Cattywampus

When perfectionism meets laziness

We went to Manayunk Saturday to stroll, have lunch, and window shop - these dogs cracked me up.  We had a lot of fun, I had my first EVER Rita's water ice, and yes, it was quite good!  We found a place that has amazing cannoli, we scored a great standing mirror for the bedroom - we've been looking for one we liked for YEARS, we strolled along the canal, drove through Germantown to look at the gorgeous houses and the yards all asplendor in their spring decor, and - the highlight of the journey IMHO, we popped into a jewelry store to buy DH a tie tack and came out with a tie tack and both of our anniversary presents!  He'd been looking for a watch for a while and found one he liked, and I spyed some lovely earrings  - we're only a month early...we talked about not actually gifting them until our actual anniv, but then changed our minds and both wore them out of the store.

I am working on the Sorelle Lace Pullover in Berroco Touche, it's this lovely vibrant blue purple color that just does not come through in pictures. 

It has this double twist stitch in it and I noticed at this point that I screwed up the very first one and it was off center, so I thought I'd take some pics of how I fixed it.

First...drop all the stitches down to the one that's misbehaving.

Then I ran a strand of yarn through the errant loop and secured it in a place that looked like it was part of the pattern.

Then I grabbed the bottom most ladder strand, twisted it to make a closed loop and picked the stitches up to the needle.

Eh voila!  It's not perfect, but it should even out a bit when I block it, and I think it's less noticable than before. 

This is what happens when I don't want to leave some glaring error, but I'm too lazy to rip back all those rows and do them over.   

All about tweed

I received a copy of the book Tweed by Nancy J.  Thomas to review for you...so here goes!

The book starts out with a history of tweed fabrics and tweed yarns, how they got started, and how the tradition has carried over into present day.  The author also covers the basics of different types of processes that are used to make wool into tweed yarn and some of the technical terms you might find while looking for tweedy yarns.

Since tweed yarn is traditionally a rustic yarn (so the author says) and hence something that won't necessarily work in any pattern, Ms. Thomas gives basic guidelines for using tweed successfully and also includes a stitch guide to help you along the way if you are still unsure.

There are 21 patterns in the book, in chapters designated from beginner to advanced, but personally I didn't find any of the projects in the advanced section intimidating, so no matter what your skill level you should be able to pick and choose fairly freely.  There are a number of attractive cabled sweaters in this book as well as a cabled sampler afghan, so those of us who are cable lovers will also enjoy these patterns.

If you are someone who is drawn to tweed yarns this is definitely a book to check out.  I think for me it's more of an idea book, there are definitely some inspiring patterns in there, but the biggest impact for me was understanding what I can do with tweed yarns - I've always veered away from them b/c I just wasn't sure what patterns they would work with.   

It's not a thneed, I swear

Jocelyn and Trek agree that my last picture of this sweater looks like a thneed.  Luckily for me, it's not.  Not that a thneed isn't completely practical, I just don't think I'd wear it out of the house much.

It is loose, but not quite baggy, tho it leans in that direction.  My gauge turned out a little looser than the treacherous gauge swatch predicted, so if I did it again I'd knit one size smaller.  But I do have to admit that it's SUPER comfy.

Jemima, Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece Nymph and um...generic cream color.

I made the body longer by 2" and altered the pattern to knit in the round.  I also decided to do the button placket all the way up to the top so there wasn't a color shift there.  The buttons are from Buttonbliss, and I love them, I think they make the sweater.

41 hours in an elevator

I saw this headline about the video of the guy who was stuck in an elevator for 41 hours and the first thing I thought was this:

"OMG.  I would have finished my socks after about 10 hours, THEN what the heck would I have done??"

That makes me think maybe I should be carrying a lace project around instead of socks, I'm prepared for traffic, but not stuck elevators.

There is obviously something wrong with me.  (and many of you too, I'm sure, I can't be the only knitter who had that thought!!!)

The weekend so far

Last night we had dinner at Roy's.  So.  Good. 

There have been walks to the park.

Flowers have been admired.

Friends have been made.

Squirrels have been stalked...

and chased.

She jumps about 4-5' into the air, it's pretty spectacular.  Duke just chases her, he doesn't even notice the squirrels.

My stockinette slog is nearing the end.  I REALLY hope this thing fits when I'm done, it's looking awfully big...I know it's supposed to be loose fitting, but there's loose fitting and then there's sloppy - I should know soon!

We had lunch at Jones.  I had mac & cheese and tater tots.  It was totally what the doctor ordered.

My mother is coming in later today and we are planning on heading to Tria for some wine and apps and then some indian food.  Tomorrow is shopping.  Lots of shopping.  It's good, I really need to freshen up my spring/summer wardrobe. 

Oh, I mustn't forget the best thing. Ever considered knitting your computer a cozy-----for WHILE you're using it??  You absolutely HAVE to see what this person has done with her knitting, if you click to the flickr links it will show you the construction.  I don't know about anybody else, but I think I would be more than a little uncomfortable to have...blinders...on while using my laptop in public.  Talk about a pickpocketing opportunity!

Socks (I know SO creative, but it is what it is)

As a result of my decision to take the bus in the a.m., due to the calm of the bus compared to the weirdness/franticness of the subway ride, I obviously needed some travel knitting.  There's not a lot of knitting time on the bus, maybe 15 minutes at the most, but I know as knitters you all understand that even 15 minutes a day will eventually make a pair of socks. 

So I got out this crazy yarn, it's Interlacements Tiny Toes in English Garden, it's a crazy colorway that makes me think of spring.  I hate the color yellow and I never, ever wear it, but it does make me think of spring daffodils (and I certainly don't hate THEM!), and that's why I bought this yarn. 

These socks may not even be fraternal twins...more like siblings, I think.  One skein has a lovely color of teal that the other lacks and the yellow is about 5" longer on one than the other, but they'll be close enough.

As I searched for an appropriate pattern I did worry a little bit about the clown barf factor, so I settled on a simple garter rib to let the colors show themselves off.  I did wonder for the first inch or so if I would ever actually wear these socks and then I came to the conclusion that these will be the socks that I reach for on a 'Terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day' - the kind of day when you wake up, stub your toe, step on a dog, drop a contact, can't find your keys, have no shoes to match your outfit, fall down the stairs, forget your lunch, spill coffee in your bag & so on.  These socks, so bright and cheery, will be very good for days like that.

Green Gable

I have finished Green Gable, it's actually much more of a burgundy gable...I'm not so sure how I feel about a short sleeve top that is 50% wool, but this is the season to find these sorts of things out, so here goes.

In Knitting Fever Luxury Cashmere/Aran.

My alterations:  I made size XS, but it looked uber small, so I added two increase rounds to the yoke.  I decreased 10 times to the waist and increased 11 times out to the hips.  I made it 13 inches long before starting the ribbing and made the ribbing 1.5" long.

It's still a little snugger than I had hoped.  I'm still hopeful that it will stretch out a little bit after an hour or so.

Hey look!

It's my new hair!!!  I am SO FREAKING HAPPY that crazy, curling-with-its-own-mind, blowing-in-my-face, taking-forever-to-do mess of hair is GONE!

Random assorted things

Carol, at Mad for Knit is asking people to donate to her friend Gayle who is participating in a rowing marathon to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.  See her post about it here - she's also giving away prizes - so go read & then give!

Did you get all that?  I know it's a little confusing, but it's worth it!

And now, a brief rant:  I have no desire to spin.  I don't want to buy roving.  I don't want to own spindles, or wheels, or whorls, or bobbins, or carders, or any of it.  I like to knit and I like buying my yarn in a knittable form. 

I'm GLAD that there are people who love to spin, I admire your spinning, I think your yarn is amazing, I think it's wonderful that you are this close to the beginning of the craft and are keeping this wonderful tradition going - but please, for the sake of all that is cashmere, don't be a pusher!

99.5% of you aren't pushers and I mean no offense, but really, I don't want to be made to feel GUILTY for not wanting to spin!  (especially when it's really just about book sales) 

I have other crafty things that I like to do and there is not room for that and spinning in my life.  I don't want to be made to feel like a lesser knitter because I choose not to walk down that road.

'nuf said.

Now to the FO!

Gust, in Fearless Fiber's luscious cashmere lace, color:  endless night - it's SUCH a gorgeous color.  This is for our real estate agent, who really went above and beyond to help us find the perfect place.  It came out so nice...now I want to make one for myself!!

This is definitely the least exciting picture.  I like the length, IMHO this is a good length for a scarf like this.  I'm looking rather stern - that's kind of comical.  This is the LAST TIME you will see me with hair this long, so take a good look - updated do will be displayed soon, possibly tomorrow evening if I don't hate the way she does it!

The above picture is an accurate rendition of the color, the picture below shows how much color variation there really is.

   

I met a woman on the bus today

On my way to work who sat with me b/c there were no more empty rows and she had to choose to sit with somebody (oh the joys of the school bus ride brought into adulthood).  Lo and behold, about 30 seconds after she sat down she glanced at me and asked "did you make your scarf?" 

I nodded and smiled and prepared to go back to my own business until she said "is it a clapotis?"

"Why yes, yes it is" I said, "you have to feel it, it's SO soft" and I tucked my ipod away and we chatted for the rest of the ride.

She appreciated the softness of my clapotis and showed me her WIP, a shawl in a lovely boucle dyed by Carol of Black Bunny Fibers who she has known for years - back in the day when she dyed with food dyes with her kids for fun.  I was, of course, suitably impressed - those are some connections!

My stop came & I got off, not thinking to tell her my name or my blog or ravelry name or asking any of the same of her - so she's just a woman I met on the bus today, and that's all she'll ever be.

Sometimes I wish I thought faster before I've had coffee...but my brain just doesn't work before the drug kicks in.

Gust is done - FO pictures soon!