Cattywampus

All noro, all the time.

I caved and went to the LYS and picked up another skein of noro kureyon 213 to finish dh's hat.  I am MUCH happier with it now.

So is he b/c now it covers his ears.  :-)

I finished my gloves.  This is what they looked like with one blocked and one not.  I dont' know if you can tell but the one on the left is actually a bit smaller than the other.  Going into the blocking I didn't know if this was because I had to switch to new needles b/c I broke a dpn or because they just loosened up that much in the soak.  These are the things that worry a knitter.

They are Iranian Gloves knitted fingertip down with double stranded kureyon sock.  Insane coloring.  I would definitely pick a calmer color scheme the next time, but I didn't clearly think it through and I do actually like the end result.  If you were to knit these I would recommend picking a sock yarn with a little elastic in it, these suckers are tight! 

I have yet to determine how practical they are, but they are snug and warm even if I can't really use a zipper! The smaller one stretched out some, but it is definitely a touch smaller than the other.  That's what I get for changing needles in the middle of a project...

I liked using the square needles, though I don't think I would use them again on something that was knit this tightly b/c they cut into my fingers when I was trying to manipulate the stitches.  I would like to try them on socks.  The finish scraped off the ends of them in a few places but I emailed their customer service and they said they will send me a replacement pair no questions asked, so I'm going to try again and hope for the best.

This weekend DH and I being a bit under the weather lead to lots of couch time and me finding buffy seasons 1&2 on hulu as well as some LOTR in the evenings, DH's sweater is progressing nicely, I finally joined the arms to the body and started working on the yoke.  It's all downhill from here!  No pictures yet, but soon.

Back to buffy briefly.  I was worried it would seem awful and cheesy at this point but, except for a few episodes where I couldn't help rolling my eyes, I'm enjoying it immensely! Hooray for good/bad series to watch ad nauseum in my free time!

Secret pal question:  Since we've just had Thanksgiving here in the US, I'm wondering what everyone is most thankful for this year. You don't have to be in the US or even celebrate Thanksgiving to answer. Just share with us! :-)

I am thankful for many things, not the least of which are my friends and family, health and sanity and all that good stuff, but this holiday season I find myself most thankful that we are living in the northeast, that we can see friends and family at our leisure, more often, and at greater length than when were further away and had to try to squeeze everything into a few short days once or twice a year.  And on top of that we get to spend some of the holidays at home in our own home enjoying each other's company, hanging with our pups, and working on things around the house and NOT going through security, flying, deplaning, renting cars, and sleeping on airmattresses for what seems like weeks on end.

Long Weekend

Yesterday we went out for thanksgiving dinner.  We went to City Tavern and the food was really good, there was live music, we even got leftovers to bring home, but it just wasn't the same.

If I had a '43 things' list eating out for thanksgiving would have been on there, it's just something I've always wanted to try but I have to say...I didn't really enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

Somehow when I've spent a week planning, 3-4 days cooking, 6 hours preparing and basting and mashing and warming and stirring only to put it on the table and have it all be over in 45 minutes, somehow it is STILL more enjoyable than going out was.  DH pointed out to me that I actually like to cook, so making a feast for 2 or 10 I'm actually having a good time and that going out, even if the food was delish, took some of the fun out of it for me.

One could say that enjoying the fruits of one's own labor is always more enjoyable, but I don't really think that's the case.  At any rate, I'm glad we did it, but I won't be doing it again any time soon.  And b/c I didn't get to do thanksgiving, I am going to make thanksgiving dinner when we are home over xmas break so we can feast off the leftovers for a week.  :-)

I didn't go out in the black friday madness this morning, I just don't have the patience for it anymore.  We did do quite a lot of online shopping yesterday and this morning, lots of good deals available from the comfort of my couch!!

Speaking of couches, here's pics of our new loveseat in the den.

The arms & backs are moveable, so you can put them whereever you like - as so

My new perfect knitting chair!  We really struggled over the fabric choices but ended up going with this fun fabric on the bolster arms and pieces in the back in an attempt to brighten up the room a little bit.  Now we just need some red cushion footstools and we'll be all set. 

We did some christmas decorating

We dont' have room for a tree, but we do have stockings hung on the china cabinet with care.

The dogs thought that a relaxed november day was good for some cuteness.

And even more...

And duke has his christmas toy - pixie has hers too but she wasn't cooperating with the picture taking.

And three more days of NOT AT WORK!!  Knitting content to follow soon. 

I knew it wasn't going to work

And yet, I kept going anyway.

Why is that?  We've all done it from time to time, at least this wasn't a sweater.

I started DH a hat for his cold little ears, in noro kureyon, so it would go fast and be funky with absolutely no effort on my part.

About 3" in I knew there wasn't going to be enough yarn, I called and my lys has some, but I didn't want to motivate out into the cold on this lovely, cuddly afternoon to get it, so I tried to make it work.

I decreased at a higher than normal rate telling myself that was a fine shortcut, not a problem at all. 

Then I had to cut off what was left of the meager cast on tail to use that, and that didn't work. 

Then I dug around my stash and found some yarn that was reasonably the same color and sort of matched.

And that worked if I ignore the fact that it sort of looks like a circus tent.  It looks fine on his head, oh the blessed stretchiness of wool. 

Then I finished it, wove in the ends even, and tried it on him and pulled and tugged and yanked, but no matter how much I did, it doesn't cover his ears.  Sigh.  And he says it's fine. 

But that other yarn is just there staring at me, like an evil eye in an otherwise perfectly good hat.  I gave him this hat to wear until I can get that other skein. 

Why, when we know it isn't going to work, do we keep moving forward anyway?

_______________________

In other news, my best friend and Goddaughter came for an overnight visit this weekend.  It was a short visit, but fun.  Gracie had fun playing in my yarn - she has good taste! 

The dogs are exhausted, Gracie wears them out.  Pixie spends most of the time hiding from her, which is really exhausting apparently.  For this reason Gracie doesn't like Pixie as much as Duke, who stands still and lets her fawn all over him.  He quite likes it, I think, even if he is still rather suspicious of small people who move fast and yell a lot.

Pixie was so exhausted that she sought refuge in her crate after they left.  Duke was perplexed by this.

AND I finished the quilt so they could take it home.  Finally.  I started it when she was about 6 mos old, finished the top when she was 2 1/2, got it quilted when she was 3 1/2 and gave it to her when she was 4 1/2.  Not the best track record, but she just got bunk beds because the baby on the way will need the convertible crib/twin bed, so it's good timing.  Now let's see if I can get THAT baby a quilt before it's almost 5 years old!

I just realized that these pictures are all gigantic.  I'll have to figure out what that's about.

Short week coming up - woot!  I hope you all get some time off and have a wonderful holiday full of family, way too much food, shopping, and football.  I'm really looking forward to the four day weekend to see what kind of projects I can get in to!

Pictures of Foliage

YAY!  It dried overnight and I was able to wear it to work today.  So comfy and easy to wear, this size is definitely a good size for me to wear without it feeling awkwardly large on me.

And a few thanks to DH

LOVE IT.

Waiting

To watch the lace go from this

to this

It's amazing, isn't it?

But the waiting...WHEN is going to be dry???  I want to pick it up, twirl it around in a circle, wrap it around myself and look at the amazing transformation from the bunched up fabric to this drapey, elegant shawl.    OH I HATE WAITING.

The blocked measurements are 60" x 30", I did an extra repeat, which it looks like I didn't really need.

Because I did an extra repeat I screwed up the edging a bit and don't have a point at the bottom point of the shawl.  Huh.  Ask me if I care.  :-)

I used Briar Rose Fibers Grandma's Blessing, I'm not sure how much, I'll try to remember to weigh it when it's dry.   Modeled pics to come next weekend probably, it's impossible to get natural light during the week these days.

No Updates

I have no knitting updates for you today, soon, very soon.  I am working on the border of the Foliage shawl.

I MAY have purchased a share in the Martha's Vineyard CSA yarn share.   Just maybe.  I also MAY have signed up for Embrace the Lace, which is from March of 2009 to March of 2010.  Apparently I'm on a kick. 

I do miss being part of a monthly or bimonthly club.  I did STR 2 years ago, and then last year I did Sundara's club, I like the idea of different types of yarn and different designers - it sounds like it will be really cool, I just hope I like the colors, it's always a gamble. 

I spent a day catching up on things this weekend, mending a hat that was a gift last christmas and had come unraveled at the top, brushing the dogs (dh did that part) and giving them baths, working diligently on sewing down the binding on my goddaughter's quilt.  Five hours so far this weekend...yes, I am timing it, I can't help it, I just hate doing it.  3 sides done, it will be done in time to give it to her this coming weekend when they come to visit.

Today we went to the opera!  My dad & stepmother have season tickets and were out of town and they gave us their tickets, they are great seats, it is such fun to see the costuming up close.  The opera was The Italian Girls in Algiers, a comedy, it really was funny and it's so much more fun to watch when everybody doesn't die at the end.

Tomorrow is dh's bday and we were both able to take the day off so we will be enjoying a leisurely day at home tomorrow.  I'll leave you with some pictures.

Fall in the city - this was last weekend, the leaves are all gone now.

Doggies after the bath - little blurs of motion.

And finally, Pixie doesn't like movies so much, the surround sound discomforts her, so she crawls in safe places.

 

Praiseworthy

Some people do things that just make you want to hug them until they burst, y'know?

My friend in NC, whose blog with her gorgeous mosaics is here, has been working on hats to donate for about 9 months now, I'd guess.

This picture is of 30 (!!!!) finished hats that she is donating to the homeless.

Can you believe it? 30!

What a wonderful thing to do! If you think so too, go on over to her blog and let her know, I think she deserves a big round of applause! You go Debbie!!!

SP 13 Questionairre

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

I like working with alpaca, merino, and BFL as far as woolly types go, I also work with rayon, silk and cotton.  I'm not a fan of all polyester yarn but I'm not against blends.

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

The handy new denise zipper pocket case I just got!  (see last post for details)

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

I have been knitting for about 7 years.  I inherited my great grandmother's knitting needles so I picked up a book and just ran with it!  I would guess I'm somewhere in the middling to high intermediate range.

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

Yes, you can find me on amazon by searching for my full name.

5. What's your favorite scent?

I'm allergic to a lot of things, but I like natural scents - citrus, cinnamon, that sort of thing.

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

Chocolate, chocolate, chocoate!  ooh, and chocolate covered pretzels, they rock.

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

I enjoy cooking and I also quilt.

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

I enjoy classic jazz as well as some more modern stuff, for current bands I like fountains of wayne - happy music.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I like reds, blues, purples, teals, and some greens.  I'm not at all a fan of oranges or yellows.  You can see my color leanings by checking out my stash page on ravelry.

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

I am married with two small, cuddly, adorable dogs.

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

I wear scarves, hats, mittens and shawls but definitely not ponchos!

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

I don't think I have a particular favorite, I get on kicks - lace shawls for a while, socks for a while, sweaters for a while, etc.

13. What are you knitting right now?

A pair of gloves, a fingering weight lace shawl, a sweater for me, a sweater for dh, a pair of socks, a lace scarf, a fair isle hat, and two lace shawls in hibernation...I think that's it.  Most of them are in my projects page on ravelry.

One done, two fingers done on the second.

Body done, sleeves halfway, soon I'll be to the joining round!

One repeat left, then the edging.

About halfway, I think.

Almost to the heel turn, about another inch.

That's most of them, I need to do a new photoshoot these are definitely outdated, but I figured it's better than no pics at all.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Of course!

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

I prefer circs, I have a harmony options set that I love and I use addi circs for socks with the magic loop method.

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

Yes.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

A year and a month or two.
sigh - halfway done.

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?

Christmas!

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Not really...sock yarn - does that count?

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 get interweave knits...I don't think there is anything I'm dying to get my hands on.  I am always interested in trying new yarns, needles & so on, but nothing on my mind right now.  Ooh, here's one - I adore Fleece Artist colorways and I've been craving after some of their Trail Sock yarn, but I really don't need any more sock yarn, so I haven't bought any.

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

Not right now, I just took a class in Bohus - that's enough to occupy me for a while!

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

I am a sock knitter, I wear a ladies 7, narrowish.

23. When is your birthday?

June 6.  Not in this swap!

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

Of course!  Cattywampus

The Goods

So, I had been saving to spend at stitches...I really like to go to at least one show a year and get things that you really can't get online or things that I am reluctant to buy online because it's hard to tell what the colorways really are.

First and most practical I got one of those new Denise Organizers.

I have stopped using my denise needles, I should probably get around to selling them on ebay I guess, but this organizer will work with any interchangeable set.  Last year I got the knitpicks options set and it turned out I didn't really like the metal, but I LOVE the harmony, so the ones I'm actually using are the harmony - if anybody needs the options set without the cords let me know - anyway, this organizer is perfect for an interchangeable set.

There are two removable pockets in the center with zipper pockets on each side (totaling 4) and on each outside flap there are little pockets for interchangeable tips as well as a zipper pocket.  I fit EVERYTHING in here.  All the extra circs, all the sock needles, all the lace needles, all my accessories - EVERYTHING.  It is awesome!

I also got some of those square needles to work on my gloves - I finally broke one of the wooden ones.  So far, so good, they even flex a little bit, I'm hoping that will help prevent my hands from aching so much.  Have you seen them?  Very funky.

And now I present you with...

Hand Maiden Casbah (Merino, Cashmere, nylon), color unknown but gorgeous

Enough to make a 3/4 sleeve something or other...I'm thinking maybe another wicked?

Dream in Color Classy in Deep Sea Flower. 

I have no idea what I'm going to make with this, but it's pretty and I like it.  (so there)  Maybe this would make a better wicked, I could do it long sleeved...I'm really just not sure.  This is the only yarn I got that is available locally, but I just loved the color and it was a bargain at $16/skein.

Malabrigo sock.  I didn't intend to buy this much...but then I heard that webs was going to come with only 200 skeins and I wanted some, so I made a beeline for their booth when I got there, I have enough sock yarn for socks - that was one of the deals I made with myself coming to this show, no sock yarn and no lace yarn, but sock yarn for sweaters is acceptable - and then if you spent over a certain amount you got 25% off, soooooo, well...you know how those things go.

This color is called eggplant and try as I might I couldn't get it come out true on my camera.  It is so dark it is almost black, it just has a vague hint of burguny/purple in it.  SO pretty and very unusual.  I bought 4 skeins (1800 yards), I think there is enough to make a baby cabled cardigan with it.  Very preppy and oh so practical.  Something like this maybe, but without the scary shiny thing attached. 

This is rayon vert, it likes similar to the Hand Maiden Casbah doesn't it?  Apparently I was on a red kick this year - just wait, you'll see.  I have no plans for this, but I like it.  :-)

I hit brooks farms booth - holy crap I love their yarn.

This is acero in sort of a brick color, it looks washed out in the pic.  I made my ravelymics henly out of this yarn and I love it.  I'm thinking maybe this cardigan.

And some fourplay in a lovely pink/red blend.

There's no purple in it, really, it's just a more intense version of the color...I don't know why it looks purple, I tried to mess around with it but to no avail.  I might make the Notre Dame pullover with this or maybe Ingenue.

Last but not least, some Shelridge Farm softouch in Mulberry.

To make this Norah Gaughan top.

I did spend more than I had intended, but I was really short on time.  How on earth does this make me spend MORE money you ask?  Well, I only had two hours, the lunch break from my class, in which to shop.  So I wasn't able to approach the market from a logical point of view, which in my opinion would be to loop through once, decide what I wanted and then go back and purchase the things which were priorities and within my budget.  Since I didn't have time to do that I was purchasing without knowing what was at the next booth or the next, so by the time I found the hand maiden I had already hit my budget, but I wasn't leaving without it!  (and so on)

I am really pleased with my purchases and even though I know there is not enough time in the year to knit all this up (I still have yarn for 3 projects I bought last year at SAFF), I will thoroughly enjoy looking at it, fondling it, and assigning it to project after project as new magazines and patterns come out!  For me, more than half the fun of knitting is the project planning stage.

The only thing I really wanted that I didn't buy was yarn from Lisa Souza, she has this color called Elektra, it's a really intense gorgeous blend of black, purple and deep blue.  I adore it.  But I didn't want to make socks out of it...so I will order some when I find the perfect project for it in whatever weight said project requires.  She has SUCH pretty stuff. 

I am sad that stitches is moving to New Haven next year b/c that is very inconvenient to get to from here, but hopefully I will be able to meet Heather at stitches south in atlanta and that would be OODLES more fun than going alone anyway!

Bohus

I took the train down to baltimore (at an ungodly hour of the morning, I might add) to take a bohus class at stitches east Friday.

The history behind it is so amazing, I won't go into it, you can read a little bit about it here if you'd like.  I will tell you that it is pronounced in sounds the english language doesn't make, the closest I can come to spelling it out is Bowhuus, but we still don't make the right sounds.  At least now I'm coming a little closer to pronouncing correctly!

I wanted to take the class because the sweaters are so DARN pretty and someday I want to make one.

Susanna brought some samples for us to see and fondle.

Up close they are just marvelous

This sweater in blues was by far my favorite

Just look at the details!

We worked on a wristlet.

Isn't it just so much fun!?!  I love the way the purl stitches create additional pattern interest.  It's official, I'm in love.

Here is a shot of 4 sweaters that are all the same pattern but done in different colors.

And here is a shot of all the wristlets from the class.

I really enjoyed the class, both this history lesson and learning a new technique, I highly recommend this class to anyone who has the opportunity to take it!

I also visited the marketplace, I will show you all the gorgeous things I purchased soon!