. It doesn't help that I've lost two brothers in vehicular accidents. I can't tell you the feeling I got today when a police car pulled up in front of my house (though it ended up he just needed to turn around.) Several times we've had the police show up, and let's face it, they don't come to sing you happy birthday. I actually remember my mom, sitting in the kitchen of my granddad's house (we lived there while our house was being built) and I had been woken up by the noise and talking in the very early hours. I stood in the doorway (it had one of those half-doors, where you could just open the top and serve food out to the dining room without leaving. Funny the things you remember!) and she just said "It's Robbie (my brother)." She couldn't say anything else, but even as a kid I knew what that meant. It ended up that he had flipped his jeep into a ditch, and the "oh shit" bar (not the real name, obviously) had failed to perform it's function and he was killed. Thus, never drive a Jeep. They are extremely unsafe.

Wow, I didn't mean to go into all that with you guys. I guess it's just been on my mind. Now you're in a real cheery mood, right? Let's talk about something good, shall we? How about some yarn?

Obviously I am not feeling the Valentine's love over here, hehe. This is all yarn I picked up in the last two weeks; normally I'm not a purple girl but one of my art students LOVES all things purple, so I guess she got me to give it a second chance. And she's right! Is there anything more decadent than a rich purple velvet, or a tart-sweet smear of blackberry jam? What about those fragile little violets you see, cowering under the grass at the start of spring? My mom's bearded irises in full bloom, with purple specks all over their creamy petals (and of course, that fluffy golden beard peeking from inside.) No, I had been giving purple a bad rep, and I apologize!

Clockwise from the far left: two skeins of Silk Garden in 247 for my mom (Little Knits), Five skeins of Patagonia Nature Cotton in 206, a blend of coffee and purple with dark rose blips (Knaughty Knitter), Fleece Artist Merino sock in Mermaid (even prettier in person, also from little knits), Yarn Pirate merino/tencel in aqua/coffee (my only non-purple yarn!) and Apple Laine Apple Pie sock yarn in "Pretty in Purple" (both from The Loopy Ewe.) They make a nice little purple family, don't they? Some of this MAY be for my secret pal. I won't say which, lest I further incriminate myself. ;)

Oh, and The Loopy Ewe? Completely, utterly awesome. While I've gotten some great service from yarn stores before, Sheri has topped them all. We held a whole conversation over email (and notice I did not spend tons of money. So that wasn't it!), she emails you if you comment on her blog, even! Which is also fun and interesting. I like reading about her family business, and how everyone chips in! (I'm especially fond of Starbucks-barista-knitting-daughter, because she reminds me of me a few years ago. My mom had/has an booming ebay business, so I'd work and then come home and pack dolls for a while. Yarn is SO much more interesting though...!) Anyway, pop over to her site. In the interest of full disclosure, apparently she has a thing where she tracks how many people click over and sign up for accounts with her (not buy, just get an account.). I'm really just recommending her and the store because they're fun and really friendly, but I'm also curious how many "clicks" show up. So click over, and maybe if I reach a good number I'll give something away. Something good. (Just sayin'.)

Also, I still do not have a rental, and my car hasn't even moved to the dealership to be fixed. Ugh.

public service announcement

2007-02-08T05:15:00.000-08:00
Hey all, I just wanted to let you know I was in a car accident a few days ago and will probably continue to be offline til I get my mind back into balance. Something about being broadsided at 40 mph (no injuries, except to my poor car) freaks me out. Not to mention it hasn't been a great week to begin with. I'll be hiding under the covers, knitting, sniffling, and feeling sorry for myself for a bit. ;) You know how that is, right?

Socks That Rock knee socks in Saratoga

2007-02-01T06:51:00.001-08:00

Socks That Rock knee socks in Saratoga
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
I knit these socks for my aunt, who requested knee socks in "fun colors." While I wouldn't consider brown "fun," it does have buttery yellow toes & heels, as well as shots of aqua and lavender. I really prefer the mediumweight... I can feel immediately that it will hold up better, even though it's still 100% wool. I used all but 1.2 ounces of the STR for a size 9 foot and they go over the widest part of my calves. So even if you do regular heels and toes, you should have enough in one skein unless you have really big feet or want patterning or have extra-long legs.

Not that my preference in STR matters, because I'm freakin' allergic to wool. After a visit to Vanderbilt yesterday, I sat in the car, sort of depressed and a little bit excited. No more animal fiber (alpaca, etc. included) because it aggravates the pee-hoss out of my skin. Not just itchy... but causes rashes. Gross, huh? Anyways, the excitement came from the fact that I've generally steered away from cotton, linen, etc. Now I have the chance to explore all of them! And of course, silk. I think I would REALLY cry if I were allergic to silk, but I don't even know if that's possible.

As one last hurrah, I'll finish my Charm jacket (not that it's close, or anything.) and one more pair of Lorna's socks for my mom. ANd that will be it, for at least 3 months, at which point I go back in to see if it helped.

Utterly Charmed

2007-01-29T13:59:00.001-08:00

CHARMSLEEVE
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.

I've been trying to wear down the stash, you know, so when I saw a design perfect for a yarn I already had (Suri Merino in a heathered blue-green-violet color) I just jumped in. This is one sleeve of Charm, from Rowan's book, "Classic Style." At first I was afraid the design wouldn't pop much in the soft alpaca (and man, is it soft.) but check it out! It does! I also love the trim pattern used on the cuffs, hem, and front bands. Doesn't this pattern make you think of a creekbed, choked with leafy growth? Anyway, I'll be at this one a while as it's knit on small needles (2 & 5) has cabling and shaping-ish, and will have to be seamed (UGH!)

I've also been at my spinning a little bit. It's so tempting to buy up lots of fiber now that my wheel is fixed (didn't know it was broken, didja? Well, the wheel was on backwards and now it spins much better, heh.)! But, rather than stuffing more and more fluff under the bed, I've got an in/out deal with myself. Spin 8 oz? Buy 8 more, if you want or need it at the time. I've got 4 more oz. of this to spin and then I'm all over the sock roving I got from Crown Mountain Farms in a colorway that is totally perfect for me! (I'll show it to you then. If I can't look at it yet, neither can you. ;)

My first 2007 FO

2007-01-26T10:21:00.000-08:00

klaralund
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
The title above isn't strictly true. I also finished an Argosy scarf for the grandma. But the Silk Garden Lite didn't soften nearly as much as the regular, used in Klaralund, so I'm debating what to do with it. Certainly not send it to my sensitive gran! ANYWAY.

This little number is really comfy, and unlike most sweaters, I can wear it right against the skin. It isn't itchy on me, but then, it's only 10% wool and all the sticks and stuff fell out in my sink (apparently. You should have seen that water... nasty and full of crap. Like a farm pond!) I knit the body in the round (I like the thinner stripes.) and the sleeves up to the extended garter portion. I actually got out my finishing book(s), looked through them, hemmed and hawed because no one really explains sewing garter/stst rib to garter sideways and then just tossed them all on the shelf and sewed the damn thing my own way. It looks neat, you can't see it, so who cares if it isn't "right." ;)
I did also finish some socks, but as I'm planning on submitting them, no pictures for you. Sorry!

Next up: We got Favorite Socks from Interweave in at the shop. I'd been wanting to knit some socks out of the Regia Bamboo I got at Angel Hair (hi gals!) but not too boring (stst) but obviously the variegated nature wouldn't work with a lot of patterning. So, I'm doing the Retro Rib socks, which have cool little blocks within the ribs. I'll show you later. I did go down to an 0 for the ankle and foot, since they look baggy in the photos and I really hate baggy socks. I really, really love this yarn. It's soft, and incredibly squooshy (like Pure Merino, or Aurora 8, etc.) and has all that yummy bamboo fiber in it. And you can put it in the tumble dryer! It says it right there on the label! (Tho I do like seeing a rainbow of socks lined up on my towel bar... and over the shower... and over the bedpost... you know.)

Maple

2007-01-15T13:18:00.000-08:00

Maple
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
Sorry about the absence; I attended (er, was working during) the Spin-In at the Knaughty Knitter on Saturday. Since then, it's been all spinning, all the time here. My first skein was sort of ratty-looking; the barberpole-ing was pretty, but the singles themselves were very uneven. This was round two, with the Fiber Denn's Merino Superwash in colorway Maple. (And psst, knottygnome, this company also made the roving I sent you. Just sayin'.)

Anyway, the singles were definitely the most even I've ever spun, and I'm very proud of the resulting yarn. It still has some thick spots, but man, is it ever soft and pretty! It's not even dry yet; I expect it to be even fluffier and puffier when dry. But, I'd only had 4 oz. to play with, and have used that all up now, so I've moved on to something a little more... generous. Specifically, a giant ball of roving from the same company in the "Surf" colorway (also bought at the fiber festival) which is a gorgeous blend of aqua, lime, and grassy green. I'll show you some of that tomorrow. ;)

In the Inbox

2007-01-05T13:51:00.000-08:00

In the Inbox
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
That's the only good thing about slow mail during the holidays; things you order for yourself before KFYS (Knit From Your Stash) don't arrive until after! These 15 balls of Jo Sharp Silk Road Aran (told you I loved her yarn!) came from knittingzone.com, though I don't see it anymore so perhaps I bought it all. Anyway, it's intended for the Cardigan for Arwen knitalong -
Here's the actual sweater from Interweave (scan by rocketsc1ent1st). Doesn't it look pretty and comfy, perfect for running errands without looking homeless? (Also, I'm imagining this with the garnet drop earrings I have, and the new red hair! Possibly on a date!)

Klaralund is still trucking along, but I'll save you any pictures of stockinette in the round, or at least til there are more color repeats. My dad ordered the complete Nero Wolfe tv series on DVD, and you can bet anything I'll be watching those every night til they're exhausted. Maury Chaykin IS Nero Wolfe in my book, even if Timothy Hutton has a bit too much "flair" for me. (Also, Lily Rowan looks a lot like Charlotte from Sex in the City.)

Klaralund

2007-01-05T07:50:00.000-08:00

klaralund1
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.

I was in dire need of something easy, that I could knit on at the shop and wouldn't require any fussing. My other current WIP, Charm, does not fit the bill at all, what with her increasing and cabling and such. I dug 8 balls of Silk Garden out of the stash (thanks, Leslie!) and cast on. I really hate seaming, and this yarn doesn't seem like it takes well to any sort of abuse, so I decided after completing the garter edging and a few rows of st st to join the front and back. I know it'll make the stripes thinner, but I'm okay with that. I'm thinking of a comfortable, pretty sweater that I love to wear so let's hope it comes out as such!

At the mo' I'm looking for a M-F job so I can maintain my lessons on Sunday and work at the LYS on Saturday. Thankfully Meredith and Doyle have been really supportive and helpful! And no, anonymous rude commenter, I am not looking into retail. :P

Back on the horse

2006-12-16T05:25:00.000-08:00

Seascape 1
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
Just because I haven't been blogging doesn't mean I've not been knitting! ;) Above is the Seascape shawl, knitted mostly while on vacation in NYC, in Handmaiden Seasilk "Ocean." It called for 3 skeins, but I used about 1 and 2/3 of another, not terribly expensive. I loved this pattern because all the "wrong side" rows were just plain knit, versus purling all those stitches every other row! I'm currently stashing along, trying to complete 10 projects out of stash before buying new, which is easy since I'm mostly broke! Anyway, I've completed 4 things at this point, and am working on a couple more.

San Francisco JROTC

2006-11-15T08:47:00.000-08:00
I realize this is a knitting blog, but if you read regularly you know I often speak up about other things that are going on in the world. Have you read online that the San Francisco school board has decided to eliminate the JROTC because of its "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy? The article is here, so you can read it for yourself. While I understand the plight of students who enroll in and enjoy the ROTC program (which was very big at my rural HS), I have to go with SF on this one. Not because I am gay, but because I (like most of you) have been in situations where some aspect of my beliefs and lifestyle can cause others to be hostile. While it doesn't affect my daily life as much, being a vegetarian attracts all kinds of attention - some good, some really angry. I hadn't experienced this til I got to college, but I am amazed by the people who feel I am "judging" them with my outlook. In a class once, another student was eating a pizza and I remarked that it smelled good. This person (who didn't know me other than being in class together) said in a really snotty tone, "Oh, YOU wouldn't like this because it has MEAT." And proceeded to tell me how he felt about vegetarians in general. Totally bewildering to me! Being veg isn't the thing I live for, it's just one part of the total package, albeit one that's important to me. But I don't really discuss it with someone unless they ASK - and even then, I don't consider it my business to "convert" them to the veg lifestyle. My point is, there have been times in my life where I feel like I have to be less than honest to avoid awkward or uncomfortable situations, just because of who I am.

So, while I feel for kids who enjoy the program, I feel even more for those who are enrolled or wish to, but carry the constant knowledge that their sexual orientation is not "okay." To be made to feel judged, and weird, and not as good as everyone else at that age is incredibly hard. And while an adult may have the ability to let it go (though they shouldn't have to) kids are very sensitive! Anyway, I wish those who oppose a more open policy in the military would understand that the military's acceptance of homoesexuality does not mean they have to like it! And really, I don't understand the completely irrational hatred that I have seen directed towards someone because their sexual attraction (or skin color, or whatever) was different. Perhaps of they gave me a well-thought out explanation I could understand, even if I will never agree. But I see so many comments (regarding the JROTC in San Fran) that run something like this: "Damn liberals in San F**," "What if they blow up the Gold Gate Bridge?! Maybe then they will appreciate the military!" etc. etc. Completely ignorant and hateful without any argument behind it.

This is mostly unrelated, but while I was getting my oil change (which took an hour and a half for reasons I could never ascertain) I was stuck watching that Dr. Phil "House of Hate" thing as someone had broken the remote and I couldn't reach the tv. One of the women hates all gay people; towards the end of the show, she admitted that she had walked in on her mother and another woman, and this other woman essentially booted her out of the house without her mother ever stopping her. My heart goes out to people who come by their hate this way; it is not everyone that will treat you this way. Because they have been hurt so deeply, they lash out at anyone. No doubt she didn't feel right saying she just hated her mother for not protecting her... so it became "all gay people." I hope she is able to have a little more peace now that she has talked about a wound that must be SO deep...

I jumped in!

2006-10-30T08:28:00.000-08:00
I finally jumped in and applied for a job I've been waffling over, and emailed a guy about an apartment for rent. At the moment I'm lacking in funds, but hopefully new job + destash sale will give me a enough to pay it all comfortably. I will never again get into a position where I can't afford for someone to move out, so I've been really patient about trying to find what I need AND what I can afford. Most important? Cool roommate (OBVIOUSLY), big windows, storage space, and being able to paint my bedroom. I hate white walls, I'll never do that again unless desperate!

I don't want to say too much about the job I applied for, since I sorta believe in jinxing. But it's perfect for my abilities, and though I don't want to be in retail forever, it's certainly the best retail job I can think of for me! Anyway, cross your fingers for me. I'm wondering though... what do you wear to an interview with a corporate-owned art store? Some places seem to love the piercings and wild hair (not that I have either) and others are strictly business. What have you seen people wearing at these places?

a quick update...

2006-10-27T08:46:00.000-07:00
I have been really busy here, busy in a good way trying to decide what I want to do. I will be selling off most of my stash to finance a move, so keep your eyes peeled! (No, I'm not happy about it. But who wants to move all yarn and no clothes and furniture?) Also, Blue Moon has updated their socks that rock colors! Despite the destashing, I saw fit to scoop up a skein of Dreidel (I feel weird buying "Jewish" yarn. Like I'm cheating for not buying the Christmas colors. Is that weird? It's just yarn...) and a skein of Henpecked. I can vouch for the beauty of Rooster Rock as well. :) Have a good weekend, and I'll be back next week!

We Love Alchemy

2006-10-17T06:09:00.000-07:00

Alchemy Synchronicity
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
While reading through the link that a commenter provided ( Cruelty Free Yarns) I discovered something that made me very happy - that Alchemy is run by vegetarians, who put a lot of effort into using only enviromentally-safe dyes, cruelty-free wool, and doesn't buy from companies that use sweatshop labor. Any one of those is admirable, but all of it together (plus the yarn is gorgeous, have you seen that stuff in real life?!) is amazing. I emailed to tell them how much I appreciate it when companies go the extra mile (or ten) like they have, and this is the response I got:

Here at alchemy we recieve emails from so many nice,
cool people. Howver, you are the first person who has
EVER written to speak to our vegetarian/cruelty-free
stance. I don't make alot of noise about it - even
though I wish I did sometimes, because every
vegan/vegetarian I know feels passionately about that
choice. And we work so hard to make cruelty-free
fibre, researching the farms in varying countries
where the animals live, and working only with small
farms that have real relationships with their animals;
we use eco-friendly dyes; and we do not buy from
China. I know we can get cheap prices there, as most
manufacturers do, but I cannot condone the labor
practices that are employed in mills and other means
of yarn production. So there is the whole human
rights piece, as well.

Thank you for telling me it matters to someone else.
You truly made my day. Unfortunately, my computer is
acting very persnickety tonight, and I cannot log on
to either of the links you kindly sent. I am very
eager to see your work, and will let you know when I
do log on successfully (I have a rahter wacky
server!!)

thank you again for your kindness and compassion in
writing - and please, do spread the word. I know
there are more of us out there who care!!

So here I am, making noise for them :) I know that Alchemy is pricey and not everyone can afford it. But I know WHY now... all of those things cost money. So while I can't use Alchemy for everything, even though I'd love to, I can still use it for SOME things and pass along the good news and good feelings! (BTW, I bought the yarn above myself. I don't work for them or know them personally. Just FYI!)

(mini) booga bag

2006-10-16T11:13:00.000-07:00

patonsswsbag
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
So, I finished and felted the Patons Soy Wool Stripes bag. Love the colors, but this stuff felts like I have never seen. There is no "partial felting". You do not get a choice in the size. It will shrink to half its size no matter how long you do/don't wash it, so go ahead and plan to knit a GIANT bag and then felt it in a tiny bag.

Also, this thing had so much fur coming out it was like Animal from the Muppets! It took an hour with dad's beard trimmer to get all that crap off. The fabric is really soft and firm, so it's good for a bag, but I'm still returning the other 7 (!!) skeins I bought to make more bags. This took two balls and a bit of a third. I'm planning on using bought handles rather than the icord ones... god knows 5 feet of icord will turn into 6" with this stuff.

Patons SWS and Fun with Yarn

2006-10-15T16:06:00.000-07:00

Patons SWS and Fun with Yarn
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
So, I just found out (rather belatedly) that my best friend's sister has a new little boy. Her husband's in the korean army (south korea!) so it's just her and the baby (and my friend) for the time being. I've been wanting to knit with this Patons SWS (Soy Wool Stripes) for a while, and this seemed the perfect opportunity! I'm knitting a booga bag in pink for my friend, since she is the girliest girl I know, and a larger blue diaper bag for her sister! After all, just because you have a baby doesn't mean you've got no taste, right??

It has been really busy here, with us having a huge yard sale (made out pretty good too, if I may say so.) I'll be listing the rest of the furniture on craiglist tonight, so if you're in Nashville or Middle Tennessee and like solid cherry furniture, make sure to check it out. ;)

Consumer Friendly Yarns

2006-10-04T19:22:00.000-07:00
While I might disagree with the classification "Unfriendly" for companies that require keystone pricing (refusing continual discounting below a certain percentage, if at all) I do find this list handy. A new blog is available listing companies and whether or not they have keystone pricing on their yarns. To some, this is important in their purchasing decisions; for me, it is only one factor. I prefer a company that allows retailers to charge what they can legitimately afford, but I also don't expect my LYS a few minutes away in an upscale neighborhood with nice lighting and helpful folks to charge the same low price. I'm okay with paying more for the camraderie and assistance. Anyway, here's the blog:Consumer Friendly Yarns. What do you think of all this? In a way, having access to the information is comforting - if I decide to get passionate about this, I like that it's available. On the other hand, isn't it illegal to disclose contractual information like that? I don't know the LEAST about legal matters, I'll admit. But I don't want someone to get in trouble doing the rest of us a favor (or trying to, anyway.)

Secret pal 9 Questionnaire!

2006-10-01T21:33:00.000-07:00
These get a bit lengthy! It's only required reading for my pal, of course, but who can resist finding out about someone's knitty preferences?

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I really don't like acrylic. I guess I'm a yarn snob? I just prefer natural fibers of all kinds - alpaca, wool, cotton, etc. I am one of those folks who would rather spend $20 on skein of yarn I really love, than $20 on a sweater's worth of yarn I will not like to knit.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? Ziploc baggies on a key ring. I have fancy needle cases, but I like this system best, especially as I have an absolute assload of needles! (great image, huh?)

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I've been knitting somewhere between two and three years. I'm definitely an adventurous intermediate - I'll try anything once!

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I did, but it's not really maintained. Sorry!

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.) All things food - vanilla, spice, lavender, you know. :)

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? I have a big sweet tooth (and salt tooth!) but have been trying to cut back, so tasty sugarless candies will be much appreciated. I especially LOVE all things gummy! The weirder the shape, the better! (Peach flavored penguins and blue raspberry octopi are the oddest I've had.)

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin? I do spin, but not much lately. I do like batts that have crazy colors and stuff all stuck in them. I have lots of "plain" wool already.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD) My computer can play cds and mp3s. I like uhh... show tunes... musicals... classical.. and movie scores! Music that tells a story, I guess.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand? I really do not like most "man" colors. Grey, navy, cranberry... they're nice, I just won't wear them. I go for springy, Easter-y colors. Butter yellow, mint green, aqua, lilac and peach, oh my!

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? I have two parents (one each, a boy and a girl!) and three cats. And one dog.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes, yes, yes, NO.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Socks, lace, fingering weight sweaters... ;)

13. What are you knitting right now? A pair of socks, a sweater for my mom, a lace shawl... the list goes on.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Well, sure!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I like circulars. I have an insane amount of needles. Please do spend your hard-earned cash on needles, though I would still appreciate the thought!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift? I own a ball winder. I have no room for a swift... besides, an excuse to visit the LYS!

17. How old is your oldest UFO? I have no UFOs. (bizarre, I know.) I really try to finish things in a reasonable time frame.

18. What is your favorite holiday? Easter! All that chocolate, pastel colors, flowers and new life and did I mention CANDY? And that I still get an Easter basket at 23?

19. Is there anything that you collect? Other than yarn? I have no room right now to collect anything. Art exhibition catalogues, I've got a lot of those. And sometimes they're free!

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? I tend to buy individual issues, if the projects appeal to me. I don't have time or inclination to go through 5,000 back issues when the internet is at my fingertips. I do love all the RYC (Rowan Classic Yarns) books - right now I have Classic Alpaca and Classic Weekend. As for yarns? Handpainted sock yarn is always appreciated, especially hard-to-get brands like Socks that Rock and Claudia Handpaint. I also love most things Rowan (avoid 100% cotton, please. My wrists will thank you!) especially in their RYC range (cashsoft, etc.) I also love laceweight mohair/silk blends, soft alpacas, and cuddly cottons (i.e. Blue Sky dyed or organic cotton.) Let's be frank: I have "expensive" taste. I know it, and I'm sorry! <:) (Actually, it's not ALL snobbery. I do have eczema, which can flare up on my hands and anywhere that I wear anything remotely itchy. If it will go on a baby, it will go on me! Actually, one of my faves is Wendy Peter Pan, a SUPERsoft 100% acrylic...)

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? Double knitting for socks, intarsia, knitting in my sleep!

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements? I am indeed a sock knitter! I usually knit "plain" socks for my tv knitting, but occasionally an interesting pattern grabs me (Pomatomus!) I wear an 8.5 US shoe, with thick calves and relatively small ankles. I don't advise it ;)

23. When is your birthday? (mm/dd) It's May 9! Sometimes Mother's Day!

is that all? I feel like I sound like a greedy jerk! But, like I said before, I am a quality over quantity kinda girl. One of my fave SP gifts (though they've all been awesome!) was a skein of Colinette Shimmer 5 in my favorite colors. I also hang out on the knittyboards under "nararabbit" so maybe you can get more of a lowdown on me than I'm capable of giving...

Icarus shawl - complete!

2006-10-01T16:17:00.000-07:00

Icarus shawl - complete!
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
I completed this a few days ago, but between the blocking and the finding-time-to-photograph-during-daylight-hours, it took a while to get a shot of it. Also note how blue my eyes look. I am spooookky...

Two skeins of Alchemy Haiku, bought from Knit/Purl in Portland (love that store! Hate the flat rate shipping when I'm only buying one skein!) This yarn is incredibly soft and the color just glows, much more like the closeups I have over on the Flickr page. But anyway, great pattern, no problems, knit over a two week period (I couldn't put it down. Knit it while watching tv! Knit it while surfing internet! Knit it at traffic lights!) An excellent pattern for a beginner. If you're looking for a sub yarn for the pretty but spendy Haiku, here are some of my picks that are in the same vein (mohair/silk or mohair/nylon).

Madil Kid Seta (need 3-4 balls, depending on size)
Kidsilk Haze
Lorna's Laces Heaven (huge skein tho...)
Colinette Parisienne (3 for my size, 4 for next size up). This would be my first choice, since the colorways are handpainted and gorgeously soft.
Crystal Palace Kid Merino or KM Print (cheap, about $7 per ball, but not as soft by far.)
Fleece Artist Angel Hair or Baby Kid
Some NON-mohair choices for the allergic ones in our life include:
Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca & Silk (spendy, but beautiful. I would definitely remove a repeat since this is a thicker yarn, and thusly will make a bigger shawl.) (5 skeins)
Drops Alpaca (4 skeins)
Misti Alpaca laceweight
Lorna's Shepherd's Sock or Sport (again, thicker yarn)
Any handpainted sock yarn, like Socks that Rock or Soxie, just make sure you have at least 675 yards.
Louet Gems Pearl or Opal
Trekking XXL (imagine this in the dove grey striping... how gorgeous would that be?!)
Skacel Merino laceweight (which has enough yardage to knit two, or double it for a larger shawl.)
Handmaiden Sea Silk (2 skeins)
Handmaiden Silk & Cashmere (3 skeins)
Koigu
Jaggerspun Zephyr (just slightly over 1 630-yd ball.)
OR you could go with a thicker yarn and even less repeats in the middle, or just make a really big shawl!:
Silk Garden (7 skeins)
Misty Mountain handpainted merino/tencel blend (3 skeins & 3 repeats)
Diakeito Diamusee or Diamusee Fine (gorgeous AND warm!)
Tilli Tomas Pure & Simple (2 skeins, 3 repeats)
Debbie Bliss Pure Silk (4 skeins, 3 repeats)
Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk DK
Rowan Cashsoft 4ply or DK
Rowan Tapestry (self striping!)
Koigu Kersti
Atacama alpaca
Habu Merino roving A80 (800 yards for $20, dye it yourself!)
Suss Knits Tencel (very soft!)
Araucania Nature Wool
Webs' Berkshire handdyed (bulkier... 3 repeats, around 4-5 skeins)

I would REALLY recommend something handdyed whichever weight you choose, because that first section would be totally boring with a plain yarn! Also, weave in your ends before taking a photo. Don't be like me. :P

crazy people on the internets.

2006-09-27T11:09:00.000-07:00
My boss, Meredith, has learned the fine art of getting over annoyances - also known as her "Oh well!" Seeing as she used to work with people all the time, she had to get over things that she couldn't control. Luckily, she shared the secret with me (Thanks Meredith!) it goes like this: A crazy person accosts you. You wonder what you have done to deserve this. Shrug your shoulders and say "Oh well!" because it's not about you, it's about them, and they're putting it onto every other person they come in contact with.

So, right now I'm destashing. I've posted in several places - Knitter's Review, Knittyboard, and the destash blog. Maybe you can tell me if I'm doing something wrong here - two women email me, both ask about the same items (i.e. how much is shipping) and I reply, the same way, to both. One woman paypals me the full amount, I ship her yarn. The other woman (who has not paid, or asked me to hold anything) goes BALLISTIC. She sends more than 15 abusive emails that I cheated her (how, I don't know.) Now, here's my question. (I replied politely, in case you're wondering. It made no difference whatsoever.) If someone emails you and asks about shipping, but does NOT pay, or tell you s/he intends to pay by x day or x time, are you obligated to hold it? I don't think so, but maybe I'm wrong. I am holding something for one woman, because she asked me to. I don't MIND. But I cannot magically know which person intends to pay, and deny other people who have their wallets out. I don't even feel bad, which is unusual for me; probably because she told me to a) go choke, b) that she was leaving it to a higher power to make sure I reaped what I had sown (??) and c) that she was going to COMPLAIN. All I can say to that is...

Oh Well!

Anyway, feel free to sound off on the topic of destashing and the etiquette thereof. If you feel I didn't act properly, say so. I don't bite. :)

This yarn was all free.

2006-09-26T08:48:00.000-07:00

The Whole Shebang
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
A while back, an old customer of mine caught up with me to tell me she would no longer be knitting, as she was having wrist problems. Did I want her stash? (I can hear you all, dying out there right now.) Of course, I said yes, and so swung by to visit and pick up the offending items. It filled MY ENTIRE CAR. I have a mini SUV (a Toyota Matrix). Five tubs, like the one in the background, stuffed with Noro, Fiesta, Debbie Bliss, Brown Sheep, Mountain Colors, Schaefer, and others. You can bet that at every stop light, I was ripping out another bag and sighing happily. If you want to see the whole haul, click on over to my Flickr page (just click the photo). Some of it is for sale (with her permission, of course) and that's all located in the destash album. Lots of Noro, as I'm not a huge Noro fan, and all of it around 40-50% off. I mean, I got it for free, I can't charge full price without feeling like an ass. I am willing to swap, of course, for specific things - luxury yarns, sweater quantities, and handpainted sock yarn. Just send me an email at nararabbit (AT) yahoo (DOT) com if you're interested.

I've got my safety helmet on.

2006-09-19T10:31:00.000-07:00
Let's face it, when you have a blog, there is a responsibility to carefully think out what you say about someone else. Once it's out there and has been read by others, there is no taking it back. We can never know another person's situation, but occasionally conduct is so appalling that it is our responsibility TO comment on it, draw attention to it, rather than turn a blind eye and play nice. (This isn't going to be political, in case you're wondering.)

So, one of the LYS is owned by a woman whose behavior has become increasingly rude, to the point that is amazing to me that someone can be so "into" destroying themselves. She clearly feels that she is invincible, and that no matter how badly she acts, people will still shop there. (She's partially right; we'll get there in a minute.) I will be up front with you: I used to work for her, before she laid me off over email right before I was supposed to come into work because she "no longer needed my services" and charged my paycheck for a needle she had lent me to make a store model. I hadn't been impressed with her conduct anyway, which was very two-faced, but that's just my personal feeling on it. (I just wanted to be clear that I'm biased.) Recently I've come in contact again with many people, friends and customers that I knew while working/shopping at this particular LYS. Without fail, they tell me they will never go back, due to something she has said or done to them. We are not talking two or three people. I mean, people CALL ME AT HOME, to tell me how angry they are. I can think of three, just last week, that came in. Whether it was a rude comment ("Your mother is going deaf because you're so loud!") or not returning shop models, these people all feel strongly enough that they would rather shop elsewhere entirely than ever set foot into this place again. If I were reading this, I would be wondering how she stays open. Well, you and me both. Even on her blog, she's openly rude. When a customer emailed her, commenting that her blog contains very little about the shop or knitting (this is the blog FOR THE STORE, now!) the LYSO's response was to post the email, berate the woman and tell her that she can go somewhere to 'bitch and moan" (the original email's tone was not rude at all.) AND ASK OTHER PEOPLE TO EMAIL HER ALSO AND TELL HER OFF! I, of course, emailed her and said I was sorry she was treated so rudely. I know I would hate to get such hate directed toward me because I made a suggestion about improving another person's business! The bottom line is, no matter what special brands she gets, or what awesome sales she has, she will run herself into the ground. As much as I like to support small businesses, it is not a "get out of jail free" card for bad behavior and rudeness. On the plus side, the several LYSes that are staffed by nice and helpful people are no doubt enjoying the influx of customers that are finding new perches. So there is a good side to all this. (I, for one, will be there for her closing sale, to cart away loads of stuff at 50 and 75% off!)

..

2006-09-19T08:40:00.000-07:00
I've only got a couple little things to report, but soon I should have an FO and a pattern available! The Vintage cardi is blocking, needing only her button bands and neckband (which I find easier to do evenly on a blocked piece.) Sometime tomorrow afternoon or evening, as the dog is going to the vet in the AM on Wednesday. (he's allergic to grass, and gets yearly shots. Have you ever heard of a dog allergic to grass? Me either!)

I was also nominated by my pal, Sourire as best pal for Secret Pal 8. Obviously my efforts to improve didn't go unnoticed! I was randomly drawn and won a prize, and I'll post about that when it gets here. No idea what it could be, but I'm very excited. Thank you, pal!

I also got paid a lot extra than I thought I would, and got a refund from the bank for an overdraft charge, so I was feelin' rich. I ordered my very first Socks that Rock, in Rooster Rock (Jaywalkers for my mom or me, not sure yet.) I also have been watching Bo Peep's Wool Shop sale for like... two months now! She had Suri Merino on sale for $25 a bag, so I got a bag of the green/purple heather that is so gorgeous. I'd link to it, but she's pretty much sold out now except for a few balls here and there. Only $30, even with shipping! You may remember that my Hourglass was made of Suri Merino, and it is so soft and warm I just had to get more of the same yarn. (It's going to become Grumperina's Knitted Bodice, FYI!)

Not much else going on at chez Bronwyn, there's a trunk show tonight at the Knaughty Knitter, I'll be working that from 5-7. I WILL resist buying anything except the pattern I need for my next shawl. Icarus has only about 20 (very long) rows left before she's finished, so I've been shopping around for a pattern. I won't show you my yarn just yet, though... you'll have to wait for that! ;)

Icarus in Alchemy Haiku

2006-09-12T15:43:00.000-07:00

Icarus in Alchemy Haiku
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
I've been bad lately about WIP photos; here is one of my current WIPs, the Icarus Shawl in Alchemy Haiku, Forest Waltz colorway. It's so gorgeous, I don't know if I'll be able to gift it when Christmas comes!

consider this stash enhanced!

2006-09-12T11:07:00.000-07:00

consider this stash enhanced!
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
Yesterday was not a very productive day. I woke up groggily this morning, realizing that I had fallen asleep around oh, 7 pm last night! (Ugh... and I fell asleep on my bed, which was covered in all my sock yarn, and stayed there, all night. I had yarn and needle impressions all over! Good thing I didn't poke my eye out...) I didn't mean to fall asleep. It's just that I'm knitting the most boring sock in the universe, and Icarus (also not that interesting right now.) Anyway...

Yesterday morning I had total house fever and just HAD to get out. I had been arranging my sock yarn stash, trying to inspire myself to finish these STR socks, when I noticed I have NO red sock yarn! (except for one lonely ball of LL sport. We'll forget that for a moment.) Combined with the fact that there was a new shipment of koigu in over at Angel Hair, I knew what my mission was. Sadly, it proved harder than I thought! They had lots of pretty rainbows, blues, purples, and a nice solid red, but only this one red variegated. And it's really more orange. But that didn't stop me from snatching it up and purchasing it! I still wasn't ready to go home, so I got directions to Haus of Yarn. I had heard bad things about this place: that it was dark, the women cliquey, the prices jacked up... all of it untrue! The women were all very nice, letting me browse but checking on me from time to time. (I roamed around the same display 15-16 times. I'm surprised I didn't wear a track into the carpet.) They have LL, the only place in Nashville, though they had no red LL. I did pick up this Watercolor, which I had wanted since I started knitting, to make Jaywalkers for my mom! (who told me they were her favorite of the socks I've knitted her. Obviously she will receive more Jaywalkers in the future!) They also carry Claudia Handpaints, and a big ol' display of koigu. How I missed this before, I DON'T KNOW. But now the situation has been rectified, and I will be going back after payday. (That's so wrong, I know. To take your paycheck from one yarn shop, and spend its money at another. Awful! I'll have to buy something at the Knaughty Knitter too, just to be fair.) In the background there you'll see eight balls of Cashsoft 4 ply for my next design. I am really excited about it! I need to find a good (inexpensive) source of Kidsilk Night though. If you have any ideas, let me know!

almost.... there...!

2006-09-11T10:39:00.000-07:00
I was a good girl today, and have nearly finished the second sleeve (the second time I've knitted it, too) as well as updating all my pattern notes for the vintage-ish sweater. Now all that's left is one cuff, and the edgings for the bottom, front closures, and neckline. I have never knitted a cardigan OR a top-down sweater before, so if I can do this, anyone can! I think though, I'll offer it as a separate pattern rather than in booklet form. I'm hoping to move after Christmas and it will be 2009 before I get all 10 designs finished. :P I did get 8 balls of Cashsoft 4ply in a rich black to knit the next sweater with, and ideas are buzzing around. Something that hugs the bust, with baby cables and a deep vee neck. (That's a good part about being an hourglass, by the way. Most clothes won't fit you, but when they do? Va-va-voom!)

Two exciting bits of yarny news: one of my LYSes just got a new shipment of Koigu in. I'll be visiting them today, after putting out all my sock stash and realizing I had no red sock yarn! Obviously this must be rectified. Also, another LYS may be carrying BMFA Socks that Rock soon; at least, I hope that's what she meant by her cryptic message. Seeing as everyone else carries/has carried Soxie, and the colorway doesn't look like Claudia Handpaints, I can't imagine what else it could be. Too bad my heart is set on an obscure colorway, called Puck's Mischief (named by fellow blogger tapmouse! Cool!) I like that the sock club get to do cool things like name upcoming colorways and win free yarn, but I haven't been crazy about any of the colorways except the first one. Maybe next year... (who am I kidding. I am rarely pleased by "mystery" gifts...)

I did cast on for a regular sock using my STR in Peaseblossom. I am not loving the colorway, the colors in my skein just don't suit each other. Magenta and teal, ok. But cloud blue and grey, WITH the magenta and teal? Nah. I am glad I swapped for it, because now I know what everyone is talking about. It is good stuff, but I don't think I'd buy it without seeing it. It's sort of like koigu: when it's good, it's very very good, and when it's bad, you feel a little ill.

new Knitpicks stuff

2006-09-09T16:35:00.000-07:00
Sory guys; even though the camera has been found and is charged, I worked all day and am too tired to bother with it. So you'll get a review sans picture.

I ordered the color cards for Swish and Gloss from Knitpicks, as well as one of their new circulars (the classic kind, a size 3 32".) Let's talk yarn first.

Of course, since it's a color card, I couldn't knit a swatch. but it's a good thing too, because I wasn't impressed with the Gloss. At all. I thought for sure I would be; I mean, it's silk and wool, what's not to like? But it has a distinctly tussah silk feeling - know what I mean? Dry and a little crunchy. It's pretty, and the colors (what few there are) are saturated and well chosen. (No three shades of green here!) But the texture to me is unappealing. I get eczema very easily from sock yarns high in nylon or other thin, scratchy yarns that catch the skin. I can see Gloss doing this to me, because it doesn't have the silky smooth glide that I had hoped for. If your skin is less sensitive, maybe it will be a good choice for you, but I can already tell it will irritate the sensitive skin on my fingertips (I also knit left-handedly, so the yarn spends more time on one area of my finger than it would if I were a "thrower.")

The Swish: I like the color choices here. They kept it relatively simple, but covered the whole rainbow, down to a buttery yellow (often skipped! I hate that!) They did skip the Natural (which is in the "Bare" line apparently, but I'd rather have it all together on the same page and color card.) The feel is soft, but still maintains a bit of that superwash squeak feeling. It's not as pronounced as say, Cascade Superwash, though. It has a feel similar to the Merino Style, with a bit more loft and is a thicker yarn (of course), and definitely softer than Wool of the Andes. At only $3.29 a ball, you could easily knit a woman's medium sweater for less than $40 unless you did lots of cabling. If I order any of the new yarns, this will be it.

As to the circular - it is much sharper than a similarly sized Addi. I'm knitting my Icarus on an Addi, size 3, and once it's long enough it's definitely going onto the Knitpicks circular. The cord is softer and more flexible (thinner and plastic, so it doesn't attack you right out of the package. Yay!) The joins seem strong on the pair I have, though I decided against trying the Options line until they worked out the cord issue. (A few people have had issues with the glue not holding cord and screw together, FYI.) I also like the purple cord. Irrelevent, I know, but I like it nonetheless! And while they are just slightly heavier than my Addis, I didn't even notice it right away. It won't cause a problem for me, I feel.

I'm almost through my third of five repeats on my Icarus shawl. I'm still loving the Alchemy Haiku and feel it's worth the money, about $20 per skein. It's so soft and the colors are absolutely luminous. It's the WIP I've gotten the most compliments on by far. I'm also finding the pattern extremely easy, probably because I'm "reading" the knitting, rather than staring at the pattern. I also received the new Rowan, no. 40, in a swap and will be ripping out my "Pam" sweater to knit the lace corset sweater - gorgeous! (As much as I love Pam, I will never finish. It just takes too much damned time.)

I hope you are all doing well out there in blogland, and I'll be making the rounds again soon. :)

Christmas knitting...

2006-09-06T19:36:00.000-07:00
I had fun felting today! I had never done it before. I mean, I did the felting with the roving and the soap and super-hot water, not the washing machine knitted kind. Sadly, the camera cable for my camera has vanished, and my mom's camera is MIA, so there are no pictures. Which is just as well, because while I had fun, I didn't produce any museum-quality pieces. :P I did make an eyeglasses case out of a piece that's cream on one side, and dark brown wool on the other. I embroidered a little eyeglass picture with some handpainted rayon thread I purchased in NZ... no idea who it'll go to. Maybe Mark? hehe.

Nothing's really getting finished right now. I know, that is not exciting for all 3 of my readers, but I am feeling the knitting ADD come on, as well as Xmas looming! Here's my Xmas progress so far:

Dad: hat in Cashsoft DK (done) and vest in Encore Chunky, baby blue (this is not a man afraid of color. thank god! I've ordered the yarn, and have an excuse not to start it til it gets here.)
Mom: sweater in Silk Road Ultra. This may not get done, as I have ripped it out a couple times and am tired of it!
My sister & her husband: gift certificates. They are nice people, but more Pottery Barn than Earth Guild, you know?
My aunt & uncle: felted wine bottle cozy (him; not done at all) and Icarus shawl knitted in Alchemy Haiku (about 1/4 done, loving it!)
My cousin Sara: I bought her a cool purple knitting bag and will gift some yarn. Saves knitting, and she likes to knit. Also, I have good taste in yarn and she has to, you know, pay bills and not buy yarn with her money.
My best friend who now lives 5000 miles away: lace shawl, all the way. Not even started.
Mark: He has requested a felted hat, with, and I quote, "No stripes. I know you like stripes (I do?) but.. just.. plain. Please." Ok!
Grandma: lace shawl. (Done!! in glorious Koigu, too!)

I am also knitting a little dress for my niece, but I accidentally gave the needles to charity and now have to find Susan Bates metal needles in sz 7 to knit the OTHER half.

Anyway; I want to knit a shawl for best-friend-across-the-sea. I rarely get to talk to her, and want to send her something fancy. She likes baby colors; pink and baby blue. I am thinking a fingering or sport weight yarn, good quality for not hoards of money. I have some Alpaca Cloud, but it's like thread and I don't know if I love her quite that much, you know? I do have all these koigu leftovers I've been saving... but... I don't know if I can part with them. Isn't that selfish?! If you have any yarn ideas, let me know. I'd prefer something wool or wool blend.

Gorgeous.

2006-08-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

fleeceartistsock
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.

That is how I feel about my new socks. Isn't the color to die for? When I got the package, I wasn't totally convinced, especially since the seller had goofed and sent a darker dye lot than the one she had pictured. But now that it's knit up? Positively yarngasmic. Let's hope the Socks that Rock that arrived yesterday (from a swap, I'm still not buying!) will be just as lovely.

I'm also working away on my cardigan. I'm proud to say I finished the body, including the PITA picot edging, and have gotten halfway down the first sleeve (which also needs picot, but we won't go there now.) After that is the other sleeve, the collar, and the edging for the front. I think I'm going to leave a small hole on either side of the fronts so a vintage-y clasp can be slipped in to hold it closed with style. Then it will frame my woman-bits in a lovely way, something I know I always appreciate!

I also sent an email to a woman seeking a test knitter. She can't pay $$ (sad), but she does have an online store and is offering a nice gift certificate in exchange. And, once I saw she sells handpainted silk, I was sold! (I am really in a silk mode for some reason lately.)

I'm busying myself with this cardi, as it's getting cooler now (read: not muggy and disgusting) so my thoughts have returned to my Pam sweater. All those cables.. mmm.... at one time they seemed overwhelming, but now they seem so enticing!

long weekend. literally!

2006-08-23T19:36:00.001-07:00
There is no way I'm taking pictures for such a boring post: I completed the first Fleece Artist "Vintage" sock, turned the heel on the second. I've finished the body of the cream hourglass cardigan, but there's a picot bind-off and I hate picot. I love how it looks, but HATE doing it! (Especially having to choose which row to pick up the stitches... Uuuugh! Anyway, that's stalled because I just can't do that picot any more today. But, on the good side, all it needs now is sleeves, which are knit in the round (hallelujah, SO much faster for me) and it's done! I've tried it on and am very happy with the shape it cuts, very vintage inspired, and just what I had in mind. Now to decide what sort of closure... I had thought of picot all the way up the insides with a clasp or frog closure, but the thought of that much picot is making me a little nauseous. So I thought maybe just picot on one side, with some little pearl buttons? I do love clasps though, especially if they sit right below the bustline and enhance the hourglass shape even more. I'll ask your opinions when I get the sleeves done. (did I mention there's picot on those, too?) Then I need to find a test knitter. If you find yourself absolutely dying for a project to make, and not minding my cheapness (I can only supply the yarn, and you can keep the finished piece once it's photographed) then shoot me an email and we'll talk towards the end of the month.

I'm making a surprise (to me) trip to Atlanta and won't be free again til Saturday evening. I got my SP8's final package today and LOVED it, but it deserves a proper post and so shall get one on Sat. evening or Sunday.

I am planning on going to Knitch (ATL) and Genuine Purl (Chattanooga) on my way back, so I should have more yarn shop reviews for you then. I'm thinking of putting up a little page with all my shop reviews on it, just for reference. Would that be useful to anyone?

Also, totally unrelated, but I picked up the September selection for Knit the Classics, the Time Traveler's Wife. I've not yet read it, but I'm sure I'll start next week. My co-workers from my old job at the B&N raved on and on about this book so it should be interesting, at least!

long weekend. literally!

2006-08-23T19:36:00.000-07:00
There is no way I'm taking pictures for such a boring post: I completed the first Fleece Artist "Vintage" sock, turned the heel on the second. I've finished the body of the cream hourglass cardigan, but there's a picot bind-off and I hate picot. I love how it looks, but HATE doing it! (Especially having to choose which row to pick up the stitches... Uuuugh! Anyway, that's stalled because I just can't do that picot any more today. But, on the good side, all it needs now is sleeves, which are knit in the round (hallelujah, SO much faster for me) and it's done! I've tried it on and am very happy with the shape it cuts, very vintage inspired, and just what I had in mind. Now to decide what sort of closure... I had thought of picot all the way up the insides with a clasp or frog closure, but the thought of that much picot is making me a little nauseous. So I thought maybe just picot on one side, with some little pearl buttons? I do love clasps though, especially if they sit right below the bustline and enhance the hourglass shape even more. I'll ask your opinions when I get the sleeves done. (did I mention there's picot on those, too?) Then I need to find a test knitter. If you find yourself absolutely dying for a project to make, and not minding my cheapness (I can only supply the yarn, and you can keep the finished piece once it's photographed) then shoot me an email and we'll talk towards the end of the month.

I'm making a surprise (to me) trip to Atlanta and won't be free again til Saturday evening. I got my SP8's final package today and LOVED it, but it deserves a proper post and so shall get one on Sat. evening or Sunday.

I am planning on going to Knitch (ATL) and Genuine Purl (Chattanooga) on my way back, so I should have more yarn shop reviews for you then. I'm thinking of putting up a little page with all my shop reviews on it, just for reference. Would that be useful to anyone?

Also, totally unrelated, but I picked up the September selection for Knit the Classics, the Time Traveler's Wife. I've not yet read it, but I'm sure I'll start next week. My co-workers from my old job at the B&N raved on and on about this book so it should be interesting, at least!

ARHG! I hate that!

2006-08-20T06:41:00.000-07:00
I resisted shopping temptation by transferring all my paypal money to my bank account. That'll tie it up for a few days til the urge passes.

I thought that I would have some progress to show you by now; I finished the first chocolate-cherry-colored Fleece Artist sock, and was THROUGH THE HEEL on the second one before I realized that I had cast on 72 st rather than 64 st. No wonder it was taking so long! *sigh* So, back to square one on sock two.

I have gotten a bit done on the first sweater for the booklet, am now into the hips, though it's not nearly over yet. There's the rest of the body, the sleeves, and all that edging... it'll be a while longer! I also wound my Alchemy Haiku, and am resisting ordering two more skeins ($$!) to make Icarus. I know it would be beautiful, but I just can't swing $40 right now.

must not spend! argh!

2006-08-19T11:58:00.000-07:00
I have this thing about having money. I spend it. I don't what my problem is, but having money stresses me out. As soon as I get it, I start planning what to do with it (I got good with the $870 paycheck, I paid off most of my cc). Once it's spent, I feel relief. "Whew! I'm glad that's over... now I don't have to worry about it any more." I realize that this makes no sense at all. But I prefer the simple life, and having money and being a knitter are two things that combine to make more stress. There is just so much yarn out there, how can I be expected to choose?! So anyway, I've been destashing and have some $$ burning a hole in my pocket. Before you say anything, I took most of it out and will be using towards my CC and gas. But I left a little sitting in my paypal account for a rainy day

edited to say, I remembered that I'm expecting a final package from my SP, two Magic Balls from a co-op sometime in September, and a swap next week. I will not spend right now. No matter how bad I want that sea silk or peter rabbit by fleece artist... ;)

stashing along

2006-08-15T09:08:00.000-07:00
My kingdom for a darning needle! Like sock needles, darning needles disappear at an alarming rate around here. I've tried buying a bunch at once, but whether I have 1 or 10, they all seem to vanish at roughly the same time. (it's about 1-2 months). It wouldn't be that big of a deal, but I have at least 4 projects that are done except for seaming or end weaving. While it would make sense to just go buy one, it's at least an hour trip, while there are other projects waiting to be knit on. I'm working at the Knaughty Knitter on Thursday, I THINK I can wait that long. (It is painful though..!)

I finished my wool peddler's shawl last night and blocked it, but as it needs seams woven in, it won't make a debut til the weekend (sigh). Also waiting for ends or seaming: Iris from Rowan 35, Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk hat, and a Koigu shawl for my grandma.

Still OTN: Jojoland socks (I finished the heel, but the toe was too short and had to rip it out. sigh), Schaefer Anne socks (got the heel turned and about halfway down the foot on the first sock), Fleece Artist socks, Trekking socks, sweater out of Silk Road Ultra, sweater for book, Thinking Dress from Miss Bea's Rainy Day for niece (front completed, I lost the needles on which it was knit though), a baby blanket that will be ripped out today, and Pam from Rowan 35. So including seaming and darning projects... that's 13 WIPs! How did it get this bad??

Anyway, I think I'll work on the sweater for the book, since it's fairly fast. I'd like to get that darning needle though, that'd knock my WIPs down to 9... in one day! Maybe I should allow myself...

Icarus shawl info

2006-08-14T09:55:00.000-07:00
If you're planning on knitting the Icarus shawl with Alchemy Haiku, like the Yarn Harlot, note that you will three skeins, not two. This is heartbreaking for me, as I bought one, and was planning on ordering another from Knit/Purl. Sadly, according to YH's reader Lori Gayle:

I'm one of the Interweave Knits technical editors, and according to my notes the original Icarus shawl shown in the photos weighs 90 grams. The Suri alpaca used has 800 meters in 100 grams, so a shawl worked exactly according to the directions will require about 720 meters.

A skein of Alchemy Haiku has 325 yards per 25 grams. On the upside, you will have enough left to either make the shawl a little bigger (which you may want to do) or knit a scarf or something. :)

Also: I am trying to whittle down my WIPs (now I've counted to 10, I think) by finishing things one at a time. It's painful, so now I'm doing two at a time. :P The Wool Peddler's Shawl in Rowan Cashsoft 4ply is nearly done, lacking about 22 rows and a blocking. I'm thinking my current ball will run out (it's ball no. 3) but I have 4 more waiting so I think I'm okay. I'm just over it, over the lace pattern, glad it's easy to remember but isn't it done yet?!

sock yarn stash

2006-08-12T09:33:00.000-07:00

sock yarn stash
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
So I followed The Knotty Gnome's example and counted all my sock yarn. I thought I had more, actually! There're two skeins coming from a swap (one Socks that Rock, and one CTH Supersock) and that's it! Including half-knit socks, I have enough for 15 pairs. That's pretty close to where I'd like to stay - around 8-10 pairs worth? I never know what sort of sock I feel like knitting, so I don't mind having a stash of that sort of thing!

Anyway, normally I'm only knitting one pair at a time (they get done faster that way, who knew? ;) but the socks on the bottom (Jojoland fingering) are missing their mate somewhere, and I need it to make sure the length matches, so it languishes, for want of a few rows! The top left (the black blob) is Schaefer Anne, a sock I started for my dad and then in the sudden move, it disappeared! I found it again last night and started the heel flap. The middle one, the purple Trekking, I started as my "new" sock, but I hate knitting Trekking. I have to watch what I'm doing, as the stitches love to leap off my metal needles (and I dislike bamboo for socks). So these just get a few rows when I'm in a thinkin' mood. And the newest sock, on the right, is my Fleece Artist in Vintage. I was a little afraid to break into this, truth be told, as it's my last Fleece Artist for a long time (*sob*) but I needed its pretty colors and softness.

That concludes the sock portion of our tour. Note that there is no Lorna's in there; I'm waiting til I find a LYS that carries it before I buy more. Whenever I buy it over the internet, I seem to get disappointed by the colors.

ugh, temptation...

2006-08-11T13:55:00.000-07:00

Blue Moon Fiber Arts Silk Thread in Farmhouse
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.

I was looking around online during a knitting break (knitting 8 hours or more a day will do that to you) and of course, ended up looking at Blue Moon Fiber Arts' homepage. I love their Farmhouse sock yarn, it gives me a true yarngasm. But I have about $50 to my name right now, and cannot buy ANYTHING. (And don't need to. I have yarn! Lots of it!) But then I remembered my BMFA Silk Thread. I felt sure it had only been wound once, when I purchased it. I wind all my balls a second time, to make sure the yarn isn't stretched (which can affect your gauge, after it relaxes.) So to make myself feel better, I rewound my silk. Now, I have no willpower. I am overcome with the need to see a knitted swatch. But I have yet to find a pattern that suits its beauty, that isn't boring but allows the color to really shine. Obviously knit on a fairly small needle, as bright colors tend to look faded when stretched out too much. What do you think? Have you got any ideas for me??

dr pepper berries and cream

2006-08-09T13:55:00.000-07:00
I can't decide how I feel about it. On the one hand, the commercials annoy the crap out of me, with their constant use of "berries" and "cream". I can read the bloody can, ok? And soda is not "rich" so don't describe it as such. On the other hand, it DOES taste like it has the two aforementioned ingredients in it, tastes pretty darn good, and is.. well.. different. I hated coke with lemon (A LOT, pine sol anyone?) and lime (not as bad, but still gross). Some fruit flavors should never be combined. But berry and coke... both are dark and sorta sweet, so why not? And I like cream soda. I guess I'll drink it til it runs out and switch back to water :P

Anyway, I still have the reviews for the other yarn shops to write up. Sorry I haven't gotten to it yet! The two I haven't mentioned so far that I've really loved were Abundant Yarn (the cafe is good, the yarn selection also good) and Lint, which is in sort of a scary neighborhood at night, what with all the construction and not lots of people walking around, but the proprietess was so nice, and their selection of Brown Sheep, Rowan, Debbie Bliss, and Lorna's was so large that I have to love them. (Just search for Knitted Barbecue to find them. Check out those deviled eggs!)

I've decided to write my own knitting book and self-publish. Or, more accurately, two of them. One is different, and I haven't found ANY books on the subject yet, which means it's either untapped or a horrible idea. But I think it'll rock, and other people whose opinions (and silence) I trust agree with me. The other is a book of patterns I've designed for my mom over time. Weird, I know, but moms of us college-ish kids are not old enough to want frumpy designs; they are trendy for the most part, but still want to look classy. And while you can find all sorts of patterns that are "classic" (plain) there aren't too many with interesting stitch patterns or flattering shapes. I should also mention that the sizing goes from 28" to 52", which I THINK is big enough, but if you know of a demand for smaller or larger, let me know.

What else... when I visited Portland, I met a woman who is wanting a nanny for her two boys (both well-mannered while still being young boys.) I have no idea if this will work out, but I really like the family and the city, so I may be moving there sometime soon.

Now to go work off that credit card bill... and all that wine and cheesecake..!

addendum

2006-07-30T20:51:00.000-07:00
Just a quick addendum to the post below; if any owners have a comment to add, or want to invite me to their shop if it's a little further afield and know how to get there using mass transit or my legs, please email or comment. I do like to give owners a chance to respond to reviews. And of course, it goes without saying these are all my opinions.

Portland Shop reviews, part 1

2006-07-30T20:11:00.000-07:00
I'm trying to hit as many yarn shops in Portland as possible, while still giving a fairly in -depth review. You can find lists of shops and websites, and individual shop reviews, but that's a lot of legwork (mousework?) for a relatively simple request.

Portland has a LOT of yarn shops; I'm considering moving here, and I must admit, that plethora is swaying my judgment just a smidge. Today I visited three: Knit/Purl, on 1101 SW Alder was the first. In terms of location, I love it, because it's very close to Josephine's Dry Goods, a Portland staple sewing store with an amazing collection of buttons (I bought some). The shop is not huge, but airy and pleasant, with lots of windows and excellent lighting. Knit/Purl carries a good amount of harder to find yarns, especially Fleece Artist (thrummed mitten kits and BFL, no sock yarn), Handmaiden (Sea Silk), Koigu, Lorna's Laces (nearly all the lines in a good variety of colors), and their own line Shibui. The Shibui sock yarn is especially nice; it's solid, but a kettle sort of solid with rich colors and a soft base (the same base as medium Socks that Rock and Koigu). It costs about the same, however. They do (or did?) carry Blue Moon Fiber Arts, but pickings were scarce since it was all 40% off. I did manage to score a hank of their 100% silk laceweight in Farmhouse and two skeins of semi-solid Sock Candy for pretty cheap, but it didn't seem as though they would be getting more. The shop is a high-end one, but not necessarily in a bad way. The service was still VERY good (and I'm young and wasn't particularly well-dressed). One of the girls offered to wind my 1200 yards of laceweight silk, and when it tangled, she spent the rest of the day untangling it. Some places won't wind lace at all, so I was really happy with this service. (Of course, on a busy day, you may have to wait a while.) The yarns were not overpriced which happens in so many urban shops, and even though they carry almost all higher-end yarns, they're all of good quality - cashmere, merino, silk, alpaca, angora, etc. I would definitely recommend this shop if you have a good yarn-shopping budget. There's also a room downstairs that has yarn that's on sale. Today, it was hanks of llama dyed by Blue Moon. :)

Next, I hit Dublin Bay, at 1227 NW 11th. It's at the VERY end of 11th, so don't give up if you don't see it right away. Inside they have a big-screen tv and comfy chairs for anyone with you who doesn't "get" yarn shopping (I had one today, and it was appreciated). They carried most of the RYC line, some Fleece Artist (Kid Aran, some Sea Silk), lots of Cherry Tree Hill (supersock, baby loop, ribbon, alpaca lace, etc.), Rooster Almerino, which is mostly just found in the UK and compares to Cashmerino, and lots of Regia, among other things. The shop itself had a rareified air to it; very quiet except for the tv and the click of needles. The woman at the counter smiled at me, but I have admit.. I prefer to be talked to beyond just a "hello" and back to the needles we go! I walked around for about 10 minutes and left. No "what are you looking for?" or anything like that. I just found it too quiet. I prefer yarn shops where people talk and laugh, music plays, etc. If you really would like some peace (or it was a slow day for her) this shop may suit you better. I would have preferred that they carry the sock yarn by Fleece Artist since they carry other yarns by the brand, and they had room in the cubicles. All together, I wasn't crazy about it. They do offer coffee and chocolates from 2-4 on Sundays, so perhaps that would be a good time to visit for the first time, rather than right before they closed. They also had a good selection of the RYC books and good quality baby yarn, FYI.

Lastly, I hit Mabel's Cafe and Knittery, on 3041 SE Division, across the river. In a house, with a coffee bar that also serves beer and wine (good pinot noir, btw), Mabel's carries a small but well-chosen selection of wools, cottons, alpaca, and most of Debbie Bliss' yarns. There are paintings on the walls by local artists (I wanted the large cream house painting, but couldn't afford the still-reasonable price tag.) There are couches and tables, good for a spouse or friend who'd rather take a book or journal along and sip while you shop. The woman at the counter (who I am not sure was the owner, but she seemed very comfortable so perhaps so) greeted me several times throughout my shopping. She was never pushy or nosy, just pleasant if I had a question. They carry a good collection of Manos and Manos Stria, Bartlett Yarns, Plymouth Alpaca (Brushed, Suri Merino, and Grande) and lots of Opal, including solids! I liked the place so much that I bought 4 skeins of Debbie Bliss Pure Silk in 12 (Poppy/Coral) to make something dressy and beautiful. I love that Mabel's has long hours, open til 9 pm Monday-Thursday, and til 8 pm Friday-Sunday! The number of tables and the cafe would make it my choice for an after work SNB. If you're in the the area, check it out, though if you only get to hit one LYS you might skip this one since the selection is more limited.

Tomorrow: Hopefully, I'll be heading to Yarn Garden (if I can figure out how to get there via mass transit), Abundant Yarn & Dyeworks, Lint, and Knit Knot (though I must admit I've heard that Knit Knot is quite snotty, I hope to find out for myself and report back!)

Leavin' on a jet plane...

2006-07-25T10:35:00.000-07:00
In case you haven't already heard, Interweave is having a hurt book sale right now! The pages always load slowly, and things sell out, but a good deal can be found. I waited and watched til the site went live this morning, and got a copy of The Art of Fair Isle Knitting and Alden Amos' Book of Handspinning for half price. The shipping is slow, but I consider it worth it. (Now if only someone hadn't beaten me to that sock book...!) The link is here.

I also got a copy of Yoshitomo Nara's newest book for $22. I've been watching it for a while, and when I found a copy in an NZ bookshop for $100, I figured I'd never get it. But it seems it was remaindered by some dumb store, so I got it cheap!

ALSO, 4 Rowan mags for $20. Sick, I know. Number 30 I already have, but Sara wants it, so I'll send it to her.

I'm leaving for Oregon tomorrow, and won't be back til August 5. I hope all my new books (and yarn, did I mention the 12 skeins of KP Main Line I bought for a song?) is waiting for me when I get back! Maybe I can use my Main Line for the Rapunzel Jacket! I have some white KSH that I could hold with the Main Line, for a softer look, too.

Ah well. Once the office is done I can actually use my camera etc. again!

secret pal confusion

2006-07-24T09:02:00.000-07:00
I've been keeping up with the blogs related to the SP8 exchange, and I have to say, it bothers me that so many people complain openly about their pals. Not that there aren't slackers out there, and yes, I've been blessed with great pals both times I've participated. (By the way, pal, your tissues came in VERY handy on the 15th, when we all moved out. SO many tears needed drying, and cute tissues make even the weepiest girls smile.) Anyway, as much as I love seeing what everyone gets from their SPs, I do think it sometimes sets a standard that is unreachable by other SPs. I know my first round, I was not the best pal. I tried to find things I thought my pal would like (it seemed she did) but I did not understand AT ALL about presentation! Cardboard box, check. Yarny gifts, check. No tissue, nothing. My ears burn at the thought now! Anyway, my pals have set me straight, sending me sweetly packaged gifts.

I guess my point is that not all pals "get it" right away, and rather than complain in a public forum, even anonymously, contact your hostess. I know it made me feel bad, and wonder if I hadn't sent my pal enough emails, gifts, etc. Her final package is also very nice (a cashmere theme, y'all. To atone for my previous pal sins). I also worry other people will see it and wonder why their pal sent them something other than cashmere. *sigh*

At least I have a wonderful, kind pal (whose candle I am burning right this second, to air out the "new paint" smell) who reminds me that SP is still a good thing.

Wahoo!

2006-07-17T08:17:00.000-07:00
So, Governor's School is over. The paycheck is about halved, since I used some of it to pay down my old cc bill (from college. *sigh*) Now it is down to about $200, which I think I can pay off pretty easily by doing odd jobs here and there. BUT, the best part? My parents told me they did not want me to work right now. At all. (I have never been without a job for the last 8 years!) I have 3-4 months of uninterrupted knitting time. Which is good, since I have a massive stash. The only bad thing is not having my own money coming in. I am still teaching privately on the side, which is about $20-30 a week, and I think Meredith at the Knaughty Knitter will need my help from time to time as well. Either way, the remainder of my summer paycheck will go unspent til I go to NY in November. (Flying Fingers and MOMA bookstore, here I come!)

Since I'll be making so little money, I figured it would be a good time to stashalong. The mod of that list is on vacation, but that won't stop me! Here's a list of OTN and upcoming projects featuring stash yarn:

OTN: Pam (towards the bottom) from Rowan 30 in Rowan Wool Cotton (Poster Blue). I LOVE this yarn; it is SO soft and squooshy. I've started on the sleeve, to get used to all the cable patterns, but thus far no problems. Two repeats above the cuff. I know this project will take a while, but if I take TOO long I'll get lost and stuck and never finish it. I'm shooting to have it done and assembled in time for winter (late september/october down here.)

Two pairs of socks are in progress right now. One is Fleece Artist Merino in Wildflower. I'd reccomend this seller for all your FL sock yarn needs. She ships faster than anyone else I've used, and her shipping is comparatively cheap! The other pair is in Jojoland fingering. It stripes similarly to Noro, so you must give up the idea of matching socks. But that's never been a problem for me!

I've got a few projects laid out to start when I finish something else. I guess I do like to have a couple things going at once - usually socks and something else - so for socks, I have a choice of Great Adirondack Soxie in Rosewood (no picture, but it's a beautiful colorway of plum, blue, chocolate and cream), Opal Petticoat in 1291, and some varying shades of KPM and KPPPM. I have some other Opal and things too, but I prefer softer sock yarn! ;) I haven't counted, but I imagine I have sock yarn for about 15 pairs.

As for other projects? The Icarus shawl in some kind of mohair (I have many kinds and colors, though I'm leaning towards white KSH for an angelic look), matching sweaters for my niece and nephew out of All Seasons Cotton, a ruffled, beaded scarf from KSH, a tank top from some cashsoft 4ply... and that's just the beginning.

Like the stashalong, I'll be allowing myself one free day a month. This month I'm saving for when I'm in Portland (no sales tax). But I'm looking for certain things, since money's tight. Koigu to add to my collection (I hope to make a sweater or shawl from odds and ends) and 2 balls KSH in blushes for aforementioned scarf. THis entry's getting long, so I'll go, but I'll be back with pictures of all the things I knit during Governor's School!

ARHG

2006-07-13T08:26:00.000-07:00
Did I mention I'll miss GSFTA, but I will not miss having to be mean? I don't enjoy it, yet when one of the kids does something totally boneheaded, I can't ignore it. It's my job!! Last night I had to bang on the door of the same two rooms three times each afer 11 pm to tell them to PLEASE GO TO SLEEP BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SEND THEM HOME! And then today a kid just doesn't show up for final critique, expects us to just call him. (Apparently he is too sick to come, and must stay in. Note that he did not, you know, CALL US EARLIER, or tell his friend/roommate/girlfriend/whatever, just doesn't show up.) Then when we call his room he doesn't answer. Then he shows up in a class he's not even supposed to BE in, and comes to me fussing like it's my fault and he's going home and boo hoo. I like him and all, but part of college is being responsible for yourself. *sigh*

Anyways, I am still knitting away on Pam from Rowan 30, though it's going slowly. If I remember, I'll take a picture cuz it really is a gorgeous design. ;)

Also, I am going to Phoenix and then Portland on the 26th and will be gone 10 days. I'll make sure to send my pal's last gift, and I have to say, I'm jealous of her! Heh heh... I struggled with wanting to keep her gift for myself, but I won't.

New York, New York

2006-07-03T18:07:00.000-07:00
So my mom and dad visited on Sunday! They took me out to Don Pablo's, where the waiter was super cool and knew all the dishes that were veggie/vegan, even though he wasn't himself. That's unusual in a small town like M'boro. Anyway, I have never been to New York, despite the fact that some family lives there and my mom grew up there. But now she's decided she wants to go over Thanksgiving, or pretty close anyway, and has decided to take me. YEAH!! She even brought me a NY travel guide, tho I'm trying to find one for ALL the art museums and things as I'm sure there are tons.

I've not felt like knitting lately. Last night I got blitzed for the first (and last) time. I hate throwing up and I threw up all morning. I hate drinking other than with a meal, and will never do that again!

My second gift! :)

2006-06-28T19:57:00.000-07:00

My second gift! :)
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
My mom called to tell me I had a second SP8 package waiting for me! (I'll get it Sunday when they visit.) She thoughtfully photographed it for me though, so I wouldn't have to wait (I'm not a patient person) and she's a knitter too so maybe she'll get inspired to join a swap!

Inside were three beautiful loaves of Misti Alpaca Lace, in a light blue color. I have no light blue laceweight. My pal is just that psychic, she knows the ONLY color I don't have! (Except for light green.)

I don't know if you can see the cover image for the Second Book of Modern Lace Knitting that she included (THANK YOU) but I'm thinking the thistle pattern would look so pretty in that pale blue, hehe. Not to mention the clean smelling candles, which will be perfect for this funky (in a bad way) dorm room. And the tissues - somehow she KNEW that my allergies had been going into overdrive! THANK YOU, PAL! I'll have to send you a prezzie when all is said and done. ;)

New blog

2006-06-22T09:25:00.000-07:00
I just wanted to let you readers out there know that I started a new & separate blog about my frustrations with emigration and NZ. It's here: http://emigrationfrustration.blogspot.com. If you have any stories or advice of your own, post or email me and I'll upload it. This blog isn't just for me to blather on, but to help other people who feel helpless in this complicated and tricky process!

To the Is-land

2006-06-18T14:25:00.000-07:00
Just dropping in quickly to tell you I finished another pair of socks, my Opal Petticoats in colorway 1297. Of course, no picture (no camera). But the're on display at the Knaughty Knitter til I leave Murfreesboro in July (too hot to wear them right now).

I also started a pair in JoJoland's fingering weight pink/blue mix. I have mixed feelings about this yarn; it is soft for an all-wool sock yarn; the colors stripe nicely, and the pattern shows well because the color changes are slow and subtle. BUT, the two balls are VASTLY different. I wish I could take a picture. One has lots of a purpley-blue and a peach; the other is mostly yellow and minty green. It isn't just the stripe sequence, one is also much brighter than the other. I think if I were to order from them (and I would, it's nice yarn and only $7 per ball) I would specifically request two balls that are the same dye lot. Unfortunately I threw away the labels for these so I don't know if they match or not lot-wise, but I am guessing NO.

I went to the library (see, being cheap!) and checked out two Agatha Christie novels (I read one a day. It's an expensive hobby.) and checked out a copy of Janet Frame's To the Is-Land. I am only 10 pages in and fascinated. I would tell you more, but I want to get to the KK and buy a needle before they close. Later!

kids everywhere!

2006-06-16T05:58:00.000-07:00
I think this gig has me thinking of never having children. Not because they're awful or something (they aren't) but they're noisy and need constant attention (i.e. girls screaming their heads off over a stupid cockroach at 11 pm.) Obviously I am spending a lot of time knitting and trying not to cuss. ;) It is fun though, just stressful.

I finished a pair of Opal socks, the new yellow petticoat colorway which is really pretty. I also am nearing the finishline for the Knaughty Knitter sweater. I was thinking of bringing some of the fiber kids to the Knaughty Knitter block party thing tomorrow, but I think I need to get away for a while. Sorry kids!

We had good Indian at the Clay Pit. I was super friendly for some reason (glad to see another adult?) so we got free bread and soft drinks. (I love naan [sp?])

We'll talk again soon.

I am beginning to think I have psychic powers...

2006-06-09T20:56:00.000-07:00
I am a little freaked out by recent goings-on; I'm stuck for a month in a steaming dorm with 25 14-year-old girls! One of them is apparently "addicted" (her dad's words) to oranges and eats five pounds of oranges a day. I can't leave the kids at all, lest they start smoking or having sex with each other or possibly skipping stupid social dances to read books instead. (I was not exaggerating about the five pounds of oranges. This girl eats more than 10 oranges a day.)

Anyway, lest I think life is sucking too much, I just remember all the weird coincidences that have occured in the last couple days. First of all, I cannot spend any money. But with all the summer sales of yarn, I would be completely daft if I thought I could avoid it altogether. So I made a deal with myself: only things for my secret pal, OR if I found a cashmere/silk blend on sale for a good price. I passed on the Trilly (50% of $35 per ball is still too pricey for me!) BUT, THE SAME DAY, LIKE 20 MINUTES LATER, I get an email from Posh Yarn that they have a sale page. Well, for $30 (including shipping) I got 2200 yards of cashmere/silk. In a color I like. How crazy is that, right??

I complained inwardly about having to shell out $150 to back up my laptop and replace the charger. Miraculously, the charger appeared in my mother's luggage (no idea why it would be there. It's been lost for almost 2 mos. now..) AND they apple store forgot to charge me for the dvd backup. HA. FREAKIN'. HA. If they think I'm going back to pay it, they're morons. XD

AND on my last day of freedom (see above orange girl and others) I remembered it was employee discount days at the B&N. My employment expires tomorrow, and my discount was an extra 10%. So despite my bitching over having nothing to read, I now have 2 magazines and 4 books to read. (1 knitting book, of course!)

Now if only Mark's trip was cancelled and he had the burning desire to spend the whole evening fawning over me, it would be perfect. I guess I should wait by the phone ;P

Ouch!

2006-06-07T08:58:00.000-07:00

Zephyr scarf
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.

I'm sorry I neglected my poor blog for so long. My only excuse is that I am working on so many things at once, nothing seems to ever be "finished" and I get sorta tired of progress pics. BUT, I finished something yesterday, and have two events coming up, so there's plenty og blog fodder in the near future!

I knit this scarf over a few days when I saw that my favorite author, Laurie R King, was doing a signing here in Nashville. I LOVE her Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes books, and her new one looked pretty interesting too. There was no way I'd miss her signing! Anyway, I went along to Davis Kidd and got there a bit early. I'm glad I did, because there were quite a few people there! Thankfully their restaurant serves food and alcohol, so I was able to get a Guiness (though the bottled kind. Eugh) and somethin' to eat while I waited. I did bring along a sock I've been knitting, since the angora shrug is now just needing some shaping and I can't pay attention to both author and knitting. There were actually several people there who knit, but I was the only one who had actually brought mine.
Laurie was lovely, and an interesting and funny speaker. I'd never read any of her other series, but having heard her talk about them, I'll definitely have to read Folly and The Art of Detection. (I will always be a staunch Russell fan, so excuse my slight disappointment that I'll be waiting two years for the next book.)
She did sign my knitting bag (obviously a first request of that type, heh heh) AND spelled my name correctly without any help whatsoever! Yay Laurie!

I'll be moving into the dorms for 5 weeks on Friday to teach Governor's School. If I don't have internet there, my posts may be more sporadic, but I promise at LEAST once a week. ;)

Back from Arizona

2006-05-24T10:40:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous octopus paperweight
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
I uploaded most of my pictures from AZ to Flickr. Head on over to check them out! (Click on the photo to go.)

I had a wonderful time soaking up the sun and relaxing in the spa. Between the massages, pedicures, and body wraps, I am downright glowing and gorgeous (hehe).

By the way, I picked up a new cd at B&N - The Wreckers "Stand Still, Look Pretty." It's Michelle Branch & her friend who've started a country band. The cd is gorgeous; the best song so far is "Tennessee." Really, she makes the transition smoothly, but it's not so country that pop folks couldn't get into it too. Not to mention singer-songwriters - it does have that quality too.

I finished a pair of socks, the Fleece Artist ones, so I'll add a photo of those too to the FO 2006 section. I ended up gifting them to my counsin who was graduating. :) Congrats Jen!

Leavin' on a jet plane...

2006-05-18T13:19:00.000-07:00
Just popping in to say I will be on vacation until Tuesday, May 23rd. Sorry about the lack of photos lately. I did take some with the parents' camera, but I can't figure out how to upload them. (*sigh*) I solemnly swear to have my dad show me how it works (hate these PCs, everything's so dang complicated!) so you will not only have photos of two pairs of socks and a sweater and some new stash yarn and knitting books (Fleece Artist!! Rowan! WendyKnits! More Rowan!) but also, of lovely Arizona.

Wish me luck that my DPNs don't get confiscated! ;)

P.S. to my secret pal: I'm glad you got your package, and you can make whatever you want with the contents. Also, I will not be able to check my email while gone, so don't think I've forgotten you!

Wahoo, the spinning wheel came!

2006-05-11T19:43:00.000-07:00

LL Wool Top in Child
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.

My spinning wheel came, and my dad put it together for me so it was waiting when I got home from work! Yahoo! Too bad my dang laptop isn't working or I'd show you a picture (sigh). However, to celebrate, I bought myself some pretty (rainbow!) roving off ebay. 10 oz too, so enough to actually make something! I can't wait til it gets here to use it!
Also, yellow sweater needs about 5 rows on the neckline and it's done. THANK YOU, LAWD. It is so soft and sunny, I want to wear it tomorrow~! But only if I can sew down those dadblamed hems.

wheee....

2006-05-08T07:33:00.000-07:00
Welp, tomorrow's my 23rd birthday. Man, I suddenly feel older! I've not been blogging much because I'm trying to break my addiction to the internet (it's working!) so I've been walking or knitting when I'd normally be websurfing. I've almost finished a sweater in less than a week! That tells you how much I use the internet. ;)

I'm trying desperately to knit this thing before I see Mark for b'day dinner tomorrow. My parents aren't able to celebrate it til this upcoming weekend, so we're going out instead, muahaha.

Anyways. If I am victorious, I will take a photo of me in the sweater and post it tomorrow before bedtime. Wish me luck!

SP8 and some other stuff

2006-05-03T12:10:00.000-07:00
I did not realize it had been 10 days since I last posted. Sorry! I guess I haven't felt much like talking on the web recently, especially since I seem to be constantly answering questions IRL. (What happened? How's Mark? Where are you living now? etc. etc.) Anyway, I don't feel like talking (or thinking) about it, so I guess I just sort of turn off!

Regardless, I finished one thing and started a sweater. I'll take a picture once my mum gets home; I don't know how to work their digicam and my laptop's shot. (Yay!)

But... SP8 is starting! Wahoo! So here's my questionnaire, and an excuse to post!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I love Plymouth Suri Merino. I think I have knitted in in 3 colors now and have plans for one more. I also love Elann's Baby Silk, anything Lorna's Laces (especially worsted, mmm.) I love handpainted things. I am not a fan of mohair with other fibers, just on its own. I also love a good stretchy yarn, regardless of content.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

Ziploc baggies. My gadgets and stitch markers are in a clear zippered pouch I received from my previous SP. I love that thing!

3. How long have you been knitting? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

Intermediate with aspirations towards advanced. I'll try anything (except steeking. I'm too scared!)

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

I sure do! Just search for my name and you should find it. (Hint: it's the one with all the knitting books.)

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

Anything comforting, like lavender or vanilla. I also like spicy scents if they aren't too strong. Mulled cider and orange citrus come to mind.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I love all sweets equally, with two exceptions: I hate licorice, and circus peanuts. Red licorice is ok though.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I spin, sew, quilt, draw, paint, build... pretty much everything.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I loved my mix cd that I got last time. My car plays them, but I don't have a stereo right now.

9. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

I like most colors. It's easier to say what I don't like! Reddish-browns, green-yellows, and super dark colors. Anything that is the color of an Easter egg is probably safe!

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

(*sigh*) I live with my parents and their 4 cats and a dog.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

All of the above except ponchos. I need freedom of movement!

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Anything lacy. I don't really have a favorite thing.

13. What are you knitting right now?

As I type I'm knitting the body of the Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts in Plymouth Suri Merino (butter yellow).

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

I love all handmade things (especially books and cards!)

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Circulars and DPNs. All my straights are dusty from neglect!

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

I do indeed.

17. How did you learn to knit?

From a book! (SnB, if you must know.)

18. How old is your oldest UFO?

Maybe a couple weeks? I don't tend to let things languish (any more).

19. What is your favorite holiday?

Easter, followed by Christmas.

20. Is there anything that you collect?

New Zealand things (though not touristy stuff...) And books.

21. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I don't subscribe to any knitting magazines. I'd love a copy of Alterknits. Also, lace patterns from Blackberry Ridge. I dearly love old mystery novels, so paperbacks of Agatha Christie would be nice. There is a book "out there" about designing lace shawls, but I can't remember what it's called. I'd LOVE that!

22. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

*gulp* Fair Isle.

23. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I wear a US women's 8.5. I do love to knit socks, too.

24. When is your birthday? (mm/dd)

05/09! Right around the corner! Come wish me Happy Birthday and make me feel special! :)

baby gift

2006-04-23T07:25:00.000-07:00

baby gift
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
I started this "shawl" as a gift for a friend. Let's say it was a learning experience - increasing up the middle makes a diamond, y'all, not a triangle. So, instead, I have a baby blanket. Too bad no one I know is having a baby! I'll tuck it away in the gift box for when a new family member is on the way.

Yarn used was Fleece Artist Curly Locks or somesuch, purchased on Ebay. It ended up being soft and plush, and relatively easy to work with, for a boucle anyway.

Not much else to say at the moment - during the day I feel fine, at night severely depressed. But that is just life, and if I have to take a sleeping aid for the first couple weeks that is what I am going to do.

whole milk is a little too whole for me, thanks.

2006-04-18T07:15:00.000-07:00
I deleted the last post, since I couldn't self-edit at the time apparently. Let's get one thing straight - this sucks, and it will not get easier til I am out of here and not seeing him for a while. Though he may be a good person and a sweetheart, right now it is not good for me to see him. Period. (I feel guilty saying that, even.)

So I'll skip the moving commentary til it's all past. We're getting together first week of May to watch LOST, til then I think I'll eschew the contact just to give me some time to mend.

I couldn't apply for Arrowmont, as I needed 3 letters of reference, and only found it a week before I had to apply. I'll apply again in July for the fall session. Wish me luck! :) I'm donating some art books to the studio today and there's a show of some artwork that's been restored. I was hoping to pick up Wendy's new book at the Barnsie, but it seems I'll have to settle for looking at it til Friday!

(Also, I finished my Mother's Day Jaywalkers, but as my mom is currently wearing them, I have no picture. Sorry!)

Anita's Kiri Shawl

2006-04-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

Anita's Kiri Shawl
Originally uploaded by The Prolific Knitter.
Man, I am on FIRE. No pun intended; I'm going to a fire breather's show tonight that Mark saved a ticket for me for. Also, I have a free ticket to see HOOT on Thursday! yay!

Anyway, knit over 5 days with 4 balls of Elann Baby Silk in Raspberry. It's relatively small, but I like it and it seems appropriate for my aunt (who it's for anyway) since she's always on the go and has no time for frou frou things like ginormous shawls. Mmm... soft...